The road is the same as it has always been, with potholes and no road signs. Why would there be in the quaint town of Harrington. The crime was low, most days. Everyone knew everyone, gossip was like a whisper in the wind amongst the many with power in the town. Dallas Riley was driving home, it had been nine years since she had left this place, nine years since she was the gossip of the town. Now she had a son in the backseat, unsure why once again their life had been uprooted. But he kept his mouth shut, he was a good kid and he knew he was loved. Dallas looked up at the review mirror, her son playing a game on his tablet, barely looking at his surroundings. She sighed and made a promise to herself this would be the last time. Dallas saw the house approaching, her heart stuttered a beat, this was it this was the house that took her joy and she was back to make sure it never robbed her again. It had been her childhood home, her safe haven, her family’s house. Her parents moved out not long after she left, the place desolated because it had caused such heartbreak. Dallas stopped the car, the sunglasses hiding her real emotions from her son. The grass is overgrown, the house doesn’t look it’s best but if she closes her eyes she can see its former glory. Dallas gets out and stretches her legs, she knocks on the window and Kieren gets out. He pulls a face at the look of the house. Dallas laughs and loops an arm around his neck pulling him close. “Welcome home, kid.” “Mom, it looks like a death trap, you sure we have the right address?” Dallas runs a hand through his thick black hair and smiles. “Yeah, kiddo. This is where I grew up. Grab your bags and let's go inside.” Kieren sighed and grabbed his tablet and backpack. Dallas went to the boot, everything they owned fitted in her boot. She grabbed their duffel bags and walked up the stairs, pulled out the keychain from her pocket, the one she owned when she still lived here. One with hearts attached that fitted the eighteen-year-old she was. The door creaked as it opened, Kieren tapping his foot impatiently. “Alright kiddo, go upstairs and find a room.” Kieren pushed past her and ran for the stairs. Dallas dropped their bags in the hallway and closed the door behind her. She walked through the house, sheets covering everything that dust didn’t. Dallas opened the curtains, dust filling the air and sighed. Was this really the right choice, to come back home after years of running. She heard Kieren’s footsteps upstairs running around. “Mom, the one door is locked.” Shouted Kieren. “Leave that room and go find another. “Yelled Dallas. “Can I have the biggest bedroom.” “No.” laughed Dallas. Kieran was the brightest and best thing in her life, she loved him so much but she had unfinished business in this town. She walked up the stairs remembering how beautiful the railing once was and how she used to slide down it just to hear her mother scold her for not acting like a lady. Dallas found Kieren lying on her bed in her old bedroom, She laid down next to him, their heads touching. “Promise this is the last time.” Pleads Kieran. “I can’t make that promise.” “It’s about her! It is about Avery!” states Kieren. “It is about finding out the truth.”
Nine years ago
Dallas is lying on her bed with Skyler Daniels, they were both eighteen and beautiful young woman. Dallas sighs dramatically, flinging an arm over her eyes. “My life is over.” Skylar rolls her eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. You have Avery and she is the best thing to happen to you.” Dallas sits up. You are just saying that to make me feel better. With a sly smile Skylar looks at Dallas. “I would never lie to you, if I could I would steal her away.” “You wouldn’t dare.” Dallas pushes her friend slightly. “She means everything to me.
Flashback ends
Kieren is shaking Dallas out of her flashback. “Mom, mom.” Dallas blinks a few times and looks at Kieren. “I am hungry.” States Kieren getting off the bed. Dallas stands up, stretches. Looks at a photo frame of her with a baby and walks out the room. “Come on kiddo, let’s go get lunch.”
Dallas and Kieran walk into Canary Lane Diner, it is like the world stops. All the regular customers are seeing a ghost or the return of one. The first to make a noise is owner Rosie Daniels who shrills, and runs towards Dallas pulling her into a hug. Rosie is a plump lady who loved to wear a baby pink outfit from the stone age. She still had a perm but she was home to Dallas. Rosie has tears as she looks at Dallas. “I have been waiting for this day for almost ten years.” Whispers Rosie. “It has been nine years to be exact” Rosie gets this sad look in her eyes before looking down at Kieran holding Dallas’s hand. “And who is this handsome young man?” asks Rosie. “This is my son Kieran, Kieran this is your Aunt Rosie.” Replies Dallas. Dallas looks around, many are staring at them, she sees someone that meant more to her than anyone other than Avery and Skylar. “Let me get you my famous chocolate milkshake.” States Rosie holding her hand out. Kieran looks up at Dallas, she nods and he takes Rosie’s hand. Dallas walks over to the table where her friend Aubrey, dark skin and black silky hair, dark eyes and a beauty she once hid behind, is sitting there with a little mixed race girl, looking to be three. Aubrey jumps up and pulls Dallas into a hug. “Dallas I thought I would never see you again.” Cries Aubrey. “Oh, I missed you so much Aubrey. I thought you would have left like you said you would.” Aubrey pulls back and looks down at the little girl colouring across from them. “I fell in love, and this is my daughter Actuary.” Answers Aubrey. Dallas looks at the little girl, a sadness washing over her. A spoken silence between them. “That night haunts me forever.” Whispers Aubrey hugging her arms to her chest. “We were kids, I have moved on. There is my son Kieran and I got a job at the police station.” “Are you a police officer?” questions Aubrey. “No, I work as a property and evidence clerk.” Kieran pokes his head out between customers. “Mom, I am hungry.” Calls Kieran. Dallas turns to leave, Aubrey stops her with a hand on her arm. We should have dinner one night, My husband. Well I married Jack.” Dallas smiles. “Jack Jones? You married Jack Jones.” Aubrey laughs with her and they look towards the door as the bell chimes. Jack walks in sees them and starts walking towards them. Dallas waves at Jack and walks over to Kieran, she stands behind him. “Mom, everyone is staring at us.” Says Kieran. A man, tall, dark and handsome steps in beside Dallas. “Rosie, my usual black coffee to go please.” States Ace “Hawke” Dakota. Jacks partner at work. Rosie smiles and walks away. “We will have to burger to go.” Calls Dallas to her retreating back. Hawke turns to look at Dallas, for a second he is taken back by her beauty. He shakes out of his stupor and holds his hand out. “You seem to be new to town.” Says Hawke. “Actually I am coming home.” Replies Dallas taking her hand back and placing it on Kieran’s shoulder."And you are?” questions Hawke. “Dallas Riley and my son, Kieran.” “Aaah the new property and evidence clerk. I am Jack’s partner, Hawke.” “I can see you are still seen as an outside, can’t have been here long!” Hawke laughs and takes his coffee, he blows on it and takes a sip, his eyes never leaving hers. “I have been here six months.” Dallas Takes her food and helps Kieran to the ground. “No one moves to a small town without a reason. What are you running from?” asks Dallas. “The question is why have you returned.” With that said Hawke exits the diner and Dallas lets go the breathe she had been holding
No comments:
Post a Comment