Chapter 82

A half hour had passed since the beautiful moment shared between Eddy and Lee on the dance floor. As planned, Lee spent a few more moments chatting happily with her friends, after which she changed back into her clothes to take her leave. Eddy, with no further reason to remain at the dance (having fulfilled his ultimate goal), decided to leave as well. Prior to their departure, the couple shared one last passionate kiss, with the promise of seeing each other tomorrow night at the Kankers Christmas party.

As promised, Lee had made her way across the street the coffee house, where she and her friend spent ten minutes sipping coffee as Lee excitedly told the story of Eddy's surprise (all the while covering the costs of the lattes). After sharing their mutual excitement, the duo mounted Lindsay's trusty scooter, and proceeded to make their way back to the residential neighborhood for their long overdue sleepover.

Prior to heading the the Statorowski residence, the girls made a quick stop at the Kankers house, allowing Lee to pick up a backpack containing her pajamas, fleeting bag, make ups, tooth brush, and all other things generally taken to a sleepover. After a one minute ride, the two girls had finally arrived at the base of the driveway leading up to the large Victorian style house that acted as the Statorowski residence. With a flick of the engine cut-off switch, the loud pinging of the two stroke engine ceased, at which point the girls both de boarded the scooter. As Lee waited at the base of the driveway, Lindsay wheeled the vehicle down into the garage; the blonde girl weaved the small vehicle around Chuck's prized Cadillac car, ensuring that it was hidden from view. She then placed the kickstand in the down position, allowing the scooter to stand under it's own weight, and placed a large motorcycle cover over top of it.

Using a button on her keychain, Lindsay activated the automatic door closing mechanism, causing the garage door to slowly travel downward; and lock upon reaching the fully shut position. She placed her keys back into her pocket as she made her way back up to the driveway to meet her friend.

"Well LeeLee," said Lindsay as she spread her arms in the direction of the house, "This is it, welcome to our humble abode."

"Sweet place," said Lee as she observed the relatively large house standing in front of her, "It looks just like it came out of an old movie that took place in the nineteenth century."

"Yeah," said Lindsay as she began leading Lee up the porch steps, "My Dad is really old school, and obsessed with Victorian architecture and style. Wait until you see him, with his waxed hair and bushy handlebar mustache, you'll think we got lost in some kind of crazy time loop or something. I always tease him about it, he looks just like Franz Ferdinand, that Archduke of Austria who got assassinated and started World War II."

Lindsay paused momentarily on the second step, turning towards Lee as she adopted a confused expression.

"Or was it World War I...?" asked Lindsay.

"Beats me," said Lee, "History's is the most boring school subject to me, and it's not like Borda helps to make it any more interesting. Math is where it's at!"

"Heard that," said Lindsay, "Well, except the math part unless it has to do with finance! We can't all be Trigonometry Geeks can we?"

"Hey, I wish I had your communication and arithmetic skills," said Lee, "I swear you can convince anyone to do anything, and you can crunch numbers faster than a calculator. To be fair, I'm only good at math once you take away the numbers and start using variables. You accountants can keep that arithmetic bullshit, just stay out of the real mathematicians way!"

The two girls shared a giggle as they reached the porch deck, and proceeded to make their way towards the front door.

"Well, I think we can agree on one thing," said Lindsay, "Thank God it's winter recess."

"Roger that," said Lee as she adjusted her green head band.

At that point, Lindsay placed her hand on the golden door knob adorning the Cherry paneled front door. With a quick turn, the doorknob unlatched with an audible click as Lindsay proceeded to push the door inward, allowing it to travel to it's fully open position.

"After you," said Lindsay as she lifted her hand to her side, signaling Lee to enter before her with a smile.

Lee obliged, crossing the threshold into the homes spacious foyer as Lindsay shut the front door, sealing the warm interior from the cold winter air. Lee's eyes were immediately drawn to the high vaulted ceilings, from which hung an ornate chandelier made of Tiffany stained glass. After spending a few moments observing her surroundings, including the Victorian wallpaper and paneling, Lee decided to comment as she placed her back pack on the ground, and removed her outer coat.

"Wow," said Lee, "You ain't shittin' Liz, you got yourself a beautiful old school charm goin' on here."

"Thanks!" said Lindsay in a girlish manner as she took Lee's coat and proceeded to hang it on a wooden rack, conveniently placed near the door, "C'mon, let's go meet my Dad and simultaneously surprise him by telling him you're sleeping over!"

Lindsay grabbed Lee's hand, and began leading her towards the entrance of the parlor.

Inside the parlor, Chuck had taken a seat in his favorite armchair; as usual, he had cracked open a book from his library, titled "EM Waves and Radiating Systems", reading through the pages of electromagnetic field theory as the television (tuned to the Badger News Network), provided background noise.

"Daddy, I'm home!" said Lindsay in an exuberant manner as she entered the parlor, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor with each step.

"Hey, there's the young lady of the hour!" said Chuck as he closed his book, placing it on the coffee table, "Uh Oh, we're all smiles...something tells me someone had a great time at the dance!"

"Yep," said Lindsay, "But before you say anything else, I hope you don't mind, but I brought a friend over and promised she could sleep over. We were best friends back in the city, and used to play all the time when we were little. We lost touch, but luckily I found out that she moved Peach Creek. Naturally we decided to pick up right where we let off."

"A friend?" asked Chuck as he stood up from his chair, and took a few paces towards his daughter, quite ecstatic to hear that his daughter had made a friend.

"Yep," said Lindsay as she moved slightly to the right, allowing Lee to reposition herself in view of Chuck, "Dad, this is my best friend Annalee Kanker...Annalee, this is my dad Chuck."

At that point, Lee reached her right hand out towards Chuck, extending her hand to deliver a handshake.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Statorowski," said Lee with a smile.

To Lee's surprise, Chuck did not immediately respond to her proverbial olive branch. Instead, the mustached man remained still, paralyzed as he displayed an expression of confusion. As he observed his daughters friend, he took note of her long red curls, and her distinguished facial features; traits which he had seen many times before and were quite uncanny.

"Excuse me," said Chuck, "Did you say you were...Annalee Kanker?"

"Yes sir," said Lee, continuing to hold her hand out towards Chuck.

Without hesitation, Chuck adopted a friendly smile and took Lee's hand in his, returning her gentle handshake.

"Pleased to meet you Annalee," said Chuck, "A friend of Tiffany's is a friend of all of the Statorowski's. Do you live around here?"

"Yes sir," said Lee, "Right around the corner, in the first house from the cross street."

Chuck briefly contemplated Lee's statement prior to replying.

"Nice," said Chuck, "Well, I won't keep you girls from your little slumber party. Make yourself at home Annalee, and feel free to help yourself to anything you like."

The girls bid farewell to Chuck with smiles, and briskly made their way up the stairs to Lindsay's room. As soon as the girls took their leave, Chuck's exuberant smile turned to a neutral expression, as he slowly made his way back to his armchair. The thin man collapsed onto it's leather folds, emitting a sigh as he stared toward the opposite wall with wide eyes.

"Well this is most certainly a very perplexing night," said Chuck to himself, "The resemblance is uncanny, it's most definitely her. She was just a tiny little thing the last time I saw her, where in the world has time gone?"

Chuck reclined the chair, glancing toward the ceiling as folded his hands on his abdomen.

"One of by biggest regrets was picking up and leaving like I did," said Chuck, "But I had to do it, for her own sake, and for mine. Her intentions were great, and were most appreciated, but she had her own life to live...nevertheless, there was no doubt we were both hurt when God suddenly decided to take you to heaven."

At that moment, a slight tear began trickling down Chuck's cheek. The tough "manly man" immediately wiped the drop away, as he uttered a few more words to himself.

"It's been fourteen years too long," said Chuck, "Perhaps it's time to pay an old friend a visit."