Chapter 29- Finding Neverland
Lora
The rental car arrived at our hotel mid-afternoon on Wednesday. My nerves were already on edge as Randy and I got into the car, and head out onto the streets of Atlanta. We had a thirty minute drive to the city of Roswell. The city where I was raised. Atlanta was the city where we went to shop, hang out and party. But I lived in Roswell. I clutched the steering wheel tighter the further we got to my home town. I was having serious doubts about this day. And if I really thought about it, Randy was the only reason I was here. If it wasn't for him, we would still be in Philadelphia.
"Lora," Randy's voice drifted into my head, breaking my thoughts, "are you sure you want to stay at the hotel? And not at your parents' house?"
That was a decision that I made. To stay at a hotel, and not at the house. I wasn't going to take any chances with this week. And I wanted a place where Randy and I could get away from everything, and be ourselves, without having to be on our guard. I didn't say anything, but just nodded my head. Randy didn't persist with the subject, something that I loved about him. He knew when to step back, and give me my space when I needed it. I traveled the oh-so-familiar roads to my old home. The stores and buildings immediately brought back memories; some good and some bad. The feeling to run back as we left the town and headed into the country side rushed over my senses. But, now, it was too late. I turned the car onto the drive-way, and my eyes landed on the house, surrounded by a seven acre stretch of land.
My old, two-story, yellow painted home, with a white wrap-around porch drew closer the further I drove. The dark green, aluminum covered roof peeked, with three dog-house windows in the front of the house. I parked the car next to my mom's Honda Civic, and cut the engine. I heard Randy's door open, but I didn't move. I let my eyes run over the home I had spent my whole life in. Everything seemed the same. The flower bed below the porch that my mother always tended too, the green-wooded porch swing that swayed in the breeze, and the same large oak tree to the side of the house, that my brother, sister and I used to climb on. I jumped when my car door opened, and I looked to see Randy's silhouette against the sun that was high in the sky. He held his hand out for me, and I took a deep breath and slipped my hand in his. Randy pulled me out of the car, and into his arms, and together we walked up the stairs of the porch.
I opened the front door, and the memories flooded my body. Thousands of memories were held in this living room. From Christmas' around the fireplace, to Thanksgiving dinners at the table behind the living room furniture. Even sitting around the TV on Monday nights, with Mark, watching wrestling. Shaking the thoughts from my head, I stepped around the coffee table, and sat my purse down on one end of the green suede sectional sofa, and went in search of my mother.
"Moma?" I called out into the seemingly empty house. I heard the clink of dishes coming from the kitchen and went through the archway on my left. My mom had both hands buried deep into a sink full of soapy water, scrubbing several plates and cups clean. Her red hair, that matched mine, was pulled into a loose bun at the base of her neck. She turned around from the sink, and her brown eyes lit up as the skin crinkled around her eyes as she smiled. Her hands left the water, dried them on a hand towel, and closed the space between us. My mom's arms closed around me in a tight hug, pulling me tight to her body. I mimicked her actions, at hugged her back. It felt good to see my mother again, but I still wish that I wasn't in this house. She pulled back, and left her eyes roam over my face.
"Lora, my baby," Mom said, smiling brightly at me. "You look so good!"
"Thank you Moma," I said, reaching behind me, blinding searching for Randy's hand. My mom seemed to notice my action as Randy slipped his hand into mine. I pulled him up to me, "Moma, this is Randy. Randy, this is my mother, Callie."
I watched nervously, hearing Nathan's words running through my mind, as Randy stepped closer to my mom. He towered over her, which wasn't all that surprising, because even I was taller than my mother. My mom eyed Randy, from built appearance, tattooed arms and his prominent demeanor.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Pierce," Randy spoke, his gruff voice was soft. Looking up at Randy, I saw the cool attitude about him, but I saw, in his eyes, that he wanted my mother's approval. I chewed my bottom lip, and waited for my mother to speak.
"Well, it's nice to finally see you too," Mom said, laying a hand on his arm, and smiled up at Randy. And I saw nothing that would counteract her words, and I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. My body was flooded with relief that my mother accepted my boyfriend. My eyes landed on Randy as he returned my mother's smile; and I could tell that he was happy for her approval, no matter what he had told me.
Mom led the way back to the living room, and I held my hand out for Randy, and we followed behind her. I felt Randy's reassuring kiss fall on my hair, and a ripple of emotion flowed through my body. Nathan was now the farthest thing from my mind. It no longer mattered what he thought of me. My mother approved of Randy, and because of that, I wasn't worried about the rest of the family. Mom was the centerpiece of the entire family, and everyone went with her decisions. I sat next to Mom on the couch, and Randy sat on my other side.
"So, ya'll met at work, did you?" Mom asked, settling back against the cushions. I bit the inside of my cheek, to hold in my laughter. Mom was never one for Monday night wrestling. So, she wouldn't know who Randy was. I just assumed that she knew, when I told her we met at work, that she would put two and two together.
"Yes, ma'am," Randy said, and I noticed a smirk building on his face. I arched an eyebrow at him and rolled my eyes.
"Moma, I thought you would get that when I said I met someone at work you would know that-"
"That what? That Randy here is a top wrestler on the show you work at? I already knew that dear," she laughed. And I gaped at my mother. I tried to find the words to reply back to her, but my mind was blank. I could only stare at my mom, raking my brain for complete, coherent sentences. "I started watching the show when you went to work for them."
That brought the words back to my mouth, "Why? You never watched it with us when we were little."
Mom shrugged her shoulders, "You never worked for them before either."
Emotion lumped in my throat. Mom always had a way at making me feel loved and special with the least amount of words. Randy's hand brushed against the side of my leg. And a wave of appreciation for Randy rushed over me. I wouldn't have come here if it wasn't for him. I wouldn't be here, spending this time with my mother, if it wasn't for Randy. "Well, if you knew who he was, then why did you ask?"
"Can I not ask about my daughter's life and her boyfriend?" my mom asked, smiling at me while raising an eyebrow. I laughed softly and shrugged my shoulders. The sound of a car door slamming shut met my ears, and I turned to look at the front door. I didn't know anyone else would be here.
"Where's Lo?" a female voice called out. I immediately got to my feet. A woman that was about Mom's height walked in the front door. She had medium length blond hair that was pulled away from her face. Her brown eyes shining at me. My sister Zoey stood in front of me. And in her arms was a small little girl, with the same blond hair. But her eyes were blue, that she inherited from Zoey's husband. She was a two-year old spitfire.
"Zo," I said, and closed the space between us. Zoey put her daughter down, and wrapped her arms around me. I couldn't fight the tug of a smile on my lips as I hugged my sister. I didn't know I was going to get to see her. Two tiny arms hooked around my leg and I pulled away, looking down to see my niece clinging to me. I bent down and picked her up. "Odie!"
She giggled and wrapped her small arms around my neck, and smacked her lips on my cheek. I heard Zoey groan beside me, "Lora, don't call her that. It's 'Odera'. She's a human girl, not a puppy on 'Garfield'."
I rolled my eyes at her, and turned back to Odera, "You like the name, don't you Odie?" She nodded, and giggled more. I hugged her tight to me. She had gotten so much bigger since the last time I had seen her. It was amazing how fast a child can grow. "Oh, I've missed you."
"So," Zoey said, pulling my arm in the direction of the living room, "where is this steamy boyfriend of yours?"
"Zo!" I exclaimed, my eyes meeting my mother's amused ones before throwing my sister a death glare. The next words came out vehemently through clenched teeth. "He is on the couch, and can hear every word you say."
Zoey shrugged her shoulders, and walked around the couch. That was one thing about Zoey, she was shameless. She could say anything, in front of anyone, at any time and it never bothers her. And in a way, I always wished that I could be like her. To not care what anyone thinks about your opinion. I tried, though. I learned from her the best I could at being bold. I bit back my smirk, and carried Odera over to Randy and sat next to him.
"Randy, this is my sister, Zoey, and her daughter, Odera," I motioned with my hand when I spoke each name. Zo sat next to Mom, as she eyed Randy over. She knew who Randy was before today, and I wasn't surprised to see that she life her husband, Daniel, at home. I felt Odera run her little fingers through my hair hanging over my shoulder. Randy and Zoey said their greetings and I saw him turn his attention back to me.
"'Odera'? That's a very interesting name," Randy said, watching Odera playing with my hair. I circled my arms around her tiny body, hugging her to me. I smiled when she giggled and snuggled her head under my chin. That was my favorite thing about Odera; she loved to be loved and petted on. When the mood struck her, she would sit in your lap for an hour or more, and demand your attention.
"Thank you. It comes from my husband's side of the family. Her full name is 'Odera Callie'. After both our mother's," Zoey explained to Randy. I saw Randy smile at her, but turned back to watch the little girl. His eye caught every action Odera made. And I didn't recognize the look he had as he watched us play together. He drank in our movements, with a gleam that I couldn't describe with words. It intrigued me, to not be able to know what he was thinking. I had gotten so used to just knowing what he was thinking, or what he wanted to say, that I could predict his moods. But this was different, and baited my interests to find out what was going on in his head.
"Well, she's a very beautiful little girl," Randy said, brushing some of the stray blond hair that had fallen into Odera's face away. Zoey puffed up proudly, as she always does when her child gets complimented. And she had every right too. I may be a little biased, but my niece was one of the cutest kids that had ever walked this earth.
"Thank you," Zoey smiled in Randy's direction, then turning her attention towards me, "but I better carry her to bathroom. It's potty-training time, you see. Want to come with me, Lo?"
I raised an eyebrow at her. I knew she wasn't asking me for help with her two-year old to go to the bathroom. I read between the lines of her words, and knew she wanted to talk to me. Preferably away from Mom's and Randy's ears. I smiled, and carried Odera to the hall bathroom, with Zoey hot on my heels. I knew Zo was waiting for the baby to finish before she started questioning me. And sure enough, Zoey sent her daughter on her way back to the living room, and shut the door to the bathroom, with us in it, behind her.
"I want details, and I want them now." I stared at Zoey for a moment before the both of us fell into laughter. I loved my sister with everything I had, but she could be so nosy and so bossy sometimes. Well, more of the time than just some.
"I don't know what you want me to say," I stalled. Which wasn't all that much of a lie. She never specified what details she wanted. I could give her details about my job in the titantron room, and that would be giving her what she asked, if I was taking her at face value. But I raised an eyebrow at her, and smirked. "Why didn't Daniel come today? I would have liked to see him. You want to call him and see if he wants to join us?"
Zoey smacked my shoulder, hard, "Don't change the subject on me." I laughed at her, rubbing the spot where she had hit me. For a woman of her short stature, she was deceivingly powerful. "And you know what I mean. I want details about Randy. His ring attire leaves little for the imagination, if you know what I mean. But that doesn't stop my imagination from finishing the job," I found it oddly horrifying to hear my sister talk about my boyfriend in that manner. And it wasn't because she was talking about my boyfriend, but because it was my sister who was doing the talking. "So, you have to tell me, is he everything I think he is? Is he as good as everyone thinks he is?"
I felt the blush creep up my cheeks as Zoey's words made memories fly to the fore front of my mind. I knew there was no way I was going to tell her every small detail. First, there just wasn't enough time. And second, there just has to be some humility, some privacy between Randy and me. With Randy's life being so public, I like the things that we could keep between ourselves. But the other side of me, the side that Randy brought out, wanted to let her know that he was mine.
"To answer your first question, yes," I bit my lip as Zo collapsed into giggles. I struggled myself to maintain my composure. I waited for her stem her laughter before I continued, "And as for question number two, I don't know what everyone thinks, but they probably have it wrong. But, I can say, unquestionably, no one can even guess about how out of this world Randy is."
Zo stared at me, wonder evident in her eyes. I saw the humorous smile pulling at the corners of her lips. She fanned herself with her hand. "Oh my. I am so jealous that you get to go to bed with that every night."
I rolled my eyes. "What about Daniel? He isn't unfortunate looking. And Randy isn't just a handsome face and that body."
"Yeah, I know. But c'mon on Lo. I love Danny, and you know that, but damn," Zo fell into giggles again, and this time, I joined her. Two sisters, sharing gossip like the old times, and it felt so good. I watched as Zoey fixed her hair in the mirror. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah, give me a few minutes," I said, and watched as she left the bathroom. I need time to cool my face, and my thoughts. Our conversation had heated my body, and got me flustered. I turned on the faucet and splashed a little water on my face. Bracing my hands on either side of the sink, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. My bright green eyes shown back at me, along with the flush on my cheeks. The effect of merely thinking about Randy was evident on my face. I smiled, taking a deep breath, and left the bathroom. I headed back down the hall, when the voices of the people that meant the most to me, caught my ear.
"You mean she never told you?" Zoey's voice drifted through the archway I was hiding behind. I froze. I had a feeling I knew what they were talking about, and I didn't want to be apart of this conversation.
"I had no idea," Randy said. I heard shock and disbelief in his voice, backing up my fears of what the conversation was about. My heart pounded in my ears. I couldn't move from my spot.
"I'm not surprised she hasn't told you yet. Of the three, Zoey, Lora and Mark, Lora took it the hardest. It was just so sudden. And it wasn't long after that, that she took off for Missouri," my mother was trying to explain my actions. Trying to build me up. "It's not even been a whole year yet."
The moisture in my eyes forced me back to reality. And I felt suddenly confined by the walls of my home. I walked straight passed the archway, bypassing the living room, and went for the back door. Once outside, I headed off the porch and into the warm rays of the sun. A barbed-wire fence with wooden posts roped off the back yard and our seven acres. I went to the metal gate that opened and closed for farm vehicles and crossed my arms over the warm steel. Staring into the blue sky, with white clouds rolling by slowly. I closed my eyes, and ran my hands through my hair. I didn't want to come back to this place to be reminded to him.
"Lora? Are you okay?" Randy's voice came from behind me. I didn't turn to look at him. I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't want to see the sympathy on his face. Sympathy didn't help. It didn't bring him back. "What happened?"
That wasn't the question I was expecting to hear from him. Why didn't you tell me? would have been something I predicted, but not that. I hung my head as I felt Randy stand next to me by the gate. "Nine months ago, my Dad was on his way home from work; it had been a long day, and he had worked over time. Mom expected him home around seven that night. He never showed up," the moisture that sprung up in my eyes earlier came back with a vengeance. I blinked rapidly, trying to rid the tears, but nothing worked. My vision blurred. "When eight rolled around, she got a phone call. The police found Daddy's truck wrapped around a tree. He had fallen asleep at the wheel. The doctor's said he felt no pain; that it was instant."
The first tear rolled slowly down my cheek. I didn't even care enough to swipe at it. I was engulfed in thoughts and memories of my father, and the pain that was still fresh in my soul. I didn't know if I could say anything, open my mouth, without breaking down completely. I felt Randy's arms come around my waist, and pull me to his chest. I buried my head into his shirt, and somewhere in the back of my head, I scolded myself for crying his shirt.
"When I was in high school, I had this best friend, named Jackson Tate," Randy said, mainly into my hair. "He lived down the road from my parents' house nearly our whole lives. We grew up together. When Senior year rolled around, we were inseparable. Except for one night. He was leaving a party that we had gone to together. I was supposed to leave with him, but my other friends wanted me to stay a little bit longer. It wasn't until I got home that night, that I found out, that as Jackson drove home in the rain, he lost control on a curve that he drove nearly everyday. The whole senior class chipped in and bought a giant cross to put in front of the tree that took his life," I heard the thick emotion in his voice, and I felt his pain. "I don't know what you are going through, but I can empathize on half of your pain."
I sniffed and pulled away from him. I brushed away my tears, and looked up in the torn face of Randy. "I'm sorry Randy. I'm sorry about your friend."
"I'm sorry about your father," Randy returned the same sentiment. His blue eyes cast down at mine. I knew he meant his words with everything that he had. It wasn't just some empty statement that he thought he was supposed to say at a time like this. He really meant it. "Is that why you put up such an opposition on coming here?"
"There are so many memories I have of him, just by looking at the house. Not to mention going inside. I knew it was going to be hard. And to be honest with you, you are the only reason I came here today. Because I knew how much it meant to you. But, once we got here, and I pushed the panic feelings I had when I thought of my Dad, I was happy that I let you talk me into it. I didn't know how much I missed Moma and Zo, and little Odie."
Randy didn't say anything, he didn't gloat about being right, didn't smirk at me; he just pulled me back into his arms. A place that I knew I was safe. I breathed his scent in deep, closing my eyes in the comfort that washed over me. "What were you and Zoey talking about in the bathroom, that made you laugh so much?"
His immediately subject swerve caught me off guard. I smiled up at him. It was eerie how well he knew when to change the topic in of the conversation. But when I thought about what Zo and I had been talking about, I began to laugh again. Randy looked down at me in confusion.
"Nothing for you to worry about, Randy."
A/N
Thanks for reading! It was kindof a bittersweet chapter.. I picked the title "Finding Neverland" because I love that movie, and it never fails to make me tear up when the little boy asks Johnny Depp's character why his mother had to die.. =( anyways, I just realize, that I plan my whole week around just two hours of one day. Isn't that funny? Pahaha Those two hours are very important.. but, I'm going to stop rambling. READ AND REVIEW!
Eisac Namhort, Duchan Mandic, Christina89, JoolR, Dreamin'BIG, AshleyBabe86, SuperStar89, Viper-Desi, KimmieCena, Xandman216, Thiala, Barnsley Gal 09, roknpstergrl, miamitravel, and southern. dreamz, southerncharm21, Cecilyyy, undermyumbrella, babyxbxgurl, hardycenagrl, Krista Hardy, xLou26, littleone999, rkolover2, rauts, Kezzstar and alana2awesome for all the love! You guys are awesome! Especially the repeat offenders.. LOL
