Chapter Nine: As We Lay To Rest
I gasped and hurried out of my room and followed Dena and Arthur. There was an ambulance in the front and about four police cruisers. Maxine and Trevor were out there. Maxine was crying softly and Trevor had a solemn expression plastered on his face. I saw the paramedics carry a stretcher with a body bag zipped up all the way into the ambulance. They drove away silently. There was no need to hurry; there was no saving Gregory. I felt tears come to my eyes and I wiped them away. I went over to where Arthur, Dena and Beatrice were huddled together. I actually felt more comfortable talking to them then I did talking to Maxine or Trevor. "Why did he do this?" I asked. "He has been depressed ever since Anthony left, I asked him if he wanted me to call a doctor a few times but he refused and said he would fire me if I did," Arthur said tears coming to his eyes. "This least week he hardly ate anything and a few times I caught him on the balcony just gazing over the edge," Beatrice said. "He jumped off the balcony?" I asked incredulously. They all nodded. The story of Gregory's suicide was plastered all over the newspapers. The phone rang off the hook for five days straight until the funeral. The day was overcast and windy. The weather represented my mood completely. I felt like I was being pushed and pulled in all different directions. Trevor looked like he just wanted to die himself and Maxine never stopped crying. I felt incredibly guilty for Gregory's death. He was depressed because Anthony left and I was the one who told him that Anthony was even alive. I couldn't help feeling like if I had never come to La Vie then Gregory would still be alive. I sat in the church listening to the eulogy given by one of Gregory's friends. All I wanted to do was leave La Vie and all the troubled secrets behind. We buried Gregory in the family cemetery. His tombstone read, Beloved husband and father, he will never be forgotten. Back at the house we had people over to pay their respects. Maxine stopped crying long enough to greet people and thank them for caring about Gregory. A woman came up to me while I was sitting on the couch staring at the ground. She had gray hair and gray eyes. She was short and plump but she looked very pleasant in her black dress. "Skye?" she asked. I shook my head and looked up," Yes?" "I am Linda Marsden, Anthony and Trevor's grandmother," she said. "Oh, hello," I said surprised. I wondered if Anthony was here and I hadn't noticed him. I thought that was unlikely. "I wanted to tell you that Anthony is doing better and he misses you very much," she said. I looked away thinking about how Anthony must have felt learning about his father's death and thinking that it was partly his fault. Linda told me about the treatment that Anthony had been going through to forget about me. She said he still talked about how things used to be but he didn't tell them how he would defeat Trevor anymore. He was finally realizing that he didn't need to compete with Trevor for my affection. I loved them both very much. "Again I'm so sorry about Gregory," she said standing up. "Thank you," I said and smiled halfheartedly. When everyone was gone from La Vie I went up to my room to have a nap. When I opened the door to my room I found Derek sitting on my bed. I was too drained to ask what he was doing there. I sat down beside him and he put his arm around me. He comforted me and it occurred to me that he should be with his best friend who had just lost his father not me who had only lost a step grandfather. "Why are you here?" I asked. He stood up and walked over to my dresser. "To tell you the truth, I like you.. a lot and I wanted to make sure you are OK," he said not turning around. I smiled. "Thank you Derek," I said. We sat in my room for the next few hours talking about everything. I found him very easy to talk to. He listened to everything I had to say and didn't interrupt or judge me for anything. I told him all about living in Monkton and how I had come to live in La Vie. I told him about Trevor's jealousy of Anthony and how it led to Anthony's break down. "I haven't really had any friends for the last four months," I told him. "I'll be your friend Skye, you can count on me," he said. I smiled. I was really starting to like Derek. Maybe even love him. He was so caring and compassionate. Derek didn't leave my room that night. He stayed beside me. We fell asleep side my side in my bed at 4:00am. I felt safe feeling his presence beside me. Feeling his strong arms around me. I never wanted to move from this spot.
Derek and I became closer and closer as the days wore on. School started again and I was in grade twelve. This would be my last year of high school. I had no idea what I was going to do when it was over. Would I go to college? Derek was going to travel Europe before going to Western University in London. I was going to miss him. We had become so close. Trevor was into drugs and drinking now. He was rarely home. Maxine didn't seem to notice, she was too busy with her charity events. All memories of Gregory had been wiped away form La Vie. There was no reminder of what used to be except for the silent whisperings of his laugh or a memory when I passed by his office that was now empty and locked up. Time passed by swiftly and before I knew it, it was my birthday again. I turned eighteen. No one said happy birthday to me. I was alone now in my own home. Derek came over and we watched a few movies. We talked and laughed. The only time I ever felt normal was when I was with him. He made me feel loved. He kissed me gently and I would feel safe. I knew he would never hurt me. We were best friends and lovers. I had never felt so needed and loved before I met Derek. He stayed over night almost every night. Of course we were careful. But I never felt like I needed to be, I knew that if I ever became pregnant then Derek would take care of me. We needed each other and I knew we would be together forever. But I wasn't ready for a family and neither was he and so we were careful. I was sitting in the living room one day when Maxine came breezing in looking pleased with herself. "Skye dear, I have something to tell you," she said. "What is it?" I asked feeling a little nervous. "I think you really need to go to college," she said. She looked at me with a pleading look in her eyes. She wanted me out of the house. I could see that. So I applied to colleges in London so I could be close to Derek. I was ecstatic the day I got my acceptance letter from Western. Not only would Derek and I live in the same city. We would go to the same school! He was so happy when I told him the news that he took we out for dinner that very night. It was May. School would be over in one month and Derek would be off to Europe for two months. "I'm going to be lost without you," I told him while eating smoked salmon in a romantic restaurant. "We'll write to eachother and when I'm back we will see eachother each and every day in college, on our own," he said taking my hand. We were both very excited about being together. We wanted to start our lives together right away but first we would have to get an education and make sure we could have a long and happy life together. I decided I would study English in college and Derek would study history. We both wanted to be teachers. School finally ended and to my surprise Trevor did not graduate. He would be repeating grade twelve. He was furious when he came home after learning he had failed. "I can't believe this!" he screamed bringing Derek and I out of the living room to watch his tantrum. "My life suck!" he cried, "First I have a crazy twin who wants my girlfriend," he came over to Derek and I. This was the closest I had been with Trevor in months. "Then my father kills himself because of my crazy brother and THEN my best friend takes my girlfriend," he pushed Derek back into the living room angrily. "Trevor, stop," I warned. He hesitated a moment and then he punched Derek in the face. I screamed. Derek staggered backwards in surprise. He was holding his nose as blood dripped from it. Trevor pushed him onto the couch and yelled in his face, "Thanks for all your support," he growled. Then he stormed out of the house leaving Derek with a broken nose. I wanted to run after Trevor and strangle him with my bare hands. He had no right to do that to Derek. I wasn't his girlfriend when Derek and I started dating. I took Derek to the hospital and it turned out his nose wasn't broken. The swelling would go down in a few days and he would look normal again. We were both relieved to hear this news. Everything would go as planned regarding Derek's trip to Europe. He would leave the next day. We spent our last day together in a nice hotel in Lambeth. I felt like we were already a married couple trying to get a little alone time away from the kids. I couldn't wait until that was the reality. As I lay in Derek's arms after making love I thought about what I would do all summer without him. I didn't have any friends, because Derek took up all my time. Not that I was complaining. I thought of Erin and Tyler then and wondered how they were. I wanted to see them but it was out of the question to ask Maxine if they could come visit. She would say no. There was no doubt about that. Anthony had been away for over a year. I missed him terribly and wanted him to come home. I decided that I would write a letter to Linda Marsden asking if this was possible.
The next day Derek left for Europe. I couldn't hold back my tears as I watched his plane take off. He assured me before he left that he would come back to me. I had confided in him that I was afraid that he would meet someone new in Europe. "What if you meet someone else?" I asked breaking away from our long embrace. He looked deep into my eyes. I could tell by his hazel eyes that he loved my more than anything and he would never leave me. "That won't happen," was all he said. And I believed him. I went back to La Vie dreaded the long period of time that I would have to fill by myself. There was a letter waiting for me when I got to my room. I saw it was from Linda and Martin Marsden. I opened it quickly.
Skye, I am happy to inform you that Anthony is doing extremely well and has even asked to come back to Toronto. We thought we should talk to you first under the circumstances that caused him to leave. If you are not opposed to having him return to La Vie then we will put him on the next train home. We will be happy to hear from you as soon as possible. Yours truly Linda Marsden and Martin Marsden
They left a phone number in the letter. I picked up the phone on my bedside table and took a deep breath. I dialed the number and it ran four times before a man answered. I gasped, not knowing what to do. "Hello? Is anybody there?" Anthony said. "Y..yes, hello Anthony, it's Skye," I stuttered. He was silent for a moment and then he spoke, "Skye.. How are you?" "Fine thank you, and you?" I asked feeling a little more relaxed and relieved that Anthony hadn't started raving like he had the last time we spoke. "Much better.I assume you want to speak to my grandmother," he said. "Yes please," He put the phone down and called for Linda. She came onto the phone after a moment. "Skye?" "Hello Linda," I said. "I assume you received my letter," she said. "Yes, and I think it is time Anthony comes home," I told her. We spoke about Anthony's treatment and how he would still have to she a doctor every once in awhile. I was afraid that Anthony would be a big responsibility for an eighteen year old, but Linda assured me that he was independent and planned to go to Sheridan in Toronto to study graphic design. I was relieved that he wasn't going to be like a child that I would have to look after since both his parents were dead. The only family he had here in Toronto was Trevor and I knew that certainly wouldn't be much. Anthony would be here the very next day. I hurried and told all the servants that he was returning. They were all very happy to here that he was coming back. Maxine hardly acknowledged my announcement. Trevor wasn't home at the time and I was dreading telling him the news. I didn't know how he would react. He had been jealous of Anthony before because we had been going out. But now we barely spoke, so would he care if Anthony would be back? I didn't know. I hoped he would help Anthony become used to being here again. I was happy that I would have someone to talk to now that Derek was gone for the summer. I fell asleep that night hoping for the best.
I gasped and hurried out of my room and followed Dena and Arthur. There was an ambulance in the front and about four police cruisers. Maxine and Trevor were out there. Maxine was crying softly and Trevor had a solemn expression plastered on his face. I saw the paramedics carry a stretcher with a body bag zipped up all the way into the ambulance. They drove away silently. There was no need to hurry; there was no saving Gregory. I felt tears come to my eyes and I wiped them away. I went over to where Arthur, Dena and Beatrice were huddled together. I actually felt more comfortable talking to them then I did talking to Maxine or Trevor. "Why did he do this?" I asked. "He has been depressed ever since Anthony left, I asked him if he wanted me to call a doctor a few times but he refused and said he would fire me if I did," Arthur said tears coming to his eyes. "This least week he hardly ate anything and a few times I caught him on the balcony just gazing over the edge," Beatrice said. "He jumped off the balcony?" I asked incredulously. They all nodded. The story of Gregory's suicide was plastered all over the newspapers. The phone rang off the hook for five days straight until the funeral. The day was overcast and windy. The weather represented my mood completely. I felt like I was being pushed and pulled in all different directions. Trevor looked like he just wanted to die himself and Maxine never stopped crying. I felt incredibly guilty for Gregory's death. He was depressed because Anthony left and I was the one who told him that Anthony was even alive. I couldn't help feeling like if I had never come to La Vie then Gregory would still be alive. I sat in the church listening to the eulogy given by one of Gregory's friends. All I wanted to do was leave La Vie and all the troubled secrets behind. We buried Gregory in the family cemetery. His tombstone read, Beloved husband and father, he will never be forgotten. Back at the house we had people over to pay their respects. Maxine stopped crying long enough to greet people and thank them for caring about Gregory. A woman came up to me while I was sitting on the couch staring at the ground. She had gray hair and gray eyes. She was short and plump but she looked very pleasant in her black dress. "Skye?" she asked. I shook my head and looked up," Yes?" "I am Linda Marsden, Anthony and Trevor's grandmother," she said. "Oh, hello," I said surprised. I wondered if Anthony was here and I hadn't noticed him. I thought that was unlikely. "I wanted to tell you that Anthony is doing better and he misses you very much," she said. I looked away thinking about how Anthony must have felt learning about his father's death and thinking that it was partly his fault. Linda told me about the treatment that Anthony had been going through to forget about me. She said he still talked about how things used to be but he didn't tell them how he would defeat Trevor anymore. He was finally realizing that he didn't need to compete with Trevor for my affection. I loved them both very much. "Again I'm so sorry about Gregory," she said standing up. "Thank you," I said and smiled halfheartedly. When everyone was gone from La Vie I went up to my room to have a nap. When I opened the door to my room I found Derek sitting on my bed. I was too drained to ask what he was doing there. I sat down beside him and he put his arm around me. He comforted me and it occurred to me that he should be with his best friend who had just lost his father not me who had only lost a step grandfather. "Why are you here?" I asked. He stood up and walked over to my dresser. "To tell you the truth, I like you.. a lot and I wanted to make sure you are OK," he said not turning around. I smiled. "Thank you Derek," I said. We sat in my room for the next few hours talking about everything. I found him very easy to talk to. He listened to everything I had to say and didn't interrupt or judge me for anything. I told him all about living in Monkton and how I had come to live in La Vie. I told him about Trevor's jealousy of Anthony and how it led to Anthony's break down. "I haven't really had any friends for the last four months," I told him. "I'll be your friend Skye, you can count on me," he said. I smiled. I was really starting to like Derek. Maybe even love him. He was so caring and compassionate. Derek didn't leave my room that night. He stayed beside me. We fell asleep side my side in my bed at 4:00am. I felt safe feeling his presence beside me. Feeling his strong arms around me. I never wanted to move from this spot.
Derek and I became closer and closer as the days wore on. School started again and I was in grade twelve. This would be my last year of high school. I had no idea what I was going to do when it was over. Would I go to college? Derek was going to travel Europe before going to Western University in London. I was going to miss him. We had become so close. Trevor was into drugs and drinking now. He was rarely home. Maxine didn't seem to notice, she was too busy with her charity events. All memories of Gregory had been wiped away form La Vie. There was no reminder of what used to be except for the silent whisperings of his laugh or a memory when I passed by his office that was now empty and locked up. Time passed by swiftly and before I knew it, it was my birthday again. I turned eighteen. No one said happy birthday to me. I was alone now in my own home. Derek came over and we watched a few movies. We talked and laughed. The only time I ever felt normal was when I was with him. He made me feel loved. He kissed me gently and I would feel safe. I knew he would never hurt me. We were best friends and lovers. I had never felt so needed and loved before I met Derek. He stayed over night almost every night. Of course we were careful. But I never felt like I needed to be, I knew that if I ever became pregnant then Derek would take care of me. We needed each other and I knew we would be together forever. But I wasn't ready for a family and neither was he and so we were careful. I was sitting in the living room one day when Maxine came breezing in looking pleased with herself. "Skye dear, I have something to tell you," she said. "What is it?" I asked feeling a little nervous. "I think you really need to go to college," she said. She looked at me with a pleading look in her eyes. She wanted me out of the house. I could see that. So I applied to colleges in London so I could be close to Derek. I was ecstatic the day I got my acceptance letter from Western. Not only would Derek and I live in the same city. We would go to the same school! He was so happy when I told him the news that he took we out for dinner that very night. It was May. School would be over in one month and Derek would be off to Europe for two months. "I'm going to be lost without you," I told him while eating smoked salmon in a romantic restaurant. "We'll write to eachother and when I'm back we will see eachother each and every day in college, on our own," he said taking my hand. We were both very excited about being together. We wanted to start our lives together right away but first we would have to get an education and make sure we could have a long and happy life together. I decided I would study English in college and Derek would study history. We both wanted to be teachers. School finally ended and to my surprise Trevor did not graduate. He would be repeating grade twelve. He was furious when he came home after learning he had failed. "I can't believe this!" he screamed bringing Derek and I out of the living room to watch his tantrum. "My life suck!" he cried, "First I have a crazy twin who wants my girlfriend," he came over to Derek and I. This was the closest I had been with Trevor in months. "Then my father kills himself because of my crazy brother and THEN my best friend takes my girlfriend," he pushed Derek back into the living room angrily. "Trevor, stop," I warned. He hesitated a moment and then he punched Derek in the face. I screamed. Derek staggered backwards in surprise. He was holding his nose as blood dripped from it. Trevor pushed him onto the couch and yelled in his face, "Thanks for all your support," he growled. Then he stormed out of the house leaving Derek with a broken nose. I wanted to run after Trevor and strangle him with my bare hands. He had no right to do that to Derek. I wasn't his girlfriend when Derek and I started dating. I took Derek to the hospital and it turned out his nose wasn't broken. The swelling would go down in a few days and he would look normal again. We were both relieved to hear this news. Everything would go as planned regarding Derek's trip to Europe. He would leave the next day. We spent our last day together in a nice hotel in Lambeth. I felt like we were already a married couple trying to get a little alone time away from the kids. I couldn't wait until that was the reality. As I lay in Derek's arms after making love I thought about what I would do all summer without him. I didn't have any friends, because Derek took up all my time. Not that I was complaining. I thought of Erin and Tyler then and wondered how they were. I wanted to see them but it was out of the question to ask Maxine if they could come visit. She would say no. There was no doubt about that. Anthony had been away for over a year. I missed him terribly and wanted him to come home. I decided that I would write a letter to Linda Marsden asking if this was possible.
The next day Derek left for Europe. I couldn't hold back my tears as I watched his plane take off. He assured me before he left that he would come back to me. I had confided in him that I was afraid that he would meet someone new in Europe. "What if you meet someone else?" I asked breaking away from our long embrace. He looked deep into my eyes. I could tell by his hazel eyes that he loved my more than anything and he would never leave me. "That won't happen," was all he said. And I believed him. I went back to La Vie dreaded the long period of time that I would have to fill by myself. There was a letter waiting for me when I got to my room. I saw it was from Linda and Martin Marsden. I opened it quickly.
Skye, I am happy to inform you that Anthony is doing extremely well and has even asked to come back to Toronto. We thought we should talk to you first under the circumstances that caused him to leave. If you are not opposed to having him return to La Vie then we will put him on the next train home. We will be happy to hear from you as soon as possible. Yours truly Linda Marsden and Martin Marsden
They left a phone number in the letter. I picked up the phone on my bedside table and took a deep breath. I dialed the number and it ran four times before a man answered. I gasped, not knowing what to do. "Hello? Is anybody there?" Anthony said. "Y..yes, hello Anthony, it's Skye," I stuttered. He was silent for a moment and then he spoke, "Skye.. How are you?" "Fine thank you, and you?" I asked feeling a little more relaxed and relieved that Anthony hadn't started raving like he had the last time we spoke. "Much better.I assume you want to speak to my grandmother," he said. "Yes please," He put the phone down and called for Linda. She came onto the phone after a moment. "Skye?" "Hello Linda," I said. "I assume you received my letter," she said. "Yes, and I think it is time Anthony comes home," I told her. We spoke about Anthony's treatment and how he would still have to she a doctor every once in awhile. I was afraid that Anthony would be a big responsibility for an eighteen year old, but Linda assured me that he was independent and planned to go to Sheridan in Toronto to study graphic design. I was relieved that he wasn't going to be like a child that I would have to look after since both his parents were dead. The only family he had here in Toronto was Trevor and I knew that certainly wouldn't be much. Anthony would be here the very next day. I hurried and told all the servants that he was returning. They were all very happy to here that he was coming back. Maxine hardly acknowledged my announcement. Trevor wasn't home at the time and I was dreading telling him the news. I didn't know how he would react. He had been jealous of Anthony before because we had been going out. But now we barely spoke, so would he care if Anthony would be back? I didn't know. I hoped he would help Anthony become used to being here again. I was happy that I would have someone to talk to now that Derek was gone for the summer. I fell asleep that night hoping for the best.