Bobby cooked breakfast in the morning. Hal, Manny and Junior watched Morelli's home during the night. They went to Stephanie's house when Zip, Zero and Vince arrived to relieve them. Hector changed the locks, then installed a floor bolt for Stephanie to lock when she's home alone. He entered her bedroom to replace the glass with a harder-to-break version. Stephanie knew it was bulletproof glass, but Hector wouldn't confirm her suspicion. It won't break if someone tossed a Molotov cocktail through it. Hector also replaced the living room glass. Stephanie would be protected, provided she left her windows closed and locked.
"Yummy," Stephanie said when Bobby put a plate filled with food in front of her. Bobby chuckled. He returned to the kitchen to grab more plates for the others. Manny and Hal followed Bobby to help him serve breakfast.
"I didn't realize you had pots, pans and dishes," Hal commented.
"Wifey doesn't," Manny replied. "Ella brought those over early this morning."
"She probably brought the food too. I don't recall having pancake mix or eggs," Stephanie added. She loved Ella. Maybe Ella would adopt her.
"Ella considers you as her daughter," Bobby said. "She insisted on filling your cupboards." Stephanie wiped a tear off her face. She appreciated Ella's thoughtfulness. Though Stephanie wondered if Ranger ordered Ella to ensure she had food.
Lester sat beside Stephanie at the small table. His hair was damp from taking a shower. "Did you leave any hot water for me?" Stephanie asked.
"Beautiful, you insult me. You know I left all the hot water for you," Lester replied. Stephanie touched Lester's hair. It was warm. She squinted her eyes at her friend as he laughed. "I never said I took a cold shower."
"What's the plan for today?" Hal asked.
Stephanie set down her fork, then wiped her mouth with the paper napkin. "I'm taking Grandma Mazur to Princeton for an appointment. Then I'm coming home," she replied. "Who drew the short straw?"
Hector touched Stephanie's shoulder, letting her know he was accompanying her to the appointment. "Hector and I are your escorts today," Lester said. Stephanie was shocked since Bobby was Lester's usual partner.
"I have physical evaluations today," Bobby explained. Stephanie was disappointed since she hoped Bobby could explain the medical terminology. "Record the session, Steph. I'll explain if necessary." Bobby addressed Stephanie's fear.
"Do you still feel the cosmos are warning you?" Lester asked. Hal, Manny and Junior raised an eyebrow. Stephanie noticed Hector didn't seem phased. He either didn't understand the conversation or Lester explained earlier.
"Yes. The feeling is stronger this morning. I have to leave in an hour to pick up grandma." Stephanie concentrated on eating her breakfast. She didn't want to explain her spidey sense to the men. Luckily, they never asked. The guys were used to trusting her intuition.
"Slick, Miguel and Binkie will watch our backs," Lester added. "Vince will contact us if Morelli catches your trail." Stephanie nodded as she ate the last sausage on her plate. Hal frowned. He hoped Stephanie was too full to eat it.
"Okay, men. I need to get ready for the day. You may go home to sleep," Stephanie said. She hugged her friends, thanking them for watching Morelli and keeping her safe from his rage. Stephanie prayed Joe Morelli would leave her alone. She knew her spidey sense was warning that Grandma Mazur was about to receive horrible news.
Stephanie showered and dressed in jeans and a wrap-around mauve top. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail. After applying three layers of mascara for courage, Stephanie left her apartment. Lester and Hector stood beside the Rangeman SUV for Stephanie to climb inside. Stephanie gave Lester the address for the clinic before he drove from the lot.
~~~~~~~~~~
Edna waited on the front porch for Stephanie to arrive. Helen was busy cleaning the breakfast dishes. She offered to take her mother to the appointment, but Edna assured Helen she already had a ride. Edna smiled when she saw Lester sitting in the driver's seat.
Stephanie opened her door, then swapped seats with Hector. He sat beside Lester as Stephanie helped her grandmother into the back seat. The SUV was a larger model with enough seating for eight normal sized humans or six Merry Men.
Lester drove to the Princeton clinic. He waited for Hector to clear the area before opening the door to help Edna climb from the SUV. Edna didn't grab Lester's ass or package when he escorted her inside the building. Stephanie walked beside Hector. "Everything will work out as it should," Hector whispered. "Whatever the news, we will stand behind you."
"Thank you." Stephanie appreciated the love and support she received from the Merry Men. She wished there was a way to reciprocate. Since she met her Merry Men, they had given something of themselves to help her become a better bounty hunter. Though, she had to admit that training should have begun when Ranger offered. It was time for Stephanie to man up… woman up and take control of her life. Continuing along the path she travelled would significantly shorten her lifespan.
Edna signed in at the reception desk, then sat in the waiting room with Stephanie, Lester and Hector. She read a silly article in an issue of Cosmopolitan magazine regarding soulmates and cosmic bonds. "What's funny?" Stephanie asked her.
She pushed the article toward Stephanie to read. "It seems a bit out of place, doesn't it?" Stephanie replied, laughing. "I believe in soulmates, but applying it to astrological signs is silly. Though Leo and Libra are compatible."
"Then you and Ranger should be perfect mates," Lester said after reading the article. "I can see it, you know? You and Ranger, making a life together."
"Right," Stephanie snapped. "Because I'm more than entertainment and his love comes with a ring? Don't delude yourself, Lester. Ranger told me many times that he loves me in his own way, but his life doesn't lend itself to relationships. He would give me a baby if I wanted one, and I was a line item in Rangeman's budget under entertainment." Lester heard the hurt in her words.
Hector was livid. He knew Ranger loved Stephanie with every cell in his body. Ranger had never slept with another woman since he met Stephanie in the diner two years earlier. Why didn't Stephanie know how much Ranger loved her? If his words contradicted his actions, it was understandable that she didn't recognize the signs. Hector suspected Stephanie was in love with Ranger. He now knew with certainty that it was true.
The nurse called Edna's name. She stood from her chair and extended a hand to Stephanie. "Please accompany me," Edna quietly asked her granddaughter. Stephanie nervously smiled, then took her grandmother's hand. They followed the nurse to an examination room. Edna noticed it had light boards along the wall. She saw a monitor attached to the sidewall.
"Grandma, are you okay?" Stephanie asked.
"I'm not sure, but you need to respect my wishes," Edna replied. She pulled a piece of paper from her purse, then handed it to Stephanie. "I want to complete my bucket list. I don't want to spend my remaining days in hospice care. If the cancer is back, I don't want chemotherapy or radiation. I want to live each day to the fullest, enjoying my last days on earth. Please, Stephanie, do you promise to help me fulfil my last request?" Edna looked at Stephanie, willing her to comply.
Reluctantly, Stephanie nodded. "Anything you want, grandma," she replied. Stephanie read the bucket list and smiled. Her smile quickly turned into a grimace when she realized it would take nearly a year to complete the list. Stephanie didn't have enough money in her bank account to pay for everything.
"My funeral expenses are already paid. You only need to ensure my body gets to Stiva's funeral home. I have enough money to cover our travel expenses," Edna said. Stephanie didn't want her grandmother to bankroll the trips. She'd have to find a way to cover all expenses. "Whatever money is left, I'm leaving to you." Stephanie shook her head. She didn't want her grandmother's money. "You can donate it or start a college fund for the girls," Edna added. Edna knew Stephanie wouldn't use the money for herself. Stephanie was always broke because she supplemented Albert Kloughn's income to support the girls.
The doctor knocked before entering the room. "Good morning, Edna. I see you brought company," Dr. Morrison said. He extended a hand to Stephanie, then introduced himself.
"I'm Stephanie," she replied.
"Stephie's my granddaughter," Edna added. "I hope you don't mind that I brought her with me."
"Not at all, Edna," he said. Stephanie watched Dr. Morrison attach X-ray films to the light boards. He turned them on before switching his attention to the monitor. Morrison typed on his laptop to display the imagery on the screen. "I'm afraid it's bad news, Edna." Mike Morrison kept looking at Stephanie from the corner of his eye. He was single. She was attractive and available. Stephanie's left hand was bare. No husband or fiancé to consider. Would it be considered tacky if he asked Stephanie on a date?
Tears fell from Stephanie's eyes as Dr. Morrison pointed out dark spots on various images. "It's back?" Edna asked.
"I'm afraid so," he replied. "Cancer hasn't settled in your lymph nodes or brain yet. But you have a small mass on your liver, kidney and right lung. If we begin treatment immediately, we could extend your life."
"How long?" Edna wanted to know how long he predicted she had left before cancer killed her.
"With treatment, four or five years. Without treatment, one to two years," Morrison honestly replied. "Take a few minutes to decide."
"I don't need to think about it. I'm not going through treatment. I want to live my remaining days enjoying my life and not being sick from chemotherapy. I'm an old woman. I want to travel and experience everything life offers," Edna said.
Dr. Morrison wrote a note in Edna's chart. "I'd like to see you in six months to check your progress."
"Thank you, but I decline further checkups." Edna slid off the examination table. She grabbed Stephanie's arm and pulled her toward the door. Dr. Morrison attempted to stop Edna from leaving. She was having none of that. Edna made her decision. "It's time to live my life. I appreciate your concern, Dr. Morrison. I'll send you postcards."
Mike Morrison watched Edna and her attractive granddaughter leave the examination room. Edna refused to consider treatment to extend her life. He had to admit that he would have made the same decision. "Stephanie, please wait. May I have a word?"
"No," Edna replied for her granddaughter. "Just because Stephanie isn't wearing a ring doesn't mean she's available. Her heart belongs to someone else." Mike Morrison was disappointed. The attractive women were gay, in a committed relationship or vapid bitches wanting to bleed him dry financially.
Lester and Hector stood when Edna and Stephanie returned to the waiting room. "Well?" Lester asked. Stephanie shook her head. She didn't want to have the discussion inside the clinic.
Edna and Stephanie sat in the backseat. "Lester, can you drive me to Smith, Johnson and Walter's?" Edna asked. Lester nodded and programmed the law firm in the GPS. It was only a few blocks away from the clinic. When he parked the car, Edna climbed out of the back. Stephanie entered the law firm with Edna.
"Do you think cancer's back?" Lester asked Hector.
"Definitely. Edna's getting her affairs in order. How much time do you think she has?"
"Not long. Stephanie's eyes were red and swollen. I'm guessing a year," Lester replied. Hector nodded his agreement. "Whatever support Stephanie needs, I'll give it."
"Me too." Hector would do anything for Stephanie. He would kill for Stephanie. Hector had killed for Stephanie. Eddie Abruzzi paid the ultimate price for harming the light of Rangeman.
"So… how did you do it to make it look like a suicide?" It was a question many people wanted to be answered. Lester was curious how Hector managed to pull it off.
Hector grinned at his friend. "I held a knife to his throat and forced him to write a suicide letter. He wrote it five times before I was satisfied it didn't look coerced. Then I put a gun to his temple, using his hand. I warned him that I would slit his throat before he could turn it on me. Abruzzi was left-handed, so I ensured the weapon was secured in the correct hand. I placed my gloved hand over his, then pulled the trigger."
"Nice," Lester replied. "Does Ranger know you were responsible?"
"Not until I got the second teardrop tattoo. Stephanie suspects but never asked for confirmation," Hector answered. Lester nodded. He was pleased Abruzzi's death wouldn't fall on anyone. Morelli tried to prove Ranger was responsible many times, but he had a solid alibi.
~~~~~~~~~~
Edna patiently waited for her lawyer, Kevin Walker, to call her to his office because she wanted to ensure her will was ironclad. "Edna, it's a pleasure to see you. You look more beautiful each day," Kevin said as he approached her.
"You're full of shit as always," Edna joked. "I brought my granddaughter, Stephanie, with me today. She'll accompany me for the meeting." Stephanie shook her head. She didn't want to be there. It would make Edna's diagnosis more real by discussing the terms of her will.
"Follow me, ladies," Kevin said. He extended his arm for Edna. She linked her arm with his and allowed him to guide her to the office. Stephanie followed a few paces behind. She wanted to leave.
Stephanie's heart was broken, but she had to put on a brave face for her grandmother.
"I want to review my last will and testament," Edna said when Kevin asked her the reason for the impromptu visit. "Helen is currently my power of attorney for medical and financial decisions. I want to change it to Stephanie. I also want Stephanie to inherit whatever money remains in my account after fees are paid."
"No, grandma. Please, don't give me that control. I don't want your money. Give it to someone else," Stephanie begged. Stephanie knew her mother would steamroller her into relinquishing control to go against everything Edna wanted. Kevin was surprised Stephanie didn't want her grandmother's money. He often saw family members fight to receive the inheritance. Stephanie was not the typical person. She was a rare breed. A unicorn among humankind.
"You won't have to do that alone, dear. I'm adding Bobby Brown and Hector Almirez too. They will help you decide and keep your mother from taking over," Edna said. "I'll leave the money to Savannah Mazur." Stephanie nodded in relief.
Kevin changed the document as Edna wrote letters to Bobby and Hector, explaining her wishes. The letters would get delivered upon her death. Savannah's parents would receive notification that she'd inherit money upon her twenty-fifth birthday. Earlier, if she attended college or university. Savannah had no clue the world as she knew it would be forever changed when Edna Mazur passed away. As far as Savannah knew, Calvin and Serena Mazur were her biological parents. Truth will out…
Edna left the lawyer's office feeling satisfied that her wishes would get fulfilled by Stephanie and her friends. She gave Stephanie a copy of the will to store at Rangeman. "What will everyone say? She's going to hate me," Stephanie cried.
"It doesn't matter. I doubt she would hate you," Edna replied.
Lester raised an eyebrow, wondering why Stephanie seemed devastated. She looked worse than ever. Stephanie needed to get away from Trenton fast. He hoped Stephanie and Edna had a plan in place.
Edna caught Lester's eye, then explained her diagnosis, prognosis and plan to enjoy her life until her dying breath. She never mentioned Savannah, much to Stephanie's relief. "I'm willing to bankroll your excursion," Lester offered.
"Me too," Hector added. Stephanie cried harder. Edna pulled Stephanie close to comfort her.
