Central Station. But how did he have a letter from Ms. Roy and what did the letter state?
“I think you should read the letter Kaya.”
“B-But I don’t want too! I have no interest in anything else you have to say.” Her quivering lips and trembling tone were unconvincing.
“Please, just read it. It’s from Ms. Roy, how could you not read it,” he stated with a bit of disappointment in his voice.
His words stung. She hadn’t anticipated the raw emotion. Then a film of tears gazed over her eyes. She blinked them away quickly, not wanting him to see her moment of weakness. She looked into his eyes again, searching for an explanation but there was none there.
“Just read Kaya, I am sure she will explain everything.”
Kaya turned slowly on her heels. One step. Two steps. Three…then she was there. Reaching down carefully she picked up the envelope, opened it then read.
Dearest Kaya,
I’m finally calling in my favor!
Love you always,
Mom
No! No! No!She wouldn’t do this to her. Why would she call in her favor now? She was dead. Favors didn’t count at this point.Pain, unbearable pain immediately soared through Kaya’s body. Oh mom, why are you doing this to me? Please don’t do this to me.
Then she remembered everything. Every single detail.
After the death of her grandmother Kaya was completely alone in the world. Ms. Roy had opened her home and heart to the young girl. During her college years, it was Ms. Roy who had provided special care packages once a month. She turned her spare bedroom into Kaya’s room so she would have a place to visit during breaks and summer vacations.When Kaya was attacked by a predator on campus during her final semester of college, Ms. Roy had nursed her back to health and held her tight. For nearly twenty years, Ms. Roy had comforted, supported and loved her like a daughter. So when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and came to her one afternoon asking for a favor down the road, Kaya never hesitated saying yes. She just didn’t know the favor would involve Max King!
Kaya took a deep breath and exhaled. She stumbled, then wobbled a bit, then gained her composure. She wasn’t going to allow him to see her unravel.
She placed the letter in her bag and then walked towards the last man she expected to see again in life.
Max could see the look of emptiness wash over her. Her once colorful face was now pale. She approached him with purpose. Max stood still, not knowing what to say. He braced himself for her next onslaught of insults, but instead she moved close to him, very close. Then closer. Her mysterious, dark eyes pierced his essence.
Max instantly shifted.
Her parched lips parted. Then, she spoke, it was almost a whisper, “I’ll go! A promise is a promise.”
CHAPTER THREE
The thunderous sound of their racing heartbeats echoed throughout Grand Central Station.
Kaya was defeated.
Max was concerned.
A familiar look of pain was etched on her face, it was the same look she wore fifteen years ago.
Gotdammit! What was in the letter? From where he stood, the letter appeared to have only a few words scribbled on it, unlike the one he received that seemed to go on forever. He desperately wanted to know, but was too afraid to ask. Whatever it was, Ms. Roy’s words had rattled Kaya, and somehow had convinced her to say yes. Max could feel her pensive eyes on him. She looked petrified and he knew he didn’t have anyone to blame but himself.
“Kaya, I’m not a saint but I promise I would never cause any physical harm to you. Ms. Roy wouldn’t have arranged this if she didn’t trust me.” He felt sick thinking she might believe he could harm a hair on her head. Especially now that she was back in his life. He would do anything to make things right.
Shaking her head, trying to clear her mind, Kaya spoke, “Max, I may not like this entire situation but I never thought you would physically harm me.”
He looked relieved.
“Then what is
David Stuckler Sanjay Basu
Aiden James, Patrick Burdine