Something's Burning: Chapter 13
Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing, guests included. I am rapt with all the favourites and follows. It means so much to me that you take the time to read and review. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
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Not mine, not making any money. Characters belong to JE and I'm just having fun playing with them.
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She grinned at Ella conspiratorially and nodded. I wonder what that was about. Ella then led her to the elevator and Stephanie turned around, smiled and pinkie waved at me. Tank and Lester nudged me on either side and pinkie waved back at her amid peals of laughter.
"Gotta be more aware of your surroundings, Bossman," smirked Tank.
"Yeah, Cuz, your love radar is making ya'll wonky!" Lester sped off with that smart ass remark. But, they were both right. OK. Game face on.
"My office in five. Bobby, too."
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Chapter 13
Stephanie's POV
We both giggled at Ranger with Tank and Lester pinkie waving back at me as the elevator doors closed. Ranger was caught unawares it seems. What that man does to me, just with a smile like that. I sighed and Ella beamed at me.
"You are good for him, Stephanie. You make him smile. He is always working hard, looking after his men and his business."
"I saw his office and the control room. Wow. I gather he runs a very successful company with Rangeman. I didn't realise that he was a businessman as well. I have only seen him as a bounty hunter and a couple of times as Street Ranger."
"But it hasn't changed your opinion of him, has it? Many women only see his wealth, his success and his … good looks." I blushed at that. Yeah well, he looks mighty fine in those tight black t-shirts with that well-muscled, hard body. That gorgeous mocha-latté body. Did I just moan? Ella was chuckling. Oh God no. Oops. "Out loud?"
"Yes, my dear. My nephew is a mighty fine looking specimen. It's a family trait and I'm pleased to see you appreciate that too. But the difference that I see, Stephanie? You see the man. You see Ranger. You see Ricardo Carlos Mañoso. Carlos. You love the man for him, not for his accessories of handsomeness, wealth and business acumen. That he is so good-looking is just a bonus." Ella chuckled again and winked at me.
"Your nephew? So, you are Ranger's aunt?"
The elevator stopped. Ella had just taken me up to the sixth floor and her apartment. It was homely, open and bright as she led me into the large modern kitchen. It was like a restaurant kitchen with lots of cooktops, ovens and bench space. It smelled delicious of fresh baking and something delicious and spicy. The ovens had something cooking in them and some pots on the stove top were simmering slowly. It was clean and immaculate. I sniffed appreciatively. Mmmm. She smiled at me.
"Would you like me to make you an Ella Special? You like coffee … and some cake perhaps?"
"Oh, Ella. Yes, please, to both." I couldn't help but smile at the thought of cake with my coffee. I liked her instantly. Not just because of the cake. I just had a strong vibe, a really feel good vibe. Something connected with us, a shared understanding. She loved the Merry Men, too. And Ranger. She and Luis had a lot of respect for them. But it went beyond that, deeper even than family.
"I rarely get to share a coffee with someone other than Luis and sometimes some of the Rangemen, Hector mostly and Ranger sometimes. This is a treat for me. Now, how do you like your coffee?"
Oh. My. God. I think I love Ella. She just gave me a slice of a sinfully decadent chocolate cake, with some whipped cream and a strawberry. To say it was orgasmic was an understatement. I moaned through every mouthful and her face lit up with delight. We both drank our coffee slowly, very tasty. Ella had a smaller piece of this divine chocolate cake for herself.
"Manny and Hector took photos of your apartment, dear, and it was a shambles. I'm sorry," as she offered me another piece of that luscious cake. Of course, I accepted. "That maniac really went berserk and as a result of his freakish behaviour he damaged practically all your clothes and shoes and other belongings. They tried to retrieve some of your things but it was rather pointless."
"Oh, Ella? What am I to do? I only have these and what I wore before and ..."
"Sh, sh. Shush, my dear. Ranger has taken care of that. Come."
To my surprise she showed me a guest room, a guest room decorated for me. I nearly fell off my feet. Ranger had said that there was a guest room available if I wanted to take that option or an apartment on the fourth floor. Never in my entire life had I experienced such unconditional generosity and a feeling of importance, to them. They cared for me, my welfare. I sat on the beautiful bed and began to cry.
Ella held me and let me cry through this little reality check. She crooned in Spanish and rocked me gently. She called me Querida. How have I never seen this before? My own Mom never held me like this, Grandma yes, but not my own recently-disowned mother. She said we weren't a touchy-feely family. But I am. I like it and I snuggled into her embrace. Ella had tissues on hand and once I resumed normal breathing without the sobbing tremors and hiccups, she steered me towards the en suite bathroom.
"Why don't you freshen up and check out the wardrobe. I have bought you some things so you will have some choices. Ranger insisted. I was able to get your make up and …"
I rushed her and hugged her again. "Thank you Ella."
"Don't thank me, my dear. Ranger …"
"No. Thank you. Yes, I will. But … You are more …," and here I choked a bit. "You are more motherly than my own Mom." I said softly, scared that I might get struck down for that revelation. She smiled at me with her eyes glistening and hugged me right back, rubbing her hands up and down my arms and back.
"Stephanie. I am honoured that you to feel this way. Luis and I never had a daughter and we would be happy to be there for you, anytime. My dear, you are the daughter Luis and I have been wishing for all these years."
I nodded and smiled at her.
"Now, you have a meeting shortly with Ranger. I need to do some things here. So you just relax for a bit while I put the final touches to dinner. Have a look around."
"Dinner? Is it that late already? Can I do something to help? I am not a good cook but I can be of assistance. That's the least I can do."
Ella got a twinkle in her eye. "Perhaps you and Ranger would like a quiet little dinner together? But not on seven. Give me your phone. I will text you when I have it ready and then I'll have it all set up for you. Then you can assist by getting Ranger to agree on your little dinner date." She winked at me mischievously as she put her number into my phone.
"Ella? You're up to something," I smiled
"Wait and see. Wait and see, mi hija." She grinned, turned around slowly and hummed her way into the kitchen.
Ranger's POV
Bobby joined us and we sat around the small conference table debating options and strategies in recruiting Stephanie as part of Rangeman. We considered Bobby's advice.
"I think it may be best to ask her rather than decide for her but still convince her subtly that working for Rangeman would have its benefits."
"Good point, Bobby, but let's re-phrase that! Benefits. Oh boy. We don't want to give her the wrong idea or make her feel rushed or uncomfortable. No pressure, no coercion. Besides, the cop and her mother have done plenty of 'deciding' for her and it has backfired. Stephanie doesn't want to be told. Subtle is good, Bobby"
"We all just want her to feel safe and appreciated." Another valid point as we all concurred.
"We've got her back, Bossman. It's the least we could do. She has already had ours and the TPD and half the 'Burg can bear witness to that."
Tank and Lester were quick to point that out. Listening to my friends I could hear the concern for her welfare and that is how we will present our case to her. Prioritise: her welfare, her safety, our appreciation, warmth because we all love her and a safe place to live, a refuge, for the time being, as needed. A refuge, like a haven, yes, like a sanctuary from all that fucked up bullshit she's had to deal with. She needs a break. Well, that's if she needs it and wants it. She won't have to worry about her next meal either because that's part of the package. I had seen her fridge, a very sad statement of her current situation. She had enough problems without us adding to them or complicating things. I remembered that kiss. Ah, yes, that sweet first kiss. She had all these problems and I had to give her a new one. I smiled. Suddenly, I was showered with pens and wads of paper to the head. What the fuck? Oh, yes. I must have drifted away with that sweet memory. I smirked as they yelled some more taunts at me.
After some more jibes and digs at my love struck status, which I handled with dignity and laughter, we prepared our strategic plan, Operation Bomber On Board. I cannot remember a meeting going like this with such compassion and enthusiasm. I could tell by their sudden realisation as we sat there stunned, that they felt it, too. We are laughing and smiling while planning. Not our usual MO. Not our usual type of plan of action either. It felt good. It felt right. How does she do this? Wonder Woman indeed, as another wad of paper hit me right in the middle of my forehead. Yeah, yeah.
Frank's POV
Dinner at Rossini's. Ha. My choice, my treat. Very clever, Edna. So here we are sitting at a quiet, discreet table away from nosy neighbours and pesky gossips. Spaghetti and meatballs. Hmm-mmm. Delicious. I must have hummed and moaned because Edna stopped and looked me directly in the eye.
"Cojones Frank."
What!? I froze and nearly choked with one of these delicious meatballs in my mouth. Holy shit! Did she say cojones?! Do I swallow or spit it out? She looked down at her plate of tortellini and it gave me the chance to bite the meatball and swallow the uncomfortable lumps before I disgraced myself.
Was Edna being Crazy Edna or was she having a dig at me? I was confused. She'd been so quiet up until now, polite and friendly. I had been waiting, poised for the shit to hit the fan. I was sure she was gonna rip me apart.
"When are you going to man up?"
Oh, boy. Here it comes. She was quiet yet very direct. Edna always did cut to the chase. I put my fork and spoon down.
"Do you realise what she has done to Stephanie? What you are doing to Stephanie?"
What I'm doing? Where is this going? I had an idea but did not dare to consider her direction. Call it fear, avoidance, denial. Yeah, Denial with a capital D.
"Do you even care or are you just gonna sit on your ass and let her get away with it?"
She pointed her fork at me giving me that piercing Mazur look. Uh-oh.
"So here's how I see it Frank. You grow some balls and sort her out or so help me, I'll move out and leave you to it. So what's it gonna be, Frank?"
Joy. Elation. Relief. Excitement. Disbelief. Mixed emotions rapidly flitted through my mind with the daily morning bathroom debacle at the forefront and all that dinnertime bullshit with her crazy inappropriate conversations and outbursts, those horny boyfriends and her weird and appalling dress sense. I was ready to jump for joy and pump the air in celebration. Suspicion. Wait a minute. That was a loaded question. Her head was inclined slightly watching me intently with her sharp blue eyes. One eye brow cocked up when she saw the realisation dawn on me. That was no idle, veiled threat. Fuck. She meant it. I mentally rewound the conversation. There was going to be fall-out. Oh shit.
The waiter came and cleared our plates. I had lost my appetite a bit but Edna ordered coffee and dessert for both of us. I was in a bit of a daze. I needed some strength so I drank the rest of my red wine in one large swig.
"I'm her mother. I've done my part. Frankly, you've let her walk all over you and now Stephanie as well and what do you do about it? You just sit there and stuff your face and let her get away with it. Well, I've had enough. I'm done with her. Now it's your turn Frank. Discipline and boundaries. Man up and grow some balls, Frank! You're not a doormat! No more denial!"
"What are you saying, Edna?" I asked warily.
"She's got you so under her thumb. You have enabled her. Well, Frank. News flash! Take those damned blinkers off and see the wood for the trees. Stephanie is not going to come and visit you with that witch bitch of a wife of yours, tearing strips off her every time, bullying her relentlessly. And if she did find the right man and future happiness and maybe have children of her own, yes, grandchildren Frank! You might never get to see them. Is that what you want? You should be protecting her. You have become a stupid, selfish man, Frank. Shame on you!"
Oh boy. Fuck! I was stunned. She's absolutely right. I have spent so much time avoiding confrontations with Helen that I tuned out, basically I withdrew to a neutral, safe zone. Safe zone, hmph. No man's land. Denial Land. God, I've fucked up big time. I've been such a fool and an idiot. I have become a fence sitter. How stupid have I been? Stephanie must be disappointed in me. What have I done? Not done? I could lose my Pumpkin, forever. That was a shattering, devastating thought. I looked up to see Edna's stern, unwavering gaze as she sipped her coffee. She had that Hungarian Witch Woman look about her and it was as if she could read all my thoughts. She nodded. Shit! Fuck! … Fuck!
"Yes, Frank," she said softly. "You finally get it. Helen is out of control. I am not putting up with this behaviour of hers anymore. Stephanie has disowned her mother and now I wash my hands of her, my very own daughter. I've had enough. I am not going to run interference for you anymore. You can have it all, all to yourself."
"What do you mean, interference?" I asked cautiously.
"Frank. I think it's best that I move out. I have tried to protect Stephanie with my impromptu visitors and diversions. It's all I can do to distract her and you just sit there and let it happen. So, what do you want, Frank? Man up or I'm moving out."
This was no idle threat or feeble joke. Edna looked sad and crestfallen as her eyes glistened. I set my dessert spoon down heavily as I was overcome with shock. Of course she had been running interference. She loved Stephanie even more than her own daughter. Even Valerie has come under Helen's spell, a clone, but all the more willingly. Princess Valerie or Saint Valerie as my Pumpkin calls her. Stephanie is a free spirit. I can't bear to see her crushed.
"You know she's not going to change, Edna. It's gone too far, I'm embarrassed to admit. I can't lose Stephanie … and nor can you."
"She is in too deep, Frank, in the 'Burg Bitter Bitches Club. She might be a lost cause. She is their self-proclaimed martyr president, so embroiled in her martyrdom that she has lost any kind of perspective except her own and that of the BBB Club. That phone drives me crazy with her incessant gossip mongering and malicious rumouring. She doesn't even defend her own daughter. She makes it worse. It's like a feeding frenzy."
Edna actually sounded weary and shattered herself, a reflection of my mood. We're a fine pair.
"Yeah. I am so over that."
We sat there quietly finishing our dessert, not actually tasting it. I slowly sipped the last of my coffee contemplating the ramifications and consequences of our current circumstances. I reflected on my life, past, present and future, Stephanie with her past, present and her future. Suddenly, I was struck with a thought, a revelation beyond words.
I touched Edna's hands and she looked up at me, her eyes almost brimming with tears.
"Edna. I have an idea. It might solve both our problems and make life easier for Stephanie."
She sat up straight with a hopeful expression in anticipation of my epiphany.
"You know, Edna. We have had our differences. But I think we are on the same page here. Right here and right now. It's not about Helen. It's about Stephanie." She gave me the come on signal. Then I saw it. A wry little smile.
"Oh, Frank. Are you thinking what I think you are thinking?"
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So there you have it. A new perspective I hope with these three POVs.
What does Ella have in mind, eh?
What do you think of Frank and Edna on their "dinner date"? What was his epiphany?
Will Stephanie accept Rangeman sanctuary?