I drive back to Elliot's house sending a quick text

-On my way over. Come outside.

After I send Elliot's text I notice I have a few messages from Dustin.

-Ewww brown water 🤢

-You there?

-Ok no I'm not worried........

I quickly dial his number. He picks up after the very first ring.

"Oh princess I'm so glad your ok. I was so worried." His voice immediately calms me.

"I'm good. I'm sorry it's been so busy I got caught up earlier and didn't even see your messages."

"Ok. Well I'm just glad to hear your voice. How is it going there? The customers are already complaining that your gone."

"Oh it's great. Emily is being all shy and quite. My mom wants to smother me with love and Elliott thinks I'm losing my mind, which is probably true. I'm ready to come home already. I can't believe I actually came back here. Anyway let me call you back later I'm pulling into Elliott's now."

"Ok princess call me if you need anything."

Elliot is leaning on the porch waiting for me. As I walk up to the stairs I knew there is no going back. He wanted answers and he wasn't about to let me leave without getting at least a few of them.

"Anabells been missing for ten years, next week is the anniversary and they are holding a memorial. That's why I'm really here." It came out so quickly .

"See I don't understand why you wouldn't just say that. Everyone will understand. She was your best friend Allie. Most people probably would expect you to come back for this."

"Elliot it's not that simple. Do you remember that night? Any of it at all or is it still a blur to you?"

"I guess it's all still pretty much a blur. I drank way more than I should have considering it was a party for your classes graduation, but I remember being there. I went with Brad. We showed up and everyone kept doing beer bongs. I remember going outside and seeing you and Anabell talking to that one girl that was always super quite. Next thing I remember I'm in the hospital having my stomach pumped. Mom came in and said dad was with you and that Anabell was missing...."

"Yeah, if only that were the entire story." I don't know how to explain all of this to him. Elliot stood up tall and wrapped me into a bear hug.

"I love you little sister. I will go with you to the memorial. I got you. I know how hard this is for you, but you and I, we got this."

"Elliot!" I hear the low voice from the shadow. I can hear the steps getting closer fast. Brad jumps from the behind the trees and shouts trying and failing to scare Elliot. His jaw almost hits the floor when he sees me standing there.

"Well I'll be a son bitch!" He jumps over the porch railing and is staring right at me. Brad had been Elliot's best friend since, well forever. He was our neighbor when we were little. The two of them would spend hours riding their bikes, using boards and concrete blocks to make ramps. Everything you can image boys doing, they did. Giving both our moms more than one heart attack over the years. They stayed close after highschool. Brad went off and joined the military. My brother taking over the real estate company with my dad. When Brad moved back home after they picked up right where they left off.

"Hey braddy boy miss me?" I say as I engolf him into a hug. He is a huge man. Solid muscle standing six foot five inches he towers over me.

"Damn Skippy little Al. Hawaii was good to you!" He says as he hold me at arm's length examining me.

"It's amazing. You will have to come visit."

"You know I already would have if someone, YOU, would answer the damn phone."

"Ok boys I'm leaving you to it." I say goodbye before walking back to the car and heading the opposite direction of home. Brad saved me from the more serious parts of the conversation I still wasnt ready to talk about. I needed to remember to talk to Brad about that night I never did ask what he remembered.