Chapter 3: Gone Like The Wind

Shayla

Shayla drove home from the ice cream shop, tears spiling down her cheeks just as quickly as the wind dried them.

She wanted to be inside before the sunset. It was so beautiful, but it turned her stomach. Sunsets in September were always her favorite. Now she could barely stand to look at them. Thanks to Seamus who took her mother's life at sunset.

Maybe one day she would enjoy their beauty again, but she couldn't imagine that in the foreseeable future.

She was glad to get away from Evan before she lost control of her emotions. Since she had never revealed her true self, not even to her own self, she was scared that one day her emotions would just take over and she would change.

And then what would happen? Especially if Evan saw? After all, he couldn't understand. He was only human. Not everyone was like her mom or her family. They were special people. She knew that is why her father let them into his life. Because, regardless of being human, they understood.

She pulled in her driveway and her dad's car was gone. She thought that odd because he didn't go many places these days. He sat around the house, usually in his slippers and house coat, watching the news and drinking coffee.

He would have her turn away guests. The only people allowed in the house were her Uncle Matt and her Aunt Natalie. Matt and Natalie were her mom's best friends. They moved here from New York when her mom did just before Shayla was born.

Matt and Natalie had just been friends but over time they grew to see each other differently. Eventually they married but never had kids of their own. They had been a staple in Shayla's life long before she was born.

Her grandfather John also lived with them. He had made the move to Montana as well when her mom came here. She was glad to have him be a part of her life every day. He was an amazing grandfather. He loved her in a way no one else ever could.

She walked up to the porch. Natalie met her at the door.

"Shayla, I am so sorry," she said. Natalie's eyes were dark with distraught.

"Sorry for what? What's going on?" Shayla asked as she opened the screen door and stepped inside the house.

Natalie handed her a letter.

My darling children,

I hope you know that the sun rises and sets with my love for you. I wanted to be the best father you could ever need, but sadly, I can't be that for you. My heart is so broken that I can't pick up the pieces and move forward in this life. I can't sit and watch you grow into the most amazing people. It hurts too much to see the resemblance to the love I once had.

I hope you don't hate me, and I hope one day you can understand. You will be taken care of. I have no doubts your life will be good from here on out.

I love you my beautiful children. I will forever.

Love,

Dad

Shayla's color faded from her face. Her mouth opened but no words would come. How could he? How?

She wadded the letter up and tossed it into the trash. Her tears came fast, falling down her chin to the floor below. She didn't even bother to wipe them from her face as she threw herself on her bed. She buried her face into her pillow and sobbed violently. She couldn't even stop it.

"Shayla. Are you okay?" It was Hadley. Poor little Hadley. He would grow up without any parents now. How fair was that?

"Hadley. Come here."

She pulled Hadley in, holding him as if her arms would heal every hurt they both had ever had. But nothing could heal this. Nothing could fix all this damage.

"I love you, Shayla. It's going to be okay."

Hadley put his tiny hands around Shayla's tear-soaked face. Shayla then knew she had to be strong for this little boy, for she would be his parent now.

Shayla sat up and wiped her face. She took Hadley's hand and led him to the kitchen.

"You hungry, squirt?" she asked.

"Yup!" Hadley replied as he pulled out a chair and sat. Shayla made him mac and cheese. They sat quietly at the table while Natalie and Matt sat in the living room to give them some space to process.

Suddenly, she hated her father for doing this, but somehow, she also understood. She no longer saw beauty in the most beautiful things because of the reminders. How could she blame him for not being able to look at Kinley's spitting image, day in and day out? She could barely look in the mirror herself.

Shayla and Hadley finished eating. Matt headed home and Natalie made a bed on the couch. Shayla had heard them talking earlier about them moving into the house.

Shayla tucked Hadley in and then went to her own room. She sat on her bed and heard a small knock at the door.

"Come in," she said. It was her grandfather.

"Hey kiddo. I just wanted to come see if you were okay?"

He walked over and sat next to her on the bed. He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. She buried her face in his shirt and cried once again. She hoped this would be the last batch of tears she would cry. She was done crying.

"I'm sorry this is all happening to you. You don't deserve this. You and your brother are great kids. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Grandpa."

He hugged her tighter and then left.

She had all this pain piling up inside. She had to do something with it. But what?

One thing she did know was that she would never let anyone get close to her. She was done with being hurt and people leaving. This would never happen to her again if she had anything to do with it.

Her phone buzzed. It was a text from Evan.

She tossed her phone and shut her eyes.

"I am not letting you in, so don't even try."

But she had no idea how hard he was going to, and he had no idea how much she really wanted to let him in. She just couldn't.

Even if she already knew she loved him. She couldn't stop from falling, but she could pretend she hadn't. It was just what she needed to do.