Eastern District School

Chapter 58 - His and Hers

"It's okay Rose." Rich said, his hands holding her arms. Possibly the main reason she was shaking.

She would not be reduced to tears today. This day was going to be a long one, answers that she needed would be coming to light...she knew it! They had to! She was a patient person...she was, she thought. However, no one goes through this. These things did not happen to normal people. So if she wanted to give way to tears or become completely delirious, than she had every right to!

"Are you going to read them?" Benny's voice sounded in the silence. Although realistically, she thought it sounded like a ridiculous question, however, if she acted this way just seeing the envelopes goodness knows what she will be like once she actually read them. 

"Benny, were they in the same drawer?" she asked suddenly.

Benny nodded. "All that I have given you there, all came from that locked drawer." he said simply. 

The question of why it took so long, flashed before her eyes, but even she could see that her consciousness was stalling. She looked down at the letters again, but then her eyes instantly flashed up to Rich. It was although she didn't have to speak, he knew what she was asking.

"Which one first, though?" he asked as he looked down too. He removed his hands. He was just crouching there before her, waiting for her decision, her move. Waiting for her to hand him a letter to read. 

Rose could feel Benny's head whipping from her, to Rich, to and fro, like a cat watching a bouncy ball. It occurred to her then, that Benny obviously knew more than she had told him. Rich must have trusted him to tell him certain things too and to put him in charge of finding things. Also Benny's commitment to working on a weekend, something that she was almost always against. Now, he had found these letters before them and his curiously obviously ran deeper than her own, or at least possibly close to it. Could she have kept herself from reading them, checking up, finding letters with a picture of her just 6 years earlier? She didn't think so.

She looked down again at the envelopes before, wondering why for that moment that it felt like the biggest decision of her life. She moved her hand to the one with her mother's name on...should she hear this one first? She already assumed in her mind that this letter was probably from her father to her mother. Then again...her hand moved over to the letter with her father's name on. This letter could be from anyone to her father. 

Possibly due to fear of the truth coming to light, she decided to read the latter first. She picked up the letter with her father's name on it and handed it to Rich, ignoring the sudden inhalation of air from Benny as he stood feet away from them. 

Rich took the paper and rising to his feet he pulled the letter from the envelope. He didn't appear to look uneasy with extra company, she realised. 

" 'Dearest Pete, I hope you find this letter, I have put it somewhere different. Yesterday I know someone was following me back from the park. I lost them by going through Terry's diner and sneaking out the back. It was a long walk home, but I usually feel so safe here, but tonight I feel so alone. Life isn't fair! But I will protect our daughter until the day I die, and beyond if such a thing is possible. I know I must stay away from everyone I know for now, but it pains me after such a time.' " Rich paused and looked up at Rose, waiting for her reaction. She didn't move, but continued to stare in the direction she was when he started reading, at the far wall, trying not to give any eye contact.

" 'She is so beautiful Pete, her hair holds curls that bounce. I wonder if they will stay. I do miss you, so much it hurts. But as your mum said it will probably only be for a little while. So when I feel so low, I hold Rose tight. When she sleeps - I watch her. When she wakes up and I first see her beautiful brown eyes each morning - I see you - then she smiles with that adorable dimple on her right cheek and her lazy voice says "Good morning Mummy!" and I melt!' " Rich's voice wavered and peaked.