Living in a Bubble
oOoOo
"You know, if it wasn't for you, I would have left Trenton as soon as I had set up the Rangeman business. My plan was then to head right back to Miami by the end of the month, six weeks at the most."
"Really?"
"Yes. Trenton was never a destination for me. Not at all. I was just here for the interim, establishing our street cred and connecting with the necessary agencies with our core business. And then you rocked my world. Literally and physically."
She grinned at my declaration.
"Lucky timing then, I guess," she smirked, "for me."
"Right back at ya, Babe."
She was so right. Lucky timing for sure, for both of us. To think that I nearly sent Lester when Connie rang to call in a favour. And knowing Lester, he would have been very interested in Stephanie Plum. Fate, I guess. Never did I imagine the huge impact she would have on my life though, in so many ways. We just took a long time to realise what we had was so special. Me, with shielding myself by making those inane qualifiers, and her with trying to please everyone, while both of us were protecting our hearts. It took her having that epiphany, when Stephanie finally released the notion that Morelli and her could have any kind of future together, and realised that it was totally unthinkable. Yeah, inconceivable. "They have history," people said, but that's not a sound foundation with that kind of history. Once she got past that Catholic guilt and the need to belong with someone, from the Burg, Stephanie snapped out of that mindset. Their relationship had been fraught with problems, and issues of trust and control and lack of commitment. Yeah, admittedly, we had our commitment issues too.
But, with all that relentless pressure and bulldozing for Stephanie to stay with Morelli, she finally realised she didn't want it, not any of it. Besides, what kind of man says they're "engaged to be engaged" and then buys a pool table instead of a ring. His selfish idiocy was to my advantage. Stupid fucker. Like her mother, he was always so very disparaging and critical of her job as a bounty hunter and her friendships, namely anything and anyone associated with Rangeman, especially me. Most of the time these were public, at the scene of one of her mishaps. Morelli had no hesitation in dressing her down and criticising her with an audience, ranting and pacing, with a lot of arm waving. I am convinced he maintained a tenuous hold on their pseudo-relationship because she was a trophy to him, by trying to keep me out of her life. Well, that certainly blew up in his face. Stephanie saw through that need to piss a circle around her and was beyond furious. I love that passionate, fiery spirit in my Babe. For once, she was the one reaming him a new one, in public. She really is so sexy when she is fuming.
Stephanie needed to fly and be free, and I am pleased she chose me. That place only clipped her wings, both physically and figuratively. But not anymore. They used to have a stranglehold on her, but she was able to sever those choking cords and be free. Free to fly, free to be her own person and be confident in her choices.
And now, partly because of Morelli's stupidity, but more because both of us realised we were more than just best friends and co-workers, Stephanie and I are a couple, deeply in love. Looking back at the city skyline through my side mirrors, I smile. We are driving off to our future together, leaving Trenton, especially the Burg, far behind, as I turn off towards the airport.
"You have more than rocked my world, Carlos. So, so much more," as she twisted and admired the rock on her left hand, on that significant ring finger. "Not just for this amazing ring. Honestly, you were the catalyst for enabling me to escape the clutches of the Burg and my mother's need to control what I do and with whom, which was only ever about her Burg standing and misguided glory. And that shithead, Morelli."
I loved how she rolled her eyes, blowing a wayward curl off her forehead. As I stopped at the traffic lights, I tucked that stray curl behind her ear and smiled. She sighed. I leaned over the console and kissed her ear.
"Te amo, Querida."
oOo
Stephanie was feeling more than satisfied. Pleased. Contented. But, elated would come closer. And free. Yes. Free. Free from the clutches of the Burg. Free from the ridiculous expectations. Free from the need to conform to those unwritten Burg protocols. Free from that miserable existence that made her feel so trapped. Free to finally be herself and be happy with her own choices. And she liked the choices she had made. It was a very liberating feeling. She smiled and sighed.
And now? All that was in the past and no longer mattered. Although, all those past experiences, both good and bad, and otherwise, and since, have helped to make her who she is today. She had escaped, happily. But the clincher was that initial encounter with Ranger at that little diner. Stephanie contemplated this for a moment. Perhaps it was fate. Perhaps it was destiny. Whichever way you look at it, it was not a direct route to happiness and realisation. But, that's what makes what they have now, and where they are now, so much better, figuratively speaking. They are on the same page, together, heading in the same direction, leaving Trenton.
She felt desired and she felt loved. Unconditionally. It was a heady sensation which she had never been familiar with, but now it felt so right. Nothing came close. Yes, she had some elements of that, but this was so profound.
For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged. She had an entire new family, with brothers who respected her, her Merry Men. The feeling of family never felt this strong, and now with Ella, she had a relationship that she had always wished for with her own mother, but that was never to be while she "disappointed" her mother constantly. Never being able to please her and gain some praise and approval. Ella and Stephanie had bonded in a mother-daughter manner and the feeling was mutual.
oOo
Ranger smiled at her, watching her thoughts and expressions as she displayed a myriad of emotions, while they drove through Trenton. He knew it would hit some pause for thought, but he knew with all his heart, that she was confident in herself to handle anything, especially after all she had experienced in the past twelve months. He was so proud of her. And he was proud of her choices and how she made a stand, confidently defying and publicly asserting her opinions and choices, and, not surrendering to the pressure of her (once) family, and that obnoxious crap nest that was called the Burg. She had a new, refreshing mindset and was resilient. That is empowering.
Denouncing her family was a big deal, but it was not a decision made lightly. And Ranger could tell that she was really okay with that. But considering all that she had endured, the constant criticism and relentless target of that vicious Burg gossip, directed and fed by her very own mother, she came out on top. What kind of mother does that kind of shit? Stephanie was constantly reminded that she was not like the good daughter, and why couldn't she be more like Valerie? Saint Valerie, as Stephanie used to refer to her older sister. Valerie was the purr-fect daughter and abided all the Burg protocols, once she returned from a bad marriage and the subsequent divorce. Valerie must be Helen's pet.
Somehow, Helen Plum escaped the malice and scathing reprisals from the predominantly Catholic Chambersburg. Tsk. Two divorced daughters. Tsk, tsk. Two failed marriages. Tut-tut. The smug and sanctimonious Burg women would be crossing themselves in disdain and judgment. But, for some reason, Helen Plum was able to deal with their scornful manner by biting back with her own judgments of their daughters', or husbands', behaviour or flaws. Fight fire with fire, and she was apparently, good at that, in a spiteful, decisive way. Quite the knee-capper. At least, she had her purr-fect pet, Saint Valerie who had produced the highly prized grandchildren. It was like a status symbol, for Helen, not about her daughters. It was all about her, her position and her standing in this cesspit. Pfft. Such hypocrisy seems to be the foundation of this Burg.
Over the past twelve months Stephanie had dealt with her cars, a couple of buildings, the funeral parlour, a dry-cleaning business and her apartment being blown up or fire bombed, and then found herself homeless. It is quite remarkable, extraordinary in fact, that she is not an absolute wreck after all the weird shit that has happened to her. Unusual things like finding body parts in her fridge; snakes and spiders in bags on her door, or in her car; a sawn-off body on her couch; and being chased by crazies including a giant rabbit, and a number of psychopaths. Because she was so good at finding and solving mysteries in relation to her work as a bond enforcement agent, a bounty hunter, she was an asset when she joined the Rangeman team. And that asshat Morelli had used her investigative skills to his advantage, often placing her at risk. Ramirez comes to mind. Madre Dios! The skips we encounter are often reluctant, but some of Stephanie's were downright crazy. Vinnie, her not-so-close cousin and manager of Plum Bail Bonds, gave her some questionably crazy skips. We had words about that, Vinnie and I, and also Tank, Lester and even Hector with Vinnie. They were very protective of Stephanie. No denying that she was competent, contrary to what Morelli and her mother claimed since they focused on the negative aspects of this job, but never praised nor acknowledged her strengths and successes.
The instant expectation that she would move back in with her family, after the fire-bombing of her apartment, into that tiny duplex with her parents and her crazy grandmother, was a ridiculous idea. On top of that, they kept pushing her towards that philandering cop, Morelli, in the hope that she would "settle down", get married and have his kids, or, as Stephanie so rightly put it, have his "devil spawn". Stephanie had made it categorically clear that she had no intention of being involved with a man who cheats and is constantly abusive. But did they listen? Her mother? No. It was like water off a duck's back.
Platitudes of condescension were that woman's comeback.
"Oh, Stephanie. The clock's ticking."
"You're not getting any younger."
"All the eligible bachelors are taken. You can't be picky."
"That nice boy Joseph Morelli might be your last chance for respectability."
"You and Joseph can just get back together again, you'll see. You always do."
And, my personal favourite: "Joseph might consider taking you back and give you another chance. After all, who wants a thirty something ex divorcee?"
Seriously? How fucked up is that?! "He might consider it?!" Holy shit!
Her irritating mother was relentless in her obsession with gossip and criticising her own daughter. Distorted information and twisted stories, from Morelli and spread by the Burg grapevine, were constant and kept the phone ringing. Her father, a man of few words who was "there", living in the house, but not actually present. He seemed to love his daughter but never rebuked his wife or his bat-shit crazy mother-in-law, Edna Mazur. His silence and lack of defence just enabled them further. It was a hideous, dysfunctional situation and I am so relieved that Stephanie is no longer trapped in that zone. It's like they are living in a bubble.
And, my Babe, she rose above that. She called her parents and her grandmother on their bullshit. More than a few chances she had given them, and a final ultimatum, but they were oblivious and didn't believe she was strong enough not to succumb to their ways. To them it wasn't a question of strength … it was an expectation, like fulfilling a prophecy. Not naïve, not stupid, but they were completely brainwashed or conditioned by this Burg mentality. I wonder if they will realise their loss?
I took her hand and kissed her wrist and drove on, smiling, leaving her hand on my thigh. Another sigh, a contented sound.
oOo
Unfortunately, one of Stephanie's last skips was in her old neighbourhood, Chambersburg, aka, the Burg. Hector watched as she easily brought her annoyed and handcuffed skip to the SUV. He had tried to give her some lip and made a threatening move towards her, which she handled deftly and professionally. He had a bulky frame but he was too slow to overcome her swift retaliation. He was embarrassed that she took him down so easily. Together they walked to the SUV with Hector standing by the rear doors. The skip was no longer sullen but self-conscious, especially since his capture had been witnessed by his neighbours.
Gaping like a pair of stunned mullets, her parents had observed their daughter in action from across the street. There was nothing messy or dirty about it. She was clean and slick. Hector had first noticed them through his side mirror, staring. Frank Plum was impressed. Helen? Did she roll her eyes and shake her head? It looked like she was ashamed while she glanced furtively up and down the street. Hector shook his head in disgust as he stood by the back door.
After shackling her skip in place securely and closing the doors, Stephanie turned to see her parents. Hector chuckled quietly as she made a derisive snort. To her credit, recognising that look of condescension on her mother's face, she coolly stared them down. Then, without a word or any sort of acknowledgement, she slipped into the passenger seat.
"C'mon, let's blow this popsicle stand."
"Si, Chica," Hector grinned.
oOo
Leaving the Trenton PD, Stephanie had just brought in her final skip and was feeling ecstatic, not saying any farewells as such, since they had decided to make a simple clean break. As a professional courtesy, Ranger had informed the Chief of Police of their departure. While Steph walked to her vehicle, she pulled her ponytail loose from her black Rangeman cap, removed her scrunchy, and shook her curls loose. She noticed Morelli about to walk up to her. As was his usual manner of late, a sneer was evident on his face, but she only stopped long enough just to stare at him and shake her head in contempt, a minuscule action. That new confidence which she radiated was like an impenetrable forcefield. With one hand on her hip, the other resting lower, just above her thigh holster, her weight bearing on one leg, Stephanie oozed sexy untouchability in her Rangeman black uniform. A fleeting dismissive glare and a raised eyebrow was all she did before turning to open the passenger door to the shiny black SUV. As it turned and slowly drove away, Hector buzzed his window down and literally stared daggers at Morelli who visibly swallowed with an uncomfortable lump in his throat, suddenly unsure of himself. Hector drove on as the window buzzed up, grinning and then chuckling at Stephanie, giving her a knuckle bump.
"Chica, you really look awesome. That was so powerful what you just did. You were in control. There was nothing he could do. Yes, and you do look sexy, sexy as sin in your Rangeman uniform, and he damn well knew it. He will have many regrets for the rest of his life."
"Pfft." Stephanie just shrugged her shoulder and then laughed.
"Yeah, you're right, mi hermano," her smile triumphant. "I feel stronger in his presence. To him I am the unobtainable. No regrets here. Water under the bridge. He can no longer hurt me and nothing he thinks or says will change that. There's no way he can ever burst my happy bubble."
She sighed contentedly.
"You know, DILLIGAF!?" which had Hector banging the steering wheel and laughing heartily.
"Si, and Morelli recognised that. It was like he was about to say something and your body language just shut him up. Proud of you, Chica. You are strong, not just physically, but in spirit as well."
Stephanie beamed. Spirit. Yeah, she liked that. With all the support and encouragement, and training, from her brothers and Carlos, she did feel stronger.
While watching through his rear-vision mirror, a dejected Joseph Morelli entered the Trenton PD, Hector smiled, as he drove them to the house where they'd been staying this week.
oOo
It was the second time this week she had encountered her parents. The night before, at Rossini's, Ranger had booked a large table for a celebratory dinner. There were no speeches, just a shared joy. Stephanie looked resplendent in a beautiful dark blue figure-hugging dress, which highlighted her trim and taut physique and her long legs. It was demure yet sexy, with a sheer flouncy skirt and a cross-over bodice. Her jewellery had sapphires, the real thing, which complimented her dress. The other guests were ogling the handsome men in their suits and did notice that there were only two women, the older lady, Ella, and a radiant Stephanie. Carlos was standing beside Stephanie. He had just removed his suit jacket and was GQ gorgeous in his waistcoat and white shirt. He held her chair out for her and kissed her chastely on the lips and her neck before sitting down. Was that an audible sigh from the other tables?
Helen, Edna and Frank entered the restaurant. The maître d' led them to a nearby table. Haughty Helen was looking smugly around to see who recognised them going out for dinner, not yet seeing the large Rangeman table. The other restaurant patrons smiled politely and carried on with their delicious meals, nudging each other sneakily. Edna saw the glint in their eyes and noticed their nudges. Glancing around she saw the reason. Her beautiful granddaughter was dining out with all those hunky men, and she looked beautiful. The sparkling jewellery did not go unnoticed and Edna's eyes widened when she saw the engagement ring. Turning to Helen and Frank she pointed out their daughter. Instantly Helen's back went ramrod straight. She called the maître d' back, obviously demanding (yes, demanding, not asking) for a new table. The maître d' wasunperturbed, but indicated the table close by the bathrooms. Her disapproving manner was easy to read and in disgust she stood to leave, dragging her reluctant mother and disappointed Frank with her, amid chuckles and pointing fingers from the other patrons. What a pathetic performance. Stephanie watched this play out and saw the sad look in the eyes of her father and her grandmother. Without a further thought, she smiled at Carlos, who leaned in giving her a reassuring side hug and a kiss to her temple, and enjoyed her meal and the gorgeous company.
Tank was explaining how sometime yesterday morning a Buick had driven by. When Rafael called up to what remained of the control room, having observed the same brown Buick drive by four more times, he had to check. Tank said he had already predicted the answer. Sure enough, it was the Plums. Ha! It's rather curious that they were daring enough to venture here along Haywood, away from their usual territory. The building was practically empty with only one truckload to fill, with just a skeleton crew to finalise a few loose ends, and official closure of Rangeman Trenton. Gone were all the computers, monitors and the cubicles. The floor was an empty shell. All that remained was a desk and a chair with a laptop. Tank took another call which he was expecting, and that was it. Everything that remained was taken down to the garage and loaded into the truck.
Before unlocking the front door, he spied Helen and Frank Plum approaching the lobby entrance, with Edna Mazur in tow. Helen knocked on the door, demanding that Stephanie come down.
"I know you're in there, Stephanie!" She pounded the door more loudly.
Frank nudged Helen and they watched as the other door opened. Helen made to approach that door but Frank stopped her as the tall and imposing man, they call Tank, emerged. In silence they watched.
Shaking his head, ignoring them, Tank unlocked the door to greet the real estate agent. Shaking hands firmly, he handed over the keys over for the last time, after he locked the door behind him. The real estate agent unfurled the SOLD sign and stuck it over the For Sale sign, and bid farewell. The Rangeman truck appeared by the footpath with Rafael and Gene. Tank hopped in and they drove away, leaving the Plums confused and gaping.
oOo
There was a large gathering at the church. As they were going down the steps after the sermon, Angie overheard Edna wondering where Stephanie was.
"Where do you think Stephanie is? And that company for whom she worked with all those hunky muscle men? That real estate sign said the business was sold."
"Oh, you mean Rangeman?" Angie replied, trying hard to contain her malicious glee.
"Yes! That's them. Rangeman," Edna responded. However, the look on Angie Morelli's face instantly made her suspicious. She was shrewd enough to know that Angie knew something else and was baiting Helen deliberately, with a captive audience.
"Oh? I forgot to tell you, Helen. I saw moving trucks at Rangeman. What do you suppose that means?"
Little titters and sniggers were heard behind them.
"I also heard how wonderful Stephanie looked at Rossini's a couple of nights ago. Very stunning, and radiant. Oh. But you were there too. Did you see her with all those men? I bet you had a lovely dinner. Rossini's always does cater well, for all tastes, don't you think, Helen?" The sarcasm was positively dripping from Angie's every pore, as she glanced around triumphantly.
Frank muttered under his breath, something about grilled cheese as he was approached by his nephew, Eddie.
"Uncle Frank, I figured Aunt Helen would have heard about it since it's big news all over town."
"Yes, and we all know who leads the gossip train here," someone else remarked quite casually.
Helen whipped around and walked briskly to the car almost dragging Edna with her. She had to get to the car before she lost it in front of those bitches. Frank quickly got in the driver's seat and whisked them away.
Edna sniffed. Helen too. Both had tears running down their faces.
"We screwed up," Edna sobbed.
"Yeah, big time," Frank muttered gruffly.
"Will she ever …?" Helen could not bear to finish her thought.
Feeling forlorn and shattered, Frank drove them home, Edna and Helen in tears. No one spoke another word.
oOo
Living in a bubble can be dangerous. When it pops, what is there? Their bubble was popped. Helen's influence and status within the Burg was null and void. The only blessing was that the phone was blissfully quiet, much to Frank's relief.
oOo
In contrast, there was a very different scenario as Carlos drove up to the airfield. Tank, Bobby and Lester were waiting for them, grinning happily. Hector smiled from the plane above the stairs. Stephanie smiled. They greeted each other with hearty back slaps and complicated handshakes and warm hugs for their sister, Stephanie.
Looking out of her window as they flew over Trenton, Stephanie noticed how it suddenly disappeared from view in the smoggy haze. Rising above the smog and the clouds there was blue sky. A promise of more to come.
"This is going to be good, Babe."
Sigh. A happy sigh as Carlos squeezed her hand.
"Miami, here we come!"
oOoOo
THE END
This idea was thrown at me ; - ) and I couldn't resist it. Thanks Ms M.
Chance Encounters is almost complete and I will post that story on a weekly basis, very soon. So, watch this space. The lighthouse avatar will beckon, like a beacon. Thank you for your patience.
Rangeman Under Fire will follow thereafter.
Enjoy.