Chapter 5 -Reunion.
"Kim? Kim?"
Kim blinked sleepily from her gaze and looked at her friend calling her.
"Earth to Kim Boggs, jeez, what's wrong with you girl?"
"Oh, I don't know, just can't be bothered any more." Kim muttered in the class that they were in.
If anyone had bothered to notice, Kim Boggs was lacking in her grades. Not just the lack of attention to her classes, but her over all appearance lacked the attention that she was generally renowned for.
Things had certainly changed after the Christmas holiday. A couple weeks had still left the little world of Suburbia in a slight frenzy about the man with the scissors. Jim was gone and the gang that once was, was broken. Kim had distanced herself from the others she'd known, choosing it time to really grow up and try to study and not worry about if she had enough lip gloss on. Her mum knew her grades weren't to standard but knew that this was apparently the price for being 'cool'. Those days were now drifting away and Kim was glad. She felt clean of all the trouble and abuse she had associated with her older days. Thinking about the holiday made her think about Edward. In fact she'd hadn't stopped thinking about him since the night they had made love. Kim sparked a sweet smile on her pretty face.
"Girl you better start explaining!"
Kim turned to the girl known as Janie, a friend whose friendship could have been more strongly built on her behalf. It was now time to be friends with others and Janie was a good start.
"You're keeping something from me!" Janie whispered from behind her text book as the teacher gave her a brief look.
The bell rang and the class finished and both Kim and Janie were thankful.
"That's me finished, no lectures this afternoon and I'm so glad, I'm so tired Janie."
"Listen Boggs, I wanna know why your acting like this?" Janie replied winking.
"It's nothing, I'm just tired.
"No boys?"
"No boys and no boys for a while thank you." Well only if I want to leave the world and live in a huge dusty mansion and speaking of which…
Janie gasped as she realised what subject she was talking about and butt into Kim's train of thought.
"Oh sorry, Jim and all?"
"No no, I've forgotten about him, he wasn't a good guy anyway." Kim held her books to her chest and sighed.
"Traitor."
Kim turned to the voice of someone she chose to ignore but someone whom she recognised as a younger friend of Jim and Jim's best mate. Obviously the girl to replace her when she was gone and the new cheerleading captain.
"What did you say?"
"I said traitor. Jim loved you and this is how you talk about him? You're sick. He deserved better than you."
"I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S SICK; DRUNK DRIVING AND HAVING YOUR BROTHER NEARLY KNOCKED OVER BY YOUR EX AND HIS PAL, THAT'S SICK." Kim flared.
"I heard it wasn't the car that nearly killed him, it was that freak, that monster whose you're next door neighbour."
"Edward was trying to save him."
"And slice him open in the process."
"Were you even there? No, so piss off Melissa and stop bothering me."
"Fine….but I wish they'd been able to find the body of your Frankenstein because if he had a grave I'd spit on it. Melissa sneered.
"You best go to Jim's then it's the only one around." Kim spoke in a low growl.
Melissa eyed her one last time and stalked off.
Kim watched and then let her breath out.
Thank God you hid Edward when you saw the police, thank God…
"Listen, anyway, I'm gonna head off." Kim sighed, her mood slightly less cheerful.
"Okay, I'll call you about the project later and Kim?"
Kim looked over at her friend.
"Take care of yourself, ok? And for the record, you're right about what you said before, Jim was the only monster and we all know that.
"Not everyone." Kim replied grudgingly.
The project had been a success and over the next month or so Kim felt life was starting to go her way. Her grades were starting to go up and less people were bothering her about Jim or Edward.
"Honey? Are you okay?"
Kim Boggs turned to her mother and smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm cool mom, just tired." Kim explained shuffling on the sofa in joggers and jumper, finding a comfy spot for her head while watching the box.
"Mmm, well honey can I make you something? To eat? A drink? Cup of coffee?"
"No I'm okay mom, I-"
Kim stopped talking and felt the odd churn in her body, her throat felt tight and she felt a little dizzy. Leaping off the sofa she ran to the bathroom.
Peg Boggs looked quizzed and worried.
"Err, Kim are you okay?"
After no answer Peg looked blankly into the carpet before the door bell rang. Quickly she made her way to the door.
Kim got up from her knees and flushed the toilet. She pulled a face and moaned to herself; the bitter taste in her mouth, a very unpleasant one. Washing her hands first, she then rinsed her mouth. Looking into the smallish bathroom mirror, Kim took a good hard look at herself. Settling back into school had been a little bit harder than usual. Having to deal with Jim's death and the way people looked at her funny as if they knew she knew something was hard enough. Having to separate herself from Jim's group and try and start a fresh. Did anyone know how hard it was to lose your popularity in days and what it could do to someone? They'd had quizzed her at her cheerleading practice, wondering if she could cope with the loss of Jim and had told her to take a lengthy vacation from the practices. Kim knew what they meant by lengthy, permanent. Kim sighed but that was in the past now and she had her grades to look forward to.
Kim blinked and looked harder at herself, in her eyes, her once beautiful face was pallid and blemished. Squeezing a spot and quickly balling her fists for touching her skin. Looking away from the mirror her eyes caught sight of the marked wallpaper on either side of the mirror, a sign Edward had once lived in their house. The wallpaper hadn't been replaced since and in a sad, sad way, Kim was happy that it hadn't. She ran her finger tips over the scratches embedded on the wall and sighed knowing that the metal shears could be ever so delicate.
Kim turned to her room and fell onto the bed with a moan, the motion of the water bed, making her feel sick once more.
Another moan escaped her lips as she grabbed some teddies and buried her face into them.
What the hell is wrong with you Boggs and don't think what you think it might be?
Kim moved the teddy from one eye to peer at her younger brother, a brother who had been all too happy to hear that Edward was dead, and happy to tell the tale of 'Edward nearly killed me at Christmas' of course leaving out the fact he would have been ran over if Edward hadn't 'nearly killed me.'
"Piss off, go away!" Kim mumbled, so her mom couldn't hear.
"Fine, loser."
Kim moaned again.
"Sweety?" Came Peg's trill as she peaked her head around the corner and entered the room. She came to sit on the edge of the bed and Kim winced even more so as the bed began to jiggle.
"If you think your coming down with a bug or something would you like me to take you to the hospital hmm?"
"No. I just need some fresh air or something; canteen's food was a bit funny."
Peg Boggs gave her daughter an eyebrow but dismissed it, tucking her growing hair behind her ears. The gesture made Kim and Peg look at each other. Kim was waiting for what she was sure her mom would say, but the words that Peg would have usually said about a brand new hair cut weren't said. Instead Peg quickly left, her own sad thoughts of Edward appearing in her mind.
Kim emerged from her bedroom and walked though the lounge. Peg looked up from the magazine she was reading and frowned. Before she could speak, Kim had left the house.
The bright Florida sunshine was cooling to let the purple dusk materialise and Kim was happy that the evening was approaching. Colours caught her eyes and suddenly she noticed a police car pull up to Joyce's house and the crowd of women chatting and shouting.
Kim frowned and curiously watched. Hearing an 'It's propitious!' and a 'I told you he was strange!'
It had been a few funny weeks with the neighbours since Edward. Joyce had made it seem scandalised that Peg had let Edward 'the rapist' as she put it, into her house with Kim about. Of course Joyce's tales and stories had become more elaborate to the state that people were ignoring her attention seeking. The sulking Joyce had dismissed her friends and sought refuge by herself or in her books with the local plumber or window cleaner.
Kim didn't notice her mom come up behind her and it startled her.
"What's going on honey?"
"I saw Joyce running down the street in broad daylight!" Came a cry and everyone gasped.
"I dunno?" Kim replied to her mom, a little worried.
Peg's face mirrored her daughters and she watched as Joyce wailed, her flimsy top streaked with a line of red. Someone pointed over the house on the hill and Peg turned to the old crumbling mansion.
More neighbours had all started watching the action or what little it was from behind their nets and blinds, their nosy little appetites craving for some gossip.
The police backed everyone away and walked into the pastel shaded house belonging to Joyce.
"What the hell has just happened?" Kim spoke to herself but realised she had spoken out loud.
Instinctively Kim's feet began moving a couple of steps towards the mansion.
"Sweetie?"
Kim blinked and noticed where her feet were moving her.
"Honey?" Peg spoke with sadness. "Come on inside."
"If you don't mind I just want some fresh air mom."
"Kim dear..." Peg sighed after looking to Joyce's house and back to her daughter. "I just think we better stay inside for the moment. You can help me start dinner."
Kim was going to protest but something in her mom's look told her to follow.
The evening went by reasonably slow with a few peeks from behind neighbours closed doors all waiting for some sign of everything.
The minute the police had left, Joyce was driven away by an ambulance and suddenly Suburbia stopped and pondered on what the hell had happened today.
"Oh gosh, oh dear." Peg had stated putting her hand to her lips in worry and confusion. "This doesn't look good."
"Peg, it's probably one of Joyce's old tricks- it's like the boy who cried wolf ,the time when something does happen no one will care."
"But they do Bill, all the neighbours are looking out their windows and waiting. Why would Joyce have to go to the hospital? Mary, one block down was walking her dog and said she saw it all. Joyce was hysterical and she had blood on her shirt like a slic-".
"Like a slice?" Bill asked between mouthfuls of food.
Peg turned to Kim who she knew would be looking up at her.
"I'm not hungry anymore."
"Like we believe that one Kim, you've been eating the house out!"
"Have not!"
"Have you seen how she can't fit in her skinny jeans anymore – fatty!"
"That's enough Kevin." Peg mentioned.
"We know these past weeks have been hard sweetheart but turning to food – nope, it just ain't gonna work, your brother's right."
"Dad!" Kim spoke shocked and insulted.
"Bill!" Peg retaliated.
"I'm not fat."
"That's what I said to myself in '84, so I kept trying, little bit of exercise here and there. Bowling does it for me. Your old man is in good shape."
"Bowling isn't much exercise, dad."
"Well neither is sitting on the sofa all day eating junk but I haven't complained have I?"
"Like I said…I'm not hungry." Kim stood up and walked away.
"Kim, you haven't even touched the potatoes? Kim?"
"Leave her Peg, teenagers, psh."
The bathroom door was shut and Kim turned the lock. Her mind was in a muddle – a few things spinning around in her head. Feeling that strangeness in her tummy she opened the bathroom cabinet and took out a sanitary towel. Fixing it to her knickers she sighed uncomfortably with herself.
"Why the hell are you doing this to yourself Kim, you missed your period long ago and sticking a sanitary towel on isn't going to will a period on…"
Kim sniffed and sat on the toilet. She didn't know whether she was happy or sad. She didn't need a pregnancy test to tell her that she was pregnant. Her brothers lastcomment had done it. He didn't know she was pregnant but he'd noticed the pounds steadily going on.It was luck that itt was him an not her mom first.Kim sighed.She was happy because this baby was a very special one, it belonged to Edward. No question about it.The problems? Well where to start? A baby would be the clue to the fact Edward was alive, a baby would stop her studies, a baby would take up her life.
What happens now Boggs?
They'd think it was Jims…Jim's parents would get involved…they'd want it wouldn't they? If they thought it was part of Jim, their son's last legacy…
What about her own parents? Would they disown her? A teenager who is pregnant?
She had to see him, she had to tell Edward.
Pulling off the sanitary towel and shoving it in the bin Kim pulled up her joggers and unlocked the bathroom door.
Kim walked into the lounge and put the TV on a little louder than usual.
"Turn the telly down Kim, Geez I'm trying to eat in peace here." Bill's placid cry came.
It had given her the chance to go out the sliding doors into the back garden. Through the gate and into the street where the night had glistening white sparkles embedded in it's dark blanket. It would have been pretty if Kim's thoughts hadn't been interrupted by the sight that greeted her. Police cars were parked outside the mansion.
Oh God
Kim moved closer to the scene but a cop who she recognised from the Christmas ordeal stopped her.
Shit
"Miss Boggs, You can't go any further and I afraid I'm gonna have to ask you some questions will you get in the car please."
"I-I don't understand what-?"
"It's very simple Miss Boggs, we have a friend of yours"
Gossip spread like wild fire and soon the whole of suburbia had learnt that Edward was alive.
A police car pulled up to the Boggs residence and Kim got out, a tear stained face.
Peg noticed the car and ran to the door.
"Officer? What whats' wrong?" Peg registered Kim and ran to her.
"Kim? What the devil is going on her officer?"
"I'm afraid we had to have a little conversation with your daughter. You may have heard that an incident took place this evening with a neighbour of yours. Well without saying too much, your neighbour says she was attacked by a man with scissors."
Peg frowned and shook her head. "I'm afraid officer that that isn't true. Edward is dead. He died in combat with Jim, you were there."
This took the officer back a little, knowing that he and the whole squad went by with the story of the death of the man with the scissors. It was a little odd how they had only found the scissor like arm Kim had been holding on the night. Police business had turned to more important matters in the local area and the story of Edward Scissor hands had disappeared.
"Err well things have changed. To start with, we believe what happened tonight may be linked with the scissor guy."
"But he's dead! He died didn't he? Kim? He...?"
"I'm gonna leave ladies but an officer may come by tomorror to question you all, I appreciate a little co-operation, I think it would be in your best intrests if you did, if you understand me. Well, goodnight ladies."
"Err, yes goodnight officer." Peg replied in a daze.
Kim stood silently and sniffed a tear.
"Kim, honey?" Peg asked trying to comprehend.
"He's alive mom."
"I just don't believe it Kim, I really don't."
"I had to say it , it was the only way they would have left him alone!" Kim shouted.
"Have you seen him since?"
"No how could I? Don't you think it would have looked a little peculiar?"
"Well, yes, but?" Peg sipped her coffee and sighed. "Oh dear he's been in that house up there alone for months."
"Mom you were the one who said it wasn't a good idea for him to be here, why are you thinking it would be better if he was down here?" Another voice came intot he conversation.
"Kevin bed, now."
Kevin huffed and walked out the lounge.
"Kim, it just doesn't fit, now the police wanna question you, your linked with him. You lied to us and the police…" Bill started to say.
"To protect him, HIM!"
"Don't raise your voice young lady!"
"Bill I'll handle this." Peg's voice soothed.
"And you say they don't know where he is, he escaped? But the officer said they had a friend of yours?"
" They were trying toscare ua all but the point is they don't have him. They didn't see him but a call came from a neighbour who thought they saw him, that's all I know."
"So they saw he was alive."
"Yes haven't I just said that?"
Silenced echoed in the house.
"Oh dear, how could he do something like this?"
"Mom he hasn't done anything that whore is making it up, even dad said so."
"We don't swear in this house kim and you don't talk about rape lightly."
"She wasn't raped!"
"Well it was attempted rape so the story goes."
"In broad day light?"
"It can happen."
"She knew Edward was alive all along, she wants to get back at him this is the only explanation.."
"How could she know he's alive if no ones been up there since.
Kim took a breath and then let it out. "Because she may have seen me walking out the house."
Both parents frowned.
"You said you hadn't been up there?"
"Not since it happened and I'm telling truth.
"But?" Bill questioned.
Peg gasped and put her fingers to her open mouth.
"The morning when you came home late? You had seen him…."
"Mom?" Kim tried to speak but Peg was one step ahead of her.
"Ooh Fattys been lying." Kevin piped in from beside a door.
"Stop calling me that you little shit!"
"Kevin didn't your mother tell you go to bed? And watch your language young lady!"
Peg had watched Kim through the sentence and her eyes opened wide.
"Kim I think we all better go to bed and sleep on this. We'll all talk in the morning. You have a pleasant dream sweetheart." With that Peg kissed the top of Kim's strawberry blonde hair and walked with Bill and Kevin down the corridor.
Kim sighed and felt the tears trickling down her cheeks. Tonight had really taken it out of her. There had been so much emotion; sadness, worry and anger.
The lights were off and Kim stayed in the lounge on the sofa. She stood up and walked to the door appalled to see a police car parked outside on the street. He was having a good look up and down the street not forgetting to peer into the Boggs front garden before crawling down the road to Joyce's before making a turn inthe road and back to the Boggs.
Kim gasped in anger and sat back on the sofa. So much for trying to go to the mansion. Night took over her and she drifted into a light slumber before completely falling asleep. At what seemed like a two minute slumber Kim awoke to a tapping she opened her eyes wide and looked to the sliding doors. For a moment she thought she saw a figure butthere was nothing there and Kim thought it must have been a cat or something. She stood up and went into the kitchen for a glass of milk. Taking a gulp of the cold liquid she sighed and yawned, taking her glass into the lounge.
A colder draft ran into the lounge and Kim frowned shivering a little. She didn't scream but her milk was dropped onto the floor in an instant when she discovered where the draft was coming from.
Edward stood at the open front door way looking in humbly. Even in the pitch darkness Kim could see he was smiling at her. She dashed over and practically pulled him in and shut the door quietly but not before talking a long glance outside to see who was about, luckily there was no sign of any police.
With the door shut Kim turned to Edward and enveloped him in a huge hug. The feel of him enveloping her back was bliss. Then it happened neither knew who started it but the pair were rapt in a passionate deep kiss. Their lips seeking each others as if it were their last moments.
Edward broke from the kiss for a second and started to whisper quietly.
"The police, they're after me."
"I know." Kim spoke, her hands holding onto his wrists almost desperately.
"What's going on?"
"Apparently Joyce has cried rape, they suspect you."
"But?"
"I know, well they've said it was someone with scissors but that could mean anything, could be someone holding scissors, using it as a weapon."
"And why not use me; she didn't get want she wanted from me."
Kim was impressed with Edwards outgoing comment He was picking the pieces together instead of keeping himself to himself. She remembered the time when Edward had described what had happened with Joyce when he met up with them at the restaurant. Her parents had been shocked, but thought it was quite funny like Kevin did. They hadn't realised Joyce always wins. Kim on the other hand was appalled by Joyce's advances.
"So how does she know I'm alive?" Edward asked.
"She's obviously been watching you or something. I guess she could have seen me leaving?"
Both Kim and Edward looked at each other intesly, both recalling every detail of every second. Before They could further recall their night of passion Edwards smile left his face. "It's probably the other way round."
Kim frowned.
"I –I have left the mansion, once or twice…"
"What why?"
"To see you."
Kim opened her mouth and smiled sincerely. "That's so dangerous Edward."
"I thought I'd be able to not see you again but you gave life to me Kim, you are the reason I still live I think. What you showed me that night, it was-?" Edward was speechless. "I can't stop thinking about you."
"Me neither." Kim smiled. She hugged him again and Edward welcomed the embrace, taking a long breath of her scent in. It was heavenly.
"Are you sniffing my hair?" Kim asked bemused.
"I'm just checking…..I was right, there is a flower in the garden that smells of your hair, I couldn't stop smelling it."
"Maybe Joyce saw you in the garden?"
"No it would have been when I'm out of the estate."
"I can't believe you risked coming out."
"Kim I'd risk everything for you, everything."
"What about for your child?"
Edward frowned and moved back from her embrace.
Edward's look made Kim stop smiling and she started to feel nervous of what she said.
"Edward?"
"Police…."
"Edward?" Kim called a second time but Edward had walked to the back door.
"No Edward, just stay here, they can't come in the house and you can't go to the mansion."
"I've caused your family so much trouble Kim, I can't stay."
"Then neither am I."
Edward had a look that stated 'what?' but Kim dismissed it. Walking very close to him and stroking his shoulder and down his arm, her other hand ran over his chest and over his taut stomach. "I lost you once….not again."
Edward nuzzled into her cheek and urged her to capture his lips. She hugged him again pressing herself into his body and happy to find his own body's reaction, prominently responding.
"Kim I want you…" It was a bold sentence for Edward, but Kim was loving it.
Her body craved him just as much as he craved her but getting it on in your parent's house with the whole family about made a difficult situation.
"Follow me."
Edward was lead to the garage.
Kim held up a bunch of keys and jangled them. "I guess it's where a lot of young couples can find a little solitude, although, I don't think they're parked in their parent's garage".
Edward didn't know the joke she was trying to make but understood that the task at hand was a risky business for the fact the pair could get caught but he didn't care, right now it was time to catch up on a youth that was never his and experience what gave him the thrill of a lifetime.
Kim opened the door to the car and turned to him. She frowned slightly as she noticed his eyes were down cast. It was then she noticed his beautiful silent tears. It shocked her - she'd never seen Edward cry or anyone cry so beautifully.
"Edward?"
Edward looked up and smiled lightly and thoughtfullythrough tears. "Am I going to be a father myself?"