Beneath the Surface

LexiContent (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

November 22, 2011

Shawn and Tyler sit on the couch diagonal to me looking at me with worry. They just got here fifteen minutes ago and I’ve already told them that I’m fine three times.

“Hey, is that a hickey Lexie?”

“WHAT?” I jump up and run to the mirror. Tyler snorts and Shawn bursts out laughing.

“Damn little sis, it isn’t a cause for panic. While I don’t exactly want to think about how it got there I am glad you’re moving on. That’s awesome! You haven’t dated anyone since college if you count that one guy you only went on a couple dates with before you dumped him. Other than that you’ve never really dated besides Jesse in high school.”

I wince at the mention of Jesse. He’s the boy’s biological father. I dated him for two years before he found out I was pregnant and walked away. He had a full scholarship in another state for basketball, and he refused to give it up because I was pregnant. He also refused to have a long distance relationship. The original plan was for me to go to the school he got a scholarship from. I haven’t heard from him since we graduated high school.

Tyler laughs, “Yeah, you go girl!” me and Shawn both laugh at him.

“That’s kind of why we came here to talk to you Lexie. I think we might know who your stalker is.”

I sit up straighter and lean towards them. “Who do you think it is? Has he been arrested? What’s going on?”

“The guy I just mentioned. The one you dated a few times in college. Brian. Remember you went on a couple dates with him before mom and dad died. He wasn’t happy when you ended things. I never remembered him since it was only a couple dates or he would have been a suspect from the beginning. Maddie actually remembered him four days ago and called me immediately. I spent the last four days doing some checking. The time line adds up since we think your stalker killed mom and dad. You ended things with this guy only a few months before that happened.”

“Yeah I remember. I ended things when he showed up at my apartment one night when we didn’t have plans like he was checking up on me. Guy was kind of weird.”

“Yep and he started screaming and throwing stuff when you ended it. A few months later mom and dad were killed, and you had a stalker even if you didn’t know it until years later. Turns out the guy doesn’t have a steady job and his sister says for the last two months he’s been disappearing for days sometimes weeks at a time. I want to bring him in for questioning, but we can’t find him so far.”

“Wow, it actually sounds like it could be him.”

Tyler smiles at me, “Yeah it does, it looks like it’s almost over Lexie. Just hang in there. Your brother will catch him.”

“God I hope so! I’m so tired of being scared all the time.” They both stand up and open their arms. I walk between them and put an arm around each of their middles. Shawn rubs my back, “It’s almost over sweetheart.” Tyler responds in kind, “He’s right. It’s almost over baby girl just stay strong a little longer