Finding Kylie

by Kimberly McKay

  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 38

  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.

  At least, she seems to be letting off enough steam out with out directing a lot of it at Jesse. I can’t imagine the train wreck she’s had to live with her whole her life. She’s carried her mother’s baggage and dealt with constant upheaval. That poor girl.

  She descended the stairs to the living room. From the looks of things, Chastity and Jesse seemed to be getting some closure. Pleased, she rounded the couch and stood next to her new niece.

  “Here, I believe this is yours.” She handed the file to her, looking to Jesse for reassurance.

  He nodded to his wife and added, “I think you should have it. Take it, burn it, or keep it. It’s up to you. Think of it as my first official gift to my niece.” He looked to her from under his eyebrows and asked, “Is that okay? Are you okay if I call you that?”

  She smiled in return and nodded in agreement. Her entire life, she’d been waiting for some part of her to belong to the mystery family, she knew was out there ... somewhere. She was amazed that Jesse and his wife accepted her so willingly.

  She blinked back tears of joy. “As long as you don’t make me call you uncle Jesse. I get a visual of the Dukes of Hazard with that one.”

  Lauri laughed at Jesse’s expense while he retorted, “I don’t think you have to do anything of the kind. I’m okay on a first name basis.”

  “Good. Thank you for this.” She cautiously opened the file. She browsed through the photos, quick to laugh. “No wonder th
at guy took off so fast. I looked like I was going to beat him within an inch of his life.”

  “It scared me seeing those.” Jesse’s face was somber. “I knew I’d blown my chance at trying to establish any connection with you after that.”

  She put up her hand. “We’ve gone over it. It’s done … honestly.”

  Chastity was about to close the file, when she saw the one picture, which was taken before she realized she was being watched. Her heart melted as she gazed at the photo of her and Timothy by the survivor tree. They were standing side-by-side; close enough to touch but obviously aware that they weren’t.

  I remember this ... wanting to hold hands with him. She smiled; glad to have at least one picture to capture the moment before the day was ruined.

  “I am glad something from that day was good.” He saw the far off look in her eyes, and was happy she had someone in her life. “So who’s your friend?”

  Her eyes lit up. “He’s definitely just a friend … for now. A really good one that I look forward to getting to know better.” She looked at her watch. “Wow, I’ve been here a lot longer than I thought. I’ve got to get ready for my dinner date.”

  Jesse stood, to walk her to the door.

  “Would you like another copy? It’s the least I can do before telling the private investigator to get rid of it.”

  “I would really appreciate that. Thank you.” She was glad to have another reason to come see them.

  Lauri fell into step with them. “We’d love to have you over for dinner one of these evenings before you return back to California. We could have a copy ready for you then.”

  “I would love that. I’d really like to get to know Alex better too.”

  “Great! Here’s our numbers.” Lauri was already prepared with a sticky note in hand. “Call us when your ready, and I’ll set it up. You could even bring your friend too, if you wanted.”

  Jesse lightly put his hand on Chastity’s arm before she stepped out the door. “Thank you so much for coming over today. I am so glad to have finally met you. Please call me whether it’s for dinner or if you just want to talk. I’m sure you’ll have questions.”

  “I will, thank you.” She took the yellow sticky, put it in her purse, and said her good byes. She left with a sense of peace that she hadn’t had in years.

  The afternoon turned out completely different than she’d expected. Instead of having an awful confrontation, she made a connection she’d been waiting her whole life for. She rushed to the car, to sit down in solace, contemplating what just happened and tried to remember the last time she was this content, other than when she was with Timothy.

  Now it’s time to focus on another connection that needs my attention.

  Chastity started the engine, in anticipation of tonight’s date. She couldn’t wait to see where things would lead.

  Chapter 39

  Luckily for her, Whitney took her shopping earlier in the week. She talked Chastity out of going to the mall and into trying a local western wear store instead.

  To Chastity, it looked like full-fledged red neck bar on the outside, but once inside she was pleasantly surprised to find it had array of styles, which she could have found in California. After only a few minutes, she and Whitney were in the dressing rooms trying a multitude of different tops and jeans.

  She silently thanked her young friend, as she laid a few of her new favorite pieces across her bed.

  I needed some cute things. Now, am I brave enough to wear them? She asked herself, as she pawed through her selection of slinky tops.

  Timothy would be picking her up in less than an hour, and she wanted to knock him off his feet. She slid into her new pair of form fitted jeans and found a flirty tank to wear.

  The green one, she decided, smiling as she slipped it over her head. He’ll like this one, I’m sure.

  She heard a low whistle from behind and turned around. Whitney had slipped in unnoticed.

  “Wow, Chastity. I told you that was a great look.”

  “You’re right. I just wasn’t sure if it was me.” She spun to face her reflection in the full-length mirror. “But, it doesn’t look half bad.”

  “Nope, you look great. So tell me more about this guy. Friends? Hoping for more than friends?”

  Chastity took a seat at her the vanity mirror, to finish her makeup, and pulled out her sparkly green shadow to apply it with just the right touch. Her artistic ability wasn’t just on paper.

  “Um, I like him, which is more than I could say for anyone. I’m not one to be in to a guy like that. I mean ... I’m in to guys,” she quickly recovered.

  Whitney laughed at her friend’s flub. “I know silly. I didn’t take it that way.”

  “What I meant was ... I don’t usually let anyone in far enough for me to feel anything. I usually just blow most guys off.”

  “Yeah, I get that. They usually have to prove themselves first, right?” Whitney asked, hoping for insight.

  “You’d think,” she smirked, in response. “Most guys don’t even make it a week before they flake out. They can’t think past their anatomy.”

  Chastity looked to Whitney’s amused expression in the mirror, and quickly recovered. “But ... uh, there are a few nice guys out there. And maybe if you’re lucky ... there’s one that will treat you with respect.” She stared at her own reflection. “Wow, did I just say that?”

  “I heard it. You’re not as jaded as you’d like to think.”

  “Well, to answer your question - Timothy is special. He’s got me thinking about things that I never have before. I’m not the hearts and flowers type, but …” she paused. “He’s got me thinking.”

  She nodded to herself as she put the finishing touches on her eyes. She chose a clear glitter wand to place below her eyelashes, under her eyes.

  “This will offset my dark circles.”

  “What dark circles?” She smirked. “Well, I guess I can tell my mom now? She’s been dying to know what happened, but didn’t want to pry.”

  “She sent you in to do her dirty work?” Chastity threw her hairbrush at her.

  Whitney dodged it, with a smirk. “Kind of. She didn’t directly ask me to, but I wanted to know too. I saw him when he picked you up yesterday,” she teased. “He’s a hottie!”

  “Yeah, he is.” Chastity pressed her lips together to refresh her lip-gloss. “Not bad for your cousin.”

  “Eww!” Whitney scrunched her nose with disgust. “I didn’t know that.”

  Chastity laughed whole-heartedly and was about to comment further, but Cheryl interrupted her train of thought by lighting tapping on the door.

  “Mind if I join you guys?” She waited in the doorway.

  “Come on in. We’re having a little girl talk.” Whitney winked at her mom.

  “Good, can’t wait to catch up.” Cheryl’s deadpan face had them thinking otherwise.

  “Whit, do mind giving us a few minutes?”

  “Nope, see ya later.” She tossed the brush back to Chastity before leaving.

  Unsure of how to begin, Cheryl quietly moved to sit on the edge of the bed. She had a million questions about Chastity’s sudden departure, unclear at what sparked it. All she knew was that her keys went missing, and there was a page torn from her phonebook. When she scanned the remaining pages, it wasn’t too hard to figure out which address Chastity was after. Looking at her, Cheryl didn’t see any obvious signs of distress.

  She actually looks content.

  “You’re wanting to ask me, so why don’t you.” Chastity put the finishing touches on her hair, and turned to face her.

  “I’m that transparent, huh?” Her voice was just over a whisper.

  “Crystal clear. Sorry I borrowed your car without asking.”

  Cheryl clicked her thumbnails back and forth, and bit her lip. “That’s okay, but ask next time.”

  She looked up from her fingers and stared into Chastity’s eyes. Chastity could see the concern in them.

  “Did you f
ind what you were looking for?” She continued to search her face for any signs of distress.

  “Yeah, it went okay. I was out with Timothy, downtown yesterday.”

  “Yeah, that part I know,” Cheryl cut in.

  Chastity lifted her eyebrow and gave her one of her looks. “Give me a few minutes. I’m getting there.”

  “Sorry, I’ve been so nervous since I saw the phone book,” Cheryl said anxiously. “You know, the one you left open to the M section. I did the math.”

  “I’m sorry. I looked it up, tore it out, and rushed out.” Chastity shrugged. “I obviously wasn’t thinking. It ended up okay, ya know.”

  “Yeah, I know that part already. What happened to make you rush out of here so fast?”

  “At the park, downtown, there was a photographer … more specifically a private investigator, taking pictures of me. I won’t go into details, but I recognized him from Alabama. And, one thing led to another and I ended up at Jesse’s place.”

  Cheryl’s mouth fell open. “You mean they still have someone tracking you down? When is this going to stop?”

  Chastity leaned over and placed her hand on Cheryl’s arm. “It has. He wasn’t tracking me. It all ended up okay,” she softly promised.

  When Chastity saw the apprehension in Cheryl’s eyes, she added, “Trust me. It was the P.I.’s decision to take those pictures. It wasn’t at Jesse’s request. He only wanted to find out more about me just like I wanted to find out about him. He was just as upset over those pictures as I was.”

  “Well, you seem to be on a first name basis pretty quickly. So it’s Jesse now, huh? You like him,” she stated before asking, “Did you talk about John?”

  “Yes, I think so, and a little,” Chastity said and smiled. “You know, going over there … I thought I was going to battle, but it turned out completely different than expected. And his son, Alex, is so cute. Cheryl, I have a cousin!”