After a shower and a bowl of cereal for breakfast, Katie put her pajamas back on and grabbed another box to go through. After two hours of sorting, there were only two boxes left to tackle. She wanted to put it off for another day but decided to finish. The first one was miscellaneous papers not worth keeping, but the last one was a surprise. Kevin had forgotten a box.
At the top were some of Kevin’s shirts. Two of them she had gotten him for his birthday the year before and still had the tags attached. Katie removed a small pile of receipts for auto parts and saw a book. She picked it up and noticed it was Kevin’s diary. Her hands shook and was frightened to open it. Do I dare read it?
She went to the fridge, grabbed a can of root beer, and sat back down on the couch. She opened the diary to the first page.
September 11, 1997
I’m not much of a journal writer, but have been told it’s the best way to work out your problems. They won’t talk back, try to give you advice, and won’t tell a soul what you write in them.
January 1, 1998
I went to a New Year’s Eve dance last night and met a bubbly gal. My buddy Jason and I were standing by the snack table when a girl with a big smile came bouncing in. She took a cookie, looked at us, focused her gaze on me, and said hello.
She turned around and walked across to the other side of the gym. I told Jason I had to know who the cute girl was. So I walked to where I thought she should be, but didn’t see her. I walked out the door to the hall and bumped into her. She laughed and said, “I guess we’re meant to dance together.” So we did for an hour. She is neat, cute, and fun to talk to. Her name is Katie.
Katie smiled, remembering the dance. Kevin had been so desperate to meet her and she liked flirting with him.
July 1, 1998
I went to the church dance tonight. Katie was there and we danced and laughed all night. My life is great when I’m with her.
November 30, 1998
Talked to Katie on the phone tonight. Funny how we can talk about anything and not be embarrassed.
Katie had never felt more comfortable taking to anyone. She told him her deep secrets.
July 18, 1999
My big brother, Rick, died today. He was twenty-five. I knew flying crop duster planes was a dangerous job. Now my sister-in-law and two nieces are all alone.
July 20, 1999
I found out Katie’s brother, Bruce, flags for the crop dusters. Did he make a mistake directing the plane with his flagging?
July 25, 1999
Bruce was working the day my brother died. They said there was a gas leak or something mechanical caused the crash, but I bet Bruce directed my brother’s plane to crash into the side of the cliff near the field.
August 14, 1999
I’ve talked to Katie a few times the past couple weeks. She has never talked about the plane crash her brother caused. She might not even care.
Katie dropped the journal and put her hands on her chest. She remembered the morning Bruce came home and told her and their parents the news. She called Kevin and told him how sorry she was for his loss. It wasn’t Bruce’s fault. Katie went to Rick’s funeral, and Kevin and she never talked about Rick’s death again. She took a few sips of her soda before she continued reading.
August 3, 2000
I called Katie and talked to her for forty-five minutes. Had to get off and do my chores. I called back later when I got off work and am still talking to her now. I told her I loved her and to write it in her journal. She said she’s writing it now.
Katie smiled again, remembering that night. She wished the good, loving side of Kevin had stayed.
September 28, 2000
I asked Katie some personal questions and she gave me the answers I wanted to hear. I’m overwhelmed and told her I want to take things slowly. I have a hard time controlling myself around her. I’m a wild animal. How can she love me when her brother killed my brother?
Katie was confused by Kevin’s thoughts. She knew the plane crash was a mechanical accident and had nothing to do with her brother. He was at the right place at the wrong time.
February 18, 2001
Senior year and I haven’t talked to Katie for several months. She told me she didn’t want to get serious, basically dumping me. Fine with me. I have a serious girlfriend named Mandy and she’s easy to control. Though, sometimes I think about Katie enough to call her and see if she’ll talk to me. But why should I? She killed my brother. She told Bruce to kill him. I’ll get back to her soon.
September 6, 2001
Mandy and I are still together and attending Eastern Valley College in Idaho. It’s a small two-year college in a small town, which I like. My major is computer science. Mandy is taking GE classes until she decides on her major.
Mandy and I are all but married. Not sure I want the commitment. She’s too easy to please and no challenge at all. It’s pretty boring when there’s no spark.
September 9, 2001
I was eating lunch in the café with Mandy by the main entrance when I felt a strong presence. I glanced at the door and saw Katie. I’ve never told Mandy about my relationship with Katie.
Katie noticed me, grinned, and walked away. Boy, did she look good. She’s lost a little weight, firmed up, and has the best looking ass. Why does she give me that feeling? Why did she walk away? Would she have sat with me if Mandy wasn’t here?
September 12, 2001
Mandy has backed off. She told me she didn’t like how things were going and didn’t want to wait forever to get married. She was trying to get pregnant so we would have to. I don’t want her and her child. Mandy’s even thinking of going home. She doesn’t like college and only came to be with me. Didn’t she trust me to not see other gals? She knows I’m social and love to talk. I don’t like not being trusted. Katie didn’t trust me, she never told me her brother guided my brother to his death—I know it wasn’t an accident. She wouldn’t trust me to understand.
September 22, 2001
I sat at the same table in the café, hoping to see Katie again. Within five minutes I felt her presence before I saw her. When she saw me sitting alone, she gave me a questioning look. I nodded at the chair next to mine and gestured for her to come and sit. A big smile came over her face and she waltzed over.
She said life was going great and that she had a casual boyfriend. She was leaving soon to get college credit for working in her major of health finance. She told me when she gets back, maybe we could go somewhere and talk and catch up.
January 15, 2002
I came home for Christmas and never went back to Eastern Valley. I ran into Mandy and she wanted to get back with me and start taking classes with a major in mind.
I felt better not having Mandy in my life. Maybe it’s the thought of getting with Katie again.
December 12, 2002
It’s almost Christmas and I’ve finished my last class. One more final and I’ve completed my online college courses for computer science. Saved a lot of money staying home and driving to the library in Shelburne to use their computer when I needed to get a break from home. I’ve joined a public chat blog called Space Face that has games and groups on certain subjects. Found several for my major and noticed a lot of locals I knew already had accounts. The best part was I saw Katie’s name. I sent her an instant message and said hi. I bet she was shocked with joy. We chatted for a while and a date was set to see each other the day after Christmas.
May 13, 2003
Katie and I have been married one month today. We got married on her birthday. I got her, but don’t know what to do with her. I don’t understand what she says at times and she’s putting pressure on me to start a family soon. I need space.
August 8, 2003
I’m taking some computer classes. The more computer info you know, the better. Katie is working at some insurance company. She wants to save money for emergencies, vacation, and a baby—that right there is an emergency. If we do have a baby, it had better be a boy to take my brother’s place. It’s been years, but I’m still trying to figure out how to get revenge on Bruce. An accidental death sounds like a good way for him to go.
March 3, 2004
I got offered a job in Montana and today was my first day on the clock. Great money, benefits, and a laid-back work environment. Katie got another job doing claims processing.
December 31, 2004
At 5:00 p.m. Katie went into labor. I’m sitting in the delivery room waiting for the nurses to get her all setup and prepped for the birth. Not sure I can handle seeing the show. If it’s a girl and stillborn,would I be happy? I could use it as payback for my dead brother.
Katie finished her soda to prevent herself from screaming. Why didn’t he want to have a daughter? And what did their child have to do with his brother? His death was an accident.
January 1, 2005
Katie gave birth to a girl, Autumn Marie Nelson, at 2:15 a.m. She weighed seven pounds, four ounces and was twenty inches long. First baby born this year in Montana. The good thing out of the deal is free diapers and formula for a year.
July 18, 2007
Our little girl is two and half years old today and I decided to take the day off. Friday’s a great day to take care of plans that should have been dealt with a long, long time ago. Katie is off to work and dropping off Autumn at daycare on the way. I told her I would pick Autumn up later to spend some time with her.
August 8, 2007
Papers are signed and I am free. Katie was the first to file for divorce. I’m surprised she had the nerve. But on the good side, no more Autumn Nelson and no more Katie. Time to put this in one of my last boxes in this apartment and leave this place for good before Katie gets home from work.
Katie’s jaw dropped in shock and her eyes looked like they’d pop out. Kevin had told her that he lost control and crashed into a power pole when the tie rod broke. She had to tell Mitch.
“Mitch here.” He sounded tired.
“This is Katie.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Can you come over? I would like to show you something. I believe it’s important.” She hugged the journal.
“Be there in a few.”
Katie stood by the window in the front room and waited for Mitch. When he pulled in, Katie had the door open before he got out of the truck.
“Hurry, I’ve got something for you.”
He jogged up the stairs. “Are you okay?”
“Look,” she said, and handed him the journal. “The last box I went through was Kevin’s. He forgot it. This is his journal. It says it all. He’s twisted and I never noticed.”
“What do you want me to do with his journal?”
“Use it as evidence. He killed my daughter. It wasn’t an accident.” She raised her voice. “He did it on purpose.”
Mitch put the journal on the table and gave Katie a sad hug. “I will make some phone calls and take care of it.”
“What can we do? He killed Autumn. He could’ve killed me too if I didn’t divorce him. Could he be my stalker?” Katie pushed away from Mitch and looked around her place for something to grab. She picked up a pillow from the couch and hit the empty boxes. “I’m mad enough to hunt Kevin down and run over him. Squish him to death.”
Mitch took the pillow out of Katie’s hand before she damaged something she’d regret later. Katie tried to grab it back. He wrapped his arms around hers to stop the action and took her to the couch. He held her for some time as Katie screamed. Finally, she started to breathe easier.
She drank some water. “I’m scared.”
Mitch placed his arm around her. “I have to take the journal and the box with me for evidence and will have to send them to Montana. You give permission?”
“Yes.”
“My bedroom is open at my house if it will make you feel safer.”
“I’ll be okay, but will call if anything else happens.”
“Bye, my sweet pea.” He kissed her nose and left.