Title: Past issues
Name: Joy
Email: SleepingBeauty2@ziplip.com
Rating: PG 13
Logan Cale's younger sister, Fiona, had taken over most of his time for a week. She had him out of his apartment almost every night; a feat not lost on Bling or Max. Her presence seemed to invigorate Logan to be more like he was at a younger age. She pushed him in every area of his life especially in therapy. Bling was very happy to have his girlfriend help in the process because she had the uncanny ability to piss Logan off enough to get his butt in gear. She would say he could not stand for a fully 5 minutes unaided and he would prove her wrong. Sibling rivalry seemed to work fantastically with these two.
Fiona had decided to stay in the area, in herself but there were several things that needed to be organized before that could happen. She decided to employ Max for a lot the help she required. Bling was too close to her and Logan would have to many issues with the past. Max was the perfect person to help her sort through the things had she just left behind.
Saturday morning, around five a.m., Fiona showed up out of the blue on her motorcycle at Max's apartment. "Hey there, beauty. Remember how I told you I would explain Eyes Only to ya someday?" Max nodded to Fiona. "Today is someday. Get dressed and I'll fix breakfast," Fiona said holding a bag of groceries for Max. When she returned to the kitchen an omelet with hashbrowns and bacon were on her plate. Real coffee was being brewed in the coffeepot, which had woken Kendra. She was already digging into her plate of food.
"Max, have I told you lately how grateful I am that you met Logan and therefore Fiona?" Kendra said during a brief break in shoveling food into her mouth. Fiona just smiled sweetly at the sleepy woman wearing a pink pajama set with a feather boa. They ate in silence for a few minutes until the coffee was ready.
"Thanks for all of this Fi. You didn't have to," Max said.
"I know but you are about to embark on a strange trip into my past with me. I might as well equip you for the journey."
"What are you going to do?" Kendra asked.
"We are going to go to my house and sort through my late husband and my belongings, head over to my school and pick up my art, and go searching for a new house," Fiona said flatly.
"Wow…"
"Yeah. A hearty breakfast is the least I could provide."
Max took the last swig of her coffee and threw on her coat; "I'm ready."
"K. See ya later Kendra."
"Happy hunting."
The two women mounted their motorcycles and headed into the suburbs of Seattle, to settle up with a few of Fiona's demons.
**************
They arrived in front of Fiona's beautiful Colonial style home at six thirty in the morning. She unlocked the door then turned to Max, "Thanks for doing this with me on such short notice. I haven't been here since the night I lost Ryan." Max knew that this would be highly emotional for Fiona but didn't know how she would respond. They entered the house slowly.
Everything was covered with white sheets. Fiona began removing the sheets so Max followed suit. It was very quiet as they moved around the house removing sheets revealing furniture, nick-knacks, electronics, and photos. Fiona picked up a picture from her wedding day. "I was so young," she whispered. "Ok, here's the deal. I want to make a list of everything I'm keeping and then what I'm giving away. Where is there a pad of paper and a pen?"
Max went into the kitchen area to get the items. She found a desk in the kitchen. She noticed a pack of pictures, so she flipped through them. Fiona was very pregnant in these pictures. "Hey, did you find a pen?" Fiona asked and then noticed the pictures Max was holding. Her smile faded and she snatched the pictures out of Max's hands. She went through them one by one and let tears fall with no sound. Her eyes turned back to Max, "I lost a lot that day… I promise to tell you all about it later. I just really need this done now. If I don't get it done, I can't start over."
"It's OK. You don't have to tell me."
"It's not that. I just know if I break down now, I won't make it through the day… Let's mark stuff in the living room." The two women went back into the living room. Fiona decided to keep all photos, some of the art, the sofa and coffee table, but get rid of most of the electronics. In the kitchen she decided to keep all her dishes and glasses. The dinning room table would stay, but the kitchen table would be given away. The rocking chair & lazy boy that were in the den would come with her, but the bumper pool table could go.
Upstairs was much harder for Fiona to do. All of the nursery things would go into storage, until there came a time when she could use them. She decided to sell the bed because it was a beautiful antique. She knew she would never be able to sleep in it again. Fiona opened Ryan's closet and was relieved to find that her in-laws, who had been more family to her then anyone in the last several years, had taken his clothing. She went through all of her own clothing, putting away the maternity clothes for storage, and then picking through the rest. She tossed a couple items to Max to see if she would like them.
In a few hours, Max and Fiona had totaled Fi's home and belonging. "That was emotionally exhausting… Lets head to my real home away from home," Fiona said as they headed out to her old school.
It was the same process at the school. All of her belongings that had been at her loft space were in storage in the basement of the art department. Fiona earmarked several pieces she had made and her equipment. She even gave Max a sculpture. They laughed at her feeble attempts at creating greatness. Max did really admire Fiona's photography though. As they were leaving the building one of Fiona's old professors saw them.
"Fiona! Fiona O'Connor! Why it's been ages?" the small graying man said giving her a big hug.
"Hello Professor Fairchild. I would like you to meet my friend Max."
Max uncomfortably shook hands with the elderly gentleman, "Nice to meet you."
"Like wise. Well Fiona. I hope I find you well, after all that trouble. How is yours brother?"
"Fine sir. Max here is Logan's sweet. I'm very well and moving back to the area."
"Is that a fact? Now, I hope I don't upset you, but did they ever catch that awful man. I just couldn't believe that it happened."
"He was found dead in the street the next day sir. They believed it was a mob related killing," Fiona said very evenly.
"Well, serves him right. Did the world the favor, after what he took from you… Well child; come by my office any time. I haven't moved. I hope you are still taking pictures. It would be a shame to waste such a great gift…"
"Thank you sir. I'll come by soon, I promise," Fiona said as the little man tipped his hat and continued on. "I could use some coffee. How 'bout you?"
"Sure…" Max said wondering about the whole scenario. She knew that Fiona had been married and pregnant. She also knew Fiona was a widow and childless. From the most recent discussion, it sounded like they were taken from Fiona rather than lost.
After some time puttering around campus and showing Max everything that had meant anything to her, Fiona decided it was time to venture into the next part of the day. She stopped off at a flower shop to purchase some carnations. Having the flowers she desired Fiona mounted her bike and headed to the cemetery with Max.
They pulled into Chapel Hill Cemetery around one p.m. Max thought how peaceful it was. She always sought peace a top the Space Needle, but she knew others found comfort in peaceful spots like this. "This way," Fiona said softly. A few feet from where they parked were three head stones. There was one that said, 'Ryan O'Connor, son, husband, father, brother, and beloved to all.' Just next to it was a tiny head stone saying 'Ryan O'Connor Jr. beloved son.' There was a large attached head stone for Fiona's parents, Logan Sr. and Elizabeth Cale, off to the right.
Max watched as Fiona put flowers on all the graves. Then she noticed the date of death were the same on all but Fiona's moms. Elizabeth lived one day past the others. Max swallowed at the realization. The small blond woman before her had lost her whole family but Logan on the same night. "How?" Max asked barely audibly.
"I'll show you."