No Ties, No Lies

Chapter 2

Monica had received three letters from Lonnie in the past four weeks. It was the last week of September and she was preparing for finals. She and Lonnie had decided to write, as opposed to call, each other almost three years ago when she first left for school in North Carolina. At first, it was their way of keeping in touch without distracting Monica from her studies. Then it became a habit that the two of them looked forward to. They both felt that writing and receiving letters from each other was incredibly romantic. But now that Monica was looking at her third letter from Lonnie, knowing that she hadn't responded to his last two, she decided to break their tradition and call him.

She felt horrible not writing to him, but she could already tell that this year was going to test their relationship. Her headaches had not stopped, she was now oversleeping at least twice a week, and for the first time in her life, she had made a C on a test. She sat down on her bed and read his letter. After reading it twice, she smiled to herself and grabbed her phone.

"Jamison here."

"What up, DETECTIVE LJ!"

"Honey, where are you? Is everything okay?"

"Calm down! I'm fine. Why are you so upset?"

Lonnie was at home in his garage working on his car. He put down his wrench and sat on the cold floor. "You've never called me from school before. Just caught me off guard is all."

Monica detected his disappointment. He missed her letters. "I'm sorry I haven't written, baby. Things are crazy here. But there was no way I would've written about this, anyway. I want you to hear me tell you how proud I am of you. And that I love you."

Lonnie smiled. She had no idea how good it felt to be understood without having to jump through hoops and circles. When remembered that he had caused the situation he was in, he felt horrible and his smile began to fade. "Well," he said. "Read that letter carefully. I'm 'ACTING Chief Investigator'. And my rank hasn't changed. So it's not the big deal you think it is."

"Like hell it's not! I know how long you've wanted this. This is the biggest deal ever." Monica waited a minute before she continued. "Virgil called Chief Forbes on your behalf."

Lonnie drew a short breath. He knew that Monica still kept in touch with the Tibbses, even though they had moved to Jackson a few weeks ago. He figured that Althea had delivered that little tidbit, hoping that Monica could help patch things between him and Virgil. "I know. I sent him a 'Thank You' note."

When Lonnie didn't say anymore, Monica dropped it. Lonnie was finished with his personal relationship with Virgil. She and Althea were going to have to accept that.

"Monica, honey. I really need to talk to you. You got a minute?"

"Ooo. Baby, can I call you back tonight? I'm on my way to a three o'clock."

"It's kind of important."

"I know. I promise I'll call back. I love you."

Before Lonnie could respond, she hung up. It appeared that he wasn't the only one in this relationship whose life had made a sudden and unexpected turn.

XXX

The next day, Chief Forbes and Sheriff Gillespie were in the Chief's office discussing the last case the two had just wrapped up. Just as Hamp came on board as Chief, Bill was asked to step in as acting county Sheriff while Mac McComb recovered from a slight heart attack. The case involved a local store owner and gun runner from New Orleans who was involved in some illegal dealings. As irony would have it, the gun runner was the infamous Lee that Lana was still unofficially involved with. He was killed in a car chase when Sparta PD and the Sheriff's deputies were trying to arrest him.

"So, Bill," Hamp began. "Was Lana through with this guy or was she hoping they would make it?"

"It's hard to say. As her father, I know so little about her." Gillespie responded.

Hamp thought for a minute before he continued. "Jamison seemed a bit concerned about it."

"Really? Well, I guess he had reason to be, but I honestly don't know that for sure. Although I've heard he had other things to occupy his mind right now."

"Are you referring to this Monica Styles I keep hearing whisperings about?"

"I guess I am, Hamp. Rumor had it that the two of them were pretty serious. But when it appeared that he and Lana were spending time together, I decided the Monica Styles thing was indeed a rumor."

Hamp looked at Bill inquisitively. "Decided….or hoped?"

"Hoped, Hamp. I supposed I hoped. But then I had hoped that he and Lana were not a rumor, and then this Lee fellow ends up living with her." Bill stood up to leave. "Well, we'll all find out soon enough. Miss Styles will be here next week to testify in a trial. I'll see you for lunch."

XXX

Lonnie was once again meeting Lana at the park. Only this time it was at her request. She had been calling him for over a week, but he didn't return her calls. She finally ran into him outside of the police station and was able to convince him to meet her.

"Hey", she greeted.

Lonnie nodded a 'hello', but said nothing. Lana began to speak. "I know you're still upset. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry you caught me and Lee at the house, um…. like that."

"Before I say anything else, Lana, I want to tell you I'm sorry about Lee dying. I know that's been pretty rough on you."

"Yes, it has."

"Yeah, well. Since you've got us both here, maybe you can explain that whole situation to me."

Lana got defensive. "Why? It's not like you and I were going together. You never once said that you wanted me for yourself, so why do you even care if I slept with him?"

"Look, I was just asking you to help me understand it all. But since you asked, I care because I asked you point blank to be honest with me, like I was with you. And you said you had been. Then I see you and this guy come crawling out of your shower. So you lied to me. Secondly, even if you couldn't tell me about Lee when I asked you to, the least you could've done is let me know that you had a 'house guest' so I wouldn't show up at your place and look like an idiot."

"Well, I'm sorry I hurt your pride. But considering this 'serious relationship' you're supposed to be in, I fail to see where you've got room to criticize me."

Lonnie didn't say a word. He was really angry with her, partly because she was right and partly because he believed he was right as well. But Lee's death was just a few days ago. He didn't want to upset her. When he didn't speak, Lana continued. "Look, now that Lee's….Maybe in a few weeks, after I've cleared my head some, we can get together and talk about us."

Lonnie looked directly into her eyes and said, "There is no us, Lana. And there won't ever be."

"Why? Because you saw me with another man? Because I'm not perfect enough to be your girl?"

"No. Because you're not honest enough to be my friend. Again, I'm sorry about Lee. Take care of yourself."

And with that, Lonnie walked away and left Lana standing in the park alone.

When Lonnie got home, he called Monica. He hadn't heard from her in over a week. He had left several messages for her, and she had left a few for him. But they kept playing phone tag. He got her voicemail again. This time he hung up without leaving a message. He stretched out on the couch and thought about everything that had happened over the past few months. Monica had indeed told him to do whatever he felt it would take for him to be sure about their relationship. But Lonnie was not about to convince himself that she meant an affair. He had wronged her and he knew it. What he didn't know was why he did it, or what he was trying to find. What he finally knew for sure was that he would never in a million years find another woman like Monica. He wanted her, for the rest of his life. And he intended to tell her so when she came home next week.

XXX

Lonnie and Monica were sitting on the back steps at the Tibbses old house on Elm Street. Aunt Etta had cooked a huge meal and after the three of them had eaten together, she went to bed. Of course, she didn't retire without explaining to Lonnie that she expected him to leave at a respectable hour!

Monica was sitting in between Lonnie's legs and he held her close to him, with both his arms wrapped around her. He kissed her and said "I love you so much."

"I love you, too, LJ. I really am sorry that I haven't kept in touch like I should."

"Hey, come on now. You should be focusing on school. You're almost finished. So do what you need to do. I'll be right here."

Monica was about to say something, when she was caught by a large yawn.

"Wow! They really are working you up there. It's only 8:30pm. Are you tired?"

"Yeah, I am. I don't know what's going on with me, LJ. I've been this way since school started. I've even been oversleeping and I have horrible headaches."

Lonnie was concerned. He knew that stress could disrupt a person's sleep patterns. The lack of sleep was probably causing her headaches. "Listen, while you're here, I want you to call Dr. Day and have her set you up a physical. Okay?"

He waited for Monica to argue with him, but she didn't. In that short period of time, she had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. He smiled, kissed her head, and carried her into the house.

XXX

The next day Lonnie was waiting for Monica at the trailer for breakfast. He decided to surprise her by doing the cooking himself. After she was thirty minutes late, Lonnie called her phone, but got no answer. He decided to drive to the Tibbses to make sure she was okay.

"Good morning, Lieutenant!" Etta cried when she opened the door.

Lonnie kissed the old woman on her cheek. "Good morning, Mrs. Kibbey. Our star pupil is late for breakfast. She up yet?"

Etta eyed Lonnie suspiciously. "Yeah, she up. Just barely. I listened to that alarm of hers for near about an hour. I finally just knocked on the door and woke her up myself."

Lonnie laughed. "Yeah. I'd imagine being a senior in college can wear a person down."

"I reckon that's one thing can make a person weary, though I wouldn't know myself. But you know, Lieutenant. They's lots of things that can make a young woman tired like that."

As Lonnie sat down at the kitchen table, Etta continued talking. "You know, I remember when my sister Ruda was carrying Tyrell. Now you hear all the time about women getting that morning sickness. But Ruda? She wadn't sick not one day with Tyrell. But now, you talk about a woman sleeping!" Etta began to laugh. "That sister of mine slept like it was her own personal business! I tell you, it got so bad that the only way we could keep her awake was to give her something to eat!"

Just as Lonnie was about to speak, Monica ran into the kitchen. She was wide awake, dressed, and her hair was still dripping wet from her shower. She reached into the refrigerator, grabbed an apple, and took a huge bite.

"I'm sorry I'm late, honey. Are we still on for breakfast? I'm starving!"

Etta looked at Lonnie and raised her eyebrow. But Lonnie didn't notice it. He was looking at Monica, and smiling.

XXX

Because it was so late, Monica and Lonnie decided to skip his gourmet breakfast and to head to the Magnolia Café. They went there for lunch quite a bit when she was working for Darnelle, and it had always been Lonnie's favorite place to hang out with his track team members. They figured it would be as safe as it had always been. A few people stared at them, but most of the folks there went on with their business as if nothing unusual was taking place.

"So, what do you think?" she asked while she was stuffing pancakes into her mouth.

"Hard to say. But if I get fired this afternoon, we'll know for sure."

Monica pulled a piece of ice from her juice and threw it at him. "That's not funny, Detective!"

"Well! Look who's home?"

The couple turned around and saw Harriet Delong. Monica jumped up and gave the woman a hug. "Hi Ms. Delong! It's great to see you."

"It's good to see you, too, honey. Good morning, Lonnie." Harriet was polite, but she gave Lonnie a look that clearly said 'I don't like what I see'.

"Good morning, Ms. Delong." Lonnie knew that she had probably heard Bill's version of what was going on with him and Lana. Lonnie was pretty good at holding his own in difficult spots, but even he didn't have the skills for a showdown with Harriet Delong. He wanted this over and now.

"Well, I'll let you two get back to your breakfast. Monica, give me a call. I think I've got something for you to do when you graduate this summer."

"Sure thing." Monica watched Ms. Delong walk away. She too had noticed the woman's cool demeanor so she asked Lonnie about it. "What was that?"

"I'm not sure," Lonnie lied. "I'll be right back."

Lonnie excused himself and went to the rest room. Monica was about to tear into her biscuit when she dropped her knife. Just as she was going to the counter to get another one, she heard a loud voice.

"Monica!"

The girl turned around and saw her friend standing at the door with Bill Gillespie.

"Oh my gosh. Lana!"

The two girls ran to each other, hugging, screaming, kissing, and screaming again.

The entire restaurant watched this scene in bewilderment. Harriet looked confused. Bill looked scared. And when Lonnie came out of the restroom, he just looked.

"Pop, this is my friend that I told you about. Remember?"

"Well, I remember you were writing to someone, but I don't remember you saying it was our own Monica Styles. Good morning, Miss Styles."

"Good morning, Chief. I mean, Sheriff."

Bill was completely uncomfortable. He had no proof that Lonnie was keeping company with his daughter. Truth be told, he had no proof that Lonnie was keeping company with Monica. But judging from the blank look on the boy's face and the fact that he hadn't moved since he came out of the bathroom, Bill knew something strange was up. His daughter interrupted his thoughts.

"Pop, I know I was supposed to eat with you and Harriet, but I haven't seen Monica in about two months. Do you mind?"

"No, not at all. Enjoy your breakfast." Bill left the girls at the booth and joined a still confused Harriet at their table.

"Before you start, Harriet, before you start….I don't know. Lana told me about a girl she met when she came into town a few months ago. They started writing each other and that's all I know."

"Humph," Harriet grunted. "I suggest that you find out more than that. Lt. Jamison is about to join them."

Lonnie walked across the restaurant with about a million pairs of eyes on him. He sat down and said "I would make the introductions, but it looks like you two know each other."

The girls explained how they had met and that they had been keeping in touch with each other. Monica then told Lana that she knew Lonnie from working with Darnelle and from school. She didn't want to admit to her and Lonnie's relationship without discussing it with him first. As far as Lana and Lonnie knowing each other, Monica assumed that they had met through Bill, so she didn't ask any questions.

"I can't believe Bill's your dad. I'd die if my father were the county Sheriff." Monica said.

"Yeah," Lana replied. "It has its down side. But it can come in handy if a girl accidentally finds herself in trouble. Right Lonnie?"

Lonnie didn't blink. "I'd imagine it could."

Monica continued eating while she talked. Suddenly she looked at her watch. "Guys, I hate to do this, but I've got to run. I promised Darnelle I'd fill in for a few days while Marie was on vacation. You two finish up and I'll talk to you both later." She shot Lonnie a quick 'call me later' glance, and then left the two of them alone at the booth.

"Well!" Lana said with a sly smile as she too had caught Monica's signal.

Monica didn't know it, but her exit did two things. One, it confirmed for everyone who saw her leave, including Bill Gillespie and Harriet Delong, that it was Lana Farren that Lonnie was seeing. It also told Lana that Monica Styles was the woman that was keeping Lonnie away from her.