Where Life Takes You

by Claudia Burgoa

  “Goodbye, Dan.” Chrystal’s whiny, slutty voice made me want to gag.

  “That’s Mr. Brightmore, Miss Smith.” His low voice promised lots of hurt. “Thirty days, Miss Trent. Have a good day.”

  Our friendship was kept under wraps, and only a few knew Dan was my best friend, and my brother. Or that we lived next to each other, and hung out when he had free time. The majority assumed we’d met when I started working for him.

  “He’s a looker,” Chrystal said, interrupting my train of thought. “I’d give my firstborn to be Mrs. Brightmore.”

  My body tensed, but I kept my voice steady. “You need something?”

  She straightened up her posture and gave me a grin, before answering, “I came to apologize.”

  My whole body relaxed. Thank God, I don’t have to fire her. She learned her lesson.

  “I didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of the big boss.” Chrystal smiled after the last two words. “Let’s work together as a team. Your plan has flaws, but we can fix them. I can help you. I don’t want you to lose your position.”

  Make it twenty days, and I’ll personally pack her desk!

  My head pounded after she left, without waiting for my comeback. I didn’t believe in violence, but that didn’t stop me wanting to slap the victorious smirk off her face. I made a call to Henry, my favorite lawyer, to arrange her exit. He would handle everything according to the guidelines. Anything, before I used my few kickboxing lessons, or Dan did something rash.

  A friend of Dan’s catered lunch to celebrate the holidays and exchange presents. I escaped to my office to place a few calls. The childcare would remain open, and verified they had the schedule covered. The shelters confirmed they had received all the necessary supplies, but I left my cell number in case they had an emergency.

  By five, everyone had left, and the cleaning crew had done its job. I checked the offices one last time, set the alarm, and locked the main door. Nate waited for me outside the building. He was the equivalent of Alfred to Bruce Wayne—though Dan didn’t own a utility belt or a Bat-Cave. I’d asked him several times if the latter existed, because I would want to decorate it.

  “No, but I’ll buy it when we need it. For now, it isn’t necessary. My quest for world domination is peaceful. No disguise required. I leave the saving part up to you.”

  During the short trip to the airport, Nate told me his plans for the holidays. His wife was from New Jersey. They would spend Christmas there. On the twenty-seventh, they were traveling to Virginia, where his mother expected them.

  “They tuned the plane today,” he mentioned, when we approached the airport. “The security detail arrived an hour ago. You’ll like them, Miss Trent.”

  Connor: Do you have plans for Christmas?

  Perfect, he hadn’t forgotten about me. I had no such luck.

  Me: Yes, I’ll be out of town. Can I text you when I’m back? Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

  I refrained from adding a rude remark. “Have a good life. Oh, and please lose my number.” I shoved my phone into my coat and made sure not to leave anything inside the Rover.

  Dan waved at me when I stepped outside the car. He barked instructions to the captain and a couple of guys. One of them approached Nate and began unloading the luggage from the Rover—a brand new set of pink bags that yelled, “I’m Becca’s!” The man was unbelievable.

  Choose your battles wisely, Rebecca.

  A mantra I repeated whenever we traveled.

  Deep breaths, Becca. With that in mind, I walked towards the plane and boarded it.

  “Now can you tell me where you’re taking me?” I asked after buckling my seatbelt. “Please, not the Himalayas.”

  “Similar weather.” I rewarded the clipped response with a snort. “Telluride, Colorado. Ty and I rented a house for the next two weeks.”

  Please, take me to the Himalayas.

  Surprisingly, I didn’t faint. Ty was Tyler Sanders, Dan’s best friend. And Lisa’s brother.

  Chapter 4

  Tyler Sanders and I had managed a bizarre relationship for years. We met at Mom’s wedding, where he’d arrived with Dan. They barely spoke to anyone, and Ian swore they were a couple—the only explanation his closed mind could come up with.

  “But they are sharing a room.”

  Greg had refused to pay for two bedrooms, and Tyler declined to waste a penny on a wedding he didn’t approve of. Father and son shared a love-hate relationship I’d never understood. Eavesdropping, I learned they attended Harvard, though Dan was in some joint program with MIT. They owned the world as a pair of seniors. Tyler had a girlfriend and planned to get married. Dan didn’t date.

  After the ceremony ended, everyone gathered outside the Town Hall for picture time.

  Between hugs, congratulations, and wishes to the wonderful couple, Mom smothered Tyler. “Son, I’m so glad you came. I’ll see you over Christmas break, darling.”

  He ignored her and moved toward Dan, where they shared a couple of laughs.

  Not surprisingly, Greg, Mom, and Lisa climbed into the limo and headed for the reception, leaving me behind.

  Tyler approached me. “I believe they left you.” His steady voice almost hid his curiosity and anger.

  “I’ll get a ride from Ian’s parents, they won’t mind.” Mom abandoned me regularly. Grams had to remind her to grab me from the crib before leaving the hospital. A day after I was born. “Anyway, it’s all good. They gave me an out. I’m not much of a party wedding people person.”

  I used my usual calmed tone—no need to worry. Tyler and Dan stared at me as if I’d grown three more arms and a third eye in the middle of my nose. They offered me a lift, but instead of heading to the reception or home, Dan headed to Anna’s diner. Tyler and I enjoyed the landscape while Dan began a series of questions; the Spanish Inquisition had clearly trained him.

  “You look about the same age as Lisa. Sixteen?”

  I shook my head. “Only fifteen, turning sixteen in a month.”

  “Fifteen, then.”

  I nodded.

  “How’s the house hunting going?” He noticed my lifted eyebrow in the rear mirror. “You’ll move now that they’re married, won’t you?” He killed the engine after parking the car outside the diner.

  “No.” I answered. Dan opened the door for me, watching me, and obviously waiting for a complete answer. “Lisa sleeps in Gram’s room—they remodeled.” I slumped my posture while we walked, because I didn’t like that change. “Greg… well, obviously he shares Mom’s room, and I have mine. They fixed the basement for Tyler, in case he visits.”

  “Fat chance.” Dan chuckled. “He hates his father’s guts.” He pushed the door open for me to enter and we sat at the first available table. The boys ordered hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes.

  The interrogation continued while I ate my waffle fries and milkshake. I described the small house. Not the best details, since I lacked real estate skills, but they got the gist.

  “Why weren’t you the maid of honor?” Tyler broke his own silence.

  “And he speaks,” Dan said.

  At the same time, I answered. “Don’t know. Mom hates me, or my coloring didn’t match the dresses, or something,” I shrugged.

  A regular mother would’ve asked her daughter to stand next to her. Or at least created a co-maid of honor position, shared by Lisa and me. But not Mom. Her new daughter looked beautiful in the gold cocktail dress. I would’ve clashed. Tyler and Dan’s eyes grew wider than the plates they had been served.

  Tyler had shown up, stood behind his dad, and wore the ridiculous golden tie Mom chose. But hated every minute of it. The four looked beautiful during the ceremony. Mom later hung a large family picture of them over the fireplace. Her ideal family: a husband, a son, and a daughter—in that order.

  We forged a weird bond while sharing fries and lame stories about my childhood. After a couple of hours, they dropped me at home, where Ian waited for me. He wanted to make s
ure I came home and said goodbye, before leaving for North Carolina. Every summer he went to his grandparents to help with the farm.

  * * * * *

  Between my junior and senior year of high school, Ty visited again. This time he brought Ashley—his fiancée. Petite girl, with sparkly green eyes and light brown hair—almost the same shade as Ty. Ash and I hit it off right away. Lisa gave her a nasty look and stormed out of the house. By then, her behavior had become unbearable. I should’ve mentioned it to Tyler, but he and I didn’t get along. Not as much as Dan, who’d kept in touch after the wedding.

  “Hey, Becca, Dan sent you this.” Tyler threw a chocolate bar my way—Swiss chocolate. “He meant to come, but the new gig is sucking him alive.”

  Against Mom’s rules, they slept together in the basement. On Saturday morning, when I heard Greg and Ty screaming at each other, I put away my cleaning supplies and walked towards the kitchen. Mom had brought up the matter of a prenuptial.

  “She needs to sign one.” Adamant about it, she slapped the table to grab everyone’s attention. “Looks deceive. She might be a gold-digger, looking to take a slice of the Sander’s fortune.”

  Mom had no business with the Sanders, but I had no vote either to interrupt her drama.

  “Is she nuts, Dad?” Tyler asked agitatedly while Ashley cried next to him. “There’s no such thing as the Sander’s fortune. The Downeys gave the fortune to Mom. You manage Lisa’s trust, but I figure she’ll receive less than a quarter of it by the time she turns twenty-one. Since you four spend like drunken sailors.” He pointed at each one of us. Not me, I wanted to add, but abstained.

  The discussion spiraled out of control.

  “The gold-digging bitch is brainwashing my baby,” Mom began to cry.

  I unhooked my purse, took Ash’s hand, and drove with her to the diner. She texted Tyler our whereabouts. To lighten the atmosphere, we talked about Dan, his new business, and the construction company. The plans for opening an advertising company in California excited her the most.

  An hour later, the three of us ate a lunch of burgers and fries. Ash ordered a diet coke to balance the meal. I laughed at that nonsense and ordered a chocolate shake with extra chocolate chips.

  “Thank you for the quick response.” Ty attacked his burger, splatting mustard all over his shirt. I held the laugh, and Ash covered it with a cough. “No offense, but your mom is…something else.”

  “None taken.” I dipped a fry into my ketchup-ranch combo. “I’m not mooching.” He stopped chewing and shook his head. “I support myself. Well, they feed me, give me a roof, and utilities. Everything else, like my clothes, school supplies, and other knick knacks, come from my babysitting and waitressing jobs.” I pointed towards the counter where Annie—the owner of the diner, and my boss—waved at us.

  “I’m sorry,” he sheepishly washed down the burger with some water. “I didn’t mean to upset you. They insulted Ash, and my mouth spoke without my brain’s permission.”

  I waved my hand and asked Ash about the wedding plans. In turn they asked about college. I wanted to go, but my checking account said, I don’t think so. I’d fixated on the idea of moving far away. Hawaii and Alaska topped my list of places. Ash took over the college conversation, and recommended a few schools that waived application fees and offered excellent financial aid.

  “Thank you.” I smiled politely while thinking, not in this lifetime. I’m not that lucky. College was for brainiacs and trust fund babies, not an average girl like me.

  We finished lunch and our conversation, and after they paid for our food, we walked outside. Ash and Ty needed to drive back; I had a babysitting job in less than thirty minutes.

  “Call me.” Ty closed Ash’s door and walked me to my car. Concerned, he patted my shoulder. “Anything you need, call me. We’re here for you, Dan included. He’s fond of you.”

  He hugged me and gave me a peck on the cheek. I waved at him and wished them the best. They were a cute couple and deserved happiness.

  * * * * *

  Over Christmas break I made the call. Lisa’s behavior scared me. Life had got so much harder on so many levels. Ty reassured me he’d fix everything, and I believed him. I envisioned her in a rehab center far away from me. My plan backfired. Ty talked to Lisa over the phone. When they finished the call, she stormed to my room, throwing my books and pointing a gun. Again.

  “This is your last warning, bitch.” Her gaze wandered around my room. “Stay away from what’s mine. Stay out of my business. Make one more call to my brother, get close to Ian, or do something I don’t approve of, and you’ll be six feet under.”

  Ian, scared, reached for the gun and calmed her. After leaving my room, they had loud, gross sex. Mom had caught a bad case of deafness. Or, more likely, afraid of confronting Lisa, she chose to ignore the ultimatum and sex noises. Lisa’s open door let the explicit language echo through the house.

  “Yes, baby, do it harder. Spank me. Push it harder. Harder. You know how I like it….”

  They only ended the scream-o-fest when Greg opened the garage.

  * * * * *

  “Hey, little one.” Dan’s voice cheered me up on Christmas day. “I wanted to wish you a happy Christmas, as they say back in the old country. What did Santa bring my favorite chocoholic?”

  I smiled. He was the first living, breathing entity I’d spoken to since the twenty-third. I loved books, but reading about another paranormal superhero wouldn’t do it for me. Mom and Greg had left for Barbados to celebrate Christmas alone. Lisa had disappeared to who knew where.

  Dan and I only chatted for a few minutes. He had stuff to do, he said.

  Why do you call if you’re busy? I wanted to say, but didn’t.

  Around four, the doorbell rang.

  “Merry Christmas.” Dan winked at me. He stood in front of me, holding a couple of turkey sandwiches, chips, chocolate cake, soda, and a wide warm smile. My heart fluttered at the gesture.

  “You’re the best.” I hugged him―he made my day. I cherished the day, since it began an annual tradition. Our first Christmas together.

  A few days later, tragedy struck.

  * * * * *

  Ty came home a day after Lisa’s death. We didn’t talk, but his eyes yelled I hate you every time he looked my way. Mom and I didn’t speak either. I told Dan everything she’d unloaded on me after the incident. She wished I were the one underground, instead of her real daughter. Not that she would bother with a funeral for me. Dan, on the other hand, came to help me the same day Lisa died. He even stayed with me, skipping the funeral.

  “I can’t take you with me,” Dan patted my back, “but promise you’ll call if you need anything. I’m your person. I’m here for you.”

  Dan introduced me to Nate. “He’s here in case I’m not.”

  Nate remained close to us, and two other bodyguards did damage control—whatever that meant. Ash stayed in California, overseeing the wedding preparations and avoiding the drama. Those days after the incident were a blur for me.

  * * * * *

  At the end of January, I received an invitation to Ty’s wedding. Afraid of Greg and Mom’s reactions, since they weren’t invited, Nate delivered it himself, tracking me down at the diner.

  Ash called a week before the wedding, begging me to go. “Tyler and I look forward to seeing you. We want you to be a part of our lives.”

  Desperate and needy, I said yes.

  Nate picked me up, and I flew with Dan to the wedding. Ty and I spoke a few words after the ceremony. He handed me a handkerchief—the vows had made me, and every other guest, cry like a baby. I wished him the best, and he ask how life had been treating me. I shrugged, and was thankful Lisa never came up during those painful minutes where I waited for him to blame me, or call me a murderer like Mom and Greg.

  I enjoyed the reception. Dan and I danced all night. We were tight, best friends, brother and sister. Nate flew me back to Boston, but Dan called me every other night to make sure I was
alive. Ash called me weekly with updates on the house they’d bought.

  “The money pit has nothing on us,” she said, laughing, the day the pipes burst and the basement flooded. “The advertising agency had better launch soon, or we’re going to eat noodles for the rest of our lives.”

  Everything I learned about Ty was through Ash—who became one of my closest friends—and Dan. We heard each other’s voices through the speakerphone, but that was it. And that’s the way it stayed.

  * * * * *

  “It’s been a long time.” Dan dragged me out of memory lane as he closed his computer. The joy of Wi-Fi. He worked anywhere he wanted, even his plane. “Don’t you think it’s time to forgive him?”

  “Me?” Surprised, I spilled my tea. “The guy hates me, Dan, and I don’t blame him. They were blood related. Brother and sister. I don’t know what he thinks, but he must feel the same as Mom. If not worse.” I sighed. “I get it. He’s your best friend, and you guys want to spend Christmas together. It’ll be best if I go home.”

  The flight attendant chose that moment to clean up my mess and set out the dinner plates, along with water and red wine. I pushed the food around my plate. I’d lost my appetite. My stomach had munched on pain, nerves, and anxiety before the meal.

  “You have a point. We don’t know what he thinks.” He took a sip of wine, and his piercing eyes held mine. Some force trapped me, and I couldn’t look away. “When was the last time you saw him? Angie is three months old, and you haven’t even met her. Poor Mathew is turning three, and the last time you visited was his first birthday.”

  “No, he’s almost four.” I held up four fingers and made my tone playful and sassy.

  He glared at me, but a smile lingered around those magnetic eyes.

  I sighed. “Look, it’s going to be weird. You should’ve told me your plans, Dan. I’m old enough to take care of myself. I don’t need a big brother twenty-four-seven.”

  The eyes are the windows to your soul, I’d read once.

  Dan made it true. His eyes changed to a stormy gray, filling up with hurt, and something I’d never seen flashed through them. But it disappeared with a blink—literally.