Chapter 31 Shock

The meeting with the FBI technical agents was successful and as it came to an end, the agents promised to have an update for Kami in a couple of days to let her know how the upgrades were working out. As soon as they left, Kami went to her cell phone and checked for messages. She read a couple text from her lover telling her about Nana's afternoon tea invitation. Kami smiled to herself at the thought of spending some time with her grandparents and her lady. However, when she tried to call Hildy to let her know the meeting was over and that she would be leaving shortly, Hildy's phone went to voice mail.

Kami picked up her bag and called out to Abbi informing her that she was leaving for the day. But before she could make it across the outer hallway, Terry took a few long strides and caught up with her.

"How did the meeting with the FBI technical agents go? he asked.

"Good, the upgrades to the programs should resolve the issues they were having", Kami said as she tried not to look annoyed that Terry was holding her up as all she wanted to do was leave the office.

"Look Terry, I would love to stop and chat with you about the programs but there are scones with my name on them in my grandmother's kitchen. They are shouting to me, begging me to come eat them while they are still hot. So, I really must leave now", Kami politely said and turned as she continued walking out of the office.

To her surprise Terry turned and began walking her to the elevators.

"Kami, while you were your meeting Hildy called. She asked me to drive you to your grandparents' house in Brooklyn". Kami frowned as they both stepped into the elevator.

"Why would she do that? Did Nana invite you to afternoon tea also?" Terry shook his head but did not respond as the elevator began to fill up with people from other offices on their floor. He did not speak until they entered the lobby on the ground floor.

Terry deliberately kept the concern out of his voice because he did not want Kami to see that he was worried. In the interim between when Hildy called and Kami's meeting was over, he tried to get information about the client from the legal firm, but their receptionist stonewalled him.

"Kami, I am not sure what is going on but Hildy called and asked me to accompany you to your family's home". Kami frowned and once more asked again; "Why would she do that?" to which Terry just shrugged. By then they were out on 8th Avenue and Kami suggested they take the train instead of going to the garage where their firm housed their company vehicles. The Express A Train would get them to Brooklyn in half the time a car would take to negotiate the traffic.

As they stood on the platform in the subway's station at Columbus Circle, Kami tried to call Hildy again without success. Then she called her grandparents home. James answered the phone and knowing his granddaughter would be worried kept his voice calm and cheerful. He told her that Hildy was in the bathroom and reassured her that she was fine when Kami insisted on speaking with her. By the time Kami hung up the phone she was less worried but felt more confused. She decided to keep calm and wait to get her answers when she arrived at her family's home.

After Hildy nodded confirming Kathrine's utterance of the name Jaz, Kathrine sat back down.

"How? … Where? …. Why? …. I do not understand?"

Hildy then proceeded to tell them about the legal firm's appointment for one of their clients. She continued giving a perfect verbatim account of the conversation between her and Jaz. Both James and Kathrine listened in rapt attention before James said; "Never in a thousand years was I expecting Jaz to come back on the scene".

Hildy looked from one grandparent to another before she said, "I want information. I want to know everything you know about this woman".

Kathrine looked at her honourary granddaughter and gently held her hand as she said.

"I think Kami would be the best person to supply you with that information, my dear".

Hildy straighter her back and looked to the ceiling before saying, "I intent to ask her the same question but I want to know who Jaz is from your perspective. Remember Kami was in a relationship with her, the way she would have seen things would have been different from how you saw the same thing", Hildy tried to express her thoughts.

James nodded as he understood Hildy's desire to amass information in order to plan a strategy on how to handle this totally unexpected happenstance. Clearing his throat, he began to speak.

"It is hard to make a list of who Jaz was or is for that matter. I can only speak from how she impacted my Baby Girl's life. My impression of the woman was that she was a lot of things to a lot of people. It was as if she had different sides to her personality. I remember her being a well-respected doctor who seemed to have a good rapport with her patients. Kathrine and I visited Kami and her in Southern California several years ago. This was after they were in a relationship for a while, I had the opportunity to see her interact with patients therefore I can say this".

Kathrine interrupted her husband by saying, "At the same time, I got the impression her working relationship with her staff was not the best. She seemed to be a perfectionist to the extreme".

The older couple paused and Hildy said; "OK, but what about her as a person? What were your impressions? How did she relate to Kami?"

Kathrine took a long deep breath and continued to speak.

"I did not like the woman for the simple reason of how she treated Kami". Seeing Hildy face darken with anger, Kathrine hastily continued. "Jaz had a way about her. It was the way she spoke to Kami. It is difficult to explain. I saw my granddaughter lose the twinkle in her eyes. She became withdrawn, she stopped smiling and her communication with us and with her parents became less and less frequent".

James added "It was as if Jaz wanted Kami's total undivided attention at all times. She came over as very possessive and controlling. As you can imagine that did not go down well with us and we told Kami this. But she was in love and did not see things the way we did".

Kathrine then picked up the narrative by adding, "It took a long time but eventually Kami began to see what we saw. Michael, Kalia, James and I began a prayer vigil for Kami. All thanks and praise to Heavenly Father for giving Kami the strength to walk away. She ended the relationship and never looked back".

Hildy sat quietly as she processed this information. She knew she had to await Kami's arrival to get more information. Thoughts kept bouncing around her head, but one kept coming to the forefront, before she realized it Hildy blurted out her fear. "Do you think Kami might have any residual feelings for Jaz? Suppose when she realizes that Jaz is back, her old feelings of love resurfaces?"

Both James and Kathrine began speaking at once as they reassured Hildy she had nothing to be concerned about. As Hildy listened to the calming words of the older couple. The tendrils of fear that began to prod her heart receded.

Taking a deep breath, Hildy excused herself to go use the washroom. Kathrine encouraged her to go lay down until Kami arrived and she agreed. When the older couple heard the upstairs bathroom door close, Kathrine started in a soft angry voice; "I am not going to sit to the side and see that Jaz woman walk back into Kami's life and cause havoc".

"Kathrine calm down", James said in a soft but firm voice. "Kami is not a young impressionable twenty something year old anymore. She is a mature woman who is genuinely loved and loves the woman she is engaged to be married to. Jaz can come and try to resurrect old feelings or play her mind games, but she will not succeed this time. Have faith Kathrine".

Just as Kathrine was about to respond, the house phone rang. James got up and answered it only to realize it was Kami calling to find out what was going on. He reassured her that Hildy was fine and in the bathroom. He repeated that Hildy was fine and there was no need to worry, then he ended the call. James began speaking to his wife as he walked back into the room.

"Kami is taking the A Train, so she should be here in a while. Terry is escorting her over she said. Kathrine when she arrives you must play it cool. Let Hildy be the one to tell her that Jaz is in New York. You can't blurt it out as soon as the child walks through the door. I know you Kathrine. You are chomping at the bits to call her back right now and tell her".

Kathrine scowled at James because he was correct. She wanted to pick up the phone and call Kami immediately but at the same time she recognized that Hildy needed to be the one to let her know what was going on.

"I do not like it when you are the calm voice of reason James, especially when I want to do the opposite of what you are telling me", Kathrine huffed. James laughed out loud and moved to pull his wife into an embrace as he gently kissed her cheek.

"Everything will work out fine, my love, just keep remembering that Kami and Hildy love each other".

Kami used her key to enter her grandparents' home. She invited Terry inside to get a bite to eat but he declined as he still had a few things to do in the office. He left within moments of dropping her off. As she walked further into her family's home, the delicious aroma of baked goodies filled the air, but at the same time the house was extremely quiet.

James and Kathrine were still sitting on the love seat when they heard their beloved granddaughter enter the house.

"Nana, Pappy, Hildy, where are you?" Kami called out.

"In here my Darling" Kathrine answered.

Kami entered the den and saw her grandparents sitting together with their arms wrapped around each other. Her anxiety was momentarily put aside as her heart was warmed by the sight in front of her. She walked up to them and knelt on the floor at their feet. She leant forward and gave them both a kiss and a smile.

"If Heavenly Father blesses Hildy and me with long life, I want us to be sitting together on our love seat just like the two of you when we get to be in our eighties.

Kathrine's eyes instantly filled with tears at the loving compliment. She returned her granddaughter's smile and softly said, "It makes my heart glad to hear you say that my love. I know how much you love Hildy and I am sure she wishes the same thing too".

Kami heard something unspoken in her grandmother's words, sitting back on her heels she asked; "Where is Hildy? What is going on? You all are acting strangely".

"Kams, the meeting Hildy had today with the client from the legal firm was not what she expected, and she was greatly distressed by it", Kathrine explained.

Kami stood up immediately and asked, "Where is she?"

"Hildy is upstairs in your bedroom". The words were no sooner out of James' mouth when Kami quickly headed for the stairs that lead to the bedrooms on the second floor.

Kami quietly entered her room and saw her lover laying on her bed. As she walked over to Hildy she realized that she was sleeping but her face did not have the beautiful relaxed expression she always had in slumber, rather her features looked tensed. Kami hated to wake her, but she needed to know what was going on. "Hills, sweetheart, wake up", Kami softly said as she gently caressed her face.

Hildy's eyelids fluttered open and she saw the vision that always made her heart feel light. Hildy automatically smiled and Kami laid down next to her in her bed as she pulled her lady into an embrace. After a few moments Kami turned her body so that she and Hildy were facing each other as she asked; "What is going on? I know something is wrong and I am feeling scared so please tell me".

"Sweetheart, I do not want you to be scared, OK. I am so sorry I worried you. I got upset after the meeting and I reacted without thinking of the concern I would cause you when I asked Terry to accompany you here", Hildy paused as she wondered how to tell her lover about Jaz. She decided to just dive straight in.

"The client was a woman, she wanted us to have lunch before we spoke about business. I got her to give me some basic information before I complied with her request. During the meal we made small talk and I sensed she was observing me intently. I could not figure out what she was up to so after we were finished eating I told her that she needed to get another investigation firm to help her with whatever the problem was".

Kami had a slight frown between her eyes as she listened to Hildy's account of what occurred.

"It was then that the woman elaborated on the bare facts as she saw it. She said that the case was a sensitive one because someone had possession of something she had a prior claim on and she needed me to resolve the situation for her. I explained that she needed to get another New York firm to resolve the situation, but she said it had to be my firm because what she had a claim to was sitting at my office".

At these words Kami sat up in the bed. "What?! I do not understand. Some strange woman whom you do not know, is laying claim to your business Hildy? Is the woman crazy?" Kami asked in a shocked voice. "Now I understand why you wanted Terry to escort me here. There are more certifiable people walking around on the streets outside mental hospitals than inside of them".

Hildy could not help but give a small smile at Kami's words as she too sat up on the bed.

She reached out and caressed her lady's hand as the small smile turned back into a serious expression before continuing to speak. "The woman said the something that was sitting at my office was you Kami".

Kami frowned and said, "Excuse me".

Hildy looked at her but did not say anything else. Kami's face began to change from confused to worried.

"Oh no Hildy, do we have a stalker? This crazy woman has obviously been watching my movements. She would be watching you too! If that woman tries to get near you to harm you … I'll …I'll, Hulk out on her".

With that Kami threw herself into her lover's arms and fear for Hildy's safety washed over her. Hildy was moved by the love and concern Kami showered on her even though she misunderstood what was happening.

Gently pushing Kami off her, and back into a sitting position on the bed she said; "Listen to me Kami, just listen for a moment OK?"

Kami nodded but began to feel confused again as she sensed there was more of the incident to explain.

Looking at her lover dead in her eyes Hildy said "The woman I met today is not a stalker in that sense, she really knew you".

Kami shook her head and said, "I do not understand".

"Kams the woman who met with me was Doctor Joyce Amy Zachery".

Kami sat there in silence. She could have sworn that Hildy called Jaz's name.

"What did you say Hills? I could have sworn you said …."

Hildy looked at her and said the name once more "Doctor Joyce Amy Zachery".

Kami slowly began to shake her head and back away from Hildy as if she was seeing someone other than her lover. She jumped off the bed and continued to shake her head as she whispered "No, no, no".

Kami instantly felt lightheaded, warm, nauseous and her vision began to tunnel as she felt her body begin to fall.

Hildy sprang out of the bed in time to catch her before she hit the floor as she fainted away.