Seth scanned the Chief’s face and nodded. He watched them load Ava into the helicopter. He and Jacob walked to his car.
“Bugatti Veyron?” Jacob stroked the leather seats. “Having a mid-life crisis?”
“My agent made me buy this,” Seth said. Seeing Jacob’s amused face, he added, “After the Oscar.”
“Oscar made me do it,” Jacob laughed. “That’s what they all say. Did you take high speed driving classes too?”
“I am a cop,” Seth said. “Comes with the badge.”
“That’s what they all say,” Jacob repeated.
Laughing at Jacob, Seth pulled out onto the highway. He put the bubble on the roof. They drove to Denver at a sedate two hundred miles an hour.
~~~~~~~~
Wednesday early morning — 4:35 A.M.
“How was it?” Aden asked. He helped a sleepy Noelle down from the helicopter. She raised her arms and he picked her up. “You’re getting to be a big girl.”
“Too big for snuggles?” Noelle asked. Her round sad eyes ripped at his heart.
“Never too big,” he said.
He kissed her head. Noelle rubbed her head against his shoulder and fell asleep. With his other hand, he helped Nash and Charlie down from the helicopter. He waved to Zack and Teddy and followed the exhausted children into the Castle. They went into the dining room where breakfast was just getting started. Valerie waved at the children and went back into the kitchen.
“How did you do?” Delphie asked.
The kids shook their heads at her.
“Why don’t we get something to eat?” Delphie put her arm over Charlie’s shoulder. “Sandy made some scones and we have eggs. We want to hear all about your adventure. Where’s Teddy?”
“He’s staying with his Dad while his Dad’s in town this week,” Aden said. “He’ll be back this weekend.”
“That’s good,” Sam said. “I was afraid they might have kept him at the prison.”
“Oh no,” Nash’s face was horrified at the idea. “No. He’s with his Dad at Mrs. Alex’s house. We’re supposed to go there for a barbeque tomorrow night.”
Sissy came running down the stairwell to them. She hugged her brother Charlie.
“You’re safe!” Sissy said. She hugged Nash for good measure. “What happened?”
“We went to three prisons and talked to hackers, guys just older than us,” Nash said. “Then we met with the big guys…”
“Big guys?” Sissy asked.
“Jonathan James,” Charlie said.
He sat down at the table. Nash sat down beside him.
“And the Kevins,” Nash said.
“Your hacker heroes?” Jacob came into the room carrying a pot of coffee. “Minnick and Poulsen?”
Aden set Noelle down next to the boys. Valerie came in carrying a plate of scrambled eggs.
“Is Mike coming?” Delphie asked.
“He’s painting,” Valerie sat down next to her.
“They aren’t my heroes anymore,” Nash shook his head. “They’re idiots.”
“They gave away their life for something stupid,” Charlie scowled. “Like Razor.”
Charlie jumped up from the table and ran upstairs. Aden got up to follow him.
“I’ll go,” Sandy said.
She kissed Noelle’s head, hugged Nash, and then followed Charlie up the stairs. Charlie ran the entire way to the apartment and into his closet room where he threw himself on his futon. Sandy arrived a few moments later. She sat down on the floor and touched his back. Knowing nothing she said could ease his pain, she sat with him while he cried.
“I’m sorry,” she said finally. “I wish things were different. I wish Razor was still here with us. But I can’t make that happen. Nor can you.”
Charlie rolled over to look at her.
“I sat there listening to those doofuses talk. ‘I was bored.’ ‘I just wanted to see if I could do it’,” Charlie said. “And they fucked up their life just like I did.”
Sandy gave him a soft smile.
“You don’t understand,” Charlie said. “I should be the one who’s dead. It’s my fault that Jeffy’s dead.”
Sandy hugged him close. He cried into her shoulder.
“Jill told us about the barn,” Sandy said. “What a terrifying night.”
“I just keep thinking that Razor and Jeffy had to deal with that horrible thing. Alone. By themselves,” Charlie said. “I feel so stupid and…”
“I can’t really know how you feel, Charlie,” Sandy said. “But I can tell you that I understand. When Dad took me from… my life, I felt weak and stupid. For a long time, I wanted to go back… just because it was what I knew, what was familiar to me.”
Charlie fell silent. Sandy never talked about what had happened to her. He knew if he made even one sound, she’s stop talking.
“When everything happened, and… everyone knew about… me,” Sandy sighed. “I felt stupid. I still feel stupid. Everyone knows who I am. When those mothers at Noelle’s tea told me I was a prostitute and I’d tricked Aden, I... I was torn between feeling like they knew the truth about me and...”
“Knowing it was a lie,” Charlie said. “I feel like that.”
Sandy nodded.
“I have to believe that as long as I can think and as long as I’m strong, I can restart my life,” Sandy said. “Razor and Jeffy don’t have that chance. But we do. You can be whatever you want to be. You can study and go to college and do all the things Razor and Jeffy missed out on. Or you can just keep going on like you have been. It’s your choice.”
“But how? How can I do anything but…?”
“Jill helped me,” Sandy smiled. “We met Heather and Tanesha on the same day. They helped me find myself. Seth and Dad, they supported me in becoming me. That’s what I can do for you. I know Aden and Nash and Noelle and Sissy and everyone in the house wants to help. Together, we’ll help you find the real Charlie.”
Sandy touched his chest.
“And we’ll give him a chance to become… Charlie,” Sandy shrugged.
Charlie grabbed her in a hug.
“I love you Charlie,” Sandy said. “I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t wait to see what you do with your life. It’s going to be great.”
“Razor and Jeffy didn’t even have a chance.”
“I know,” Sandy said. “That’s why it’s all the more important that you make good on the chance you have.”
Charlie hugged her again.
“Come on,” Sandy said. “Let’s get you cleaned up. You’re exhausted. Delphie and Jill want to check each of you to make sure you’re okay after last night’s adventures.”
Sandy stood up and held out her hand. She pulled Charlie to standing and hugged him.
“How did Katy make the bright light?” Charlie asked. “The light made it possible for that thing to be captured.”
“No one seems to know,” Sandy said.
“Can I use your bathroom?” Charlie asked.
“Sure,” Sandy said. She followed him down the hall to their bathroom.
“Jake must have some idea,” Charlie said.
“Mr. Jake said he thinks it was Noelle and Nash,” Sandy said. “They were uniquely sensitive to the creature and also capable of destroying it. Go on, now. I’ll wait right here.”
Charlie nodded and went into the bathroom. Every bit the teenage boy, Charlie took his time with his shower. Nash and Noelle were already upstairs when Charlie emerged from the bathroom. Aden clapped and Charlie laughed.
While Charlie went to find Delphie, Sandy helped Noelle and Nash get ready for bed. She stopped in to see Charlie before leaving them to sleep.
“We get chances Charlie,” Sandy said. “They come up every once in a while. We just have to figure out what to do with those chances. What are you going to do with this one?”
Charlie gave a sad shake of his head.
“Give it time,” she kissed his cheek. “We’ll get there together.”
Sh
e stopped by Noelle and Sissy’s room to find Noelle sound asleep. Nash was out as well. She gave Sissy her lunch and sent her on her way to work with Sam.
“The kids are asleep,” Aden said. “Rachel is safe and fed.”
“Sissy’s at work,” Sandy said.
“We have an hour, what would you like to do?” Aden asked.
He laughed at her smile. In one swift movement, he lifted her from her feet and carried her into their bedroom.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY-NINE
Restart
Wednesday morning — 11:25 A.M.
Making her grocery list, Sandy looked around the apartment to see if she’d missed anything. Delphie had resumed overseeing the groceries for everyone. With Rachel in the hospital, and still recovering from being ill, Sandy was grateful she didn’t have to shop for her ever expanding tribe. She’d hoped to complete the list before going back to the hospital to be with Rachel.
Hearing a noise, she looked up to see Charlie standing in the doorway to the living room. She smiled at his sleep tussled hair. His eyes were barely open and his pajamas were twisted. Thinking he must be sleep walking, she walked over to herd him back to bed.
“Charlie?” Sandy asked.
“I need a tutor for school.” Charlie’s voice was pressed and anxious. “I can’t afford one. I’m smart enough. I just never tried. If I’m going to really try, I have to study. I can only work part time which means I’ll get behind on my reparations.”
Sandy puzzled at the full thought coming from her sleeping brother.
“Charlie?”
“I can’t sleep until I figure this out,” Charlie blinked his sleepy eyes.
“Consider it figured out,” Sandy said. “Now back to bed. Aden is going to stay here with you guys. I have to get to the hospital. They’re going to see if Rachel can make it without oxygen today.”
She touched his shoulder and he jerked awake.
“What’s happening?” Charlie asked.
“You asked me for a tutor,” Sandy said. “For school.”
“I did?” Charlie scratched his head. “I can’t have a tutor. I have to work to pay off my share of the punishment, I mean, reparations.”
“I’ll talk to Aden about the tutor,” Sandy said. “I bet we can afford one. We’ll meet with Alex and her team to see if you can have a little more time in paying off your debt.”
“We can do that?”
“The point of all of this, even your reparations, is for you to be successful, Charlie,” Sandy said. “Now back to bed. You still have strep. And you know that Noelle’s a bear if she doesn’t get at least eight hours of sleep. If you wake her, you have to deal with her even if you’re sick.”
Charlie trotted down the hall to his little room.
“Charlie?” Sandy whispered.
He turned to look at her.
“Don’t worry,” Sandy said. “We’ll find a tutor.”
He smiled. She heard him drop onto his futon. She picked up her grocery list.
“I saw Aden downstairs. He’s on his way up,” Jill stuck her head in the door. “Today’s the big day.”
“If Rachel can do this, she can come home,” Sandy beamed.
“Come on,” Jill said. “I’ll drive.”
“Let’s walk,” Sandy said. “I could use the exercise. Baby weight and all.”
Jill shook her head at her fit friend. Aden passed Jill at the door. With a kiss and a good luck from Aden, Jill and Sandy headed down the stairwell. Delphie was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. She took Sandy’s marketing list and wished them good luck. Stepping outside the Castle, they saw Tanesha and Heather pull up.
“What’s going on?” Sandy asked.
“We didn’t want to miss watching our Rachel’s first big step,” Heather said.
“Today is a very big deal!” Tanesha said.
“I’ll drive,” Heather said.
“No, we’re walking,” Jill said. “Someone is worried about her baby weight.”
Laughing at Sandy, they began the short walk to the hospital.
~~~~~~~~
Wednesday evening — 6:47 P.M.
Sissy swallowed hard. The head judge on the three person panel had called her name. Ivan, her old teacher, said she was at the perfect age to work, work, work and that’s what the troupe was looking for. Sissy took one last hug from Sandy and stepped out onto the stage.
Walking in toe shoes, she stepped across the floor. She was about to start when she heard a cheer.
“GO SISSY!” Noelle yelled.
She heard Charlie’s distinctive whistle and Nash’s cheer. Peering beyond the lights, she saw Teddy and his father jogging down the steps to sit with Aden and the rest of her new family.
“If the audience will settle down, we can begin,” the head judge said. “Do we have music?”
Sissy looked over to see her Dad’s best-friend, and Sandy’s Godfather, Seth sitting down at the piano. The other girls had danced to a tape but Seth had wanted to play. He nodded to Sissy and put his hands on the keys.
“Mr. O’Malley? You’re comfortable with this music?” the head judge sniffed at Seth.
“I’ve been playing this piece since… well, you weren’t alive then,” Seth said. “Will that do?”
“We’ll see,” the head judge said.
“Come on, Sissy,” Seth said. “Let’s knock ‘em dead.”
Sissy struck her best pose and Seth began to play.
Sissy waited just a moment, letting the music swell, then took off. She twilled, bent in a deep grand-plié and leapt into the air. She scissored her legs back and forth in a sissonne. Mid-way through Ivan joined her on stage. They partnered each other’s movements. He lifted, twirled her, and retreated back stage. As the music began to slow, Sissy moved into her last pose. With one last pirouette, she ended in an arabesque on pointe with the other leg pointed at the ceiling.
The audience erupted with cheers. Embarrassed but wanting to impress the judges, Sissy did her best curtsy. Charlie ran up the stage steps with a bouquet of a dozen roses. He picked her up in a hug and twirled her around. Sandy was right there with Sissy’s warm robe. Sandy hugged her tight. Ivan ran out to give her a hug.
“You nailed it,” Ivan whispered in her ear.
“We can see who the audience favors,” the head judge said.
The judge looked at the man to her side. He nodded at her and pointed to his sheet.
“I’m wondering,” the woman to the head judges left said. “Would Mr. O’Malley mind playing for me when I audition next?”
Everyone laughed.
“Would be my pleasure,” Seth said.
“I have one question,” the male judge said. “You haven’t practiced in how long?”
“A year and a half,” Sissy said.
“That explains the rust,” the male judge said.
“Rust is easily eliminated with practice,” Ivan said. “Her family has arranged for me to work privately with Sissy.”
“That may be necessary,” the male judge said. “Thank you.”
“We will notify the entrants by the end of the week,” the head judge repeated what she’d said to every dancer. “The troupe begins Saturday morning and will continue all summer. You have a copy of the schedule. Clear your schedules now so you can participate if selected. Thank you.”
Charlie put his arm around Sissy and they walked off the stage. Noelle waited for Sissy at the bottom of the stairs. Noelle’s shining face said everything Sissy wanted to know. Sissy hugged Noelle tight.
“I think we should celebrate,” Aden said. “What would you like, Sissy?”
“Can we go to Little India’s?” Sissy asked.
Nash groaned.
“You haven’t even been there,” Noelle said.
“I don’t like Indian food,” Nash said.
“You’ve never tried it,” Noelle insisted.
“Let’s go to Little India’s. It’s good stuff,” Sandy ruffled Nash’s hair.
Leaning in, she whispered, “They have hamburgers if you really can’t stand it. Are you guys coming?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Teddy’s Dad, Zack Jakkman said. “Great job Sissy.”
“Thank you, sir,” Sissy blushed at the handsome pilot’s attention.
“Sissy needs to change her clothes,” Sandy said. “Why don’t you guys go ahead? We’ll catch a ride with Seth.”
Sandy nodded her head to Seth. Seth was talking to the woman judge while she flirted with him. They watched the woman press her phone number into his hand. He gave her a nod and walked down the stage steps.
“What?” Seth asked.
Laughing at Seth, their jovial, excited mood continued the rest of the evening.
~~~~~~~~
Wednesday night — 10:47 P.M.
“What are you doing up so late?” Captain Andrew “Trece” Ramirez asked Teddy.
Teddy was sitting on the basement couch staring at the wall. He looked up at his legal guardian when he spoke.
“Don’t you have work tomorrow?” Andy asked.
Teddy nodded.
“Are you sick?” Andy asked. “Should I get your Dad?”
Teddy shook his head. Puzzled by Teddy’s behavior, Andy scowled.
“You know my kids?” Andy asked. “I can’t get them to shut up. You? I don’t have any idea how to get you to talk.”
“Sorry,” Teddy said. “I don’t talk when I’m confused.”
“About what?” Andy asked. He sat down in an armchair next to the couch. “Tell Uncle Andy. You’ll feel better.”
“I don’t think you’ll understand.”
“I might,” Andy said. “Try me.”
“I like a girl. I mean I really like her, maybe love her,” Teddy said. “Everybody talks about having sex and stuff, but I...”
Teddy shrugged.
“You’re kind of young for sex,” Andy said.
“Charlie had sex by the time he was my age. Dad had lots of sex by the time he was my age,” Teddy said. “You should see Seth? You know the police detective? He’s an old guy and the women kind of throw themselves at him. I know he’s rich and stuff but he has a cute girlfriend.”
Black Forest, Denver Cereal Volume 5 Page 19