False Start

by Rebel Farris

  Chloe finishes pouring her coffee and turns in my direction, freezing. I hold my index finger to my mouth with a restrained grin. She smirks and turns to sit at the table with Holly. No one else has noticed me, yet.

  “That’s the law of the land, Uncle Ev. You mess it up, you clean it up,” Cora says in defense of her sister. She doesn’t turn from the griddle filled with bacon in front of her, but her shoulders are shaking with silent laughter.

  “Et tu, Brute?” Evan clutches his chest dramatically and stumbles back a few steps.

  "Oh, Lord. The old man’s having a heart attack," Cora says. As she turns to face him, I can see the mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

  “Maybe it’s a stroke. He is speaking all garbled,” Cat says, stepping to her sister’s side. She taps her bottom lip as she looks Evan over. “Doesn’t he seem shorter? Isn’t that what happens when you get old?”

  “Yeah, and they start getting all flabby. I don’t suppose you've been skipping gym time, have you, Uncle Ev?” Cora asks. Her wolf-like blue eyes narrow, so much like her father’s.

  “No—”

  Cat gasps. “Oh, poor guy. Is that a gray hair? Time’s catching up already? It’s okay. We can clean up your mess since you’re obviously getting too feeble to do it.”

  Holly blurts out a laugh. “Looks like your minions are turning on you, Evan.”

  Evan curses as he grabs the pan off the stove just as smoke starts curling from a burnt pancake and tosses it in the sink while grumbling “…just like your mother.”

  Cora returns to her task, removing cooked bacon from the griddle.

  Cat walks over to Evan and wraps her skinny arms around his waist. “It’s okay, Uncle Ev. We still love you, even if you’re old and decrepit.”

  “I’m not—”

  I burst out laughing. I can’t hold it in anymore. Everyone turns to face me with mixed expressions of shock, maybe even a little fear. I shake my head in amusement.

  “See, we’d be done already,” Cat whines. “Now the surprise is ruined. Get your act together, old man.” She punches Evan’s shoulder.

  “Me?” Evan counters in mock outrage, rubbing his shoulder like it hurt. “If you would’ve just been a good little minion—”

  “Children, children, let’s stop with the bickering now. Okay?” I interject.

  “See! I’m a child. I’m not old.” Evan fake pouts.

  I look to Holly and Chloe as I walk to the fridge to grab some orange juice. “You two are supposed to be keeping these kids in line.” I hook my thumb over my shoulder in the direction of the three stooges.

  “Uh-uh. I’ve got my hands full with this one,” Holly defends, chasing another Cheerio little Hope drops. “The twins and the man-child will just have to arm wrestle their differences out. Not my problem.”

  Just then, I hear a squeal behind me. I turn as Evan hoists Cat over his shoulder and moves to the open area of the kitchen near the archway. He starts spinning while smacking her butt. “Say it,” he demands.

  Cat is giggling and squirming to get free. “Okay, okay. You’re not old.”

  “And…” he prompts as he smacks her again.

  “Owwwww! Okay, fine,” she shouts between giggles as he tickles her relentlessly. “Oh, young, handsome lord and master. I've sworn fealty as your minion. I’m sorry for my betrayal,” she drones the line she has said many times in her life.

  He deposits her back on the ground, pats her head and ruffles her hair, earning a scowl. “See, there’s a good li’l minion. Now, run along and finish our feast preparations.”

  I turn back to Holly and Chloe, who are barely containing their mirth, and join them at the table. A warm pair of hands gently squeeze my shoulder. I look up to find Evan’s hazel eyes sparkling. He bends down and kisses the corner of my mouth.

  “How’s the rejection artist faring this morning?” he whispers in my ear, then flops into the chair next to mine in an arrogant, lazy sprawl.

  He doesn’t break eye contact. I know what he’s doing—he’s gauging my reaction, trying to read me and see how much damage my ego took, and how much of a mess he might have to handle.

  I bite back the knee-jerk groan and look back at him with my defenses down. They’re always down for him, my best and oldest friend on the planet. I thread my fingers with his and give him a reassuring squeeze.

  The words I’m fine are on the tip of my tongue, but die instantly as I turn back to face the rest of my friends. Behind them, on the sideboard table lies a single blood-red calla lily. It’s tied to a rolled-up piece of paper with a short length of black silk ribbon.

  “Who did that?” My voice squeaks as the mounting pressure in my chest clamps down.

  My eyes dart to everyone in the room. They all look confused, so I wave my hand wildly toward that thing—the flower—in the center of that table. One by one, they all confirm my worst fear—they had nothing to do with it.

  “Don’t touch it,” I rasp out and move to the phone to make a call.

  Thirty minutes later, Holly and Chloe have taken the kids to Holly’s apartment above my garage. Evan sits in the front room watching me pace the floor like a caged tiger. He hasn’t said a word since I got off the phone, and I’m afraid to look at him because I know I’ll see anger. I just can’t deal with that over the violent storm of emotions raging inside me.

  I answer the knock on the door, and Detective Martinez strolls in. He looks around the foyer and whistles under his breath.

  “It’s been a while since I’ve been in this house.” He draws his focus back to me. “You said on the phone you had something of concern to show me?”

  I nod and close my eyes as a wave of forgotten memories flows over me. Detective Martinez isn’t much older than I am, maybe five to ten years. He’s average height, average build. He has classic Hispanic features: olive-toned skin, dark eyes, dark hair with a hint of gray at the temples. It’s been years since we were last in the same room. I motion for him to follow me and lead him to the kitchen where the flower and note still sit untouched.

  “Has anyone here handled this?” he asks, his narrowed eyes glued to the flower. When I don’t answer, he turns to look at me.

  I shake my head because I still can’t speak. It took all I had to get what little I could to him over the phone.

  He snaps a few pictures with his phone and then pulls blue latex gloves and evidence bags out of his pocket. He puts on the gloves and carefully unties the ribbon. He places the ribbon and flower into separate bags and then unrolls the paper before sliding it into another bag. After he zips it up, he reads the note. His brows draw together as he studies it.

  I watch with apprehension. His silence is making this whole situation harder. I hold out my hand, silently asking to read it. He hesitates but hands it over anyway.

  Nice to hear you sing again. I’m watching after you.

  The message is typed in an uneven font that looks like the product of an old-fashioned typewriter. My hand starts to shake so badly I almost drop the note. Evan takes it from my hand to read it, as well. He curses.

  Detective Martinez clears his throat. “I’d like to speak with your security team to see if any gaps in their routine would give us a window when this could’ve been left here. And I’ll need to look at your video feed.”

  “I don’t have a security team anymore.” My voice croaks; I clear my throat and finish. “I let them go about six months ago. I hadn’t had any threats, and the media buzz died down. I didn’t think I’d anything to worry—”

  Evan cuts me off with a curse. “Maddie, they never found out who was sending the flowers the first time, and like it or not, your name’s still out there. People know who you are. You can’t just drop your security.” He breathes deeply, trying to rein in his anger. “Why didn't you talk to me about this?”

  “Because you were in Afghanistan at the time, and I didn't think it was a big deal.”

  “Well, I’m callin
g a private security firm, then you’re hiring them.” He looks at Detective Martinez. “She’ll have a team in place this week. Until then, I’ll be with her.”

  Detective Martinez nods. “Can you get the video footage for me?”

  “Sure, follow me,” Evan says. Before he clears the archway, he turns back to me. “Don't go anywhere. Me and you are gonna have a little chat when I’m done.”

  My eyes fall to the floor, and I swallow heavily. He’s right. Normally, I’d bristle at his bossiness, but not this time.

  I’m in my study, going over the latest P&L sheets for the studio and record label when I hear the front door slam. It’s Monday, and I didn’t go into the office, but that wasn’t necessarily my decision alone.

  “Mom, we’re home. Where are you?” Cat calls out. Her voice echoes in the foyer.

  “I’m in the study.”

  Moments later, two giggling girls stumble into my office. They have their dad’s wavy black hair and blue eyes, but the rest is all me. They’re, quite simply, the most beautiful things I’ve ever laid eyes on.

  “What’re you doing?” Cora asks.

  “Nothing that can’t be put aside. What’s up?”

  I shut my laptop and shuffle the papers aside as the girls plop down in the chairs across from me. They look at each other before turning to me. I perk up, knowing they want to talk.

  “How was the first day of school?” I ask. I think no matter how much time has passed, I’m always going to worry about how they’re adjusting.

  They look at each other before Cat answers with a shrug. “The usual.”

  “Except for Tweedle Dumb.”

  “And Tweedle Dumber.”

  “Why do we have guards again?” Cora asks.

  I know I can’t escape this conversation any longer. “Because the Flower Guy is back again. That’s what we found Saturday morning.”

  Their faces fell instantly.

  “Oh…” Cora says as she swallows.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. That really sucks.”

  “It’s not your fault—nothing to be sorry about. I’m just sorry you have to go through this again.” I close my eyes, wishing things were different for them. I just want them to have a normal childhood. One without stalkers and security details. It’s times like these that I feel regret for my choices in life.

  “Did you run into Josh?” I ask Cora, looking to lighten the mood.

  “Yes, she did,” Cat supplies, nudging her sister’s knee. Cora blushes scarlet. “It was so funny. We were coming out of the locker room after gym class—you know, where the stairs lead down to the cafeteria? Anyway, she slipped halfway down and slid down the stairs like some cartoon character that stepped on a banana peel.”

  “My ass’s still sore, both literally and figuratively.”

  “Yeah, and to top it off, she lands directly in front of Josh. His buddies even laughed at her—I think he was, too, but I couldn’t see his face when I was coming down the stairs. She was redder than she is now.”

  Cat folded over in laughter, and I’d a hard time keeping my own in check. It wouldn’t do to laugh at my girl.

  “So… what did he say?” I ask, trying to move past the embarrassment.

  “Nothing really.” Cora shrugs. “He did laugh at me. Then he just helped me up. He was turning purple trying not to laugh more because he could tell it was pissing me off.”

  Cat is my loud-mouthed, brash girl. She’s smart and fearless. People are drawn to her like moths to a flame. She can also be a bit ruthless, brutal in her candidness. Cora is the strong, silent type. She always seems a bit shy, except around family, but I know that she’s the instigator, the brains behind the operation. She’s calculating and can form plans to rival even the best chess master. I pity the fool that ever tries to take my twins on. Together, they’re a force to be reckoned with.

  “And?” I supply, waiting for the real news.

  “He asked if I wanted to go to the movies this weekend. On Saturday. At five to be exact.”

  “He did!” Cat says. “And you have to let her go, please. Josh is the hottest guy in school. This places us at the top of the social pyramid this year. It’s a coup. Maggie Hausberger thinks that he’d obviously go for her since she’s captain of the cheerleaders this year. But that’s not happening on my watch. I won’t let those fake Barbie blondes take over my school. Plus, it’s not like she won’t be chaperoned—one of the Tweedles will be with her. Come on, mom.”

  I smile slyly. “Of course. Did you think I’d say no? Cora, you’re a smart girl. I trust you to do the right thing. And if you don’t already know what that is, then I’ve failed you as a parent already.”

  Some might say I overindulge the girls, but I haven’t always been a perfect parent. I had them too young and made a lot of stupid decisions. Their lives haven’t been normal by anyone’s definition. Growing up on tour buses, traveling the country, homeschooling with private tutors… it’s been hard on them.

  Cat grins at Cora. “Told you.”

  Cora’s face lights up, and she dashes around my desk and into my arms.

  “God, Mom. Have I told you lately that you're the coolest mom ever? Because you are and I love you so much.”

  “Okay, okay. I already said you could go. No need to butter me up further.”

  “Actually…”

  “There’s one more thing…”

  “There’s this new girl at school, and she’s freakin’ gorgeous—”

  “—and awesome.”

  “We really like her.”

  “And we want to ask her to stay the night on Friday.”

  “You’ll love her.”

  “Please say yes.”

  I laugh heartily. Like I said, I pity the fool. “Okay, but—” I start to say.

  “Yes!”

  “You won't regret this.”

  Why do I get the feeling that I will?

  “Her name is Audra, and she already said yes.”

  “And her dad will drive us home from school on Friday so he can meet you when he drops her off,” Cat says.

  Cora’s sitting on the edge of her seat, biting her lower lip. That’s when I know I’ve been played, but I can’t begrudge them. I created these monsters.

  Then

  Crying interrupted my reverie as I sat in my room, mulling over the future. Jared was leaving in a few days. He’d already signed a six-year contract with the Army before we’d met, following his father’s footsteps to join Special Forces. A fact I only found out shortly after telling him about the twins. I hurried across the hall to the nursery.

  It was Catherine Rose making all the fuss. Her swaddle had come loose, and her little arms were thrashing around her tiny red face. She was the little troublemaker of the two. I cradled her and she quieted down, making sucking sounds as she tried to eat her fist. Hungry.

  Offering her my breast, I made soothing cooing sounds as I wrapped her blankets back around her little arms. I walked to the other crib to check on little Coraline Lily. Tingles ran down my spine as the milk let down. The other little angel was still fast asleep, and I thanked my lucky stars. They usually wanted to feed around the same time, and to try to juggle them both without an extra set of hands was difficult.

  I sat down in the rocker as she continued to feed. Motherhood was rough, and I’d only been at it for a little over two months. There were days I wanted to cry. I thanked God when we finally graduated. That the babies were born only two weeks before graduation was a small blessing. Classes were pretty much wrapped up by then, and I only had a few final exams to complete. I’m not sure if I would’ve finished school if I’d had them earlier.

  “I thought I heard someone fussing,” Diana said as she breezed into the room. She leaned over the occupied crib.

  Diana had been a godsend. I honestly thought Jared’s parents would hate me for ruining his future. At the very least, I thought they’d look at me as the white-trash girl fro
m the wrong side of town that was completely irresponsible. They hadn’t, though. They hadn’t been anything other than supportive, inviting me into their home to help me juggle the twins. I already loved them.

  “Cat was hungry,” I said. “I expect Cora to wake up any minute.”

  “She’s already awake. Aren’t you, Lily Pad?” Diana cooed as she picked up the other precious bundle. She gently rocked the baby, staring down into her little face with such love it made me want to cry. “You ready for the other one, Mama?” Her gaze tracked to me.

  I balanced Cat on one arm and shoved the nursing pillow under her little body, adjusting her to make room for Cora at the other breast. I got another wave of relief as little Coraline latched on and began to feed. I leaned my head back on the chair and closed my eyes.

  “Do you have any plans for today?” Diana asked in a soft voice.

  “Other than this every couple of hours, no,” I answered, opening one eye. She smiled, still entranced by the babies.

  “You’re doing great, you know?”

  My eyes met hers. “Huh?”

  “You just get this lost look every once in a while,” she clarified. “Like you’re scared that you’re going to do something wrong. But you’re doing great. None of us have the answers, and being older doesn’t mean that you know any more about what you’re doing than anyone else.”

  “Thank you,” was all I could think to say.

  “I should be thanking you,” Diana said, her eyes getting watery. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better than these precious gifts. Anyway, Jared’s down in the music room, but I think he was planning something for you guys today. You know since—” She cut herself off, offering me a sad smile.

  Cat unlatched with a soft pop as her tiny body went limp with sleep. Diana gathered her up and started patting her back gently until she burped. Cora followed close behind her. We put them back to bed and tiptoed out of the room, careful not to destroy the rare quiet time.

  With nothing else to do, I decided to see what Jared was up to. Down the stairs at the front of the house, in what was meant to be a formal living room, was where they kept a baby grand piano. There were various other musical instruments, all of which Jared knew how to play. His level of musical talent amazed me more and more every day.