Chapter Five
As John was walking out of the dining area he spotted Star. She waved at him and winked. John smiled at her and began walking toward her. Once in front of her he smiled just enough to show some dimple. She sighed and began to fan herself. “Danger you just know how to get to me.” She said to him.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He said. She smiled at him and licked her lips. “So,” he said to her. “Have you seen Angel?” Her eyes filled with disappointment and her smile faded.
“Oh, last I heard she was upstairs making friendly with Tank.” Star said with an eye roll.
“Tank the security guard?” John asked.
“Yeah, only he has the graveyard shift so he’s not working right now. She went to the ring area, you know where you fought that weasel fellow, to let out some feeling through kickboxing. Tank was there and I guess she decided to let out her feeling a different way.” Star said with a smirk.
John felt a bit of jealousy kick in but he blinked it away. “She do that a lot?” he asked Star.
“Never, she’s really been surprising me lately. Word also is someone saw her coming out of the stair well. No one goes into the stair well for anything good.” Star said with a head shake. John sighed and Star laid a hand on his chest. “Don’t you worry your sexy little head Dan. They would never be in your room. Angel is more… cautious then that.”
John nodded his head and smiled at Star. “Trust me,” he said “I’m not worried.” With those words he winked and walked away. If Angel was out with Tank then the room would be empty. John hurried to the elevator and took it straight to his floor. He pasted everything and every one on his way to his room and opened the door. Once inside he closed the door and made sure to lock it. He removed the book bag and placed it on his bed.
John opened it and looked at the file needing to know it was actually in there. He took it out and opened it. He wanted so bad to figure out what it was about this file that made Angel go pale. John looked at the picture of the girl and focused hard. He noted the facial features that were very similar and then it hit him. Maybe the fact that they looked alike wasn’t some coincidence.
John looked at her contact information and her address. IT was not very far from here and it was in a good location. This made him wonder why such a girl from a good neighborhood wanted a fake ID. John remembered the note that fell out of the file and began looking for it. He looked through the file and then the book bag but he could not find it. John looked at the neatly written “Annie Fairwhether” on the application. There was something about this girl.
John began looking through the tiny drawer that sat between Angel and his’ beds. Finally he found a pen and a note pad. He closed the drawer and held the pad in his hand. With his left hand he wrote down the phone number Annie had given the Illegals. He ripped the paper off the pad and put the paper and pad back in the drawer. He stuffed the file in the book bag and hid it under his bed. He made sure it wasn’t visible and left his room.
Walking down the hall he bumped into some one new. “Sorry,” he said and started walking. Suddenly, John stopped and said “Hey!”. The person stopped and turned around. He looked at John and waited for him to say something.
“My name is Dan what’s your?”
The man simply looked at him weird and muttered “Villain.”
Inside his head John laughed at some of the names these people had. What was so horrible about knowing someone’s real name? “Well, Villain… I was just wondering if you could tell me where I could find a phone.”
“Hit P on the elevator… You can’t miss them. I should warn you though, the conversations are being monitored.” John nodded his head and gave his thanks. He told Villain he’d see him around and moved for the elevators.
John hit P on the elevator and waited for the doors to open. When the doors opened John saw rows of phones with seats in front of them. It was like telephone central. Only about four people were using phones and John saw that they looked like they were planning to stay on long. John stepped out of the elevator and moved for the nearest available phone. He took out the paper with Annie’s number in it and picked up the phone. He heard a dial tone and began to dial.
While the phone rang John looked around. He stretched and searched until he spotted the three cameras that covered all angles of the room. Security was tight in this place. Finally some one answered. A woman’s voice greeted him “The Bankers resident, who’s speaking?”
“The Bankers???” John mouthed to himself not saying a thing. John hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair. Annie Fairwhether was living in the Bankers home? John sighed and considered maybe he dialed the wrong number. He tried again and the same voice answered with the same greeting. John hung up yet again and stood up.
After some thought John decided that maybe it was really nothing. Even if the girl had gave them the wrong number it didn’t matter and this sort of investigation wasn’t worth his time. John threw out the number on his way out of the room and into the elevator. He was being ridiculous.
*********************************
Angel sighed as John entered the room dressed for bed. He gave her a half smile and she just stared at him. She didn’t have strength to smile and neither did she want to smile at him. He moved for his bed and lied down. “I’m so tired my eyes couldn’t stay open on the way over here. Job upstairs get hard.” He said to her. Angel nodded her head and leaned back on her bed. She grabbed a blanket and hid under it. “Good night.” John said to her.
An hour later Angel was still under the blanket. She looked at her watch and thought now was a good time to leave. She had Tank’s hours memorized and she knew for sure he would be working right now. Angel sat up in bed and looked at John whose eyes were closed and he looked relaxed. Angel got out of her bed and changed her clothes making sure to watch John. He moved to scratch his nose and she froze. He rolled over in bed and she sighed. After ten minutes of dressing and getting her shoes on she opened the door to her room and walked out.
Angel walked down the corridor quickly and took the steps. She ran up the steps and got off on the floor C. She stepped out of the stair well and looked around. Everything on this floor was abandoned. Walking further in when she heard the elevator go ding. She stood against the wall next to the elevators. The doors opened and she waited for some one to step out. When no one stepped out but the doors stood open. Angel stepped in front of the elevator and there was no one in sight.
“Come on out…” Angel said to the hiding person. “An elevator just doesn’t show up at a floor on its own.” She waited a couple nervous minutes until finally John stepped out from the side of the elevator and smiled at her. “Danger! What are you doing? Trying to give me the creeps?! Are you following me?!”
“Of course I’m following you.” He said stepping out of the elevator. “What are you doing?”
“Don’t follow me Danger! I’m not doing anything. Just go back to the room.” She said crossing her arms.
“No thanks, besides I don’t want to miss what ever it is you’re doing. Mind telling me what exactly you are doing? Because it looks to me you’re on the same floor where I work.” He said with a smirk on his face.
“Stop smiling…” she mumbled.
“Come on, you can tell me.” He said nudging her.
“Fine, I wanted to get that file of that girl we were looking at earlier.” Angel admitted angrily. She knew he wasn’t going to back down and most of all she knew he knew where the file would be.
“What do you need the file for?” he asked. She didn’t enjoy all his questions. It wasn’t his business and most of all he shouldn’t have been following her!
“Look, I just need it ok. Go back to bed and leave me to be.” She said to him pointing to the elevator. She turned around and walked toward the office. John didn’t move to follow her but he didn’t move to leave. Just as she reached the office door and her hand grasped the door knob John said “It’s not there.”
Angel sighed and looked up at him. “Where IS it then?”
John walked toward her and spoke at the same time. “What ever it is you’re doing I want in on it.”
“Why?” she asked angry at him and disgusted with his demanding tone.
“Because I know you are doing something. You have some kind of plan and I want to know what it is. Just as much as you know I don’t want to be here and I’m pretending to blend in I KNOW that you’re also pretending. I want out of here and if following you and being sneaky is what it takes then I’ll do it.”
“You don’t know me!” she yelled at him throwing her hands in the air.
“You won’t let me!” he yelled back at her. Angel bit down on her lip so pissed at him that he had the audacity to want to get to know her and go with her and anything that had to do with her.
“Fine, you come with me and then you leave and I never have to see you again!” she yelled. She let out a breath and lowered her voice “But first I need that file.”
John nodded his head and reached for the back pack that Angel noticed on his shoulders for the first time. He opened it and handed her the file. She opened it and saw her sister’s picture and couldn’t help but hug the file. “I’ll hold onto it for safe keeping.” She said to him.
He nodded his head yet again and said “So why is it important?”
Angel thought for moments whether she should tell him then decided on it. “This is my sister. Tonight I’m going to see her.”
“Oh…” he said. “Well the number is bogus I already tried it and the Bankers answered not the Fairwhethers.”
“No, after they took me my sister was sent to a foster home only to be adopted by the Bankers.” Angel said simply. She looked at him and rolled her eyes “You are so nosey I can’t believe you called.”
“Well, I’m a determined fellow.” He said with a shrug. Angel laughed and nodded at him.
“Well, we should get going. Tank is expecting me.” She said walking around John and John following her. “He’s going to give us guns and hoods. You are to keep the hood on at all times. He’ll give s glasses to but since its night they’re night glasses. They look like sunglasses but they work like night vision goggles.” She said hitting the elevator button.
“Really?” he said with fascination.
“Yes, we have some good technology Danger.” She said. The elevator doors opened and they both stepped in. She hit the star.
“Cool… so how do you plan on getting past Tank?” he asked. She opened her mouth to reply but he put his hand up and stopped her. “Forget it.” He said “I remember now.”
“Remember what?” She asked.
“Star told me that you went and slept with Tank. Now I see why.” He said with a shrug.
“WHAT?! I did not have sex with Tank!” she said pushing him. “It just so happens that Tank and I got here around the same time. So we’re good friends. We watch each other’s back and do favors for each other. Kind of like how you and Weasel went and teamed up.” She said bitterly.
“Weasel…” he said softly. “We have to bring him with us! I promised I’d get him out. He’ll hate me forever if I just ditch him now.” He said reaching for the stop button.
Angel smacked his hand away and said “I’m pretty sure he hates you already. Besides, we can’t bring him with us. They’ll start getting suspicious if he’s missing. He’s important… Remember dish duty?”
“I remember so what? Won’t they notice us missing too?!” he said.
“Not really… seeing as how we’re in the same room they’ll just assume you and I… you know... and its way easier to let rumors spread about us then to have to stop people from sniffing around about Weasel’s where about.” She said. “He stays and that’s final.” John sighed and leaned against the Elevator walls. The door opened and Tank greeted them with a smile. Angel hoped everything went by smoothly. She would get to talk to her sister and she would get to stop her from making the biggest mistake of her life.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
"Working With an Angel"
Chapter Four
It was early afternoon and Angel was standing in the elevator with John. She hit the C button and waited for the elevator to move. In a minute the elevator doors reopened and they stepped out. Angel led the way down the grey hallway and straight into an office. She pulled out a seat and told him to sit in it.
“So…” she said taking a seat on the desk. “This office here is where you’ll be working for a good amount of time.”
“Really? Wow… free food, a cozy bed and now an office all to myself. You guys just love spoiling me huh?” John said his smile wide showing his perfect teeth.
Angel sighed and looked at him. His eyes were a light tone of grey this afternoon and his hair was brushed back. It looks like he had been running his hands through it for hours leaving it nicely done. With the smile he had on now his dimple showed and angel knew just by the dimples that she was in trouble. If she was to stay focused and do nothing she had to work overtime.
“Look,” she said “Just drop the funny man act ok? Sarcasm was never something I liked and I still don’t. Drop the ‘I’m ok with being here’ act too because I know you’re faking it. I think you should know that just because they act like they’re your friends now it doesn’t mean you can get by them. There is no way out.” Angel finished crossing her hands and sounding bitter.
John’s smile faded and his teeth clenched. He looked at her with a dark glare. “I have no idea what you’re talking about and anyway, don’t you think you should tell me what I have to do and move along?” his voice took on an angry tone and he spoke like he was warning her.
April stiffed her posture and didn’t let him in on her fear. His voice took on new meaning and for the first time in a long time she was intimidated. “Right…” she said looking at him. They stood silent for a couple moments till Angel jumped off from the desk and walked behind it.
“You’ll be working on counterfeit birth certificates and IDs.” Angel said. She opened a drawer and pulled out blank cards and certificates. She hit the button on the printer to turn it on and moved the mouse around on the computer. She invited him to the computer and taught him where to enter information and how to print. She showed him the vent where requests came in and told him to always check. “If Illegals are supposed to take on fake identities then obviously your job is important. Sometimes it’s not Illegals ordering the stuff though. Sometimes its just people who got in contact with an illegal. In that case there’s a picture in the request seeing as how you cant use the computer system to draw up there photos. You’ll have to send it through the printer but set it for scanning.”
John nodded and looked through some paper work. “Like this girl? She’s fifteen and requesting a fake ID that says she’s over eighteen. We know that girl is sneaking of to the clubs.” John pulled up the photo and looked at her. John laughed and Angel gave him an eye brow of question. “Believe it or not I think this girl looks like you.” He said with a smile.
“Ugh, give me the file.” Angel said with skepticism in her voice. John handed her the file and a paper fell out. Angel and John both moved to pick it up but Angel picked it up before he could. He looked at her and shrugged. The paper was folded up and looked like it had been through many hands. On the outside a name was written. “Dawn” It said in print. Angel’s eyes widened at the sight and she quickly pocketed it with John’s back to her. He looked through some more files not saying anything.
Angel opened the file and looked at the photo. Her eyes burned but she held back the tears. It had been years since she saw her little sister Annie. Angel sucked in some air and held onto her composure. She hadn’t cried in so long and she didn’t plan now. Tears, she thought, was a sign of defeat and weakness. Angel wasn’t weak.
“So, what happens to the stuff? How does it get to the people?” John asked turning to her. He looked at her and his eyebrows went down causing his nose to wrinkle. “Something wrong?” he asked. “You’re sort of pale.”
Angel cleared her throat and shook her head. “Nothing wrong,” she said “They are delivered.” She closed the file and handed it to him.
“Like through mail?” he asked.
“No, they’re personally delivered by an Illegal. I might be taking that on as a job.” Angel said thinking to herself that maybe she could see her sister delivering the ID. John nodded his head and moved the mouse on the computer to stop the screen saver. “Hey John…” Angel said. John turned to her with a surprised look.
He smiled and said “What?”
“Danger…” she corrected herself watching his amazing smile fade. “I just remembered that you don’t put the finished product here.” She told him pointing to the vent that connected to the delivers. “Just leave them in this corner and someone comes and picks them up.” She said.
John nodded his head and said “Ok, will do.”
Angel let out a breath and walked away from the desk. She held the door open and paused. She couldn’t believe her sister had managed to get in contact with her. She knew that her sister was brilliant but she couldn’t believe she actually did it. Angel sighed and began walking out the door.
“Angel” John called to her.
“Yes?” she said not turning back to him.
“You sure everything is alright?” He asked.
“I’m fine…” she said walking away from the room.
Angel speed walked down the hall and into the stair case. She walked up a flight of steps and stopped. The stair well wasn’t very well lit but it was good enough. She sat down and reached into her pocket. The stairs was the only place in the whole area that didn’t have cameras. It was perfect for her to read her sister’s letter and nobody see.
Angel sighed and opened the letter. IT was in her sister’s hand writing and just looking at it Angel felt like she had a piece of home in her hands.
Dawn,
Dear God I hope you are alive. I hope you get to read this and I hope you know I never forgot. I remember what happened clear as ever. I remember how you told me you love me so I don’t hate you for leaving. I never could hate you. Since you left I was forced to live in a foster home till this family finally adopted me. They’re ok people and I live in a good neighborhood. Things are settling and Dawn, I think I might actually feel comfortable here with these people. They love me like family.
But they aren’t my family Dawn. You’re my family. I miss you so much Dawn. Everyday I wake up hoping that the pain will go away but it doesn’t. I have to find you Dawn. Even if it kills me I will find you.
I’ve made a major decision. I’m joining the Illegals. Then we can be together and try to get out and be a family again. I know you think it’s impossible but remember what you told me when I was little? You said “Nothing is impossible, things are just improbable.” We can beat probability.
I thought reaching you and finding the organization that took you would be impossible but if you’re reading this letter then Dawn I did it. I’ll do what ever it takes to get to you. I love you Dawn. You’re my sister and my only family. I can’t be happy till I see you again and we’re a family.
Hopefully I can hear form you sometime. Please be alive and please don’t be angry at me.
Love you’re sister,
Annie
P.S. Sorry about the fake ID.
Angel finally let a tear fall but quickly wiped it away. Angel looked at the way Annie’s I’s were dotted with hearts. Her S’s were beautifully written and you could tell this letter was written slowly. Angel couldn’t believe it. She remembered what she read and she knew what it meant but somehow in her head she still couldn’t believe it. No matter how clearly it was written
Angel folded up the paper and placed it back in her pocket. She tried to get up but her body wouldn’t agree. Everything was blurry and her body was heavy. Angel stopped trying and rested her head on the wall. She closed her eyes and let life drift away as she bit down on her lip to hold back sobs.
*********************************
John finished his last ID and put it on the pile. He left them there neatly and stood up. Separated was the filed that he and Angel looked at earlier. Something about the file was different. John could tell that Angel was interested in this folder. John looked around the room and spotted a book bag. He grabbed it and opened it. It was empty and unclaimed so John decided to put the folder in it and take the bag with him. He shut everything down and moved for the door. Worried about the book bag he considered leaving it here but he didn’t want anything to happen to the file. IF anything he would just place it in tomorrow’s pile and everything would be ok.
John closed up the office and headed down the halls. It was a little after dinner and everyone was gone. He walked to the elevator and hit the button. The elevator showed up empty and John debated which floor he would go to. He decided to head to the dining area first. It would be fairly empty and he would get a chance to speak to Newbie.
Within five minutes John was walking into the kitchen area heading for the sink. He had Newbie give him a tour of the kitchen and became friendly with some of the woman who worked in it. Now he had access to the kitchen at anytime. John spotted Newbie standing in front of the sink with his back to John.
“Hey Newbie,” John said walking toward Newbie. Newbie turned around and sighed then turned back. His face was still a bit bruised and John could tell he still hadn’t forgave him for it.
“My name is not Newbie…” he mumbled.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” John said “I meant Weasel.” John smiled at him now standing beside him where Newbie could see him and keep working.
“Keep smiling pretty boy. Just because you think you’re cool and your name is Danger doesn’t mean I’m afraid of you.” Weasel said his teeth clenched.
“Excuse me?” John said looking at Weasel angry.
“What you angry now because you’ve found one person who isn’t afraid to tell you you’re nothing to your face?” Weasel said turning toward him his eyes watery and lit up with fury.
“Listen man, I’m sorry we’re stuck here and I’m sorry they threw me into that ring. I’m sorry I had to beat you up and I’m sorry that you have dish duty. Don’t stand here and be angry at me because life sucks because my life isn’t exactly great right now.” John said his voice stern.
Newbie had a plate in his hand that he held tight. Suddenly, the plate went flying and crashed, breaking into pieces. Newbie let out a scream and well to his knees. He looked up at John his gave infuriated. His cheeks had trails of tears and were red making his bruises seem more then what they were.
“I shouldn’t be here man…” he said looking to the ground. “All I did was forget to pay a couple tickets and some how I end up in jail. Now I’m here and all I want to do is go home.” His voice was full of regret.
John sighed and got down on his knees. He reached to lay a hand on Newbie’s shoulder but hesitated keeping his hand in mid-air. He shook his head and put his hand on his shoulder. “Listen to me,” he said “We will get out some how. Then you’ll be home and everything would be ok. You’re right when you say it isn’t fair but that’s life. You just have to stay strong.”
Newbie shook his head and said “No, no, that’s not what Angel said. She said that you shouldn’t try to leave and don’t anything stupid. We’re never getting out of here.”
“Angel?” John said removing his hand from Newbie’s should and straightening looking down at him. He looked at him for minutes and some how he just knew. “How could you tell her?! No wonder she’s been riding my ass!”
Newbie looked up at him and said “I’m sorry.” His voice pleading. John got to his feet and couldn’t talk anymore. He had trusted Newbie and even tried to help him but he had just gone and opened his mouth.
Finally, John’s voice returned and he said “When they named you Weasel they hit the target on the bull’s eye.” With that John walked out of the kitchen not even looking back. Just another person John couldn’t trust.
It was early afternoon and Angel was standing in the elevator with John. She hit the C button and waited for the elevator to move. In a minute the elevator doors reopened and they stepped out. Angel led the way down the grey hallway and straight into an office. She pulled out a seat and told him to sit in it.
“So…” she said taking a seat on the desk. “This office here is where you’ll be working for a good amount of time.”
“Really? Wow… free food, a cozy bed and now an office all to myself. You guys just love spoiling me huh?” John said his smile wide showing his perfect teeth.
Angel sighed and looked at him. His eyes were a light tone of grey this afternoon and his hair was brushed back. It looks like he had been running his hands through it for hours leaving it nicely done. With the smile he had on now his dimple showed and angel knew just by the dimples that she was in trouble. If she was to stay focused and do nothing she had to work overtime.
“Look,” she said “Just drop the funny man act ok? Sarcasm was never something I liked and I still don’t. Drop the ‘I’m ok with being here’ act too because I know you’re faking it. I think you should know that just because they act like they’re your friends now it doesn’t mean you can get by them. There is no way out.” Angel finished crossing her hands and sounding bitter.
John’s smile faded and his teeth clenched. He looked at her with a dark glare. “I have no idea what you’re talking about and anyway, don’t you think you should tell me what I have to do and move along?” his voice took on an angry tone and he spoke like he was warning her.
April stiffed her posture and didn’t let him in on her fear. His voice took on new meaning and for the first time in a long time she was intimidated. “Right…” she said looking at him. They stood silent for a couple moments till Angel jumped off from the desk and walked behind it.
“You’ll be working on counterfeit birth certificates and IDs.” Angel said. She opened a drawer and pulled out blank cards and certificates. She hit the button on the printer to turn it on and moved the mouse around on the computer. She invited him to the computer and taught him where to enter information and how to print. She showed him the vent where requests came in and told him to always check. “If Illegals are supposed to take on fake identities then obviously your job is important. Sometimes it’s not Illegals ordering the stuff though. Sometimes its just people who got in contact with an illegal. In that case there’s a picture in the request seeing as how you cant use the computer system to draw up there photos. You’ll have to send it through the printer but set it for scanning.”
John nodded and looked through some paper work. “Like this girl? She’s fifteen and requesting a fake ID that says she’s over eighteen. We know that girl is sneaking of to the clubs.” John pulled up the photo and looked at her. John laughed and Angel gave him an eye brow of question. “Believe it or not I think this girl looks like you.” He said with a smile.
“Ugh, give me the file.” Angel said with skepticism in her voice. John handed her the file and a paper fell out. Angel and John both moved to pick it up but Angel picked it up before he could. He looked at her and shrugged. The paper was folded up and looked like it had been through many hands. On the outside a name was written. “Dawn” It said in print. Angel’s eyes widened at the sight and she quickly pocketed it with John’s back to her. He looked through some more files not saying anything.
Angel opened the file and looked at the photo. Her eyes burned but she held back the tears. It had been years since she saw her little sister Annie. Angel sucked in some air and held onto her composure. She hadn’t cried in so long and she didn’t plan now. Tears, she thought, was a sign of defeat and weakness. Angel wasn’t weak.
“So, what happens to the stuff? How does it get to the people?” John asked turning to her. He looked at her and his eyebrows went down causing his nose to wrinkle. “Something wrong?” he asked. “You’re sort of pale.”
Angel cleared her throat and shook her head. “Nothing wrong,” she said “They are delivered.” She closed the file and handed it to him.
“Like through mail?” he asked.
“No, they’re personally delivered by an Illegal. I might be taking that on as a job.” Angel said thinking to herself that maybe she could see her sister delivering the ID. John nodded his head and moved the mouse on the computer to stop the screen saver. “Hey John…” Angel said. John turned to her with a surprised look.
He smiled and said “What?”
“Danger…” she corrected herself watching his amazing smile fade. “I just remembered that you don’t put the finished product here.” She told him pointing to the vent that connected to the delivers. “Just leave them in this corner and someone comes and picks them up.” She said.
John nodded his head and said “Ok, will do.”
Angel let out a breath and walked away from the desk. She held the door open and paused. She couldn’t believe her sister had managed to get in contact with her. She knew that her sister was brilliant but she couldn’t believe she actually did it. Angel sighed and began walking out the door.
“Angel” John called to her.
“Yes?” she said not turning back to him.
“You sure everything is alright?” He asked.
“I’m fine…” she said walking away from the room.
Angel speed walked down the hall and into the stair case. She walked up a flight of steps and stopped. The stair well wasn’t very well lit but it was good enough. She sat down and reached into her pocket. The stairs was the only place in the whole area that didn’t have cameras. It was perfect for her to read her sister’s letter and nobody see.
Angel sighed and opened the letter. IT was in her sister’s hand writing and just looking at it Angel felt like she had a piece of home in her hands.
Dawn,
Dear God I hope you are alive. I hope you get to read this and I hope you know I never forgot. I remember what happened clear as ever. I remember how you told me you love me so I don’t hate you for leaving. I never could hate you. Since you left I was forced to live in a foster home till this family finally adopted me. They’re ok people and I live in a good neighborhood. Things are settling and Dawn, I think I might actually feel comfortable here with these people. They love me like family.
But they aren’t my family Dawn. You’re my family. I miss you so much Dawn. Everyday I wake up hoping that the pain will go away but it doesn’t. I have to find you Dawn. Even if it kills me I will find you.
I’ve made a major decision. I’m joining the Illegals. Then we can be together and try to get out and be a family again. I know you think it’s impossible but remember what you told me when I was little? You said “Nothing is impossible, things are just improbable.” We can beat probability.
I thought reaching you and finding the organization that took you would be impossible but if you’re reading this letter then Dawn I did it. I’ll do what ever it takes to get to you. I love you Dawn. You’re my sister and my only family. I can’t be happy till I see you again and we’re a family.
Hopefully I can hear form you sometime. Please be alive and please don’t be angry at me.
Love you’re sister,
Annie
P.S. Sorry about the fake ID.
Angel finally let a tear fall but quickly wiped it away. Angel looked at the way Annie’s I’s were dotted with hearts. Her S’s were beautifully written and you could tell this letter was written slowly. Angel couldn’t believe it. She remembered what she read and she knew what it meant but somehow in her head she still couldn’t believe it. No matter how clearly it was written
Angel folded up the paper and placed it back in her pocket. She tried to get up but her body wouldn’t agree. Everything was blurry and her body was heavy. Angel stopped trying and rested her head on the wall. She closed her eyes and let life drift away as she bit down on her lip to hold back sobs.
*********************************
John finished his last ID and put it on the pile. He left them there neatly and stood up. Separated was the filed that he and Angel looked at earlier. Something about the file was different. John could tell that Angel was interested in this folder. John looked around the room and spotted a book bag. He grabbed it and opened it. It was empty and unclaimed so John decided to put the folder in it and take the bag with him. He shut everything down and moved for the door. Worried about the book bag he considered leaving it here but he didn’t want anything to happen to the file. IF anything he would just place it in tomorrow’s pile and everything would be ok.
John closed up the office and headed down the halls. It was a little after dinner and everyone was gone. He walked to the elevator and hit the button. The elevator showed up empty and John debated which floor he would go to. He decided to head to the dining area first. It would be fairly empty and he would get a chance to speak to Newbie.
Within five minutes John was walking into the kitchen area heading for the sink. He had Newbie give him a tour of the kitchen and became friendly with some of the woman who worked in it. Now he had access to the kitchen at anytime. John spotted Newbie standing in front of the sink with his back to John.
“Hey Newbie,” John said walking toward Newbie. Newbie turned around and sighed then turned back. His face was still a bit bruised and John could tell he still hadn’t forgave him for it.
“My name is not Newbie…” he mumbled.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” John said “I meant Weasel.” John smiled at him now standing beside him where Newbie could see him and keep working.
“Keep smiling pretty boy. Just because you think you’re cool and your name is Danger doesn’t mean I’m afraid of you.” Weasel said his teeth clenched.
“Excuse me?” John said looking at Weasel angry.
“What you angry now because you’ve found one person who isn’t afraid to tell you you’re nothing to your face?” Weasel said turning toward him his eyes watery and lit up with fury.
“Listen man, I’m sorry we’re stuck here and I’m sorry they threw me into that ring. I’m sorry I had to beat you up and I’m sorry that you have dish duty. Don’t stand here and be angry at me because life sucks because my life isn’t exactly great right now.” John said his voice stern.
Newbie had a plate in his hand that he held tight. Suddenly, the plate went flying and crashed, breaking into pieces. Newbie let out a scream and well to his knees. He looked up at John his gave infuriated. His cheeks had trails of tears and were red making his bruises seem more then what they were.
“I shouldn’t be here man…” he said looking to the ground. “All I did was forget to pay a couple tickets and some how I end up in jail. Now I’m here and all I want to do is go home.” His voice was full of regret.
John sighed and got down on his knees. He reached to lay a hand on Newbie’s shoulder but hesitated keeping his hand in mid-air. He shook his head and put his hand on his shoulder. “Listen to me,” he said “We will get out some how. Then you’ll be home and everything would be ok. You’re right when you say it isn’t fair but that’s life. You just have to stay strong.”
Newbie shook his head and said “No, no, that’s not what Angel said. She said that you shouldn’t try to leave and don’t anything stupid. We’re never getting out of here.”
“Angel?” John said removing his hand from Newbie’s should and straightening looking down at him. He looked at him for minutes and some how he just knew. “How could you tell her?! No wonder she’s been riding my ass!”
Newbie looked up at him and said “I’m sorry.” His voice pleading. John got to his feet and couldn’t talk anymore. He had trusted Newbie and even tried to help him but he had just gone and opened his mouth.
Finally, John’s voice returned and he said “When they named you Weasel they hit the target on the bull’s eye.” With that John walked out of the kitchen not even looking back. Just another person John couldn’t trust.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
"American Family"
Chapter Three
Jolene pushed her cart through the toddler aisle heading straight for the baby section. So excited about being Jial-li’s God mother she decided to go shopping for her. This morning she got up and traded children with Chrissy. When she arrived at the children’s place she so peacefully put baby Jia-li in the seat in the cart and walked through the door. Now she was speeding past sizes that weren’t meant for Jia-li and focusing on clothes that would actually fit her.
Jolene flipped through some clothes and smiled at the outfits. “Aw… I remember this when Adyli was this small.” The baby looks up at her and said nothing. “you’re right… it is perfect!” Jolene exclaimed throwing the outfit into the cart.
Jolene flipped through some more clothes and added into the cart a couple more outfits. “Ok… done with the outfits. Let’s go shoe shopping Jia-li!” Jolene said with a smile. She pushed the cart around some till she found the shoe section. “I’m going to buy the shoes just a little bigger so they can last longer.”
The baby nodded her head and giggled. No doubt she understood about nothing that Jolene said but in her world it must be entertaining to not be able to understand. Jolene wished her life was like that. If she giggled every time she couldn’t bring herself to understand college would have been much more fun then it really was and raising a family would be more entertaining then the circus. Jolene thought about it and declared that the circus wasn’t all that entertaining after all. It was a bad comparison.
After she picked out two pairs of shoes she moved onto an aisle little Jia-li wasn’t quite ready for. Children’s underwear. The aisle brought Jolene into memories of her own children.
”Well here we are Adyli.” Jolene aid to her two year old daughter. Jolene’s stomach was huge and ready to blow with her new baby boy. Her daughter looked at the aisle and cringed. “what’s wrong?” Jolene asked. Jolene made an attempt to knee down to her daughter but realized it wasn’t going to happen.
“They’re pink…” Adyli said. Jolene smiled and realized her daughter had much in common with her. Jolene didn’t agree with the pink underwear either, so she grabbed her daughter’s hand and moved her down the aisle.
“Ok... pick one.” Jolene said pointing to the new variety of underwear.
“But these are for boys...” the young girl said.
“But they aren’t pink!” Jolene said. “That’s what matters most. Besides, who says girls can’t wear Batman or Spiderman?”
Adyli shook her head and moved back to the girls section. She picked up a pink princess underwear package and handed it to Jolene. “You crazy.” She said.
Jolene laughed at the memory and looked at Jia-li. “You may have a crazy family… but we love you so much.” Jolene said to the child kissing her on the forehead.
The rest of the shopping went smoothly and before soon it was lunch time and Jia-li and Jolene were in the car heading back to Chrissy’s home. The car ride was quiet as always and Jolene was more then happy to return to her loud children. They were hyper and Jolene wouldn’t change one thing about them.
Jolene knocked at Chrissy’s door holding Jia-li in one hand and bags in the other. Chrissy opened the door and looked at them. She shook her head and grabbed the bags from Jolene’s hand. “You really over did it.” Chrissy said peaking into the bags.
“I couldn’t help it. I just love this little girl! She is my FIRST niece. I HAVE to spoil her.” Jolene said.
“Yeah, yeah.” Chrissy said. Every one settled into the living room all children accounted for. The door bell rang and Chrissy looked at Jo. Jolene shrugged and signaled for Chrissy to open the door. Chrissy got up and walked to the door. She opened it and all Jolene heard was “aw.” Jolene got up and walked to the door. Standing before them was a lip pouting, tear shedding, holding her stomach Lydia.
“Lyd! What’s wrong?!” Jolene asked both Chrissy and Jolene moving to wrap Lydia in their arms. Lydia shed some more tears and swallowed hard.
“I’m going to be a mother. That’s what’s wrong. How could I be a mother? I’m not ready for this. I’m just starting my law career. I can’t have a kid.” She said letting out some sobs.
The girls pulled Lydia into the home and closed the door. The three walked to the couch and all sat down with Lydia in the middle. “Lyd being a mom isn’t that bad.”
Lydia shook her head. “No, being a mom is wonderful. But along with being a parent comes with a lot for changes. I don’t want to stop working. I don’t want to be a stay at home mom.” Lydia said frantically.
“Being a mom doesn’t mean giving up your career Lyd.” Chrissy said rubbing a hand on Lydia’s back.
“Oh yeah? Is that why Jo quit her medical career or why you took a part time job in the beauty salon only to quit?” Lydia said.
Both Jolene and Chrissy sighed and knew it would take a lot to make Lydia felt better. They looked at each other and both knew what to do. “I’ll get the ice cream.” Chrissy said. Lydia nodded and said “No strawberry! It makes me sick.”
“Aw, Lyd this pregnancy is really getting to you huh?” Jolene said.
“I don’t know, I guess. I really just never liked strawberry ice cream.” Lydia said shaking her head holding her stomach.
Jolene knew that this afternoon they would have to help Lydia as she had with both of them. For the first time they would have to deal with Lydia pregnant. Unexpectedly laughter burst from deep inside Jolene and Lydia looked at her like she was crazy. Lydia pregnant was going to be so amusing to watch.
******************************
Danny sat in his car in silence. This morning had been a blur and so had last night. Everything that followed his dinner with Brianna just became a blur. He couldn’t remember the last words his wife said to him. Only thing he could remember was kissing her this morning and saying “I love you” in his far away and hollow sounding voice. She repeatedly asked him what was wrong and he continuously told her nothing.
Now Danny sat across the street from a hospital. Brianna had called him and asked if she could change their lunch plans. He foolishly said yes and she told him she wanted to meet him in a hospital. He was supposed to go into this hospital and see his “daughter”. Danny sighed and corrected himself. He was to meet his “dying daughter”.
Danny could not understand why Brianna would bring this girl into his life so many years later only for him to loose her. Brianna had gone off into this personal fear her daughter had. She shared with her mother that she didn’t want to die with out meeting her father. How could Danny not sow up? What if this girl thought he was her father and he wasn’t? Everything was confusing.
His car already parked he turned off the car and opened his door. He stepped out and locked the doors before closing his door. He swallowed hard and walked up tot the hospital. He headed straight for the entrance and stood in front of the hospital receptionist. “I’m here to visit some one…” he said.
“Room and name please?” she said.
“Danielle Rothens Room 314.” The person wrote out a pass for him and directed him to the elevator. In the elevator he considered the fact that she had a name that was based on his. The door open and unfortunately he found the room quickly. His hand on the door knob he took a deep breath.
Danny opened the door to the smell of IV and medication. The room had a TV playing and the curtains hid the patient in the bed in the far corner of the room. Danny walked slowly and his heart screamed for him to just turn around. He knew he didn’t have to do this. He didn’t owe either of them anything. He wasn’t even sure this child was his. Some how his feet kept moving and it wasn’t long till he was past the curtains and looking at the young child who fought for her life.
Her skin was a soft dark tone. Her eyes were closed and the heart rate monitor beat. An IV was attached to her arm and more tubes connected to her nose. She was a very beautiful looking girl and even though Danny had yet to speak to the child or even confirm that she was his he loved her already.
“She’s gorgeous and she’s yours… Ours.” Brianna said from behind him. He was aware she must have entered after him and watched him struggle with the image in front of him.
“She is….” He said his voice soft not wanting to disturb the child. Danny approached her bed and took her fragile hand into his. He let a tear fall as he shook his head. He bent down and kissed her hand. “I’m here…” he said.
Jolene pushed her cart through the toddler aisle heading straight for the baby section. So excited about being Jial-li’s God mother she decided to go shopping for her. This morning she got up and traded children with Chrissy. When she arrived at the children’s place she so peacefully put baby Jia-li in the seat in the cart and walked through the door. Now she was speeding past sizes that weren’t meant for Jia-li and focusing on clothes that would actually fit her.
Jolene flipped through some clothes and smiled at the outfits. “Aw… I remember this when Adyli was this small.” The baby looks up at her and said nothing. “you’re right… it is perfect!” Jolene exclaimed throwing the outfit into the cart.
Jolene flipped through some more clothes and added into the cart a couple more outfits. “Ok… done with the outfits. Let’s go shoe shopping Jia-li!” Jolene said with a smile. She pushed the cart around some till she found the shoe section. “I’m going to buy the shoes just a little bigger so they can last longer.”
The baby nodded her head and giggled. No doubt she understood about nothing that Jolene said but in her world it must be entertaining to not be able to understand. Jolene wished her life was like that. If she giggled every time she couldn’t bring herself to understand college would have been much more fun then it really was and raising a family would be more entertaining then the circus. Jolene thought about it and declared that the circus wasn’t all that entertaining after all. It was a bad comparison.
After she picked out two pairs of shoes she moved onto an aisle little Jia-li wasn’t quite ready for. Children’s underwear. The aisle brought Jolene into memories of her own children.
”Well here we are Adyli.” Jolene aid to her two year old daughter. Jolene’s stomach was huge and ready to blow with her new baby boy. Her daughter looked at the aisle and cringed. “what’s wrong?” Jolene asked. Jolene made an attempt to knee down to her daughter but realized it wasn’t going to happen.
“They’re pink…” Adyli said. Jolene smiled and realized her daughter had much in common with her. Jolene didn’t agree with the pink underwear either, so she grabbed her daughter’s hand and moved her down the aisle.
“Ok... pick one.” Jolene said pointing to the new variety of underwear.
“But these are for boys...” the young girl said.
“But they aren’t pink!” Jolene said. “That’s what matters most. Besides, who says girls can’t wear Batman or Spiderman?”
Adyli shook her head and moved back to the girls section. She picked up a pink princess underwear package and handed it to Jolene. “You crazy.” She said.
Jolene laughed at the memory and looked at Jia-li. “You may have a crazy family… but we love you so much.” Jolene said to the child kissing her on the forehead.
The rest of the shopping went smoothly and before soon it was lunch time and Jia-li and Jolene were in the car heading back to Chrissy’s home. The car ride was quiet as always and Jolene was more then happy to return to her loud children. They were hyper and Jolene wouldn’t change one thing about them.
Jolene knocked at Chrissy’s door holding Jia-li in one hand and bags in the other. Chrissy opened the door and looked at them. She shook her head and grabbed the bags from Jolene’s hand. “You really over did it.” Chrissy said peaking into the bags.
“I couldn’t help it. I just love this little girl! She is my FIRST niece. I HAVE to spoil her.” Jolene said.
“Yeah, yeah.” Chrissy said. Every one settled into the living room all children accounted for. The door bell rang and Chrissy looked at Jo. Jolene shrugged and signaled for Chrissy to open the door. Chrissy got up and walked to the door. She opened it and all Jolene heard was “aw.” Jolene got up and walked to the door. Standing before them was a lip pouting, tear shedding, holding her stomach Lydia.
“Lyd! What’s wrong?!” Jolene asked both Chrissy and Jolene moving to wrap Lydia in their arms. Lydia shed some more tears and swallowed hard.
“I’m going to be a mother. That’s what’s wrong. How could I be a mother? I’m not ready for this. I’m just starting my law career. I can’t have a kid.” She said letting out some sobs.
The girls pulled Lydia into the home and closed the door. The three walked to the couch and all sat down with Lydia in the middle. “Lyd being a mom isn’t that bad.”
Lydia shook her head. “No, being a mom is wonderful. But along with being a parent comes with a lot for changes. I don’t want to stop working. I don’t want to be a stay at home mom.” Lydia said frantically.
“Being a mom doesn’t mean giving up your career Lyd.” Chrissy said rubbing a hand on Lydia’s back.
“Oh yeah? Is that why Jo quit her medical career or why you took a part time job in the beauty salon only to quit?” Lydia said.
Both Jolene and Chrissy sighed and knew it would take a lot to make Lydia felt better. They looked at each other and both knew what to do. “I’ll get the ice cream.” Chrissy said. Lydia nodded and said “No strawberry! It makes me sick.”
“Aw, Lyd this pregnancy is really getting to you huh?” Jolene said.
“I don’t know, I guess. I really just never liked strawberry ice cream.” Lydia said shaking her head holding her stomach.
Jolene knew that this afternoon they would have to help Lydia as she had with both of them. For the first time they would have to deal with Lydia pregnant. Unexpectedly laughter burst from deep inside Jolene and Lydia looked at her like she was crazy. Lydia pregnant was going to be so amusing to watch.
******************************
Danny sat in his car in silence. This morning had been a blur and so had last night. Everything that followed his dinner with Brianna just became a blur. He couldn’t remember the last words his wife said to him. Only thing he could remember was kissing her this morning and saying “I love you” in his far away and hollow sounding voice. She repeatedly asked him what was wrong and he continuously told her nothing.
Now Danny sat across the street from a hospital. Brianna had called him and asked if she could change their lunch plans. He foolishly said yes and she told him she wanted to meet him in a hospital. He was supposed to go into this hospital and see his “daughter”. Danny sighed and corrected himself. He was to meet his “dying daughter”.
Danny could not understand why Brianna would bring this girl into his life so many years later only for him to loose her. Brianna had gone off into this personal fear her daughter had. She shared with her mother that she didn’t want to die with out meeting her father. How could Danny not sow up? What if this girl thought he was her father and he wasn’t? Everything was confusing.
His car already parked he turned off the car and opened his door. He stepped out and locked the doors before closing his door. He swallowed hard and walked up tot the hospital. He headed straight for the entrance and stood in front of the hospital receptionist. “I’m here to visit some one…” he said.
“Room and name please?” she said.
“Danielle Rothens Room 314.” The person wrote out a pass for him and directed him to the elevator. In the elevator he considered the fact that she had a name that was based on his. The door open and unfortunately he found the room quickly. His hand on the door knob he took a deep breath.
Danny opened the door to the smell of IV and medication. The room had a TV playing and the curtains hid the patient in the bed in the far corner of the room. Danny walked slowly and his heart screamed for him to just turn around. He knew he didn’t have to do this. He didn’t owe either of them anything. He wasn’t even sure this child was his. Some how his feet kept moving and it wasn’t long till he was past the curtains and looking at the young child who fought for her life.
Her skin was a soft dark tone. Her eyes were closed and the heart rate monitor beat. An IV was attached to her arm and more tubes connected to her nose. She was a very beautiful looking girl and even though Danny had yet to speak to the child or even confirm that she was his he loved her already.
“She’s gorgeous and she’s yours… Ours.” Brianna said from behind him. He was aware she must have entered after him and watched him struggle with the image in front of him.
“She is….” He said his voice soft not wanting to disturb the child. Danny approached her bed and took her fragile hand into his. He let a tear fall as he shook his head. He bent down and kissed her hand. “I’m here…” he said.
Monday, January 29, 2007
"Working With an Angel"
Chapter Three
John finally opened his eyes after two hours of pretending he was asleep. He looked at Angel’s bed and saw that she was sound asleep. John sat up and swiftly slid out of his bed. He watched her for a minute then moved away from the bed. He walked to the door and held the knob in his hands. He listened to Angel’s breathing for a bit making sure she was still sleeping and then opened the door. He stepped out and closed the door behind him.
John looked down the long halls. They were completely abandoned. The halls looked cold and lonely. They told the story of a harsh society that they were surrounded by. It was one in the morning and John wanted to look around a bit. He certainly wasn’t considering trying to make a run for it but he wanted to take a personal tour around.
John walked down the hall and passed the doors. This led him into a small area with two couches and elevator doors. He pressed the button and waited for the elevator to come. It came after a long wait and he stepped in. He battled between which floors he would press and decided to go for the one with a star. While the elevator traveled John looked around. He paid attention to the stop button on the elevator and the emergency phone that would reach the security office. Looking up he spotted a camera. Of course, where there was a security office there would be a million little screens watching the actions of people.
Finally the doors opened and John took a step out but was forced to stop abruptly when a large man stood in his way and bounced him back a couple steps. “Can I help you?” The man said.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This must be the wrong floor.” John said looking past him out to the doors that looked like they could possibly lead to the outside world. The doors were made of glass but even from here John knew that they weren’t normal glass doors. If John had to take a guess he would say they were bullet proof glass mirrors. John could see out but nobody could see in.
“Can I see your ID sir?” The large man said. John observed the large man and noted his ID said his name was tank. Tank had an ear piece that wired into his outfit. His outfit was an all black quit. Tank was bald and his voice was deep.
John reached into his back pocket slowly and retrieved his ID. He handed it to the man who stepped to the side and swiped it in a machine. The screen on the machine popped up and John saw something flashing on the side of the screen. John couldn’t understand what was going on but suddenly Tank was smiling.
“Well Danger looks like you are on the wrong floor. I’ll help you.” Tank pushed John into the elevator and out of the way. He handed him his ID and pushed the L button on the elevator. He stepped out of the elevator and held a hand to his earpiece. He waved to John with a smile and the elevator doors closed. John felt a sort of panic hit him but he swallowed it. He wasn’t going to admit he was scared now.
So far John had swallowed everything that he had been told today with out crying. His instincts were to scream and morn the life he had just lost or the major change he had just made in his life. Instead though, he took it in calmly and embraced it. He knew sometime in his life luck had to go his way and he would find a way out.
The elevator doors opened at the floor and John stood still. Everything was quiet and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. John cautiously stepped out of the elevator and suddenly was attacked. A cloth bag was thrown over his head and he was knocked to the floor. His arms were tied behind his back and he was stunned yet again. His body shut down and he was unaware of what was happening around him.
John opened his eyes again maybe an hour later. He had gained feeling back in his body and he knew he was being carried away. The same hands that carried him were now flinging him through the air where he hit the ground with a loud thud. John’s hands were now free so he removed the sack over his head immediately to reveal he was sitting in the middle of a ring.
John stood up and looked out at the loud crowd that screamed and shouted foul words surrounding the ring. Suddenly another person was thrown into the ring. He removed the cloth that covered his head as John did and went wide eyed. It was newbie. John took a moment to stand up and shook his head. Just then a referee joined them in the ring through means of climbing onto the ring platform.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome and thank you for coming to this lovely match. Here we have a set of new members battling off against each other. The loser will receive a months worth of dish duty!” the crowd responded with and overwhelming loud “ohhhhhh”. The ref nodded his head and signaled for the two to walk over to him.
“Ok listen to me, you guys need to fight and fight good. Once you have one pinned and down for three seconds you have won. No holding onto each other and no biting. Other then that you’re free to do as you please.” He said to them.
“This is ridiculous. Can I say no to this? I never exactly agreed to do this.” John said to the man.
“You’re doing it whether you want to or not.” He said. “Now shake hands!” the ref added.
John shook his head and grabbed Newbie’s hand. He shook it and said to him “I’m very sorry about this.” He knew what he was about to do.
Three hours later John walked into his room with a sore body. He won the match and showered. He put on the clothes he had been supplied with earlier and threw his body onto the bed. His eyes closed instantly and he was off into a better world.
***********************************
Angel sat at the table with Star eating her breakfast. She watched John as he sat at another table with some of the other guys who had quickly come to adopt him. She ate slowly and said nothing. Last night she heard John sneak out of the room and this morning she woke up with him sleeping on the edge of his bed. His lip was busted and he had bags under his eyes. She considered asking him what happened when he sneaked out but she knew she’d find out through Star.
Star was a short black woman with tender hazel eyes. She loved to gossip and lived to spread rumors. Star was first to here about anything and everything. She knew every one and kept track of who knew others more then just friends. Star was perking and nice which made everyone trust her. Star was Angel’s best friend. Star ended up in the Illegals through means of following her boyfriend. Star made the mistake of falling in love with a bad boy, bad news, bad everything man. He joined the Illegals and begged her to follow him. Year’s later poor star was here on her own. Her boyfriend had been killed during an operation.
“Mmmm he looks damn fine.” Star said looking at John also. “I can see why they named him Danger because honey those looks could kill.”
Angel shrugged and said “He’s not all that great.”
Star turned to her and asked “You know him?”
“Yeah…” Angel paused and watched him laugh. “I’m stuck with him. I recruited him.”
“Ouch, good job girl.” Star said patting her back. “I heard last night he entered the ring. I heard he won big time and now all the guys are just loving him.”
Angel nodded her head at the information. “Who’d he fight?”
“Some nobody. He’s new… his name is Weasel.” Star laughed at her words and angel stared at her. “He looks like a softy.” She pointed to a corner car in the eating lounge. “I think that’s him. He’s quite beat up.”
Angel gathered her breakfast and everything together and got up. She walked to the trash can and threw it all out. Star followed her throwing her stuff away also. Angel looked at Weasel and shook her head. She began walking to him and Star grabbed a hold of her. “Where are you going?” she said. “You can’t talk to Weasel… he’s a loser. He’s got dish duty for the next month.”
“For God’s sake Star this is not high school. I can very well speak to anyone I want.” Angel told her pulling herself free from Star’s grip.
“Well, fine.” Star said to her. “I’ll go talk to Danger over there. I think he’s interested I’ve caught him looking over here a couple times. Think I got a chance?”
“Nope.” Angel said more of hoping she didn’t have a chance. Angel just couldn’t figure this guy out. He had been here about two days and already he was Mr.popular, already he was hanging with the guys and beating people up. Maybe Angel had him categorized all wrong. Angel reached Weasel’s table and sat down.
He stiffened and looked at her fear in his eyes. “I’m not here to bother you. Sorry about what happened last night. Some of these guys can be real asses.”
Weasel nodded his head frantically. “You got that right. I hate this place, its stupid. I’d rather be in prison then be here.”
“I’m glad to here that. At least some one has their sanity and isn’t over there becoming one of those guys.” Angel said rolling his eyes.
“He’s fake...” Weasel muttered.
Angel raised her eye brows. “What?”
“He’s fake.” He said louder. “After the ring he told me he’s going to get us out. He doesn’t want to be here just as much as I don’t. Only he told me I should be smarter and try to blend in and act like them. He’s fake. They think he’s one of them but he isn’t.” Angel nodded her head surprised as to what she heard.
At first glance John looked happy here but she guessed if you did focus in you sensed that he was uncomfortable. “Well, although I wish things could possibly be different… no matter what he does. He’s stuck here. I advise you do as he said and I advise you tell him not to try anything stupid.” With those words Angel got up and walked over to the crowd around John. She stood by them and watched as they each poke and laughed a cocky laugh.
John turned to her and looked at her. He got up and moved towards her. “So there’s my favorite girl in the world.” he said with a smile. He stood close to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Angel stood hypnotized not even seeing the watching eyes that stood their mouths open shacked that he had done what he did. He looked down into her eyes and she was locked into a different world. Buck cleared his throat and Angel finally reacted. Her hand flew as she smacked him across his face. Her hands balled up into fists and she punched him in the stomach. He stumbled back and she inhaled her breath. The crowd laughed and Angel shook her head.
“Don’t do that again.” She said to him. She walked away hearing comments about her traveling through the crowd.
“That’s Angel for you.” Buck said. Angel rolled her eyes and continued on her way.
John finally opened his eyes after two hours of pretending he was asleep. He looked at Angel’s bed and saw that she was sound asleep. John sat up and swiftly slid out of his bed. He watched her for a minute then moved away from the bed. He walked to the door and held the knob in his hands. He listened to Angel’s breathing for a bit making sure she was still sleeping and then opened the door. He stepped out and closed the door behind him.
John looked down the long halls. They were completely abandoned. The halls looked cold and lonely. They told the story of a harsh society that they were surrounded by. It was one in the morning and John wanted to look around a bit. He certainly wasn’t considering trying to make a run for it but he wanted to take a personal tour around.
John walked down the hall and passed the doors. This led him into a small area with two couches and elevator doors. He pressed the button and waited for the elevator to come. It came after a long wait and he stepped in. He battled between which floors he would press and decided to go for the one with a star. While the elevator traveled John looked around. He paid attention to the stop button on the elevator and the emergency phone that would reach the security office. Looking up he spotted a camera. Of course, where there was a security office there would be a million little screens watching the actions of people.
Finally the doors opened and John took a step out but was forced to stop abruptly when a large man stood in his way and bounced him back a couple steps. “Can I help you?” The man said.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This must be the wrong floor.” John said looking past him out to the doors that looked like they could possibly lead to the outside world. The doors were made of glass but even from here John knew that they weren’t normal glass doors. If John had to take a guess he would say they were bullet proof glass mirrors. John could see out but nobody could see in.
“Can I see your ID sir?” The large man said. John observed the large man and noted his ID said his name was tank. Tank had an ear piece that wired into his outfit. His outfit was an all black quit. Tank was bald and his voice was deep.
John reached into his back pocket slowly and retrieved his ID. He handed it to the man who stepped to the side and swiped it in a machine. The screen on the machine popped up and John saw something flashing on the side of the screen. John couldn’t understand what was going on but suddenly Tank was smiling.
“Well Danger looks like you are on the wrong floor. I’ll help you.” Tank pushed John into the elevator and out of the way. He handed him his ID and pushed the L button on the elevator. He stepped out of the elevator and held a hand to his earpiece. He waved to John with a smile and the elevator doors closed. John felt a sort of panic hit him but he swallowed it. He wasn’t going to admit he was scared now.
So far John had swallowed everything that he had been told today with out crying. His instincts were to scream and morn the life he had just lost or the major change he had just made in his life. Instead though, he took it in calmly and embraced it. He knew sometime in his life luck had to go his way and he would find a way out.
The elevator doors opened at the floor and John stood still. Everything was quiet and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. John cautiously stepped out of the elevator and suddenly was attacked. A cloth bag was thrown over his head and he was knocked to the floor. His arms were tied behind his back and he was stunned yet again. His body shut down and he was unaware of what was happening around him.
John opened his eyes again maybe an hour later. He had gained feeling back in his body and he knew he was being carried away. The same hands that carried him were now flinging him through the air where he hit the ground with a loud thud. John’s hands were now free so he removed the sack over his head immediately to reveal he was sitting in the middle of a ring.
John stood up and looked out at the loud crowd that screamed and shouted foul words surrounding the ring. Suddenly another person was thrown into the ring. He removed the cloth that covered his head as John did and went wide eyed. It was newbie. John took a moment to stand up and shook his head. Just then a referee joined them in the ring through means of climbing onto the ring platform.
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome and thank you for coming to this lovely match. Here we have a set of new members battling off against each other. The loser will receive a months worth of dish duty!” the crowd responded with and overwhelming loud “ohhhhhh”. The ref nodded his head and signaled for the two to walk over to him.
“Ok listen to me, you guys need to fight and fight good. Once you have one pinned and down for three seconds you have won. No holding onto each other and no biting. Other then that you’re free to do as you please.” He said to them.
“This is ridiculous. Can I say no to this? I never exactly agreed to do this.” John said to the man.
“You’re doing it whether you want to or not.” He said. “Now shake hands!” the ref added.
John shook his head and grabbed Newbie’s hand. He shook it and said to him “I’m very sorry about this.” He knew what he was about to do.
Three hours later John walked into his room with a sore body. He won the match and showered. He put on the clothes he had been supplied with earlier and threw his body onto the bed. His eyes closed instantly and he was off into a better world.
***********************************
Angel sat at the table with Star eating her breakfast. She watched John as he sat at another table with some of the other guys who had quickly come to adopt him. She ate slowly and said nothing. Last night she heard John sneak out of the room and this morning she woke up with him sleeping on the edge of his bed. His lip was busted and he had bags under his eyes. She considered asking him what happened when he sneaked out but she knew she’d find out through Star.
Star was a short black woman with tender hazel eyes. She loved to gossip and lived to spread rumors. Star was first to here about anything and everything. She knew every one and kept track of who knew others more then just friends. Star was perking and nice which made everyone trust her. Star was Angel’s best friend. Star ended up in the Illegals through means of following her boyfriend. Star made the mistake of falling in love with a bad boy, bad news, bad everything man. He joined the Illegals and begged her to follow him. Year’s later poor star was here on her own. Her boyfriend had been killed during an operation.
“Mmmm he looks damn fine.” Star said looking at John also. “I can see why they named him Danger because honey those looks could kill.”
Angel shrugged and said “He’s not all that great.”
Star turned to her and asked “You know him?”
“Yeah…” Angel paused and watched him laugh. “I’m stuck with him. I recruited him.”
“Ouch, good job girl.” Star said patting her back. “I heard last night he entered the ring. I heard he won big time and now all the guys are just loving him.”
Angel nodded her head at the information. “Who’d he fight?”
“Some nobody. He’s new… his name is Weasel.” Star laughed at her words and angel stared at her. “He looks like a softy.” She pointed to a corner car in the eating lounge. “I think that’s him. He’s quite beat up.”
Angel gathered her breakfast and everything together and got up. She walked to the trash can and threw it all out. Star followed her throwing her stuff away also. Angel looked at Weasel and shook her head. She began walking to him and Star grabbed a hold of her. “Where are you going?” she said. “You can’t talk to Weasel… he’s a loser. He’s got dish duty for the next month.”
“For God’s sake Star this is not high school. I can very well speak to anyone I want.” Angel told her pulling herself free from Star’s grip.
“Well, fine.” Star said to her. “I’ll go talk to Danger over there. I think he’s interested I’ve caught him looking over here a couple times. Think I got a chance?”
“Nope.” Angel said more of hoping she didn’t have a chance. Angel just couldn’t figure this guy out. He had been here about two days and already he was Mr.popular, already he was hanging with the guys and beating people up. Maybe Angel had him categorized all wrong. Angel reached Weasel’s table and sat down.
He stiffened and looked at her fear in his eyes. “I’m not here to bother you. Sorry about what happened last night. Some of these guys can be real asses.”
Weasel nodded his head frantically. “You got that right. I hate this place, its stupid. I’d rather be in prison then be here.”
“I’m glad to here that. At least some one has their sanity and isn’t over there becoming one of those guys.” Angel said rolling his eyes.
“He’s fake...” Weasel muttered.
Angel raised her eye brows. “What?”
“He’s fake.” He said louder. “After the ring he told me he’s going to get us out. He doesn’t want to be here just as much as I don’t. Only he told me I should be smarter and try to blend in and act like them. He’s fake. They think he’s one of them but he isn’t.” Angel nodded her head surprised as to what she heard.
At first glance John looked happy here but she guessed if you did focus in you sensed that he was uncomfortable. “Well, although I wish things could possibly be different… no matter what he does. He’s stuck here. I advise you do as he said and I advise you tell him not to try anything stupid.” With those words Angel got up and walked over to the crowd around John. She stood by them and watched as they each poke and laughed a cocky laugh.
John turned to her and looked at her. He got up and moved towards her. “So there’s my favorite girl in the world.” he said with a smile. He stood close to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Angel stood hypnotized not even seeing the watching eyes that stood their mouths open shacked that he had done what he did. He looked down into her eyes and she was locked into a different world. Buck cleared his throat and Angel finally reacted. Her hand flew as she smacked him across his face. Her hands balled up into fists and she punched him in the stomach. He stumbled back and she inhaled her breath. The crowd laughed and Angel shook her head.
“Don’t do that again.” She said to him. She walked away hearing comments about her traveling through the crowd.
“That’s Angel for you.” Buck said. Angel rolled her eyes and continued on her way.
"Working With an Angel"
Chapter Two
Four years later…
John lay on his bed in his 12 by 10 cell. He had the top bunk and the newbie had the bottom. It took him four years to gain respect and now that he had it he was no longer the newbie on the bottom bunk. He was among the ones on the top. For four years he spent his days in here trying to survive. Jail was hard on a man. It hurt john to imagine he had two more years left till he was out but then again after jail he probably wouldn’t have anymore feeling left in him.
John was proud of the fact that he had yet to kill some one and during his entire time here he’d only fought some one once. Most of his time he spent reading and writing letters to his now three year old son and other times he worked out and played football. Life was a routine and nothing changed. While in here he’d gained a degree in law and he was sure by the time it was time for his parole hearing he’d be able to do a better job then the lawyer he hired in the beginning.
He was a convict now and that was a horrible idea. All his life he’d thought that time healed everything but he was wrong. He was horribly wrong. Time made a guy in jail realize how important seeing the sunrise was and it made him realize that a man could even come to miss traffic jams and tickets. You miss having a life outside.
“I told him not this jail I told him not this jail I don’t want to be in this jail.” The newbie mumbled.
“Shut up” John said to him.
“You don’t get it man. We’re all going to die. I know what’s coming and this jail location is going down.” He yelled back at him.
“Just my luck to get stuck with the psycho” John said turning his back to him.
“Man the minute those lights get turned off for us to go to sleep… they’re moving in and they can’t be stopped.” Newbie told him.
“Would you please for the love of god shut up?” John yelled.
“LIGHTS OUT!” said the deep commanding voice followed by the lights being shut off.
“OH GOD!” newbie shouted his breathing speeding up.
John grunted and jumped off his bunk bed. He grabbed newbie by the neck and said to him “listen to me this is jail and if you don’t cut this pussy ass crap out you’re going to die in here. I don’t ever want to hear you breathing and screaming like that again unless you’re being raped!” John tossed him onto the floor and climbed up his to his bunk. “Get yourself together and man up.”
John lay down on his solid bed and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and was about to drift into some form of sleep when he heard shoots sounding. The lights were still off but it was loud and clear that something was happening.
“I told you man I told you!” newbie screamed and began pacing in the cell.
John got up and looked around. There wasn’t much light to see anything that wasn’t happening close to his cell but he heard it all. The screaming and the shooting was strong and happening everywhere. Finally the alarm sounded and the lights turned on in the holding area. People dressed in black began running down the walkways and opening cells.
One stopped at their cell and John jumped off his bed. “You want to come?” the female voice shouted.
“YES!” newbie shouted back.
“Not you, the other one. You want to come?” she asked again. Unsure of anything John just nodded his head and stepped out of the cell slowly.
“Got to move faster if you want to come with us” she said. She then put a hand to her ear and said “Angel7 to brain I’ve got my pickings. Has every one else reported back?” she nodded her head and said “yes sir.” She looked at newbie and said “looks like this is your lucky day you’re coming with me.” She signaled for them to follow and she was off. She ran down the corridor and made a right.
John paid close attention to her and followed. He wasn’t sure he wanted to risk getting caught and staying in jail for a longer time but judging by newbie’s words he didn’t want to be in this jail tonight and this all proved so. He followed her some more till they hit some kind of secret shaft that they took down to the basement. John had never been down here so he was following a woman and he was blind as to where they were headed.
They got to a part where the walls had been broken and John was expected to follow her and run over the broken pieces of wall. She yelled back to them that it would get fogy and they should stay close. She also told them that if anyone fell... they were to be left behind. Her words sounded scary and John made sure he did not loose her.
Before soon a load of cars came into view along with a helicopter. People dressed in black carrying heavy duty weapons were hoisted onto the helicopter while the others and the few convicts who made it past the broken walls were packed into the cars. John sat in a seat in the car and newbie sat next to him.
John looked around as the doors shut and all people dressed in black started clapping their hands and howling. “GUYS WE DID IT!” the woman who’d chosen them earlier said.
“Don’t be so excited… we still have to blow the place up with out dying now hit the gas!” another one shouted.
The car began moving and one of the dressed in black people removed their mask and looked back at John, newbie and random other convict. “Hey shouldn’t we knock them out?”
Just then John was hit by a strong bolt and the lights went out for him for a second time his night. Only this time he really got to sleep.
*********************************
Angel sat on her bed and tried to focus on her book. It was hard for her to focus with that man lying there next to her. Angel had her first recruit and she was to be his roommate till he had his first recruit which would likely take long. Her recruit was gorgeous and that’s why she picked him. Now she was wishing she had taken the other one because sharing a room with such a man was likely going to be difficult.
“AH!” he screamed jumping up. Angel jumped also and looked at him.
“Are you ok?” she asked.
“Where am I?” He asked.
Remembering the response she received she said to him “Home. Welcome to the family. You are now Illegal status.”
He cleared his throat and moved to the edge of the bed where he put his feet on the ground. He grabbed his head and grunted. He was probably still dizzy from the shock. He cleared his throat and said “What the hell does that mean?” He asked.
“It means that we are the Illegals. We do illegal things for no reason but to have a higher status then each other. We control who we want in and who we need out. Once you’re in death is the only way out. You have just joined us by saying yes you’d come with me and there is no undoing it. This room we’re in…” she said pointing around to their small room. “This is your new home. Get used to it.”
He remained quiet for a bit until he sighed. He brushed a hand through his short hairs and rubbed his neck. He looked stressed. “Wow… so what do I do now?” he asked.
“Well it’s safe to say you won’t be going out for the next six months. Let everything about your death clear up and what not. You’ll be here with me training and doing the underground work. As of this moment I think you need to tell me your name.” she said.
“John…” he said his grey eyes a very dark shade that stared at her.
“Wrong answer. John will never be your name again. Let’s get out of here and get you a name.” Angel said getting up and picking up her keys from the one drawer that separated her bed from his.
“This is so ridiculous.” He said getting up and following her. “One thing…” he said raising a finger. She turned to him and he continued “Why did you ask me for my name if you guys would give me one?” He smiled at her with a smile that taunted her. How could he know that she just wanted to know his name for her own personal pleasure?
“Does it matter?” she said annoyed. She locked up their room door and allowed him to look around at the long hall of rooms. All the doors made of metal and none of them open.
“I guess not…” he said his voice fading as he looked around. “This is probably not better then jail.” He said more then likely to himself.
“Its better then death.” Angel said leading the way.
“What’s your name anyway?” he called to her then began walking after her.
“They call me Angel.” She said to him.
“But what’s your real name?” he asked. They were now walking side by side and she liked his presence. This all wasn’t good. She’d have to shut her emotions down completely on him if she were to make it through this. You don’t love your roommate she learned from the past.
“Angel” she said once more. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his attention. She looked into his eyes and he questioned her with his glare. “Do that again and I’ll kill you.” She said to him her tone serious.
“Is that what happened to your last roommate?” he asked with a smile.
“yes.” His eyes went wide and he let her go.
“I’m sorry,” he said “jail makes a man pretty courageous.”
“Yeah well The Illegals makes a girl pretty dangerous.” She said to him and began walking again.
****************************************
“Unbelievable!” Angel screamed as she threw the ID card at John. “You just started and some how you score the name Danger. That just makes no sense.” She said shaking her head. “Mean while I’m here and I get the name Angel.”
“Yeah, well you can be ‘Dan’ if you want to.” John said smiling. “I’m not too fond of changing my name to Dan.”
“I had an issue with name changing when I got here too but trust me it gets better. Now I would die if some one called me…… I would just die.” She said to him.
“Why won’t you tell me your name?” John asked.
Suddenly a strong hand landed on Angel’s shoulder and she looked up at the man who was now standing beside her. “Because Angel trusts just about no one. I don’t think there is even one person in this joint who knows her name.” The man smiled, his expression labeling him as an arrogant jerk.
John sighed and looked around. They were in a room with couches and tables. Their was a closet in the room and a door that John had no idea what it lead to. After he had received his “name” and had eaten a meal Angel had taken him to this room. They had relaxed for a bit and Angel did a bit more explaining of what he was in for. When she spoke he listened and paid attention to every thing that was happening. He noticed her breathing and the tone’s in her voice. The excitement in her eyes and the sorrow as she spoke into more detail about the things these people did.
“Yup…” Angel said looking down.
“Aw come on Angel. Introduce me to your little friend here. He must be new I have yet to see him around.” The man said hugging Angel close to him. John sat on the red couch while Angel sat on the arm rest.
Angel stood up and pointed to the man. “This is Buck and this…” she pointed at John “This is Danger but you can call him Dan.”
Buck. Buck looked like he belonged here. His smile was slimy and his eyes looked like they belonged to a snake. His body was big and strong and he looked like he took joy out of abusing those less strong then him. Buck looked like he was street smart but John would be surprised if Buck could read his own ID. John made a note to keep an eye open for Buck.
Just then there was a sound of a long loud horn. Following the sound came a crowd of men who gathered onto the couch. One man grabbed a remote and hit a button. Just then the wall turned and on the other side came a flat screen television. John was flabbergasted.
“Alright! Game time. Watch the game with us Dan. I’ll introduce you to some of the guys.” Buck said nodding his head.
Four years later…
John lay on his bed in his 12 by 10 cell. He had the top bunk and the newbie had the bottom. It took him four years to gain respect and now that he had it he was no longer the newbie on the bottom bunk. He was among the ones on the top. For four years he spent his days in here trying to survive. Jail was hard on a man. It hurt john to imagine he had two more years left till he was out but then again after jail he probably wouldn’t have anymore feeling left in him.
John was proud of the fact that he had yet to kill some one and during his entire time here he’d only fought some one once. Most of his time he spent reading and writing letters to his now three year old son and other times he worked out and played football. Life was a routine and nothing changed. While in here he’d gained a degree in law and he was sure by the time it was time for his parole hearing he’d be able to do a better job then the lawyer he hired in the beginning.
He was a convict now and that was a horrible idea. All his life he’d thought that time healed everything but he was wrong. He was horribly wrong. Time made a guy in jail realize how important seeing the sunrise was and it made him realize that a man could even come to miss traffic jams and tickets. You miss having a life outside.
“I told him not this jail I told him not this jail I don’t want to be in this jail.” The newbie mumbled.
“Shut up” John said to him.
“You don’t get it man. We’re all going to die. I know what’s coming and this jail location is going down.” He yelled back at him.
“Just my luck to get stuck with the psycho” John said turning his back to him.
“Man the minute those lights get turned off for us to go to sleep… they’re moving in and they can’t be stopped.” Newbie told him.
“Would you please for the love of god shut up?” John yelled.
“LIGHTS OUT!” said the deep commanding voice followed by the lights being shut off.
“OH GOD!” newbie shouted his breathing speeding up.
John grunted and jumped off his bunk bed. He grabbed newbie by the neck and said to him “listen to me this is jail and if you don’t cut this pussy ass crap out you’re going to die in here. I don’t ever want to hear you breathing and screaming like that again unless you’re being raped!” John tossed him onto the floor and climbed up his to his bunk. “Get yourself together and man up.”
John lay down on his solid bed and closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and was about to drift into some form of sleep when he heard shoots sounding. The lights were still off but it was loud and clear that something was happening.
“I told you man I told you!” newbie screamed and began pacing in the cell.
John got up and looked around. There wasn’t much light to see anything that wasn’t happening close to his cell but he heard it all. The screaming and the shooting was strong and happening everywhere. Finally the alarm sounded and the lights turned on in the holding area. People dressed in black began running down the walkways and opening cells.
One stopped at their cell and John jumped off his bed. “You want to come?” the female voice shouted.
“YES!” newbie shouted back.
“Not you, the other one. You want to come?” she asked again. Unsure of anything John just nodded his head and stepped out of the cell slowly.
“Got to move faster if you want to come with us” she said. She then put a hand to her ear and said “Angel7 to brain I’ve got my pickings. Has every one else reported back?” she nodded her head and said “yes sir.” She looked at newbie and said “looks like this is your lucky day you’re coming with me.” She signaled for them to follow and she was off. She ran down the corridor and made a right.
John paid close attention to her and followed. He wasn’t sure he wanted to risk getting caught and staying in jail for a longer time but judging by newbie’s words he didn’t want to be in this jail tonight and this all proved so. He followed her some more till they hit some kind of secret shaft that they took down to the basement. John had never been down here so he was following a woman and he was blind as to where they were headed.
They got to a part where the walls had been broken and John was expected to follow her and run over the broken pieces of wall. She yelled back to them that it would get fogy and they should stay close. She also told them that if anyone fell... they were to be left behind. Her words sounded scary and John made sure he did not loose her.
Before soon a load of cars came into view along with a helicopter. People dressed in black carrying heavy duty weapons were hoisted onto the helicopter while the others and the few convicts who made it past the broken walls were packed into the cars. John sat in a seat in the car and newbie sat next to him.
John looked around as the doors shut and all people dressed in black started clapping their hands and howling. “GUYS WE DID IT!” the woman who’d chosen them earlier said.
“Don’t be so excited… we still have to blow the place up with out dying now hit the gas!” another one shouted.
The car began moving and one of the dressed in black people removed their mask and looked back at John, newbie and random other convict. “Hey shouldn’t we knock them out?”
Just then John was hit by a strong bolt and the lights went out for him for a second time his night. Only this time he really got to sleep.
*********************************
Angel sat on her bed and tried to focus on her book. It was hard for her to focus with that man lying there next to her. Angel had her first recruit and she was to be his roommate till he had his first recruit which would likely take long. Her recruit was gorgeous and that’s why she picked him. Now she was wishing she had taken the other one because sharing a room with such a man was likely going to be difficult.
“AH!” he screamed jumping up. Angel jumped also and looked at him.
“Are you ok?” she asked.
“Where am I?” He asked.
Remembering the response she received she said to him “Home. Welcome to the family. You are now Illegal status.”
He cleared his throat and moved to the edge of the bed where he put his feet on the ground. He grabbed his head and grunted. He was probably still dizzy from the shock. He cleared his throat and said “What the hell does that mean?” He asked.
“It means that we are the Illegals. We do illegal things for no reason but to have a higher status then each other. We control who we want in and who we need out. Once you’re in death is the only way out. You have just joined us by saying yes you’d come with me and there is no undoing it. This room we’re in…” she said pointing around to their small room. “This is your new home. Get used to it.”
He remained quiet for a bit until he sighed. He brushed a hand through his short hairs and rubbed his neck. He looked stressed. “Wow… so what do I do now?” he asked.
“Well it’s safe to say you won’t be going out for the next six months. Let everything about your death clear up and what not. You’ll be here with me training and doing the underground work. As of this moment I think you need to tell me your name.” she said.
“John…” he said his grey eyes a very dark shade that stared at her.
“Wrong answer. John will never be your name again. Let’s get out of here and get you a name.” Angel said getting up and picking up her keys from the one drawer that separated her bed from his.
“This is so ridiculous.” He said getting up and following her. “One thing…” he said raising a finger. She turned to him and he continued “Why did you ask me for my name if you guys would give me one?” He smiled at her with a smile that taunted her. How could he know that she just wanted to know his name for her own personal pleasure?
“Does it matter?” she said annoyed. She locked up their room door and allowed him to look around at the long hall of rooms. All the doors made of metal and none of them open.
“I guess not…” he said his voice fading as he looked around. “This is probably not better then jail.” He said more then likely to himself.
“Its better then death.” Angel said leading the way.
“What’s your name anyway?” he called to her then began walking after her.
“They call me Angel.” She said to him.
“But what’s your real name?” he asked. They were now walking side by side and she liked his presence. This all wasn’t good. She’d have to shut her emotions down completely on him if she were to make it through this. You don’t love your roommate she learned from the past.
“Angel” she said once more. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to his attention. She looked into his eyes and he questioned her with his glare. “Do that again and I’ll kill you.” She said to him her tone serious.
“Is that what happened to your last roommate?” he asked with a smile.
“yes.” His eyes went wide and he let her go.
“I’m sorry,” he said “jail makes a man pretty courageous.”
“Yeah well The Illegals makes a girl pretty dangerous.” She said to him and began walking again.
****************************************
“Unbelievable!” Angel screamed as she threw the ID card at John. “You just started and some how you score the name Danger. That just makes no sense.” She said shaking her head. “Mean while I’m here and I get the name Angel.”
“Yeah, well you can be ‘Dan’ if you want to.” John said smiling. “I’m not too fond of changing my name to Dan.”
“I had an issue with name changing when I got here too but trust me it gets better. Now I would die if some one called me…… I would just die.” She said to him.
“Why won’t you tell me your name?” John asked.
Suddenly a strong hand landed on Angel’s shoulder and she looked up at the man who was now standing beside her. “Because Angel trusts just about no one. I don’t think there is even one person in this joint who knows her name.” The man smiled, his expression labeling him as an arrogant jerk.
John sighed and looked around. They were in a room with couches and tables. Their was a closet in the room and a door that John had no idea what it lead to. After he had received his “name” and had eaten a meal Angel had taken him to this room. They had relaxed for a bit and Angel did a bit more explaining of what he was in for. When she spoke he listened and paid attention to every thing that was happening. He noticed her breathing and the tone’s in her voice. The excitement in her eyes and the sorrow as she spoke into more detail about the things these people did.
“Yup…” Angel said looking down.
“Aw come on Angel. Introduce me to your little friend here. He must be new I have yet to see him around.” The man said hugging Angel close to him. John sat on the red couch while Angel sat on the arm rest.
Angel stood up and pointed to the man. “This is Buck and this…” she pointed at John “This is Danger but you can call him Dan.”
Buck. Buck looked like he belonged here. His smile was slimy and his eyes looked like they belonged to a snake. His body was big and strong and he looked like he took joy out of abusing those less strong then him. Buck looked like he was street smart but John would be surprised if Buck could read his own ID. John made a note to keep an eye open for Buck.
Just then there was a sound of a long loud horn. Following the sound came a crowd of men who gathered onto the couch. One man grabbed a remote and hit a button. Just then the wall turned and on the other side came a flat screen television. John was flabbergasted.
“Alright! Game time. Watch the game with us Dan. I’ll introduce you to some of the guys.” Buck said nodding his head.
New Series.. "The Illegals"
"Working With An Angel"
Chapter one
John laid a hand on his temple and massaged it in circular motions. “John you have to understand where I am coming from. We just aren’t the same anymore and you can’t keep pretending that we are meant to be together when it’s clear we are destined to live apart.” Monica said to her husband. Monica sat in a chair in front of his desk and he sat in his comfy big boss chair across from her. Together the discussed divorce in his home office.
“Destined to live apart?! Who’s feeding you this crap? Monica I love you and we’re going to have a baby together. Does this mean anything to you at all?” John pleaded running a hand through his hair.
“I care about you so much John and while I want to say I love you I can’t say I love you because I just don’t love you the way I used to…. And John… You need to know… We aren’t having a baby together. This baby will not be born!” Monica told him while laying a hand on her flat stomach.
John’s heart sank and his throat clogged. “Don’t you dare think about that!”
“I’m not thinking… I’m doing! The abortion is next week along with the divorce lawyer who will serve you with papers. Sign the papers John and let’s get this over with. We walk away free of anything, no arguments.” She said getting up. She looked at him for seconds before grabbing her bag and walking out. John listened as she walked around the house in her clicking high heals. Before soon he heard the front door close and he knew she was gone and not returning.
John sighed and put his head down on his desk. He wondered where it was Monica suddenly felt the need to end heir relationship. He thought they were happy together and he thought she loved him. He wanted that baby so badly and now he wouldn’t have it. He was so angry at her and so sad about the child. John was against abortion and obviously she was fine with it.
Just then the sound of glass breaking caught John’s attention and his head bounced up quickly. The glass crunched and he heard some one moving around. Sitting their he considered ignoring it and putting his head back down but something told him he just couldn’t. More sounds sounded and John knew some one was taking his things as the stuff clanked together.
John pulled back his draw and reached for his gun. He held it in his hand and embraced the power he now had. The metal was cold to the touch of his heated hands. John stood up and walked to his door way. He reached for the door knob and held it for a second. He looked at the gun and then up at the ceiling. He hoped God wasn’t watching.
John opened the door and stepped out fearless of what would face him. He walked across the hall and into the kitchen. From the kitchen he used the small window way to look into his living room. Their was a person dressed in black with a ski mask and holding some sort of device that was now attached to his safe. The person had their back to him and John saw it as the perfect opportunity to catch the person red handed. John picked up the gun and aimed it at the person.
“You got me at the wrong night” he said to them and pulled the trigger. The gun made a loud sound that could scare anyone. The bullet fast as ever went directly to the person and into their upper shoulder. The woman screamed and went down. A woman? John tuned back into what he was doing and gasped. He shot a woman who was robbing him after his wife left him. What was his life coming to?
John sighed and dialed 911 on his cell.
*******************************
“I’ll do anything. Just don’t hurt her!” Dawn screamed at the intruding men who held her sister in their arms.
“Fine, we exchanged your sister for you on the terms that you come with us and you don’t disagree. You try anything slick we’ll send some one to blow her brains out. Understood?” He said his voice menacing.
“Understood… let her go now.” Dawn said looking at her sister’s facial expression that read her pain and fear. The men let her go and she came flying to Dawn. Dawn hugged her and pushed her to the side. “I have to go now Annie.” Dawn said to her sister yet did not look at her. “If I never come back I need you to know I love you. Do good ok?” Her eleven year old sister nodded her head and wiped at her tears.
Dawn and Annie were ten years apart and all their lives Dawn had been there to lead Annie. Dawn had no idea what she was getting herself into and what would happen to her sister after she left. Both her parents were dead and Dawn was all that annie had left. She knew leaving her would be painful but she was ready to do anything to prevent them from hurting Annie.
Dawn followed the men out of her sister’s room. Her sister stood behind crying in her bed. Together Dawn and the men left her home and they led her into a van. Once in the van Dawn’s bravery died down and her tears came down. They tied her arms behind her back and taped her mouth. Taping her mouth wasn’t such a problem for Dawn because the tape helped her hold back the sobs.
Dawn thought of reasons why this was happening to her and only one reason and person made sense. He was devil in person and he was the reason her life went downhill. Dawn’s life was going good until her parents died. Even then life only seemed sadder but it wasn’t bad. She moved in with her sister and decided to raise her. It had worked for a year until she met Devin. His name was one letter away from devil and now she understood why.
Devin ruined everything and every one in her life. All that she had left in her life was an apartment she could barely afford and her sister. Even now here she was without her sister and being kidnapped. If ever she was given the opportunity to change one thing in her life it would be the minute she set her eyes on Devin Asparza.
Suddenly a bolt of electricity hit her and her vision went black. She was out. Possibly hours to days later she finally reopened her eyes. She blinked a couple times trying to look around. Her muscles were sore as she sat up and took in her surroundings. She was on a not so comfortable bed and next to her was another bed. There was a metal door and a light that wasn’t the best ever.
“Morning sun shine” said a woman who Dawn suddenly noticed occupied the bed.
“Where am I?” Dawn asked.
“Home. Welcome to the family. You’re now illegal status.” The woman smiled and looked away.
***************************************
“The justice system just isn’t always right.” John’s lawyer said to him.
“No the justice system definitely isn’t because I shouldn’t be in this fucking situation! How could the jury find me guilty!? She was robbing my house!” John said slamming his fists on the visitor’s table.
“It happens…” His lawyer said sitting back. “I do have good news. Monica kept the baby. She’s going on seven and half months now.”
John looked at the man no smile on his face, only tears forming in his eyes. “How is that good? My child wont know who daddy is because I’m serving time for shooting a pregnant woman… who was robbing my home! I might not get out of here for another five to ten years.”
“Well I’ll make sure that baby knows who you are. We’ll make sure the minute you are out you get your fair share of visitation rights.” He said trying to comfort John.
“Because they always grant visitation rights to convicts.” John said all hope gone from him.
Chapter one
John laid a hand on his temple and massaged it in circular motions. “John you have to understand where I am coming from. We just aren’t the same anymore and you can’t keep pretending that we are meant to be together when it’s clear we are destined to live apart.” Monica said to her husband. Monica sat in a chair in front of his desk and he sat in his comfy big boss chair across from her. Together the discussed divorce in his home office.
“Destined to live apart?! Who’s feeding you this crap? Monica I love you and we’re going to have a baby together. Does this mean anything to you at all?” John pleaded running a hand through his hair.
“I care about you so much John and while I want to say I love you I can’t say I love you because I just don’t love you the way I used to…. And John… You need to know… We aren’t having a baby together. This baby will not be born!” Monica told him while laying a hand on her flat stomach.
John’s heart sank and his throat clogged. “Don’t you dare think about that!”
“I’m not thinking… I’m doing! The abortion is next week along with the divorce lawyer who will serve you with papers. Sign the papers John and let’s get this over with. We walk away free of anything, no arguments.” She said getting up. She looked at him for seconds before grabbing her bag and walking out. John listened as she walked around the house in her clicking high heals. Before soon he heard the front door close and he knew she was gone and not returning.
John sighed and put his head down on his desk. He wondered where it was Monica suddenly felt the need to end heir relationship. He thought they were happy together and he thought she loved him. He wanted that baby so badly and now he wouldn’t have it. He was so angry at her and so sad about the child. John was against abortion and obviously she was fine with it.
Just then the sound of glass breaking caught John’s attention and his head bounced up quickly. The glass crunched and he heard some one moving around. Sitting their he considered ignoring it and putting his head back down but something told him he just couldn’t. More sounds sounded and John knew some one was taking his things as the stuff clanked together.
John pulled back his draw and reached for his gun. He held it in his hand and embraced the power he now had. The metal was cold to the touch of his heated hands. John stood up and walked to his door way. He reached for the door knob and held it for a second. He looked at the gun and then up at the ceiling. He hoped God wasn’t watching.
John opened the door and stepped out fearless of what would face him. He walked across the hall and into the kitchen. From the kitchen he used the small window way to look into his living room. Their was a person dressed in black with a ski mask and holding some sort of device that was now attached to his safe. The person had their back to him and John saw it as the perfect opportunity to catch the person red handed. John picked up the gun and aimed it at the person.
“You got me at the wrong night” he said to them and pulled the trigger. The gun made a loud sound that could scare anyone. The bullet fast as ever went directly to the person and into their upper shoulder. The woman screamed and went down. A woman? John tuned back into what he was doing and gasped. He shot a woman who was robbing him after his wife left him. What was his life coming to?
John sighed and dialed 911 on his cell.
*******************************
“I’ll do anything. Just don’t hurt her!” Dawn screamed at the intruding men who held her sister in their arms.
“Fine, we exchanged your sister for you on the terms that you come with us and you don’t disagree. You try anything slick we’ll send some one to blow her brains out. Understood?” He said his voice menacing.
“Understood… let her go now.” Dawn said looking at her sister’s facial expression that read her pain and fear. The men let her go and she came flying to Dawn. Dawn hugged her and pushed her to the side. “I have to go now Annie.” Dawn said to her sister yet did not look at her. “If I never come back I need you to know I love you. Do good ok?” Her eleven year old sister nodded her head and wiped at her tears.
Dawn and Annie were ten years apart and all their lives Dawn had been there to lead Annie. Dawn had no idea what she was getting herself into and what would happen to her sister after she left. Both her parents were dead and Dawn was all that annie had left. She knew leaving her would be painful but she was ready to do anything to prevent them from hurting Annie.
Dawn followed the men out of her sister’s room. Her sister stood behind crying in her bed. Together Dawn and the men left her home and they led her into a van. Once in the van Dawn’s bravery died down and her tears came down. They tied her arms behind her back and taped her mouth. Taping her mouth wasn’t such a problem for Dawn because the tape helped her hold back the sobs.
Dawn thought of reasons why this was happening to her and only one reason and person made sense. He was devil in person and he was the reason her life went downhill. Dawn’s life was going good until her parents died. Even then life only seemed sadder but it wasn’t bad. She moved in with her sister and decided to raise her. It had worked for a year until she met Devin. His name was one letter away from devil and now she understood why.
Devin ruined everything and every one in her life. All that she had left in her life was an apartment she could barely afford and her sister. Even now here she was without her sister and being kidnapped. If ever she was given the opportunity to change one thing in her life it would be the minute she set her eyes on Devin Asparza.
Suddenly a bolt of electricity hit her and her vision went black. She was out. Possibly hours to days later she finally reopened her eyes. She blinked a couple times trying to look around. Her muscles were sore as she sat up and took in her surroundings. She was on a not so comfortable bed and next to her was another bed. There was a metal door and a light that wasn’t the best ever.
“Morning sun shine” said a woman who Dawn suddenly noticed occupied the bed.
“Where am I?” Dawn asked.
“Home. Welcome to the family. You’re now illegal status.” The woman smiled and looked away.
***************************************
“The justice system just isn’t always right.” John’s lawyer said to him.
“No the justice system definitely isn’t because I shouldn’t be in this fucking situation! How could the jury find me guilty!? She was robbing my house!” John said slamming his fists on the visitor’s table.
“It happens…” His lawyer said sitting back. “I do have good news. Monica kept the baby. She’s going on seven and half months now.”
John looked at the man no smile on his face, only tears forming in his eyes. “How is that good? My child wont know who daddy is because I’m serving time for shooting a pregnant woman… who was robbing my home! I might not get out of here for another five to ten years.”
“Well I’ll make sure that baby knows who you are. We’ll make sure the minute you are out you get your fair share of visitation rights.” He said trying to comfort John.
“Because they always grant visitation rights to convicts.” John said all hope gone from him.
"unnamed" Written with Jo*Marie
Chapter 1
The sun shone bright over Marie City University, yet somehow it only served to make Mandy Thomas sick to her stomach. In her hand she held her college fate, her dorm assignment. Building J room 150. Her roommate would not be Angela Picatto as she'd once thought, no the name beside her's read Bree Palmer. Building J was right before her, yet somehow she couldn't bring herself to open the door and walk inside. Whomever Bree Palmer was, she wasn't what Mandy enjoyed. Mandy Thomas liked what she knew, and what she knew only. Her home town, her friends, her boyfriend of five years...no, rooming with a complete stranger was not on her to-do list.
"Could you move? You're sort of blocking the door!" a voice called from behind her.
Quickly, Mandy shifted out of the way, pulling her books closer to her as she watched a human tornado dressed in a business suit fly past her. Shaking her head, Mandy pulled her purse strap closer to her shoulder and walked inside the dorm. With each step she took, she looked at the number beside the room. 100, 102, 104..her breath was getting harder to catch as she made her way toward her doom. 148 loomed just ahead, and Mandy couldn't make herself take another step.
"Are you standing in the middle of the hallway for a reason?" asked the same voice who'd demanded her to move only minutes before.
"Um… yes." she replied calmly, careful to not let her voice carry too much emotion. Mandy Thomas had learned the hard way that people could be cruel.
"And that reason would be?" this girl was not budging, she stood before Mandy grey eyes assessing. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a pretty bun, something Mandy's hair would never do as it was just too frizzy. Aside from having beautiful hair and incredible eyes, this woman seemed to have confidence, and as well she should with a body like that!
"I..mm..was looking for my room." Mandy handed her schedule to the girl, knowing that the stupid card could get her out of nearly anything.
"Well, don't be silly! You're in my room!"
Mandy could feel her self-confidence taking a nose dive as she stood before whom she now assumed was Bree Palmer. "Oh… great”.She sighed, moving past her and laying her books on the desk provided for her. The room was larger than her room at home, and her things had already been placed inside courtesy of her father and brother.
"I guess we'll be living together now. I'm Bree Palmer, and you are?" Bree, sat on the bed she'd apparently claimed for herself.
All that Mandy could do was stare at her roommate, "Mandy Thomas." she replied, shaking Bree's slender hand.
"Mandy… that quaint."
Her giggling made Mandy cringe, but she sighed and bore it. She had a feeling that this year would bring her a lot of that.
*****************************************
Bree clicked all around her palm pilot filling in her new schedule. As of now it had all of her classes plus alarm clocks that reminded her when she needed to study or do homework. Bree wanted to keep her life nice and neat. In high school she learned that not everything went as planned when you left your mind to control when things happened. She was in college and nothing would distract her, nothing could change her experience here and everything would go her way.
Bree had changed out of her business clothes and let her hair loose. After meeting her roommate she realized that maybe her looks could be a bit scary. The poor girl stuttered and froze multiple times during the day. Now, Bree wanted to show her roommate that she wasn’t a robot of some sort but a regular human.
Bree wished for a career in business management. She figured that it was the best way to go and what she also decided on was that she would begin now. If she wore the suits and kept the look maybe then she can actually suit the job. Having a career was a very important thing to Bree. She wanted a good life unlike many she knew and a career was exactly what could get her that good life. It was either a good career or a man with a large bank account yet even then she wouldn’t like relying on his money.
Just then the door to her room opened and Bree put her pal away. She looked at her roommate who had showered and changed for the night. Her roommate was a shy person. She had freckles on her face and eyes that were a tender blue. Her skin complexion was soft and her voice was unsure. Her hair was constantly undone and Bree wondered what it took to get the girl to comb it out and tie it up. The girl’s frame was small like Bree’s yet her skinny body made her look weak as appose to Bree’s body which made her look sexy.
Her roommate placed her things in her closet and moved for her bed. She sat on her bed and stared straight ahead not even looking at Bree. Bree wanted to take on a good relationship with her roommate. She wanted zero drama and lots of fun. She was here to enjoy herself while creating something of herself. Bree put on a smile and said “So hows the water? When I took a shower it was a bit cold.”
Mandy bit down on her chapped lips and said “It was fine.” She brushed a hand through her hair and lay back on her bed.
“You know I think I saw a couple of my classes on your schedule. Maybe we have some of the same classes.” Bree said.
“Really? That’s… wonderful.” Mandy said staring up at the ceiling. “What are you majoring in?” she asked. This was progress because this showed maybe she cared just a little bit. It also meant that maybe she could stop being so uptight and to herself.
“Business management.” She said.
“Oh, I can see that for you. You have the look down.” Mandy said turning over onto her stomach.
“Thanks. What about you?” Bree asked her moving around lying on her stomach too. She rested her head on her hand to carry the conversation looking at Mandy.
Mandy grabbed a bit of her dark hair and curled it around her finger. “I’m still deciding really. I want something I will enjoy not just something that will get me money.” Her reply was honest and she spoke with hope.
“Interesting…” Bree said. She was really something. Mandy was so very different from Bree and Bree wasn’t sure that was anything good or bad. All she could do was get to know this girl and maybe hope to change a couple of things about her. After all this was the girl she had to introduce to people as her roommate.
The sun shone bright over Marie City University, yet somehow it only served to make Mandy Thomas sick to her stomach. In her hand she held her college fate, her dorm assignment. Building J room 150. Her roommate would not be Angela Picatto as she'd once thought, no the name beside her's read Bree Palmer. Building J was right before her, yet somehow she couldn't bring herself to open the door and walk inside. Whomever Bree Palmer was, she wasn't what Mandy enjoyed. Mandy Thomas liked what she knew, and what she knew only. Her home town, her friends, her boyfriend of five years...no, rooming with a complete stranger was not on her to-do list.
"Could you move? You're sort of blocking the door!" a voice called from behind her.
Quickly, Mandy shifted out of the way, pulling her books closer to her as she watched a human tornado dressed in a business suit fly past her. Shaking her head, Mandy pulled her purse strap closer to her shoulder and walked inside the dorm. With each step she took, she looked at the number beside the room. 100, 102, 104..her breath was getting harder to catch as she made her way toward her doom. 148 loomed just ahead, and Mandy couldn't make herself take another step.
"Are you standing in the middle of the hallway for a reason?" asked the same voice who'd demanded her to move only minutes before.
"Um… yes." she replied calmly, careful to not let her voice carry too much emotion. Mandy Thomas had learned the hard way that people could be cruel.
"And that reason would be?" this girl was not budging, she stood before Mandy grey eyes assessing. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a pretty bun, something Mandy's hair would never do as it was just too frizzy. Aside from having beautiful hair and incredible eyes, this woman seemed to have confidence, and as well she should with a body like that!
"I..mm..was looking for my room." Mandy handed her schedule to the girl, knowing that the stupid card could get her out of nearly anything.
"Well, don't be silly! You're in my room!"
Mandy could feel her self-confidence taking a nose dive as she stood before whom she now assumed was Bree Palmer. "Oh… great”.She sighed, moving past her and laying her books on the desk provided for her. The room was larger than her room at home, and her things had already been placed inside courtesy of her father and brother.
"I guess we'll be living together now. I'm Bree Palmer, and you are?" Bree, sat on the bed she'd apparently claimed for herself.
All that Mandy could do was stare at her roommate, "Mandy Thomas." she replied, shaking Bree's slender hand.
"Mandy… that quaint."
Her giggling made Mandy cringe, but she sighed and bore it. She had a feeling that this year would bring her a lot of that.
*****************************************
Bree clicked all around her palm pilot filling in her new schedule. As of now it had all of her classes plus alarm clocks that reminded her when she needed to study or do homework. Bree wanted to keep her life nice and neat. In high school she learned that not everything went as planned when you left your mind to control when things happened. She was in college and nothing would distract her, nothing could change her experience here and everything would go her way.
Bree had changed out of her business clothes and let her hair loose. After meeting her roommate she realized that maybe her looks could be a bit scary. The poor girl stuttered and froze multiple times during the day. Now, Bree wanted to show her roommate that she wasn’t a robot of some sort but a regular human.
Bree wished for a career in business management. She figured that it was the best way to go and what she also decided on was that she would begin now. If she wore the suits and kept the look maybe then she can actually suit the job. Having a career was a very important thing to Bree. She wanted a good life unlike many she knew and a career was exactly what could get her that good life. It was either a good career or a man with a large bank account yet even then she wouldn’t like relying on his money.
Just then the door to her room opened and Bree put her pal away. She looked at her roommate who had showered and changed for the night. Her roommate was a shy person. She had freckles on her face and eyes that were a tender blue. Her skin complexion was soft and her voice was unsure. Her hair was constantly undone and Bree wondered what it took to get the girl to comb it out and tie it up. The girl’s frame was small like Bree’s yet her skinny body made her look weak as appose to Bree’s body which made her look sexy.
Her roommate placed her things in her closet and moved for her bed. She sat on her bed and stared straight ahead not even looking at Bree. Bree wanted to take on a good relationship with her roommate. She wanted zero drama and lots of fun. She was here to enjoy herself while creating something of herself. Bree put on a smile and said “So hows the water? When I took a shower it was a bit cold.”
Mandy bit down on her chapped lips and said “It was fine.” She brushed a hand through her hair and lay back on her bed.
“You know I think I saw a couple of my classes on your schedule. Maybe we have some of the same classes.” Bree said.
“Really? That’s… wonderful.” Mandy said staring up at the ceiling. “What are you majoring in?” she asked. This was progress because this showed maybe she cared just a little bit. It also meant that maybe she could stop being so uptight and to herself.
“Business management.” She said.
“Oh, I can see that for you. You have the look down.” Mandy said turning over onto her stomach.
“Thanks. What about you?” Bree asked her moving around lying on her stomach too. She rested her head on her hand to carry the conversation looking at Mandy.
Mandy grabbed a bit of her dark hair and curled it around her finger. “I’m still deciding really. I want something I will enjoy not just something that will get me money.” Her reply was honest and she spoke with hope.
“Interesting…” Bree said. She was really something. Mandy was so very different from Bree and Bree wasn’t sure that was anything good or bad. All she could do was get to know this girl and maybe hope to change a couple of things about her. After all this was the girl she had to introduce to people as her roommate.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
"American Family"
Chapter Two
“Jo I don’t see why you don’t just yell and have an argument like a normal couple. If you’re having a problem with how he’s been acting lately tell him.” Lydia said to Jolene. They were at Lydia’s house in the kitchen enjoying some fruit smoothies Lydia made. The kids were at home with Danny and Jolene used the opportunity to girl talk with Lydia.
“I really don’t want it to seem as though I don’t trust him.” Jolene said after a sip of her refreshing smoothie.
“But you don’t….” Lydia told her. Lydia rested a hand on her stomach and sighed. Jolene ignored the odd gesture.
“I do! I trust him Lyd, I just don’t like secrets.” Jolene said modestly.
“But he’s not hiding any secrets. He told you it was an old friend and he also told you how he’s going to have lunch with her tomorrow.” Lydia said to her putting her smoothie down on the counter and pushing it away.
“Lydia… listen to yourself. He’s having lunch with an old friend who is a SHE!” Jolene said. Jolene bit down on her lip and looked at her friend who showed no emotion.
“Ouch…” Came Kiral’s voice from the doorway. Jolene turned to look at him and he shook his head. “I sympathize with you. Doesn’t sound like anything good could come from that.” Kiral whistled and walked to the refrigerator. He pulled out a can of soda and opened it.
“Shut up you, you are making nothing better!” Lydia said throwing her hand his way shushing him away. “Don’t listen to him Jo.” Lydia said to her reaching for hand in a form of comfort.
Kiral moved to stand behind Lydia. He laid a hand on her shoulder and said “Maybe one of you should follow him.” Lydia shook her head and moved her shoulder around urging him to get off it.
“Following him is admitting I don’t trust him and I do!” Jolene said.
“Following him also means you care and you get jealous. Guys like a little jealousy once in a while.” He said with a wink.
“KIRAL WOULD YOU SHUT UP!” Lydia screamed surprising both Jolene and Kiral. Jolene sat there her mouth side open looking at Lydia who seemed beyond angry. For the first time Lydia seemed to be annoyed by her husband. Fury lit her eyes yet Kiral didn’t move.
Kiral shook his head and said in surrender “fine…” He walked out of the kitchen and silence sank in. Lydia sighed and held her face in her hands.
“I’m going to have to apologize to him….” She mumbled her hands still over her face. Jolene nodded and moved closer to Lydia.
“Everything ok Lyd?” Jolene asked her hand on her friends back.
Lydia nodded her head and lifted her face from her hands. She rubbed her hands on her jeans and took a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m ok I guess I’m just low on tolerance today. I think I’m going to go apologize to Kiral and sit with him for a while then maybe take a nap. I think you should go home and talk to Danny Jo. Communication has been you guys strength for so long. Don’t break it.” Lydia said shaking her head.
Jolene nodded and sighed. “You’re right…” she admitted. Jolene hugged Lydia and was out the door quickly. She hoped everything between Kiral and Lydia would smooth out and she hoped everything with Lydia was ok.
*************************************
Danny sat on the couch with little Darrien sleeping on his chest. Adyli sat on the carpet floor with the remote flipping through the channels. His daughter was beyond brilliant. She understood how to work a remote and she could read tittles of shows on the TV guide. The phone rang and the same little girl who was once searching through channels was now running for the phone. She quickly found it barely giving Danny time to protest it and answered it.
“ello?” she said into the phone. “Who’s speaking?” Adyli walked to her father and held the phone out. “It’s Brianna daddy.” Hearing the name come out of his daughter’s mouth was hard.
Danny took the phone and held it to his ear. “Hello?” he said licking his lips.
“Danny, I know I said I’d be fine with lunch tomorrow but I need to see you tonight.” She told him her voice sounding desperate.
“I’m watching my children Brianna you can’t just unexpectedly ask me to go somewhere. I have a family.” He said to her.
“Danny, I would never pull you away from your children but this is important.” Her voice was serious and Danny considered his options. He wasn’t sure what to do next.
Danny sighed and said “Fine… where?”
“Same place. I’m here already and I’m not hiding so you’ll spot me. Thank you Danny.” She said. The phone clicked and she was gone. Danny pulled the phone from his ear and went through the digital phone book. He found Zhi’s number and dialed it.
“yeah?” Zhi answered.
“Can you come over and watch the kids?” Danny asked him.
“Right now?” Zhi asked.
“Yeah.”
“Alright… I’ll be there in no time.” Zhi said to him. Danny hung up and tossed the phone t the side. He slide out from under his son and got up. He went to his room and threw on some clothes. Hew shaved and put on some deodorant. His shoes were on in seconds and be the time he was ready to go Zhi was knocking at the door.
Danny opened the door and gave Zhi a hand shake in greeting. “Thanks for this man.” Danny told him.
“No problem. Where are you off to?” Zhi questioned stepping into his home.
“Well, I have to see a friend.” Zhi nodded his head.
Danny picked up his keys from the side table and pocketed them. He was heading out the door when Zhi grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “I won’t regret doing this will I?” Zhi asked Danny.
Danny shook his head and Zhi let him go. Not wanting to talk any further he left his home closing the door behind him. Danny walked to his door and pulled his keys from his pocket. He slid the key into the door and paused. He looked up at the sky and said a quick prayer then opened the door. He got in and turned on the engine. Twenty minutes later Danny found himself in front of Hiltop Diner. Danny sighed and turned his car off. He opened the door and stepped out. His mind wanting him to go back home he took slow steps to get to the diner. Once inside, with out a doubt, as Brianna had said, he found her quickly.
She looked up at him from a menu and Danny saw a woman who had grown up. Her eyes were coated with maturity and skin looked as of that of a tired woman who had lost her glow. Still though, Brianna was beautiful. Her hair was the same hair that Danny one ran his fingers through and her lips were plump just as he had last seen it during their last kiss. The memories sucked him into an alternate world where his past haunted him.
Danny walked to her table and took a seat at the chair that was obviously meant for him. He nodded at her and she smiled. She bit down at her lip and her eyes became watery. “Sorry…” she finally said. “ I told myself I wasn’t going to cry… But I just can’t help it.”
Danny couldn’t understand where the tears came from or what anything was really about. He sat there letting her compose herself hoping soon she would get to the point. Minutes later she inhaled and looked at him. Her make up yet to be messed up by her tears. “I don’t know if I should be polite and ask about your life now or if I should just jump into it.”
“Jump into it…” Danny said. Since he left his home his heart was pounding and all he wanted was to get this over with.
“Danny, you have a daughter. We have a daughter.” Brianna said. “For the time being… we have a daughter.” She whispered. Her eyes soften and some how Danny saw the tears coming.
“Brianna, that’s impossible…. We never….” Danny stopped himself but he knew she understood.
“What?” she said her voice sickened with his response. Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Yes we did! Don’t deny it Danny. You can’t deny it.”
“I’m not denying it… I just don’t recall us ever…” He said to her.
“WELL WE DID.” She said with meaning. “Maybe you drank just a little to much or maybe these years have erased it from your memory but we did and our little girl is now 14.”
Danny shook his head in protest. “That’s impossible. I married my wife a virgin and last time I checked virgins do not have babies.”
“You’re wrong…” she said. She stuffed her hand into her pocket and pulled out a picture. “Look at that little girl. She’s beautiful and she’s yours!” Danny took the photo and looked at it. He admitted the girl and he shared some features but how could he believe this.
Danny shook his head yet again and said “If this is my daughter why are you telling me now? Fourteen years later!”
Brianna let out a sob and said softly “Because she’s dying. I’m loosing my little girl.”
*********************************
“I’m so excited!” Jolene said smiling at her sister. After Lydia’s home she took a four hour detour to Chrissy’s house. Zhi wasn’t there and she would have some time with her sister. When Jolene arrived there Chrissy explained to her how she’d chosen a God mother for Jia-li. She told Jolene that she would love to have her as a God parent. She also mentioned that Zhi had chosen his best man and now best friend, Kiral, to be the God father. Jolene bounced Jia-li on her lap and the baby giggled.
“I am too!” Chrissy exclaimed.
The phone rang and Chrissy grabbed it off her kitchen counter. “Hey Lyd!” she said. “ok…” she added.
Chrissy hit the speaker button and waited for Lydia to say something. There was a minute of silence until Lydia finally said “Guys I’m pregnant.” The phone clicked and Lydia was gone.
“OH MY…..” Chrissy said. Jolene looked at Chrissy wide eyed.
“NO she can not just leave us hanging like that! CALL HER BACK!!!” Jolene commanded.
Jolene could not believe that Lydia was pregnant. All that Jolene had known Lydia she had explained how she never wanted children. She told them over and over again that children were just too much and she refused to have any. Of course Lydia said the same thing about marriage so Jolene guessed this was to happen. Jolene squealed in joy and she listened to the phone ringing. Lydia was pregnant!
“Jo I don’t see why you don’t just yell and have an argument like a normal couple. If you’re having a problem with how he’s been acting lately tell him.” Lydia said to Jolene. They were at Lydia’s house in the kitchen enjoying some fruit smoothies Lydia made. The kids were at home with Danny and Jolene used the opportunity to girl talk with Lydia.
“I really don’t want it to seem as though I don’t trust him.” Jolene said after a sip of her refreshing smoothie.
“But you don’t….” Lydia told her. Lydia rested a hand on her stomach and sighed. Jolene ignored the odd gesture.
“I do! I trust him Lyd, I just don’t like secrets.” Jolene said modestly.
“But he’s not hiding any secrets. He told you it was an old friend and he also told you how he’s going to have lunch with her tomorrow.” Lydia said to her putting her smoothie down on the counter and pushing it away.
“Lydia… listen to yourself. He’s having lunch with an old friend who is a SHE!” Jolene said. Jolene bit down on her lip and looked at her friend who showed no emotion.
“Ouch…” Came Kiral’s voice from the doorway. Jolene turned to look at him and he shook his head. “I sympathize with you. Doesn’t sound like anything good could come from that.” Kiral whistled and walked to the refrigerator. He pulled out a can of soda and opened it.
“Shut up you, you are making nothing better!” Lydia said throwing her hand his way shushing him away. “Don’t listen to him Jo.” Lydia said to her reaching for hand in a form of comfort.
Kiral moved to stand behind Lydia. He laid a hand on her shoulder and said “Maybe one of you should follow him.” Lydia shook her head and moved her shoulder around urging him to get off it.
“Following him is admitting I don’t trust him and I do!” Jolene said.
“Following him also means you care and you get jealous. Guys like a little jealousy once in a while.” He said with a wink.
“KIRAL WOULD YOU SHUT UP!” Lydia screamed surprising both Jolene and Kiral. Jolene sat there her mouth side open looking at Lydia who seemed beyond angry. For the first time Lydia seemed to be annoyed by her husband. Fury lit her eyes yet Kiral didn’t move.
Kiral shook his head and said in surrender “fine…” He walked out of the kitchen and silence sank in. Lydia sighed and held her face in her hands.
“I’m going to have to apologize to him….” She mumbled her hands still over her face. Jolene nodded and moved closer to Lydia.
“Everything ok Lyd?” Jolene asked her hand on her friends back.
Lydia nodded her head and lifted her face from her hands. She rubbed her hands on her jeans and took a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m ok I guess I’m just low on tolerance today. I think I’m going to go apologize to Kiral and sit with him for a while then maybe take a nap. I think you should go home and talk to Danny Jo. Communication has been you guys strength for so long. Don’t break it.” Lydia said shaking her head.
Jolene nodded and sighed. “You’re right…” she admitted. Jolene hugged Lydia and was out the door quickly. She hoped everything between Kiral and Lydia would smooth out and she hoped everything with Lydia was ok.
*************************************
Danny sat on the couch with little Darrien sleeping on his chest. Adyli sat on the carpet floor with the remote flipping through the channels. His daughter was beyond brilliant. She understood how to work a remote and she could read tittles of shows on the TV guide. The phone rang and the same little girl who was once searching through channels was now running for the phone. She quickly found it barely giving Danny time to protest it and answered it.
“ello?” she said into the phone. “Who’s speaking?” Adyli walked to her father and held the phone out. “It’s Brianna daddy.” Hearing the name come out of his daughter’s mouth was hard.
Danny took the phone and held it to his ear. “Hello?” he said licking his lips.
“Danny, I know I said I’d be fine with lunch tomorrow but I need to see you tonight.” She told him her voice sounding desperate.
“I’m watching my children Brianna you can’t just unexpectedly ask me to go somewhere. I have a family.” He said to her.
“Danny, I would never pull you away from your children but this is important.” Her voice was serious and Danny considered his options. He wasn’t sure what to do next.
Danny sighed and said “Fine… where?”
“Same place. I’m here already and I’m not hiding so you’ll spot me. Thank you Danny.” She said. The phone clicked and she was gone. Danny pulled the phone from his ear and went through the digital phone book. He found Zhi’s number and dialed it.
“yeah?” Zhi answered.
“Can you come over and watch the kids?” Danny asked him.
“Right now?” Zhi asked.
“Yeah.”
“Alright… I’ll be there in no time.” Zhi said to him. Danny hung up and tossed the phone t the side. He slide out from under his son and got up. He went to his room and threw on some clothes. Hew shaved and put on some deodorant. His shoes were on in seconds and be the time he was ready to go Zhi was knocking at the door.
Danny opened the door and gave Zhi a hand shake in greeting. “Thanks for this man.” Danny told him.
“No problem. Where are you off to?” Zhi questioned stepping into his home.
“Well, I have to see a friend.” Zhi nodded his head.
Danny picked up his keys from the side table and pocketed them. He was heading out the door when Zhi grabbed his arm and pulled him back. “I won’t regret doing this will I?” Zhi asked Danny.
Danny shook his head and Zhi let him go. Not wanting to talk any further he left his home closing the door behind him. Danny walked to his door and pulled his keys from his pocket. He slid the key into the door and paused. He looked up at the sky and said a quick prayer then opened the door. He got in and turned on the engine. Twenty minutes later Danny found himself in front of Hiltop Diner. Danny sighed and turned his car off. He opened the door and stepped out. His mind wanting him to go back home he took slow steps to get to the diner. Once inside, with out a doubt, as Brianna had said, he found her quickly.
She looked up at him from a menu and Danny saw a woman who had grown up. Her eyes were coated with maturity and skin looked as of that of a tired woman who had lost her glow. Still though, Brianna was beautiful. Her hair was the same hair that Danny one ran his fingers through and her lips were plump just as he had last seen it during their last kiss. The memories sucked him into an alternate world where his past haunted him.
Danny walked to her table and took a seat at the chair that was obviously meant for him. He nodded at her and she smiled. She bit down at her lip and her eyes became watery. “Sorry…” she finally said. “ I told myself I wasn’t going to cry… But I just can’t help it.”
Danny couldn’t understand where the tears came from or what anything was really about. He sat there letting her compose herself hoping soon she would get to the point. Minutes later she inhaled and looked at him. Her make up yet to be messed up by her tears. “I don’t know if I should be polite and ask about your life now or if I should just jump into it.”
“Jump into it…” Danny said. Since he left his home his heart was pounding and all he wanted was to get this over with.
“Danny, you have a daughter. We have a daughter.” Brianna said. “For the time being… we have a daughter.” She whispered. Her eyes soften and some how Danny saw the tears coming.
“Brianna, that’s impossible…. We never….” Danny stopped himself but he knew she understood.
“What?” she said her voice sickened with his response. Tears flowed down her cheeks. “Yes we did! Don’t deny it Danny. You can’t deny it.”
“I’m not denying it… I just don’t recall us ever…” He said to her.
“WELL WE DID.” She said with meaning. “Maybe you drank just a little to much or maybe these years have erased it from your memory but we did and our little girl is now 14.”
Danny shook his head in protest. “That’s impossible. I married my wife a virgin and last time I checked virgins do not have babies.”
“You’re wrong…” she said. She stuffed her hand into her pocket and pulled out a picture. “Look at that little girl. She’s beautiful and she’s yours!” Danny took the photo and looked at it. He admitted the girl and he shared some features but how could he believe this.
Danny shook his head yet again and said “If this is my daughter why are you telling me now? Fourteen years later!”
Brianna let out a sob and said softly “Because she’s dying. I’m loosing my little girl.”
*********************************
“I’m so excited!” Jolene said smiling at her sister. After Lydia’s home she took a four hour detour to Chrissy’s house. Zhi wasn’t there and she would have some time with her sister. When Jolene arrived there Chrissy explained to her how she’d chosen a God mother for Jia-li. She told Jolene that she would love to have her as a God parent. She also mentioned that Zhi had chosen his best man and now best friend, Kiral, to be the God father. Jolene bounced Jia-li on her lap and the baby giggled.
“I am too!” Chrissy exclaimed.
The phone rang and Chrissy grabbed it off her kitchen counter. “Hey Lyd!” she said. “ok…” she added.
Chrissy hit the speaker button and waited for Lydia to say something. There was a minute of silence until Lydia finally said “Guys I’m pregnant.” The phone clicked and Lydia was gone.
“OH MY…..” Chrissy said. Jolene looked at Chrissy wide eyed.
“NO she can not just leave us hanging like that! CALL HER BACK!!!” Jolene commanded.
Jolene could not believe that Lydia was pregnant. All that Jolene had known Lydia she had explained how she never wanted children. She told them over and over again that children were just too much and she refused to have any. Of course Lydia said the same thing about marriage so Jolene guessed this was to happen. Jolene squealed in joy and she listened to the phone ringing. Lydia was pregnant!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Next story in the "American Lifestyles series"... "American Family"
Chapter One
Jolene hummed as she walked around her house. Everything was quiet and everything was in order. She had spent the day cleaning her home and now felt that she could be comfortable in her home with out the clutter bothering her. Jolene was all alone in her house. Danny was at work and the kids were at Lydia’s house. Even better Danny had agreed to pick up the kids and she still had two more ours of freedom to herself.
Jolene sat on her clean couch and stretched. She yawned and leaned back on the couch. This was a very relaxing and comfortable. Suddenly Jolene found her eyes closing and she jumped up to prevent from falling asleep. Instead, Jolene headed up the steps of her home and into her bedroom. She gathered her robe and some underwear and headed for the bathroom.
Once in the bathroom Jolene turned on the water and stripped of all her clothes. She stepped into the tub and enjoyed the bubble bath. She sighed in relief and began thinking about nothing. It felt great to finally think about nothing.
Between kids and managing the house Jolene very rarely had a chance to stop and not think about anything. Jolene also managed to run a full time writing career. She had long ended her medical career and began focusing on her writing. She found pleasure in writing and even enjoyed it more when her novel was published and people actually read it. Jolene sat with Lydia and created her own website. With some help they finished it and it was great.
Jolene adored fan mail and even more enjoyed when young aspiring writers messaged her asking for advice. It wasn’t long ago Jolene was that young aspiring writer and now she was among New York Time’s best selling authors. She was proud of where she was and she knew she worked hard to get there.
Jolene was the mother of two beautiful children. Adyli was four years old and little Darrien who was two years old. Jolene had to admit that her children were her life. She watched little Darrien take after his father and grow to be a dark skinny young boy. He spoke with a lisp and had energy galore. Adyli had begun pre-school and spoke a mile a minute. She was intelligent and socialized very well. Jolene found it amazing that her daughter had changed so much in the last two years.
Much had changed over the last two years. Lydia had finally gotten around to marrying Kiral and Chrissy had her first child. Jia-Li was a beautiful baby girl who took after he father’s Asian traits and had Chrissy’s eyes. She was everything to Chrissy and Zhi and they were so happy to finally have her. Jia-Li was 8 months old and already Chrissy looked like she raised five children and a grandchild. Chrissy made Jolene laugh. She was such a good person and a great sister.
Before she knew it, it was just about time to end her bath. Ten minutes later she exited her bathroom dressed in a bathrobe. Her body felt refreshed and she was relaxed. After dressing Jolene took the rest of her time to read. She hadn’t read in a long time and as she knew it sometimes setting time aside to read helped in the writing process.
As time flew and Jolene was drawn into her book it all came to an end when the front door flew open and Adyli came running in. She flew right past Jolene and headed straight for the downstairs bathroom. Following her came the struggling Danny who carried Darrien in one hand and the children’s things in the other. Jolene smiled at him and set her book aside.
“Hi Darlings.” She greeted them. She walked over to Danny and picked up Darrien. “Did you have fun with titi Lydia Darrien?” Jolene asked. The toddler nodded and kissed his mothers cheek. He wiggled his feet around in a demand to be put down. Jolene put him down and watched him move straight for the toy box.
Jolene turned to Danny and smiled at him. He sighed and leaned into her. She wrapped her arms around him and sympathized what he went through today. She kissed his lips and he sighed yet again. “Thank you...” she said to him. He nodded his head with out words and closed the door. He walked to the couch and nearly collapsed.
**************************
Danny woke up to the sweet sounds of his children running around downstairs. Jolene was awake and out of bed. She stood in the kitchen cooking breakfast and keeping an eye on the children. Danny walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. He watched her move around and smiled as she frantically looked through the drawers. “What you looking for?” Danny asked.
“The large spoon! I can never keep track of that thing.” She said shaking her head. Just then little Darrien was pushed into the kitchen doorway. He tripped and fell landing on his stomach. Next to him was the large spoon. He got up and shook his head.
“Oh…. Wow… are you ok?” Jolene asked her son kneeling down and picking up the spoon. Darrien nodded his head and walked out of the kitchen.
“Adyli pushed him….” Danny said rubbing his forehead.
“Of course… you know I need to have another talk with that girl about her brother and pushing him through doorways.” Jolene said laughing.
“Well, my boy is a tuff one so no worries. He can handle it and we know behind the scenes he’s getting her back.” Danny told her getting up and walking out of the kitchen.
Just then the phone rang and Danny looked around. He followed the ringing and found himself standing in front of the couch. He sighed and shoved his hands into the couch searching for the phone. By the time Danny found the phone the caller had long hung up. Danny looked at the caller ID and it read Kiral Maximus.
“It was Lydia!” Danny called to Jolene in the kitchen.
He walked to the kitchen and dropped the phone on the counter before heading to the bathroom. Danny used the bathroom and came back out in good time. Once in the kitchen he asked Jo if she called Lydia back and what it was about.
“She’s going to the doctor she just wants to make sure I don’t need her to do any babysitting.” Jolene said over her shoulder stirring something on the stove.
“Why is she going to the doctor?” Danny asked.
“I really don’t know…” Jo told him her voice soft. There was a pause in sound and Jolene said “I’m sure it’s nothing big.”
“I’m sure…” Danny added. The phone rang again and Danny was quick to answer it. “Hello?” he greeted. A familiar voice answered him and spoke to him. Jolene watched him and mouthed to him “Is it Lyd?” Danny shook his head and carried the phone to another room. He wrote down the information the caller gave him and hung up the phone. He held the phone to his chest unbelievable as to he just spoke to.
Danny was back at the kitchen and sitting at the table when Jolene finally said “What was that about?”
“What was what about?” Danny asked.
“You left to the other room to take a call? You have never done that before. What was that about?” she said placing a plate of food in front of him.
“It was just a bit noisy in here Jo I just wanted to take the call to a quieter room.” He said simply.
“Who was it?” she asked.
“No one special. Just an old friend really.” He told her. Danny finished up his breakfast and put the plate in the sink. He brushed a kiss across Jolene’s cheek and told her not to worry. He left for the bathroom to get ready for work.
An hour later Danny was ready to leave for work. He kissed his children and hugged them tight. He reminded them he loved them and told them he’d be home on later then usually but he would still tuck them in. Jolene watched him with smirk on her face. Danny turned to her and kissed her tenderly. He hugged her and told her he loved her.
“Why will you be late?” Jolene asked sounding as if she regretted him not being home as early as usual.
“I just have a friend to visit and then I’ll be home.” He said. Jolene looked at him and he read something new n her eyes. Something he’d never seen before…. Doubt? Could she doubt his actions?
Danny and Jolene had been together for years now and if there was anything he knew for sure was that she understood how much he loved her. On some level to think that she might doubt him made him sick. He’d never done anything to make her doubt him and he sure wasn’t going to start now. He kissed her again and whispered “Don’t worry.” Danny was out the door and in his car Jolene watching from the open door. He waved to her and she smiled waving back. Danny couldn’t take leaving his family sometimes…. And it seemed this was one of those times.
********************************
Kiral turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He looked around and grabbed a towel. He dried his face and hair then wrapped the towel around his waist. He stepped in front of the sink and looked at the mirror. Unsure of what was happening Kiral looked at the paper that was taped on the mirror. He grabbed it and ripped it off. He flipped it over and in bold writing it said “I’m Pregnant.” It was signed “the Mrs.” and was written in Lydia’s hand writing.
Kiral was shocked and found himself heading straight to the bed room. Once in their bed room he looked around for Lydia but did not see her, instead on Lydia’s pillow was yet another note. “Gone to the doctor” it said.
Kiral shook his head and took his time to dress. He considered being a father and was blown away. Was she really pregnant? After he was dressed he headed down the steps and found the home phone. He picked it up and dialed Lydia’s phone number.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Are you serious?” he said to her.
“You like the notes?” she responded.
“Are they true?” he asked wishing she’d answer his question.
“Yep… very true.” She said.
“I love the notes…” he said with a smile.
Jolene hummed as she walked around her house. Everything was quiet and everything was in order. She had spent the day cleaning her home and now felt that she could be comfortable in her home with out the clutter bothering her. Jolene was all alone in her house. Danny was at work and the kids were at Lydia’s house. Even better Danny had agreed to pick up the kids and she still had two more ours of freedom to herself.
Jolene sat on her clean couch and stretched. She yawned and leaned back on the couch. This was a very relaxing and comfortable. Suddenly Jolene found her eyes closing and she jumped up to prevent from falling asleep. Instead, Jolene headed up the steps of her home and into her bedroom. She gathered her robe and some underwear and headed for the bathroom.
Once in the bathroom Jolene turned on the water and stripped of all her clothes. She stepped into the tub and enjoyed the bubble bath. She sighed in relief and began thinking about nothing. It felt great to finally think about nothing.
Between kids and managing the house Jolene very rarely had a chance to stop and not think about anything. Jolene also managed to run a full time writing career. She had long ended her medical career and began focusing on her writing. She found pleasure in writing and even enjoyed it more when her novel was published and people actually read it. Jolene sat with Lydia and created her own website. With some help they finished it and it was great.
Jolene adored fan mail and even more enjoyed when young aspiring writers messaged her asking for advice. It wasn’t long ago Jolene was that young aspiring writer and now she was among New York Time’s best selling authors. She was proud of where she was and she knew she worked hard to get there.
Jolene was the mother of two beautiful children. Adyli was four years old and little Darrien who was two years old. Jolene had to admit that her children were her life. She watched little Darrien take after his father and grow to be a dark skinny young boy. He spoke with a lisp and had energy galore. Adyli had begun pre-school and spoke a mile a minute. She was intelligent and socialized very well. Jolene found it amazing that her daughter had changed so much in the last two years.
Much had changed over the last two years. Lydia had finally gotten around to marrying Kiral and Chrissy had her first child. Jia-Li was a beautiful baby girl who took after he father’s Asian traits and had Chrissy’s eyes. She was everything to Chrissy and Zhi and they were so happy to finally have her. Jia-Li was 8 months old and already Chrissy looked like she raised five children and a grandchild. Chrissy made Jolene laugh. She was such a good person and a great sister.
Before she knew it, it was just about time to end her bath. Ten minutes later she exited her bathroom dressed in a bathrobe. Her body felt refreshed and she was relaxed. After dressing Jolene took the rest of her time to read. She hadn’t read in a long time and as she knew it sometimes setting time aside to read helped in the writing process.
As time flew and Jolene was drawn into her book it all came to an end when the front door flew open and Adyli came running in. She flew right past Jolene and headed straight for the downstairs bathroom. Following her came the struggling Danny who carried Darrien in one hand and the children’s things in the other. Jolene smiled at him and set her book aside.
“Hi Darlings.” She greeted them. She walked over to Danny and picked up Darrien. “Did you have fun with titi Lydia Darrien?” Jolene asked. The toddler nodded and kissed his mothers cheek. He wiggled his feet around in a demand to be put down. Jolene put him down and watched him move straight for the toy box.
Jolene turned to Danny and smiled at him. He sighed and leaned into her. She wrapped her arms around him and sympathized what he went through today. She kissed his lips and he sighed yet again. “Thank you...” she said to him. He nodded his head with out words and closed the door. He walked to the couch and nearly collapsed.
**************************
Danny woke up to the sweet sounds of his children running around downstairs. Jolene was awake and out of bed. She stood in the kitchen cooking breakfast and keeping an eye on the children. Danny walked into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. He watched her move around and smiled as she frantically looked through the drawers. “What you looking for?” Danny asked.
“The large spoon! I can never keep track of that thing.” She said shaking her head. Just then little Darrien was pushed into the kitchen doorway. He tripped and fell landing on his stomach. Next to him was the large spoon. He got up and shook his head.
“Oh…. Wow… are you ok?” Jolene asked her son kneeling down and picking up the spoon. Darrien nodded his head and walked out of the kitchen.
“Adyli pushed him….” Danny said rubbing his forehead.
“Of course… you know I need to have another talk with that girl about her brother and pushing him through doorways.” Jolene said laughing.
“Well, my boy is a tuff one so no worries. He can handle it and we know behind the scenes he’s getting her back.” Danny told her getting up and walking out of the kitchen.
Just then the phone rang and Danny looked around. He followed the ringing and found himself standing in front of the couch. He sighed and shoved his hands into the couch searching for the phone. By the time Danny found the phone the caller had long hung up. Danny looked at the caller ID and it read Kiral Maximus.
“It was Lydia!” Danny called to Jolene in the kitchen.
He walked to the kitchen and dropped the phone on the counter before heading to the bathroom. Danny used the bathroom and came back out in good time. Once in the kitchen he asked Jo if she called Lydia back and what it was about.
“She’s going to the doctor she just wants to make sure I don’t need her to do any babysitting.” Jolene said over her shoulder stirring something on the stove.
“Why is she going to the doctor?” Danny asked.
“I really don’t know…” Jo told him her voice soft. There was a pause in sound and Jolene said “I’m sure it’s nothing big.”
“I’m sure…” Danny added. The phone rang again and Danny was quick to answer it. “Hello?” he greeted. A familiar voice answered him and spoke to him. Jolene watched him and mouthed to him “Is it Lyd?” Danny shook his head and carried the phone to another room. He wrote down the information the caller gave him and hung up the phone. He held the phone to his chest unbelievable as to he just spoke to.
Danny was back at the kitchen and sitting at the table when Jolene finally said “What was that about?”
“What was what about?” Danny asked.
“You left to the other room to take a call? You have never done that before. What was that about?” she said placing a plate of food in front of him.
“It was just a bit noisy in here Jo I just wanted to take the call to a quieter room.” He said simply.
“Who was it?” she asked.
“No one special. Just an old friend really.” He told her. Danny finished up his breakfast and put the plate in the sink. He brushed a kiss across Jolene’s cheek and told her not to worry. He left for the bathroom to get ready for work.
An hour later Danny was ready to leave for work. He kissed his children and hugged them tight. He reminded them he loved them and told them he’d be home on later then usually but he would still tuck them in. Jolene watched him with smirk on her face. Danny turned to her and kissed her tenderly. He hugged her and told her he loved her.
“Why will you be late?” Jolene asked sounding as if she regretted him not being home as early as usual.
“I just have a friend to visit and then I’ll be home.” He said. Jolene looked at him and he read something new n her eyes. Something he’d never seen before…. Doubt? Could she doubt his actions?
Danny and Jolene had been together for years now and if there was anything he knew for sure was that she understood how much he loved her. On some level to think that she might doubt him made him sick. He’d never done anything to make her doubt him and he sure wasn’t going to start now. He kissed her again and whispered “Don’t worry.” Danny was out the door and in his car Jolene watching from the open door. He waved to her and she smiled waving back. Danny couldn’t take leaving his family sometimes…. And it seemed this was one of those times.
********************************
Kiral turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He looked around and grabbed a towel. He dried his face and hair then wrapped the towel around his waist. He stepped in front of the sink and looked at the mirror. Unsure of what was happening Kiral looked at the paper that was taped on the mirror. He grabbed it and ripped it off. He flipped it over and in bold writing it said “I’m Pregnant.” It was signed “the Mrs.” and was written in Lydia’s hand writing.
Kiral was shocked and found himself heading straight to the bed room. Once in their bed room he looked around for Lydia but did not see her, instead on Lydia’s pillow was yet another note. “Gone to the doctor” it said.
Kiral shook his head and took his time to dress. He considered being a father and was blown away. Was she really pregnant? After he was dressed he headed down the steps and found the home phone. He picked it up and dialed Lydia’s phone number.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Are you serious?” he said to her.
“You like the notes?” she responded.
“Are they true?” he asked wishing she’d answer his question.
“Yep… very true.” She said.
“I love the notes…” he said with a smile.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
"American Hangover"
Chapter Ten
“GO! GO!” Lydia screamed banging her hands against the field’s fence. Lydia watched Kiral run from first base to second and slide onto third untouched. It had been two months since the wedding and since then Kiral, Zhi, and Danny joined a baseball team together. It was late July and it was one hot summer day. They were in the eighth inning and Kiral’s team was winning by one point and the stress was getting stronger. Lydia stepped away from the fence and walked toward the bleachers. In the bleachers sat Chrissy fanning her self and a pregnant Jolene applying sun block.
“Jo enough with the sun block please.” Lydia said annoyed with the heat.
“Lyde you know my skin. You know I get sun burned fast and besides it cools my skin off.” Jolene said rubbing more into her neck.
Lydia climbed up onto the bleacher and sat next to Chrissy. She reached behind her and pulled out a fan she bought a couple days ago. The fan was not only a fan but could sprinkle water onto your body in a refreshing mist. Lydia sprayed Chrissy and Chrissy sighed in relief. She sprayed herself and sat and enjoyed the feeling.
“What about me?” Jolene said.
“Oh, I wasn’t sure if your sun block was water proof.” Lydia taunted. Jolene stuck her tongue out and snatched the fan from Lydia hands. She sprayed herself some and her body relaxed.
“Can you guys stop the bickering? We’re here to cheer our men on. They need our support. You know they’re hot out there too! But they aren’t quitting or fighting over a fan.” Chrissy said pointing at the men who seemed so determined to win the game. Lydia and Jolene stood quiet and watched the game.
“You know,” Lydia said “when I was younger, we used to go to the Puerto Rican day parade. It would get so hot we would buy these fans. My cousin and I would each get one… The funny thing is we barely used the fan because we were much more satisfied when we turned the fan off and kept squirting each other.”
Lydia smiled out onto the field not really getting a response from anyone. Just then water was squirted onto her face and Jolene busted out laughing. “You’re right Lyd, it is much more fun with out the fan.”
Lydia shook her head but did nothing. Jolene was round and pregnant and there was nothing Lydia could do. The inning came to an end and they were at the top of the ninth inning.
“Hey babe!” Kiral called to Lydia from behind the fence.
“What!” Lydia said.
“Give me my water please?” he said to her with a smile.
Lydia reached into Kiral’s bag and grabbed his water. She climbed down the bleacher and onto the dirt ground. She stepped to the fence and slid his water through the small holes in the fence.
“Thanks” he said sipping some water. “If I could I’d give you a kiss through these openings.” He teased.
“Shut up and go end this game.” She said to him. He nodded his head and winked then turned back to the game. Lydia turned back to the bleachers and looked at the two eyes that watched her. She shrugged and began to go to her seat on next to Chrissy. Lydia settled down and watched the next ten minutes of the game with out interruption until something caught her attention at the corner of her eye.
When Lydia turned to look she spotted Ahmet. One hand was waving at her while the other one held the hand of another woman.
“Wow…” Chrissy said looking at Ahmet also.
“People move on…” Lydia said with a smile. The image was shocking but it didn’t hurt her. She smiled more and gave him a wave back. He turned around and wrapped an arm around her waist. Together they walked away.
“That was weird.” Chrissy said.
“Not so much, I’ve always knew the day would come. They looked happy… I’m glad for them.” Lydia said. Chrissy gave her an unbelieving look but Lydia ignored it. She watched as the men continued their game and ended it, Kiral’s team winning by one point. It was a close and long game that almost extended to ten innings but Lydia was happy that they won and it was over.
Lydia jumped up for joy and gathered her things. Kiral showed up at the bleachers and began grabbing his things. He pulled a towel from his bag and wiped away sweat and dirt from his face and neck. Lydia threw her bag over her should and watched as the other couples hugged and celebrated their winning.
“You going to show me some love or what?” Kiral said to her with a smile. “Look at them over there. They’re hugging their sweaty men.” He told her his lip pouting.
“Aww, poor Kiral. His girlfriend hasn’t hugged him yet.” Lydia mocked.
Kiral shook his head and mumbled “get over here” before embracing Lydia in a hug she never asked for but a hug she enjoyed. His body was hot and sticky but Lydia in some way didn’t mind. She loved him far too much to care.
Ten minutes later every one was ready to leave. Jolene had little Adyli in a carriage sleeping with the built in shade provider protecting her from the sun and Danny held the rest of the things. Chrissy carried her purse and Zhi carried his baseball bag and the small lunch bag they brought with liquids in it for the dehydrated players.
“We should get pizza” Lydia suggested spraying Kiral with her fan.
“Mmmmm, pizza sounds good.” Jolene said rubbing her stomach.
“Oh boy…” Lydia said with a smile.
An hour and a half later Kiral and Lydia were walking into Lydia’s apartment. They closed the door behind them and threw their things to the side.
“I’m so tired and I need a shower.” Kiral said. The house was empty and quiet. When you looked around you could tell not much happened in this apartment. Since Chrissy had moved into Zhi’s apartment Lydia had lived on her own. Her living room didn’t much look very welcoming or much like it was used. Her kitchen had few dishes and her cabinets didn’t have much in them. She was living alone and living small.
“So then shower…” Lydia said.
“Okay… it won’t take me long. My draw is the bottom one right?” Kiral asked. Lydia nodded and he turned away and left for Lydia’s room. Lydia decided she couldn’t move in with Kiral and he couldn’t move in with her. She just wasn’t ready but in the end she offered to give him a key to her apartment and a drawer in her bedroom. It was definitely a move in the relationship but it wasn’t too much.
*******************************
The three men sat in stools at the bar each with a glass of beer in front of them. Zhi and Kiral watched one TV that gave the baseball game while Danny’s attention was focused on the TV opposite to the other one that showed a basketball game. Kiral took a sip of his beer and sighed.
“Man this feels good.” Danny said his tone relaxed.
“I can’t imagine how hard it must be to have a family… wife, kids, and another one coming. You needed this night.” Kiral said to him.
“The wife thing isn’t too hard.” Zhi said flashing his wedding band around.
“Well, I guess I wouldn’t know.” Kiral said with a shrug. The bar was quite empty and it seemed they had the place and the TVs to themselves.
“Which isn’t to say you’ll never know. When you going to consider popping the question to Lydia?” Zhi asked.
“Probably no time soon… You did not see her face when I suggested it at your wedding. Then when she caught the bouquet…. Asking is like asking for her to leave me.” Kiral said. Zhi drank some of his drink and pealed his face away from the screen.
“You really think she won’t marry you?” Zhi asked. Kiral sat between Zhi and Danny. Danny pulled his attention away from the basketball game and Kiral found both men staring at him.
“Not one bit…” Kiral said.
“I’ve known Peaches for a VERY long time. Marriage isn’t her thing but I think if you are the right man… she’d go for it. No matter how much she says she will never get married I’ve always understood that that was a cover up. Marriage is scary she’ll come along.” Danny said patting Kiral on the shoulder.
“What the hell is so scary about marriage?” Kiral asked.
“Lydia’s parents and family didn’t exactly do to well with marriage. She thinks it’s impossible to have happy marriage. Consider her life her evidence.” Danny laughed.
“I think you should ask anyway.” Zhi said.
Kiral shrugged and focused on the glass in front of him. Awkward silence filled the atmosphere and nobody said anything. Kiral pushed his glass away and stood up. He threw some money on the counter and turned around. “Well guys,” he said to them “I think I’ll call it a night. I have an empty house to return to.”
The guys waved him along and with that he was out the door. He walked through the parking lot and directly to his car. He jumped in and started the engine. For moments he sat in his car just letting the sound of silence sooth him. Finally he sat up and pulled out of the parking spot. He drove out of the parking lot and began straight to his house.
With in twenty minutes he was pulling into his driveway. Kiral turned off his car and smiled at what sat on his porch. Lydia looked at him from the front steps and smiled. This was the best thing that could happen to him. He loved coming home to Lydia. Kiral got out of his car and shut the door. He walked toward her and looked down at her. He smiled and shook his head.
“I must be addicted or something because I got in my car just to take a drive because I was feeling uneasy and some how I ended up here.” Lydia said looking out beyond him. Kiral took a seat next to her and she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Well I’m glad you’re addicted. I’ll never get sick of seeing you.” He said to her turning his head and kissing her forehead.
“That’s good to know because likely I’ll end up here a lot.” She said nodding her head.
“I don’t think you really understand it Lydia.” He told her his tone soft.
“What am I not understanding?” she asked.
“That I love you Lydia. I don’t think you understand how much I love you. I don’t want you to doubt for one second that I don’t mean it. I do, I love you.” he said grabbing her hand and holding it in his.
“I get it, I do. Love is scary Kiral. Love means so much to me it scares me. The people I love… I’d do anything for them and sometimes that scares me. Don’t misinterpret my fear. I love you probably just as much as you love me.” Lydia said.
Kiral felt comfort in her words and he was happy to hear them. “You know, sometimes a guy needs to hear that Lydia.”
“I know, I’m not exactly the best when it comes to saying how I feel… although I do think I’m pretty good at showing it.” She smiled.
“Stop it you tease.” Kiral said. Lydia shrugged and smiled up at him. Kiral shook his head but couldn’t prevent the kiss that was bound to happen.
“GO! GO!” Lydia screamed banging her hands against the field’s fence. Lydia watched Kiral run from first base to second and slide onto third untouched. It had been two months since the wedding and since then Kiral, Zhi, and Danny joined a baseball team together. It was late July and it was one hot summer day. They were in the eighth inning and Kiral’s team was winning by one point and the stress was getting stronger. Lydia stepped away from the fence and walked toward the bleachers. In the bleachers sat Chrissy fanning her self and a pregnant Jolene applying sun block.
“Jo enough with the sun block please.” Lydia said annoyed with the heat.
“Lyde you know my skin. You know I get sun burned fast and besides it cools my skin off.” Jolene said rubbing more into her neck.
Lydia climbed up onto the bleacher and sat next to Chrissy. She reached behind her and pulled out a fan she bought a couple days ago. The fan was not only a fan but could sprinkle water onto your body in a refreshing mist. Lydia sprayed Chrissy and Chrissy sighed in relief. She sprayed herself and sat and enjoyed the feeling.
“What about me?” Jolene said.
“Oh, I wasn’t sure if your sun block was water proof.” Lydia taunted. Jolene stuck her tongue out and snatched the fan from Lydia hands. She sprayed herself some and her body relaxed.
“Can you guys stop the bickering? We’re here to cheer our men on. They need our support. You know they’re hot out there too! But they aren’t quitting or fighting over a fan.” Chrissy said pointing at the men who seemed so determined to win the game. Lydia and Jolene stood quiet and watched the game.
“You know,” Lydia said “when I was younger, we used to go to the Puerto Rican day parade. It would get so hot we would buy these fans. My cousin and I would each get one… The funny thing is we barely used the fan because we were much more satisfied when we turned the fan off and kept squirting each other.”
Lydia smiled out onto the field not really getting a response from anyone. Just then water was squirted onto her face and Jolene busted out laughing. “You’re right Lyd, it is much more fun with out the fan.”
Lydia shook her head but did nothing. Jolene was round and pregnant and there was nothing Lydia could do. The inning came to an end and they were at the top of the ninth inning.
“Hey babe!” Kiral called to Lydia from behind the fence.
“What!” Lydia said.
“Give me my water please?” he said to her with a smile.
Lydia reached into Kiral’s bag and grabbed his water. She climbed down the bleacher and onto the dirt ground. She stepped to the fence and slid his water through the small holes in the fence.
“Thanks” he said sipping some water. “If I could I’d give you a kiss through these openings.” He teased.
“Shut up and go end this game.” She said to him. He nodded his head and winked then turned back to the game. Lydia turned back to the bleachers and looked at the two eyes that watched her. She shrugged and began to go to her seat on next to Chrissy. Lydia settled down and watched the next ten minutes of the game with out interruption until something caught her attention at the corner of her eye.
When Lydia turned to look she spotted Ahmet. One hand was waving at her while the other one held the hand of another woman.
“Wow…” Chrissy said looking at Ahmet also.
“People move on…” Lydia said with a smile. The image was shocking but it didn’t hurt her. She smiled more and gave him a wave back. He turned around and wrapped an arm around her waist. Together they walked away.
“That was weird.” Chrissy said.
“Not so much, I’ve always knew the day would come. They looked happy… I’m glad for them.” Lydia said. Chrissy gave her an unbelieving look but Lydia ignored it. She watched as the men continued their game and ended it, Kiral’s team winning by one point. It was a close and long game that almost extended to ten innings but Lydia was happy that they won and it was over.
Lydia jumped up for joy and gathered her things. Kiral showed up at the bleachers and began grabbing his things. He pulled a towel from his bag and wiped away sweat and dirt from his face and neck. Lydia threw her bag over her should and watched as the other couples hugged and celebrated their winning.
“You going to show me some love or what?” Kiral said to her with a smile. “Look at them over there. They’re hugging their sweaty men.” He told her his lip pouting.
“Aww, poor Kiral. His girlfriend hasn’t hugged him yet.” Lydia mocked.
Kiral shook his head and mumbled “get over here” before embracing Lydia in a hug she never asked for but a hug she enjoyed. His body was hot and sticky but Lydia in some way didn’t mind. She loved him far too much to care.
Ten minutes later every one was ready to leave. Jolene had little Adyli in a carriage sleeping with the built in shade provider protecting her from the sun and Danny held the rest of the things. Chrissy carried her purse and Zhi carried his baseball bag and the small lunch bag they brought with liquids in it for the dehydrated players.
“We should get pizza” Lydia suggested spraying Kiral with her fan.
“Mmmmm, pizza sounds good.” Jolene said rubbing her stomach.
“Oh boy…” Lydia said with a smile.
An hour and a half later Kiral and Lydia were walking into Lydia’s apartment. They closed the door behind them and threw their things to the side.
“I’m so tired and I need a shower.” Kiral said. The house was empty and quiet. When you looked around you could tell not much happened in this apartment. Since Chrissy had moved into Zhi’s apartment Lydia had lived on her own. Her living room didn’t much look very welcoming or much like it was used. Her kitchen had few dishes and her cabinets didn’t have much in them. She was living alone and living small.
“So then shower…” Lydia said.
“Okay… it won’t take me long. My draw is the bottom one right?” Kiral asked. Lydia nodded and he turned away and left for Lydia’s room. Lydia decided she couldn’t move in with Kiral and he couldn’t move in with her. She just wasn’t ready but in the end she offered to give him a key to her apartment and a drawer in her bedroom. It was definitely a move in the relationship but it wasn’t too much.
*******************************
The three men sat in stools at the bar each with a glass of beer in front of them. Zhi and Kiral watched one TV that gave the baseball game while Danny’s attention was focused on the TV opposite to the other one that showed a basketball game. Kiral took a sip of his beer and sighed.
“Man this feels good.” Danny said his tone relaxed.
“I can’t imagine how hard it must be to have a family… wife, kids, and another one coming. You needed this night.” Kiral said to him.
“The wife thing isn’t too hard.” Zhi said flashing his wedding band around.
“Well, I guess I wouldn’t know.” Kiral said with a shrug. The bar was quite empty and it seemed they had the place and the TVs to themselves.
“Which isn’t to say you’ll never know. When you going to consider popping the question to Lydia?” Zhi asked.
“Probably no time soon… You did not see her face when I suggested it at your wedding. Then when she caught the bouquet…. Asking is like asking for her to leave me.” Kiral said. Zhi drank some of his drink and pealed his face away from the screen.
“You really think she won’t marry you?” Zhi asked. Kiral sat between Zhi and Danny. Danny pulled his attention away from the basketball game and Kiral found both men staring at him.
“Not one bit…” Kiral said.
“I’ve known Peaches for a VERY long time. Marriage isn’t her thing but I think if you are the right man… she’d go for it. No matter how much she says she will never get married I’ve always understood that that was a cover up. Marriage is scary she’ll come along.” Danny said patting Kiral on the shoulder.
“What the hell is so scary about marriage?” Kiral asked.
“Lydia’s parents and family didn’t exactly do to well with marriage. She thinks it’s impossible to have happy marriage. Consider her life her evidence.” Danny laughed.
“I think you should ask anyway.” Zhi said.
Kiral shrugged and focused on the glass in front of him. Awkward silence filled the atmosphere and nobody said anything. Kiral pushed his glass away and stood up. He threw some money on the counter and turned around. “Well guys,” he said to them “I think I’ll call it a night. I have an empty house to return to.”
The guys waved him along and with that he was out the door. He walked through the parking lot and directly to his car. He jumped in and started the engine. For moments he sat in his car just letting the sound of silence sooth him. Finally he sat up and pulled out of the parking spot. He drove out of the parking lot and began straight to his house.
With in twenty minutes he was pulling into his driveway. Kiral turned off his car and smiled at what sat on his porch. Lydia looked at him from the front steps and smiled. This was the best thing that could happen to him. He loved coming home to Lydia. Kiral got out of his car and shut the door. He walked toward her and looked down at her. He smiled and shook his head.
“I must be addicted or something because I got in my car just to take a drive because I was feeling uneasy and some how I ended up here.” Lydia said looking out beyond him. Kiral took a seat next to her and she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Well I’m glad you’re addicted. I’ll never get sick of seeing you.” He said to her turning his head and kissing her forehead.
“That’s good to know because likely I’ll end up here a lot.” She said nodding her head.
“I don’t think you really understand it Lydia.” He told her his tone soft.
“What am I not understanding?” she asked.
“That I love you Lydia. I don’t think you understand how much I love you. I don’t want you to doubt for one second that I don’t mean it. I do, I love you.” he said grabbing her hand and holding it in his.
“I get it, I do. Love is scary Kiral. Love means so much to me it scares me. The people I love… I’d do anything for them and sometimes that scares me. Don’t misinterpret my fear. I love you probably just as much as you love me.” Lydia said.
Kiral felt comfort in her words and he was happy to hear them. “You know, sometimes a guy needs to hear that Lydia.”
“I know, I’m not exactly the best when it comes to saying how I feel… although I do think I’m pretty good at showing it.” She smiled.
“Stop it you tease.” Kiral said. Lydia shrugged and smiled up at him. Kiral shook his head but couldn’t prevent the kiss that was bound to happen.
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