Youngblood // Sweet Pea

12

It was no secret that the farm was highly talked about in Betty's life. Now as we sit in her kitchen, we talk of the kids, now on the farm.

"So, your mom just turned them over to the farm? Didn't tell you or anything?"

"No, I walked in on them having a meeting with Polly and Evelyn. Apparently, Edgar himself came and got them, keep in mind, I've still never seen him."

"That's not it Chief. Are you going to try to find them or?"

"I don't know."

We sat in silence for a minute, no words being exchanged.

"Betty, I got to go talk to my dad. He saw Archie last night and took him to the boarder."

"Yeah, of course. Just call me later."

"Of course."

I didn't even have Betty's number because sometimes she was too much to deal with alone. She's been using me as a crutch since Jughead went off the rails.

I walked across the frosted grass, trying to cut time down. I was a woman on a mission.

The truck was still parked in the driveway, implying he was still home. I walked up the steps, my boots making clicking sounds as I did so.

I knocked on the door, looking behind me to see neighbors giving me off stares.

The door unlocked and opened. Fred Andrews stood in the door way.

"Mina, now is not the time for this."
"Then, when is?"

He stood silent before moving aside to let me in.

"I don't know."

I closed the door behind me as I followed him to the kitchen.

"At least tell me he's ok."
"He's fine, Mina."

I watched as he poured himself a cup of coffee. He set the up on the table before sitting down. He brought the cup up to his lips and drank.

"Oh, I found a box of your mom's things up in the attic. It's sitting up in the hallway."

I gave him a curt nod before standing and walking up the stairs. The box sat next to a table in the hallway. It was one of those boxes people get when they get fired.

I moved the lid off, seeing pictures, and receipts, notes and letters. Pieces of her life sat in a white office box.

"Mina, come on, I'm dropping you off before I head to work." Fred yelled up the stairs.

"Ok, I'm coming." I grabbed the box lid, placing it back on the top before grabbing the whole thing and walking back down.

Fred stood by the door, waiting for me. I opened the door and walked to his truck, box still in my arms.

"Look kiddo, I know life doesn't seem all that great, but it's going to pan out."

"Thanks dad."

I slid onto the cold truck bench, feeling the cold leather from underneath my leggings.

He started the truck and pulled away from the curb. My thoughts panned to the box in my hands, what if it held as many secrets as the journals?

''Do you think Archie will be ok out there? Alone."

"Yeah, he might not know it yet, but he'll be fine."

(He was not fine, Archie at this point and time was attacked by a bear and was now dying.)