Inventing Shadows

Chapter 2: Somewhere Out There-Carl

August 3/2015 7:01pm

Carl watched as Stacey's red hair fell across her face as her head fell and the waterworks started. The young mother turned her back from the camera as a confused Britney Sanders gave an empathetic smile. He looked over at his youngest daughter who seemed a bit tense. Brandi sure laid it on her tonight. Ashlei threw a quick glance his way before falling back into her thoughts. She always gets that glossy look when she's thinking hard. I wonder if it's about Brandi. Carl gently placed his hand on her shoulder which this time she didn't recoil from. She leaned a bit in his direction almost as it she wanted to rest her head on his shoulder but couldn't. Why doesn't she trust me? He tried to wrap his arm around her tiny frame to give her a hug but she moved away swiftly. Carl sighed in defeat. He once again ruined one of the only moments her had a connection with his daughter. The awkwardness lingered in the air and Carl decided to return his attention to the screen. Stacey was being comforted by two young gentlemen. One was obviously her son while the other was a bit older and had jet black hair. A relative perhaps? "I-I-I'm so sorry," Stacey cried over and over again before Britney finally signaled back to the original program.

"Ash?" She ignored him without even the slightest recognition that he had said word. "Ashlei?"

"What?" Her voice just above a whisper.

"Do you wanna talk about-"

"No." She had gone back to being the closed off daughter who he could hardly recognize. It happened so fast. Sometimes she was open to possibly confiding in him and then she gave him the cold shoulder. It's my fault. Always is.

"I'm sorry about Brand-"

"Stop. I don't want to talk about it. We never do so why start now." Her emerald green eyes looked at him glossed over as if she was fighting the urge to cry again. She looks so much like her mother it damn near kills me. "Sorry. I didn't mean brush you off so quickly." What is she talking about? The shoulder or the conversation?

"It's alright." Ashlei just raised her eyebrows, expecting him to say more, but when he didn't she returned to her dazed state. Brandi is so different from her mother, no wonder she hates me. I almost hate myself. What? Shit, no, I don't mean that. I love Brandi. I just hate the distance it caused, no, that's not right. Brandi didn't cause the distance, it was happening long before she came into the picture. She surely isn't helping though. Why do I over think these things? I was never good with-

"You okay?"

"Mm?"

"You sort of zoned out for a minute, Dad."

"Oh." Ashlei stretched out her legs and got up. She began heading towards her bedroom to call it a night. "Ashlei," he called in a whisper in order to not disturb Brandi and whatever she was up to.

"Yes?" She didn't turn to face him.

"Are you worried about Kaylee?" She shouldn't be. Kaylee is smart.

"Of course. I mean, I knew Melody."

"Oh, right. She was in your graduating class this year."

"Well I haven't graduated any other year." She turned to face him giving him a little head tilt that she always did when she wanted him to get to the point. "We weren't close or anything."

"I meant more general."

"What do you mean?" Hints of annoyance shone through her voice. She was clearly ready to call it a night.

"I just meant do you worry about Kaylee going out every night?"

"Well it bothers me, yes. She's smart though. It's her life, let her live it. Nothing else I can do about it." True. Thought maybe that was a main problem for Ash but I guess I was wrong. She just seemed a bit off. At least she knows Kaylee will be fine. "Well, uhm," Ashlei fidgeted clearly not sure what to make of her father's zoning off into his thoughts once again, "Good night, Dad."

"It's still early. Not even 8."

"Ya, well, I'm tired. Might be coming down with something." She opened her door and quickly shut it before Carl could even take a glance in. What does her room even look like again? He stared at the blank brown door for a few more minutes before heading to his own room to grab his work boots. She just wanted to get out of sight. Just be alone like usual, can't really blame her after tonight. He twisted the cold knob and was greeted with a blast of white light momentarily blinding him. Brandi had installed some more lights in the bedroom so she could so her work the way it was in her old office. She was clearly awake and Carl didn't have to take one step in before her voice was heard from the walk-in closet.

"So you decided to join me." Not sure if that is supposed to be bitter. "Did you call Kaylee and get her to come home?"

"No," he sighed preparing for another yelling match tonight. He wasn't going to ruin his daughter's evening despite Brandi's wishes.

"After everything we talked about you still didn't clue in? God Carl! What's it going to take for you to realize you are raising spoiled brats!"

"Don't call them that!"

"Well that's exactly what they are! Always going out and-"

"These are my children Brandi," he cut her off hoping to cut this argument short, "They know right from wrong. They get a good education. They care about others. I am not a failure as a parent as much as you may think so because you were raised differently. I don't see you trying to help out when they need assistance. You just yell." Did I really just say all that out loud?!

"Well," Brandi took a long pause before staring him dead in the eye, "It's going to take a big hit in your life for you to realize that something went wrong."

"I already took a big hit in my life, Brandi." She took a step back and looked at him with wide eyes that conveyed a bit of anger, sadness, and shock. Carl rarely made references to the car accident that took out his late-wife. I'm really on a roll tonight. Shit! Didn't realize how much I needed to say all that. Brandi's eyes softened and glistened lightly with fresh tears.

"I need a drink." She moved swiftly past him, avoiding skin contact, and out the the door she went. I need one too. Two. That sounds about good. Or maybe three of them. Oh, shit. Work. Carl entered the walk-in closet and began to lace up his steel-toed work boots for his night shift at the plant; which he was already late for. He ran a hand through his graying hair and began to rub his forehead. He always seemed to get headaches. His eyes traveled to his old leather high school jacket his parents bought for him. I really need this right now. He pushed it aside to reveal a small brown shoe box. He lifted the lid gently and grabbed a picture between two fingers. His blue eyes teared up and before he knew it trails of warm, salty liquid ran down his cheeks making small splotches on his sweatpants. God, Anita. I know you're out there. I need your help. He wiped his eyes quickly so he could get a better look at the picture. Ashlei at age thirteen had her hair in cute little blonde pigtail braids and she was clasping onto her sixteen-year-old sisters hand. Kaylee's other hand was placed on her hip while Carl had a hand on each of their shoulders from behind. He was smiling also and his hair was not nearly as lost. Behind Ashlei stood Anita in all her glory. The mother was just glowing as she smiled at the camera. A beautiful lake was in the background creating the perfect family picture. A week before the accident. How were we to know that would be the last vacation? Oh, Anita, how were we to know?! You were always the one who fixed the girl's problems. I don't think I screwed up. I tried. It's hard. Is Kaylee out of control? She should be fine. She's smart; she gets that from you. I wish you were here to help not lost out in space. Maybe if you were here we wouldn't be having these problems. I don't know what to do, I'm at a lost. Carl closed his eyes; never getting the answer he wanted. It's just these moments with you and I that make it all better. I know you're out there watching out for us. Something's wrong, Anita. I can't pinpoint it but I know with you as our guardian angel whatever is meant to happen will. I never believed in the afterlife or all that until that day. I know it's true now though. I felt it happen. I'm saying everything I already said to you before. It's just been awhile since I had this moment. I love you Anita. Carl quickly put the picture back in the box and covered it with the jacket so Brandi wouldn't find it. He looked at his watch and tripped over his own feet as he rushed his way out of the room. I feel a lot better now. He reached for his jacket and quietly opened the front door but Brandi's voice stalled him,

"I know about Melody." What is she talking about? Everyone knows about Melody.

"I don't have time right now-"

"She was always throwing herself at guys. I was at the supermarket and she was with this young fella, a pretty handsome one too, and they were holding hands. He went to grab some oranges that they forgot and she just sauntered herself over to this worker and rubbed herself against him! All flirty faced and everything! My friend Carol says that happened multiple times. Anyhow, it's not a surprise she is dead given the 'Crimson Kisser' has a certain taste for his victims. Easy and Sleazy."

"Are you saying that makes everything alright!? That she deserved it?" Carl's blood was beginning to boil.

"No. I'm just saying given her status and the Crimson Kisser's it's not a surprise she was a victim." Carl shook his head at her dead serious face and questioned,

"And you're saying I should be worried for Kaylee?"

"Just be cautious." Carl waved her off and stormed out the door without another word. Of all the shit she says this has got to be the lowest. Kaylee isn't like that.