Thanks for the continued support. In this chapter Stephanie realizes her choice to stay with her parents wasn't her brightest idea and explores her other options;)
A special thanks to got2BaBabeFan for pointing out that 'her mother's more concerned with the location of the shooting than anything else'. The comment gave way for a short scene;)
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.
It was well past midnight and I was still awake. I've spent a night or two at my parents after stretching the umbilical cord and moving out, but it just doesn't quite feel the same way. Not only does my shoulder hurt, but trying to find a comfortable sleeping position is frustrating.
When I was finally starting to doze off the flush of the toilet interrupted my sleep journey. Footsteps crept towards my bedroom and Grandma poked her head in, light spilling in from the hallway.
"Good, you're awake." She came in and sat by the foot of the bed, asking if I wanted to join her group for an early morning walk. "It'll be good for you." Considering half of her exercise buddies could barely even walk I knew it wouldn't be such an intense session.
"Okay." I agreed. Some time outdoors would serve me well. She told me we needed to be ready by seven and left me alone.
True to her word Grandma Mazur had us out the door before seven. I was going braless for the time being since the bra strap hurt my shoulder, but the sling kept my right arm from making it too obvious. Not that I had to worry about that since some of the group members were nearly blind.
We walked around the block once before Mr. Santullo, Grandma's new beau, stated he was tired. Little by little the seniors headed back to their respective homes and we made our way back to my parents' house.
My mother had coffee brewing when Grandma and I entered the kitchen. I walked over to the counter and said hello to Rex. My mother had given him something to eat. He stuffed his cheeks before returning to his soup can. Satisfied that Rex was fed I served myself a glass of water.
"What do you think of Anthony?" Grandma Mazur asked me. It took me a second to realize she was talking about Mr. Santullo. "He's got the looks." Grandma continued, not giving me the chance to answer her question. "But he's got no stamina." My mother dropped an egg on the floor at her mother's words.
"That could be a problem." I said, laughing softly.
"Maybe I can get something from that erotica shop on Hamilton to help things along." Grandma Mazur winked at me. I laughed a bit harder when my mother gasped.
"Mother!" Grandma got chastised for the comment. My mother mumbled something under her breath and it hit me. She was upset, no, scandalized that I was in said shop at the time of the shooting.
"It wasn't my fault!" I lost my cool fairly quickly. It was the teenage years all over again.
"This wouldn't have happened if you worked at the button factory."
Or if I was married.
"Stephanie was doing security work for Ranger." Grandma piped in, but it only spread the fire. Before my mother could switch to the 'formalize your relationship with Joseph' campaign I left the kitchen.
S&R
The last couple of days I discovered that coming to stay with my parents wasn't my brightest idea. The house was never quiet and always full of activity. I'd be better off by myself. At least at my place there would be silence.
Ranger's offer periodically popped into mind. With him I would not only have peace, but I'd be living the good life. Not only would he provide various commodities, but also safety. His overprotectiveness is not something new. Ranger's done a lot for me and I'm more than indebted with hm. I know he feels bad for what happened and even blames himself. I thought installing myself in his apartment would be a reminder of my unexpected brush with death. Besides, Ranger's got me covered financially. He said it was Rangeman policy, getting hurt on the job and what not, but I'm not so sure I buy that. I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of the situation, so I'll just slip away to my apartment at the first opportunity.
I went downstairs for lunch, pleased that my appetite was improving. I polished off a ham and cheese sandwich and was debating if I could drink a Coke when Valerie and the girls arrived. My sister joined us in the kitchen, face streaked with makeup. She'd been crying, her eyes red and puffy.
"What's wrong?" My mother asked worriedly and I felt bad, noticing she was sporting the same look she gave me lately.
Valerie wailed. She suspected she was pregnant. Again. "It's all Albert's fault!" She spat between sobs.
"Uhm, it's not all his fault. It takes two to tango." I didn't think it was fair she blamed the pregnancy on poor Albert. Grandma Mazur agreed with me. My mother shot us a horrified look and Valerie's cries escalated.
I was pretty sure my sister and the girls were going to stay at my parents until Valerie stopped freaking out about possible baby number five. It was my cue to hightail it out of there.
I dialed Lula's number. She answered on the first ring.
"Are you busy?" I asked by way of greeting.
"No." I could hear her tapping keys, not too convinced with what she was doing. I asked if she could pick me up. "You're distracting me from my filing. I'll come get you in a few." I told her I'd wait for her up front, taking advantage of the fact that my mother was dealing with Valerie's panic crisis.
S&R
I could still feel the vibrations of Lula's rap music as I took the elevator to my floor. I got my shoulder bag from Ranger a few days ago, so I didn't have to go ask for a key.
It felt good to be back! I went straight to my bedroom for a nap.
Heavy panting awoke me some time later. I opened my eyes to find Bob wagging his tail and drooling on the floor.
"Sorry." Morelli trotted in, prying Bob away from my bedside. Obviously, obedience school isn't working out. "He really misses you."
"Bob misses me?" I sat up groggily.
"We miss you." He clarified, leaning down to kiss me on the lips. He told me he had to work later and wanted to check up on me. "You hungry?" I accepted his help to get out of bed and nodded.
"You bought food?" It smelled delicious.
"Actually, your mom sent it." Morelli took out the containers of food, telling me my mother was upset with me for sneaking out. "Don't blame you." He grabbed some plates and portioned the food.
"Let me guess, Valerie was still crying?"
"And Mary Alice tried to ride Bob." At the mention of the name Bob howled.
After dinner Morelli and Bob readied to leave. Joe made it clear his house was still available. I assured him I would fine. He didn't look too convinced, but the chirp of his cell phone reminded him duty was calling.
I locked the door when they left and went to bed.
I don't know what time it was when I awoke. My bedroom was dark, but I could tell I wasn't alone. Trying to engage my brain wasn't easy. I took a painkiller before going to sleep.
"Babe." Ranger whispered my name in the darkness so I wouldn't freak out. His unique scent hit me and I struggled to sit up. "We have to go." He scooped me up before I had a chance to react.
"Wha-why?" I looped my left arm around his neck for support while he carried me out of my apartment. The movement combined with the medication made me woozy.
Sorry for the cliffie, but the next part deserves a chapter of its own;)