Chapter Two
Even after cleaning up after dinner, Jayme felt restless and decided to go for a walk. She hadn’t walked through these parts in nearly ten years. As she walked alongside the road, she noticed things that were the same and things that were different. It was like a walk through memory lane. It was the same route she used to walk to school.
A few houses down, she stopped and looked toward a large, abandoned house. Although the house was abandoned, gray, and dilapidated, it held many vividly, colorful memories. Walking toward the house, she took the steps up to the rickety porch. Pushing the partly opened door, she stepped through and took a few steps before it felt as if she would fall through the floor. She stepped back and stood to look around.
She remembered the elderly lady who lived here and her grandchildren, with which Jayme used to play with. Her name was Mrs. Vicky Humphrey. Remembering her grandchildren, there was Rex Jr., which they called RJ. Next oldest was Joni, the girl, and then Jimmy was only 6 at her last memory. RJ was the same age as Jayme. Joni was 9. When her and RJ were 13, the three grandchildren moved away and left Mrs. Humphrey alone. However, she managed to survive for many years after.
But now, the house was falling apart. The floor was about to cave in and the roof had already partially caved in. Being inside was very dangerous and Jayme knew it. Deciding she had better exit, Jayme walked toward the door and out it. As she stepped off the porch, she looked up to see a sheriff’s car stopping before the house. Backing up, the car pulled into the driveway and a man, about her age, got out.
“Can I ask what you’re doing?” The deputy asked.
“I’m sorry, I’m just remembering. It has been years since I was here…” Jayme said.
The deputy looked at her strangely. “What is your name?”
“I’m Jayme, Jayme McNally…”
“Jayme?” He said, looking confused. “Jayme Greyson?”
“Yes, who are you?”
“Oh my God, Jayme. It’s me, Rex, RJ…” He said and walked quickly toward her.
“RJ? Really? Oh my God…” Jayme said as they met and embraced.
“Where have you been?” Rex asked.
“In Silver Creek…” Jayme asked as they pulled back from the embrace.
“Silver Creek? And you’re married?” Rex said as a question.
“I was… My husband was murdered yesterday.” Jayme said as tears filled her eyes. She was still traumatized.
“Oh my God, Jayme, I’m so sorry. And you came home?”
“Yes.” Jayme nodded as she wiped her eyes.
“I feel horrible, I can only imagine how you feel… Did you inform the police in Silver Creek that you would be coming here?”
“No…” Jayme mumbled, shaking her head again.
“You should’ve. I will notify them to inform them… are they considering you a suspect?”
“I don’t think so…” Jayme answered.
“I’ll contact them right now.” Rex said and pulled out his phone.
Thinking that Rex would think the police could consider her a suspect made her upset. She wasn’t thinking about that, how could they even consider her a suspect? Jayme grew nervous but stood and listened as Rex called the Silver Creek Police Department and spoke of her husbands case.
As Jayme listened, she grew more convinced that the police wanted her to come back for further questioning. Rex knew they wanted her as soon as possible. As he hung up the phone, he confirmed her suspicions. “Yes, they need you to come back in… can you go now?”
“Oh, yea, I can.” Jayme said.
“I’ll tell you what, I’m off duty in twenty minutes, at seven. I’ll gain permission to take you. I would love an opportunity to catch up with you.”
“That would be great.” Jayme smiled. “Sure.”
“Ok, do you need me to stop at your parents house for anything?”
“Yes, I should probably get me purse and things.” Jayme said.
“Ok, come on, let’s go.” Rex said and walked to open the passenger door on his patrol car.
Climbing into his car, it was the first time Jayme had ever been inside a police car. The instruments amazed her as she looked around the car. Then she saw the cage on the back of the seat, a protection measure.
Rex climbed into the truk and started it, backing out of the driveway. Heading toward her house, he spoke first. “I’m really glad you’re back, I’ve missed you for so many years.”
“Yes, I’ve missed you too, all of you.” Jayme said. “God, how many years has it been?”
“Fifteen years…” Rex answered quickly.
“Really? Wow.” Jayme said. “You answered really quickly…”
“I guess that’s how much I missed you… I’ve been counting down the years, hoping to see you again.” Rex said.
“You’re really sweet.” Jayme smiled.
Pulling into the driveway, Rex followed her to the door. Jayme’s parents and Rex already knew each other for years. Especially since he had returned. Saying hello to Simon and Paige, Rex waited for Jayme to grab her things. Rex explained the reasons he was taking her back to Silver Creek. Although they worried for their daughter, they knew she had to go back for the sake of the investigation.
With a quick hug and kiss, Jayme said goodbye to her parents before walking out the door with Rex. Opening the door for Jayme, Rex waited for her to get in, then shut the door. Climbing into his drivers seat, Rex started the car and backed out of the driveway. Adjusting her seat, Jayme tried to get comfortable in the commercial car.
“So, it’s been so long, tell me about your life.” Rex suggested.
“Well, after you guys moved away, I finished high school then left for college. I spent six years there, then just after I graduated, I met Scott.” Jayme explained.
“Scott… he’s your husband?”
“Yes. We dated for nearly four years before we married, on May first.”
“May first… of this year?” Rex said, seeming concerned.
“Yes.”
“Wait, you were only married six months before he was… you know…” Rex said, remaining sentimental.
“That is correct.” She said and looked down at her hands, suddenly stricken by sadness.
“I’m sorry, Jayme…” Rex said, seeing the look on her face. Reaching his hand to hers, he gently touched her.
Jayme felt slightly embarrassed but didn’t much care. The embarrassment was not as bad as the sorrow she felt from losing her husband. It was all coming to a head, inside her head. Who and why were the biggest questions she had. Not to mention the wonder she felt, not knowing if they would come after her as well. Between that and the fact that she has not yet completely grieved over Scott, Jayme fought the hard tears that were pushing behind the soft tears.
“I understand what you’re going through… I couldn’t imagine, but I understand. We don’t have to talk the whole trip, just lean your head back and close your eyes, try to relax. We have an hour on the road.” Rex said, giving her hand a slight squeeze.
As Jayme closed her eyes to nod her head, the tears fell from her eyes. Leaning her head back and to the side, she rested it between the head rest and the window. She could feel the cold of the window on her forehead and it felt good to her. But it didn’t help her, emotionally.
Taking a few miles or so to gather her senses, Jayme wiped her eyes and glanced over toward Rex, then looked toward the road. Traveling in a southwesterly direction, the sun was bright in their eyes as it inched toward the horizon. And it was her favorite season, fall. It always gave her a warm feeling, with the exception of this year.
Other than the death of her husband, it had been a good year. It was the year she married a man who loved her, a man she loved dearly. It was the year she discovered their first pregnancy and the year her first would be born. And it was the year she started her dream job. But it also turned out to be her worst year as well.