Larry ushers Skylar and me inside and I try to ignore the odd looks from the woman behind him. However, being the blunt idiot he is Skylar speaks my mind. "Hey, man, is this your girlfriend or something? Is she alright with us being here?"

"Oh, yes, Larry wraps his arm around the blonde's shoulders. "This is my wife, Katie. She knew that you guys were coming today. I told her all about you. And it's nice to meet you for the first time Skylar, Amala only has great things to say about you."

I snort with laughter And Skylar just takes Larry's hand and gives him a firm handshake. "Don't mind Shelly. She's still chewing her lunch."

"Skylar!" I bee, slapping him on the neck. "He just knows how to embarrass me." Larry just laughs at our antics and guides us into presumably the living room. We settle down and are soon rejoined by Katie who sits down a tray with a kettle of tea, tea cups, vanilla creamer, sugar, and honey.

"Do y'all know what you want?" The honey blonde girl asks with a slight southern twang, motioning to our cups and I place a gentle hand on hers to pause her movements. She quickly pulls back as if I burned her.

"No, that will be alright," I state, we just bought water and juice on the ride over." And on cue, Skylar pulls two bottles out of his jacket and hands me one.

Skylar mimics my sentiments, "Thank you, but we're all set."

"I could go for a cup, dearie."

"You left your cup on the counter Larry," She replies with a flat tone.

"I know. Could you just make me a new one, right here," The husband asks, toying with the porcelain white cup. There is a pause between them before Katie takes the cup away from her husband, letting it clatter on the wooden tray. She then picks up the entire tray in a huff, returning to the kitchen.

Larry looks back at us, all smiles, far from the nervous and shy boy he used to be. I smile back. "Don't worry about Katie, she's just a little moodier than most days. We're hoping to bring in a little guy of our own soon, so with all the doctor trips and the medication it's making her emotional."

"It's fine man," Skylar reassures.

"Yes, don't worry, it's fine."

Larry sits back in his seat, crossing an ankle over his dark-washed jean knee. "I take it that you're in a relationship Shell?" My blonde ex-boyfriend motions between me and my brunette ex-boyfriend and I rush to deny the charges.

Larry laughs and it's so sweet to the ears, it sounds the same just deeper from age and you know, puberty. "Don't you both speak at once."

Katie returns with Larry's honey-colored mug and he takes a sip before continuing. "Who's the lucky guy?"

I begin to spill the deats about Casey and I find myself getting worked up at the thought of him. "He's so supportive of me and has been my rock through it all. I really appreciate him."

"That's amazing Shelly, I'm happy for you," Larry says and I can feel the genuineness dripping from his words, his smile and energy, unlike his adjacent spouse. "I always wanted you to be happy. Even if it couldn't be with me." He takes another savoring sip from his tea and I take a long swig of my water; a small smile quirking up the corners of my lips.

We continue with light conversation catching up on each other's day-to-day life and Skylar confesses that he isn't currently dating anyone.

"That's a sack of crap," I reply to his spiel of 'I just haven't found the one.' "

"It's the truth," he swears.

"Says your Facebook."

"I thought you didn't keep up with my shenanigans?"

"I don't."

"Whatever."

"From our shared friend, I heard that you're into music Skylar."

"I've written a few songs here and there. Nothing big," The blonde nods in understanding and we continue.

Within thirty minutes I learned that Larry did a brief stint in college, but dropped out sophomore year and invested. Thanks to a bit of his high school graduation money from his parents, he is a proud owner of a cafe. It is the same cafe where Skylar's friend is employed.

"It's called 'So Cal' and we do well." I glance around the nice ranch-style storybook house before connecting eyes with Larry whose cup just barely covers the small smile behind the rim. California isn't cheap so 'well' is more of an understatement. I'm proud of his success. For so many years I wondered what life he would lead if he were still alive. Who would he be and what would he be doing? I express my fond sentiments of how proud I am of him.

"So," Larry starts, "You wanna go from the start?"

Skylar hums in agreement. "That'll be the best place."

I take a deep breath. "What happened that night?"

"Well, if memory serves there was a lot of chaos that night."

"Yeah, thanks to my dad."

"Really? That was him? He was Spiderman?"

"Yes. And I still hate to claim him to this day," I joke.

"I remember waking up in the alley next to the theater. I was lying pushed up between two dumpsters."

I can't even process what I am hearing, and lean forward, sitting on the edge of my seat. I also notice Katie get up, but I don't pay her any mind and center in on what Larry is saying.

"But how? They said they found your body, you didn't have a life jacket."

"From my understanding, at least from the guys in the white suits-"

"The guys in the white suits?" Skylar questions pensively.

"Yeah, when I walked home there were two guys dressed in white suits talking to my parents in our kitchen. I overheard them saying we had to leave town immediately. That there had been a mistake. Someone did die that night it just wasn't me. We took all that we could carry on hand, and left everything else."

"But wait, what did they mean by mistake? Why did this happen in the first place? And in a small mountain town of all places?" I implore, getting upset all over again.

"I don't know sounds like a cover-up to me," Skyler lazily suggests, taking a swig from his water bottle.

And then within a matter of seconds everything shattered. Abruptly the door is knocked down and in comes a swarm of police officers barking orders at us, demanding that we get down on the floor. All of us in unison lie flat down on our stomachs with our hands behind our hands. Everything is so loud or maybe that is just my heart threatening to beat right out of my chest.

"That's them, officers," I hear a voice say and I didn't have to look to know that it was Katie, her undeniable southern twang gave it all away. I feel cold metal slap on my wrists and tighten.

"What the fuck, man!" Skylar proceeds to shout and spit expletives at officers after assumably being cuffed as well.

I am promptly lifted off the mahogany wood floor and onto my feet, my once nicely brushed brown hair now in an array of strands on my head and face, but I can see her. I can see that stupid smirk on Katie's face as I glare at her.

Larry on the other hand moves onto his knees but is halted by an officer as he launches himself at his wife. He settles with just shouting at her instead.

"How could you! How could you betray me like this, and in our home? You're not only violating our marriage, but me!"

"Oh, hush up, Larry. I'm protecting us. And if that means turning these two over I have no problem doin' so. I followed all of these lovely officers' directions well almost. This could've been easier if they would've just drank the damn tea, darling."

"Traitor." Larry curses, shaking his head.

I lunge forward only to be hefted up in the air and pushed out of the doorway with a cussing Skylar following.

Outside, the yard and entire street are littered with police trucks and cars, their blue and red sirens giving me a headache. I can still hear Larry screaming at the honey blonde because of her betrayal as I am ushered into one of the SUVs beside Skylar.

One of the officers threatens to muzzle Skylar if he doesn't shut up which causes him to stop, for now at least.

"Where are you taking us," I ask, my heart still beating harshly in my chest.

"Now, you don't worry your pretty little head about that one. Just sit back and shut your mouth."

Overwhelmed and in despair, I do just that.