Chapter 2

"Stephanie" My mother said as I put the last clean dish back into the cupboard, "would you go down to the Tasty Pastry and pick up a dozen donuts for us?"

"Sure," I said, and I left the kitchen, "would you watch Christopher? I don't want to take him out with me." I knew she wouldn't say no.

On my way to the Tasty Pastry I couldn't help but notice how almost everything had stayed the same. The Burg had never changed much, anyway.

My first thought was to get in and get out before anybody noticed or remembered me.

"Stephanie?" One word and my plan was shot to hell. I hoped I wasn't right about who it was. I turned around to see, and I was right. Standing there, staring at me with confusion on his face was someone I knew well. Joe Morelli. He hadn't changed at all, except the lines around his eyes where a little more pronounced. Seeing his face brought back so many memories at once that it felt like a car crash.

Silence.

That's all there was for a long time. Until he spoke up, if you can even call it that.

"I heard you got married," he said, his voice so low it was almost a whisper. He was staring me striaght in the eye.

"You heard wrong," I said, trying to control all of the emotion welling up inside of me.

"Really? You didn't?" He said in the same whisper.

"No but-" I decided to stop myself – he'd find out on his own. "So how have you been Joe?" I also decided to play it friendly, and keep inside all of the things that wanted to come out, instead of letting them all out here in the bakery.

"I've been okay. I'm engaged actually," he said a little louder, now focusing on my face instead of the ground.

"Great...she's a lucky girl." I was genuinely happy for him, but I couldn't hide the small amount of jealousy in my voice, as I thought about how I could have had it all with him, instead of the life I live now. But I wouldn't give Christopher up for the world.

"She reminds me a lot of you, in some ways."

"Joe..." I said as I started to shake my head. "Never mind." I choked on my cookie, "You know what I really hope you two are happy, I'll see you around."

"Why don't you come by for dinner tonight? Or pizza and the game?"

"I don't think that's such a good idea Joe."

"Oh, come on Steph, you can't tell me that you moved back to town and we're just not gonna be friends again." He laughed as if he thought it was crazy, but that was exactly what I was telling him.

--

I got into my car, pulled out my cell phone, and dialed my mom. She answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mom," I said as cheerfully as I could.

"Oh, hello, where are you? You've been gone for almost a half an hour. The bakery is only a couple streets over."

"Sorry Mom. Look, I have one more stop to make before I head home. Um, if I'm not home in time, feed Christopher at 8:30 then put him to bed, okay?"

"Yes Stephanie, it isn't like I haven't ever raised a child."

"I know, I know," I rolled my eyes then disconnected.

Five minutes later, I pulled up to the curb and got out of my car. I took a deep breath and walked up to the building. I looked at the door the same sign was hanging "Vincent Plum Bail Bond's." Now hopefully the same people were working there. One more deep breath and I opened the door. I looked around the room trying to avoid eye contact with the people in the room, hoping that either they didn't know me or they didn't recognize me. The same couch, the same desk and the same office manager – but much to my surprise no Lula.

"Oh My God!" I looked up and saw Connie staring at me in open mouth shock.

She looked about the same size, maybe a little plumper in the face and a couple more fine lines around her eyes. She had bleached her hair blonde, and got it cut short. I looked around the room and tryed to play it cool. "Hi" I said it as if nothing had changed.

Connie scowled at me. "You take off, with no word, for two years and all you have to say when you come back is Hi?" It wasn't a question, but I nodded anyway.

"Um, is Vinnie in?"

"Yeah, the weasel's in his office"

"Okay, thanks," I said walking past the desk and opened the door.

"Go the fuck away Joyce."

At this I crossed my arms over my chest and snapped. "Do I look like Joyce fucking Barnhardt to you?"

"Oh my god," he said as he looked up at me. "You're back."

No shit.

"Hey you want your job back? You can have it."

"I don't know Vinnie, a lot has changed for me..."

"Please?"

Was this really Vinnie?

"Okay," I said ,trying not to sound too eager. I gave him a finger wave and left the office. I turned around and the room fell silent. Ranger. He froze. We both sat there like mirrors with our eyes wide and mouths open. I was the first to breathe.

I closed my mouth and my eyes. "Fuck," I said, "This is not my day, is it?"

Connie slouched over in her seat and started painting her nails again like it was no big deal, but you could see her hands shake in anticipation for an all out war. And with Ranger, who knows, it just might happen.

"I have to go," I said walking past him trying my hardest to keep my head down. I walked out of the office and half a block down to my car. Before I could open my car door I felt a hand on the back of my neck.

"Babe."

I turned around slowly to see him.

He looked exactly the same. Short dark hair, black cloths, dark skin, emotionless expression. Maybe gained a pound or two but it was all muscle. All things I had come to know well when it came to Ranger – until now.

"Ranger," I said by way of greeting him, "I have to go." He let go of my arm and his hand fell to his side.

I yanked my car door open, angled myself into the car and sped off as fast as I could.