Chapter 4: A Coffee in Paris

The moment Annie had come into sight of her hometown, she had paused briefly to take it all in. The bright boats. The salty air. The cozy little homes that could have been snatched right off of a postcard.

Haven, Maine.

It looked like any other town, but of course, for those that lived there and knew of the troubles, this little town was anything BUT ordinary.

She'd been friends with people who could start fires, who could see in the dark, and even a boy who claimed he had 'x-ray vision', but he could never prove what colour underwear she had on.

Still, the moment she began to walk into the busy town, the stranger she felt. She wasn't sure why, but she could only describe it like that feeling you get when you're trying to sleep, and just before you succumb to a deep slumber, a sickening jolt shocks through your entire body for no reason whatsoever.

That's how she felt. She didn't know what was happening and she wasn't sure how to solve it, but before she could do anything…she found she REALLY needed a coffee.

After twenty minutes of wandering around, she chose her old coffee hangout and once she had the delicious thick liquid in her system, felt renewed. She felt she could face anything even…heading back to her house.

It took about an hour for her to walk to her house, but she had to force her legs to grow accustomed to the exercise again. At least people were friendly, old faces and new. She wasn't really close enough to anyone she saw on the way to ask what happened, but that could wait.

Her stomach was beginning to churn at the idea of seeing her mother again. She put it off as long as she could, grabbing coffee and taking the long route home, through town and near the harbor. She even stopped off at the bank to let them know she was home, but she knew she'd have to go there. She needed to dump her heavy pack off.

When she came to her house, she had to stop and stare at it for a while. Nothing had changed. Her mother had never been a keen gardener, so all the front had been torn up and laid with stone and tacky ornaments. Garden gnomes that stared at her with their cheery dispositions and flamingos that leaned a little too close to the ground. Her dad had disliked them as well.

She walked by the army of horrible store-bought ornaments and made her way up the steps to the front door. She raised her hand and went to knock when she remembered, she was no stranger. She tried the handle and of course, her mother hadn't locked the door. She never did. She never really cared who could just walk in.

Pushing it open, she stepped through and felt like she'd hit a wall of smell. The familiar smell of vodka.

"Hello?" She called out.

"Who's there?!"

She sighed. She hoped her mother would be out.

"It's just me, mother!"

"Annie?! How the hell did you get here so soon?"

She walked through the house, following the voice of Francesca Trenton, her mother, and the famed 'town floozy'. Annie had thought up that title in high school.

Fran tottered around the corner, a cigarette dangling from one corner of her red-stained, over-drawn lips and a glass of scotch in one hand.

"Hi, sweetie!" She came over and wrapped her long arms around her daughter, but had no strength in her embrace, "What a surprise! Did you catch an earlier flight?"

"Uh…yes," she decided not to burden her mother with her issues, "they gave me a cheaper and quicker option."

"You're telling me! I only got your message the other day!"

'What about the other messages?' Annie bit her tongue like she always did. No need to say anything that would upset her mother and send her into hysterical tears. She was too exhausted for that drama.

"It's been a RIOT since you've been away and partying, I can't even begin to tell you everything," her mother began to rattle off information to her, walking away and expecting her daughter to follow.

Annie dumped her pack by the doorway, knowing she could just come back to it later. Her mother wasn't really talking to her anymore but AT her. Most of the details she was getting were unimportant, but her mother was talking about a huge event that happened in Haven.

"Of course, it was TERRIBLE what happened. Darkness, uncontrollable troubles, the works! But thank GOD that's all over now!"

"All over? You mean," Annie felt her heart beat a little quicker, "there aren't any more troubles in Haven?"

"Nope!" Fran turned with a wonky smile and shrugged, "All gone! Flew away back to wherever they come from! Isn't it great?"

"Yeah," Annie forced a smile that vanished when her mother turned back around, "great."

'So, no troubles here? I don't understand!' She knew she had to get answers NOW or she wouldn't be able to sleep easy that night.

Her mother continued to ramble on and Annie could tell a few things that her mother WOULDN'T say. She gathered she was still drinking, still single and there was apparently no one on the scene. She was also dropping heavy 'grocery money' hints, so Annie knew why she was being so nice to her. Better than the last time they'd talked.

"I was planning to get some money together for when you arrived tomorrow and do a big food shop, but you got here early and all we have is canned peaches and pasta-"

"Here," Annie reached into her little handbag and pulled out her purse, "I've only got fifty dollars changed up so far. I must go out and see some people, but you can get the shopping done."

She handed her mother the single note, observing the way she practically snatched the single sheet of paper out of her hand and smiled gleefully.

"Of course, of course, you have fun, Pumpkin! I'll get you some peanut butter and jelly!"

'I've never liked peanut butter and jelly.'

"Thanks," she mumbled and headed back out, glad her mother hadn't said anything else to upset her.

"You're not going to change? You've been on a plane, you must need a shower!"

"I stopped off on the way at a hotel and did it."

"Still, that outfit looks terribly unflattering on you. You would think being in a coma would help you lose weight! Guess you proved that theory wrong," her mother giggled, and Annie could just think 'never mind.'

"Welcome fucking home," she muttered as she slammed the door behind her.

Xx A short while later xX

Annie found herself walking a different route through the town this time. When she went by the docks, she immediately walked along the path she'd taken many times before. But when she came to a familiar spot, she looked out and found it vacant. No sign of a boat called Cape Rouge belonging to someone she cared about deeply.

March 6, 1990.

"Why is your face raining?"

Annie looked up from where she was sitting, looking into the water, and letting her tears fall.

A boy she did not know was standing next to her. He only looked a few years older than her, but she hadn't seen him around her school.

He had scruffy clothes, hair that hung around his ears, and tattoos that looked very much drawn on. In fact, one was smeared and she couldn't quite tell what it was.

"What did you say?" She sniffled.

"Why is your face raining?" The cocky boy tilted his head and smirked at her, but she just shook her head.

"I'm not raining, I'm crying," she wiped her snotty nose and glared, "why did you say it's raining?"

"That's what my brother says," he shrugged and seemed not to care for the look, "he says if you make your face rain hard enough, you can fill up the ocean more."

"…that's stupid."

"Yeah."

He approached her and immediately sat down, dangling his legs over the side of the dock. She looked at him, wondering if he was about to push her in or jump himself.

"What do you want?" She accused him, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Free world. Wanted to sit down, but someone was occupying my usual spot," he shrugged his shoulders, "but as long as you don't bother me and I don't bother you, we can sit where we want. You want me to move?"

She pouted but shook her head.

"Alright. Want one?" He pulled a cigarette out from behind his ear, and she scowled.

"I'm ten."

"Oh…you want a," he searched his pocket and pulled out a fluffy piece of candy, "gumdrop?"

The face she pulled gave him the answer he needed.

"Suit yourself," he popped it back in his shirt, saving it for later.

He stared out at the ocean and she went back to looking down at it for a few minutes before he spoke up.

"So, why are you crying?"

She didn't want to say the words. She felt sick and still didn't want to believe it, but her mother had screamed it at her in a moment of anger and Annie knew it was true.

"My dad died."

"Who was your dad?"

"Martin Trenton."

"Sorry. Here," he pulled out a crumpled tissue and offered it to her, "I liked your dad. He was cool."

"You think so?" She took it, but just held it in her hands, not knowing what he'd used it for.

"Yeah. He caught me smoking once and he didn't tell anyone. Just said it was bad for me. Then gave me half of his sandwich."

"Dad doesn't like smoking," Annie realized what she had just said and felt her lip wobble again, "he didn't."

She was about to cry again and he must have seen it because he quickly began talking again.

"Well, at least now you can be part of our exclusive club."

"What club?"

"The dead dad's club. Very important club."

She furrowed her brow.

"So…your dad is dead as well?"

"Yerp. Got killed a few years back."

"Sorry."

An awkward silence passed between the two as the boy fiddled putting the cigarette back and she scratched at a dirty mark on her shoe.

"What do we do in the club?"

"We talk. Read comics. Eat Pizza."

"I like pizza," on cue, her stomach grumbled, and she put her hands on it to keep it quiet, "I'm hungry."

"When did you last eat?"

She shrugged her shoulders, truly not remembering when she'd last eaten. She'd remembered she was about to eat something when her mother had broken the news to her and she'd felt extremely sick and ready to throw up.

He fiddled again in his pocket and pulled out a dirty, scrunched-up note. He unfurled it and handed her a very fragile look five-dollar bill.

"You know Mario's Pizzeria? Go get yourself a slice. And tell him about your dad, he'll probably give you a free dessert."

She looked at it, unsure if she wanted to take it and if she really could.

"It's ok. The first slice is on me as part of the club initiation."

"Oh."

She took the note and went to thank him, before she realised, she didn't know who it was she was thanking.

"What's your name?"

"Duke Crocker. Pirate Captain Crocker. Yours?"

"Annie Trenton. I'm not a pirate."

"That's fine, you can be something else if you want."

He stood up suddenly and dusted off the back of his pants.

"I'll see you around. Also, don't tell anyone about our club. It's only for the really special people, like us."

He'd left her as quickly as he'd arrived, and she was very confused about the entire interaction. But she never forgot it.

Duke Crocker, the pirate captain, had been right. Mario had given her the pizza and soda she paid for, but he'd also given her a big sundae and pinched her cheeks. And she never told anyone about the club.

Annie smiled to herself. That had been the first ever boy she met who hadn't pulled her hair or called her names. She'd instantly had a crush on him, and it hadn't faltered over the years and the other times they'd met and talked.

A seagull screeched loudly, and she jumped out of her skin as it swooped past.

"Ok, that's apparently enough daydreaming," she sighed wearily and wiped her face, wishing she could see a friendly and familiar figure who could make her laugh. Something was up. Maybe Duke was off sailing the world again?

She would have to check around town.

As she continued her walk, the alluring smell of coffee caught her attention and a cute little bistro lured her in, with promises of delicious caffeine. She walked in through the pretty white and blue doors, admiring the pictures of Audrey Hepburn over the walls. It was apparent the owner was a huge fan of the movie 'Funny Face'.

She let out a low whistle, not thinking anyone heard her.

"Very fashionable," she muttered and was surprised when someone turned around and nodded at her.

"Retro and-Oh my god, Annie!" The 'someone' turned out to be Vickie Dutton and she smiled happily, "I didn't know you were back!"

"Hi!"

The girls instantly hugged, and Annie suddenly felt a little better. Vickie had been one of the girls she'd gotten along with in town, due to Vickie's unusual trouble. Annie had always sensed her guilt about her drawings and tried to reassure her time and time again that her trouble was not a curse, but a gift. She'd also made sure when Vickie didn't want to talk about it, she had a bag of gummy bears to hand (Vickie's favourite sweet treat).

"I just got back."

"Were you still in New Zealand?"

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I follow your blog!" Vickie's face turned to one of concern and looked her up and down, "And I saw the update! I can't believe you were in a coma! Are you ok now?"

"I'm fine, it's…a little complicated. Actually," she stepped closer and made sure no one could hear, "have you got five minutes to sit and talk about it?"

"I don't, sorry," Vickie grimaced ad looked at her watch, "I need to grab a coffee and run back and help Gloria. Why, is everything alright?"

"Not really. Vickie, I have some questions about," she whispered the last bit, knowing how the mention of the words usually set people off, "the troubles."

Vickie blanched and stepped back, looking genuinely shocked and flabbergasted.

"Oh...you," she said in a normal voice, not bothering to keep quiet, "you best go to Nathan. He'll tell you everything you need to know."

Vickie didn't seem angry or disgusted that they spoke about the troubles, but she did look concerned.

Annie decided not to push and whilst parting was awkward, she let her get her coffee and be on her way, promising she'd come by and say hi to Gloria. After she visited Nathan Wuornos.