MOROSE
Another acrostic story, a sequel, following from RANGER AND STEPHANIE FOREVER, and, I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE. Can be read as a solo, but fits better as a sequel since there are references to them.
Progress is going slow here, so I thought I would post something that has taken me a month to write, just to TRY to get into writing with all the chaos in my life. Rest assured, it's not writer's block. Family first. I really appreciate all the support and encouragement from you in fanfiction land and your kind words were most heartening. Most especially, I want to thank my friend and mentor Ms Margaret.
When I finish writing the rest of my two stories out completely, I will be back to post my chapters. I have much to be thankful for.
oOoOo
M for MISERY
Misery loves company, and of that there was plenty. Misery was deeply entrenched in the Trenton neighbourhood known as the Burg. They kept each other company with their constant meddling.It seemed like there was a virtual forcefield around this part of Trenton, New Jersey, known as Chambersburg. To the local folks, it was fondly called the Burg. This alleged virtual force field was so remarkable, that it kept its citizens locked in a particular mindset. This mindset manifested itself in every fibre of family life, especially in the upbringing of their children. Anyone who attempted to break free, or went against Burg protocol, was instantly shunned. Fault finding, criticism, shaming, and disparagement were ploys frequently applied to keep its residents within these mysterious protocols. It also served as a warning to others who might consider the same, and when they witnessed the abuse and vitriol, it was a means to discourage them, them being the young Burg women. Of course, the young men were … encouraged to sow their wild oats and then marry a good Burg girl. Stepford crossover? That is just so scary in this day and age.
Was it actually an aftershock, perhaps a sudden realisation of the impact of their meddling, that also caused thisdeeper misery? Despite that possibility, there was still a huge dose of denial. Correction: a massive dose of denial. Perhaps the Burg should be called Little Egypt, the Land of Denial. Sigh … The Burg really is a MOROSE place, full of misery and that constant meddling. And look where it got them? The blame game and pointing fingers at the sinners lest they point them at their way. Watch your back had a whole new meaning.
The big question was: Where did Stephanie go? Stephanie and Ranger have not been seen for some time. They were engaged. They were happy. Stephanie was engaged to Ranger, not to Morelli, as their meddling led them to believe. At the time, Morelli didn't know either. He was totally clueless but got caught up in their meddling. Idiot. There was no doubt about how much Stephanie loved this man Ranger, the man who headed Rangeman, Ricardo Carlos Mañoso. However, everyone was under the impression that the stunning sparkling ring that flashed on Stephanie's ring finger, as she held the steering wheel, had to mean she was happily engaged. Stupidly, it was assumed, it must be from Joseph Morelli. None of them, the meddlers and gossips, even considered Ranger. After all, he was not from the Burg, so therefore it just couldn't be him. He was just an outsider.
That's how things happened in the Burg. Everybody "knew" that Stephanie Plum and Joseph Morelli were destined to marry and have children. No one listened to Stephanie's opinion on this, despite her declaring categorically, that she was not marrying that man! But, ironically, Morelli wasn't even in town at the time. Tsk, tsk, tsk. No matter. And how the Burg went totally ballistic with their rumour mongering, just from one tiny bit of twisted misinformation. Oh well, a sparkling engagement ring on the left hand, on her ring finger was definitely seen. BUT, the news, misdirected and wrongly assumed, spread like wildfire. Well, perhaps a few more titbits were added to the mix later, that further fed the fanatical frenzy in the Burg. Rangeman had some fun with the subterfuge of this alleged wedding plan. Payback is such a Bitch! They got what they deserved for all their interference and disparagement. Much to the meddlers' surprise, who had their sneaking suspicions that Helen was only hearing of the exciting news second or third hand, or more. Her reaction, and lack of information was perplexing for the Burg grapevine. Guess what I heard on the grapevine? And, Helen doesn't even know!
Oh, the frenzy for a red bride, a red velvet cake, and all the other wedding related businesses who suddenly had a booming trade, all who quietly thanked and praised Stephanie. But the pièce de résistance, the super-dooper nail in the coffin, was that oh so damning photobook, featuring Joe Morelli and others. A definite stroke of genius.
Without realising it, before it was absolutely far too late, they lost a treasure, a genuine person with heart, with the departure of Stephanie Michelle Plum. She was constantly berated, gossiped about, criticised, harangued and depicted in a false light, focussing only on the fallout when things went wrong, like when her cars suddenly blew up. But never did they focus on her good deeds and true heart, let alone her personal welfare and safety.
Stephanie was not one to conform to Burg standards. Being the talk of the town in such a negative light has an obvious impact and can be utterly unbearable. The Burg was relentless in this capacity. However, they underestimated the support she had from her beloved Carlos, aka Ranger, and those men in black from Rangeman. The Burg had no power, nor influence over them. Although, from Morelli and Helen Plum's description, they were referred to as thugs and criminals. They did not recognise nor acknowledge that Rangeman was comprised of honourable men most of whom had served their country and were giving back to the community, keeping their community safe. In their quest to undermine her confidence, the meddlers tried to make further disparaging remarks about her friends and associates. She quickly found out who her true friends were.
Family support and loyalty? No way. Her mother, Helen Plum was the master meddler. What kind of mother does that to her own daughter? From grounding her all summer after she had been raped at the Tasty Pastry, to driving her blindly into an arranged marriage, to the many times she was told to get a better job, like at the button factory or the personal products plant. And all for appearances sake. What would the neighbours say? Why me?
How does misery manifest itself? Synonyms for misery are sadness, depression, grief, regret, sorrow, remorse, distress, disappointment, desolation, ache, agony, a lump in your throat. These elements were evident in abundance in that little pocket of Trenton known as the Burg since it finally dawned on them, that Stephanie Plum had escaped the virtual clutches of the Burg. As a result, the Burg became a morose place, wallowing in its misery.
At the TPD, her absence was felt. She was always fun for a laugh … and the betting that went on. Betting on her appearance, betting on her cars blowing up or buildings that blew up or suddenly had been set on fire, as a result of her involvement. Tsk, Tsk, tsk. Shame on them. Never mind that she was attacked by these felons, aiming to injure Stephanie in blowing up her cars. Now, however, there was no more Stephanie bringing in felons who had skipped bail, to collect her body receipt for a percentage of their bond. They went about their daily lives, knowing deep down in their misery, they had condoned that behaviour. Some, who grew up with her in the Burg, felt the pain very deeply.
Was there an undercurrent of constant misery already existent in the Burg? An invisible tractor beam that held the people of Chambersburg in their designated place as implied by Burg protocol? Yet, presently, that misery has deepened, knowing that one Stephanie Michelle Plum is no longer part of their lives, their mindset, and their nasty incriminations. These incriminations were not criminal by any state or federal laws. However, her disapproval ratings and that constant interference by those meddlesome folks, causing her to leave, have left a void in their bitter existence. And, this void was filled with undeniable misery.
This misery perpetuated itself to a new level, a level that instilled fear. Who? Who was going to take her place? Stephanie had been a convenient scapegoat. In their efforts to portray themselves in a positive light, many of these miserable meddlesome folks cast aspersions upon others to keep their virtual slates clean. Windows were washed more vigorously, garden tended meticulously, all the while keeping up virtuous appearances at the usual haunts, but most especially at church.
oOo
At the podium, the minister cast a knowing glance over his miserable flock, noting there were more entire families than on previous occasions. Inwardly he was shaking his head. He preached about trust, loyalty and honesty with a strong final reminder of Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You, directing them to read together from Matthew 7:12, and also Luke 6:31, just to reinforce the Golden Rule.
O for OVERBEARING
Overbearing: demanding of someone's time; the need to control and domineer, tending to overwhelm and overpower.
These were aspects Stephanie had endured for most of her life. Decisions were made for her by her overbearing mother, even to the point of whom she should marry. Richard Orr, aka the Dick, Dickie Orr, who was not Stephanie's actual choice. It was a decision made by her mother, much like an arranged marriage, with a strong desire to create that happy family image, false as it was. All good Burg young ladies should marry and have children. That was one of those Burg protocols. And Stephanie was swept up in all of Helen's euphoria that her daughter was getting married. It wasn't about what Stephanie wanted, at all.
Of course, once Stephanie discovered that while she was his trophy wife, the sleazy Dick was a philanderer without conscience. He kept it sly and discreet, but, let's face it, walking into your home to find your husband banging your arch nemesis Joyce Barnhart on the recently new dining room table, was the last straw. Cheaters. That was something she intensely dislike.
The first time Stephanie discovered her husband's indiscretions and dalliances, her dear overbearing mother's advice was to turn the other cheek and alleged that she should do something more to please her husband. Sending her back with her suitcase without even letting her inside for the comfort she sought from her family home, was unbelievable. Her overbearing mother, Helen Plum, insinuated that sometimes wives have to tolerate this in order to still portray that good family image. "You can't just leave, Stephanie. What will the neighbours say?" Besides, Richard Orr, ambitious lawyer and aspiring politician, needed that image to ensure her future comfort, and his future success.
Oh, hell no! Stephanie was not going to stand for any of that crap! After trashing that violated dining table, channelling her rage by setting fire to it on the front lawn, with a few choice items of his, like his briefcase and his beloved legal suits, and other legal paraphernalia, and many choice words and angry expletives, she felt so much better. Now no longer Stephanie Orr, she made sure that the Burg knew that after the messy and loud divorce, she was Stephanie Plum once again. Dickie was an overbearing, egotistical and selfish asshole. To hell with his aspiring political career. Stephanie decided that she deserved better, and the Dick did not deserve her. It was not a decision made lightly, but her anger and disgust reverberated throughout the Burg. The ramifications on his future career were profound, but that was all on him.
Stephanie's need to be independent was strong and she was determined. So, she lived in a brownstone building in a two bedroom apartment, with dormitory-style hand me down furniture, but she was independent and quite financially secure. That she lived with mostly elderly residents didn't bother her. When her job as a lingerie buyer for EE Martin folded with a Feds raid on the premises purporting money laundering, she found herself living off her savings. For six months she managed, until her car was repossessed. No way was she going to work at the personal products plant or that button factory. Mooching an occasional lunch and Friday night dinners from her Mum was a matter of survival. Taking home a bag of leftovers ensured there was some food in her often rather empty refrigerator. Stephanie did not cook. But enduring these Friday night dinners was a means for her overbearing mother, Helen Plum, to invite unexpected company, of the single male variety. Stephanie would roll her eyes and ignore them, actively discouraging any of their advances or intentions. But, Helen Plum played dirty. The threat of not getting any leftovers or that coveted pineapple upside down cake, kept her coming, and staying for the duration of the meal.
Speaking of overbearing, let's not forget one Joseph Anthony Morelli. His need to control was almost equal to that of her mother. After she found work as a bond enforcement agent, Stephanie and Morelli crossed paths. He was her first FTA, failure to appear. With the help and mentoring from her friend Ranger, she successfully captured Morelli and brought him in to the TPD, in a freezer truck with some dead bodies. But, in doing so she cleared his name.
Gaslighting was a favourite pastime of Morelli, a form of verbal abuse in manipulating someone's mind and undermining their confidence. When Stephanie had some issues with capturing her skips (FTAs) - like rolling in garbage, being tossed into a dumpster, having food thrown at her - he would express his criticism by discrediting her, trying to change her, suggesting she should quit her job because she was useless at it and that she should marry him and have his children. Shaking my head. With the frequency of how her cars blew up, from a remarkable variety of means, Morelli took every opportunity to criticise her and her choices in both her work and association with Ranger and Rangeman, always maligning her lack of competency, regardless of who was within earshot. These public displays of undermining her work and self-worth were constant. Their on and off relationship was ultimately destined to fail.
When Stephanie realised that Ranger was the man for her, all doubts were cast aside. But Morelli still tried to control and undermine her from afar despite them no longer being together. In truth, Joe Morelli was miserable without her. Like the Dick, Morelli was also a philanderer, another cheating asshole.
Vinnie at the Bonds Office was frequently overbearing with Stephanie, but also with Ranger. Demanding that she get out there and catch those skips, (some of whom should never have been bonded), brought overbearing to a different level. "Work, work, work. I'm bleeding money here!" Vinnie was a greedy weasel.
That Bonds Office became an insidious environment. Connie and Lula, who were seemingly good friends to Stephanie, soon showed their true colours. Lula, larger than life in so many ways with an overwhelming personality, and appetite, was constantly demanding and expecting Stephanie to provide food in the form of doughnuts and chicken or burgers. In their desire for gossip, Connie and Lula soon became beyond overbearing, demanding to know more details, intimate details, which Stephanie was unwilling to share with them about her relationship with Ranger. It took some time for Stephanie to realise what a toxic environment the Bonds Office had become. Overbearing was just the tip of the iceberg. No way was she sharing her private life with them. What she had with Ranger, her Carlos, was special, and he was never overbearing. He was supportive and encouraging, and very protective. And she was in love with him.
Working for Rangeman fulltime allowed Stephanie to reflect on many things and especially the overbearing toxic people in her life. Here, at Rangeman, she finally found a kind, caring and genuine mother figure in Ella, a family in Rangeman, her Merry Men who were more like big brothers, and her soul mate, lover and now fiancé, Ricardo Carlos Mañoso.
R for REGRET
Regret, feelings we have such as sadness, shame and guilt, after things are said that makes you feel sorry.
To be honest, Stephanie, Ranger and all the men from Rangeman had no regrets. They decided to remove themselves from this noxious environment, sick to death of the pettiness and the disrespect. They had a gutful. It was time to move on. Within less than a weekthe Rangeman premises were vacated. Clients whose contracts had expired were not renewed. Trusted and loyal clients were re-assigned. Their only regret? Not having pulled the pin earlier! But no one was aware of this move. It seemed they disappeared like smoke. No one can pin point when exactly, but their absence had a resounding impact.
Stephanie's grandmother, Edna Mazur, regretted her role and actions in this sorry debacle. Though she loved her favourite granddaughter very much and had run interference for her over many years from her domineering and demanding daughter, Helen Plum, Edna knew she had also contributed to the gossip. She was quite maudlin now, reflecting on her stupidity in trying to get the scoop on Stephanie's escapades and adventures for the ladies at the Clip 'n Curl. She lived vicariously through these exciting events and was openly proud of her Baby Granddaughter. Her disrespect for personal space in using every opportunity to pinch their asses, trying to grab the private parts of Ranger and his men, and talk about their packages, was another regret. In hindsight, she realised she had contributed to the Burg Grapevine almost as much as her malicious daughter, Helen.
Sitting pensively, full of remorse, in his favourite armchair, watching the television, but not actually seeing or hearing it, Frank Plum was overcome with self-condemnation and heartache with the knowledge that he had not stepped up to defend his daughter, Stephanie. He regretted not being present, putting up with Helen and her constant gossiping and whining about Stephanie, and in that manner, he had inadvertently enabled her. Helen on that goddam phone every day. He should have thrown it against the wall. That moron Joseph Morelli too. He allowed that asshole into his home and to sit at their dinner table. That Helen repeatedly invited him for dinner, or those other losers, with her meddlesome desire to get Stephanie hitched, really annoyed the hell out of him. But did he say something? Did he intervene? He wanted her to be happy. That Stephanie is now genuinely happy, on her own terms, pleased him, but regretfully, he was not part of that joy. He had met that fine young man, Ranger, and was impressed. He could tell they loved each other, but Helen wouldn't have a bar of it. Tsk. Shaking his head as he scrubbed his hands over his face, Frank sat alone in the dim sitting room, feeling morose and miserable. What have I done?
Some of her so-called friends went on with their usual routines, yet missing the element of light that was absent from their lives. Connie and Lula contemplated this over coffee and some doughnuts. As the reality hit her, Connie dropped her doughnut in shock, having suddenly lost the taste for it. Her shoulders slumped and the dismal feeling of regret hit her like a Mack truck. Her day was brightened with Stephanie's presence and there was so much repartee, laughter and even excitement when she was in the Bonds Office. The emptiness now left a hollow feeling. Lula stopped stuffing her face seeing the sad expression on Connie's face. "Wassup, girlfriend?" Connie sniffed and admitted that she missed Stephanie. "Well, she abandoned us to work more and more for Batman at Rangeman." Connie conceded that as Stephanie made less and less time for them, what had changed? Oh shit. I have to put up with Lula and that weasel Vinnie all by myself with none of those wonderful diversions. It was bearable before. Not something to look forward to, without those highlights with the delicious eye candy, which made her mentally fan herself, as Ranger and those men in black came to get the FTA files, or bring in the body receipts. Sigh. No more of those pleasant distractions, but a girl can dream on. "Damn. I'm stuck here." She sipped her coffee, but even that had lost its taste. "What have we done?" "We ain't done nothing wrong," Lula responded to Connie's lament. "Nothing. Yeah. That's what is so wrong. We drove her away with our relentless need to get the goss." "Pfft. She wasn't into sharing no more." Lula grabbed another doughnut and bounced back to the couch, brushing the crumbs off her voluptuous breasts that looked poised to burst out from that jaguar print spandex top. She loved the new jaguar look. Lula did miss her friend, but as she ate and sipped, that moment of remorse was shallow and brief. Lula had learned not to get too attached to people because they always moved on. She wasn't going to get her thong in a twist and get all morose about it all. That was last night, when she cried, remembering how Stephanie was the one who rescued her after Ramirez left her for dead on her fire escape. But the regret had been there, hidden from view, and, to be honest, she also felt it to the core.
Sitting gloomily in his office, Vinnie recalled Ranger's last visit. "I'm bleeding money here!" He had started ranting about some new high bonds he wanted captured pronto. Ranger had cut him off as he made him step back with that intimidating glare that scared the shit out of him. Ranger explained it simply. "What do you mean you are no longer in the skip tracing business? What about these high bonds? What am I to do?" "Not my problem. Maybe Lula can help you. You screwed us around too many times and I have had more than a gutful of your disrespect for Stephanie and my company. We're done." That last part was spoken with such a menacing tone which he would never forget. "I'm fucked. Harry is going to crucify me. Shit!" With regret he was left with an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. But all in all, the feelings of regret and remorse were short lived. Fear and anxiety of a Ranger comeback, or from one of those other scary big men in black were there instead. Fear of Harry the Hammer, his father-in-law, if he didn't balance the books by the end of this month. "Where is Stephanie when I need her? Oh shit! I fucked up."
O for OBLIVIOUS
Oblivious:not aware or concerned aboutwhat is happening; blind, deaf, unaware, unconcerned, inattentive; often in denial.
This was Helen Plum to a tee! It sums up exactly how she is unconcerned about the consequences of her malicious gossiping and trying to control Stephanie's life and how she chooses to live it. Helen Plum is obstinately in denial, that she is the main catalyst which led to Stephanie leaving Trenton. With all her nagging and whining, she drove Stephanie away. Stephanie only came for six o'clock Friday night dinners to get her off her back. She endured the constant haranguing and harassment: "You are such a disappointment. It is so embarrassing to find out what you are seen doing when trying to capture those criminals." And she always went on. Luckily, Stephanie was built of stronger stuff, and her defiance to confirm to Burg standards and protocol only annoyed her mother even more.
In her obstinacy, Helen may as well be wearing virtual blinkers/blinders, like race horses sometimes do. She only heard what she wanted to hear, saw what she wanted to see. Her stubbornness in this capacity was undeniably her way of maintaining her perception, a narrow-minded perception at that. She held her head high, challenging anyone who dared to question her position or standing, both on certain issues and within the community. It was all about appearances. What would the neighbours say?
Being so oblivious, Helen Plum, as well as members of the TPD, Joseph Morelli, the Bonds Office, and the general Burg community, did not recognise that distinctive shift in the universe, as in the Burg-universe and its environs. That shift was to resonate, beginning as a strong ripple that would eventually hit them all with such a force, like a shock wave from a distant and powerful explosion. Some would feel it to the core, whilst others, in their denial, would shrug it off, unconcerned and unaware of the ramifications. Metaphorically as this all sounds, Stephanie leaving Trenton and the Burg behind would definitely have an impact on most of the residents and people who were involved in Stephanie's life. Especially those who spread rumours and malicious gossip on the Burg Grapevine, would feel the implications. Without Stephanie being so conspicuous, and visible, as they raved about her exploits, what could possibly happen to make a difference to them or their lives? The media, especially the Trenton Times had documented many of her earlier exploits with front page articles and pictures of her incidents and mishaps. They coined the moniker the Bombshell Bounty Hunter. Sales were always high with news about Stephanie Plum. But lately, her exploits were not featured, since there were none that was newsworthy. People who witnessed her antics and appearance suddenly had nothing to offer in the juicy gossip department. Not until that sparkling ring was spotted. So, … they make things up, or rather, twist it to put a new spin on things. The purported Plum-Morelli wedding and all the hype that came with it, was a perfect example of the Burg Grapevine gone batshit-crazy with the frenzied build up, to discover there was no Plum-Morelli wedding at all. They all got sucked in, by their own folly and stupidity.
But, sadly, many will be oblivious, or choose to be oblivious as a means to show they are unaffected. Joyce Barnhart was exactly that.
S for SHAMEFUL
Shameful: behaviour causing shame and disgrace; humiliating, scandalous, wrong, mean, low and reprehensible.
It was shameful how a mother like Helen Plum can consider herself a model citizen whilst casting aspersions against others, most especially her own daughter. With her constant gossiping and maligning, she played the poor hapless mother who tried her best, (sigh, woe is me, "Why Me?") grasping for sympathy, being the martyr. Oh, she played the martyrdom role so masterfully that you could be forgiven for thinking she had missed her calling. The sarcasm that spouted from her telephone was scandalous. However, some of her fellow gossipmongers started to see through her masquerade. They were sad. They too had treated Stephanie with the same disdain and contempt as encouraged by that sinister, selfish woman, Helen Plum. They felt ashamed of what they had said. It was more about her and her feelings than any concern for the welfare of her own daughter. Her leading partner in crime, Angie Morelli, was just as bad. Between the two if them, they had a remarkable hold on the Burg, instilling fear in their neighbours and residents of the Burg, and no one dared to challenge either of these women. At Giovincchini's, they stepped aside to let the two queen bees have priority. This was a devious ploy in the pretence of respect, but the sooner they were served, the sooner they were free from their watchful scornful eyes.
People in glass houses, as the saying goes, should not throw stones. If the roles were reversed … There were many skeletons in hidden closets within the Burg. They had no idea, that Stephanie's departure would leave them fearful and exposed. The Burg Grapevine was all about the shameful predicaments Stephanie purportedly found herself in. It was shameful that they never explained or alluded to the full picture of how these circumstances came about as, so often, things were taken out of context. It was truly and astoundingly shameful that they never expressed concern for her safety, her well-being or her welfare. Nor did they cheer and celebrate her successes. What was wrong with these people? They felt safe in their ivory towers. They being her mother, the gossipmongers from the Burg, Joe Morelli, so-called friends at the Bonds Office, the TPD and the Trenton Times.
Now that Stephanie was no longer in the Burg, they came to an impasse. What was worthy of their gossip time? What was newsworthy to publish? She was a no show, making only rare appearances until she was actually gone. Stephanie was their scapegoat. Who would replace her? Can you see them all ducking for cover, hiding behind the curtains of their gleaming windows? Keeping their closets tightly locked?
E for ENVY
Envy:a feeling of discontented or resentful longing for the qualities, or possessions, or luck, of someone else; jealousy, green-eyed monster, covetousness, rivalry, grudge.
Valerie was not alone. Secretly, there were many who envied Stephanie and her free spirit, but most of all, her ability to escape the clutches of the Burg. Valerie was the Saint Valerie, the good sister in contrast to the naughty sister, Stephanie, who always made an embarrassment of herself and a discredit to her family. (Rolling my eyes here!) Saint Valerie was expected to lead by example and she thrived on the extra praise and attention attributed to her well-behaved manner and appearance. Smugness and pride. Pfft. Occasionally, Valerie wished she could just be a wild child like her little sister, but her relentless conditioning by the Helen Plum Method, wouldn't allow herself to release that energy. Besides, she really didn't know how. She resented her sister, always making a spectacle of herself. The need to conform to Burg protocols was a powerful force.
As well as Valerie, and a number of other young Burg women, Connie and Lula also coveted Stephanie's talents, her happiness … in fact, her life in general. Which made them all the more miserable. The young Burg women muttered under their breaths about the disgusting and improper behaviour of Stephanie Plum, and, in this way, putting her down allowed them to prop themselves up. Connie envied her ability to be out and make a success of herself against all odds, especially in her early days as a novice bounty hunter. Lula often camouflaged her emotions, especially how Stephanie was a survivor. She had survived a horrific attack as a result of Stephanie's great concern, care and compassion, and that unmistakeable loyalty. But she soon came to resent her, as she spent less time with her. At times, Lula had left Stephanie stranded, sometimes. (cough, cough, yes, many times) Lula's impulsive reactions and that loud mouth of hers, created many of those dangerous situations. Lula was frequently the catalyst to the danger, but never did she take any responsibility for the consequences, especially those that impacted dangerously on Stephanie. As Stephanie left the Bonds Office to work for Rangeman, she resented not being involved, envying Stephanie, yet still grossly underestimating, the role of the bounty hunter.
Ironically, Stephanie's involvement with Ranger and the Rangemen, created a new level of jealousy, especially from Lula, Connie, and even Valerie. As Stephanie's relationship with Ranger blossomed, remarkably, the level of envy and resentment rose, in some cases to a degree of hatred and despising.
Edna admired her granddaughter and encouraged her free spirit, not allowing Helen to quash her natural enthusiasm. There was an element of pride, but also a pang of envy. Edna was just now living her own life, however, limited by her age and the constraints placed upon her by Helen, and by societal expectations. But she still pushed the boundaries with her unique sense of style, (gasp), her need to socialise at the funeral parlour, under the guise of farewelling old friends and neighbours but secretly trying to pry open sealed coffins to view the deceased for a multitude of inappropriate reason.
Despite many people censuring Stephanie, they never gave her credit for her ingenuity, her courage, her compassion and heart, that tenacity and her determination. How she survived the many mishaps and dangerous and frightening situations would leave those Burg harpies breathless and trembling in fear. How she dealt with and recovered from the aftermath of some of those terrifying circumstances was absolutely remarkable. They would not be able to cope with that in any capacity. Stephanie somehow always bounced back. Secretly, some of those Burg folks had to admit, they were a tad envious of her, but would never admit it to anyone. So, their envy reflected in their resentment and the discontent they felt towards her and about their own miserable, mundane lives. Her happiness made them feel miserable. Yes, envy was in abundance in the Burg, and, they were trapped.
And Helen? She had nothing but morose contempt and strong resentment for her daughter, Stephanie. She was oblivious to her role in creating this atmosphere of misery.
Fortunately, Stephanie had the loyalty of true and genuine friends, like Mary Lou, although living a Burg life, she truly appreciated their friendship. There was a twinge of envy, to be honest, but there was great admiration and respect. With the greatest pride, support and loyalty, Ranger, Ella and all those honourable men at Rangeman Trenton, smiled, as they thought about Stephanie. She had changed their lives in a most unexpected way, and there were definitely no regrets. She was a part of them now, she made them a family.
oOo
The minister led the hymns which supported and strengthened his sermon on the Ten Commandments and some of the Deadly Sins, focussing conspicuously on not coveting thy neighbour and envy.He concluded with the need for greater humility and being thankful for what we have. His congregation was restless with guilt and remorse, with many eyes glancing forward towards Helen, alongside Angie Morelli, who held their sanctimonious heads high, oblivious to the havoc and fear they perpetuated in the Burg. But Helen was wringing her hands, twisting her embroidered handkerchief tightly, disguising her anger and contempt for the chosen hymns, feeling the eyes of the people on her. The discomfort of the congregation was evident, with bowed heads, not in prayer, but in shame. The minister's carefully chosen words hit hard and directed a mighty blow to his congregation.
"Remember, those who try to destroy your happiness, do so out of jealousy. So often, they are unhappy with their own miserable lives."
He paused here as he wanted them to contemplate the essence of that message. His parting salvo for this bleak, rainy morning was just as powerful.
"It's a shame when people who cannot get their life on track, have to infect everyone around them. Misery loves company; but Karma will come full circle."
Amen
oOoOo
The End