Just The Boy Next Door

The next morning felt almost like a dream. Naomi's bedroom door had been shut since she left the other day for the frat house. I could have sworn I heard her giggled a few times before going to sleep the night previous, but it was just my mind having trouble adjusting.

As my eyes opened, I found myself along in my bed. Confused and concerned all in one, I hurried to the bathroom and threw on some sweat pants and a t-shirt. Most of my things I had packed away due to my ever growing infant-to-be, but such is life, I supposed. Making my way down the stairs, I realized the entire house was empty. I was about to panic until I heard Andy's voice on the front porch.

Opening the front door, I interrupted what was a conversation between Andy and what looked to be a detective.

"Good morning, beautiful," Andy half smiled and waved me over to the lawn in front of the stoop, "This is Detective Morgan; she has taken Naomi's case."

"Oh," I felt almost instant relief, "Hi, I'm Deanna Martenson, Naomi's best friend."

"Good Morning, Miss Martnenson," the woman smiled and nodded, "I am sorry for your loss; we spoke with Miss Sparks' parents this morning and they said we should head over to these two houses first."

"Since everything happened here, as I was telling the detective, I figured the group of us could be more of use." Andy nodded in Agreement with himself.

"Thank you, Mr. Biersack, for your input this morning," Morgan nodded at Andy, "Miss, do you have a minute?"

"For you, and about Naomi," I sighed heavily, "I have a lifetime."

Kissing Andy before he wandered over to the frat house, I sat on the porch with the detective.

"Now, we already know who did this," the detective spoke plainly, "But, we don't know exactly how to get her to come out of hiding and admit the wrong doing publicly, or to even find her. Is there any information on your aunt that you might have? It would help us greatly."

I thought long and hard; I knew my aunt and uncle had a vacation home in Norfolk and went their every spring. Also, Selena had spoken about an old boyfriend of her mom's buying her a small cottage in Roanoke to have when she and Uncle Tom split for a short bit. Telling this information to the officer before me felt like we were at least one step closer; a small step, but a step none the less.

"Alright, well what can you tell me of her character as you and Miss James grew up?"
The detective sat with pen in hand, waiting for key points, words, and phrases.

"I'm not sure what Selena talked with you about this morning, but I remember," I wiped a tear off of my face, "I remember being ten years old, excited to go see Aunt Maggie and Uncle Tom for the summer, and it was like a light switch. Mags wasn't the usual loving, cheerful aunt I had grown up knowing. She started singling me out, and not in a positive way. I called my mom two weeks into being there in hysterics, asking her and dad to come pick me up. In doing so, they talked with my uncle, who was the only parent home then. My Aunt had run out for a bit. My uncle said that Mags had told him about her new job with Coach, the hand bag company, saying she can finally kick the mediocre living good-bye, and that the family will have more money and opportunities that before."

"So, this change was slow to develop?"

"Oh, no ma'am," I shook my head rapidly, "As soon as I left, my dad received a call about how my summer visits wouldn't happen anymore; how I was a distraction to my cousin's new found greatness. The wealth and upper class lifestyle really sunk into Maggie's head the wrong way. She snapped; no one was good enough anymore. Especially anyone who was middle or lower class. I was just lucky Selena would stay over randomly when ever her parents would go out of town for a long period of time."

"Thank you, Miss Martenson," the detective closed her notebook, "Miss James spoke with us early about how your aunt was really losing it around Christmas."

"Yes, ma'am, really badly, too."

"Well, I hope I can gather more information. We will call out a search in Norfolk and talk to..." she paused and looked back at her notes, "Who was your aunt's boyfriend for that short period?"

"Russell; Russell Carrington. He was an executive for Wells Fargo in the area."

"Thank you. We will stay in touch."


Watching the officer walk back to the frat house, I saw Andy come out the door and welcome the woman inside again, only to close it behind him. By the looks of things, it had been a long day already, and it wasn't even noon.

"Hey, princess," Andy's voice was soft as he reached me, "Jake told me that we were to go to Natalie and Chaz's today. He wouldn't tell me why, but it would be the three of us."

Nodding, I furrowed my brow, confused again.

"I'm thinking it might have to do with Naomi's funeral and celebration of life services."

"I think so, too," I followed my fiance inside as he opened the door, "How is Jake today, by the way?"

"A wreck, to say the least," Andy sat on the couch and stared down at his hands, "I mean, I don't even know what to say. I don't know how to give him comfort. I almost feel like a shitty friend, to be quite honest."

"But you aren't a shitty friend, baby," I moved to the couch and sat down next to him, "You being their for him shows you care, more than anything. He is hurting so much; the company and love from you and the guys makes it better. I promise."

Smiling, he turned and kissed my forehead, pulling me close.

"I don't know what I would do without you," he whispered, "I don't even want to imagine how Jake is feeling right now, Deege. That is why I feel like a shitty friend."

Pulling away, I stood up and grabbed his hands, leading him to the kitchen to sit with me while I had my one cup of coffee.

"Baby, it is only natural to feel that way," I looked at him after I had grabbed a mug from the cupboard, "I would feel the same way had the tables been turned; if it was your best friend, and not mine."

"I guess you're right," the tall, slender man shrugged, "I still feel like shit, though."

"We all do, love. Time will help heal."


The morning seemed to zip by after the visit by the detective. Everyone gave small bits of information that could, minus Jinxx and Jake, who hadn't met my aunt before. Around 1:30 in the afternoon, post shower and small lunch, Jake, Andy, and myself found ourselves in my car, heading to one of my childhood homes; the Sparks'.

"I'm so sorry I have been out of it, you two," Jake apologized as well pulled into the Sparks' family driveway, full of vehicles.

"Dude, you just lost your girlfriend," Andy winced and looked at his friend, "I don't blame you. neither of us do, man."

"Yea, but Naomi was DJ's best friend," Jake shook his head, still in disbelief, "Practically her sister."

Doing my best to stop tears from forming, I blinked my eyes rapidly, unable to say was I wanted to say; unable to let him know I had spent my entire life with her, and he only got to spend what seemed to be a moment in time. I understood more than he thought.

"Well," I stuttered as Andy turned off the car, "Let's see what this is about."

Making our way up to the front door, the storm door was closed but you could see inside. Being waved in by Delvin, the three of us entered with care.

"Hey, DJ," the Richmond officer spoke softly as he hugged me, "How are you holding up?"

"Oh, just barely," I managed to smiled, "How are mom and dad?"

"It finally hit mom this morning," he looked towards the kitchen at the pile of dished in the sink, "Her usually spotless house was a disaster this morning when I came over. Janelle and Eva are in the living room, going through picture albums. For a slide short; for Mimi."

I looked around the archway at the two oldest Sparks children, who had laid out every single album the family owned, going through pictures of Naomi. It made me sad to realize that they were, indeed, about the bury their baby sister.

"That is sweet, Delvin," I looked back at the man, "Who is organizing it?"

"Janelle's husband, Jason, is flying in from being away on business this weekend," Delvin cleared his throat, "He is a graphic designer; brilliant man. Only met Naomi, maybe, four times since they have been married."

"Hmm," I frowned, "I haven't heard of him."

"No shocker there," Delvin chuckled, "Janny eloped with him."

Pleasantries and gossip aside, Jake was called away to help Chaz with something as Andy and I were told to sit with Natalie.

"Oh, DJ, honey," the and watery eyed woman stood up slowly, "I'm so glad you came."

Hugging me tightly, but not too tight, the woman began to cry again. I held onto her as Andy hugged us both, Natalie looking up at him.

"Young man," Natalie sniffled, "You have taken amazing care of my DJ. You know, her father and my husband have known one another since high school? Friends even back then. DJ is like a daughter to me; which brings me to my point."

Natalie waved us over the the couch as she showed us what she had been working on; it looked like a list.

"DJ, honey, I know you and Mimi had that agreement, so I need you to go through her stuff here as well as your house. Anything you want to keep, or find a need for, go ahead and take. Everything else, will be donated to the Sparks Awareness Fund."

I cocked my head, not understanding what she meant.

"We started a fund in Naomi's name for victims' families of these types of crimes. We are lucky to be able to pay in full for this; most people can't." Natalie points down the list, "Andrew, I want you to help her while she is here, but I would like it if both you and Jake were paul bearers."

Andy's eyes instantly got misty as he nodded. I knew he would be honored, especially since Naomi was technically the person who brought us two together in August.

Finally finishing up with Natalie, I grabbed Andy by the hand and lead him upstairs to Naomi's old bedroom. Opening the door, it looked exactly as she left it in high school. Band posters everywhere, dark colors adorned the walls, and not to mention the random hot pink shag rug. She was a wild child, much the same as CC, but not nearly as reckless.

"Oh wow, babe," Andy giggled heavily, "She had an interesting sense of decoration."

"Tell me about it," I rolled my eyes as I made a bee line for her bed to dig underneath it, "She picked out the colors, and I helped her paint it. She was out of her mind then, I swear."

Lifting the bed-skirt I pulled out the first plastic container full of stuff. Deciding to just pull everything out before going through things, I yanked four more plastic cases out from under her old bed.

"Holy fucking shit, Deege," Andy's eyes were wide, "What is all of this?"

I giggled at him and smiled.

"You will see."

The first container held notebooks with original songs, music, and the like. Naomi was quite the creative being growing up; I often wondered why she didn't take creative writing in college, or high school for that matter.

"These can't be donated, but I know what I can do," I piled the books off to the side, "I think we can pick out a bunch and get them published, and maybe read one or two at the wake. What do you think, love?"

Andy nodded, head stuck deep in a book of poems Naomi had written in 10th grade. By the look on Andy's face, I could tell he was impressed. Putting it down, he decided to help me with the rest.

About two hours later, we had three piles going. Under the bed, the closet, and her desk were cleaned out completely as I opened the top drawer to her dresser. Mostly empty, a note to me gazed up into my face.

"Huh," I paused and picked up the folded up paper, "An old note from Naomi to me."

Andy looked over my shoulder as I read out-loud

DJ,
I know you are away at music camp this summer, but I wanted to tell you something, and I'm being serious.
You have been my best friend through everything, and I could never thank you enough. You have believed in me when many wouldn't, and stood by me when many didn't. This next school year, our freshman year of college, should be one of our best.
I wanted to write this for you so you have a reminder of how amazing you are, and that no matter what happens in life, I love you, lady bug.
Forever Your Best Friend,
Nay (Bumble Bee).

To most it would be simplistic, but the note drove me to tears. I clutched the piece of paper firmly like she could feel my embrace. I had been hiding how I truly felt about everything because I wanted to be there for Jake; I wanted to be there for Naomi's family.

But, I wasn't thinking about what I needed.

Helping me to the floor again, Andy hugged me for a few minute before he got up to get some bags to bring home the items we decided to take. Having cleaned the entire room top to bottom and then some, the space was almost bare.
Returning with Chaz, Natalie, and Jake in tow, all I could do was stand and rush over the the group of people in the doorway.

"I'm so sorry," I sobbed, eyes blurry, "I have to go home now; I can't do this."

Nodding, the Sparks' understood. Jake wrapped his arm around me as he lead me out to the car while Andy grabbed the items we were taking home. The Sparks family bid there good-byes then as we hurried home to deal with the drama that was unfolding.

Notes

Sorry for the long hiatus. With so much going on in my personal life, I have put posting on the back burner. But, I'm back! Let me know what you think of the revisions so far!