"Rose," David quietly called. "I need... to tell you something." It had startled me; Dave usually didn't use my name. My pulse had quickened and all I could wonder was WHAT? I nodded at him to continue, afraid of what I might say.
"I need to tell you about Sarah. I've been telling everyone that she got a job as a teacher. That is... not really true. In fact Jack would be proud of my 'improving the truth' bit." David stopped, as if reaching for the right words.
"You don't need to tell me," I said quietly.
"Yes, you do need to know. Before... well that doesn't matter now. Just, I don't know what rightly happened. One night I came home, and the whole apartment was dark. I started to light some candles, when I heard a sob," Dave's eyes began to get glassy, "There in a corner... her body, curled up into a ball, rocking back and forth. I went to her and my hands were covered in blood. I don't know how she lived. Someone had beaten my sister to a pulp, but she recovered. Only, I've never heard a word from her... just that horrible sob. After recovery, she wouldn't say anything. She wouldn't eat anything. She wouldn't stop crying. My parents finally sent her to the country, hoping."
"That's horrible," I said, trying to keep myself from hugging him.
"The worst is no one knows who did it. Jack was furious. He tried and tried to get Sarah to say something. Then he searched for weeks. I searched longer. But it is hopeless, utterly hopeless and Sarah still won't say anything about it or anything to me." David ranted and slowly sunk to the floor. This time I didn't resist, I hugged him ferociously and kissed his cheek.
"We create our own hope," I said as strong as I could, "Come on, I've a party to go to and no escort... help a girl out."
"But I... hey, I thought you were bringing an 'escort' to the party," David said belwidered.
"Huh?" I answered just as bewildered.
"Your 'friend'," David said. Was that a gleam of hurt in his eyes?
"Don't be silly! My 'friend' is going to meet us there... Oh come on, it's Lia, you know Cecilia... from the orphanage. I ran into her on the street that day you and Colons had your little pow-wow." I said exasperated.
David smiled. "In that case," he bowed, "Would you Lady be so kind as to accompany me to Medda's?"
"I would love to," I said smiling. "Oh no..." I said changing color, David quickly ran to my side, "What am I going to wear?!" Dave's expression changed from his pensive mask to a huge belly laugh... I'm not sure I don't feel a little hurt by that, but it is so nice to hear him laugh. Spot was right laughter cures everything.
A.N. I know... short chappy, but the emotional load of this chapter seemed to outweigh the amount of words. Let's just look forward to Rose trying to find a dress! And what will be our favorite boys reaction be? I promise the end is coming and I will not end until it is the end.