Pleasantview

Chapter 1

The Remington

Colt Remington, his beautiful wife, Brenda, and their beautiful children, Shari and James, pulled up to the Remington Plantation, on the hill overlooking Pleasantview. It had been owned by his grandmother, Abigail Remington. She had died tragically in a fire. Word had not arrived in time to let Colt and his family attend the funeral. The death was ruled an accident, since the fire had occurred during renovations to the old house. Colt had it rebuilt in her honor and knowing how peaceful the neighborhood was moved his family there.

Not long after their arrival, the Pleasantview greeting committee arrived. No one would suspect that any of the three actually had anything in common but they did. Mortimer and Bella Goth had been separated about eight months ago. On the eve of their daughter's, Cassandra, marriage to young Doctor Don Lothario. Bella was not happy with her daughter's choice and went over to his house the night before. This was the last anyone saw of her for nearly seven months. A night or two later, the only witness to her alien abduction, Skip Broke, drowned in a mysterious pool accident. Brandi came with them and it was very apparent that she was pregnant with Skip's last child.

Brenda took the ladies outside to show them around the beautiful yard, while Mortimer and Colt went into one of the few rooms that was set up, the billiard room. Colt racked the balls as Mortimer chalked his cue. Mortimer broke the racked balls as the game began. "Your grandmother was a special woman. In fact, you could say she saved my life," Mortimer said as he sunk the balls. "I was totally lost when Bella disappeared. I am ashamed to say, that I nearly found comfort with another woman. Had it not been for Abigail, I would have made the biggest mistake of my life." Mortimer frowned as he missed the next shot.

Colt studied the lay of the table. "I take it there is a reason that you are telling me this." Effortlessly, Colt made a shot that took out two of his striped balls.

"It is not a secret that I think that I believe your grandmother was murdered. Just like I believe that young Skip Broke's death was an accident." Mortimer paused. Colt was a master at the pool table, a true general on a slate battlefield. "I have always believed that it was no accident that Bella was abducted. I am sure that Don Lothario had something to do with it, but I cannot prove it. A few nights before your Grandmother's accident, she had something to tell me. Bella had just returned, so I spent that time with her. Then, the horrible news came. I never found out what she wanted to tell me."

"Eight ball in the corner pocket." Colt's cue stick struck the cue ball and it barely kissed the eight sending it spinning into the corner pocket. "You think it was about Bella. You also think that it was important enough to kill her over."

"That's what I would like to know. I would think that you would want to know that as well. As of late, I have been troubled at the rumblings around the community. Strangers showing up. People disappearing or dying in questionable accidents. It has all become rather unsettling." Mortimer then smiled. "Then again it could be just the ramblings of an old man. In any case, I would you suggest watching your back."

Placing the cue into the rack, Colt nodded. "Sounds like good advice."

"So you were left with two children to raise by yourself?" Brenda said as she heard Brandi's story.

"Well, things won't get easier in couple of months." Brandi frowned as she patted her belly. "But I am not going to complaining. It's the last thing Skip left me."

"So, Bella what happened to you when you got abducted?" Brenda asked as Bella stared at the garden.

Bella didn't answer. She just stared into space.

"She still can't talk about it." Brandi whispered.

The Pleasants

Daniel Pleasant was up early for his regular morning work out. Pumping iron had been part of his life for a long time. It was a reminder of the failure his life had become. He started out with greatness. High school and college saw Daniel the star athlete. He married his childhood sweetheart, Mary-Sue. Then he went pro, as Mary-Sue gave birth to their twins, Angela and Lilith. The charmed life ended. A knee injury ended his career. His hope for Hall of Fame status seemed to drift away daily. Now, instead of being the star, he was an assistant coach. His daughters grew up hating each other. His marriage was less and less romantic. So much so, that he had another lady on the side.

Sitting on the end of the bench cooling down, Daniel smelled Mary-Sue's perfume. He turned and the two shared a tender kiss. "I maybe late tonight. with the election coming up." She said sweetly.

Before he could answer, there was a big argument in the front room. By the time they got through the kitchen and into front room, Angela and Lilith were rolling on the floor, pulling hair, slapping wildly, and cursing each other. Mary-Sue and Daniel separated them as Lilith was on top. "GET READY FOR SCHOOL! WE WILL DEAL WITH THIS THIS AFTERNOON!" Boomed Daniel.

Within the hour, the girls were off to high school and Mary-Sue was off to work. Daniel found himself alone. He stared at the phone. Should he? Deep down he still loved Mary-Sue but things were not going well. They went through the motions. Daniel walked over and dialed the number. The wait seemed like an eternity and the phone was finally answered. "Hey baby, you got some time?"

"I'll be right over. It's always a pleasure to see you. " The sweet female voice answered on the other end.

The Goths

The Goth household was preparing for the wedding of Cassandra and Don Lothario. It would be a private ceremony this evening. As Cassandra took care of the little details, Bella cornered Don. "I remember everything and know what you were going to do. If you hurt Cassandra, me, or any of my family, you and the Caliente sisters will be growing old in prison."

Don's expression turned to horror at the thought. "Cassandra will be well taken care of."

"I am counting on that ." Bella sneered.

The Brokes

Brandi looked at the clock. Her eldest, Dustin, would be home soon. The two needed to have a serious talk. Dustin's grade had dipped from A's to near failing. On top of that, he was working for the local crime family. "If only Skip as here," she sighed. The Bus arrived and Dustin stepped off with Angela. For a long time, Dustin was ashamed of bringing Angela to the trailer house. Angela told him that she wanted to be a part of his whole life. As the bus pulled away, Angela and Dustin shared a kiss.

Brandi came out. "Angela, may I speak with my son?"

Angela nodded. "May I go in and play with Beau?"

"That is a great idea. Thanks hon." Angela went into the trailer. "Dustin, what am I going to do with you. I have been getting calls from your teachers that you are sleeping in class and talking back. Some are even concerned that your not going to graduate. I don't like the idea of you working nights for that family…"

"Then where are we going to get the rent or groceries, Mom?" Dustin shot back. "It's not like Dad left us a windfall, and your in no condition to get a job. Sal stepped in and helped when no one else would."

"I don't want you drawn in to that type of life. Your father would be ashamed that you would work for them." Brandi tried to continue.

"Well, Dad isn't here and he won't be coming back. We need this job." About that time, the car stopped to take Dustin to work. "I love you, Mom."

The Goths

The minister smiled. "By the powers vested to me by Sim City, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Don and Cassandra shared their first kiss as man and wife. "I now present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Don Lothario."

The guests all clapped. The couple walked to back of the yard and fed cake to each others to enjoyment of them. Bella smiled at Don as she went up to put Alexander to bed. Someone asked about the honeymoon. "That will come a bit later." Don announced. "Due to my busy schedule at the hospital we will have to wait."

As the reception kicked into full swing, Don excused himself for a few minutes. He walked into the bathroom and locked the door. Pulling out his cell phone, he hit speed dial on the phone. "We need to get together very soon because we have a problem."

The Brokes

The evening went as most do. Brandi got to know Angela as she tried to potty train Beau. The time seemed to pass quickly and it was time for Angela to go home. Dustin walked Angela out to her mother's car. The two whispered and shared another kiss as they got to the car. Soon Angela was gone. By the time, Dustin got back in the house, Brandi sat on the loveseat, asleep. Picking up Beau, Dustin put the toddler to bed. Dustin then helped his mother to her bed. Going back to the area that acted as the kitchen, Dustin worked on his homework, keeping an eye on the clock.

At midnight, Angela pulled up in a car. Dustin slipped out and the two took off.