Page 23 of On Your Life

I offer a small smile before making my way toward the door again. Now I can continue my day knowing I made sure she wasn’t dead in the house somewhere.

“Don’t leave yet! I have something for you,” she calls after me.

I pause in the doorway. A moment later she shuffles out of the spare room carrying a box. She holds it out and I take it from her, surprised by the weight.

“What is it?” I ask curiously.

“Just random things I found. I didn’t want to throw anything away so I tried to set some stuff aside for you before it all goes into storage.”

The thought of her taking his house apart sparks something in me that I can’t identify. It doesn’t feel like anger. It feels more like sadness.

It makes it real. I thank her and step back through the door. The box is heavy enough to bounce the truck when I throw it in the bed.

Any other time I’d be itching to see what’s inside. Right now though, that sadness is spreading through me like a virus. A piece of Conner’s life is sitting in the back of my truck. The thought of closing that chapter in my life is getting harder to ignore.

The music comes to life as I start the truck. It fills the silence before I can think too much more about it. Then I speed out of the cul-de-sac. Today isn’t the day for closure.

Chapter 12

Kira

Idial the number that I’ve known by heart for as long as I remember. My anxiety spikes as the line rings. I was beginning to think I’d never be able to use the phone, that they were out to get me in some fucked up way.

Ridiculous to have that thought so early in my stay but I wasn’t exactly given the warmest welcome.

“Hello?” she finally answers.

“Hey mom,” I sigh.

A part of me thought she may not answer. This entire experience really put our relationship to the test. She didn’t want to believe that her only daughter was a murderer. It took weeks to fully convince her to stand on my side again because the evidence literally pointed to no one else.

“I will never get used to hearing that automated message. You have a call from…it just sounds so wrong.” Her voice softens. “How are you? Are you okay? I thought I would have heard from you sooner.”

She runs through the expected questions of a worried parent. I can practically picture her pacing around wherever she is.

“I’m fine mom. Have you heard anything from my lawyer?” I ask eagerly.

It feels like an eternity passes before she answers.

“He said he’s still working on it. The prosecution really pulled out everything they could throw at you. The video evidence was added last minute. He didn’t have time to prepare.”

With the amount of money that I’m paying this guy I should’ve been free already. The noose feels like it’s getting tighter and tighter around my neck. My heart starts pounding against my temples and I already know I’ll have a migraine before the day is over. I squeeze my eyes shut for a second, trying to force the pressure back down.

“Thanks for checking on it. Hopefully he will figure something out.” I glance around the room. “This place is horrible. The food is gross and the rooms are so dirty,” I say.

I hear her let out a breath followed by the clacking of a keyboard over the phone. It sounds like she’s at work.

“Keep your head up sweetheart. We’ll get you home soon,” she promises.

“I hope so.” I can hear the defeat in my own voice. “I have to go, it’s almost time for lights out.”

“Rest as much as you can. I love you and we will talk soon.”

“Love you too,” I say.

Then the line goes dead. The chatter from around the room fades into nothing as I stare at the old phone. The buttons have been pressed so many times over the years that the numbers are almost impossible to make out.

How many people have used this phone before me? Have any of them gotten out? Or did they die here waiting for a promised freedom that never came?