I just stood and walked over to the huge collection of vinyl albums the girls seem to love, and grabbed an autographed Leather and Heels album and walked back and handed it to Crystal. “Yes, Penny. You said you met her.”
Her eyes went wide. “This Penny woman is Penny Franklin!?”
I just nodded. Jane was studying me like she always does. She always says she can see something inside me that most people can't. It always makes me blush. “Yes. I met her on the Aurora bridge Thursday night. On her fortieth birthday. She was going to jump. The universe hasn't been very nice to her lately and she looked so broken. There was so much pain and rage and fear in her eyes.”
The two reached out and put a hand on my arm, urging me to go on. “She looked so beautiful in the moonlight on that railing, but I could see a strength in her even though she couldn't see it herself. I thought I could show her how much she still had to give to the world. I thought I could help. She promised me forty eight hours Jane. She promised... but she's gone!” I pulled the note out of my purse And shoved it at them. They would know what to do.
Jane finally spoke, she was as calm as ever and her voice was strong. “The note sounds like she is trying to resolve something hon and she doesn't want to drag you into it. I don't think she's doing what you think she is. It sounds like she can see the 'you' that we can all see. Why was she on the bridge San?”
I didn't know if I was supposed to share that. I mean it is all private. “I... I don't know if I'm supposed to share. It is her private stuff.”
Crystal grabbed my hand. “You are a good friend San, and you make me so proud that you protect the people you care about so fiercely like this, but if there is anything we can do to help, we need to know what is going on. Then maybe Riley and I can help you figure out where she has gone or if we need to call the police to help her.”
I blushed when she said she was proud of me. She always says really nice stuff like that, Jane really is lucky to have found her. I think it is so cool that she uses Jane's real name, Riley. I was the one that called her Jane first. It was a stupid misunderstanding when I first met her in grade school. Someone had called her plain Jane when I came walking up to meet her because my dad pointed her out as the daughter of a family friend.
I thought that was her name and called her Jane, I was dumb back then too. She got a silly grin on her face and some other kids started making fun of me, calling me “dummy”. She snapped at them and said that she liked it and pulled me away from them to the swings to play. So ever since then, she has told everyone to call her Jane instead of Riley. Even though it is mean of me, I scoff at those kids now, seeing the beauty that Jane has turned into, absolutely nothing plain Jane about her now.
I looked over at Jane for confirmation that it was OK to tell Penny's secrets and she just nodded with a gentle smile.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. One, two, three. I opened my eyes and I started speaking, “OK. But she cusses a lot.” Crystal snorted and nodded in agreement. Then I told them how soft her kisses were and how I think I'm falling for her. Then I went on to heart rending story of this wonderful, kind, smart, woman that I can't seem to get out of my thoughts. How her music, her home, her children were all taken from her. And now... cancer. I really hate cancer, it has taken so many of my children from me.
I was crying when I finished the story. Jane gave me a long hug. “You heart is so big San. Leave it to you to fall in love with an older woman who is almost your polar opposite.”
I looked at her. “I'm in love with her?” I thought about it as Crystal nodded with her super cute “Duh” face. Then I nodded sheepishly and said in my own defense, “And she's only six years older.”
I thought about it for a while. I could see the girls were patiently allowing me to sort through it. You know, maybe they're right. I've never felt about a woman like I have felt about Jane before Penny. I could just sit quietly at her side forever and never feel awkward. She has never made me feel stupid and she is so patient. She showed me how to do some math without having to write it all out. And her voice is that of an angel I could listen to all day. I know she is stronger than she thinks she is. And I want... to protect her.
I stuck my tongue out at the two ladies and they laughed. Then I asked, “So what do I do?”
Crystal looked at me with her wonderful eyes, one blue, one brown, and said, “It doesn't appear that she is suicidal at this moment, looking at the note, but that is no guarantee it will stay that way. Let me get my network on the lookout for her.”
Jane chimed in, her voice soothing to my frazzled nerves, “San, you have just about as big a network as Cryster. Get your people on the street to keep an eye out too. I don't know if we should involve the police or not. If it winds up being nothing but her sorting out her thoughts, it would look pretty bad if the police pick her up since she is a celebrity like Kimi and Skylar.”
I was getting excited watching how they came up with smart plans, but then my heart sank a little when Jane shot me a pained look. “Don't read into this San, but while you two do your thing, I'll call all the hospitals and morgues in the area. I'm just covering all bases here, I'm not saying I think anything has happened.”
I nodded even though my tears were threatening to fall. Then she paused, took a sip of her coffee before she said, “Where would she go San? You know her better than us. Hell, you can read people better than anyone I know.”
I blushed then thought for a minute. “That's the problem. Her entire past has been taken from her, that's why she came 'home' to Seattle... to end it. The only thing she loves more than life itself are her daughters. But they... don't want anything to do with her. She would run to them if she could. There is no one else in her life that she cares about.”
But something about that statement didn't quite ring true to me. There was something that was screaming out to me but I couldn't quite figure it out. Dang it! I wish I were smart like the girls.
Crystal tapped the note. “That's not exactly true, she seems to truly care about you.”
I blushed even harder and looked down at the floor. Was that true? Even if it was, that wasn't what was nagging at the back of my brain. “I don't know about that Crystal, but there is something I'm forgetting. It is just on the cusp of my brain but I'm just not making the connection yet. I'm so stu...” I stopped at the violent, angry looks on both of their faces as they snapped their heads toward me. They hate it when I say I'm stupid. “I just know I'm missing something.” Their faces went back to compassionate concern. Whew, I don't want them mad at me.
Jane tilted her head. “Her daughters?”
I shook my head. “No. They don't want anything to do with her. They are with her ex.”
She tilted her head like she was digesting something. Then asked as if to clarify it, “Did THEY tell her that specifically?”
I shook my head. “Not that she told me. She said that they were getting hurt in the long drawn out divorce proceedings and she didn't want them hurt anymore, so she gave in to every demand. Now her ex won't let her talk to them and says they didn't want anything to do with her. She wrote letters to them every day for months and they never responded once.”
Jane squinted an eye. “What about email?”
I shook my head. “No she says they kept their kids off of email and social networks because of her fame and how it could ruin their lives.”
Jane had a predatory look in her eyes. “So it all comes down to the father not allowing calls and his word that the girls don't want to talk to her.”
My eyes went wide when I finally realized where she was going with this. “He wouldn't do THAT would he? Nobody is that cruel!”
I was met with sad apologetic looks from both women. My God! People can be so... petty and evil!
Then I stood. “I'll get Leo on it. Please call if you hear anything. Jane, you're smart, when it is time... to call the police, will you let me know?” I fought back tears at that thought and was engulfed by warm hug
s from both girls. I felt so safe and protected.
Jane pulled back and smiled. “Of course I will. You keep us informed too San. And you know what?”
I shrugged and she grinned hugely. “I love you Sandra Callahan.”
Crystal nodded. “Me too San.”
I did start crying now, they are so wonderful! “I love you two to pieces!”
They walked me to the door and stopped. I was scared to ask something and they saw it. Jane just tiled her head in question and I said, “She wanted me to try to get my foundation going. Would you... I know I wanted to be able to do it myself, but it is so confusing. Would you help me with the paperwork? I'll make her proud of me, then maybe daddy would be proud of me too.”
There was the “duh” look again. Coming from both of them this time. Jane just cutely said, “It's about time you finally asked. I would...” She looked at Crystal. “...we would be deeply honored to.”
I gave them both kisses on the cheeks and with a tiny wave I left and made my way back to my car like a woman on a mission. First stop, home to walk my fuzzy minions before they explode. Then Leo. I can combine the two. This is Saturday so he'll be over on fifth behind the apartment complex. Trash day is Monday so the dumpsters will be close to full. After noon he'll be near seventh scoping out that new freshie woman that Ralph texted me about yesterday, I had asked him to task Leo for me.
My mind went off on one of its own romps through the land of randomness as I remembered that Friday is Leo's birthday and I still don't know what to get him. I'm thinking a nice knitted cap in his favorite color, yellow. I shook my head and got back on task.
My puppies were troopers, they did their thing in the park right away so we could go out in search of Leo. We went behind the apartment complex and I heard noises inside the dumpster. I knocked on it and said, “Sup Leo.”
It was silent for a second then his voice echoed out, “Sup Dandelion.”
I leaned against the dumpster. “I need your help Leo.” I held two twenties over the rim of the dumpster and felt him tugging at them. I giggled to myself, this was the game we played. “Penny has gone missing and I'm afraid she is going to try to hurt herself again. Can you hit every shelter and mission you can possibly reach today and get the word out on the street that I am looking for her? We need to cast the net far and wide.”
He responded slowly, “I saw her leaving your place at four in the morning. An Emerald Express cab was in front waiting for her, she looked almost lost.” I let go of the bills. “I'll get the word out Dandelion. Has she connected with anyone else but you in Seattle?” I grinned, he was being all smart and police-y, not many people realize what he did before the incident that drove him to the street. My Leo is awesome with a capital A.
I shook my head to myself as I replied, “Not that I am aware of.” Again I had that nagging suspicion that it wasn't quite true but I couldn't put my finger on it.
He replied, “OK, lil one. I'll get the eyes on the street workin' for us.”
I nodded to myself. “Thank you Leo. You are a good friend. I love you bunches.”
There was a long pause then he said, “Solid Dandelion.”
I almost started crying again. “Solid.” Then I headed home with the furballs.
Chapter 9 – The Twins
At home I sat and tried to figure out where she would go, but all I could figure out was her children. It frustrated me because we talked almost nonstop about her life for a day and that was all I could think of?
I jumped online to see if maybe there was some clue about her life there that was missing in the overall impression I got from her. I remember every article I ever read about her. Well every article I ever read about any person, just like I can remember every word anyone has ever said to me. I seem to be able to remember things when it comes down to people. I just wish I could do the same for math or science or other important topics that require smarts.
I paused when I saw a video link when I Googled her name. “Penny Franklin, angel of the ward.” I clicked on it and there was a video from the impromptu concert in the burn ward I had conned her into. I was shocked, almost three hundred thousand... no... I counted the number places... almost three million views! One of the parents had posted this right after she sang, they made sure to be careful not to have any of the children in the camera's view. I giggled because I was sitting next to her in the video.
Gawd she did sound like an angel and the songs were upbeat and fun, not like her Leather and Heels stuff that were edgy and sex filled. I think I like this Penny better than the Leather and Heels Penny.
The comments were all over the board with some people writing it off as a publicity campaign for the return of Leather and Heels and thought it was shameful they thought she'd use sick children for that. But the preponderance were either praising her for making those children smile or commenting on the new songs she was singing and wondering when she would be releasing them. They seem to have coined “The New Penny Franklin” to the wondrous woman in the video, comparing her to Mandy Fay Harris.
Then there was a related link to a different video, “Lost track from Leather and Heels?” I clicked that and there was a shaky video that someone must have shot from their cellphone at the Ballyhoo last night. It showed Penny singing Searching for Me. Wow. I forgot how sweet and fun that one was too. I could tell it was about rediscovering herself for her daughters; already over a million views!
Something was tugging in my brain, but I had to finish my research. Jane taught me to focus on one thing at a time. I hit some local news links with her name tagged in them. They had titles like, “The mystery of the new Penny Franklin tracks,” or “Penny Franklin is back!” or “Shameful self plugging by Leather and Heels in children's ward.” For the most part it came down to people going crazy over her new music and nobody can seem to find her or the “mystery girl” she is with. I giggled, I didn't feel mysterious as I looked at the grainy photos of me beside her.
One that I tilted my head at was, “Who is Penny Franklin's new love interest?” It was picture of me in the story. It was a frame taken from the video in the burn ward. I melted; if only. Gawd, I'd die happy if I were her love interest!
The happy feeling faded almost instantly when I remembered what I was doing. None of this was helping. Where could she be? She couldn't go home anymore. HOME! I called Jane as fast as I could.
“Hi Jane. How can I find an address for someone from years ago? What if she went to her childhood home? What? No, I'm not a genius. Crystal knows a guy?” I giggled. “OK, I'll wait by the phone. Thank you. Love you, bye.”
I stared at my phone. There was something about my phone and one of those links online. I tried to make the connection. It was so confusing. I played through it all in my head again. She was singing about her daughters in those songs... my phone. NO! Her phone!
I ran to the coffee table and grabbed her cellphone and looked at the address book. There were only six contacts in it? I thought she was like uber famous. Was this why she seemed so... alone? Then I shook the thought off since I didn't have any contacts in my phone either, I just remember every phone number anyone has ever given me. I found what I was looking for under “Victor - Asshat”. I pulled up the record and wrote the phone number down, no way I was calling her ex with her phone. There was another entry that didn't look all business-y and junk like the last four. Missy Hannigan on speed dial two, it was a local Seattle number. I wrote that one down too even though I know I had already committed them to memory. I was just unsure of myself right now.
I called the shelters and hospital I was supposed to visit today and let them know something important came up and I'd have to postpone my visits until next week. I responded to the plethora of text messages for help organizing things through all the shelters and let everyone know I was going dark until Monday. I felt so guilty. Who was going to help my people?
Then I stared at the piece of paper with Victor's name. I stuck my tongue out at it and crossed
out his name and wrote instead Brandye and Lessa. I felt so bad being mean and crossing his name out, but Kimi told me that sometimes it is good to be bad. I imagined little devil horns on me then giggled.
I looked at the paper again and then closed my eyes and took a deep breath. One, two, three. Then opened them and dialed their number on my cell. I almost hung up because I didn't know the time zone that LA was in. I pictured a map in my head and drew a line down the coast to California. Same one! Pacific time.
A woman answered. “Hannigan's residence.” Was that right? Crap. I didn't know her married name, only her maiden name she used in the band. Maybe it was Hannigan, I do not remember a single article I have read that had it. That's the same last name as that Missy Hannigan in her contacts.
I said nervously, “Hello, may I speak with Brandye or Lessa please?” There was a long pause then a perturbed man was on the line. “Who is this?”
I decided to roll with it under the assumption this was her ex and he was screening the calls. But who was the woman? “Hi Victor, may I speak with Brandye or Lessa please?”
There was a pause, I'm sure he didn't recognize my voice and was probably trying to place it since I used his first name like I knew him. “Who is this?”
I chirped out as innocently as I could. Everyone tells me I sound like a teenager on the phone so I'll play it up for once. “Gee, you don't recognize my voice? This is Sandra.” Then I giggled out of nervousness but I hope it just sounded ditzy like people think I am.
He said, “Ummm... yes. Of course.” What a maroon! I grinned at my own Bugs Bunny joke. Then he said, “Just a minute.” I heard rustling like he put his hand over the receiver. Now I'm not smart but I'm smart enough to know that if you do that, it is dumb to yell. I heard him yelling, “Brandye! Lessa! Phone!” Then I barely caught him saying, “Where are those worthless girls now?” I wanted to reach through the phone and slap the man.
Then I heard a click and a girl said loudly, “Got it Victor.” Huh? They call him Victor and not dad? I didn't hear a second click so I started talking like I knew her. “Hi! You will never guess what I found at the mall today!” Then I heard another click. Good, I hoped that would get rid of him. I learned that trick when I was young, growing up with an eavesdropping stepmother and brother.
Broken Song Page 9