The three of us are silent as we let the reality sink in then Jordan’s head shoots up. “Did you open the box?”
“Huh?” I ask not having time to register what he was asking.
“The box, Velyn, you said you got a box. Did you open it?”
I nod. “Yes.”
“What was it?” he questions.
“Chase’s chessboard,” I reply.
Jordan’s lips part with a broad smile. “I know where he is.”
It took Jordan a couple of days to get the answers we were looking for, but he did, and now I’m left with the decision to follow through or just leave
Dylan be. That’s obviously how he wants it.
I used to text him daily in hopes that he’d respond. Hell, I would’ve been happy with one of those ‘colon + P’ things that Chase once told me were a yellow face sticking its tongue out. Ava even gave me one of her old phones so that I could see it if he sent one, but Dylan never replied. Now I just send the texts because when the little word ‘read’ appears under my message, at least I know he’s okay and that he knows I'm not giving up.
There’s a light tap at my door, and I try to adjust myself as best I can before I call out.
“Come in.”
The door opens, and Connie pops her head inside. “Hermosa, how do you feel?”
I smile, waving her in. She moves past the door and to the side of my bed, taking a seat beside me.
“I’m good. Slowly getting better every day. How are you?”
She shrugs. “I cry. I cry every day for Chase.”
“I know, me too.”
She takes my hand in hers. “Jordan say you want to talk to me. What can I do for you, Velyn?”
I look into her eyes. “Connie, I need you to tell Dylan to come to see me.” Her eyes go wide, unsure of how to respond. “Jordan figured it out. When Mr. Dandridge told you to clear out Chase’s room and get rid of his belongings, you couldn’t, so you asked Jordan to put it away in your storage locker. He remembers Chase’s chessboard being one of those things. The same chessboard that a few days ago showed up in my room here in a neatly wrapped box with a bow. There are only one of three people that could’ve done that, and I know neither you nor Jordan did it.”
Her lip trembles but not with fear or sadness; it’s almost like relief as the sigh comes out from between her lips.
“Velyn, he made me promise. He made me not tell anyone that he was staying at my home,” she confesses.
“I don’t understand; why?”
Her shoulders slump and the tears are still falling. “He said he needs time.”
That's all I needed to hear, and if time is what Dylan feels he needs, then that’s what I’ll give him.
Chapter 21 Dylan
‘Dylan
I’ve reached out with no response. I’ve waited for what feels like a lifetime. I’ve grieved alone.
I loved him too, and losing Chase is tearing me apart; it’s torn us apart. There’s a void now that I know will never be filled, and that makes me want to give up. But then I remember my father and how he gave up. How every day I would think to myself that he still had so much to live for. I know that’s exactly what Chase would be reminding me of, and telling me to not stop living.
I will give you time. I will provide you with the distance that you need. However, I won’t let Chase down—like him; I’m going to live my best life, I just hope you'll be able to live yours right beside me.
I love you, Dylan—with all my heart and forever!
When Connie returned home today, she handed me the letter. It was like a window to the outside world, showing me that everything was falling apart. I’m hurting her, and I don’t know how to stop. I don’t know how to love Velyn without her leaving. Everyone I love leaves.
“You have to go and see her, mi amor. She is hurting too.”
I look up to Connie from the table in her kitchen. It’s pretty much the same spot I’ve been for the past few weeks. It’s safe here—I feel safe here.
“I can’t.”
She moves in closer to the edge of the table. “Why?” I stand in frustration and walk out of the kitchen, but Connie follows me. “Do not walk away, Dylan. You answer me—why?”
I turn and look into her eyes. “Because they all leave, so what’s the point. My mom, Sarah, even Chase.”
“Mi hijo, she needs you.”
I shake my head in refusal. “I can’t. Connie, I can’t risk losing her.”
“Mi amor, you lose her anyway if you do not go to her.”
It’s starting again—the anxiety, and with the anxiety come the tears. I just want it to stop, but it never goes entirely away. Neither does the guilt. This is all my fault. If I had just stood up to my father, none of this would’ve happened. Velyn would be in my arms, not in that hospital bed, and Chase would be alive.
I move past Connie and grab my coat and keys, then lean in and kiss her on the cheek. “I need some air.”
“Dylan—”
