CHAPTER TWELVE
May pulled up outside her parents' place, feeling her stomach knot with tension. The front door was open. Both her parents stood, framed by the light that streamed from the tidy hallway. Her mother had dressed up for the occasion in a sparkly top and her smartest boots, May saw, climbing out of the car.
Briefly, she wished Owen could be with her for moral support and companionship. But she'd dropped him off at the police department, to make his own way home.
She was on her own now and had no doubt that the drinks session would be something to endure, not to enjoy. May was reluctant to use the word ‘excruciating,’ but she knew from past experience that was probably what it would be like.
She climbed out, smelling the mouthwatering aromas of dinner that wafted out of the house. Her mother would have ensured everything was perfect.
Kerry got out of the passenger seat and Adams climbed out of the back.
"Kerry!" her mother exclaimed as soon as she saw her. "You're here!" Abruptly she toned down her joy. "I know circumstances are less than ideal, my darling, but if anyone can solve this terrible crime, it's you!"
"Thanks, Mom," Kerry smiled.
May watched through narrowed eyes as they hugged.
“My superstar daughter!” Her dad embraced Kerry. “I know I ended up as the business unit manager of our sales team, but I always wished I had gone into law enforcement. I feel like you’re living my dream!”
May felt her chest tighten. She was in law enforcement, too.
"Thank you for that, Dad," Kerry replied, her face breaking into a wide grin.
"We know you'll get this criminal behind bars," her mom added, looking thrilled and confident.
"I'll do my best," Kerry replied.
"And who's this young man?" her mother asked, turning to Adams who had been hovering nearby, smirking at the praise bestowed on Kerry.
"This is my investigation partner, Adams," Kerry replied. "He's only got a year's experience but he's one of the FBI's biggest rising stars."
"Oh, how wonderful," her mother enthused.
"I was just saying to Kerry how quaint this town is," Adams said, as May cringed inwardly.
"Isn't it just? I mean, it's so friendly here. I can't think of anywhere I'd rather live," her mother added, beaming.
"Well, it sure is a treat to be here, although unfortunate that there’s a killer to catch," Adams said.
"I was just saying to your father that everyone knows everyone. It's wonderful. I really do love this place," her mother added. "I can't bear to think of a serial murderer terrorizing it, which is why I'm so glad you two are here. Talk about a dream team!" she exclaimed.
Nobody had found the time to greet May yet.
"I'm going to get something from the truck," May announced, cutting into the conversation. But nobody noticed her. Already, her parents were ushering Kerry and Adams into the home.
The weather had turned cold, and she pulled her jacket tightly around her as she walked to the pickup.
She found herself wishing she'd just stayed in the car. She'd known it would be like this. Of course, it was never going to be any other way. Standing by the Chevy, she heard the distant, excited voices drift from the house.
She knew what her mother was like. There was no way she'd be saying less than a hundred times how Kerry was going to solve this case. And the Vanity Fair article would provide an hour’s dinner-table conversation, at a conservative estimate.
May pulled her coat around her tighter and kicked at the paving in front of her. She felt a wave of soul-deep disappointment. In fact, suddenly, she didn't know if she could bear to go back inside.
Impulsively, she decided she couldn't. And wouldn’t.
She felt tears prick her eyes. Her heart was hurting. The way they treated Kerry compared to her was like a kick in the stomach.
Her mother would probably be enthusing about how Kerry was going to solve the case in no time. She'd be joyous, saying how great it was to have her back in town.
Nobody would mention the fact she'd been promoted to the county’s youngest, and first female, deputy sheriff. In fact, May feared her parents had already forgotten about this insignificant fact.
Her face was burning, and her throat felt tight. A wave of anger and resentment washed over her. She felt like screaming because it really, truly wasn't fair.
She worried for a moment that she was going to cry. And then, May felt something inside her harden. Her hurt and anger crystallized into resolve.
Her home was a five-minute drive away from her parents. Just like everywhere in town.
Nobody would notice she was missing, especially since Adams and Kerry had already taken their bags out of her vehicle.
She could stop for a burger on the way, go home, and have a beer on her own in peace and calmness. Then she could get an early night.
With this decision made, May climbed into her car. Shaking with anger and sadness, she started it up and drove home.
*
It felt like only a minute after she'd finally fallen asleep that May awoke, breathing in a massive gulp of air as she sat up in bed, listening to the quiet night sounds in her small room.
Her skin prickled with gooseflesh and her heart was hammering.
The dim light of her room was chilly and indistinct, making her shiver as she turned on the small lamp on her bedside table.
That had been a terrible dream. She knew why she’d had it. It was because she’d been thinking of Lauren again.
Those memories always brought back a surge of guilt as she remembered what had played out between them ten years ago, just before her sister’s tragic disappearance.
She and Lauren had a terrible fight. In fact, that was why Lauren had ended up storming out into the darkening evening. May would hate herself forever, knowing what the disastrous outcome had been.
Those angry words they had exchanged were seared forever in May's memory. She wasn't sure she'd ever forgive herself; and even now, ten years later, her guilt was palpable.
She groaned and dropped her head down into her hands as she recalled the bone-chilling sensation she'd felt in the dream.
She’d been replaying their argument in her nightmare. Resounding in her mind, she could still hear Lauren's furious voice, even though she could no longer recall why they had argued. The reasons for their fight had been lost in the passing of time.
"You think you're so perfect, May. But you're not."