and one observes only things which are already in the mind.
ALPHONSE BERTILLION
Part 4
I had phoned Dana a month ago, as I had to be in D.C. for a conference called - Magic and Technology in English Literature. She told me that if I wanted to I could use the spare room in her apartment for the duration of the conference. I though it would be a good time to catch up on my sister's life and tell her my bit of good news. She also said not to be surprised if she wasn't home every evening (how could I not pick up on a major hint like that) then apologised for having to cut the call short. Mulder had just arrived and they were having take-out for dinner whilst going over a case file.
At the time, I didn't think anything of that as I knew Dana and Mulder usually had dinner at each other's apartments to go over a case. Then, a week ago Dana called. She and Mulder were going to be out of town on a case, but she should be home the day after I arrived. She told me to bring my key for her apartment - she gave me one a few years ago when she came up to Ohio for a visit, I think it was for Henry's 4th birthday party two years ago.
I arrived at Dulles airport at two in the afternoon. I made my way to the car rental place to find out (to my disgust) that all the rental cars they had left were Manual Transmission. Now, to the average person this would not be a problem but for me it's a pain in the backside as I have only ever driven an Automatic. This was the type of car Mom had when I was learning to drive and I could never really get to grips with all the gear changing after that. However, needs must, so I put my small suitcase with my clothes for the week in the boot of the rental car.
Putting my knapsack on the passenger seat I slipped out the tape I always take with me (it has many of my favourite songs on it) and slipped it into the tape player. As I turned the ignition on the car stereo came to life and the strands of the Beatles song Yesterday came through the speakers. I remember I was a young kid when this song came out but it seemed to have stayed with me all these years. As I went to pull out, the car started to reverse. "Damn Manual system!" I muttered to myself, putting the breaks on hurriedly.
Eventually I managed to pull out "Yesterday, how my troubles seemed so far away" ...how appropriate!. I made it to Dana's apartment without further incident, pulling into a vacant parking spot and parking the car. I turned the engine off, grabbed my knapsack from the passenger seat, locked the car and went to the trunk to retrieve my suitcase. Locking the trunk, I made my way to Dana's apartment. Letting myself in I put my suitcase behind the couch. When I straightened, I spotted a copy of the film "To Kill a Mocking Bird". Dana must have been watching it before she left to go out of town - I myself have never seen it (I prefer the book, of course) but I do know Dana has watched it a few times. Feeling a bit thirsty from the flight I went into the kitchen to put the kettle on. In front of the kettle was a note, with my name at the top of it:
Charlie,
Make yourself at home, I thought
I'd leave you some of your favourite treats Reese's peanut butter cups!
Help yourself to anything you find,
You'll need to get milk but there's a loaf of sliced bread
in the freezer if you want toast.
Save at least one peanut butter for Mulder,
See you when I get back Chuckles,
Love D.
I looked at the kettle and decided that black tea wasn't all that appealing. That's when I spotted three packets of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups... did I tell you how much I love my sister? Opening one of the packs I pulled out one of the cups and bit it in half. I went over to the fridge and looked at the contents - some salad items and jars of things and in the door was an unopened carton of orange juice. Swallowing the chewed peanut butter cup I put the other half in my mouth. Slipping out the carton of O.J. I went in search of a cup or glass; seeing a cup on the drainer I picked it up and smiled when I saw the logo.
It was the Pac Man smiley! Pouring some O.J. into the cup I got nostalgic remembering how, when we were kids, how Dana loved playing Pac Man with me. Bill refused to play the game saying it was childish and he had better things to do with his time, but Danes and I knew the truth - Bill was just crap at playing Pac Man and didn't want to damage his male ego by having his baby sister beat him at something so trivial as a computer game!
Taking a swig of O.J. I heard a noise coming from down the hall in Dana's room. I stopped to listen, and again heard a thudding noise. Fearing that someone had broken into Dana's apartment, I crept to the door and listened to see if I could determine how many people were in there. I was astonished when I heard a low masculine moan followed by a higher feminine one. My interest was piqued - who was in there and what the fuck were they doing in my sister's apartment? Then a voice filtered through the door...
"Oh, Mulder!"
What the? Then another one:
"Oh Scully...love you...oh...Scully!"
Stumbling in my haste to get away from what was obviously a very private moment, I accidentally pushed the door open... and there was my sister, in bed with her partner of seven years! Dana was sprawled on top of Mulder. Both of them were facing away from me but as soon as they heard the door bang against the wall, their heads whipped around. Dana and Mulder's faces both paled at the site of me - I think my jaw was somewhere near the floor!
Dana stuttered "Charlie, it's...uh...it's not what you think"
I cut her off; "Dana it's okay, I'll leave you two to get dressed.
I'll be in the kitchen when you come out".
I grinned at the pair of them then grabbed the door and shut it behind me.
I heard Mulder say "Shit now your other brother IS going to hate me"
then Dana's reply of "Shut up Mulder and get some clothes on".
I made my way to the kitchen with an idiotic grin on my face.
End of Part 4