Beautiful Mess (Book II)

Chapter thirteen

"Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out"

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•Kyle•

When I step onto the front porch, all I want is to get away. It's been four years since I was last here, and it's depressing to see this house again.

Since it was getting dark when Rae and I got back from the police station yesterday, I decided it'd be best if I come here in the morning.

Finding the house wasn't a problem. It used to be mine when I lived in it for the first seventeen years of my life, after all. The neighborhood hadn't changed much, it's just as stifling and gloomy as I remember. I notice that our house is no longer white, but painted a light blue color.

Finally gathering the courage to ring the bell, I hold my breath as I hear footsteps approaching the door from the inside. But when it opens, it's not the person I expected to see but instead the guy who was comforting her at the funeral.

He has the same light brown eyes and shoulder length hair as her, and a tall frame which I assume is a genetic trait that runs in their family. He looks to be around his mid thirties, but he's dressed like a teenager in ripped jeans and a band tee. He tucks his hair behind his ears and clears his throat.

"Hi," he says, a surprised look on his face.

"I wanted to talk to... her," I mumble, not knowing what to call her.

Thankfully, the guy understands who I'm referring to. "Martha? She's not here at the moment."

I nod and turn around to leave but he suddenly grabs my arm. I frown, looking back at him.

"Sorry, I-- uh..." He hesitates, confusing me even more.

I shrug my arm out of his grip and he rubs the back of his neck while giving me an apologetic look.

"I'm Jeremy," he says, giving me a small smile. "I'm your mom's younger brother. Well, half-brother actually. But I'm still your uncle."

So he recognized me? I guess that's why he understood who I'm here to see without me having to say her name.

I nod before once again turning to leave.

"Wait!" he calls out.

Oh what now?

I look back, not even bothering to hide my annoyance. I don't have any problems with the guy, but the fact that he looks like her is making me uncomfortable. If I can't even handle being in the presence of someone who looks like her, I can't imagine what it'd be like to talk to her.

"I just-- I'm really glad you're here." His tone is urgent, like I'd disappear into thin air if he doesn't talk fast enough. "Shocked, but glad. Martha would be-- she'd be so happy to see you. I'm just worried if you leave now you might change your mind and not come back again."

Trust me, I'd love to do that but I can't.

"Please, come back later, or tomorrow. Or just-- anytime soon," he adds with a hopeful look.

If I tell him the reason I'm here, he would tell her and she'd be prepared. I have to catch her off guard to get the answers I want.

"I will," I say before quickly turning around and walking away.

"It's nice to meet you!" he calls out, but I don't respond.

I don't wanna like this guy, but I kinda do. I want to ask him where the hell he's been all my life, but I know that doesn't matter anymore. He's not my uncle just like she's not my mom. I'm here for a reason and that's it.

My phone chimes and I take it out of my pocket to see that Jason has sent me a text.

[Hey dude what's up you've been absent for 2 days. U better get here rn if u wanna keep your job.]

He doesn't know? I guess Mrs. Anderson hasn't hired a new worker yet.

Instead of replying to his text, I decide to go over there myself since she told me she'd pay me off 'whenever' and I'm free today.

On my way to the grocery store, all my mind can think of is how the hell my father's involved in that fire. It doesn't make any sense. What kind of sick coincidence is it that Rae happens to be the daughter of the people whose deaths my father had witnessed? What are the odds?

My biggest fear is, was he an accomplice in some way? And would she look at me any different if I turn out to be the son of her parents' murderer?

I get to the grocery store and walk in to see Jason scanning a few items for an old lady. He looks up at me and his eyebrows raise. The woman walks out as I step closer to him and he gives me a questioning look.

"Dude, you okay? I thought something happened to you."

"I'm fine, is she here yet?" I ask, gesturing towards the direction of her office where she'd normally spend her mornings in.

"No, but get ready for a mouthful when she gets here." He points an accusing finger at me. "She'll probably fire you today. And you deserve it! Why the hell would you be absent for two--"

"Jason," I cut him off. "I'm fired. She told me over the phone two days ago."

"What?" he asks, widening his eyes. "Shit. So you're not here to work right now?"

I nod, stuffing my hands in my pockets. "I came here to get paid off and also say goodbye to you."

Jason stares at me with pity for a few moments. "Come here," he says stepping closer to me.

"No, that's not necessar--" I pause as he hugs me. "Okay then."

"I enjoyed working with you, dude. It's been, what, two years? Damn I'm gonna miss having you here."

I chuckle and we pull apart. "Thanks. I enjoyed working with you too."

"Well well well," a calm voice comes from behind me and I don't have to turn around to know who it is. "If it isn't our most punctual employee."

She walks closer to us and Jason goes back to his place behind the counter.

"So," she says giving me one of her fake smiles. "Took you two days to show up. I was starting to wonder if you'd even come at all."

"I'm here now."

"I see. Follow me."

"Wait," Jason says, and we both turn around to face him. "Uh... I don't mean to disrespect you, Mrs. Anderson. But uh... is it really necessary to fire him? I mean he could really improve--"

"Jason, don't waste your breath." She dismisses with a smile and gestures for me to follow her before walking away.

"I tried." Jason shrugs with a sad look.

"Thanks. But I really don't need this job anymore." I assure him as I follow her to the office.

She sits behind her desk and I linger around the door until she motions for me to come closer.

All throughout the five minutes I spend in there, she keeps ranting about how irresponsible I turned out to be and how unfair it has been for Jason to constantly cover my shifts. And the truth is, I totally agree.

I sigh in relief as I walk out of that store for the last time. Getting fired was just the push I needed to start taking the business course and finally get a degree.

It's mid day by the time I get home so I start making lunch while waiting for Rae.

But when she gets home a few minutes later, I see that she has brought Jess along with her. From the look on Rae's face I can tell that she wants me to tell Jess about our father and what we found out yesterday. So I approach them, taking a deep breath.

As Jess hugs me in greeting, I know in my heart that no matter what happens we'll get through it together. We've been absent from each other's lives for those three difficult years, but not anymore. We have each other now and we're stronger this way.