Coming Home

by Kimberly McKay

  He must know I like to cook.

  Vera looked to Anne’s gift and laughed.

  “I got the most exciting thing here. And you got bowls and some kitchen stuff? He must really like you a lot Anne,” Vera said sarcastically, laughing at Anne’s expense.

  Although Anne felt like throttling her … she didn’t. All she did was simply walk over and look in to Vera’s eyes. She squinted, as she evaluated her face, and then nodded.

  “Well maybe he thinks you need more help in that department than the rest of us.” Anne giggled and turned to stack her bowls back into her trunk. The rest of the girls burst out laughing at her joke. Vera did not.

  Chad watched as Anne held her own and admired her spirit. He couldn’t wait to see more of her in action and wondered how they would all use their gifts.

  Chapter 10

  So far, he was pleased at the change in plans. Chad saw some great qualities in the girls and some surprising ones. It was official. He now thought his mother was a genius.

  Ned stepped into Chad’s cabin, which was set further into the woods, away from the common area. The girls would not only be restricted from this area, but probably couldn’t find it if they tried.

  “You having fun bachelor boy?” Ned watched Chad study the monitors. “You see enough yet to know who you want to ask out for a walk under the stars?”

  Chad turned from his chair and propped his legs up on a bunk. “Have a seat. I want to run something by you.”

  “Oh, man. We just got here. You’re wanting to change it up again?” Ned had a sinking feeling.

  “Not anything major. It’s about the gifts.” Chad smiled and waited for Ned to sit down.

  “Well, we’ve already sent everything from this week into production. Our first episode airs in just a few weeks. We have a timeline for our show. We can’t make too many changes Chad.” Ned was open, but hoped Chad’s request was reasonable.

  “This won’t take too much as far as production. We were already prepared to see what the girls did with the gifts I gave them.” Chad cleared his throat, and continued, “Listen. I gave them obscure gifts, but they all related to the girls bios … like the music sheets for the musician. Or the bowls for the chef.”

  Chad smiled when he thought of Anne. Ned noticed.

  “My unspoken challenge is what they do with them. My mother and sis talked about how important it was to figure out if these girls were quality or not. I want to see how that these girls use these gifts. Will they use them for themselves only – or for the group? Either way it will show their true character. And the only thing I want to add is …” Chad paused for dramatic effect.

  Ned leaned forward. “Get on with it.”

  “I want to bring my mom and sister in – under cover. No one here would know who they are. They’re never in the press. Let’s bring them in as staff and offer them to the girls as helpers for whatever they may need over the next week. In one week’s time, I’ll know who I want to take out and who I want to go home.”

  “Go home … without a date? That’s something we’ve never done.” Ned smiled. “I like it. The girls are going to hate it when they’re sent packing but the viewers will love it.”

  “I want to see if they’re here for me or not. If they go a week in these conditions and are still who they seem to be – they stay. But after a week, with no fantasy dates on Broadcast Affair – some may start showing their claws. And those are the ones I want gone.”

  “You realize it will be harder to discern who’s really nice after the first week’s cut? The ones left, who are genuine will stay genuine. The ones left, who are conniving … well, let’s just say they’ll start acting real nice to be able to stay.”

  “That’s why I need my family here to help discern what I don’t see.” Chad insisted.

  “Okay, consider it done. Call them and I’ll set up the flight plans.” Ned stopped short of the door and turned back to Chad. “They’ll have to stay here,” he said with concern.

  “Are you kidding me? They’ll love it. Both my sis and I came here during our summers. And my mom and dad met here, as counselors. Since my dad died – this might be really good for my mom to be here.”

  Ned nodded. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thanks. I miss him, but he would be happy that we’re all here. So you’re honoring his memory by letting me do this.”

  “Ok. It’s done. Call them.”

  Chad grinned. “I did last night. They’re on board.”

  Ned rolled his eyes. “What is it with you actors? You presumed you’d get your way, huh?”

  “Hey, its part of the perks of being a celebrity.” Chad joked. He and Ned both knew that Chad would never expect it. Chad had asked respectfully with out assumption.

  “I’m glad you’re here this season. This is turning out to be a good thing. I have in mind already who I think you should end up with.” Ned winked and stepped out the door.

  Chad turned to the monitors and smiled. He watched Anne lace up her running shoes. He loved to run and wondered how he could swing joining her for a jog by the lake.

  After her run, Anne stepped into the mess hall, where the girls were lined up for breakfast. The camp employees dutifully scooped up whatever hot mess was in their line and dumped them on girl’s trays, one by one.

  When it was her turn she wondered what she could stomach. She saw an assortment of powdered eggs, greasy bacon, muffins, a bit of fruit, and heavy gravy. She truly wished she could get her hands into the kitchen, and wondered if the producers would let her.

  Anne weaved her way through the mass of glamour girls, marveling at how much makeup each one had on. She almost felt bad for showing up in her sports bra and running shorts. Anne was fresh from her run, while these girls put on their high heels and tight pants for breakfast.

  The only others, who looked natural, were Kamryn and Danielle. Both wore little to no makeup and sat with tank tops and denim shorts.

  “Can I join the normal table?” Anne giggled as she looked around her.

  Danielle rolled her eyes. “You would have thought I was committing a mortal sin for not wearing an outfit for a date and full make up. Vera about tackled me on the way out, but then thought twice about it. She said the worse I looked, the better it was for her in case Chad showed up.”

  Kamryn and Anne laughed.

  “We’re at camp girls.” Kamryn stressed. “If he showed up now – he’d take us fishing … not to any fancy restaurant.”

  Kamryn looked to Danielle. “I think you look great. And the rest of them …” All three girls looked out toward the group. “They look out of place. It’s 7 a.m. for goodness sakes. I’m surprised they’re all up this early.”

  Cara walked by and turned her nose up at Anne. “Suit yourself. You’re not going to win any beauty contest after running through the woods. And, you smell. Ugh!”

  Anne gave her a look of contempt, but didn’t skip a beat with her conversation with Kamryn and Danielle.

  “My only concern is how to take a shower. Did you see those open stalls?” Anne took a bite of her eggs and spit them back out. “Oh. That just won’t do.”

  Kamryn laughed. “What? You can do better?”

  “Yeah, actually I can. I owned my own restaurant in California.”

  Both girls’ eyebrows shot up.

  “Don’t look so impressed. It was a sandwich shop. Nothing fancy.” Anne reached for her milk.

  “I’ll do you a favor. I promise to stand guard while you shower, if you cook for the group.” Danielle offered.

  “Really? Cause I was already thinking of using those bowls Chad gave me and do some cooking for the all the girls.” Anne’s eyes lit up.

  Kamryn piped in. “I’d take my turn too if you’d cook.”

  “Deal, ladies.” Anne shoved some bacon in her mouth and smiled. “Want to help me make a menu with your stationary and pens, Kamryn?”

  “I’d love to!” She flashed a grin.

  “Hey,
so if I received bowls – he probably knows I like to cook. You got stationary and you …” she pointed to Danielle. “You got sheet music.”

  “Well, I’m a writer.” Kamryn admitted. “I write for my local newspaper, but I’m a closet poet.”

  “And I play the piano and compose music.” Danielle added.

  “So they did share our bios with him…” Anne’s heart skipped a beat. “You think he knew about us before we arrived?”

  She wondered if Chad would recognize her from the restaurant in L.A. but then thought better of it.

  “Sure. Just like we knew about him before we arrived.” Danielle stated. She gave Anne an odd look. “Why wouldn’t he know about us?”

  “Well I only found out on the first day of taping who the bachelor was.” Anne admitted.

  Kamryn smiled, as she already knew this info. Danielle’s mouth dropped open.

  “How could you not know? That’s just weird. I mean ... that’s why we all came on the show!” Danielle waved her arms. She said it loud enough for Cara’s table to over hear.

  “Did I hear that right? Princess Anne here just found out it was Chad Chambers? Are you slow sweetie?” Cara blinked for effect.

  “The name’s Anne. And I chose not to know – because I didn’t think this show would work. So what was the point in knowing who the bachelor is.”

  “Why even enter if you don’t think it would work? What … you’re too good?” Cara baited Anne, and waited.

  Kamryn nudged Anne under the table as some of the other girls laughed.

  Anne smiled at Kamryn, and counted to five. “No, but you’re making an ass of yourself.” Anne smiled and heard some of the other girls snicker.

  “See you guys later.” Anne grabbed her tray and retreated. She’d already been through high school and didn’t need to go back. Girls like Cara would never change … but Anne had, and she wouldn’t take the bait.

  On the way back to her cabin, she noticed a camera crew following her. She understood it was standard procedure to give up any sort of privacy on this show, and was almost getting used to it by now. However, she was kicking herself for not holding her tongue at breakfast.

  She knew they were rolling back in the mess hall, and there was no telling how they were going to edit the scene to their benefit. What could be an innocent conversation could turn deadly in the editing room, and she didn’t need to give them rope to hang her with.

  Anne put her hand up. “Can you guys give me a few? I was going to call a friend. And I don’t need an audience for that.”

  Janie, the production assistant, nodded her head and told the crew to stand down. She gave the cameraman a silent look, which meant to keep rolling. You never knew what would make for good T.V. and it was her job to get it anyway she could.

  Anne smiled as Janie turned around to follow her camera operator off the path. She reached down to grab her cell from her pocket, unaware of the cameraman, who was cutting across and walking a parallel path through the trees.

  She dialed Chastity’s number, hoping to catch her at a free moment. After the third ring, she smiled in hearing her best friend’s excited voice coming through the phone.

  “Anna-banana,” Chastity yelled.

  “Hey, how are you? I miss you.”

  “Good! I got your text yesterday. Where did you end up? Tin buck too?” Chastity laughed.

  “Almost … here I’ll send you a picture.”

  Anne put her phone on speaker, and opened her camera app, to send her a scenic picture of the cabins by the lake.

  “Oh my gosh! It’s beautiful there.” Chastity shrieked through the speaker. “So you’re staying in a cabin?”

  “Yeah, this is a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”

  “See! I told you it would be. Aren’t you glad that Guy submitted you for the show?”

  “No. I still want to smack him for it. But now that I know who the bachelor is … I’m thinking it might be ok.” Anne smiled at the thought of seeing Chad again.

  “I wondered when you’d meet him. Is he as handsome in person?”

  “Yes, more. But the girls on the show technically haven’t met him yet … not all of us anyways.” Anne’s insides twisted at the thought of their meeting, where their legs were almost touching.

  “What? You met him though? Right?” Chastity asked.

  “Not officially for the show… but sort of.” She was about to elaborate, but thought twice when she heard the sounds of twigs breaking nearby.

  She said in a hushed tone, “Look, I never know when I may have ears – even out in the middle of the woods. But I’ll text you later with the details.”

  Chastity laughed. “Okay. I miss you.”

  Anne missed her friend’s sweet laughter. It gave her a super-charge, when she needed it. She was about to comment on it, but heard a soft baby’s coo in the background.

  “Hey, who’s that?”

  Chastity smiled down at her baby sister, and tickled her chin. “I’m babysitting my little magpie today. John … my dad … is in town.”

  “Good. So you guys are getting close?”

  “I wouldn’t say close. It’s still pretty awkward, but we’re trying.” Chastity sighed. “Having this one to focus on helps.” She smiled down at her sister, who lay comfortably in her arms.

  Anne’s best friend, Chastity, had recently come to terms with the fact that her father, whom she’d been told was dead her whole life, was alive and wanted to be in her life. Her father had committed some serious sins, which had deeply hurt her mother, and gave Chastity pause to this day. Although she opened the communication lines with him, they weren’t close.

  “Good for you. Keep me posted. How’s my Baxter doing?” She asked, referring to her dog.

  “He's crazy. He’s out chasing squirrels in our tree.” Chastity leaned over to see through to her backyard. Her husband was playing catch with the playful puppy. “I think Timothy may want to keep him before this is all said and done. You’d better come home soon.”

  “Whatever.” Anne smarted back. “Thanks for watching him for me. Take care sweetie.”

  “You too. Love you.”

  “Love you too. I’ll call again soon.” Anne lowered her phone and placed it into her front pocket, and noticed some movement from the corner of her eye, and promptly waded through the trees, coming face to face with Janie and her cameraman.

  “Really?” Anne looked perturbed. “Is this what privacy means to you?”

  “Pretty much.” Janie made a face, and looked up under her eyebrows. “Sorry.”

  “Next time I say I want privacy. I mean it,” she stressed. “Okay?”

  “Okay … promise.” Janie nodded. Anne didn’t look convinced.

  Chad stood off to the distance. He’d gone for his morning run, when he knew the girls would be eating. He didn’t plan on stumbling across Anne and her phone conversation.

  Luckily for him, she was too involved in talking to the camera crew to notice him hiding behind some trees. He not only saw her talking to the crew, but he heard her whole phone conversation.

  He liked that she obviously had someone close in her life, which she could express herself to. However one thought kept nagging at him.

  She didn’t sign up for the show? He narrowed eyes temporarily, and then smiled.

  Focus on the positive Chambers! The fact that she thought he was handsome made him happily overlook the disconcerting news that she didn’t voluntarily sign up.

  Chad eagerly jogged back to his designated cabin, with plans to ask Ned about Anne’s presence on the show.

  Chapter 11

  Anne shot up from her bunk gasping for air; feeling like her heart might stop at any second. She quickly took in her surroundings, realizing she awoke from a bad dream. She checked her Smartphone for the time, noticing the date. Her heart ached for her baby sister, Grace, whose twenty-first birthday was fast approaching. It was only a couple weeks away.

  She opened her the photo gallery o
n her phone and perused the most recent pictures she’d found of Grace, which usually meant scrounging online stories to catch a glimpse of her in the society sections. Each article or photo she’d find, Anne would snap a photo, so she could keep a current picture of her sister’s smiling face with her at all times.

  Anne’s heart squeezed at the sight of how Grace had matured, but it did not go noticed that her sister’s happy façade wasn’t quite legitimate. The outside world didn’t know her like she did. Anne saw the somber tone held in her sister’s eyes – even through the big smiles she’d flash for the paparazzi.

  As she scoured through the many photos of her sister, her mind shot back to her dream, which gave her the sense of something heavy settling in around her. She ran her hands through her hair and tried to shake of the dark impressions it left around her.

  Dreams, although just dreams, caused Anne such intense emotion as they’d always been vivid. She felt pain as if she were awake. She saw colors more clearly than if it was reality.

  Recently, she dreamt she was smoking a cigarette. Throughout the dream, she inhaled smoke, feeling it weaving and settling into her lungs, and felt euphoria as the nicotine entered her system. When she woke up from that particular dream, she craved cigarettes for a week even though she’d never had a real one in her life.

  In today’s dream – Anne’s heart was racing. Someone sinister was after her and her little sister, Grace. Her last ditch effort for safety was to take her sister’s hand and drag her down a beach, trying to find a place to hide. She needed to save Grace.

  For her to dream about her sister in such a menacing way had her unsettled to say the least. Anne drew her knees up and leaned into them. She pushed her hair back from her face, and felt the beads of sweat that had started to run down her forehead.

  It’s just a dream, Anne. Shake it off – get up and shake it off.

  Anne knew the others in her cabin were still sound asleep, and from the looks of the campground outside, so was everyone else.

  Since she was up first, she considered going for a run. At this hour, she could sneak into the showers without having to ask one of the other girls to stand guard.