Author's Note: First off, again, thanks to skyefire for reading and reviewing, although they're short and sweet. Are you sure you're not finding any problems in the story that I can go back and fix, plot-wise? I really appreciate it, though. I still wish more people read and reviewed though. Maybe we should e-mail all the cartoon fanatics on this site and clue them in about this sub-category. And BTW, how's your hip?
Anyhow, here's chapter nine. Enjoy.
Chapter 9
By the end of the weekend, Valerie and Jeremy moved into their new home. She and Rhonda were amazed with the way Karen decorated the house. The living room sofa and tables were placed near the dining room. Karen surprised her sister with a new wall unit and entertainment center, complete with a 30-inch TV and DVD player. Valerie opened the drawers where DVD movies are to be kept. They were all empty.
"Don't worry," Karen said. "Tomorrow night, we'll go shopping for movies. We'll buy enough to fill all the drawers. Then, you can invite all your dates over for movies, and Jeremy can watch with you."
She showed them the new computer room. She chose a Mavex for Valerie, one the latest PC models, with a flat-screen monitor. A scanner on one side, and a Jeld-Wen laser-jet printer on the other. She sat down to test the new computer. Its Internet was working very well. She also saw an "office" computer program that contained a word processor, spreadsheets, databases and a slideshow presentation maker. There was a separate program for e-mails and contact management.
Karen decided to set Valerie up with an e-mail account now. She asked what address Valerie wanted, and she replied, "SuperCareerMom – all one word – at Mavex-dot-com."
Karen typed in the address, but it wasn't accepted. "Uh, no good, Valerie," she said. "It's already been taken. But here are some alternatives, what do you want?"
Valerie looked over the options. SuperCareerMom2896, SuperCareerMom2899 and SuperCareerMom2902. She chose 2896. Two steps later, Valerie had an account. She smiled and said, "That is perfect. I can't wait to give the C.O.P.S. my new address. Oh, but I'm already imagining all the love poems and the date invitations. I just hope it doesn't fall into the Big Boss's hands."
Rhonda rolled her eyes. "So delete those e-mails, and put their addresses on the spam blocker," she told her.
Karen showed them the bedrooms next. Valerie was overjoyed at the bed, the purple bedding she wanted. She threw herself onto it and immediately became comfortable. She was moaning ecstatically and crying, "Oh, it's perfect! And it matches the whole room."
She soon noticed her new dresser, lilac edges with violet drawers. Karen said, "I had them paint this to match the colors of the room." She gave her a remote, and Valerie used it to open and close various drawers.
"Works just fine," Rhonda said.
"Moving on to Jeremy's room," Karen declared.
Valerie and Jeremy were impressed by the boy's room, the bed in the middle, the dresser, the small bookcase. But the walls weren't painted like Karen promised. She immediately apologized and said, "Maybe when school is out, and Sheldon's out of the hospital, I'll send the boys over here to paint this."
"How is Sheldon, anyway?" Valerie asked. She and her sisters started downstairs.
"He's getting much better," Karen answered. "But the doctors want to keep him until high school exams are over. It's such a shame you ladies couldn't make much time to visit, with your careers and all. Makes me thank God I'm an at-home mother and computer-based businesswoman."
The recreation room in the basement was just like the living room, except the easychair and recliner were propped up against the wall with a high-level window. Facing the sofa was a 40-inch flat-screen TV built into the wall. Valerie was also amazed by a jukebox with over three hundred song selections, with music from the 1980's onward. That was another surprise from Karen.
She took Valerie into her exercise room. She saw all the equipment Rhonda and Karen helped pick out. A treadmill with built-in heart rate monitors, elliptical, upright cycle, and granite home gym. In the corner, she noticed a gymnastic ball and a rolled-up yoga mat. Just as they were leaving, Jeremy had come out of his recreation room, and said, "Thanks… for the… new… desk,… Auntie… Karen."
"Yeah, thanks for what you did to this home," Valerie added. "I can't wait to call the C.O.P.S. and give them my new address."
That same day, the Big Boss and his gang all broke out of prison. They'd stayed there for almost a full week – the longest anyone in that group had been there. The guards and justice machines had been keeping the closest watch on them, at Bulletproof's request. They'd spent days behaving themselves as an act to put on for the authorities. But at night, Big Boss would be working away at his escape plan in his cell. Those who shared his cell were considerably quiet when they helped plan, even the usually loud and boisterous Berserko.
When they were making their prison break-out, Dr. Badvibes and Rock Crusher went down to the prison laundry, and on their way out, Crusher pulled the fire alarm when nobody was looking. They left quickly to join the rest of the gang, as the other prisoners were escorted out. Outside prison walls, they secretly broke from the rest of the prisoners, and spied a bus unloading. They waited until the last of the prisoners passed, then they snuck around the bus and got on. Buttons McBoomBoom readied his machine gun, aiming it at the driver.
"Awright, buddy," he threatened, "this is our bus now. Get the fuck off, we're takin' this thing into the city!" Stammering and frightened, the driver did as he was told. Buttons kicked him off as he was walking down the steps, then closed the doors. Big Boss settled in the driver's seat, revved up and drove off.
Several guards and prisoners noticed Big Boss driving the bus, and they immediately called for a capture. But Buttons prepared himself, opening the window of the first unoccupied seat, aiming his gun at the guards outside and shooting. He shot several in their lower torsos, legs and feet, and laughed as he watched them fall, agonizing over their injured limbs. When they were sure they were away from the prison, he grabbed a duffel bag full of their clothes from the Big Boss, took his outfit, and tossed the bag to the rest of the gang.
"Hey, Unca Big Boss," Berserko called as he was changing clothes, "when we get back to Empire City, are we gonna try again at pursuin' that Valerie Boston lady?"
"No, Berserko," Big Boss replied sarcastically. "We're gonna make her our personal whore, then after each one of us guys takes his turn, we give her a thousand bucks and cast her out in the street." He turned around to face his nephew, running a red light. "Of course we're gonna try and pursue her again! And we'll be brainstormin' plans when we get back, so I want each of you to think of somethin'."
"Excellent work, Ms. Boston," Helen Quinette said about the completed brochure that Tuesday. "I knew Mr. Lancer made the right choice, having you fill in for Ms. Regis."
"It was no sweat at all," Valerie replied. When Valerie returned from her disastrous date with Hardtop, she was so vexed, she immediately got onto the Derm-Active Skin Solution assignment. She stayed up until past two in the morning, typing up all the information given to her, downloading the photos, diagrams and illustrations, and adding them. The next afternoon, she e-mailed her team members with the completed document, telling them to convert it into the eight-page brochure that Quinette wanted. But she never told what motivated her. She knew it was unprofessional to discuss one's personal life to clients. She just said, "I just took care of the text and images. I left the 'brochure' part up to my team." She grinned at the assignment team sitting with her.
Just as Quinette was about to approve, they heard Teresa over the PA. "Attention all employees! Beautiful, romantic 'I Love You' bouquets have arrived for Valerie Boston. Valerie, please pick them up at the reception desk."
She excused herself and went to see Teresa, thinking how strange that message was. Normally, she would announce who the bouquets were from, causing more gossip among the staff. But maybe this was Teresa's way of apologizing to Valerie. Or maybe she was too angry to be in a giddy mood. Her tone over the PA did sound a little blunt.
She saw five dozen roses sitting on Teresa's desk. Each bouquet was a different color – light blue, pink, lilac purple, white and yellow – in matching plastic vases. Each contained an envelope with Valerie's name on it, the colors matching the roses. Teresa had an innocent look, eyes rolled, whistling, twiddling her thumbs.
"Did you peek to see who these were from?" Valerie asked.
"No," Teresa answered. "They came here on the way back to their headquarters. I knew about them, but they wished to be kept anonymous."
Valerie rolled her eyes. "As beautiful as they are, you brought me out of a meeting for this?" She went back to the meeting room. "Put them all on the desk in my office, would you please?"
When the meeting was over, and the brochure was approved, she went to her office and her bouquets. She felt a few from each one, and noted they were all made of silk. Just like the white roses Barricade gave her. She looked at the white bouquet; could that be from Barricade as well? She opened the white envelope and read the note inside. It was from Highway, whom she'd never dated yet. Valerie was immediately interested. She'd wondered what his plans were.
Dear Valerie, it read. From the first time I met you at the police picnic, I'd thought only of you. What are you doing in advertising when you could've been a movie or stage actress, or a famous singer? Your beautiful looks, lyrical voice, and bubbly personality could've gotten you that far. I am single, have never married, and have no children of my own – although I love them very much, and am very good with them. Just ask my nephews when I take you to meet my family! And when Tyler introduced us all to Jeremy, I thought of how sweet, innocent and loving he is. He deserves to have a father who can be both a parent and a friend to him. A kid who suffered a much as he did at the hands of his birth father needs it. But first, I want to get to know you, to see if we have a romantic future, a future with me in your family. Please call me at 555-3740. I want to see and hear you so much. Sincerely, David "Highway" Harlson.
She re-read that line about Highway's nephews and meeting his family, and laughed. "So, he thinks he's got the best odds, does he?" she said to herself. "Yeah, I'll call him at home. We'll see what we see." She was focused on that line about her being an actress and singer, and laughed louder. She thought back to her high school drama class, when they put on a performance of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Her teacher had always been frustrated with her lack of talent, but that disastrous performance proved that she didn't have a future in Hollywood. And she was a horrible singer, despite her light-sounding voice; people always said she sounded like a squeaking mouse when she sang. "And note to self: remind Highway that you've always been terrible at performing arts." She put the note back in the envelope and put it in her desk.
She put the white bouquet aside, and scanned the rest for Barricade's. She singled out the yellow bouquet. It made her think of that really old country song, Yellow Rose in Texas, and she believed those were from Sundown. She'd open the yellow envelope last. She looked at the pink bouquet and opened that envelope next. She saw a note from another member of C.O.P.S. whom she'd never dated, Bowzer.
Dear Valerie, it read. I can't believe it's been two weeks, and I still have yet to date you. Whenever I think of your lovely face, I think of how foolish I was to have never gotten your number from Mace, Sundown or Barricade. And while they've never really kissed and told, from what they were hinting, you seem like someone I want to care about and call my own. I've been single, childless and alone my whole adult life, living only with my cyborg K-9 dog, Blitz, never finding that someone I could classify as really special. But with you, I feel my luck blossoming like these flowers would have if they were real. I dream of you every night, and you always disappear before we kiss. I don't want that to really happen to me. You can keep that from happening, Valerie. Please call me at 555-4106. I want to speak to you. I want to see you. Love, Rex "Bowzer" Pointer.
Valerie was laughing harder than she did at Highway's note, and the bouquet. A K-9 officer, who's supposed to be just as tough as his best friend on four legs, sending her pink roses. When she calmed down, she said, "What, the store couldn't find any metallic roses for you?" She looked over that part about his cyborg dog and became concerned. Valerie had never even owned a pet, much less a dog. She always believed Jeremy could never handle the responsibility. Besides, she was terrified to let Jeremy near big dogs, especially German Shepherds, still the popular breed for police. She always feared they will attack him.
She planned to tell Bowzer to keep Blitz away from Jeremy until she was sure he'd be able to handle him. She put the note back in its envelope and put it in her desk.
She looked at the purple bouquet next. "That'll look so nice in my new bedroom," she said to herself. She took the envelope and opened it. She was delighted to see a note from Mace.
Dear Valerie, it read. I know I've been a bit busy to do anything other than call you. But I want you to know that I've never stopped thinking of you. I've never stopped talking to my colleagues about you. And I've definitely never stopped thinking about the next time we'll see each other. I hope it's soon. I want to have that same bond with Jeremy that all men want with their boys. I've never been a husband or father, but I swear I'll be a thousand times better than your ex-husband was. Now that it's over with Nightshade forever, I want to take our romance further. Please call me sometime. I hope you still have my number. Love, Mace.
Valerie moaned ecstatically, but noticed her door was open. She waited a few moments to see if anyone would come in. No one did, so she put Mace's note back in the envelope, then stepped out to see a lone co-worker leaving the washroom. She quickly went back to her desk to conceal another love note.
She took the envelope from the blue bouquet. This had to be from Barricade, she believed. She opened the envelope, took out the paper, and was pleased to see she assumed correctly.
Dear Valerie, it read. I'm so glad I was able to surprise you with that movie Wednesday night. I'm really happy with your progress in your career, and that you've found a suitable school for Jeremy. I know you both have what it takes to make it here in Empire City. Whenever I think of you, I think of the wonderful future you deserve in life. You already know me as a sincere man, a kind soul, and I choose these blue flowers to match the likes of your eyes, and your personality as wonderful as the blue sky. Every time someone mentions your name, I'm quick to convince them that I deserve your love the most. And just as I think of Jeremy, I think of the gentleness and protection I provided that Saturday at the park. I know it's what he needs, and that it's me he wants. And I know the same is true for you. There's not a lie in this letter, and I want you to know that if you choose me, I promise to remain truthful to you. All my love, Barricade.
Valerie pressed the note against her chest and sighed happily. She loved the kindness in the letter. She couldn't wait to show him her new home. She wondered what he would be like if she invited him to share her bed. She was already picturing him with his arms around her neck, her head on his abdominals, stroking her hair. He would show that same sense of warmth and sincerity he showed on his dates.
She put both the note and envelope in her desk separately, just in case she wanted to read it again. She took the yellow envelope and opened it immediately. The note was from Sundown, like she assumed, and she almost fainted when she read it.
My darling Valerie, it read. Every time I fall asleep in my bed, I imagine you there with me, your head upon my shoulder, your fingers running through my chest hair. I imagine you kissing my neck and working your way to my waist. If only it were no longer my imagination, that you were actually here with me. I long to run my fingers through your beautiful hair, as I kiss you all over your body, like a woman deserves. Just as we danced last Saturday night, I fell deeper and deeper in love with you. I've gone so far beyond the point of confirming real love now. I don't know how much longer I can bear the loneliness. That's why I thought of you immensely, as I called the next afternoon, and you weren't there. Please give me a call. I need to be with you again. I love you. Sundown.
She immediately thought of that dancing date with Sundown that Saturday night, after she finished her part of the brochure. The way they tangoed, two-stepped and waltzed at the country club made her forget about Hardtop completely. She especially enjoyed the waltzing, when he stared at her face and smiled, and put her head against his neck and chest. Now she was confused. She took out Barricade's note and re-read it. Between Barricade's sincerity and Sundown's touch, she didn't know who she wanted. If Mace, Highway or Bowzer tried anything to lure her in, she'd have more trouble.
She'd just put the last envelope and notes in her desk when her phone rang. She picked it up after the second ring. "Lancer and Sussex, this is Valerie Boston speaking."
"Mrs. Boston, this is Diane Lancaster from Prince Richard's School for the Handicapped," said the voice on the other end. "I'm calling about registration for your son, Jeremy."
"Have you come to a decision?" Valerie asked.
"We will be admitting your son to our school beginning in the fall semester," Ms. Lancaster replied.
"Really!" she shouted, then lowered her voice a bit. "That's great to hear. I can't wait to tell my family. Jeremy will be so excited."
"We are making out a schedule for him right now," Ms. Lancaster said. "It will be mailed to you by this week's end. May I have your mailing address, please?"
Valerie gave her new address, then said another thank you and hung up. She opened her desk for another peek at her love notes.
After work, Valerie asked Teresa to help her put the flowers in her car. She decided to go to C.O.P.S. headquarters to thank her admirers personally. She should remember where it was. She passed it every time she went downtown.
She found the visitor parking lot in the back of the building. She checked the back seat. The purple and blue bouquets were on the seat, while the others were on the floor. She wondered where she could place them so they wouldn't get stolen. She knew she couldn't put them in the back. The side and back windows were too big. Any thief in Empire City could take them if she put them there.
She put the blue bouquet down with the others, put the purple one in the middle of the seat, then locked all her doors. She rushed into the headquarters, hoping not to take too long, maybe a five-minute chat with whoever was there.
She saw Mainframe sitting at the crime computer, scanning the north end of the city. Hardtop and Mirage were at their desks, typing up police reports. Valerie quickly looked away before Hardtop could make eye contact. None of the other C.O.P.S. were there. However, Mainframe could feel a presence in the room, and she noticed Valerie standing there.
"Valerie?" she asked. "Valerie Boston? Well, it's fancy seeing you here."
Valerie glanced at Hardtop. She was certain he'd notice her presence once his colleague acknowledged her. He looked up, gave her only a smug look, then returned to his paperwork. Meantime, Mainframe had left the computer, approaching Valerie.
"So, are you looking for anyone?" she asked her.
"Yes," Valerie answered, trying not to seem nervous. "I got some bouquets of flowers at work from some of the C.O.P.S. Barricade, Sundown, Mace, Highway and Bowzer, in fact. I gather they're all out on assignment?"
"Uh huh," Mainframe replied. "Big Boss and his gang just broke from prison, and now they're all robbing the Museum of Medieval and Renaissance History, as well as the Empire City Mint."
Valerie groaned in misery and horror. "Crap! Then I guess they're all out for me next! Listen, that probably means I can't stay long, so would you please tell them that I got the flowers they sent and–"
Suddenly, she heard a voice from behind call her name. She turned to see Sundown escorting Turbo Tu-Tone to be booked. She noticed Turbo eyeing her, licking his lips, so she went over and kicked him in the leg. While he was hopping around in pain, Valerie handed him over to Mainframe to deal with. Then she put her arms around Sundown and kissed him.
Unbeknownst to her, all the other C.O.P.S. who were on the case walked into the headquarters with the rest of Big Boss' gang. Bulletproof was in the back, yet he seemed to catch the kissing. He went up to Valerie and touched her shoulder. She turned and caught his disapproving glare.
"Valerie, you do not kiss a police officer like that when he is on duty," he lectured.
Embarrassed, she took her arms from Sundown's neck and mumbled, "Sorry, Bulletproof." She turned back to Sundown. "Thank you for the flowers you sent, and that beautiful note."
"I gave you those yellow roses because of my Texan roots," Sundown said. "I thought you'd love 'em. Oh, but you were so wonderful to me Saturday night, I thought you'd call me the next day. I waited all day for ya. An' late Sunday afternoon, I call and git your sister's answerin' machine? Can you tell me why, Valerie? Why you'd romance me all night, an' not bother to git in touch after? Did you think of me in your negligence?"
Valerie's feelings turned from embarrassment to shame. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Sundown. Sorry to any of you C.O.P.S. who were expecting me to call. It's just that I spent that whole day finishing the last of my packing, and helping Jeremy with his. I just moved into my new house."
"New house?" Berserko questioned. "You mean you ain't livin' with your sister no more?"
"What's yer address?" Buttons asked. "I'd love to come over an' give you what these coppers can't."
Valerie shuddered and spat at the crooks, "All right, let me make something very clear to you crooks. First off, I wouldn't let you fuck me if these were made of stone." She grabbed at her breasts. "Secondly, if word got out that I actually had a relationship with any of you, I'd probably have my son taken from me, and placed in his father's custody. Do you think I want that? No! Thirdly, the C.O.P.S. I've fallen for treat me better than you probably ever would! And there are more who want a chance with me."
"C'mon!" Crusher objected. "I gots me more brawn than any of these C.O.P.S. ever do!" Valerie saw him pump his chest. "You sure you don't want me?"
Valerie sighed harshly and addressed the C.O.P.S. "I'm sorry, you guys, but I'm not giving out my new address and phone number until these clowns are booked and out of my sight!"
She sat in the nearest chair and waited fifteen minutes. She looked away, so she wouldn't give the crooks any eye contact. When they were all gone, she noted Mace, Barricade, Sundown, Highway and Bowzer all had their ticket notepads open. She smiled and gave them her new home address and number. "181 Turin Lane. 575-2531."
They all jotted the information down, then Valerie went up to them and kissed their cheeks. Upon kissing Bowzer, she glanced at Blitz and whispered to the dog handler, "Uh, would you mind leaving the pooch at your place if you come over to see me? I'm not really a dog person, and I don't know what'll happen with my son." Bowzer gave a small nod.
She glanced at Bulletproof, who gave no expression and said nothing. She turned back to his followers and said, "Thanks for the lovely flowers and notes. They were so beautiful. I hope each of you will call me. I'll talk to you all later." She left the headquarters.
When she returned to her car, she noticed each of her bouquets were still there. "Thank God!" she said to herself. "Praise anti-theft technology for automatic locks and shatter-proof windows."
When she got settled, she started laughing at herself, and her thoughts of theft. "This is a police station, Valerie. What the hell made you think anyone would steal anything around this place?" She checked the glove compartment, and noticed the accompanying notes she'd tossed in there. She revved up the car and drove away. "You'd think they'd know better, and they wouldn't get too far if they did."
She decided to take some of the bouquets into the house before picking up Jeremy. Maybe she'd keep two in the car to show Karen. When Valerie got to her home, she took the blue, white and pink bouquets inside. She placed the pink bouquet on the living room coffee table. Likewise, she decided to use the white bouquet as a centerpiece for the dining room table. Finally, she placed the blue bouquet in her bedroom, on top of her dresser.
She went back to her car. The yellow bouquet was on the floor in the passenger's side, where she'd always had it. She'll put the purple bouquet there, too. That way, she believed, Jeremy wouldn't be able to touch them until she got them home. She got in again, and drove to Karen's house.
A/N: I know it's short, considering many of my other chapters. I was thinking of putting Valerie's dates with Highway and Bowzer here, but I felt they'd be best read in the next chapter. See you then.