Broken Dreams(162)

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The sun came streaming in the window. Sophie groaned. She wasn’t ready to get up and was thoroughly enjoying her sleep. She rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head, opting for more rest.

“Sophie?” Claire peeked into the room, and she groaned again. “Sophie, come on. Thomas and I have got nearly everything packed up.” She jumped up out of bed, forgetting that she was just in her bra and panties.

“Why did you not wake me up?” She was racing around, getting dressed and packing at the same time. Claire saw how fit she was. She had some serious abs, and her arms were cut, as well.

“I thought you could use the extra rest.”

“I don’t need extra rest!” Sophie snapped at Claire. Instead of a rebuttal, she just turned around and stormed out of the room. “Claire! Shit…” Sophie finished grabbing all of her possessions and quickly walked down the hallway.

“Claire.” She was a little out of breath. “I’m sorry.” Claire just looked at her with disdain. “I’m sorry.”

“Whatever, Sophie. I thought I was doing you a favor, but I see now how silly I was.” She was irritated. She thought they had bonded the day before so to get attitude from Sophie wasn’t what she expected. “Anyway, what should we pack from Henry’s room?” While waiting for a response, she searched the hall closet for a couple more pieces of luggage and duffels.

“I’ll help you.” Sophie felt horribly guilty. She wasn’t sure if Claire was her friend, or if she even wanted to be. She never really had a friend before. Henry was the closest she had to a friend, and that was compromised years ago when they moved into a relationship.

Claire followed her down the hallway. Sophie stood in the middle of Henry’s room, looking around for a minute.

“Let’s start with his dresser.” She opened the top drawer, and saw the wrinkled picture of Henry and his mom.

She held it up, wondering if she should bring it after what Kellan said. Then she tucked the picture in her bra right next to the picture of her alleged babies.

Sophie went through the rest of his drawers, pulling out clothing that she thought he would want, handing them to Claire. Her hands lingered over his low cut micro-fiber boxers. They were all Calvin’s, D&G, or Under Armour in white, black, gray, or navy blue. She laughed to herself. Typical Henry. She missed that side of the relationship with him. She always enjoyed looking at his body.

They moved on to the closet. When she opened the doors, Claire inhaled with a loud gasp. On the floor of Henry’s closet were his tuxedo, Elaina’s destroyed wedding gown, and her bridesmaid dress. All three were torn, with dried blood all over them. Sophie slammed the door shut.

“I can do this if you want to go.” She was offering Claire an out so she didn’t have to face one of the worst days of her life.

“No, I have to do this. I have to be able to face it.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to get upset.” Sophie touched Claire’s arm, then guided her to Henry’s bed. “You sit here, and I’ll toss stuff out to you to pack.”

Sophie went through Henry’s extensive wardrobe, none of it ostentatious. Again, typical Henry, she thought. He always wanted to blend into the crowd, to be unnoticed and elusive. Everything was navy, white, black, or a shade of gray.

Once she pulled out everything, she noticed a stack of journals hidden in the back on the shelf. Claire saw her stop, and was curious as to what she was looking at.

“What? What do you see?” Claire stood up. Sophie picked up the journal on the top. Against her better judgment, she opened it and began to read the entry out loud.



October 24th, 2012



Dear Mum,



I met the most amazing woman tonight. My intensions were not good at first, but she took my breath away. Her hair is as black as night. Her eyes bring me to my knees. They are the color of the sky. I feel alive for the first time in a very long time. She is just absolutely the most fantastic woman. She was parked on the street in front of a bookstore that I visited. Her entire physical self was frustrated. Then I saw her dump her handbag out on the ground, looking through everything. I squatted down and asked her if she needed some help. We locked eyes momentarily. She gazed into my chemical-laden eyes, looking just as mesmerized as I was with hers. Mum, I fell in love at that moment. I knew then that she was who I was looking for. I invited her to have coffee with me at a café near my flat. I was so pleased that she accepted. It was such fun chatting with her. I gave her my number so I hope she calls. If she doesn’t, I will find her. I do fear the moment when she finds out about me, my true self. It is such a burden, and makes me feel alone and lost. I don’t even want to tell you what I did. I’m ashamed of my behaviour.