Chapter 13
Caitlyn sat fidgeting in the back of the taxi. It was early, earlier than she normally would have been up and out the door. She turned to look at her father, who was looking through work documents. She knew she needed to confront him, ask him what was going on, but every time she opened her mouth to do so, the words seemed to get stuck in the back of her throat.
Trees, houses, and buildings filled her view, as they made their way to the airport. She thought about her promise she made to Vi the night before, that she would get answers, but most importantly fight for her right to stay. She thinks back to just hours ago. Being held by the older girl who seemed just as scared about the unforeseeable future as she was. As Caitlyn closed her eyes, she could still feel Vi's arms wrapped around her, could still smell her scent in the air. She wished nothing more than to be back in Vi's arms. To be told everything was going to be okay.
"We're here." Her father says, pulling Caitlyn from her daydream.
Caitlyn silently stepped out of the taxi, and made her way to the side, where her suitcase was placed waiting for her. She follows her father inside, where they get themselves checked in. Caitlyn the whole time is trying to read her father, wondering if this is some sort of goodbye present for her, before they send her away for good. Hours pass, as she sits idly in an uncomfortable airport chair, as her father continues to read over medical documents. She holds back the urge to yell, to scream, to demand answers. The wait is getting to her, the more awake and alert she becomes.
"Its time." Her father says, as he grabs his briefcase, and usures Caitlyn to follow, as they get in line to board.
Caitlyn looks around at all the stranger's faces, wondering where their final destinations might be. She thinks about the future and wonders if she will be back here in just a short time with tears in her eyes and a broken heart, as she's forced to say goodbye to the love of her life.
Caitlyn buckles herself in, as she looks out the window. The reality of her situation sinking in heavily. This trip is supposed to be fun, but how can it be when her future hangs in the balance. She can feel the anxiety grow with each second, as words are being said by people around her, but none of them fully reach her. All she wants to do is be back in Vi's arms. To be told everything is going to be okay and be able to believe it. She thinks back to their conversation one last time. How at first, they just sat there, both usure what to say. Caitlyn spoke first, and in a panic, mentioned running away together. Vi quickly shut her down. Said she couldn't leave her family, they needed her, relied on her. Caitlyn knew it was true but hated every part of it. She both loved and hated how committed Vi was to taking care of her family.
"Here we go." Her father said with a smile, as the plane began pulled away.
"Father." Caitlyn said, no longer able to wait. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
Tobias looked at his young daughter, could see the worry and stress in her features. He loved his daughter fiercely and would do just about anything to save her from heartache. But he knew he couldn't protect her from everything, no matter how much he wanted to. Every decision he made, was with his family's best interests in mind. "Yes Caitlyn, I suppose there is. I'm assuming your mother told you what is happening?"
"No," Caitlyn said quickly, as her heart sank. She had hoped that maybe just maybe the ticket was bought without her father's permission, but his response just confirmed her worst nightmare to be true, that he was okay with this.
"No, then how do you know?" Her father asked confused.
"I found the plane ticket with my name on it, the letters to grandmother. Please don't send me away. Please don't make me leave." Caitlyn pleaded, as tears filled her eyes.
"Caitlyn my dear, is that what you think is happening?"
"Well yes, is it not? Are you not sending me back to England for school?"
Caitlyn's father sighed, as he sat back in his plane seat, trying to get comfortable for the conversation he knew was long overdue. "Sweetheart, I was hoping to have this conversation on the way back from Dallas, but I now realize I should have talked to you about this months ago."
"What's going on?" Caitlyn asked, panic in her voice.
"I'm getting a new job."
"What?"
"Remember when I had to go into the hospital on your birthday, well the surgery I performed that day, wasn't just an ordinary surgery. Some people from a top-notch medical team heard what I did and reached out to me. They want me to run their trauma team."
Caitlyn looked at him, eyes unable to look away as she tried to register what this meant. "Where?"
"A hospital out in California." Her father said, as he reached out and grabbed her hand.
Caitlyn's heart sank. She knew this was her father's dream job, to be running a department in a hospital, but this meant they would be moving, leaving their small cozy town behind. "When?"
"The job doesn't start officially for a few more months, but I have to leave in two weeks to travel overseas. The company I will be working for has set it up for me to train some of their other surgeons, at different hospitals worldwide."
"Why can't I stay until you move to California?"
"Well," Her father said, as he adjusted himself to be more comfortable in his seat. "Your mother and I thought it would be best if you were to start university, rather than going back to High School, just to be pulled out after a few months to move."
"Shouldn't that be my choice?" Caitlyn asked, fear and anger, both fighting for dominance.
"I know you think this might seem unfair, but your mother doesn't want to stay in the states without me. So, while I'm traveling, she is going to go back with you to England, and stay with her parents for a few months."
Caitlyn's heart dropped, the finality of everything felt overwhelming. She tried to think of a way out of this. A way to stay with Vi, but nothing could be found. She felt like her world was crumbling, like universe was against her." Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"When I found out they were interested, I wanted to tell you, but nothing was permanent until a couple of weeks ago. I realize now that we should have told you sooner, but I just wanted you to enjoy your summer. I made the deal with your mother, that if she gave you freedom, and let you enjoy your summer, that I would support her taking you back to Oxford for University."
Caitlyn felt her stomach drop, the realization of the past couple of months hitting her hard. The only reason her mother was giving her freedom was because she was going to quickly rip it away from her once again. "If this was your plan all along, then why invite my friends over, why try and get to know them?" Caitlyn asked, anger fueling her need for answers.
"I guess because I felt guilty." Her father said, as he squeezed her hand. "I knew you were making friends and possibly dating. I told your mother I felt it was wrong to keep this from you, especially if you were developing a close relationship with that young man. We tried to set it up earlier to meet him, gage how serious your relationship was, but you kept putting us off. Your mother assured me it wasn't serious, even said the Tallis's told her he was dating another girl. But I wanted to find out for myself. But you two didn't seem to be that close."
Caitlyn closed her eyes, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. Of course she didn't act like she was close to Claggor, because the real person she loved had to be hidden behind a ridiculous farce, because the truth would tear her and her family apart. "So, this is it, this is final?"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean we won't see you dear."
"But what about my friends, my life at home?" Caitlyn asked, begging for another solution.
"I know this seems unfair, but I promise, you will be okay. And when you are on holiday, you can come visit and spend your days on the beach."
"I don't want any of that, I just want to stay with V…..I just want things to stay the same." Caitlyn said, as tears fell down her cheeks. She wanted to scream, to run and hide, but being cornered on an airplane made those things impossible.
Being sent away by her mother was something she could handle, it was an obstacle that could be conquered, but this, this wasn't something that felt permanent. She would move to England, attend Oxford University, her father would start a new job. They would sell their home and no longer have a reason to return to Vi's hometown. She wanted to protest, to beg her father to change his mind, but she knew nothing she could say would change her future now.
As the plane touched down in Dallas, she slowly stood to exit. Her legs felt wobbly as she made her way through the airport. She could see her father speaking to her, but his words didn't reach. It was like walking through a fog with no guidance.
"Caitlyn, is that you?"
Caitlyn felt familiar arms grab her into a tight embrace, pulling her back to reality. She looked up to see her Aunt Katie, a huge smile on her face, as she pulled back. When Caitlyn looked up she could no longer hold back the flood gates, as silent sobs and tears left her body.
/./
Vi woke up later than usual, causing her to rush out the door as to not be late. She didn't care though, because if Jayce was telling the truth and Brian really was coming back to the farm today, she would prefer as little to know interaction with him as possible.
Vi pulled up to the farm, parked her truck, and tried not to think about the conversation with Caitlyn the night before. She knew these next few days without Caitlyn would be tough, but she wasn't going to let some creep ruin her job for her.
Thankfully, she didn't see him the whole time she was in dairy farm. After clocking in and collecting her milk truck keys, she headed out back to get in her truck and begin her deliveries. Just as she rounded the back of her truck, she ran into a tall familiar figure.
"Vi, I was hoping I got to see you before I left." Jayce said with a smug grin.
"What in the hell are you doing by my truck?"
"I was just helping my cousin load it up for you?"
Just then Brian rounded the back, holding a crate with a few bottles of milk. "These should be your last ones." He said as he placed the crate in the back of the truck. Then winked at her with a nasty grin.
Vi froze, she couldn't believe she was standing in front of the man that tried to ruin her life only a few years ago. She immediately put her hand to her chest, remembering the moment he pushed her down, and tried to keep her to the ground with his foot. She quickly recovered, placing her hands to her sides. She wasn't going to let these two intimidate her.
As she looked at Brian, he looked almost unrecognizable. He was thinner and had tattoos that covered his arms. His hair was longer, but thinner, his teeth, more yellow. He looked like he had aged decades when it had only been a few years. He smelled of cigarettes and desperation. Vi almost felt sorry for him, almost, as he made his way closer to her, his arrogance was palpable. He circled her, like a hawk circling its prey. He looked her up and down before stopping in front of her. "Looking good Vi."
Vi stared back at him. She didn't flinch, didn't move. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of thinking he got to her. She just watched, watched this man try to throw his weight around. Watched as Jayce smiled smugly from the sidelines, knowing she couldn't do anything to stop either one of them, without hurting her family. So, she did the only thing she could do, she used her words. "Brian, unfortunately it doesn't look like prison did you any favors."
Brian laughed, a fake deep throated laugh, the sound you imagine a hyena would make as it moved in on its kill. "Don't worry sweetheart, prison taught me some new tricks."
"Oh yeah," Vi said with a grin. "Ones you can try out with Jayce?"
Jayce's jaw dropped at Vi's crude comment, but he quickly recovered, as Brian stepped closer to Vi, his eyes turning dark with anger. Jayce grabbed Brian, pulling him back.
"You little Bi" But before Brian could finish his sentence, Tony the farm owner, made his way to the three of them.
"I see you guys have been reacquainted." He said nervously, as he sensed the tension. "Brian is going to be our loader, until Samuel leaves. I expect you both to get along and keep things professional."
Vi looked at Tony, his eyes on the ground, he wouldn't even give her the satisfaction of looking at her, knowing what he was doing.
"Come on Brian, the next truck needs loading." Tony said, as he placed his hand on Brian's shoulder, and led him away from Vi's truck.
"I hear you Girlfriend is moving away." Jayce said, his smile growing as he watched Vi's face drop.
"She's not my girlfriend, and she isn't moving, her parents just want her to go to University." Vi said, her anger rising.
Jayce laughed. "She hasn't told you."
"Told me what?" Vi said, as she slammed the back doors to her milk truck.
Jayce continued to laugh, as he watched Vi become angrier. "I would tell you, but ide rather not ruin the surprise," he said, as he clutched his stomach and walked away still laughing.
Vi drove away, feeling angrier, and more frustrated than she had in a long time, and to make matters worse, she wasn't even going to be able to see Caitlyn this morning, as Caitlyn would have already left to the airport.
Vi made her way through the neighborhoods delivering milk, while collecting empty containers, trying to figure out what Jayce meant by Caitlyn moving. As she pulled up to Caitlyn's house, she got out of her truck with two bottles of milk and made her way towards the door. She instinctively looked into the big window, only to be met with curtains covering it up. She quickly grabbed the two empty bottles and made her way down the steps when she almost tripped over a small sign sticking up out of the grass. She made her way to the front of it to read. FOR SALE.
Vi almost passed out, as she looked at the sign. It was small, with just two metal poles holding it up, but it read loud and clear. She looked around, hoping she was at the wrong house, because this sign wasn't there yesterday, when she was here for the worst dinner of her life. No, she definitely would have noticed it. This was new, very new. "Moving." Vi said out loud, as she continued to stare at the sign.
After what felt like hours of awkwardly staring at a sign in a yard that didn't belong to her, she made her way back to her milk truck. She started the truck back up but couldn't find it in herself to pull away. She looked at the porch, the one where she first talked to a shy young woman, just looking for a friend. The place where she shared a cupcake with the same young woman, who just turned 17, but didn't have a friend to celebrate with. The spot where the young woman captured her heart when she gave her the cuff, that still sat around her wrist.
She instinctively ran her fingers across it, feeling the thick hand-crafted leather below them. Was this really it? Was Caitlyn really moving away for good? Vi sat, unsure if she wanted to cry, or to punch something. Without another thought, she placed her vehicle in drive and pressed on the gas, when she heard a large crash come from the back of her truck. She quickly put her truck back in park and jumped out only to see the mess that stood before her.
White liquid poured from the back of her truck. She quickly opened the back door, to see bottles smashed, and milk spilling everywhere. 'How', she thought, as she looked around the back of her truck, when she noticed the ties that were supposed to be fastened to the wall to hold the crates in place, were swinging loosely against the wall of the truck. "Fuuuck." Vi shouted before slamming the back door closed. "That stupid prick." She said as she balled her fists and got back in the truck. She could feel the heat rise in her body, feel her heartbeat through her hands. This wasn't just a prank, this was war.