Prologue Evelyn Age 14

Evelyn age 14:

Red and blue lights lit up the dark sky. As I sat behind the railing of our front porch, I watched as chaos consumed the front lawn. Chief Carmichael held my mother as she sobbed and screamed.

“Evie, what are you doing out here?” My older brother Matthew scolded as he headed up the front steps.

When I didn’t respond and continued to observe the scene in front of me, he sat on the top porch and looked at me.

“You are supposed to be inside with Sarah,”He reminded me. My little sister’s name took me out of the trance I was in. I took in the sight of my brother. He was 5 years older, but looked a lot older with his large bulky linebacker Frame. It was almost comical how he almost took up the entire width of the stair. His blue eyes were glassy like he was holding back tears. His short brown hair looked disheveled like he had been running his hands through it.

“She’s asleep.” I whispered. “I needed to see what was going on. No one is telling me anything.” I explained looking back at mom and the Chief. Matthew rubbed his hands down his face and looked at me.

Before he could say anything a black sleek Lexus flew in the driveway.

Matthew cursed under his breath. My eyebrows pinched together as I tried to figure out why my Uncle, Anthony Ricci, was here. He wasn’t a blood uncle, but he was my fathers best friend. He seemed to come from work since he was in a pristine bespoke black suit and tie. Nothing was out of place, he seemed calm and collected while the chaos continued.

He got out of the car and embraced my mother. I’d never seen him hold her like that. But what did I know? I was 14. “Evie…. Dad was in an accident.” Matthew met my eyes. I tilted my head in confusion.

“He’s going to be okay, though right?”

Matt looked down at his hands. When he looked up at me tears started to fall from his eyes. I’d only seen him cry once in my life when he broke his arm.

“No Evie, he won’t be coming home.” He paused, grabbing me and hugging me. “He was killed while on duty tonight. That’s why everyone is here. They are trying to figure out what happened.”

I didn’t know what to say as shock consumed me. I knew it was bad. There was always a risk when dad went out with his partner. As a detective for the New York City Police, violence and death was inevitable.

I closed my eyes as tears threatened to fall. I held onto my brother as we both mourned a loss i couldn't begin to fathom.