Twisted Strings [MONSTER EDITING - Read at your own risk]

Coincidence? I think not

12. Coincidence? I think not

''So, how are you feeling?'' Rhodes was asking from the other side of the phone, meanwhile I stood in front of Ellen Farley's condo. She had gotten the name plate changed, last time we came here it was bronze, and now it was golden. My Mom had always enjoyed shiny things, so it wasn't a surprise. I was sure that she got the inside renovated too, since throwing money into useless things was her hobby.

''I'm fantastic Rhodes, I mean not every person gets a chance to stay with Ellen Farley for a weekend.'' Besides me Elliot stood against the wall, he threw me a knowing look. Ellen Farley wasn't even her real name, it was something her first producer recommended after hearing that her parents' names her Betty McKnight. And there was only one person in the world who still had guts to call her Betty; that was Dad.

''Hey, don't be so hard on your Mom. Have a good time while you are here.''

''We have the competition in less than five days, how do you expect me to calm down and sip mojitos while you guys are practicing? I should be there! With you guys!''

''You can practice singing by yourself, or you can call Lars if you want. Like I said, we have it covered here. Meeting your Mom was important too!'' I wondered about that. Mom often had sudden bursts of affection time to time, where she would press Dad to send us to live with her. By the time the weekend would end, she was going to be wanting to pull her hair out in frustration. All our visits ended at a bad note.

''I'll hang up now, although I don't think she is planning to open the door anytime soon.'' I muttered, knocking at the door for the fifth time since we got here.

''Will you bring me that cheese cake they sell at the bakery nearby? Your Mom sent it once, remember?''

''Rhodes, I'm hardly here to shop for sweets.''

''I'll take you to Vinnels when you come back. They have all-you-can-eat buffets on Tuesdays.''

''I'll bring your cake.''

We hung up and I decided to call Dad next.

''Where is she? Did she forget we were coming?''

''I wish I knew,'' Elliot muttered. ''Do you have gum?''

I gave him a fresh mint I had in my pocket and dialed Dad's number. I was about to press call when we heard someone else coming up the stairs.

''Did you call your Mother? Let her know you arrived safely.'' A man was saying, I could see their heads from the stairs.

''I texted her when we arrived.'' Wait, I knew that voice. I paused, standing closer to the banister and peeked at the people arriving up, dragging a suitcase behind them.

I gasped and turned to Elliot, ''Pinch me!''

''Have you lost it?''

''No seriously, pinch me,'' I whispered. ''I think I'm hallucinating.''

But I wasn't and Oliver Parker must have had the same thoughts when he showed up by his door and saw me standing at the opposite one. Like me, he gaped, his eyes widening. Shell-shocked, I stared at him for the next few minutes, realizing that it really was him. Oliver Parker was here, and he was going to be my neighbor for the weekend.

His shock lasted before mine and he was already following his Dad inside their home, his back turned on me. I gave him a glare when he turned back to look at me, for once his gaze wasn't hostile. This is what surprise did to a person.

''Isn't that the squid who came to your birthday?'' Elliot asked after they closed their doors.

''Yep that's him.'' I replied dryly, looking at the closed door. Rhodes wasn't going to believe this.