The next morning
Sage went over to Jason and Sam's penthouse. Sam opened the door.
"Is Kellie around?" Sage asked.
"She was gone when I got up," Sam said, "Sorry. Jason said you wanted to talk to her."
"I thought I could help her," Sage said, "In some strange way I understand where she's coming from."
"Not surprising," Sam said, "You've had similar experiences to hers from what I gather."
"Do you know where she might have gone?" Sage asked.
"I can't tell you these days," Sam said, "Before Mike died, she'd go talk to him all the time. She talks to other people, but I think Mike provided her with a sanity no one else could."
"Was he buried or cremated?" Sage asked.
"Buried," Sam said, "Why? Oh, never mind."
"Thanks, Sam," Sage said, leaving.
The Cemetery
Kellie kneeled by Mike's grave.
"I've messed up so bad, Grandpa," Kellie said, "I had to do the only, well only one of two things, I never wanted to do. I wish I could actually talk to you right now. I could use your advice. You never even had to know the whole story to say exactly the right thing. Of course, now you know everything about Tyler and the child I lost from up there. I'd really get some good advice now, wouldn't I?""
"You miss him," a female voice said from behind her. Kellie turned and found Sage standing behind her.
"Yeah," Kellie said, "I miss having him around to just vent, I guess."
"I didn't mean to disturb you," Sage said, "I just thought I could help you. I wanted to last night but Jason didn't think it was a good idea and Sam mentioned you'd go talk to Mike normally and."
"It's okay," Kellie said, "I feel kind of silly looking like I'm talking to myself. Did you see Tyler?"
"Last night," Sage said, "Right after Uncle Lorenzo gave him the verbal equivalent of a roughing up."
"Just for hating my guts," Kellie said, "He really should leave it alone. Tyler has every right to hate me. I broke his heart when I broke up with him, broke it again with my death, and shattered whatever's left now."
"But he's alive," Sage said, "I don't think you could ask for much more."
"I know I did what I had to," Kellie said, "It doesn't mean it was easy."
"It never is," Sage said.
"Speaking from experience?" Kellie asked.
"That's a story for another time," Sage said.
"You're not ready," Kellie said, "I respect that."
"The part of you that wants the answers is dying saying that," Sage said.
"Well, I've been there myself," Kellie said, "I know all too well what being under someone else's power and running to get away can do to you. I know I don't appreciate being pushed for answers you can't or aren't ready to give. I don't think you would either."
"Thanks," Sage said.
"But we are going to have to talk about Ramon sooner than later," Kellie said. Sage didn't say anything.
"Isn't your father's grave here?" Kellie asked.
"Yeah," Sage mumbled, then she spoke up, "I have to go. I'm supposed to meet Lulu for lunch at Kelly's. Do you want to join us?"
"I just need a minute," Kellie said, "I'll meet you there." Sage left.
As soon as Sage was out of sight, Kellie wandered through the cemetery until she found the plot she was looking for.
The name on the tombstone read
Luis Ramon Alcazar
