Redeeming LoVe
Chapter 9: Collective Family
Veronica
Even though I seemed fine yesterday after visiting with Abel Koontz the reality of the situation is hitting home with me. I can't believe that my mother was seeing Jake Kane behind my dad's back; even more was that there could be a possibility that he could be my father. All I really wanted to do right now was stay in bed and relax, but there were things I needed to do and wouldn't get done from my bed.
I pull out the photos of me with the bull's-eye on them out of my desk. I am looking through them as all these thoughts flood through my head. 'Does my dad know that I might not be his daughter? Was my mom seeing Jake during her whole marriage to my dad or just part of it? Why wouldn't she come clean with dad? Did Jake Kane know I was his daughter, and if so why hasn't he done something about it? Was Lilly and I sisters and if so that meant I made out with my brother?' At that thought I jumped up and ran for the bathroom to throw up. Oh my god did I almost sleep with my own brother.
I knew the photos were sent to my mother, but if they were from Jake wouldn't she know it. I had so many questions, but the only person who could really answer them for me wasn't in the picture right now. I was a little upset that my mom would flee rather than face this situation head on. Then it hit me maybe my mom left to protect me, but from who. I wondered if the photos were from him, and this was how he planned on taking my dad down. If this is all about that and nothing more than a rivalry well Jake Kane has already lost because Keith Mars raised me. I didn't care whose father he was, if he was behind all of this he was going down like the dog he was.
Veronica looks at the photos from Lianne's safety deposit box.
One of the photos was taken last year sometime, while I was downtown. The whole reason I was there was because my mom felt I needed to see someone after Lilly's death. Yes, I saw a shrink every Thursday for 6 weeks, until I axed that. Dr. Dave was an elderly man who smelled funny like old cheese and didn't really understand what I needed. More of less, he was of no help once so ever for what I was going through at the time. I just wasn't sure which Thursday it was, hold it I notice in another photo I still had my long hair and there was a sign for Neptune High School Book Week. Okay, now just need to find out which week that happened.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
I decide to see Mrs. Murphy the school secretary to see when book week was last year. "Mrs. Murphy," I say as she looks up from her computer screen.
"Ms. Mars I don't think you are scheduled to see Mr. Clemmons right at this moment," she says softly as I shake my head. Yeah, I usually am called in at least once or twice a week for bogus crap.
"Actually I had a question, when is book week," I say as she flips through her calendar on her desk.
"Wow, now there's an attitude I like to see in our post-literate age. You still have time; it's always the first week in February. You have plenty of time to pick out what you want," she says as she goes back to her computer screen leaving me to think. So no I know when the picture was taken, but now I need to find out from where.
"Veronica, wait up," Logan calls out as he passes by Duncan making his way closer to me.
"I don't really have time," I mutter as I look back at him. He looks like he has seen a ghost or something.
"I wanted to know how you were doing after you know," he mutters as I stop to really look at him. Yes, this was Logan Echolls, but he was actually concerned for someone other than himself. I think hell has frozen over because we really haven't defined just where we stand with each other.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but what are we doing," I say as he looks at me hard.
"I thought we were friends or maybe getting there," he says softly as I nod my head. I knew that's what I was hoping for, but was unsure if he felt the same way.
"That sounds fine, but I really do need to get running," I say as I take off. I headed to where I was standing in one of the pictures. I look around to see where someone might sit where they would have the perfect view of where I was. The only thing that came close was a little café. It had tables on the sidewalk where someone could sit and watch the people coming and going. I head in that direction and sit at a few until I find the table where the photo was taken from. Yes, it was the perfect match.
I look down at my receipt for one ice tea that I got when I ordered. I looked over the receipt at the date is which was November 21, 2004 and the time is 15:09. Yes, bingo the receipt was dated and time-stamped. I just had to check to see if they kept the receipts or tossed them. Luckily for me they kept them and with the help of the photos I was able to talk the waitress into getting me all the receipts for a certain time frame and found that the only person there was one Clarence Weidman, Jr. Now I just had to figure out who the heck he was and his connection to my mom.
I went into the office to run a background check on him to get his address. I then headed to it. I drive to the address I found through our database for him. The house is a simple single story in the 06er neighborhood. So he wasn't rich, nor was he poor. He was middle class. I watched as he got into his car and decided to follow him to see where he worked. Well, wouldn't you know? I followed him to Kane Software, the number of the building being 10996. I call to see what his job description was. It would have to be as the head of Kane Security. So know I need to figure out what the point was of taking the photos and sending them to my mom. 'I guess things could be worse, but right now the only thing I can think is that Jake Kane was my father, and that kind of information is going to be worth millions. If I prove he was my dad then I intend to collect on that very soon, especially after the hell he has put my family through.'
I decide to head back to my apartment where I just want to go to bed without having to think about all of this family drama for an hour or two. It hurt to think of how my mom could hurt me so much and my dad. I mean it wouldn't make a difference to me if Jake was my father or not. Keith Mars is the only father I had. He raised me so whether or not we shared the same DNA that title would always belong to him.
I use my key to open the door before I can even set my bag down my dad is rushing toward me. I have to laugh at the disheveled sight before me. He was limping and had a nasty cut under his right eye that went down toward his nose. He looked like he was in a bar fight and had been given a nice upper cut to the face.
"Dad, what happened to you," I ask concern as he fumbles slightly.
"It's nothing, just had a bad collision at home plate. I'll be fine I got you something though. Cover your eyes and no peeking," he says very excitedly like he was high on crack or something. I wondered if he got something from a doctor for his new cut and busted nose.
"What kind of collision at home? Did you fall in the garbage disposal?" I ask not really understanding what he meant.
"Home plate, police leagues, weekly games," he says as he pretends to be the umpire for a moment as he waves his hands, "Safe!" he yells smiling.
"At least tell me you saw a doctor for the nasty cut," I say as I go to tough his bruise that was forming.
"Chicks dig scars Veronica. I'm fine, now come on. Ya gotta see this," he says as he jumps up and claps his hands together. I was seriously worried he had stumbled into a meth lab as well. He takes me to my room where he has set up a twin water bed. Oh my god I had wanted one of these for several years when I was younger. Yet, I never got one. My parents told me that Santa couldn't deliver one to the second floor of our house where my bedroom was. I smiled as I remember that time of my life. I was so innocent and naïve then.
"I love you," I tell him as serious as I could be. I lean into him as I pull him forward to hug him. My dad almost falls back as he moves to meet me. I took him by surprise.
"Are you feeling alright sweetie?" he questions as he puts his hand up to my forehead. I nod my head as he stands up and makes his way toward the door, "Night, sweetie," he says as he glances back before walking out.
"Night," I say as I fall back on the sloshing bed. I quickly get up and go to find some sheets to make the bed. I then take a shower to release the tension in my muscles. I turn out the light as I walk back into my room and fall into my bed.
XOXOXOXOXO
A few days later I am sitting at my desk in my dad's office half listening to the conversation he was having with Casey Gant's parents. I knew the 09er only by association, nothing more. I guess he sold all his worldly possessions' to join a cult. Well that seems like something that could make him a better person. The Gant's wanted proof that the cult was hurting him. I was fiddling with the DNA kit I ordered online when they exited my dad's office.
"Veronica honey now what on earth are you doing?" my dad asks as he motions for all the things covering my usually clean desk.
"Our health teacher told us she'll give extra credit to any students who are willing to take a self-administered HIV test to check for anything out of the normal. I'm trying to draw a blood sample from this kit I ordered online, but I seriously do not want to prink my own finger," I say as I throw in a head tilt.
"Oh I find this very endearing. My kickass, action figure daughter is afraid to draw a little blood," he mocks me with a very nicely done Transylvanian accent. I had to laugh because he was so going to do this for me.
"Dad if you really want to be the greatest father ever you would let me draw some of your blood. I mean you have been sexually active and all," I say throwing it on thick.
"What?" he coughs up sputtering his drink.
"Dad, no one will know the difference," I say with a smile as I hold out the finger stick for him.
"Seriously, oh for crying out loud, you're totally serious about this, aren't you?" he says as I pass the finger stick to him. I watch as he pokes himself and places the dab of blood on the folded paper I hand to him. "Moving on do you know Casey Gant," he says as he hands me back the paper holding his DNA.
"Unfortunately, I know of him. I wasn't really his friend. He is though just another slice off the loaf of shallow, vapid, pain-in-the-ass 09erdom," I say as I fan the paper trying to dry the smear of blood faster.
My dad goes into what Casey's parents discussed with him, and his assessment. We both laughed at the thought that one rich 09er would even think about giving up everything to join a cult. He goes on with the fact that there isn't much they can do since he is 18 years old. He sits down on the edge of my desk as he continues speaking about the prospect of the bonus and all. He tells me that what they are really looking for was any proof of any unlawful activity out there like firearms, drugs, and kidnapping, anything that will get the Sheriff's department out to take a look around the place. We joke around about me talking with him and getting his DNA could if need be.
"Veronica? I mean this do not, under any circumstances' or upon pain of slow, agonizing death even think about going to that compound yourself. I will do all the leg work with this case. Do you understand nous comprenon nous?" he says in French as serious as he has spoken to me in a long time.
"Mais oui," I reply back as he heads back to his office. Once I was sure he was busy I pull the box with my blood sample out of my desk drawer and add my dad's to the box and seal it up. I quickly glance in the direction of his office. I knew there really was no extra credit, but it was the only thing that popped into my head. I couldn't think of any better idea to get his sample. 'There is, however, this online company that does paternity testing for a small fee. I need to know, without a doubt, if Jake Kane was my father or if my dad was my dad.' I head out to take the parcel to the post office and mail it out.
'Veronica we need to talk.' –Logan
'Okay. Dog Beach in 15,'- I reply back.
"K,'-Logan
I get back into my car and head to my apartment to get Backup before heading to meet up with Logan. I then get to the beach and see Logan's yellow obnoxious SUV.
"Hey," he says softly as he moves to follow me down toward the water's edge.
"Hey," I reply back as I sit down in the sand digging my shoes into the sand.
"Have you found out anything with what you learned from Koontz?" he questions getting right to the point.
"Logan I haven't been able to think of much other than that the last several days. I even tricked my dad into giving me a blood sample," I say as he looks startled.
"Do you think you will be able to handle it if you aren't really Veronica Mars, but Veronica Kane?" he asks honestly as I follow Backup with my eyes.
"I want to say 'yes' without a doubt, but I really don't know," I finally admit. We sit there for a little while longer in complete silence, but it wasn't the annoying kind no it felt serene. "Could you if you were in my position?" I ask as he looks over at me.
"You should know this, of course I would gladly give up the family I have now for another," he says in a serious voice.
"I'm sorry, I forgot," I say as he shrugs his shoulders. "Lilly told me the day she died she had a huge secret. Logan do you think this was it. Do you think she was trying to tell me this?" I question as I begin to think of that day all over again. Now I am second guessing myself if there was anything I could have done to change the course of events.
"Veronica, could I tell you something without you getting upset," Logan says as I nod my head. "The day Lilly died I…" my phone ringing cut him off.
"Dad, no I have Backup. We're at the beach. Yeah, I'll head home right now. No, I'm sorry I lost track of time. Sure see you soon," I say as I look over at Logan. "I'm sorry Logan I have got to get home. I'll find you tomorrow," I say as I call Backup and leave.
***LoVe***
Logan
I can't believe it. I almost told her, crap. I am halfway to my SUV when of course the one person I didn't want to run into greets me.
"I thought we had an understanding," Weevil sneers at me as he gets off of his bike.
"I was meeting Veronica. This is where she asked me to meet her," I say moving closer to my door.
"Right," he sneers once more.
"You know if you would pay more attention to what is going on with her you'd see she could use some help," I snap ticked off that he was questioning me like I was a criminal.
"What the hell do you mean?" he snaps upset, so I lay it all out for him. I tell him all about the douche bag Toy and how he was tormenting Veronica. He tells me he will take care of it.
"How is Ms. Navarro?" I ask as he was putting his helmet on.
"What do you care? She'll be back to work as soon as she's well," he snaps. I just shake my head. Weevil didn't understand the imperfect relationship I had with his grandmother. I don't think anyone would understand it, well maybe Veronica would but only because she knew about what Aaron did.
"She's the only person I actually respect," I say as I give him a salute and get into my car leaving him looking shell shocked after me. I get home with just enough time to take a shower and hit the hay. For some reason I was totally exhausted.
I was woken up by my phone pinging from an unknown number. I look the message over, 'took care of the problem.' I couldn't think of any one taking care of a problem for me, but I guess I'd find out sooner or later what the message meant. I quickly took and shower and got ready for the day.
"Logan, just the person I wanted to see," Aaron says as he exits his office with a suited man I hadn't seen before. "I'll be talking with you Joe," he says as he moves around me.
"I'm actually running late," I lie as I try to head toward the kitchen to grab a pop tart, but Aaron is right behind me.
"I wanted you to know that I don't appreciate the Mars girl hanging around the house. People will think that you two are involved and I don't need that kind of publicity," he grinds out as he reaches for my arm.
"Veronica and I are friends. We have classes together and sometimes have to work on assignments. I don't think you would like me to hang out at her cramped apartment so she comes here," I snap as I twist my arm out of his grasp and walk toward the sliding door. "Anyway I think if I wanted to date Veronica that would be my issue not yours," I snap back as I can see the anger flash before I walk out the door to my SUV. I headed to Veronica's favorite bakery and picked up a few of the pastries before heading to school.
"Dude, where have you been," Dick mutters as exit by SUV heading toward Veronica who just pulled in.
"I've been busy," I say as she gives me a small smile before taking the offered bag.
"Thanks, I was running late this morning," she mutters as we head toward the quad area of school where a large crowd had formed. I hadn't seen this big of a crowd since the beginning of school.
"What's going on?" Veronica questions as her sidekick joins us.
"It looks like the bikers have found a new friend to screw with," Wallace says as I look up to see none other than Troy Vandergrift tapped up buck naked on the flag pole. I barely caught sight of Weevil as he looked in my direction giving me a curt nod. That was who sent me the text this morning, but how the hell had he gotten my number. Oh well, he was now dealing with Troy for Veronica.
"Awe, it seems justice is finally getting back on track," Veronica says as we walk closer to Troy.
"You think you're funny, just you wait until I get you," he sneers toward us, but I was unsure who he was really talking to.
"Well it looks like the last laugh is on you," Veronica says as she pulls out her camera and snaps a photo of him.
"I'll get you back you bitch," he leers her way. "I know it was you who got the bikers to do this to me. Wait until my father hears about this," he yells as I see a girl walk up to him.
"Troy," Madison whines as she tries to help him out only to fail.
"This is your fault," she says as she lurches for Veronica only to be pulled back by Dick.
"Maddie, lets retract the claws. We don't know what Ronnie might have," he says keeping a firm grasp on her and giving me a small nod.
"Right," Veronica says as she turns to leave. "Have you told Dick about us," she mutters.
"No, but he walked over with us. Neither one of us killed each other on the way," I smirk as Wallace looks puzzled.
"Yeah, a miracle," she retorts as she hands me back the pastry bag. "I'll let you have this one, since you bought more than enough for me," as she eats more of the second pastry.
"When have you ever freely given food back," I say as she goes to hit me as she stops and stares at Casey Gant. He was at one time one of my best buds, but he has changed dramatically over the past couple months or so.
"Quickly, do you know what's up with him?" Veronica asks as I see the masses filling into the school. Casey was playing hacky sack with a few other outsider kids.
"Not really. One day he was hanging out with us, the next he gave everything up. He no longer showed up for parties, took the off beaten road, seemed like he was a whole other person," I say as she nods her head.
"Have you heard of the Moon Calf Collective?" she asks as Wallace walks off joining the guys playing.
"No," I say as we walk into the school hallway. I see Duncan leaning against the wall near our lockers. He begins to stand up as we get closer to him.
"Hey," he says as I watch Veronica walk right past him totally ignoring him. I wondered how she was going to react with the thought that his dad and her mom were an item, or more so if she had even thought about how they might be related. I guess she had already processed that. "I thought we were actually becoming social," he mutters as I look over at him. He had a very confused look.
"Don't know man. Did you see your pal up on the flag pole?" I questions as he looks up at me.
"Who?" he says just as Troy comes barreling into the hallway mad as hell. "What the heck happened to him?" he asks as Troy comes right at me shoving me into the wall.
"I know you had something to do with this. You are nothing but scum if you think I am willingly giving up on her. She is mine," he yells into my face.
"Troy, man relax there is no girl worth this," Duncan says as I have to laugh inside my head because Veronica Mars sure was.
"Yes, she is. Veronica is mine," he leers at the two of us before stalking off toward the gym.
"Are you kidding me? Troy is this bent out of shape over Veronica," Duncan says as I give him a quick summary of the hell Troy had been giving Veronica over the last few weeks.
"No wonder she is always running around," he mutters as we split heading in two very different directions.
***LoVe***
Veronica
'I am not ready to face Duncan. I have way too many sweet memories of our lives intertwined together that have become chilling what-ifs,' I think as I quickly walk away from Logan and Duncan.
I decide the best place to start looking for answers about Casey would be his ex-girlfriend. I found Darcy in the bathroom after Gym. She told me all about how Casey just became weird and she had to cut him loose. She made it sound like he had been body snatched or something, but this was the same asphat that turned Weevil in for copying a song for our English class last year. Darcy did though say that Casey said he wanted to cleanse his life of all the toxins that was killing him, they were holding him down. The only good item that really seemed to be helpful was that she knew Ms. Mills had become really close to Casey. This was something I could work with. I knew Ms. Mills ran the literary magazine for the school. Now I just needed to find a way of getting on the literary magazine team.
I spend the majority of the school day avoiding both Duncan and Troy as best as I could. Troy though seemed to pop up more as my classes were letting out, so I would have to work my way into the crowd to disappear. As I was walking toward my car I saw him standing beside it as Weevil pulled me into the bushes near the back side of the school.
"What the heck?" I snap as I look at Weevil.
"Sorry, Logan told me what was going on," he says as I now see why Troy had ended up on the pole this morning. "The boys will look after you," he says as I look back toward my car to see Troy gone.
"Thanks," I say as I move out of the bushes.
"Let's just say you owe me a favor now," he smirks as he walks off. Great, Logan asks for his help and I am the one left owing a favor. That just didn't seem fair to me, but I was very appreciative of it none the less. Since Logan left me with a favor to Weevil, well Logan is going to give me a favor for me to collect at anytime.
'You owe me a favor' I type out as I press send to Logan.
'How do you figure that?' –Logan
'Weevil' I send right back trying to figure out what to write for submission to the magazine.
'Weevil, how does that add up for me,' –Logan
'Are you serious? You asked him for help, now I owe him so you owe me. I will decide when I want to collect. End of discussion.' I typed out going back to the writing I was working on. Logan didn't text me anymore after that, nor did I text him. I decided to write a poem as a cutter. I have never actually cut myself, thought about it once after Shelly's party. Yet, as I held the razor to my wrist I couldn't go through with it. I decided to chop off my hair and change my clothing instead.
After completing what I thought was an awesome poem, and a play of words I headed to bed. I didn't understand why younger version of me really wanted a waterbed now that I had one. I guess it was good for one thing, the swaying of the bed made me feel really sleepy.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
I had been running late the day before during Gym class so I didn't get a shower like I wanted so I needed one now. I was just getting ready to rinse my hair out as the water goes immediately from luke warm to freezing cold.
"Ahh!" I yelp as the freezing water sprays all over me. "Dad I thought the dang landlord was going to fix the freakin plumbing," I say as I walk out of the bathroom with my robe on.
"Sweetheart he told me last time I called him he was putting all new pipes and the works in. I think he just has other things on his mind," my dad says looking anywhere but at me.
"Really he has been feeding you that line of crap for so long I would believe that Rob Thomas was an actor as well as a writer," I snap as I head to the fridge to get a bottle of water before changing.
Maybe if we get the five grand bonus we could look for somewhere else to live," he says with a smile as he kisses my forehead. Right, that was if we figured out the case with Casey. I give him a hug before heading back to my room. I mean if I was a Kane hot water would be a given, but could I really become a Kane if it meant giving up the life I had right now.
My crappy day was getting even crappier as my first period teacher wanted us to break up into group, and well let's just say that I was left as the odd person out. I just wished sometimes that people weren't so darn judgmental. The kids around me even gave me a smirk knowing that I now no longer had a group to work with. I think the teacher felt sorry for me so he had me to join Dick Casablancas and Madison forming a group of three instead of four. The whole hour I was getting the death stare from Madison while Dick was texting or talking with other students. I did most of the work. I would have done better alone.
"Veronica," a voice calls as I am walking out of the class. Well I wasn't sure she would get back to me so soon, but it was nice to see Ms. Mills.
"Ms. Mills," I say as I adjust my bag.
"I read the poem you turned in for the literary journal, 'I Cut Because I Can.'" She says as I see Casey out of the corner of my eye.
"I had several I thought might be suitable for the topic, but that one seemed to nail it all for me. It felt more relatable than the others, and showed a little bit of where I was and how far I have come," I say as she looks over at me with a look of concern or maybe astonishment.
"I think it was very well written, but not exactly what I was looking for this time around to be published, but maybe next time. I was drawn in by your very unique, but different outlook. I think if you would like a more expressible environment that I know of a place where you'd always be welcomed. We're a family of sorts," she says as I know what she was referring to. I stop midstride as I look up at her.
"Well I have a few people I know who have joined the literary magazine," I say as I stop fully in front of my next class.
"Well I'm not actually talking about the magazine, but I'll keep that in mind. I was talking more about the folks out at the Moon Calf Collective. I live there with several others. I could tell from your poem that you might actually enjoy coming there for a visit. I mean if you would like," she says as I think back on what my dad said about not going to the cult at all. He told me under no circumstances were I to go there. Shit! I look over at her and just nod my head. I am in so much trouble.
I am to meet Ms. Mills after school by her car, and follow her out to the collective. I decide I might need to take back up, but Weevil might stick out and I already owe him. I would like Wallace to go, but he has practice after school. The one person I knew might be useful wasn't the person I had in mind for the job. Logan looks up from his lunch just as I am starring at the outfit Troy had on. I had used his picture on the flagpole as my screen saver to remind me how much of a threat he could be.
"Logan," I say as I stand in front of him with all his friends. I was just asking for the snide comments now, but he just looked up at me.
"Veronica," he says as I see Troy flinching beside of Duncan. He almost looked like he was about to burst from his seat and throw me over his shoulder.
"Um, the assignment that we were partnered for," I start but stopped as I tried to think of what to say.
"No worries, I'll meet you by your car after school," he says as I give him a small smile before heading toward the school entrance.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
"I'm glad you decided to join me today," Ms. Mills was saying as Logan shows up.
"I invited Logan if that's alright with you," I say as Ms. Mills gives a small nod.
"Sure, just follow me," she says as she gets into her car and Logan joins me in mine.
"Where the heck are we even going," Logan says about 5 minutes into the drive. I give him the quick version of what I was doing and he just couldn't believe my dad told me not to go here and I was doing just what he asked me not to do. We pull up behind Ms. Mills to what looks like a huge farm.
"Come on over, you both are going to just love the place," Ms. Mills says as I get out of my car and make my way toward her.
"It is so fresh here," Logan says as he reaches for my arm.
"This is all so amazing and pretty. I feel like I'm on a movie set or something. I'm glad you invited me," I honestly say because it was sure beautiful. I mean the air was very clean and fresh smelling.
"Well here, I'm just Holly," she says while we both follow her. Holly tells us both to stay out of the barn as we pass by it. Logan caught my look when she said this and just shook his head with a grin.
"Hey," Holly says to a man as he approaches her and gives her a big kiss on the lips before looking toward Logan and me. He reaches over and pulls both of us into a hug.
"Holly said she was brining someone out, but she didn't say anything about two people," he says with a smile. I was surprised by what I saw going on, there really wasn't anything going on that made this place seem like a cult. I mean sure they were supper friendly and touchy feely, but it didn't have the vibe I thought it would.
Logan was about to say something t me as Casey walks up to us.
"Veronica I heard you were coming, but Logan this is a surprise. I would have thought this might have been lower than what you were use to," he says as Logan looks him over.
"Yeah, Logan came for me. This is well off the beaten path for me, and I needed a friendly face," I say as he raises an eyebrow.
"Um! Okay, but now that I think about it, yeah it makes perfect sense that you'd wind up here sooner or later. I mean even Logan here could benefit from this setting," Casey says in a very civil tone no hatred or anything lingering in his words.
"Yeah." I say as I pull Logan closer to me. He looks down at me with a questionable look, but lets it go as we follow after Holly. Casey was glad and said he would see both of us later and wandered off. Holly told us that dinner would be soon and wanted to know if we wanted to stay and help out. Logan this time shakes his head, but when he looks at me gives in.
We approach some tables that are set outside. There are so many young people milling around gathering food, and even fixing it. We head for one table where I see a young black girl stirring something in a bowl. She says her name is Rain. Logan was about to laugh as I elbowed him I the side so he grunts instead. Rain though laughs which in turn gets me a small nudge from Logan. Rain shows Logan and I were the cow was for me to milk. Logan thought that was totally funny as he joked about me finally finding a job that fit my size.
I try to pump information out of Rain, but she doesn't give anything informative up. Yet when I asked about the big harvest that Holly had mentioned earlier her eyes lit up. She even went as far as saying it was going to be the 'ultimate cash crop'.
I felt a sort of peace coming over me the more I spent time with the collective. I even felt Logan relax more since we showed up. He even helped out at dinner by setting up plates and passing things out. This was a whole other side to him. He seemed like a normal teenager not the famous movie stars son. I could totally fall for this version of Logan if I knew I could keep him, but for some reason I felt it was wrong to hope for it. I knew once we left it would all be gone.
Logan and I were headed toward the fire pit that the majority of the collective was now at singing. Rain calls for me to join her, but Casey asks Logan and me to sit beside of him. I felt out of place because I felt like the new shiny toy. It was different to feel like people could actually want to know you.
Veronica walks towards Rain until stopped by a voice behind her.
"Logan do you mind if I borrow Veronica," Casey asks as Logan looks over at me before heading toward Rain. "I just want to talk. We've been going to classes together for, what, three years?" he asks as the group continues to sing. Logan even seems very talkative with Rain as I observe him laughing at whatever she had just said to him. I couldn't believe how carefree he looked.
"Yeah, something like that," I mutter as he chuckles.
"I probably deserved that. I mean I haven't treated you the best have I. I mean we haven't really actually liked um, talked or anything either. I feel like I have been missing out on life lately," he says as the singing stops and Josh begins to talk.
Josh is now having the group talk about certain feelings they are having or something that is going on with them. It was strange listening to people talk like in a group counseling session. I had to stop myself a few times from rolling my eyes at some of the things that was being shared.
"Veronica Mars. How 'bout a big Moon Calf welcome for one of our honored guests?" Josh says as I look around at all the people actually clapping their hands.
"Veronica's a writer, a poet. She has a unique voice I think you'd all appreciate. Would you honor us with the one you showed me earlier?" Holly says as I look up to see Logan staring at me intently. I wasn't prepared for this. I mean it was one thing for her to read the words that meant something different for me, but I couldn't say them out loud. "Go for it, Veronica. We're all family here," she says with a genuine smile. I stand up and grab my bag.
"I'm sorry, I have to go," I say as I race off in the direction of the barn. I needed a place to hide and the barn was that place. I open the barn door only to be surprised by a panicked bucking horse that knocks me to the ground. As I sit in the mud I think about how much I wanted a pony, but this horse freaked me out.
"Veronica," Logan yells worried as he makes his way toward me helping me up.
"Veronica! Are you all right?" Josh questions as Holly and Casey are coming up beside him.
"Yeah, I mean you took me by surprise with the poem, and I needed somewhere to like hide," I reply honestly hiding my face from Logan's prying eyes. When I look up at Josh and Holly I see no judgment in their eyes, only concern laced them. Josh tells me how they got the horse from a neighbor who was abusing him and they were nursing him back to health. Logan and I say our goodbyes. I could tell Logan and to talk with me, but he let it alone. As I pulled up to his SUV he said if I was going out there again to let him know. I promised I would.
"There's my daughter," my dad says as I open the apartment door. I look up to see him sitting in his armchair with Backup at his feet.
"Hey, dad," I say as I walk weakly into the apartment. My butt hurt right now from falling in it.
"You're covered in mud, did you volunteer for mud wrestling without my knowledge," he snips at me laughing.
"Awe, now that's why you make the big bucks, nothing gets by you," I snap back not really in the mood.
"Okay, so honey did you gather any Intel on our boy Casey," he asks turning all serious on me. I relay the information I had gathered leaving out going to the collective with Logan. I give him all the details that the ex-girlfriend gave me. I head toward my room to try to get a hot shower before the water turns freezing.
As I linger in the shower soaking up the heat on my back, I think about the fact that somewhere in Pennsylvania a guy or girl in a lab is checking my DNA against Keith Mars. After spending the day with Logan and the collective this isn't about the money any longer, no it's about just knowing. I need to know who my father was. I guess it's for my peace of mind.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
As I walk down the hallway toward my class I see Casey talking with Logan so I run to catch up to him. "Casey!" I call out as Logan turns to wave at me before heading in another direction. "Are you two bonding over world domination," I say as he just laughs, but gives me an honest smile. "I wanted to apologize for my mental breakdown last night as well as being a jackass to you," I admit as he looks directly at me as if he was trying to look through me.
"Well Veronica, have you forgotten who you're talking to?" he jokes as I just shake my head of course. "My darling I'm Casey Gant, I think I wrote the instruction manual on how to be a jackass. I was just telling Logan it would be cool for the two of you to come back out," he continues.
'I knew Logan said he would go back out with me, but I was really doubting if the collective was a cult or not. I was thinking about if I was an heiress I wouldn't have to do this sort of thing, but if I wasn't Dad and I could really use this five grand. I really didn't want to hurt Casey he seemed so much better off, but if it meant having to save him, so be it.' I thought as I just nodded my head.
I was heading toward the lockers running late to my class after lunch when I felt a hand cover my mouth and an arm pulling me into a classroom. I am spun around to face my attacker when I see Logan standing before me. I had totally thought it was Troy and had gotten my taser out to give him a shock.
"Logan," I snap as I punch him in the arm.
"Ronnie, what the hell," he snaps agrivated.
"I thought you were Troy," I say as his facial expression softens and I felt on the verge of tears. I hated not feeling safe.
"Ronnie, oh I'm sorry. I thought we could just talk before heading out to meet with Casey. I got it cleared with the teacher. I'm sorry," he half mutters. I knew he wasn't thinking clearly, but I was on edge and he wasn't helping me.
Logan and I both walk out of the classroom heading to my car as Troy sits in the office. He looks at the two of us with a glare that if I wasn't already fearful of him I surely would be now. Casey is already out at the collective when we showed up. Josh asks to talk with me while Logan and Casey head over toward the gardens. Josh showed me his cash crop; I couldn't believe that it was poinsettias. He told how they wouldn't be where they were if Casey hadn't donated the money to help build the greenhouse. That did surprise me slightly, but after spending some time with him I could totally see it.
Josh did tell me that I was like a tower with high walls, which I had built up around myself. He explained that if I didn't change my way of thinking it would be harder later to break the walls down. I knew he was right, but it didn't matter to me because I didn't want to let anyone see the real me. I mean, would the real me be any different than who I was right now.
Logan and I were helping Rain out preparing the food again as I Josh came over toward the whole group followed closely by a man with a hat on.
"Hey, listen up everybody. This is important. We've got Sal from the County Water Department who's out here to check for lead in the pipes so try not to use the water for the next fifteen to twenty minutes, all right?" he says as I see my dad lift his head. Logan noticed him at the same time. The look on my dad's face told me everything I needed to know. He was pissed off, or more beyond pissed. Neither of us gave in or blew our cover.
"That's it. I'm dead," I mutter under my breath as Logan inhales sharply at my words.
I was on edge the rest of our visit with Casey and the others. I mean on the outside I seemed perfectly fine, but Logan knew it and kept trying to set me at ease with small gestures. At one point he rubbed small circles on the top of my hand as I watched the people around us interacting. I mean everything Casey's parents had said didn't make sense to me at all. The collective was more a family than anything. I hated the fact that no matter what someone was going to get hurt in the end.
Logan drove my car back to the high school. He told me if I needed any help with my dad to let him know he'll take the blame. I knew he totally would, but this was all on me. I headed directly to the office because I knew that was where I would find him hiding. I saw his car in front of the office, so I try to sneak in quietly, but no he heard the click of the door.
"What the hell were you thinking Veronica? That's got to be the worst decision I've ever seen by someone who wasn't literally brain damaged. Since when do you reserve the right to totally blow of my instructions? Does my judgment, my concern for your safety carry that little weight with you?" he yells very angrily as he comes out of the kitchenette with his cup of coffee in his hand. "Please tell me you didn't drag Logan into your mess," he snaps at me as I lay my bag down on the desk.
"Look, we needed quick answers and…I'm sorry. Dad, okay I screwed up, big time, I know. They just seem so harmless. I mean they are so peaceful and nothing like a cult would be," I say as I avoid the issue with Logan.
He then goes on a rant demanding for me to explain my reasoning behind the conclusion I came to about them. I asked if he planted any bugs. He said of course he did, and there was nothing that would prove the collective was a cult. They seemed like a group of people just like the hippies were. He didn't like me going behind his back; more so didn't like me involving Logan into it. Yet, I could tell something was up because he seemed to calm down as I told him all that Logan and I found out.
We were coming to the conclusion that maybe the Gants were being more paranoid than anything when they walked into the office followed by a creepy looking guy.
"Mr. Gant," my dad says as he holds his hand out for him. I watched as they all went into my dad's office leaving me outside. I decide to head home to let Backup out for a walk. I arrived back at the apartment with Backup as my dad was opening the front door to head in. He tells me about the conversation with the Gants and the creepy guy. He explains that things have changed with Casey's grandmother having another stroke. He went on to say that Casey was in line to inherit more than 80 million dollars if she passed. Of course this was what was behind the issue, money. Casey's parents were probably worried he would freely hand over all that money and leave them with nothing.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
I was up late night thinking about all the changes in my life, and of course over slept this morning making me late for school. I have been lucky not running into Logan, Duncan or Troy. Well especially Troy, I could handle the other two.
"I haven't seen you lately," Wallace jokes as he comes up behind me in the hallway. "I am still waiting for the FBI-Swarms-Coke-Compound headline in the newspaper, Supefly," he jokes as I just look around.
"I hate to burst the little bubble in your head, but the case is dead. Neither my dad nor I have found anything that would suggest that. I seriously doubt that there's anything to find. Anyway my dad caught Logan and me there yesterday. He was ready to totally blow a fuse," I say as he just chuckles at me. "He made it very clear to me that the collective is off limits on punishment of never leaving the house again," I add as my dad my have said something along those words after he yelled a little more at home.
"Dang, well be glad you ain't got my mom. She would have grounded then asked questions," Wallace says as I was pretty lucky with the parental factor.
"Plus, I have started doubting whether or not the collective is a bad thing. I mean Casey is such a nicer person. He is maybe even a sweet guy if that was your type," I quickly add as Wallace gives me a smirk.
"Well I hate to break this to you, it sounds like you have been drinking the Kool-Aid," he says as he gestures a cup using his hands.
"It's not that. I haven't," I snap as I give Wallace a light shove.
"Sure, anything you say Veronica," he cracks up as I start to walk away.
"Why thank you Wallace for being my own personal body check man. Do I look any different to you?" I question as he laughs at me once more.
"V, honestly all I'm saying is, you may be going soft on a brother," he says making his point by pulling at his shirt.
"Again Wallace thanks for the intervention," I snap back as I see Casey coming closer in the corner of my eye.
"Veronica, I've got to go visit my grandma in the hospital after school. Would you want to come with me? Unless you have to check with Logan or something," he says softly.
"Casey, that sounds like a plan," I softly say as he looks like he is relieved.
"Great, thanks," he says as he walks off toward the school building. I don't want to look back to Wallace, but I do it anyway.
"Soft, like a marshmallow," he mouths to me as I toss my water at him. He catches the bottle laughing as he tosses it back to me.
I pulled up next to Casey who was leaning against a beat up looking sedan. He looks up at me and gives me a weak smile as we walk into the hospital side by side. His grandmother is in a room all alone, but the equipment that surrounds her is unthinkable. I mean she has wires and all kinds of things sticking in her and all.
"Thanks for coming with me; I just didn't want to come by myself. Can I tell you something?" he asks as he takes his grandmothers hand in his.
"Of course, sure," I say as I stand quietly next to the bed opposite from him.
"It's pretty sad actually when you really think about it. All the money my parents receive, it all comes from my grandmother's estate. Every penny they own has come from her publishing company. Neither of them has worked a day in their life, but has lived the high life. My grandmother provided everything we needed over the years. She wanted my father to take over the company, but he refused. A few years ago, she decided to change her will when she started having strokes, started forgetting stuff, my parents they call her 'Grandmonster' behind her back, just stopped paying any attention to her," he says as he takes a moment to wipe a few tears from his eyes. "It was then that she left her entire fortune to me. Can you imagine the surprise it was when my parents found out? They started spending mopre time with me and trying to treat me better, but the damage was already done," he says as he bends down and kisses his grandmothers forehead.
"Are you telling me that they have known you get everything?" I questions as I look up toward him.
"Yeah, they found out about a year ago when my dad was going through her papers from a lawyer," he says as he gets up to leave. Well that new information made sense as to why they want Casey away from the collective. It's because they wasn't to keep him, close to squander the money he will inherit.
I get home before my dad does as usual and I decide I would like some milk. I pull it our and stop dead in my tracks when I see Rain's picture on the side of the milk carton. Rain was a runaway; worse yet was that she was only 17. Dang it here I thought the collective was a safe haven and now this.
"That must be some great milk," I hear my dad say as I look around me seeing it was pretty dark now. I must have spaced out.
"Recognize her; she's one of the girls from the collective. She's a runaway," I say passing the carton to him. He smiles as if he had won the jackpot.
"This is the kind of news we were looking for. I've got to call the Gants," he says smiling, but I wasn't too happy with that.
"Hold it, please, Dad. Let's think hard about this for a just minute. I also found out that the Gants have known for a year about Casey inheriting his grandmother's estate. Dad they are playing you," I snap as he looks like I slapped him across the face.
"Veronica this is what we're working for. We were praying for a break, and now you gave it to us. I know that they might have stretched the truth, but a job is a job. I can't let this go even if I wanted to. They're contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and no matter how you look at it, it's a serious crime," he says raising his voice slightly. I just stomp my foot and head to my room slamming the door. I know it seems so childish, but he wasn't listening. I hated the thought that Casey was going to be side saddled by his parents, and I helped do it.
XOXOXOXOXO
I headed to Ms. Mills classroom to find her cleaning the blackboard. I had decided to come clean with her. I wanted to help. "Ms. Mills I need to tell you something," I say as she turns around to look at me.
"Veronica, Casey told me you went with him to visit his grandmother. That was very nice of you," she says with a smile.
"Yes it was. Holly, there's something you really need to know about me, I work for my dad who's a private detective, okay, and…," she insist even looking at me anymore. She is focused on something behind me. Casey is there with tears in his eyes.
"I just got called by Mr. Clemmons office. My grandmother passed away this morning," he mutters as Holly pulls him in for a hug. I couldn't help it as I reach up to stroke his arm he pulls me into a sideways hug. It would be the most assuring thing I have felt since Lilly had been murdered.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
I have gone to school and come home for almost week now avoiding everyone and anyone who would try to talk with me. I felt like I needed some space to think things through. I have especially been avoiding my dad, who tries so hard to wait for me. I dress in a simple black dress and pull my hair back in a ponytail. I am getting ready to exit the apartment when I walk into someone.
"Stranger," Logan says as I look up. He is dressed in a black suit, with his wild hair sticking up in all different directions. "I thought I would go to the funeral," he says as I look past him to see a black town car waiting in the parking lot.
"I think we could have taken our cars," I mutter as he shakes his head when I see Casey waiting for us. Logan had even got Casey. The funeral was very small, but elegant at the same time. The people from the collective are all standing by Casey as the funeral concludes. Casey heads toward the town car with Logan and me. I stop for a moment to finally tell Josh and Holly about Rain and her being a runaway before heading back to the guys.
"I appreciated you both being here for me. I mean especially you Veronica, you've been a real friend to me lately," he says as Logan pats him on the back.
"Can you really say that after everything that I have said about working for my dad and all that," I mutter as Casey looks toward me before asking.
"Actually, I have learned one thing you can't fake sincere kindness. I mean Logan could even tell you that. So am I wrong in saying you were genuine in you kindness toward me," he questions as I smile.
"No, I was totally honest with that," I honestly say.
"Casey man, that's as much of a hard truth as we might ever get out of Veronica," Logan smirks as I give them both smiles.
"I guess that is true in a way. I better go make sure my parents know that I am not going to let them starve," he says as he looks in the direction of the limo they were waiting by. As I watch Casey getting closer to them, two men grab him, shoving him into the back of the limo.
"Casey," I yell out as I see the creepy looking man emerge from another vehicle and get in after Casey. I try to run toward him, but I am not fast enough. Logan has followed me.
"Dad," I yell out as I rush into the office followed by Logan. I go into detail as to what I saw happen to Casey, but he made a point that Casey wasn't kicking and screaming. The sheriff would probably do nothing about it. Logan was a little peeved when my dad said it would be useless in going to Lamb. He did enlighten me with Rain being a foster child who was lost in the system. My dad even tells me he didn't turn the collective in after reading about the life Rain had. I give him a small loving smile as Logan tells me he'll talk to me later.
"Do you want to talk about hanging out with Logan?" he questions after Logan leaves.
"Not really," I say as I walk out of the office heading home with a smile on my face. I felt like I was finally breathing a little better.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
As I get out of my car I see a flyer under the windshield wiper. I grab it and glance to the SUV parked beside me. I pull the wiper up and put it under. 'As each day passes, I come more to terms with the question of my paternity'. As I look back at Duncan who was just getting out of the SUV.
"What's this?" he questions with a smile as he grabs the flyer off his window. "Free Crab Rangoon with purchase of Happy Family Dinner at Wok'n'Roll. I hope you don't think I wouldn't notice this kind of sacrifice," he jokes as I just shake my head. I wouldn't be able to have it if I was anywhere near Logan anyway. Logan was allergic to any form of shellfish. I wouldn't tempt fate like that with him around.
"It was actually my pleasure," I reply as he walks away giving me a head shake. 'I sent off for the DNA test results because I wanted to know the truth, but can I really trust a lab tech to see my soul through a drunken conga line of genes? Sure, Jake Kane could be my biologically father, but whether he is or isn't really isn't the question at heart. No it would be could I really claim him that and deny the man who raised me, to give up the man who stood by me as my mother walked away.'
"Veronica, wait up for a brother!" Wallace calls out as I stop walking to watch a Porsche Carrera cross our path wiping into a parking space. "Now that's a sweet ride," Wallace murmurs as he rubs his hands together. I watch as Casey gets out of the car giving me a half disinterested look.
"Veronica, what's up," he says as I see the old Casey is back making me regret thinking better of him. The creepy guy worked his magic.
I decide instead of heading over to the office afterschool I was going to head home. I grab the mail as I open the apartment door. I freeze as I flip through it seeing bills, and junk mail until I see the lab results in a huge vanilla envelope. I disregard the other mail as it falls on the counter and I head to my room.
I have lain on my bed looking at the envelope in my hand for almost two hours. My dad has come home and gone to bed, but I still haven't decided on what to do. 'It's my call now. I can open this letter and find out if my dad is really my dad. If he's not, then I'm almost certainly the daughter of Jake Kane and, consequently, an heiress.' I head toward the door without thinking. Really didn't want to do this, but could I let the issue go. I am about to turn away and go back to bed when the door flings open.
"I was wondering if you were going to stand out there all night or get the courage to come in," Logan jokes as I walk past him.
"I'm not sure I can do this," I mutter as he looks at me puzzled.
"Do what?" he says softly concern etched all over his face.
"This," I say as I shove the envelope into his hands. He looks it over before realizing what he was holding.
"Veronica," he says even more softly than I deserve. "Could you really live with knowing Keith wasn't your dad? Could you live with the new information that you were a Kane?" he posses the two questions to me.
"I don't know," I admit as he takes the envelope and pulls me in a direction I have only gone a few times. He pauses outside the door, and then walks in. He heads toward the huge Cherry desk. We were in his dad's office. He hands the envelope back to me as I see why he brought me in here, without thinking twice about it I turn on the shredder and push the envelope in.
I thank him for helping me. He walks me out to my car. I feel slightly better, but the realization was it wouldn't matter if Jake was my dad or not Keith was the man who was there my whole life. I couldn't take that away from him. No, whether we shared DNA or not, he was my dad. I slipped back into the apartment and went to bed.