by Raven Crow
“What the hell, are you serious? I can ask around, see if anyone knows his story. You know Sax you should precede with caution here?”
“How do you mean?”
“Do you even know why Pen’s family was cursed?”
“Uh…um no I don’t know why she’s been cursed, do you Gio?”
“Seriously Sax, you never stop to ask someone or even her? How have you never heard the story?” He paused with a gapping mouth while I shrugged my shoulders. “Well, it was a long time ago before we were born back when my dad’s father was king. Pen’s grandfather eventually had been caught by my grandfather for stealing and trying to sell some of the city plans to our competitors. When my father, and King Blaine Moreau I, showed up to confront Pen’s grandfather he apparently attacked King Moreau. Which as you know is like challenging the king.”
“That is crazy. So what happened?”
“So I guess Mr. Smith challenged the king and lost. The king took pity on him so instead of having him killed for treason he cursed the Smith family for one hundred years. Mr. Smith was so ashamed having had cursed family that killed himself four years later.”
“Wow…I had no idea that Pen’s grandfather killed himself. That’s very sad.”
“Do you understand now why so many people around here treat her the way they do? They’re superstitious they truly believe that if they hang around that family they too will suffer horrible consequences.”
“Yes I understand just how ignorant people can be which leads to their fears of being judged.”
So many things started to piece together in my head about Pen. That level rejection would leave any average person feeling isolated. It would be very difficult for that person to communicate to others how they were feeling. I would need to figure out a better method of supporting Pen going forward.
“I’m sorry man I wasn’t trying to kick sand on your guy’s picnic or anything. I was only trying to warn you that not everyone is going to support you two as a couple.” He patted my back.
“Oh well, I could give a shit really. As long as we are happy that’s all I need.” I smiled at him. “So how about you and Jo…what’s going on there?” I arched my brow at him to which he shook his head.
“Nothing I’m going to talk about man, you understand right?” Gio winked at me.
He clearly wasn’t going to tell me about what was going on between him and Jo so I let it go.
“Thanks again for helping me out with work. I should bounce.” I waved as I got into my car and he waved back. “Bye, bro.”
“Later, bro.” Gio bellowed.
I wasn’t going to worry about Pen as long as Jo was staying her. I did want to make sure that her neighbor and ex boyfriend didn’t decide to come over again. I really did need to go take care of some business first.
Chapter 9
Gio
Upon second thought I doubled back to Pen’s house before getting into my car to talk to Jo. I went to the front door this time to knock. I noticed a blurry image approaching the door before it opened.
“Gio hey, I thought that you had gone.” Jo sighed while stepping out onto the front step. “Did you forget something?”
“Yeah—I forgot to talk to you about summer vacation.” I jumped right on into it. Her brows rose slightly.
“What summer vacation are you talking about, Gio?”
“My dad wants me to take you to the country for the summer to make sure that you are safe. My other mothers live out there and he wants you to meet them.” I finished expecting her to faint from the shocking reveal but she smiled at me instead.
“That sounds like fun. I can’t wait to meet your other mothers. How far away is it? And when do we leave?”
Her attitude was unusual for any female that I had encounter before, she was always quick to make decisions and she did so with a positive vibe about her. It was refreshing to deal with her pleasant responses.
“It will be fun. It is about a two hour drive over the mountain, the same canyon that our lodge is in. They have horses up at Maple Ranch. Have you ever rod a horse?”
“No I haven’t ever rod a horse but I have been dying to try it. Is Maple Ranch the name of the place where your mothers live? It sounds like a gigantic cowboy hotel.” She giggled a bit which made me smile.
She appeared to be completely unfazed by the news of my two mothers; she actually seemed excited about meeting them.
“No, Maple Ranch isn’t a gigantic cowboy hotel but I guess it does kind of sound like it looks like that. Maple Ranch is a fully operational horse ranch with a large staff of people and there’s surrounding farms as well. It is nothing like this place. I have some business I have to get squared away before I can go but other than that I’d like to leave by Friday if we can.”
“I have school until Thursday so that should work out perfectly.”
“Alright, I have to run. I will text you later this week, Jo. Take care. And don’t have too much fun with Pen this weekend.” I joked with her she nodded with a smile.
“Take care too. Drive safe.” She stepped back into the house while watching me leave.
Not even five minutes down the road and my cell phone started ringing through the car speakers. I noticed it was my dad so I immediately answered.
[“Where are you at?” He snapped.]
I racked my brain trying to think why he’d be asking me that. Had I forgotten a meet? Shit…I think I have forgotten a meet.
“I’m on my way right now text me the details and I’ll see you there.” I played it off as if I knew what he was calling about. I couldn’t admit that I had forgotten about our business or my job duties to my father.
[I’m downtown at the site for the new museum waiting on Blaine and Buster Moreau I was hoping that you’d bet them here, any chance of that?”]
I was about six minutes away from him without any lights.
“When are they supposed to be there?” I sped off heading downtown. “What time are they set to arrive?”
“I see them pulling up right now.”
“I’ll be right there.” I panicked and disconnected without saying goodbye. I needed to jet if I was going to get there quick and I couldn’t do that safely while on the phone, he’d have to understand.
What was this meet about I still couldn’t remember my dad telling me about it.
(bing) my cell phone chimed with a text.
The text read aloud over the car speakers.
[“Gio I hope you are close. Your father and I are going to go ahead and start ordering. Oh and your father told me to let you know we’re across the street from the site at, Sandstone Pub for brunch. Please hurry.” Camilla Texted.]
Great now the meet I didn’t remember was now at a Pub which means drinking which will make my dad talk for hours. And now Camilla is at this meet too. I’m going to need a strong drink to get through the next two hours.
I arrived four minutes later before getting inside the Pub. I spotted the group of them right away. They had a private booth by the bar. My father waved me over and I quickly joined them.
“I apologize for my tardiness.” I announced while taking a seat next to my mother. “I hope that I haven’t missed anything important.”
“Oh no, Giovanni you haven’t missed a thing. We were just telling your mother how beautiful she looks in that dress.” Blaine II answered with a creepy tone.
The guy was maybe a few years older than me and he was flirting with my mom? He had another expensive-ass suit on for brunch. Who was this guy anyways? Buster on the other hand was in some denim jeans and tee shirt combo.
“Well, I am glad I haven’t missed anything.”
“I ordered Mimosas for the table.” Camille smiled at me.
Blaine’s nasty-ass eyes roamed my mother’s body while she spoke. I was going to need something much stronger.
I looked around to find a server before waving one over to the table.
“Yes Mr. Gardier how may I serve you?” A cute lady
asked me.
“Yes—I’d like your best Irish whiskey please.”
“On the rocks or straight up?”
“On the rocks, please.”
“Yes of course, one or two draws?”
“Sweetheart…bring the whole bottle.” I urged with a playful wink.
“Of course sir, I will get that for you right away.” She smiled before disappearing to get my whiskey.
“Really…you need an entire bottle, Gio?” Camille whispered into my ear before shaking her head.
I shrugged my shoulders with arched brows. What could she say I was there wasn’t I?
“Can I say that I am very excited to move forward with this merger and get these new projects underway?” My dad blurts out.
Merger…are you kidding me? I’d hoped that he wasn’t saying what I thought he was saying.
“This has been a long time coming, your majesty. And like I said my father had hoped to be well enough so he could be here in person.” Blaine II boosted.
“It is a shame to hear that your father is not well. I hope he has a speedy recovery. Will your mother be able to attend the crowning ceremony?” Camilla asked.
You have got to be kidding me was this guy going to be the next King of the Moreau Tribe? But his dad wasn’t even dead. I grew slightly sick. Just then the server arrived with all of the drinks. I spared no time pouring myself a tall glass before sipping it down.
“Unfortunately, my mother is in France on business and won’t be able to make it to the ceremony either.” He made a sigh sound which made me want to bitch-slap him.
The whiskey had done its job of keeping me calm during the worst brunch ever. I drove off to the end of town to park and think. I looked over at the letters that I had left on the passenger side. I took them in hand before flipping through them reading the postmark dates only until I came to the oldest date. I pulled out my phone and immediately started typing into my phone the French for translation.
“Hello Giovanni, I am so blessed to know that you have been adopted by his majesty your mother Jolie would have been so very proud to know that you are well cared for and happy. I miss my only child but knowing that her only child is now the son of the gypsy king eases my grief. One day I will have enough money saved to be able to travel back to the states in order to live there by you someday. I will tell you all about your beautiful mother Jolie once I arrive. I am not much for words so I will end things here but know that you are forever in my heart. Love Pop.” I finished the letter before putting it away.
That was written to me from my grandfather why the hell wasn’t I given this years ago? My rage started to brew inside of me. My mother’s name is Jolie?
I took another letter in hand noticing a phone number written on the envelope. “What’s this…Abby’s phone number?”
I dialed the number without thinking wanting answers which I had hoped she could give me. The phone rang to voicemail before I disconnected not wanting to leave a message.
Suddenly my phone starting ringing and I answered. “Hello.”
[“Hello, someone just called me from this number.” A female voice replied.]
“Yes—is this Abby?” I answered.
[“Yes this is Abby, whose calling?” She asked.]
[“Oh good, is this Gio I was expecting your call. I assume that you have had a chance to read the letters then?” She sighed.]
“Why didn’t you stick around after giving me those letters? I have so many questions?”
[“It wasn’t safe for me there. Now I can tell you more because your parents can’t…never mind. Camilla would have me cursed for giving those to you. I had been instructed to throw them away long ago every time a new letter arrived.” She grunted.]
“Why are you afraid of my parents what do you think they are going to do to you? Besides, Camilla doesn’t have the authority to curse you Abby; she actually doesn’t have any power in the kingdom.”
[“They are not who they pretend to be Gio, they are evil.” She paused. “We shouldn’t focus on this; you need to focus on those letters.”]
“I would love to focus on the letters but I can’t read French. I have to use my phone to translate it into English and it’s taking forever.” I placed the letters aside.
[“You need to just keep working on it Gio I know that you will figure it all out. For now you should try and stay safe.” She cleared her throat. “There is something that you should look at Gio in your father’s study in the king’s log books.”]
“Huh I need to see something in the what…king’s log? I haven’t never heard of that and I’m the town’s accountant.” I scratched my head.
[“That’s because the king’s logs are a guarded secret only the gypsy kings know about the logs and me of course because I’m staff. All of us staff know things that we shouldn’t.” She giggled. “Either way, check in the log book under the year that you were adopted…I need to go.” She sounded spooked suddenly. “Just look in the logs Gio, take care bye.”]
She disconnected before I could respond.
“What in the world had her so scared? My parents might be tough on me but dangerous, I doubt that.” I shook my head.
I had wanted to continue translating the letters to see if I could discover what it was that had Abby so worked up.
My phone buzzed with a message from one of my clients. I needed to get to another meeting in thirty minutes.
“I’ll have to read the letters later.” I choked out while putting my car into reverse.
Chapter 10
Jo
As I arrived on campus I got an uneasy feeling. There were several cop cars in the parking lot but hardly any other cars. I pulled into the parking lot as a uniformed officer flagged me over. I rolled down my window while he leaned down.
“Ms. you’re going to need to turn around please. The campus is closed until further notice.” He barked into my window.
“What about final grades?”
“All the classes are cancelled. That’s all I know.” He added before walking away.
I hurried and turned my car around to leave. there was no way that I was going to leave my final sketches in the school for the rest of summer, I’d never see them again. But I had no clue how to get into the classroom to get them without being caught by the police. I quickly pulled my car out of the parking lot and down the street before parking it a few yards away.
I darted across the parking lot before entering the school without being seen by the police. Once inside I took off towards my class making sure to stay close to the wall hoping to avoid being seen.
I rounded a corner and came face to face with two police officers and King Gardier. I turned to leave.
“Josephina what are you doing here? Didn’t anyone tell you that classes were cancelled?” My godfather said while he walked over to me.
I paused and thought about lying but I wasn’t ever good at lying so I went with the truth.
“I am sorry but I had to try and get my designs from my classroom. Is there anyway that you could help me retrieve them?” I grinned at him and he smiled back.
“I will see what I can do sweetheart. You wait here I will go talk to the police.”
He went back over to the two officers. They looked over at me as he talked to them with his back to me so I couldn’t see what he was saying. I didn’t understand why he was here to begin with but I didn’t want to pry.
He turned before returning.
“What did they say can I go and get my stuff?”
“I’m afraid not. They have removed all of the items out of that classroom for their investigation.” He squinted his eyes a bit.
“Are you serious but what about my designs?”
“I will take care of it for you Josephina…Jo. Don’t you worry I will find your designs. All you need to worry about is getting packed for the country.” He joked before patting my shoulder lightly.
“Oh yeah the country, I had forgotten about that. Thank you, godfather.”
I called him my godfather for the first time which made his face light up.
“Of course it is my pleasure Jo. I would do anything for you.”
“Sir…could you come over here please?” One of the officers called to the king.
“Well I should go handle this…duty calls.” He winked before leaving.
*
Once in my car I headed to Pen’s house. She’d be the only one who’d understand what I was going through. Once I got to Pen’s I spotted her car which meant she was home. After knocking for several minutes I wondered if maybe she was asleep. I thought about calling or texting but I decided to leave.
Before I took one step to leave Pen opened the door.
“Sorry—I didn’t hear the door come in please, Jo.” She begged. She looked as if she’d been crying.
I walked inside as I instantly forgot what I had to say before.
“Pen what is wrong did something happen?”
“I opened up that box that Sergio brought over the other night.” She paused while walking over to the coffee table where there were pictures and other things all spread out. “I had forgotten that I had given him this box to keep for me. It is all of the things that remind me of my mom. I had him take it because it was too painful to have around.” She finished before sitting on the couch. I joined her.
She was slumped over like all of the life was slowly draining out of her. I wanted so badly to take away all of her pain but I couldn’t.
“I’m sorry, Pen. That ass-hat should have never come over here to begin with, let alone add to your trauma by giving you back these memories without so much as a warning.”
She seemed to sink down on the inside like the weight of the pain had her pinned down.
“I don’t want to think about that guy—I mean ass-hat, ever again. I also don’t want to think about anything from my past anymore. Please help me to get my mind off of it.” Her voice sparked with enthusiasm from nowhere like she was trying to be someone else.
