Easier to Lie

Chapter 35

To avoid a trial, my dad pleaded guilty to all charges and received life in prison. Frankie's sentence was reduced to seven years because of his cooperation against Dad. I ended all contact with both of them. I needed to start my life over. A clean slate.

It took months of Dad's sentencing for me to let go of Leah. I had to erase her from my life, too. Start over with Kardai as my best friend and write new chapters to our lives. Chapters where Leah didn't exist anymore.

When the book about her encounter with the Sedona Serial Killers was released, I wanted to reach out. I wanted to ask her why. Why was she telling the world about this? Why couldn't she just—move on? I bought the cook a read it multiple times trying to decide if I believed everything she said. Leah liked to exaggerate for a good story.

She included me in the story, portraying me as the whiney, needy, dumb best friend. I wondered how long she had viewed me that way. If our friendship had been one big lie. Or joke.

At least I had Kardai. She didn't care to read any book. She didn't whisper about my family with the others. She stood by me, always by my side making sure I was okay.

When Eric came home from being overseas, he wasn't the same. Kardai and Tommy helped me with him. He had severe PTSD, and sometimes his anger frightened me. He would have these violent outbursts and refuse to take his medications. Therapy was helping, for a while.

I thought everything was going to be okay. He was adjusting to being home, trying to get into a routine. I was taking classes on campus again and continuing to work at the hotel.

We didn't talk about my dad. Or Leah. Eric stayed in touch with Adam, but I didn't ask about their conversations and Eric didn't volunteer anything.

While Eric was home, things were great between us. He struggled to adjust, but our relationship had never been better. We had dates, we cuddled and watched movies, and most importantly, we talked.

He wanted kids, and honestly, I did, too. I wanted the company while he was away. I wanted to finish college first. We could start trying after graduation, two years in the future. Eric was disappointed, but he said that he understood.

I stood on the porch sipping on a cup of hot chocolate, because hot chocolate was good all year, and listening to the rickets chirp. Eric joined me, wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck. I leaned back into him and smiled to the sky. For the first time in almost one year, I felt whole.