AN: Another heartfelt thank you goes to all my readers :-) Just a heads-up....Those asking for updates in PMs (hint hint "keller12917"), feel free to ask away, I don't mind ;-)... my updates may get less frequent over the next coming two weeks as I have some after work functions to attend. I'm catching up with family, grocery shopping and chores this weekend, hopefully get together with friends in between. And have I mentioned a plumbing appointment to fix my toilet? LOL. Also sleeeep. Yes, I've been lacking in that department after staying back the entire week :-( so I'm catching up on that too. Thank you for your understanding and patience. I appreciate it.

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.

Tanith


Chapter 14

The next day, Mike awoke to the smell of freshly cooked pancakes and the sweet aroma of hot maple syrup. Ignoring his growling stomach, he took a shower, shaved and got dressed. He had the day off and hoped he could spend some quality time with his daughter. When he reached the dining room, he saw the table was set for two and a smile crossed over his face.

"Morning," Jeannie greeted.

Mike returned the greeting though he noted Jeannie didn't sound like her chirpy self. Maybe she had a restless sleep, no doubt after her talk with husband-to-be.

"How was dinner?" Mike asked, trying to sound casual.

"Fine," Jeannie replied offhandedly, as she busied herself dishing out pancakes onto each of their plates.

"Where did you kids end up going?"

"Nowhere special. Syrup?" Jeannie held out the glass pitcher as Mike sat down.

"Thanks," said Mike, perplexed on why Jeannie was giving him the cold shoulder. She was usually more animated than this. "So, I was thinking since I have the day off today, maybe we could do a picnic lunch in the park? It's a beautiful day outside and I know just the perfect place."

"I can't. I have some errands to run," Jeannie replied without making eye contact with Mike.

"Oh. What about dinner? Hey, what about you and me hit the bowling alley? We haven't done that in a while. We can pick Steve up on the way. He's due to be released from hospital so I'm sure he could use some cheering up."

Jeannie cut a slice of her pancake and lifted it to her lips.

"Jeannie?" Mike was beside himself with this un-Jeannie-like behaviour. Ordinarily she would grasp any opportunity to engage in a friendly bowling competition with Steve. Not that it was going to be likely Steve could bowl tonight but that wasn't the point.

"I'll have to get back to you on that, Mike," Jeannie finally answered after swallowing her morsel of pancake.

What could Jeannie be doing that was more important than spending time with her father? Mike thought with disappointment. Yes, she had a fiancé now and maybe they already had plans but still, something was off. Oh, I'm in the dog house. Whitney probably told her about their talk at the hospital. "Is something wrong, Sweetheart?"

"What makes you say that?" Jeannie answered his question with one of her own.

"For starters, you're my daughter and I think I know you well enough to know when something is wrong. Have I done something to upset you?"

Jeannie chose that moment to guzzle down her orange juice.

Just when Mike had about given up trying to figure out what it was that he'd done, a thought occurred to him. "Oh, I think I get it. Did Whitney say something to you about our talk last night? Is that why you're upset?"

Bingo.

Jeannie finally looked her father in the eye. "He didn't have to, Mike. I heard you and Steve talking."

Mike was lost for words. How and when? And what did Jeannie overhear exactly? He probed through his memory trying to pick out what part of their conversation she had overheard.

Jeannie sighed and rolled her eyes. Men! "I've gotta go. I'm meeting Irene at the bridal store to pick out my dress. I've made some chicken soup for you and there's enough for Steve. I'll be home late so don't wait up for me." Despite her anger being ever present, she still cared for Mike and Steve's well-being just like a mother hen would. She'd woken up early to ensure the two men would have something to eat that night that wasn't pizza or anything too heavy for Steve to digest. While she was glad that Steve was going to be okay for all the more obvious and selfless of reasons, his recovery also gave her a free pass to stay mad at him a little longer. No, she wasn't going to let either of them off the hook, just yet.

"Jeannie!" Mike called out. He stood up and gently placed his hands on Jeannie's shoulders. "We need to talk."

"You're right but now's not a good time. I'm running late as it is," Jeannie shrugged herself away from her father and began clearing the table.

Mike started to help his daughter when the phone rang.

"I've got this, Mike," Jeannie insisted and hinted that her father should answer the call.

Mike reluctantly left Jeannie to her task and walked to the living room. When he picked up the receiver and greeted the caller, he was met by Rudy's voice which could only mean one thing. His day off was over.


David Lee lived a modest life in a cheap apartment with his wife, Kim and their little girl Christina who just turned four. Together, he and Kim did their best to put aside what they could afford to save for their daughter's education the following year. With another child on the way, the last thing they needed was any added financial complications to arise and so when Dave opened his laundromat store that morning, he did not expect to have three suspicious looking men as his first customers. It didn't take long for him to come to the conclusion that they weren't customers at all. One of the men locked the front door and pulled down the blinds while the other two moved toward him in a threatening manner. One of them drew out a baseball bat from his trench coat while the other a large knife. Dave knew then he was in big trouble. Kim's voice entered his head, telling him to give them what they wanted because all the money in the world was not worth losing his life over. They could always make more, she would say.

"I don't want any trouble," Dave said, raising his hands pleadingly.

"It's a little late for that, don't you think?" The man who closed the blinds snidely remarked.

"What do you want?" Dave asked, his voice quivering. "I keep…keep all the cash in the register. Take it all."

"Afraid that's not going to be enough this time. My boys and I are hungry for a party and you're going to be our host," the man brandishing the baseball bat sneered. "You see, this here is our neighbourhood and you be trespassing. It's high time you leave, China-Man."

The two armed men lunged forward and jumped over the counter while their accomplice peeked through the blinds in case they needed to make a quick get-away out the back of the store.

Dave fought bravely but he stood little chance of fighting off the two burly men who used their weapons, fists and boots. By the time they finished, his store was trashed, all the money taken and his bloodied and bruised body was left lying on the floor.