The Mystery of Bella Goth

by crazylily0

Taylor is a simple girl that's still trying to figure her life out at the age of thirty. When she receives an inheritance from her late grandmother she travels to Pleasantview to stay in her grandmother's house. But she finds more there than she bargained for, and it leads her on a wild goose chase to figure out what exactly happened to Bella Goth.

4. The Dreamers

Chapter Four: The Dreamers

During the next couple months I began to get fairly close to Skip. I thought he was a great guy and had a good sense of humor. He certainly respected women and told me his dreams of having a family someday. I always just smiled and nodded, wanting to scream we couldn't be together because I couldn't give him what he wanted and he deserved someone better than me. Any guy deserved someone better than me.

As he locked up that night we walked together. We did this whenever we both happened to be working during lockup, but it didn't happen a lot because for the most part our schedules were opposite of one another.

"So the guy's just standing there, and I'm feeling completely awkward," he told me. He was telling a story about his worst experience as a gas station worker. "I told him I didn't know what he was talking about and he blew up on me and started to threaten me. Thankfully this wasn't during the nightshift so I got my manager and he called the police. The guy went ballistic and scared everyone in the store. Thankfully the police got him under control, but boy was he scary."

"I thought you owned the place," I said in surprise.

"I wish," he sighed. "I just work there. Although I'm pretty high up since I've been there for so long. They just had me do the hiring process because they didn't want to do it. It's not like they're all that picky." Then he realized what he said and felt bad. "Not that I'm saying you're not a hard worker. I think you're a great worker."

"No offense taken, Skip," I said with a smirk.

I was about to say goodbye, but he wasn't finished. "Hey, Taylor, I was thinking maybe you would like to come to a little party my family is throwing next week. It will be lots of fun, and you could get to know them. My family is made up of great people."

So was he showing me off as his girlfriend to his family? I wasn't sure, but I wanted no part in this.

"Sorry, but I'm busy next week," I told him.

He gave me a weird look. "I haven't even told you when next week. You can't be busy all week."

"Oh, but I can."

He shook his head. "Taylor, I understand you have commitment issues, and I'm sorry your father was never around. But you have to understand telling yourself you're not good for anything or anyone isn't the answer. I mean, if you want to change your life for the better, I say go for it. Who's stopping you? You shouldn't make excuses."

I suddenly felt angry. Didn't he understand? "Listen, we can't be together. You deserve a great girl, but it's not going to be me. We're just co-workers who are FRIENDS. We will never be anything more."

I was expecting him to look hurt, but he seemed to stand up a little taller like he was going to try to change my mind. "Whatever you hide deep down, you should let it out. I mean we all hide something deep down. Even the Goth's hid something, which led to Bella's disappearance. If you let it out you'll feel so much better."

"Don Lothario is my father, alright!" I shouted, hoping that would make him leave me alone.

He just stared at me, seeming to be in shock. "Wait, THE Don Lothario is your father? Well, that explains so much. I get why you don't like the guy."

I just shook my head, not wanting to hear any more. "I have to go," I told him as I walked away.

"Your parents shouldn't dictate who you are, Taylor!" he shouted after me. But I wasn't listening.

I went home and cried. Why was this upsetting me so much? Maybe deep down I wanted to finally settle down and have a family. Maybe deep down I wanted someone other than my mother who would always be there for me. Maybe I just wanted someone to talk to, and I had most likely just lost even that with Skip.

Thankfully I had the next few days off, and I spent my time watching action movies. My grandmother actually had a pretty nice TV for being so old. I ate some ice-cream and just sat around, not caring if I was dooming myself to gain some weight.

That Friday I heard a knock at the door. I was expecting one of the Goths, although I had no idea what they would want with me. I thought we had established they didn't like me because of my mother and father?

I opened the door but was surprised to see Skip. He gave me a smile, and I was in too much shock to even frown back. I finally managed to pull myself together and asked, "Skip, what are you doing here?"

He suddenly got serious. "Taylor, I want to talk, and I'm not leaving until you agree to talk with me."

I just stared at him, wondering if he was being serious. "You want to talk? Alright, about what? There's nothing to talk about. I don't like you. I'm sorry if you like me, but I have no feelings for you. It's the sad truth of life."

"Can I come in?" he asked.

I was hesitant to say yes, but the guy had come all the way down here when I was fairly sure he didn't even know my exact address except that I lived on Sim Lane. I was sure this wouldn't go anywhere anyway, so why was I worried?

"Fine," I said as I opened the door and motioned for him to come inside.

He seemed to look around, just like I had when I first stepped into the Goth's house. My house wasn't that cool. It consisted mostly of stuff from a dead lady who had been really old when she lived here.

"Nice place," he told me with a smile.

"Most of this crap is my grandmothers."

He nodded, still looking around.

"Are we going to talk or what?" I asked impatiently. I wanted to get this over with.

He came and sat down on the couch. I slowly sat down next to him, wondering if he was stupid enough to try anything.

"Taylor, we all have issues in life, but some people are better off than others. I mean even the Goths had their issues. And I don't know if you've heard of the Pleasants, but they have a terrible family life even though that's not what they portray on the surface. What it comes down to is you pilot your own life, and you shouldn't dwell on what you can't change. Maybe Don Lothario is your father and he never cared enough to be a part of your life, but that shouldn't stop you from living your life. I say tell yourself it doesn't matter what he thinks and do what you want to do. You don't have to be your parents."

"You don't understand," I said, trying to hold back anger. "You have the perfect family life. You might not have a lot of money, but at least you have two parents who were always a part of your life and even siblings. I don't have any of that."

He shook his head. "I have plenty of family problems, Taylor. My father died before my mother even knew about me. She found out only weeks later she was pregnant, and then she got really sick and emotional. She met my stepfather while she was pregnant with me, and they were married a bit after I was born. He raised me, but we don't share the same last name. My mother named me after my birth father but I've never met him. I'm the youngest of four boys. My oldest brother has been in and out of jail since he was a teenager, my stepbrother is super smart and makes me look bad, and the brother just ahead of me is married and has a great family. I'm the black sheep of the family, and I know how easy it is to blame your problems on one instance. I find myself blaming my problems on never meeting my real father all the time, but at the end of the day, is that really what the problem is?"

I stared at him, trying to take in what he just said. Well, now I felt like a complete jerk. "I'm sorry, Skip," I told him, not knowing what else to say. "I'm sorry you never met your father, but you should be happy at least knowing he would have been there if he could."

"I very much am, and I know we have more of a connection than just our name. I just thought it would make you feel better to hear that. Yes, I still have my stepfather, which you don't have, but I'm not all that better off. I keep telling myself I'm not good for anything other than working a gas station, and that's terrible. I mean there's so much more out there."

I smiled at him, and surprised even myself. "Thank you, Skip," I told him with another smile. "I completely agree with you. How did you father die anyway?"

"My mother said he drowned, but she didn't really explain it to me all that much. She doesn't like to talk about it."

"I see," I said with a nod.

"So will you at least reconsider coming to my family thing?" he asked.

I sighed. I wanted to say yes, but something held me back. "I'll think about it, alright," I mumbled.

He smiled. That seemed to be good enough to keep him quiet.

Well, I ended up going to his family thing. I was super nervous, being my family never really got together except for a funeral, and even then they didn't, considering the circumstances of my grandmother's death. I was also afraid he mentioned something to his parents about my father, and the last thing I needed was a rumor like that going on in this rumor filled, small town. I had planned to keep that a secret, and now he knew. I was confident I could trust him, but I didn't exactly tell him not to tell anyone.

I heard the sound of something really old and noisy coming up to my house. I didn't have to look outside to know it was Skip's car. I always knew he had an old, beat up car. Yet, it didn't really bother me. I liked his old car. I thought it gave him class.

I came outside, not feeling like inviting him in. He gave me a smile as he came out of the car. "Sorry my car's so noisy," he told me. "I've been needing to get it fixed."

"It's better than my car," I mumbled.

He gave me a weird look. "What car do you have?"

"That's the thing; I don't have a car."

He laughed. "Well, I don't have a huge house like you do, so don't feel picked on."

He turned on this weird Indie music as we drove. I didn't say anything, but I found his music taste to be rather strange. Couldn't he just listen to pop like a normal person?

We finally pulled up to a house, and I was surprised to see how small it was. Sure, I had lived in a run-down apartment for most of my life, but I assumed I would have a decent sized house once I got old enough. These people looked like they never moved up. It was kind of sad.

Skip looked nervous as we got out of the car. I assumed this came back to what he said about never being good enough for his family and that was why he never did anything with his life. I wanted to make him feel better, but I wasn't sure I knew how. I didn't even know his family.

He knocked briefly and then just invited himself inside. Well, at least he was comfortable enough around them not to have to knock.

He was greeted immediately by a short and small woman. I knew he didn't have a sister, so I was left to assume this was his mother.

"Skip, hello," she said with a smile as she attacked him with a hug. He looked rather embarrassed, and I couldn't help but smile. "You never call me, so for all I know you could have been beat up and left on the street somewhere. You should consider calling every now and again."

"Sorry, mom," he said with a smile. "I get busy."

"Who's your girlfriend?" a guy said as he came up and looked at me. I wasn't sure who he was, but I assumed it was one of his brothers.

"This is Taylor," he said with a smile. Well, I wished he would have corrected him, but I assumed maybe he thought that at this point. Why didn't that bother me? "Taylor, this is my older brother Dustin."

He hadn't mentioned names when he talked about them, but to be honest this guy was most likely the one that wasn't married and had been in and out of jail since he was a teenager. He had tattoos all up his arms as well as an eyebrow piercing. I certainly wouldn't want to run into him in a dark alley.

"I'm Brandi," his mother said with a smile. "It's nice to meet you, Taylor. I was beginning to get worried Skip would never get married."

Skip's face flushed several shades of red, and I didn't look much better. "We're not getting married. It's WAY too early to be thinking about that."

"Yes, of course. I mean don't let me make this awkward for you guys."

Well, it was a little late for that. I looked over to Skip and he was silently apologizing. I just smiled at him, indicating it was alright. Mothers did things like that. It came with the job.

The rest of his family started to file in. I saw three men, although one looked much older than the other two. "Taylor, this is Beau, my older brother, and Dirk, my other older brother. And this is my father." He pointed to each of them as he introduced me. I could tell which one was his stepbrother and that his father wasn't his biological one. I didn't mean to sound racist, but his father had kind of dark skin along with his stepbrother. I knew they couldn't be biologically related from Skip's skin color, because dark skin tended to be more dominant than light skin.

"Hi there," his father said with a smile. "I'm Darren Dreamer." I shook his hand, which was colder than I was expecting. But he had a warm smile. I wondered what was with the weird last names. Broke? Dreamer? Then again, I guess my name wasn't much better. In fact, it was probably worse. I was always mad at my mother for giving me his stupid last name. It described him perfectly, but it didn't describe me. I would have rather had her last name. But I guess I had getting married and changing my last name to look forward to. Well, if I even got married at that.

Not long after that I met their wives, and they seemed nice enough. Dirk's wife seemed to like to brag, and Beau's wife seemed super sweet all around.

"Dirk just got another promotion," she bragged. "He's always getting promoted. Our daughter is a very spoiled little girl."

From the looks of it I thought she might have been pregnant, but I wasn't for sure and I didn't want to bring it up and make her mad if she wasn't.

"Beau and I are doing great as well," the other woman said with a smile. She I knew for sure was pregnant. She looked pretty far along. I was assuming this was their first child because I didn't see another child tagging around them like with Dirk and his wife.

"Well, I'm doing fine, thanks for asking," Dustin said. "I just got a new car and things are looking up."

"What kind of car is it?" Dirk asked as if challenging it.

"A shiny one," Dustin replied. Dirk seemed to find this funny and I had to keep format least showing a smile.

"Where's your girlfriend, Dustin?" Beau asked. "I mean even Skip has one now. You have no excuse."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Skip asked with a look. Wow, he wasn't kidding when he said he was never good enough for them. That was kind of mean, even if they weren't trying to be.

"I didn't mean it like that," he said in defense. "You've just never brought a girl home before, so I'm kind of shocked. Now Dustin needs a girlfriend."

"Not happening," Dustin mumbled. "Girls are more trouble than they're worth."

I had nothing to say to that. He was right. Or at least I thought so.

We got dinner started and I got more nervous by the minute. These people seemed like a great family, and I didn't want to be the one to ruin that. But I guess they had their share of heartache with Skip's father dying before he was even born and all. Plus there was Dustin, who made Skip look like the good son.

"How long have you lived here, Taylor?" his mother asked me as everyone began to pass things around.

"Only for a few months," I replied. "I inherited a house from my grandmother when she passed away, so I ended up here."

"Wow," Dustin said in shock. "She even has a nice place for you to live, Skip," he mocked.

Skip gave him a look. "Shut up," he mumbled.

"Really?" his mother asked. "Well, that's great. Where do you live?"

"Over on Sim Lane next to the Goths," I replied.

"Well, then," she said, a smile suddenly forming on her face. "You live in the rich part of town."

I suddenly started to get self-conscious. Why did that matter?

"You know Darren used to have a history with Cassandra," she said with a bit of a smirk.

Darren, Skip's stepfather, turned to her and gave her a look.

"What do you mean history?" I asked, suddenly interested.

She laughed. "He used to have a huge crush on her."

"It was more than just a crush," Dirk said with a smirk. "He used to tell me he was going to marry her."

"I was stupid, alright," Darren mumbled. "Her head was full of hot air. She had all this money and we were good friends. She used to tell me she wanted a family someday and I knew that idiot Don wouldn't give her what she wanted. Then he broke her heart and I thought it was my chance, but she wasn't interested. Then I met Brandi and I realized how full of herself she really was. We got married and we're still married years down the road, so obviously it wasn't meant to be with Cassandra. Last I heard she left Pleasantview with no plans to come back. I guess after the incident with her mother and all she felt like she just needed to leave. I would have."

"I've met Alexander, but I don't think I've ever met her."

"He's the only one who still knows her whereabouts but he refuses to tell anyone," Dustin explained. "He told us all it was her business and no one should get involved. I guess she doesn't want to talk to anyone from Pleasantview. Maybe her life isn't going so well and she doesn't want anyone to know that."

He laughed at his own joke as his mother gave him a look.

"Her mother left, Dustin," Beau's wife barked. "How would you feel if your mother just got up and left?"

Dustin seemed to ponder this, but Brandi didn't seem like she wanted to know the answer. "She didn't leave," she stated. "Don Lothario did something to her, although I don't know what. He's just been good with covering up his tracks so there's no evidence. Everyone thinks she was cheating on Mortimer with him, but I think she turned him down and he was mad because he had never had that happen before. Mortimer even said the last he heard from her she was going to his house to welcome him to the neighborhood. She never came back. He keeps changing his story whenever the police asked, and she won't even talk about it to anyone else. He's hiding something."

"Don Lothario is a lot of things, but he's not a murderer," I stated.

"The guy is a huge jerk and gives all men a bad name," she said with a look. "I wouldn't put something like this passed him."

"Mom, cut it out," Skip said, looking rather nervous.

"Why are you standing up for him?" she asked.

I sighed. Well, it was now or never. "He's my father," I stated. "I have this certain obligation."

She stared at me in shock. But she wasn't the only one. The only one who didn't look surprised was Skip, and he looked like he had a headache.

"Don Lothario is your father?" she asked. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't be talking badly about your father. But I must say; I didn't know he had a daughter. I'm not good friends with the guy but this town is so small I thought I would know things like that."

"Surprise," I said with no emotion.

"I couldn't see him having children," Dustin said. "He just seems like the type of guy who wants fun but with no responsibility associated with it."

"Reminds me of someone I know," Dirk mumbled.

Dustin gave him a look.

"Anyone can be a parent, Dustin," Brandi said. "I must admit I couldn't picture him being a good one, but I could be wrong. But who's your mother?"

"I can narrow it down to five people," Dustin said.

This time it was Skip that gave him the look. I would have laughed if I wasn't in such a bad mood. He was actually right.

"Dina Caliente," I replied. "They're no longer together, though."

Brandi looked shocked and Dustin laughed. "So he was totally playing sisters," he said.

I looked down, not needing to be reminded my father was such a player he was with both my mother and my aunt, and he left the one he got pregnant.

"Dustin, enough," Brandi said with a look. "That's too bad, Taylor, but I'm sure your father's a good guy. I mean we all make mistakes."

"Just a minute ago you were telling me he murdered Bella Goth."

She looked lost for words. I didn't want to start anything, but she seemed kind of two faced. "What I meant was he had something to do with her disappearance. I mean murder is a big accusation. She was last seen going to his house so you can't blame me for thinking he had something to do with it. Maybe he didn't murder her, but something happened. That's all I'm saying."

I wasn't buying it, but Skip looked like he was ready for this party to end. I bet he was having regrets about bringing me now. I picked at my food, wanting this conversation to end. I didn't want to mention I was sticking up for a guy I hadn't seen in years, and really didn't care to be a father at that.

"Why don't we talk about something else?" Darren suggested. "How is your mother doing, Taylor?" he asked me. "I knew her vaguely when she lived here, but not extremely well."

"She's fine," I replied. "She doesn't live here anymore, obviously."

"Where does she live now?"

"Riverblossom Hills. We both lived there until just recently when I moved back here."

He nodded. "And she never remarried or had any more children?"

I wanted to tell him if she remarried she wouldn't actually love the guy, because she had a habit of doing that, and having more children was completely out of the question. She didn't even want me, let alone another child. "No. I was enough for her."

He nodded, seeming to study me. "And dare I ask how your father's doing? I see him around, but we don't know each other."

"Fine," I replied simply, not wanting to say I didn't really know since we never talked.

"Why don't we talk about something not related to Taylor," Skip said with a look. At this moment, I seriously wanted to kiss him. I was so thankful to hear him say that.

"Fine," his mother said with a smile. "How are you doing, Skip? Like I said, you never call."

"I'm doing fine," Skip replied simply.

"Still working at that run-down gas station?" Dirk asked with somewhat of a smirk.

"Yes. But it doesn't matter."

"If he didn't work there where would you go to get gas?" I asked him.

He seemed to find my question humorous. "Some other loser would work there if he wasn't, so I would still get gas."

His mother shot him a look. But it was nothing compared to the look Skip was giving him. "Well, then I guess that loser would be me, because I work there too."

He seemed lost for words as Dustin laughed, probably thinking we were perfect for each other because I was just at pathetic as he was.

"Alright, why don't we talk about something else?" his mother said nervously. "Beau, are you excited for your first child?"

"Yes," his wife answered for him. "We've been going all out with baby things. I'm just so excited it's a girl. He literally has to pull me away from the baby isle at the supermarket because I'm in love with everything. I'm already starting to quilt her a blanket."

"And I'm excited for my first granddaughter. I was beginning to think I would never have a daughter of any kind. I might not have been lucky enough to get a girl child, but now I at least have a granddaughter."

"Skip should have been a girl," Dustin said with a smirk.

"Who's ready for dessert?" she said as she stood up, not giving them enough time to argue with each other any longer.

Dessert consisted of some kind of berry pie. It was actually pretty good. She was certainly a great cook. Everyone else seem to think so too because for the first ten minutes there was a lot of chewing and not a lot of talking going on.

"I hope you all like the pie," his mother said. "It's mixed berry. I made it from the stuff in our garden."

So it was homemade with fresh grown ingredients? Wow! No wonder it tasted so good.

"Your cooking is always amazing, Brandi," Darren said with a smile.

I studied them for a minute. Had they honestly been together all this time? Was that even possible? My mother was the perfect example of why falling in love wasn't possible period, but then they fell in love and were still together long after all their kids were grown and raised. That's what I wanted, but I was afraid I would never get it. I never saw happy endings growing up.

Brandi had to give us a speech before we all finally left. "I'm so thankful for my wonderful family. You're all so great."

I shook my head. I wasn't her family, so she wasn't talking to me. "I should go," I told Skip, not wanting to impede of their family any longer.

"Of course," he said with a smile. "Just let me say goodbye and we can head out."

"Goodbye, mom," he said as he waved goodbye to Brandi.

"You're not leaving already, are you, Skip?" she asked. "Well, I suppose if you really want to go, but consider calling me every now and again. I didn't even know you had a girlfriend. That proves how out of the loop I am."

"Fine," he said simply. "I guess I'll try."

She then gave him a kiss that followed a hug and he looked rather embarrassed. "Mom, I'm thirty-two years old. Don't kiss me."

She laughed and then sighed. "Sorry, Skip. I wouldn't want to embarrass you in front of Taylor."

I was trying not to smirk. It wasn't that I found him pathetic; I just found his reaction funny. I could care less if he kissed his mother. Sometimes I wished my mother would kiss me, but we didn't show our feelings at our house. Even talking about them was stupid.

We got back in the car and I felt a little flustered when he opened the door for me. I got in as he got in the front seat. "I didn't mean to take you away from your family," I mumbled.

"Don't worry about it, Taylor," he said as he started the car. "I can only handle so much of them anyway."

I smiled. If my mother knew what was going on she would have a field day. I had been in a few relationships before, but nothing serious because I always broke it off. I was afraid the same thing was about to happen, and I didn't want to hurt Skip. He wasn't like any of the other guys I had dated before.

"I'm sorry if my family made you feel uncomfortable. My mother doesn't really like your father, obviously. She's convinced he had something to do with Bella's disappearance and he broke their family apart. And my family just likes to make me look bad, as you could tell."

"It's fine," I lied. "Thanks for standing up for me, though."

"Anything for you, Taylor," he said with a smile. My heart skipped a beat. I didn't want to break his heart. He seemed to really like me. I knew I shouldn't have agreed to go to this.

We pulled up in front of my house and I immediately got out, not giving him time to open my door. I stood by the front of my house and just stared up at it. My life seemed almost too perfect now.

"What's wrong, Taylor?" he asked me as he came up.

"Nothing," I mumbled. "It's just been a long night. I need to get to bed."

"Would I be overstepping if I asked for a little kiss before we parted?"

I totally wasn't expecting that. How would I let him down easily? But the thing was, there was something inside of me that wanted to kiss him. I didn't know why. I could count on one hand the number of kisses I had had in my lifetime, and none of them actually meant something to me. I kissed because that was what boys and girls were supposed to do, not because I actually wanted to kiss the person. But I wanted to kiss Skip. Maybe I was going crazy, but I just wanted to see what it was like. It had been so long, and never would someone I actually wanted to kiss.

"Promise not to tongue me," I said with a look.

He laughed. "Of course I wouldn't tongue you, Taylor. It's only our first kiss."

We both leaned in and I shut my eyes, extremely nervous and not even sure if I remembered how to kiss. Our lips meant, and he kept his promise. It was simple yet sweet, and by far the best kiss I could ever remember having. It didn't last long, and before I knew it it was over.

He smiled at me while I wasn't sure what to think. "Goodnight, Taylor," he told me with that same smile. "I hope to see you again soon."

I nodded, wondering if he considered us dating by this point. I wasn't really sure if he honestly wanted to be my boyfriend or if he just wanted someone to show off to his parents.

"Goodnight," I said back, finding my own voice rather squeaky.

I watched him get into his car and drive off. I just stood there, letting the cold night air blow through my hair. I finally went inside and sat down on the couch. This had been one crazy night.