Chapter Seventeen: Getting our lives together

The three of us stood in the middle of the Christopher's living room while officers, of many kinds, were taking pictures all around us. Nobody really bothers us too much.

Someone gets to the guest bedroom and sees the bear and the flowers. I hear a gasp and the sound of glass breaking in the guest room.

Keith breaks from our hug and runs into the room. I follow behind him and see glass everywhere.

"Que diable? Non!" an officer screams. (French: What the hell? NO!)

"What is wrong, Kelly?" One officer asks the woman who screamed, who I guess is Kelly.

"Kelly! It's okay. You can leave if you need to." Trudy comes into the room and helps her out.

"C'est mal! C'est mal! Je dois partir!" Kelly yells as Trudy escorts her out of the house. (French: That is evil! That is evil! I need to leave!)

"Shit, this is not good. Whenever Kelly talks French it means things will not end well." An officer, Briggs according to his name tag, replies.

"One thing about Jade Kelly, she knows when shit is going to go down. She just doesn't know how to vocalize it sometimes…" Another officer, name tag Jones, adds.

"No matter what is going on, gentlemen, there is a lot of work to be done. I would love to have my home back. So my wife, sister, and I can make some decisions for our lives. Please keep the gossip to a minimum. Thank you."

Keith's voice shows he means business.

"You shouldn't be here! Get out, NOW! This is a crime scene!" Davis shouts.

"Your crime scene is my home. My name is Officer Keith Christopher. If you were here earlier, then you would know that." Keith turns and looks at me and sighs. "Come on, sis, let's go find Trudy."

We walk out of the room into the hallway that leads to the living room, and I follow Keith as he walks outside. Trudy is outside with Kelly and another officer. Keith walks up to them and when he does, Trudy looks over to him and sighs.

"Let me guess, Davis?"

He nods, and she walks into the house.

"Told me I can't be in my home. I get a bad vibe from him. I really do."

Keith in full cop mode is a glorious thing.

"I understand, but we need him—at least a little longer. He is messing up and each time he does it gives us more evidence to convict him with." Trudy looks tired. "Christopher, this investigation has been ongoing since you, your wife, and your friend here were children—possibly even before that. As much as I want to kick him out, it would not be good. Right, Kelly?"

Everyone looks at Kelly after Trudy speaks her name and Kelly seems calmer.

"They fall for that each time I do it. Sad but true." Kelly laughs. "My name is Jade Kelly. I broke that vase on purpose. I needed to get out of there. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact those rhodys are odd, nothing seems weird about it." Jade Kelly smiles as she states things I perceive as wrong.

"I think the bear might have a video camera in it. And do you know what that particular flower means, Miss Jade Kelly?" I ask.

"I don't know what they mean. Do you know?"

I laugh at Jade's question.

"They mean 'beware, danger'. I think it is a message of some kind, if you want the truth." Keith tries to hide the venom in his voice.

Both Trudy and Jade break out their cell phones. I assume to investigate the information Keith gave them.

Both women are in shock.

"You are right, Officer Christopher, at least according to the Almanac," Jade agrees. "Shit, that is an enormous threat! Do you have any issue with us taking the bear apart then?"

"I have zero issues with that beast being taken apart. You, Mags?"

I glance at Keith and smile.

"Have at it. Can I help?" I ask with hope in my eyes.

"I wish you could, but we need all the untainted evidence we can get. Hope you understand."

I nod at Trudy's statement.

"Of course, we want there to be no issues keeping the people who need to go to jail from going there. I don't think I touched the flowers or bear in my confusion this morning."

Trudy and Jade both nod in understanding, making their way back into the house.

"Not trying to be rude, but I would like to get some items for my wife and me so that we can spend the night away. You know, to help your investigation and all."

I give Keith a brilliant smile because he is so smart.

"I am sure you just want to grab some clothes and things, right?"

He nods at Trudy's question.

"Let me get a few officers to oversee things to prove nothing got contaminated while you pack." Trudy responds.

Looking over at Keith, I watch as he is texting someone.

"Who you texting, big brother?" He looks over at me and shakes his head.

He will tell me later, when nobody is around.

A few minutes later, there were ten officers outside.

"I am sorry that we made it so that you were uncomfortable, Officer Christopher. I just hope that you forgive us for any issues that have arisen from the actions of a few of our staff." Trudy seemed pissed.

"We will be quick and my wife, friend, and I will also take our cars with us."

Trudy looks over at Jade, who nods in agreement.

"Let's go. Mags, help Jen pack."

I nod and make my way into the house. I see Jenna sitting on the couch, waiting.

"Let's go to your room and pack some things, alright?"

Jenna looks up at me and tries to not smile.

"Thank you, Mags. I wouldn't be able to do this without you."

I laugh at Jenna's comment.

"If it wasn't for me, this wouldn't have happened. Let's go pack as much as we can. Multiple trips if needed." I whisper.

Jenna nods, and we go into her and Keith's room.

She goes into her closet, looking for her suitcases. I eye the room and try to guess what she wants, but I really don't know. I hear laughing behind me.

"Want to start by getting Keith's clothes from the closet? I am going to get undergarments and such."

"Thank you, because I really don't want to touch your undies." I go into the closet and find several pairs of jeans and t-shirts. Then, I find a few suits and ties, I grab them and put everything on the bed. I glimpse around and see a few of his hats and put them on the bed. Next are shoes and boots from the closet.

"Mags, you are making it like we are leaving for good." I shhh'd her and got my phone to write a message to her.

Don't talk. Someone besides the officers at the door might eavesdrop on what we are saying. Yes, I think we want to leave for a while. May not be coming back. Sorry.

Jenna looks over at me and seems understandably upset at my saying this. She takes my phone and after deleting my message and typing her own.

I am not surprised. I think now would be a good time to start over between my family's lack of caring about me and now Keith's family and Keith's new family's drama. Not to mention yours.

I nod in agreement as a knock sounds on the open bedroom door. Trudy has replaced the two offices that were standing there. Jenna invites Trudy in while I move the suitcases off the bed.

"I just wanted to check on your progress. I am sorry about the inconvenience, but we need full access to the house." Miss Trudy seems upset at having to interrupt us.

I peer over at the alarm clock on the nightstand and see it is nearly three o'clock. How did this take so long?

"OK, Miss Trudy, give us a few more minutes to finish." Jenna is firm. Trudy nods and leaves.

A few minutes later, Keith comes into the room and he looks beat. With him are several pieces of paper and pens.

Family Meeting

Girls, I am going to be honest. Something is not right, and it really concerns me. I think we should consider relocating—permanently. Keith writes before passing Jen and me the paper.

Honestly, I understand. I want nothing to do with Mississippi anymore. And judging what I am hearing about our families, Keith, I really think the east coast is out of the question. What about the west coast? Not California though. I add below Keith's paragraph.

I think that the west coast is a good idea. Is there a way that we can change our names? How would we be able to get jobs? Especially you since you have your military career and it counts toward your experience working with the police. Jenna writes.

I have a contact in Washington—a few, actually. My friend Jamie lives in Seattle and is good friends with one of the police chiefs out there in a small town. I met this chief before and he is an honorable man. Charlie Swan is as by the book as they come and I am sure he would hire me in a jiffy. Or at least help me find a job nearby. I don't remember the town he lives in, though. Keith informs us.

Why don't you get a hold of this, Charlie, and see what he says. And Jamie too. I really want to talk to him! Jenna asks.

I agree with changing our name. We really aren't safe as long as we use our current names. I think we should look into changing them ASAP. I tell my friends.

Agreed, we all need names we love. Not like the names our parents stuck us with. Jenna points out.

If Chief Swan calls, he is very straight and to the point. He might sound gruff, but he is a great man who will help anyone in need. We need to get a burner phone. Let's go to Walmart and get one, then go to your house, Mags, for a bit in case there are bugs recording us. Keith writes out.

Jenna and I nod in agreement and all three of us go outside to Jenna's car. We make our way to Walmart and get several things. I get new luggage because my current set is so old it is falling apart.

"How are we going to do this without being suspicious?" Jenna asks.

Keith looks around, and rolls his eyes. I look around and notice a few officers trailing us. Fabulous.

Keith grabs his phone and starts typing a message.

There is no way. We might as well just do what we need to do. Jen, is there anything in the house that you need to have that we wouldn't possibly be able to bring in a suitcase?

Jenna thinks about it for several minutes and nods. She types something and shows it to Keith and me.

Wedding stuff, pictures, and my sewing machine. Computers and tablets. Everything else we can sell, mostly.

Keith nods and types.

I want my military stuff. Wedding stuff. Definitely. My tools from my mother's side of the family. You, Mags?

I think about it.

I want to go to my old house and grab some pictures. Maybe get a stuffed animal. At my house: clothes, hairdressing equipment, car, but the car belongs to the Montgomery's. I am a co-owner of it, so I can give that back to them and sign my name off of it. I paid nothing for it. Most of the furniture there is theirs as well. I bought the rocking chairs out front, but they aren't a genuine need.

Keith nods.

I think that if you want to, we can look into getting a U-Haul or something. What are you wanting to do about selling the house?

Jenna thinks about it and sighs.

We got it for a good deal. It is in a great location. I am sure we can get at least triple what we paid for it—quickly. We aren't likely to be coming back, are we?

My heart is breaking for Jenna.

As bad as her family was, they loved her until she branched out. She loves her house and the people that surround her.

She wants to have a family and raise her kids here.

Unlike me, I don't care if I stay here or move elsewhere.

I think deep down Jenna hoped she could make amends with her family again.

I look up some vans and RVs to see if there is a cheap option we can buy and have room to put our stuff and get across the country.

There is a woman who wants to sell a box truck on Craigslist. Her husband was using it and wants it gone because she caught him cheating in the truck.

He recently had a new transmission, A/C work done, doesn't leak, and is a three-seater.

Cost? Two thousand dollars!

This is awesome!

I show it to Keith, and the more he reads, the more he smiles.

"This is something that we can do. I know her and that truck. It had an entire overhaul for the most part. This includes new seats since her husband quit smoking and did not want to smell that in the cab! I will call her now. We can work something out, I am sure. I was there when she found out. She owes me."

Keith walks away and Jenna looks at me. I show her the ad. She is not as happy as Keith.

I message her.

If we can get this, we can take more of our things with us when we move.

After she reads the message, a smile lights up her face. Then she nearly kills me, hugging me.

Keith walks back to us and smiles. "It's done."

Keith writes us a message saying that we can have it if we watch her son for two hours. Her house or ours.

Keith already told her we wanted it and would pick it up on our way back from Walmart and we could watch her son—Joey—after that. He told her we had to leave town quickly, and she understood. She was as well, but her brother and father were coming with another truck to move her and Joey.

We get a few more things: new sunglasses, slippers, extra chargers for our devices, lots of snacks, new phones, and hygiene products. We also got several totes since that might be better than suitcases and less likely to amount concern since we are being watched.

Each of us keeps a carry-on size suitcase. So we don't have to hunt for things.

We finally make our way out of Walmart after spending way more than we would want to admit. But we are happy that we can hurry up and leave.

"Is there any way that you can drop me off first? I want to shower and shit."

Jenna and Keith laugh at me.

"Yeah, I want to check the house before I leave you there, though. I hope you understand." I nod and Keith drives on. We get food on the way from a drive-thru and eat before we make it to my house.

"Do you think we should try to sell some things before we go?" Jenna asks Keith.

"We can try. What do you want to sell? Or would you rather see what we can fit? I know we can fit at least the beds, bedroom set, your sewing machine, and whatever we need to have. Maggie, are you sure there is not much you want?"

"I just want my clothes, the rocking chairs in front, and my chair in my room. Honestly, there's not much I need other than that and hairdressing stuff."

"We will get whatever you need. You should probably let the Montgomery's know that you plan to leave. Want us to be there with you?"

I know Keith is right. I don't want to do any of it, but it is the least I can do after everything that they have done for me.

"Yeah, let's go before we go to my house since Miss Dixie's house is the next street down on the left."

Keith nods and turns down the street. I point to her house and see a mini-party going on in the driveway that already looks heated.

Keith parks and assesses the situation. Mamaw, Miss Dixie, Miss Ruby, and several others are present. I see some cops from earlier present. That does not ease my nerves.

"Now might not be the best time. Should we come back?" Jenna looks concerned.

It might be smarter to come back, but I just want to be done with it all.

"I will ask for a moment alone with them and say what I need to say." I get out of the car and Keith comes up to me. The group sees me and stops their conversation.

When I get up to the group, Miss Ruby smiles at me.

"Hello, my dear. How are you feeling?" I smile back.

"I am alright. Is there a way that I can talk to you and Miss Dixie, Miss Ruby?"

"Sure, we are done here. Y'all can leave." She addresses the group.

The others that are there don't seem happy to be leaving, but leave.

I hear car doors opening and closing. Leaving Keith and me alone with Miss Ruby and Miss Dixie.

I go to speak, and Miss Ruby stops me.

"You don't feel safe here anymore."

I shake my head no.

"Can't say that I blame you. I have waited for this day to come. I am kind of shocked that it took this long, to be honest."

"Why is that? This was my home…"

Miss Dixie cut me off. "While my Granny and I love you, had it not been for us, I am sure that you would have left a long time ago. Maybe even Miss Reba and the hair shop. Lord knows you have felt more at home since you met Jenna and Keith and became friends with them. Frankly, I figured you would get the car and leave."

"What about your house?" I was not sure I was about to like what I was about to hear.

"Honestly, it is yours. It always has been. The rent you paid went to the taxes and utilities. Then we put anything leftover into a separate account in case you needed to leave."

Keith looks at the ladies with concern. "How is that legal? Is the house or account in her name? Does the IRS know?"

This is what I love about Keith. He's asking questions I can't ask myself. This is what I think a big brother would be like.

"We always had the paperwork sent and because it wasn't much extra, it really isn't an issue. Unless you try to sell it. Then you will have to pay capital gains on it. Which would depend on how much you sell it for. It almost might be smart for you to reinvest it when you get where you are going. But, even if you don't it might only be around 30% of what you sell it for. And if you sell the house, then you don't have to worry about money for a bit when you move." Miss Dixie says with conviction.

"And what about the Sunfire? There is no way I can take that. I can't blend in with that. Can I sign the title back over to you?" I ask.

"Of course, but we would have let you sell it if you wanted. That was actually a car of your grandparents."

This makes me kind of angry. I think Keith is angry as well.

"Do you have a copy of the title and the deed?" Miss Dixie nods and invites us inside.

Keith goes and gets Jenna and we all head inside. Miss Dixie continues into another room, and I am grateful to sit down.

"Another option, we can set you guys up with a corporation and you can rent your houses out. That way if you ever wanted to come back, you have somewhere ready."

I look at Jenna and she looks torn at Miss Ruby's words.

"That might not be a bad idea. Let us talk about it as a family."

Miss Ruby nods and Miss Dixie comes back into the room and has a bunch of papers with her.

I take the car title and read it. "I sign here?"

Miss Ruby looks and nods.

"This car has been amazing for me. I am going to miss it. Thank you for everything you both have done for me. And Jenna and Keith." I sign my name and hand it back to Miss Ruby.

"It will be here if you need it again. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that you are possibly going to be on the run, I would have you keep your name on it. We can always 'sell' it back to you if you need to. For a dollar." She puts air quotes around sell.

"I will keep that in mind, thank you. I will leave most of the furniture for you to come and do what you want with it… But I plan on taking the front porch rocking chairs and my chair in my room"

Miss Ruby stops me. "Maggie, that is yours to do as you want. If you want, we can see to it for you."

"I am going to miss you, Maggie. It has been an honor to have you in my life. Be safe wherever you go."

I smile at the two women who have been in my life since I was in elementary school. Who took care of me when my family wouldn't.

This is part of the reason I stayed in Mississippi. I had family here with the Montgomery's.

Family, I will not see once I leave.

AN:

Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is having a good week. I know I am! Got my second COVID shot today and wanted to get this out before I passed out.

What did you think of the chapter? Rhodys are not a welcomed flower in my house. I think half of my family is allergic to them.

Jenna is starting to realize that things are going to change and I am not sure she will handle it well.. Maggie will be fine, someday.

I think we all need a Keith in our lives.

Thank you to my team for making this story what it is and for all of you reading and commenting it. It means the world to me.

Any questions, feel free to message me. I might take a bit to get back to you.

If how my husband reacted is any indication (Almost a week after his shot he is starting to feel normal).

Love ya'll!

-brier