2008
1-1-08/Tuesday morning.
Elaine Lishack awakens early, as is her habit, because her daughter Emily is always an early riser who is eager to get a quick start on her day. Today is different than most days. There is a man sharing Elaine's bed. Elaine looks over at the sleeping Dr. John Hunter and smiles – barely resisting the urge to touch him. Elaine studies her lover's face (a very handsome one) and feels a sensation of emotional bliss she hasn't known since her early college days when a relationship meant more than just satisfying physical desire. She has not felt like this since she was recruited to be a spy at 19.
Elaine remembers her exciting espionage days with a lot of regrets. Not about the work they did – the agency spared the world a lot of pain and death by regularly defeating its' enemies. No, the regrets rest with the sacrifices that had to be made to accomplish those victories. Her agency had an old-fashioned approach to women spies. They were recruited as much for their beauty as for their brains, and they were fully expected to play the role of a Mata Hari when the occasion demanded. Agent 66 became a very jaded but successful seducer and exploiter of men, playing on their egos and pathetic weaknesses. Even when not on duty, Elaine indulged in a cynically wild lifestyle of physical excess for she constantly lived in a wartime mentality – eat, drink and be 'merry' for tomorrow, or today or in the next minute, you die.
When the work and lifestyle began to cause her to crack, Agent 66 accepted that she could handle the business of spy no more. She retired with the thanks of a grateful nation and the new identity of Elaine Lishack, quirky science teacher, was created. It was a difficult transition, especially in her personal life. Lovers became less frequent, but Elaine continued to see men as either potential enemies or temporary playthings. Not that she didn't have fond memories of some of the men in her life, but the list of: "What was I thinking?" is much longer. Near the top of that list is Issac B. Dunn, a bitter ex who never forgave her for breaking his heart.
Dana Tuchman definitely is at the top of the list of former loves she thinks of fondly, mostly because he is Emily's father. Truthfully, if Elaine hadn't gotten pregnant, their relationship would have disappeared a long time ago. But now, to her amazement, Elaine has found a new man who actually stirs hope within her. Hope for a normal life – a family type life. There is something different about John, something so good and real that for the first time in many years, Elaine is willing to risk her heart on a man.
Although they have been lovers for only a few days, Elaine knows she is in deep with John and finds herself desperately hoping he feels the same way. Two good signs: one, when it came time for Elaine to return to Arcadia, John hastily scheduled a vacation to accompany her and two, Emily instantly liked and accepted John. This also seemed amazing to Elaine since her daughter never takes to people right off, but John captivated her. Perhaps this was because John had the experience of becoming a stepfather to his late wife's daughter when little Barbara was only two. Emily turns two next month. Not that Elaine is seriously thinking that far ahead…is she?
John suddenly stirs… "Oh God!"
"John? What's wrong?"
"I…had a dream."
"One of those prophetic ones?"
John Hunter nods and gathers his thoughts. Elaine is still trying to adjust to the idea that her new boyfriend has this odd ability, and has been nervous about discussing the matter with him.
"We were downtown, in front of the city building, attending a rally for Will Girardi's announcement of his run for mayor. We were pretty far back in the crowd, and we were focused on Will's speech. There was a gunshot and people began screaming and running in all directions."
"Was anyone hurt?"
"I'm not sure. There was too much confusion and the dream ended shortly after that."
"John, did you see who the shooter was?"
"Only from the back. It was a young girl, a teenager, dressed all in black. I can't identify her."
"Should we call the police?"
From long experience Dr. Hunter shakes his head no. "The police don't respond well to claims of prophetic dreams. They do tend to respond to anonymous messages if there are enough details included. We have to buy a disposable phone and send the cops a warning."
"I'll get Emily up and we can go to the nearest convenience store."
Dr. Hunter nods his agreement, and as Elaine leaves the bedroom, he checks the time. Too early to call the Girardi household, but he will definitely be passing on this warning to Joan and Helen Girardi. He can't tell Elaine this detail without violating confidentiality, that he knows so many secrets about the people who live in the house on Euclid Avenue.
X X X X X
Grace Girardi's astral form has travelled only a short distance from the Girardi home, to a house a few blocks east of Arcadia High. It is an ordinary middle class place that Grace is unfamiliar with. Grace comes to rest in the back yard and looks about with curiosity. There appears to be nothing of interest going on, and Grace realizes by the rising sun she will be waking up soon, ending this experience. Since she travels in real time, Grace knows that whatever God wants Grace to see must be about to happen.
Suddenly one of the rear windows of the house opens and a blonde teenaged girl slips out, making as little noise as possible. The girl is dressed in a black hoodie and black denim, and she seems very nervous. Grace smiles, reminded of her own high school years when she use to frequently slip out of the house, although her own sneaking out was usually done at night.
The girl carefully looks around, wary of being caught. Satisfied no one is watching, the girl hurries to an old tool shed near the edge of the property. She ducks behind the shed into a narrow space between the wood fence and the back wall of the shed. Grace follows, wondering why God has her watching this odd girl. Grace observes as the girl begins shifting a pile of bricks to the side, quickly moving them one by one. The last brick is removed, revealing a hole with a plastic box inside. Grace watches closely, figuring what is inside the box is the key to this experience.
The girl opens the box, smiling at what she sees inside. From her angle, Grace can not yet see the contents, but obviously what is inside is of utmost importance to the girl. What will it be - drugs? Stolen loot? A diary full of teenaged angst? The girl pauses and looks right at Grace, almost as if she were aware of Grace's ghost-like presence. Ridiculous. No one is able to know Grace is there when she astral travels...
In a very familiar voice the girl cries out, "Mama?"
Instantly, Grace is awake. Normally no exterior stimulus can awaken Grace from her astral travel state, but somehow the cry of distress from her child has gotten through. Graces notes that Luke is still asleep, but Annie is awake, trembling and with tears in her eyes.
"Mama...?" Annie repeats.
"Annie, what's wrong?"
"Bad dream."
Grace takes Annie into her arms and wipes away her tears. Annie hugs her tightly. Annie may officially be Daddy's Little Girl, but when life bumps hard, their daughter always turns to her mother for comforting. Grace gently rocks Annie.
"It's okay sweetie, you're safe. You're right here with daddy and me, and nothing can hurt you. Do you remember we told you that dreams are just your mind playing make-believe while you're asleep?" (Annie nods.) "And nothing that's make-believe can harm or touch you. Do you want to tell me your dream?"
Annie vigorously shakes her head 'no'. "S-Scary."
"That's okay, you don't have to talk about it. You hold on to me and see if you can go back to sleep."
Annie rests her head on Grace's shoulder, but she is afraid to go back to sleep. Such a bad dream... Grandpa Will was speaking to a large crowd of happy, cheering people and the whole family was gathered around him. Suddenly there was a loud, frightening sound followed by a spray of blood... Annie shudders.
"Mama, can we stay home today?"
"No Annie, this is Grandpa Will's special day. Remember, we talked about it? We all have to go, including your Aunt E.T., I mean Eleanor. Try to get along with her if you can. Your Aunt Joan will be looking after Eleanor, so the two of you won't have to get too close to each other."
Annie shakes her head. "No Mama, Aunt Joan sick."
"What do you mean?"
"She hurts here and here." Annie replies, touching her head and tummy. "And...she smells funny."
"Funny how?"
"Like the red stuff Grandpa and Grandma sometimes drink."
Grace frowns as she realizes what Annie is telling her. Joan has been drinking again.
"Annie, when did you last see your Aunt Joan?"
"Last night. When the TV was counting - three, two, one...happy?"
"New Year." Grace automatically says. Oh God, Joan must have driven home from her date drunk!
Annie gives a big yawn, settles her head back on Grace's shoulder and in a moment she is asleep again. Grace looks at her prescious daughter and remembers her own difficult childhood. Her earliest memories are terrifying ones of her own mother staggering around drunk with a bottle of wine in her hand. Fortunately Sarah Polonsky has been sober for over two years and Grace has no problem with Annie being around her Mom. But Joan... Grace feels her anger rise. She will not let Annie be exposed to this!
X X X X X
Helen Girardi awakens and silently slips out of bed, being careful not to disturb Will...
"I'm awake."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't. I never fell asleep."
"You've been up all night?"
Will sighs. "I've been staring at the ceiling wondering if I'm making the biggest mistake of my life, or my best career move ever."
Helen smiles. "You'll know one year from today when you're sworn in as the new mayor."
"With a major bump in pay, which we will desperately need by then. But if I lose...we may be ruined financially. It's going to be a full year before I draw another paycheck."
"We've been over this Will. We have our savings, my commissions from portrait work and worse case scenario, we sell the house to get the equity we've built up."
"Still, it's a helluva risk we're taking at our age and with a new baby. I don't relish the idea of starting over as an ex-cop in his fifties trying to find work."
"Then I guess you better win. I know you have my vote."
"Now, if I can only be sure of my own. What do I know about running a city?"
"What does any new mayor know until he does it? Besides, it looks like your only opponet will be some local businessman who has never held office either."
"Cyrus Cornwall, a real estate developer. The word I hear is that he will be unopposed in his party's primary too."
"Well, I've never heard of him while the whole town knows 'Honest Will Girardi', the hero that brought down Arcadia's corrupt leaders. You're a shoo in."
Will smiles and gives Helen a kiss. "From your mouth to God's ears."
X X X X X
Luke and Kevin Girardi sip coffee in the kitchen while Annie drinks milk from her sippy cup...
"Thanks for the doughnuts Kev."
"I figured everyone would be in too much of a rush to bother with breakfast. Is it okay to give Annie one?"
Luke smiles. "Oh, I seem to recall Annie has a slight fondness for doughnuts."
Kevin holds out the box of mixed doughnuts to his niece. "What do you say, Annie - see anything you like?"
Annie's eyes go wide with excitement as she ponders this rare treat. In the face of such a temptation, she forgets Yah-Yah's instruction to warn her grandparents not to go downtown today...
"Chocolate!"
Luke laughs. "Just like her mother."
Kevin places a chocolate doughnut in front of Annie while Luke makes sure her bib is secured. This is going to be messy. Annie picks up the doughnut with both hands and dives in. As she happily chews a big bite, Luke and Kevin smile as Annie's face is now half covered in chocolate icing.
Kevin wathces Annie and sighs. "I've got to get me one of these."
"A kid?"
"I didn't mean doughnut."
"But I thought Barbara was against the idea of having children, at least any time soon."
"She is, but I haven't poured on the Girardi charm yet. I know I'm only 23, but it feels like my biological clock is ticking. I can't get having a kid off of my brain."
Luke nods. "Lots of people feel that way after spending time with Annie. All of my friends at college and every neighbor is eager to babysit, but remember, there aren't many toddlers as smart and adorable as my daughter."
"He modestly says."
Luke grins. "I think I'm being fairly objective. I know no one offers to babysit our sister."
"I'll assume you didn't mean Joan, although there are times I think she could use a babysitter. I saw her truck was out front, so she made it back safe and sound from her date. Any news on that front?"
Luke shrugs. "Haven't seen her since yesterday, but I'll assume everything went okay. If she got in really late, it may be hard to get her up."
"And miss Dad being Grand Marshal in the New Year's Day parade? Joan would never miss that. She'll be up."
X X X X X
Helen exits Joan's room holding two empty wine bottles. The serious concern on Helen's face is obvious...
"Is she drunk again?" Grace asks.
Helen nods as she holds a finger to her lips. "Grace please, let's keep this quiet. I don't want Will to know. He has enough on his mind already."
"How bad is it?"
"Joan is passed out. I wonder what went wrong last night? Joan hasn't touched a drop in months."
"Hard to say, but it's a bad sign that she turns to booze whenever life gives her a hard knock. You don't think this F.B.I. creep she dated hurt her?"
Helen shakes her head. "Joan can take care of herself, at least physically. But emotionally, she's been in a fragile condition for a long time."
Grace quietly 'humphs' a little. She has little room for the excuses of drunks. "How do you want to handle this?"
"I'll tell Will that Joan is sick and needs to sleep. Hopefully he won't be curious until we are about to leave. But...someone needs to stay and take care of Joan. Grace..."
"No problem. I'll be glad to see that Joan 'gets what she needs'."
X X X X X
An hour later, Grace is alone in the house with Joan. Will and Helen had to leave first, so he didn't realize Joan wouldn't be joining the rest of the family. Shortly after that, Luke with Annie and Kevin with E.T. left - E.T. was fussy about this near stranger taking care of her, but it was a done deal before she had time to fully express her displeasue. Now on her own, Grace heads upstairs with a bucket in one hand and a glass of ice water in the other. Grace enters Joan's room without knocking and sees her sister-in-law has fallen out of bed. Joan snores...
"Wake up!" Grace shouts as she flings the ice water into Joan's face.
"Ahh...what the...? Ow." Joan mumbles as she grabs her head.
"Get up off of the floor." Grace orders.
Automatically Joan tries to comply, but Grace has to help her get back into bed.
"Grace...? What...?"
"You're drunk again. And guess who got the job of cleaning up after you?"
"Go away...feel awful." Joan says as she closes her eyes. (Grace shakes Joan vigorously.) "Stop that! Why are you being so mean?"
"Because Annie saw you in this condition. I'm not going to allow that. I won't let my daughter be exposed to some lousy drunk who doesn't know better than to allow a little kid to see her in this state."
"Didn't...didn't see Annie. Drank in here, alone."
"Then how does Annie know you're sick? Hung over? She says she hasn't seen you since last night, which means you must have been drunk when you got home. Then you added two more bottles of wine on top of that!"
"Noo... Didn't drink until I was home." Joan softly replies.
"Then how does my daughter know about the condition you're in?"
Joan, trying to fall asleep, mumbles, "Maybe Yah-Yah told her."
Joan drifts off, but Grace grabs her by the collar, pulls her up and slaps Joan hard across the face.
"Ow! Grace, what the hell...?"
"Do you think this is a JOKE? Do you think this is FUNNY? How dare you let Annie see you like this! You pathetic drunken bitch!"
Joan frowns, trying to think as she finally realizes how mad Grace is. "Grace, no, I didn't - I swear. Please..."
"Save it, I'm not interested. You hear me Girardi, listen! If you ever, EVER get drunk in front of my kid again, I will never let you anywhere near her, not ever! Even if we have to live in Boston full time, I won't let you near her. Do you understand me?"
"Grace..."
"DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
"Yes..." Joan pleads, tears running down her cheeks.
Grace grunts, satisfied and feeling a little guilty about being so harsh with Joan. She tosses the plastic bucket onto the bed.
"You're responsible for any messes you make. I'm going downtown. In case you forgot, this is an important day for the family. You should be ashamed."
Grace exits, but changes her mind about slamming the door. She is sure she got her message across.
As Grace heads downstairs, Joan covers her face with her hands and cries. She can't bring herself to be mad at Grace, especially knowing what her childhood with her mother was like. Besides, Grace is right. Even though Annie didn't see her drunk, she is more sensitive and alert to things that are wrong around her. Annie must have sensed a...'disturbance in the force' and asked Yah-Yah about it. Grace can't be blamed, and at least her tutor didn't wake her up. There's no telling what he might have done - something a lot worse than cold water...
Joan looks to the window, shielding her eyes from the glare. There he is, a 25 foot tall warrior for God, staring angrily at his student. Joan moans as she feels his...disappointment. The angel turns and walks away. It looks like she is disappointing a lot of people: Annie, Grace, her tutor, Dad...
Joan fumbles on the bedside table until she finds her phone. Her eyes are too bleary to see clearly, but she manages to hit one of her speed dial numbers... "Friedman, I need your help."
X X X X X
It took all of Joan's willpower, but she managed to get out of bed and to the bathroom. One glance in the mirror makes her wince. It's hard to imagine she is the same young woman who was turning heads at last night's dance. Joan knows she must hydrate, but she also knows the consequences. Tying her hair back, Joan lifts the toilet lid. Joan fills a paper drink cup with warm water (Cold would lead to horrible cramps.) Joan takes a deep breath and swallows half of the water. Instantly she is vomiting into the toilet. This goes on for awhile, but fortunately Joan has no food in her. Breathing hard, Joan swallows the rest of the water, and again she vomits.
"Oh God..." Joan moans in misery.
Joan fills the cup again with warm water and rinses out her mouth. Cautiously, she takes a sip. Her stomach churns, but this time the water stays down. Joan realizes how thirsty she is, but resists the urge to chug as much water as she can. One sip at a time. Joan hears someone on the stairs, and a moment later hears a voice call out...
"Hello...?"
"In the bathroom, Friedman."
"Found the hide-a-key, just where you..." Friedman stops as he sees Joan's condition. "Wow, somebody partied in the new year."
"I wish. At least then I'd have a good excuse for being like this. Did you bring the supplies?" Joan asks as she points at the bag Friedman is holding.
"Everything you need to alleviate your worse symptoms, and we're lucky I got there when I did. After last night, there was a run on all of this stuff. Okay, what's first?"
"Shower." Joan says as she closes the toilet lid and sags to a sitting position.
"Hot or cold?"
"As hot as it will go. I need the steam."
Friedman starts the shower while Joan sips more water. Her head throbs and her stomach rebels, but she forces herself to go on.
"Next?"
"Clothes..." Joan says as she trys to stand but flops back to the toilet lid. Friedman quickly steadies her.
"Easy there. You rest and I'll lay something out for you."
Joan nods, never thinking she would ever let Friedman pick out her clothes, but she is in no position to argue. As Friedman heads for her bedroom, Joan refills her water and rummages through the bag of supplies until she finds the aspirin. Damn child proof lids... Finally managing to open the bottle, Joan swallows four of the aspirin and rests, enjoying the steam that is filling the room. Friedman returns.
"I hope you like what I picked out. You don't need help getting in the shower...right?"
"I'll be fine." Joan says as she stands...and then falls.
Friedman catches her and sighs. "Joan, you're still too drunk to try this. Maybe you should try sleeping a few more hours?"
With Friedman holding her upright, Joan tearfully replies, "No, I have to be there for my Dad's speech. I'll never forgive myself if I'm not there next to him when he makes his announcement."
Friedman sees the pleading in his friend's eyes. How can he deny Joan anything when she saved his brother's life just a few days ago?
"Okay, I'll steady you and help when you need it."
Standing behind her, Friedman keeps Joan upright as she unuttons and removes her shirt and jeans. She sits again on the toilet lid as he removes her socks for her. Friedman removes his own shirt but Joan doesn't need an explantion - he doesn't want to get soaked by her shower. Both standing, Friedman unhooks Joan's bra...
"Don't look."
"I swear I won't."
The bra falls to the floor followed by Joan's panties. True to his word, Friedman keeps his eyes tightly shut, but he is intensely aware of Joan's naked flesh. Moving unsteadily, Joan steps into the shower and lets the water spray her while Friedman holds on to one of her arms. It isn't a long shower, but Joan begins to feel a little better by the time she steps out, still aided by an eyes-shut Friedman. She grabs a towel and wraps it around her and adds a second one for her hair...
"Okay."
Friedman opens his eyes and grins. "That was the longest ten minutes of my life."
"Thank you."
Friedman nods and helps Joan to her bedroom. She sits on the bed and nods her approval of the clothes Friedman has ready for her.
"Can you manage on your own?"
"I think so, but stay near the door in case I need help."
Friedman exits, but leaves the door ajar so he can hear Joan. Joan dries off and very slowly begins to dress in a midi jeans skirt and long sleeved peasant blouse. All white selections on underwear and socks, and knee high suede boots complete the outfit. Huh, when did Friedman get such good taste? Feeling exhausted, Joan calls out...
"Ready."
Friedman helps Joan to her makeup table and watches as she makes a valiant effort to comb her hair and make herself look halfway presentable.
"You look...nice."
"Liar. But I appreciate the sentiment. I guess I need to go now."
"Joan, you're not ready. You can barely stand on your own. Besides, the New Year's Day parade is still going on. It will be nearly two hours before your dad makes his speech. Rest some more and I promise to get you there on time."
"Okay, but not here. If I lay down and fall asleep again, you may not be able to wake me."
"Okay, living room couch."
Leaning on Friedman's arm, Joan makes it to the rail chair and travels downstairs. Settled on the couch, Friedman digs into the bag of supplies and gets a small oxygen cylinder for Joan. As she breathes deeply, Friedman goes to make coffee. Joan uses the remote to turn the TV to WPFK, and watches the parade. Joan smiles when she sees her Mom and Dad riding in the back of a convertible that is labelled 'Grand Marshal'. Will looks very distinguished in his dress uniform, and the crowd cheers for the man they assume will be the next mayor.
Friedman returns with coffee, and after a couple of sips, Joan sighs.
"Feeling better?"
"Some. The oxygen is helping a lot, but my stomach is still queasy."
"There's a bottle of the pink stomach medicine in the bag. Joan...do you want to talk about it?"
"You mean, why I got drunk? Because I was feeling so miserable, and I wanted it to stop."
"Luke told me you were going on your first date since losing Jimmy. I'm guessing it went badly?"
"Very."
"Then the guy is a jerk."
"No, he's not. The problem is me. I had to do something that freaked him out, but it was just a matter of time before he dumped me. Sooner or later my being an instrument of God ruins every relationship with guys."
Friedman nods. "You do have a major league weird vibe."
"Gee thanks."
"I'm sorry, but it's true. The weird thing has been a part of you for as long as I've known you. Only your hot looks and my horndog ways kept me hanging around you as much as I did."
"Why Friedman, is there a compliment hidden in there?"
"Just the simple truth. You were always one of the prettiest girls at Arcadia High, but because of the weirdness, almost no guy would bother asking you out."
"You did."
"I was friends with Luke and a fellow sub-defective, so I learned to accept and look beyond the weird thing."
"Until I told you the truth."
"Yeah, that definitely threw me. Not even my intense desire to get into your pants could stand up to knowing you were an actual instrument of God."
Joan playfully smacks Friedman in the back of the head. "That's for the 'get in my pants' remark, but you're right. What I am is always going to ruin any potential relationship. It's time to accept that I will have to live my life alone."
"Joan, that's so sad. You're going to be celibate forever?"
Joan hesitates. "Well...my libido might force me to try the occasional casual encounter. Simple sex with a guy before he can zero in on how different I am."
"Dangerous, hooking up with a stranger. You might go home with an axe murderer."
"Not when you can read souls. Of course on a day like this, you could be Jack the Ripper and I'd never know it."
"I remember you once said the more you indulge the physical side..."
"The weaker the spiritual side gets. I definitely overindulged the physical, and it will be awhile before I can read anyone again. Hopefully I won't need to today...
X X X X X
At police headquarters, Will Girardi has changed into a new suit, handed in his sidearm and officially signed his resignation papers. With a heavy sigh, he goes about the office saying goodbye to people he has worked with for years. He comes to Captain Toni Chadwick, newly promoted to chief detective of the Arcadia Police.
"Chief, I'm glad I caught you before you left."
Will smiles. "Don't call me 'Chief', Captain. I'm a civilian now."
"I just wanted to know if you got any of my messages?"
Will holds up his phone. "Message box full. Hundreds of people have been calling to leave good luck messages. Every phone in the family is the same way."
"Then I'll tell you in person. This morning we received an anonymous text message about a potential shooter in the crowd today."
"And the crackpots come out right on schedule."
"Will, we need to take this serious. I've arranged for extra security to be mingling through the crowd looking for the described but unnamed shooter."
"If there is one. Did you clear this with the new police chief?"
"Chief Johnson was eager to sign on board. If for no other reason, he's grateful for the promotion."
"Johnson has a good record and was the senior man in line for the job. I would have preferred to pick you Toni..."
"But I only recently made it to captain. Of course Johnson retires in just over a year, right after you take office as the new mayor."
Will grins. "And then I can pick whoever I want for police chief, assuming I win."
"You will. There's at least a thousand cops who are looking forward to voting for you."
"Then I guess I better get this campaign started. And Toni, let's not mention this shooter nonsense to Helen. No need to worry her."
X X X X X
On the top steps of the Arcadia city building, microphones have been set up, and a surprisingly large police presence is only allowing a few trusted campaign workers and the Girardi family in the area behind the mikes. Helen is there already and smiles as she looks about at the large, enthusiastic crowd of supporters, many of whom are carrying signs supporting Will. With her family all gathered about her (including Joan, to her surprise), Helen beams with pride. From the top of the steps, she can see Will crossing the street from police headquarters toward the crowd. Even though Helen knows Will has a copy of his speech in his jacket pocket, Helen has an extra copy in her purse. Time to start her new position as a politician's wife.
At the far edge of the crowd, Dr. John Hunter and Elaine Lishack desperately search the crowd for any sign of a teenage girl in a black hoodie...
"Damn, it looks like half the kids here are wearing black hoodies!" John exclaims.
"It's a popular choice, and the crowd is filled with teenagers because the local schools have been pushing the need for young people to get involved so that corruption never again arises in Arcadia."
"Not to mention it's a presidential year, and all of the candidates are encouraging participation by the young. There must be at least a couple of dozen teenaged girls wearing black hoodies. I never saw the girl's face in my dream!"
"But apparently your text message to the police worked. There are lots of extra cops here, and they're begining to check all of the girls in black hoodies."
John Hunter nods, hoping that will be enough. His many messages to Helen and Joan Girardi have gone unanswered. He can't get near the family because of the police protection, but then he is surprised when he spots Kevin standing next to Joan. Quickly, John dials Kevin's number...
Standing with the rest of his family, Kevin is amused that his stand-offish baby sister is now clinging to him. E.T. doesn't like strangers, and this large crowd of people is overwhelming to her. Kevin may be new to her, but he is close and somewhat familiar. E.T. buries her face in her oldest brother's chest, seeking protection. Kevin looks down at his sister and smiles. For the first time he begins to feel a close bond of family with this normally grumpy child. As he looks out over the crowd, Kevin feels pride for his family. Five years ago they had never heard of Arcadia, and now Dad is going to be the next mayor - assuming Cyrus Cornwall presents no threat. (As a former reporter, Kevin notes that the press turnout for his Dad's speech is a little light. Cornwall is making a similar announcement at the Hotel Wentworth at the same time, and he is supplying the press a lunch buffet and an open bar. It helps to be rich, especially in politics.) Kevin's phone rings...
Kevin smiles at the caller i.d. "Hello John..."
"Kevin, I need to speak to Joan."
"John, we're a litle busy. My Dad is about to..."
"I know, I'm in the crowd."
"You're in Arcadia?"
"Kevin, put Joan on the phone!"
Kevin shrugs and hands his phone to Joan. "John Hunter for you."
Hiding behind dark glasses and trying to keep her stomach still, Joan reluctantly takes the phone. "Hey Doc..."
Joan listens to John Hunter's hasty warning and she goes pale. Normally she could easily pick out someone with such a violent intent, even in a crowd this large, but not today. Joan looks desperately about, trying to spot one teenaged girl out of so many.
"People of Arcadia..." Will begins.
Joan spots her. Standing close to the front, the girl with the look of insane rage on her face steps out from behind a couple of large men and takes aim with a revolver. Joan doesn't hesitate. With great reflexes and surprisng speed, Joan leaps onto her Dad, knocking him over just as the shot rings out. Father and daughter land hard on the concrete, but Joan knows she has saved her Dad. People are screaming and begining to run about in panic, but that is to be expected. Then Joan sees the blood.
"Mom!"
To Be Continued. Please review.
