Chapter 8.1 : ?

Editor's note :

Before I begin, I just have a little problem, I can't seem to choose between two titles :

- Back to basics

- Return to the roots

So I ask your opinion on the subject : could you read the chapter and tell me wich one seems the best ?

Thank you for your help and let me know your choice.

FB


This week, Logan had returned to San Diego, he had to work at the naval base and deal with some of his business. He was scheduled to join Neptune on Saturday, but he decided to surprise Carrie and come back early on Friday night.

He passed the security around 22 hours, many cars were parked in front of the villa. From the parking lot, music was heard, the windows were wide open and all the lights were on. He crossed the threshold and dozens of guests were there, no one noticed his presence or they seemed to ignore him. He went into several rooms and there was no trace of Carrie, he went up to her bedroom, but it was empty. He went back and found an euphoric group of party-goers.

- Did you see Carrie?

- I don't know any Carrie, sorry.

- Do you know where Bonnie is? he corrected.

- She's downstairs in the bathroom.

He went down the stairs and came to the bathroom door. He knocked, no one answered but he heard laughter.

- Bonnie?

- She is here ! answered another voice.

He decided to open the door.

- Logan! What a surprise, you want to have fun with us?

She handed him the straw she was holding, as an invitation. On the counter, it had 3 lines of coke. Bonnie snorted, she was high.

- You should stop, it's not a good idea. If you want, I can ask everyone to leave and we could go eat something together.

- What a buzzkill ! Take a bump with us and relax.

- You know I don't touch that shit. And I advise you to follow my example.

- Wasn't planning on it and it's too late anyway.

The two girls stupidly laughed.

Logan was distraught and very disappointed by Carrie's attitude but in her state, it was useless to react, she was no longer in the capacity to understand. It was necessary to wait until the effects of the drug fade. Instead of overdoing it, he says:

- I'll be staying at Dick's, if you want to talk to me tomorrow, you know where to find me.

He left and she didn't hold him back. He knew that Carrie was not an angel, but to see her in that state broke his heart.

He had to help her to go through this phase of self-destruction. He had been blind or refused to see it and yet the signs were in front of him: sleep disorders, weight-loss, depression, anxiety. He wanted to support her but would she accept? He hoped it would not be too late.


Veronica watched the torrent of suitcases advancing before her eyes, it was a colorful merry-go-round, anyway since when were the suitcases in all colors? Hers was black, practical, discreet. Who bought a mustard yellow suitcase? People who were flying a lot surely, it had never crossed her mind but this kind of baggage had to be more easily recognizable.

She was waiting, waiting. Still no suitcase in sight.

There was only four bags left on the treadmill. She had to face the facts now, she was going to be the victim of the famous loss or delay of luggage. She went to report her claim at the airline counter and she got a file number, they promised to keep her informed as quickly as possible.

She took the direction of the exit with her purse. She found her father pacing the hall, he was on the phone. When he saw her, he hung up and he grinned. He took her in his arms and added:

- Are you planning to leave tomorrow?

- No.

- You travel light for someone who wants to stay three weeks on vacation. I know you're used to the New York weather, but spending your days in a swimsuit in December even in California can be chilly.

- Damn, do I have to swap my Brazilian swimsuit for a one-piece swimsuit?

- What happened to your luggage? he asked more seriously.

- They didn't arrive. In the best case, it's just a delay, in the worst they are lost. Um, do you know where to buy a mustard yellow suitcase in Neptune?

- Try at "Show-off leather goods & company"

They smiled and took the direction of the parking lot.

The drive from San Diego to Neptune passed quickly. Father and daughter dined quietly.

During December, they had called each other several times and the atmosphere between them had warmed up. He had shown her his displeasure, she had heard, understood. She had explained her choices, he had not quite heard and didn't quite understand. But what could he do? She was an adult, she lived thousands of miles away, it was her studies, her life. The decision, even though he didn't like it, didn't belong to him. A father would always worry about his daughter and he wanted the best for her. But if the DA was what made her happy, he would have to accept it.

After the meal, Veronica isolated herself in the guest room, her father had packed here the boxes and trunks that contained all the elements of her childhood and teenage years. She was going to have to find some decent clothes, except she had already done a primary sort before going to New York. She opened several boxes, took out worn jeans, mini-skirts, t-shirts and striped or colored sweaters. She found a few dresses, including her black and strapless prom dress. This one, she had loved it a lot and her purchase was a real favorite, but after this famous epic evening, she had not been able to bring it back. Another surprise awaited her, her green and yellow outfit pep squad. She spread everything on the dresser. For this night, a simple pajamas would suffice.


It was strange to wake up in this house. His father had left the Sunset Boulevard apartment four years ago. There had been significant price inflation in their former neighborhood, he got a really big offer to leave Mars Investigations building. He could buy a house and rent larger premises elsewhere.

She put on shorts, an old pair of basketball shoes and after a light breakfast she decided to run. Quickly, she found herself on the seaside. She missed the Pacific Ocean, this view, she would never tire of it. She reached Dog Beach and stopped, it reminded her of the long walks with Backup, he had died last year, it was difficult to come back here without him.

She arrived in a rocky area, many pebbles lay on the ground, she took some and assembled them to form a pyramid. She had seen Josh and Leonard do the same thing during the hike, they explained that it was a cairn, each hiker stopped by and added a stone, it served to mark a path or to notice a particular point like the top of a mountain. She decided to start her own cairn on this beach.


It was Sunday, Veronica and her father had lunch at Mama Leone and then returned. Keith hired his daughter to do his accounting. He didn't like this aspect of his job and he knew that Veronica excelled in this field, together the work seemed less burdensome.

As she filled a new line of calculations, her phone rang. She looked at the screen and saw that it was Casey, she hesitated and then answered while going to her room.

- Veronica.

- Hello, this is Casey.

- Hi !

- I wanted to know if you have reached home safely.

- Yes, I made it but not my luggage, I mean they are lost somewhere.

- Oops, you're out of luck !

- Yes you can say this, I have to wear my old school clothes, it's strange.

- What are you up to, tonight ? I would like to take you out to dinner.

- Sorry, tonight it will not be possible. My friends Mac and Wallace come to see me. Can we postpone this till tomorrow?

- Tomorrow, okay, but in another form, I'd like you to come with me to the reading session of a writer. It is important for me and I would like you to be there.

- Okay.

- It will be at the Neptune Grand, I'll send a car to get you.

- There's no need, I can go on my own.

- I insist.


Logan was coming out of the water, his surfboard under his arm. He enjoyed coming to relax at Dog Beach. Carrie had still not contacted him, he wasn't going to take the first step. He had nothing to be ashamed of, after all. He had put a bag down, shelter under the rocks. As he approached it, he hit something, it was a pyramid of pebbles he had just destroyed. Surprised, he wondered who could have built such a construction. He chooses to rebuild it but in another place, a little higher on the rocks to avoid future destruction.


- Candygram for Mongo.

- Mongo like candy.

- Hey Welcome home, they said to Veronica.

- Wallace, Mac, Hi!

The friends hugged. They had not been under the same roof together for four years. Veronica was thrilled.

- Mac, Wallace. You hardly drop by at all anymore. Keith said.

- Mr. Mars! Wallace added, shaking his hand.

- How's next year's freshman class looking? Keith asked.

- Words you never wanna hear out of your dad's mouth. Veronica answered.

- His team. Keith specified.

- Whatever, perv. Veronica retorted.

- I've been promoted to JV coach for next year... so now I'm just waiting for Coach McDonald to die. Wallace explained by tapping his fingers mischievously against each other.

- Well, good luck with that.

- And you Mac, how are you at Kane Software?

- The company is impressive, just getting my bearings


Mac and Wallace are sitting on the steps of the front door.

- Bud, Bud light, Veronica said, offering a beer to each of her friends.

- So are you going to see Casey again? Mac asked.

- Yep, tomorrow I accompany him to a reading.

- And Josh, is there still a room for him? Wallace asked.

- Wow ! Two beers. That's how long it takes for you to get surly.

- Who is this Josh? Mac asked.

- A siiiiiiiiimple office coworker, Veronica insisted, supporting Wallace's gaze.

- She protests too much ! Wallace said. He care for her ... a little coffee here ... little cakes there ... and I share my headphones ... and use my shoulder as a cushion. They are cute, really !

- Interesting, and why have I never heard of him? said Mac.

- Because there is nothing to tell. Veronica replied.

- That's not my opinion, neither Céline's. Wallace explained.

- You really have to stop talking behind my back, both !

- Yes, but it's so much more fun. And I'm team Josh totally !

- I'm team Casey ! Mac interposed.

Veronica looked at her friends with a stunned look.

- What ! I will not vote for someone I don't know, Mac said. And I like to win. You see Casey tomorrow, he's got a pretty good shot.

- You're unbelievable, mind your own business, you with James, she said pointing to Mac. And you with Celine, pointing to Wallace. Besides, it may be time to take action, you keep chasing each other in circles indefinitely.


They were still sipping their beer.

- I know you both work this week, so Mac, I'll come to lunch with you on Tuesday and Wallace I'll come when Celine will be there. It's time for me to show her what my high school looks like.

- But the real question is: Is Neptune High ready for your return? Wallace joked.

It's just a return to my roots/ It's just like going back to basics Veronica said.


Veronica woke up at dawn, she wanted to enjoy a sunny Monday. Her jog the day before had done her a lot of good, she decided to do it again. After 40 minutes of racing, she made a stop at Dog Beach. She decided to go add a pebble on her cairn. But this one had disappeared, she scanned her surroundings and saw it, but it had been moved, she was sure of it. She wondered what had happened and decided to rebuild it in the place she had chosen before, adding a new stone, promising to return the next day.

The symbolic, she didn't need to question it. Yesterday it was Backup, today another memory, the fab four and its famous Homecoming. She thought back to that night, and to Lilly it had been a long time since she had been to her grave, she promised herself a ride there.


Logan got out of his car and walked in the sand, he was going to put down his bag. Once there, he noticed the pyramid of pebbles but strangely she had returned to its original place. Curious, he sat down and added a pebble on the top. It's crazy how the ephemeral construction of a stranger could make sense to him. It was as if each stone was one of his memories. The best, even though it was very old, was the homecoming party with the fab four. What a night ! He didn't know if it was really a memorable evening or if, after all, that was not a fantasy memory of a beautiful and well-vanished time whose four elements had imploded.