Beth and Josh
Twenty-seven-year-old Beth Turner switched off her alarm clock as it buzzed. She sighed as she got up and got going on her day.
It was a very beautiful day in her home of Los Angelus, sunny and clear skies and a temperature of seventy. But Beth hardly noticed. She just grabbed her breakfast and her usual cup of coffee and went down to Buzzwire, where she worked as a reporter.
She was usually in a good mood, but not today. Today she was working on yet another story about fashion and pop divas. That sort of stuff bored her to tears. She hadn't had anything good or juicy in months and she was getting really tired of it.
When she was done with her article she called her contact on the L.A.P.D., Lieutenant Carl, a close friend who usually gave her the scoop on a good story. He picked up the phone on the second ring.
"Hi, Beth," he said.
"Hey, Carl," she said. "Do you have anything good for me?"
"Afraid not. It's been pretty quiet for a while," said Carl. "I'll let you know if anything comes up, though. I promise."
"Okay, thanks," said Beth, slightly disappointed. She hung up and then leaned back in her chair and sighed. "There has got to be more to life than just this."
Feeling bored, she began doing more research on her obsession—vampires. And her mood immediately changed. Ever since she'd been kidnapped as a little girl and rescued by an unknown man, she'd been obsessed with vampires and the supernatural. She did plenty of reading about vampires and she always carried a vampire book in her bag whenever she went out.
Beth's kidnapper had never been caught, but Beth had always felt safe and unafraid because she'd felt that she had a guardian angel of sorts. She never knew who, but always felt that it was her unknown rescuer who had disappeared after returning her to her parents. She remembered little, being four years old at the time, but she remembered blue eyes, a soft voice and a feeling of peace when he'd held her in his arms.
Everyone who ever met Beth said she was a weird woman. She was like a paradox. She liked being a reporter, but hated the stories she had to write. She was a fair beauty with her blond hair, blue eyes and fine features, even in her lovely yet simple clothes. She had an inquisitive mind and was good at what she did. But she wanted to do more in life and she wanted to be something more. She was a mystery in herself.
"Hey, Beth," said Maureen, snapping her out of her thoughts. "What're you doing?"
"Hi, Mo," said Beth, as she put down her book. "Nothing much. I finished up my story."
"I know. It's pretty good."
"Thanks."
Beth wished she could do more. Her stories were interesting to some, but not to her. Fashion, movies, and other junk like that didn't interest her. Where was the good stuff? The juicy stories she wanted to report? Answer: they were there, just not in L.A. And that drove her nuts.
"Hey, Beth, why don't you take some leave?" asked Maureen.
"Leave? What for?"
"Well, it's been pretty slow around here lately. There's not much to do," said Maureen. "But if you find anything good, you come straight here. Don't go arguing with me. Just go take some time off and enjoy yourself, you hear?"
Beth laughed. "I hear you. Thanks."
Feeling somewhat happy, Beth left her desk and headed out. She pulled out her book and silently groaned when she saw Josh Lindsey out of the corner of her eye. Josh was L.A.'s Assistant District Attorney and a pain in the neck. Ever since he and Beth had met on accident, he'd been pestering her like crazy—begging for dates and such, but she always refused him because he acted arrogant.
"Hey! Hey, Beth, wait up a minute!" he called.
She ignored him and kept walking. She didn't even take her eyes off her book, hoping he'd take the hint and go away. No such luck. He finally caught up with her as she headed to her car.
"Beth, wait up!" said Josh. "I want to talk to you."
"Hi, Josh," said Beth, still not looking up from her book.
Josh, annoyed that she was ignoring him, snatched her book away. "Still reading about those vampires, I see."
"And it's none of your business," said Beth, as she snatched her book back.
"Why do you like that stuff so much, Beth?" he asked. "When're you going to stop reading that junk?"
"Never, because unlike you, I have taste in what I read," Beth snapped, as she took out her car keys. "What do you want, Josh?"
"I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me tonight. We could go for dinner and dancing, just you and me."
"No," said Beth, flatly.
"But—"
"No! Josh, I've told you a thousand times that I don't want to go out with you. Besides, I couldn't go even if I wanted to. I've got to make dinner tonight for my parents. My dad's leaving for a business meeting tomorrow."
"Ah, your crazy father. Always rambling about vampires and junk," Josh muttered.
Unfortunately for him, Beth heard and slapped him. "Don't talk about my dad like that! He's not crazy!"
"Beth, I'm sorry, I—"
But Beth wasn't up to listening to Josh's excuses for his rudeness. She got into her car and slammed the door shut and drove off. Once she was home, she let out another sigh and then got working on dinner. She'd just finished and placed it on the table when there was a knock on the door, signaling her parents' arrival. Beth answered it and was immediately hugged by her parents. They sat down and had an enjoyable dinner.
"I must say, you certainly know how to cook your chicken, Beth," said Mrs. Turner, as she wiped her lips.
"Well, I had pretty good teacher," said Beth, smiling at her father.
"So, how was your day?" asked Mrs. Tuner.
"Fine. Maureen gave me some leave because it's been so slow at Buzzwire," said Beth.
"Or maybe she noticed how bored you're getting," said Mr. Turner.
"Maybe," Beth agreed. She sighed. "Mom, Dad, do you think I'm weird?"
"Weird? Whatever gave you that idea?" asked Mrs. Turner.
"I don't know. It's just that, everyone seems to think that about me. Not that I can blame them."
Mr. Turner squeezed his daughter's hand. "Beth, dear, you're not a weird woman. You're a special one. You're meant for great things. I know it."
"Thanks, Daddy," said Beth, smiling.
"Has that Assistant D.A. been bothering you again?" asked Mrs. Turner.
"'Fraid so," said Beth. "This time, I slapped him."
Mr. Turner laughed. "That's my girl," he said. "Well, you don't have to worry about him. If I do well on this business meeting, it'll mean a whole new life for us. Beth, would you mind if your mother stayed with you until I came back?"
"No, not at all," said Beth, smiling.
The next day, Beth and Mrs. Turner saw Mr. Turner off. They helped load his things into his car, kissed him and waved good-bye to him as he drove off. This left the two women to themselves. Beth and Mrs. Turner began cooking, joking and laughing, watching movies and doing other girly things they hadn't done in years.
They were just discussing some books when there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it," said Beth. She peered through the peek hole and sighed when she saw who it was. With great reluctance, she opened the door. "Hi, Josh."
"Hi, Beth," he said, as he came in. He was dressed in a black tuxedo.
"I'm surprised to see you here. You usually call first," said Beth. Josh's calls usually gave her warning of when not to be home.
"Well, I thought I'd surprise you. I've got something to talk you about. Alone," he added, when he saw Mrs. Turner.
"I'll go get a cup of coffee," said Mrs. Turner, as she left the room.
"What did you want to talk about?" asked Beth.
Josh sighed. "Beth, we've been seeing each for some time now, and seeing as how you're such a great reporter and I'm the Assistant D.A., I think we make a great couple."
Seeing each other? A couple? Where was he getting this stuff? They always met briefly at her work or on the street and they were anything but a couple. "I see. And?" said Beth, wishing she had some excuse to make him leave.
"Beth, I know exactly what you want and I can give it to you."
"What do you know about what I want?" she asked, skeptically.
"Plenty," said Josh. "Beth, I want to ask you something."
Oh, gall, I hope this isn't what I think it is, thought Beth. But to her horror, it was. Josh held out an enormous ring with a huge diamond.
"Beth, will you marry me?" he asked.
"Josh, I'm speechless, I really don't know what to say," said Beth, as she leaned against the door. He didn't notice she was fumbling for the doorknob.
"Say yes, for starters," said Josh, grinning. "It's all set up. You just need to come with me to the church."
Now Beth was angry. He'd set up a wedding ceremony without asking her for her hand first or her parents' blessing? That arrogant jerk! But Beth hid her anger well as she said, "I'm Josh, but you're just not for me." And then she swung open the door and shoved him out and slammed the door shut. After a few moments of silence, Mrs. Turner peeked out into the hallway.
"Is he gone?" asked Beth.
"Yes, the coast is clear," said Mrs. Turner, laughing. "You certainly know how to handle your men, sweetheart."
"After all you and Dad have taught me, I should," said Beth, as she sat down. "I just can't believe it. He actually set up a ceremony and then he asked me to marry him! Can you see me as the wife of that arrogant, pigheaded buffoon?"
"Well, from everything you've told me about him, no," said Mrs. Turner. "If he doesn't make you happy, don't go out with him and just avoid him. I think your father would have a heart attack if he found out about this."
Beth laughed. "Maybe." Just then, Beth's phone rang and she answered it on the second ring. "Hello?"
"Beth, it's me," said Carl. "I've got some bad news. Your father never showed up for his business meeting and we just found his car about twenty miles from here."
"What?" said Beth.
"There's no sign of him, but we're going to keep looking. I'll keep you updated."
"Okay, thanks," said Beth. She hung up and looked distressed.
"Beth, what is it?" asked Mrs. Turner.
"Dad's missing," said Beth. She told her mother what Carl had told her and Mrs. Turner sat down and looked extremely worried. "Listen, I'm going to see what I can find. If Dad's missing, I'm going to look for him."
"Beth, you can't," said Mrs. Turner. "You could be taken again."
"Mom, I was four years old back then! Nothing is going to happen," said Beth. "If I have to leave town to find him, then I will. I'll be fine and Dad will come home, I promise. Don't worry. I can take care of myself."
Mrs. Turner looked as if she wanted to argue, but she didn't. Instead, she agreed to let Beth go and if she didn't hear from Beth or Mr. Turner within a week, she'd contact the police. Beth then drove out, not quite knowing what to expect.
