The Man Who Built His House Upon a Rock Ch 9 pt 2

She spent every possible moment of the next three days with Denis (as he preferred to be called). He was kind, thoughtful, understanding and very much the gentleman. He was on vacation and also visiting Paris for the first time. His had grown-up in Perpignan near the Mediterranean coast. Denis’ passion for history stemmed from a family tradition that Louise Labé, the poet and famous cross-dresser was an ancestor. Virginia thought this was very funny. Her first real kiss was that Sunday afternoon as she and her new friend parted for the last time.

“Denis, I am going to miss you. You have been such a good companion. Thank you.”

His eyes softened in the light reflecting off the Seine. “Petit chou, never have I met a woman so aware of who she is but not fixated upon herself. Most Americans think only about how they look. They are either too beautiful or too ugly. But you, you care for how you make others feel. Someday, you will make a lucky man very happy.”

The depth of their emotions made it impossible to leave with just words or a handshake. Their embrace in the golden sunset seemed to last for eternity. He drew back just enough to gaze into her eyes and then kissed her gently. She responded to the thrill that comes from the discovery of another. His arms were strong about her. The feel of his chest so broad and deep supported her, protected her. She melted into him, ready to be his.

His hands gently grasped around her shoulders but firmly pushed her away. He too desired more than was possible. “Alas, it is time to go.” His voice was unnaturally high. It quivered in the cool air, full of regret and finality.

“Denis, write to me, please. I know we can never be together but you will always be my special friend.”

“Certainement, ma chere amie.”

The downy memories of that time faded slowly from her. She was back in her room at home and packing for college.

The last item on her list was “Find a Best Friend”. The date remained empty as Ginni had never truly found one. Denis seemed like a good candidate but he lived on the other side of the world and her affection for him was confused at best. Some people may have sex at the drop of a hat but no one can become a Lover or best friend in a single weekend. This was something she couldn’t make happen and it bothered her severely. Ginni had always loved to-do lists and completing one gave her great satisfaction.

She looked frustrated for a second, angry that there was something she had not finished. Then the simplest of solutions came to her. Denis would always be special to her. He didn’t have to be just a checked off goal. She grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the list down to fifteen items. The offensive scrap of paper fell slowly to the floor.

“There, all done”, she said brightly while wadding the list into a ball and tossing it into the trash. She was not into nostalgia so much that she could not enjoy a job well done.

Now she was ready to leave for school.

Virginia took the campus by storm. Everyone knew her and no one could keep up. With her parents no longer calling the shots she was able to explore areas of knowledge previously inaccessible to her. She became a Special Advisor to the Student Government for Policy Development; headed fundraisers for a number of on- and off-campus charities; volunteered at the campus health clinic; and, just to round out her personality, made the varsity cheer squad.

In Ginni’s spare time, considerably more than most students since the bulk of her required classes were already behind her when she arrived on campus; she joined every club imaginable, including Dance Appreciation and the He-Man, Woman-Haters: a previously guys-only group dedicated to drinking while watching “Our Gang” and “The 3 Stooges”.

If Ginni’s mind and body had blossomed in the years before college, it was her personality that shone now. No longer did she interrupt people when she thought they were mistaken but listened carefully to everything they said. More often than not she found they had good reason to hold their obviously wrong opinions…or at least acceptable reasons.

She also grew a smidgeon more patient with others. There is an unfortunate side-effect of being a genius: one often finds it difficult to wait for normal people to catch up. Ginni always thought everyone spoke too slow, thought too slow, came to illogical conclusions and just acted like children. She arrived at school to find professors and students who were every bit as intelligent as she was, which served as quite the wake-up call.

All things considered, Virginia was extremely happy. Her natural goodness and kind nature made the adjustments easy. There were still those individuals who would mock or try to cause pain, but she had learned to ignore them graciously. There were associates and friends enough to make this the best time of her life.

Christmas break arrived and the Shelton’s were surprised that Virginia had no plans to come home for the holiday. Feeling hurt and even a little angry they called repeatedly to get nothing but her answering machine.

Hey! Ginni here. If you’re talking to the machine it means I’m out causing trouble. Leave a message and I’ll solve your problems later.

BEEP

“Virginia, its Mom. I’d like to talk about Christmas dear. Call me.”

BEEP

“Ginni, its Mom. Your Father and I would really like to see you. Please call.”

BEEP

“Virginia. It has been two days since I called. Is everything okay?”

BEEP

“Are you angry with us? I don’t know what we did but we can talk it out. Please call.”

BEEP

“Oh Ginni. Please call us! No one seems to know where you are. If we don’t hear from you by tomorrow we’re going to call the police.”

BEEP

“The police say they are going to start asking around for you. We’re coming up there.”

Mr. and Mrs. Shelton arrived on campus near dusk and immediately went to Campus Security. A single officer was on duty for the night shift and he wasn’t too interested in starting a missing persons investigation.

“Mrs. Shelton, I am sure your daughter is fine. These kids go off to school and just sort of forget all about home for a while. Except when they need money right?”

He gave a short chuckle which died quickly. The Sheltons were in no mood for jest.

“Look, the main problem is that she’s an adult. I can’t just go into her room without reason.”

“Reason!?” screamed Hannah. “She hasn’t called us in four days. This is the girl who calls every evening to tell us good night. You don’t think that’s odd?”

The deputy gave a great shuddering sigh.

“Ma’am, I did 20 years in the local Police Department and I’ve been here for another five. I’ve seen almost everything there is to see. Nothing strikes me as odd anymore. I know you are scared and worried. But I can’t go into her room without something more.”

Theo’s face was set like a mask. He had always supported the law but now, when for the first time he needed their help, they couldn’t do anything for him.

“If you thought someone had broken into her room, could you go in then?”

“Of course”, answered the officer. His voice betrayed a little suspicion.

“We’re going to go see if Ginni is in her dorm room. Thanks for your time officer.”

Hannah looked as surprised at the end of the interview as Officer Burdick. Her husband waved away the many protests she tried to make and just said, “Come, let’s go see Virginia.” He escorted her quickly out the door.

Doug Burdick was a conscientious man and cared deeply about others. He had just been on duty for far too many years and seen too many things. The horror was finally more than he could bear when he worked a child abduction case and found the boy’s mummified body stuffed in a sleeping bag and carried around by a long-haul trucker. The child had been dead for two years. After that he retired and joined the UVA Police. Not much emotional baggage in breaking-up frat parties and giving parking tickets.

Doug closed his eyes and shook his head. The image of that kid rose in his mind’s eye. He’d never forgive himself if anything happened to the Shelton girl. His fist slammed hard on the desk, upsetting the large coffee cup.

“Why did these kids have to do this? They frighten their mothers and make everyone go nuts just ‘cause they don’t have the sense to remember that people care about them.”

He stood up, buckled on his gun belt and just reached the door when his phone buzzed.

“Campus Security, Officer Burdick here. Really? Door broken open? I’ll be right there.”

He arrived at Virginia Shelton’s dorm to find her parent standing in the hall. He looked closely at the door which obviously had been kicked in. Quizzically Burdick gazed fully into Theo’s eyes and saw the whole story. Mr. Shelton’s ankle was going to hurt tomorrow. But tonight he had his excuse.

“Miss Shelton? Miss Shelton! It’s Officer Burdick of Campus Security. I’m coming in.”

 Nothing seemed out of order. In fact, Burdick thought her room was abnormally organized. Everything seemed to be labeled, straightened, alphabetized and sorted. It was a bit like living in a library.

They moved carefully into the living room. There was her purse on the table next to a set of keys and a small wad of bills. He saw no signs of burglary or struggle. Mrs. Shelton moved quickly to the bedroom and despite Doug’s warning she pushed open the door.

There on the bed lay Virginia Shelton. Hannah rushed to her side and shook the girl furiously. As she turned over the smell of alcohol filled the room. Only then did they notice in the dim light a very large pile of beer and liquor bottles.

“Ginni! Ginni! Are you okay?”

The girl half awoke and muttered something about zombies then passed out again.

Her father was the first to notice the angry red irritation on her left inner arm where a brand new tattoo had been inked.

Officer Burdick was the only one to see the pair of men’s boxer shorts half under the bed. He toed them out of sight while their attention was occupied.

“No reason for them to learn about that right now”, he thought. “Damn inconsiderate kids.”