Twelve years later
“Sorry, son. She went in her sleep.”
Heart attack at age fifty-six. She’s had a few strokes before and she had gotten so much better. Never thought I’d ever go back to Dayton. I’ve always flown mom out here to Fort Leavenworth. It was better this way. After what I did.
I don’t know what they told Evony or her mother, but I just couldn’t stay there. I hated leaving her, but it was the only way I could get out of that mess without going to jail.
Any time I asked mom how Evony was doing, she always told me she was doing great. So I didn’t feel too bad leaving because I knew without her dad, everything would turn the better for her. Her mom could be a handful sometimes, but she never hurt Evony.
When it happened, mom called a buddy of my dad’s that lived near Houston and she begged him to make all of that shit storm go away. He called in favor after favor and I didn’t get anything on my record and I enlisted the next day. I had packed up my clothes and as another Army buddy of dad’s drove me away, I couldn’t help but look in the side view mirror, hoping for one more glance of Evony. She was so young, but she had become my whole world in such a short amount of time. A best friend when I didn’t want anything to do with anyone.
My dad was buried at the Houston National Cemetery. My mom would be buried next to him. I drove the whole way, wondering if she’d be there. Mom had always been nice to her, so I’m sure she was just as devastated. Even more so because she’d been there for mom the whole time.
She was my only family now. The only person I ever included in my circle. Once I joined the Army, I made buddies, brothers who I knew would have my back, but Evony was someone that dug under my skin and there wasn’t a day I didn’t think about her. Praying and hoping she was safe and happy. My mom and Jake, the Army buddy of dad’s, told me it would be best not to contact her.
And I didn’t. I kept my promise to my mom, letting Evony go so she could live her life. It hurt something fierce and it felt like my heart was ripping apart, but I knew it was for the best. She needed a new start. Didn’t stop me from sending her letters and money though. So she’d at least know I didn’t forget about her. That I’d help her out any way I could. I never got a thank you, but then I did just leave without a bye so I didn’t mind. Mom always said she was fine and happy.
It made me wonder if she still lived in that trailer next door. She was twenty-four—almost twenty-five—now. Maybe she had her own place. I tried to get mom to move up here, but she had wanted to be close to dad and where she grew up so I didn’t push her. In a way, I liked that she stayed because I knew I could get the scoop on Evony. I knew she’d keep an eye on her.
I got leave for two weeks so I could see to the funeral and take care of all mom’s things. I drove down Highway 90, the main street in Dayton and just a few minutes from the trailer park.
Then the high school….the prison…bars. A few side streets to bigger neighborhoods and then I turned onto the dirt gravel road where the trailer park where they lived sat. It was already late in the evening when I pulled in. Our trailers were at the end near the heavily wooded area used to be. Now it was mostly cut down.
I pulled up to the trailer and got out. The crickets were singing and before I went to the blue trailer I walked around to the Summers white one, noticing a nice Lexus in the drive. At least she got something nice for all that money. Did she still live here, though? Or just visiting her mom?
I walked up the creaky steps and opened the squeaky screen door, then knocked on the old wood door. I could hear and feel my heart pounding. I hadn’t seen her in over a decade. She’d be so very different. All grown up.
Evony all grown up was making my palms sweat and my excitement bubbled up even more. I couldn’t wait to see her.
It took a few minutes and I heard locks disengaging. But it wasn’t Evony who answered. An older, more haggard version of who Mrs. Summers used to be came into view. This woman was only about ten years older than me. I knew from Evony she was born while her mother was still a teenager.
“Can I help you, honey?”
The way she looked at me, with her eyes accessing and roaming over my body like I was a lean piece of prime cattle ready for slaughter. Sweet Jesus.
“Is Evony here?”
“She’s working. I can help with whatever you need, darlin’.”
“It’s Gavin, Mrs. Summers, from next door.”
Her face instantly changed into something scary and her eyes narrowed into thin slits of angry rage. Whoa. That was a change from wanting to devour me to devour me like a dragon with her death stare.
“Oh, that’s right, your mama, passed. Such a nice woman she was, too. Poor thing. I’m so sorry for your loss, Gavin. Evony isn’t here. She comes home whenever she wants to.”
“Whose car is that outside then?”
“Mine. Long hard hours for years and then when Josh disappeared, I had a large amount of money coming in so I thought I should get myself something nice for a change.”
I nodded, hoping Evony didn’t live here.
“Well, a friend of mom’s made all the funeral arrangements. The service is tomorrow afternoon at two, if you didn’t know. Please let Evony know.”
“Are you staying next door?”
“I actually haven’t thought about it. I haven’t been back in a long time. Please tell Evony I was looking for her. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
“Of course, we wouldn’t miss it.”
I nodded and went back to the truck. I looked back at the Summers trailer and saw Mrs. Summers looking through the blinds at me. This bitter and loathsome look came over her face. I got in my truck and debated whether or not staying at the trailer would be a good thing. The bed in my room would be too small for my six and half foot frame.
There was no way I was going to sleep in my mother’s bed. Hotel it was. I left the trailer park, and went back to the Highway 90, finding the best hotel possible.
I wished I had seen Evony. Now that I was here, I wanted to see her as soon as possible.
I got a room and took a long hot shower after such a long ass day. Close to ten and I was ready to call it a damn day.
Lying in bed, I thought about the last twelve years. I was in a good place. I was an Army Ranger. I traveled the world, only coming back to the states a few times a year. I really didn’t have many relationships. My job took care of that one and I hadn’t really thought about marriage.
I had a few girlfriends sure. If I needed to, I could keep my bed warm. It stayed just warm enough. But each relationship always ended because the strain of me leaving so often just wasn’t in their cards. We’d end things as amiably as possible and I moved on. There just wasn’t much there.
I would know if I was ready. When that woman showed up, I’d feel it deep down inside. To the marrow. I’d feel that utz that women always said they feel when they meet the one. Might make me sound like a pussy, but I wanted that. That crazy stomach feeling.
Did Evony have a boyfriend? She was in her twenties. She could be married for all I know. And have kids.
Married? Kids? Some reason that made me sick to my soul. Another man touching her. Making love to her. Not that I wanted to, she was like a little sister to me. I protected her the best I could for as long as I could. I sent money to keep her living at least somewhat comfortable. But the thought of another man taking care of her made my skin crawl. I had always thought of her as mine to protect. I promised her I always would. I kept that promise. I might have left her, but it wasn’t because I wanted to.
I wanted to know where she worked so I could go and see her beautiful pale face, find her ice blue eyes looking at me with a smile curving her lips. She was kind of short even for a girl so I wonder if she was still short now. Was her hair still long, falling to her waist?
I fell asleep to the image of a young woman with ice blue eyes and a teasing smile. I couldn’t wait to see her.