Chapter 252: Unforgettable Corner
Thursday, January 26th, Morning
Kay was being sneaky. She set up Ivy with a massage and spa treatments at Beaulieu's Spa, and after that, an appointment with Brooke to find a dress for dinner a few nights away. Kay wanted to treat her girlfriend, and also, the spa would give some money to Beaulieu's B&B. Kay left Beaulieu in the loaner car that her dad brought out of Leighton's Carriage House. Kay just had to be back to join Ivy with Brooke for the dress shopping.
So, Kay found herself parked near the corner of Mercantile Street and Ocean Avenue with all her plotting. Getting out of the car, she pulled her jacket close to her and walked down to the intersection. Slowly, she walked to the curb and squatted down, she picked up a piece of a car, but Kay knew it was any of the ones from her accident; public works quickly removed most of the debris and remained has since disappeared.
People were walking around, and every so often, Kay would get a weird glance from someone passing by. Finally, Kay stood up, looking at the shard of the car. After a minute, Kay threw the fragment into the gutter and looked around the intersection.
The wind was picking up off the nearby river, and it was shifting her hair. Instead of the usual pain in her right shoulder, it was a dull rumble instead of a scream, more tightness than actual pain.
The intersection has changed a little since the last time she saw it. The cars move between the lanes and roads. Kay took a deep breath and let it out, watching the steam leave her mouth.
"Funny finding you here," someone said, from behind, coming closer to Kay. She turned around and saw Huck Burke standing there.
"Something told me I needed to come here," Kay said.
Huck nodded, "Why?" he asked.
"Trying to piece it all together," Kay said.
"Still don't remember what happened?" Huck asked.
"No, I don't; it's just a series of holes in my memory," Kay said.
"Maybe it's a good thing that you don't remember," Huck said.
Kay shrugged, "But try living without knowing about the moment where everything changed," Kay said.
"Sometimes it could be a blessing," Huck said.
"So, what brings you here?" Kay asked.
"I was in the area and wanted to settle my brain," Huck said.
"Settle what?" Kay asked.
"Just some memories and thoughts," Huck said.
"Hard to believe four years ago was when it happened," Kay said.
Huck nodded, "Time flies, Kay," he said.
"But it seems so unreal to me," Kay said, "I have these scars and pain, but no memories on how I got them."
"Sometimes you have to let go of things you can't control," Huck said.
"It's easier said than done, Huck," Kay said.
"I know, you tend to need control, Kay," Huck said.
Kay sighed, shook her head, "It just wouldn't end that year, and my accident is the only part I couldn't understand or wrap my head around it," she said.
Huck nodded, "I understand that, but something you just have to accept what you see," he said.
"I wish it's that easy," Kay said.
"What's happening, Kay?" Huck asked.
Kay sighed, "Carrie Garland has been emailing me," she said.
"Angry or concerned?" Huck asked.
"Angry, very angry, I've not opened all of them," Kay said.
"What does she want?" Huck asked.
"To torture me, to make me feel bad, to deny what happened was Connie's fault," Kay said and turned away.
"Connie made her bed," Huck said.
Kay felt tears run down her cheeks. "Connie and I went out that night to work on our relationship. We had been drifting apart, maybe it's me, or her, but the last time we were together before that was in London," Kay said.
"What happened in London?" Huck asked.
"Connie was disengaged and was talking more about memories," Kay said.
"What caused the fallout between you and Connie?" Huck asked.
"The year before my accident, she came to visit me in Paris; we had an okay time be for I had to head back to Lille. Sometime between her visit to Paris and my visit to London, she cheated on me," Kay said.
"Was that why you went to London?" Huck asked.
"Yes, to work on our relationship," Kay said.
Huck nodded, "I've known the Garlands a long time, and they're not the most reliable people," he said.
"I know," Kay said, almost in a whisper, "I know. I didn't believe it at first, but after what happened with Connie, I understand all too well," she finished.
Huck nodded, "What are you going to do about Carrie?" he asked.
"I brought Ivy with me," Kay said.
"Who's Ivy?" Huck asked.
"My current girlfriend," Kay said.
"Okay," Huck said.
"Yeah," Kay said.
"So, are you going to Tri-angle Cottage?" Huck asked.
Kay nodded, "That's one of the main reasons I came home," she said.
"Facing the daemon?" Huck asked.
Kay nodded, "Yes, and telling Carrie to leave me alone," she said.
"That's easier said than done, Kay," Huck said.
"I know that Huck, believe me, I know," Kay said.
"I heard your sleeve is coming along," Huck said.
"Slowly, but yeah, I found an artist that could imitate my work," Kay said.
"I can't wait to see it," Huck said.
"Soon, maybe," Kay said.
"Are you excited about this thing Tuesday?" Huck asked.
Kay shrugged, "A little," she said and checked her smartphone, "I have to go."
"What are you up to?" Huck asked.
"Going with Ivy to get her a dress for a fancy dinner at Brooke's," Kay said.
"Well, enjoy," Huck said.
"I will," Kay said and stood there looking around the corner.
"Something is holding you here," Huck said.
Kay nodded, "Yeah," she said.
"Go, spend time with your girlfriend," Huck said.
Kay nodded, "Okay," she said.
"Go," Huck said.
Kay took one last look around the intersection, shook her head, and walked away. She left the corner behind her and walked towards her waiting car.
