Prison of the Past

by Elle Klass

  “Worried? Your mother’s been a wreck. We’ve searched everywhere for you, contacted TV stations, radio stations.” He sucked in a deep breath. “We’ll talk more later.”

  The officer greeted her parents. “We’ll need you to come to the station with us.”

  Her father flashed her a glance and she flashed him a cheeky smile in return.

  Fetch shifted on his feet. “We rented a three bedroom suite, it’s not far. You can stay the night with us, rest, shower, eat, and we can bring you back to the airport tomorrow,” he offered.

  The officer confirmed they only needed to verify identities to file their report. It wouldn’t take long. I was sure they’d also fill them in on her heroic act.

  We escaped back to our suite. After our day we decided to leave the cabin and escape to the city. The lights of Seattle glimmered against the dark sky. Einstein’s case was closed, or would be soon. It was in the hands of the FBI. I flipped the agent’s card in my hands and smiled at the sky, saluting my first love. I did it! Fetch snaked his arm around mine. I couldn’t take all the glory. “We did it!”

  He gave me a cocky grin. “Who are you talking to?”

  “Einstein. Do you think he can hear me?” I always believed spirits roamed the earth, unsettled, and now my Einstein could rest.

  “Yeah, I do,” he said and pulled me closer. “Sometimes, I can smell my mom’s perfume and I know she’s close. Those we love don’t ever leave us.”

  I rested my head against his chest. “Tell me about her.”

  He turned and we walked in step to the couch. “She was a single mom who worked two jobs to keep us fed. My sister and brother are several years older than me. One by one, they left home and married. When she passed away I packed what I had and signed up for the bridge crew. I ran because of my grief but don’t regret doing it. That’s how I ended up in San Francisco and met you.” His words dug deep into me.

  Where did that come from? And how come I was only learning this now? I knew it was the bridge that gave him the opportunity to move to San Francisco but I didn’t know he was running from his own grief. We weren’t so different. “How come you never told me this?”

  “Why didn’t you ever tell me about your family?”

  He had me there. “You know everything about me now but you’re still a mystery. What about your father?”

  He shrugged and ran his finger over my cheek. “I never knew him. My siblings and I don’t share the same father.”

  Well, the man truly did have a mystery of his own. “You ever try DNA testing?”

  “Nah.”

  “Why not?” I urged. “Who knows? You could find a match, maybe, if you want to.” I stumbled over my words, remembering my own stubborn streak. I’d have frowned on a DNA test if anyone suggested it but myself.

  He brushed a loose strand of hair from my cheek. “Make a deal with you. I’ll do the testing if you face your mother.”

  He knew I couldn’t refuse a challenge. I cringed at his cunning words. “Is this a trick?”

  “No. I understand how you feel about her, but you only have one set of parents. I’ve never met my father. I don’t know anything about him and you’re going to be a mother in the next six months. I just think you should give her a chance.”

  He was right. I hated her for being weak, never searching, and my hard life growing up, but none of it was really her fault. My sperm donor was right, Fetch was right. I cringed. Sensing my distress he continued, “I’ll be there with you.”

  I rubbed my hand against his stubbly chin. “And I’ll be there with you. Together.”

  He grabbed my hand. “Together.”

  Surprise!

  We spent the rest of the evening with Rox and her parents. I really liked them and saw where she got her spunk and wittiness from. Somehow, she convinced them to allow her to visit St. Thomas when the baby came. They only just got her back and she was planning her next trip, but at least she had their permission this time. Eighteen now, she really didn’t need it, but I felt better knowing they agreed. She was their baby and I understood as a parent. My whole outlook on life had changed; it was all about the little, precious life inside me and everything I did from here on out would be for him.

  Our plane landed in the San Francisco airport late the next evening. I texted Javier before we left Seattle to be sure he got Kacy to the old Happy Trails, where we met, by nine P.M. tonight.

  “Here’s all the gynecologists I found in St. Thomas,” said Fetch, displaying a list on his phone. The lights of the city whistling past us.

  “We’re returning to the place we met and seeing Kacy and you’re OB/GYN shopping?”

  He tossed his head backward, enough to flip the hair out of his face. “Yeah, you’ll be home soon.”

  “In a week. Bookmark the page and we’ll get back to it. Tonight is about friends, about us.” I kissed his cheek.

  He nodded and grabbed my leg, right in my tickle spot. I giggled.

  “You haven’t seen the new bar yet?”

  “No. Kacy sent me pictures, but this is my first time back since the fire,” I answered, feeling wistful that I hadn’t visited since. I’d gone to her wedding as her bride’s maid, but that was in Napa not San Francisco.

  He raised his eyebrows. “I keep my rent up on my loft across the street.”

  “Is that all you think about, really?”

  He brought his lips to mine. “Yeah.”

  I play-slapped his shoulder as my lips embraced his.

  “We’re here. That’ll be fifty-two,” mumbled the cabbie.

  “Keep the change.” Fetch dropped three twenties in his hand then held the door open for me.

  A bright lettered Happy Trails sign hung beneath the awning, inviting us inside. Through the glass I spotted Kacy and Javier pouring over a computer sitting on the bar. Ding... ding... went a bell as we entered Happy Trails. Kacy turned the barstool. “Welcome to—” Her eyes widened as she jumped off the barstool.

  “Cleo,” she screeched as we ran towards each other. The bar itself was the same size but everything was shiny new. The bar, once wooden, was now a sleek marble. The tile floors shone under the lights and a brand new juke box that was made to look old stood in the corner.

  “I had no idea... and Fetch. Where did you find him?” she winked his way.

  I grabbed her hand and placed it on my belly. “I’m pregnant, Kacy.”

  Her dark velvets shifted from me to Fetch then back to me and she whispered in my ear, “Is it a Cle-etch or a Cle-aul?”

  “A Cle-aul,” I whispered back.

  “Looks like you have the rest of your lives to make Cle-etches. If it’s meant to be you’ll find each other, remember?”

  “I do. It was karma.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t believe it I’m going to be an aunt. Aunt Kacy. I love the ring to it,” she said, guiding me to an empty table. The men with beer already in their hands joined us.

  “Hold on. This isn’t right. I have the perfect drink for preggo here,” she ran behind the bar and mixed a smoothie.

  “With Cleo there’s always a story. I got to hear it,” said Javier, lifting his beer for a swallow.

  Over the next hour, Fetch and I told them the whole story, filling the bar with laughter and suspense.

  Javier leaned back, a warm smile on his face. “I never thought I’d see the day the two of you found each other, and were soon-to-be parents. We’re waiting three months for the new bar to get rooted before we make a family, but you Fetch... an instant family.”

  “Meeting her in New York wasn’t coincidence, staying at the same hotel was, and the baby. I just got lucky,” Fetch answered. His perpetual smile smug as he placed an arm behind my back.

  “It’s getting late and Cleo and I have a busy day tomorrow. Can you guys grab the bags?” ordered Kacy.

  “I got them. We’re staying in my loft across the street,” Fetch said with a boyish smile. I knew exactly what he was thinking. Evidently, so di
d Javier.

  “When was the last time you were there?” he asked.

  “Six—”

  Javier cut him off. “You’re staying with us. We have a guest room with a queen size bed nobody ever sleeps in.” He nudged Fetch then leaned towards him and in a near whisper said, “It needs breaking in.”

  “Oh my gosh, really guys,” said Kacy as she took my hand and led us out the door and to her car.

  Kacy and I spent the next day baby shopping without buying anything. We made a huge baby registry. She was nesting more than me. It was amazing all the stuff stores had for a tiny baby, from an assortment of countless types of bottles and diapers to cradles vs. bassinets. My head was spinning by the time we sat down to eat lunch.

  I dropped into the seat. “I’m going to breastfeed,” I declared.

  The corner of Kacy’s lip curled. “It’s the best thing, gives the baby all your antibodies.”

  “I just can’t believe one little baby is so complicated.”

  “You and Fetch will be like the poster couple for parenthood. He’s always entertaining and you’re down to earth, so between the two of you this child will follow a good path with joy in his heart,” she said, taking the menu.

  We ordered our drinks. “Kacy, do you think this baby’s a he?”

  “I said he as a general term, but maybe. They say momma knows. What do you think?”

  “I think it’s a boy, from the moment I discovered I was pregnant. And last night I had this dream of a baby face. Deep, chocolate brown eyes, curly brown ringlets, and his little cheeks were so pudgy.”

  “Like a disembodied head floating inside your dream?”

  “Shut up.” I kicked her under the table.

  She giggled. “What are you going to name him?”

  “Raul, after his dad.” I hadn’t actually given it any thought but now, faced with the question, Raul rolled off my tongue as if someone else said it.

  She smiled and reached across the table, taking my hands in hers. “I’m really so happy for you. When Raul passed I couldn’t stand the anguish you went through. It ate me up because I couldn’t help you. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that helpless, even when I lost the bar. Fetch is a great guy and he loves you.”

  “You’re gloating inside. You always knew we’d end up together.”

  She let go and pinched her fingers together. “Maybe this much.”

  “I love you, Kacy—Aunt Kacy.”

  Minutes after returning to Kacy and Javier’s, my phone rang—Will. It could only mean one thing. Trepidation filled me up inside as I answered, “Will?”

  “He passed last night. His funeral is the day after tomorrow. I know you feel no ties to him or the family but I’d like you by my side.”

  My heart dropped, shattering on the floor. He was my half-brother. I owed him more than I could possibly give, but joining him at Daddy Dearest’s funeral? It would be a small gesture for me, but a huge one for Will.

  “Cleo, I know you don’t want to do this and you don’t have to. I don’t even expect you to—”

  I cut him off. “I’ll be there.”

  He gave me the details, thanked me profusely, and I dropped onto the closest piece of furniture. “What’s up, lady? I didn’t wear you out that bad, did I?” asked Kacy as she took a seat next to me.

  “No, it’s my sperm donor. He’s dead. It’s like all the hate I carried in my heart was for nothing. Poof! He’s gone, and my anger doesn’t matter.” Numb, I stared at the silver leaf candle holder on the wall and studied all its curves.

  “Chica, life is too short for hate. We’re here and gone in a blink and the world continues. I lost everything when Happy Trails burned. All the memories of my father that I held onto, but my best ones are in my heart. He gave me life. Your father, however horrible, gave you life. Let go, release the pain.”

  I held her and cried against her shoulder as she smoothed my hair. I’d known for over a month he was dying. I’d known for over a week his condition had taken a turn for the worst. Until the moment Will said ‘he’s gone’, my shining moment was the evening I splashed my red wine all over his expensive white shirt. A snigger rose in my throat as I remembered the expression on his face.

  I sat up, my snigger turning into a laugh. Kacy raised a brow.

  “I don’t have many memories with him, but one jumps out at me. I was being a defiant, hurt, twenty-year-old and it was funny. It’s still funny,” I said between laughs.

  She shook her head.

  The next day we packed our stuff and headed back to the Big Apple.

  Daddy Dearest

  I stood by my brother’s side through the funeral and gave every oohing and ahhing glance a smile. I was the bastard’s daughter too and stood proudly next to Will. His wife gave me more than the fair share of evil glances, which I returned with smiles. By the time it was over, my mouth hurt, but that wasn’t the end of the ordeal.

  Parents aren’t perfect, they’re not infallible, and sometimes we get a raw deal with them, but we get what we get. Mine were the flies on cow dung but, nonetheless, mine. I walked up the steps to my mother’s townhome, my stomach twisted in knots, with Fetch by my side. I lifted my finger several times to ring the bell but couldn’t, finally Fetch hit the button for me.

  The sound of footsteps approaching made my heartbeat quicken. Then the door opened and in front of me stood my bio-mom. Her oval face contorted in surprise, shock, and happiness, her green eyes glowing like emeralds. She raised her arms then dropped them. “Do you want to come in?” she offered in a shaky voice as tears filled her eyes.

  I reached out my arms and folded them around her. Life was too short to continue hating this woman. Her arms melted around mine and I felt all the love she had for me. It swelled like a balloon inside me. All my hate and anxiety towards the woman vanished as I realized this is all I ever wanted from her.

  After several minutes held in my mother’s embrace, we went inside her house, decorated in regal burgundy and cream, silks and velvets. Her dainty figure still perfect, noticeable beneath her jeans and soft chenille sweater. “Can I get you anything?” she asked nervously.

  “No, uh, thank you. This is Fletcher,” I responded as we took seats on a soft velvety couch. It wasn’t really a couch, but a settee.

  She nodded, glancing to Fetch. “Nice to meet you.” The room was silent until she swallowed and brought her hand to her mouth. “I sat right there where you are and read your story. All of it. I’m so sorry.” Tears leaked from her eyes. “Look at you. You’re just as beautiful as you were the day you were born.”

  Fetch handed her a tissue from the table beside him.

  “I’m sorry too. It was easier to hate you than accept that all I wanted was you and to be loved by you.” The warmth in her smile touched me.

  That was the start of our relationship. We spent the day talking, laughing, and crying. She never forgot me, never gave up on me, and even threatened my sperm donor. She traveled over the ocean to Paris to find me and followed every lead, but I always evaded her. Running and dodging my past, seeking family ties. If only I knew she was seeking me too. I learned how much she and I were alike, not just our outward appearance, but she had spunk and fire. Her laughter was beguiling and contagious.

  Late into the night we carried on and I broke the news.

  “You’re pregnant!” she squealed, her eyes so wide and bright they consumed me. It was a second chance for her and for us. Fetch never left my side and amused her much the same way he amuses me.

  The following day, we went to see Mrs. Childrone. It was then I told her the story about finding the newspaper clippings in the hidden hallway. Guilt riddled me as I went through the story. She didn’t interrupt, but kept a loving gaze on me the entire time. Other than meeting my mother, it was the most difficult thing I’d ever done, but in her adoration of me, she accepted all that I told her, then embraced me.

  Lifting from our embrace, her hands on my arms, she said, “You are an amazing
woman. Thank you. Thank you for everything and please don’t ever risk your life like that again.”

  Mothers. I felt like Rox must have the day we met her parents at the airport. A mother’s love ran deep, so deep, no matter what their child does they never stop loving them.

  It’s Time!

  The next six months went smoothly. We found a gynecologist on the island. I went to my regular visits and ultra sounds. My bloodwork came back good, no genetic diseases, and my morning sickness finally cleared up after four months. I took my prenatal vitamins regularly and enjoyed each day with Fetch. We cooked, he sketched and painted. I woke one morning alone in bed to discover him painting a Cars mural on the baby’s wall. The entire wall was covered in a scene from the first movie.

  La Tige and Ashla came by regularly. Since learning I was pregnant, she never came empty handed, but always had something for the baby. I had enough diapers, baby wipes, teethers, onesies, pacifiers, and toys for every newborn on the island. Kacy teamed up with her and they threw a baby shower, private invite only, but everyone I loved was there, including my bio-mom and Rox.

  Fetch completed a DNA test. The results showed a match. Not a parent, but a younger sibling. Since he was the youngest of his mother’s children, that left us only one conclusion; that it was a sibling on his father’s side. The sibling turned out to be a sister, but it was a bit more complicated than that. She’d been adopted as an infant and never met either of her biological parents. The reason she did the DNA test was to find them. She found Fetch instead.

  The months rolled forward and my belly grew bigger. Baby Raul kicked and tumbled inside me.

  It was a warm day in late February and I was relaxing by the ocean when the door bell rang. Fetch at the store, I waddled to it and pulled it open to the mail carrier.

  She handed me a letter. “You need to sign for it.”

  Once I signed and closed the door, I flipped the letter between my fingers. It was addressed from a law office in New York. Curious, I opened the letter. My jaw dropped clear to the floor. In my father’s will he left me an unnamed, private Caribbean Island.