"If They Don't Win It's A Shame" chap 7

Chapter 7

Aria puttered around the kitchen in her bare feet, a day off that she'd never have taken in a million years if she didn't have to. This house needed order again, an order she wouldn't attain working a ten hour work day. Sighing, she pulled more tupperware containers out of the cabinet. Someone had to do it. Humming to herself, she listened to the complete silence of her home this morning. Brayden was off skateboarding with his friends, and her father had yet to wake up. There was something about the early morning that got her blood flowing, heart pumping, especially when she had a project to do. Slowly, the cabinets got reorganized and the kitchen was finished. As soon as she finished the kitchen, she moved onto the living room knowing full well this would be all she did today. There were too many crevices in this house for teenager garbage. Like thirty cds shoved into the corner beside the couch, or three pairs of sneakers under the entertainment center. She was in the middle of tugging the cushions off the couch to see what awaited her there when Brayden walked in.

"Morning, I've got the mail." he announced strolling toward her.

"What's in there? Anything good?" she smiled at her brother's look of frustration as he shook his head through each piece of mail.

"Mostly bills from the looks of it...oh wait." he pulled one envelope to the front of the pile and looked at it. "This looks interesting, for you, but no return address."

Frowning, Aria stood and left the couch in disarray to take the envelope. Opening it, she felt all of the blood rush from her face as she freed the letter and picture from its surroundings. Staring back at her were her own deep set green eyes fringed by blonde lashes. Isaac.

"What is it?" asked Brayden, his expression worried as he clasped a hand on her arm.

"N-n-nothing." she tried to cover, pulling away from him. "I'm fine."

"Have it your way." her brother shook his head and walked out of the room.

Quickly, she opened the letter and glanced at it.

He's beautiful, isn't he? Why didn't you tell me about him, Aria? Apparently we make beautiful babies together. Should try again soon. I know where he is, Aria, the secret is no longer safe.

Her heart thudded against her ribcage, he knew? Jerry knew. Isaac stared back at her in the picture, his expression happy. But how long could she keep him that way? Tears began to pour down her face as she grabbed her cell phone. She needed to call a few people to ensure his safety. Right away. Her heart longed to simply call Andre, have him make it all better. However, there were some things no one could fix. Like Jerry Reynolds.

--

Andre gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were white, Aria had called saying the police were at her house to meet her there as soon as he could. Something was most definitely wrong, just by the frantic sound in her voice. He'd reached her house in record time he was sure. Climbing out of the car, he didn't waste any time slamming the car door and walking up to her front door which stood open. Police milled around the living room, one asked her questions, another scribbled things down in a notebook. Her brother stood in the kitchen beside their father staring at all of the action.

"What's going on, Brayden?" he asked the teenager, standing beside him.

"I don't know, she won't tell us anything." he complained, his eyes fierce looking. Apparently Brayden was feeling as helpless as he was.

"Help her." whispered Mr. McKenzie, his eyes sorrowful.

"I will, sir." he answered taking the first few steps toward the living room.

When the police officer had finished questioning her, Andre walked in and sat beside her. "Okay, what's going on, Aria?"

As soon as she saw him, her eyes filled with tears and her lower lip quivered. "Jerry." she whispered as she handed him a piece of paper and a picture.

He read the letter, and tried to keep from crumbling it in his hand. The picture was up close, and the man had hardly been joking around. His heart beat double its normal pace as he watched tears run down her cheeks. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Tugging her closer, he lay her head on his shoulder. "They'll find him." he said nodding toward the police.

"They said something about protective custody, Andre, I'm so scared. Not for me, but for my father, Brayden, and Isaac. What would I do if he hurt them?"

"Don't think about that, Aria, think positively. Their going to find him, and he won't bother you again." he rubbed her back soothingly, letting her lay there for as long as she needed.

Brayden walked into the room as the police population thinned out, "So this is serious." his voice was calm even if his look belied it.

Andre nodded, glancing over to see Aria asleep on his shoulder. "It's most definitely serious. You need to take precautions..."

"No, I don't mean this whole letter thing, I meant the two of you." Brayden smiled even though it was forced it made Andre want to laugh.

"Yeah, I suppose we are."