ghosts // riverdale

[5]

          Storms surrounded Riverdale both literally and figuratively. With thunder and lightning shaking the foundations of homes on both parts of town, other foundations were crumbling beneath our feet. The foundation of trust. The foundation of love. The foundation of family.

          We were all keeping secrets, some darker than others. However, some people aren't as secretive about the lives that they lead or the truths that they tell. Or, they simply get to the point to where they don't care enough to keep anymore secrets. While the truth may set you free, it doesn't always feel good. In fact, sometimes the truth can hit you harder than a freight train and when it does, a part of you might wish you were dead.

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"Oh sweetheart," Hermione chimes as she tugs onto the shoulders of her husband, "I'm so happy that you're back with your family." A slight smile spreads across Hiram's thin lips as he nods in agreement, awkwardly holding onto his wife's petite shoulders back. As she keeps a firm grasp on her husband, Veronica walks through the door. "Veronica," Hermione calls, "come say 'hello' to your father and give him a kiss!"

"Daddy!" Veronica squeals as she quickly rushes towards him and swings her arms around his neck. "Hi baby," he grins as he squeezes her in his arms, "I've missed you so much." "I've missed you too," Veronica smiles as she slowly releases herself from his grip. "Now Veronica," Hiram says quietly, "can I speak to your mother in private, please?" Veronica nods her head simply as she clutches onto her handbag and her heels click down the long hallway.

"Isn't she such a beautiful young woman now?" Hermione smiles, "I'm so proud of her Hiram and you should be too." Hiram walks around the large dining room table to the small bar and pours himself a glass of whiskey. He tosses it back quickly, not even wincing at the fire burning in his chest. Quickly, he pours himself another glass and turns towards his wife, gliding his finger along the brim of the crystal.

"You should be so proud of this family, Hiram," Hermione nods, "did you see the flowers? I know you love white roses so the entire apartment is filled with them. Then our sheets are cotton and the towels in the bathroom as well. See? I made sure everything was just the way you like it." Hermione's eagerness fills the room as she approaches her husband, placing her hand gently on his cheek.

Hiram stares at her blankly as he brings the crystal to his lips, taking a sip as he stares back at her. "Hermione," he says simply, "I want a divorce." The smile spread across her lips quickly fades as her eagerness is replaced with disappointment. "Hiram," she says with a nervous laugh, "honey, what are you talking about?"

"I mean what I said," he nods as he sets his glass on the table and turns to walk away. Hermione quickly wraps her hand around his arm, tugging him back towards her as he turns back around. He removes her hand from his arm as he adjusts the sleeves of his freshly pressed jacket. "Hiram," Hermione nearly pleads, "talk to me, please. We can talk this out."

"No," he says as he glares towards her, "we can't. I've wanted a divorce for awhile Hermione but I wasn't going to get one in prison, now was I?" Hermione fights back tears as she shakes her head in disbelief. "Why Hiram?" She asks through a cracked voice, "Why now after everything that I've done for you?"

A sly smile spreads across Hiram's face and it's the first smile he's given her since he's been out that's genuine. "Hermione," he says, his voice low and gentle as he runs the tip of his index finger under her chin, "I'm a business man. I've made business moves. Our marriage since I've been in prison was one of them. I don't consider you my wife anymore, I consider you an associate."

As the last words slip out of his mouth, a loud crack is heard around the room as a result of the palm of her hand meeting his right cheek. Hiram lets out a laugh as he glares back towards her. "That's the first time you've stood up for yourself in years," he grins. "This is all because of that little bitch you were seeing behind my back, huh Hiram? The girl that bends all your business for you?" Hermione asks as a single tear rolls down her left cheek.