EYES WIDE OPEN

Ranger POV

Chapter 9

oOoOo

Visiting Mary Lou Stankovic was a must, Stephanie's best friend. It was quite the different experience from yesterday with her Mum. Frank and Grandma Mazur were receptive and concerned, but that mother certainly was a piece of work. Mary Lou opened her door and ran to greet Stephanie before she was even out of the car, crying as she looked over her many injuries. She squeezed my hand gratefully with glistening eyes, before grabbing Stephanie's and walking her inside. None of that surreptitious rushing inside in case of what the neighbours might see.

Stephanie confirmed her injuries and iterated her mother's awful remarks about how she should have used concealer on her face. They laughed even more about the scarf and the suggested sunglasses, big sunglasses, to cover up. Laughter is good medicine and so cathartic. I was pleased for Steph to see her lighten up with a dear friend.

"Your mother is consistent, that's for sure ... a consistent pain in the ass, super bitch!" which sent them off into giggles again.

Much to our amazement, her boys had made cards for Stephanie, Our Hero, with drawings of her wearing a cape with WW on her chest. I grinned. Stephanie was humbled by that and the little messages of pride and praise inside.

"The fact that they know you really well, made it so much more important to them. Mikey's class was doing a theme on Heroes, and he won a prize for his report, but also for his drawing of you. See? At the moment it's on a class display but here's a photo of it. I asked the teacher for a photocopy, so we could show you. Then Kenny and Joey wanted to make a card each. They were hoping to see you but they had training day this morning, for squad selections."

"They are so cute. Wow. His teacher was very complementary. Please thank the boys, for me. They just made my day. I will call this evening and tell them myself. I'm just floored by this," she murmured, fanning herself with one of the cards.

"She's not from the Burg, his teacher, and confessed that she thinks you are a great role model despite the negative press. She told me how it annoyed her when they always portrayed the negative aspects while blatantly ignoring the good things you do. As part of Values Education, they have also been talking about Truth and Honesty, and this was a perfect example. Apparently, Mikey said, "like Wonder Woman's lasso of Truth." She even went to the trouble of buying a class set of the Morrisville Gazette so the children could compare texts. She displayed a copy of each, for the children to compare, just the front page. Mikey said they were all outraged. "That's so not fair!" Then, at the end of the day, for homework, the teacher sent each child home with the Morrisville Gazette to spread their outrage and contempt for the lies in the Trenton Times. Powerful stuff."

"Wow."

"My Aunt May had called me earlier to say how wonderful the newspaper report was about Stephanie's heroic deeds," Mary Lou said, smiling at me. "She was so proud of you, Stephanie. She remembered we were BFFs, since forever. I was confused, since I had the newspaper right in front of me. "No," she said, "it's all here, in black and white, with the amazing rescue from the blazing cars. They said how brave Stephanie Plum was in rescuing the older couple from their burning vehicle." But, Aunt May, it says nothing of the sort. It's all about Stephanie and another two cars burning after crashing into the bridge causing a fire, the lengthy traffic delays and mayhem for Trenton."

She hugged Stephanie. "I am so glad you survived that crash. It's so good to see you. You have no idea."

The hug was long and heartfelt and mutual.

"Once Uncle Charles dropped off the Morrisville Gazette on his way to visit a friend over here, well, we sorted that out. He's an early bird, always up at the crack of dawn. I couldn't believe the difference! Mikey's teacher hit the nail on the head. Lenny was furious."

"Coffee for you two?" We nodded. "Well I think it's appalling. It is slander after all. And, don't get me started on that asshat Morelli! Lenny wants to string him up by his balls! He's already written a letter of complaint to the Editor in Chief for their biased and disgracefully negative report that was based on lies and the rants of a pissed off Italian."

"You know, Mare, it sounds crazy, but I'm used to it."

"Pfft. That's crap and you know it. I don't except that. That's like succumbing to Morelli and his gaslighting tactics. Please tell me you're done with him?"

"Oh yes. Totally done and dusted. We have been over three months ago. This was just a temporary arrangement, but he had other ideas. Yeah ideas, but not anything close to commitment. I thought it might be different, he might be different. Pfft! Who was I kidding? He will know by now for sure. I already told him but, like my mother, he only hears what he wants to hear. Denial and arrogance. There is no going back to that cheating asshole jerk. No way! Ever. I must have been looking at my life with rose coloured glasses. Stupid, eh? I reached the point of no return with him. At the scene of the accident he went apeshit which was part of the reason he was arrested."

"Yes. Unfortunately, I bore witness to that," I added, "and I really wanted to step over the police tape and deck him for his typical raging rants. It was pathetic. But Stephanie signalled for me to stay and let him make an ass of himself. Which he did, in spades. Even Blind Freddy could tell it was an accident. Hearing the praise from the two police officers in charge was good, but the asshole completely ignored that and went off on his hideous rant again. I did enjoy watching him get arrested. That was most entertaining."

"Yes. That was a nice change with all the cameras focused on him getting arrested. It was worth it." Stephanie chuckled while shaking her head. "He's such an arrogant asshole."

Stephanie squeezed my hand, smiling at me. Mary Lou grinned with an approving nod.

We were quiet for a moment, drinking the coffee and enjoying some of Mary Lou's home-made raspberry shortcake slice. The coffee was good.

"He will regret his behaviour and disgraceful rants for a long time. I've seen so many uploads on social media. It's nice for a change to see him get some mocking and derision. Definitely comeuppance. The comments about his actions are scathing. Brutal in fact." Mary Lou sniggered. "There's been a total turn around, like everyone has flipped on the self-titled Italian Stallion aka the alleged Burg Golden Boy. The Italian Jackass is more fitting. There's nothing Mama Morelli, or Bella, can do to protect their precious Joey in that domain. Social media, in all its forms, has wiped the floor with the notorious Burg Grapevine. But that too has gone ballistic! Ha!"

Mary Lou was taking great pleasure in sharing the local news. Coincidentally, from the streets we hear the same.

Stephanie leaned back as I put my arm over her shoulder. I could tell she was getting weary, but she was enjoying this catch up so much. The girls chatted a bit longer before we excused ourselves as a yawn escaped. Stephanie took her cards with the copy of her picture and the report, and thanked Mary Lou.

On the way home, she smiled and sighed, shaking her head in disbelief. At Rangeman, she showed Ella, and some of the men, Mikey's picture, and the cards. They all agreed with Mikey's report, My Hero. Truth and Honesty. While she rested on the couch in my office, Ella organised a frame for the picture and the cards for on her desk. Pride of place. I worked on some emails and schedules while she snoozed.

After lunch she wanted to visit the Bonds Office. It was important to inform Vinnie officially, since chasing FTAs was out of the question for her while she was recuperating. She was keen to see Connie, but I detected a sense of loathing, or was it contempt, with the mention of Lula's name. Hm. Interesting. No prizes for guessing there. My eyes saw the evidence in her photo.

The reception was mixed at the Bonds Office. Connie was genuinely concerned and worried about the extent of Steph's injuries. The black eyes really emphasised that with the nose swelling. Lula was rather indifferent, not fussing over her friend at all. That was unexpected. Even Connie gave Lula a scornful look with an Italian gesture and a facepalm.

"Oh my God, Stephanie. You look, well, you look like someone beat you up," Connie admitted with concern. "How are you going? Whiplash is the pits. It took a couple of days when I had it a couple of years ago, then it hits you BAM! Take care. Concussion too, I saw. I can't believe the bullshit and lies spewed out by the Trenton Times. Social media has gone gang-busters with so many videos showing Morelli losing his shit."

"Hey, White Girl. Where are the doughnuts? Eh? About time you showed yo' ass. You got Officer Hottie arrested. That wasn't nice."

That wasn't nice?! What the fuck? Doughnuts? And Officer Hottie? Has she been talking to Helen Plum or Mrs Morelli perhaps? I scowled at Lula and she quickly turned away after a failed attempt to defy my furious stare. I cannot believe that is what she came out with. Some friend. Who would have figured that? Connie slammed down her nail polish just as she had sealed the lid. Stephanie turned her back on Lula, in contempt, literally giving her the cold shoulder. She did not respond further than that. Proud of you, Babe.

The moment was broken when Vinnie stormed out of his office, yelling, "Finally! It's about time you showed your lazy ass, Plum! There are skips out there … Holy shit! Who did that to you?"

One look at my face and he cowered.

"A word, Vinnie. Now. In your office!"

"Fuck!"

As I followed Vinnie into his den of iniquity, I heard Lula's sarcastic whine, "What? First no doughnuts, and no coffee today?" I didn't hear the rest as I slammed the door shut. I was busy holding Vinnie by the throat, lifting him up to my eye level, making sure he got the message as I shoved him against the wall.

"Stephanie is on sick leave, until further notice. She will not be chasing skips for a while. You will have to find another BEA. Rangeman does not take the low skips. Understand? You have Lula, and, of course, you have Joyce. Make them catch the low-lifes, or do it yourself. Not my problem.

Secondly, you will apologise to Stephanie. I don't know where the fuck you've been, but get your head out of your ass, unless you want me to shove it there for you, so you can lick your hairy balls! Fuckwit! Stephanie was injured in a car accident and saved two lives despite being so seriously injured."

I just dropped him and walked out calmly, despite really wanting to hurt him. The smell of piss turned my nose. Now I was wanting some of those wet wipes. Connie read my mind and handed me a couple.

"C'mon Babe, you have your physiotherapy session coming up." I nodded to Connie but just glared at Lula. "Connie." Surprisingly, Vinnie stayed in his office, but just before I opened the door he emerged, remembering our little conversation.

"Ah … er … hey, Stephanie. I'm sorry I spoke to you so disrespectfully. I didn't realise … the … er … seriousness of your injuries. Get better soon." And just like that he disappeared.

"Connie, I'm out for the afternoon!" Vinnie yelled as he escaped via the backdoor. We left without another word.

"He's gone home to change his pants, hasn't he?"

I just shrugged my shoulder and winked at her humoured yet accurate guess.

I opened the Porsche door for Stephanie, helping her get situated with the seatbelt, while she adjusted the narrow long cushion under her seatbelt that Ella had especially made for her. Ella is so thoughtful. Watching the Bonds Office window as I rounded the boot of the car, I noticed Connie reprimanding Lula. I wondered about Lula's nasty sarcasm. The bitchy demeanour was not her usual response to Steph, with or without doughnuts.

"What's with Lula?" I asked as I took off.

"Pffft. I reckon you can figure that out. Connie couldn't believe Lula's reaction either, especially that little nugget of "I got Morelli arrested!" Sheesh. That should be a big clue." She rolled her eyes with that, not at me, but at the situation we just encountered.

She was shaking her head and in a bit of zone. Deep thoughts which she needed to process and ponder. Not wanting to interrupt her thoughts, I just drove. I knew the perfect place. I had parked the car and waited for her to come back out of that rabbit hole.

"She's not worth it, Babe," I said gently, my arm stretched gently across her shoulder.

Shaking her head, she smiled at me. "You're absolutely right. Hey! This is not Rangeman … Aww. You are something else, Batman."

She went to kiss me on the cheek, but I turned my head just at the last moment to look into her eyes, and the kiss was on my lips. She blushed but then I brushed my lips across hers, two more times, before I ramped it up. Coming up for air, I smiled.

"I have been wanting to do that for so long, Babe," I said softly, leaning my forehead to hers while gently avoiding the steri-strips.

"Me, too," she sighed with a coy smile.

"Good to know. Shall we go inside?"

I undid her seatbelt and led her into the Newtown Farmer's Market, holding hands.

"You looked like you needed a pick-me-up of the Boston Crème kind. Since you didn't make it the other day, while you went down the rabbit hole, I thought you deserved some sugary happy. Considering Lula's snarky attitude, I figured this was a great way to purge her ugly, insulting words."

Standing on tiptoes, she gave me a chaste kiss. "Thank you. You are so right."

By this time, we had arrived at the doughnut counter and her eyes glazed over. I wish I could make her look at me like that. I'm working on it. Still early days.

I worried that she might still feel like she's on the rebound. But going by what she said earlier, they have been off for quite a few months. Morelli? Pfft. Having seen him cruising the hood like a feral dog on the prowl, looking for easy and willing prey, he's never been committed to her. He's never been short of getting a leg-over. He's a selfish man who's been stringing Stephanie along with the backing of her own mother. Seeing that side of him disgusts me. She deserves better, just like one of her skips told her recently. He's been using her to bolster his Burg image. But, this asshole wants the benefits of marriage with the trimmings of bachelorhood, while maintaining his side pieces. Internally I shuddered. Fucking idiot.

Distracted, I focused on Stephanie which instantly made me smile. I watched her in fascination. Her eyes were sparkling as she scanned the impressive array in the display case. I knew when she had made her choice. She chose four to go, asking if I wanted to indulge, even just one, of the two Boston Crèmes and two maple glazed. No, I smiled, shaking my head at her silent question. Then she ordered three large boxes of mixed varieties for the team at Rangeman as a thank you. I could forgo my contraband rules for this occasion.

The server smiled at Stephanie, happy with her big sale for the day. Ignoring my protest, Stephanie had her card out to pay, when the server said, "You're Stephanie Plum, aren't you?" Stephanie nodded, a bit surprised. "You can have those four free for being such an awesome heroine. Those two people, Jack Reynolds and Susan Reynolds, the ones you saved, are very close friends of my grandma. They were so lucky you were there. Thank you so much."

I grinned at Steph's surprise. Being appreciated so openly was new for her. We thanked the server and carried the boxes to the car in a large paper carry bag with their logo clearly on the side.

The reception back at Rangeman was appreciative. Ella was called down as well, before the boxes were devoured. But before that happened, Stephanie kept four aside for the four Rangemen out on patrols.

Ella had arranged dinner for us on seven. I could tell after today's eventful visits she was worn out. Probably an early night for her. We ate in comfortable silence, between her occasional subtle moans. We indulged in the luscious flavours of the spicy chicken kebabs with rice, a tasty yoghurt dressing and a delicious tropical fruit selection for dessert to cleanse the palate. Ella had done it again.

After dinner, as promised, she called the Stankovic residence to thank the boys for their cards, the poster and the My Hero report. Mikey had answered the phone and he was so excited, calling the others. Like them, we had the phone on speaker, which at times was tricky when the boys all wanted to talk at once. Mikey did say how their newspaper homework made a huge impact on all their families. Mary Lou added that it also fuelled the inferno brewing over Morelli's Trenton Times alleged misquotes and there was an increased surge of discontent in Trenton, especially the Burg. The number of angry letters to the chief editor and to the mayor was astounding. Stephanie was stunned as she said goodnight to the boys.

I cleared up the dinner dishes while Stephanie went to the bathroom to brush her teeth and change. I couldn't stop my smile when she came out wearing one of my Rangeman black t-shirts. Unawares, I caught her sniffing the fabric with a sweet eyes-closed smile. When she opened her eyes she nearly flinched, not having heard my approach since I stood right in front of her.

"You look good in my t-shirt, Babe."

She blushed and then gave a half shrug with a coy grin. "It smells nice, like your shower gel. It's a good fragrance on you." This was followed by a yawn.

"C'mon. Let's get you ready for bed, Babe." She nodded with a little hum of approval.

For the night Stephanie removed the cervical collar but still used the special pillow for support. I helped her get ready for bed. I lay beside her, after tucking her in, waiting for her deep thoughts to emerge. If she needed to get it off her mind, I was happy to wait. I stroked her face and watched her expressions flicker.

"Well. That was quite a day. After Mum's nonsense yesterday, it was lovely catching up with Mary Lou. Then the mixed reception at the Bonds Office. Connie was great but Lula was a total bitch. Vinnie was his usual asshole self, until you had a nice little chat with him. Thanks for always having my back, Ranger. Not being allowed to drive yet has really made me appreciate having you by my side. Did I say thank you yet?"

I smiled. "Yes, you have. I wanted to be with you all the way. This was not something I wanted you to face alone, nor delegate to anyone else. You are important to me, Babe. Your health and your recovery too. But, you Stephanie, you are important to me." I gave her a chaste kiss.

She smiled sweetly. "Right back at ya, Batman," which ended with a long yawn.

"Sleep, Babe. I'll be here in my office. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the gym but I will be back before breakfast. Sweet dreams, mi dolce."

"Mi dolce?"

"My sweet."

She fell asleep with a smile.

oOoOo

TBC