Abby by C Mari (easy novels to read .TXT) 📕

I already have the route mapped out in my head before I even decide to go. It's about a twenty minute walk, but I know it's worth it, even if everything is alright over there. I probably won't be able to sleep anyway. If I didn't go, I would be worrying about her all night.

All through the town, I recall memories of Abby and me. Everywhere, there is a memory. It almost hurts, but it also feels nice.

When I turn the last corner towards the house, I see the familiar red car in the driveway. For a moment, I'm angry and jealous. I have to remind myself that Abby isn't all mine anymore. As I get closer to the house, I see Abby and that man, Josiah, sitting on Abby's front yard. Not too long later, I see them both get in that red car and drive away.

Confused, I scope out Abby's house. Other than the mess and the kicked in door everything looks normal. An idea strikes me. They already took crime scene photos the first day they were here, but I call the lead investigator to be sure.

"Pete?" I ask, "Are you done with the crime scene at Abby's?" Pete answers a groggy, mumbled "Yeah" to which I reply, "Good, I'm cleaning it up."

I wake up to a bright light shining through my eyelids. Panic grasps my body and I dart up in the bed. Am I in the hospital again?

I look around the room I am in as the memories of the events from the day before recollect to me. The light is coming from an open window, illuminating the large room. The bed I'm in is large enough for two, it is also the only one in the room.

Half of the bed covers are tossed open; Josiah was here with me. I look around the room, only a little more calm than I was.

Josiah is sitting on a sofa across the room, staring at a blank tv screen. He looks at me when I climb out of bed. I can tell from his worrisome look that he hasn't left my side all night.

"Shouldn't you be at work?" I ask.

"I called out." Josiah answers. "I'm going with mother to the funeral home for--" His words trail off, but he doesn't need to finish that sentence for me to know exactly what it is. "I just wanted to make sure you were ok before I left."

"I'm going with you." I state, knowing that I won't take no for an answer. Josiah knows this as well, but it doesn't stop him from trying to persuade me to stay. Against his best efforts, I follow Josiah out of the hotel and to his car.

When we get to mother's house, I almost regret the decision to join them. Mother's face is red and swollen from constant crying. Guilt and sadness press against my chest. I want to run away but I know I must face this. After all, it is my fault. I hold back more oncoming tears as mother embraces me before stepping into the car.

 I berate myself during the trip to Sal's office. Why is this ok with everyone? Why do they hug me and console me? It's my fault. It's my fault that Luke is gone and they're being nice to me. I don't know what I want to happen; I know I don't what them to hate me, but isn't that what should happen?

Josiah opens the door for me, pulling me out of my mental scolding. I look past him to the beautiful, white building that looks like it could be a nice family home. However, I know better. The outside is gorgeous, but inside is probably the creepiest place I'll ever be.

I want to crawl back into the car and let them go without me. I want to run away but I know I can't be afraid. Josiah and mother are being strong. Luke was theirs, I virtually took him away, and they're being stronger than I am.

I take Josiah's outstretched hand for support as I stand with them and make my way towards the white building. Be strong, I remind myself over and over again. Be strong.

Josiah opens the door to the funeral home and my strength crumbles. There are four people standing in the hallway just in front of us: Sal, the two deputies from the hospital, and Owen.

**

"It's not like you can't talk case in front of me, Pete." I argue. "I just wanted to talk to Sal, you can pretend like I'm not even here."

"Can we just hurry up and discuss this so you guys can leave?" Sal sighs in frustration. He's moving from room to room, doing little errands. Pete, Tracy, and I are following him every inch.

"What's the rush? I need to speak with the family anyway." Pete says in a matter of fact way. He doesn't think of anything except his job. He doesn't care about how the family will feel coming here. Luke's family has to come to claim his body probably set some funeral arrangements.

Sal avoids him by moving rooms again, we're all following him through the hallway when the door clicks and opens. We probably look like a stupid bunch, staring dumbfounded at the door.

Sal swoops past us, ushering the group of three into the sitting room. It takes a moment for my brain to catch up with what is happening.

The three people; one is an old woman who is probably Luke's mother, the second is Josiah, and the third is Abby. Is Josiah Luke's brother?  How does Abby know these people? She walked through the door with her hand and Josiah's clutched together. I'm starting to feel like I don't know anything about Abby anymore.

I turn towards the sitting room. There they are, Josiah is sitting in the middle with his mother on his right and his hand still clinging to Abby's on the left. They still have the looks they walked in with, the glare on Josiah's face and the sadness in Abby's eyes.

I sigh. Why does Josiah look so angry? He has the most beautiful woman I've ever seen clinging to him for dear life. He looks the exact same as when I first saw him, same glare, same clothes even.

A small amount of panic that I do not even deserve to feel rushes through me. I look at Abby's clothes and my fear was realized. She is wearing the same thing too. I know I have no right to feel the anger that I am, but I can't help it.

Josiah slightly turns his gaze to me, not enough to make it obvious for the others but enough for us to be looking at each other. We aren't only looking, we are glaring at one another. I understand now. From the time he walked through that door and saw me, his glare was meant for me. Why? Because I'm Abby's ex?

Abby; what did she tell him about me to make him hate me like this? It doesn't matter. Whatever she said is probably the truth anyway. I look at Abby and all the sadness in her eyes. She is looking at Sal, ignoring my presence and pretending like I don't exist.

Anybody can tell she wants to cry right now. I wonder if I'm the only one who can see how strong she is being.

"We would like to talk to you, if that's ok." Tracy says in a nice voice, entering the room from behind me. The old woman nods her head. I hadn't noticed Sal had started talking to them, let alone stopped. He stands, puts his hand on the woman's shoulder, and walks to me. Sal and I stand outside of the sitting room as Tracy and Pete take Sal's seat.

"Are you ok?" Sal asks. I don't answer, only continue to stare at the girl who used to be mine.

"First of all, what are you doing here Abby?" I hear Pete ask the question that was bouncing through my head. Daggers shoot through Pete from the eyes of the other two from the party.

"She's with me." The old woman states in a straight and clear voice. "That's all."

They're protecting her. Both relief and jealousy fill me. I'm glad someone is there to protect her when I'm not, but I also want to be the one protecting her again.

"Do you remember anything at all yet?" Tracy asks, changing the subject. Every eye is on Abby. She looks away, looking embarrassed and ashamed, as she shakes her head.

When she looks up, her eyes meet mine. Not just by chance, her eyes searched for mine. For minute, things were like they used to be; back in a time when she would get scolded in class and search for my eyes to make her feel better. A slight smile crosses my lips, and she reflects the same smile. Just like it used to be.

Josiah notices and intercepts us. He places his body between our gazes and holds Abby's face in his hands. He must have quietly asked if she was ok because I see Abby nod and give him a small, bland smile.

Pete and Tracy continue to question the group about Luke; basic questions, like if Luke has any known enemies. My mind stays on edge, waiting for anyone to mention the him that Abby told me about in the hospital. For some reason, nobody mentions that other person who seemed to be vital to the case. Abby appeared so sure that he was the one who did it.

Maybe I was wrong. I let the concern slide away from my thoughts as everyone else stands. Pete and Tracy depart the funeral home, getting everything they could for now, and the rest follow Sal to the basement.

I know I have no right to be with them in the room, but I feel the need to be where Abby is when I can. I want to stand close to her, none of that has changed. I want to tell Abby she doesn't have to go in, she doesn't have look, that it will all be ok; but I also know that the only reply I would get is that she has to be strong.

Everyone takes a deep breath as Sal opens the door. Luke is lying peacefully on a table. I keep my eyes on Abby, who keeps her hand on Josiah. I can tell by the way she holds  herself, and him, that she is struggling.

"What happened exactly?" Josiah asks in a rough voice; his face and voice show no emotion except anger. Sal looks at the girls for confirmation; except for eyes full of sadness and regret, they show no signs of rejection.

My gaze never leaves Abby, but as Sal begins to explain Luke's cause of death, I begin to truly worry. Abby's face turns pale. I take a step forward and reach out to her. Before I can grab her, Abby stumbles backwards, falling into me.