See You In My Dreams

by Marie-Nicole Ryan

  “I'm so sorry. I never meant to imply that she wasn't. It is entirely possible Alexa's acting out is in reaction to the loss of her grandmother. I would recommend perhaps professional—"

  “I will take care of my daughter, once I find her. After I have spoken to the police, I shall return to the city, since that is where you say she's supposed to be. I have someone waiting at home to see if she calls or goes there. You already have my numbers. I trust you will notify me if you hear anything."

  “Of course, Mr. Devereaux."

  He turned on his heel and left the headmistress's office, still unable to believe his little Alexa had run away with an eighteen-year-old boy. His little girl. Walking to his rental car, he recalled Bitsy's remark about Alexa's seeing the boy after lights out.

  Incroyable. Methodically, he unlocked the car door, stepped inside only to sit staring ahead at ... nothing. His fists clenched around the steering wheel, for the very thought of anyone laying a hand on his daughter made his stomach churn. He remembered too clearly the upheaval Nikki had experienced after being raped. He prayed history would not repeat itself.

  Nineteen

  New York

  Nikki paid the cabby, shouldered her bags and climbed the steps to the brownstone. She couldn't help but recall the first time Max had brought her to the townhouse. The memory left an emptiness in her heart that only Maman could've filled. After unlocking the door, she walked into the kitchen and checked the answering machine. Great. The red light blinked. After locating pen and paper, she hit the play button and listened to the messages, hoping to hear from Alexa. After multiple calls about social events, which she impatiently recorded, she was rewarded by the sound of Alexa's cheerful voice.

  “Hi, Daddy, I'm in New York. Don't worry about me. Talk to you later. Oh, I forgot. You're in France. Well, I'll try to reach you there later."

  At least there was no indication of distress in Alexa's voice. Nikki was thankful but frustrated because the teenager hadn't left an address or phone number where she could be reached. The answering machine logged her call at eight the previous evening. How ironic. Max's daughter had called while he was with Nikki—if he'd only been home instead.

  The ringing telephone interrupted her train of thought. She grabbed it, hoping it would be Alexa.

  It was Max instead. “Is she there?"

  “No, but she left a message last evening. She sounded all right. Just a little put out when she remembered you were in France. She said she would call you there."

  “All right. I'll check. I've talked to the police, and I'm on my way home, now. I'll tell you the rest when I arrive. Make yourself comfortable. I'll see you later?"

  “Sure,” she managed to say before Max rang off.

  Hearing the exhaustion in his voice, Nikki knew he had to be out of his mind with worry. She might as well unpack and spent the next few minutes taking her bag upstairs to her old room.

  Nothing had changed. It seemed as if she'd never been away.

  After unpacking and stowing away the birthday mask on the top of the armoire, she wandered down to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Nothing. She picked up the phone and called the market for a delivery.

  Alexa would be hungry when she returned home. And there was absolutely no doubt in her mind that Alexa would show up unharmed. Well, there was a niggling fear, but she shoved it away.

  Think positive.

  ~ * ~

  Across town, in a comfortable living room in a sunny apartment, Alexa, Mario and his mother stared each other down. Alexa looked from Mario to his mother and back again to Mario. She wasn't sure what she'd expected to find, when she and Mario returned from the matinee, but it certainly wasn't Mario's mother, mad as a hornet and foaming at the mouth.

  At the moment Lorena Judson's brown eyes flashed as she berated her son. “What were you thinking? How could you have been so—so stupid?” she sputtered. She stopped long enough to eyeball Alexa. “How old are you?"

  “Sixteen?” Alexa answered, but the rising inflection gave away her lie.

  Mrs. Judson's eyes narrowed. Alexa backed away. “I don't believe it. Tell me the truth. How old are you?” she demanded.

  Dying on the spot seemed desirable, but since that wasn't likely, she hung her head, answering, “Fourteen, ma'am.”

  Mario's eyes widened in shock. She'd embellished her age for him too.

  “F-fourteen? Omigod,” Mario stuttered. “Mom, I didn't know, honest."

  “It makes no difference. Sixteen is still too young to be running away from school. You crossed state lines. At eighteen, you're an adult. In the eyes of the law, you're guilty of kidnapping. They'll call the FBI, you dolt."

  Mario snickered. “That means they'll be calling you, Mom."

  “This is not funny.” Turning to Alexa she demanded, “I want the name of your parents, their phone number and address. Now!"

  Never had Alexa seen any one human so angry. She stammered, “M-my father's supposed to be in France. I tried to call him last night, but he isn't there. I think he might be on his way back to the States, but I'm not sure."

  “And your mother?"

  Alexa hung her head. “She died when I was a baby.” Maybe that little fact would soften the woman's attitude.

  “I'm sorry,” Mario's mother said, her tone down a couple of decibels. “Your father's name, please."

  “Maxim Devereaux.” She rattled off her home address and phone number. “But there's no one at home, so it won't do any good to call."

  “We'll just see about that. Otherwise, a trip to the police department is next on the agenda for you, young lady. I'm sure your school has already notified them.” She turned back to her son, her hands on her hips. “In fact, I'd better call them now before someone comes here to arrest you!"

  Alexa's heart lodged in her throat. She attempted an explanation. “I didn't really run away. It was just to visit for the weekend. Mario wanted me to meet you. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause so much trouble."

  Mrs. Judson shot Alexa a look of dismay, then snapped, “You have no idea how much trouble you've caused."

  “B-but nothing happened. Mario thought you'd be home, but we found your note saying you were out of town on a case, so we went to a movie, and I spent the night in the guest room.” She started sniffing, then broke into sobs. Suddenly she felt very young and foolish. And she desperately wanted her father. She didn't care how mad he'd be. She needed him.

  Relenting, Mario's mother patted Alexa's shoulder “Now, now, don't cry. I have to let the school and the police know you're safe, and we have to find your father. This is going to be okay.” Then added, “I hope."

  Mario put his arm around Alexa. “See, Mom says it's going to be okay. You know, Mom, you're being really nice about this."

  Mrs. Judson turned to her son, her brown eyes flashing. “You! Even if Mr. Devereaux doesn't press charges, you are still in very big trouble with me."

  ~ * ~

  After the market delivered her grocery order, Nikki set the box on the kitchen counter. When the telephone rang, she grabbed it. “Alexa?"

  “No, this is Lorena Judson. I need to speak to Mr. Devereaux."

  “Mr. Devereaux isn't here, but I expect him shortly. May I take a message?"

  “Are you a member of the family?"

  “No, this is Nikki. I'm a friend of the family—is this about Alexa? Do you know where she is?"

  “She's fine. She's here at my apartment with my son."

  “Thank goodness. May I speak to her?"

  The next voice Nikki heard was Alexa's. “Daddy?"

  “No, It's Nikki. Are you all right?” She held her breath.

  “Of course, I am. I'm really sorry. Where's daddy? I tried to reach him—"

  Nikki cut her off. “Your father's talking to the police, calling out the federal troops, you know—the usual."

  “I'm so sorry. Is he really, really mad at me?"

  “Scared out of his mind is more like it. Put Mrs. Ju
dson back on. We need to get you home ASAP."

  “Okay. Sorry. Here she is."

  “Uh, this is a little complicated. My son Mario brought Alexa home for the weekend, without my knowledge, of course. I'll bring her home, if you'll give me directions."

  “Of course. We're on East 65th Street."

  “No problem, that's easy enough to find. We'll be there shortly."

  “Thank you."

  After Mrs. Judson rang off, Nikki tried reaching Max, but he didn't return her page or answer his cell phone. She wouldn't feel comfortable until she saw Alexa safe and sound. Restless for something to do, she returned to the kitchen and prepared tea and sandwiches in a mechanical manner, still disturbed by Alexa's rash behavior. It was something new, but fourteen was just the beginning. Gradually an idea formed, one which would keep Alexa occupied during the summer and, at the same time, give the teenager a taste of what it was like to really run away. Of course, it would take Max's approval and cooperation.

  ~ * ~

  Forty-five minutes later, the doorbell rang. Nikki raced for the door and was more than a little relieved to see the wayward Alexa standing there with a sheepish expression across her pretty face.

  “We've been so worried."

  Alexa immediately engulfed Nikki in a bear hug which she returned with enthusiasm.

  “I'm so-o sorry. I didn't mean to worry everybody,” the girl cried.

  After disentangling herself, Nikki stood back and offered her hand to Mrs. Judson. “I'm Nikki Prentice, You must be Mrs. Judson.” She looked at the handsome Hispanic youth, standing beside Alexa. “And you must be..."

  “Mario, ma'am."

  “Mario.” Nikki acknowledged him with a nod. “Please come in.” She led them into Max's study. It was less formal than the living room, which was filled with French antiques.

  Nikki motioned for them to be seated. “Alexa's father will be here soon. He'll be so relieved."

  Mrs. Judson replied, “I have already notified the police that Alexa has been located, and that it was a mistake of sorts. I don't know if Mr. Devereaux will want to press charges or not, but if he does, Mario will have to accept the consequences for his actions."

  Alexa turned pale; she looked up at Nikki. “Oh, no. Daddy won't press charges, will he?"

  Nikki tried to reassure Mario and his mother. “Naturally, I can't speak for Max, but I hope not. It all seems to have been a whim. Of course, she's very young."

  “I lied to Mario. I told him I was sixteen,” Alexa confessed, hanging her head. After a moment she looked up at her erstwhile bodyguard and told him, “I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

  Mario shook his head. “No, I knew better, but it seemed like a good idea at the time."

  Lorena Judson glared at her son, then turning to Nikki asked, “Exactly, what is your relationship to the family?"

  “I'm a friend."

  “Mr. Devereaux's friend?” The inflection in the woman's voice told Nikki what she was really asking.

  Puzzled, by the woman's interest, Nikki answered, “As I said before, I'm a friend of the Devereaux family. When Max discovered Alexa was missing, he called me and asked me to come here and wait, while he dealt with the school and the police."

  “I see. Have you known Alexa and her father for very long?"

  “I was a runaway. Max found me on the streets when I was sixteen and brought me here,” Nikki explained. “His mother, Madame Devereaux, became my mentor, friend and surrogate-mother. Under her tutelage I became a model for the Devereaux Agency. While I lived here, Alexa and I became very close, like sisters.”

  She hesitated, wondering why she felt the need to detail her past. It seemed strangely important that Mario's mother understand her situation.

  “Of course, I recognize you now. Mrs. Devereaux no longer lives here?"

  “No, she passed away in January."

  Mario interrupted, “Geez, mom. Enough with the interrogation."

  His mother's eyes flashed, but the sound of a key in the door alerted them of Max's return. “Nikki?” he called.

  “In the study."

  “Have you heard anything?” Max asked from the hall.

  At the sound of her father's voice, Alexa jumped up from the sofa and ran to meet him, “Daddy, I'm fine."

  Max rushed into the study, relief written across his face. “Alexa,” he cried, grabbing and hugging his daughter. “What did you think you were doing, young lady?"

  “I'm sorry, Daddy. I didn't really run away.” Alexa hung her head. “Well, I did sneak away, but—"

  Nikki interrupted, “Mrs. Judson, this is Max Devereaux, Alexa's father. Max, this is Lorena Judson and her son, Mario."

  “Mr. Devereaux, I am sorry to meet you under these circumstances. I assure you my son is not in the habit of spiriting little fourteen-year-old girls away from school."

  Max took a deep breath as he turned to glower at Mario. He exhaled ... slowly.

  Hoping to defuse the difficult situation, Nikki suggested, “Why don't Alexa and Mario come with me. I'm sure they'd like something to drink."

  Alexa gave her father a questioning glance. He nodded.

  ~ * ~

  Max shook his head and sat down in a leather arm chair facing Mario's mother. Lorena Judson was of medium height and had dark brown hair, cut short and waved about her face. She was quite attractive—not a beauty like Nikki—of course, but quite attractive nonetheless.

  “Mr. Devereaux,” Lorena Judson began, “I'm appalled my son has caused you all this worry. I'm so embarrassed. I really don't know what he was thinking, but then I guess not thinking clearly is part of being a teenager."

  “First of all, I'm Max, and I'm very grateful you've brought my daughter home. Thank you for remedying the situation as quickly as you have. I will need to talk with Alexa privately, but I don't think any charges will be placed, as long as this is never repeated."

  The boy's mother gave a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Mr.Dev—uh, Max. I assure you, to the best of my ability, it will never happen again. Unfortunately, I am called out of town frequently on business, and when Mario isn't away at school, he is there alone with the housekeeper. She has been with us since before my husband died. She spoils Mario."

  Max nodded. “I too, understand the difficulty of raising a child without both parents. My mother brought up Alexa after my wife died, but she herself died earlier this year. We are still trying to adjust. I thought boarding school was be the answer, but now ... after this.” He gave a rueful laugh. “I don't know if I'm going to make it through these teenage years."

  “Please, call me Lorena. I agree. It is very difficult. Once I could control everything my son did or where he went. Now, very little. Letting them go isn't easy."

  “Well, I have no intention of letting Alexa go. She's only fourteen. How old is your son?"

  “Eighteen last month. I'm afraid it hasn't dawned on him, that in the eyes of the law, he's an adult. He's had a difficult time since his father was killed in the line of duty, but he's never done anything like this before."

  “Your husband was a policeman?"

  “No, we were both with the FBI."

  “FBI? Both of you? I would have guessed you were an attorney."

  Lorena smiled. “Isn't it odd ... the choices we make?"

  “Fascinating,” Max replied. “I've never known anyone from the FBI."

  “And what do you do?” she asked.

  “I have a modeling agency—commercials, print, and high-fashion. It varies."

  She nodded in the direction of the door. “Nikki's very lovely. Is she one of your models? She's very lovely."

  “She was."

  “She seems to care a lot about Alexa."

  “Yes, she's been a family friend for a long time. Alexa and I are both very fond of her."

  A smile played about her mouth, before she answered, “I see."

  Twenty

  The sound of low laughter reached Nikki who stood outside the study door. W
ith Alexa and Mario in tow, she found Max and Mario's mother chatting comfortably, like old friends. A sharp twinge of jealousy stabbed the pit of her stomach. The young man's mother was attractive and polished. Maybe I shouldn't have rejected Max at the beach house. After all, he flew all the way from France just to see me.

  “Everything okay, Mom?” Mario asked, appearing anxious.

  “You and I still have to talk, young man, but Mr. Devereaux isn't going to have you arrested, if that's what you mean?"

  “Yes, Ma'am. Thank you, sir."

  The tall, well-built teenager, had dark wavy hair, dark complexion, a deep dimple in each cheek, and expressive, dark brown eyes like his mother's. At the moment, he acted very respectful, in awe of his mother, but Nikki wondered how long his mother would be able to control him. With his dark good looks, Mario had heartbreaker written all over him.

  Mrs. Judson rose to leave, offering her hand to Max. “I want to thank you for being so reasonable. It's been a pleasure meeting you, considering everything that's happened. Now all I have to do is take my son home and decide how I am going to keep from killing him."

  “Mom,” Mario protested, rolling his eyes, but his mother gave him a stern glance.

  Max took the woman's hand and said, “My relief at finding my daughter has outweighed my anger, but I too, am in the same situation. I wish you the best of luck."

  Feeling like a voyeur, Nikki watched the interchange between Max and Mario's mother—her hand lingering in Max's, her engaging smile.

  “I think we'll both need it for the next few years,” the woman replied, her dark eyelashes fluttering.

  Max and Mario's mother had so a lot in common. Nikki didn't have any right to be jealous, but she was. Her face grew hot, but luckily no one was paying her any attention. She watched Max and Alexa walk the Judsons to the door. Unless she was mistaken, Max appeared quite taken with Mario's mother. Well, why shouldn't he be? He was a strong and virile man, who had every right ... She'd had her chance the night before and again that very morning ... and she'd blown it. Max seemed to be ready for a relationship, why wasn't she?

  By the time Max and Alexa returned to the study, Nikki had managed to regain a semblance of self-control. “I guess I'd better get out of here so you two can talk."