Disclaimer: I own none of JE's characters. I just like playing with them.
A/N: Okay, with this chapter, I think we see what happened to everyone except Vinnie and he is coming along with the wedding. I appreciate your messages and reviews. Thanks for reading!
Dillon POV
"Thank you for the ride, Officer Gazzara." He smiled. "It was no problem, Dillon, this is on my way home. Good luck with your next car."
I got out of the car and walked into the building. Things were awfully quiet. I got into the elevator. I know it is only one floor, but I am beat. All of the residents were afraid that they were under attack and many of them called the police. After they figured out it was just my car exploding, they asked was I a bounty hunter like that nice Stephanie.
I finally got them all to go to bed and I had to wait a while before they handled my police report. The insurance company said they were paying out but they were dropping me. Geez. It is hard getting insurance. I almost wish Stephanie still lived here. She would be able to tell me what to do about this. I am in the elevator with Mrs. Brestler.
She winks at me and says, "First floor, jello shots, margaritas, wild sexy dancing!" I just shake my head at her. Poor thing. She is really losing it. I walk to my apartment to find the door is already open and there are balloons taped to the door. I walk inside and Stephanie's grandmother and many of the women who live here are all dancing around in tube tops that are barely staying up. Miss Edna comes up to me and hands me a drink.
"Hey hot stuff. You were not here so we decided to get the party started. Have a drink and shake a tail feather." Why were they in here? I did not agree to a party. How did they get inside? I walk over to Mrs. Wilcox who is holding the limbo stick with Mrs. Kuntz.
"Mrs. Wilcox, how did you ladies get into my apartment?" She smiles at me and shakes her booty and her chest wobbles as well. I could have gone my whole life without seeing that.
"Honey, we all have keys. We got them in our mailboxes. There was a note that you liked to give out keys and we should be able to reach you whenever we needed you for like emergencies and all that." She goes back to shimmying and I walk over to my recliner and sit down. What did she mean I like to give out keys? Oh no.
Mrs. Mazur comes over to me and sits on my lap and jiggles. Lord help me. She leans in close to me and whispers to me. "We are going to be watching you, Dillon. I know you gave that asshat Morelli keys to my granddaughter's apartment whenever he asked. Now, everyone in this building and a few of my homegirls have keys to your place. Every time you change the keys, we will get a copy. You make sure you are a good boy from now on and nothing bad will happen to you, you hear me?" I just nod at her. I thought it was okay, really. They were together. Well, actually deep down I knew she probably would be mad, but he paid me.
Mrs. Kuntz came over and pulled me up so I could dance with her. "Honey, you know you should use lube when you have private time. I know you must chaff something awful based on the amount of porn we found in your bedroom." Ew.
I guess this is what it felt like to Steph to have people going through your things. Fine. I do regret doing it. I am not a horrible person and I liked Steph. Hey! Did she blow up my car? Naw. Steph was a sweetie pie. Now, Mrs. Mazur? I would not put it past her. I decide to just enjoy the party because it could be worse. They could have called my mother. And then my nightmare came true. Over by the snack table was my mother putting a cake on the table and talking to Edna. Dammit.
Carl POV
"Hey Costanza, how are you getting home?" I just looked at Jackson. This joke was getting old. Sure I was at the Motel 6 last night with a special friend and for some reason, my car exploded. We raced outside to see what was going on and I was barely dressed. By now everyone must have heard that my car was dead.
I walked past Robin and another cop. They were exchanging money and pointing at me. I walked back up to her and asked her point blank what the bet was about. She just looked me up and down and held up her thumb and forefinger to show three inches. She called me Little Dog and howled laughing.
What?! I am so embarrassed. She and her friend started giggling and I just walked away. Wow. Are all of the women here betting about my size? It was cool last night and I had a shock! Who would be able to maintain an erection while watching their car burn? And Big Dog told me to drop my investigation. I know Ranger had something to do with it! He always hated when we bet on Steph, but it was all in fun, right? I heard another batch of giggles and just shook my head. What a freaking day! At least they were not teasing me for being gay.
Helen POV
Frank and I decided to stay apart for a week or so to see how we felt about things. He said he would handle everything with the house and I would handle the car. I felt that was fair. When I got here, Valerie was a hysterical mess. I am still trying to get information out of her.
"Valerie, I just do not understand. Are you saying that handsome man in the new jeep was your Albert?" She looks a little crazed and she is just mumbling to herself. I had wrestled the papers out of her hands and read them. When I asked her who Alphonso was she screamed at me.
She looked at me and nodded. "Well, I am glad he is taking care of himself. Where did he get that money from and why do you have Alphonso's divorce papers? Is that Albert's brother?" She just cries a little and rocks back and forth.
A voice from behind me answers the question. "No, the man you saw was Alphonso. His real name was not Albert, Helen. Girls, I will see you Saturday for horseback riding lessons. Be good and eat your vegetables. See you, Val, Helen." Marylou leaves as silently as she arrived. I am so confused. Why would her husband leave her? She is just sitting there staring at me and rubbing her belly over and over.
I got up and served dinner to the girls. They were very quiet. Little Lisa kept saying she wanted her daddy. I opened my mouth to tell her that her daddy went away when Mary Alice says, "You will see him tomorrow, Lisa. Eat your mashed corn and potatoes like a good girl." I watched as Mary Alice fed Lisa and then ate her food. Angie was reading on a kindle. When did she get one of those things? I turn back to Valerie and ask her. She looks clueless.
"Grandma Helen, Mary Alice and I have trust funds and we can get things that are for our education like this kindle. Miss Mary Lou took us to buy more books to draw in and I got this kindle while Mary Alice has an ipad. We also have cell phones for emergencies." She was only 10 years old for cripes sake! I looked at Valerie and said, "Why is Albert not coming back until tomorrow, Valerie?" Once again my question is answered by Angie.
"Grandma Helen, Alphonso is not Lisa's daddy. Her daddy is named Richard. He sees her when we are at school." I look at Valerie and she has not disputed anything they have told me. What?! "Do you mean that you are getting another divorce?! What will the neighbors think, Valerie? You are six months pregnant. Why can't you make up with Albert or Alonzo or whoever he is now?"
A throat clears and I turn to Mary Alice. "Yes, dear?" She smiles at me. "Grandma Helen, Alphonso left because Mommy was bedroom friends with Mr. Richard instead of him. He told us he was not happy about that, but that Mommy and Mr. Richard are having another baby, so he might marry Mommy and that when we needed something we should let Miss Mary Lou know because she is in charge of our money. He said he would write at holidays and that we should study hard and that we should move out of this town as soon as possible so we could have a happy life." What?
He left and they are okay with it? I look at Valerie and realize it is quiet here. Why was the phone not ringing? I put it into the receiver and it starts ringing. I answer it and it is Mrs. Castelli asking me if it is true that Valerie is cheating on her husband with Dickie Orr. I hang up the phone and glare at Valerie. How could she do this? She was my success story to show to the other women how I am a good mother. She ruined everything! Why me?!