Part 7

Cruel Cold World

I once told Wallace he wasn't allowed to die which makes me think he's still out there. Wallace would never break a promise to me. He would never dare leave me alone in this cruel cold world.

It has been weeks with no real information. Either Mrs. Fennel knows something and she's not telling or the Marines Corp is keeping her in the dark too. I've tried to poke around and made at few phone calls to no avail. Who am I to threaten a sergeant who refuses to freely give up information?

When I first heard that news report of the attack on Wallace's company, nothing seemed to terribly important anymore. I was ready to pack my bags and head for California but Dad talked me into staying. It's probably for the best. I'll be starting my sophomore year soon. I just have to concentrate on school. Push Wallace out of my head for a little while. If that is at all possible he seems to sit very close to the surface of my consciousness at all times. If I'm not studying or researching I'm thinking.

Then as if I didn't have enough to deal with that same news report told of Aaron Echolls' visit to Harford. He's a hack made famous by a trial the likes of O.J. Simpson. I'm still can't believe someone is willing to hire him after all he's done. But come to think of it he's probably more popular now than he ever had been before being imprisoned on a murder change. It will never cease to amaze.

It would a total lie to say I'm not scared. I'm terrified. A murderer was let out because of a technicality. He knows where I am. I know he does. He found me and now I'm forced to look over my shoulder in case he decides to tour Yale or something crazy. The date of his arrival had been postponed for reasons unknown. I figured he wants me dead sooner rather than later. Maybe he's sending one of his flunkies to do the job. Alibis are a must. But then and again there is nothing like the personal touch and the gloating when you know you've won. If he thinks I'm going to roll over and die without a fight he's got another thing coming to him. I've got a few surprises up my sleeves and he is in point of fact as dumb as he looks. He thinks he's won but he has yet to fight.

Lorelai and Rory have been great. I scared the hell out of them with the scene I caused at the Friday night dinner at Gilmore manor. They are still talking about that. I'm starting to think it's funny that those two would do just about anything to get of it. That would include me passing out on the living room floor. Dinner didn't happen that night. Surprisingly I was invited back. We might even make it to dinner next time. Hell, we might even make through the door.

I can't help wondering what the family thinks of me. I don't usually dwell on these things but I was invited back. I never even uttered a word to the grandparents before waking up starring at a dated N'Sync poster. Talk about scary.

Again Lorelai was there as a surrogate mother of sorts. I hope I'm not treading on Rory's time. The two of them have the relationship I have longed for with my mother my entire life. I found out the hard that that will never happen. I cried for Wallace on the shoulder of someone's mom. I hate being left feeling so vulnerable. I don't usually wear my feeling out on my sleeve but these days I have no where else to put them.

I promised dad I'd talk to someone. I promised him I get dealing with everything. Rory showed to the Doc she spoke to. I have appointment I don't want to keep. It might be necessary but doesn't make any more pleasurable.

My perspective has been turned askew. What is a girl to do? I try to put on a happy face but everyone sees right through. They may not know what lies just beneath the surface but they know it's there. Only in my mind does anyone care that much. How anyone know what has happened? Maybe it's a good thing I've made this appointment.

A deep male voice broke into Veronica's conscious forcefully, "So, Veronica what's on you mind this afternoon? I've got to say I can your wheels turning."

"I'm not sure where to start really. So much has happened. The beginning just seems so far away", she told him honestly.

"The best place to start is where you are right now. What occupies your mind when your studies don't have you bogged down?"

"Wallace. Wallace is on my mind when it's all said and done."

"Tell me about Wallace."

"He's my best friend. We went to high school together."

"How did the two of you meet?"

Veronica couldn't help herself she smiled at the memory. It wasn't funny then but now what a ridiculous way to meet someone, "I cut him down from the flag pole. I think the whole school was out there just to ogle at him. One guys was having his picture taken with Wallace all taped up. Bunch of idiots."

"So, you weren't one those out there to 'oogle'?" he asked.

"I had no reason to. He was new to Neptune and he didn't need to be humiliated like that. Besides I already knew what it was to be the outcast and as they misery loves company."

"Is that how you see yourself?"

"No, that is how they saw me. After my sophomore year everything changed. The people I thought were my friend turned their collective backs on me."

"What happened?"

"It's kind of complicated", she told him averting her eyes.

He could see in her that there old emotional wounds she has yet to deal with. The old wounds are allows the most difficult to deal with. Those are the ones that end up define you but he did push the topic, "take all the time you need. That why we're here."

"My best friend, Lily was killed. It changed me. The things that were so important then suddenly weren't any more." Do I really want to bring out all this old business with this guy? I'm thinking not so much. Do I need to? Maybe…

"Veronica, are you alright? Do you need a little break?"

"No. No, I fine. You know Doc I don't really want to talk about all this old stuff", she said wipe her face with her hand.

"You don't have to. We can delved into that another time if you'd like."

"Maybe."

"Tell me about your friend, Wallace. I get the sense there is a little more there."

"I don't know if there is. He joined the Marines and I haven't spoken to him in close to a year now."

"Would like there to be more?"

The answer to that question was a resounding…"yes…"