Chapter 8

I end the phone call, and I still feel like I am slipping into a void of emptiness. I just keep wishing over and over to have them back. I get up, I know I have to. I need to see if the police need anything else.  I walk out of the bedroom. I leave the door open, closing feels too soon. I descend the stairs. I cannot face the horrors but, I know I have to. The house is different. It feels like the house is screaming in pain. I keep my head held high like I was raised. I do not look at the macabre unless I have to. I walk through the house. Forensics I can see starting to work on cleaning up the mess. I see with dread the decayed remains of my family being zipped up into bags and sent to the morgue.

“Officer” I call. One of them comes towards me.

“You should not still be here miss, this is still a crime scene.” He says in disapproval.

“I couldn’t leave. This is the first time I have seen them in two years, I still am wishing this could be just a nightmare.” I choke out.

“I understand, your feelings. This is so grizzly it is like being in a nightmare.” The officer says.

“I spoke with my fathers attorney’s letting them know what has happened. They’re going to handle all the matters for me.”

“Getting a jump on things already?” he sounded dubious

“I just want to make sure affairs are handled, I know I could not handle it. this is still too real.” I said with a broken voice.

“You were cleared of having any connection, this seems like you’re trying to mop things up.” He inquired.

“Officer, I have lost everything. I left my engagement, my job, and home in New York to reconcile with my parents only to find them dead! What do you take me for!” I scolded.

“I apologize.” He said with his hands raised and walked away.  I walked away, heading back up stairs to drown my sorrows more.

It was a few hours later, I felt hungry. I walked back downstairs to look for food. I realized that the food here is rotten. I needed to order something to eat. I needed to also hire new cleaning staff. I cannot have food delivered with the house looking like a vampire took a blood bath.

I looked online for cleaning services and found one called “New England cleaners” I requested a top line cleaning package. Warned them what they would find. They were alarmed but, I promised a five thousand dollars for their trouble. They had a whole team of people come out within the hour and get to work.

I changed my mind and decided to just go out to eat so they can work. I went upstairs; I changed into a casual outfit. I found I still had some clothes here, and they still fit. I walked out to the garage and found my mothers BMW SUV. I grabbed the keys, I stepped inside and laid my head back. My father loves vintage cars. That’s not my scene. I love this car. I backed out of the 4 door garage and slowly eased into the driveway. I drove until I found the nearest restaurant. A little café called “Shamrock’s Inn” It was a cute Irish pub. I stopped in and sat down. I looked through their menu, I ordered a pub burger, with seasoned fries, and a Cherry Coke. This felt like what I needed. After all the shitstorm going on. I need some comfort food. I moan in good taste, and enjoyed my food. I stayed for awhile, browsing on my phone. This was the first time in ions that I was somewhere enjoying a meal that was not in New York City. It felt nice, peaceful.

“Katherine De Cheney?” I heard a voice. I looked over to see a man who looked familiar coming towards me.

“Peter Vangart?” I remembered. We attended prep school together. We were close friends. He chose to attend Brown for college and I attended New York University.

“One in the same” he said with a smile. We gave each other a hug.

“You look great” I said with a smile

“You look as beautiful as ever” making me blush.

“I don’t know about that.” I chided.

“Wow, you used to be more confident, like you knew you were a looker and joked about it?” he teased.

“Perhaps, it’s been some rough years when I move to New York and I get nicknamed “plain jane”.” I told him.

“Well, they’re obviously blind, you were never “plain jane”. He tells me with a wink. I smile. We talk and I learn that he owns the restaurant. He became a international banker, he worked with my father. It didn’t make him happy, he saved up money and opened this business. He feels happier with his choice. I was delighted for him. Everyone should find a path to happiness. As we say farewell, he does something unexpected and asks me out on a date thinking it’s fate. I gently say no.

“I just ended a engagement where I found out he was cheating for years, and my parents just died. It’s really not a good time for me right now.” I tell him.

“Oh my God, I am so sorry. I completely understand, if somehow later in time, fate brings you back to my Irish haven, you no where to find me.” He jokes.

‘you’re sweet, don’t wait for me. Once things are finalized with my parents, I am going to France. Not sure when I’ll be back. Thank you though.” I smile and tell him. he looks crestfallen but understands and wishes me safe travels. I give a last hug and walk away from the eatery.