"Um, would you two like some tea or something?" Mrs. Sawyer asks quietly as we step into Veronica's home, my first time seeing any of it besides her bedroom. Veronica says yes, I say no. Her father leads us to the pristine living room and my wife and I sit on one couch, Mr. Sawyer sitting across from me. We sit in silence as we wait for Mrs. Sawyer.
There's a little table by the window with a photo frame and a lit candle. In that photo is a picture of Veronica, a chalkboard in her hands and a smile on her face. The chalkboard reads 'First Day of High School! 1986'
Veronica sees it, sighs, and rests her head on my shoulder. Mrs. Sawyer comes back with a little teacup and Veronica takes it thankfully. Her mother sits beside her husband.
"So," Mr. Sawyer starts, very quietly, "I take it you're alive, then?"
Veronica smiles faintly. "No, Dad, I'm a ghost." She grins at her father and sits up straight. "Uh… before we explain, I feel like some introductions are an order."
She gestures to her parents and back to me. "Mom and Dad, this is my husband, Jason Dean."
Her parents are shocked. "Husband?" her mother whispers, her hand flying over her mouth. I can see where Veronica gets her mannerisms. I assume Mrs. Sawyer was much like my wife when she was a teenager.
"Yes. We married yesterday, actually," Veronica sighs. "We, uh, we've been dating since April. When it all started… he was there for me."
I wrap my arm around Veronica and kiss the top of her head. I'm not quite sure what to say. "I apologize for such short notice and all, but… circumstances… You have a lovely daughter. She's… the love of my life. I couldn't live without her."
"We didn't do so well to either," her mother hisses. She turns to her daughter. "Veronica, can I, uh, speak with you please?"
Veronica looks pale and she nods slowly. Her mother and her step out into the hall. They step into a room and a door shuts. I hear crying and talking, but I can't make out words. Her father and I just sit awkwardly until he breaks the silence.
"So, Mr. Dean, care to say anything about yourself?" he says. I can tell her father has a very passive personality. I'm more worried her mother'll chew me out.
"Well, uh, my dad owned that construction company. I moved around a bunch. My mom, um… died when I was seven." I bite my lip. "I know this is… a shock. And trust me, I have done everything I possibly can to take care of Veronica. We traveled with my dad for work and graduated a few weeks ago."
Her father nods. "Would you care to explain exactly how you're alive?"
I open my mouth to say something. Hopefully, Veronica has the same story. Before I can say anything, Veronica and her mother return. They quickly sit by their partners. Veronica looks angry.
"So you two thought it would be okay to run away from home?" her mother says. "Just because the rest of your classmates were going to- to…"
"Mom, I know but-"
"Don't Mom me, Veronica Sawyer!"
"Dean," she whispers.
"What?!"
"Veronica Dean. That is my name." Veronica takes my hand. "We had a better chance moving with Jason's dad, Mom. We never thought that…" She sniffles. "That he'd try and kill himself. When Jason found his body we just… fled. We were scared, Mom! We're eighteen! So we came back to Ohio and then when we saw you I just…"
Veronica starts to cry. It takes me a moment to register she's acting. I play along. "My father has been so distraught since my mother died that when Veronica and I graduated and were going to move away he lost it. He did try to keep up appearances that we were dead though. Included it in his note. I just feel so guilty."
Lies. All fucking lies.
Veronica sobs. I start to wonder how she's so good at acting. I hold her close. "We're so sorry," she whispers.
Her parents look shocked. "Well, um… I suppose…."
Idiots. How easy it is to fool such simple-minded people.
