The Hollow Season Chapters 10-12
By C.M. Clark
THE HOLLOW SEASON
Chapter Ten — Three People
Nobody mentioned what happened at the Buffalo.
Not properly.
That was how the Miller family dealt with things.
They didn’t.
Steve came home.
Alex came home.
Jessica asked where they’d been.
Steve said, ‘The Buffalo.’
Jessica laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
She went upstairs.
Alex went to his room.
Steve slept on the sofa.
By morning, they had apparently agreed that none of it had happened.
The house had been Jessica’s for eleven years.
Alex could tell.
Not because she’d said it.
Because everything belonged somewhere.
The blue bowl beside the front door.
The photographs on the staircase.
The ridiculous decorative towels nobody was apparently allowed to use.
The candles.
The books.
The furniture.
Even the kitchen junk drawer had organisation.
Alex and Steve had arrived with boxes.
That was the difference.
Jessica had a house.
They had things inside it.
Alex noticed that more every day.
His bedroom was the only room that felt remotely his, and even that still had Jessica’s paint on the walls.
Sometimes he would lie in bed and think about Aspen.
His old room.
His posters.
The mark beside the door where Steve had measured his height every birthday.
The dent in the wall from when Alex threw a baseball indoors at twelve and blamed the dog.
They hadn’t owned a dog.
Steve had laughed so hard he’d forgotten to punish him.
All gone.
House sold.
Someone else lived there now.
Some stranger probably painted over the height marks.
Alex hated thinking about that.
So naturally he thought about it constantly.
‘Dinner.’
Jessica called from downstairs.
Alex didn’t answer.
‘Alex.’
Nothing.
Then Steve:
‘Alex, dinner.’
Alex closed his laptop.
He wasn’t hungry.
That didn’t matter.
Not eating would become A Thing.
Everything became A Thing now.
He went downstairs.
Jessica had made chicken.
Potatoes.
Vegetables.
Three plates.
Alex sat.
Steve looked exhausted.
Jessica looked angry.
Excellent.
‘How was school?’ Steve asked.
‘Online.’
‘I know.’
‘Then why’d you ask?’
Steve sighed.
Jessica put down her fork.
‘He’s trying to have a conversation with you.’
‘I answered.’
‘Barely.’
Alex looked at her.
‘Was there a minimum word count?’
‘Alex.’
Steve’s warning.
There it was.
Always.
Jessica says something.
Alex responds.
Steve says Alex’s name.
‘What?’
‘Knock it off.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’
‘Your attitude.’
Alex laughed.
‘Sorry.’
‘You’re not sorry.’
‘Correct.’
Jessica looked at Steve.
Steve stared at his plate.
Alex noticed.
He noticed everything now.
Jessica said:
‘Did you finish your assignments?’
‘Yep.’
‘All of them?’
Alex looked at Steve.
‘Is she my teacher now?’
‘She’s asking you a question.’
‘I finished.’
Jessica nodded.
‘Good.’
Alex took a bite of chicken.
Silence.
Steve tried again.
‘You talk to Jyllian today?’
Alex stopped chewing.
‘Why?’
‘Just asking.’
‘Why?’
‘Jesus, Alex. It’s a normal question.’
‘You don’t like her.’
‘I don’t know her.’
‘Then why do you care?’
Steve looked at him.
‘Because you’re my son.’
Alex laughed quietly.
Wrong answer.
Steve knew it immediately.
‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
‘No. What?’
Alex shook his head.
Jessica said:
‘Can we please have one dinner without this?’
Alex looked at her.
‘Without what?’
‘This hostility.’
‘Nobody asked you.’
Jessica put down her fork.
‘I’m sitting at my table.’
Alex felt it.
Immediate.
Hot.
‘Your table.’
Jessica closed her eyes.
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘Sounded like it.’
‘Alex.’
Steve again.
Alex pushed back his chair.
‘I knew I shouldn’t have come down.’
‘Sit down.’
‘Not hungry.’
‘Sit down.’
Alex looked at his father.
Something passed between them.
For a moment Steve was Dad again.
Then Jessica said:
‘Let him go.’
Alex turned.
‘Nobody needs your permission.’
He walked upstairs.
Steve shouted after him.
‘Alex!’
The bedroom door slammed.
Jessica waited.
Then:
‘You need to do something.’
Steve looked towards the stairs.
‘About what?’
She laughed.
‘Seriously?’
‘He’s angry.’
‘He’s always angry.’
‘He’s seventeen.’
‘Stop saying that like seventeen-year-olds are incapable of basic decency.’
Steve rubbed his forehead.
‘I don’t want to fight.’
‘Neither do I.’
‘Then don’t.’
Jessica stared at him.
‘You think I’m the problem.’
‘I didn’t say that.’
‘You never say anything.’
Steve stood and carried his plate to the sink.
‘I’m tired.’
‘You’re always tired when I want to talk.’
‘Because every conversation turns into a fucking argument.’
‘Maybe because you refuse to deal with anything.’
Steve turned.
‘I’m dealing with plenty.’
‘At the Buffalo?’
There it was.
‘Don’t.’
‘How many hours were you there today?’
‘I stopped for a beer.’
‘Three hours.’
Steve said nothing.
Jessica laughed.
‘Three hours for one beer.’
‘I was talking to Dan.’
‘Wonderful. Maybe you should move in with Dan.’
‘Maybe he’d charge less.’
The second it left his mouth, Steve regretted it.
Jessica’s face changed.
‘Wow.’
‘Jess.’
‘No.’
‘It was a joke.’
‘No, it wasn’t.’
She stood.
‘That’s what you think of me.’
‘I didn’t say that.’
‘You didn’t have to.’
‘You’re the one who handed me a list of renovations two days after I moved in.’
‘Because you live here.’
‘Apparently temporarily.’
‘What the hell does that mean?’
Steve looked towards the stairs.
‘Keep your voice down.’
Jessica laughed.
‘Now you care if he hears us?’
Upstairs, Alex sat on the floor beside his bedroom door.
Listening.
He shouldn’t.
He knew that.
He couldn’t stop.
Jessica said something Alex couldn’t hear.
Then Steve:
‘This isn’t about money.’
‘Everything with you is suddenly about money.’
‘Because you keep spending mine.’
Silence.
Alex’s eyes widened.
Jessica’s voice became quieter.
That was worse.
‘You offered.’
‘I know.’
‘You offered to help.’
‘I know.’
‘You bought the bracelet.’
‘I know.’
‘You paid for Santa Fe.’
‘I know.’
‘So don’t rewrite history because you’re unhappy.’
Steve didn’t answer.
Jessica continued.
‘You wanted this.’
‘I thought I did.’
Alex stopped breathing.
Jessica said:
‘What?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘No. You don’t get to say something like that and then say you don’t know.’
‘I thought moving here would fix things.’
‘What things?’
Another silence.
Then Steve:
‘Me.’
Alex looked down.
‘I thought if I started over, maybe I’d stop feeling like I was waiting for her to come home.’
Jessica’s voice softened.
‘Steve.’
‘I know she’s not coming back.’
Alex shut his eyes.
‘But some part of me is still in that fucking house waiting.’
Jessica said something too quietly for Alex to hear.
Then Steve:
‘And Alex is too.’
Alex stood.
He didn’t want to hear anymore.
He put on his headphones.
Turned the music up.
Loud.
Still, he could feel them arguing through the floor.
The next morning, Jessica moved Alex’s shoes.
That was all.
Two shoes.
They’d been beside the front door.
She put them in his room.
Alex came downstairs and couldn’t find them.
‘Where are my shoes?’
Jessica was drinking coffee.
‘Your room.’
‘Why?’
‘Because they were in the doorway.’
‘They’ve been there all week.’
‘I know.’
‘So?’
‘I almost tripped over them.’
Alex stared at her.
‘You moved my stuff.’
‘Alex, they’re shoes.’
‘I know what they are.’
Steve entered the kitchen.
‘What’s happening?’
‘Nothing,’ Jessica said.
Alex laughed.
‘She moved my stuff.’
Steve looked confused.
‘Your shoes?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay.’
‘Without asking.’
Jessica stared at him.
‘They’re shoes.’
‘In my house.’
Silence.
Alex heard himself.
Too late.
Jessica’s expression changed.
Not angry.
Hurt.
‘Your house?’
Alex crossed his arms.
‘You know what I mean.’
‘Actually, I don’t.’
Steve stepped in.
‘Everybody stop.’
Jessica looked at Alex.
‘I’ve done everything I can to make you comfortable here.’
‘Didn’t ask you to.’
‘No. You certainly didn’t.’
‘Jess.’
She ignored Steve.
‘I gave you the largest spare bedroom.’
‘Spare bedroom.’
‘Oh my God.’
‘That’s what you called it.’
‘Because that’s what it was before you moved in.’
‘Exactly.’
Steve raised his voice.
‘Enough.’
Alex looked at him.
‘Whose side are you on?’
Steve stared.
‘There aren’t sides.’
‘Bullshit.’
‘Alex.’
‘There are always sides.’
‘Nobody is against you.’
Alex laughed.
‘Could’ve fooled me.’
He walked towards the stairs.
Steve followed.
‘Where are you going?’
‘Away from you.’
‘We’re not finished.’
Alex turned.
‘You are.’
Steve stopped.
That one hurt.
Alex saw it.
For a fraction of a second, he wanted to take it back.
Then Jessica said:
‘Steve, let him go.’
Alex looked at her.
And the regret disappeared.
Jyllian found him near the creek.
She didn’t ask what happened.
Alex appreciated that.
He sat beside her.
Picked up stones.
Threw them into the water.
After the fifth one, Jyllian said:
‘Feel better?’
‘No.’
‘Didn’t think so.’
Another stone.
‘Jessica moved my shoes.’
Jyllian stared at him.
Then started laughing.
Alex looked offended.
‘Fuck you.’
‘I’m sorry.’
She wasn’t.
‘It’s not about the shoes.’
‘I know.’
‘Stop laughing.’
‘I’m trying.’
She covered her mouth.
Alex couldn’t help it.
He laughed too.
‘You’re an asshole.’
‘I know.’
They sat quietly.
Eventually Jyllian said:
‘What is it actually about?’
Alex stared at the creek.
‘Everything.’
‘Specific.’
‘She acts like we invaded her house.’
‘Did she say that?’
‘No.’
‘Does she act like it?’
Alex thought about it.
‘Sometimes.’
‘Sometimes isn’t always.’
‘Whose side are you on?’
Jyllian looked at him.
‘Yours.’
Immediate.
Alex relaxed.
Then she added:
‘Doesn’t mean you’re always right.’
He looked at her.
‘That feels misleading.’
‘You wanted somebody who agreed with everything you said?’
‘Yes.’
‘Get a dog.’
Alex smiled.
Jyllian rested her head against his shoulder.
‘You hate her because she’s there.’
He stiffened.
‘No.’
‘A little.’
‘You don’t know her.’
‘I know you.’
‘She’s using him.’
‘Maybe.’
‘She is.’
‘Okay.’
‘And he picked her over me.’
Jyllian lifted her head.
‘Did he?’
Alex didn’t answer.
‘Or did he make a decision you hate?’
‘Same thing.’
‘No.’
Alex looked away.
‘I don’t want to talk about it.’
‘Okay.’
Jyllian let it go.
That somehow made him want to talk.
‘I just want my dad back.’
There.
He hadn’t meant to say it.
Jyllian took his hand.
‘Then tell him.’
Alex shook his head.
‘He knows.’
‘Maybe he doesn’t.’
‘He should.’
‘People should know lots of things.’
Alex looked at her.
‘You going to give me another mysterious-girl speech?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Please don’t.’
She smiled.
Then squeezed his hand.
‘I think your dad is lost too.’
Alex stared at the water.
‘Then he can find himself.’
Jyllian didn’t answer.
That night, Steve knocked on Alex’s door.
No response.
‘Alex?’
Nothing.
Steve opened it slightly.
Alex was at his computer.
Headphones on.
Steve stepped inside.
Alex saw him.
Removed one earbud.
‘What?’
Steve looked around.
He hadn’t really been in here since they’d moved.
Posters.
Clothes.
Laptop.
Boxes still stacked against one wall.
Three of them unopened.
Steve stared at those.
‘You haven’t unpacked.’
Alex shrugged.
‘Didn’t see the point.’
‘We’ve been here weeks.’
‘So?’
Steve sat on the edge of the bed.
Alex immediately looked annoyed.
‘Can we talk?’
‘We are.’
‘I mean actually talk.’
Alex turned back to the computer.
‘I have school.’
‘It’s nine at night.’
‘I’m dedicated.’
‘Alex.’
Silence.
Steve tried again.
‘I’m sorry.’
Alex looked at him.
‘For what?’
Steve hadn’t expected that.
‘For… everything.’
‘Specific.’
Steve almost laughed.
Jyllian had said the same thing earlier.
He didn’t know that.
‘The move.’
Alex waited.
‘Jessica.’
Waited.
‘The way things have been.’
Alex stared at him.
‘Okay.’
‘Okay?’
‘What do you want me to say?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Then why are you here?’
Steve looked at his son.
‘Because I miss you.’
Alex’s expression flickered.
Steve saw it.
‘I miss us.’
Alex looked away.
‘You have Jessica.’
‘That’s not the same.’
‘You have the Buffalo.’
That landed harder.
Steve said quietly:
‘That’s not the same either.’
‘Could’ve fooled me.’
‘I’m trying.’
Alex laughed.
‘At what?’
Steve didn’t have an answer.
Alex turned back to his laptop.
‘I’m tired.’
Steve stood.
At the door, he stopped.
‘Your mother disappearing wasn’t my fault.’
Alex went completely still.
Steve continued.
‘But everything after was my responsibility.’
Alex slowly turned.
‘I know I haven’t always gotten it right.’
‘Don’t talk about Mum.’
‘I think we have to.’
‘No.’
‘Alex—’
‘Get out.’
‘I’m trying to tell you—’
‘GET OUT.’
Steve froze.
Alex’s eyes were wet.
‘You stopped waiting.’
Steve stared at him.
‘What?’
‘I didn’t.’
The room went silent.
Alex wiped his face angrily.
‘You got Jessica. You sold the house. You moved here. You get to start over.’
‘Alex—’
‘I don’t.’
Steve stepped towards him.
Alex backed away.
That broke something in Steve.
He stopped.
‘Okay.’
Alex looked at the floor.
Steve left.
Closed the door.
He stood in the hallway for a long time.
Then went downstairs.
His keys were on the table.
He stared at them.
The Buffalo was ten minutes away.
Maybe less.
Steve reached for the keys.
Stopped.
Upstairs, Alex’s door remained closed.
Steve withdrew his hand.
For once, he didn’t go.
He sat alone in the darkened living room instead.
Three people were awake in Jessica’s house that night.
Jessica in the bedroom.
Alex behind his closed door.
Steve downstairs on the sofa.
All three believed somebody else had ruined what they had.
And all three were lonely enough to be almost right.
——————
THE HOLLOW SEASON
Chapter Eleven — What We Do to Each Other
Jessica had stopped asking Steve what time he would be home.
That was how Steve knew things were getting worse.
Anger still asked questions.
Resentment didn’t bother.
It simply made plans without you.
By Wednesday, Jessica had stopped leaving dinner for him.
By Thursday, she stopped texting.
By Friday, Steve came home at ten-thirty and found the bedroom door locked.
He stood outside it for a few seconds.
Knocked once.
‘Jess?’
Nothing.
He knocked again.
‘Come on.’
Still nothing.
Steve rested his forehead against the door.
He could hear the television inside.
She was awake.
She was choosing not to answer.
He almost became angry.
Then he remembered how many nights he’d done essentially the same thing at the Buffalo.
Different door.
Same message.
Steve walked downstairs and slept on the sofa.
Again.
Alex heard all of it.
He was getting good at pretending not to.
Headphones helped.
So did keeping his bedroom door shut.
He barely came downstairs anymore.
Food could be carried upstairs.
School was online.
Jyllian was outside.
There was almost no reason to be part of the house.
Steve tried.
That made it worse.
Every knock on Alex’s door felt like an obligation.
Every ‘How are you?’ sounded ridiculous.
How did Steve think he was?
Fine?
Thriving?
Enjoying the exciting new family arrangement?
Alex had started answering in single words because longer answers tended to turn into conversations.
Conversations turned into advice.
Advice turned into Steve defending Jessica.
Then Alex got angry.
Then Steve got disappointed.
It was easier to say:
‘Fine.’
‘Yeah.’
‘No.’
‘Later.’
Eventually Steve stopped knocking as often.
Alex told himself that was what he wanted.
Friday afternoon, Jessica found three empty glasses in Alex’s bedroom.
She carried them downstairs.
Steve was in the kitchen.
‘Can you talk to him?’
Steve looked up from his phone.
‘About?’
She set the glasses beside the sink.
‘This.’
Steve stared at them.
‘Glasses?’
‘He takes dishes upstairs and leaves them.’
‘Okay.’
Jessica waited.
Steve said:
‘I’ll talk to him.’
‘You always say that.’
‘I said I’ll talk to him.’
‘And then nothing changes.’
Steve put the phone down.
‘It’s three glasses, Jess.’
Jessica laughed.
‘Of course.’
‘What?’
‘Nothing is ever the thing.’
Steve frowned.
‘What does that mean?’
‘It means I mention glasses and you hear glasses.’
‘Because you’re holding glasses.’
‘It’s not about the fucking glasses.’
Steve leaned back.
‘Okay.’
‘It’s about the fact that he acts like this is a hotel.’
‘He’s seventeen.’
Jessica stared at him.
‘There it is.’
‘What?’
‘Your favourite sentence.’
Steve rubbed his eyes.
‘I don’t want to do this.’
‘Neither do I.’
‘Then don’t.’
Jessica crossed her arms.
‘He doesn’t respect me.’
Steve looked towards the ceiling.
Alex’s room was directly above them.
‘Lower your voice.’
Jessica’s face hardened.
‘Why?’
‘Because he can hear you.’
‘Good.’
Steve looked at her.
That word changed the room.
Jessica knew it too.
But she didn’t take it back.
‘Maybe he should hear some of it.’
‘Hear what?’
‘That he’s not the only person having a hard time.’
Steve stood.
‘You think he doesn’t know?’
‘I think he doesn’t care.’
‘That’s not fair.’
Jessica laughed.
‘Of course it’s not fair. Nothing involving Alex is ever fair unless he’s the victim.’
Steve’s expression changed.
‘Don’t call him that.’
‘I didn’t.’
‘You know what you meant.’
Jessica threw her hands up.
‘This is exactly the problem.’
‘What is?’
‘I can’t say anything about your son.’
‘You can say whatever you want.’
‘No, I can’t.’
‘You’re doing it right now.’
‘And look at you.’
Steve stared at her.
Jessica’s voice rose.
‘The second I say anything critical, you turn into this.’
‘Into what?’
‘His lawyer.’
Upstairs, Alex took off his headphones.
He hadn’t been listening.
Not at first.
Then Jessica said his name.
Alex sat completely still.
Steve said:
‘He’s my kid.’
Jessica replied:
‘And I’m supposed to be what?’
Silence.
Alex moved closer to the door.
Steve said:
‘That’s not what we’re talking about.’
‘It is exactly what we’re talking about.’
Jessica’s voice cracked.
‘Where do I fit here?’
Steve didn’t answer.
Jessica continued.
‘I changed my life too.’
Steve said:
‘This is your house.’
‘That’s not the same thing.’
‘No. You got to stay.’
‘And you chose to come.’
Alex closed his eyes.
There it was.
Jessica said:
‘Nobody dragged you here.’
Steve’s voice sharpened.
‘I know.’
‘Then stop acting like I kidnapped both of you.’
Alex stood.
He opened his bedroom door.
‘Nobody said that.’
Jessica turned.
Alex was standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Steve looked exhausted.
‘Alex, go back upstairs.’
Alex ignored him.
‘Nobody said you kidnapped us.’
Jessica looked away.
‘This doesn’t involve you.’
Alex laughed.
‘You’re yelling about me.’
‘Go upstairs.’
‘Steve,’ Jessica said, ‘don’t.’
Alex looked at her.
‘Don’t what?’
‘Don’t make him choose again.’
The words came out before she could stop them.
Everything froze.
Steve stared at her.
Alex did too.
Jessica’s face changed immediately.
‘That’s not—’
Alex smiled.
It wasn’t a nice smile.
‘Choose again.’
‘Alex.’
Steve stepped towards him.
Alex backed away.
‘No, I want to hear this.’
Jessica shook her head.
‘I phrased that badly.’
‘Really?’
‘I meant—’
‘You meant Dad always picks me.’
‘No.’
‘That’s what you meant.’
Jessica’s eyes filled with anger again.
‘Sometimes he does.’
Steve said:
‘Jessica.’
She turned on him.
‘What? He does.’
Alex laughed.
‘Sorry I’m such an inconvenience.’
‘I did not say that.’
‘You don’t have to.’
‘Stop twisting everything.’
‘I’m not.’
‘Yes, you are.’
Alex looked at Steve.
‘See?’
Steve held up both hands.
‘Everybody stop.’
Nobody did.
Jessica said:
‘I have spent months trying to make this work.’
Alex stared at her.
‘For who?’
‘For all of us.’
‘Bullshit.’
‘Alex.’
Steve again.
Alex’s eyes flashed.
‘There. Every fucking time.’
‘What?’
‘She says something and you yell at me.’
‘I didn’t yell.’
‘You always defend her.’
Jessica laughed in disbelief.
‘He absolutely does not.’
Alex looked at her.
‘You wouldn’t know.’
‘Oh, I know.’
‘You know everything, apparently.’
‘No. I know what it’s like living with someone who hates me.’
Alex’s face hardened.
‘I don’t hate you.’
Jessica gave him a look.
Alex corrected himself.
‘I didn’t.’
That landed.
Steve closed his eyes.
Jessica stared at Alex.
‘Fine.’
Alex’s chest was pounding.
He should have stopped.
He didn’t.
‘You wanted Dad. You didn’t want me.’
‘That’s not true.’
‘You wanted his money.’
Steve turned sharply.
‘Alex.’
Jessica went pale.
Alex kept going.
‘The house. The renovations. The trips. The jewellery.’
‘Enough.’
Steve’s voice was louder now.
‘No.’
Alex pointed at Jessica.
‘She uses you.’
Jessica looked at Steve.
Then back at Alex.
‘Do you know what your father was like when I met him?’
Alex stopped.
Steve said:
‘Jessica.’
‘No.’
Now it was her turn.
‘You want to talk about things you don’t understand?’
Steve stepped forward.
‘Don’t.’
Jessica ignored him.
‘He was barely functioning.’
Alex stared at her.
‘What?’
‘He wasn’t sleeping. He wasn’t eating properly. He forgot appointments. He’d sit in the dark for hours.’
Steve’s face burned.
‘Stop.’
Jessica was crying now.
‘He was drowning.’
Alex looked at his father.
Steve wouldn’t meet his eyes.
Jessica continued.
‘And I helped him.’
Alex said quietly:
‘So?’
‘So I didn’t just show up and steal him.’
Alex flinched.
Jessica saw it.
She should have stopped.
She didn’t.
‘I was there when he needed somebody.’
Alex’s voice became small.
‘I was there.’
Jessica froze.
Steve looked up.
Alex’s eyes were wet.
‘I was there.’
‘Alex—’
‘After Mum disappeared, I was there.’
Jessica swallowed.
‘I know.’
‘No, you don’t.’
Alex’s breathing changed.
‘You weren’t there when he slept outside my room because I couldn’t sleep.’
Steve stared at the floor.
‘You weren’t there when we drove around at two in the morning because I kept thinking I saw her car.’
Jessica said softly:
‘I know.’
‘You don’t know anything.’
Steve stepped towards Alex.
‘Buddy—’
‘Don’t.’
Steve stopped.
Alex wiped his face angrily.
‘You were my dad.’
Steve looked like he’d been hit.
Alex continued.
‘You were mine.’
Jessica said:
‘Alex, that’s not fair.’
He spun toward her.
‘I know!’
His voice cracked through the room.
‘I know it’s not fucking fair!’
Nobody moved.
Alex was crying openly now.
‘She’s gone.’
Silence.
‘I know she’s gone.’
Steve’s face collapsed.
Alex pointed at Jessica.
‘And every time I look at her, she’s proof.’
Jessica’s anger disappeared.
Alex could barely get the words out.
‘Proof that everybody gets to move on except me.’
Steve whispered:
‘Alex.’
‘You got somebody else.’
Steve shook his head.
‘No.’
‘You did.’
‘I didn’t replace her.’
‘Then why does it feel like you did?’
Steve had no answer.
That was the answer.
Alex laughed through tears.
‘Exactly.’
Jessica took a step forward.
‘Alex, I never tried to replace your mum.’
‘I don’t care what you tried.’
That hurt her.
He knew it did.
He wanted it to.
‘You’re just there.’
Jessica stopped.
Alex looked at Steve again.
‘And now you’re always with her or at that fucking bar.’
Steve’s voice broke.
‘I don’t know what you want me to do.’
Alex stared at him.
There it was.
The thing Alex had been waiting to hear without knowing it.
‘You don’t know?’
Steve regretted it instantly.
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘You don’t know what I want?’
‘Alex—’
‘I want my dad.’
Steve’s eyes filled.
‘I am your dad.’
‘Then act like it.’
Silence.
Steve looked away.
Wrong choice.
Alex saw it.
Something in him shut.
‘Whatever.’
He turned.
Steve grabbed his arm.
‘Don’t walk away.’
Alex jerked free.
‘Don’t touch me.’
‘We need to finish this.’
‘No. You do.’
‘What does that mean?’
Alex looked straight at him.
‘I gave up.’
Steve stared.
‘I don’t care anymore.’
It was a lie.
That was why it worked.
Steve’s face changed.
Alex saw the damage.
For one second, he almost took it back.
Then Jessica said quietly:
‘Maybe some space would be good.’
Alex turned.
He looked at her as if she’d struck him.
Steve immediately said:
‘Jess.’
But it was too late.
Alex nodded.
‘There it is.’
‘That’s not what I meant.’
‘Sure.’
‘Alex.’
‘You finally said it.’
Jessica stepped towards him.
‘I meant tonight.’
‘You want space?’
Alex grabbed his jacket.
‘Have it.’
Steve moved in front of the door.
‘You’re not going anywhere.’
Alex laughed.
‘Watch me.’
‘It’s dark.’
‘I don’t care.’
‘Alex.’
‘Move.’
‘No.’
Alex stared at him.
Steve held his ground.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then Alex said:
‘What are you going to do?’
Steve frowned.
‘What?’
‘Lock me in?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
‘Then move.’
‘No.’
Alex looked toward Jessica.
‘Tell him.’
Jessica said nothing.
‘Go on. You wanted space.’
‘Alex, stop.’
‘Tell him to let me leave.’
Jessica shook her head.
‘I don’t want you wandering around at night.’
Alex laughed bitterly.
‘Now you care.’
Steve’s expression hardened.
‘Enough.’
Alex snapped.
‘STOP SAYING THAT.’
He shoved Steve.
Not hard.
Hard enough.
Everyone froze.
Alex stared at his own hands.
Steve stared at him.
Jessica gasped.
Alex’s face crumpled.
‘I—’
Steve said nothing.
That was worse than yelling.
Alex stepped backwards.
‘I didn’t mean—’
Steve reached toward him.
Alex recoiled.
Then he ran.
He went out the back door before either of them could stop him.
Steve followed.
By the time he reached the yard, Alex was gone.
Jessica stood in the kitchen.
Steve came back inside.
‘Where is he?’
‘Gone.’
‘What do you mean gone?’
‘I can’t see him.’
‘Then go after him.’
‘I am.’
Steve grabbed his keys.
Jessica said:
‘Steve.’
He turned.
‘I didn’t mean it.’
Steve stared at her.
‘Which part?’
Jessica flinched.
‘I don’t know.’
Steve nodded.
‘Exactly.’
He left.
Alex didn’t go to Jyllian.
That surprised even him.
He walked.
Fast.
No destination.
No jacket zipped.
Cold air burned his lungs.
He wanted to stay angry.
Anger was easier.
Instead, every few blocks, he remembered shoving his father.
He felt sick.
Steve hadn’t touched him.
Hadn’t threatened him.
Hadn’t done anything.
Alex had shoved him.
‘Fuck.’
He kicked a rock.
It skittered across the pavement.
Alex wiped his face.
He hated Jessica.
No.
He hated what Jessica represented.
That was different.
Jyllian had been right.
He hated her because she was there.
Because his mother wasn’t.
Because Steve could look at Jessica and imagine a future.
Alex couldn’t.
His entire life still divided into before Mum disappeared and after.
He sat on a bench near the edge of Main Street.
The Buffalo glowed down the block.
Alex stared at it.
Of course.
Of fucking course.
He stood.
Steve drove every street he could think of.
Called Alex six times.
No answer.
Seven.
Eight.
He called Jyllian’s number.
Disconnected.
Of course.
Steve slammed the steering wheel.
‘Goddammit.’
His phone rang.
Jessica.
He ignored it.
Then hated himself for that too.
He pulled over.
Called Alex again.
Voicemail.
Steve listened to his son’s recorded voice.
‘Hey, it’s Alex. You know what to do.’
Beep.
Steve couldn’t speak.
He hung up.
For a second he sat in the dark.
Then he saw the Buffalo sign ahead.
And knew.
Alex was outside when Steve pulled up.
Steve got out so fast he left the driver’s door open.
‘Alex.’
Alex looked at him.
Neither moved.
Steve crossed the street.
‘You okay?’
Alex nodded.
‘Yeah.’
‘Are you hurt?’
‘No.’
Steve stopped in front of him.
Alex looked at the pavement.
‘I didn’t mean to shove you.’
Steve swallowed.
‘I know.’
‘No, I shouldn’t have.’
‘I know.’
Alex looked up.
‘Are you mad?’
Steve almost laughed.
Instead he started crying.
Alex stared.
Steve covered his face.
‘I thought I’d lost you.’
Alex’s expression broke.
‘Dad.’
Steve grabbed him.
Alex resisted for half a second.
Then collapsed into him.
They stood on Main Street holding each other.
Neither cared who saw.
Alex buried his face against Steve’s shoulder.
‘I don’t hate you.’
Steve held the back of his head.
‘I know.’
‘I don’t.’
‘I know.’
‘I just—’
‘I know.’
Alex cried harder.
Steve did too.
After a while, Alex whispered:
‘I hate her.’
Steve pulled back.
Alex looked ashamed.
‘Sometimes.’
Steve nodded.
‘Okay.’
Alex waited for the defence.
It didn’t come.
Steve said:
‘You don’t have to love Jessica.’
Alex looked surprised.
‘You don’t?’
‘No.’
Steve wiped his face.
‘I’d like you to respect her.’
Alex looked away.
‘I’m trying.’
‘I know.’
Steve exhaled.
‘And I need to stop asking you to feel things because they’d make my life easier.’
Alex looked at him.
Steve continued.
‘That isn’t fair.’
Alex swallowed.
‘She does use you.’
Steve almost smiled.
‘We’ll save that one for another night.’
Alex gave a tiny laugh.
It was the first good sound either had heard all evening.
Steve put an arm around him.
‘Come home.’
Alex’s body stiffened.
Steve felt it.
‘She’ll be there.’
‘I know.’
‘I don’t want to.’
Steve looked at him.
‘Okay.’
Alex frowned.
‘Okay?’
‘We’ll drive around.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Where?’
Steve shrugged.
‘Anywhere.’
Alex looked at him.
Something old returned between them.
Not fixed.
Not forgiven.
Recognisable.
‘Can we get food?’
Steve smiled.
‘Of course.’
‘Beau Jo’s?’
‘You hate Beau Jo’s.’
‘I never said that.’
‘You made a speech about tourist pizza.’
‘That was before honey.’
Steve laughed.
They got into the car.
For the first time since moving to Idaho Springs, Alex chose the front seat.
Jessica sat alone at the kitchen table.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
She had cried until her face hurt.
At 10:14, headlights passed the window.
She stood.
The car didn’t stop.
She sat again.
At 10:38, she found one of Alex’s glasses beside the sink.
She picked it up.
Held it.
Then laughed once.
A miserable little sound.
Three glasses.
That had started all of this.
Except it hadn’t.
Nothing started tonight.
Tonight had simply been when they finally said it.
Jessica rinsed the glass.
Put it in the dishwasher.
Then she went upstairs.
Alex’s bedroom door was open.
She stood there.
Boxes.
Posters.
Clothes.
A life that had never quite moved in.
Jessica stepped inside.
She shouldn’t have.
She knew that.
On his desk was an old photograph.
Alex as a little boy.
Steve younger.
A woman beside them.
Alex’s mother.
All three laughing.
Jessica stared at it.
She had never seen the photograph before.
The woman was beautiful.
Not in a way that threatened Jessica.
That would have been easier.
She looked happy.
Alex looked happy.
Steve looked like a completely different man.
Jessica sat on the edge of the bed.
For the first time, she understood something she should have understood months ago.
She had thought she was moving in with a man and his teenage son.
She hadn’t.
She had moved in with a man, his teenage son, and a missing woman.
There had always been four people in the house.
Jessica covered her face.
And cried.
Steve and Alex came home after midnight.
They had eaten pizza in the car.
Driven halfway towards Georgetown.
Talked about nothing important.
Music.
A movie.
A teacher Alex hated in middle school.
For ninety minutes, they pretended life was still ordinary.
When they pulled into the driveway, Alex looked at the house.
‘I don’t want to go in.’
Steve turned off the engine.
‘Neither do I.’
Alex smiled faintly.
They sat there.
Then Alex said:
‘Are you going to leave her?’
Steve looked at him.
‘I don’t know.’
Alex nodded.
Steve added:
‘That’s not me choosing her.’
‘I know.’
‘I need you to know that.’
Alex looked through the windshield.
‘Okay.’
Steve waited.
Alex said:
‘Dad?’
‘Yeah?’
‘I’m sorry I said I gave up.’
Steve looked away quickly.
Alex saw him fighting tears.
‘I didn’t.’
Steve nodded.
‘I know.’
‘Okay.’
They got out.
Inside, the house was dark.
Jessica had gone to bed.
Alex started upstairs.
Steve touched his shoulder.
‘Love you.’
Alex hesitated.
Then:
‘Love you too.’
Steve watched him go.
For the first time in weeks, Alex left his bedroom door slightly open.
Steve noticed.
He stood there staring at that narrow strip of darkness.
A tiny thing.
Almost nothing.
It felt enormous.
Then, from somewhere outside, a motorcycle engine started.
Steve turned toward the window.
Across town, the Buffalo’s sign glowed against the night.
Steve stared at it.
For once, he didn’t reach for his keys.
Upstairs, Alex’s door remained open.
Steve turned away from the window.
And chose his son.
————————-
THE HOLLOW SEASON
Chapter Twelve — Before Her
Steve made pancakes.
Alex knew immediately that something was wrong.
His father didn’t make pancakes.
He made eggs.
He made toast.
He occasionally produced bacon so badly burned that the smoke alarm became part of breakfast.
Pancakes belonged to restaurants.
Yet when Alex came downstairs Saturday morning, Steve was standing over the stove with a spatula.
‘What the hell are you doing?’
Steve looked over his shoulder.
‘Cooking.’
‘Why?’
‘People do it.’
‘Not this.’
Steve flipped a pancake.
It folded in half.
Alex stared.
‘Impressive.’
‘Fuck off.’
Alex laughed.
Actually laughed.
Steve smiled.
It felt strange.
Good.
But strange.
Alex sat at the table.
Jessica wasn’t there.
He noticed immediately.
‘Where’s Jessica?’
‘Sleeping.’
‘Oh.’
Steve put a plate in front of him.
One pancake was burned.
One looked raw.
The third had somehow developed a hole.
Alex picked up his fork.
‘Which one am I supposed to eat?’
‘Dealer’s choice.’
Alex cut into the least dangerous-looking one.
Steve sat across from him.
For a few minutes they didn’t talk.
They didn’t need to.
That was something Alex had forgotten about his father.
Before Jessica.
Before Idaho Springs.
Before everything became a conversation they were supposed to have.
They used to be good at silence.
Steve drank coffee.
Alex ate terrible pancakes.
It was nice.
Then Alex said:
‘You slept on the sofa again.’
Steve looked at him.
‘Yeah.’
‘Because of me?’
‘No.’
Alex waited.
Steve sighed.
‘Not entirely.’
‘Are you guys breaking up?’
‘Jesus. Good morning.’
‘Just asking.’
‘I don’t know.’
Alex nodded.
Steve pointed his coffee mug at him.
‘And don’t look happy about it.’
‘I don’t.’
Steve raised an eyebrow.
Alex smiled.
‘Okay. A little.’
‘I appreciate the honesty.’
‘You raised me.’
‘Apparently poorly.’
Alex laughed again.
Then his expression changed.
‘Dad?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Yesterday…’
Steve put down the mug.
‘I don’t want to do yesterday again.’
‘Neither do I.’
‘I meant what I said.’
Steve waited.
‘About missing you.’
‘I know.’
Alex looked down.
‘But some of the other stuff—’
‘You were angry.’
‘I was an asshole.’
‘Also true.’
Alex looked up.
Steve smiled.
‘You’re allowed to be angry with me.’
‘Even about Jessica?’
Steve hesitated.
‘Especially about Jessica.’
That surprised him.
Steve continued.
‘You don’t get to be cruel to her.’
Alex nodded.
‘Fair.’
‘And you don’t get to decide what my relationship with her is based on.’
Alex opened his mouth.
Steve pointed.
‘Not finished.’
Alex shut it.
‘But I should have listened to you more.’
Alex’s face softened.
‘You told me you didn’t want to move.’
‘Several times.’
‘Several hundred.’
‘Probably.’
Steve looked around the kitchen.
‘And I decided I knew what was best.’
Alex shrugged.
‘Parents do that.’
‘Sometimes parents are wrong.’
Alex looked at him.
‘Are you saying you were wrong?’
Steve thought about it.
‘I think I was wrong about what moving would fix.’
That answer was good enough.
Alex went back to his pancake.
Steve watched him.
‘You know something?’
‘What?’
‘I like you.’
Alex frowned.
‘That’s weird.’
‘I’m serious.’
‘Please stop.’
‘I love you because you’re my son. That’s mandatory.’
‘This is getting worse.’
‘But I actually like you.’
Alex stared at him.
Steve smiled.
‘You’re funny. You’re smart. You’re occasionally a tremendous pain in my ass—’
‘Occasionally?’
‘I’m being generous.’
Alex tried not to smile.
Failed.
Steve said:
‘I forgot that for a while.’
Alex looked down.
‘Me too.’
Neither spoke.
Then Steve reached across the table.
Alex looked at his hand.
After a moment, he took it.
Jessica heard everything from the stairs.
She hadn’t meant to listen.
At least that’s what she told herself.
She stood just beyond the kitchen doorway in her robe.
Steve and Alex couldn’t see her.
She heard them laugh.
Heard Steve tell Alex he liked him.
Heard Alex laugh again.
And something ugly moved through her.
Jealousy.
She hated herself for it immediately.
A father should love his son.
Of course he should.
She knew that.
But Steve hadn’t looked that relaxed with her in months.
Maybe ever.
She watched them.
They had their own language.
Their own history.
Their own jokes.
Even their arguments belonged to them.
Jessica suddenly understood something else about the photograph she’d found.
She hadn’t replaced Alex’s mother.
She couldn’t.
But she hadn’t merely joined Steve and Alex either.
She had entered something already complete.
And she had spent months trying to make room for herself by rearranging it.
Steve looked towards the doorway.
Jessica stepped back before he saw her.
She went upstairs.
Quietly.
Alex found Jyllian shortly after noon.
Or perhaps Jyllian found him.
It was increasingly difficult to tell.
She was sitting on a bench near Main Street with two coffees.
‘You’re creepy.’
She handed him one.
‘You’re welcome.’
‘How did you know I was coming?’
‘I didn’t.’
‘You bought two coffees.’
‘I was optimistic.’
Alex sat beside her.
For a few seconds, neither spoke.
Then Jyllian said:
‘You look better.’
‘Dad and I talked.’
‘Good.’
‘That’s it?’
‘What do you want? Balloons?’
Alex smiled.
‘Maybe.’
Jyllian bumped his shoulder.
‘I told you to talk to him.’
‘Don’t ruin this by being right.’
She laughed.
Alex looked at her.
He’d missed that.
Her.
After everything at the Buffalo, he’d expected her to disappear again.
‘Where did you go?’
Her smile faded.
‘When?’
‘You know when.’
Jyllian stared at her coffee.
‘Away.’
‘Useful.’
‘I needed to think.’
‘About Nora?’
Jyllian went still.
Alex noticed.
‘There.’
‘What?’
‘That.’
‘What?’
‘Every time I say her name, you do that.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’
‘Jyllian.’
She looked at him.
‘Who is she?’
‘Your aunt.’
‘I know that now.’
Alex leaned closer.
‘How do you know her?’
‘I don’t.’
‘Bullshit.’
Jyllian looked away.
Alex waited.
‘Did you know my dad when he was younger?’
‘No.’
‘Then why did he recognise you?’
‘He didn’t.’
‘He thought he did.’
‘People think lots of things.’
‘Why did you cry when he said Nora?’
Jyllian didn’t answer.
Alex’s frustration grew.
‘You keep telling me things are dangerous. You tell me not to let Dad stay at the Buffalo. You knew those people were missing before anyone told you. Dan knows you. My dad somehow knows you. And every time I ask a question, you disappear.’
Jyllian stared at him.
‘Are you done?’
‘No.’
‘Okay.’
That annoyed him more.
‘I like you.’
She blinked.
Alex hadn’t meant to say it that way.
‘A lot.’
Jyllian’s expression softened.
Alex continued.
‘And I don’t know anything about you.’
‘You know things.’
‘Like what?’
She thought.
‘I hate mushrooms.’
‘Important.’
‘I like old movies.’
‘You refuse to tell me how old.’
‘Old.’
‘You hate Florida.’
‘Everybody should.’
Alex smiled despite himself.
Then became serious again.
‘Who are you?’
Jyllian looked at him.
There was so much sadness in her face that Alex immediately wished he hadn’t asked.
‘I don’t know anymore.’
He frowned.
‘What does that mean?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘That’s not an answer.’
‘It’s the only one I have.’
Alex watched her.
Then:
‘Are you dangerous?’
Jyllian’s eyes filled.
She didn’t answer.
Alex’s stomach tightened.
‘Jyllian.’
‘I don’t want to hurt you.’
That wasn’t what he’d asked.
They both knew it.
Alex stood.
‘Okay.’
She grabbed his hand.
‘Alex.’
He looked down.
‘What?’
‘I don’t want to hurt you.’
‘Then tell me the truth.’
Jyllian slowly released him.
‘I can’t.’
Alex nodded.
‘Then don’t ask me to trust you.’
He walked away.
Jyllian didn’t follow.
For the first time since meeting her, Alex hoped she wouldn’t.
For the first time since meeting him, Jyllian obeyed.
Steve spent the afternoon opening boxes.
Not at the Buffalo.
Not downtown.
Home.
He started with the garage.
Most were things he’d packed in Aspen and never looked at closely.
Books.
Winter clothes.
Old paperwork.
Alex’s childhood toys Steve couldn’t bring himself to throw away.
A plastic dinosaur missing one leg.
Baseball glove.
School projects.
Steve smiled.
Then he found a box marked:
DAD
His smile disappeared.
His father had died seven years earlier.
Steve hadn’t opened the box since.
He sat on the garage floor.
Removed the tape.
Photographs.
Documents.
A watch.
His father’s old wallet.
A stack of Christmas cards held together with a rubber band.
Steve went through them slowly.
Then found an envelope.
No name.
Inside were photographs.
Summer.
Teenagers.
Mountains.
A lake.
Steve recognised himself.
Sixteen.
Skinny.
Longer hair than Alex would ever believe.
He smiled.
Then saw Nora.
Blonde.
Denim jacket.
Middle finger raised at the camera.
Steve’s breath caught.
The memory was stronger now.
His sister.
Not an abstraction.
Nora.
He remembered her stealing cigarettes from their father.
Remembered her singing badly in the car.
Remembered her threatening to tell a girl Steve liked her.
Remembered—
Idaho Springs.
Steve dropped the photograph.
His heart began pounding.
Summer 1975.
Their father driving.
Nora beside him.
Three friends.
Why?
Steve squeezed his eyes shut.
Something surfaced.
A motel.
Main Street.
Music.
Nora laughing.
The Buffalo.
Steve opened his eyes.
‘Oh my God.’
He dug through the photographs.
Another.
Nora outside the Buffalo.
Another.
Steve and Nora on Main Street.
Another.
Four teenagers.
The photograph that had somehow appeared in Steve’s jacket weeks earlier.
Except this was the original.
He picked it up.
Turned it over.
Nothing.
No warning.
No writing.
Steve stared.
The photograph from his jacket had said:
AUGUST 1975
NORA, DON’T GO INSIDE.
This one was blank.
Steve stood.
He ran inside.
Jessica was in the kitchen.
‘Where’s the photograph?’
She looked up.
‘What?’
‘The photograph from my jacket.’
‘Steve—’
‘The old one. Me and Nora.’
‘I don’t know.’
‘It was here.’
‘Why would I know?’
Steve searched the counter.
Drawer.
Side table.
Jessica watched.
‘What’s going on?’
‘I found the original.’
He held it out.
Jessica took it.
‘Original what?’
‘This.’
‘Steve, I don’t understand.’
‘The picture that was in my jacket was this picture.’
Jessica looked at it.
‘Okay.’
‘Except someone had written on the back.’
‘Who?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘What did it say?’
Steve hesitated.
Then:
‘Nora, don’t go inside.’
Jessica looked at him.
‘Inside where?’
Steve stared at the photograph.
‘I think the Buffalo.’
Jessica closed her eyes.
‘Of course.’
Steve looked up.
‘What does that mean?’
‘Everything is the Buffalo.’
‘Jess.’
‘Since we moved here, everything is that fucking bar.’
‘This is different.’
‘It’s always different.’
‘My sister disappeared here.’
Jessica froze.
‘What?’
Steve stared at her.
‘I think Nora disappeared in Idaho Springs.’
The anger vanished from Jessica’s face.
‘Steve.’
‘I couldn’t remember.’
‘You told me she ran away.’
‘That’s what my father told everyone.’
‘You said she left home.’
‘I was sixteen.’
His voice cracked.
‘I was a kid.’
Jessica stepped towards him.
‘What do you remember?’
Steve shook his head.
‘Pieces.’
‘Okay.’
She touched his arm.
For once, he didn’t pull away.
‘Tell me the pieces.’
Steve looked at her.
And did.
Alex came home before dark.
He heard voices in the kitchen.
Steve and Jessica.
Not yelling.
That was new.
He stopped outside.
Steve was saying:
‘There were five of us.’
Alex listened.
‘Me. Nora. Tommy. Rebecca. And someone else.’
Jessica asked:
‘Who?’
‘I can’t remember.’
‘That’s okay.’
‘No, it’s not.’
‘Steve.’
‘I can see his face. I just can’t—’
Steve stopped.
Alex stepped into the kitchen.
‘What are you talking about?’
Steve and Jessica looked at him.
On the table were photographs.
Alex saw Nora immediately.
Blonde.
Young.
Beautiful.
Familiar.
He walked closer.
‘That’s her?’
Steve nodded.
‘My sister.’
Alex picked up a photograph.
Nora stood outside the Buffalo.
Something about her bothered him.
He couldn’t identify it.
‘She looks…’
Steve waited.
Alex shook his head.
‘Nothing.’
Jessica watched him.
‘Your dad remembers being here with her.’
Alex looked at Steve.
‘In 1975?’
‘Yeah.’
‘What happened?’
Steve rubbed his hands together.
‘I don’t know yet.’
‘What do you mean yet?’
‘It’s coming back.’
Alex sat.
For once, all three of them occupied the same table without fighting.
Steve spread the photographs out.
‘We came here for a weekend.’
‘Why?’
‘I don’t remember.’
Photograph.
Photograph.
Photograph.
Then Alex found one taken at night.
Main Street.
Five teenagers.
Behind them:
The Buffalo.
Alex stared.
‘Dad.’
Steve looked.
‘What?’
Alex pointed.
At first Steve didn’t see it.
Then he did.
One of the windows behind Nora.
A face.
Pale.
Female.
Watching.
Jessica leaned closer.
‘Probably somebody inside.’
Alex didn’t answer.
Steve took the photograph.
His hand began shaking.
‘No.’
Jessica looked at him.
‘What?’
Steve whispered:
‘I remember her.’
‘Who?’
Steve stared at the face.
‘She talked to Nora.’
Alex’s skin prickled.
‘Who was she?’
‘I don’t know.’
Steve closed his eyes.
Memory.
Smoke.
Music.
A girl sitting at the bar.
Nora laughing with her.
Steve telling Nora they should leave.
The girl turning towards him.
Dark eyes.
A smile.
You should listen to your brother.
Steve opened his eyes.
‘She warned her.’
Alex leaned forward.
‘About what?’
Steve’s breathing became shallow.
‘Going upstairs.’
Jessica stared.
‘Upstairs where?’
Steve looked at her.
‘The Buffalo.’
They went downtown together.
Jessica protested.
Then came anyway.
For the first time since moving to Idaho Springs, the three of them walked Main Street as something resembling a family.
Nobody noticed.
Dan did.
He saw them through the Buffalo window.
Steve.
Alex.
Jessica.
And the photograph in Steve’s hand.
Dan’s expression changed.
‘Shit.’
Steve opened the door.
‘We need to talk.’
Dan looked at the photograph.
‘Apparently.’
Steve put it on the bar.
‘1975.’
Dan didn’t touch it.
Alex watched him.
‘You know something.’
Dan sighed.
‘I know lots of things.’
‘Then start talking.’
Jessica looked around the room.
‘This is the place?’
Steve nodded.
‘Yeah.’
Dan stared at Steve.
‘How much do you remember?’
‘Not enough.’
‘Maybe that’s a good thing.’
Steve slammed his hand on the bar.
‘Stop doing that.’
Dan didn’t move.
‘Doing what?’
‘Everybody in this town talks like they’re trying not to finish a fucking sentence.’
A couple at a nearby table looked over.
Steve didn’t care.
‘My sister disappeared.’
Dan’s expression softened.
‘I know.’
Silence.
Alex stared at him.
Steve went completely still.
‘What did you say?’
Dan realised his mistake.
Too late.
Steve stepped closer.
‘How do you know?’
Dan looked at Alex.
Then Jessica.
Then Steve.
‘Because people remember.’
‘Remember what?’
‘Stories.’
‘What story?’
Dan didn’t answer.
Steve’s voice rose.
‘WHAT STORY?’
The room went quiet.
Dan finally said:
‘Four teenagers were found in Idaho Springs in August 1975.’
Steve stopped breathing.
Alex stared at his father.
Jessica covered her mouth.
Steve whispered:
‘Four?’
Dan nodded.
‘Dead.’
Steve’s legs nearly gave out.
Alex caught him.
‘Dad.’
Steve grabbed the bar.
‘No.’
Dan continued carefully.
‘The fifth teenager was never found.’
Steve looked at him.
His face had gone white.
‘Nora.’
Dan nodded.
Steve stared at the photograph.
Five teenagers.
Then another memory tore through him.
Nora screaming.
Blood.
A locked door.
Someone pounding from the other side.
Steve running down stairs.
A hand grabbing his shirt.
Nora shouting:
STEVE, GO!
Steve screamed.
He collapsed.
Alex caught him before his head hit the floor.
‘DAD!’
Jessica dropped beside them.
‘Steve!’
Dan came around the bar.
Steve’s eyes were open.
But he wasn’t seeing them.
He was sixteen again.
August 1975.
Steve ran.
Down the stairs.
Nora screaming behind him.
‘STEVE!’
Something slammed against the wall upstairs.
Tommy was already dead.
Rebecca too.
Someone else—
Blood everywhere.
Steve reached the bottom.
Turned.
Nora stood at the top of the staircase.
Behind her was a woman.
Or something that looked like one.
Nora screamed:
‘GO!’
Steve reached for her.
‘NORA!’
The woman smiled.
The lights went out.
Steve heard his sister scream.
Then—
Nothing.
Steve opened his eyes.
Alex was above him.
‘Dad.’
Jessica beside him.
Dan behind them.
Steve gasped.
‘She didn’t run away.’
Alex squeezed his hand.
‘I know.’
Steve began crying.
‘She saved me.’
Dan looked towards the staircase.
Steve followed his eyes.
The same staircase.
Fifty-one years later.
Steve stood.
‘I’m going upstairs.’
Dan blocked him.
‘No.’
‘Move.’
‘No.’
‘My sister was up there.’
‘Your sister was up there fifty-one years ago.’
Steve stared at him.
Dan’s voice became quieter.
‘And whatever was with her might still be.’
Nobody spoke.
Then:
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
From upstairs.
Jessica backed away.
Alex looked towards the ceiling.
Steve went rigid.
Dan whispered:
‘Nobody answer.’
Three more knocks.
Then a girl’s voice.
Young.
Terrified.
‘Stevie?’
Steve began crying.
Alex grabbed his father.
‘Dad.’
Upstairs:
‘Please.’
Steve moved.
Alex held him tighter.
‘Dad, no.’
‘That’s her.’
‘No.’
‘That’s Nora.’
Dan stepped in front of Steve.
‘It knows her voice.’
Steve stared at him.
Dan’s eyes were hard.
‘It has known her voice for fifty-one years.’
The lights flickered.
Upstairs, Nora screamed.
Steve lunged.
Alex wrapped both arms around him.
‘DAD!’
‘LET ME GO!’
‘NO!’
‘SHE NEEDS ME!’
‘DAD, SHE’S GONE!’
Steve stopped.
Alex immediately regretted saying it.
Steve looked at him.
Alex was crying.
‘I’m sorry.’
Steve stared upstairs.
The voice came again.
Soft now.
‘Steve?’
Then another voice joined it.
Alex froze.
His father’s face changed.
Jessica looked between them.
A woman’s voice came from upstairs.
Not Nora.
Different.
Alex knew it.
He hadn’t heard it in years.
But he knew it.
‘Alex?’
His entire body went cold.
Steve turned towards him.
‘What?’
Alex stared at the staircase.
The voice came again.
‘Baby?’
Alex whispered:
‘Mum?’
And somewhere outside the Buffalo, Jyllian began running.
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