Chris had trouble sleeping that night, he stayed up for half the night thinking about the day before, the strange meeting with Mr. McCannon, his dealings with his friend Sam and how she was in a similar state as his neighbor from across the street. His day was strange when those things happened and downright horrifying when his mother died. He believed that all the events are connected, but Chris does not like the answer he has came up with. He never had reason to believe in magic or the supernatural, this is real life not a Harry Potter novel, nor is it one of his father's shows. Still he was not liking where his thoughts were leading.
Chris eventually fell to sleep and woke up when the sun came out at around seven AM. At first when he rubs his eyes and later opens them he believes it's just a normal day he's in his room, and down stairs his mother is cooking breakfast on this normal Saturday morning. Then as he looks around it dawns on him, yesterday was no dream and he is not in his bed room, he is in the guest bed room of the Laumas family.
Chris gets out of bed and goes though his small bag of clothing he packed yesterday. Grabbing what he needs he walks out of the bedroom and passes Janet Laumas on his way to the bath room. Janet is a hefty woman, not as fat as her husband but quite plump, in her mid fifties with light blue eyes which are her only striking quality. Her hair is still wet and she is wearing her clothing for the day so Chris figures she just got out of a shower herself. “Ms. Laumas, thanks for letting me stay here.” it was about the fifth time he said that.
“No problem, I loved your mom like a daughter, such a sweet woman, so sad what happened. I'm going to make Pancakes and Bacon, hope you like blueberry.”
“I love it.” Chris then gives her a small smile, one which he really attempted to make seem authentic but he doubts she bought it. Chris then walks into the bathroom and locks it, he must say he is glad for the Laumas couple, while he could have stayed over at ether Jason or Ric's place he needed privacy, peace and quiet and time to think. He would not have had those things in the company of his friends.
Chris takes a hot shower, washing away a day's worth of assimilated dirt as well as the tensions of the previous day. A warm shower always calms Chris down and today was no exception. It did not work as well as it normally does but he still felt a bit more relaxed then he did. Besides today he will deal with new tensions that replace the old.
He gets out of the shower and gets dressed, he feels better ready to take on the new day. He gets dressed wearing a pair of blue jeans and a red white shirt. Walking out of the bathroom he heads down stairs, he can smell the bacon cooking and the blueberry pancakes. He realizes just then that he is hungry, having forgotten about food pretty much since his mom called. He ate half a sandwich last night as he really did not have much of an appetite. Now his stomach is growling and he realizes that he is starving. Chris increases his speed down stairs hoping the food is almost ready.
Breakfast was pretty quiet the Laumas couple knew that it was better to leave Chris alone, that the last thing he needs is to be reminded of yesterday's tragedy at breakfast. Chris had quite the appetite and ate three nice sized pancakes and four slices of bacon and then thanked the Laumas couple for their hospitality and reminded them that his father will show up sometime today and he will stay with his father until arrangements for his mother are made and dealt with.
Chris walks into the family room and sets down on a chair, he has the latest sci-fi novel of a series he has been reading for a while and turns to the chapter he stopped on two days ago. He tries reading a few sentences but his mind keeps wondering and he can't seem to focus his attention of the words. Eventually he just sets the book down next to him, as he does his phone rings. He looks at the caller ID, it's Jason so he answers it, “Feeling better this morning?”
“A little, I am rested and full which is more then I was last night. Can't say I'm happy though.”
“I have been thinking over your situation, I have been talking it over and we have came to an agreement.” He did not say who he was talking it over with but Chris figured it was Ric, of course Ric would know now.
“You and Ric have been talking about me and my mom? Why?” Chris asks simply.
“Me, Ric, and Sam. Anyway I figured your father is coming by today to pick you up and make arrangements for your mother's funeral. Am I right?” Logical Jason as always.
“Yeah so?” Chris just wants his friend to get to the point.
“Now we, meaning me and Sam as Ric's ideas were not that helpful, think it's a good idea if we let your father in on what happened yesterday, everything, your meeting with the neighbor, Sam's weird trance, the shop.”
Chris had already thought about that himself and he came up with the same conclusion, “That explains why Sam was let in on the discussion. We really can't explain everything with out her. However I really don't see how my father could help.”
“Your father deals with the supernatural on a daily basis. Now yes what he deals with is fake, an act, however he has people who study the real deal to make his shows as authentic as possible. That and he has access to a network of researchers and private investigators that could give us dirt on this Tarque guy and...”
“Stop right there Jason.” Chris remembered when his dad cut him off last night, “I think it's best if we don't continue on the phone. It's something my dad told me yesterday. Where are you?”
“Right there, bye.” Jason then hangs up. Chris then laughs as he hears a loud rhythmic knocking at the door, is is a mock up of his dad's theme for his show, Ric.
Chris walks to the door and opens it, Ric runs in first and shakes Chris's hand, he looks down sad only for a second, “Dude sorry about the mom situation.” he then smiles, “I guess that means your returning to Sharp Monster Manor, lucky you.” Ric is never one to be sentimental, and never says the right thing.
Sam hugs Chris, “So sorry, man must be hard for you.” She is still wearing goth attire, black and white, skull earrings but she is wearing less dull makeup then normal and she does not look like the lead singer of a punk music band right now that's for sure.
Chris then calls out to Ms. Laumas, “Ms. Laumas some of my friends are here, can they come in? It will just be until my dad shows up.”
The plump old woman pops her face out from the kitchen, “Sure Chris, how about I set out some chips and bring out some soda for you and your friends. Your father just called. His plane just landed he will be here at eleven.”
Chris looks at the clock on the wall, it's 9:30 AM, “Thanks.” he then leads his friends to the Laumas Family room where Ms. Laumas is already setting down a large bowl of chips and has went back to get some pop. “Jason you can continue.”
Jason finds a seat on the couch next to Sam, and takes a couple BBQ flavored chips, “Ah yes as I was saying I know how your father researches for his shows, how he has private investigators, people who study missing persons and experts in the supernatural all for the sake of entertainment. He builds up authentic monster hunting entertainment. If we explain to him what happened he might be able to help us in a way I'm sure the cops can't. Like finding that Tarque guy if he has anything to do with this.”
Chris thought about the final conversation with his mother, he remembers there was a word she tried to say but couldn't. “My mom's final word was 'tar', could it be that she was trying to say Tarque?”
“Who knows, personally I wouldn't doubt it. Anyway the best thing for us to do is tell your father.” Jason adds.
Jefferson Laumas who was listening to the whole conversation clears his throat to get their attention, “That might be for the best but maybe the cops should be let told about this.” He walks closer, “Now Chris I said last night that it might be for the best if you did not tell the cops about your mom's final conversation and I stand by that. However if she indeed gave you a name, the name of, lets be hypothetical here, her killer then they should know.”
“You said it yourself Jeff there is nothing to investigate here. This is an open and shut case
for the police, suicide. Nothing I say, even a name, will change that. They might find and question the man responsible but there is little they can do, not with out evidence or an eye witness. Isn't that what you told me after the cops left? Besides I only heard half his name.” Chris is a little angry now, he probably would have told the police had Jeff not stopped him last night and now he's telling him it might be for the best.
“Sorry that is the therapist in me talking. I have worked with the police on cases before and I know sometimes they can be a hassle to work with. I just feel that maybe they should know. Anyway Chris do what you want to do.” With that Jeff leaves the room and lets the kids converse among themselves for a while, giving them their privacy.
Chris and his friends talked, eat snacks, and watched TV until around eleven thirteen when Chris's father finally shows up at the door. Janet Laumas answered the door leading him into the living room. “It's been too long Val, I just wish this reunion was under better circumstances. Follow me your son and his friends are in the family room.”
Valmont talked to Chris on while driving the rental car to the Laumas place and he reluctantly agreed on meeting with Chris's friends. He really does not want to involve more people then he has to. Valmont looks very different from the eccentrically and dramaticly dressed monster hunter he was two days ago. Now on his off day he is wearing a blue polo shirt and black jean pants. “Yeah it sucks what happened, but who wants to keep bringing that up? I don't.” Valmont says trying to act cool and failing.
Walking behind him are two darker skinned individuals, one about fifty years old with graying hair wearing a white shirt and beige pants, he is about six feet two inches and has a friendly but hard face. Would be familiar to people who are fans of Valmont sharp as he has been a part of the show since the beginning, Alfred Labrone.
Standing next to Al is his son Cole Labrone, he is wearing blue jeans and a brown winter jacket, he walks over to Chris and shakes his hand, the two then follow with a secret hand shake, “It's been too long dude.” Cole says to him. They have been friends their whole life. Cole is probably Chris's oldest and closest friends. The eighteen year old recently joined the Sharp show using his deep voice to be the new narrator filling into his father's shoes.
Chris's spirits lighten up at the sight of his old friend in a way that nothing else could do. “Cole my man so glad to see you.” Chris then points at Jason, “You remember Jason Alberts I introduced you guys at the Museum Mummy Mayhem show two years ago.”
“Oh yeah my replacement.” Cole smiles and shakes Jason's hands. “It must be hard keeping this kid out of trouble, though way I hear it he has calmed down. He use to be a problem back in the day.”
“You have Ric to thank for that.”
“That so.” Cole looks over at Ricardo and offers his hand, “I'm Cole Labrone, so you're the trouble maker of the group? Guess it's like they say. There can only be one.”
“Haha that’s me. I'm Ricardo Lancel but you can call me Ric. Sorry if I sound like a fan boy but man I'm shaking your hand, you narrate the Sharp show. Man this is so cool. So so cool.” Ric then removes his hand as he fears he might be imposing. “Wow.”
“You are a fan boy? No problem here, I have dealt with worse. And really my father is the voice of the Sharp show not me. I only narrate one out of maybe five shows. I'm still learning the ropes.” he then looks at Sam, “And you are?”
“My name is Samantha Lutz. I'm a friend.” She says as she shakes Cole's hands.
Valmont who was talking to Jeff and Janet in the other room walks into the family room with Al by his side. “Lets get going gang. Chris get your stuff and meet us out side. We can talk at the restaurant. All three of you have your parents permissions right?” All three nod in agreement, “Good enough for me.”
Chris nods his head and heads up stairs, there he puts his clean clothing which Janet must have washed and folded on the bed and puts them back in his duffel bag. He then heads back down stairs but first stops by the living room where Jeff and Janet are sitting. “Thanks again. I really appreciate last night and this morning. Sorry I was not better company.”
“Don't beat yourself up over it Chris.” Janet says smiling, “We had no problem letting you stay here. Like I said your mom was a good friend of mine. Really it was a pleasure.”
“Well thanks again.” Chris then runs out of house and toward the rented minivan.
Chapter Eight
Valmont Sharp: Monster Hunter Page 8