Chapter 8: Leaving

They both looked back about halfway and I waved. They nodded and walked inside. I sat on the dry sand letting the waves hit my toes. Oliver sat next to me. "Mark and Mike catch you?" He looked at me like I already knew the answer and I smirked. "I like them." He nodded and pulled me into his shoulder. "Wanna head home, or talk?" He kissed the top of my head. "I just feel alone. I mean I have you and the twins, but now I lost Leah..." I looked out over the ocean and the wind whipped at us. "You didn't loose her, she's up in her room." He pointed behind him, at the yellow house with his thumb. "Yeah she is, but she's being bent over by Jacob." He stiffened and held me closer. "Oh I am going to kill him." I grabbed his arm that was wrapped around me. "Don't. It's done and they made their choice. I am going to take tonight to be mad and forgive them both."

Oliver shifted to look at me. "You are amazing Valor, I'd be up there beating both their asses." I shrugged. "I guess I am just learning no one can be with you forever, and even if you forgive there's still going to be scars." I stood up  letting go of Oliver's hand, he stood up quickly. "What scars did I leave you with?" I half smiled. "Some abandonment issues and other I collected from others along the way." His face crunched up and he pulled me in for a hug. "I'm so sorry Val." I hugged him back and then stepped away. "I'm okay Ollie, I just need to sort through my thoughts."

He nodded and headed back to the party. I took my time walking back to the dark red house. I wiped my feet and let out my braid as I grabbed my bag and packed a few things. I showered quickly and dressed in jeans, a tank top, and pit on the beaded bracelt I played with the day Ollie showed me my room. I left the bank account information and grabbed a pen and notepad.

Be back soon Ollie. Take care of yourself, and know I love you.

-Valor

It was the same as the last postcard he had sent me. I laid it on his bed and closed the door behind me. I grabbed the money jar, some clothes, and headed downstairs. "Running?" I jumped grabbing my chest as I turned to see the twins.

"How did you know?" They looked at each other and back at me. "We probably would have if we where in your shoes." Mike slid a phone from his pocket. "Call us, both our numbers are in there along with Ollie's." I took the phone and Mark handed me a charger. "Keep it charged." I nodded and slid them into my bag. "Thanks." They crushed me in a hug and they watched as I put on my sneakers. "Be careful okay." They said at the same time. "I will, thank you Mike and Mark. You two are great, together and apart." They smiled and I dove in for one more hug.

I left through the front door and walked down the dark street to the surf shop. "Paco?" I knocked on his apartment door. The door opened and Paco enveloped me in a hug. "So soon you leave." He said before letting me go. His hands rested on my shoulders. "Here take this." Paco handed me a purple stoned necklace. "It's iolite. It will help you on your journey." I slid the backpack off my shoulders. "Will you put it on me?" He nodded and clasped it around my neck. "Be careful Valor, and when you come back... come see me."

"You mean if I come back." He looked at me and said when. I nodded and grabbed my bag. "Thank you Paco." I whispered as he waved watching me walk down the stairs. I looked back to see him playing with his crazy curled mustache. I smiled and headed down the road.

I walked to San Francisco, and took a bus east to Wyoming. Backpacked through Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Memphis, and a few other places before heading towards Wisconsin for Christmas. I hadn't been back since the accident and wanted to see my parents. Christmas night was the first time I called the twins. "Valor?" Mike's voice sounded. "Hey Mike how's it going?" Hang on he said as he yelled for Mark. "Valor!" Mark yelled "Girl where the hell have you been? You where supposed to call!" I nodded and relaxed he couldn't see me. "I'm okay, figuring myself out. How are you two?" They both where silent. "We are good, but miss you. Where are you?" I laughed, "It's good to hear your voices." One or both of them let out a deep breath. "There's been a lot of changes since you left." Mike whispered and I heard Mark slap him.

"Oh yeah?" I sat in the snow by my parents grave. "Leah left, said she was going to look for you. Oliver had been in a slump. He feels like he failed you... and Jacob has been working and drinking himself stupid. Hasn't touched a girl since the night you left. Everyone is looking for you around here." I ran my hand down my mother's head stone. "Well I'm no where near you all at the moment, and I'll call Ollie later. I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to you both and that I hope you are doing okay." I cleared her name and scooted to my dad's head stone.

"Merry Christmas Valor, call us more often will ya? Mike's came up with a million ways you could get hurt." I laughed and shook my head. "I'm fine, and I think I'll be back soon." Mark slapped the table or something hard. "You better be cause everyone misses you." I brushed the name with my fingers which where red. "Well I don't miss everyone, but I miss a lot of you." A breath sounded. "We know you wanna go, so we'll let you... but know we are here I'd you need us." I tucked my hand into my pocket. "Thanks guys." I clicked the phone closed and moved sitting between my parents.

"I have no idea what I'm looking for, but I want you to know we are okay." I placed coins on top of their Graves along with flowers I had knicked from a shop. I sat there until I was numb and then dialed Oliver. He didn't pick up, so I left a message. "Hey Ollie I just wanted to say Merry Christmas, and that I miss you. Hope you are taking care of yourself bro. Love you." I ended the call and moved from the spot on the ground. My pants where soaked and the cold blew right through my jeans as I walked to the motel down the street.

The following day my phone rang and Oliver's name flashed across the screen. "Val!" His voice yelled through the speaker. "Hey big brother." A sound escaped his throat. "Thank goodness you are okay. Are you nuts you left six months ago with a damn note, and nothing else." I laughed thinking I waited longer then that to hear from him. "I'm fine Ollie. Just wanted to clear my head and today wish you a Merry Christmas." His breathing was ragged. "You said you where going home to clear your head for the night, not dissappearing! And Merry Christmas my ass. Families are supposed to be together for the Holidays!" He yelled as I waited for him to calm down. "I went to see Mom and Dad, and a few other places along the way. Don't give me the family holiday speech. We haven't spent a Holiday together in a long time Ol." Mom and Dad he whispered. "You're in Wisconsin."

I looked around making sure my bag had everything I needed in it. "Stay there I'll come get you." I grabbed my bag and closed the motel door behind me. "I'm not there anymore." I lied as I handed in my key and walked to the next bus line. "Well are you coming home? I miss you Val." I glanced to the side catching the bracelet out of the corner of my eye. "Not yet, but soon."

He didn't miss a best. "How soon?" I shrugged and looked at the busses leaving this terminal. "I don't know, but soon." He took a deep breath. "Just call me please. At least once a week." I nodded and paid for my ticket to Oregon. "I'll do my best." I ended the call because we both knew he would badger me next. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I ignored it. I rode to Oregon in the back of the bus and watched as people left and others got on.

When we reached Seattle I exited the bus and walked the rainy city streets. Picking as I went. I ate pizza that night and tomorrow I'd board a train headed to California. I had planned to go to Alaska, but decided it was enough running for now. Ollie and the twins said they missed me and I missed them too. Paco would probably be glad to see me and then there was Joe whom I needed to apologize to for dipping out. Which would lead to seeing Jacob... I didn't really want to see him anymore then I did that night, but I knew I'd have to eventually.

I closed my eyes and took comfort in the bed. When I woke up I dressed and braided my hair. I went to the train station and rode to San Francisco. When I entered California my worries seemed to lessen. I walked down the streets till I was in Sausalito once again. It was dark and late. I glanced over to see Joe's closed and wandered up the side stairs. I took a deep breath and knocked. Joe tore the door open. "Valor?" He came outside and closed the door behind him.

"Listen Joe I'm sorry I took off the way I did. I needed..." He put his hand up. "Jacob told me what he did, and although I was pissed you left. I'm glad you're back." He bent down. "Between you and me know I think my brother is a fool, and he has been drinking himself stupid everynight since you left. I thought maybe you could I don't know talk to him. Maybe..." I looked over the side of the railing and back at Joe. "I think he needs to get his own priorities straight, and talking with me won't do any good." He nodded and went to the door."i have to get back, but you're hired if you still want the job. We open again January fifth." I nodded and readjusted my backpack. "Thanks Joe I'll be there." He nodded and glanced behind him to see Jacob laying on the couch. "Valor." Jacob called as he tossed on the couch and I caught Joe's eyes as he closed the door.