Ghostwriter
Chapter 6
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
"This better be a good idea," Angela told her while they waited for their plane to fly them both to DC.
"It's a great idea," Kate insisted. "Did you call your brother and tell him you're coming to visit for Christmas?"
"Yes, I did. Michael sounded excited," Angela said.
"Of course he did, he's your brother! Blood is thicker than water. You'll see," Kate told her. "And what's taking them so long? We only have just over an hour at our next stop. Wait here, I'm going to find out." Kate got up and went to the desk. It wasn't long before she was back. "It's delayed half an hour. We're going to have to hustle at our next stop." They both just sat there with everyone else.
"Finally," Kate said when she heard an announcement saying boarding had started. "You still look nervous."
"I am. If we time this right, my parents will be there," Angela told her, but before Kate could say anything, she added, "You don't understand. They really hate me, Kate, both of them. This whole thing could be a disaster."
All Kate could do was sit there and hug her.
~oo0oo~
They ran for their plane. They were at the end of one concourse, and their next plane was in the middle of another. But they made it. Angela slept on the plane to Frankfurt. Kate got some sleep, too.
Neither of them slept on the flight to Berlin. Once their plane landed in Berlin, they picked up their luggage at the baggage claim and walked to ground transportation. Kate had arranged for a shuttle, but they had to share it with others, and she and Angela were the last stop.
At last, they were in their room. "Minimalist in the extreme," Kate commented as they put their carry-on bags on the bed. Everything, literally everything, was white. There was a slim desk with a single chair against one wall, and an all-white bathroom off another one.
"We'll spend most of our time outside our room, so it's fine. I guess." Angela muttered that last bit under her breath.
"Will you please relax?" Kate hugged her. "Everything is going to be fine."
They walked across the river and found Soldiner Kiez Burger & Schnitzel – Restaurant & Lieferdienst Berlin. They served burgers, mostly, which was fine for lunch.
"Now, what do we do?" Kate asked.
"Don't look at me," Angela told her. "I've never been in Berlin before."
"Since we don't see your brother until tomorrow, maybe we just walk around," Kate offered and soon realized that Berlin was a huge city.
~oo0oo~
"You don't want to make love?" Kate asked her since she wasn't responding.
"No, not really." Angela was too afraid of what could happen tomorrow.
Kate held her. "You need to relax, Elle." But Kate stopped trying to get her to make love to her.
That morning, they took turns in the shower, then went downstairs and waited for their taxi to show up. Angela gave the driver an address, and they were off. Kate looked at her and saw she seemed worried. She had tried everything to get her to relax, but nothing worked, so she just sat there.
The driver stopped in the street since there was nowhere to park. They paid him, and he took off. Kate and Angela looked up at the building, Apartments Deluxe Prenzlauer Berg.
"Let's get this over with so we can return to our hotel," Angela told her. All Kate did was moan. They walked up to the third floor and stopped outside his door.
"Knock," Kate hissed, but Angela just stood there. "Okay, I'll knock." She did, and the door opened.
"SIS!" Her brother was so glad to see her, and he hugged her. "You made it."
Angela felt a little better as she returned his hug. "Hi, Michael."
He was still hugging her when he noticed Kate. "You must be Kate. Sis hasn't told me much about you. Come in, come in." He released Angela and stepped aside, apologizing for the size of his apartment. "It's not much, but it's mine."
"You have a tree," Kate commented. "And lights, but no presents."
Michael did something Angela had never seen before, he looked sad. "I don't usually get any presents."
Kate smiled. "We can fix that! We brought you presents." She handed hers to him.
"Merry Christmas, Michael." Angela gave him hers, too.
Michael looked from one woman to the other, not knowing what to say. "I, uh, thanks? I'm sorry that I didn't get you anything." He felt bad about that now that he had two gifts.
"That's all right. Besides, you didn't have to get us anything." Angela looked around. "I take it Mom and Dad aren't here yet."
"No, not yet… Relax, Ange. It's been a long time. I'm sure they've mellowed over the years," Michael said reassuringly.
"That's easy enough for you to say," she retorted. "I'm expecting a total disaster. Mom never does anything, and Dad makes me feel terrible."
"Can I get you something to drink? I have water, water, and water." He waited for one or the other to say something.
Angela shook her head. "No, nothing for me, thanks."
"Nothing for me either, but thanks," Kate said.
"Please, sit, sit," Michael urged them. He studied Kate. "You must be my sister's friend."
"I'm her girlfriend, yes." Kate eyed him. "You good with that?"
"I've always been good with that," he insisted, then looked at Angela. "You're my sister. I love you." Michael bit out, "I am not like our dad."
"You've always been good to me, Michael, and I appreciate it so much. I missed you when you moved to Berlin." Angela was finally able to ask something she had always wanted to know. "Why Berlin?"
"I took a semester in Berlin. Remember that?" he asked, and she nodded. "I fell in love with the city. I speak German now; I think I'm pretty good at it."
"You left me alone with Dad, and I got out of there the first chance I had. I've missed you." Angela felt tears begin to well up, and Kate hugged her.
Michael stumbled over himself, trying to apologize. "I'm so sorry, Sis." He tried to explain why he left. "I fell in love with the city and knew I needed to move here. But you've done well for yourself. The FBI sounds exciting."
Angela wiped a tear away and shrugged. "I'm just an analyst. I sit in front of a computer all day."
"Don't you dare sell yourself short, Elle, you're a valuable team member!" Kate said hotly. "Remember at the Halloween party when your boss said he needed you?"
"You always did have a knack with computers," Michael added.
"So, when do Mom and Dad arrive?" Angela asked her brother.
Michael checked his watch. "I don't expect them until after lunch. We're going out for dinner, my treat."
"Can you afford it?" Angela asked, and then her face turned bright red. "I mean, this apartment isn't much…" She was concerned that he might not be earning much there.
"I can, you'd be surprised at the cost of living here. It puts New York City to shame," Michael told them. "Besides, I got a raise recently and am looking into moving to a bigger place. I just haven't found it yet."
"What do you do, if I may ask?" Kate queried.
"I work in Formula 1. I'm one of the junior engineers."
"Race cars? Wow, that sounds exciting!" Kate commented with some excitement.
Michael shrugged. "I don't know about that. I'm a junior engineer, so I get to do all the dirty work, but I think I'm just one step away from being a senior engineer."
"I'll cross my fingers and hope for the best for you then." Kate held up her hands and showed him her crossed fingers.
"Well, if we want anything to eat, we'll have to go out," Michael told them.
"Lead the way." Kate got up and dragged Angela with her.
They walked a short distance and stood outside Estelle Dining. "Everything will be in German, but I can translate for you," Michael cautioned them.
"Works for me," Kate replied, and Angela nodded.
They agreed on a pizza. When it arrived, Kate and Angela weren't expecting what they got. "Must be German pizza. It doesn't look anything like what I'm used to. They make it different in the States." She tried a piece. "It's good," Kate mumbled with her mouth full.
They finished a large pizza since there were three of them, and one of them was a guy. The trio returned to Michael's apartment and waited for the older Lansburys to arrive. Angela became more and more nervous the longer she had to wait.
Finally, there was a knock on his door, and Michael got up to answer it. "Mom, Dad." He hugged both of them. "Come in." He stepped aside, and Wayne and Myra Lansbury entered.
"What is she doing here?" Wayne said the second he saw Angela. "You didn't say anything about her being here. …We're leaving. Let's go." He turned to leave.
Kate got to her feet immediately. "SIT. DOWN! NOW!"
Wayne looked at his son. "Who is she?" he demanded.
Kate stared daggers at him. "I'm her girlfriend, and you will sit down and talk to us."
"No, I won't. Let's go, Myra." He turned to leave, but Kate blocked him. She wound up and decked him with a right cross, shocking everyone, even him. He landed on his butt.
"You're not going anywhere. She's your daughter, and it's Christmas! You're staying, so get used to it. We're going to resolve what you have against your daughter." Kate looked down at him. She looked furious since she was.
Wising up, Wayne sat on the floor and rubbed his jaw, which hurt where Kate had socked him.
"We're staying, love. She's right, it's Christmas," Myra told him.
"Fine, we'll stay." Wayne rubbed his jaw again, got up, and gave Kate a dirty look. Kate stood there, blocking his path with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Your present, Michael." Myra handed it to him. "We weren't expecting you, Angela, so we didn't get you one."
Angela was still shocked that Kate had hit her dad, and she didn't say anything.
Her parents sat down, but Kate didn't move from her spot. "Now, why do you hate your daughter?" Kate looked from one parent to the other. "She's your daughter, your flesh and blood."
Myra didn't say anything. Wayne glared at Kate. "She's a lesbian, that's enough, so far as I'm concerned."
"So, she's a lesbian, so what? I love her," Kate revealed. "That's right, I love her. She's the best friend I've ever had."
"And what do your parents think of that?" Wayne challenged her.
"My parents don't think anything about it since they're dead. They were both murdered when I was 19. I've been by myself ever since, but I think they would be happy for me. I found someone to love, and who loves me."
Kate saw him soften just a little bit when he heard her. "I'm sorry to hear that, but it doesn't change a thing." Wayne pointed at his daughter. "She's a lesbian!"
"She's a lesbian, big deal. I would think you would be happy for her. She found someone to love. ME!" Kate told him. "What does it take to get to you? She's your daughter. At the very least, you could be civil to her, not downright hateful."
Myra placed a hand on his leg and pleaded with him. "Love, it's Christmas. Please, Wayne, for me?"
He relented. "Fine, it's Christmas. But that still doesn't change how I feel about her."
"I'll take that as a win. For now." Kate uncrossed her arms. "I really don't want to have to hit you again."
"You do have quite a right cross," Wayne told her as he rubbed his chin again since it still hurt just a little.
"You made me angry, and I really don't want to be mad at you," Kate said, still watching him.
"So, where are we eating dinner? I, for one, am hungry," the big man announced.
~oo0oo~
"We're having Chinese for dinner," Michael announced. "Their restaurant is one of the few places still open today."
"Oh, good," Kate said happily. "I love Chinese."
They ended up with a table that had a center that spun. "May I suggest something? We each pick a main dish that we're happy with. It goes in the center, and we can all take servings of what we like." They all agreed, and each ordered something different. When it showed up, they each selected something from every plate.
"I'm stuffed; I can't handle one more bite," Kate moaned. They ended up taking home a doggie bag that would end up in Michael's refrigerator.
They returned to Michael's apartment and watched as he opened all three presents. He usually got none, so this were a wonderful change.
Wayne actually spoke politely to her. Angela thought it was a win. He may still hate her, but at least he talked to her.
~oo0oo~
The Lansburys were gone. Their parents only hugged Michael, but Angela took it as another win.
They were back in their hotel room. "I still can't believe you hit my dad," Angela remarked, shaking her head.
"He pissed me off. I was so angry at him I couldn't think straight. It worked, didn't it?" Kate asked.
"It did," Angela agreed. "You decked my dad."
"It hurt my hand a little." Kate shook her hand, not that it hurt any longer. "So, are we going to make love or what?"
Angela smiled at her. "Yes, we're making love."
~oo0oo~
"What do we do today?" Angela asked.
"I have everything planned for the rest of our time here. Today we're going to the Zoo. Tomorrow, we'll go to the Brandenburg Gate, followed by a walking tour of Berlin Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours. The next day, we'll do the Berlin Craft Beer & Cultural Tour With Food in Vibrant District, in both old and new areas. Then we go home."
"Sounds like fun. You did all that?" Kate nodded and Angela kissed her for it.
"You're my girlfriend, and we're only ever going to be in Berlin once. Unless you want to come back next Christmas?" Kate mentioned and held her.
"Maybe," Angela replied and kissed her.
~oo0oo~
They made it home without incident. "Are you coming in?" Kate asked her in the elevator. "We could make love."
"No, I'm going home. I'm tired." Angela shook her head. "I still can't believe you hit my dad."
"He had it coming. No one calls my girlfriend a lesbian with that tone of voice. …I put him on his ass, didn't I?" Kate smiled at her.
"That you did. I'll see you tomorrow." Angela kissed her goodbye and watched the elevator door close on her.
Kate was still amazed she managed to put him on his ass. It was a good, solid hit. They both unpacked and put clothes in the hamper for cleaning later. Then they both went to bed – alone.
They each tossed and turned. They just weren't used to sleeping alone. They always had the other in bed with them.
Angela broke down, put on just enough clothes to get by, rode the elevator down to Kate's place, and knocked. She answered the door. "I can't sleep, Kate. I still don't want to make love, but can we sleep together?"
Kate sighed wearily. "I thought you would never ask." They both took off what little clothes they were wearing. They climbed into bed, wrapped their arms around each other, and were asleep in minutes.
~oo0oo~
Kate had inspiration from the trip to write an entire chapter. Finished, she sent it to Gina. Kate came across redlines from a previous chapter, worked on them, and returned it to her. Satisfied, she closed her laptop and started making dinner. She really should go to the grocery store, but she had just enough to work with that evening. She planned to go shopping tomorrow.
Angela came home at a normal time for her and entered Kate's place using her key.
"How was work?" Kate asked and kissed her.
"Boring. We didn't get a case all day," Angela told her.
Kate frowned. "But that's a good thing, isn't it? I mean, no one died."
"You've got a point there, but it was still boring. Whatcha making?" Angela opened the oven and took a peek.
"Chicken and rice," Kate said. "And get out of there, nosy. It was the best I could do since I need to go grocery shopping. Oh, and I finished an entire chapter today."
"That's good. You've got less than 20-something in chapters yet to go, right?" Angela asked.
"Something like that," Kate replied. "I'll be glad when I finish it. I'm anxious to see what they say."
"Maybe you'll get to write another one. Speaking of which, did you settle on a title yet?" Angela was curious.
Kate nodded. "I took your idea and called it Storm Front. I don't know what the cover art will be like yet, so we'll see."
They sat down on the sofa, and Kate turned on the TV. "Ooo, they're doing the Ugliest House in America," Kate said excitedly and focused on the show.
"I don't know how she has so many dresses on the little RV. I mean, look at her. She's overweight and has huge tits," Angela commented.
Kate raised an eyebrow. "Jealous?"
"Of her dresses, yes. Of her chest size, no. I can't imagine having a chest that size. They must weigh what, 15 pounds each? It would break my back," Angela told her and shuddered. Kate giggled at that but couldn't disagree with her.
Kate was interrupted by the DING of the oven. Their supper was done, so she got up, took out the chicken and rice, and set it aside to let it cool somewhat. Then she was back at the TV. "What did I miss, anything?"
Angela stood up, stretched, and sat back down. "Nope, nothing yet. There was a recap of all three houses, and it's a commercial break now."
"Good, I'm betting it's house number 2. Those other houses were just old and outdated. That was one truly ugly house," Kate said. And they watched and waited.
"HOUSE NUMBER 1!? But it wasn't the ugliest house. Someone rigged that show, I tell you, rigged it! Come on, it's time for dinner." Kate snatched up the remote and turned off the TV. Still grumbling, she got up and dragged Angela along with her.
"Do you think you'll finish your book on time?" Angela asked.
"I should. I have nine months still left to go. I better do it, or they'll sue me for breach of contract and want their money back. All 1.5 million of it. Which I no longer have," Kate told her.
Angela took hold of her hand. "You'll manage, I have faith."
