If you like the story please post a review thank you :)
Neptune California Mars House - Located just outside of the 09'er zip code
Veronica tried to focus on her Harry Potter book but the noise from the living room made reading impossible. Her parents were fighting yet again. It was becoming a rather broken record.
She knew most parents fought about money, or who left the toilet seat up. She instead got a ring side seat to her mother attempting to beat Keith Richards in a drinking contest.
Sighing she decided to go into the living room to stop the fight by changing their focus.
"Keith you keep saying you used to be cool, when was that when you were a fetus? Having a little nip after work is normal, healthy and frankly my business not yours."
Veronica crept into the living room and found her parents staring at each other with only their anger and a coffee table between them. Her mom was clutching a bottle of Jack Daniels to her chest.
Keith tried to pry the bottle out of her hands but she was having none of it. "Lianna unless you want Veronica to write a sequel to "Mommy Dearest" give me the bottle please. You have a problem let me help you."
Lianne Mars move to the other end of the table. "Our daughter is on the honor row and well behaved Keith. I am a damn good mom by those standards."
Keith rolled his eyes in frustration, "Lianne you really believe that don't you? OK then explain why is Veronica hiding in the doorway watching us fight?"
Lianne turned around finally noticing Veronica tucked in the doorway. She was 12 years old but she was very small for her age. People thought she was only 8, which she used to her advantage when possible.
Veronica put on her little Orphan Annie smile and came over to hug her mom, "I hope its ok but a new family just moved into Neptune. I promised their daughter I will visit. Can one of you drive me please?"
Keith looked at Veronica gratefully; the war of the Mars was done for now thanks to her yet again. "Sure hon what is the girl's name and address."
Veronica smiled handing them a business card, "Can you believe she is only 12 and her dad gives her business cards to share with her friends. Her name is Lily Kane and she is the coolest girl I ever met."
Keith frowned but changed to a smile before Veronica noticed, "Ah yes the Kane's I will be happy to take you to meet her. Go get your coat and anything you want to take with you."
When Veronica left the room Lianne glared at Keith "Don't you DARE say it. I will not talk to the Kane's you have nothing to worry about. I left all of that behind in high school."
Keith sighed; this is one fight he was never going to let Veronica see. Some secrets need to stay buried. However his daughter was a female version of him. The moment a mystery pops up Veronica was a moth to a flame. All he could hope is Pandora's Box stayed firmly closed.
The Kane Residence.
Keith pulled his Minivan up to the gates of what could only be described as a palace. The White Colonial house was big enough for ten families. It even had Peacocks walking on their extensive grounds.
Keith chuckled to himself, "Nothing says disposable income like live Peacocks on your front lawn."
Keith never liked Jake, they both came from the lower middle class but unlike Jake he didn't see that as a badge of shame. Jake made it clear in high school that just because he was born in a barn he was not a horse. He had one goal in life, get rich. He told everyone he would make his first million by age 21. The man was worth billions now.
After clearing the security gate Keith rang the doorbell and was surprised when a boy about Veronica's age answered the door. He smiled ushering them inside. "Thank you for coming, Lily is slightly delayed. Please follow me."
The blond boy led them into a large sitting room were tea was waiting on a table. "My name is Duncan Kane I am Lily's brother. She has told me so much about you already Veronica I feel as if I know you. Thank you for bringing her Mr. Mars."
Keith smiled and assured Duncan that it was NP.
Veronica grinned, "I feel the same way, Lily talks about you all the time at school. So you are the famous Duncan. Did you really skateboard down the malls shipping ramps with a dozen store security guards chasing behind you?"
Before he could answer a smaller boy walked into the room, "Has Lily been pretending my exploits are Duncan's again? Giving that I was the one that got grounded for a month I insist on claiming credit."
Duncan blushed, "He is right, I'm not the type to do that sort of thing but it's exciting to watch Logan play evil Peter Pan in public. My sister and I had a blast watching him outrun those guards."
Wiping his palm on his pants the brown haired boy stuck his hand out to her, "My name is Logan Echolls and yes my father is Aaron Echolls. Try not to hold it against me. I don't do cheesy action movies."
As if suddenly remembering that they were standing in the room with Neptune's chief of police both boys looked uneasy. They knew talking about crime in front of the Keith was not a bright move.
Veronica smiled encouragingly to ease the boys discomfort, "There is a lot of ways to be exciting that does not end up with a trip to Juvenile Hall. I am sure we can find a lot of interesting things to do in Neptune together."
The sound of laughter could be heard getting closer. Suddenly a small blond girl came into the room. She was tugging Jake Kane behind her. Keith stared at the girl as if he he'd seen a ghost.
"Veronica you came I am so grateful, boys go away I don't want Veronica scared away by you two. Mom has cake waiting for you upstairs."
Rolling their eyes both boys vanished racing toward the staircase before disappearing out of sight. After Logan suffered foot in mouth disease they were keen to leave the room as quickly as possible.
Jake Cane paused, his mouth hanging open staring at Veronica. Lily tugged her father to stand right in front of her new friend, "See dad I was so not lying, Veronica could be my sister we look so much alike."
Jake Cane looked dazed then he broke into a smile. He bent down to shake Veronica's hand. "I am pleased to meet you Veronica. I've known your parents for years. I am glad to finally get to meet you."
Veronica eyes became curious, why didn't her parents mention they knew the head of Kane industries. Having him on your FaceBook page is something most parents would shout from the roof tops. Her parents never mentioned they knew the man.
Veronica smiled and shook his hand in return. She became distracted by a thousand questions shoved into her brain all at once. She could smell a mystery and that's something she could never resist.
She was brought back to reality when she realized Mr. Kane seemed to be waiting on an answer, "I'm sorry I missed your question."
Mr. Kane smiled in amusement, "I asked would you and Lily like to go play in the backyard? I know you might be a bit old for it by now but we have swings and even a rather large slide."
Lily grabbed her hand, "Of course she wants to go outside and nobody is ever too old for a swing."
Jake Cane watched them leave feeling slightly depressed. Veronica was lovely and clearly intelligent. He found it amazing that Keith's DNA could have her floating around. The girl was about 8 years old from the size of her. He was shocked Lianne had a child he knew nothing about.
"Sorry to cut this reunion short but I have things to do. Give me a call when Veronica is ready to be picked up. Here is my number or call the police department and ask for me." Keith headed toward the front door wishing to get out of the house as quickly as possible.
"Keith there is no need for you to come back I will have my driver bring her home. I am sure you are a very busy man." Jake said following Keith to the door.
Keith shrugged, "OK just make sure she is home by 6pm, her dinner will be ready." The door gave a click as it closed behind him. Keith walked toward his car feeling more uneasy with every step.
Jake turned and ushered the butler back to his station at the front door. He kept the butler scarce when his kid's friends came to visit. They preferred to open the doors for their friends themselves. He has not seen Lianne in 12 years and seeing her daughter brought old feelings back to the surface.
Trying to push thoughts of Veronica and Lianne out of his mind Jake went to work in his office. Seeing Veronica only made him ache for the life him and Lianne should have had, Lianne was his only love. His wife was his consolation prize.
A few minute later Lily lead Veronica to a playground large enough for a public park. It had a gazebo, a fountain and a large selection of playground equipment.
Lily dragged her over to a bush where they found Duncan and Logan sitting behind a hedge.
Logan glared at both of them as he stood up, "what took you so long I got ants crawling up my legs?"
Lily only laughed, "I had to let dad believe I really wanted to come out here to swing. Is he insane, do I look like I need diapers? We have four hours without our parents and we are not going to waste it."
Veronica and Duncan both looked uneasy, finally Veronica spoke, "If the next words out of your mouth are "has anyone ever seen a dead body", then I'm walking home, my father's punishments are hardcore when I behave to badly. I don't want to go to bed chained to a radiator."
Logan gave an almost bitter laugh "Veronica my dad could top anything your dad can dream up to punish you. Trust me I will keep you safe, I have a lot to lose too if we don't pull this off successfully." He knew she was kidding about the chains. He saw how Keith looked at his daughter, the man wouldn't harm a hair on Veronica's head.
Veronica suddenly looked at Logan and saw he wasn't kidding he intended to protect her. "OK I'm in as long as it does not involve felonies, tattoos, joining a cult or the army."
Logan rubbed his hands together giving them all an evil grin, "Thankfully you left out the really fun stuff or my plan today would go up in flames."
Logan tossed them all backpacks hiding behind the hedge. They opened them but only Veronica and Duncan gasped. Duncan turned beet red and glared at Logan "Is this what I think it is, dude what the hell, have you seriously lost it? Where did you get these?"
Logan only smirked, as he and Lily rapidly emptied their own bags. "You can always go play on the swings Duncan. However I have faith in you my friend. We are both 13 and it's the last year we can do stuff like this without ending up in jail cells."
Duncan shrugged removing all the items in his kit, "OK I'm in, my dad has a team of lawyers we are in zero real danger."
Veronica paled avoiding Lily's annoyed glare, "I am afraid of a bit more than jail."
Duncan knelt down and kissed her hand, "Lady Mars I promise to protect you from dragons, pillaging Vikings and Logan's bad breath."
Veronica felt Duncan's warm hand and felt a little less uneasy. Frankly a part of her wanted to join Logan on his insane plan today whatever it is. He seems confidant that it would work. She did not want to be stay behind or cause them to give up their game.
Logan shook his head in disgust, "Duncan what the hell dude cut that out before I put Lily's dress on you instead."
Logan winked at Veronica before opening her bag again, "Veronica will come I can see it in her eyes she is a hell raiser in hiding. Come on Bobcat let me see those claws."
Veronica opened her bag again unable to say no to Logan's inviting grin, "OK I'm in, besides the worse my dad can do is lock me in my room until I'm 18. Let's do this. I hope you got the right size, this is not going to work if I am swimming in my clothes."
Logan only laughed gathering his supplies, "I asked Lily to get your dress size from your soccer uniform. BTW when does your team play I would like to come out and see you in action. I play on the boy's team."
Veronica smiled brightly, "We play every Saturday minus this one. My coach is away until next week."
Lily rolled her eyes, "If you two are done wasting time talking about skinned knees and sports rashes can we go? We are wasting daylight."
Veronica blushed and followed Lily so they could dress in private. She felt her lips curl up in a smile as she closed the last button. When she and Lily walked back to the boys they were waiting for them by an oak tree. Veronica turned her attention to Logan. "I assume we have bikes it's a bit of a walk."
Logan pointed to another bush with bikes poking out, "They are not racing bikes but they will do." As they peddled away Veronica had a feeling she is going to have a very interesting summer with her new friends.