[Rewritten. Formerly Chapter 24 ∞ "Looks can be deceiving".]
Day Six ∞ Wednesday
THERE WAS NO TIME for idle chatting at the auto shop. The stream of clients needing service and repairs kept Danny and the guys busy for the better part of the day. There were also several persons who came to buy parts from Mr. Myers' inventory. At one point he came out to the central area of the workshop muttering to himself, rubbed his head and said, "Listen up, boys! If you know of anyone interested in doing sales and inventory, let me know 'cause I really need a hand here." He returned back to his office.
Danny straightened himself from tightening the fan belt of a Chevvy. "What's that all about?" he asked Jason who was working in the next bay.
Jason paused and looked up at him. "Debs. She announced this morning that she's not returning to help out with the family business. Something 'bout it doesn't fit her image. Dad wasn't happy about it at all."
"Ha. That doesn't surprise me."
"I think she only stuck around that long because you're here. Now I think she thinks a different tactic might work."
"Really now? And what's that?"
"Like... 'absence makes the heart fonder', or some such thing."
Danny chuckled. "Won't make a difference."
"We know. But she hasn't got that into her head yet."
Later Danny went for his lunch box and joined Nathan at the bench where they usually took their break. "Hey, Nate. Tell me something. Do you still have that Honda bike since you upgraded?"
Nathan looked at him in surprise. "Yeah, why?"
"You selling?"
"What happened to yours?"
"Nothing. My friend just wants her own bike."
"Oh, okay," Nathan said, raising his brows. "Sure. I'll sell it to you. Debs not interested in it so there's no more handing down going on with that one. It just needs some servicing."
"Great! So how much?"
"Five hundred bucks." Nathan looked at Danny smugly. "But—"
"What? For that old thing? Aww c'mon, you've got to be kidding!"
"Nope, not kidding. And it's not older than your ride. But... I was going to say when you so rudely interrupted me... that that's if you're buying..."
Danny eyed him suspiciously.
"But if she's buying, then it's one hundred bucks. But only if she comes and gets it herself." Nathan smirked, looking rather pleased with himself.
Jason who'd been eavesdropping burst out in laughter. "You're a total bastard, you know."
"I know. Ain't I good?"
"Hold on!" Aaron came up to them with Ray on his heels. "What did I just miss?"
"He's blackmailing me." Danny pointed at Nathan, feigning annoyance. "He made me lose my appetite!"
"Oh, g-good! I c-could do with extra food." Ray grinned and reached over for Danny's lunch but Danny smacked his hand away.
"In your dreams!" Danny removed the lid and stabbed his fork into a meatball. He wasn't about to wait for his lunch to walk off without him.
Ray sat down opposite Danny, looking around the bench. "Hey, you g-guys heard about the movie premiering tonight?"
"What movie?" Nathan said.
"'Ap... Apocalypse Now'."
"Riiight," Aaron said, nodding. "I heard about it. It's a mad, war epic—controversial. I wanna see why. Will it show in our neck of the woods?"
"I don't know. I'll find out."
"Well, whenever it's showing, count me in," Jason said.
"Me too," Nathan added.
"What about you?" Ray looked pointedly at Danny.
Danny chewed and swallowed. "Dunno. We'll see."
"Yeah... Bet you'll have other plans." Nathan gave him a friendly punch as they all laughed.
∞
Jagg held Toni back, allowing Lora to enter the store alone.
"Wha—?" Toni looked puzzled up at him but cut off when she saw the unusually intense expression on his face.
He waited until Lora had approached the cashiers, then he released Toni and went inside to join Lora at the counter. He gave Lora a long look, then turned to the lady behind the counter. "Excuse me, ma'am. Could you show me where you keep the security tapes, please?" he said, forcing a friendly smile.
"Of course, sir, just follow me."
He rubbed his chin as he threw a brooding glance at Lora, then followed the lady. Lora watched him, very aware that he would be approaching her later for answers.
"Lora, over here!" Toni waved to her from the women's wear section, eager to put her fashion consulting skills to use. This was her thing.
∞
They returned to the house with Jagg in a darkly brooding mood. Everyone noticed it, and TJ and Pace convinced Ramiro to skedaddle with them. Toni was in mission-mode: taking Lora under her wing was now her new hobby and she was not about to leave her completely alone with Jagg. Sleek stuck around for the same reason but made himself scarce in the garage for a while.
Lora carried her large shopping bag of new personal wear to the bedroom with Toni on her heels. As soon as she put the bag down on the bed, Toni picked it up and looked pointedly at her. "Lora, you're staying with me from now on. Let Jagg have his room back."
Lora raised her brows, her face softening slightly. She was beginning to feel like this girl could become a comrade similar to what she had when she was in training. That scheduled and directed life with few pleasures and one goal in mind, never being allowed to make or live her own life. That was all in the past now. "Okay," she said, picked up her bag from the floor and followed Toni to a room in the back.
Jagg didn't pay them any attention. He hovered over the VCR, rewinding one of the surveillance tapes, then hit the play button. He watched the tape where Lora walked in through the doors before static took over. He rewound again and replayed it up to the point when Lora stopped inside the door. Then he hit pause and stared at the black and white image on the TV screen.
She's just standing there, not doing nothing. But she did something and the fact that he couldn't figure out what she did was maddening. He wished he could zoom in on her face to see if anything was going on there.
He ejected the tape and put in the second one. But it made him no wiser. He stood staring at the figure on the screen until he heard the girls come out to head for the kitchen. "Lora," he said, then turned around.
Toni threw a glance at Jagg and disappeared into the kitchen. Lora remained standing next to the couch, waiting for him to continue. She looked almost like any ordinary girl now, dressed in more comfortable wear consisting of slacks and a sleeveless top. But he knew she was far from ordinary. He didn't have a problem with her having her own baggage that she wanted to leave in the past. What he had a problem with was not knowing what it was she did, and the fact that whatever it was she could do could affect his crew. He was the one responsible for taking her in so he was responsible for whatever happened because of her. "What did you do to the security cameras?" he said, waving his hand at the TV behind him.
"Disabled them. Is that not what you wanted?"
"That's not an answer, I know that already. I wanna know what you did to disable them and how you manipulated those people," he said testily.
Lora studied him, seeing and sensing the simmering temper he held in check. Telling him how she did those things was equivalent to telling him who she really was and where she was from, and she was not ready to do that quite yet. It would be better not to do it at all, but she was perfectly aware that she probably would have to—eventually. This man had given her a place to stay and food. He was teaching her what she needed to know and do to live in this place. She was grateful for that. She did not doubt that he would keep her identity a secret. The question was, would he believe her? She turned away and headed for the kitchen.
Jagg narrowed his eyes as he watched her leave without answering, clamped his jaw and clenched and unclenched his fists. He was going to have to get the answers out of this girl some other way.
∞
The first thing Danny did when he reached home was to tell Mickmi the good news that he'd found a bike for her. Then he replaced the battery on his Suzuki with one he bought on his way home and kick-started the bike to life.
"Yep. As good as new," he said and stepped back, smiling as he watched Mickmi circling it. "You know how to ride?"
She looked up at him. "I have ridden something... similar."
"Well, I can show you. Why don't you put on shoes? I don't think you should be doing this barefooted."
She returned with sneakers. Danny showed her the controls; she took off without hesitation and circled the front yard perimeter with Zorro on her tail.
"But you're a pro already," he said grinning when she came to a halt in front of him. "Where do you plan to go when you get your own?"
She got a distant look in her eyes. "To find my vessel."
He became serious. "Mickmi."
She shifted her gaze back to him.
"I know where they took it. But Mickmi, I know I don't have a right to ask you this, but..." He hesitated. Don't you know how concerned it makes me? "Promise me you won't try going there alone."
She gazed at him a long while before she gave him a serious nod and stretched out her hand to squeeze his arm. "I know."
He exhaled with a puff and sighed. "Okay." He put his hand on top of hers. "I'm gonna change now and get started on the lawn. It's been waiting to be mowed for a while now, but I kinda got distracted by a certain strange girl with a scarf around her neck." They both smiled at that. "Could you put Zorro in the kennel? The lawnmower just drives him crazy."
∞
Danny had covered a quarter of the front lawn when he paused to watch Mickmi raking up hills of freshly cut grass after him. She was fully focused, with a serene look on her face as if she enjoyed the work. He was about to continue pushing the noisy lawnmower when he saw her suddenly freeze to alert. She turned her head to him and moved her mouth but he couldn't hear so he shut off the engine. "What?"
"Someone comes," she repeated.
He looked toward the driveway entrance, puzzled—they weren't expecting anybody. Seconds later, the long front-end of a shiny, sky-blue car rolled into view. A DeVille coupe? That was a rare sight in his neck of the woods. He didn't know anybody with—
Two female occupants. His stomach sank when he recognized the profile of the passenger. "Crap!"
Mickmi looked at him strangely.
"Sorry, Mickmi—please, go get Gina out here, quick!"
Gina met her on the porch and both joined Danny in front of the house, with Mickmi a step behind the siblings.
"I thought she was coming home on the weekend," Danny said through his teeth.
"Me too." Gina said as the Cadillac halted in front of them.
The flawless face of the driver smiled widely at Danny.
"Oh...," Gina mumbled and waved to the girl, "this is going to be awkward."
"You know who that is?" Danny's brow furrowed. The driver seemed vaguely familiar. But he didn't know anybody who wore their hair pinned up in such a glamorous style.
The passenger door opened and the older woman with short-cut brown hair stepped out.
"How are my favorite children? Gina, excuse me for not giving you a hug, I just saw you yesterday morning. Come here, Danny. I haven't seen you for three weeks."
Danny suffered the long hug.
"That's my favorite son."
"I'm your only son," Danny muttered, racking his brain over what it was about the girl in the car that seemed familiar.
"Yes, I know that, honey. You're still my favorite son. Though I do believe I still have only two children." She held him at arm's length, looking past his shoulder. "Who's this?"
"Mom," Gina said before he could open his mouth, "this is my friend Mickmi. I promised she could stay here a few weeks until she can organize herself. Mickmi, this is our mom."
Mickmi stepped forward, her face still. "Mistress McGahn."
Danny found himself pushed aside as Mother inspected Mickmi from top to toe. "I don't remember anybody informing me that we have a guest."
"Be nice, Mom," Danny said through his teeth.
Mother glanced at him with a lifted brow, stretched out her hand to hold Mickmi's hand with her fingers and shook it once, smiling politely. "Nice to meet you. When did you arrive?"
"I ran into her on the way home yesterday. Sorry I didn't tell you," Gina said.
In the awkward silence, the crunching of hurried steps on gravel closed in on Danny.
"Danny!"
The voice made his heart jump. Lynn? He swiveled his head just in time to recognize those blue eyes before the blonde girl threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. A turmoil of emotions flooded him—surprise, confusion, joy, and the memory of love—propelled his arms to wrap around the waist of the girl he'd planned to marry after senior high. Then the bitter pang reminded him, those feelings weren't his anymore—not for her—and he firmly pushed her off.
"Hey... Marilyn. Long time no see." His smile was stiff, but she didn't seem to notice.
"We have to talk, you know." She straightened her sleeveless blouse as she turned, still smiling. "Hi, Gina. Hi," she turned to Mickmi and shook hands, "I'm Marilyn, Danny's... well, I used to be his girlfriend. We were very close."
Danny swallowed the anger rising at that statement. It was as if Marilyn was deliberately testing the waters, but Mickmi maintained her serenity.
"Nice to meet you. I am Mickmi."
You didn't tell me you'd seen her, he mouthed at his sister.
"Marilyn," Mother said, "how about staying for dinner? We've so missed your company—at least so you two can get to catch up."
Danny shot Mother an irritated glance. He had zero interest in catching up.
"I'm sorry, Grace. I'd love to but I do have to get up early for work tomorrow. Can I take a rain check?"
"Of course, dear. I'll plan something for a weekend then, and you can stay over. I'll let you know."
"Mom," Danny mouthed, shaking his head, but his mother ignored him.
"I'm so glad that I ran into you the other day," Marilyn said.
"Me too. Don't be a stranger, okay? Thank you so much for the ride." Mother exchanged air-cheek kisses with her. "Gina, Mick...mi?—how about helping me with the bags? Let's give the lovebirds a chance to talk."
Chuckling at his frown, Marilyn slipped her arm around Danny's. "Never mind your mom. We had a good chat. She loves you, you know. Don't let it get to you—it's a mom thing."
"I know," Danny muttered as she steered him away from the Cadillac. He wanted to remove himself from the hand rubbing his biceps but his turmoil still lingered.
"Why didn't you return my calls? I know it's a long time ago now but... you never did explain why you didn't come that time you said you'd visit."
Danny shrugged as they stopped. "There's nothing to explain. Long-distance relationships are overrated."
He wasn't about to tell her that he did go that day, five weeks after she'd moved to Atlanta for her internship. He'd had it all planned. The perfect spot picked out, dinner for two, a brand-new velvet box with Grandma's beautiful ring in his pocket. If he'd only decided to stick to the prearranged time... If he hadn't been impatient, acting on the brilliant idea of picking her up from the office instead... Things would likely have turned out differently.
It doesn't matter anymore. Drawing a deep breath, he lifted his gaze past Marilyn to Mickmi who carried a basket up the steps to the porch. The effect was immediate—his face softening into a smile.
Marilyn followed his gaze. "Oh... Your friend?"
"Yeah."
"And your mom doesn't know?"
He shook his head.
"Your mom is worried about you, you know. Apparently you haven't been dating anybody since... well, us."
"It's none of her business." Danny studied Marilyn, at her natural-look makeup highlighting her downturned eyes, necklace matching her earrings, bracelets, and rings, but not on that finger. Short business skirt and high-heeled wedge sandals. "But... you seem to be doing well in the big city. Guys must be flocking you."
She chuckled with a slight, bitter note. "Yes, well... I'm not seeing anybody right now. I suppose, I kind of hoped..." She watched Gina and Mickmi at the car and sighed. "I guess I should wish you good luck then." She gave him a wistful look, then kissed him on the cheek again. "Good luck, Sparkplug."
Danny looked at her in surprise as she lifted a brow at him and rubbed the lipstick smear off with her thumb.
"Yeah... you too."
∞
Mickmi was upstairs, changing for dinner. Mother monitored the stove while Danny did the salad and Gina helped to set the table. Both siblings knew Mother had one thing on her mind right now, and it was just a matter of time before they would hear about it.
"So who is that girl?"
That was the question. "I told you, Mom: a friend of mine. Right now she hasn't got anywhere to stay so I told her she'd be welcome here until she can organize herself," Gina replied.
"That's nice of you, but you should really have told me first. You know I don't like strangers in the house."
"I know. I'm sorry. But it happened so suddenly and when I remembered it was late so I didn't want to disturb you." The explanation came so easily over her lips that Gina wondered vaguely to herself whether it wasn't actually true.
Mother sighed and looked at her from across the counter. "My dear Gina, you did what you thought was right. I'm proud of you for that. But I do hope she won't be staying here too long. I don't like the look of her. Too feline-ish. You know I hate those creatures."
Danny rolled his eyes at that as he chopped up the last tomato. "Come on, Mom. That's ridiculous. Why would you say that?"
"Don't you see her eyes? Nobody has eyes that green."
Danny shrugged. "That's just a rare genetic trait."
Mother glanced at his back for a moment. "Yes. Well, that may be so but I still don't like it." She looked back at Gina. "So how long have you known her? I've never heard you speak of her before."
"I've known her a while now, Mom. From college days. But I ran into her on the way home yesterday."
He put down the knife and stared pointedly at Gina. What about the cover story? he mouthed at her.
Gina placed the last glass on the table and straightened herself, and when Mother turned her attention to the stove she gesticulated at him with a shrug as if to say, What was I supposed to do?
He sighed and flexed his fingers. Then he took the cutting board and knife to the sink.
Mother patted him on the shoulder. "Thank you, dear. Now go freshen up. You too, Gina."
Danny pulled Gina by the elbow along with him to the hallway. "Why did you have to complicate things? What's gonna happen to the cover story? I thought we'd agreed," he whispered and rubbed his forehead.
"I'm sorry, Dan; I thought it'd be better coming from me than from you. But I think I may have said too much. She's going to ask questions I can't answer."
"You're not supposed to know everything, Sis." He shook his head. "You should've let me talk."
"No. It's better Mom thinks she's my girlfriend than yours."
They stared at each other for a while, then he looked up to the staircase and met Mickmi's gaze. She had stopped halfway down the steps, looking very feminine in a plain sleeveless dress that ended just above the knee, with a scarf in a darker shade around her neck. He'd never seen her in a dress before. It suited her, and showed off her shapely legs. But she had a slightly worried look on her face as she regarded them.
—It's okay. We'll work it out. Just listen to me. She had to have faith in him for it to work. Could she do it?
Mickmi drew a deep breath and nodded once.
— ∞ —
APOCALYPSE NOW Original 1979 (Italian) Poster
from https://www.movieart.com/apocalypse-now-1979-21205/
Yes, this movie was launched in New York and Hollywood on this day Wednesday, August 15, 1979, and a month later in the rest of the country.
Thanks to IngaMorgan for helping me to figure out how to approach the scene with 'Mommy dearest'.
©2016/2019 by kemorgan65
*Credit: Banner image of a 1970 Cadillac Coupe DeVille from https://www.flickr.com/photos/39311243@N05/5084528177