Chapter 7: Ephemeral
Lacey plowed through the double doors and was greeted by the warmth of the glaring sun. She shielded her eyes, looked down at the first concrete step and decided to take a seat. Although the step was hard and cold, it was better than being in the same room as Syrita. Lacey took a deep breath as she rested her chin on her knees. She again replayed in her mind the events of the day. She didn't mean to lose her temper; but Syrita struck a sensitive nerve. Lacey recalled the look of complete shock on Syrita's face when she grabbed Syrita's hair and pounded her head into the desk. It was the kind of look that implied absolutely unforgivable. Lacey knew that Syrita would never forgive her after today.
The wind began to blow and Lacey lifted her head to the rustling sound of wind whistling through the dancing tree limbs. Lacey wondered why couldn't life just be amazing and simple, like the wind and trees. It was nice to have the warmth of the sun, the breeze of the wind and the music of the trees surround her. Once Lacey snapped out of the peaceful trance of nature she began to notice lack of movement and noise. Although the moment of solitude and silence brought her peace, watching an empty campus felt somewhat eerie. Such a realization gave her the boost she needed to move. Lacey stood up, brushed the debris off her butt, grabbed her keys out her bag and headed for the student parking lot. As she approached her car, she noticed a white piece of lined paper folded into a tight, neat, small square underneath her windshield blade. Lacey hesitated to touch it. She recalled Danny warning her to leave the campus because he had enemies. Maybe this was a threat or a hate note. Lacey bit her lip debating whether or not to remove the note and read the message. But she soon realized that it was silly to stand and stare at the note as if it would trigger a bomb. Lacey figured there was more harm to guess the probability of the note rather than to actually read the contents. Lacey glanced over her shoulder as she snatched the note from her windshield. She glanced around once more, quickly unlocked and sat in her car. Lacey locked her car door and slowly unfolded the note. It read…
"Lacey,
Please go straight home as soon as you get this. DO NOT go to my house. I tried calling your phone but it goes straight to the voicemail. We need to talk immediately."
Lacey opened her purse and grabbed her phone. It was dead. Lacey rolled her eyes at the sight of her dead phone and reached for the car charger to recharge it. She started her car and drove home.
As Lacey pulled into her driveway she half expected to find Danny sitting on her step, but to her dismay he wasn't. Lacey looked around just to make sure he wasn't coming out of hiding; but he did not appear. She then slammed the door shut and exhaled, "Home sweet home." Lacey was starving and walked towards the kitchen. Lacey opened the refrigerator hoping to find something sweet and fulfilling. Nothing seemed appealing and so she shifted her weight from one leg to other as she scanned the refrigerator for inspiration. Suddenly Lacey heard a voice behind her say, "How about grapes, cheese and crackers?" Lacey jumped and turned quickly to confront the voice. Although utterly shaken she was delighted to see Danny's handsome face peering into the kitchen. Lacey removed her hand from her startled heart and exclaimed, "You scared me! How did you get in here?" Danny smiled a devilish grin and said. "How do I always get in?" He then titled his head waiting for Lacey to figure it out. Lacey rolled her eyes and smiled, "My bedroom window." Lacey started cross the kitchen to embrace him. Danny desperately wanted to meet Lacey halfway, but he needed to tell her something important. "Lacey, please, stop right there!" He cried out.
Lacey came to an abrupt stop feeling alarmed and confused. In a concerned tone she asked "Why?"
Danny stood in the entryway admiring how adorable Lacey was when caught off guard. Danny loved all of Lacey's idiosyncrasies of which she was keenly unaware. For example, the way she bit her lip when uncertain or nervous, or crossed her legs to contain her excitement or the way she stared at the ground to gather courage to make a move. Among other things, these were his favorite indicators.
Danny thought to him self, "This woman is here because of me. In spite of all that has transpired she still willingly welcomes me with open arms. I don't deserve her. This moment of loss and victory is ephemeral. Oh god, how will I tell her, that they found the murder weapon with my fingerprints?"
The urge to consume Lacey overtook all his logic. Danny leaped over to Lacey wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her passionately. Danny kissed her as if he had been starving. He kissed her as if he would never see her again. He kissed her so fervently it brought tears to both their eyes.
Suddenly the patio door offset the kitchen busted open. Lacey gasped as the police barged in and practically ripped Danny away from her and shoved her to the side. Lacey demanded to know what was going on. Chief Masterson blurted, "We found the murder weapon with your fingerprints," and then another pulled out his handcuff and began reading Danny his rights. As the officer read Danny his rights, Lacey couldn't help but notice the look of terror on Danny's face. Danny's body jostled as they hand cuffed him and walked him towards the door. Danny wished Lacey didn't have to witness him getting arrested. He wished she heard it from him and not Chief Masterson. It pained Danny to see the Lacey look at him with disbelief and disappointment. The look on Lacey's face made him want to scream at the top of his lungs.
Lacey was lost for words. She half expected Danny to resist arrest. But instead of resisting, he simply cooperated. Instead of declaring his innocence to the police, he just turned back, locked eyes with Lacey and pleaded, "I didn't do it! You have to believe me Lace! Please believe me!" Lacey watched the police guide Danny's head into the police car. And then he was gone.