I’d only been there for about an hour ‘n’ a half and I was already wishing I was home. People seemed to always ask about Tommy and how I was doing now. I hated it cause it always brought the feelings of pain right back to the surface. It was so hard to lose him.
“Hi Katelene.” Mrs. Ferguson said walking up to me. I had been trying to stay away from pretty much everybody.
“Hello Mrs. Ferguson.” I smiled politely.
“How are since that little boy of yours? It must have been so hard to lose him.” She said. God I just wanted to yell and scream at everybody to leave me alone and to stop talking about it. About the time she asked that everybody came and sat back down at the table. Josh gave me a sympathetic smile knowing how much I hated those questions. I smiled back a little and answered her.
“I’m doing pretty good, it wasn’t exactly easy.” I replied politly.
“Oh I’m sure it wasn’t easy. He had to have been such a terrible reminder of everything that boy did to you. You’re probably a little glad he’s gone.” She stated. *Ok that’s the last straw* I thought.
“Mrs. Ferguson that’s my son you are talking about.” I said standing up. “I love him very much even though he’s not on this earth. He will always hold my heart. He was neither a mistake nor a terrible thing. I wouldn’t take back anything that happened because I would never have had him and he changed me for the better. Please don’t talk about him like that. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go find my parents.” I said and walked away to find Mom and Dad. I was surprised I had kept so cool and hadn’t raised my voice at all. Nobody other than Shelly had ever said something like that about Tommy and I didn’t exactly know how to respond other then yelling and screaming like I did at Shelly but I thought I’d handled it pretty well. Somebody suddenly turned me around and I was face to face with a pair of blue eyes identical to mine.
“Hey Bri.” I said softly.
“Oh Katie you handled that so well.” He said.
“I know but it hurts so much when people do that. Nobody other than Shelly had ever said anything like that about Tommy. People ask I’ll the time how I am after Tommy, but they never just ask how I am without mentioning Tommy. I hate it. It hurts so much when they do that.” I told him tears coming to my eyes.
“I know I couldn’t believe she said that. Come on I’ll help ya find Mom and Dad.” He said and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
“Hi Katie and Brian.” Taylor and Steve Branan greeted.
“Hi Mr. & Mrs. Branan.” We said smiling.
“Oh you two you’ve known us long enough you can call us Taylor and Steve even at these things.” Steve said chuckling.
“I know but you guys have always been Mr. & Mrs. Branan at these things.” I smiled.
“I guess some things never change. Mr. & Mrs. Branan at these things Taylor and Steve almost every where else.” Taylor smiled. We nodded in agreement.
“Well we have to go talk to a couple people so we’ll let you guys continue on to whatever you were doing.” Steve said.
“Ok. One thing though have you seen our parents?” I asked.
“Oh yea they’re right over there talking to the Barton’s” Taylor replied pointing towards them.
“Ok thanks.” Brian said.
“Your welcome. Now you two have a good time.” Taylor stated smiling.
“Yea right.” Brian said sarcastically and rolled his eyes. They laughed and walked off.
“Excuse me Mr. & Mrs. Barton but I need a word with my parents real quick.” I stated politly.
“That’s fine Katelene go ahead.” David Barton said. I smiled and thanked him.
“What is it Katelene?” Dad asked.
“Can I go home please?” I asked.
“Why? I thought you didn’t mind these things when Josh and Sarah were here” Mom stated.
“I don’t normally but anymore all people seem to bring up is Tommy. I can’t do that espically after what Mrs. Ferguson said.” I replied.
“What’d she say?” Dad asked his defenses going up.
“She suggested that Katie was somewhat happy that Tommy was gone because he was probably such a terrible reminder of everything Brady did to her.” Brian answered for her. I looked at the floor trying not to let the tears in my eyes fall.
“Oh god Katie I’m so sorry.” Mom said and hugged me.
“It’s ok.” I whispered hugging her back and then pulling away.
“I’ll talk to Mrs. Ferguson. Can you wait just 30 minutes? Then we’ll all go home.” Dad said.
“Yea I should be able to survive 30 minutes.” I replied.
“Ok go on. We’ll find you in 30 minutes.” Dad said. I nodded my head and turned around heading for the table again with Brian following me.
“You ok?” Brian asked.
“I’m fine. I think I’m gonna go outside, get a little fresh air.” I told him. He nodded his head and we went our separate ways. I opened the door and walked to my car. I walked around the car to the back of it and hoped up on the trunk. I took a deep breath and looked up towards the sky. The tears I had been holding back started to silently fall down my face. I sat there crying for awhile before I started to talk to the man above not realizing somebody else was listening. “Oh God why’d you have to take him?” I whispered.
“He’s got a plan Katie. Tommy was here for as long as He wanted him to be.” Brian stated sitting beside me.
“But it’s not fair. Why’d he have to take my little boy? He took the one person that meant the most to me.” I started sobbing.
“It’s ok Katie. The pain will eventually fade. It won’t be this bad forever.” He stated tears starting to silently fall from his eyes too. “Oh god.” He stated pulling away and wiping his eyes. I had to giggle at him a little through my tears.
“I want him back Brian.” I whispered.
“I know you do sweetie and I’d do anything to bring him back but I can’t. He can’t come back Katie.” He stated.
“I know.” I whispered tears falling down my face again.
“Don’t cry Kate. It’s ok he’s here with me.” I heard somebody whisper as a small gust of wind swept through my hair.
“Did you hear that?” I asked Brian looking around.
“Hear what? It was just the wind Katie.” Brian stated looking at me curiously.
“Yea just the wind. Just a little paranoid for some reason I guess.” I stated. I took as deep breath and relaxed. I knew what it was know. *Thanks Uncle Jerold. For calming me down. Make sure Tommy knows I love him. I love you* I thought. I turned to face Brian just as I heard Steve’s voice.
“Katie you ok?” He asked. I looked around to see Nick, Leigh, Kev, Kris, Howie, Aj, Sarah, Josh, Haylie, Mom, Dad, Taylor, and Steve surrounding me.
“I’m fine why?” I asked jumping of the trunk into a standing position.
“You might want to sit back down.” Steve said carefully.
“Oh god.” I said sitting on the bumper.
“The station just called.” He stated.
“Oh this is bad this really bad.” I whispered. I felt an arm wrap around my shoulders and looked to my side to see Nick.
“Brady got out.” He said.
“Tell me your kidding Steve. Please tell me this some sick joke.” I begged him standing up.
“I can’t do that Katie.” He stated. I closed my eyes trying to stay calm. “I’m gonna take Taylor home then I’m gonna get out there with the other four and go look for him too.” He stated. I numbly nodded my head.
I opened my eyes in time to see him turn around to talk to Dad. “Harold don’t let her drive. I don’t want her getting hurt.” He told him.
“Don’t worry I won’t.” Dad replied. Steve nodded and him a Taylor left.
“Brian I want you to drive Katie’s car and the rest of you figure out who’s going with who, quickly.” He said. Brian nodded.
“Katie I’m gonna go with Hay and Josh. I’m sure we’ll meet you at your house.” Sarah stated.
“Ok.” I replied quietly.
“It’ll be ok don’t worry” Haylie stated. I nodded and the three of them walked to Josh’s car.
“Come on Katie we’re ready.” Brian stated. I turned around to see him, Leigh, Nick, and Aj standing there and the rest of them following Mom and Dad to the van.
“Ok.” I stated getting in the car. I got in the backseat in the middle with Nick on one side and Aj on the other. Brian started the car and we were on our way. Nick gently wrapped his arm around my shoulder pulling my closer to him. I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry I acted the way I did.” He whispered in my ear. I lifted my head and looked at him strangely. I wasn’t exactly sure what he meant. “About Tommy. I was way out of line. I just didn’t and still don’t know exactly what to think. I have so many questions but I have no answers. Could we maybe talk later?” He whispered softly. I nodded my head.
“Yeah Nick we can. I’ll answer all your questions. And don’t worry I forgive you.” I whispered. He smiled at me softly and I smiled back before laying my head on his shoulder again.
Chapter 29
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