Free Stealing Promises by Brina Courtney Page B

“Why him though? Why couldn’t it have been someone who didn’t matter?”
    Kate sighed. “Everyone matters to someone Victoria, it’s one of the beautiful things about life.”
    “ I want answers Kate.”
    “ Some day you’ll get them. When it’s the right time.”
    Victoria sat in the sun for a moment before Kate said, “C’mon let’s try again.”
    She sighed, “All right.” She stood up slowly but made her way to the car on her own. It felt like she had run a marathon by the time she sat down in the car.
    She turned to Kate and said, “Have we heard from Claire at all?”
    Kate smiled brightly, “Yes, she's called a few times for you. She would like to come visit.”
    Victoria decided if she was already out, today was as good as any to see her. “Maybe she can meet us at the beach?”
    Kate passed her a pink cell phone. “I saved her number in there for you. Feel free to make the call.”
    Victoria found the number and called Claire. She was relieved to hear her voice sound normal and for Claire to not ask her how she was. She appreciated her ignoring her difficult situation. “Sure I’ll meet you at the beach, I can get there in less than ten minutes.”
    “ You’re home? Not at school?”
    “ I came home yesterday, I was hoping to see you.”
    Victoria nodded. “Thanks.”
    When they pulled up to parking lot at the beach Victoria wasn’t sure what she was going to do when she saw Claire for the first time. But her emotions took over when she opened the door and saw her. She began to cry as she ran towards Claire and embraced her tightly.
    Her words came pouring out as her feelings played across her face.
    “ He's gone Claire. I was there! I was there and I didn't do anything!”
    Claire smoothed the back of Victoria's hair in order to console her friend. “There was nothing you could do, Victoria, everyone knows that. You know that, right?”
    But Victoria wasn't so sure. Recently her guilt had taken over. Since her stay in the hospital Kate called it “survivor's guilt.” She shouldn’t have lived while Levi didn’t.
    Claire released Victoria for a moment and said, “Tor, there's something you need to see.” She pulled out her phone.
    “ I don't think I want to see that, Claire,” she said through her tears.
    “ Tor you have to see this. It'll help you understand.” Claire began to show her the pictures on her cell phone of Levi's house. She attempted to turn away and walk back towards the car, but Claire continued to throw the phone in front of her face until she really looked.
    “ Do you see what’s in the picture? It's not just his house, look what's in front of it.”
    Victoria took the phone and stared at the tiny screen. She used her fingers to zoom in. In the picture there were thousands of candles in front of Levi's doorstep. Signs and flowers littered the yard with inspirational messages.
    “We miss you Levi.”
    “ Love always.”
    “ See you later.”
    She didn't know how to react, so she called for the only person that fully understood what she was going through. “Kate!” She yelled so loud that she scared Claire.
    Kate came running down the side of the beach, concern etched all over her face. “What's wrong?”
    Victoria continued to cry, but turned the phone so Kate could view the images that she had just seen. Kate looked through them and nodded at her, rubbing her back slowly.
    “You weren't the only one who loved him. You're not alone in this.”
    Claire looked at Kate and Victoria sheepishly; it was clear she hadn't meant to upset her friend. Claire looked at her newly painted toenails as she spoke. “I'm sorry. I thought this would make you happy, or at least cheer you up a little bit. Levi was a great guy, Tor, a lot of people miss him. Not just you.”
    It was the first time in days that Victoria had felt somewhat human, and as she looked at Kate and Claire she made a decision. She would ultimately have to get through this. She pushed all thoughts of