Finding Kylie (19 page)

             
“I loved Alabama!  I remember living there.  It was the one place mom almost relaxed and didn’t look over her shoulder.”  Chastity paused.  “Miss Clara was at the funeral.  She was one of the few that kept track of us all these years - besides you.”

             
Chastity smiled and squeezed Cheryl’s hand, while she was wiping the final tears away from her cheeks.

             
“You’re family.  You don’t loose track of family.”

             
“Thanks,” Chastity said, with a heartfelt voice. 

             
Cheryl searched Chastity’s eyes, unable to speak. 

             
“I’m not angry at you, Cheryl.  You know that, right?” 

             
Cheryl nodded.  “Yeah, I know.  I guess I’m the one who’s a little scared at this point.”

             
“You?  What would you ever be scared of?  You’re a cop’s wife, and my mom’s and my super hero.  You’re never afraid.” 

             
Chastity stood and rounded the table to enfold her into a bear hug.

             
“Yes, there’s something I am afraid of.  I know you came here to see me, but I also know that you’ll want to see your family.  The Mikale’s.” 

             
Cheryl slowly released her from the hug, stared into Chastity’s deep eyes and saw the acknowledgment in them. 

             
Chastity sat down next to her. “I am not sure what I want to do.  I know I want to do a little research.  I’ve already read a few articles about a Jesse Mikale.  Is he any direct relation?” 

             
Cheryl nodded her head and whispered,  “He’s your uncle.”  She couldn’t bring herself to say anymore. 

             
Chastity looked to her lap and softly said, “My uncle.  I’ve never had an uncle.”  She looked back to Cheryl.  “I mean, there’s Uncle Dave of course.” 

             
Cheryl quickly interjected, “It’s okay. It’s okay.  You’re right, you’ve never had a real uncle before.”

             
“I have family,”
she said in awe. “And I owe it to myself to check them out.” 

             
Against her better judgment, Cheryl leaned forward and lifted Chastity’s chin.

             
“I can’t believe I am saying this.  I’ve spent your whole life trying to hide you from your family, but maybe it’s time to rectify that.  I will help you if I can.” 

             
Chastity squealed with delight and clapped her hands together.

             
Cheryl held her hand up. “Hey, I am not saying I like it ... don’t ask me to be happy about it, but I’ll help.” 

             
“Thank you.” Chastity stood up and kissed her forehead.

Chapter 23

             
Kylie’s wheels crunched over the gravel as she slowly pulled to a stop.  Friendswood was an extremely small town, which looked to be deserted. 

             
What was I thinking letting my daughter agree to pick our destination?  I’m the adult.  I should have had picked our next stop! 

             
Looking down at her gas gauge, she realized that she didn’t have much of a choice.

             
I need directions to the next town as soon as possible before the sun starts to set.
 

             
The first building she saw that had any sign of life was a dimly lit diner on the corner of Main Street.  Its large homemade sign had red letters painted across, which read, ‘Clara’s Place’. 

             
“Get out of the car and stick close to me, Chastity.” 

             
Her daughter’s large eyes grew even bigger, as she looked to the diner. 

             
“This doesn’t look so nice after all.”  She grabbed her mother, and hung on tight.  “Mommy, let’s go.  I want to leave,” she whined.

             
“I’m scared too, but we have to get directions and gas.  Besides, we can stop here to eat.  You’re hungry right?” 

             
Kylie tried to direct her daughter’s attention to her growling stomach, hoping to redirect both their growing unease. 

             
This will be okay.  I can take care of us.  I stood up to John, so I can do anything. 

             
Deep down she knew she was kidding herself.  She was more scared than ever before. 

             
Seeing him in North Carolina triggered enough anxiety in her to last a lifetime.  After seven years, Kylie had almost pushed past the fear and the pain.  The denial she’d been in for almost a decade was blown wide open when he surprised her a few days ago. 

             
Was that only a few days ago?  It seems like forever already.

             
Kylie picked her daughter up, locked her car, and walked toward the diner.  Upon her first step inside, she froze – unable to move any further.  She was on the receiving end of a dozen pairs of eyes, staring at them in bewilderment. 

             
Move Kylie. Move!  Don’t just stand here!

             
She was frozen with fear, as they were the only white people in the room.  Suddenly, she found herself on very unfamiliar ground. 

             
Kylie silently started to pray,
God, help me.  I am scared.  I don’t know what to do, or who to trust. 

             
As if straight from heaven, an angel’s voice sounded.

             
“Get in here child.  Both of you.  Come sit and tell me what brings you to Clara’s.” 

             
Kylie looked in the direction of the melodic voice and saw a beautiful large woman in an apron, holding a glass of milk. 

             
“I bet your daughter could use something to drink.”   She looked at Chastity with a warm loving smile.  “You thirsty child?  Come here to Aunt Clara and sit down.” 

             
Chastity wiggled her way free of Kylie’s firm hold, and ran across the floor to the bar stool.

             
“You too sweetie.”  She motioned to Kylie.  “Come on in.  Why are you two in these parts?” 

             
Kylie crossed the floor to stand close to Chastity.  She wasn’t sure what to tell this woman.  Before she could even speak, Chastity chimed in. 

             
“We came because I told mommy that I wanted to go somewhere nice.”  Chastity smiled at Clara, and happily drank her milk. 

             
Kylie smiled at her daughter, and looked up into Clara’s knowing eyes.

             
Clara saw them coming from down the road.  A station wagon and a U-haul in tow, was all she needed to know that someone was lost.  No one came to Friendswood.  They all wanted to get out, as this was an old town that had almost died off.  The main street was full of vacant buildings, and most of the young left right after high school.

             
When she looked into this skinny white woman’s eyes, she could see the fear buried deep within them.  Something inside of her wanted to reach out and take the hurt away. 

             
She’s running from a man,
she thought and reached to pat the little girl’s face.  Clara knew too well what bad love could do to a woman.

             
Kylie stiffened when Clara patted Chastity’s cheek, not sure how to feel.
She was caught between a rock and Friendstown, but she had to put her fear of strangers aside to find shelter for Chastity. 

             
“We need directions to the closest town, where we can find a hotel,” she finally said, sitting next to her daughter.

             
Between gulps, Chastity added,  “Mommy needs a job and we’re looking for a home.”

             
“Chastity! Mind your mouth.  We don’t tell strangers our business.”  Kylie rested her hand on her daughter’s head, and turned back to Clara.  “My daughter has a vivid imagination.  We’re just passing through and need directions – that’s all.” 

             
Clara could tell it was a lie.  She learned to read people really well in her forty years.  Lots of types came through these doors, and she could tell the ones with a destination.  These two weren’t it.  They were the type with desperation, looking to hide.  Friendswood was a good place for that. 

             
“Well, if you’re looking for work and a place to rest your head for a while ... I have a sign on the board by the door.”  Clara pointed to the help wanted sign.  “I also have a room above my garage.  It’s big enough for two.  You can work for room and board until you feel like getting to where you’re going.” 

              How does she know,
Kylie started to protest. 

             
“Really, we just need to get gas and …”

             
Clara gave her a knowing look, and pushed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich toward Chastity. 

             
“You’re not going to find a decent place for miles.  You might as well check my place out … at least for a few days.”

             
Kylie watched Chastity dig into her sandwich and conceded.  “Thank you.”

             
“Mmm - hmm,” Clara hummed, while getting a second glass of milk for her guest.  “Drink.”

             
“Thank you.  I would appreciate the work, but only for a little while.” 

             
Chastity smiled at her mom with her teeth, covered in peanut butter.  “Yummy.  It tastes like yours mom.” 

             
Chastity turned to Clara.  “My mom’s a great cook.  She works in restaurants all over the place.”

             
Clara looked at her new tenant and blinked. “That true?” 

             
Kylie cocked her head.  “I can cook, bake, and run a restaurant.  If it’s help you need … I can do it.”

             
“Then it’s my lucky day.  Girls, if you’re going to work and live in Friendswood, than you’ve got to go on a first name basis.  You already know mine.” 

             
Clara waited for the introductions.

Chapter 24

              In efforts to cheer her up, Whitney wanted to take Chastity to see some of down town Oklahoma City.  At the moment, they were finishing up their meal, outside on the patio of an Italian restaurant, which faced the riverwalk.  The only sounds were the birds, as they flitted around for scraps, and the mariachi music, which danced its way over the canal, from the neighboring Mexican restaurant. 

             
“Look, that’s what you need to do soon.”  Whitney pointed to the canal, where Water Taxis were giving afternoon tours.

             
“Next time we’re down here, we will. I want to go to the memorial first.”  Chastity took the last bite of her linguini. 

             
She was about to ask Whitney where it was, when she saw a very impressive man, in a suit, sit a couple of tables over from them.  She felt an unusual sensation in the center of her stomach, and knew it wasn’t from the meal. 

             
Whitney saw Chastity’s curious stare. “Ah!  The very handsome former Mayor of Oklahoma City.  He’s not bad for an old guy, huh?”

             
Chastity choked.  “Former Mayor?”

             
She remembered from the newspaper article that Jesse Mikale, was also a former Mayor.  It didn’t have a photograph with the story, so she didn’t know what he looked like.  

             
Whitney tore off more bread and dipped it in the oil and vinegar in front of her. “Yeah, his name’s Jesse Mikale. He just finished his last term not too long ago.”

             
Chastity had planned on doing more research on the family, but never imagined she’d get to see someone so up close and personal just yet. The longer she watched him the more her stomach felt like it was on fire. The thought of being this close scared the living daylights out of her, but she couldn’t look away.

             
There’s a part of me ... right there.
  As if he could sense her stare, he turned toward her, giving her full view of his face.
His eyes are green, like mine!

             
As they stared at one another, she should have felt awkward, but the truth was she couldn’t believe how close she was to him, while still sitting so far away. 

             
Jesse sat down in anticipation of meeting Lauri for lunch, which they did every week.  This weather this afternoon was perfect, and he looking forward to seeing her.

             
A light breeze blew through the trees above, which kept away the hot Oklahoma sun.  Smells of Italian and Mexican foods were wafting throughout the patio, which made his stomach growl in anticipation.  He quickly ordered a diet soda for his wife and water for himself. 

             
In lifting his glass up to take a sip, he realized he was on the tail end of the most unnerving stare. 

             
Do I know her?
  He drank down the cool water.  She seemed familiar, but her stare was making him feel very uncomfortable. 
Maybe I should go say hello?

             
“Hey babe.  Thanks for getting my drink.”  Lauri swiftly leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, before sitting down.  “You okay?  You look kind of odd.” 

             
She noticed her husband’s forehead scrunching up, like it does when he was in intense thought. 

             
“What’s on your mind?”  She hoped she didn’t have to pry it out of him. 

             
Jesse smiled, nodding to the table across from them, and then turned back to Lauri.  

             
“I have the most odd feeling that I know that girl from somewhere ... don’t look.  Wait a few minutes, and then turn in her direction and tell me if we know her.” 

             
Jesse kept his head from turning toward the table across the patio.  He didn’t want to give it away that he was talking about the girl, who was only a few feet away.

             
“Which one?”  His wife was dying to know what was going on. 

             
“The one with the green eyes.” He couldn’t help thinking how striking they were.