Chapter 10:

The truth, the reason why, it was all in that letter. So badly had I wanted to know but I was also of what was to come. What the letter meant, Cliff's future.

*Flashback*

I just stared at it for a moment, thoughts jumbled up in my head. Then Cliff spoke,

"I want you to read this, and I'll explain."

He handed me the letter and I gingerly opened the envelope and pulled out the paper, it read,

Dear Cliff,

I'm so very, very sorry for leaving you. I know it was wrong and I can't imagine how much you and mother suffered. I was wrong but you can't blame me, I was naïve and foolishly in love with Ray so I left with him, but I soon found out he had unresolved love for a girl named Maria. I recently went home and found out mother had passed away, and I started to wonder where you were. I asked the mayor of our town, and he said that you had left town after her death. I was so worried, and then as if a miracle, the mayor of Mineral Town had come to visit our village. When he saw me, he mentioned that you were in Mineral Town. Shortly after I arrived, I was sent a letter from the doctor saying that they had diagnosed her illness. She had a disorder called Hemochromatosis; it is a heredity blood disorder. I called the doctor and he told me that it causes body tissue to absorb and store too much iron; he also said that every one in two children whose biological parents have it inherit it. I want you come to the city with me to get tested. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I'd like to see you one last time.

Love your regretful sister,

Sarah

I stopped for a moment, stunned. Cliff had a sister? And she had left Cliff alone with their mother, and she had died? I once again feel that pity for Cliff. I felt a hand on my shoulder and that's what brought me back to reality. I turned to him and asked,

"Cliff…why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I told you before; I didn't want to bring you into my sorrow. You're always so happy, and I didn't want to be the one to corrupt you." He said.

He continued speaking about reasons why he did not tell me, but only one line stuck with me. "I didn't want to be the one to corrupt you". How very wrong he was to believe that he would be the one, because in reality, choices of others have already destroyed me.

"Are you going to go?" I interrupt him.

Cliff turns to me and holds my gaze for a second.

"I…I don't know Claire." He confesses.

I say nothing, for I have no response, and then I let him continue.

"I love my sister, truthfully we were really close growing up. You see, my father when I was little, he left us. He said "I can't live like this anymore, I can't support us anymore" and with that he packed his bags, stormed out the door, and never returned again."

He pauses and I see a tear fall from his eyes.

"After that, my mother had to support us by herself. She worked two part time jobs and had to take care of us. My sister and I have a six year difference, presently she is 25. When I was 12, she had fallen in love and left to be with him. Shortly after that, my mother grew ill, in my town they didn't have a hospital, my mother refused to go to the city. I never knew what her illness was until read that letter."

He turns to me, clearly he trusts me because what he says next shocks me.

"I'm scared Claire, what if I have Hemochromatosis, and if not me, I can't stand the thought of my sister having it."

I don't know what to tell him, so instead I wrap my arms around him and he lets me He is still crying so I sit there continuing to say nothing. After a number of minutes, his sobs quiet down, he sits up straight and turns his face away in embarrassment, blushing slightly. I'm partially glad that he's acting like himself again.

"I have go Claire, if I don't I'll only regret it." He whispers.

"I know you will and I hope that the results are good, for you and your sister" I reply.

"Thank you Claire for everything. I'm glad I could tell somebody." He says.

"Wait, so you didn't tell Ann?" I question.

"No, what are you talking about? She seriously said that? Well, that's Ann for you, always trying to make people's lives confusing."

Confusing is an understatement, but I don't voice that for fear that I might have to explain my analogy.

"She really likes you" I say, almost jealously.

"I know, but with Ann things would be too forced, there isn't that attraction."

"I also like you" I grumble almost inaudible, and avoid his gaze.

When I look at his face he is slightly smiling, drying up the last of his tears.

"I like you too Claire." He says softly.

I freeze, oh shit, did he actually hear me say that. I guess it's about time that this comes out. It has been 4 seasons since I arrived here. I'm rendered speechless again, all I can come up with to say is.

"Uh…good."

Cliff stepped closer to me and took me into his arms.

"I like you Claire, and I think it's about time I told you that."

"Shut up, why does that matter." I fumed, pushing him away.

He once again stepped closer to me ignoring my struggle to keep him away.

"Claire, please believe me when I say that I really do like you. I know that the past for us was confusing, but things are different now, I was able to open up and I'm ready to fully do that with you. I thought that was what you wanted."

I stop fighting him and turn away, completely embarrassed. It wasn't that I didn't want to be with him, it was the fact that he was able to open up to me, where here I am completely guarded with him, and he practically knows nothing about me. I turn back to face him and see a concerned look on his face.

"Claire..?" he insisted, the cracks in his voice giving away his worry.

I close my eyes shut tightly, but it doesn't stop the tears the soon come from my eyes.

"It's not that…really it's not, but I can't tell you." I reply.

He once again holds me but this time I don't fight it.

"Why Claire, what is it you can't tell me?" he pleads.

I want to tell him but I know I can't, I can't lose him again.

"It's about my past, but I can't tell you, I'm too scared." I answer.

"Why are you scared, what are you scared of?" he questions, his voice full of concern.

"…I'm scared…of losing you. I reply.

"Cla-." He starts.

"Again." I add.

"Claire, that won't happen again." He says, his voice faltering slightly.

After a little struggle we moved to the couch, and I give in and started to tell him,

"Shortly after I was born my parents died, so I was raised by my grandparents. I was always a good child, very quiet, stayed out of trouble, got outstanding grades and exceeded in all my goals. My grandparents, they loved me, but you could tell that they really didn't want to take care of another child, after my mother and her siblings. We never struggled with money, but my grandparents were always out of the house, working or just finding a way to keep from going home." I explained.

I took a break and thought out how to say what needed to be said.

"…Since they were always away they never gave me any attention. When I was around the age of 15 I stared trying to get them to notice me. I would purposely fail tests, break expensive objects of theirs, and cause trouble at school. None of it worked though, all they would say was "don't do it again" and left it at that." I continued.

Again I waited; Cliff made no sign of speaking, just listened with intent.

"Until one day I started dating a boy in grade 12. His name was Joe, he was really sweet and kind when I first met him, but one night when I was over at his house things got out of hand. He kept pressuring me and pressuring me to have some alcohol. He being 18 was legal to drink, but I was still a minor at the time. Eventually I gave in because I thought that maybe if I was drunk my grandparents would acknowledge me. One thing led to another and I ended up being raped. I left early the next morning; my first stop was to buy a pregnancy test. Unfortunately the test read positive and a week later I had an abortion. I never told my grandparents, I never told anyone, and I never talked to Joe again." I said.

I chocked back a sob,

"So now you know…" I sniffled.

"Claire, I'm sorry that all that happened to you. I'm never going to do that to you, I won't pressure you into anything. You won't lose me because of that, and you don't need your grandparents' attention, never." He replied.

I became completely unhinged and broke down crying. Cliff moved closer to me and kissed me, silencing my tears for good.

*End of Flashback*

After that Cliff and I began dating, officially. Not knowing completely why, but only knowing that we needed each other's comfort.

*Flashback*

A Week Later

I sat on Cliff's bed while watching him struggle to fit one of his shirts in his suitcase.

"Stop, stop, stop! You're doing it all wrong!" I raged, pushing him aside, folding the shirt neatly, and tucking it in the suitcase."

"Well if I'm doing it wrong then do it for me." He offered, smirking.

"If you haven't noticed, I already am." I retorted.

I turned to him after fussing with a pair of jeans.

"Is there anything else you want to pack?" I asked.

He thought for a moment then answered,

"Yeah, actually, this shirt."

"Well then hurry up and change." I ordered.

I was suddenly hit in the face by the shirt Cliff had just been wearing. Peeling it off my head I stared him in the eyes with an angry expression, and he stared back. Suddenly I burst into laughter and moved to put it away.

A Few Days Later

Today is the day that Cliff has to leave for the city. I'm waiting for him outside the Inn so that we can walk to the beach together. As soon as he comes through the doors we clasp hands and begin walking. When we arrive I spot Ann waiting by the dock, with a suitcase. I'm internally fuming as she approaches us.

"Well good morning Claire, and you too Cliff." She slurs.

"Why are you here?" I seethe.

"Oh Claire, my father needs his medication from the doctor in the city so I'm going to get it for him." She replies, with a smile.

I'm about to say something but Cliff interrupts me.

"Ann, can Claire and I have a few minutes?" he asks.

"Sure thing." She says slyly.

Ann skips off back to the dock where I see her talking to Popuri, a girl who works at the poultry shop.

"Claire." He begins.

"No, there is no way Ann is going!" I fume.

"Claire she needs to go, for her dad." He says.

"Why can't she go on another boat or another day?" I question.

"There's a holiday in the city for the next two days so there's only one boat coming for passengers. Doug also needs his medication." He replies.

"Why are you so okay with this? Did you know that she was coming?" I ask.

"… Yes, why is it such a big deal?" he says.

"Because it's Ann, and she always been trying to pull us apart. Don't you care about that at all?" I yell.

"No, I don't. Ann's not as bad as you think she is." He answers.

I'm so shocked that I can't even reply before Ann starts.

"Cliff, hurry up the boat is here!" She yells, in her annoying, aggravating voice.

"I have to go." Cliff says.

He departs without a hug or a kiss or anything. But before the boat leaves Ann approaches me and says.

"Last night when Cliff came home he was so worried that he had a little too much to drink. After that he proclaimed his love for mw and we slept together. If he really cares about you then explain that."

Before I can answer she is already gone, and so is the boat. I'm left standing there with fear for Sarah, Cliff's sister, anger and disappointment for Cliff and Ann, and a dozen questions waiting to never be asked.