Chapter 21

Olivia woke up struggling to catch her breath. She switched her lamp on and sat there in the quiet. Eventually she lay back and just allowed the tears to take over.

'Morning Olivia.'

'Hi Susan.' Olivia brushed past Susan as she walked towards the sliding door. 'Um, tell you brother when he gets up I've gone for a walk on the beach.

'Yeah ok. You ok?' Feeling like something was wrong. This wasn't the same person she met last night.

'I'll be back in about an hour.'

'Ok.'

'Morning sis. Any coffee brewing?'

'Yes Brian. I know you and your morning coffee.'

'Whatever.'

'Bri, did you speak to Olivia after we all went to bed?'

'No why?'

'She came through earlier and said she was going for a walk. But Bri something was off.'

'Off. How?'

'I don't know. She just wasn't the Olivia I met last night.'

'Like there's a dark cloud over her head?'

'Yes.'

'Morning kids.'

'Crap!'

'Now what did I do?'

'Not you Ma. Morning.' Brian took a big swig of coffee and then threw the rest down the drain.

'Brian, talk to me?'

'I want to go find her. I need to find her.' Walking towards his room.

'Brian?'

'She gets nightmares Sis. Sometimes very bad ones. I sometimes hear her but obviously I didn't hear her last night.' He said as he threw clothes on and started towards the door. 'They terrify her. She's the strongest, bravest person I know, but these nightmares. . . They rip her apart.'

'I'm sorry. I knew something was off. I should called you.'

'It's ok. I just want to go make sure she's okay.'

'Yeah sure. Go.'

'Sis, I have my phone with me if she. . . '

'I'll call if she comes back.'

And with that Brian broke into a jog.

Susan sat down with her mom and explained the morning to her. They both realized just how much Brian had grown during this ordeal.

She looked so calm as she sat there staring out towards the horizon but Brian knew looks could be deceiving. He changed his course so he could move in towards her where she could see him approaching.

'Morning beautiful.'

'Hey there handsome.'

'May I take a seat?'

'You may.'

'You ok?'

'Yeah. Just needed some fresh air.'

'How bad?'

'What?'

'Nightmare.'

'How?'

'Susan said you didn't look to good this morning.'

'I'm ok.'

'Look at me.'

She turned and looked him in the eyes for the first time since he arrived.

'Your eyes say different.'

'What? You can read my eyes now?'

'Yes I can. Just like you can read mine. Now talk.'

'We don't always have to do this. Sometimes I can cope on my own.'

'And sometimes you don't have to.'

'I hate that you always have to pick up the pieces. I don't want to start a marriage like that.'

'Liv, isn't that part of marriage? Being strong for each other at different times.'

After a few moments of silence Olivia spoke again.

'I dreamt of our wedding this morning sometime.'

'And that was bad?'

'It is when I was standing at the altar with him and not you.'

'You know that's not going to happen. Your mind is just on overdrive with the trial.'

'I know when I'm awake, but try tell me that when I'm asleep.'

'Hey, come here.' He slid right next to her and wrapped his arms around her. 'Just please don't stop sharing with me. I won't run but once we stop sharing then we won't be a team. I can handle your nightmares, your anger, frustration, sadness, but not your silence.'

'Okay.'

'Babe, this period will pass. It may not feel like it now but it will. Did you take a tablet?'

'Yeah, I had to.'

'And that's fine for now.'

'I'm hungry.'

'You know what? Me too and I bet mom and Susan are making a big breakfast so we'll be full all the way home.'

'Last one home washes the car. . .'

'Hey! No fair. I'm not even standing yet.'

Sandy and Susan heard the heavy footsteps and looked up. Next minute they heard the unmistakable but breathless laugh of Olivia before a thud as she collapsed on the porch. Both women walked out to the porch to see if she was ok.

'Olivia?' Susan asked as she rounded the corner and Olivia came into view.

'Hi. . . Susan. . . 'Came the breathless reply. 'Looks like your brother is washing the car when we get home.'

'Oh is he now?' Sandy and Susan both laughed.

'Was. . . Unfair. . . She. . . Was already standing.' Came a reply from a body lying on the bottom step.

'Can't keep up with your woman there dear brother?'

'Hey! Whose side are you on dearest sister?'

'Olivia, just make sure he keeps up his end of the deal.' Came Brian's sister's reply.

'Sandy, thanks so much for the weekend.' Olivia gave her a hug as they stood in the driveway.

'Only a pleasure. Really. And don't worry about a thing. Susan and I will meet you on Thursday for lunch and we will start planning the wedding.'

'I look forward to it. Brian is staying with me during the trial so his place is all yours.'

'Bye mom. See you Thursday.' Brian greeted his mother before climbing in the driver's side.

'Bye Susan.'

'Bye Olivia. See you in a few days.'

'Brian, don't forget to clean the inside of the car as well.' Susan said as she headed to her car.

'Love you to Sis!'