Holly and the Framed Friend Read online

  A smile spread across her lips. Now she just needed a plan.

  CHAPTER 4

  It was dinner time and everyone was seated around the dining room table. The dining room wasn’t like most of the traditional dining rooms Holly had seen in magazines or on television that always seemed to look stuffy to Holly. The walls were covered with pictures of the family, places they’d been, things like that.

  There were a lot of people Holly didn’t recognize, and she wondered if these strangers were also related to her. It still blew her mind that she could be related to so many people and have no clue who any of them were. It was kind of like there was this entire family out there with a hole in it where she was supposed to be.

  “This is really good,” Holly said politely. While Katie didn’t cook nearly as well as Linc, the man Brigid had married, she still did a very good job. Dinner may just have been homemade burgers and fries, but they were possibly the best Holly had ever eaten.

  “Thank you, it’s kind of an old secret recipe. Did you have anything special you liked for your mom to cook? Or maybe Brigid?” Katie asked.

  “Mom never really cooked for me,” Holly said, shifting uncomfortably in her chair. “She’d make stuff like hot dogs or whatever, but nothing like this. Brigid and her new husband, Linc, can really cook,” Holly said appreciatively.

  “I can’t believe Maggie stopped cooking,” Katie said shaking her head. Her voice held a touch of sadness, as if Maggie not cooking was such a terrible thing.

  “What do you mean?” Holly asked. She couldn’t imagine someone being surprised that her mother had stopped cooking.

  “She used to always want to cook. As a matter of fact, Maggie did a lot of the cooking when we were growing up, because she really loved it. Sometimes she’d go to the library and check out cookbooks. Of course, this was before all that stuff was on the internet. Back then, if you wanted a recipe, you needed to have a cookbook,” she said as she ate.

  “Wow,” Holly said, trying to imagine her mother loving to cook. She remembered plenty of times when her mother was drunk and she’d just toss a box of macaroni and cheese to Holly when she’d ask what they were having for dinner. How could someone who was opposed to even boiling water have loved cooking?

  “She started taking a cooking class when she was around sixteen or seventeen. It wasn’t long after that she left,” Katie said.

  “Why did she leave?” Holly asked. “Whenever I’d ask her, she’d just start complaining about how nobody would listen to her, and that her family had abandoned her.”

  “I’m not sure,” Katie said suddenly looking away. She lifted her napkin and dabbed at the corners of her mouth. “Allen, how’s the latest project going?” she asked, clearly changing the subject.

  “Not too bad,” he began. “The client’s having a tough time deciding on a few things, but I think we’ll get them hammered out in another day or so. Truthfully, I’ll be happy to see this one in my rearview mirror,” he continued.

  Holly watched Katie as she listened intently to Allen. It was obvious the question of her mother’s leaving made her feel uncomfortable. But why? Why would both sisters want to avoid the same question? Holly had a feeling this went much deeper than she’d ever realized.

  Perhaps, while she was visiting, she could find the answer to why she’d grown up without a family. What reason did her mother have for leaving her family behind and moving to Colorado? And how did she end up in Cottonwood Springs, of all places?

  These were all things Holly had wondered about before, but especially after her mother had died. It wasn’t that she’d never wondered about them before, but she was normally too mad at her mother for being high on drugs and ignoring her. But in the time since then, she’d become curious as to what had made her mother the person she was. And who had she been before?

  “Are you going to visit Grandpa while you’re here?” Lissa asked Holly.

  “Grandpa?” Holly asked in a confused tone of voice.

  “I didn’t tell her about him, Lissa,” Katie interrupted. She turned to Holly, “I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you, but I just didn’t know how overwhelmed you might be with us and a new place. I wanted you to get acclimated first. If you aren’t ready to meet him, that’s fine. I haven’t told him you were visiting, just in case.”

  Katie looked worried. Holly wondered if it was more about the fact she hadn’t said anything before, or because she didn’t really want Holly to meet him. She could see that Katie was visibly nervous.

  “And he’s my mom’s and your father?” she asked.

  “Yes, he even lives in the same house we grew up in,” Katie admitted. “Mom died a long time ago.”

  If Holly hadn’t been sitting down, she was pretty sure she would have needed to. “I knew my grandmother died a long time ago, but I never dreamed I’d get a chance to meet my grandfather. I’d love to meet him,” she said softly, her voice cracking. She cleared her throat. “If that’s okay.”

  “Sure,” Katie said smiling. “I’ll give him a call later on and let him know you’re here before we go over there. He’s not as young as he used to be.”

  Holly nodded. “Is there any other family around?” she asked.

  “Not really,” Allen said as he finished his burger. “There are some a few hours away from here, but they’re more your mother’s cousins and extended family. A while back we lived a ways from here, but we decided to move back so we could be closer to your grandfather.”

  Holly’s brain was still swimming with the thought of meeting her grandfather. She didn’t know why, but she’d always kind of assumed he’d passed away. It had never crossed her mind he could still be around, let alone in the same home her mother had grown up in. Seeing where her mom had lived was too much to resist.

  Once everyone was finished with dinner, Steven asked Holly if she wanted to play a game.

  “Do you guys have board games?” Holly asked.

  “I think so,” he said. “But I kind of meant a video game.”

  “Oh,” Holly said. “Well, this is the night that Brigid and I usually played a board game when I was back in Colorado. It’s this stupid thing we started when I moved in with her,” she said, letting her sentence trail off.

  “Then you guys should definitely play one together. There’s a few in the upstairs closet,” Allen said. “I’d love to join you, but I need to wrap a few things up. Katie? If you aren’t busy could you give me your designer eye for a moment?” They headed for his office while Steven, Lissa, and Holly went upstairs.

  “I’m not going to lie. It’s been a long time since I played something like this,” Steven admitted.

  “It’ll be fun. Trust me,” Holly said.

  CHAPTER 5

  Carrie felt her cell phone vibrate in her pocket. Pulling it out, she saw it was her friend, Kyle.

  I heard there’s going to be fireworks at the bonfire this year, Kyle messaged.

  Carrie swiped across her screen to open the message. That’s cool, she typed. It wasn’t what she wanted to say, but for now she had to keep that to herself.

  I think I’m finally going to make a play for Chloe, he replied.

  Why? She’s just going to shoot you down, she responded as she tucked her phone back in her pocket. She was sitting with her family watching some movie on television, the name of which she couldn’t even remember.

  “I’m going to my room,” Carrie said as she stood up. Her mother nodded and told her she could take some popcorn with her if she’d like to.

  “No thanks,” she said as she disappeared. Now, just thinking about the way Kyle fell all over Chloe, made her feel like throwing up.

  Carrie Fox was friends with Chloe, but that didn’t mean she was her biggest fan. Maybe she had been a while ago, but that was before Kyle decided he had a crush on Chloe. Carrie couldn’t fathom why he liked Chloe. It was probably just a case of wanting something he couldn’t have. Carrie was sure that was the reason why most of the guys liked
her.

  Pushing open her bedroom door, she let it softly click shut behind her. Carrie really wasn’t sure if she had it in her to hear Kyle talk about Chloe again, even if it was just through a text. When he hadn’t responded, she wondered if maybe her response had sounded too callous, but in a few minutes he replied.

  But there has to be a way to get through that shield of hers. You’re her friend. HELP ME!

  Why do you like her so much, anyway? she sent back. Carrie took a long look at herself in the mirror. She’d been told she was pretty on multiple occasions. Maybe she wasn’t as tall or thin as Chloe, but this was the modern age. The era of the blonde bombshell was over, wasn’t it? Can’t shorter, slightly curvy brunettes get the guy, too?

  Of course, Kyle had no clue. How could he? Carrie hadn’t ever told him how she felt. They’d grown up together and had been hanging out since the first grade. It wasn’t until they were in the sixth grade that Carrie realized she had a crush on Kyle.

  Back then, he’d been a little on the chubby side with cute little pinchable cheeks and braces. Freckles covered his nose, and he had short brown hair that looked almost golden in sunlight. Carrie moved to her desk where there was a mirror hanging above it. There, slipped into the frame, was one of many photographs of the two of them hanging out. This one was when they’d ridden their bikes to the park and had hung out there all day, just talking. It had to be almost four years ago. She pulled the photo out of the frame and gently caressed Kyle’s picture.

  It snuck up on Carrie at first. She didn’t realize she liked him that way until one day it hit her like a ton of bricks. She’d been sitting on the couch playing some racing game at his house. She looked over at him and suddenly he wasn’t the guy she’d grown up with. He was a man. She saw it in his jawline, the sharp curve of his nose. His shoulders were broader and his arms were becoming muscular and well-defined.

  Sliding the photograph back in the frame, Carrie couldn’t help but feel responsible for Kyle falling for Chloe. He’d gotten to know Chloe from the times Carrie visited her. It was only a couple of times, but that was all it took.

  Because she’s so nice and sweet. Plus, she’s super smart, he finally responded in a text message.

  Carrie made a rude noise before flopping down on her fluffy turquoise comforter. She hated it when he started telling her just how awesome he thought Chloe was.

  Gag me, she typed back.

  Haven’t you ever liked someone and just wanted them to notice you? he texted back.

  Her fingers hovered over the keypad. She really wanted to tell him, “Yes, you, you big oaf!” but she couldn’t. It wasn’t like she hadn’t tried over and over again. The moment would be there, and she’d think this is the time for me to tell him. But then she’d wait too long and things would either get awkward, or he’d be so oblivious he’d start talking about something else.

  Yes, was all she sent in her reply text message. Laying her phone on her chest she looked up at the white popcorn acoustic ceiling.

  Do you like someone now? he sent back.

  Here it was, another moment. If only she could seize it. Her soft mint walls felt as though they were pressing in all around her. The blood rushed in her ears as her brain began to tingle with anticipation. Her heart began to beat fast as she typed out, “it’s you” before erasing it and simply sending, Yeah.

  Then maybe we both need to stop being so chicken and put ourselves out there, he said.

  She wanted to scream and throw her phone across the room, even though she knew it wouldn’t do any good. Shattering her phone wasn’t going to make Kyle have any feelings for her.

  Carrie wished it were possible. She wished there was a chance he’d notice her as more than just a friend. But as the years went on, she’d finally given up that hope. Now, all that was left was an aching sadness as she watched him pine for her friend.

  She was starting to feel restless. Maybe Kyle was right. Maybe, before she felt completely hopeless, she should put herself out there. Let him see that she was interested. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, it was filled with images of Chloe. It was as though her brain was showing her that she was the complete opposite of her.

  So she couldn’t really compete with Chloe, but what if Chloe wasn’t a factor anymore? Kyle was always going on and on about how smart Chloe was and how she was such a good person. It was like he thought Chloe was some sort of perfect princess sent down from on high to live with the common folk. But what if there was a way to make her look less than perfect? Surely that would make him see her differently. Perhaps even end his crazy infatuation with her.

  Maybe something could happen so that Chloe wouldn’t look quite so wonderful. Carrie didn’t hate Chloe, and she didn’t want to do anything too terrible. Just something bad enough to make her look a little less wonderful in everyone’s eyes, particularly Kyle’s, but was that even possible?

  Carrie was sure with just a smidge of creativity, she could come up with something and make it look like Chloe had done it. Then she’d lose her good girl image and Kyle would have to question if she was even who he thought she was. Carrie could step in and show him just how awesome she was. How she knew his favorite snack, favorite movie, all those little things that made Kyle who he was. If she knocked Chloe off her pedestal, maybe Kyle would open his eyes and see who had been right in front of him the entire time. Carrie.

  That was it. She’d make Chloe look less like Miss Perfect and be there to let Kyle down softly. Then, she’d make her move. It wasn’t foolproof yet, but it would be. She’d already thought of doing something like this before, but she’d never felt that determined. Maybe the time had come.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Was it just me or was Mom totally avoiding Holly’s question?” Lissa asked after they’d set up the Monopoly game in her room. They’d considered setting it up downstairs, but decided it would be better to be away from the adults for a while. Katie had already made them stop playing once so they could help with a few chores. Once they’d had the chance to escape, they had.

  Holly had been taking in the movie posters that hung on the almost turquoise walls in Lissa’s room. It definitely looked like a teenager’s room. Books were scattered everywhere, and clothes were on every surface. It was refreshing.

  “I noticed it too,” Steven admitted. “That’s not like her at all.”

  “Really?” Holly asked. “I just assumed she never talked about any of it.”

  “That’s the thing,” Steven began. “She’s normally extremely open about everything. She’s a big believer in not keeping secrets. Has been for as long as I can remember. I’ve never seen her act cagey like that. Something’s up.”

  “But why not just answer? And why would she not tell Grandpa?” Lissa asked. “Why wouldn’t Grandpa want to see Holly?”

  Holly had been wondering the same thing. She’d been telling herself since dinner that maybe it was just the way things were here. After all, she didn’t know them that well. Who’s to say they weren’t a secretive family? But now she knew that Lissa and Steven had noticed it, too.

  “So you’re saying, this kind of thing is not the norm around here?” she asked.

  “Definitely not,” Steven insisted. “Of course, I don’t know that anyone has ever tried to talk to her about Aunt Maggie. It’s always been one of those subjects we didn’t talk about. Like, we knew it would upset her, so we just avoided it completely.”

  “Hmm,” Holly said. “If I were back home, I’d ask Brigid for her investigative skills. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t done my own share of investigating…,” she trailed off.

  “What do you mean?” Lissa asked.

  “Brigid has helped our local sheriff with a few investigations here and there. I pretty much know how she does it. I even caught a student at my school who posted this mean picture of one of the teachers. Surely figuring out what’s going on in the family shouldn’t be too hard?”

  Holly was starting to feel as though this was s
omething that needed to be uncovered. Buried secrets weren’t healthy in a family. She didn’t want anyone else to be hurt or suffer if they didn’t need to. What if her mother hadn’t felt as though she’d been abandoned by her family? The thought of piecing it all together excited Holly, but she was going to need help.

  “How can we help?” Steven asked, determined.

  “I’m not completely sure right now,” Holly admitted. “We need to think this through.” She began chewing on the inside of her cheek as she tried to imagine the best way to start.

  “Lissa, do you have some sort of notebook? Maybe we can compare the stories that we’ve heard about what happened and see if there’s anything that doesn’t add up. By the way, I don’t know if Katie told you, but she’s not really my mom,” Steven said.

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “My mother died not too long after she had me. Dad met Katie and they got married. Lissa is Katie’s and dad’s daughter, but Katie has always treated me as if I was her biological son. She’s really pretty cool.”

  “Thanks for telling me,” Holly said. “Lissa, what about a notebook?”

  “I’ll get it,” she said as she stood up and went over to her desk. Pulling open one drawer after another, she finally found a spare spiral notebook and a pen.

  “What do you know about why my mom left or what have you been told?” Holly asked. She never imagined that there could possibly be two sides to the story. How would she feel if she found out her mother had been in the wrong?

  When she was younger, she’d have tea parties all alone, dreaming of having her grandparents, cousins, and other family members be there. It was so lonely growing up, and it would hurt if she found out her mom had taken the opportunity away just because of some argument or whatever. There had to be a much bigger reason why she left and never went back.