Chastity gave Cheryl a questioning look, to which she elaborated. “You know the whole ‘serve and protect’ thing. Blackmail and fraud isn’t part of his obligation to the force, but I never gave him as much detail as I am giving to you. I kept him out of the loop … for his own protection.”
“I can’t believe you did it. You blackmailed one of the most powerful men in the Midwest, and used your cop husband as a courier?” Chastity burst out in laughter. “This is crazy!”
Cheryl let out a breath. It felt good to finally let go of all of it.
“You’re right.” She grimaced. “It is.” She almost couldn’t believe it herself.
Chastity leaned back in her chair, crossed her arms, and said, “Okay, one more question.” She looked deep in to Cheryl’s apprehensive eyes. “If we had so much money, why didn’t we live a little better? We never really hurt for anything like food or necessities, so why wouldn’t mom let go of some of it to make our lives a little easier?”
“At first she didn’t know how long she’d get installments from Mr. Mikale, so she wanted to save up as much as she could for your daily survival … paying bills, rent and so forth ... but after awhile, she was afraid to use any of it for just in case.”
Cheryl poured herself some more water. “She always assumed something bad was going to happen to the two of you and you’d need the money. Plus, she wanted to lay low and figured living modestly was the best way. Later in life, so much money had accumulated that she decided to put it into some investments for your future. It was Kylie’s way of providing for you.” Her mouth was getting dry, so she lifted her glass for a quick drink before continuing. “So that was, in small part, her letting go of some of her fear … just a little bit.”
Chastity shook her head, and wiped away a tear. “All this time, I thought I knew my mom and she’s someone completely different! She lied to me and I don’t know what to do with that!”
Cheryl swallowed, and spoke slowly. “Your mother lived in fear your whole life and that wasn’t very fair to you, but she did the best she could by you. All she wanted was to protect you.”
“Did you ever try to get her counseling? Why didn’t she see anyone or talk to anyone?”
“Oh sweetie, I tried so many times. I took that role upon myself because your mom wasn’t ready to see some one officially. You can’t force someone into therapy that isn’t ready. Your mom relied on me to help her and you, as much as I was able.”
“Didn’t you ... and Uncle Dave resent that? You have your own lives!” She squeaked out with as much voice as she could through the tears that started to well up.
Cheryl nodded, fighting back tears. “Part of me did, and then I would beat myself up for it. The experience she went through affected me too and I was part of it. I couldn’t turn my back on her and break her trust. She’d already been broken enough. I didn’t want that responsibility, so I did the best I could. I met Dave when you were a couple of years old. When Kylie was ready, I clued him in on the whole situation. He and I loved you, and we promised ourselves that we’d bring some balance to your life. At that point we didn’t know your life would be so chaotic. We assumed Kylie would eventually get help.”
“That’s a lot to take in.” Chastity paused. “You know growing up, whenever you came to town ... it was almost peaceful. I looked forward to your visits more than you could imagine. You brought fun into my life and to me, you were always fun Auntie Cheryl.”
Chastity looked at her with guilt. “And then, as I got older, I was angry about how my mother and I lived. I took that out on both of you. I’m sorry ... I guess my thankfulness that you could make my mother feel secure turned into resentment that you were the one who made everything better. I wanted to be the one to do that.”
“Oh sweetheart, I know. It wasn’t fair. You didn’t have the most normal upbringing, and I knew your anger wasn’t really directed at me. Kylie understood your anger too. She didn’t like feeling the way she did.”
Chastity silently processed it all and nodded her head.
“I don’t agree with how she handled things, but I wasn’t in her shoes to make the decisions.” She sighed. “Life with her was so, I don’t know…” She leaned back and softly said, “...sad. It was tiring being in the situation we were in. I never understood why she didn’t get a job that would give us something stable ... somewhere to call home.”
I resented her and she knew it, she told herself.
Cheryl saw the guilt on her face and tried to comfort her.
“You both did the best you could, under the circumstances. Don’t beat yourself up for being angry with her. It would have been natural to feel that way. Kylie knew her issues had a ripple effect on you. That’s why I would come visit as much as possible to help her out.”
Chastity quickly changed the subject, hoping to keep any more tears at bay. She wiped her face dry, determined to move past it.
“So tell me, did she contact the attorney after she got sick? This attorney, Timothy Banks, said mom contacted him because of his advertising. He told me that she liked his smile, but you and I both know that mom wouldn’t trust just anyone.”
“Huh, so she used him after all?” Cheryl was taken aback.
“Do you know him?”
“Yeah, actually I do. When she was looking to set up a trust for you - I told her to look him up. He’s my second cousin’s son, who had set up a practice in San Francisco. You know how your mom is about strangers, so I thought he might be a convenient and safe choice for her. She took down his name and said she’d think about it. I didn’t know who she ended up using. She never brought it up again.” Cheryl scratched her head. “She kept things from me too apparently.”
This story keeps getting wilder by the second, Chastity though before inquiring, “So does he know the connection? I asked him how she found him, and he didn’t mention a family connection.”
Cheryl shook her head.
“No, he wouldn’t have a reason to recognize Kylie’s name. My cousin, Janie, was a few years ahead of us in school. She didn’t hang out with underclassmen, and would barely remember her. Heck, my family is so big that most of us don’t even know each other.”
Chastity put both hands on the table and leaned in. “So help me remember ... a lot of my childhood is so fuzzy. When we packed up from the east coast, I kind of remember driving through a few states in our station wagon. What happened after that?”
“Kylie and I put our heads together. She called me back and I told her about the money that would be coming her way. She wasn’t very happy with me by the way. She didn’t think stooping to Jackson Mikale’s level would do anything but end up getting us in more trouble.”
Cheryl paused to remember her friend. Her eyes began to well up. She grabbed her napkin to blot them dry.
“Your mom was a good woman. She wanted only the best for you.” She waved her hand in front of her, trying to discourage any more tears from tumbling down. “Anyway, she told me that you two had decided to drive to Alabama. She’d bought an atlas, and opened it in the front seat. She asked you to look for a place that you’d want to visit. She said you flipped through it, and found Friendswood, Alabama. You told her that it sounded nice, so she agreed to drive south.”
“I loved Alabama! I remember living there. It was the one place mom almost relaxed and didn’t look over her shoulder.” Chastity paused. “Miss Clara was at the funeral. She was one of the few that kept track of us all these years - besides you.”
Chastity smiled and squeezed Cheryl’s hand, while she was wiping the final tears away from her cheeks.
“You’re family. You don’t loose track of family.”
“Thanks,” Chastity said, with a heartfelt voice.
Cheryl searched Chastity’s eyes, unable to speak.
“I’m not angry at you, Cheryl. You know that, right?”
Cheryl nodded. “Yeah, I know. I guess I’m the one who’s a little scared at this point.”
“You?
What would you ever be scared of? You’re a cop’s wife, and my mom’s and my super hero. You’re never afraid.”
Chastity stood and rounded the table to enfold her into a bear hug.
“Yes, there’s something I am afraid of. I know you came here to see me, but I also know that you’ll want to see your family. The Mikale’s.”
Cheryl slowly released her from the hug, stared into Chastity’s deep eyes and saw the acknowledgment in them.
Chastity sat down next to her. “I am not sure what I want to do. I know I want to do a little research. I’ve already read a few articles about a Jesse Mikale. Is he any direct relation?”
Cheryl nodded her head and whispered, “He’s your uncle.” She couldn’t bring herself to say anymore.
Chastity looked to her lap and softly said, “My uncle. I’ve never had an uncle.” She looked back to Cheryl. “I mean, there’s Uncle Dave of course.”
Cheryl quickly interjected, “It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re right, you’ve never had a real uncle before.”
“I have family,” she said in awe. “And I owe it to myself to check them out.”
Against her better judgment, Cheryl leaned forward and lifted Chastity’s chin.
“I can’t believe I am saying this. I’ve spent your whole life trying to hide you from your family, but maybe it’s time to rectify that. I will help you if I can.”
Chastity squealed with delight and clapped her hands together.
Cheryl held her hand up. “Hey, I am not saying I like it ... don’t ask me to be happy about it, but I’ll help.”
“Thank you.” Chastity stood up and kissed her forehead.
Chapter 23
Kylie’s wheels crunched over the gravel as she slowly pulled to a stop. Friendswood was an extremely small town, which looked to be deserted.
What was I thinking letting my daughter agree to pick our destination? I’m the adult. I should have had picked our next stop!
Looking down at her gas gauge, she realized that she didn’t have much of a choice.
I need directions to the next town as soon as possible before the sun starts to set.
The first building she saw that had any sign of life was a dimly lit diner on the corner of Main Street. Its large homemade sign had red letters painted across, which read, ‘Clara’s Place’.
“Get out of the car and stick close to me, Chastity.”
Her daughter’s large eyes grew even bigger, as she looked to the diner.
“This doesn’t look so nice after all.” She grabbed her mother, and hung on tight. “Mommy, let’s go. I want to leave,” she whined.
“I’m scared too, but we have to get directions and gas. Besides, we can stop here to eat. You’re hungry right?”
Kylie tried to direct her daughter’s attention to her growling stomach, hoping to redirect both their growing unease.
This will be okay. I can take care of us. I stood up to John, so I can do anything.
Deep down she knew she was kidding herself. She was more scared than ever before.
Seeing him in North Carolina triggered enough anxiety in her to last a lifetime. After seven years, Kylie had almost pushed past the fear and the pain. The denial she’d been in for almost a decade was blown wide open when he surprised her a few days ago.
Was that only a few days ago? It seems like forever already.
Kylie picked her daughter up, locked her car, and walked toward the diner. Upon her first step inside, she froze – unable to move any further. She was on the receiving end of a dozen pairs of eyes, staring at them in bewilderment.
Move Kylie. Move! Don’t just stand here!
She was frozen with fear, as they were the only white people in the room. Suddenly, she found herself on very unfamiliar ground.
Kylie silently started to pray, God, help me. I am scared. I don’t know what to do, or who to trust.
As if straight from heaven, an angel’s voice sounded.
“Get in here child. Both of you. Come sit and tell me what brings you to Clara’s.”
Kylie looked in the direction of the melodic voice and saw a beautiful large woman in an apron, holding a glass of milk.
“I bet your daughter could use something to drink.” She looked at Chastity with a warm loving smile. “You thirsty child? Come here to Aunt Clara and sit down.”
Chastity wiggled her way free of Kylie’s firm hold, and ran across the floor to the bar stool.
“You too sweetie.” She motioned to Kylie. “Come on in. Why are you two in these parts?”
Kylie crossed the floor to stand close to Chastity. She wasn’t sure what to tell this woman. Before she could even speak, Chastity chimed in.
“We came because I told mommy that I wanted to go somewhere nice.” Chastity smiled at Clara, and happily drank her milk.
Kylie smiled at her daughter, and looked up into Clara’s knowing eyes.
Clara saw them coming from down the road. A station wagon and a U-haul in tow, was all she needed to know that someone was lost. No one came to Friendswood. They all wanted to get out, as this was an old town that had almost died off. The main street was full of vacant buildings, and most of the young left right after high school.
When she looked into this skinny white woman’s eyes, she could see the fear buried deep within them. Something inside of her wanted to reach out and take the hurt away.
She’s running from a man, she thought and reached to pat the little girl’s face. Clara knew too well what bad love could do to a woman.
Kylie stiffened when Clara patted Chastity’s cheek, not sure how to feel. She was caught between a rock and Friendstown, but she had to put her fear of strangers aside to find shelter for Chastity.
“We need directions to the closest town, where we can find a hotel,” she finally said, sitting next to her daughter.
Between gulps, Chastity added, “Mommy needs a job and we’re looking for a home.”
“Chastity! Mind your mouth. We don’t tell strangers our business.” Kylie rested her hand on her daughter’s head, and turned back to Clara. “My daughter has a vivid imagination. We’re just passing through and need directions – that’s all.”
Clara could tell it was a lie. She learned to read people really well in her forty years. Lots of types came through these doors, and she could tell the ones with a destination. These two weren’t it. They were the type with desperation, looking to hide. Friendswood was a good place for that.
“Well, if you’re looking for work and a place to rest your head for a while ... I have a sign on the board by the door.” Clara pointed to the help wanted sign. “I also have a room above my garage. It’s big enough for two. You can work for room and board until you feel like getting to where you’re going.”
How does she know, Kylie started to protest.
“Really, we just need to get gas and …”
Clara gave her a knowing look, and pushed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich toward Chastity.
“You’re not going to find a decent place for miles. You might as well check my place out … at least for a few days.”
Kylie watched Chastity dig into her sandwich and conceded. “Thank you.”
“Mmm - hmm,” Clara hummed, while getting a second glass of milk for her guest. “Drink.”
“Thank you. I would appreciate the work, but only for a little while.”
Chastity smiled at her mom with her teeth, covered in peanut butter. “Yummy. It tastes like yours mom.”
Chastity turned to Clara. “My mom’s a great cook. She works in restaurants all over the place.”
Clara looked at her new tenant and blinked. “That true?”
Kylie cocked her head. “I can cook, bake, and run a restaurant. If it’s help you need … I can do it.”
“Then it’s my lucky day. Girls, if you’re going to work and live in Friendswood, than you’ve got to go on a first name basis. You already know mine.”
Clara waited for the introductions.
Chapter 24
In efforts to cheer her up, Whitney wanted to take Chastity to see some of down town Oklahoma City. At the moment, they were finishing up their meal, outside on the patio of an Italian restaurant, which faced the riverwalk. The only sounds were the birds, as they flitted around for scraps, and the mariachi music, which danced its way over the canal, from the neighboring Mexican restaurant.
“Look, that’s what you need to do soon.” Whitney pointed to the canal, where Water Taxis were giving afternoon tours.
“Next time we’re down here, we will. I want to go to the memorial first.” Chastity took the last bite of her linguini.
She was about to ask Whitney where it was, when she saw a very impressive man, in a suit, sit a couple of tables over from them. She felt an unusual sensation in the center of her stomach, and knew it wasn’t from the meal.
Whitney saw Chastity’s curious stare. “Ah! The very handsome former Mayor of Oklahoma City. He’s not bad for an old guy, huh?”
Chastity choked. “Former Mayor?”
She remembered from the newspaper article that Jesse Mikale, was also a former Mayor. It didn’t have a photograph with the story, so she didn’t know what he looked like.
Whitney tore off more bread and dipped it in the oil and vinegar in front of her. “Yeah, his name’s Jesse Mikale. He just finished his last term not too long ago.”
Chastity had planned on doing more research on the family, but never imagined she’d get to see someone so up close and personal just yet. The longer she watched him the more her stomach felt like it was on fire. The thought of being this close scared the living daylights out of her, but she couldn’t look away.
There’s a part of me ... right there. As if he could sense her stare, he turned toward her, giving her full view of his face. His eyes are green, like mine!
As they stared at one another, she should have felt awkward, but the truth was she couldn’t believe how close she was to him, while still sitting so far away.
Jesse sat down in anticipation of meeting Lauri for lunch, which they did every week. This weather this afternoon was perfect, and he looking forward to seeing her.
Finding Kylie Page 11
