Chapter 4
The concerned family moved Kendall back into the den and seated her on one of the couches. Time stood still for Kendall, she couldn't believe that Zach was dead, it had to be a mistake. Erica and Reggie flanked Kendall on the couch. Her mother stroked her hair and gently cooed "It's Ok, darling. Shhh, it will be alright." Reggie's firm and loving hand rested on Kendall's shoulder. . Lilly had stayed in the kitchen, startled and confused by Kendall's screams. Lilly didn't understand, Kendall was screaming like she was in pain, but she didn't have any cuts or injuries. Eventually, Lilly followed the group into the den. Kendall was unaware of her surroundings, unaware that Jack was not in the room but upstairs, making phone calls, trying to get information regarding the crash.
A small amber glow emanated from the fireplace. Kendall's thoughts were of Zach. She remembered how the day before he had spoken harshly to a casino employee. Zach suspected the employee of stealing, not money but ridiculous items like towels and robes. Zach's ice cold demeanor and stare that could shoot fireballs were enough to make anyone crack under questioning. How could so many opposing characteristics exist in one man? But Zach wasn't any ordinary man. He was supportive and gentle, entertaining and aggravating, 'Stop it.." Kendall told herself. Saying aloud "It is just a parking sticker, it could be anyone's car." Erica and Reggie quickly joined in agreement. Lilly asked innocently, "How many other employees have parking stickers and drive black luxury sedans?"
Erica quickly jumped up to Lilly's side, "Lilly, darling can you go in the kitchen and keep track of the news report. I'll come in the kitchen for an update in just a few minutes."
Lilly jumped at the chance to help "I can make a summary chart of the information. I am good at charts. I am better at graphs, but a graph wouldn't be appropriate in this situation." Erica smiled at her sweet stepdaughter "Yes sweetheart, that would be fabulous." Kendall thought Erica would say anything to get Lilly out of the room. As the door swung shut between the den and kitchen, Jack entered from the center hall. The expression on Jack's face was grim. Lilly would comment on how his mouth was not turned up.
"Jackson, what did you find out?" Erica inquired from her husband.
Jack started to speak "I spoke to Derrick. They ran the license plate of the damaged car through the system. They confirmed.." and he paused. Jack looked from Kendall to Erica. Kendall's eyes were already glassy with tears, Jack thought of how devastated Kendall will be when he tells her. Erica could read Jackson's face, she knew the news was not good. Erica rejoined Kendall on the couch, taking her daughter's hand in hers.
"Go ahead, Jack, finish." Kendall attempted to speak with strength. Jack thought how much Kendall is like her mother. Mother and daughter both appeared to be resilient and tough, but those were only outward appearances. Both Erica and Kendall were sensitive, deeply emotional, caring women. God, he didn't want to be the one to tell Kendall this. There was no other way.
"Derrick confirmed the car, the car in the accident is registered to Zach Slater." When Jack finished he felt as though the wind had been taken out of him. He looked to Kendall, the beautiful woman with large doe-like eyes sat in silence. Jack didn't dare repeat himself, he didn't want to have to say those words again. "Kendall, sweetheart?"
Kendall literally shook her head, as though she physically cleared away all other thoughts. Her next statement surprised her family that surrounded her. "My cell phone. Where is my cell phone?" Kendall began calmly, becoming more frantic. "My cell phone, I need to call Zach. My cell phone is in my purse. Where is my purse?" thoughts in Kendall's head were coming at supersonic speed. Erica became immediately concerned, she knew this side of Kendall. Knew it all to well, Kendall's frantic behavior will escalate until she is completely out of control. This is usually when Kendall makes the worst decisions of her life. Erica cautiously approached her daughter who was now pacing the room, picking up throw pillows in search of her purse and cell phone.
"Kendall, sweetie." Erica began in the softest of voices, as if trying not to startle a wild animal. "I don't remember you coming in with a purse. Could it still be in the car?"
Kendall stopped pacing a stood up bolt straight. "My car, yes, my purse, my phone, they are in the car. I'll get my keys and drive home, and Zach will be at the condos and he'll explain everything. Where are my keys?"
Reggie had been observing the scene quietly from the corner of the den. "Kendall, it's still raining and you are finally dry. I'll go get your phone and purse from the car. You wait here." Before anyone could protest, Reggie was gone out the front door.
Without another word, Kendall walked to the desk and picked up the telephone. She dialed Zach's cell phone, not realizing she even had the number memorized. When Kendall got a recording that all circuits were temporarily busy, she slammed the phone down aggressively, rattling Erica. Erica did not understand why the news of the car accident had upset Kendall so much. It wasn't as if Kendall and Zach had a real marriage, God No! It couldn't be that Kendall has given her heart to yet another Cambias man. Kendall began pacing again, her mind racing. Erica placed her hand on Jack's forearm, and looked into the face of the kindest man she had ever know. Erica's eyes pleaded with Jack, silently communicating "What do we do?"
The front door opened and Reggie came in with Kendall's bag. Kendall nearly pounced on him, snatching her bag away quickly. She pulled the small silver phone from the small designer bag throwing the bag on the marble entry tile. Reggie looked to Jack and Erica questioningly. Reggie quietly spoke to Jack and Erica "I am going to check on Lilly."
"Good idea." Jack replied patting his son on the shoulder as he passed. Erica gave Reggie a small smile as well. Jack and Erica turned back into the den where Kendall was dialing her phone.
Kendall called the condo, No Answer. She called Zach's private office at the casino, No Answer. As Erica and Jack came back in the room, Kendall was calling Zach's cell phone again, All Circuits Temporarily Busy. Snapping the phone shut, Kendall sighed heavily thinking of the next step. Jack came over to her and placed his hands on her shoulder. Kendall jumped at the contact "Kendall, let me take care of things. Just tell me what you need." Jack offered.
Suddenly, the small phone Kendall was gripping in her hands began to ring. With hope and relief Kendall flipped the phone open, "Zach!"
"Mrs. Slater, this is Victoria Woo, from Channel 6 news. What is your reaction to your husband's death? Isn't…" Kendall threw the phone against the flagstone fireplace, shattering it into small slivers of plastic and electronic circuit boards. For the second time that evening, Kendall fell to the floor sobbing uncontrollably.
Several hours passed, Erica had attempted to have Kendall rest. Kendall tried to appease her mother and laid down in the spare bedroom where she changed her clothes earlier. The sobbing had stopped. Kendall longed to be in her own bed, where she could sob herself to sleep if she saw fit. Here, under her mother's roof, she felt obligated to quietly fall asleep.
Jack had continued to call his various connections to obtain more information. There was no identification on the driver of the crushed vehicle, the authorities would require a next of kin to identify the body as Zach Slater. That could all be dealt with in the morning.
After the house finally became quiet, Kendall left the bedroom and returned to the kitchen. Just a few hours ago, Kendall, Reggie, and Lilly were eating ice cream sundaes, laughing and enjoying themselves. Kendall thought how she relished the quality family time they were spending, without drama, without heartache. But that is all shattered now, no not shattered - crashed, crushed. Kendall stood in front of the picture window looking into the dark rose garden. The rain had not stopped, it poured down the picture window, simultaneously, silently tears ran down Kendall's face.
Quietly, Reggie entered the kitchen and draped a throw across his sister's shoulders. Standing behind Kendall, Reggie wrapped his arms around his sister, Kendall placed her hand on Reggie's forearm. They exchanged no words