by Leigh, Elisa
Mandy looks out the window and shrugs her shoulders. Weird. Sitting in silence, I drive around town to places I’ve already seen before. Nothing like an awkward silence between you and a new friend.
“Sorry if that was a sore subject.”
She beams, “Oh, it’s no big thing. It’s just the way things are here.”
Uh huh, I call bull shit. She grabs my phone and shakes it at me. “You mind if I put some contacts in here?”
I shake my head. “Sure. I could use your number, but I don’t know anyone else around here, they all stayed far away from the new girl today. I don’t see the point in putting other people’s numbers in there.” Giving her a questioning look, I ask “And another thing, does Bishop always tell you what to do? He was such an asshole.”
A huge smile spreads across her face. “Oh my God, you two are going to be so much fun to watch! He’s really a great guy once you get to know him. And, you’ll know everyone by the end of the week anyway. You’ll meet them at school or the party on Friday.”
I’m quiet for a minute trying to figure out how to tell her. “I don’t want to crash it, maybe it’s better if I don’t go,” I say uneasily.
She laughs like I just told a funny joke. “Okay one, you’re my new BFF, and the party is at my house, so it’s a given you’re coming. Two, Bishop is going to be there, so he’ll want you there as well.”
Remembering the way he touched me, sends a shiver through me. The way he thought he could boss me around, pissed me off real quick though. “Does he always act like he owns the place?” Looking at Mandy I see she’s still putting numbers in my phone, she pauses and looks at me.
“Who, Bishop?” I roll my eyes at her, and she laughs. “I don’t know, he’s never acted that way with another girl.”
“So, I’m just special?” I scoff.
She gets a soft smile on her face as she looks up at me from my phone. “Yeah, I think you’re his kind of special.”
I continue to drive around the town for another five minutes until I see Mandy put my phone down. “So where are we going? You want to drive around in circles some more?”
Smiling, she says “While I’d love to drive around, take a left at the light. Go straight and take your second, no, your third right. This will take you to the center of town.”
Following her directions, I’m led to a street lined with small shops and restaurants. There’s a book shop, a couple of clothing boutiques, a shoe store, an ice cream parlor, a bakery, a coffee shop, and a homey diner. A few more restaurants fill in on both sides of the street. Every couple of shops there are small lamp posts to light the streets at night. It’s very small town USA, in a charming sort of way. I laugh to myself, who would have thought, Cara Giordano would be living in a cute little town in the south.
I drive down until I come to a stop sign. Looking at Mandy, I wait for her directions. “I’m hungry, I didn’t eat much at lunch. You want to grab a snack?”
I shrug, I could eat. “Sure, sounds good. I wasn’t hungry at school either, too busy trying to figure out where to go and what to do today, to worry about eating.”
“I hear that, pull in here.” She points to a parking lot in front of the diner.
When we walk into Pete’s Diner, many of the customers turn their heads and stare at us. I follow Mandy to a booth and sit down across from her, while she grabs menus off the table and hands me one. The customers continue staring. I grab her hand, and she looks at me concerned.
“Why are they all staring at us, Mandy? It’s weird.”
Looking around the diner, she scans the area then looks back at me. “They are probably wondering where our guardians are.”
“Like our parents? Aren’t you almost eighteen? Why the hell do you need a guardian with you?”
She bites her lip and studies me, then squeezes my hand and pulls her hand out of my grasp. “Cara, things in Hollows Creek are different. I don’t know how much detail I can go into with you, but I’m assuming you’re going to find out soon enough. I answer to Bishop, I’m in his group, that’s the best way I can put it. The town knows that, and as part of his group, I usually have a guy with me wherever I go. Usually, I’m with Davey or my dad, but if they aren’t around, I get assigned someone from our group to escort me.” I’m sure my expression matches the thoughts racing through my mind.
She laughs, “It’s not that big of a deal Cara. I don’t mind on most days. It’s something I’ve gotten used to. I tend to push the rules, though, like today when I jumped in the car with you. I probably shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why not, because you didn’t have a guardian?” She nods. “Why didn’t Davey say anything when you got into the car with me?”
She shrugs. “I mentioned our plans in front of Bishop, and he didn’t object. Although, I think you left him speechless, so that helped some.” She laughs, I notice she does that a lot. It must be nice to be so damn happy all the time.
“Mandy, I’m sorry, but this is all kind of weird. Why do you have guardians? Is there something that you need protection from?”
“We’re safe, Bishop and his family keep it safe here.”
“What do you mean they keep it safe? How?” I whisper-yell at my new friend. I feel like I’ve stepped into a movie on the SYFY channel.
Walking up to us is one of the prettiest older women I have ever seen. She has her graying brown hair cut into a perfect bob, and she’s wearing designer jeans and a light pink polo with Pete’s Diner printed on it. I can tell right away that I’ll like her. She has kind eyes and is relaxed, which tells me she’s laid back and accepting, but put together in a way that has me believing in her before she speaks.
“Mandy dear, who is this lovely girl?” She asks, placing her hand on Mandy’s shoulder.
Mandy looks nervous, guilty like she’s said too much to an outsider. “Hey Granny, this is Coach Giordano’s niece, Cara.” Staring at me, I know she wants me to stop my questions. I will, for now.
“Cara, this is my Granny Mrs. Arnetti. Her and my Gramps own the diner.” I smile “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Arnetti,” I say holding out my hand to her. Arnetti that name sounds so familiar. She grabs my hand and places her other one on top, rubbing softly to comfort me. It’s in this instant that she reminds me of my Grandma Grace, and the pain of losing her and my father hits me hard. I haven’t cried much since his funeral. I've shed a tear here or there, but never cried though. Holding on to Mrs. Arnetti’s hand, I’m consumed by my grief. A sob, from somewhere deep within, escapes me. I’m so shocked by the sound that I rear back in my seat, slamming against the back of the booth and hit my head.
“Oh, my sweet girl, come to me.” She sits down next to me and pulls me into her arms, rocking me in her embrace. She tells me, in her soft, grandmotherly voice that it’s going to be okay, that with time I won’t forget those I’ve lost, but the pain will ease. Letting the tears fall I release the anguish onto this stranger who is kind enough to comfort a new girl in town, a total stranger.
After a few minutes, I pull myself together and sit up, wiping my tears away, and take a deep breath before opening my eyes. When I do, I see the entire diner is silent, and everyone is staring at me, again. Oh my God, I just lost my shit in the middle of everyone.
“I think I should go. Mandy, I can take you home. I just, I need to go.” I try to stand and leave, but I'm caged in by Mrs. Arnetti. Doesn't she see that I need to get out of here? Why won't she move so I can break down alone? She stays seated as if she's waiting for something or someone. That's when I hear it, above all the whispers engulfing me.
“You most certainly will not be leaving young lady.” A man’s firm voice commands. “You all get back to your meals. Acting like you haven’t ever seen anyone cry before.”
The people who were staring at me look anywhere but at our table. Looking for the owner of the voice, I see an older man with short gray hair walking towards our table. He’s tall and somewhat muscular. Jesus are all the men in th
is town built? He’s dressed in worn jeans and a dark green polo shirt, with brown loafers. With glasses on his face, he stares down at me with a stern expression.
“I’m sorry, but what do you mean that I cannot leave?”
Sitting down next to Mandy he looks at me like he’s trying to figure something out. “These are the people of your town. Don’t let them judge you and find you lacking.” Grasping my hand, he looks at me straight on, “You, are made of stronger material than that girl. Your life hasn’t been an easy one, but you’ve made it home and can breathe easy now. You know who you are, believe in her like everyone else will once they know you, once you know who you really are.”
Freaking cryptic words from someone that is eerily familiar. He knows more than I do about myself and that makes me uneasy. His words get to the heart of me though, and I’m struck by how profound a moment this is. I do the only thing that my body will allow, I nod, letting him know I get it. That I understand what he is trying to tell me in his own way. Holding out my hand, I introduce myself to yet another stranger today.
“My name is Cara Giordano.” He shakes my hand “Yes you are. I’m Bishop’s grandfather and this one’s husband. You can call us Peter and Ingrid.”
“Bishop’s grandfather?” I ask nervously.
“Yes. You met him today, did you not?” Peter asks, quirking his eyebrow.
How does he know that I met his grandson, albeit briefly? “I did.”
I’m so stunned by all that has happened today, and I don’t have words anymore.
“Give her a break Peter. This is her first day of school, first day out in town. I’m sure some things are coming as a bit of a shock. Aren’t they dear?” I nod. “Why don’t I grab you some pie, do you like chocolate?”
“Love it.” I squeak, not sure how to handle all the attention.
“Good, that’s my Mandy’s favorite too. And some milk to wash it down?”
“Yes please,” I respond as she smiles at me and walks away to get our pie and milk.
Peter releases my hand. "I'm usually around here if you ever feel the need to talk to someone. I'm old, but I know some things." He winks at me and then excuses himself. Mandy, from what I know of her, has been uncharacteristically quiet and remains that way until I kick her under the table.
“You and Bishop are cousins?” I whisper-shout, accusing her.
She rolls her eyes. “That’s what you’re upset about? That should be a nonissue.”
“After our afternoon, I don’t know, it just seems like something you would have mentioned.”
“I wasn’t trying to hide it from you, Cara. I’ve been waiting a long time to meet my best friend, and you’re finally here. Who cares about Bishop, when I finally have a friend?”
The way she says things to me has me questioning if there are things that I haven’t been told. When Uncle Greg gets home tonight, we’ll be having a talk about the things he forgot to mention before I started school.
It doesn’t take Ingrid long to get our pie and milk and sets it down in front of us. Mandy and I both thank her and get lost in our pie, easy to do too when it’s the best piece of pie I’ve ever tasted. “This pie is amazing.”
“It really is. You should try her beef stew. It’s my favorite.”
“If it’s as good as this pie, I’m going to have to give it a try.” Finishing up we try to pay the tab, but Peter refuses us.
“Ready to go? I need to get some homework finished.”
“Hey, do you want to study at my house? Davey will be at football practice so he won’t be there to bug us.” Mandy asks as we are walking to my car.
“I’m kind of tired, and it’s been an odd day. I need to be alone for a little bit.” She nods and smiles sadly. If it were any other day, I'd give in and go over, but I need to regroup.
As I’m about to pull out of the parking lot, Mandy grabs my hand and looks at me with the weirdest expression. Hope, hesitation, and sympathy.
“Cara, I’m sorry things got weird in there. There is so much I want to say, but can’t yet. I don’t have many girlfriends, and the ones I do have aren’t the best. Don’t give up on me yet.”
“This whole day has been so different from what I’m used to Mandy, it’s not you, trust me. I’m glad we’re friends. I didn’t have any girlfriends at home either.” I give her a reassuring smile and pull out of the parking lot. I drive Mandy home, finding that it’s a quick trip to her house from the diner. For the next ten minutes, we settle on a safe topic, discussing our tastes in music. I'm surprised to find out we have a lot of favorites in common. When I pull up to her house, I'm a little shocked at the monstrosity of it. It's a two-story brick house on a few acres of land. You can tell her parents have money by the Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover parked out front.
“Nice house.”
She rolls her eyes, “Thanks.”
“Do you want me to pick you up for school tomorrow?”
She thinks for a minute before answering. “Let me check to see if it’s okay and I’ll text you later. How does that sound?”
“Okay, see you later Mandy.”
“See you tomorrow Cara.” She says and hugs me quickly before getting out and walking into her house. I pull out of her driveway, and I get to my house quickly. I get out of my car and make sure to lock her up. Hollow’s Creek is a safe place, but you never know. I unlock the door and disengage the alarm and then reset it. Living in the city, I got accustomed to making sure everything is locked up nice and tight. With my dad’s murder still fresh in my mind, I’ve been extra vigilant.
Going to the kitchen, I look through the cabinets and the refrigerator to find what I can make for dinner. I decide on chicken cordon bleu with roasted red potatoes and a Caesar salad. I start everything but the salad, choosing to wait until Uncle Greg gets home so that it won’t get soggy.
When the chicken is in the oven, I go to my room and start on my homework. I need music to concentrate, weird I know. I turn it up loud enough to drown out the silence of being alone. I check the chicken when the timer goes off and set it on warm so that it won’t get cold waiting on Uncle Greg. He told me he would be home later than me because he would be staying for football practice. I didn’t think to ask when he would be home. I hate eating alone. My Dad and I always had dinner together, most of the time it was me who did the cooking, but sometimes he would order out. Walking back to my room, I notice that it is already getting dark, and wonder when I should expect to see him.
A half hour later, I think I hear him in the driveway. After twenty minutes of expecting to hear him in the house, I walk through the house to find him. The house is silent though, and I don't see him in the kitchen or living room. I check the rest of the house including the backyard, which I need to use my flashlight app on my phone to see since it’s dark out now.
As I walk to the front of the house, I wonder if I heard him come home or not. When I get to the driveway, the floodlights turn on because of the sensor, and I see my pretty car, that is no longer pretty. I stand there for a few minutes staring at the ugly words spray painted in red on the sides of my car. I take a walk around, to get the full extent of the damage. I see ‘Fat Bitch’ sprayed on the driver’s door, ‘Ugly Cunt’ is on the hood, and my favorite, ‘Stupid Whore’ on the back window. I call Uncle Greg first.
“Hey Cara, sorry I’m running a little late. I got caught up talking with the guys. I’ll be home soon though okay.” I know he’s busy and me moving in with him is changing his life, but I could really use him right now. Trying to get me off the phone when I’m going through this, pisses me off. Instead of telling him what happened, I decide to deal with it myself.
“Yep. See you later.” Dick! I don’t need him anyway. I’m about to be an adult, and I’ve been taking care of myself for the past seven years. So I do what I should have done in the first place, and call the cops. Five minutes later a Hollow’s Creek cruiser arrives at the house. The two officers who remind me of Officers Morgan and White step
out of their police department issued cruiser. They introduce themselves as Officers Richardson and Harris and show me their badges.
They look at the car and begin to ask me questions about what happened. In the middle of their questioning, Uncle Greg and Bishop pull up to the house. We all watch as both men get out of their vehicles and stomp over to me, pissed off. I’m glad Uncle Greg is pissed, serves him right. For the life of me, though, I can’t figure out why Bishop, of all people, is here or what he’s mad about.
Chapter 4
Bishop
When practice is over, I’m exhausted and dirty. Coach Giordano kept us an extra half hour because Brenton the Dick was too busy running his mouth about my Princess during practice. The school takes fighting seriously. If I were caught fighting, they would bench me for our game Friday night. So Finn, Davey, and I tackled him on our next play. Guess Coach didn’t like the excessive use of force, or all the chatting going on. He gave us twenty laps around the track. The only thing I want to do right now is get in a hot shower, go home and eat, then check up on my girl.
While I’m walking into the locker room Coach calls me into his office. “Get in here when you're cleaned up Arnetti, we need to talk.”
“Yes Sir” I give him his due and walk off pissed that I have even longer before I can call Cara. She’s the only thing I’ve been able to think about for hours now.
When I’ve showered and changed into my basketball shorts and long sleeve Henley, I walk into Coach’s office. “What’s up Coach?”
He looks up from his computer and gestures to the chairs in front of his desk, so I take a seat.
“Look Arnetti, you’re a good kid, great ballplayer, and you come from a good family. We’ve known each other for a long time, and I’d like to say we have a respect for one another. That being said, I saw how you were looking at Cara this afternoon. That girl has had it rough since the day she was born. I’m not going to tell you not to go after her, but don’t dick her around. She’s been through too much to have to deal with petty bullshit. She also has no clue how things are around here.”