Ch 3: What happened?

She didn't believe in boarding schools or any other private school. She wanted her son to be normal.

Apparently, his father was so much in love with his wife that he would have granted her anything so Owen went to public school as she wished.

Unfortunately, his wonderful beautiful mother died and when his father remarried, she'd heard that this woman was nothing like her. It was then that Owen and Joseph became inseparable.

His stepmother wasn't as loving as his biological one. She wanted Owen to quit hanging around with the lower class and start acting like a wealthy snob.

She would throw lavish parties and expect him to play the part of a loving stepson. One thing Owen wasn't, was dishonest.

He couldn't be asked to betray his morals so he ignored her requests, didn't show up or didn't act like the lovable doting step son when he did.

She was furious but for some reason his father let him be. Maybe it had something to do with his first wife's wishes.

On the other hand, Joseph had no social restrictions so Owen could be more of himself when he was with him. It was Joseph that insisted she go to college as he struggled to make ends meet.

When she turned eighteen she finally relented and decided on a degree in business administration.

He joined the military when she left for college telling her he could make more money and when he was done they'd pay for his degree. He had it all planned out, but six months shy of graduating she got a phone call.

Killed overseas, is what the man on the other end said. That was all she heard before hung up the phone and did the only thing she knew and phoned Owen.

She had other friends, but Owen was the only other person she would consider family and he was strong emotionally which she needed.

Besides being Joseph's best friend, he was reliable to the teeth and no other number came into her head at that devastating time. She dialed him without even remembering until she heard his voice.

She was already sobbing when he answered the phone only after two rings. Before she even said anything, he knew it was her. "Abigail?" he said then he paused "What happened?" He must've heard her crying. "Joseph's been killed.

There was a bomb and….oh Lord, he's dead Owen!" There was a slight pause before he spoke again, "I'm on my way." His deep voice cracked slightly.

Now that she reflected on that conversation she noticed that his voice didn't raise one iota. Calm as always, she thought, even under great stress.

Then she heard a muffled conversation as if he was covering the mouthpiece before he spoke to her again, "I'll be there in a few hours. I'm just closing a meeting down at the moment." When she didn't say anything, he continued, "Abigail?" "I'm here." She heard herself say.

Her voice sounded hollow and oddly distant. He didn't miss it, "Honey, is there anyone who could stay with you until I get there?" "I…well…" "Anyone?" he repeated with a slight edge of concern that only she could detect.

"There's Mrs. Walker…she lives a few doors down. She's elderly and alone, so I've been checking on her for her son who's…" she was rambling without knowing it. "What's her number?" he said bringing her back to focus.

Abigail remembered that it was on the fridge and turned to read it off. She was clutching the headset of the phone with two hands like it was her only lifeline.

From the pause on his end, she figured that he must've been writing down the number she told him.

"Owen—" "I'm still here," he answered quickly, "Don't worry okay? I'll phone her, and in the meantime put some tea on. She'll be over in a few minutes.

My jet is being warmed up as we speak honey, so I won't belong."