Finding Kylie (28 page)

             
She stood there with so many unresolved feelings ... left over anger, insecurity, and confusion, but the need to be accepted finally won the battle.   She bit her bottom lip and blinked up to him.  She wasn’t about to make this easy on him, but she was willing to take a chance.  She just needed to be sure that he was as sincere as he appeared to be.

             
Chastity took a monumental step back up to porch, and accepted his invitation. 

             
“Thank you, but only for a minute.  We do need to talk.” 

             
He stepped back to let her in, hoping this was progress in the right direction.  He felt like a rock had been lifted.

             
From the living room, all Lauri could hear was her husband’s desperate request. 

             
Don’t?  Don’t what?  Who’s he talking to?

             
She strained to listen, as she wasn’t sure what was going on.  This afternoon, after the investigator left, Jesse was disturbingly quiet.  She started Alex on his homework and then slipped into the study.  She knew her husband would get around to divulging what was on his mind eventually, but also knew that her curiosity was getting the better of her. 

             
It took a few gentle tries, but her husband finally let go of the load he’d been carrying for weeks.  She knew something had been taxing him, and was glad she forced the issue, as Jesse needed to get it off his chest.  He also needed reassurance that it was okay to be mad at John.

             
However, at the moment she was a little more than worried with what was going on outside her front door.  All she could hear was her husband’s voice and a muffled reply.  Lauri had no idea who he was talking to.

             
“Mom, what does two times seven equal?”  Alex asked for the third time.

             
“Huh?  Oh sorry, honey ... ummm, fourteen,” she responded, with her eyes glued to the doorway.

             
“Thanks.  Who is daddy talking to?”

             
“I’m not sure sweetie, but I’m sure he’ll be in with in a few minutes.”

             
The door creaked open giving her a little more access to the conversation on the porch. 

             
“Won’t you please come in?”  She heard him ask.  Both Lauri and Alex looked up with questioning eyes.

             
Chastity’s anxiety of coming inside instantly subsided the moment she stepped through the entryway, as she was greeted by warm décor and comfortable surroundings.  It smelled of cinnamon scented candles and the colors made her feel at ease from the very start. 

             
Earth tones,
she made note.   

             
The next thing she felt was something wet on her fingers.  She looked down as a chocolate Labrador was nosing her hand for affection.

             
“No, Hershey!”  Jesse shooed his pet through the kitchen door, back to his crate.  “Sorry about that. Please, come sit.  Would you like something to drink?” 

             
“Um, some water maybe.” Her reply was so soft, that she wondered where her voice was.

             
“Okay, have a seat and I’ll be right back.  You want it bottled or with ice?”

             
“Bottled is fine.” She watched him walk away, and sat down.

             
Her eyes traveled around the room to the archway behind her.
Startled, her hand flew to her mouth as she was looking directly into the inquisitive faces of Jesse’s wife and child. 

             
“Holy Crap,” her voice barely squeaked out.  Chastity breathed in a few times and finally uttered her apologies.  “Please forgive me. I didn’t know anyone was there.”

             
“No, please forgive me for being rude.  I just didn’t know how to approach you without startling you.  It’s just...” Lauri laughed and got up. “I’ve heard all about you and have been waiting to meet you.  Alex, come in here honey and meet your cous,” she caught herself and finished, “Chastity.”

             
She watched the dark headed little boy jump out of his chair, and bound in her direction.  He put his pencil behind his ear and stuck out his hand, like an adult would.

             
“Nice to meet ‘cha!  I’m Alex.”

             
Chastity stuck her hand out to meet his.  “Call me Chaz … if you like.”

             
Any doubts she had about her new family, melted as she shook hands with her little cousin. 
She had a cousin!

             
“Very nice to meet you, Alex.  How old are you?”

             
“Seven!”  He beamed and puffed out his chest.

             
“Wow! What a great age.  You working on homework over there?”

             
“Yep, mom’s helping me. Except ... I don’t like math.”  He wrinkled up his nose. 

             
Chastity had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. She nodded and soberly added, “Me neither, Alex.  I’m more into art or books.”

             
“Me too.  Clifford’s my favorite!”  He beamed from ear to ear, knowing he’d made a new friend.

             
Jesse walked back from the kitchen, happy to see that his son broke the ice.  He set her bottle down next to her, on the coffee table.

             
“Here you go, just like you ordered.  I see you met my family.”  He apprehensively smiled, and sat across from her. 

             
“Yes, Alex was catching me up on his favorite stories.”

             
Lauri knew the conversation taking place next would need a lot more privacy. 

             
“Alex, your homework’s pretty much done, so why don’t you and I go watch Clifford upstairs?”

             
“Great!  See ya Ms. Cassady!”  Alex waved.

             
Lauri chuckled and gently reminded him, “It’s Chastity, sweetheart.”

             
“Sorry.  See ya, Ms. Chastity,” he said a little more slowly, making sure to get every syllable, before running upstairs.

             
Lauri grabbed Chastity’s hands and gave them a squeeze.  With a heartfelt smile, she added, “You have no idea what a pleasure it is to meet you.”

             
Not sure how to feel, she responded the only way she could.  “Thank you.  Nice meeting you too, Mrs. Mikale.”

             
“Oh honey, call me Lauri.”  She started upstairs to find Alex.

             
Watching them bound upstairs was surreal at best.  Chastity expected to walk into a fight … a conflict.  Now, the only conflict she had was within her. 

             
Surprisingly, she was filled with warmth after meeting Jesse’s family.  How was that possible when not only an hour ago, she was so angry she couldn’t see straight?  To jump from fury to something so heartfelt put her out of sorts to say the least.

             
“I’m not sure what to think.” She dragged her eyes from the stairs to meet her uncle’s gaze.  “I came over to confront you.  To yell, to vent, to ... I don’t know.”

             
“Okay, so tell me,” he said slowly.  “I want to know.  What ever it is, you’re more than deserving to feel it and say it.”  Jesse lowered himself onto the couch, and motioned for her to do the same.  He leaned forward, ready to take the hit.

             
“Do you know about my mother and him?  Your brother?” She asked with fire.

             
Jesse lowered his voice and softened his tone.  “Not until recently.  I wish I had back then.  I could have done something to help.”

             
“Help,” she spewed, in anger.  “How could you have helped?”  One of Chastity’s famous looks was almost bubbling to the surface, but she held it back.  “Could you have stopped him from breaking my mother into pieces?  Could you have stopped him from taking advantage of her?”  

             
Finally, the anger she felt, while driving over, reared its ugly head.

             
“No, I had no control over that.  I wasn’t even here that night.”  Exasperated, he tried to explain.  “I didn’t mean to imply anything other than ... if I’d known I could have made life a little easier for her … and you.”

             
“You couldn’t have done anything about it back then.  Your father, from what I understand, was in total control of everything and everyone around him.”

             
Jesse nodded. “I would like to think knowing the outcome of that night would have helped.  But ... you’re probably right. My dad was extremely controlling and unfortunately for us ... John and I ... we were pushed a little too hard growing up.”

             
“Am I supposed to have sympathy for him?”  That wasn’t going to happen, and if he suggested it she might scream.  “Am I supposed to try to understand why he felt he needed to have some kind of control in his life even if it was used to hurt my mom?” 

             
“No, no – of course not.  I was just trying to rationalize it to myself I guess, but I am in no way making any excuses for him.  He and I aren’t close, you know?  And, I’ve already told him that he’s to come no where near you.”

             
“Is that why the photographer was getting shots of me yesterday? Because he was tipped off to where I was?  Why can’t you guys just leave me and my mom’s memory alone?”

             
Chastity finally said what she’d come for.  She took a bold stand against the Mikale family for herself and her mother.

             
Jesse shook his head in denial and quickly jumped to his own defense.

             
“Wait a minute.  I’m sorry.  This is getting a little more out of context than I’d like.  I think you’ve misunderstood me.” 

             
He knew she had every right to hate him for what his family did, but he was desperate to define their actions separate from anything he’d done. He wanted to make peace with her, for her own good and his.

              Chastity counted to ten and took a deep breath.  “Look, I know you’re not the bad guy here.  In fact, from what I’ve heard ... you’re a pretty decent person.  After meeting your family ... I’d say you’ve done very well with your wife in raising Alex in a loving home.”

             
“Thank you.  That’s very gracious.”  Jesse held out hope that there was still a chance to reach her.  “I didn’t tell him - you know.” He paused.  “John …  I didn’t tell him your name or where you are.”

             
“So how did the photographer find me?  If you already knew where I was, why would you send him after me?”

             
“Fair question.  Like I said earlier, I only found out a few weeks ago about you and your mom.  My dad is old and in a home.”

             
“I know. I read about you guys online,” Chastity interjected.

             
“I see I’m not the only one who’s done my homework.  Well, I decided to put his house on the market and to make a long story short ... when I was going through some of his things, I found the file on you and your mother.” 

             
Jesse decided to omit the part about Angela.  Since Ms. Adams had decided to help him at his own residence, he didn’t want to put his faithful friend in an uncomfortable position. 

             
There’s always time to explain the details later.

             
“
That still doesn’t explain the photographer.  He’s the same one that tracked us down, from when I was a kid.  I recognized him.” 

             
Jesse closed his eyes and apologized.  “I am so sorry.  That unfortunately is completely my fault.  The file only gave background info detailing lots of near misses when it came to my father’s plight to finding his grand-daughter ...
you ... but nothing current.”

             
“How is that your fault?”  Chastity winced at the word, granddaughter.  It rattled her more than she cared to admit.  She didn’t want to think of Jackson Mikale as her grandfather. 

             
“I saw the investigator’s phone number in the file and called him.  I was still in shock over the whole thing.  First, in shock that my father would be so daunting, but then I came to the conclusion that he just wanted to find his flesh and blood.”  Seeing Chastity’s brow furrow he quickly added, “That in no means justified what he did, but I understand why he wanted to find you.  Then, I was blown away that I had a niece out there.” 

             
He searched her eyes before finishing his explanation.  “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I initially called him to find you ... from a distance. I authorized no photos.  I promise.” 

             
“Okay,” she said slowly. “That I believe, but the part of a grandfather wanting to reunite out of the kindness of his heart ... I doubt it.  And…” Chastity resolved. “I can’t say that I wasn’t just as curious about you.  I may not like the idea of having a father or grandfather just yet, but an uncle … well, an uncle, I could handle.  My whole life I’ve wondered who and where my family was.  I always felt like something or someone was missing.” 

             
Chastity reached for her bottled water and took a sip before finishing.  “My mom’s side of the family only had two relatives that I ever got to know.  There were no stories about my father or his family.  Mom just said he died and would never talk about it.  I never understood why until I found out what happened.”

             
“You said you knew about my dad.  How long have you known about us?”

             
“Only since my mom’s funeral.  When I packed up her things, I found some hidden journals, which gave me all the information I could ever need … too much information.  After I got home, my best friend Googled your name and found some stories about you guys.  I have to admit ... a small part of me, even in the middle of the grief I held for my mother’s death and the trauma I uncovered, was hopeful that I would get to meet you.  I have an uncle after all this time.”  She stopped herself mid-thought and smiled. “Can I call you Jesse?” 

             
He smiled for the first time in two days.  The tightening in his chest slowly unwound and dissipated.  They had a chance after all.

Chapter 3
8

             
Once Alex was fully engrossed in his favorite show, Lauri positioned herself on the top of the stairs to listen in on the conversation.  She wasn’t trying to be nosy, but just couldn’t help herself.  She wanted to make sure her husband didn’t endure any more strain than he already had. 

             
After reading the file Jesse had on the Wayne family, she knew why he’d been so uptight the last couple of days.  He was such a kind man and hated the idea of his father and brother afflicting so much pain on the Wayne’s. 

             
At least now she knew why Mr. Mikale kept asking for his grand daughter. 

             
He wasn’t completely out of his mind after all,
she thought, as she took the hall toward the study.   She picked up the Wayne file, gathered the photos, and stacked them neatly inside.