I stand there, on the sidewalk, with my back to the river, between those palm trees, staring up at that house. The same place I stood all those times before so many years ago. To anybody driving by I loI stand there, on the sidewalk, with my back to the river, between those palm trees, staring up at that house. The same place I stood all those times before so many years ago. To anybody driving by I look like a daughter coming home to visit. Standing there taking in the monstrous wrote iron gate, the front porch, enormous windows that you could sit and watch the boats on their way out to the intercostal. Trying to prepare myself for my first week home.
As I enter the code and watch the big gate start to open, I take a deep breath and head up to the front door. Suppressing the anxiety and desire to turn around and head back to California. The only sound is the wheels on the luggage as they get dragged across the gravel driveway. Inside those cases was only enough clothing to get through the shortest amount of days humanly possible. The drive appeared empty so I secretly hoped nobody was here. It would be good to get used to being here for the first time in 5 years with out an audience.
"Anybody home?" I yelled as I pushed the heavy ivory French doors open. No answer that's a good sign. My step sister had taken up residence in our home since my dad married her mom and moved out of the country during my senior year of high school. According to my father I needed adult supervision and at the time it seemed like a good idea for my 21 year old step sister to be my guardian. Lucky for me, according to my step mother I needed to be more like her.
Walking through the house to my room, I pass the pictures on the walls. Family photos; graduations, weddings, birthdays. Still all for display after all these years. I linger the longest as I get to the hallway and see the picture of my mother and I at my 12th birthday . The last picture of us together before she was killed when we were on vacation in South America before my sophomore year.
I jump as the front door slams shut. There stood my Valerie. She was blonde her body had filled out due to having kids. Not to mention every guy I went to school with always gawked at her. Her skin is lighter than mine, she has brown eyes to my blue ones
"Well, look what finally remembered how to come home!" Val said.
"I know, I know, it may have been a while since I've been back," I reply as I walk towards her.
"Get over here and give your sister a hug."
As we embrace. She says, " you have to remember Stephanie,you can always come home, not just when it is necessary."
" Look, I understand Val, It just isn't that easy for me, coming back here."
"It will get easier in time girl, you just have to stop avoiding it"
I quickly pull away and put some distance between us. "I'm not avoiding this, this just isn't my home anymore. I need to unpack and change before dinner tonight with the family."
I turn and walk back to the hallway to collect my bags and head to my room as my step sister continues to psycho analyze me. No need for a shrink in the family when you had her.
"Hello?" I half asleep mumble into the phone. Damn jet lag I think as I sit upright on the bed.
"My flight gets in 3 hours , don't forget to pick me up," My dearest friend Mary Lou reminds me.
Mary Lou and I met in LA. She was my polar opposite not just in careers but her outlook on life was different. Moving to NYC was her dream and now she was a psychologist who was getting ready to publish her second book.
" How could I forget Lou? You texted, emailed and faxed me your itinerary before I even left LAX. Don't worry I will be there by 5."
"Crap, its boarding. See ya then sweetie!"... Click.
I throw on a pair of dark jeans, black tank top and some heels. Grab my purse and head to the garage. There is one thing I have missed these past 5 years and that was my car. A gift from My dad on my 16th birthday! I open the door to the hanger and there it sits in the corner. A candy apple red, 1967 Pontiac GTO, not really a girl car. This for me was my dream car. My dad had a matching one in black.
All my friends argued that I was spoiled. Hell, with a car like that I didn't care. Val took good car of it while I was gone. Granted I could have had it transported out to Cali but it never felt right. I hit the automatic hanger door and climb inside as it rises. Starting the engine, and feeling the car rumble as I put it in reverse. The front gate opened and I pulled on to the street and headed into town, for the first time in a long time.
I crank up the stereo as it plays Journey's, "Don't Stop Believin" as I pass the houses along the river. Remembering who used to live there. Everything still appears the same. Like time kind of froze. As I approach the traffic light I head over the bridge towards town. I decide when I get downtown to park and wander around see if anybody I know is still around. Its been quite a few years, and with long dark hair and sunglasses I assume nobody will recognize me. Well, that's my hope at least.
Joseph Morelli walks out of the coffee shop as an old familiar muscle car pulls into the parking lot across the street. He stops dead in tracks and his mouth just drops open.
"It couldn't be, could it?" It wasn't like they dated, they were just old friends. Since Steph was impossible to get close to.
" I wonder what brought her back here," he exclaimed.
"Who are you talking to cuz?" Mooch said from behind his younger cousin.
"Look Mooch, across the street, is that Stephanie?"
"There is only one way to find out now isn't there"
"don't you dare, man". Wanting to avoid embarrassment I put my hand over my overzealous relatives face. Only he wasn't fast enough.
"Steph- OVER HERE! " She turned around and put her hands on her hips and just stared. Then as if nothing has changed a big grin came across my face.. The two of us about fell over each in laughter
I stood there with my hands on my hips staring at those two troublesome Morelli cousins as they crossed the street towards me I tried to prepare myself. Mooch was was best friends with Valerie's husband, they both played football together in high school and now they were both in the public sector him a cop and my brother-in-law a firefighter. He matched her husband in stature but his blue eyes and blond hair made him just as much in high demand with the girls in this town. Joe was his cousin's spitting image only 6 inches taller, and had a smile that could make any girl do anything. Not to mention the fact he was becoming a doctor and being way to smart for his own good.
"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Mooch said as he crushed me in an embrace.
When I pulled free I replied, "look, you boys know I avoid this place. And I'm only here because I have to be."
As I hugged Joe I remembered the trouble we used to get into.
"How long are you in town for?" Joe's question bringing me back to earth.
"Only here for two weeks, you know me. No longer than I have to."
It was weird seeing them. They looked older and happier. Oddly enough it wasn't hard to see them. Especially after how I left.
"Val invited us over tonight after dinner" Mooch advised me.
"It will be really great to catch up with you later." Joe added.
" I'm really glad you guys are coming by the house."
Part of me wanted to run. I suddenly got this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something wasn't right. " Okay, boys I better be going I have to get a friend from the airport. I will see you a bit later."
Joe and Mooch crossed the street as I headed back to the GTO. I climbed back inside and sat down on the hot leather seats. Leather in Florida in the summer bad idea. Started the engine and headed back past the house towards the airport. If there was one thing that would make being here better that would be some quality time with my best friend.
"It's about time you got here?" Mary Lou said from behind her pomegranate martini in the airport bar. Which is always her signature drink while on vacation. Sadly, this wasn't a real vacation. Usually she went to Fiji, Bora Bora or some other tropical island.
"I am so sorry! Really I am, I got sidetracked catching up with some guys downtown." I said in my defense.
"Guys? Sweetie, if you wanted to go on a date I could have taken a cab." She retorted.
"You are completely wrong, let's get out of here please. If we are late for dinner Valerie will kill me. "
"I deserve to know more about these guys" Mary Lou protested. I laughed as we climbed in the car.
"I can do you one better. They are apparently coming by the house after dinner."
"Sweetie, does this car belong to one of those guys?"
"No, why do you ask Lou?"
"It just seems like a guy's car. I mean come on, why would anybody want to drive this old thing?"
"One I love this car, two it isn't old its a classic and three it was a gift. "
We pulled in the driveway and I noticed a few extra cars. I didn't realize this was going to be such an event.
"This is where you grew up, Steph? A girl could get used to life here in Florida"
"pretty much, hurry, I'm starving and Princess Val hates when I'm late when she has made plans."
As we entered from the hanger I could hear everybody conversing in the living room. Guess they didn't expect me to enter through the kitchen. We walked across the kitchen to the guest room and put Mary Lou's bags away.
Still being able to hear them talking. Guess they are really into the conversation and didn't hear us. The anxiety is back and I am suddenly nausea.
Sensing the distress Lou grabs my arm, "it will be okay, maybe it is a good reason that they wanted you home."
"I don't know but I am starting to get the feeling it isn't. Let's go find out."
I stood in the doorway with my best friend at my side when everybody went silent.
"Stephanie, there you are. I was starting to worry since you just took off earlier. "
" Everybody this is my friend Mary Lou. I went to pick her up from the airport. That's why I left Val."
I quickly speed through introductions of my step-sister, the Morelli boys, the family lawyer, my father's attorney, and the accountant. This was all very unsettling to me. Why were all these people here and what for. I walked over to the bar and started looking for the Southern Comfort. There was going to be some alcohol needed for this.
"Could somebody tell me what's going on?" I said. without even turning around I could tell from the silence that they were staring at me. I spun around and glared at them all.
"One of you better start talking and I do mean now. " I said angrily. Nobody moved they all just stared at Val.
So she spoke," I think you should sit down, Steph.". By her voice I knew this was bad.
" I'd prefer to stand. Now talk and remember you could never lie to me. "I said pointing a finger at my step-sister.
She took another step towards me. " Its your father he's missing, and they found his new wife dead in their hotel in Prague." I just stared, waiting for the rest.
"4 days ago grandma left on trip and nobody has heard from her since she climbed on that plane." Still I said nothing.
" That is why all the lawyers and the accountant is here. Your father and your grandmother left strict orders if anything happened to them. You get everything including the company." I took two angry steps towards her.
"So what you are telling me dear Valerie is; my father and grandmother are missing, my new step-mother is dead but its okay because I get all the money and the company"
I looked around the room, none of them dared move. Except Mary Lou who came to stand next to me.
"I need some air," I stated as I headed for the door" Joe grabbed my arm as I hurried passed.
"Steph, sit down and listen there's more."
I yanked my arm free, "not now there isn't and don't touch me...ever"
I sped out the door and down the steps. Glancing over my shoulder to make sure nobody was going to follow me when I ran smack into what I thought was the wall. Only a very well defined mocha arm kept me from landing on my ass.
"Sorry I was in a hurry and wasn't paying attention," I stated as I back up.
"No problem Miss Plum. " The figure responded.
I stepped back again, "how do you know who I am?".
He took a step towards me. "The name is Ranger, I am assigned to your case. "
"Steph, get back inside and we will discuss this," Val yelled from the front porch.
"Back off!" I retorted.
"Ranger, do you by chance have a car? I need to make a getaway." He motioned toward the black SUV on the street.
"Great, where are the keys?" He dangled them in his hand to show me he had them. I snatched them.
"Okay let's go! I drive. Get in," I said as I headed towards it.
"Wait, this is..." He stammered.
"Look buddy, I'm taking this car with or with out you. You Decide. "
I retorted. He smiled as I climbed behind the wheel.
"You know I could have you arrested for grand theft auto?"
I pushed the passenger door open, "to be honest sir, you did hand me the keys and the chief of police is currently in my house. How do you think this will play out?"
Reluctantly the tall Hispanic, well built man climbed in and I pulled the SUV away from the curb. Heading for downtown as I cranked up the radio I needed 5 minutes where I couldn't hear myself think.
Pulling up in front of the diner, I turned off the engine and tossed him the keys.
"Let's eat " I hollered as I jumped out and headed for the door.
"Do I get a say in any of this?" He echoed behind me.
I just kept walking through the door after saying hello to the owners we sat at the table in front of the windows.
"Look, Dude. Since technically I did steal what I do believe is an Government issued vehicle. Dinner is on me."
"You can just call me Ranger, we will forget about that but from now on I drive. "
Raising an eyebrow I inquired, "what do you mean from now on?".
Exhaling deeply, Dark chocolate eyes looked up from behind his coffee cup and replied, "How much do you know exactly?"
"What do you mean how much do I know? How about you just start from the beginning and I will let you know if you are being redundant."
"Your sister told me arguing with you was a waste of time."
The table vibrated again and I looked down to see that I had 12 missed calls and a dozen text messages. I scroll down and respond to Mary Lou telling her I'm fine and will be back soon.
"Val is good for some things information was never one of them." With the food arriving, I prod this man for info.
"When are you going to explain to me why you are here?"
"I'm here because the head of the FBI is an old friend of your family. My orders were to come here and protect you.". I am starting to get irritated.
"What do you mean protect me? I'm a stylist in Los Angeles. My best friend is a quirky shrink. Who on earth do I need protection from?"
"It has nothing to do with your life Miss Plum. Over the years your family has made quite a few enemies. Then again, your Dad did do a lot of favors for the powers that be."
A familiar wave of nausea swept over me again. Resulting in me pushing my cheeseburger away from me.
"Miss Plum, are you okay? You look a little flushed."
"My name is Stephanie , I will be fine tonight has just been a little more than I can handle. You know with the deaths, disappearances and deception. This isn't the norm in my life."
Ranger leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his broad chest just staring at me before he spoke.
"I really am sorry for being the one to tell you all this. Valerie explicitly told me she wanted to be the one to tell you."
"No worries, really. Leave my step sister to me. Ready to get out of here?"