Chapter 22

SPOV

I woke up the next morning in a fog, the words said at my funeral playing over and over in a hazy fog. I turned to the right and saw Ranger sound asleep, he must have had a long night. Still to this day I will never know what I did to deserve him or his family. I was almost thinking that I'd wake up and it would be like nothing happened, the funeral, the death, the announcement, all figments of my imagination. I decided I needed some alone time so I slipped out of the bed and threw on my sweatpants and a tank top and headed down to the firing range. I knew that the whole building was monitored, but I figured this would be the last place anyone would look for me.

I got downstairs and put my earphones and glasses on and pulled out my little pistol and a block of bullets. I had worked with all of the guys on my gun so I had gotten much better. I loaded my first clip and just fired at the target. Before I knew it half my brick was gone. I had lost track of time and there was barely any paper left on my target. I pulled my target back and realized it was already 12:45 PM. I went to put up my glasses and earphones and ran right into my Dad.

"Pumpkin"

"Daddy, I'm so sorry" I said as I started to cry.

"None of this is your fault, your Mother had problems beforehand. I've got to say you impressed me with your shooting, you must have been in a zone I've been here for close to an hour." He said as he hugged me.

"Let me put my gun away and we will grab some lunch up in the apartment." I said as I cleared my gun and put it away.

Daddy had enough forethought to bring subs from Pino's so we sat at the kitchen table and ate in comfortable silence. I could tell Daddy was worn down and didn't know what quite to say to me.

"Your Grandma is getting released into an assisted living community, the poor bastards have no clue what they're up against. We're going to wait until her hip is fully healed and then make a decision from there. I've also decided to get rid of the house. If you or Valerie would like the house, I will give it to you, if not I will sell it." Daddy said as he finished up his sub.

"I don't want it, but I bet Valerie would with the girls. She wouldn't associate the house with the same memories I do." I said with a sob.

"Ranger has found me an one story house outside the Burg about 10 minutes from here, it's got 3 bedrooms, one if your Grandma decided to live me, and another for my grandchildren especially the ones the two of you are going to have. I just know you're going to give me my grandson." Frank said with a huge smile.

"Daddy I feel bad that you're changing you're whole life because of something that I did, it's not fair."

"Stephanie now listen to me. Just because you are becoming Stephanie Manoso doesn't make you any less of a Plum, remember that is MY side of the family. Now I also wanted to make sure that you when you do get married you will still include your family. Your mother may have been a royal bitch about the situation but the rest of us were genuinely happy for you and can't want to see you get married to the man you love. I would love nothing more than to walk you down the aisle, but if you do not want to include your family after this we understand."

"Daddy, I love you and I want all my family to be a part of my special day. Even if it's just at the courthouse. I just don't want anyone to hate me for what happened to Mom. I know it's not my fault, and I'm dealing with that myself."

Daddy and I talked for another few hours before Ranger came home and insisted taking us to dinner. He knew Daddy hadn't had a proper meal in a few days and he knew that no one would mess with us while we were out. We all ate at a place called Marcello's and had a good time. I was glad to see my Daddy and air out our issues, maybe tomorrow I'd go see my Grandma.