Memory After Memory

Chapter 9

"Only 5 minutes. By the way, you're adorable when you're asleep."

I shook my head, half disapprovingly and half amused. "I don't believe that. But for the sake of your feelings, I'll shut up and agree."

He chuckled a little bit and we both just started talking about stupid stuff for a little while until we had to get ready for dinner.

"Oh, Amy. Have you seen Viney at all?"

I shook my head. "Not since before I came to my room and accidentally fell asleep."

Julian nodded. "Right. Okay."

"Is something wrong?"

"No. I just haven't seen her since this morning. I went to the corner store and her car wasn't here when I got back."

Hm. "I don't know. Maybe she went to get stuff for the dinner?"

"Maybe. She does make last minute things all the time. I'll let you get ready to go." He closed the door as he left my room so I could change. I put on a nice pair of jeans and cute little tube top, slipped on my converse and then went out into the living room to find Julian waiting on the couch. He saw what I was wearing and smiled. 

"Damn, someone's trying to impress." He smirked.

I laughed. "Funny, Julian. Maybe I just wanted to wear something I've never worn before."

"Ah, my dear, but you have." He stood up. "I know you don't remember, but when I first introduced you to tube tops, you became the shyest person I've ever met. It was quite adorable. Then we danced around in your room until you felt like you were going to fall asleep and actually fell asleep on my shoulder."

As I listened, the imagery of his words played in my head and it made me feel light and warm. He pulled me in for a hug and we stayed like that for several seconds. Minutes, even. He gave me a kiss on the forehead and then took his keys out of his pocket. "So, we ready to go?"

I nodded. "Maybe Viney will get there before we-" My statement was interrupted with my ringtone. I took out my phone and answered it. "Hello?"

"Amy, you need to get here now."

I recognize that voice anywhere. "Julian and I were just about to leave. What happened?"

"I personally think you should see for yourself rather than me telling you...I just got here and I called immediately when..." Viney's voice trailed off. I looked at Julian and he immediately got the idea that something was wrong. I hung up the phone and we ran to his truck. Panic rose in me as he started the car. What happened? Is my mother okay? My mother!  I took out my phone and dialed my mom's number. It went to voicemail twice and I was losing control to keep my panic down.

Julian reached over and grabbed my hand. "Everything will be okay."

I knew he wanted to reassure me, but nothing was reassuring until it was proven to me that it was. Julian was speeding to my mom's and I was in the passenger's side trying so hard not to cry. 

Moments later, Julian pulled up to the house. I ran out of the truck and straight to the door, where Viney was standing there crying. I blindly pushed her out of the way and ran into the house, searching. 

"Mom??" I was partially screaming her name out of fear. I got to her room and all of my thoughts and fears in the truck were confirmed. Nothing was okay anymore. I went to the center of the room where she lay and dropped to my knees, ignoring the feeling of being watched. Her lifeless eyes stared into me and her skin, a little cold to the touch. Every emotion I had in me was either overflowing or draining, depending on the emotion. I could no longer hold my tears and I let out a sob. "Mom..." 

I sat there for what felt like an eternity and flinched when I felt a hand brush my back. I saw it was Julian and he pulled me to him. I ended up soaking his shirt when my seemingly endless crying. Who would do this to my mother? As far as I knew, everyone got along with her. Not a single soul had a mean word for her and she never had a mean word for anyone. I was carried out of the room when other people started coming in. I hadn't even heard any sirens or anyone knock. I was taken to Julian's truck and he put on the AC. There was no words exchanged. Nothing could be said that would make me feel even slightly better. I just stared at the house and watched as the police and everyone else did what they needed to do. First Jeanette, now my mother. Who the hell has a vendetta against me? Why my family? What did they do?  It was all I could think about now. I was about to have dinner with my beautiful mother. Now instead of making dinner with her, I had to make funeral arrangements for her. 

My mind immediately went to what Julian said. She tried to kill you 5 years ago. I shook my head. Viney had nothing to do with this. She adored my mother. Mom practically adopted her and she looked up to my mom. They had the same bond my mom and I had. I refused to believe it was Viney. Then again, I had  no idea who would've done it. I put my head on the dashboard, held myself, and cried.