Chapter 8
"Will?"
She was tapping softly on the door. It had been thirty minutes since he'd slammed it. Frankie let him have his little tantrum but she was getting worried. What if she'd really screwed up this time? She knocked a little harder. Still no answer. Frankie tried the handle, surprised to find it wasn't locked. She stepped into an empty room. What the hell? Will was gone. Glancing around the small room in the fading light she made out a small door partially open just beyond the bed. Why hadn't she noticed that before? Stepping towards it she peered inside. It was musty and dimly lit but Frankie could see a winding stairwell ascending upwards. It dawned on her that this must be the stairs to the light tower from when the place was still a functioning lighthouse.
"Will?"
There was no response. Frankie put a tentative foot on the first step. It creaked but held. Taking slow and cautious steps she climbed the stairs, fleetingly wishing she'd thought to grab her gun. The daylight was quickly fading and the tower got darker as she climbed. Reaching the last few steps Frankie called out to him one more time.
"Will?!"
Still no answer. She took a calming breath and pushed her way out into the lightroom. She was greeted by a twilight sky twinkling with a million stars. Her breath hitched at the spectacular view before her. Frankie scanned the dimly lit room and found him standing at the glass staring out into the ocean. He looked tired. She instantly felt bad about poking fun at him. Sometimes she forgot to stop before taking it too far. Frankie walked around the lantern and stopped a few steps from him.
"Mind if I join you?"
He didn't answer. Frankie took another cautious step. Will didn't move. Shit, she really screwed up. Now what? She closed the space between them, not sure if she should touch him yet. She stood silently next to him.
Will took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He kept staring out into the water.
"I didn't realize what the date was."
Frankie barely heard him.
"What do you mean?"
"Today. It's the day my brother was killed."
The words hung heavy between them. Frankie wasn't sure what she should say.
"Not a year's gone by that I didn't remember. When I was still at home we would go to his grave and put flowers on it. Mom and Dad would hold each other and cry. I'd always stay back, not sure if they wanted me to watch. This is the first time in a long time I didn't remember."
Frankie reached out and closed her hand around his. Will flipped his hand and laced his fingers through hers, still not looking away from the waves.
Frankie's heart broke watching the pain on his face. Now she REALLY felt bad for making fun of him.
"Thank you," she heard him softly say.
"For what?" she choked.
"For distracting me. For making me forget if only for a little while."
Will finally glanced at her. She could tell he'd been crying. Now it made perfect sense why he'd disappeared. He didn't want her to see him like that. Frankie knew there were dark places inside Will that he kept locked tight just like her cage of demons. He was just better at keeping them hidden. Frankie slid her arm around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. She felt his arm slide around her back as he pulled her closer. They stood in silence both staring out at the water.
"Are you ready yet?"
Will took a deep shuddering breath.
"Yeah."
"Tell me about him?"
Will paused.
"Someday. Not tonight ok?"
Frankie understood and nodded her head. She reached up and smoothed his hair back from his face. Will finally looked at her. Frankie poured every ounce of love and support into her eyes. Will gave her a little smile.
"I love you Will. I'm sorry I teased you earlier. If I had known…."
It was his turn to comfort her.
"You didn't know. Hell, I even forgot until I put my watch on in the bedroom and read the date."
"Still…"
He kissed the top of her head.
"You have no reason to feel bad. I was just yanking your chain when I slammed that door."
Frankie poked his side and he feigned being in pain. They both laughed. Things were back on solid ground. Will pulled her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her stomach.
"Will, are we going to be ok?"
He didn't answer right away. Frankie chewed her lip.
"I don't know. But I love you and that's all that matters right now."
Frankie leaned back into him and he held her tighter.
