Chapter 15
Summer
On Monday morning, there’s a letter with no return address waiting for me on the island. Opening it, I see a handwritten note.
Dear Summer,
News reached me that you and I are siblings!
Imagine my surprise when I found out my old man fathered your sister. Now you’ll never be rid of me. Serves you right after I got stuck in this shithole without my money. I’m glad the old man didn’t win his case, though. He doesn’t deserve my money.
Talk soon sister,
Ben
I drop the letter as if it’s scalding, burning my fingers from splattering oil in a pan. How the heck was he able to write to me? There’s supposed to be a no-contact order. This damn family will haunt me forever.
“Morning, darling,” Zander says, coming into the kitchen but quickly realizes I’m not okay.
“Summer, what’s wrong?” Noticing the paper on the ground, he bends, picks it up, and reads it.
“Son of a bitch,” he swears, setting the letter on the island and hugging me.
“I’m so sorry. The letter was in the mailbox, so I thought nothing of it. ”
“Not your fault, but how is he able to write to me? He shouldn’t be able to.”
“No, he shouldn’t. I’ll call Mr. MacLeod today and see what we need to do. Are you okay?”
“Shaken, but I’ll be fine.” Not a cheerful way to begin my week. Damn him.
“Have a seat. I’ll get breakfast for us,” he offers.
I let the guys know about the letter after storing my knife before school. I’m rattled. The accident has plagued my nightmares lately, more so than Ben, but I have a feeling that might change now.
Classes go by in a blur all day because I can’t stop seeing the letter.
Realistically, I know I’m safe and he’s not physically near, but still.
The guys try to engage me in conversation, but I’m unfocused.
Seb and E start basketball this week, and Nick has classes, so Bay drops me off at Finn after school.
Mr. MacLeod calls as I enter Zander’s office.
“Good afternoon, Summer. I’ve contacted the facility holding Ben, but they said he hasn’t written to anyone.
They were aware of the no-contact order and would not forward anything to you, even if he requested it.
I have asked them to investigate further, just in case.
I would suggest you have Zander keep the letter as evidence and have him screen the mail from now on until we can determine how this happened. ”
“Okay, I will. Thanks Mr. MacLeod,” I reply before hanging up.
Nick suggested that a guard or other inmate was helping him, and that seems more likely now that the facility is unaware of it.
I start to type a group text but stop, remembering our phones may not be secure.
I’m just frustrated all around at everything right now, so I call Sarah instead of doing homework.
Closing Zander’s office door, I take a seat in front of his desk and open my laptop to make the call.
“Hello Summer. How are you?” Sarah greets on video call.
“Hi Sarah, frustrated.” I explain about the letter and the facility.
“That’s not a pleasant start to your week. I’m sorry that happened.”
“Me too. I’m worried about the nightmares increasing.”
“That’s understandable, but you are safe from him. Although unpleasant, his confinement prevents him from harming you again. You won’t have to see another letter with Zander screening the mail.”
“What if more letters arrive or he contacts me another way?”
“Then we will deal with it, Summer. No matter what happens, he physically can’t touch you again. You are safe despite any reminders you see.”
“True. There’s just so much going on right now, and none of it’s great. E moved into his grandparents’ house Friday night, and they’re already trying to control him. They gave him scheduled social events with dates lined up. All these family-approved girls that they want him to get to know.”
“Oh dear. How are you feeling about that?”
“The three of us talked it over, but E’s initial plan was to go with them, as he doesn’t view them as dates because he isn’t interested in them romantically.
He understands now, after Seb and I explained our feelings, though it still hurt me.
I just know something is going to get messed up.
It’s hard to support his decisions because I don’t understand them, but I’m trying. ”
“I’m glad you could explain your position and work through the problem. Good for you,” she smiles. “Support your friends as best you can, but don’t compromise your values or integrity to make someone else happy.”
“I know.”
“Focus on the positive things in your life, especially when things feel negative. Can you list some good things happening?”
“Um, well, we finished painting the outside of the house, and it looks great. I’m training again with Nick, which I enjoy. Classes are decent so far, except precalculus,” I grimace. I’m so far behind, and school has just started. “I’ve got a ton of veggies and herbs from the garden, too.”
“Excellent. Remind yourself of your blessings when you get frustrated. One moment at a time.”
“Thanks Sarah. You’re the best.”
“You are welcome, Summer. Call again if you need me.”
“I will. Bye.” There’s a knock on the door as I close my laptop before Zander enters. “Shoot. Sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you out of your own office. I called Sarah.”
“It’s fine, darling. I figured that’s what you were doing.” I fill him in on what Mr. MacLeod said and Nick’s theory. “I was planning on checking the mail from now on, and I’ll keep the letter. Are you doing okay? Did Sarah help?”
“I’ve been unfocused today, but Sarah helped my brain,” I smile. “I’ll start my homework while you work. Should I use my old office or the conference room?”
“Your office, please. Troy is using the conference room.”
“Okay. Come get me when you’re ready to leave.” Grabbing my backpack and water from the fridge, I slip into my little office from the summer. I work through history first before reading my psychology textbook. Zander comes to get me as I’m finishing a chapter.
E sends me and Seb his social calendar via email that evening, asking me to fill in which events I can attend with him, so I decide to call Seb while I look it over. “Hurry, did you get E’s email? Are you still okay with this?”
“For now, Sunshine. There are a lot of events. How many are you going to attend?”
“I don’t know, maybe half?” I want to support E, but I won’t let these social events take over my life. “Sue’s birthday is coming up too, so I can’t go to the doubleheader that weekend.”
Seb chuckles at me. “Look at you using basketball language, Sunshine. I’m so proud. Are you going to Virginia to see Sue that weekend?”
“Yeah, if Zander's okay with it. Mal’s birthday is 5 days after Sue’s, so we can celebrate both.”
“I’m sure they'd love to see you.”
We stay on the line as I decide which events I’ll attend.
Most of the Friday night events aren’t an issue, since basketball games are on those nights.
I end up choosing mostly fundraisers, avoiding the obvious society stuff.
Seb keeps me company until I take a sleeping pill.
I know the nightmares will be bad tonight, and it’s only Monday, so I need my sleep.