Return to the Big Apple

[Aspen Starwood]

((As Elspeth Wise))


I dump off my luggage at my small apartment.  Walking through I find that Penny was a very conciderate house guest.  She left the frig stocked with milk, butter, a small thing of eggs and other assorted items that I could make something tonight with.  I by-pass though.  I even deleted the answering machine without checking the messages.  I figure if they are important, they'll call back.

After a quick call to the pizza delivery guy, another to my mom, I turn my cell off, turn off the ringer on my home phone, but leave the machine running so I can hear if I get a call.  It's doubtful I'll pick up, but I could change my mind.

I pull out Dad's Band of Brothers and pop the first disk in the DVD.  When the pizza arrives, I pause long enough to pay him, and dig in.  I figure I can get almost through the set if I don't get interrupted. 

[Aspen Starwood]

((As Elspeth Wise))

I had just started the second disk when Jeff called.  At first I was just going to ignore him, but something in his tone told me it was important.  That and because he never calls with good news.

He called to let me know they caught the bastard.  He asked me if I wanted to see him.  I declined.  Funny, since I found out it was him, I wanted to confront him and rail on how he stole my life and my sister from me, but when given the chance, I said 'No'.  Suddenly the thought of it made me sick.  Jeff assured me that this time he's in for good.  I'm not sure whether I believe him or not.  All these years I thought he was behind bars only to find out he wasn't. 

I'm not sure how long I stared at the frozen screen after I hung up with Jeff.  Possibly an hour, I don't know.  I relived that horrible night over and over.  I can still see my sister's face when she realized that she was dying and couldn't do anything else to protect me.  That dispair will haunt me forever.  Too bad her screams and all his victims' screams couldn't haunt him forever. 

I expected the nightmares to come, but they didn't.  Instead I dreamed of Trey, my only other boyfriend besides Ben.  It was a nice dream.  It was the afternoon he tried to teach me to drive a stickshift on a dirt road not far from the house.  It was the first time in several weeks I actually slept all night. 

[Aspen Starwood]

((As Elspeth Wise))

Today I decided to walk around the neighborhood and look in the paper.  I have a need to get out of this apartment and into something different.  I'm not sure how successful I'll be since my salary isn't all that wonderful, but I plan to use some of the trust Mom and Dad has for me.  I didn't touch it to help with college since my way was already paid for through scholarships and grants, now I think I'll put it to good use.