by KJ Dahlen
She went out to the kitchen and found that Joe was already there waiting for her with a cup of hot coffee to start her day.
She sat down at the small table with him and quietly sipped her coffee.
After a few minutes Joe asked, “Well girl, how pissed is he?”
“Pretty pissed,” she admitted. Joe was the one person she never fudged the truth to. “How did you know?”
Joe snorted. “I heard the pings from your phone until you shut down the sound.”
Kelly silently passed her phone to him and he began reading the texts her brother sent her. Joe put the phone down on the table when he finished. His hand was shaky as he reached for his half full coffee cup.
When he set it back on the table, Joe sighed. “Well, it looks like you made the right call last night by leaving. Now what do we do?”
Chapter Three
Kelly stared at his face. “We go on with our lives. Without him. He wanted his freedom well now he’s got it.” She glared at the phone on the table. Lifting her eyes to her grandfather she stated, “I’m not going to let him threaten us, nor will he ever raise his hand to you again. You don’t deserve that. He wants money, let him earn it.”
“One thing your dad and I did when you guys were little was we put money into an account with your names on it. We didn’t want to leave either of you without a chance to be whatever you wanted to be,” Joe told her. “I can just give him that money.”
Kelly shook her head. “Please don’t do that.”
Joe stared at her for a moment then asked, “Why not? It’s his money.”
Kelly felt the tears roll down her cheeks. “Don’t you see? If you give into him now, you’re rewarding him for his bad behavior. He’s gotten everything he ever demanded from you and Dad growing up. He’s more like mom than I ever realized. He’s old enough to get a job like the rest of us but he hasn’t. He just takes what he wants without thinking about it not being his. Not this time. I’m not letting you give into his demands by giving him money for pulling this shit.”
“You said you don’t want him to hurt me again, well what am I supposed to do if he comes after you?” Joe argued.
Kelly rolled her eyes. “He knows better than that. He knows I’d wipe the floor with his ass if he does come after me.” Then she thought about something he said the night before. “Do you really think this Jack McGee will cause trouble? I mean you left that life a long time ago.”
Joe snorted. “If Jack is anything like his father, you can’t trust him. Ted McGee would do anything to win, even if he had to cheat to do it.” Then he sighed.
“What? What are you trying so hard not to tell me Gramps?”
Kelly knew the old man better than he thought. Joe cleared his throat and reached for his coffee cup.
Kelly laid her hand over top of his and asked again, “What is it?”
Joe shook his head. “I could never prove it, so I never told you before, but your mother might have been seeing Ted McGee all those years ago. I saw them eating lunch together before she showed up around your dad. I didn’t say anything to your dad but I didn’t have to. He knew what she was after when she started coming back around again.” He sighed hard. “McGee wasn’t exactly upset that my Dom died on the track. I think they both cooked that accident up. Your mom went to jail for it but I’ll bet McGee was just as guilty as she was.”
“What would Jack McGee want with us now though?” Kelly frowned.
“It’s no secret, rumor around town and all.” Joe shrugged. “He wants a Morgan car but Morgan won’t sell him one. Jack is using Caden and wouldn’t hesitate to use you to get him the car. If he realizes Caden is related to Dom and me even though we’ve been gone from that life for fifteen years, he will use any means he has available to his advantage.”
“And Caden knows I’ve been hanging around the shop trying to get a job there.” She groaned as she put her head into her hands. “Fucking hell.”
Joe nodded. “It’s a mess.”
“If he thinks I’ll help him get a car, he’s crazy,” Kelly muttered.
“That’s the thing though.” Joe nodded. “Jack is just like his dad, feels he’s entitled and that his money can buy anything. And if he can’t buy, it he’ll steal it. Ted’s been doing that shit for thirty years. And I’m willing to bet he taught his son to do the same thing. It’s worked for him all these years.”
“So where does Caden come into the picture?”
“They will use him to get what they want then throw him out om his ass when he’s no longer any use to them. That’s what the McGee’s do. Ted was there at your mom’s trial. She thought he was there for her but she found out the truth the day she was convicted.”
“What do you mean?”
“He got up and walked out the door when he heard the sentence. She was screaming out his name but he never turned to look at her, not once. They had to drag her out of the courtroom and she was screaming out his name the whole time.”
Kelly shook her head. This was all news to her but after what she heard it wasn’t surprising. She gazed at the man who meant the world to her. “So what do you want to do Grandpa? This affects you more than me.”
“Well, I agree with you on one point...I’ll be damned if I give in to the bastards. Ted McGee belongs in jail for what he did to your dad. If I could prove it that’s where he would be. But I know it as much as I know you’re sitting here with me.” Shaking his head, he lamented, “But I can’t turn my back on your brother either.”
“Oh Gramps, I’m not turning my back on him, not really.” She hung her head. “I just think its time he grew up and stopped throwing tantrums. He’s not five years old anymore and its time for him to start acting like a man instead of a little brat.”
Joe nodded. “Yeah, I know that girl and I agree with you. He’s got to grow up at some point. All I can hope is that the McGee’s don’t do something that can’t be undone.”
Kelly nodded. “Well, let’s hope Caden thinks about this and makes the right choice.” She got to her feet and walked over to the sink rinsing out her cup then went back to her grandfather. Kissing the top of his head, she whispered, “Stay safe today, and if he calls, Pop, please don’t tell him where we are. We need this time away from him as much as he does. Maybe if he can’t get to us, he will think about what he’s doing.”
Joe patted her arm but didn’t say anything. He watched as she gathered her keys and purse then went out the door.
~*~
Fifteen minutes later, she pulled up to the diner. Before she got out of the car, she searched the parking lot for her brother’s vehicle. When she didn’t see it or the car Jack drove, she got out and went in to start her shift.
Her boss Amanda glared at her as she pushed the time clock and Kelly turned to her and asked, “What?”
“Your brother has been calling for you since four this morning,” Amanda grumbled.
“Feel free to block him.” Kelly shrugged.
Amanda shook her head. “He almost sounded like he was crashing from being high, but I know that’s not true. You would never have allowed that to happen.”
Kelly shook her head. “Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. When I went home last night, he was high. We had words and he left the house in a tiff.”
Amanda looked worried. “Well yeah, he was pissed when you weren’t home last night.”
Kelly shook her head. “I don’t really care.” Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. “He hit my Gramps.”
“What the hell?” Amanda was shocked. “Why? Why would he hurt that sweet old man?”
“Because Gramps wouldn’t give him money again.” Kelly wiped the tears away. “Oh, and then Gramps admitted this wasn’t the first time he’d done it. I never would have thought this but my brother is a bully.”
Amanda patted her arm. “Well then, you were the only one. Everyone else saw it months ago.”
Kelly sighed. “I’m hoping he doesn’t show up here and start any tro
uble.”
“If he does, I’m calling the cops. I won’t let him disrupt the diner.”
“Do it.” Kelly nodded. “I don’t want any trouble either. Maybe if the cops drag his ass out of here, he’ll learn something.” She moved over to take her place behind the counter and Amanda went to the kitchen.
The next few hours flew by. Kelly was busy with customers and she wasn’t aware of the time passing until it hit midmorning. In the lull between breakfast and lunch, Jack McGee walked into the diner with Caden.
Caden stomped right up to his sister ad grabbed her by the arm. His fingers bit deep into her skin.
Kelly refused to pull away from him or show him any pain.
“You sanctimonious little bitch!” he yelled at her.
Kelly used her fingers to pry his hand off her arm. She had strong fingers and was able to do it with little effort. “What do you want Caden?”
“I want to know where grandpa is.” Caden growled.
“Why? So you can beat on him again? Or maybe steal more money from him?” she snarled. “That ain’t ever gonna happen again. You want money, get a fucking job like the rest of us.”
Caden raised his hand and slapped her hard.
Kelly’s head snapped back and for a moment, pain exploded in her head.
Then suddenly, Caden was stumbling away from her.
She opened her eyes to see Byron standing there between them with his fists raised. He was glaring at Caden and then raised his eyes to watch Jack as he stepped forward to assist Caden to his feet.
Byron turned to Caden, “If you ever hit her again, I will hurt you so bad you’ll beg me to end you.”
Caden wiped the blood from the hit Byron gave him at the corner of his mouth and glared back at the other man. “This ain’t your business man. Step away before you get hurt.”
Byron scoffed. “By you? You aren’t man enough to hit somebody who’s not weaker than you, you fuckin coward.”
“Fuck off.” Caden growled. Looking over at Kelly he warned, “You’d better be at the house after work. If I have to come looking for you again, there’s gonna be trouble.”
“Go away Caden,” Kelly told him tiredly as she wiped the smear of blood off her bottom lip. “Have a good life and for once, be the man you always wanted to be. This bank is now closed.”
Caden threw back his head and laughed at her. “Oh dear, sweet sister, not by a long shot. That old man owes me money and I plan to collect it with interest. And you know what? There ain’t a damn thing you or he can do about it.”
“What money are you talking about?” Kelly frowned.
“How about the insurance he got when Dad died? Hmmm? How about that?” Caden glared at her.
“He raised us for God’s sake! He put a roof over our heads and food on the table for us for fifteen years, you asshole. Where do you think all that money came from? Someone had to pay for your designer clothes and fancy cars, you fool.”
Caden stared at her for a long moment then saw the truth in her eyes. “You knew? You’ve known all our lives and you never told me did you?” Caden began pacing back and forth.
“Do you believe me now kid?” Jack demanded. “She knew all this time and she never told you.”
“Fucking hell.” Caden shook his head. “You and that old man lied to me all my life and it never bothered you a bit did it?” He backed away from her and growled, “I hate you right now. Everything you’ve ever told me has been nothing but a lie and I don’t know if I can trust you or that old man anymore.” He nodded. “Maybe you’re right. We do need to part ways but I want my half of the money first. Then I don’t care if I ever see either of you again.”
Kelly shook her head. “God, Caden, how can you be so blind? Are you really going to let this shmuck tell you what should have been instead of seeing what’s right in front of you? We never lied to you to hurt you. You were just too young to remember that’s all.”
Caden got right in her face and growled. “You should have told me! I may not have remembered but you were older than I was, you would have remembered more than I would. Tell the old man I want my money then you both can go to hell.” He turned and walked out of the diner with Jack slowly following.
There was a smirk on the other man’s face and at the door, he turned and glared at Kelly. “He’ll call you later and this time, you’d better answer his call.” Then Jack turned and walked out to the parking lot.
Kelly began walking to the ladies room when Byron grabbed her arm. When she cried out, he let her go and frowned when her hand covered the spot on her arm where he’d grabbed her.
Byron paused and gently moved her hand away then saw the black fingerprints on her skin. “What the hell?”
Kelly shrugged and made her way to the restrooms.
Byron turned to Amanda and asked, “What the fuck happened here?”
Amanda shrugged. “I have no clue but he’s lucky you stepped in or I would have called the cops on his little ass.” She shook her head. “What can I get you for lunch?”
“I’ll have a Reuben and fries.” Byron sat down at the counter. He watched the restroom doors waiting for them to open. He hadn’t known why he came here this morning but he knew he wanted to see Kelly again.
Finally, after fifteen minutes she came out and ducked into the kitchen. Amanda was behind the grill working on the Rueben and asked, “Are you ok?”
Kelly nodded.
“Do you know what your brother was talking about?” she asked.
Kelly nodded but didn’t say anything more. Amanda loaded the plate and handed it off to Kelly. Kelly turned and began walking out to the counter. She looked up when the door opened and halted as the older woman came into the diner.
Her eyes widened as she recognized the other woman. She stepped up to where Byron was sitting. Lowering her hand holding the plate, she almost missed the counter all together.
Byron reached out and grabbed his lunch before it ended up on the floor. He turned and eyed the woman who was sitting in a booth. Her eyes were fixed on Kelly. He looked back at Kelly to find her pale and shaking while staring at the woman like she was a ghost.
Before he could ask if she was all right, she spun around and headed back into the kitchen again.
Chapter Four
Byron looked back at the woman in the booth and saw her smirking. His eyes narrowed at her.
She finally turned to stare blankly at him. After fifteen minutes, the woman rose to her feet and walked out the door.
You could tell that she’d been a good looking woman at one point in her life but now, she was pale and hard. She had crow’s feet and lines around her mouth. She had a look in her eyes that told him and anyone that she’d been through hell and came out worse for the wear.
He glanced at the kitchen and wondered if Kelly would ever come out. When the door swung open, it was Amanda that came out and not Kelly. Amanda shook her head and told him, “She left. Whoever that bitch was she didn’t want to talk to her. This on top of Caden’s little stunt was just too much for her.”
Byron grabbed his wallet and paid for his lunch. “Did she say where she was going?”
Amanda shook her head.
The diner door opened again, and Amanda saw Beth, their afternoon waitress rush in. “What are you doing here early?”
Beth smiled. “Kelly called and asked if I wanted a couple extra hours. I wasn’t doing anything. So yeah, I told her I would finish up her shift. She said something about not feeling well or something?”
Byron looked over at Amanda. “Did she say anything about where she would be going before she left?”
Amanda looked worried for a moment. “No she didn’t. From what I understand, she was living with her gramps and her brother. This visit from her brother was a complete surprise to me.”
“Does she work tomorrow? I need to talk to her and if she isn’t living at home anymore and her brother doesn’t know where they are, she might be in trouble,” Byron stated.
Amanda nodded. “Her shift tomorrow starts at six a.m. She never misses a shift but I’ve never seen her this rattled before either. Then there was that woman who came in after her brother left.” She shook her head. “That one is trouble with a capital T.”
“I hear ya there,” Byron agreed.
Beth cleared her throat.
Both Amanda and Byron turned to her.
Suddenly, she paled under their scrutiny. “If she’s really upset there’s a place she might go.”
“And where would that be?” Byron asked.
“The Westside Cemetery,” Beth whispered.
Byron and Amanda both frowned.
“Westside Cemetery?” Byron repeated. “Why would she go there?”
Beth shrugged. “I know its weird right? But one morning about six months ago, I was out jogging and I saw her there. She was high on the hill overlooking the river just staring out at the water. She was talking to one of the grave markers and I asked if the guy was family. She smiled that little half smile she has and shook her head. She told me she didn’t even know the man. When I asked her why she was there then she told me her dad was dead but that he was far away and sometimes when she was sitting there talking to this guy, she was talking to her dad. Or at least it felt like she was?” Beth shrugged. “I thought it was weird at first but she said when she was scared or lonely or just upset, she would go there and look out at the water and she was connect with her dad somehow. I guess the sound of the waves would calm her down.”
“Can you even hear the waves from the top of the hill?” Amanda asked.
Beth nodded. “Actually, you can. That spot sort of acts as a funnel somehow and the crashing of the waves is carried up to the top of the.”
Byron pulled his keys out of his pocket and nodded to both of them. “Thank you ladies.”
Amanda laid her hand on his arm.