Misery Loves Company

Chapter 9

I remember the day perfectly. It has been forever burned into my mind - moment for moment. My flight from Los Angeles had landed and I was waiting at the San Francisco airport for my family and my wonderful fiance to pick me up. We had our engagement party to get ready for that evening. I remember my heart feeling so full of love until it wasn't anymore. I can still taste the airport air in my mouth as I waited, and waited, and waited. They never arrived. 

I never could have imagined the last time I heard any of their voices would be their voicemails. Phone calls going straight to their automated message. I was riddled with panic and anxiety. Nothing like this has ever happened before. My father, being in charge of one of the largest financial/investment groups in the city always had his phone on him. Something wasn't right. 

And that's when I saw it. A few state police vehicles arrive at the airport. An officer approaching me.

"May Carter?" 

I nodded my head timidly. My knees beginning to shake, my heart rate going up with every step he takes closer. 

"Ma'am, there's been an accident. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but your family, they're gone." And before he could even finish the sentence, my whole body collapsed to the ground. The next thing I remember is being in the back of an ambulance, sirens blaring, the officer by my side holding my hand. I screamed and cried until my body eventually gave out again. The shock taking over. 

My family and my fiance had been hit by a massive tractor-trailer. The man behind the wheel had been drinking. They never saw it coming. Just like that, my entire world had been ripped from my hands. 

My family was well known among the community. My father was a big shot with his own hedge fund firm. My mother was a well-known philanthropist - the most selfless person you'll ever know. My little brother was still in high school with his whole life ahead of him. My fiance, Michael, was to begin working for my father once he graduated from Stamford, where we met and fell in love. It was all over the news. And every day I had to hear the empty words of people sending me their condolences. The community was riddled in pain and sorrow but, I was completely destroyed. 

From there, I dropped out of school and went into exile. I was left with a huge inheritance that I cared nothing for. I withdrew from life and stayed locked up in my apartment. The only person I had was Ashley. She stayed by my side through this entire thing. She held me as I cried myself to sleep every night and she calmed me when I woke up screaming. My pain took her attention 24/7. I could tell it was beginning to exhaust her and I didn't want to lose another person I cared so much for, so I turned to other ways of getting through the pain. I began to drink, a lot. I did drugs and I smoked cigarettes and I started to carve little thin white lines on my perfect pristine body. I would lock myself in my room for days on end and Ashley would sit outside and beg me to come out. I told her I was just tired and I needed to sleep. And I did. I slept, and I cried, and I drank for what felt like an eternity. 

There are no more tears left to cry, as I realize I've been sitting in the shower for almost thirty minutes already. I find what little strength I have within me to pull my exhausted body up and turn the water off. I step out, wrap myself in my towel, and immediately go for another drink to try and calm myself down. Ashley can't know I was crying. It's been a year and I'm still the same mess. 

I take my hand and wipe away the condensation from the mirror, look at my reflection and practice my best smile. If I'm going to face Ashley, I'm going to need more to drink. I finish my coffee before I decide to get dressed and make my way out into the kitchen. I see Ashley bent over the counter, painfully watching her cup of coffee brew. 

"Good morning sunshine," I slap her ass as I walk by.

"Good morning to you too" wincing from her evident hangover.

"So..... let's hear all about it," I pray for anything to distract my mind. 

"Ugh, May, let me just tell you, best fuck of my life." 

"Wow. And that's saying a lot coming from you," joking around.

"You know... it really is!" 

"I'm glad you were able to have fun." I lean my body up against the island and bring my fresh cup of steaming black coffee to my face. 

"And did you have fun, Ms. May?" 

"Never a better night in my life," I couldn't have possibly been more sarcastic.