Ridgewood Town

Chapter 5

Sophia

June 23

Tuesday, 7:37AM

The sky is dark with the clouds having a gray hue. People swarm around the vast field. The wind blew strongly. When rain drops heavily on the ground, creating a shallow hole, white umbrellas are raised. We usually get a friendly blow of wind on summer days but today we got the rain. It felt like the season is grieving with us.

In the center of the field, a small platform was built. A guy in his suit stands before a conference table. He was silent for a few minutes and just kept on staring at everyone. He is Mayor Dave Garinder, the town’s mayor. And right now, he is about to give his eulogy.

Ridgewood town wasn’t too large nor too small. It was all enough for people to meet everyone and know everyone. Throughout the years, everyone created a strong bond and such. Dave and his family have been friends with Taylah for years, since I can remember. But it's really hard to accept this sudden change. Taylah’s death will haunt us forever. It was too sudden. And following the news about Luis’ disappearance makes it weird, suspecting. Detective Philips hasn’t told me anything yet.

“We all know Taylah. She was a mother to me when my late mom, Amanda, died.” A voice rang around the field and stopped me from thinking. Dave cleared his throat, and before he could hide it, everyone heard him sniffle. It was too much. My heart aches and memories of Taylah flash before my eyes.

Taylah was one of those people who have been remarkable in this town. Most parents have had to do double work in the past years, only having the choice of dropping their children at Taylah’s home and Taylah will happily take us in. I still remember our routine back in the days. Taylah would wake us up at 6am in the morning to pray. And then we will have some toast and a glass of milk for breakfast. She taught us gardening and knitting while Henry, her husband, always helped us build our treehouse. In their house, we learn how to love, how to dream, and how to respect each other. We are truly blessed to have met them. They are one of the most amazing people in the world. And if I had got one chance to wish, I wish they were here, alive.

“When we needed help, Taylah would always happily take us in. She gave our family warmth and comfort. I remember when I had problems with dealing with my daughter, she advised me and guided me. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.”

I have never seen Dave break down like this, but I don’t want it either. Not with the reason of having someone dying.

He was silent for a few seconds and all we could hear were his little sniffles and whispers. Jeanette Garinder walks to the front and hugs her dad. I can’t see it clearly but I know she was crying. Jeanette can be described as a young sweet girl, but not everyone likes her. Even if she acted sweet, she was never kind. She always gets jealous and wants all the attention on her. She is self-centered, as my boyfriend always says. Well, that’s how Luis has described her to me. I never knew Jean nor have been friends with her, but Luis knows her better.

She may have done things badly but this is the first time I ever saw her cry and it’s because of Taylah. Just like the other kids in this tiny town, she was too taken care of by Taylah. Taylah had already adopted her as her granddaughter. That means their relationship are strong. And despite Jean being mischievous and playful at times, Taylah has always been so patient with her.

“Nana always tells me that I am loved.” Her voice is soft. “I can’t accept what’s happening right now. Luis…”

A tear escaped my eyes when his name came from her mouth.

“Luis is still missing. I-,” her voice quivered. “I want to say this to everyone since I know you are all thinking he did this to Taylah.”

Her dad immediately walked to her and whispered something in her ear. I saw her hand fist into a ball and anger flashed before her eyes. She looked at her dad and said the words I had been telling Detective Philips.

“He would never hurt Taylah.” With that, she left the stage.

Luis can never do that. But now, I wonder how could a person hurt Taylah? She helped many people in this town. How could someone do horrible things like that? And they are even framing it on Luis. I don’t even believe that her death was a suicide. I don't see any reasons for someone to hate her either.

For someone who loves life, why would she do that?

Taylah and Henry loved kids but they only had one, Luis Mason Sr. He died in an airplane crash with his wife when they were about to go out of New York. They left Luis and never came back. They both took care of Luis and made him the man he is now. Henry wouldn't want to see this if he were alive right now. Their family don't deserve any of this.

“Sophia,” a light tap on my shoulder distracted me from my thoughts and when I looked at the person, it was Jeanette Gardiner. Her plum-colored hair stands the most in the crowd, her face so pale and streams of tears visible in her cheeks. She wears a

black blouse with a cape sleeve that flutters every time she wipes her tears.

“Jeanette, I don’t know what to do anymore,” I quickly dried the tears welling up in my eyes. “Luis is missing and I can’t even do anything. My parents locked me in my room and don’t want me to be involved. I need to find him.” She continued to stare at me and I felt like I acted like we were friends. “Is there something wrong?”

“You’re supposed to ask me something, Sophia. My father said you caused a scene when the officers we’re investigating. And that Luis is alive,” she said the last words, almost a whisper that I'd only caught the ‘sssh’ from her words.

“What do you mean?

“I know you saw how dad stopped me from telling everyone that Luis wasn’t involved.” She suddenly looked around and rolled her eyes. “We shouldn’t be talking here. Follow me.”

She beckoned me to walk away from the crowd and so I did. We were a few meters away from them when she started to laugh loudly, almost crazily, that gave me shivers.

“Everyone’s acting like they never knew Luis! Sophia, you know Luis will never do that. That asshole has always been gentle. And Dad, I hate him! He is blaming it all on Luis like he never knew him” Her words left me mute. That only means I wasn’t all alone.

“Someone killed Taylah.” My words are firm. Taylah would never kill herself, as I was sure.

“Everyone seems to be acting strangely after Taylah’s death, Sophia. I can’t even trust my parents right now. They’ve locked me in my room for three days too. Gosh, how can they suspect Luis?”

She speaks so fast and quietly as she keeps on looking around.

"Are you okay? You keep on looking around."

“They’re gonna get suspicious now that they can’t see me.”

“Who?” I tried looking around but I couldn't see anyone looking in our direction.

“The eyes that watch," she answered quickly. She opened her clutch bag and handed me a small piece of paper. “Call me,” she said, and walked away.

I waited a few minutes before I made my way back to my spot. I saw another girl in the crowd staring at me, Ana Ricotta. If Jeanette Gardiner was a young, sweet girl with a twisted mind, Ana Ricotta was far worse. She’s one of those girls who likes to gossip and loves rumors. She currently runs this online platform for social issues and some aren’t even reliable. I hope she won’t slander Luis. I don’t want to imagine what’s going on in her mind right now, but I hope she wasn’t suspecting Luis too. Jeanette and Ana have been in and out of detention for the past few years, but Ana’s case will always be the worst as they always bully her and blame her for the consequences they’re getting after news from her platform broke out. I don’t understand the reason for her stares, or the words she’s saying right now, as she keeps staring at me.

“…Miss Sofia Chase. Sofia?”

A sudden call from the stage broke our gazes.

A familiar body built by a tall man called out to me. He was wearing a black tuxedo and was smiling warmly at me. He was standing on the stage as he was trying to hand me the stage. I reluctantly got up from my seat and walked onto the stage. Peyton Wilkinson, my boyfriend's best friend. He is trying to give me a reassuring smile but he’s failing. When I was up on the stage, Wilkinson patted my back and walked down the stage.

I took a deep breath and looked at everyone, taking in the images that I never wanted to see. I have always been scared of other people and have always been a recluse. And now, without Luis on my side, I can’t force myself to be brave. He has been the source of my energy to socialize with people, but now I don’t even know where he is.

Some were looking at me oddly and I understood. For someone who has been the suspected murderer’s girlfriend, I might know something, right? But the truth is I don’t.

“Taylah never wronged anyone. Taylah is a brave woman… she would never kill herself.” Some approving nod that made me calm. Some weeped and some just lowered their heads.

“She loves life. She loves the morning sun… she wouldn’t… she won’t ever kill herself.”

I paused for a few seconds and tried to get the words out of my throat but they got stuck.

I suddenly remembered how Jeanette protected Luis from them and I wanted to do something for him too. Just this once, I have to be brave for him.

Luis would never do anything like that.

“Luis has always been honest with me.” Dave's eyes immediately met mine. He gave me a look like he was about to drag me off the stage if I continued what I was about to say, but I ignored it. Peyton gave me a nod. Jeanette caught my attention when she suddenly clapped, shouting, “She’s right!”

I gathered my thoughts and met everyone’s stares. For Luis, I have to be brave.

“Luis and I have even prepared a surprise for Taylah. We were supposed to give it to her that morning but… someone killed Taylah. And now, my boyfriend is missing and all you are doing right now is grieving and blame it all on him!”

My tears started falling once again and I suddenly felt my chest tightening as it got harder to breathe. With every breath I take, it gets harder to breathe. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I felt my hand weaken.

“Please, stop blaming him.” The moment those words came out, my grip on the microphone loosened.

Time suddenly slowed and I saw the microphone slowly dropping onto the floor. The deafening sound came and the people started to cover their ears. I can’t even cover my ears as my body slowly drops. I suddenly couldn’t move and the words from my mouth became a whisper. In the distance, I saw his family built around the crowd. He still wears the sweatshirt he wore three days ago, but not the smile. He was looking at me, crying, shaking his head.

“Luis…”

I tried to reach for him but he was too far away. I felt Peyton dragging me to my feet. I felt my body being placed on a soft chair. He was saying something but I couldn’t hear anything. My eyes are fixed on Luis. He was still shaking his head and was crying. He was yelling. He was screaming but nobody could hear him. No one was even looking at him. People who were walking walked past him, like he was a floating ghost only me could see.

Mr. Garinder suddenly blocks my view and tries to help me. He was telling me something. I can’t make out the words.

And then he suddenly started walking away.

No. Luis, come back!

I wanted to run to him but my body wouldn’t even budge. I was praying for God to give me back my strength, but instead my body gave up on me.

Why does this always keep on happening?

My vision suddenly went blank.