Chapter 4 More Letters and a Break
Sarah sat in her dormitory's laundry room. As her clothes washed and dried, she pulled out Kris' latest letter and began to read:
Dear Sarah,
I'm glad you're enjoying college. Don't kill yourself by working so hard. I know studying is important to you, and you really want to be a PI. Take it easy. You've taken on a really heavy work load with classes and additional work at the police academy. Don't spread yourself too thin.
There has been some news here. Sabrina is going to have a baby! That will be a lot of fun. Charlie hired a girl named Tiffany Welles to take Sabrina's place. Her dad and Charlie were old friends from way back. She doesn't know what Charlie looks like, though. Tiffany is from Boston. She has gone to Ivy League schools and she's very smart. We're still getting to know her, but she seems to fit into the team well. We went on a cruise last week as part of a case. It was a lot of fun. I met a guy, but he was a thief. We found the stolen antiques we were looking for, and spent the rest of the time in the sun. I also got to go scuba diving, but that is another story I will tell you later. I've got to get ready for my next assignment. I'm going to be learning CB lingo. I will be learning how to be a trucker. I guess that will be a good job if I ever get tired of the PI business. Take care of yourself, and I will talk to you soon.
Love,
Kris
Sarah put her clothes into the dryer. She added fabric softener sheets and put quarters in the machine and turned it on. She then pulled out a piece of paper, and started to write:
Dear Kris,
A CRUISE??? How come you get all the fun assignments when I'm not around? That really sounds like fun. I'd like to take a cruise right now. It would beat the heck out of studying.
A trucker! I can't imagine you driving a big rig. From what you have told me about Tiffany, she doesn't seem the trucking type either. I hear they make pretty good money, though. I got my midterm grades back. Mostly A's and B's. I guess all of that studying is paying off. I can't wait until we get a week long break in a few weeks so that I can take a break from studying. My brain is beginning to hurt with all of the knowledge I'm cramming into it. I'm also sore from the training exercises at the police academy. Yeah, I'd like to do some more social things, but I have never been one for the party scene. That seems to be the main form of entertainment around here. There's one other, but I don't do that either. Well, maybe two, but I don't do either of them.
Next year I get to work with at risk kids. They have lots of problems, like drinking and drugs. I'm glad I managed to stay out of that. It makes me grateful for all you and Jill, and Grandma and Grandpa did for me.
I just heard the buzzer on the dryer. My laundry is done, so I will put it away and talk to you later.
Love,
Sarah
Dear Sabrina,
Kris told me you're going to have a baby. That's great! I'd love to babysit, but don't think I can right now. I will spoil your little one from a distance. I've met lots of people here. My roommate Lisa is Japanese. Her parents came from Japan, and speak Japanese in their home. Lisa taught me some of it. We met a girl in our police academy class. Her name is Kianna. We hang around together and help each other out with studying. This weekend we're going to go to the shooting range and practice. I'm glad you guys taught me how to fire a gun safely. I'll have an edge when I get to the police academy full time. Kianna, Lisa, and I make a pretty good trio. We might consider working as a team someday.
I won't be coming home for few weeks, , but I will call you as soon as I do.
Love,
Sarah
Dear Sal...I mean Sarah....
I still can't get used to calling you that! I was sorry to leave the agency, but it was time for me to settle down. I love my husband very much, and I am excited about the baby. I'm due sometime in the summer. I hope you can visit while you're home .
Love,
Sabrina
Dear Charlie,
Just a short note. I love college. I'm going to have to find a more efficient way of writing letters home. I'm starting to xerox them. I've written so many lately, that my hand is about to fall off. I am working hard in all of my classes, but I find time for fun too. I've gone to some games and a couple of parties, but managed to get my homework done. I want to make you and all of the others proud of me. Back to studying.
Love,
Sarah.
Dear Sarah,
I am proud of you. You've been a great help to our team in the time you've been with your sisters. I admire your hard work and dedication. If I ever had a daughter, I would want her to be just like you. Keep up the good work, my future Angel.
Love,
Charlie.
Dear Mark,
I'm sorry I haven't written sooner. College life is hectic and hard. I'm also taking classes at the police academy. It's a pretty busy schedule, but so far I've been able to handle it. We've got a week off coming up, and I'm looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to Christmas break. That's awhile down the road, though. Maybe we can get together.
Love,
Sarah
Dear Sarah,
I know what you mean. My schedule is pretty full too. I'm also looking forward to Christmas break. I'd like to see you. When are you going home? I will be going home the first week of December, and will return to Boston right after New Year's.
:Love,
Mark
Dear Kelly,
How is Albert? I'd love to have a dog here, but the dorm rules don't allow it. I was just reading over PI requirements, and found out that criminal justice is also helpful to know. Add that to my list of classes to take. I took a break from studying the other night. I went to a football game with a guy from one of my classes. He was nice, but he's no Mark. (grin) Yeah, I still miss him. Our team won, of course. A lot of the alumni came. It was homecoming. You would've loved the fashions some of the women were wearing. Lots of designer clothes. I've got some money saved and would like to go shopping, but there just isn't enough time for that. Study first, then fun. My friends and I help each other with homework. We're all interested in law enforcemtent fields. Some of the courses are hard, so it's nice to have someone to share the misery with. Speaking of which, I'm going to meet them for dinner and then we'll hit the books together. Talk to you soon.
Love,
Sarah
Dear Sarah,
Albert is fine, but he misses you. The Police Magnet Program sounds interesting. Let me know if I can help you out with anything. Kris told you we have a new partner named Tiffany. She seems very nice. She's very smart and plays the violin and cello. She also likes clothes. We went shopping last weekend. It was fun. With some of the cases we've had lately, it was nice to relax a little.
An ex con I helped send to prison wanted revenge on me, and managed to hook me on heroine without me knowing it. He slipped it into my coffee at that little restaurant by my house, and managed to break into my house and inject me while I was sleeping. The man he stole the drugs from thought we were in cahoots together and kidnapped us both. We got away from him and it wasn't easy. Don't do drugs and don't hang around people who do. It will only mess you up in the end. Sermon for the day is over.
One of my friends from high school was going to get married , and asked me to be a bridesmaid. Too bad her fiance was a snake.
Have you heard from Jill? She was here a while ago, but didn't let anyone know it. She was undercover as the girlfriend of a notorious jewel thief. Unfortunately, she played her part really well. Jill and Kris got into a big fight because of it, but managed to forgive each other eventually. It was really hard on both of them. They seem to be OK now.
Albert wants his walk, so I will finish this and drop it into the mailbox.
Love,
Kelly
Dear Sarah,
I am glad you're enjoying college and studying hard. Don't forget to have a little fun too. I've done several races this past week, and I am exhausted! I'm looking forward to December, when I can take a break and come home for a couple of weeks. I'm excited to spend some time with you and Kris, and the others. I think it's great that Sabrina is going to have a baby. We'll have fun with it.
You may have heard some things about me from Kris and Kelly. I want you to hear my side of it. Charlie asked me to help catch a jewel thief named Damien Roth. Damien is very handsome and smart, a master at martial arts, and a clever thief. Charlie had me pose as Damien's girlfriend to help catch him. Unfortunately, I did a really convincing job that I had turned my back on everyone, and I ended up hurting the people I love most. I just want you to know that I still love you, no matter what and I hope you still feel the same way about me. Kris got really mad at me, but we eventually got over it. I will be home soon, and we can catch up then. What would you like for Christmas? See you soon.
Love,
Jill
Dear Jill,
I still love you. I've been really busy with classes and at the police academy. I'm really tired because I am on the go from the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night. I don't mean to complain, but it has been kind of hard lately. I'm going to enjoy Christmas break. What do I want for Christmas? Hmmmm, well to be with the people I love for a start. I'm already getting that. Maybe some records or tapes. A tape player would be good so I can listen to some music and drown out that head banging stuff most of the kids in the dorm seem to enjoy. It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't insist on sharing it with the rest of us! They're pretty quiet tonight, so I'm going to take advantage of it. I'll finish my English paper and then get some sleep.
Love,
Sarah
Dear Sarah,
It has been crazy around here. We finished the trucker assignment, Kelly got hooked on heroine, was kidnapped, escaped, and got clean. She was going to her friend's wedding, but the groom was a slimeball. In other news, and you may hear about it from the others, is Jill was dating a notorious jewel thief. She turned her back on all of us. It really made me angry. Turns out it was an undercover job from Charlie. But why couldn't she tell me???? I'm her sister, for crying out loud! And I was pretty ticked at Charlie for asking her to do it. Sorry to take it out on you, but I thought you might understand. We've called a truce, and toasted to bygones. The house is lonely without you. I miss you. I miss our talks and the fun things we would do together. I can't wait until Christmas.
Love,
Kris.
Dear Kris,
I am sorry there has been tension between you and Jill. I love you both very much, and I'm glad you patched it up. My roommate and I decorated our room for Halloween. We bought some fake spider webs and strung them all over the room. We also covered the hall and the common living area. We decorated that too. It looks pretty cool. I'm studying hard for finals. I really miss you too. I'll come home this weekend. It's not a very long drive, and I'd really like to see everyone. We can have one of our heart to heart talks, maybe call Jill if you're up to it. I could use some shopping time. I will see you soon. I've also got a break coming up in a couple of weeks. It will be nice.
Love,
Sarah
Sarah finished her classes at the police academy. She, Lisa, and Kianna went back to the dorms. The other two girls were full of weekend plans, and invited Sarah to come with them.
"I'd really like to, but I think I'm going home for the weekend."
"Is something wrong?" Lisa asked with concern.
"Not really. I just miss my sisters and I want to take a break for a couple of days."
"That's understandable," Kianna said as they got out of Sarah's VW and went inside.
"What are you guys going to do?" Sarah asked while they waited for the elevator. After the calesthetics at the police academy, they were too tired to climb the stairs.
"We're going to hang out, maybe take in a movie," Lisa said as the doors opened. Kianna punched the button for her floor. When the elevator stopped at her floor, she got out.
"See you Sunday," Sarah waved at her.
"Yeah, see ya."
Lisa and Sarah got off on their floor and went to their room. Once inside, Sarah took a tote bag out of the closet and packed a couple of things in it. She looked at her dirty laundry on her closet floor. With a shrug, she shoved it into a laundry bag to take with her. She could do it for free at home. Sarah looked at her book bag and debated whether or not to take it with her. She had a couple of assignments due on Monday morning, but she could finish them when she got back on Sunday night. She put the book bag in her closet. Sarah picked up the laundry, tote bag, and her purse.
"See you Sunday," she said to Lisa.
"See ya."
Sarah went downstairs, got in her car, and drove home. She saw Kris' Cobra in the driveway. All of the lights were off. Sarah unlocked the front door and went in. She turned on the lights, and saw Kris with a guy on the couch. "Uh, hi...." she said uncertainly.
"What are you doing here?" Kris demanded.
"I thought I'd come home for a visit. But if this is a bad time, I'll leave and come back later. I'll go over to Kelly's. You can call me there." Sarah turned and started to go out the front door.
"Just a minute," Kris said to her date. "Sarah, wait." Sarah was out on the porch by this time. Kris caught up to her. "Sarah, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were coming home."
"I told you I was in my letter."
Kris looked down for a minute, and then looked up again. "You did. I forgot. Tell you what. Come in and meet my date. And after he leaves, we will work out a signal to avoid anything like this again."
"Kind of like the porch light on or the sock on the door knob?" Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow.
"How do you know about those?"
"I'm going to college, remember?" Sarah asked dryly. Kris laughed and put her arm around Sarah. "Come on in. We'll try this again."
Kris' date was still sitting on the couch. "Ted, this is my little sister Sarah, who decided to come home for the weekend. Sarah, this is Ted McWilliams, a friend of mine."
"How do you do?" they asked as they shook hands.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go put my things in my room and maybe relax for a bit. It's been a long day. Nice meeting you, Ted." Wiith that, Sarah left the room. Kris watched her go. Ted got the feeling of three being a crowd.
"Kris, maybe I'd better go. Can I call you Sunday?" Ted asked.
"Yeah, I'd like that." Kris responded.
Ted gave Kris a kiss on the cheek and left. Kris went to Sarah's room. "Ok, he's gone."
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to butt in on your date."
"It's OK. Now that you're here, what do you want to do?"
"I am a little hungry."
"You and Jill are so much alike," Kris laughed as Sarah swatted at her. .They decided to go to the Whataburger to get something to eat. They stopped at the grocery store and got some snacks for an evening of tv watching and sister time. They spent all day Saturday shopping and hanging out. Sunday they played on the beach and had their heart to heart sister talks. They called Jill. Sarah got her laundry done just before it was time to leave. She packed her bag. Kris sat on her bed and watched her.
"I really had fun this weekend," Kris said as she helped Sarah fold her clothes.
"So did I. I'm really sorry I ruined your date though."
"Really, it's OK. He'll call again tonight."
"Good. The next time I want to come home, I'll call first."
"Good idea."