Chapter 1 - broken dream

»This is so much fun!« Lily clasped her finger in Brandon’s and enjoyed their ride in the roller coaster.
A little later, they walked the pier together, she holding a Belgian waffle coated with whipped cream, while he sipped at a black coffee. »Thank you for taking me. I was not sure about this at first, but its really great.«
Brandon smiled at her. »Wait until you see our room. You will like the trip even more, I promise.«
His green eyes watched her with care and affection. Once more, Lily wondered how she could be so lucky as to find the perfect man.
»I thought the last few weeks were quite tough for you and wanted to give you a break.« He bent down and kissed her gently.
Brandon’s phone rung and he frowned. He was very successful at his job as a vice-director of an advertising agency. In contrast to other companies in this field, Phil, the owner and a close friend of Brandon’s had made it an iron rule, that there were no business calls in after hours, therefore it had to be something urgent. Brandon reached for his phone and answered the call. Before he spoke, he walked a few steps away for privacy. Lily could read from his expression, that the matter was grave.
When Brandon walked back to her, Lily could read in his expression, that something was wrong.
»What is it, sweetheart? You look serious.«
Instead of answering, Brandon pulled her close and held her in his arms for some time. His embrace had an almost desperate feeling to it. Lily buried her face in his shoulder and closed her arms around his slim, toned waist.
When he released her, his expression was neutral. Almost as if he wouldn’t want to betray his true feelings.
»It’s something important at work. I am very sorry, but I will have to return immediately.«
He looked at the Ferris wheel in the distance and Lily meant to see a sad shimmer in his green eyes.
»But you should really stay. The train connection back to New York is great. I will probably need a few days to work things out, but will call you afterwards.«

»These were the last words I heard from him since three and a half weeks. I know how this sounds, but I am not a lunatic. I have been at his flat. He has not been at home and the Mail has not been collected. I even went to his work. Phil was hesitant, but in the end, he told me that Brandon had asked him for some time off, at least six months. He just vanished, Cheryl.«
The other end of the line stayed quiet for a moment.
»I am so sorry to suggest this, Lily, but could it be that he ghosted you?«
Lily had had the same thought. Of course, she had followed this path of thinking, but something inside her was so convinced, that Brandon loved her.
»This would be quite something to pull off just to get rid of an unwanted girlfriend. He could have told me. And besides, I know we have only been together for four months, but for me, it is love.«
»I am so sorry for you. Shall I come over? Stay with you overnight?«
Suddenly, a plan formed in Lily's mind. »No. I will lay down and get some sleep, but thanks.«
»I call you tomorrow then.«

Not an hour later, Lily stood in front of a grumpy old man, who held out the keys to Brandon’s apartment to her.
The concierge of the building didn’t seem to want to let go of the key, so Lily snatched it from his fingers.
»This is only, because I have seen you here before and I am worried because of Mr. Bells sudden disappearance.«
Lily bit her lower lip. »But he did pay the rent, didn’t he?«
The older man shrugged his shoulders, »the landlord didn’t evict him. so I guess he did.«
Lily felt a pang of guilty conscience when she entered Brandon’s flat. She had been here before, invited, though they spend most of their time together at her place. She didn’t want to start sneaking around straight, so, Lily started to sort the mail into letters and correspondence and bulk mail creating two neat stacks.
Her thoughts wandered to her call with Cheryl. She hadn’t lied to her friend regarding Brandon’s last words to her. What she did omit was a string of messages Brandon had sent her about a week ago.
Dear Lily, I need some time alone. This is not about you; it is all because of me. I wish things were different, but they aren’t. Please forgive me, you deserve far better, love B.
Lily's eyes scanned the room. Everything looked like the few times she had been here. Neat. Tidy. Probably a little too clean. That had also been the reason why they usually spend time at her place. She noticed the red light blinking on the answering machine. A message. Lily felt like in a bad spy movie when she pressed the play button. It was a woman’s voice.
»Brandon please pick up. I know you planned something different for your life, but we need you. Please come home. I am so sorry, I know how much you care for your life and the girl.«
Lily listened to the message for two more times. So, Brandon did care about her. Or was the woman referring to another girl? She sat down at Brandon’s desk. Her eyes fell on a picture lying there. As far as Lily knew the only one in the whole flat. She recognized a teenage aged Brandon, his older brother and parents. While his mother and Brandon were of slender built, his father and brother were bulky, bordering to fat. Nevertheless, Lily had to admit, that besides the full cheeks and massive bellies of father and brother, the resemblance to Brandon was astonishing with their dark full hair and green eyes. In a way, they did look good even with their plump frames and the sagging flab swelling over their belts.
Lily picked up the picture and turned it. It read Pinetree, Christmas 2010. Brandon told her he came from a secluded space somewhere in Alaska. He had used to tell her funny stories about Pinetree, his brothers and cousins and their mischief without any particulars as to the exact place.
Lily googled the place and was rewarded with only three very idyllic pictures of snow coated roofs and impressive landscapes. When she left the flat with the picture and Brandon’s mail, she knew what she had to do.