The Truths We See

Chapter 8

Rob was friends with Louis. Louis, the guy who was dead because of my dad. Kev looked at me, watching my face intently as I processed this information. "What was Louis like?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. It was information I didn't need to hear, but I couldn't help it. The stories I heard were a painful reminder of a life cut too short, and I could feel the pain and even the guilt in my heart with every mention. 

I had to hear about Louis.

Kev frowned, but told me, anyway. "He was a freshman when Rob was a sophomore. They got along well, I guess. Like I said, I only met Rob once and never met Louis. I met Rob when we both showed up at football tryouts for varsity in our junior year. Louis kept to himself until he got to his junior year, and then he started dating the girl he ended up marrying." He shrugged. "I don't know anything else about either of them, to be honest."

I nodded. It was all I could do, really. There was a lump in my throat. Louis had kids. More than a wife, he had kids that depended on him. I rubbed my face hard. "Do you think he could be mad at Ben for our father killing his friend?"

Kev was looking at me with concern. "I mean, anything is possible. Brenda, are you okay?"

I nodded, lowering my hands. "Yeah." No. I wasn't going to be okay. Not ever. Not after this. Not after what my father did. "I just can't talk about this any more right now." I sipped some of my drink and and sat back. "We're going on our ski trip in a few days or so. I'm looking forward to it actually. I was going to wax my board when I get home, make sure it's ready to ride."

"Where are you going this year?"

"To the highest resort we can get into. That way we'll have plenty of good powder to ride." He nodded and we lapsed into an awkward silence. Fortunately our food came soon after and we had the excuse of eating to not talk. 

By the time we were getting ready to leave, I'd processed everything enough to calm down. "Is it possible to find out how Rob and Louis are connected?" I asked once we were outside, on our way back to the station.

Kev shrugged. "There is, but you'd have to ask questions."

I raised an eyebrow. "I'd rather not deal with strangers, to be honest."

"I can't go talk to Louis' family or Rob. Not without a lawful reason, anyway."

I stopped walking. Kev noticed and stopped after a couple of steps. I could feel the familiar claw of anxiety raising up, preparing to come down on me. "I can't talk to his family," I said, hearing the beginning of panic in my voice. I couldn't. I really couldn't. How do you even manage to talk to the family of the man your father killed? I was scared of them. Thinking about facing them to ask them about their loved one was so much scarier than facing down a huge slope for the first time when I was twelve and Ben took me to one of the highest, hardest ones at the resort and I practically begged him to not take me down it. 

Kev grabbed my shoulders gently. "Calm down, Brenda. Take a deep breath with me, okay?" I just nodded and breathed with him. I knew what he was trying to do, and I was thankful for it, but I hated that I needed it. I was mad with myself for showing weakness. It didn't take long for me to be calm enough to satisfy him. "Okay. How are you?"

I shook my head. "I don't think I can talk to them, and I think I need to go home. Thank you, but I'll have to see you later." I had somehow managed to hold onto my board the whole time, so I stepped around him, put it down, and rode home. 

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Jimmy was a good guy. Truly. He was always one of those friends I relied on most for a fun time and right now I needed some fun. After riding home the day before, he invited me over to his for a gaming marathon. I felt so bad turning him down that I asked him to ride around town in the morning instead. What I didn't count on was being up at seven this morning and riding to meet him at the diner for breakfast, but here I am.