Emma and Rachel sat at their usual lunch table, Emma wasn't very
hungry and pushed her salad aside, Rachel noticed her distant stare.
"Well, it's not to hard to guess what's on your mind." Rachel tried to get a smile out of her, "I take it you were with Stan this morning."
Emma looked surprised that she knew, "What?"
"Come on ,Em, your car was in the parking lot and you weren't here. and I saw the Suburban parked out by the delivery area about the time the bell rang."
"He took me to breakfast." Emma said nonchalantly as she traced her finger across the Formica table top in circular patterns.
"I bet he did." She raised her eyebrows, smiling wickedly. "Leaving you hungry for more?"
Emma blushed, "You are too much." Emma couldn't help but smile.
Rachel was glad to see her smile, leaning in closer so no one could eavesdrop she smiled. "Seriously, you can tell me...I won't tell a soul.? What really went on? Besides breakfast."
"He wanted to see me before he left for L.A." she paused briefly, already missing him. How pathetic was that, she thought. "He took Holly to see her grandma."
"Oh, come on, Emma, you can do better than that."
'Sorry, nothing juicy to tell."
"You miss him already, don't you? I can see it in your eyes. This is getting serious."
Before Emma could answer Meg popped up behind Emma, smiling like the Chesire Cat and sitting down next to her, "you don't mind if I sit here do you?" Emma never trusted that look, but today she was much to preoccupied to care.
Rachel snarled, "Maybe we do."
Emma gave Rachel an evil look, then smiled at Meg the best she could. "Sure join us." Rachel just shrugged as she finished off the last of her yogurt.
Meg turned to Emma, "So how are things, I couldn't help but notice the change in you the last few days."
"I'm not sure what you mean." All of a sudden Emma became conscious of the scarf on her neck and started fiddling with it. Rachel hadn't commented on it all week, but as she watched Emma she couldn't believe she hadn't noticed. The scarf wasn't Rachel's great influence in the fashion accessory dept. But a necessity after her night with Stanley. Trying to hold back a giggle, but not succeeding, she covered her mouth to hide the smile, but it didn't stop there. She started laughing.
Emma and Meg both looked at her, as she started to giggle uncontrolably. Somehow managing to splurt out, "Oh, yes, a change...Emma is definitely changed...I am sure you have noticed her new sense of fashion. It's a nice look on her, wouldn't you say, Meg...the scarf.." She then burst out into laughter.
Emma gave her an evil look. It was obvious Rachel knew what was hidden. Emma was amazed she hadn't noticed sooner, but she didn't' want Meg to know.
Meg turned back to Emma, brushing off Rachel's outburst...trying to cause attention to herself no doubt. "As I was saying...there is something different about you...and it's not the scarf.." she glared at Rachel, who was now laughing so hard, she was crying...Rachel stood up and excused herself to the bathroom.
"What has come over her?"
"You know, Rachel...a barrel of laughs..." Emma smiled.
" So Rachel hasn't set you up with any eligible bachelors, lately?"
"No." Emma looked up at Meg curiously, what was she fishing at?
"Well, I was thinking maybe you need to come out with me and Nancy sometime...we fancy the Irish pub down on 5th...it's hopping on Saturday night...you know the one, right across from Dukes."
At the mention of Dukes Emma's eyes widened...why would she mention Dukes? And Saturday night? This all seemed too weird.
Meg noticed the reaction and continued...loving it, "In fact, I am sure I saw Stanley Jobson's car there the other night."
Emma felt herself getting agitated, and a little red in the face. "Lots of people have Suburbans, Meg. Duke's doesn't really seem like a place Stanley Jobson would frequent."
"Oh, you know the type.. treat a woman to a nice meal, a romantic evening ....to get what he wants. Although I'm sure he has no problem getting what he wants from most woman.....of course there are those who...." She stopped. "Well, you know about those type. I don't need to go into detail."
"What are you insinuating Meg?"
"She leaned closer to her whispering, "A Cock tease. Isn't that what you are ,Emma?"
"I beg your pardon. How dare you even say such a thing." Emma couldn't believe Meg would be talking about this in the school lunchroom. She seemed to be getting worse as the school year progressed.
" Stanley is a man with needs, ones I'm sure you have no inkling how to satisfy."
Emma almost started to laugh. Oh, yes, he had needs that was for sure, and she seemed to be doing just fine satisfying them. If Meg only knew. She wanted more than anything for Meg to know what was actually going on between her and Stanley. But she wasn't about to even discuss this type of thing at school. And besides the point, she would be dragging herself down to Meg's level if she started bragging about it.
Rachel came back to the table, the giggle fits gone but a huge smile across her face. She looked at Meg's evil smile across the table and Emma's smug expression, "Hey, what did I miss?"
Emma rolled her eyes. Meg spoke up, "I've seen him with other women, Emma. I just thought you should know."
"Well, I can take a guess who we are talking about...the favorite subject around here, Stanley Jobson. I wonder if he knows that he is the main topic of conversation in the faculty lunchroom."
"Rachel." Emma looked annoyed with her.
"Sorry." She turned to Meg, "You know Meg, I think you should really make a play for him. What do you have to lose." Emma couldn't believe her ears. "He's obviously not interested in Emma." Rachel smiled at Emma and winked. "I think she blew that one.. big time...he's out of her league." The bell rang, and Emma was glad to get away from this whole scene. She cleaned up her mess off the table and headed to her classroom.
Rachel quickly followed her, "don't be mad."
"Why should I be mad...it's you that are mad...and I thought Meg had a few screws loose."
"She's fishing, Emma, and you know it. Throw the scent off. Let her make a fool out of herself."
"I wouldn't want to subject Stanley to the humiliation. Rachel, what were you thinking?"
"Tell her then. Tell her you are sleeping with him."
"No." Children started filing past her and she smiled at them, hoping Rachel would now drop this subject. Rachel knew she had to get back to her class but before heading off she smiled.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me about the hickey. It is so high school."
"Okay, enough."
"No, I meant that in a good way. I can remember the mad uncontrollable high school boys, oh, yes...they were like wild animals. So Stanley still has it in him. I guess I'm not surprised. It's so sexy, Emma."
Emma blushed, "I don't want to talk about this here."
"I'm coming over tomorrow night. We can watch a chick flick and have a nice girl talk, like we used to before Stanley came on the scene. Oh, wait, I guess it would be more naughty girl talk under the circumstances." Emma rolled her eyes and headed into her classroom.
* * * * * *
Without Stanley, the Computer Man, wasn't quite the same. Easy- going Brent found the stress of running the place a bit overwhelming and it showed in his demeanor. Kyle was glad it wasn't that busy when he waltzed in 30 minutes late on Saturday morning. He couldn't help but notice the girl that Brent was helping. He had never seen her in the shop, about 5'7", long golden blonde hair to the middle of her back and she was talking computers. An oddity with any female in his age group.
As he walked past her he glanced at her face, and found the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. He didn't mean to stare, but he did, and she looked, feeling a pair of eyes penetrating through her. She was not expecting someone her own age, she didn't recognize him, he must not live around here, she thought.
Brent looked up from the invoice he was finishing up and was not happy, "Nice you showed up, Kyle....I've got to have that inventory finished up by lunchtime...you better get cracking."
There was no response for him, and then Brent realized why. He was mesmerized by the young beauty standing before him. Brent couldn't help by smile, he had been 16 once...not too long ago and those hormones ran rapid among the opposite sex, what a feeling that had been.
Brent turned his attention back to the invoice, handing the pen to the young woman, "Miss Rickman...if you sign here, that will be it."
There was not a response from her either. He looked up and saw that she was as mesmerized by him. Rolling his eyes he put the pen down, wondering how long this would go on for.
Kyle managed a smile and she smiled back, "I've never seen you around here before...you don't go to Mission Bay High, do you?"
He shook his head, "Grossmont." Why was he feeling hot? Why couldn't he even manage to put two words together.
"Do you actually work on the computers?"
He nodded. Brent shook his head, "When he's not looking at pretty girls." But neither one heard him. She picked up the pen and signed her name on the invoice.
Kyle watched her sign her name and without even thinking said her name out loud. "Amy Rickman."
"And you are?"
"Kyle..." he manged to mutter. Still not able to take his eyes away from her.
Brent had had enough and scribbled on a piece of scratch paper handing it to Amy. "His home phone number...I'm sure he would be delighted if you called. You can pick up your computer on Monday, Miss Rickman..." he turned to Kyle who was dumbfounded by Brent giving out his phone number, "And you...get to work..."
Kyle was blushing and he headed for the backroom, turning back to see Amy looking at the number and smiling. She looked up at him, "It was nice meeting you, Kyle."
"Nice...yeah."
"I'll call you." Kyle couldn't believe his ears and did a double take. Did she really say that? She was at the door, and turned smiling at him. Kyle headed to the backroom, a huge smile on his face, he clenched his fist in triumph.
"Yes....yes...yes." He headed over to Stanley's desk and in the pile of classic rock CD's such as the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen, he found the latest Tool album...Kyle and Brent had been trying to ween Stan off the old and he was gradually leaning to accept some of the new. He popped it into the player, and put on the headphones while he sat at the computer. The music started and he closed his eyes, his shoulders swaying to the music.
Brent walked in and witnessed this display, smiling. It was so ironic how much he was like Stan. He sat at Stan's desk comfortably, taken in by the music, much like Stan. His fingers ran across the keyboard swiftly and confidently, while totally immersed in the music.
Brent moved over to him and lifted an earphone, his eyes opened. "Hey, sorry, Brent, did you say something?"
"The disc is in the second drawer."
"I know." He replaced the earphone and Brent lifted it again,
"And Kyle, you're welcome."
Kyle pulled the earphones down. "Hey...sorry...thanks..." he was at a loss for words. "I mean...I wouldn't have thought..." he paused and then stopped, "someone like her would be interested in someone like me."
"A computer geek? Let me tell you something Kyle, Amy Rickman is a fellow computer geek."
"She looks like a cheerleader."
"Well, she's not. Her dad comes in a lot, owns a software company. Amy would rather be on a computer than anything, I heard him tell Stan that."
"She's beautiful isn't she?" That far away look was in his eyes.
"Yeah, she is and smart. So play your cards right, young man, and this could be the start of something big. But right now, that inventory needs to get done." He gave him a pat on the back.
"I'm on it." The bell of the shop rang and Brent headed out to the floor. Kyle put the headphones back on, and immersed himself in the music, without even looking he opened the 2nd drawer of Stan's desk, reaching his hand in and feeling for a disc, pulling it out he slipped it in the computer, and waited while it loaded, his eyes still closed, he started humming along to the CD. He heard the disc loading and when he opened his eyes, he squinted at the screen. It didn't look like the regular inventory program he was used to.
Leaning closer to the screen, his hand rested on the mouse, he tried to make heads or tales out of what he was looking at. A large map of the world took up most of the screen, with dots spread across various parts of it. It didn't make sense to him. He moved the mouse to the side bar where he scrolled down the list. And clicked on International accounts.
When the page loaded, Kyle then realized that this had to do with banking. He looked back in the drawer and saw the disc he should have been using, clearly labeled...stockroom inventory. But his curiosity was now sparked. He removed the headphones and looked towards the door to the floor. He could hear Brent talking to a customer, he turned back to the computer and clicked the mouse on current funds. ACCESS DENIED...INCORRECT PASSWORD...flashed across the screen. Kyle immediately began pressing keys furiously. This was something he had never done before, but he decided to give it a go. How hard could it be to find a 4 digit password. Much to his surprise within minutes the screen loaded....he had hacked into someones account. He looked in amazement at the screen in front of him.
The number that now appeared on the screen had 9 digits...not quite a billion, but pretty damn close...his mouth dropped open in shock. Who did this money belong to, surely not Stanley. Then he looked a little farther and saw it wasn't just one account it was 3 accounts. His curiosity peeked This was none of his business...he was about to take the disc out when Brent headed into the backroom, Kyle not wanting to be caught, clicking the mouse,and looking at Brent at the same time, hoping he wouldn't' see the screen.
"Hey, Kyle, I need that Hewlett Packard catalogue." Kyle searched the desk and picked it up hurling it across the room, Brent catching it. Brent noticed the strange look on Kyle's face, "Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine." He looked at the screen and realized he had gone forward instead of back, and it now flashed across the screen ACCESS GRANTED , CONFRIRM TRANSER A cancel button, and a continue button directly underneath. Kyle panicked. Brent began to move closer to him.
"That doesn't look like the inventory file"
Kyle didn't want Brent to see it and quickly moved the mouse to cancel, but his hand slipped and pressed continue instead. He didn't realize what he had done, but quickly closed the program. And popped the disc out before Brent could investigate.
Kyle nervously laughed, "Wrong disc." he pulled out the inventory disc and popped it in, slipping the other disc back into the drawer. With a few clicks, the program showed up on the screen and Brent didn't seemed bothered about the other disc, and walked back out to the floor.
Kyle sighed in relief, and then fetched the disc out of the drawer again. The word Swordfish in Blackmarker written across the front, definitely Stanley's handwriting. He had no idea what that meant. He looked deeper into the drawer and then realized it had slipped through the back of the top drawer. A drawer Stan kept locked. His curiosity was sparked, but he knew he had to get on with the inventory. He was still holding the disc in his hands. He slipped it into his backpack, and figured Stan wouldn't miss it. He would have a look at it tonight at home.
* * * * * *
Stan and Holly found themselves at a trailer park in Santa Monica full of retired couples. They enjoyed the day exploring the beach and then barbequeing and playing cards. The next day they headed over to Holly's school. Stan knew what memories this brought back. They were back in Malibu, where she had lived with Larry and Melissa, where she had been kidnapped, where her mother and Larry had been murdered. The school a few miles from Malibu colony where her old house had been. Stan had preceded with caution. Letting Holly decide where they would go. Holly had agreed to go to the school. She wanted to tell Mrs. Cartwright, her 4th grade teacher all about Emma and all the great things they were doing in the 5th grade. The day had gone well. Stanley felt as he relaxed on the double bed in the trailer that evening. Things seemed to going smoothly, his thoughts drifted to Emma, and what the future held for them. He smiled, content, as he drifted off to sleep.
Stanley's car pulled up in front of Melissa's mothers house. A huge Tudor style home literally two blocks from Rodeo Drive. She had purchased this house with Melissa and Larry's help, shortly after Melissa had remarried. Melissa had insisted she move out to California, partly so Melissa had someone to help look after Holly, so she could pursue her acting career. Holly had always liked Lauren when she was little. . She was a bit extravagant, she had never had money so when Melissa was so generous, she had gone overboard buying some pretty flamboyant stuff. And Holly found her house and it's contents like a museum. Always something new to look at.
They walked up the path and Holly sensed her dad's apprehension. But he managed to force a smile as he rung the bell. He had called her earlier, so they were expected. The door opened and a jolly Mexican maid looked in surprise at the sight of Holly, she bent over her and gave her a big hug,
"You have grown...Miss Holly. You are so beautiful, a real lady now."
Holly smiled. She had spent many hours with Maria in this house, baking cookies, helping her clean, much to the dismay of her grandmother. Maria eyed Stanley wearily and then Stanley looked towards the staircase in the middle of the foyer and saw Lauren heading towards them. Melissa and her could have been sisters. She had had Melissa at 16, Melissa's father had left them. Melissa had been partly raised by her grandmother too.
She opened her arms to Holly and Holly embraced her, she then had a good look at her and frowned looking at Stanley, "Is this what 11 year old girls are wearing in that god awful beach community you are living in, Stanley? This won't do for my granddaughter." Holly looked down at her dress, a pair of nice jeans, and t shirt with a glitter butterfly across the front. "I will have to take you shopping."
"I like my clothes."
"Of course you do, Baby." Stanley turned to his ex mother in law..giving her the evil eye, but not wanting to start a confrontation in front of Holly.
Then she looked at the hair, "And the hair, I am sure I can squeeze you into my salon, what is your father thinking."
He knew she was trying to egg him on, and it was starting to work, "Her hair is fine. And you aren't to lay a hand on it."
"Dad, it's okay."
She smiled at Holly, wanting to talk to Stanley alone she thought of something to occupy her, "You haven't seen the babies, oh, you must...Maria take Holly to see the new babies."
Maria winked at Holly when she saw the confusion, "She means puppies, miss."
She looked at her dad, "You aren't going yet, are you, Dad?"
"You go on and see the puppies. I'll be here when you get back."
When she left Lauren headed into the sitting room, Stanley followed. She eyed him, "Did you think I would be happy about this, Stanley. It's been a year, since I've seen my granddaughter. She didn't even attend her mother's funeral."
"That was her choice. I couldn't put her through that."
"Why? Because it was your fault that her mother was murdered."
"You can't still be holding that over my head." He wasn't looking at her, his eyes focused on various pictures scattered around the room. Numerous photos of Holly, and then Melissa as a child up to her teen years, the only recent one a head shot from her portfolio, glamorous...and hard to believe sober. Most of Stanley's recollections of her were passed out on a couch, or with a bottle or joint in her hand.
"Oh, yes, I can....and I will till the day I die. Melissa would be alive today if it wasn't for you. And Holly would have a mother."
"You can hardly call Melissa a mother...." He glanced up from the photograph of her he had been inspecting. Lauren outraged by the comment, glaring at him.
He was ready for it, as she slapped his cheek. "How dare you."
He rubbed his cheek, there was a slight sting but it didn't seem to phase him, "Look, I didn't come here to fight and rehash everything. Everything you hate about me, everything you blame me for. She is your granddaughter and you are her only connection to Melissa. Holly needs some closure. I don't know if you can help her, but I'm hoping to god, you can give her something to take away about Melissa. Something good. Because Holly only remembers the bad."
"And who's fault is that. You feeding her with lies."
"She lived with her for 10 years. I don't have to feed her anything. Holly's memories of those years are emblazoned in her. She doesn't feel sad about losing Melissa. She feels guilty that she can't feel sad."
Lauren just glared at him. She had wanted custody of her granddaughter after Melissa's death, and the judges had given sole custody to Stanley. She knew They had suggested some kind of counseling, but Stanley was adamant that they would get through this together. "So now you are coming to me for help? Maybe you are now seeing you can't do this on your own. That Holly needs more than a father. I knew all along she should be with me. "
Stan couldn't believe this, same old Lauren, he shook his head, "OH, and you live the kind of life that every pre-teenager should be a part of. You are hardly a saint, Lauren. A different man in your bed every week, is that how it still is? It would be very similar to the life she lived in Malibu with Melissa, guarantee that."
"I won't take this from you, Stanley. I didn't like you when you knocked my daughter up, and I like you even less now if that's possible. What kind of stability are you giving her? You took her across country in a trailer for 6 months...that is no life for a 10year old."
"I know Holly is in contact with you, she's told you about her life in San Diego. Things are good."
"So why is Holly still having problems then? What about this woman you are seeing? Maybe Holly doesn't want to have a new mother, did you ever think of that? ."
Stanley was at a loss for words. He couldn't answer her. He was surprised Holly had mentioned Emma to her. Now he wondered what else she had told her."There has been no talk of a new mother. I am seeing someone yes...and Holly adores her. And visa versa, that isn't the problem." Stanley put his hand to his head, he felt a headache coming on. Did he really even know what the problem was? He was guessing.
"Maybe she needs more than you can give her. Stanley, maybe you need to accept that."
Holly stood in the doorway, she heard her grandmothers last words, and saw her Dad rubbing his temple. He looked up and saw her and quickly changed his tune. He held out his arms to her and she moved towards him. "So how are those puppies?"
"They're cute, do you want to see?"
He shook his head, "Not now, maybe later. When I pick you up."
All of a sudden Holly didn't want him to go. She put her arm around him, "You could stay. I bet Grandma Lauren would let you, wouldn't you?" She turned to her grandmother and she felt a little disturbed by Holly's clinginess to her father.
Stanley stroked her hair, "I'll be back by 4 and we'll take Scrap out to the beach." He leaned down whispering to her, "your grandma wants some time alone with you, baby. You'll have fun with the puppies. Just don't' let her touch your hair." He was trying to make her feel more comfortable.
Leaving her there had been hard, he took a deep breath as he pulled the Suburban out onto the street and headed towards Hollywood. He had a few hours to kill, and was in desperate need of a strong black cup of coffee. He found a fairly quiet sidewalk cafe on Melrose, bought himself a paper and settled in on a curbside table in the corner.
Normally the street activity would have interested him. Melrose was full of all types. It was timeless, 60's hippies and 80's punks and 90's grunge converged along the avenue, taking in the trendy shops, drinking coffee, eating vegetarian. But today he delved into the crossword puzzle to pass the time. Lauren's parting words still stung..maybe she needs more than you can give her. He knew this was partly true. And just didn't want to admit it. He couldn't make up for the 6 years he was out of her life, and he could never be a mother to her. And then there was that other little fact Lauren had to point out. Her mother would be alive if it wasn't for him. It was true. He was the soul cause of the murder of Melissa and Larry. Of course, the guilt had been overiden by the quality of life Holly now had. He was the better parent, there was no question of that. But it didn't justify the death of either one of them. It was something he would have to learn to live with.
He got back to his crossword, a 12 letter word for murder starting with E...he bit his lip and shook his head, how ironic was that? He let out a cynical laugh.
Special Agent Roberts was just getting off his shift, ready to head home to the wife. He always stopped at the Perfect Perk, and this Saturday was no exception. A donut and coffee sounded pretty damn good. He didn't see Stanley in the quiet table in the corner as he walked in, but on his way out, Stanley had looked up to see a small ruckus between a young couple in front of the coffee shop. And Roberts couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance the man had to Stanley Jobson. He took a double take as Stanley lost interest in the commotion and buried his head into the newspaper. There was no doubt about it. It was indeed, Stanley Jobson.
"Stanley Jobson." Stanley turned hearing his name and was surprised to see Roberts standing over him. "This is a surprise seeing you here."
Yeah, a surprise Stanley thought. Just what he needed was to have to carry on some polite conversation with the man who arrested him only 4 years ago. Stanley was silent trying to force a smile.
"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked.
Stan wanted to say yes, but motioned with his hand to sit down, "Suit yourself."
It was obvious to Roberts, Stanley wasn't thrilled of this chance meeting. So Roberts tried to make him feel comfortable, with small talk. "What brings you to L.A? Are you and Holly settled here now?" he questioned.
Stan rolled his eyes, "Come on Roberts, you know where I am." Roberts was surprised with his outburst, clearly he chose the wrong topic of conversation. "Don't play this game with me. I know you've kept tabs on me."
"For your own good, Stan...you know that."
Stan felt a little agitated, "My own good? Ha." Stanley folded the paper, finished his coffee and was hoping to escape.
"The case isn't closed by a long shot Stan."
"The man is dead, Roberts." Stan's mind raced with the scenario of that day last spring. The deception, the conclusion he had made that afternoon in the morgue.
"Too many incidents have occurred. It's not a coincidence, Stan. We have reason to believe your Gabriel and Ginger are very much alive. And as long as they are, there's that chance they'll contact you again."
Stanley began to stand up. He couldn't help but think it had taken the police long enough to figure out Gabriel and Ginger's dissaperance, but he wasn't surprised. "I don't think they would be that stupid. I am desperately trying to get on with my life, and knowing you are on my back really isn't' helping matters. And this has nothing to do with protecting me, Roberts, this is about you...hoping I will lure them in for you. Well, it won't happen."
" Stanley, sit down please. I was hoping we could talk."
"Is that an order, Agent Roberts?" he said sarcastically. "I don't think we have anything to talk about."
The anger and bitterness in his voice was apparent. And Roberts knew what he was about to say next might just make it worse, but it needed to be said. "There's been some activity in the D.C. Area. There is every reason to believe that your so called Gabriel and Ginger are behind it."
Stanley gave him a look, "I don't want to know about any of this. I own a computer shop now, Roberts. I am well respected member of the community, I am seeing a beautiful woman, Holly is doing well in school, making friends, I won't do anything to jeopardize what I have now."
"I'm glad to hear that, Stan.. I hear your business is doing real well."
Stan shook his head, " OH, great, you have someone actually spying on me at the shop. This is ridiculous..No, I don't need to listen to this. I need to go. Get off my back, Roberts. Let me get on with my life."
"I don't want anything more for you and Holly to get on with your life, but they liked you Stan. And you are still the best. I've just had one of my men keeping an eye on things."
"There's no need to keep an eye on anything going on in my shop. I fix computers, I don't hack anymore.. Look it was great seeing you," he said sarcastically. He began to walk off. Roberts called after him.
"Stan, be careful. This time you might not be so lucky. And it's not just you and Holly anymore, doesn't your girlfriend have some kids?"
He didn't like Roberts bringing up Emma and her kids. It was bad enough what had happened to Holly last year. He tried to brush these thoughts from his mind. Nothing was going to happen. They were out of his life. He was in no way going to get involved with them again. He didn't turn to Roberts just raised his hand in a slight wave. He wanted nothing more than to get out of there.
Stanley drove out of Beverly Hills and back to the trailer, picking up Scrap before heading back to pick up Holly. This trip wasn't going as he expected. Instead of clearing the air, things seemed to be more intensified. A run in with Lauren, a run in with Roberts, ...his mind was racing as he headed up Wilshire Blvd. He felt any moment Ginger and Gabriel would pop up out of nowhere. Not a pleasant thought. His head was pounding. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Emma.
Emma picked up right away, "Hello."
"Hey..." he said in a soft sexy whisper. Just hearing her voice made his head stop pounding.
"Stanley." she said sweetly.
"Missing me?"
"Every minute."
"Not every second?"
"Well, pretty close to that actually." There was silence on the other end and Emma sensed something was wrong. "Are you okay?"
God, he wished she could be with him right now. Everything seemed better when she was around. He sighed, "Could be better, but I'm fine. Holly's fine. I'm just going to pick her up at her grandma's." He paused, "I just wanted to hear your voice." He realized he was sounding a bit serious, the last thing he wanted was her to worry, "not quite the same as having you sitting pantiless on my desk...screaming out my name...but it will have to do."
"I'm never going to live this one down am I?"
"Highly doubtful, but you can be satisfied in the fact that the very thought of it increases my blood pressure, my heart rate and gives me a hard on that is impossible to conceal."
"What about now...is that happening now?"
"I will leave that to your imagination." he was already feeling better. He smiled, "give you something to think about this evening when you're in bed" he teased.
Oh, if he only knew, she thought. There was silence on her end this time and Stanley knew that he had changed this woman's life in a way she never thought possible. Her longing and desire for him only intensified since their night together.
The traffic picked up, and he knew he should get off "..I need to go. I'll call you later. Oh, and Em, hold on to those thoughts for next weekend."
"Next weekend?"
"You didn't possibly think I could go another weekend without seeing or being with?" Another motorist honked at Stanley as the light changed to green. He started to hold up the finger, but thought better of it, as he headed through the intersection.
"Stanley...things are going to be okay" the concern in her voice apparent.
"When you say that, I believe it...I love you, Em."
"I love you too. Give Holly a big hug from me. Bye."
He hung up and took a deep breath.
When Stan picked up Holly he felt a bit of tension in the air between Lauren and Holly. They were both quiet, then Lauren insisted Holly go out to the car so she could talk to Stanley. This was all he needed.
Holly did as she was told, but she didn't look happy about it. Stan questioned Lauren, "What's going on?"
Lauren paced the floor behind the couch, incredibly agitated. "Your daughter. She is your daughter that is for sure, Stanley. The things that came out of her mouth, I am appalled. And I am sure this is your doing."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Stanley sat down in the overstuffed chair, if he was going to get a lecture, he might as well be comfortable.
"Oh, I am sure you do. Everything was fine. We had a lovely lunch and she told me about school, and then I got out some old photos of her mother. I thought it would be nice for her to see them. Talk about Melissa when she was young, give Holly a sense of what her mother was like."
"And something happened?" Stanley couldn't imagine what Holly could've done to upset her so.
"She became very upset. Said that what I remember about Melissa was not how it was."
"You exaggerated didnt' you? I didn't want you to lie about her." The anger in his voice evident.
"I didn't lie. Melissa was a good daughter."
He leaned forward in the chair,no longer relaxed, "Lauren, she wanted nothing more than to leave you and her father when she was a teenager and you know it. Getting pregnant with Holly was her way out. That's the way it was. She didn't love me. She used me as her ticket to Hollywood. And look where it got her, she was a porn star."
"She was an actress." He could see Lauren was very distressed and was about to cry.
"Look, right now Holly is my concern. You keep Melissa's memory alive the way you see fit, but I have an obligation to my daughter so she can grow up with a sense of who she is. I don't know if Melissa ever cared or loved her at all. What can I say to her? I thought you would be able to give her something, anything. Did Melissa ever express her love for Holly in anyway?"
Lauren was silent. Stan rolled his eyes, "That's what I thought. Melissa cared about number 1...herself. While I sat in a prison day in and day out thinking of one thing...Holly. I survived that for Holly. So I could be there for Holly." He was angry. "She knows that. She doesn't doubt my love or anything I ever felt for her. But how can a child grow up knowing her mother cared nothing for her? God, it's a horrible thought. I know you care about Holly. She knows it too, but it's not the same."
Lauren was now it tears, "Stanley, you don't know what it's like. Losing a child." Stanley stood up, moving towards her, handing her his handkerchief, " I miss Melissa terribly."
His voice now calming, "I know." He remembered those few moment running through the house in Malibu, frantically searching for Holly, seeing Larry's dead body on the floor, Melissa stretched across the bed, the fear racing through him. Holly...dead...it just couldn't be. For those few seconds he believed Holly was dead, and they were the worst few minutes he had ever experienced. No parent should have to bury their child. It had to be the worst thing that could happen to anyone. He wasn't sure what he should say to her.
But Lauren spoke first, "You need to be with Holly. Call me before you head back to San Diego."
"I will."
Lauren seemed to be having a change of heart, it was evident in the sound of her voice and her demeanor in the last few minutes, "I've been wrong about you, Stanley. You're a hell of a dad. And I know my daughter wasn't the easiest person to deal with on a good day, I want to believe she was a wonderful daughter and mother, but Holly is so wise beyond her years. Holly sees things as they really were. Her childhood was a disaster. And I didn't help. I should've done something."
"We all make mistakes, Lauren. I made my share of them. I feel I owe Holly so much. But I can't go back and change those first 10 years of her life. Maybe you were right, I can't do this on my own. Maybe she needs professional help."
"Give it another shot, Stanley, before you take that route. I'm starting to believe that if anyone can get her through this you will. Holly raves about you. Her face lights up when she talks about all the things you've done together. I want to hate you for what happened to Melissa, but when I see Holly I see all the good you have done for the child...even if I think her clothes are a bit Wal-Mart and her hair a little tomboyish."
Stan managed a smile. Maybe Lauren wasn't as bad as he thought. It was good to know he did have some support from her anyway. He then walked out to the car. Holly was in the front seat Scrap sitting by her side. She tried to read her dad's face as he opened the drivers side of the car. But he just smiled and slided in besides them. "To the beach?"
"Dad."
"yeah" he started the car and headed out down the street.
"You aren't mad at me?"
"Why should I be mad?"
"I wasn't nice to grandma."
"She told me."
Holly was surprised he wasn't asking for any information about what happened. "You aren't going to ask me what happened?"
"You'll tell me when you're ready."
"Maybe I never want to talk about it."
"Well, that is your choice, but I wouldn't think that was the wisest move."
She put on a pout and turned her head away from him. She looked out the window and was silent all the way to the beach. Stanley felt it was better to give her some space. They would have plenty of time to talk later.
Once at the beach they let Scrap off his leash and Stan threw him a stick he would fetch. Holly sat in the sand, burying her feet in it, she hadn't spoken since they got out of the car. Stanley sat next to her after about 15 minutes, Scrap tired from the run came up to him and lied down at his feet.
Holly looked at her dad, "Grandma tried to tell me about mom when she was a girl." "Was it interesting?"
"She lied. She made mom sound like me, and I know she was nothing like me. Mom used to say to me, I was just like you. Serious, and no fun."
"So is that what I am...serious and no fun? Thanks."
"I didn't mean it like that, you are a lot of fun. You weren't mom's idea of a fun guy though. You always cared to much about your job. I know she didn't love you and that you married her because of me." She looked directly at him. This was a conversation he had been dreading. But knew it was coming.
"I can't lie to you Holly, that's true. But I loved you, the minute she told me about you. I wanted to be a dad, your dad."
"So you married mom even though you didn't love her?"
"I thought it was the right thing to do. I wanted you in my life, and that was the only way. I really thought we could make it work. That we could learn to love each other."
"But she didn't love me either."
He closed his eyes, what could he possibly say to her. He had always been honest and now... he couldn't lie. "Holly, I don't know how your mom felt about you. I wish I could tell you she loved you and wanted to be a mother, but she didn't. She wanted one thing, to get out of Texas, to go to California, to become an actress."
"And I held her back."
"Without you she would've still been in Texas. I was her ticket to California. She knew the minute I walked into that bar that night."
"How can a mother not love their child?"
"I don't know. You know, Holly, I'm sure there was something...your mom may not have been like other moms but she wanted what was best for you."
"That's not love, that's guilt. Did she ever read to me, or take me to the park, or bake cookies...that's what moms do. And she kept me away from you, that wasn't best for me." She started to cry and he held her close to him. "I had swimming lessons and soccer, and any toy I could possibly want, and all I ever wanted was a mom. And Grandma tries to tell me she did all those things for me, she wanted me to have the life she never had."
" I think that's true. Your mom had it rough in Texas."
"But she didn't love me dad."
"But I loved you Holly, every minute of every day. Even when I wasn't there for you."
" I have nothing good to remember. I can't cry that she's gone. I can't say goodbye to her. I want something, Dad, just one thing. One good thing to remember."
Stanley tried to remember something he could tell her. But his mind came up blank. He had recollections of coming home from work and finding Holly in soiled diapers and crying, Melissa passed out on the couch. Stanley hired a housekeeper when Holly was 9 months old, since Melissa just couldn't get the mother thing down. And Stanley was working long hours at the office, to give his family everything they needed. The situation didn't improve as she got older. Melissa would leave Holly with the housekeeper and go on auditions or shopping. And then when the housekeeper quit because the work load was too much, cleaning, cooking and caring for the baby, Melissa had dragged Holly to auditions. This was not a normal life for a toddler. Stanley had put his foot down, and Melissa had left him for Larry, taking the only thing he cared about with her...Holly.
He squeezed her tight, as she looked up at him, waiting for a response from him. That he seemed unable to give. Then from nowhere something came up. It was small, but something and a smiled appeared on his face.
"What is it, Dad?"
"We need to go back to your grandma's."
"Do we have to?"
"Yeah, this is a good thing. Trust me." He gave her a reassuring hug. "I think I might have just the thing." They headed to the car Scrap at their heels.
He rang Lauren on the cell phone to let them know they were on their way. She was surprised, and confused with Stanley's request. But figured it meant something so she retrieved the box from the upstairs cupboard.
Stanley and Holly arrived at Lauren's and she took them into the sitting room where a huge box was sitting. It was evident it hadn't been opened in the past year. Lauren and Holly watched as Stanley rummaged through it's contents.
"pray tell, what are you looking for. That is a bunch of rubbish. In fact, I'm not sure why I haven't thrown it out. There can't be anything in there of importance."
"You'd be surprised. Melissa wouldn't have thrown this out, Lauren. It's the one thing I'm certain of." Most everything in there was junk. Things Melissa couldn't part with obviously but things others wouldn't find sentimental whatsoever. Old movie magazines, tattered and torn from Melissa's thumbing through them over and over again, pictures of old boyfriends(and there were many), old perfume bottles that she refused to throw away, bits of clothing...scarves, a Harley Davidson T-shirt...then Stanley saw it...a tattered well worn floppy ear peeking through some of the rubbish. He pulled it out and smiled triumphantly as he held up the precious item.
Lauren looked at in disgustingly, but Holly's face sparkled, "Its Mr. Buns" Holly reached for the tattered well-loved rabbit and lovingly cuddled it rubbing it against her face, something she had done as a toddler.
Lauren was about to take it away from her, "Stanley, that thing is filthy. She shouldn't be putting it anywhere near her face." Stanley stopped her as she reached for the rabbit. Shaking his head.
Holly looked up at her dad, "I always wondered what happened to him. I thought mom threw it away."
"No, she would never have done that." He sat on the couch and patted the space next to him. "I think it's time I told you the story of Mr. Buns."
Holly plopped on the couch next to him and snuggled up close. Lauren stood there in disbelief. "You might as well, sit down, Lauren. This is something you might want to hear to."
She sat across from them as Stanley began the tale, "Your mom was very pregnant with you when Mr. Buns here came into our lives. In fact, you were overdue, and your mom was miserable so I took her shopping. Even that didn't seem to brighten her up," Stanley looked down at the Bunny sitting in Holly's lap, " but this guy here, was on a half price table at a gift shop. While other people were buying fluffy white bunnies for Easter baskets, this guy sat alone, an ear nearly torn off. And your mom picked him up and said she wanted it for you. I personally, thought it looked pathetic. But she was adamant. For $5.00, if it would make her happy, I was all for it."
Lauren looked over at Stanley, thinking his was making this whole thing up, "Why would she want such a horrible looking thing?"
"I wondered the same thing. But she remembered a teddy bear when she was small. One that had a flaw, one her Dad had brought home for her when she was about 4."
"Oh, god, not that horrible thing. I was so glad to throw that thing away. She carried it around by it's arm. It was missing an eye, and was under stuffed so it didn't even look like a teddy bear."
"She told me you threw it out, one day when she was at school. Thinking she wouldn't notice. I take it she caused a major fuss about the whole thing."
"I thought it was best. I bought her a new teddy."
"That she hated."
"She never said anything about it."
"Well, anyhow, this bunny went to the hospital with your mom, and sat by your crib when you were small...it was always packed in the diaper bag wherever you went. By the time you were walking, it was the only stuffed animal you wanted to sleep with."
"I remember carrying it everywhere. And then it disappeared...when we moved in with Larry."
"Your mom probably misplaced it when she packed things up. I'm sure she wouldn't have deliberately lost it." He could tell by Holly's expression this is just what she needed to hear. "You don't remember the day the housekeeper took you out and when you came back there was no bunny. And you cried and your mom was so upset. WE had to retrace Joanne's steps to find that thing. But it was found, at the top of the dumpster at the park. I will never forget your mom picking it out of the trash and the look in your eyes when we came home with it."
"My mom did that for me?"
"She sure did, baby. She knew what that rabbit meant to you. Just like she remembered her bear."
Holly smiled and gave him a hug, "Thank you,Daddy."
Stanley knew that she was thanking him for the memory. Something good to remember her mom by. She looked over at Lauren, "Grandma, I can take him home can't I?"
Stanley gave Lauren a look. Knowing she found the animal disgusting but how important this was to Holly. "Of course you can. It's yours. And I'm sure your mom would want you to have it."
"I'm sorry about everything I said earlier."
Lauren moved to the other side of the couch and hugged her granddaughter, "Oh, Holly, it's okay. I just wish things could've been different for you."
"I have a great dad, grandma. He really is the best. And I have you and Grandpa Hank in Texas and now I have MR. Buns." Holly's attitude had changed drastically, she became animated and turned to grandma, "You know Melody, she's Emma's daughter... has a big floppy dog, she sleeps with. She's had it forever. She says she will never out grow it. And I will never outgrow Mr. Buns. I can't wait to show him to Melody."
Lauren smiled and then looked over at Stanley, "You two should stay for dinner. Maria is preparing chicken kiev."
Holly wrinkled up her nose at her dad, Stanley smiled and looked over at Lauren, "That's awfully nice, Lauren, but I promised Holly pizza."
"Well, then brunch tomorrow, I could have Maria prepare your favorites, Holly. Chocolate chip pancakes, hash browns..."
That sounded much better to Holly, "Could we, Dad?"
"Sounds like a plan." He stood up and Holly joined him, as they walked out the door, Lauren put her arm on Stanley's shoulder.
"So I expect to be hearing wedding bells soon. Holly says you and this Emma lady are quite serious." Stanley looked down at Holly giving her the eye.
"I don't know about that. The wedding bells bit....serious, yes...I think it's serious. I'm hoping she thinks it's serious. We'll have to wait and see."
"I just want you to know. I've misjudged you, Stanley. I think you're a great father, and I'd like to see you married. Holly with a mother."
"He's going to marry her." Holly said confidently.
"I don't know where this information is coming from, young lady." he gave her a pat on the bottom as she raced out to the car clutching Mr. Buns in her arms.
When he got in the car, he gave Holly a look, "So what's this about getting married?"
"Don't you want to, Dad? I mean, you love Emma, and you get all funny whenever you're around her. I think you should just get married. Melody could share a room with me and there's that spare room off the back of the garage, you could turn into a bedroom for Kyle. It would be close to school, so Emma wouldn't have to go far to work. Or Kyle. He could go to work with you."
"You have this all worked out don't you?"
She nodded. "We could really be a family."
"We'll talk about this later."
Holly saw a flower shop on the left hand side of the road as they were pulling out of Grandma's street. "Dad, can we stop there." She pointed towards the shop.
"The flower shop? What for?"
"I want to take some flowers to Mom's grave." He looked down at her and gave her a sincere smile. This is exactly what he was hoping for. Holly making the choice to go to the cemetery.
"That is a wonderful idea. So do you know what were your mom's favorite?" He turned into the parking lot and she put her finger up to her cheek, deep in thought.
"I think the bluebonnet, it's Texas' state flower did you know that?."
"I didn't know that."
"She once said it was the only thing she liked about Texas." Holly kind of giggled and Stan joined her.
"I think that is a great choice. Let's see what we can find." Holly's mood had changed, the shadows of the past seemed not to be hovering over her as before. She was ready to move on. With MR. Buns in hand, she took Stanley's hand, and went in search of the bluebonnet.
Stanley was relieved, something good was coming out of this trip. His run in with Roberts still on his mind. He closed his eyes, trying to erase the images he was imagining in his head. Dreadful images of Holly's kidnapping. How he would do anything to keep her safe. What if they contacted him again? He couldn't bear the thought. He was glad when she pulled on his arm, she had found exactly what she wanted. He couldn't let anything spoil this weekend.
* * * * * * *
In a beautiful colonial style home set in the woods of Virginia, a well dressed man in his late 40's, slightly graying hair sat at his desk in his study, a phone in hand.
"It's all sorted then. I will have the money transferred to your account this afternoon. As always, Jim, a pleasure to do business with you. Say hello to the Mrs., will you? Goodbye, now." He hung the phone up and was surprised to see someone standing at the door.
A beautiful black woman with long straight hair, dressed in a short leather skirt and a tight fitting low cut red tank top. She was not alone. Her expression was one of concern, worry.
"Gail, what is it?"
The woman looked at the tall, thin man on her left. His greasy hair slicked back. His black framed glasses slipping down his nose. With his index finger he pushed them back up. "Tim, are you going to tell him or am I?"
He was apprehensive and when he spoke looked down at his loafers, "Well, boss," he scratched his head, then looked up, "there's been a slight problem."
"I don't like problems, Tim." The man moved from behind the desk, moving towards them.
"I know you don't." Tim swallowed hard, he felt sweat beginning to form on his forehead and continued, "It seems the funds are missing."
He was now directly in front of them, "What?" a glare, that caused Tim to feel the temperature rise in the room.
"The funds....they're gone." Tim repeated.
"How could they just disappear?" The eye contact now definitely intimidating, Tim felt nausea overcome him.
"I don't know...someone having access to the file, the codes...."
The woman looked at her boss and they both thought the same thing...in unison they repeated, "Stanley Jobson." He paced the floor of the study, shaking his head. But smiling. She was surprised he wasn't angry.
"Got to hand it to the guy, he's a sly one. Waits a year to mess with those accounts. Good old, Stanley."
"You're not mad?"
He turned to Tim, "Tim, find out all you can about our good friend, Stanley...what he's been up to these days. And see if you can trace the money. Once we have something to go on, Gail, I'll send you to take care of this mess." He looked over at Gail. She had hoped that it would never have to come to this. She liked Stanley. Why did he have to mess with Jake again. Jake was aware of her uneasiness, "Don't think you can do it? Should I send one of my henchmen? I just thought you have the kind, tender approach, Stanley seemed to take to you."
"Of course I can handle Stanley Jobson." she said confidently. The last thing she wanted was Jake's men involved. They were all trigger happy and would think nothing of blowing him away for the slightest reason.
"Good." He clapped his hands, "Okay, you two we have our work cut out for us. Let's get to it." So Stanley Jobson was willing to mess with him. He had guts, that was for sure. And Jake liked that in man, but if he thought he would get away with this. He was mistaken. No one messed with Jake Rodgers. No one.
"Well, it's not to hard to guess what's on your mind." Rachel tried to get a smile out of her, "I take it you were with Stan this morning."
Emma looked surprised that she knew, "What?"
"Come on ,Em, your car was in the parking lot and you weren't here. and I saw the Suburban parked out by the delivery area about the time the bell rang."
"He took me to breakfast." Emma said nonchalantly as she traced her finger across the Formica table top in circular patterns.
"I bet he did." She raised her eyebrows, smiling wickedly. "Leaving you hungry for more?"
Emma blushed, "You are too much." Emma couldn't help but smile.
Rachel was glad to see her smile, leaning in closer so no one could eavesdrop she smiled. "Seriously, you can tell me...I won't tell a soul.? What really went on? Besides breakfast."
"He wanted to see me before he left for L.A." she paused briefly, already missing him. How pathetic was that, she thought. "He took Holly to see her grandma."
"Oh, come on, Emma, you can do better than that."
'Sorry, nothing juicy to tell."
"You miss him already, don't you? I can see it in your eyes. This is getting serious."
Before Emma could answer Meg popped up behind Emma, smiling like the Chesire Cat and sitting down next to her, "you don't mind if I sit here do you?" Emma never trusted that look, but today she was much to preoccupied to care.
Rachel snarled, "Maybe we do."
Emma gave Rachel an evil look, then smiled at Meg the best she could. "Sure join us." Rachel just shrugged as she finished off the last of her yogurt.
Meg turned to Emma, "So how are things, I couldn't help but notice the change in you the last few days."
"I'm not sure what you mean." All of a sudden Emma became conscious of the scarf on her neck and started fiddling with it. Rachel hadn't commented on it all week, but as she watched Emma she couldn't believe she hadn't noticed. The scarf wasn't Rachel's great influence in the fashion accessory dept. But a necessity after her night with Stanley. Trying to hold back a giggle, but not succeeding, she covered her mouth to hide the smile, but it didn't stop there. She started laughing.
Emma and Meg both looked at her, as she started to giggle uncontrolably. Somehow managing to splurt out, "Oh, yes, a change...Emma is definitely changed...I am sure you have noticed her new sense of fashion. It's a nice look on her, wouldn't you say, Meg...the scarf.." She then burst out into laughter.
Emma gave her an evil look. It was obvious Rachel knew what was hidden. Emma was amazed she hadn't noticed sooner, but she didn't' want Meg to know.
Meg turned back to Emma, brushing off Rachel's outburst...trying to cause attention to herself no doubt. "As I was saying...there is something different about you...and it's not the scarf.." she glared at Rachel, who was now laughing so hard, she was crying...Rachel stood up and excused herself to the bathroom.
"What has come over her?"
"You know, Rachel...a barrel of laughs..." Emma smiled.
" So Rachel hasn't set you up with any eligible bachelors, lately?"
"No." Emma looked up at Meg curiously, what was she fishing at?
"Well, I was thinking maybe you need to come out with me and Nancy sometime...we fancy the Irish pub down on 5th...it's hopping on Saturday night...you know the one, right across from Dukes."
At the mention of Dukes Emma's eyes widened...why would she mention Dukes? And Saturday night? This all seemed too weird.
Meg noticed the reaction and continued...loving it, "In fact, I am sure I saw Stanley Jobson's car there the other night."
Emma felt herself getting agitated, and a little red in the face. "Lots of people have Suburbans, Meg. Duke's doesn't really seem like a place Stanley Jobson would frequent."
"Oh, you know the type.. treat a woman to a nice meal, a romantic evening ....to get what he wants. Although I'm sure he has no problem getting what he wants from most woman.....of course there are those who...." She stopped. "Well, you know about those type. I don't need to go into detail."
"What are you insinuating Meg?"
"She leaned closer to her whispering, "A Cock tease. Isn't that what you are ,Emma?"
"I beg your pardon. How dare you even say such a thing." Emma couldn't believe Meg would be talking about this in the school lunchroom. She seemed to be getting worse as the school year progressed.
" Stanley is a man with needs, ones I'm sure you have no inkling how to satisfy."
Emma almost started to laugh. Oh, yes, he had needs that was for sure, and she seemed to be doing just fine satisfying them. If Meg only knew. She wanted more than anything for Meg to know what was actually going on between her and Stanley. But she wasn't about to even discuss this type of thing at school. And besides the point, she would be dragging herself down to Meg's level if she started bragging about it.
Rachel came back to the table, the giggle fits gone but a huge smile across her face. She looked at Meg's evil smile across the table and Emma's smug expression, "Hey, what did I miss?"
Emma rolled her eyes. Meg spoke up, "I've seen him with other women, Emma. I just thought you should know."
"Well, I can take a guess who we are talking about...the favorite subject around here, Stanley Jobson. I wonder if he knows that he is the main topic of conversation in the faculty lunchroom."
"Rachel." Emma looked annoyed with her.
"Sorry." She turned to Meg, "You know Meg, I think you should really make a play for him. What do you have to lose." Emma couldn't believe her ears. "He's obviously not interested in Emma." Rachel smiled at Emma and winked. "I think she blew that one.. big time...he's out of her league." The bell rang, and Emma was glad to get away from this whole scene. She cleaned up her mess off the table and headed to her classroom.
Rachel quickly followed her, "don't be mad."
"Why should I be mad...it's you that are mad...and I thought Meg had a few screws loose."
"She's fishing, Emma, and you know it. Throw the scent off. Let her make a fool out of herself."
"I wouldn't want to subject Stanley to the humiliation. Rachel, what were you thinking?"
"Tell her then. Tell her you are sleeping with him."
"No." Children started filing past her and she smiled at them, hoping Rachel would now drop this subject. Rachel knew she had to get back to her class but before heading off she smiled.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me about the hickey. It is so high school."
"Okay, enough."
"No, I meant that in a good way. I can remember the mad uncontrollable high school boys, oh, yes...they were like wild animals. So Stanley still has it in him. I guess I'm not surprised. It's so sexy, Emma."
Emma blushed, "I don't want to talk about this here."
"I'm coming over tomorrow night. We can watch a chick flick and have a nice girl talk, like we used to before Stanley came on the scene. Oh, wait, I guess it would be more naughty girl talk under the circumstances." Emma rolled her eyes and headed into her classroom.
* * * * * *
Without Stanley, the Computer Man, wasn't quite the same. Easy- going Brent found the stress of running the place a bit overwhelming and it showed in his demeanor. Kyle was glad it wasn't that busy when he waltzed in 30 minutes late on Saturday morning. He couldn't help but notice the girl that Brent was helping. He had never seen her in the shop, about 5'7", long golden blonde hair to the middle of her back and she was talking computers. An oddity with any female in his age group.
As he walked past her he glanced at her face, and found the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. He didn't mean to stare, but he did, and she looked, feeling a pair of eyes penetrating through her. She was not expecting someone her own age, she didn't recognize him, he must not live around here, she thought.
Brent looked up from the invoice he was finishing up and was not happy, "Nice you showed up, Kyle....I've got to have that inventory finished up by lunchtime...you better get cracking."
There was no response for him, and then Brent realized why. He was mesmerized by the young beauty standing before him. Brent couldn't help by smile, he had been 16 once...not too long ago and those hormones ran rapid among the opposite sex, what a feeling that had been.
Brent turned his attention back to the invoice, handing the pen to the young woman, "Miss Rickman...if you sign here, that will be it."
There was not a response from her either. He looked up and saw that she was as mesmerized by him. Rolling his eyes he put the pen down, wondering how long this would go on for.
Kyle managed a smile and she smiled back, "I've never seen you around here before...you don't go to Mission Bay High, do you?"
He shook his head, "Grossmont." Why was he feeling hot? Why couldn't he even manage to put two words together.
"Do you actually work on the computers?"
He nodded. Brent shook his head, "When he's not looking at pretty girls." But neither one heard him. She picked up the pen and signed her name on the invoice.
Kyle watched her sign her name and without even thinking said her name out loud. "Amy Rickman."
"And you are?"
"Kyle..." he manged to mutter. Still not able to take his eyes away from her.
Brent had had enough and scribbled on a piece of scratch paper handing it to Amy. "His home phone number...I'm sure he would be delighted if you called. You can pick up your computer on Monday, Miss Rickman..." he turned to Kyle who was dumbfounded by Brent giving out his phone number, "And you...get to work..."
Kyle was blushing and he headed for the backroom, turning back to see Amy looking at the number and smiling. She looked up at him, "It was nice meeting you, Kyle."
"Nice...yeah."
"I'll call you." Kyle couldn't believe his ears and did a double take. Did she really say that? She was at the door, and turned smiling at him. Kyle headed to the backroom, a huge smile on his face, he clenched his fist in triumph.
"Yes....yes...yes." He headed over to Stanley's desk and in the pile of classic rock CD's such as the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart and Bruce Springsteen, he found the latest Tool album...Kyle and Brent had been trying to ween Stan off the old and he was gradually leaning to accept some of the new. He popped it into the player, and put on the headphones while he sat at the computer. The music started and he closed his eyes, his shoulders swaying to the music.
Brent walked in and witnessed this display, smiling. It was so ironic how much he was like Stan. He sat at Stan's desk comfortably, taken in by the music, much like Stan. His fingers ran across the keyboard swiftly and confidently, while totally immersed in the music.
Brent moved over to him and lifted an earphone, his eyes opened. "Hey, sorry, Brent, did you say something?"
"The disc is in the second drawer."
"I know." He replaced the earphone and Brent lifted it again,
"And Kyle, you're welcome."
Kyle pulled the earphones down. "Hey...sorry...thanks..." he was at a loss for words. "I mean...I wouldn't have thought..." he paused and then stopped, "someone like her would be interested in someone like me."
"A computer geek? Let me tell you something Kyle, Amy Rickman is a fellow computer geek."
"She looks like a cheerleader."
"Well, she's not. Her dad comes in a lot, owns a software company. Amy would rather be on a computer than anything, I heard him tell Stan that."
"She's beautiful isn't she?" That far away look was in his eyes.
"Yeah, she is and smart. So play your cards right, young man, and this could be the start of something big. But right now, that inventory needs to get done." He gave him a pat on the back.
"I'm on it." The bell of the shop rang and Brent headed out to the floor. Kyle put the headphones back on, and immersed himself in the music, without even looking he opened the 2nd drawer of Stan's desk, reaching his hand in and feeling for a disc, pulling it out he slipped it in the computer, and waited while it loaded, his eyes still closed, he started humming along to the CD. He heard the disc loading and when he opened his eyes, he squinted at the screen. It didn't look like the regular inventory program he was used to.
Leaning closer to the screen, his hand rested on the mouse, he tried to make heads or tales out of what he was looking at. A large map of the world took up most of the screen, with dots spread across various parts of it. It didn't make sense to him. He moved the mouse to the side bar where he scrolled down the list. And clicked on International accounts.
When the page loaded, Kyle then realized that this had to do with banking. He looked back in the drawer and saw the disc he should have been using, clearly labeled...stockroom inventory. But his curiosity was now sparked. He removed the headphones and looked towards the door to the floor. He could hear Brent talking to a customer, he turned back to the computer and clicked the mouse on current funds. ACCESS DENIED...INCORRECT PASSWORD...flashed across the screen. Kyle immediately began pressing keys furiously. This was something he had never done before, but he decided to give it a go. How hard could it be to find a 4 digit password. Much to his surprise within minutes the screen loaded....he had hacked into someones account. He looked in amazement at the screen in front of him.
The number that now appeared on the screen had 9 digits...not quite a billion, but pretty damn close...his mouth dropped open in shock. Who did this money belong to, surely not Stanley. Then he looked a little farther and saw it wasn't just one account it was 3 accounts. His curiosity peeked This was none of his business...he was about to take the disc out when Brent headed into the backroom, Kyle not wanting to be caught, clicking the mouse,and looking at Brent at the same time, hoping he wouldn't' see the screen.
"Hey, Kyle, I need that Hewlett Packard catalogue." Kyle searched the desk and picked it up hurling it across the room, Brent catching it. Brent noticed the strange look on Kyle's face, "Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine." He looked at the screen and realized he had gone forward instead of back, and it now flashed across the screen ACCESS GRANTED , CONFRIRM TRANSER A cancel button, and a continue button directly underneath. Kyle panicked. Brent began to move closer to him.
"That doesn't look like the inventory file"
Kyle didn't want Brent to see it and quickly moved the mouse to cancel, but his hand slipped and pressed continue instead. He didn't realize what he had done, but quickly closed the program. And popped the disc out before Brent could investigate.
Kyle nervously laughed, "Wrong disc." he pulled out the inventory disc and popped it in, slipping the other disc back into the drawer. With a few clicks, the program showed up on the screen and Brent didn't seemed bothered about the other disc, and walked back out to the floor.
Kyle sighed in relief, and then fetched the disc out of the drawer again. The word Swordfish in Blackmarker written across the front, definitely Stanley's handwriting. He had no idea what that meant. He looked deeper into the drawer and then realized it had slipped through the back of the top drawer. A drawer Stan kept locked. His curiosity was sparked, but he knew he had to get on with the inventory. He was still holding the disc in his hands. He slipped it into his backpack, and figured Stan wouldn't miss it. He would have a look at it tonight at home.
* * * * * *
Stan and Holly found themselves at a trailer park in Santa Monica full of retired couples. They enjoyed the day exploring the beach and then barbequeing and playing cards. The next day they headed over to Holly's school. Stan knew what memories this brought back. They were back in Malibu, where she had lived with Larry and Melissa, where she had been kidnapped, where her mother and Larry had been murdered. The school a few miles from Malibu colony where her old house had been. Stan had preceded with caution. Letting Holly decide where they would go. Holly had agreed to go to the school. She wanted to tell Mrs. Cartwright, her 4th grade teacher all about Emma and all the great things they were doing in the 5th grade. The day had gone well. Stanley felt as he relaxed on the double bed in the trailer that evening. Things seemed to going smoothly, his thoughts drifted to Emma, and what the future held for them. He smiled, content, as he drifted off to sleep.
Stanley's car pulled up in front of Melissa's mothers house. A huge Tudor style home literally two blocks from Rodeo Drive. She had purchased this house with Melissa and Larry's help, shortly after Melissa had remarried. Melissa had insisted she move out to California, partly so Melissa had someone to help look after Holly, so she could pursue her acting career. Holly had always liked Lauren when she was little. . She was a bit extravagant, she had never had money so when Melissa was so generous, she had gone overboard buying some pretty flamboyant stuff. And Holly found her house and it's contents like a museum. Always something new to look at.
They walked up the path and Holly sensed her dad's apprehension. But he managed to force a smile as he rung the bell. He had called her earlier, so they were expected. The door opened and a jolly Mexican maid looked in surprise at the sight of Holly, she bent over her and gave her a big hug,
"You have grown...Miss Holly. You are so beautiful, a real lady now."
Holly smiled. She had spent many hours with Maria in this house, baking cookies, helping her clean, much to the dismay of her grandmother. Maria eyed Stanley wearily and then Stanley looked towards the staircase in the middle of the foyer and saw Lauren heading towards them. Melissa and her could have been sisters. She had had Melissa at 16, Melissa's father had left them. Melissa had been partly raised by her grandmother too.
She opened her arms to Holly and Holly embraced her, she then had a good look at her and frowned looking at Stanley, "Is this what 11 year old girls are wearing in that god awful beach community you are living in, Stanley? This won't do for my granddaughter." Holly looked down at her dress, a pair of nice jeans, and t shirt with a glitter butterfly across the front. "I will have to take you shopping."
"I like my clothes."
"Of course you do, Baby." Stanley turned to his ex mother in law..giving her the evil eye, but not wanting to start a confrontation in front of Holly.
Then she looked at the hair, "And the hair, I am sure I can squeeze you into my salon, what is your father thinking."
He knew she was trying to egg him on, and it was starting to work, "Her hair is fine. And you aren't to lay a hand on it."
"Dad, it's okay."
She smiled at Holly, wanting to talk to Stanley alone she thought of something to occupy her, "You haven't seen the babies, oh, you must...Maria take Holly to see the new babies."
Maria winked at Holly when she saw the confusion, "She means puppies, miss."
She looked at her dad, "You aren't going yet, are you, Dad?"
"You go on and see the puppies. I'll be here when you get back."
When she left Lauren headed into the sitting room, Stanley followed. She eyed him, "Did you think I would be happy about this, Stanley. It's been a year, since I've seen my granddaughter. She didn't even attend her mother's funeral."
"That was her choice. I couldn't put her through that."
"Why? Because it was your fault that her mother was murdered."
"You can't still be holding that over my head." He wasn't looking at her, his eyes focused on various pictures scattered around the room. Numerous photos of Holly, and then Melissa as a child up to her teen years, the only recent one a head shot from her portfolio, glamorous...and hard to believe sober. Most of Stanley's recollections of her were passed out on a couch, or with a bottle or joint in her hand.
"Oh, yes, I can....and I will till the day I die. Melissa would be alive today if it wasn't for you. And Holly would have a mother."
"You can hardly call Melissa a mother...." He glanced up from the photograph of her he had been inspecting. Lauren outraged by the comment, glaring at him.
He was ready for it, as she slapped his cheek. "How dare you."
He rubbed his cheek, there was a slight sting but it didn't seem to phase him, "Look, I didn't come here to fight and rehash everything. Everything you hate about me, everything you blame me for. She is your granddaughter and you are her only connection to Melissa. Holly needs some closure. I don't know if you can help her, but I'm hoping to god, you can give her something to take away about Melissa. Something good. Because Holly only remembers the bad."
"And who's fault is that. You feeding her with lies."
"She lived with her for 10 years. I don't have to feed her anything. Holly's memories of those years are emblazoned in her. She doesn't feel sad about losing Melissa. She feels guilty that she can't feel sad."
Lauren just glared at him. She had wanted custody of her granddaughter after Melissa's death, and the judges had given sole custody to Stanley. She knew They had suggested some kind of counseling, but Stanley was adamant that they would get through this together. "So now you are coming to me for help? Maybe you are now seeing you can't do this on your own. That Holly needs more than a father. I knew all along she should be with me. "
Stan couldn't believe this, same old Lauren, he shook his head, "OH, and you live the kind of life that every pre-teenager should be a part of. You are hardly a saint, Lauren. A different man in your bed every week, is that how it still is? It would be very similar to the life she lived in Malibu with Melissa, guarantee that."
"I won't take this from you, Stanley. I didn't like you when you knocked my daughter up, and I like you even less now if that's possible. What kind of stability are you giving her? You took her across country in a trailer for 6 months...that is no life for a 10year old."
"I know Holly is in contact with you, she's told you about her life in San Diego. Things are good."
"So why is Holly still having problems then? What about this woman you are seeing? Maybe Holly doesn't want to have a new mother, did you ever think of that? ."
Stanley was at a loss for words. He couldn't answer her. He was surprised Holly had mentioned Emma to her. Now he wondered what else she had told her."There has been no talk of a new mother. I am seeing someone yes...and Holly adores her. And visa versa, that isn't the problem." Stanley put his hand to his head, he felt a headache coming on. Did he really even know what the problem was? He was guessing.
"Maybe she needs more than you can give her. Stanley, maybe you need to accept that."
Holly stood in the doorway, she heard her grandmothers last words, and saw her Dad rubbing his temple. He looked up and saw her and quickly changed his tune. He held out his arms to her and she moved towards him. "So how are those puppies?"
"They're cute, do you want to see?"
He shook his head, "Not now, maybe later. When I pick you up."
All of a sudden Holly didn't want him to go. She put her arm around him, "You could stay. I bet Grandma Lauren would let you, wouldn't you?" She turned to her grandmother and she felt a little disturbed by Holly's clinginess to her father.
Stanley stroked her hair, "I'll be back by 4 and we'll take Scrap out to the beach." He leaned down whispering to her, "your grandma wants some time alone with you, baby. You'll have fun with the puppies. Just don't' let her touch your hair." He was trying to make her feel more comfortable.
Leaving her there had been hard, he took a deep breath as he pulled the Suburban out onto the street and headed towards Hollywood. He had a few hours to kill, and was in desperate need of a strong black cup of coffee. He found a fairly quiet sidewalk cafe on Melrose, bought himself a paper and settled in on a curbside table in the corner.
Normally the street activity would have interested him. Melrose was full of all types. It was timeless, 60's hippies and 80's punks and 90's grunge converged along the avenue, taking in the trendy shops, drinking coffee, eating vegetarian. But today he delved into the crossword puzzle to pass the time. Lauren's parting words still stung..maybe she needs more than you can give her. He knew this was partly true. And just didn't want to admit it. He couldn't make up for the 6 years he was out of her life, and he could never be a mother to her. And then there was that other little fact Lauren had to point out. Her mother would be alive if it wasn't for him. It was true. He was the soul cause of the murder of Melissa and Larry. Of course, the guilt had been overiden by the quality of life Holly now had. He was the better parent, there was no question of that. But it didn't justify the death of either one of them. It was something he would have to learn to live with.
He got back to his crossword, a 12 letter word for murder starting with E...he bit his lip and shook his head, how ironic was that? He let out a cynical laugh.
Special Agent Roberts was just getting off his shift, ready to head home to the wife. He always stopped at the Perfect Perk, and this Saturday was no exception. A donut and coffee sounded pretty damn good. He didn't see Stanley in the quiet table in the corner as he walked in, but on his way out, Stanley had looked up to see a small ruckus between a young couple in front of the coffee shop. And Roberts couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance the man had to Stanley Jobson. He took a double take as Stanley lost interest in the commotion and buried his head into the newspaper. There was no doubt about it. It was indeed, Stanley Jobson.
"Stanley Jobson." Stanley turned hearing his name and was surprised to see Roberts standing over him. "This is a surprise seeing you here."
Yeah, a surprise Stanley thought. Just what he needed was to have to carry on some polite conversation with the man who arrested him only 4 years ago. Stanley was silent trying to force a smile.
"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked.
Stan wanted to say yes, but motioned with his hand to sit down, "Suit yourself."
It was obvious to Roberts, Stanley wasn't thrilled of this chance meeting. So Roberts tried to make him feel comfortable, with small talk. "What brings you to L.A? Are you and Holly settled here now?" he questioned.
Stan rolled his eyes, "Come on Roberts, you know where I am." Roberts was surprised with his outburst, clearly he chose the wrong topic of conversation. "Don't play this game with me. I know you've kept tabs on me."
"For your own good, Stan...you know that."
Stan felt a little agitated, "My own good? Ha." Stanley folded the paper, finished his coffee and was hoping to escape.
"The case isn't closed by a long shot Stan."
"The man is dead, Roberts." Stan's mind raced with the scenario of that day last spring. The deception, the conclusion he had made that afternoon in the morgue.
"Too many incidents have occurred. It's not a coincidence, Stan. We have reason to believe your Gabriel and Ginger are very much alive. And as long as they are, there's that chance they'll contact you again."
Stanley began to stand up. He couldn't help but think it had taken the police long enough to figure out Gabriel and Ginger's dissaperance, but he wasn't surprised. "I don't think they would be that stupid. I am desperately trying to get on with my life, and knowing you are on my back really isn't' helping matters. And this has nothing to do with protecting me, Roberts, this is about you...hoping I will lure them in for you. Well, it won't happen."
" Stanley, sit down please. I was hoping we could talk."
"Is that an order, Agent Roberts?" he said sarcastically. "I don't think we have anything to talk about."
The anger and bitterness in his voice was apparent. And Roberts knew what he was about to say next might just make it worse, but it needed to be said. "There's been some activity in the D.C. Area. There is every reason to believe that your so called Gabriel and Ginger are behind it."
Stanley gave him a look, "I don't want to know about any of this. I own a computer shop now, Roberts. I am well respected member of the community, I am seeing a beautiful woman, Holly is doing well in school, making friends, I won't do anything to jeopardize what I have now."
"I'm glad to hear that, Stan.. I hear your business is doing real well."
Stan shook his head, " OH, great, you have someone actually spying on me at the shop. This is ridiculous..No, I don't need to listen to this. I need to go. Get off my back, Roberts. Let me get on with my life."
"I don't want anything more for you and Holly to get on with your life, but they liked you Stan. And you are still the best. I've just had one of my men keeping an eye on things."
"There's no need to keep an eye on anything going on in my shop. I fix computers, I don't hack anymore.. Look it was great seeing you," he said sarcastically. He began to walk off. Roberts called after him.
"Stan, be careful. This time you might not be so lucky. And it's not just you and Holly anymore, doesn't your girlfriend have some kids?"
He didn't like Roberts bringing up Emma and her kids. It was bad enough what had happened to Holly last year. He tried to brush these thoughts from his mind. Nothing was going to happen. They were out of his life. He was in no way going to get involved with them again. He didn't turn to Roberts just raised his hand in a slight wave. He wanted nothing more than to get out of there.
Stanley drove out of Beverly Hills and back to the trailer, picking up Scrap before heading back to pick up Holly. This trip wasn't going as he expected. Instead of clearing the air, things seemed to be more intensified. A run in with Lauren, a run in with Roberts, ...his mind was racing as he headed up Wilshire Blvd. He felt any moment Ginger and Gabriel would pop up out of nowhere. Not a pleasant thought. His head was pounding. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed Emma.
Emma picked up right away, "Hello."
"Hey..." he said in a soft sexy whisper. Just hearing her voice made his head stop pounding.
"Stanley." she said sweetly.
"Missing me?"
"Every minute."
"Not every second?"
"Well, pretty close to that actually." There was silence on the other end and Emma sensed something was wrong. "Are you okay?"
God, he wished she could be with him right now. Everything seemed better when she was around. He sighed, "Could be better, but I'm fine. Holly's fine. I'm just going to pick her up at her grandma's." He paused, "I just wanted to hear your voice." He realized he was sounding a bit serious, the last thing he wanted was her to worry, "not quite the same as having you sitting pantiless on my desk...screaming out my name...but it will have to do."
"I'm never going to live this one down am I?"
"Highly doubtful, but you can be satisfied in the fact that the very thought of it increases my blood pressure, my heart rate and gives me a hard on that is impossible to conceal."
"What about now...is that happening now?"
"I will leave that to your imagination." he was already feeling better. He smiled, "give you something to think about this evening when you're in bed" he teased.
Oh, if he only knew, she thought. There was silence on her end this time and Stanley knew that he had changed this woman's life in a way she never thought possible. Her longing and desire for him only intensified since their night together.
The traffic picked up, and he knew he should get off "..I need to go. I'll call you later. Oh, and Em, hold on to those thoughts for next weekend."
"Next weekend?"
"You didn't possibly think I could go another weekend without seeing or being with?" Another motorist honked at Stanley as the light changed to green. He started to hold up the finger, but thought better of it, as he headed through the intersection.
"Stanley...things are going to be okay" the concern in her voice apparent.
"When you say that, I believe it...I love you, Em."
"I love you too. Give Holly a big hug from me. Bye."
He hung up and took a deep breath.
When Stan picked up Holly he felt a bit of tension in the air between Lauren and Holly. They were both quiet, then Lauren insisted Holly go out to the car so she could talk to Stanley. This was all he needed.
Holly did as she was told, but she didn't look happy about it. Stan questioned Lauren, "What's going on?"
Lauren paced the floor behind the couch, incredibly agitated. "Your daughter. She is your daughter that is for sure, Stanley. The things that came out of her mouth, I am appalled. And I am sure this is your doing."
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Stanley sat down in the overstuffed chair, if he was going to get a lecture, he might as well be comfortable.
"Oh, I am sure you do. Everything was fine. We had a lovely lunch and she told me about school, and then I got out some old photos of her mother. I thought it would be nice for her to see them. Talk about Melissa when she was young, give Holly a sense of what her mother was like."
"And something happened?" Stanley couldn't imagine what Holly could've done to upset her so.
"She became very upset. Said that what I remember about Melissa was not how it was."
"You exaggerated didnt' you? I didn't want you to lie about her." The anger in his voice evident.
"I didn't lie. Melissa was a good daughter."
He leaned forward in the chair,no longer relaxed, "Lauren, she wanted nothing more than to leave you and her father when she was a teenager and you know it. Getting pregnant with Holly was her way out. That's the way it was. She didn't love me. She used me as her ticket to Hollywood. And look where it got her, she was a porn star."
"She was an actress." He could see Lauren was very distressed and was about to cry.
"Look, right now Holly is my concern. You keep Melissa's memory alive the way you see fit, but I have an obligation to my daughter so she can grow up with a sense of who she is. I don't know if Melissa ever cared or loved her at all. What can I say to her? I thought you would be able to give her something, anything. Did Melissa ever express her love for Holly in anyway?"
Lauren was silent. Stan rolled his eyes, "That's what I thought. Melissa cared about number 1...herself. While I sat in a prison day in and day out thinking of one thing...Holly. I survived that for Holly. So I could be there for Holly." He was angry. "She knows that. She doesn't doubt my love or anything I ever felt for her. But how can a child grow up knowing her mother cared nothing for her? God, it's a horrible thought. I know you care about Holly. She knows it too, but it's not the same."
Lauren was now it tears, "Stanley, you don't know what it's like. Losing a child." Stanley stood up, moving towards her, handing her his handkerchief, " I miss Melissa terribly."
His voice now calming, "I know." He remembered those few moment running through the house in Malibu, frantically searching for Holly, seeing Larry's dead body on the floor, Melissa stretched across the bed, the fear racing through him. Holly...dead...it just couldn't be. For those few seconds he believed Holly was dead, and they were the worst few minutes he had ever experienced. No parent should have to bury their child. It had to be the worst thing that could happen to anyone. He wasn't sure what he should say to her.
But Lauren spoke first, "You need to be with Holly. Call me before you head back to San Diego."
"I will."
Lauren seemed to be having a change of heart, it was evident in the sound of her voice and her demeanor in the last few minutes, "I've been wrong about you, Stanley. You're a hell of a dad. And I know my daughter wasn't the easiest person to deal with on a good day, I want to believe she was a wonderful daughter and mother, but Holly is so wise beyond her years. Holly sees things as they really were. Her childhood was a disaster. And I didn't help. I should've done something."
"We all make mistakes, Lauren. I made my share of them. I feel I owe Holly so much. But I can't go back and change those first 10 years of her life. Maybe you were right, I can't do this on my own. Maybe she needs professional help."
"Give it another shot, Stanley, before you take that route. I'm starting to believe that if anyone can get her through this you will. Holly raves about you. Her face lights up when she talks about all the things you've done together. I want to hate you for what happened to Melissa, but when I see Holly I see all the good you have done for the child...even if I think her clothes are a bit Wal-Mart and her hair a little tomboyish."
Stan managed a smile. Maybe Lauren wasn't as bad as he thought. It was good to know he did have some support from her anyway. He then walked out to the car. Holly was in the front seat Scrap sitting by her side. She tried to read her dad's face as he opened the drivers side of the car. But he just smiled and slided in besides them. "To the beach?"
"Dad."
"yeah" he started the car and headed out down the street.
"You aren't mad at me?"
"Why should I be mad?"
"I wasn't nice to grandma."
"She told me."
Holly was surprised he wasn't asking for any information about what happened. "You aren't going to ask me what happened?"
"You'll tell me when you're ready."
"Maybe I never want to talk about it."
"Well, that is your choice, but I wouldn't think that was the wisest move."
She put on a pout and turned her head away from him. She looked out the window and was silent all the way to the beach. Stanley felt it was better to give her some space. They would have plenty of time to talk later.
Once at the beach they let Scrap off his leash and Stan threw him a stick he would fetch. Holly sat in the sand, burying her feet in it, she hadn't spoken since they got out of the car. Stanley sat next to her after about 15 minutes, Scrap tired from the run came up to him and lied down at his feet.
Holly looked at her dad, "Grandma tried to tell me about mom when she was a girl." "Was it interesting?"
"She lied. She made mom sound like me, and I know she was nothing like me. Mom used to say to me, I was just like you. Serious, and no fun."
"So is that what I am...serious and no fun? Thanks."
"I didn't mean it like that, you are a lot of fun. You weren't mom's idea of a fun guy though. You always cared to much about your job. I know she didn't love you and that you married her because of me." She looked directly at him. This was a conversation he had been dreading. But knew it was coming.
"I can't lie to you Holly, that's true. But I loved you, the minute she told me about you. I wanted to be a dad, your dad."
"So you married mom even though you didn't love her?"
"I thought it was the right thing to do. I wanted you in my life, and that was the only way. I really thought we could make it work. That we could learn to love each other."
"But she didn't love me either."
He closed his eyes, what could he possibly say to her. He had always been honest and now... he couldn't lie. "Holly, I don't know how your mom felt about you. I wish I could tell you she loved you and wanted to be a mother, but she didn't. She wanted one thing, to get out of Texas, to go to California, to become an actress."
"And I held her back."
"Without you she would've still been in Texas. I was her ticket to California. She knew the minute I walked into that bar that night."
"How can a mother not love their child?"
"I don't know. You know, Holly, I'm sure there was something...your mom may not have been like other moms but she wanted what was best for you."
"That's not love, that's guilt. Did she ever read to me, or take me to the park, or bake cookies...that's what moms do. And she kept me away from you, that wasn't best for me." She started to cry and he held her close to him. "I had swimming lessons and soccer, and any toy I could possibly want, and all I ever wanted was a mom. And Grandma tries to tell me she did all those things for me, she wanted me to have the life she never had."
" I think that's true. Your mom had it rough in Texas."
"But she didn't love me dad."
"But I loved you Holly, every minute of every day. Even when I wasn't there for you."
" I have nothing good to remember. I can't cry that she's gone. I can't say goodbye to her. I want something, Dad, just one thing. One good thing to remember."
Stanley tried to remember something he could tell her. But his mind came up blank. He had recollections of coming home from work and finding Holly in soiled diapers and crying, Melissa passed out on the couch. Stanley hired a housekeeper when Holly was 9 months old, since Melissa just couldn't get the mother thing down. And Stanley was working long hours at the office, to give his family everything they needed. The situation didn't improve as she got older. Melissa would leave Holly with the housekeeper and go on auditions or shopping. And then when the housekeeper quit because the work load was too much, cleaning, cooking and caring for the baby, Melissa had dragged Holly to auditions. This was not a normal life for a toddler. Stanley had put his foot down, and Melissa had left him for Larry, taking the only thing he cared about with her...Holly.
He squeezed her tight, as she looked up at him, waiting for a response from him. That he seemed unable to give. Then from nowhere something came up. It was small, but something and a smiled appeared on his face.
"What is it, Dad?"
"We need to go back to your grandma's."
"Do we have to?"
"Yeah, this is a good thing. Trust me." He gave her a reassuring hug. "I think I might have just the thing." They headed to the car Scrap at their heels.
He rang Lauren on the cell phone to let them know they were on their way. She was surprised, and confused with Stanley's request. But figured it meant something so she retrieved the box from the upstairs cupboard.
Stanley and Holly arrived at Lauren's and she took them into the sitting room where a huge box was sitting. It was evident it hadn't been opened in the past year. Lauren and Holly watched as Stanley rummaged through it's contents.
"pray tell, what are you looking for. That is a bunch of rubbish. In fact, I'm not sure why I haven't thrown it out. There can't be anything in there of importance."
"You'd be surprised. Melissa wouldn't have thrown this out, Lauren. It's the one thing I'm certain of." Most everything in there was junk. Things Melissa couldn't part with obviously but things others wouldn't find sentimental whatsoever. Old movie magazines, tattered and torn from Melissa's thumbing through them over and over again, pictures of old boyfriends(and there were many), old perfume bottles that she refused to throw away, bits of clothing...scarves, a Harley Davidson T-shirt...then Stanley saw it...a tattered well worn floppy ear peeking through some of the rubbish. He pulled it out and smiled triumphantly as he held up the precious item.
Lauren looked at in disgustingly, but Holly's face sparkled, "Its Mr. Buns" Holly reached for the tattered well-loved rabbit and lovingly cuddled it rubbing it against her face, something she had done as a toddler.
Lauren was about to take it away from her, "Stanley, that thing is filthy. She shouldn't be putting it anywhere near her face." Stanley stopped her as she reached for the rabbit. Shaking his head.
Holly looked up at her dad, "I always wondered what happened to him. I thought mom threw it away."
"No, she would never have done that." He sat on the couch and patted the space next to him. "I think it's time I told you the story of Mr. Buns."
Holly plopped on the couch next to him and snuggled up close. Lauren stood there in disbelief. "You might as well, sit down, Lauren. This is something you might want to hear to."
She sat across from them as Stanley began the tale, "Your mom was very pregnant with you when Mr. Buns here came into our lives. In fact, you were overdue, and your mom was miserable so I took her shopping. Even that didn't seem to brighten her up," Stanley looked down at the Bunny sitting in Holly's lap, " but this guy here, was on a half price table at a gift shop. While other people were buying fluffy white bunnies for Easter baskets, this guy sat alone, an ear nearly torn off. And your mom picked him up and said she wanted it for you. I personally, thought it looked pathetic. But she was adamant. For $5.00, if it would make her happy, I was all for it."
Lauren looked over at Stanley, thinking his was making this whole thing up, "Why would she want such a horrible looking thing?"
"I wondered the same thing. But she remembered a teddy bear when she was small. One that had a flaw, one her Dad had brought home for her when she was about 4."
"Oh, god, not that horrible thing. I was so glad to throw that thing away. She carried it around by it's arm. It was missing an eye, and was under stuffed so it didn't even look like a teddy bear."
"She told me you threw it out, one day when she was at school. Thinking she wouldn't notice. I take it she caused a major fuss about the whole thing."
"I thought it was best. I bought her a new teddy."
"That she hated."
"She never said anything about it."
"Well, anyhow, this bunny went to the hospital with your mom, and sat by your crib when you were small...it was always packed in the diaper bag wherever you went. By the time you were walking, it was the only stuffed animal you wanted to sleep with."
"I remember carrying it everywhere. And then it disappeared...when we moved in with Larry."
"Your mom probably misplaced it when she packed things up. I'm sure she wouldn't have deliberately lost it." He could tell by Holly's expression this is just what she needed to hear. "You don't remember the day the housekeeper took you out and when you came back there was no bunny. And you cried and your mom was so upset. WE had to retrace Joanne's steps to find that thing. But it was found, at the top of the dumpster at the park. I will never forget your mom picking it out of the trash and the look in your eyes when we came home with it."
"My mom did that for me?"
"She sure did, baby. She knew what that rabbit meant to you. Just like she remembered her bear."
Holly smiled and gave him a hug, "Thank you,Daddy."
Stanley knew that she was thanking him for the memory. Something good to remember her mom by. She looked over at Lauren, "Grandma, I can take him home can't I?"
Stanley gave Lauren a look. Knowing she found the animal disgusting but how important this was to Holly. "Of course you can. It's yours. And I'm sure your mom would want you to have it."
"I'm sorry about everything I said earlier."
Lauren moved to the other side of the couch and hugged her granddaughter, "Oh, Holly, it's okay. I just wish things could've been different for you."
"I have a great dad, grandma. He really is the best. And I have you and Grandpa Hank in Texas and now I have MR. Buns." Holly's attitude had changed drastically, she became animated and turned to grandma, "You know Melody, she's Emma's daughter... has a big floppy dog, she sleeps with. She's had it forever. She says she will never out grow it. And I will never outgrow Mr. Buns. I can't wait to show him to Melody."
Lauren smiled and then looked over at Stanley, "You two should stay for dinner. Maria is preparing chicken kiev."
Holly wrinkled up her nose at her dad, Stanley smiled and looked over at Lauren, "That's awfully nice, Lauren, but I promised Holly pizza."
"Well, then brunch tomorrow, I could have Maria prepare your favorites, Holly. Chocolate chip pancakes, hash browns..."
That sounded much better to Holly, "Could we, Dad?"
"Sounds like a plan." He stood up and Holly joined him, as they walked out the door, Lauren put her arm on Stanley's shoulder.
"So I expect to be hearing wedding bells soon. Holly says you and this Emma lady are quite serious." Stanley looked down at Holly giving her the eye.
"I don't know about that. The wedding bells bit....serious, yes...I think it's serious. I'm hoping she thinks it's serious. We'll have to wait and see."
"I just want you to know. I've misjudged you, Stanley. I think you're a great father, and I'd like to see you married. Holly with a mother."
"He's going to marry her." Holly said confidently.
"I don't know where this information is coming from, young lady." he gave her a pat on the bottom as she raced out to the car clutching Mr. Buns in her arms.
When he got in the car, he gave Holly a look, "So what's this about getting married?"
"Don't you want to, Dad? I mean, you love Emma, and you get all funny whenever you're around her. I think you should just get married. Melody could share a room with me and there's that spare room off the back of the garage, you could turn into a bedroom for Kyle. It would be close to school, so Emma wouldn't have to go far to work. Or Kyle. He could go to work with you."
"You have this all worked out don't you?"
She nodded. "We could really be a family."
"We'll talk about this later."
Holly saw a flower shop on the left hand side of the road as they were pulling out of Grandma's street. "Dad, can we stop there." She pointed towards the shop.
"The flower shop? What for?"
"I want to take some flowers to Mom's grave." He looked down at her and gave her a sincere smile. This is exactly what he was hoping for. Holly making the choice to go to the cemetery.
"That is a wonderful idea. So do you know what were your mom's favorite?" He turned into the parking lot and she put her finger up to her cheek, deep in thought.
"I think the bluebonnet, it's Texas' state flower did you know that?."
"I didn't know that."
"She once said it was the only thing she liked about Texas." Holly kind of giggled and Stan joined her.
"I think that is a great choice. Let's see what we can find." Holly's mood had changed, the shadows of the past seemed not to be hovering over her as before. She was ready to move on. With MR. Buns in hand, she took Stanley's hand, and went in search of the bluebonnet.
Stanley was relieved, something good was coming out of this trip. His run in with Roberts still on his mind. He closed his eyes, trying to erase the images he was imagining in his head. Dreadful images of Holly's kidnapping. How he would do anything to keep her safe. What if they contacted him again? He couldn't bear the thought. He was glad when she pulled on his arm, she had found exactly what she wanted. He couldn't let anything spoil this weekend.
* * * * * * *
In a beautiful colonial style home set in the woods of Virginia, a well dressed man in his late 40's, slightly graying hair sat at his desk in his study, a phone in hand.
"It's all sorted then. I will have the money transferred to your account this afternoon. As always, Jim, a pleasure to do business with you. Say hello to the Mrs., will you? Goodbye, now." He hung the phone up and was surprised to see someone standing at the door.
A beautiful black woman with long straight hair, dressed in a short leather skirt and a tight fitting low cut red tank top. She was not alone. Her expression was one of concern, worry.
"Gail, what is it?"
The woman looked at the tall, thin man on her left. His greasy hair slicked back. His black framed glasses slipping down his nose. With his index finger he pushed them back up. "Tim, are you going to tell him or am I?"
He was apprehensive and when he spoke looked down at his loafers, "Well, boss," he scratched his head, then looked up, "there's been a slight problem."
"I don't like problems, Tim." The man moved from behind the desk, moving towards them.
"I know you don't." Tim swallowed hard, he felt sweat beginning to form on his forehead and continued, "It seems the funds are missing."
He was now directly in front of them, "What?" a glare, that caused Tim to feel the temperature rise in the room.
"The funds....they're gone." Tim repeated.
"How could they just disappear?" The eye contact now definitely intimidating, Tim felt nausea overcome him.
"I don't know...someone having access to the file, the codes...."
The woman looked at her boss and they both thought the same thing...in unison they repeated, "Stanley Jobson." He paced the floor of the study, shaking his head. But smiling. She was surprised he wasn't angry.
"Got to hand it to the guy, he's a sly one. Waits a year to mess with those accounts. Good old, Stanley."
"You're not mad?"
He turned to Tim, "Tim, find out all you can about our good friend, Stanley...what he's been up to these days. And see if you can trace the money. Once we have something to go on, Gail, I'll send you to take care of this mess." He looked over at Gail. She had hoped that it would never have to come to this. She liked Stanley. Why did he have to mess with Jake again. Jake was aware of her uneasiness, "Don't think you can do it? Should I send one of my henchmen? I just thought you have the kind, tender approach, Stanley seemed to take to you."
"Of course I can handle Stanley Jobson." she said confidently. The last thing she wanted was Jake's men involved. They were all trigger happy and would think nothing of blowing him away for the slightest reason.
"Good." He clapped his hands, "Okay, you two we have our work cut out for us. Let's get to it." So Stanley Jobson was willing to mess with him. He had guts, that was for sure. And Jake liked that in man, but if he thought he would get away with this. He was mistaken. No one messed with Jake Rodgers. No one.