Page 22 of Autumn Falls
“Call the police,” I say, but Autumn comes up and walks past us and pulls back, clocking Caroline in the face. She drops in Nick’s arms.
“I called the cops,” Jacqueline says.
“Thank you.”
“Beautiful, how is your hand?”
“How are you? She hit you with the bat.”
“Fuck, Owen. I knew you were an asshole, but I didn’t realize you were that big of a prick,” my Uncle Nick chuckled. The police came up about ten minutes later, took our statements and then arrested her
Just as they were loading her into the vehicle Matthew arrived, but he waved off her pleas and walked our way. I couldsee the worn out look on his face. He’d already had a marking on his chin.
“Damn, what happened to you?”
“She lost it and threw a book at me,” Matt muttered. “Carter called her out on the fake pregnancy and said he was going to sue her if she was lying, and he was going to tell everyone.”
“Do you need a drink?” Mr. Sager asks.
“I could really use one.” The night lasted longer as we iced our wounds.
“I’m sorry about your sister,” Autumn says. “This is all my fault.”
“No, her petty jealousy and competition that our parents created in us pushed her into a spiral. She wanted what others had. You became her obsession. Carter was just one of the many things she tried to steal from you. Hell, she tried to take your job at the diner just because she wanted to make you lose something else.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I just learned it.”
“She needs help.”
“Yeah, I’m having her committed. I guess this is the end of my political career.”
“Who knows? You’re a young guy and we all have at least one looney bin relative.” I give him a wink and then look right at my uncle.
“That’s right.”
Epilogue
Owen
Three Years Later
I watched her from my scope and she never looked better than she does right now. I wish I could run down there and pull her into my arms and now is not the time. It’s a shame that I miss these moments but I love them all the same because I get to protect my family. She gives me a wink and a smile knowing that I’m watching. Then our eyes return to the parade below and so do mine because I have a job to do.
Every year I take on the task and watch over the crowd for the Harvest Fest parade. I love working in this town and everybody has come together to give much love to my wife and I. She rubs her belly and giggles as a cute float passes by. Holding her cup of coffee decaffeinated of course because she can’t have too much even though it’s still early on.
“You know you’re supposed to be paying attention to the rest of the crowd, right?”
“Shut up and do your job. Don’t you have someone else to harass?” I asked Carter as he stood beside me, ragging me about my fascination with Autumn.
“I do. I’m just making sure you’re on task.”
“Remember, I’m the boss.” I must remind him. Partly because I’m an asshole and partly because he’s a dick, but most importantly, because he once dated the love of my life and I’m just that fucking petty.
Carter and I have gotten along much better now that he’s moved on and found what he really wants. Working hard is better for him and getting Caroline out of his life has done him aworld of good. Well, we’re almost done with the parade and then it’s time for the goodies. I’m kind of glad it’s moved up this year.
Then maybe Autumn can actually enjoy walking through without getting too cold. Carter and I wrap up about twenty minutes later and then I find my wife waiting for me on the street below. “You didn’t have to, beautiful. I would have found you. Where is our son?”