Writer's block is a right bother. But I already have the framework on how to complete the story and believe you me, it's going to pull your heartstrings like no drama you've ever seen or heard I wager.
Shout out to Puppies and Nightlock, marrodlop03, slashdragon72, Loopywolf, ZILLAFAN, and several others. Thank you for your reviews and your support. A thousand thank you's and peace and safety to you all.
I Knew You Were a Weirdo
00000
XII - Encounter, Part One
2 Weeks Later…
The Moon troupe's time at the penthouse on top of the Citadel Tower had been difficult but more than bearable.
Whatever they needed was readily provided and they all took great comfort from each other's company, all things considered.
They were free to leave anytime but knowing the danger of being targeted by a dangerous criminal organization, they felt that they had no choice but to stay.
It was not easy on any of them, especially for Rosita and Norman's children.
Once Nana Noodleman's personal security detail arrived, all strong men and women whom she trusted wholeheartedly, it was safer for any number of the Moon troupe to depart from the Citadel Tower, but only a few at a time.
Given the old sheep's connections with the local authorities, it wasn't long before word was sent of the progress of locating any number of DiMarco's gang.
At least a quarter of his gang had been arrested.
It was not much but it was good news indeed.
As for the information contained in the envelope provided by Big Daddy Marcus, Nana Noodleman promised that she'd share the following day when it was brought to the penthouse.
According to the information provided, names were given, big names. The names of certain business people, corporate CEO's, lawyers, and police officers involved with the DiMarco gang and the plot against the Moon troupe.
As to where the information came from, it was only divulged that it came from an informant in the Witness Protection Program. Said information had the seal of the local district attorney along with a notice that shows legitimacy of information without the right to reveal the identity of the informant.
This was satisfactory for most of the Moon troupe.
Furthermore, whether or not Porsha's father was involved or rather the extent of his involvement has yet to be determined.
But after weeks of data crunching, courtesy of Eddie's computer skills, looking over financial reports, accounting, and phone call transcripts, money laundering seems to be the extent of Jimmy Crystal's crimes, setting aside the attempted murder charges.
However, there were certain gaps in phone call transcripts and financial reports, suggesting foul play on behalf of whoever recorded them.
"There's more to Crystal's involvement than we thought," Nana had said. "Something just isn't adding up."
This did not help Porsha.
00000
It was midday.
The Moon troupe mingled in the living room area of the penthouse, each going about their own business.
Despite the wariness of the past two weeks, they were in relatively good spirits.
Rosita was chasing Casper and Ada around the room, laughing while doing so.
"Momma's coming to getcha!" she cried in feigned menace like a playful predator.
Rosita's husband Norman was on his laptop, catching up on his work. Given his current predicament, some serious strings had to be pulled so Norm could do his work at home, or rather in a safehouse.
Ash was playing her guitar, trying out a couple notes for an original song whilst ignoring Zoe who was playing with her quills.
Clay Calloway watched and listened with amusement at the piglet's meddling and with growing awe at the porcupine's mastery in songwriting.
Buster Moon was catching up on paperwork. Given the circumstances, the New Moon Theater's scheduled performances obviously had to be put off which was a grievous and difficult misfortune to deal with. It was disappointing to be sure but unfortunately it couldn't be helped.
Miss Betty Crawly was bringing Mr Moon his morning coffee and this time she had not drank a drop.
"Thank you Miss Crawly," Buster said, a wary smile stretching on his lips.
"You're welcome sir."
Meena was baking a cake in the kitchen, happily singing to herself while doing so.
Alfonso was right beside her, crafting a new gourmet ice cream recipe, singing along with his girlfriend.
His singing was not half bad. Actually in Meena's opinion, his singing was certainly above average.
Johnny was learning some new dance techniques from Nooshy. He was in the middle of attempting to stretch in a way that he was not used to.
His legs were in a V-shape position and he was trying to place his folded hands beyond his feet with his head down. He had not yet developed the flexibility to perfect this one.
Nooshy on the other hand was having no problem at all as she observed Johnny painfully attempt the stretch. She giggled to herself at the ridiculous look of discomfort Johnny had on his face.
Gunter and Eddie were in the middle of a fitness session. In the short time they've been in hiding, they became fast friends. In fact, so well they hit it off, that Gunter agreed to be Eddie's impromptu fitness and dance instructor whenever Eddie was not doing security updates or doing research on his laptop.
Porsha was napping on the couch, mouth open and a line of drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.
A sleeping Tess was nestled on Porsha's belly, the young wolf's arms wrapped around the tiny piglet.
Moe was sitting by the sofa, playing with Porsha's tail.
A giggling Vida was at Porsha's feet. She had quietly slipped her shoes and socks off so she could paint Porsha's toe nails with various colors.
So deep was Porsha's sleep that she didn't stir an inch as much as the occasional twitch of her toes.
So amusing was the sight that no one did anything to stop it, not even Rosita.
It's been a difficult couple of weeks, Rosita thought to herself. Let the kids have a little fun.
Suki Lane, the talent scout who has been working closely with the Moon troupe for the past year, was sitting quietly on the sofa, just a few seats from Porsha. For the short time she had spent with them, she developed a close friendship with them all. She had even become quite fond of the piglets and they her, despite her busyness.
Suki was completing some minor work on her laptop. She was sitting with her legs crossed and her boots were off so that Julianna and Carla could paint her nails as well. She didn't mind and they asked sweetly enough with those big eyes of theirs so she allowed it on the condition that they paint them with the color of her choice: black.
The two piglet girls happily obliged her just so they could have the opportunity to preen and pretty up the stern and serious Saluki.
Not so serious as she looked in Porsha's direction and seeing the rainbow mess of colors little Vida was inflicting on her nails, she smirked. Sorry Porsh, but this is just too rich.
She turned back to her work but her eyes were now on the little ones tending to her. "I will know if you paint my nails with any color other than what I requested, children."
Julianna and Carla flinched and they nodded. "Yes Miss Suki," they said simultaneously.
Stretching an arm behind her head, Nooshy breathed a sigh of relief and minor exhaustion as she got to her feet. "You're learning fast Johnny."
Johnny smiled up at her, cross legged. "Well I have a pretty good teacher."
Smiling toothily, a slight red tinge growing on the tips of Nooshy's ears. "You're such a charmer."
She turned to look at Vida who was in the process of painting baby blue on the nail of a sleeping Porsha's right third toe.
Snickering, Nooshy held her stomach with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. "Oh gosh, she's going to flip when she wakes up."
Johnny almost choked when he saw Vida's choice of color for Porsha's nails. "That's a good color for her."
Laughing quietly, Nooshy took a step but failed to take notice of the heavy pillow on the floor.
Due to the silk covering, the pillow slipped out from under Nooshy's foot, and with a low cry, she fell.
In a flash, Johnny saw this, leapt to his feet, outstretched his arms and gracefully caught Nooshy before she hit the floor.
Out of pure self-preservation, Nooshy instinctively wrapped her arms around Johnny's neck and shoulders.
Steadying himself on one knee, Johnny slowly stood up with Nooshy in her arms. "You ok?"
"Y-Yeah," Nooshy stammered, a bit shaken by the fall. Something like that could've aggravated her mending ribs. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Johnny said, smiling. "At least this time it wasn't on purpose. It wasn't right?"
Nooshy sheepishly shook her head. "No, I slipped on the pillow. I did not trip on purpose this time." She averted her eyes bashfully.m
For the past two weeks, Nooshy had developed a rather bad habit of faking a fall just so that Johnny would catch her. A habit that Johnny did not particularly appreciate but he did not particularly mind having the young lynx in his arms.
Johnny searched her eyes and saw no signs of deceit. He nodded with satisfaction. "Good."
Nooshy shifted her gaze back on him and they locked eyes, something that had been happening more often as their time together increased.
They got lost in each other's gaze, taking in every inch of the windows to the soul that they had come to know so well. Even more so, since Johnny finally mustered up the guts to ask Nooshy out.
They held the locked gaze, smiling dreamily at each other, for almost a full minute, before another discarded piece of musical notes was chucked at Johnny's head. It hit him in the forehead and it bounced off, hitting Nooshy between the eyes, snapping both him and her out of their goofy stupor.
They looked in the direction where the paper ball came from.
Ash gave them a deadpan look. "If you're going to stand there making goo goo eyes at each other, could you do it someplace where you're not a distraction? I'm writing my song here."
Johnny blushed fiercely.
Nooshy crossed her arms with a pout on her lightly blushing face. "It never gets any easier, does it?"
"Nuh uh," Johnny said as he gently put Nooshy down.
No one else seemed to be looking their way. But the amused smiles told another story.
Nooshy simply rolled her eyes. Well whatever.
Hearing a yawn, Nooshy and the others turned their heads to see Porsha beginning to stir.
The young wolf yawned. She stretched her arms and seeing a still sleeping Tess on her stomach, she smiled before gently placing the piglet on the side of the sofa.
She didn't seem to notice the cool air up against her bare feet.
Hearing a slight chuckle, Porsha groggily turned to see Suki looking at her with amusement.
Noticing the pink blurs at Suki's feet, Porsha rubbed her eyes to see, and to her surprise, saw that Suki's boots had been discarded and little Julianna and Carla applying black nail polish to the Saluki's toes.
Porsha covered her mouth at the adorable sight. "Omigosh! That is so cute! And Suki, black is definitely your color!"
Suki smirked without taking her eyes off her laptop. "And rainbow is definitely yours."
Porsha cocked an eyebrow, craning her head in confusion. "What?"
Suki pointed a finger down at Porsha's own feet. The teenager looked down and gasped. Her shoes were gone and her toenails had been painted as well but not with one color but several: red, blue, green, yellow and pink.
"AHHHHHH!" Porsha screamed in horror. "What?! What?! Who-?!"
She looked up and when she noticed the looks of feigned innocence of everyone in the room, she snarled. "Did...did all of you just sit there and watch while this happened?!"
"Oh please Porsha," Ash said dismissively and somewhat indignant. "You've been pulling outrageous pranks for a while now, increasingly since we came here."
"Oh yeah?" Porsha said feigning innocence herself. "For example?"
Ash gave Porsha a deadpan look as though saying, 'Really?' "How about when you stuck styrofoam balls with goofy eyes on them onto my quills?"
Porsha flinched. "Ok, that was just fun and games."
An annoyed Meena looked Porsha's way. "Or when you put waffles in my bed?"
Porsha smiled nervously. "Ok, that was a bit much."
"Taping a 'kick me' sign to my back?" Johnny said with a cocked eyebrow before looking at Nooshy.
She chuckled darkly as he patted his back, much to his annoyance.
"Uh...eh...uh…"
"Putting wasabi in my toothpaste?" Nooshy said with a glare.
Porsha was dead silent.
"Stuffing pizza into the tailpipe of Suki's moped?" Rosita added in with her hands on her hips.
Suki nodded absentmindedly, her focus on her laptop. In a flash, her eyes shot open.
"WHAT?!" she shouted, having enough self-control to not move around while she was getting her nails done. "Porsha?! That was you?!"
Porsha chuckled nervously. "Um...Gotcha?"
Suki's eyes became unimpressed slits. Sighing, she turned back to her laptop. "You are grounded."
Porsha's nervous look changed almost instantly and was now a look of juvenile indignation, like a child who didn't want to be told no. "Grounded? You're not my mom."
Suki gave the teenager a hard, stern look. "No, but I have been left to watch you whenever your father was too busy to spend any time with you. I may not be your mother Porsha but don't you think you could at least consider what I have to say when I say that you're getting too old for these childish pranks? You're about to turn 18, for Heaven's sakes!"
Porsha sat back down on the sofa, arms crossed and sulking. "You always have a way to hold that over my head Suki."
Suki closed her eyes and angrily inhaled through her nose. Then her face softened, became sympathetic. "Porsha, I know these past few weeks haven't been easy-"
"You think?!"
"But do you really think having a laugh at the expense of your friends is the right way to deal with it?"
Porsha pulled her knees to her chest. "I don't do it to hurt anyone's feelings, it's just all good fun. I mean if they're so bugged by it, then why don't they just prank me back like they're supposed to?"
Meena blinked. "You want to be pranked, Porsha?"
"Uh, yeah! Sort of."
Ash scoffed disbelievingly. "Why?"
"Because...well...if you were to prank me back, we'd all be having fun right? Together? I mean we are friends right? You consider me a…?" Porsha trailed off, choked with emotion. "I'm one of you aren't I?"
"Aw," Rosita said, sounding stricken of the heart. "Honey, how could you think otherwise?"
Porsha bowed her head. "Cuz...I dunno...maybe cuz I annoy you guys for being…" She hesitated. "...a drama queen?"
Gunter flinched. That word. Drama queen. His choice of words.
"Plus...my dad…"
Nooshy groaned as she rolled her eyes. "Ugh! Porsha! You are not your dad! Just how shallow do you think we are?! Do you really think we'd hold what your dad did against you?!"
"It's not just that!" Porsha snapped. "It's…" She sighed. "There have been times...rare times but I don't forget them...late at night or in a dark room, I come in and when Buster sees me, he jumps and shouts like he's seen a ghost."
Buster's ears dropped. "Porsha...it's not you...it's…"
"What does it matter what it was?!" Porsha exclaimed. "I remind you of my dad, regardless of how unlike him I am! Everytime you see me, you're reminded of him and what he did to you!" She was crying now but she wiped away her tears as though it ashamed her.
And it did.
She laughed mirthlessly. "Look at me! Me being the drama queen again! I don't know why I keep doing this!"
Porsha felt a gentle hand on her own and she turned to see Suki looking at her, compassion and sadness in her brown eyes. "Porsha...none of that was your fault. Everything that has happened since…" Suki looked down, regret in her eyes. "...well, that was all out of your control. There was nothing you could've done."
Porsha bared her teeth. "But I should've...I should've done something. My dad…I couldn't believe what he did! I never thought it was in him to try to kill someone! I don't understand!"
"Your father was a changed man Porsha. He had been losing his grip on things ever since your mother died. That fiasco with Clay Calloway was just the last straw."
"But I freaked out! I could've helped that! I totally flew off the handle when I thought Buster fired me! I might as well have been the one who-!"
Suki pressed her hand on Porsha's mouth, stopping her from talking. "We've been over this Porsha, that is on your dad's head. Him and him alone. Whatever was going through his mind, whatever his reasons, he chose to turn to murder. While he may not have succeeded in doing so, he committed it in his heart all the same." Suki lowered her gaze, eyes teeming with regret. "I never imagined he'd go that far either. I knew he was temperamental, hostile even when things went wrong, but this? I don't want to give your hopes up Porsha, but I have this impression that there's something missing to all this."
Porsha looked up, tears in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
Suki furrowed her brow. "I'm not certain."
Ash cocked an eyebrow. "You know something? I mean...you worked closely with Jimmy Crystal for how long?"
Suki frowned. "A little over ten years. I worked closely with him and his wife. After Estelle died, Mr Crystal distanced himself from everyone."
Porsha sniffled. "Including me. The only time I remember him holding me was at mom's funeral. He never held me like that again after that. When I came to him after I thought I was fired, he was more concerned with his image. He wouldn't even touch me. He was just so angry. He didn't care that I was crying. He said that I embarrassed him. He even called me a talentless loser."
Everyone gasped.
"He said that?!" Meena said, shocked.
Buster gaped. He hadn't known this.
Clay narrowed his eyes fiercely.
"He never said anything like that to me before in my life," Porsha sobbed. "And the look in his eyes, it was like something snapped inside of him. It scared me."
Suki sighed. "I know. I saw it too."
"Suki, Porsha," Rosita said tensely. "I'm sorry but maybe we should reserve this kind of talk for when the children are not around."
Both Suki and Porsha looked to see some of the piglets were staring at them with wide eyes, growing fear shown in them.
They might be just kids but kids at that age are very intuitive and even what little they could comprehend from the conversation was enough to instill fear in them.
Porsha looked guilty.
Suki had a pained look, as though she were embarrassed to have overlooked this.
"Perhaps we should discuss this in the private lounge," she said, standing up. "All of us."
"Right," Rosita said. She turned to her husband. "Norm?"
Norman nodded firmly as he began the grueling process of escorting the children out of the room.
Suki looked down at her toes, seeing that the finished nail polish was still in the process of drying.
She picked up her boots.
Abashed, Suki looked to Meena. "I don't suppose you could carry me. Polish is still drying and Nana will not be happy if I get it on her carpet."
Meena stared, a bit bewildered. "O-Ok," she stammered nervously.
"What about me?" Porsha complained. "Mine hasn't dried yet either." She turned to look expectantly at Johnny. "Could you-?"
Johnny blinked. "Uh...sure, I guess."
"Ep ep ep ep!" Nooshy said snappily, placing a hand on Johnny's chest before he could carry out Porsha's request, including her. "Alfonso, you carry her."
The ice cream vendor blinked awkwardly. "Um...ok." Without missing a beat, Alfonso very carefully scooped a befuddled Porsha in her arms and followed after Meena who had Suki in her own arms.
Nooshy then proceeded to glare at Johnny who shrunk back at her searing stare.
"What did I do?"
"Ugh!" Nooshy said, angered by Johnny's cluelessness, before turning away and crossing her arms.
Johnny looked utterly confused and stricken. "Nooshy?"
Feeling a tug on his jacket sleeve, Johnny saw Ash looking up at him, not impressed.
"What?"
Ash shook her head. "You really are an idiot."
"What?!" Johnny almost shouted. "All I did was offer to carry Porsha."
Ash shook her head again. "Actually, she asked you to carry her and you accepted almost immediately..." She motioned to Nooshy who slumped to the floor, pouting with arms still crossed. "...in front of her."
Johnny narrowed his eyes in thought and in a flash, it hit him. He slapped his forehead. "I'm an idiot."
"Yup," Nooshy snapped, nodding furiously. "In fact, I'm so cross right now, I don't think I'll be able to walk to the private lounge."
"What?!" Johnny exclaimed in disbelief. "Nooshy! C'mon!"
"Hm!" Nooshy said, raising her chin in defiance.
"So what?! Am I supposed to carry you?!"
Nooshy looked back at Johnny with a coy smirk.
Johnny gaped and then sighed heavily. "Oh come on Noosh, you can walk fine!"
Nooshy turned her head away.
Johnny gawked. "Noosh…"
He then cried out in sharp pain as a punch landed on his right calf. He looked down to see Ash staring him down .
"What was that for?!"
"Just carry her you big dope!"
Johnny frowned but then slumped his shoulders. "Ok."
He turned back to Nooshy and he was surprised to see her demeanor change almost immediately. She no longer looked angry. Actually, she looked downright giddy. She was not facing Johnny, cross legged, and holding her arms out to him as though beckoning to him.
Johnny chuckled sheepishly, his own frustration now gone. Manipulative little...oh what the heck!
Grinning madly and fast as lightning, Johnny scooped the young lynx up in his arms, causing her giggle out loud.
"Put me down you brute!" Nooshy said, playfully feigning a damsel in distress.
"Nah."
Ash rolled her eyes. I'm gonna throw up.
00000
In a few short minutes, everyone was settled into the private lounge.
Luxury chairs were set up in a respective circle.
A center table held several assortments of snacks and refreshments.
This talk would take some time.
Johnny's father was there too. He had just returned from making some calls.
Nana Noodleman had decided to join them as well. She had some things to get off her chest too.
"So...here we are," Buster said nervously. "So...Suki? Will you start?"
Suki Lane cleared her throat, adjusting her circular glasses.
"Ok...as you all know, I had been working closely with Crystal Entertainment for over ten years. It was Mr Crystal's wife who approached me for the position of talent scout. Her name was Estelle Rodriguez Crystal. She was…" Suki became misty eyed. "...she was a good friend and an amazing boss. She had wanted me personally because she admired my objectivity."
"You worked closely with her and Mr Crystal?" Rosita asked.
"I did. I was given the privilege of sitting in on their most important meetings. I was given some of the best talent assignments that any talent scout could only dream of. They had made me their confidant...even their friend."
Porsha sniffled. "They even had her watch me whenever they were busy or if they needed some time together." She smiled in Suki's direction. "She practically raised me after mom…" She wiped her eyes. "...died."
Meena put a massive hand on Porsha's trembling shoulder.
Suki sighed mournfully. "She was a good woman."
"How did it happen?" Johnny asked.
Porsha sobbed.
Suki grimaced. "Car crash."
There were murmurs and gasps of horror.
"Oh how tragic," Rosita said, covering her mouth.
"Jim-ahem, excuse me, Mr Crystal was never the same after that," Suki said distantly. "Losing Estelle broke him."
Porsha nodded tearfully. "It was like the best of my dad died with mom. I think I lost some part of myself too." She covered her face. "When he held me at her funeral, it was the first time I ever saw him cry. It was also the last...at least until the last I saw...after I slapped him and said I never wanted to see him again. That look in his eye when I turned my back to him, I knew I had crushed him."
Ash scoffed. "He tried to kill Buster, twice!"
"Don't you think I know that Ash?!" Porsha snapped. "I'll never forget what he did, what he almost did. But ...he's still my dad."
Ash's scowl faded but she said nothing.
Suki continued. "Weeks after the funeral, Mr Crystal just threw himself into his work. Hardly speaks to anyone when it doesn't involve business. He pushed everyone away, including Porsha."
"Awful," Nana said scornfully but she frowned to herself. "Not to justify abandoning his own daughter, I can understand that."
Clay bowed his head sadly. "Me too."
Marcus crossed his arms, sighing deeply, his eyes full of sadness.
Ash looked angry but chose not to say anything. Well he's getting no sympathy from me.
"It doesn't excuse him distancing himself from his own daughter who was obviously hurting just as much as he did," Rosita said, face red with anger.
"No it doesn't," Suki said, eyes closed.
"You said that there was something more to it than his loss," Meena said. "Something that he was keeping hidden. Do you know what it is?"
"Know?" Suki said. "I do not know, Meena. I only ever suspected. I don't even know for sure even now but I no longer doubt my theory."
"How do you know all this?" Ash asked, suspicion quite clear in her voice.
"I know…" Suki said, voice severely low and hard. "...because I was approached by a representative of the Witness Protection Program to act as a consultant and informant for this case. This has given me clearance to access Crystal Entertainment's files and that is how I've come to possess the information I have now."
Porsha stared at Suki. "You were spying on my dad?"
Suki looked regretful. "I kept an eye out for anyone who might've been doing shady business within your father's inner circle. Your father was never suspected. We were only able to nab him on the money laundering scheme after he was arrested."
Porsha frowned, her eyes shone a trace of betrayal and anger.
Suki's heart was torn at this.
"So what is this theory of yours?" Ash asked in anticipation.
"Mr Crystal was being strong-armed into criminal operations and he had been pushing everyone around him away because if anyone close to him knew what he was up to and who he had been talking to, their lives would be in danger."
All those sitting in the room gawked, eyes huge and mouths wide open.
Porsha froze, all traces of betrayal vanished. "I knew it!"
Suki raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How could you know Porsha?"
"Well…" Porsha twiddled her forefingers before finding her voice. "Suki, you remember my twelfth birthday? When daddy didn't show up until I went and got him?"
"Yes."
Porsha shuddered as a cold chill went up her spine. "I found him in that back room, where the really private meetings take place. When I got there, I knew he was there because I heard his voice. He sounded quiet like he didn't want anyone to hear him. I pressed my ear so I could hear more and I heard dad say, 'I'm warning you,' and then it got all quiet." Porsha breathed warily. It was only Suki placing her hand on hers that gave her the strength to keep going. "And then the door opened and he was there, staring down at me. He was angry, more angry than I had ever seen him at me. And I got so scared that I started crying. I told him it was my birthday and I wanted him there. Then he softened up, said he was sorry, closed the meeting room door, picked me up and carried me back to the party."
Suki stared at Porsha. "Is that all?"
"No." Porsha looked increasingly frightened. "I don't know how I saw it but daddy looked more than just angry, I could've sworn that he looked scared."
"Scared?" Meena asked. "Like maybe you happened on something you shouldn't have, that you might have found something that would've put you at risk?"
Porsha looked up, amazed. "Yes! How-?"
Meena shrugged. "Call it a hunch."
"Is that everything Porsha?" Suki asked.
Porsha shook her head. She wrapped her arms around herself as though there was a chill. "Just before daddy closed the door, I had just enough time to look inside. It was dark but I could see that there was someone in there."
Suki's eyes widened. "Did you know who it was?"
"No, it was dark. It was like they were in shadow and whoever it was, they were big, at least a head taller than my dad. And...and I think I saw a long tail. And I could've sworn this person was looking at me."
"How could you tell if the room was dark?" Ash asked, both interested and spooked at the same time.
"Because I could feel it," Porsha said, starting to feel sick as she dredged up the memory. "It felt...it made me feel icky. And that was it. I had wanted to ask him if he was talking to someone but something in me held me back, like I knew it would only get me in even more trouble if I did ask. Like...if he thought I knew I saw someone, it would be very bad for me."
Suki paused in thought. "And after that, he pushed you away even further away."
It was not a question.
Porsha nodded, more tears streaming down her face. "I...I had no idea what was going on. It never occurred to me at the time."
"You were just a kid, Porsha. You couldn't have known. I didn't even know. I still don't."
"But I should've known, I should've!"
"The fact is you didn't Porsha," Nana said sternly, wafting her ever-present fan. "You're not responsible for your father's decisions, regardless of what his intentions were."
Porsha stood up. "I have to go see him. I need to know the truth."
Suki stood up with a start. "Porsha..."
"I'm going!" Porsha shouted. "I haven't seen him in almost a year. I have to see him. I have to know."
"Porsha, think about what you're saying," Rosita protested. "It's dangerous and what if your father isn't in a position to tell you anything? What if anything he tells you will only put your life in even greater danger? We still don't know who's involved or how high this goes."
"She's right Porsh," Suki said, placing her hands on the distraught teenager's shoulders. "It's not safe for you to travel out of state right now."
Sobbing uncontrollably, Porsha fell to her knees but Suki caught her before she hit the floor.
Kneeling down with her, Suki held the hysterical girl close to her chest as she released her pain.
"Who...who did this to us?!" she wailed. "Who did this to my dad?!"
Suki held her tightly, rubbing her back, whispering assurances, like she had done for so many years when she worked for Crystal Entertainment.
Buster slipped off his chair, feeling a moment of terror as feet felt nothing but air, but he held on as he went over to Porsha and comfortingly rubbed her back.
Rosita blew her nose with a Kleenex as Norman held her close.
Ash's eyes were downward as all this news and that it implies was sinking in. She chuckled mirthlessly. Who would've thought that we'd stumble upon a national criminal conspiracy and end up in hiding from conspirators of said conspiracy.
Johnny anxiously gripped the arm rests of his chair, his face stricken with worry. He had not realized the depth of their situation. Who could have the power and influence to bend the domineering Jimmy Crystal to their will?
He felt a dainty, soft hand touch his own and he looked up to see Nooshy, a reassuring smile on her face. Smiling back, Johnny took her hand in his own and squeezed it.
Meena wrenched her hands, worry writ large on her face. Alfonso had a comforting arm around her. He turned to the matriarch of the Noodleman family.
"Nana, do you have any idea who might be behind this? Or at least who it might be that had been extorting Mr Crystal?"
Nana pursed her lip. "Crystal had many rivals in the entertainment business. Many more in the trade industry. But only seven that I know of have the resources and the intelligence to mastermind a crime of this level."
"In other words, we have nothing to trace back to any of them," Eddie said. "If there are any financial records that lead back to any of them, they either don't exist or have been wiped. Whoever did all this, they are thorough and efficient."
Wishing to move on to the reason they gathered in the private lounge in the first place, Rosita moved from her seat and approached the weeping Porsha.
"Porsha?"
The girl looked up from Suki's shoulder. "What?" she said through her tears.
"Is the reason why you wanted the lead role for Out of this World because you wanted your father to pay attention to you?"
Porsha sniffled. "Mmhm."
"And when you thought Buster fired you, or rather was giving the lead role back to me?"
"I was so excited for the part, not because I particularly wanted it. It was an opportunity to make my dad proud of me." Porsha scoffed. "But who am I kidding? Climbing the Crystal Tower only made him mad and he locked me in my room for a month."
"WHAT?!" was the collective shouts of all those in the room.
"That was you?!" Buster cried.
It made the national news of a young girl scaling the walls of Crystal Tower six years ago. The family had wanted to keep the name of said climber a secret. It was most often assumed it was just a crazed fan who wanted to meet Jimmy Crystal.
"You climbed that building when you were eleven years old?!" Ash exclaimed in shock and amazement.
Porsha chuckled bashfully. "Ten, my birthday wasn't until the following week. Lucky me, I got to spend it in my room."
Nooshy gave an appreciative whistle. "You went through such insane lengths just to get your dad to pay attention to you?"
"Yeah," Porsha said bitterly, nodding. "Waste of time."
"But...but…" Miss Crawley stammered, having been quiet thus far. "But if Mr Crystal was being threatened, that means...that means he's relatively innocent right?"
Suki scoffed as though the question was ludicrous and it was. "Hardly," she said with a hard look like stone, still holding a shaking Porsha. "Whatever his intentions were, he still committed attempted murder. That's hardly a slap on the wrist. However, if he knows something, his best chance would be to turn state's evidence. Divulge whatever it is of whoever put him up to whatever he was up to."
Nana continued to fan herself, without taking her eyes off the space between Eddie and Buster's empty chair which was just across from her. "Thus far, he has said nothing. Hasn't said much. Hasn't done much. Crystal has spoken to no one, not even his lawyers."
"Who...who told you?" Porsha asked shakily.
"One of Crystal's lawyers, through an anonymous tip." Nana's voice took a dangerous tone. "They believe that Mr Crystal might be being watched closely."
"How's he doing?" Porsha asked hopefully. "Is he ok?"
"After being arrested, publicly humiliated, imprisoned and awaiting trial? Of course he's not ok. He's alive, which is something I suppose."
"Nana…" Buster said.
The old sheep groaned. "I know, I know. He's still her father." But then she sighed and her face became sad. "I'm sorry Porsha."
"It's ok," Porsha said, gasping a bit but appearing to settle down. She sat on the floor, crossing her legs, Suki still kneeling beside her. "I want to see him. I want to see my dad."
"That may take time, Porsha."
Porsha chuckled darkly. "Well...time is one thing we've got since we can't really go anywhere anyway."
"You misunderstand Porsha," Nana said. "You are not a prisoner. Everyone is free to come and go as they please."
"But we can't, can we?!" Porsha said, voice brimming with angry frustration. "Not while that...that...freaking psycho and whoever is paying him are out there gunning for us!"
"I promise you won't have to stay much long-!"
"Oh yeah? And what if it's enough?! Are we going to have to look over our shoulders for the rest of our life?!"
"No, of course not!" Nana said firmly. "That's no way to live! Take it from me! You need to keep going, no matter what!"
Porsha glared at the old sheep. "What do you know about-?!"
"I know…" Nana said, her eyes shut tight. "...because almost sixty years ago, my mother, my brother, and my little nephew were murdered in cold blood."
Dead silence.
Rosita fell back and landed on her rear.
Meena's mouth dropped open.
Johnny was gaping, eyes popping.
Nooshy's face was frozen in abject horror.
Ash blinked before both hands flew to her mouth.
Eddie closed his eyes sadly.
Buster's ears dropped, now looking unfathomably sad.
This was not a story he had wanted to hear again.
It wasn't a story that anyone wanted to remember again.
How much less did Nana want to recollect that tragic tale?
Porsha's mouth was wide open. She looked more stricken and more shocked than she had ever been in her life. "What?" she gasped.
Nana bowed her head. "I do understand what you're going through Porsha. More than you know."
Porsha was beside herself. She looked at Suki, who was looking downward sadly. "Nana…" Porsha stammered. "...I'm sorry...I didn't mean…"
Nana stood up and knelt down to put a hand on Porsha's shoulder. Her eyes were sparkling with tears. "I know dear, I know."
Porsha covered her mouth, intense remorse and guilt tearing through her heart. "How could I forget? Nana...you…"
"Shhh," Nana said, placing her cloven hoofed hand on Porsha's lip, stopping her from speaking. "Just listen."
"Nana, are you sure?" Buster said, sounding worried. "You never told anyone but-"
"I'm sure Buster," Nana said strongly but there was a twinge in her voice that suggested that it took a great deal of will to speak of this grave memory. "If we are going to get through this together, it will require trust. And now...I am going to give some of my own by recollecting the very thing that had haunted my wildest nightmares nearly my entire life."
Nana sighed, shaking a bit. "As you all know, I was performing that night. I had only just started to build a reputation. My mother…" Nana paused before continuing. "...she was proud. Her, my brother Lawrence. My sister Fran, and her son Perceival, my little Percy."
Nana pursed her lips, trying to keep from breaking down. "Last I saw them, it was at the local theater." She closed her eyes with a smile. "The lights. The music. It was divine. It was a standing ovation and they had front seats. My mother was crying."
Nana's look became sad. "I told them I'd see them at my mother's house. We were going to celebrate but I had to pick something up for Percy. I don't remember anything after that."
"What?" Porsha said.
"The next thing I remember, I was in the hospital. And the doctor told me that my mother's neighbor found me on the floor of her house. Then...he told me my mother, brother and nephew were dead."
Nana clenched her eyes and jaw. "I couldn't believe it. I didn't believe it. I was told I most likely didn't remember because I repressed all of it when I...found them. The shock was too great. Fran...she was there too...she was hysterical. She was screaming for her son. She didn't stop screaming until she was sedated. I had wanted to remember, in hopes that it might help find the man responsible." Nana gulped as though she was swallowing a stone. "But maybe not knowing was a blessing. And Fran...my dearest Fran...she…" Nana's clenched eyes leaked tears. "...she died of heart failure almost a year later. The grief was too much for her. The grief had almost killed me too."
Nana began to cry but it was very soft as though she had tried her best to compose herself, still wishing to maintain her dignity.
Nooshy with a sad look from Johnny stood up from her chair and she knelt down by Nana.
Nana looked at her and gasped softly when Nooshy wrapped her arms around her. "Oh Nana," the young lynx cooed.
Nana could not bear to hold the full weight of her tears back as she returned the embrace.
There was not a dry eye in the room. Not even Clay or Marcus were immune to showing emotion in this grisly tale.
Miss Crawly blew on a handkerchief. "I remember it well. I saw it on the tv. Awful. Just awful."
"Indeed," Suki said, lifting her glasses so she could dry her eyes with her thumb and forefinger.
Nooshy held the weeping sheep, crying as well. "I had no idea Nana."
"Neither did I," Porsha said, unsure if she should try to comfort the Noodleman matriarch or just stay put. What right do I have to complain about my situation.
Nana managed to compose herself enough to continue but she did not release herself from the embrace. "After I left the hospital, keeping in mind that the fiend who murdered my family was still at large, I had been deeply troubled. Fearing that what happened to them would happen to me too. Me and Fran." Nooshy felt Nana start to tremble and she held her tighter. "I didn't know who I could trust implicitly to watch over her. But then…" She cleared her throat. "My sister and I...we were sheltered at the hotel tower owned by Donovan Tee, without charge."
"Donovan Tee?" Ash said, surprised. "He's that business mogul who's owned a bunch of hotels and casinos right?"
Nana chuckled lightly. "Among other things. He was a bit on the bombastic side but he was always kind to me and my family." She sniffled. "At least I was able to be in a position to be with Fran...be there for her without concerning myself with her safety before she…before she..." Nana did not finish.
"I didn't know you went through all that Nana," Porsha said, a quiver in her voice. "I mean...I knew about that but I...I didn't…" She groaned. "I'm sorry."
Nana lifted her head and turned to look at Porsha. "You may know about a person's life Porsha and yet know precious little about it because you are not the one living it."
Porsha, feeling ashamed, bowed her head but Nana took her chin and lifted it so she could look her in the eye.
Nana smiled warmly at her, although her eyes were red with tears. "You did not offend me Porsha. I'm far too old to be rattled by such things. Stop saying you're sorry all the time."
Porsha sniffled and smiled, but it was a small one. The phrase 'I'm sorry' was on her tongue but she caught herself. "Thank you," she whispered. "But...how? Your mom, your brother, your nephew, and then your sister. How can you live with that? How did you go on?"
"You just do," Nana said. "You remember your loved ones and you think of what they'd do if they saw you mourning them forever. And how heartbroken they'd be if they saw you wasting away, dragging through life, not really living."
Clay sighed deeply as he heard this, feeling regret and shame of the fifteen wasted years of being stuck in the moment of mourning his Ruby. She'd be heartbroken alright if she saw me the way I wasted my life, he thought to himself.
"Whatever happens Porsha," Nana said, lightly tapping the underside of the girl's chin to keep her attention. "You must keep living, not only for your mother's memory but above all yourself. Do you understand?"
Porsha closed her eyes, tears flowing.
After a moment, she nodded. "Mmhm."
Nana nodded with satisfaction. "Good." Gathering herself, Nana lifted herself to her feet but not before offering Porsha a hand so she could lift her to her feet as well.
Porsha exhaled sharply in amazement at the relative ease that the old sheep had at lifting her up. "You...have a lot of energy."
"Hmm!" Nana said smiling. "I may be old but I am still in my youthful 90's."
Porsha's mouth dropped open.
Nooshy chuckled at the look on her face.
Clay Calloway whistled. "You look good."
Nana smiled sweetly, dramatically wafting herself with her fan. "Well, aren't you a charmer Mr Calloway?"
The old lion smiled. "Just Clay please."
"Now then, perhaps this would be a good time to take a break," Nana said, picking up her empty tea cup. "I believe dinner is ready."
"Dinner?" Norman said, looking at his watch. He gasped, eyes wide. "It's almost 7 o'clock! Man, time went fast!"
Suki sat back down and started to put her boots back on, deciding her nail polish was dry enough.
Nana eyed her and then her toes, as well as the detail and yet juvenile energy behind the black nail polish. "It looks like a child had done them, Miss Lane. Was it little Vida?"
Suki shook her head, slightly flustered. "Julianna and Ada."
Nana blinked, then chuckled. "Darling little things, aren't they?"
Suki smiled endearingly. "Yes...they are." She looked to Rosita. "You have beautiful children Mrs Witherspoon."
Rosita blinked back tears. "I know, they are, aren't they?"
Nooshy grinned toothily. "They really are. I'm crazy about them."
"Hold it," Porsha said, somewhat indignantly. "Nana, you noticed Suki getting her nails done, in one color but not me?!" She flexed her toes, putting the rainbow color of her nails in plain view.
Nana took one look and arched an eyebrow at the young wolf. She then gave a coy smile. "Silly me, I was thinking it was so you that I hadn't noticed."
Porsha's mouth stood agape.
Nana's mouth trembled before a chuckle escaped her lips.
As though Nana's laughter were a trigger, Porsha's open mouth twisted into a giggle as she covered her mouth. "You were...pretending not to notice?" she said in between laughs.
"I didn't want to embarrass you dearie. Especially after that little makeover that Vida and Caspar gave you."
Porsha covered her mouth as more laughs came through.
"I know right?!" Nooshy said with a wild smile. She pointed a finger in Porsha's face. "You should've seen the look on your face Porsh!"
"I didn't have to, I saw yours!" Porsha cried, pointing back, now roaring with laughter as Nooshy joined her.
Nana put a hand to her stomach as she laughed with them.
Rosita had to sit down in her chair to keep from falling down laughing to the floor as she recounted perhaps the funniest thing she had ever seen.
The others soon joined in the hearty laughter, the event in question not being lost on any of them, all but one.
Suki watched the hysterics of her newest colleagues with increasing discomfort, both due to the uncanny wild laughter of the Moon troupe and their stern sponsor and the horrible urge to laugh with them.
Remembering the scene of finding both Porsha and Nooshy in all that garish, clownish makeup was the most ridiculous, unexpected thing she had ever witnessed.
Seeing Nooshy wearing Johnny's jacket was a bit of a surprise too.
She bowed her, pinched her lips, trying very hard to keep the urge to laugh down.
But upon looking down and seeing Porsha's feet, she couldn't help but notice the ridiculous rainbow nail polish that had been applied to her in her sleep.
Choking, the floodgates opened and Suki laughed a great big belly laugh.
"Alright, alright," Clay said, wiping a tear from his left eye. "We'd better get going before the food gets cold."
"Indeed," Nana said smiling. "I could use a steaming hot cup of lapsang souchong."
"A cup of what?" Ash asked, eyes narrowed at the incomprehensible phrase.
"That's black tea," Eddie said. "It's Nana's favorite."
"Will we be doing this again Nana?" Nooshy asked, twiddling her thumbs, a gesture that she almost never does.
"Hmm?" Nana said.
"This thing...this encounter group," the street dancer said a bit anxiously, eyes downward. "Are we…?"
Nana smiled. "If you'd like dear and whoever is up for joining. You have something you would wish to share?"
Nana swallowed a lump in her throat. "Yes...I think I do. A few things actually."
Rosita smiled upon hearing this. "That's wonderful to hear, Nooshy. Are you sure?"
Nooshy looked deeply conflicted as though this were a step that she had been dreading. Johnny, seeing her distress stood by her side and took her hand in his. She flinched as she looked up at him, those sparkling brown eyes seemed to do the trick of giving her the courage to respond.
"I...I think so," she answered. "It's...it's been eating at me...and I can't keep it to myself...not anymore."
Meena grinned happily. "That's great Nooshy!"
Nooshy smiled meekly. "Thanks Meena...but it's not easy. I'm not sure how I'd get it out."
"I'll help you," Johnny said, sandwiching Nooshy's hand in both of his. "We'll get through this together."
Nooshy looked into Johnny's eyes, which shined with so much love and care, and they held his gaze. He leaned in towards her face, causing her to freeze.
What is he-?
"I'm so proud of you," he whispered.
Nooshy's lip trembled as a tear flowed down her cheek. She threw his arms around his neck and he returned the gesture, wrapping his arms around her tiny waist, lifting her and causing her feet to dangle off the floor.
"Thank you," she whispered, nestling her head into his shoulder.
They stayed in that position until they heard a rather snooty clearing of the throat that all those in the room had come to associate with her.
"I believe that's enough sentimentality for one night," Nana said in her usual posh manner. "We shall endeavor to adjourn this...meeting in the morning."
Johnny gently set Nooshy back on the floor. They smiled at each other, cheeks a slight tint of red before moving on.
"Hey Nana, one last question?" Nooshy asked.
"Yes?" Nana said, without turning her back.
Nooshy with a knowing smile, pointed at Nana's large mass of hair. "When we do continue, we're not going to have anymore flying piglets are we?"
There were chokes and snickers in the hall.
Nana turned with a grin. "We'll see." She turned back and continued on to the dining hall.
The only ones not laughing were Suki and Marcus.
Suki Lane craned her head in confusion.
"What?" Marcus said, putting his hands out in a clueless fashion.
Suki felt a tap on her shoulder and she looked to see Porsha, snickering and beckoning the talent scout to lean in so she could whisper.
Suki did so and a few seconds of whispers from Porsha and the Saluki's hand flew to her mouth to keep from laughing out loud.
"No!" Suki said in disbelief, choking back laughter.
"Yes!" Porsha said, grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
Suki cackled out loud, something she did not do very often.
Marcus was even more confused now. "What? What's this about a flying piglet?"
Clay tapped his shoulder with a smile and leaned in. "Tell ya later."
Marcus furrowed his brow.
"C'mon, let's eat," Clay said.
Marcus' confused look soon looked terribly tired. He yawned. "Actually, I think I'll turn for the night. Oi Johnny."
Johnny turned to look at his father. "Yeah dad?"
Marcus approached his son and very slowly, he hugged him and kissed him. "Turnin' in now. I love you son."
Johnny was slightly put off. Why did his dad sound so tired? And was that sadness he heard in his voice?
Marcus released Johnny and he looked him in the eye before turning to head to bed.
"Dad?" Johnny said.
Marcus did not answer. He just kept walking and then rounded the corner of the hall, out of view.
The only ones in the hall were now Johnny, Nooshy and Clay, mixed looks of bewilderment and concern.
Nooshy looked up at Johnny, worry writ large on her face.
Clay furrowed his brow, his mind wracking what all this could mean. Marcus was not simply tired from the past few late nights. It was something else. He should know because he had seen these types of symptoms before. His eyes widened a fraction as a terrible thought came to him.
That sluggishness...that look in his eyes...the way he spoke to his boy as though he was going to go somewhere soon...
He turned to the young gorilla.
"Johnny...is your dad sick?" Clay asked.
Johnny did not answer.
He simply bowed his head, eyes clenched.
Clay frowned as he too closed his eyes.
He then felt two thin arms encircle around his waist from behind. "Oh Johnny," Nooshy said sadly."
Placing a hand on both of Nooshy's, Johnny began to weep quietly as a horrible possibility forced its way into the forefront of his mind.
Dad's not getting better.
…..
Longest chapter yet.