The Broken Road (4 page)

I sheepishly hid behind my menu. “I know. This sounds so dumb, but I hate the idea of having to go up to a guy just to see if we have a little bit of a connection. I don’t want to waste my time with a one-night stand. I want to be able to look across the room and see fireworks. I want that instant chemistry. I want the goose bumps and the butterflies and the ‘oh my god’ feeling. I want the magic spark.” I winced at the outpouring of fairytale nonsense.  “Whatever, can we please change the subject? Let’s just order,” I pleaded.

Jen rolled her eyes and appeased me. She dropped it, although I suspected we’d get back my lack of love life sooner rather than later. We shifted gears and talked about life in general; how Matt was thinking about opening up his own practice, my mom’s latest date, Kyle’s transfer. Our food came and went, and there was still no sign of Shane and Allison.

“I guess someone decided they were too good to join us.” I pulled on my jacket after paying the tab. Jen shrugged. She knows Shane better than most and knew only someone special could lure him away from us.

“I don’t know. She’s very distant. Maybe she is just insecure. We’ve been tight for so long; maybe she feels like she’s intruding. We should try and include her more. If we want Shane to hang out with us, she’ll be with him. We need to get used to that. It wouldn’t kill us to be friends with her,” she said as we left Artie’s. Jen always tries to make the best of any situation and see the best in people.

“I guess.” I hit the button to unlock the Volvo and start the engine. I was thankful that I had thought to get an automatic start installed. I’m not a fan of cold cars.

“Well, talk to Shane about it. Maybe he has some suggestions. But I need to get home. It’s the first time I’ve had the night to myself in so long and I plan to do some serious sleeping.” I had to laugh. Lauren constantly crawled into bed with her parents, and Jen always complained of lack of sleep. We gave each other a big hug, promised to do something together again soon, and went our separate ways.

I got into the Volvo and headed towards home. I was halfway there, singing along to Aerosmith, when my phone rang.

“Hello?”  I checked the caller ID but didn’t recognize the number.

“Hey big sister, what’s shaking?”

“Hey Kyle. What’s going on? Is this your new cell?” It had been a while since I had heard from my brother. The department has been working him to the bone. My mom complains that she rarely gets a call from him.
I talk to his girlfriend, Sarah, more than I talk to him.

“Nothing much, just checking in. How are things?”

“Things are great Kyle. But really, what’s going on? You never call to see how I’m doing? What’s wrong?” My brother and I are very close. Before joining the force last year, Kyle and I had dinner once a week, then he’d stay with me and Tommy. But lately, I haven’t gotten an email, let alone a call. My big sister alert radar went up a couple of notches.

“Nothing is wrong. I promise. I…,” he hedged, raising my concern even more. “I decided that I’m going to propose to Sarah on Valentine’s Day.”

My concern turned into exhilaration. “OH MY GOD, Kyle!!! That’s amazing. That’s awesome. I’m thrilled! Is she coming down from Boston or are you going up there?” I inquired. In all my excitement, I could barely pay attention to the road. Sarah and I were college roommates and I was thrilled when they started dating two years ago. She is finishing up her master’s degree in Boston, and I miss having her around. Sarah and I are practically sisters and now she’s going to be part of my family.

Kyle laughed. “I’m surprising her at her place. I’m going to show up while she’s in class and set everything up. I got the ring from the safe last week and I’m ready. I love her, Megs.”

“I’m thrilled. I really am. Did you ask her dad? Did you tell Mom yet?” My mom is notorious for not being able to keep secrets, so I really hope that Sarah doesn’t talk to her until after he proposed.

“Yes and no. I went up to Philly on Saturday and asked her dad. It went better than I expected. And I’m not telling Mom not until after. She sucks at keeping surprises. So please, don’t tell her. I mean, she knows that it will happen at some point. But she doesn’t know when and I don’t want her stressing Sarah out over wedding details. We’ll think about all that after she graduates in May.”

His plan impressed me. “I cross my heart, I won’t tell Mom. I promise. You know I can keep a secret. At least from her. Can I tell Jen?”

Kyle chuckled. “Just try and hold it in. We’ve got about a week until Valentine’s Day. Can you wait that long?”

I let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine. I’ll wait. But if I spontaneously combust while holding this secret in, it’s on your conscience.”

“I think I can deal with that. I love you Sis. I’ll call you when it happens okay?”

“Bye baby brother.” I couldn’t help it. A tear escaped from my eye. My baby brother is growing up.

I was in such a good mood when I got home, until I saw Shane’s truck still parked outside. His motorcycle sat in the carport, I assumed they took Allison’s Lexus. I didn’t want to think about what they could be doing. Annoyed, I slammed the door a little too hard and winced, , waiting for Penny to start her welcome home serenade. Nothing happened. Walking around to the mudroom with keys in hand, I was started to see the door partially opened. Shane must have forgotten to lock the door and somehow Penny got out, I thought as irritation grew. That quickly vanished when it dawned on me what  happened.

28

Chapter 4

I froze while I quickly debated: Should I call the cops right now or get Penny? My semi-maternal instinct overcame my rational side and I pushed the door open a bit with the toe of my boot.

“Penny! Come here Pen Pen! Come here!” I whispered fruitlessly. Penny can usually hear my car from down the street; she should be able to hear me now. Dread overtook me and I feared the worst. I pushed the door open further and ventured into the house. My stomach dropped at the sight of my kitchen. With a shaky breath, I looked for Penny amid the knocked over chairs and broken glasses. Drawers pulled out, papers thrown on the  floor, items from my cabinets and pantry were smashed and ruined. I peered into the living room. My couch was now a skeleton, only a frame where cushions had once been. Finally, my rational side took over and I bolted from the house.

I ran down my driveway, gasping for air. What the hell?!  I’d been robbed! Who the heck would do something like this? How could this have happened? Horrible thoughts ran through my head.
God, where’s Penny
?  I felt like puking and punching someone at the same time. I pulled out my cell phone and with shaking hands, dialed 911.

“911 dispatch. What’s your emergency?”

“I’ve been robbed. Please hurry. I can’t find my dog, and I’m scared to go back inside.”

“Stay calm ma’am. What is your address?”

I gave her my street address and stayed on the phone until the first two squad cars pulled up. A young officer by the name of Officer Vaughn took me aside to ask some questions. I answered them as best as I could, but couldn’t stop staring at the scene in front of my house. Neighbors gathered outside to watch the commotion and gossip their theories. I quickly dialed Shane. He
is
  my roommate and all, his belongings could have been affected too; I rationalized. 
Bullshit. You need him here.

“Megs, I can’t talk right now. I’m with Allison and—”

“Shane, listen. You need to come home. The house was broken into and I can’t find Penny!” my voice broke into a bit of hysteria. I don’t care if I interrupted him or who he was with.

Silence. “Did you call the cops? Are you alright?” he asked briskly. 

“Yeah, yeah. I’m alright. I called the cops; they are here now. Please get here soon Shane. I’m really scared,” I was scared beyond belief and at this point, I didn’t care about sounding weak. 

“I’m fifteen minute away. Don’t worry. I’ll be there soon,” he replied softly. Relief replaced some of the fear in my heart, but it didn’t take away from the hollow pit of dread.

My neighbor, Mrs. Sanders, waved to me from across the street. I headed over for the inquisition. Mrs. Sanders watched from the window at all hours, day and night, and could spread the neighborhood gossip better than anyone else. If there had been anything to see, she would know.

“Megan! What happened? I heard something about a burglary. Did they steal anything? The power went out in the whole neighborhood. They think a transformer blew. I didn’t see anyone go in. Can I do anything?” she asked, her flannel housecoat covering her frail eighty-five year old body. I knew she wouldn’t fail me. The sweet-talker probably bribed a poor rookie cop with a piece of shortcake or something.

I shook my head. “I’m just worried about Penny. I really don’t care about anything else. I don’t know where she is.”

“Penny? Oh dear, we put a note on your front door. Penny was running around the front yard around nine o’clock, so Ronald brought him into our house. I figured you were out and that she had escaped again. Her collar was off, so I didn’t have a number to call…” I didn’t hear her finish. I sprinted to her front door and threw it open. Penny sat at the door, waiting for me. I dropped to my knees and buried my face in her chest, with tears of relief running down my face.

“Oh god, Penny. I thought I had lost you,” I don’t know what I would have done if something had happened to Penny. I sat for a minute and thanked my lucky stars that she was safe. Resigned, I left her there while I waited for the report from the police officer. I stood on the sidewalk and watched the drama unfold in front of me. Completely absorbed in the scene, it barely registered when my name was called.

“Megs,” Shane came running over and drew me into a big hug. I closed my eyes and let myself crumble in his arms, sobbing. Shane cupped my chin, and brought my face to look into his brownish hazel eyes. “Did you hear anything about Penny?” He asked softly.

I sniffled. “She’s fine. She’s at Mrs. Sanders’s. Apparently they just let her go. She didn’t have a collar on and she couldn’t call me .”

Shane nodded with relief. “Good. Did the cops say anything yet?”

I shook my head. “Mrs. Sanders said that the whole neighborhood was out of power and something about a transformer blowing. Since it was a neighborhood-wide outage, the alarm company didn’t send anyone out or call me. My home is a disaster. I went in as far as the kitchen and everything is destroyed. Why would someone do this? I don’t understand!” I couldn’t keep the frustrated tears at bay,. Shane wrapped his arms around me and let me weep.

Officer Vaughn walked up, with his clipboard in hand. “Ms. Connors? We have a couple more questions, and then we’re going inside. I want you to see if anything has been taken so we can write up a report. Your door frame is broken. I suggest you call your homeowner's insurance; they will give you an estimate on that and any damaged items.”

I nodded, too numb to react any other way, and followed him to his squad car. I turned to look for Shane and saw that he was already on the phone. Speaking in a low and tense voice, he looked furious. I didn't know who he was talking to, but I had a good guess.  I had been oblivious to the outside temperatures, and hadn’t realized it was so cold until I got into the warm car.

“ I just have a few more questions and I promise they will be quick. I know you’re anxious to check over your house. Now, just to forewarn you, there is a big mess inside. As far as we can tell, there is no damage to the house itself, besides the door frame. But before we go into that, we’ll start with the questions,” he said emphatically. “Now, do you know of anyone who would cause you any harm, or do something this destructive?"

“No,” I said quietly as I looked out the window for Shane. I couldn't see him anywhere. “I’m pretty friendly with everyone. I don’t have any enemies.”

“Okay. Have you noticed anything strange in the area? People that don’t belong in the neighborhood, perhaps?”

I shook my head again, and then reconsidered. “There was a green Expedition that came by earlier this evening. I didn't pay much attention. It stopped at the house for a quick second, and then drove away.” I put my arms around myself and shivered in the warm car.

“Did you catch the plate number or see the driver?” Officer Vaughn quizzed, his blue eyes narrowing.

“No. I was coming up the street walking Penny. The truck literally drove up, stopped for two seconds, and then drove way,” I recalled. I searched my memory, trying to remember something - anything - that could be useful, but nothing came up.

Officer Vaughn made a few notes. “The gentleman you were with a few moments ago? What is his name? Does he live with you?”

I frowned, “Shane Turner. He just moved in. Why?”

“Just checking. We’re going to have to ask him a few questions as well. But it looks like they are ready for the walk through, so I’ll talk to Mr. Turner in a minute.”

I got out of the car and was hit with a blast of chilly air. I looked around for Shane and saw him talking to an officer. Our eyes met and he walked over to me with the officer in tow.   

“They want us to walk them through the house,”

Shane nodded and followed me inside. We walked into the living room through the front door, taking pictures with our cell-phones to record the damage. The couch was in disarray, but not damaged. DVDs and CDs littered the floor, plants were overturned, and pictures were lopsided on the walls. The only items missing were the gaming console and all the video games. While everything in the room had been upturned, the only minimal damage was in the form of a smashed blown glass vase that I had gotten from the Renaissance Festival. I glanced over into the reading area; it broke my heart to see my favorite room of the house destroyed. I hurried over to the shelf and frantically searched for my father’s favorite pocket watch. It’s my favorite mementos that I have of him. I let out a sigh of relief when I found it on the floor, underneath the pile of books. The kitchen didn’t fare much better. The broken wine glasses in the kitchen mixed with the spilled flour and spices from the pantry. Bills and mail littered the ground like confetti, and the bastards went through my fridge and took my beer.