Storiesonline.net
-------

                         Can't Pick Your Family
                                by Argon

Copyright© 2011 by Argon


-------
Description: Joey Di Rosa is the grandnephew of a Cosa Nostra kingpin. Deirdre Darling is the daughter of a district attorney. Yet, they become soul mates and lovers until a violent crime tears them apart. Caution: the story gets ugly towards the middle, and as in real life, crime pays if done right.

Codes: MF cons rom rape bi het oral anal violent sch
-------



-------

Prologue: A Message to Don Vincente

The negotiations had come to a stalemate. Vincent Di Rosa, patriarch of the Di Rosa syndicate, eyed his counterparts with barely veiled contempt. To him, they were not worthy of any more of his time. He had allowed them to prosper in the lucrative trade with prescription drugs, mostly steroids and Viagra knock-offs, but now that they had gained in wealth and perceived power they wanted to step in on the Di Rosa turf.

He was leery of them, nonetheless. Those crazy Albanian goons had little regard for the rules of the business. They did not recognize the Cosa Nostra, and they had no foresight or reason to guide them, only greed and archaic concepts of honor.

To Don Vincente, it was clear that this ragtag bunch of goons stood no chance against the Di Rosa organization with its vast resources, not only in manpower, but also in political connections. The problem was that they did not see this point. To them, the Di Rosa syndicate was a toothless tiger, a bunch of old, boccie playing Mustache Petes. This was one disadvantage of Don Vincente's success in keeping out of the public eye. Don Vincente had never been convicted of a crime, had not even been arrested in all his seventy-two years. While this feat had garnered him much admiration in his own closely guarded circles, the average street goon might not even know his name.

"Is that your last word, Di Rosa?"

The rude question, so bare of all refinement and politeness, came from Enver Kaçani who liked to style himself the boss of the Kaçani syndicate.

"My dear Kaçani, what do you expect of me? You come here to my city to start a business. You ask for my help to start things, and didn't I help you? Now that you have found success with my help, you make demands of me. Is that reasonable? What do you offer in return? How do you reward me for the open hand I offered you all those years?"

Kaçani snorted with derision. "You expect gratitude? We paid you for your protection. One last time. Will you support our expansion into South Philadelphia?"

"I have told you, time and again, that I will not tolerate any of your activities in that area. It is quiet there, and my people want to keep it quiet. I believe this meeting has become entirely fruitless," Don Vincente said without emotion. "I wish you a good day and success in your endeavors."

Kaçani's eyes narrowed. Then he shrugged his shoulders and abruptly turned to leave the room with his three lieutenants in tow. Don Vincente waited until his man at the door gave him a nod before he spoke again. He addressed his grandson, Felix Di Rosa, who had been sitting silently, watching the Albanians closely.

"Nobody can reason with these barbarians," Don Vincente sighed.

Felix nodded. "Do we rub them out?" he asked bluntly. Once among themselves, the Di Rosa were not prone to mincing words, and Felix was the numero uno martello of the family, their Nº1 hammer.

"Clear it with the cops first. If they want, leave them a few of the Kaçanis to arrest. It's getting close to Christmas and our good friends can use citations and promotions."

Felix nodded. "I'll talk to our contacts. We have to move anyway. That stuff is getting bad for our business."

He meant sports betting, of course. Any rumor of manipulation made the bettors wary. Then Felix thought of something else.

"The congressman wants to set up a subcommittee to look into sports doping. Maybe we can feed him a few names, too."

"Have this done by Christmas," Don Vincente nodded. "I want to enjoy the holidays without having to worry about those cafones."

-------

Meanwhile, Enver Kaçani, his two sons, three nephews, and his cousin, retired to Enver's huge gym, the Olympic, in an upstairs conference room. Not surprisingly, the subject was the meeting with the Di Rosa.

"Why not take them out?" Enver's cousin, Ilie, proposed.

Enver shook his head. "We must make the old man knuckle under. If we knock him off, another Spaghetti will take his place. We must scare him, make him realize we mean business."

"Felix Di Rosa?"

Enver shook his head again. "He's barely ever seen in public. He only pops up at those meetings. He's also their Number One Hammer and he's never out without some serious muscle."

"Other family members?" his nephew, Nasav, asked.

"The old man's son died last year. Then, of course, you have his underlings, but he's lost a few of them to the Fibbies in the last years and that didn't rattle him. No, we have to hit in the soft underbelly where it hurts. Family, you know."

"Well, what about that furniture store? It's named Di Rosa, too," Nasav suggested.

"That's right," Cousin Ilie joined in. "The owner, he's the old man's nephew; Giancarlo Di Rosa is his name."

"I don't know," Enver temporized.

"Look, Uncle Enver, it's perfect. He's close kin to the old man, yet he's not running around with a bunch of buttons to guard him. It's a piece of cake to take him out, and it'll shake the old bastard."

Nasav spoke persuasively; he wanted the job. Enver smirked. Whatever. If that did not work, they could still knock off another Di Rosa later.

"Case him for two or three weeks. Make sure he isn't protected. Then whack him. Make it public and make it look gory!"

Nasav shrugged. What he had in mind was already in line with his uncle's wishes.

-------

Felix Di Rosa surveyed the information he had received over the last weeks. His grandfather's wish to solve the Kaçani problem before Christmas was not easily fulfilled. Kaçani and his closest chums, all blood relations, rarely left the large gym where they had their headquarters.

The problem was not so much the muscle that guarded the place but the fact that there were always three or four off-duty police officers working out in the gym. Kaçani offered free membership to young cops knowing that a hit on his gym was impossible if there was a danger that cops got hurt. Also, the narcs would be leery about catching fellow officers when investigating the gym. Very clever,  Felix conceded. The cops probably had free access to Kaçani's steroids, at least by the looks some of them sported.

Just then, the idea hit Felix and he smiled at the beauty of it. He could get rid of the cops in the gym and help a friend with his career. He picked up the unlisted, prepaid phone he used on this day. He dialed the number from memory. He listened to the call tone. The tone stopped and Felix heard the voice of the man he needed.

"Philadelphia Police Department, Department of Internal Affairs, Lieutenant Alvarado. How may I help you?"

"Well, Lieutenant, I work out in this gym, the Olympic. Twice a week, in fact. In the weight room, there's always this group of young men. Very bulky, you know. From how they talk it's clear they are police officers. Now yesterday, I saw two of them in the locker room and they were taking some pills. Afterwards I saw some empties in the trash box. They were labeled 'Nandrolone'. I'm a bit concerned about police officers who consume prescription medicine, Lieutenant."

"Well, Mr... ?"

"Not on the phone. I won't come to your office either. These guys know me. Can you meet me someplace in town?"

"Is this some prank, mister?" Alvarado asked for show.

He had already recognized Felix's voice, no doubt. Felix and the Lieutenant's son had been roommates at Drexel College. One of the Di Rosa's corporations had picked up the tuition bill. Young Dennis Alvarado was about to finish at Cornell law school, and he was already earmarked for the DA's office. The Di Rosa had great plans for young Alvarado.

"No, Lieutenant, really not. I even have those pill boxes and I didn't touch them with my fingers."

"Okay. How about I'll meet you at the Liberty Bell? I'll wear a black coat and a red scarf. Can you be there in an hour?"

"Certainly, Lieutenant. An hour. I'll be there."

Felix signed off and pulled the sim card from the phone. He would not use it again in case Alvarado's phone was bugged. If his plan played out the young cops would avoid the Olympic for a while leaving the Kaçanis without their police shield.

-------

Nasav Kaçani tried to relax. His hand on the grip of the well worn Skorpion 61 was sweaty. He wiped it for the third time in just as many minutes. The furniture store had closed an hour earlier. Di Rosa and his son would be leaving any time soon, as they had done the last three Saturdays.

The small side street off Lancaster Avenue was quiet and the last customers had left the parking lot. There were only commercial developments along the street and most buildings were dark. It was perfect.

Nasav checked his weapon again. He was a good shot with his Beretta, but he was only partly familiar with the Skorpion. It had been standard issue for the goons of most Eastern European communist governments, but Nasav was only twenty-seven, too young to have seen that time. He had emptied three clips on the firing range the evening before and he thought he could handle it.

There! He saw movement around the entrance, and four people exited. Shit! There were two women with them. Nasav contemplated to abort, but then he made up his mind. Tough luck for the broads! He saw how they sat in the car, a nice, shiny BMW 635. In the light of the neon sign above the entrance of the store he could see that one of the women was a young girl.

"You want to abort?" Ilie asked from the driver's seat.

"Fuck, no! The young cunt is sitting in the back. She'll live. Get ready!"

He lowered the rear window and Ilie started the engine. Just as the BMW was heading towards the exit of the parking lot, the old Taurus moved forward to block the way. Nasav sighted over the barrel of the Skorpion and pressed the trigger.

Sitting in the back of the car and aiming sideways, he did not have the same leverage he'd had on the shooting range. Also, the spring of the firing rate reducer was worn, bringing the firing rate up to 1,000 per minute and adding some kick. After four or five rounds the shots went high. The front window of the BMW had three holes in it, but only on the passenger side. Shit! He tried a second burst but after a few rounds an ejected shell ricocheted from the window frame and hit Nasav's face, and again his aim was off. He tried a third burst but there was a single 'click' only. He had expended the twenty rounds of the first clip in two wild bursts. The BMW had come to a stop with its windshield shattered in part.

With trembling hands Nasav removed the empty clip and hastily inserted the second. In his haste he did not insert it properly and the weapon jammed. He tried again, but in his confusion he touched the barrel and screamed with pain when he burned his hand.

"Go, go, go!" he shouted, and Ilie sped off with screaming tires.

-------

Felix Di Rosa was sitting with his grandfather when the first phone call came in. It was on the private line, a number that was known only to a select group of people. His grandfather picked up the receiver and listened quietly. Felix could see how Don Vincente's face paled and his shoulders sagged.

"Are you sure they're dead?" he asked in a calm voice that belied his paleness. "And the children? ... Santa Madonna! ... Will he live? ... Yes, we'll handle it from here. You have my gratitude, old friend!"

With slightly shaky hands Don Vincente put the receiver of the cradle and looked at his grandson.

"They shot up your Uncle Giancarlo and his family, just as they were leaving their store. Gianni is dead, and so is Carla. Little Teresa was headshot, but she's alive. Poor Joseph caught three rounds. He's still breathing, but barely."

Felix felt like he was hit by a hammer. Uncle Giancarlo? The one man who had never been part of the family business? And his family shot, too? Had these animali no regard whatever for the lives of the innocent? He felt Don Vincente's eyes on himself and looked up. The paleness was gone and there was a steely resolve in those wrinkled features.

"Be my Martello, Grandson! Take your regime and exact retribution. This is personal, Felice! Make the answer personal, too! We have been too much of businessmen lately. It is time they feared us again in this city."

"Confirmations?" Felix asked curtly. A confirmation was a public execution, or at least one where the body would be left in public. By contrast, a communion meant the disappearance of the target, greatly reducing the risks of detection and conviction.

"Confirmations," the old man answered. "Kaçani, his sons and the cousins. Spare the women if you can. After all, we are not animali."

"My plans are almost ready. We'll just move them ahead a few days," Felix responded.

To have confirmations would add a few logistical problems, and to send a message to the public would have to be orchestrated skillfully to avoid trouble with the cops and with their political allies. He approved of his grandfather's decision entirely, though. Had the Kaçani feared the Di Rosa family, Uncle Gianni and his family would be enjoying their dinner now. He set his jaw. Those of the Kaçani clan who survived would fear them before another week was over.

"What are your plans?" Felix asked.

"I'll go to the hospital. See after my security."

"I'll come myself." Felix said.

-------

It was long after midnight before a hollow-eyed surgeon approached them.

"Sir, are you next of kin to Joseph and Teresa Di Rosa?"

Don Vincente stood and nodded. "I am their great uncle and their closest living relative."

"The good news first. We could stabilize the girl. She was hit by a glancing shot; it did not penetrate the skull. It caused sub-dural bleeding, though, and we don't know yet how much damage was caused by this. We put in a drainage, and her EEG is getting back to normal.

"Now for the bad news: The young man was shot three times. All wounds are in his back. The ambulance people told us he was found covering the girl. The wounds caused extensive blood loss. We had to perform open thorax surgery to repair the damage to his lungs. We have done what we could, but I don't want to give you false hope. His vital signs are weak."

Don Vincente seemed to totter for a second but he got a grip on himself.

"I am grateful to you, Doctor, for what you did for my nephew and my niece. If there is anything we can arrange ― flying in specialists or equipment ― let us know. Is it possible to see them?"

"I don't see why not. Both are unconscious, though."

Seeing his cousins unconscious and hooked up to life support machines was a defining moment for Felix. Young Teresa's heavily bandaged head in particular filled him with a heretofore unknown feeling of personal hatred against the Kaçanis. It was utterly senseless. What could they hope to achieve by killing civilians, even kids? Did they truly believe they could frighten Don Vincente into surrender? Stupid animali!

A nurse came in, giving them both a sad smile of sympathy before she busied herself with the console of Joseph Di Rosa's life support. Then she hooked up a new bag of donor blood and adjusted the flow of the drip. In an unconscious gesture she briefly touched the cheek of the young man. She jerked her hand back when she remembered she was not alone.

"I'm sorry; I just feel terrible seeing these kids here," she mumbled. "They say he covered his sister with his body. So brave!"

She turned and Felix saw that her eyes were brimming. He looked at her name plate. It read, 'G. Feliciangeli, RN'. She was young, he noticed, and very pretty, in the old-fashioned Italian way. Before he had finished his inspection, Don Vincente was responding.

"Do not apologize for having a good heart, my child," he said. "You and your colleagues will care well for my poor nephew's children."

Felix saw her eyes narrow at the 'my child' address, but she shrugged it off. He cleared his throat.

"Nurse, I am Felix Di Rosa. I am their cousin," he indicated the two unconscious youngsters. "May I come to visit from time to time?"

The young nurse blushed a little. "This is not for me to decide, Mr. Di Rosa. It should not be a problem, but you better ask at the reception."

"Do you have a coffee pool? We would like to make a contribution."

Nurse Feliciangeli scrunched up her nose. "Sorry, I appreciate the gesture but the administration does not allow us to accept any gratuities."

"Hah! What nonsense!" Don Vincente snorted. He saw that the nurse took offense. "Not you, my dear. I meant your administration. Forgive an old man his old-fashioned ways."

She scrunched up her nose again, and then a smile crept into her features. "If you meant our administration I have no problems with your words."

Felix admired her openly but he had to leave for a meeting with the capiregime. The Don insisted on staying and Felix made sure to shake Nurse Feliciangeli's hand before he left.

"What's that 'G' stand for?" he asked.

"Gabriella," she answered. "Be careful out there," she added.

Felix nodded earnestly. It was good advice.

-------

It took Felix Di Rosa all Sunday to adjust his plans concerning the Kaçanis. When he finally found time to visit the hospital he saw the young nurse on duty again. She smiled briefly at him but she seemed very busy. Felix checked with the registration desk and then headed for his cousins' room. Two of his grandfather's personal button men stood outside.

"Problems?" he addressed one of them.

"No problems, Felix. The girl's awake, more or less, but the boy is in surgery again."

Felix let himself in. He found his grandfather sitting in a chair by Teresa's bed, talking to her soothingly. The old man looked up and Felix could see pain in his eyes.

"Teresa, your cousin Felix is here."

She turned her head, and Felix did his best to give her a smile.

"Hey, Kiddo! So you're awake."

Teresa regarded him briefly and she nodded. "H'lo," she croaked.

Felix sat down on the side of her bed and took her right hand in his own. With a shock he realized that it was almost completely limp. Just a few ripples of muscles contraction could be felt. He looked at his grandfather and the old man nodded sadly.

"Teresa will need time to recover," he said.

Again, a wave of hatred washed over Felix. His beautiful, lovely cousin was crippled! Then he noticed that the other bed was empty and his hatred was replaced by fear.

"Where's Joey?"

"Another operation. His lung collapsed again. He's been gone for over three hours."

Felix nodded solemnly and crossed himself.

"Are you all set, Felice?"

Again, Felix nodded.

"Go ahead then. Make them pay!" the old man snarled, his voice raspy with hatred. "Remember, this is about vendetta, not business!"

-------

On Monday morning at roll call, fourteen police officers in four precincts were led off for drug testing by Internal Affairs detectives. Two tox labs were on stand-by to run the samples as they arrived. Another five officers were apprehended during late shift roll call and also subjected to drug testing. Of the first group, thirteen were positive for steroids and three for cocaine. Come the evening shift, fourteen officers were suspended and five were still sweating it, waiting for the lab results.

By late afternoon the Kaçanis learned about the development and they suspected that a police search of their gym would come soon. Consequently they busied themselves eliminating evidence of their drug and steroid dealing, but they did not realize how exposed they had become. Shortly before 10 p.m. the Olympic gym was free of off-duty police officers.

Only a few late customers were working out when, shortly after 10 p.m., over twenty-five men, masked and heavily armed, rushed the building. The customers were herded into a locker room, their cell phones were confiscated, and they testified later that they heard no gun shots fired. Over two hours passed before they could break out of the locker room.

Even then they just ran from the building and it was the alerted police who discovered Enver Kaçani, his sons, cousins and nephews, all dangling by their necks from a water main in the sub-basement. Nasav Kaçani was missing. He was found after a more thorough search. He was without overt injuries. They found him naked and dead in an overheated steam room. The autopsy revealed him to have died of a heat stroke, and in an internal communication the coroner, in a show of black humor, described his condition as "overcooked".

-------

The Olympic Massacre as the press dubbed it was top news for days. The case of the murder of Giancarlo and Carla Di Rosa was closed when a Skorpion submachine gun was found with Nasav Kaçani's fingerprints on it and matching the slugs found in the Di Rosa bodies. Of course, this implicated the Di Rosa family in the massacre.

For the first time the name of Vincent Di Rosa was mentioned in press articles and connected to the killing of his nephew and the wholesale slaughter at the Olympic. The Di Rosa attorneys were quick to have the newspapers slapped with cease and desist orders, aided by the fact that Don Vincente had an iron-clad alibi: He had sat right under the hospital's security cameras for three days while watching over his niece and nephew,.

Felix Di Rosa was questioned, but then there were five witnesses who claimed to have dined with him in New York on the evening of the massacre. One of them was a celebrity sitcom actor who thus earned himself a reprieve from a sizable and potentially hurtful gambling debt. Three months later he found a lucrative new job as emcee in a Las Vegas hotel that was indirectly owned by the Di Rosa.

Law enforcement was not too eager anyway. The general sentiment among the rank and file police was that the Kaçanis had willfully stepped on a sleeping tiger's tail, forgetting or ignoring that the old beast still carried a fine set of teeth at the other end. Also the Di Rosa, in spite of their semi-retirement from most illegal rackets, still owned a large "sheet" with the bagmen of the precincts while the Kaçanis had scorned this old-fashioned method of garnering good will. Free gym memberships sounded great for young, single cops but for those with family and with mortgages to pay, a steady supplementary income counted for more.

What mollified the law enforcement community further – or rather sequestered their resources to the breaking point – was the wealth of incriminating evidence found on the various Kaçani properties. Felix rigged it that even the Feds got a few bones to chew on. There was a vast supply network for prescription drugs, originating high up in the board rooms of pharmaceutical companies and ending with literally hundreds of gym trainers and even high school coaches. A boatload of indictments was sure to come, with numerous press conferences and high profile trials. It was enough to put the careers of many law enforcement officials on the fast track, and the congressional panel went into overdrive.

Soon, the excitement of a gubernatorial election removed the Olympic Massacre from the front pages and top news, and the Di Rosa family could once again concentrate on earning a living and on taking care of their own.

As a largely unknown side effect of the affair, an additional staff position in the District Attorney's office was hurriedly advertised and filled with a female prosecutor from Pittsburgh by the name of Maureen Darling who was put in charge of the investigations into the prescription drug trade. She arrived in town after Christmas, with her teenage daughter Deirdre and her female life partner.

-------

It took almost a week before Joseph "Joey" Di Rosa's condition went from Critical to Stable. He received no fewer than fifteen blood transfusions and underwent three operations to repair the damage to his lungs and pulmonary artery.

It still took another week for him to regain full consciousness. He had no memory of the shooting, and he was devastated when he learned of his parents' death. Even more so when his great uncle revealed that his parents' burial had taken place while their children were unable to attend. The only thing to give the young man motivation to live on was his kid sister.

Teresa was recovering slowly and she was receiving physical therapy to regain her motor skills, but progress was painfully slow. She spent her free time with her brother, always holding on to one of his hands as if he were a lifeline. They would talk to each other in low voices or just sit holding hands. In those weeks a bond formed between brother and sister that went far beyond the affection they had always felt for each other.

Teresa had learned from Nurse Feliciangeli how Joey had been found slumped over her unconscious body shielding her against the bullets. This further enforced Teresa's view of her brother as a larger-than-life figure.

Over the Christmas holidays the siblings were moved to the palatial home of Don Vincente. Neither sibling had much memory of their father's family. They had only met their relatives at important family events, weddings and burials mostly. It took them time to figure out who was who and related to whom. This was compounded by the large number of "trusted friends" who also joined the subdued Christmas celebrations.

Joey was barely able to walk yet, but he pushed Teresa's wheelchair. This helped him to keep his own balance. To the assembled family the image of the two badly injured siblings lending support to each other was sad and endearing at the same time.

Fortunately, there was also some positive news when Felix Di Rosa introduced his new girlfriend to the family. It was none other than Gabriella Feliciangeli, Nurse Gabi, as Joey and Teresa knew her. Her parents were also invited, a stout Italian couple who owned a neighborhood grocery store in South Philadelphia, and they were properly awed by the association of their only child with what they perceived as reigning royalty. Nevertheless, decorum was observed and Felix respectfully asked Gabriella's father for his permission to court their daughter, a permission that was given with proper dignity.

Since Don Vincente had assumed guardianship over them, Joey and Teresa stayed with their great-uncle even after the holidays. A nurse was hired to look after Joey's wounds, and a physical therapist was to work with both siblings to direct their physical rehabilitation.

The siblings could not see themselves running a furniture store in the future and thus it was sold to a competing chain for a very good price. Don Vincente himself conducted the price negotiations, and the money, a total of over three million dollars, was put in trust for Joey and Teresa.

By March Joey was able to walk unassisted. Yet he would not return to school. He was still weak and he had missed four months. He could not hope to achieve the grades he needed for a good college while still limited in his motility and with his wounds still causing him pain. Teresa needed more treatment and exercises to be able to walk unassisted, and she refused to go to school in a wheel chair. It was decided that the siblings would return to school after summer break.

They were home schooled by hired tutors and by early summer Joey Di Rosa was well enough to start a summer internship in a biomedical research company. Much to his great uncle's chagrin Joey Di Rosa had declared that he would follow his own volition and become a scientist. Don Vincente had tried to steer the young man into a different direction, the law or a business school, where he could be an asset to the family. Joey remained adamant however, and the Don gracefully accepted his nephew's decision. Since Joey had turned eighteen in March and had full control of his trust fund there was not much Don Vincente could do.

Joey's next move was to petition for guardianship for his sister. Here he was more diplomatic. He argued that when he and Teresa would return to school things would be less complicated if he had custody over Teresa. They reached a compromise where Joey was given joint guardianship together with his great-uncle.

By July he and Teresa moved back into the Victorian row house in Powelton Village. Joey had it fitted for use by a handicapped person since Teresa still had difficulties navigating steps and stairs. Joey also accepted a plea by his great-uncle to update the house's security. A specialized contractor refitted doors, locks and windows to make them burglar-proof. A sophisticated alarm system was built in, with one silent alarm going directly to the Di Rosa security firm, the legal front for the family's strong-arm operations. By mid August they moved in, a week before school resumed.

Edited by Morgan




-------

Chapter 1: Darling


Joey Di Rosa took a deep breath and looked at his sister Teresa.

"Are you ready, Tess?"

"Guess I have to," she replied grimly.

"You'll do fine. Remember, if there's a problem, text me."

He put the car in first gear and drove out of the short driveway onto the residential street. He sighed heavily. It would not be easy for Tess. She was still suffering from her head injury and with her jerky walk she was primed for the nickname Spazzy.

It was a little over fifteen minutes before he drove his mother's beloved Mini Cooper Clubman into the school's parking lot, behind the cafeteria. He suppressed the impulse to help Tess from the car ― something she did not want ― and waited patiently for his sister to join him at the exit of the lot. Tess limped with much effort, but also with determination.

"Do you want me to help you with your bag?" a voice sounded behind them.

They turned to see a rather tall girl who obviously had just alighted from a yellow F-150. The truck was already leaving the curb. Joey could not place the girl.

"Of course, the big, strong he-man could also take your bag," the girl added sarcastically giving Joey the evil eye.

"Listen, I know I'm limping," Tess snapped, "but I need to do this on my own, okay?"

Holding on to Joey's arm, Tess limped towards the tall building complex that was Benjamin Franklin Preparatory School, or BFP in their jargon. Halfway along they paused for a moment so that Tess could concentrate on walking again.

The girl caught up with them. "Why don't you use a wheelchair or something?" she asked.

Tess turned and shot her an angry glance. "Because I've worked my ass off for the last eight months to walk again. Because I'll be damned if I ever sit in a fucking wheelchair again! Now get the fuck outta my face! I don't need you and your shit!"

The girl backed off, looking crestfallen and hurt at the same time. "I didn't mean ... I'm sorry," she stammered and ran off ahead of them.

"Bitch!" Tess swore, starting her jerking walk again. "Showing me how she can fucking run."

"Nah, she was just scared of you, Tess, that's why she ran," Joey grinned. "And you spent too much time with Uncle Vince's men."

"What? You don't like my fucking language?" Tess grinned.

"Tone it down; we're back in the real world."

When they joined the crowd around the entrance, Joey recognized a few students from the previous year's junior class who would be seniors with him, and he nodded to them. Likewise, Tess saw the girls from the previous year's freshman class and approached them in her jerky gait.

She need not have worried about acceptance. In five seconds flat, Tess was surrounded by a crowd of girls. When they all had to find their homerooms, Joey saw that another girl helped Tess along.

Then Mr. Joyner, the biology teacher, stood in front of them. "Welcome back, Senior Class," he greeted them in his usual cheerful way. "Let's get together for homeroom, shall we?"

A little while later, at homeroom, Mr. Joyner went through the usual announcements. "Since I will retire next spring, I was given the honor of being the Senior Class' homeroom teacher. Those who know me can perhaps tell the others that I have three convictions. One: we of the faculty strive to make sure that you'll enter the real world as well prepared as possible; two: you'll do your utmost to foil us; and three: we'll succeed anyway, mostly, at least."

They all chuckled dutifully. Joyner then went through all the points the principal wanted him to announce. Before he ended, however, he turned serious. "I would like to welcome back a student who missed most of last senior year due to tragic circumstances. Mr. Di Rosa, we of the faculty want to express our heartfelt sympathy for your tragic loss and we hope that you and your sister will soon feel at home again in our school."

All eyes turned on Joey and he took a deep breath. He stood and scrambled for the right reply. "Thank you, Mr. Joyner. I saw already how well my sister was received back by her friends and I hope I can fit in soon."

"That's what we hope, too. Now, to get on with this, I have the privilege to teach both biology and AP biology this year..."

The morning passed rather smoothly. During lunch break, he sat at Tess's table, surrounded by a gaggle of freshman girls. Suddenly, a shadow fell over them, and Joey looked up. Tess did, too, and she squared her shoulders. It was the girl from the parking lot.

"I'm sorry for interrupting. I wanted to apologize. I transferred here after Christmas and I had no idea what happened to your family. I ... I'm really sorry." She sounded sincere.

"S'okay," Joey said and Tess nodded. "Can I ask your name? I'm Joey Di Rosa. This is my sister Tess, and her friends Emily and Monica."

"H-Hi, I'm Deidre, Deidre Darling."

Joey held out his hand. "Okay if I just call you Deidre?" he asked with a smile. Then he couldn't help himself. "At least in the beginning?"

She did not take it well. "J-just Deirdre will be fine. I h-have to be going. See you."

"You need some rust remover for your pick-up lines," Tess remarked drily. "That was sooo fucking lame."

Joey grinned ruefully. "I'll apologize when I see her. She's a bit shy, isn't she?"

"Well, with that last name, she must be getting a lot of shit."

Joey did not have a chance to apologize until later that afternoon when he had his AP biology class. Deidre was already seated when he entered, and he sat across the aisle from her. She did not look up.

"Deidre?" he offered. She stared stubbornly at her textbook. "I'm sorry for the cheesy line, okay? I guess that shit must come out of your ears already. It won't happen again."

She looked up hesitantly and their eyes met. Hers were blue, a striking contrast to her dark brown, curly hair. He swallowed. Deirdre obviously made no efforts to doll up. Her hair stuck out in all directions, her eyebrows had a substantial connection over her nose, and no lipstick or eyeliner was in evidence. Yet he could see all the makings of a natural beauty. She had large eyes with long, brown lashes. Her nose was delicate and perfectly symmetrical, and it matched a small, well-formed mouth. He caught himself wishing she would smile.

"What?" she snapped and Joey realized he had been staring at her.

"I'm sorry, again. I just ... You know, I ... I'm an oaf, sometimes. I just wanted to say, I'm sorry," he ended lamely.

Her face flaming red she bent over her book. Her "okay" was barely audible.

Mr. Joyner fairly breezed into the room. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to my swan song AP Biology course. I can promise you excitement over the next months. We have received a fairly large donation of used but up-to-date equipment from a local biotech firm, and I must thank Mr. Di Rosa for directing this windfall in our direction."

"They asked if my school needed stuff when they closed a department." Joey felt the need to explain. It was the lab where he had interned during the summer.

"Anyway, we will all appreciate the new possibilities. Chief of all, we have a very serviceable thermocycler unit, allowing us to explore the potential of one of the most important new technologies of the past twenty years, the Polymerase Chain Reaction. This will be our focus for most of the first semester, in fact. I may add that we also received a gift of the necessary consumables, just a month or two past their use-before date, but working perfectly.

"First things first, though. I have to pair you up. Unfortunately, not every wish could be granted and I had to make a few decisions. I'll read the pairs out now. "Agouishi and Tonegawa; Belmont and Mortlake; DeVeer and Wu, Darling and Di Rosa, Espinoza and Washington."

Her face flaming, Deidre was standing already.

"One moment, Miss Darling, please. Your first order of the day is to get to know your partner and prepare the first assignment. For next Wednesday afternoon, I want you to write a short assay, listing the most important impact of the Polymerase Chain Reaction on science. No more than five pages letter format, if you please.

"Now, Miss Darling, Mr. Di Rosa, you may come forward."

Joey stood and walked to Mr. Joyner's desk, shrugging. He had not requested a specific partner since he knew almost nobody from last year's junior class. To his surprise, Mr. Joyner motioned for them to follow him outside. He led them to his office where he sat, offering Deirdre and Joey seats, too.

"Now, Miss Darling, what's on your mind?"

"Mr. Joyner, with all respect, why am I paired with him? I listed three other partners as my preferences."

Joey snorted and shook his head. Mr. Joyner looked at Deirdre with sympathy.

"Miss Darling, oh hell, Deirdre, you know I think the world of you as a student, right?" Deirdre nodded hesitantly. "Well, some of your fellow students don't, I'm afraid. Two of your preferences explicitly asked not to be assigned as your partners. The third and her assigned partner listed each other exclusively. Mr. Di Rosa's return was a stroke of luck as he did not list any preferences. Why didn't you, Joey?"

"I don't know anybody that well," Joey shrugged. "Besides, you can't pick your colleagues at work, either."

"Do you object to Miss Darling as your partner?"

Joey almost said yes out of spite but he noticed that the shy girl was already in tears over the snub she had received.

"We can try," he shrugged. He turned to Deirdre. "Listen, I've got nothing against you. You said something stupid, I said something stupid. I'd say we're quits. Want to give it a try?"

She still did not look at him when she spoke. "Mr. Joyner, you know I'm in the running for valedictorian and I need scholarships for college. I need good grades in this course."

Joyner was a little less patient now. "What makes you think you cannot achieve this with Joey? He was a State Science Fair finalist in his sophomore year. He's already interned in research laboratories. Why isn't he asking for a better partner?"

If possible, Deirdre's complexion reached an even darker shade of purple and she bit her lips. For the first time she looked at Joey.

"I didn't know. I'm sorry. It's just ... I don't get along well with boys."

"That's something you need to work on," Mr. Joyner ended the discussion. "As Joey said, you can't pick who you work with in real life. You know your first assignment. Get moving, you two!"

Joey shrugged again and stood. Deirdre stood too, and for a moment it looked as if she would make another plea with Mr. Joyner. The teacher was ostensibly studying a letter on his desk though and Deirdre followed Joey out of the office with hanging shoulders.

"How do we do this?" she asked when she caught up with him. "Do you want me to write a first draft?"

"Shouldn't we discuss what we want to write first?" he asked back, raising his eyebrows.

"Oh, of course. But how?"

"Well, we could sit somewhere and talk. I have to pick up my sister in an hour but I'm free until then. The library?"

She shook her head. "Mrs. Turner does not allow talk there."

"How about we sit in the lunch room? Nobody will bother us."

"Okay," Deirdre answered, seemingly resigned to some terrible fate.

Joey pulled out a cell phone and started to type a text message.

"We're not allowed to use cell phones on school grounds," Deirdre chided.

"I have permission as long as I text my sister. She needs to know where to find me."

"Oh," Deirdre answered, flustered.

He had finished his message and looked at her. "Why do you always tell people off? Is your dad a cop or something?"

She went from flustered to angry in a heartbeat. "Is this fun for you? Does it feel good to rub it in? Yeah, I'm a bastard. I don't know my father. Yeah, my mom lives with a woman. She's a lesbian, a rug muncher. Satisfied?"

Joey cringed. He had stepped deep into doodoo. "Oh shit, Deirdre! I didn't know, I swear. It's just that you're so cop-like."

"My mom's an Assistant DA," she conceded, already embarrassed about her outburst.

Joey nodded. "Look, we have to work together. We can't do that with our feet stuck in our mouths all the time. Why don't we give each other a short run down on who we are to clear up things? I really don't want to tick you off."

Deirdre took a deep breath. Then she nodded. "Okay, you first!"

"Right. I'm Joseph Di Rosa, but everybody calls me Joey. My parents ran a furniture store. My father built it up from scratch. My mom was his first accountant and she kept working in the store after she had us. My sister Teresa is three years younger than me. My grandfather must've been some sort of mobster; he was shot and killed when my father was sixteen. My father made it a point to break away from the Di Rosa organization. We only see the other Di Rosas at weddings or funerals.

"My great uncle is supposed to be a local capo of sorts, at least that's what you can read in the papers. Rumors are that a competing syndicate wanted him to retire, and to make their point they killed my parents while we were driving home from the store. My sister got hit in the head by a bullet and her right side is still palsied. I caught three bullets in my back and spent almost five months healing.

"Since then we've lived alone and I'm her legal guardian now. You may want to steer clear of mob jokes in my presence. Now you!"

Deirdre had watched him intently. Now she seemed to gather her resolve. "My mom's a lesbian. She's known it since high school. Her parents cut her off, but she received fellowships to go to college and later to law school. She had me early in her senior year of college. I was born in Baltimore. When she finished law school my mom joined the DA's office in Pittsburgh. She met Karen there, her partner. Karen is a fitness instructor and trainer.

"We moved here last January when there was an opening at the DA's office. Karen found a job in a rehab clinic. We live on Mount Vernon Street, in Powelton.

"I guess I'm touchy about my mom and Karen, and I'm not used to guys. I want to go to Johns Hopkins after college or to some other great school. I want to become a geneticist. I'm a bit intense about school work sometimes."

"You have goals; that's cool," Joey smiled. "I want to be a researcher, too, but in infectious diseases like malaria or cholera."

Right then Joey's wish was fulfilled. Deirdre smiled. It was gorgeous! "That's great! You want to become a virologist, then?"

"Nah, not necessarily," Joey smirked. "Running around in a pressure suit like in Outbreak seems like a drag."

"That movie was so awful!" Deirdre laughed.

"I know! But it's so much fun to poke holes in the story!" Joey smiled at her. "Okay, that's settled. We both hate it. So, what about PCR? What do you think is the greatest scientific breakthrough due to it?"

"Well, let's just make a list of applications and then look them over?"

They sat down at one of the lunch tables and Deirdre pulled out her laptop. Over the next twenty minutes they made a list and went over the bullet points. After a while Joey sat back and thought loudly.

"Wait. Joyner said, 'scientific impact'. I guess, the others will all go for the forensic applications; you know, CSI stuff. Or maybe, mammoth or Neanderthal genes from old bones. The flashy applications. I can't help it, but I think Joyner meant something different."

"You may have something there," Deirdre picked up the thread. "Let's look at the applications again."

"Maybe we missed something. Wait! DNA sequencing is done with a thermocycler, too, right? And cycle sequencing is the basis for the genome projects. All the automated systems work that way."

"So, you want to say it's the genome projects?" Deirdre asked, squinting her eyes in concentration.

"That and things like diagnostics and epidemiology. I mean, there are tons of other applications, too. They do the typing of species by DNA analysis instead of looking at the shape and other things."

Suddenly, Deirdre grabbed his arm. "I know! It changed the way scientists perceive organisms." She realized what she had done and dropped his arm again.

Joey smiled. "Yes, PCR reduces everything to the DNA sequence. It's a DNA world now."

"The DNA world," Deirdre echoed, blushing again but now with excitement. "That's it! How are we going to organize this? A before/after comparison?"

Joey nodded. "I guess that would be the best. Look, we take this list of applications and write up how certain questions were handled before and after. We can each do half of the points and compile them tomorrow. I can write the introduction, and you write the summary and conclusions. Fair?"

The shy girl was completely gone. Deirdre was positively enthusiastic now as she jumped up. "Okay, let's do it that way. Do you have time tomorrow?"

Joey nodded. "Tess has a three-hour appointment for rehab in the afternoon, but I can fit you in between two-thirty and four-thirty. Is that okay?"

"Here?"

"I could come to your place or you can come to my place. We can also meet here. I don't care."

Deirdre became slightly apprehensive again. "It's better we meet here," she said haltingly, looking down.

Joey noticed her mood swing. "Deirdre, I did not mean anything but working, okay? I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable again."

She nodded and took a deep breath. They both collected their stuff and slung their bags over their shoulders. They passed the main entrance together where Joey found Tess waiting.

Deirdre stopped him squinting her eyes at him. "I'll see you tomorrow. Joey, I had fun discussing this with you. Sorry about being so negative at first."

The apologetic words made Tess raise her eyebrow, but Joey simply smiled.

"I had fun, too. We'll show those others what they're missing!"

-------

Deidre's mood lighted up again and she almost bounced along the sidewalk. It had been so great! The way Joey Di Rosa thought was eerily similar to her own way of approaching problems. To think that she had feared he would drag her down!

He had offered to come to her place, and for the first time in a year Deirdre found herself deflecting such a suggestion. It just wasn't possible. Deirdre had brought exactly two boys home in her life, and both times had been unmitigated disasters. The first time had been in her freshman year in Pittsburgh. The boy's name was Timothy Daley, and he was a shy bookworm like Deirdre. They wanted to work on an assignment and they had been sitting in the living room when Karen came home.

"What's the little fucker doing in our living room?" she had demanded. She bent down over poor Timothy. "Are you trying to get your grubby fingers into her panties?"

Timothy had been terrified at the language, the venom, and the vision of the six foot two, two hundred pound woman towering over them. He almost pissed himself as he hurriedly stuffed his books and notebooks into his bag, and he fled the house on a dead run.

"What a pussy!" Karen had laughed, shaking her head. She had ruffled a mortified Deirdre's head. "You're not turning into one of those breeders, are you?"

Of course, Timothy told the story with much embellishment and Deirdre could not get anybody to visit her, boy or girl, for almost two years. Deirdre knew that Karen was just being her brash, butch self, and that she was not really a man-hater. She worked with men after all and got along with them. Those were not shy school boys though, but muscle-bound instructors like herself.

The second incident had been early in her junior year, still in Pittsburgh. This time, the young man was still in his coat waiting in the living room while Deirdre was upstairs in her room to retrieve some notes she wanted to give him. When she came downstairs she found him squirming under a verbal onslaught from Karen who had come home early. Again, the boy left the battle scene unharmed but thoroughly frightened.

That time there were repercussions. The boy's parents filed both criminal charges (dismissed against a donation to a church group) and complained to the school administration.

What followed was a serious confrontation between Deirdre's mother and Karen. Maureen Darling was a petite, soft-spoken woman who usually submitted to Karen's bullying ways. That evening, after a hearing with the high school's principal, Deirdre witnessed another side of her mother. In a very cold voice she gave Karen an ultimatum: Lay off the steroids and take anger management classes or leave their house and their lives.

Up to that point Deirdre had no idea where Karen's imposing bulk came from. She also had no idea that when push came to shove, her petite mother was the real head of the family. Karen knuckled under, swearing off prescription drugs and taking classes to get better control of her emotions. Nevertheless, Deirdre's position at school had become that of an outcast and when the job opening in Philadelphia came along Maureen Darling applied for it, mostly to give her daughter the chance for a fresh start.

Now at the new school Deirdre had studiously avoided any contact with male students. She had certainly not invited any fellow students to their home. Joey Di Rosa was the first male student with whom she had spoken more than ten words. When he suggested meeting at home the image made her squirm. There was only this one year left for her at school. If she made it without incident she could leave for college and meet all the guys she'd ever want. Or so she thought.

Now, she was heading to where Karen was waiting in her customized 1985 F-150. The truck oozed testosterone, and Maureen joked that it was Karen's surrogate penis.

When Deidre approached Karen got out and hugged her. "So, who's the fucker?" she asked lightly pointing in the direction where Joey and Tess were walking slowly to their parked car.

Deirdre blanched and recoiled and the tall woman chuckled. "Don't get your panties in a bunch! Look, I'll behave, okay? Just wait. They're coming closer and I'll be friendly. I can do it. Just watch me, okay!"

Indeed and to Deirdre's horror, Joey and Tess were about to walk past them. Tess was limping badly. Lending her his arm he led her along slowly.

"Hi, I'm Karen," Deirdre heard her mother's friend call out as the siblings approached. "Are you friends of Deirdre?"

Joey's face registered surprise but he shook Karen's hand and gave her a smile. "I'm Joey Di Rosa. I wouldn't call myself her friend yet. We just met today. We're lab partners, though. Oh, this is my sister, Teresa."

"Tess, if you don't mind," the younger girl smiled holding out her hand.

Karen shook it while eying the girl with a mix of appreciation and concern. "Well, I better get Deirdre home to feed her. Been nice meeting you!"

While Joey helped Tess into the car a grinning Karen came over. Exhaling deeply Deirdre opened the passenger door of the truck and climbed in. Karen jumped in too and gunned the engine. She grinned at Deirdre.

"See, I can do it. Besides, that guy wouldn't run home with wet pants." Deirdre looked her question, and Karen elaborated. "He wasn't the least bit scared. What's with his sister?"

"He said she was hit by a bullet when their parents were murdered. I heard about it today. Her right side is palsied. He got hit, too. That's why he's a year behind. He spent too much time in the hospital."

"Wait! Isn't Maureen investigating something related? Di Rose, Di Rosa, yes! The famous Olympic Gym Massacre! The owners were involved in the hit on this family, and the Di Rosa family retaliated by stringing them all up in the basement of their gym. You'll have to ask Maureen for specifics."

"You mean Joey is some sort of mobster?"

"You'll have to ask her. But the poor girl! Is she getting proper treatment?"

"She said something this morning when I met them first. I asked why she doesn't use a wheelchair and she exploded in my face saying she's been working her ass off to get out of the wheelchair."

"She's got spunk then; that's already half the battle. How come you ended up with a fucker as lab partner?"

They were driving along the residential streets of their neighborhood already.

"Mr. Joyner put us together. It seems," Deirdre blushed crimson, "the girls asked not to be paired with me."

The truck came to an abrupt stop. "What? But why? I didn't do anything, did I?"

"No, it's me, I guess. I guess I'm not much fun to work with or be with."

"Girl, you gotta loosen up," Karen agreed and looked at Deirdre ruefully. "But then, if they're that stuck up, it's their loss."

Deirdre shrugged, not knowing the reasons herself.

"Tell you what, Kiddo. We'll go to that parent-student mixer a week from now, and I'll even wear a fucking costume. With skirt and heels. I promise. I'll fit right in with the moms and such."

"You'd do that?" Deirdre asked, smiling now.

"Hey, Kiddo. My motherly instincts are not all that well developed, but I care for you."

"I know," Deirdre smiled. "And I get to take a photo of you in a costume!"

Deirdre's mother came home late as usual, and Karen had prepared dinner, also as usual. In spite of her butch personality, Karen loved to cook. Maureen changed into cotton pants and a T-shirt before she sat for dinner, and for a few minutes they were all busy loading their plates and taking the first bites.

"Deirdre met a nice young man at school today," Karen suddenly remarked. "If we don't watch she'll turn into a breeder under our noses."

"Karen!" Deirdre almost shrieked. She breathed for control. "He was assigned to me as lab partner in AP Biology. We spent some time discussing our first assignment. He's into biology, too, and he's not as dumb as the others."

"Listen, Morry," Karen cut in. "This is what I did: I introduced myself to him, and I did not make one stupid remark."

Maureen Darling looked at her daughter and her lover, and she felt uneasy. "You mean, we won't have to move again?" she asked cautiously.

"No, Mom. Karen was polite," Deirdre smiled. "She also promised to come to the parent-student mixer and to wear a costume: skirt and heels and all."

Maureen looked at her girlfriend, tilting her head. "You do that for us, and I'll go to the club with you that night. You can even pick my outfit."

The "club", Deirdre knew, was the Tulips, the local hangout for the lesbian scene. Deirdre knew that her mother usually did not go there, conscious of her position as Assistant DA. Consequently, Karen's eyes lit up.

"Morry, we'll make them drool over you!" she gushed.

"Hey, time out!" Deirdre called, blushing but grinning. "That's strictly on a need-to-know basis, and all I need to know is that I don't need to know."

"Oh, Morry, before I forget. Aren't you working on that gym massacre?"

"Only on the fringes. You know, I follow up on those prescription drug supply lines. Why?"

"Deirdre's lab partner's name is Di Rosa: Joey Di Rosa. He has a kid sister named Teresa. They both got hurt in a shooting, and their parents died."

Maureen paled. She knew the names and had read the files numerous times.

"That boy is in your class? How is he doing?"

Deirdre saw her mother's reaction. "He seems all right. Why?"

"He was shot three times shielding his kid sister with his body. It was touch and go for him for almost a month."

"Wow!" Karen exclaimed with true admiration. "Didn't I tell you? That little fucker has brass ones."

Deirdre was speechless. Her mind wrestled with the information and she tried to sort things in her head. Then another thought rushed through. "Mom, is he ... I mean, do you think he's..."

"A criminal? No. He's just a poor kid who lost his parents in a tragic mix up. His father was completely clean. Of course, that didn't keep the rest of the family from retaliating against those Albanians. Which, again, we can't prove. Just make sure you call me before you accept an invitation to visit Uncle Vince's place."

The last sentence was delivered with a wink, and Deirdre dutifully asked, "Why?"

"That's his great uncle, the esteemed Vincent Di Rosa. He's one of the last great Cosa Nostra dons. Or, in all fairness, 'alleged organized-crime bosses'. You know, innocent until proven guilty. Neither the feds nor the locals were able to even make a parking ticket stick to him in fifty years. He's almost a billionaire, and that's only counting what the IRS knows."

"He spoke briefly of his family," Deirdre offered, "but he sounded like he didn't have much contact with them."

"I imagine it's not easy living with that name in this city."

That was something Deirdre could imagine. After all she had experience at being an outcast. Before she went to sleep that night, Deirdre ran the Di Rosa name on Google and any other search engine she knew. There were references to the shooting and killing of a Joseph Carmine Di Rosa in 1972. Next the name popped up in the articles covering the killing of Joey's parents and the subsequent massacre of the Kaçani clan. On two points in those articles, Maureen Darling's name showed up, too, as the assistant DA in charge of parts of the investigation.

Edited by Morgan



-------

Chapter 2: Parent Student Mixer


Tess Di Rosa leaned back in the Jacuzzi and enjoyed the warmth and the soothing massage by the air bubbles. The first day back at school had been draining, both physically and mentally. It still took her full concentration to walk and a full day of concentration had left her exhausted. Add to that the need to give brief recaps of her story to at least twenty different people plus her own hunger for all the gossip she had missed in a year and Tess was almost out for the count.

The Jacuzzi was a Godsend. Their father had converted the basement into a family spa with a steam bath and a Jacuzzi. They had often used it together. Carla Di Rosa, their mother, had spent several years in Germany with her father where she grew up in the middle of the sexual liberation during the late sixties and early seventies, and she had educated her children not to be ashamed of their bodies. Carla Di Rosa had also been the one to pick the Victorian home in the multicultural Powelton Village neighborhood.

Tess stretched her neck muscles and the inflatable collar got in the way again. Oh, to be rid of this crap! Joey insisted on her wearing an inflatable collar in the Jacuzzi in case she had a dizzy spell. Tess smiled. Joey ― always worrying about her. Yet, she did not, could not mind. She had heard from Nurse Gabi how they had found Joey shielding her with his own bullet-torn body. She saw him return to their hospital room after three different surgeries. She witnessed the one time when his heart alarm went off and his body jerked under the electric shocks of a defibrillator, while doctors and nurses fought to keep him alive. No, there was no way she could ever feel annoyance over her big brother. She felt his presence and tilted her head, smiling up warmly.

"Come in! Aah, I'm so glad we have this!"

"Yup, it's nice," he agreed, stepping into the hot pool himself.

Tess was unconcerned over their nakedness. They had often shared hotel rooms growing up. Now that they depended on each other they relaxed even more. Tess had changed Joey's wound dressings when one of the scars had opened again three months before. Joey, on the other hand, had to help Tess to wash certain body parts she could not reach with her clumsy left hand. That was not necessary anymore but neither sibling thought it wrong to share the Jacuzzi.

"So, they paired you with the Irish lezz?" she asked after a few moments.

"Huh?"

"The Irish lezz; you know, like Irish lass, only gay," Tess giggled.

"Oh, you mean Deirdre. Behave, Tess. She's not bad. She may not be a lesbian either. Her mother is, and that big woman, Karen."

"Yup, that was obvious," Tess giggled again. "There are bets, you know, how long it will take for you to ask for a different partner."

"I don't think I will. She's really good. I won't have to drag her along like I had to with Chuck." Chuck Edwards had been his lab partner during junior year.

"She's pretty," Tess observed. "At least she could be if she tried."

"Must be hard for her, you know. I bet some of the snots are giving her a hard time. You know, living with a lesbian mother..."

"And looking like a Grade A nerd," Tess laughed.

"And that. Let's face it: Some of our peers are not exactly models of tolerance. That reminds me. Anybody give you shit?"

Tess shook her head. "Nope. It's amazing. Everybody was nice. Oh, I was in the Principal's office. She'll want to talk to you, she said. They have this idea that I could join my old class as a sophomore. I would need extra tutoring but they said I could do it."

Joey's face lit up. "That would be so great! You could be with all your friends again."

"Yeah, I'd like that. Principal Harlow is really helpful."

"Okay, I'll talk to her. Jeez, if I had known how much work it is with you..."

"Joey?"

"Yep?"

"You're the best."

"And don't you forget that," he laughed.

-------

It was the Friday of the week after. Joey and Deirdre had completed their first assignment and submitted their work on Monday. Mr. Joyner had returned it with glowing praise and a smug smile. They had also done their first experiments, simple tests to learn how to handle the equipment. Here Joey had a decisive advantage due to the internships he had done and Deirdre had willingly submitted herself to his guidance. She was a quick learner though, and Joey realized that she would give him a run for his money soon enough.

-------

Now they both stood with their classmates as the tasks for the open house event were delegated by the ruling queen of Benjamin Franklin Preparatory School, Deborah Stevens. Deborah loved to organize and to delegate, and she was the president of the Student Council. Of course, the more prestigious tasks were given to her fellow council members, leaving the menial work to those perceived as worker bees. Presenting the science lab was considered low-end work because parents rarely showed there. Deirdre had mentioned that she would volunteer, but when Deborah looked around for peons to staff the lab Joey lifted his hand first.

"My sister and I can do a shift there. It's quiet and she'll be able to sit most of the time."

Deborah nodded regally. "That sounds sensible. Any other volunteers?"

Hesitantly, Deirdre Darling lifted a finger.

"Okay, another senior. That should be enough; there won't be that much traffic."

Deirdre confronted Joey. "Why did you volunteer?" she asked almost accusingly.

"It's cool there and quiet. Plus, Tess and I can watch and bitch from the fringes. Anyway, it's not like we have anybody visiting. Is it a problem for you?"

"Yes. No. Oh damn! My mom's coming and so is Karen. It's better they don't see me with a boy."

Joey shook his head sadly. Deirdre was a little screwy. "Just pretend you're with Tess," he wisecracked, earning himself a smack on his head from Tess.

"Don't listen to him," she told Deirdre. "He enjoys his wise guy routine, but he's harmless."

Two hours later the first parents arrived. Joey and Tess were sitting behind a desk in front of the student lab watching the people stream by. Tess was giving a running commentary on the arriving families. Deirdre sat with them, but a little apart. They had decided to stay and let each take breaks whenever convenient.

Deirdre was apprehensive as Joey could tell. "You worried?" he asked.

Deirdre nodded gloomily. "Karen's caused upheavals in the past," she said. "Oh, speaking of the devil, here they are."

Karen had obvious problems with the heels she was wearing and she was staggering along the hallway. Tess giggled at the sight.

"You gotta give her points for guts," she commented. "I mean, she's over six feet anyway, and she's wearing three-inch heels?"

"It's sweet of her," Deirdre defended her mother's partner. "She's doing it for me, so people won't give me shit."

Joey barely followed the exchange. His eyes were focused on the other woman, Deirdre's mother. She was smaller than Deirdre, almost petite, but she looked stunning. She had curly, light brown hair with a reddish hue, but her face and eyes were strikingly similar to Deirdre's. The most winning feature was her friendly smile. They had already seen Deirdre and were steering towards the desk.

"Hi, Sweety! Here we are. Isn't Karen stunning?"

"I'll say," Deirdre laughed. "Who's driving home when she sprains an ankle?"

"You brat!" Karen laughed back, a deep, barking laugh. "Oh, and here we have Deirdre's lab partner and his gorgeous sister."

Joey affected to look around. "Gorgeous? Who? Where?"

This earned him a swat from Tess. He stood politely.

"Hi, Karen. Hi, Ms. Darling."

"Hi," her mother smiled. "Joey, isn't it? May I call you Joey?"

"Of course."

"I'm Maureen. Hi, Tess. Karen's right, you are very pretty."

"See?" Tess shot at Joey who stuck out his tongue.

"Maureen, what are you doing here?" a voice sounded from behind them. They turned to see a tall, balding man in a three-piece suit. "Has somebody been seen selling Viagra in the corridors?"

"Oh, hi, John. No, my daughter goes to school here," Maureen Darling smiled back. "Come here, Deirdre. John, my daughter, Deirdre. Deirdre, this is John Stevens. He is an attorney too. We have been known to argue in court."

"Oh, the famous Deirdre," Stevens smirked. "My daughter is in her class, you know. But you know Deborah, don't you?"

Deirdre was clearly withdrawing into her shell at the "famous" remark. "Of course, I know her."

"I haven't seen you at our house, though, have I? I must have met every single girl in her class over the years, but I cannot recall you."

"I transferred in January. I'm not in any of the cliques," Deirdre answered.

"But that's a shame! I hear you're quite the genius. Deb could certainly profit from associating with you." He raised his voice. "Deb, please come over for a sec!"

Dutifully, Deborah glided over from down the hallway.

"Yes, Dad?" she asked with raised eyebrows.

"I just discovered that Maureen Darling's daughter is in your class. I spoke of Maureen, didn't I?"

Deborah had a sense of humor. She smirked. "Yes, Dad, but I don't think I should repeat your words verbatim."

Maureen Darling was unruffled. John Stevens probably called her a lot of bad names in private. After all, Maureen had put one of his high-paying clients behind bars where he belonged.

"That's all right," she smiled. "We're on opposite sides in the courtroom."

"She's right, Deb. I just asked why Deirdre has never visited us when you had your friends over. She said she isn't in any of the cliques."

"Well, she isn't."

"Invite her next time, then. Help her fit in. Isn't that part of your job on the council?"

The look Deborah gave Deirdre was anything but enthusiastic, but then she nodded. "Sure, Dad. Can I go back now?"

She was gone before her father could answer. Stevens was smiling broadly. "See, that wasn't difficult. Deb will take you right under her wing. So, I'll see all of you around?"

"You will, John," Maureen answered for them. "Enjoy!"

Stevens left them to talk to the next group of people.

"Jeez, what a klutz!" Tess blurted, once he was out of hearing.

Deirdre shook her head. "What was he aiming at? Giving me the coup de grâce? I can already hear the gossip mill running full tilt. 'Poor Deirdre, she's such a dork, her mother has to use her connections to get her invited.' I have to do some damage control. Can you handle the lab without me for a few minutes?"

"Sure," Joey answered. "It's not like people are lining up in the hallway."

Deirdre was off in a second not looking back and walking briskly to where Deborah was seen directing a group of freshmen to do one thing or another. That left Maureen Darling and Karen Langner standing with Joey and Tess.

Maureen saw this as her chance. "Joey, would you mind walking with me for a second?"

Joey shrugged. His conscience was clear. All he had done with Deirdre had been study. They strolled casually along the hallway.

"Joey, I appreciate the way you and Deirdre are working together. You have to know that she does not easily relate to boys, or should I say men? Our home situation has to do with it, of course. If she doesn't invite you over for studying, it has nothing to do with you."

"Yeah, she gave me a rundown of her past before we started to work. We both did, to clear the air and avoid any f ... unintentional slights." Joey grinned a little after avoiding the F-word. "I have some sensitive issues, too, you know."

"That I can imagine. You know that I work in the DA's office, don't you?"

"Yeah, Deirdre told me."

"I know what happened to your family. I think it is amazing what you are doing, to give a home to your sister and to look after her. You two seem very close."

"We are. We're all we have, you know." He saw Maureen's eyebrows lift in question and added, "The association with my great-uncle was what got my parents killed. I mean, he was supportive and all, and he moved heaven and earth to get us the best treatment, but we need to steer clear of my father's relatives."

"That's sad, but I can see your point. Joey, will you try to be Deirdre's friend? I understand you two set the lab on fire already, but she's not just a textbook on legs."

"I can try, Ms. Darling. It's just, outside studying we don't seem to mesh that well. Some way or the other a lot of things I do or say seem to p ... offend her."

He was a little uncomfortable when Maureen Darling gave him a long, scrutinizing look. Then she smiled. "Oh my. Well, if that's the case, you just go on and work together."

"Ms. Darling?"

"Yes?"

"I ... I don't mean to be crude or something. Well, I know that you and Karen live together, and it's cool, really. Does Deirdre, you know, prefer girls perhaps? I mean, she asked to be partnered with three girls, and she got piss ... upset when Mr. Joyner teamed her with me."

"And you are asking, why?"

Joey was aware she was teasing him, but he willed away the embarrassment. "Well, if I know I can avoid stuff that ticks her off. It'll also explain why she's so..."

"Weird? Well, the short answer is, I don't really know for sure. Sometimes I think she believes that Karen and I expect her to be a lesbian. Which we don't, I might add. Be that as it may, the history function of her net browser tells me that she may harbor a more-than-fleeting interest in the male anatomy." She smiled at Joey's blush. "Now, don't judge her! I bet if I checked your browser's history, I'd find more than one link to porn sites."

That caused a grin. "I don't think so. I always use privacy settings. Can't have my kid sister spying on me. She's too smart."

"Point for you," Maureen laughed brightly. "Okay, to end this and to the best of my knowledge, Deirdre seems to be interested in men. I just don't think she'd want to admit it yet."

They had completed the round and were approaching the desk again. Karen was chatting animatedly with Tess showing off some movements with her arms and legs, obviously demonstrating exercises. Tess was nodding emphatically and showing some moves herself. They noticed Maureen and Joey returning and stopped.

"Joey, Karen has shown me some new exercises. I think they may work great. Do you think I could visit her clinic a few times? They do all the standard physical therapy stuff, but they also have an indoor pool for water exercises."

Joey nodded. "Sure, Shortstuff. You know, anything that'll help. Will you need some sort of referral?"

"Nah. You know I have copies of my history. And we're not making much progress at Erica's studio. She said she'd read up on more stuff, but so far..."

Karen spoke up. "If you are uncomfortable with me treating your sister..."

Joey held up his hand. "You're a professional, I'm sure. If Tess trusts you, so do I."

Karen actually showed a pink hue on her cheeks. "Thank you," she said almost shyly.

Meanwhile, Deirdre had been able to get Deborah away from the others. "Listen, Deb, this was kind of awkward. I have no intention of forcing myself on you guys. Just forget the whole thing. Please?"

Some of her trepidation must have been evident in her voice. Deborah Stevens was no bitch at all. It was rather that she was a very social person and she got along with almost everybody, which in turn had placed her at the top of the social pyramid. Unconsciously she picked up on Deirdre's body signals and she realized how much her classmate was suffering from her isolation.

"Hey, that's all right, Deirdre. I ... We had been thinking of how to draw you out of your shell for some time." The little white lie came out easily enough. "Just stay a while longer after this wraps up. Help us with clearing the tables and we can get to know each other. I have to admit I know almost nothing of you. I saw you with Di Rosa. He's quite a hunk, isn't he?"

Deirdre's face felt hot as she answered evasively. "He's very smart. I kinda like to work with him."

"Not afraid, are you? I mean, what people say ... He was shot in some Mafia gun fight."

"No, that's a lie! He's really a nice person and his parents were just innocent victims."

Deirdre was surprised at her vehemence.

"The way he cares for his sister is cool," Deborah conceded. "Well, I'll see you later, Deirdre. Wait, first thing, you need a nickname. Deirdre is a bit lame. How about Dee-Dee? Does that sound cool?"

Deirdre looked down at herself. She was by no means flat-chested, but a B-cup fit her nicely, thank you very much. Deborah became aware of the double meaning. She giggled. It was not malicious at all, it was infectious, and Deirdre had to laugh, too.

"As long as you don't make it Double-D, I guess it's okay," she smiled. "Double-D Darling would be too much."

Edited by Morgan



-------

Chapter 3: Party


It was a Friday, two weeks before Christmas, and Joey dreaded the upcoming holidays. The year before he and Tess had been cooped up in their hospital room and they had missed the whole pre-Christmas excitement. It wasn't until they were driven to the Di Rosa estate that the fact registered in their heads that they would celebrate Christmas.

This year was different. They lived by themselves. There was no mother to bake cookies with them, no father who would complain about the size of the tree their mother picked. Uncle Vincent had invited them for Christmas day and common decency dictated that they accepted. However, they would spend the rest of the school break in their own home and largely by themselves.

They would both miss school. In class they were not alone. In class they were like any other students. Joey had asked for permission to continue some of the experiments in the biology lab, but of course it was impossible. Instead, Joey had purchased some used laboratory equipment on ebay and he was in the process of converting an upstairs kitchenette in their house into a small home lab.

That had become a bone of contention between him and Deirdre who claimed he was trying to get ahead of her. In turn he invited her to come over and work with him. He could see the conflicting emotions on her face but she had declined.

He was not sure whether to be happy about that or sad. Deirdre had built up an increasing distance between them. They did not meet outside the classes they had together and even there Deirdre was avoiding him. His efforts to be friendly were rebuffed and it became a common occurrence that she would contradict whatever he said on principle. He regretted the distance between them. In the first weeks of the school year he had come to appreciate her ambition, her knowledge, and her quick mind.

This evening he would be all by himself in their house. Tess was having a sleepover with a friend and Joey was contemplating going to a movie. He was not really looking forward to going alone. He was pleasantly surprised, therefore, when he was approached by Deborah Stevens as they stood in line in the cafeteria.

"Uh Joey, we're having an end-of-year party at our house tonight. My mom and dad are out of town. Care to come?"

Joey needed only a moment to decide. Normally he could not go to parties, not with Tess to look after. This was a rare opportunity.

"Sure, thanks. What should I bring?"

"Surprise us! Only no booze, no wine, no beer, 'kay?"

"No problem," Joey answered honestly. He had enjoyed the odd glass of beer in the past, but he could do without it. "I'm not much of a cook. Okay if I order three or four large pepperoni pizzas?"

"Sure, that'd be great. You know where I live?"

"Birch Road, right?"

"Yes, 1428, Birch Road. We start around eight. See ya."

"See ya, and thanks!" Joey answered. At least, this would give him a chance to meet some people.

After he dropped off Tess at her pajama party he drove across town to a small Italian restaurant, the Blue Grotto. They made the best pizza in town Joey thought, and he had ordered three large pepperoni in advance. As usual, Toni Minetti, the owner, handed him the pizzas in person. The Di Rosas had come to the Blue Grotto regularly and Toni chatted Joey up while he rang up the purchase.

"Hey, Joey, watcha up to? You hava da football team over?"

"No, I'm invited to a classmate's for a party. I thought I'd treat them to your famous pepperoni."

Toni handed Joey a small stack of business cards. "Here. Iffa dey ask where ya got'em from, giv'emma card."

"Will do, Toni. Give Anita a kiss from me."

"You rascal! Keepa your hands offa ma daughta. Sheesa good girl."

Still chuckling, Joey stashed the pizza boxes on the passenger seat and took off. It was a little before nine when he arrived at Deborah's home. He could tell right away that her father, klutz that he was, had to be rolling in cash. The house was huge.

Deborah was nowhere to be seen, but another girl in her clique, Mandy Something, crossed off his name from a list and waved him inside. He unloaded the pizza boxes on a large table that served as a buffet before he looked around. He knew most of the people. They were seniors from their school, plus a few select juniors.

There was a tray with glasses filled with Coke, and he helped himself to one. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. The Coke was spiked with rum. Hadn't Deborah insisted on no alcohol? Then he shrugged. If he kept to this single glass he wouldn't be in trouble.

He strolled around, greeting the fellow students he knew better. That done he decided to get a slice of pizza for himself before it became too cold. When he wiggled through the people and closer to the buffet he stopped in surprise. There was Deirdre. Then again, it wasn't her. Somebody had dolled her up. She was wearing a very tight tube top over a push up bra, with tight fitting black jeans. That wasn't so bad he had to concede. Her head was another matter. Her curly hair was hidden in a very tight bun. This showed off her ears which were glowing red, either from excitement or from too much Coke and rum. The heavy makeup on her face made her look more like a caricature, Joey thought, and from the smirks he observed on the faces of a few girls around her he knew some prank was in the making.

"Hi Deirdre," he said nonchalantly while loading a paper plate with a pizza slice.

Her ears seemed to glow in the dark when she recognized him.

"H-Hi, Joey. W-what ... I mean, I didn't know Deb invited you."

"It was a surprise, but Tess is staying with a girlfriend, so I was free."

Deirdre said nothing. Instead, she grabbed for a Coke glass and took a large gulp.

"You wanna be careful with the Coke, Deirdre," Joey advised her. "It's spiked with rum."

"So what?" she huffed, assuming the distant and aloof attitude that had been her trademark in recent weeks. "You're my boyfriend?"

Joey lifted both hands in a gesture of pacification. "Just wanted to warn you. It's your head, not mine."

He turned on his heel, leaving her standing. He wanted to have fun for a change, and he just had no stomach for her attitude. It was fortunate for him that he turned right in front of Liz Menotti, the only other Italian American in the senior class.

"Eh, Joey!" she greeted him. "Did you bring the pizza from The Blue Grotto?"

"Yes, we've known Toni Minetti for years."

"Great! I hear you unloaded your pesky sister for tonight. You hafta dance with me, Joey-boy. Show me some moves!"

She practically dragged him to another room where John Steven's designer stereo system was turned up to full blast. Joey had not danced in over a year, but Liz took the lead and soon he got his moves back. It helped that he was tall and lean. It helped that he was light on his feet. He and Liz danced for more than ten songs until the diminutive Liz pulled him off of the dance floor and over to the buffet.

-------

They did not know it but their every move was watched by Deirdre Darling. She felt increasingly irritated when she was face to face with Joey Di Rosa and this evening was no exception. Deborah had invited her and she arrived a little early to help with the preparations. She had not quite entered the house when two of Deborah's friends shrieked at her, imploring her to let them help her find a more appropriate outfit. They had dragged Deirdre up into an upstairs bedroom, and they made her take off her less-than-exciting outfit and painted these black jeans and tube top on her body. Next they started re-doing her make-up, proclaiming that today would be the coming out of the new, improved Dee-Dee.

Intimidated and unwilling to offend her new friends, Deirdre had played along. When she became insecure one of the girls gave her Coke to drink. It tasted good, better than regular Coke, and in her excitement she emptied the glass. She did not notice the smirk that passed between her two helpers as they ushered her downstairs to join the crowd.

In spite of her new outfit she was mostly ignored. A few people smiled when they saw her, or at least that was what Deirdre perceived. Then, out of thin air Joey had appeared. She had not known he was invited and his presence threw her off. She had snapped at him for no reason at all and he had just turned his back on her. That hurt.

Then Liz Menotti appeared and dragged him off. She watched them dancing together and it made her angry. It was not a conscious anger born of a reason. The anger came from her subconscious. She felt irritation seeing Joey dance with Liz.

"Hey Deirdre!" somebody called.

She almost jumped. Turning toward the voice, she saw it was Mike Helmont, a classmate with whom she had not exchanged two words prior to this evening.

"Looking good, Deirdre," he smiled. "How you doing?"

"I ... I'm okay," Deirdre answered, not quite able to overcome her inhibitions.

"You want to dance?"

"Umh, sure, why not," Deirdre accepted.

Mike led her out on the floor and Deirdre began to dance hesitantly. She had taken ballet classes until she hit her last growth spurt at sixteen, but she had never danced to Rock music. After three or four numbers Mike led her off and towards the buffet. He gave her another glass of Coke and took one himself. Vaguely, Deirdre remembered Joey's warning about the Coke being spiked but she shrugged it off. Fuck him! She took a large gulp and then another. In no time at all she emptied the glass.

Quickly, Mike replaced her glass with a fresh one. Sipping their Cokes they strolled to an empty sofa and sat. Deirdre was beginning to feel the alcohol and Mike talked to her all the time. He talked of other students, his own football fame (he was a mere bench dweller with their school's varsity team), and of music (Country Rock). Already inebriated, Deirdre had trouble following his monologue.

She kept sipping the Coke, and after a while her head felt like it was packed in cotton wool. Mike kept talking, but Deirdre's response became less and less. Then somebody else sat on her other side and Deirdre recognized Mike's friend, Paul Burrows. He brought three fresh glasses, one for each of them, and Deirdre thought that his smile looked insincere. Nevertheless, she took the glass offered and sipped bravely.

She found herself laughing at some joke Mike (or Paul?) made about her tight jeans and wondered what was so funny.

"I need to go to sse bashroom," she declared in a lull. She tried to stand but fell back to the sofa.

"Whoa, Deirdre, let's help you. Wow, look at the lines! Deb said there's another bathroom upstairs. Let's get you up."

Assisted by Mike and Paul, Deirdre attacked the stairs to the second floor. They marched her up and then along a corridor. Just then a door opened. A guy came out and Deirdre recognized him. "Hey, Joey, wassup?" she managed to slur.

She saw bathroom fixtures behind him and wanted to go in there herself, but Mike and Paul steered her along the corridor.

"Hey, ssat's sse bashroom," she giggled. "I wanna peeee!"

"Quiet," Mike hissed. "We'll show you to another bathroom."

"What the fuck are you two up to?" a sharp voice pierced Deirdre's ears.

-------

Joey had danced with Liz for more songs and then they chatted. She was cute as a button and fun all around. He snagged a bottle of untainted Coke from the fridge and they sat talking. After a while and with a rueful smile, Liz confessed that she was going steady. He was a college student and he would be home for the holidays in a week. Joey was slightly disappointed but he tried not to show it.

When their conversation hit a lull, though, he excused himself and went to look for a bathroom. He had to stand in line until Deborah came along.

"Hey Joey, having fun?"

Joey smiled. "Yeah, I got to talk to Liz. She's fun."

A worried look came over Deborah's face. "You do know that... ?"

"Yeah, it's cool. She wasn't leading me on or something. No really, I'm having fun."

"Great! Oh, you can also use the bathroom upstairs. It's up and the first door on the left."

She glided on and Joey decided to take her up on the offer of using the upstairs bathroom. Like the rest of the house it was plush. Joey had seen wealth in his great-uncle's house. The Stevens' house was going one step further or maybe one too far. Real porcelain soap dispensers, a toilet seat with gold inlay work, heavy terrycloth guest towels: all this was a little too much for Joey's taste.

Stepping out from the bathroom he saw Deirdre framed on either side by Mike Helmont and Paul Burrows. She was clearly drunk out of her mind and her speech, when she greeted him, was a further indication.

"Hey, ssat's sse bashroom," he heard her giggle drunkenly. "I wanna peeee!"

Mike hissed into her ear and, together with Paul, he tried to steer her along the corridor. In a flash Joey realized what was happening. The two boneheads had got her drunk and now they were taking her to one of the bedrooms. Probably to feel her up or more. Joey was undecided for a second. Deirdre had been a bitch to him for weeks and it would serve her right to be brought down a peg or two. But then Joey remembered Maureen Darling's words, "Joey, will you try to be a friend to Deirdre?". He had said he would try.

"What the fuck are you two up to?" he demanded, putting an authoritative tone in his voice.

"Shut the fuck up, Di Rosa!" Paul shot back, but his friend grinned.

"Hey, there is enough of her. Come with us, Di Rosa. She's a little stunner, and nobody has noticed it yet. We'll give her a night she won't forget."

"Are you two completely out of your fucking minds?" Joey demanded becoming angry. To take advantage of a helpless girl was low, really low. "That's rape, you morons. She's drunk, she's underage, and her mother's a freaking district attorney."

"Aw, ya gotta lighten up, Di Rosa," Mike laughed, clearly drunk himself. "Believe me, she won't remember who and what."

"Oh God, you're so stupid!" Joey spat. "There are DNA tests. They will nail you, you dimwit! They'll have all of us deliver saliva samples and you'll spend the next ten years in a state pen sucking dicks and getting your butt fucked raw."

"Jeez, you're a fuckin' kill-joy, Di Rosa. Okay, maybe no fucking. We can still have a good look at her, right?"

"Oh great, you want five just years instead of ten. Sexual assault will still get you fucked. Leave her alone. Go get Deb and we'll tell her she got drunk and fell on her ass. We'll get her mother to pick her up."

Mike and Paul looked at each other, still undecided. Joey added some pressure. He pulled his cell phone. He punched in some random numbers.

"Here's the deal: I'm calling her mother now. You wanna be here when she arrives?"

"You're a fuckin' asshole, Di Rosa. I'll figure out a way to get back at you," Paul threatened.

Something snapped in Joey and he felt an icy calmness wash over him. "You can always try, Paulie-Boy. What's it going to be?"

Mike nudged his friend and they pretty much let Deirdre slump on the carpet. She was completely out now. Joey put his back against the wall and took up a fighter's pose as the two would-be molesters walked past him. They shot him angry looks but were cowed enough to continue downstairs without further words.

The adrenaline left Tony's system and he sighed. What to do now? Fortunately, somebody came up the stairs now. It was Liz. She gave him a smile.

"Hey Joey. Where you been? Did I scare you off with my boyfriend?"

"In a way, yes," Joey answered truthfully. "Listen, Liz, you're a Godsend. Deirdre here is pretty shot. Those assholes, Mike and Paul, filled her up with booze and maybe other stuff."

Liz' eyes narrowed. "Weren't they just coming down from here?"

"Yeah, they were trying to steer her into one of the bedrooms."

"What ... I mean ... Did you... ?"

Joey shrugged casually. "I kinda talked them out of it. They're just windbags."

Liz was already on her knees examining Deirdre. "Jeez, she's really out cold. What can we do?"

"Can you stay with her? I'll get Deb. I don't want her to get caught under the falling bricks when Deirdre's mother picks her up."

Quickly, Joey went downstairs in search of their hostess. Luckily it took him only a minute, and then another two minutes to explain to her what had happened.

Deborah turned pale. "Shit! Shit! My father's gonna ground me until I'm eighteen, and then some more. Can't we just let her sleep off her drunk?"

"We could, but isn't she supposed to be home at some point?"

"You're right. What if I called and said she'd spend the night?"

"Might work, might not. How is she supposed to get back home?"

Deborah's face fell. "Her mother's going to pick her up at one."

"That's two more hours. We have to get her halfway sober until then."

Deborah nodded. "She needs to drink water, lots of water. Then we'll put her on the john so she can piss it all out."

Joey had to smile. The usually well spoken Deborah could be blunt when so inclined. He followed Deborah upstairs where Liz had been able to stand Deirdre up against the wall. She wobbled on her legs.

"Deirdre, can you hear me?" Deborah demanded, shaking her arm.

Deirdre looked at them with glassy eyes. "Shick," she blurted.

"Quick, let's get her into the bathroom!" Joey commanded.

He helped Deborah steer the drunken girl through the bathroom door and towards the john. Liz followed and lifted the lid just in time for the first violent spurt of vomit. Again and again Deirdre heaved the contents of her stomach into the bowl while Deborah and Joey held her. Both ended up splattered with vomit, too.

"I'm gonna kill those two fucks!" Deborah swore. "Come Monday, they're dead meat!"

Deirdre was finished now and knelt on the floor shaking all over. At least she was awake now.

"Let's get her to my room," Deborah suggested. "Where did she get those clothes from, anyway?"

"Reba and Natalie pimped her up before the party started," Liz offered. "I guess they meant it as a joke. I mean, look at her. She looks like a bimbo from the projects, only cheaper."

"So where are the clothes she came in?" Joey asked.

"One of the guest rooms, probably," Deborah said. "Let's find out."

Walking a tottering Deirdre between them and with Liz leading the way, Joey and Deborah walked along the vast corridor. While Joey held Deirdre, Deborah quickly inspected three rooms before she gave them a thumbs-up. She helped Joey to maneuver Deirdre into that room. They laid her on the bed and the two girls set to work undressing her while Joey subjected the wall paper to a close inspection.

He heard the girls curse and Deirdre babble. Suddenly he perked up. Liz was giggling.

"Oh. My. Gawd! I mean, did you know she was packing such a body under the rags she's normally wearing?"

Deborah joined in. "She's gorgeous, dammit. Don't you turn around, Joey!"

"Damn! Why do you get all the fun?" he grumped, still studying the pattern on the wall.

"That's no fun," Liz laughed. "I'll be depressed for weeks now. Isn't she a lezzie? Gawd, maybe I should change teams!"

"No clue, really," Joey answered.

It took a few more minutes before Joey was allowed to turn back to them, and he saw Deirdre as her usual plain self. Deborah busied herself on Deirdre's face with make-up remover and soon there was no trace left of her war paint.

"Okay," Deborah commanded. "Next order of business: she has to drink water, lots of it. Joey, be a good boy and get us two Poland Spring bottles from downstairs."

Joey left the room. It took him five minutes to answer the questions people showered him with and to find two unopened water bottles. Mike and Paul were nowhere to be seen anymore. When Joey returned to the guest room Liz and Deborah had sat Deirdre up on the bed.

"Okay, Joey. Can you take it from here? I really must go down again before anybody takes off with my father's stereo. Liz, you're coming?"

"No way!" Joey expostulated. "I'm not staying alone with her."

"Aw, she won't bite," Liz joked.

"Don't you see? She's drunk, she's a minor, I'm over eighteen, and her mother's a freaking district attorney. No way I'm staying with her without a female witness."

Deborah, the lawyer's daughter, saw the point immediately.

"He's right. Liz, will you help out? I'll make it up to you."

Good-natured Liz nodded. "Okay, I'll play the chaperone. Well, let's flush her with Poland Spring."

Working together Joey and Liz managed to get a liter of water into Deirdre. By then Deirdre had to pee and Joey had to help Liz to seat the drunken girl on the porcelain throne. He tried to avert his gaze but he still caught an eyeful of thin, fuzzy pubic hair. After that they made her drink the second bottle. It actually seemed to help. When Deirdre had to pee the second time Liz could manage her alone.

Then, shortly before one o'clock, Deborah came in with a large mug of coffee. They made her drink that, too. The flooding with water and the caffeine enabled Deirdre to make it down the stairs with just a little help. Outside, Joey saw the petite figure of Maureen Darling and he pointed her out to Deborah.

"Lemme talk to her first, okay?" Deborah asked.

Flanked by Liz and Joey, Deirdre walked towards her mother's car while Deborah ran ahead. When they got closer Johnny could hear Deborah's desperate attempts to explain Deirdre's intoxicated state.

" ... I really told everybody, no alcohol, I swear. When Joey told me, I was so angry. Please, we really watched over Deirdre and we made her drink water and coffee, and she's okay now. Would you please not tell my father? I swear, I had no idea and I promise this won't ever happen again. But if you tell my father he'll make me responsible and then he won't let me go to Miami after Christmas. Please?"

Maureen Darling held up her hands. "Let me have a look at her first, okay?" She turned to the trio. "Deirdre? Sweety, are you all right?"

"I feel a bit sick, Mom, but I'm better," Deirdre said with a shaky voice, surprising her three nurses. She had not uttered a coherent sentence in hours.

Maureen looked at Joey. "Deborah told me that you found her. What happened, Joey?"

"Well, I had seen her early in the evening but she didn't seem keen on talking to me. Later I was coming out of the upstairs bathroom when I saw her with two guys who were holding her up. I asked them what was up and they told me she was a bit tipsy, and they were trying to find a bedroom for her to lie down."

Maureen's eyes narrowed. "Bullshit!"

"Okay, maybe they had other plans but I wouldn't know about that. I told them it was a bad idea and persuaded them to let her go. She just slumped down then. Luckily, Liz came upstairs then and she watched Deirdre while I found Deb. Deb took charge then, and we helped Deirdre when she threw up. I guess she got rid of a lot of the stuff that way. Then we made her drink lots of water and coffee."

"Joey made sure he was never alone with Dee-Dee," Liz piped in. "He's really a good guy."

Maureen held up her hand. "I know that already, but thanks. Joey, I have the feeling you're not telling me everything, but I guess parents shouldn't know everything. But there's one thing I need to know: Is there any possibility that those louts took advantage of her condition?"

Joey felt her penetrating gaze and he knew he could not lie to her and get away with it. Fortunately there was no need for lies.

"Ms. Darling, they were just coming upstairs and Deirdre was fully dressed. I wouldn't put it beyond those jerks to cop a feel but other than that I can't imagine that anything could have happened."

Maureen looked into his eyes for a full minute and Joey felt sweat trickling down his spine. Then, to his surprise, she stepped forward and hugged him.

"Thanks for watching out for Deirdre." She let go and took both Liz and Deborah in her arms. "You too, thank you. I guess we'll just book this as something Deirdre has to learn from. I know I'm asking a lot, but could somebody come with me to help me bring her upstairs? She's not a little girl anymore and Karen is out of town."

Joey nodded. "I can do that. I'll just follow you with my own ... Oh shit!"

Joey's eyes fell on the Mini Cooper. Somebody had given it a work over. Both mirrors were torn off, the headlights had been smashed, and the car had been keyed all along the right side.

Edited by Morgan
Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 4: Good Advice


Maureen's eyes had followed Joey's. "That your car?"

Joey nodded.

"Apparently, the two gentlemen did not take kindly to the chivalry you displayed, Joey. Care to give me some names?"

Joey had to fight to stay calm. This was his mother's car, and Tess had dibs on it for when she got her license. He had no doubt that this was Mike and Paul's handiwork. Should he give their names to the police and hope that they left prints? He doubted that they would send a CSI team for a minor vandalism case: Plus, a police investigation would reveal that there had been alcohol at the party and then Deborah would be in deep shit. No, that was not an option.

"No, Mrs. Darling, that wouldn't do. Guess I'll have it towed. I can still help you, but I need to make a phone call first."

The number he called was that of a cousin of his father, Enrico Di Rosa. Besides being a BMW dealer he also owned a towing service, a body shop, and a junkyard operation, and they had a 24/7 hotline. There were people who alleged that some of the cars that were processed in the junkyard might be listed as stolen in neighboring states, but those were rumors. Joey was lucky because Uncle Rico answered in person.

"Hi, Uncle Rico. This is Joey. I have a bit of a problem."

"Wassup, Joey? You didn't have an accident?"

"No, some jerk vandalized my mom's Mini Cooper. Headlights are smashed in, too, so I can't drive it anymore. Can you send a tow truck to 1428 Birch Road? It's a silver Mini Cooper Clubman."

"Sure, I'll come myself. I'll have to report it to Vince, you know."

"Do you have to? I mean, I have a good idea who did it, but it was over a girl. Nothing sinister, you know."

"The word from Vince is to report anything that happens to Joey and Tess. You're Joey and that means he'll have my ass if I keep this from him. You want us to fix the car?"

"That would be great. I wanted to save it for Tess, you know."

"Hey, Rico's Body Shop will take care of it just fine. I'll handle the insurance, too, but you have to file a complaint with the cops. I'll take care of that, too. Cousin Fredo will take your statement tomorrow."

Fredo Di Rosa, another of Joey's distant cousins, was a desk sergeant in the 16th precinct, just north of Powelton.

"Great. Thanks Uncle Rico. Can you swing by 1720 Mount Vernon after you pick up the Mini? I have to help somebody, and I'll wait there."

"You got it: 1720 Mount Vernon. Make sure to be outside. I can't honk the horn at two in the morning."

Joey closed his phone and turned to Maureen. Deirdre had been tucked into Maureen's car already.

"Change of plan. Can I ride with you? A cousin will pick me up at your place."

"Sure. I'm sorry about your car. Did I hear right? It is a memento from your mother?"

"Yeah," Joey sighed. "My father's cousin owns a body shop. He'll fix it. It's insured, too."

"Okay, hop in. Let's get this drunken sailor into her cot."

Johnny sat in the back with Deirdre as Maureen pulled out.

"I think it's really cool of you that you don't blame Deborah," Joey voiced his appreciation.

Maureen looked at him in the rearview mirror. "I remembered in time that I was seventeen once, too. Did you drink any booze tonight?"

"A sip early on. The Coke was spiked with rum, and there was vodka in the orange juice. I told Deirdre to be careful, but she kind of blew me off."

"How come Deborah didn't notice?"

Joey thought quickly. "I guess, she was so busy being the hostess that she didn't drink anything herself all evening. As for the others, I don't know. Liz and I kept to a fresh bottle of Coke from the fridge."

"You danced with Liz?"

"Yeah, she's fun to be with. She's got a boyfriend in college, so it was all innocent you know."

Maureen turned into a driveway and stopped the car. She turned around in her seat and looked at Joey. "Does Deirdre know about Liz's boyfriend?"

Joey shrugged. "I don't know, Ms. Darling."

"My guess is she doesn't. That would explain things. Now give me a hand getting her out."

Deirdre had fallen asleep again, and they had a hard time lifting her out of the car. She woke up long enough to make it into the house and upstairs with her mother. Maureen asked Joey to wait for a moment while she tucked her daughter in.

She came back down within five minutes. "Out like a light," she smirked. "Joey, you said that she didn't want to be with you. Why?"

Joey shrugged. "I have no idea. We got along fine at the start of the school year, and then suddenly, I'm like dirt under her shoes. We barely talk anymore."

"I just had to ask. Sorry. Did you make any advances to her?"

Joey shook his head. "No, never. She's so shy, I'm sure she would've freaked. She's a great partner and I didn't want to screw things up. Of course, it's screwed up anyway."

"Did you ever have a girlfriend, Joey?"

"Yeah, all through junior year and through the summer. She ... I never saw her after, you know, the shooting. She never visited or sent a card or anything. I heard from friends that she was going with another guy even before Christmas."

"And before or after?"

"A few girls kissed me during sophomore year, but we never stayed together longer than two or three weeks. With my last name, fathers are sort of leery about letting their daughters date me. And since last year, no, nobody. First I was laid up, and then I was busy taking care of Tess. This was the first party I've been to in over a year."

Maureen smiled sadly. "So, basically, you don't know much about girls and dating either, right?"

Joey blushed. "You could say that, Ms. Darling," he answered in a low voice.

"I don't mean to embarrass you, Joey. Deirdre knows even less. You see, Deirdre seemed to think ― and maybe she still does ― that we ― Karen and I ― expect her to be a lesbian like us. Let me assure you that we don't, although Karen has given the impression at times. All this put my poor Deirdre in a difficult situation. She did not dare to form relationships with boys for fear of angering us, and she didn't form relationships with girls because this runs against her inclination. All this made her very lonely, and she never got to practice all the little mating dances."

Joey's face showed his embarrassment. "Ms. Darling, what has this got to do with me?"

"Everything! Deirdre has a crush on you, and she doesn't know what to do about it."

"On me?" Joey sputtered.

Maureen nodded. "You should hear her rant about you almost every day! What you did wrong and what you did to her."

"Doesn't that mean she hates me?"

"Joey, love and hate are expressions of the same intense interest in a person. The fact that your doings and not-doings are so important to her tells me that she has a strong interest. What about you, Joey? Aren't you frustrated over her behavior?"

Joey almost blurted his "yes", but he checked himself and grinned. "If I say yes, you'll turn it around on me as me having a crush on her?"

"No, unless you rant about her all the time. But I think that your frustration with Deirdre means that you would like to have a better relationship with her. Isn't that about right?"

Joey nodded his head. "I guess so. She can be a great girl, smart and nice, and she could be really pretty. I guess I'd like to be friends with her, at least."

"She could be pretty?"

"Well, I guess she is, but one can't really tell the way she dresses and the way her hair is done."

"Looks awful, huh?" Maureen seconded. "I've been trying to talk her into having a real haircut and to dress nicer, but she explodes whenever I start."

Joey grinned evilly. "Well, she screwed up tonight. Make her go to the hairdresser as part of the punishment."

"Oh, you're so bad, Joey Di Rosa," Maureen laughed. "Listen, I had better get some sleep, and so have you. I want to thank you, though, for coming to Deirdre's help. Will you accept a dinner invitation? Karen is a marvelous cook, and she'll be back tomorrow. Say, tomorrow, well tonight, rather?"

"I don't know, Mrs. Darling. It's kind of difficult. Tess doesn't like being alone in the house."

"Bring her along then. We haven't had any young people to visit in ... well, ever."

Joey shrugged. "I'll talk to Tess later. Can I call you around noon?"

"Please do that. You will get to see the premiere of Deirdre in her new look."

"Can I bring a camera?" Joey joked.

"Be nice, young man!" Maureen scolded him. Then, out of impulse, she gave the surprised Joey a hug. "Thank you! Now go!"

Back on the street again Joey had to wait for only five minutes before his uncle pulled up in his tow truck, the Mini already strapped to the flatbed. Joey hopped in and they drove to Rico's body shop. Joey helped to push the Mini into the shop and a yawning Rico gave him a set of car keys and pointed at a dark grey metallic BMW 530i. Joey swallowed. It was his father's car, the one his parents had been killed in.

"We finished it last week. The interior is all new, and the body and engine are in perfect shape. I know you want it sold, but you'll need a car all next week while we fix that itty bitty tin can."

"Honestly, Uncle Rico, I don't think I can drive this car. Don't you have another one I can use?"

Rico scratched his head. "I dunno, Joey. Wait! We just finished this very nice Beemer. It's only four years old. It got rear ended, and I got it cheap from the insurance company. Come!"

He led Joey into the used car storage. A fire engine red BMW 325i convertible with a black ragtop was standing in the center.

"I can let you have this one for thirty grand, Joey."

"Can I trade in the 530?" Joey asked, already sold on the car.

"You sure about this, Kid? The 530 is a fine car, and it's only two years old."

"I'm positive, Uncle Rico. Look, I could never ever drive it. Looking at it makes me sick to my stomach. We can call it an even swap, if you want."

"I don't cheat on family, Joey, you should know that. I could take the 530 for thirty-seven grand, already counting the work we put in. That means, I owe you seven."

"Deal!" Joey answered without thinking.

"Okay, I'll put dealer tags on it and you can drive home. Come by tomorrow for lunch. Bring Tess. We'll eat and get the paperwork done. Cousin Luca handles your insurance?"

Joey nodded. "Yes, dad and Luca were great friends. Thanks, Uncle Rico. I really appreciate the deal."

Within a few minutes, Rico had put tags on the car and signed over the title. After shaking hands once more, Joey drove off. It was almost half past three when he finally fell into bed. In spite of his tired body, his revolving thoughts kept him awake for another hour. Thoughts of revenge against Mike and Paul came first, but soon his thoughts wandered on to Deirdre. Her mother had fairly shocked him with her revelation that Deirdre had a crush on him. Did she really? And if she did, how did he feel about her?

Thinking back on the first day when they'd met, he admitted to himself that he had been taken more than a little by her beautiful smile. Her rejection during the recent months had hurt him more than he cared to admit. It would be nice if Deirdre would be friendly again, but beyond that Joey wasn't sure what he wanted. Sure, he wanted to have sex, like any young man his age. With Deirdre, however, he couldn't just start a fling and then dump her. First, she was a virgin for sure. Second, she was completely inexperienced. Third, for her to start a relationship with a boy would not be easy in the first place. Fourth, she was his lab partner for the year. Taken together, a brief affair was out of the question.

A small voice told him, Why a brief affair, why not try for more? Then again, his last such venture had ended when Christie, his junior-year girlfriend, had dropped him like a hot piece of coal. To shoot for a steady girlfriend was to risk a similar crushing disappointment. Also, while Deirdre was smart and good to talk to, her nerdy appearance would make for at least some mild embarrassment from which he would be unable to free himself. She must have a nice body, to judge from Deborah and Liz's remarks, and her face was downright pretty. But the social life of teenagers was very much about appearance and Joey could not quite free himself from such thinking.

He had no idea when he finally fell asleep, but when he woke to the ringtone of his cell phone, he knew it had been very late. An annoyingly chipper Tess demanded a pick-up, and Joey was grumpy when he drove over to her girlfriend's.

"Hey Joey, nice ride. Where'd you get it?"

"Rico traded dad's car against this. I needed a ride." He was still grumpy.

"'S'up, bro? You got snubbed at the party?"

Joey sighed. "No, not that, but there was some trouble, and I didn't get to bed until four or five."

"What trouble?" Tess inquired sharply, and Joey related the events of the evening.

"Those cocksuckers fucked with my Cooper?" Tess snarled. "We've got to get even."

Joey shook his head. He was tired, but he was thinking logically.

"Getting even won't cut it. Either we leave it alone and let Rico fix it, or we have to hit back real hard to make them know who they're up against."

"What you have in mind then?"

"Total annihilation," Joey answered cryptically and with a ghost of a smile. "We'll have lunch with Uncle Rico and see what he advises."

Tess's face lit up with a nasty smile. "Does the word 'car crusher' feature somewhere in your plans?"

Joey looked at his sister with respect. "Such a violent mind behind such an angelic face," he grinned. "You listened to Vito too?"

Last Christmas, Vito Bendini from Detroit had told a story where he had compacted an annoying neighbor's car and hauled the metal cube back to his neighbor's driveway. Plus, the week before, Mike Helmond had bitched about his Comprehensive canceling him after some "misunderstanding" about a claim he had made.

Back at their house, Tess changed for lunch with Uncle Rico while Joey explained the dinner invitation.

"Jeez, Joey, this is a full social calendar we have. Anything in the pipeline for tomorrow?"

"What? You're complaining? I got us a free dinner."

"Yeah, but I have to watch that creepy girl stare at you all the time."

"She doesn't," Joey protested.

"Not when you're looking," Tess laughed, evading the palm that was aimed at her panty-clad behind with surprising agility. "I guess she's not creepy, just a bit dorky. Is it true that she never even smooched with a boy?"

"What? Did you?" Joey shot back, in mock anger.

"I invoke my fifth amendment rights," Tess grinned back.

Her outrageous grin caused deep dimples on both sides of her mouth and Joey realized not for the first time that Tess was growing into a hot number, limp or no limp. With each month, the limp became less noticeable anyway, even to his own watchful eyes, and Tess's infectious smile and her developing bust would sure as hell keep any boy from caring much about her gait. He gave her a lopsided grin.

"I guess, you'll go steady before I find a girlfriend again. You're just too damned pretty."

A radiant smile was her answer. "I just may," she gushed, her dimples deeper than ever.

"Listen, Tess, don't take me wrong, but are you covered on the birth control side?"

At last, that one caused a blush. "Joey! I'm not ready for that yet!"

"Tess, I know you're not. It takes time for the pill to work, though. Tell you what: I'll sign the consent and you can make use of it whenever you think you may need it. Just don't do stuff on the spur of a moment without protection, okay?"

"Jeez, Joey, this is heavy. I mean, I barely kissed Brent so far, and now..."

"So it's Brent? Gotcha!"

"You're a sneaky bastard!" Tess laughed. "Yeah, Brent and I are friends. We kissed a few times, but that's it. Now let's stop this, please."

"You're so cute when you blush," Joey could not help but remark, earning himself a bruise on his upper arm. On Karen's advice, Tess had taken up Karate training to improve her coordination. She didn't hit like a girl anymore. She hit like she did everything these days: with purpose.

Uncle Rico and his wife Maria greeted them at the door and led them into their living room. They were surprised to see Felix Di Rosa at the table, with Gabriella Feliciangeli. The first thing Joey saw was a beautiful diamond ring on Gabriella's hand. Joey raised his eyebrows at Felix who grinned back.

"You'll get the invitation next week. It's not official yet," Felix explained.

Joey and Tess gave their congratulations to Gabriella who smiled at them warmly. Joey felt good about this. Gabriella was a wonderful young woman and he hoped that she and Felix would be very happy.

The food was excellent, and for a while the talk revolved around relatives. After dessert, Felix switched topics.

"Joey, Rico told me about your car. It's a shame, but Rico tells me he can fix it fine. Pop says don't go retaliating, Joey. It was two drunk guys who got back at you for ruining their chance to get laid. You retaliate and they retaliate back and you start something that can turn ugly. Pop says keep your record clean. You wanna go to college and to graduate school, but those two dimwits will end up frying burgers for a livin'. To get back at them carries no percentage, capiche?"

Joey nodded reluctantly. He had some thoughts about it, too. "They may not stop, you know? If they think they can get away with it they'll go one up, maybe slash a tire or two."

Felix nodded grimly. "Don't worry about that. Just don't get involved with them, and don't get near them. This is from Pop, Joey. Leave it be. You go and be a great scientist and don't worry about those scumbags."

Joey shook his head. Rico must have taped their conversation last night and sent the tape to Uncle Vince.

Felix laughed. "Joey, get used to it. Pop looks after you. You can't pass a fart without Pop getting a whiff. He also says you did good taking care of that girl. Now, are we clear?"

Joey nodded. "Okay," he sighed. "It's a shame, though. I had thought of what Vito told us over Christmas, and I wanted to ask Rico if he has access to a car crusher."

Rico guffawed at that. "I was thinking the same. But you know, Felix is right. Let those clowns fuck up their lives all by themselves. Ain't no need for decent people to get mixed up with that."

"Vito has been telling that story for years," Felix smiled. "I guess, it's the one fight in his life where he came out on top. Don't even think of shit like that. It's called grand theft auto; it's a felony act, and it carries three to five. For what?"

"Okay, Felix, I get the point," Joey conceded. "So, how's Uncle Vince?"

"Pissed. You haven't shown in three months."

"We'll be there on Christmas Day, I promise. We just had a lot going, getting back into the school and stuff. Right, Tess?"

"Joey's right," Tess confirmed. "We go to a water park every Sunday. My trainer has shown me some exercises I can do, and Joey helps me."

"You're doing great, Kiddo," Felix said warmly, regarding his cousin with true appreciation. "I can hardly see a limp anymore."

"After Christmas, Karen has scheduled me for aerobics. Come summer, nobody will see a thing anymore," Tess stated proudly.

"Who's Karen?" Felix asked.

"She's my new trainer. She's helping me with rehab."

"She's living with Ms. Darling. You know, the mother of the girl I helped out yesterday."

"Living with her?" Felix asked, his eyebrows arched.

"Yeah, they're a couple," Joey said with as much indifference as he could muster.

"I'll be damned!" Felix laughed. "Half the cops in Philly have a hard-on for Assistant DA Darling, and she's a rug muncher?"

Gabriella slapped him upside the head. "Behave, Caveman," she scolded him. She turned to Joey. "I'll bet her daughter gets shit by the boatload."

"Nah, not really. They ignore her at school, mostly. She's just terribly shy, and I think they mobbed her at her former school in Pittsburgh. Karen must be a piece of work, too. Think six foot two and two hundred pounds of bull dyke, and you have Karen. From what Deirdre told me early on in between classes, Karen likes to intimidate boys, scares them off for fun. She's a great trainer though; she really helped Tess' progress."

"Darling's not your average DA, that's for sure," Felix grinned. "That girl, her daughter, she's pretty like her mom?"

Tess laughed. "Not so you'd notice. She dresses like a bag lady most of the time. I guess she could be pretty, eh, Joey?"

Inexplicably, Joey felt his face heat up. "She's okay," he mumbled.

Edited by Morgan
Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 5: Movies and Dinner

Joey felt apprehensive when he helped Tess from the car. Now that she did not need help anymore, she graciously accepted his arm. On the way over he had decided on the course to steer. He planned to be gracious, friendly, and to offer friendship. Definitely not more. Even if Deirdre crushed on him, which in the light of the day he doubted, he would not saddle himself with a socially inept loner for a girlfriend. This resolve lasted for less than a minute, or until Deirdre opened the door to Joey's knock.

It was Deirdre, but then again, it was somebody else. The girl who opened the door wore a red cashmere wool sweater that hugged her upper body, accentuating the soft swell of her breasts. Joey's eyes wandered down over a knee-length plaid skirt to her stocking-encased calves which were slender and graceful. The greatest surprise was on top. Her hair, instead of the unruly mop of curls, was shaped and tied behind her head, leaving only a few ringlets to frame her face. Joey had known or at least suspected that Deirdre was pretty, but free from her hair her face was a sight for sore eyes! Somebody had done a credible job on her eyebrows, reducing them to a more proper size, but had left enough of them to form a beautiful contrast with her blue eyes. The one thing that marred the impression was the sickly pallor of her skin. Apparently, she was still suffering from her rum hangover.

He realized he had been staring at her and cleared his throat. "Hey! You're feeling better?"

Deirdre nodded. "Hey. My head still hurts, but I guess it was my own fault. Come in! Hi, Tess."

They stepped in and Deirdre closed the door.

"Hi," Tess answered politely, a smile on her lips. "Nice outfit."

Deirdre looked down at her clothes as if to check the validity of Tess' words. "Yes, I guess they are nice."

Joey had recovered from his surprise and eagerly added his two cents. "You look loads better than in yesterday's outfit."

"It was terrible, wasn't it?" Deirdre asked, looking straight into Joey's eyes.

He nodded and Deirdre shook her head. "They set me up. I know that now. But why?"

Joey shrugged. "Because they could."

"Mom told me about your car. I'm so sorry."

Joey shrugged. "It's not that bad; just busted headlights and a few scratches. My cousin will fix it, and we're insured. Don't sweat it."

Deirdre nodded and they could see how she was gathering her courage. "Still, I want to thank you. I was so out of it, I didn't know left from right. I only remember I wanted to go to the bathroom but they wouldn't let me."

"Well, they were steering you towards a bedroom," Joey said under his breath, making sure that Deirdre's mother was not within hearing.

Deirdre looked sick again. "Oh shit! Thank you, Joey. You really saved my butt."

Joey allowed himself a grin. "I don't think they were after that on a first date, but you're welcome."

"Smart ass! You know what I mean. Well, I better show you in."

She went ahead and Tess and Joey followed her into the living room. The house was from the early 1900s, just like theirs, and the living room had beautiful antique furniture. A dark wood table with lion's feet was set with china and real silverware.

"This looks classy," Tess commented. "If Joey wasn't such a klutz we could use our china, too."

That caused Deirdre to smile. "I'm not allowed to do the dishes either since I dropped one three years ago. I caught it with my foot and it didn't break, but still..."

Joey nodded sagely to that. "Yeah, I can still remember when I dropped Mom's prized soup tureen. It was the only time I ever got slapped."

Tess giggled at that. Just then, Karen entered the room "Maury, get your butt down here," she hollered towards the staircase in the back. "Our guests are here."

She smiled at Tess and Joey. "Hey, have a seat. Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for having us," Joey replied, and Tess simply smiled back.

They sat down on one side of the table while Deirdre took a chair opposite them. Maureen Darling came down the stairs wearing a turtleneck sweater over faded jeans. Joey found it improbable that she had a daughter in Deirdre's age. She looked like late twenties, especially with the wide smile on her face. Joey and Tess stood again and both received hugs from Maureen before she sat at one end of the table opposite Karen.

"Thank you for coming. I trust Deirdre has thanked you properly?"

"Mom!" Deirdre implored her mother.

"Yes, she thanked me, Ms. Darling. It wasn't much that I did in the first place."

Karen set small soup bowls in front of each of them. Joey's nose registered the smell and his eyes confirmed the identification. It was a French onion soup, with melted Gruyere and a soaked piece of toast on top.

Maureen closed her eyes while she enjoyed the aroma. "All right, let's enjoy our dinner then. How do you like Deirdre's new outfit?"

"Mother!"

"She looks much better than yesterday," Joey laughed. "But I think a yellow sweater would go along better with her green face."

Karen shot hot soup through her nose, and she had to cover her face with a napkin, while the sick look on Deirdre's face was replaced with a fierce blush. The attention was on Karen, though, who was coughing and trying to catch her breath.

"Jeez, Kid, will you warn me next time you crack one like that?" she finally gasped. She grinned at Deirdre. "First lesson: keep your fingers off any mixed drinks. Mixed drinks are poison."

"I didn't know there was..." Deirdre began but then she looked at Joey. He had warned her but she wouldn't listen. "Okay, I was stupid."

"Okay, let's leave this be," Maureen cut in. "You didn't know better but now you do. We're all entitled to make mistakes and we learn from them."

They finished their soup and then Karen produced the second course, a marinated beef roast with sweet potatoes, steamed carrots and a heavy gravy. It was so much better than what he or Tess could produce and Joey gratefully accepted a second helping. Conversation around the table covered different topics, from Tess's progress to Joey's car trouble.

Over dessert, a homemade chocolate cake, they talked about local politics and a neighborhood initiative against the expansion plans of Drexel College. Joey and Tess loved their neighborhood and they did not plan to attend Drexel after high school. Maureen, too, was undecided and argued in favor of a compromise between conservation and the interests of higher education.

Deirdre, on the other hand, argued that the concerns were not over the view of the neighborhood, but rather the view from the neighborhood. This was not about preservation but about the vista the inhabitants wanted to enjoy.

Tess argued against that, pointing out that Drexel's planned expansion would also bring more people and more cars into the already busy streets. More buildings would soon carry the logos of franchise coffee shops, thus changing the nature of a peaceful residential area.

It was an interesting debate and in the end Joey was surprised to see that it was past ten o'clock already. He had really enjoyed the evening in spite of the presence of two grown-ups. When the gathering broke up he made sure to compliment Karen on the food.

Then he surprised himself when his mouth uttered words he had not planned to say at all. "Umh, Deirdre, I was thinking ... Would you like to go to the movies tomorrow? We could catch one of the three o'clock shows?"

He could see the conflicting emotions on Deirdre's face, but in the end she nodded. "I'd like that," she said with a ghost of a smile.

"Pick you up at two-thirty?" he asked.

"Yes, I'll be ready," she agreed, smiling openly now.

They said their farewells and Joey helped Tess into the car before he sat behind the wheel himself. He had pulled out and was driving along the narrow street before Tess spoke up. "They're nice people. I mean, I liked Karen before, but Maureen and Deirdre are nice, too."

"Yes, I was kind of dreading this evening, but it was cool."

"She's really pretty," Tess observed. "I'd kill for legs like hers. She's crushing on you, though. You know what you're doing?"

"Huh?"

"Deirdre. She's got it bad for you. You have to be careful with her. You're her first real crush I bet."

"Jeez, Tess, since when do we discuss potential girlfriends?"

"Oh, since we've started discussing boyfriends?"

Joey sighed. "Maureen said something like that yesterday, too. I just can't believe that. I mean, what's so special about me? It's just that I'm the first guy she ever spent time with."

Tess shook her head. "Don't look at me. I'm not telling you what's special about you. Ask Deirdre."

"You're not helping."

-------

Deirdre was wearing another new outfit when he picked her up for the movies. The baby blue sweat shirt looked neat on her, and the blue jeans, though not exactly skin tight, were a good fit and displayed Deirdre's long legs to advantage. She had tamed her brunette curls into an unruly ponytail, and once more Joey was able to appreciate the slenderness of her neck. She carried a ski anorak over her arm.

"Hey, Deirdre," he offered, holding the passenger side door open.

Deirdre sat and let her eyes rove over the interior. Joey walked around the car and sat behind the wheel, inserting the key into the ignition. The six cylinder engine began to purr.

"Is this a new car?" Deirdre asked. "I never saw you in it before."

"I traded our big family car for it," Joey answered. "With the Cooper out of commission, I needed wheels and my Uncle Rico had this sitting in storage. It's winter, so I got a good deal."

"Will you keep it?"

"I guess. We're keeping the Mini for Tess; it was my mother's car. I'll take this one. I can't wait for summer to come."

At the theatre complex, Joey found a space in the parking structure. Since neither had seen The Incredibles yet they bought tickets for this animated movie. Joey offered to spring for popcorn and Coke but Deirdre declined, opting for a small bottle of Perrier instead.

As had to be expected, most of the patrons in the theatre were families with small children, with only a few teenagers scattered among the rows. Joey and Deirdre sat wedged between two families. Given the noise level to either side during the trailers and ads there was no chance for any meaningful talk.

That was not all. The father of the family on Deirdre's side had to weigh over 300 pounds. It was tough for him to fit into his seat even if he tried, which he didn't. He not only claimed the armrest between him and Deirdre, he also let his elbow reach way into Deirdre's space. To avoid a touch Deirdre was forced to scoot over to Joey's side. With each inch of her seating space invaded by the meaty monster, Deirdre was forced over more until she was leaning over the armrest.

In the beginning, Joey was just seeing this as a nice opportunity to get closer to Deirdre. The closeness, however, made him feel the apprehension and stiffness in Deirdre's body. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see that the fat man was now letting his arm and hand rest on Deirdre's seat, close to her left leg. This was getting literally too close for comfort. He leaned over Deirdre and addressed the man in a stage whisper.

"Either purchase a second seat, or stay in your own, will you!"

The arm was jerked back as the equally well padded wife leaned forward to inspect the situation. Fat Man felt compelled to establish his manliness.

"You listen, young man! I'll not have you talk to me like that!"

"Then keep your hands to yourself, capiche?"

Almost without his being aware of it, the Italian idiom had sneaked into his speech, together with a certain intonation that sounded eerily like the speech mannerisms of Uncle Vince's friends. It worked. Fat Man withdrew his meaty tentacles and squeezed his voluminous self into the confines of his seat. Deirdre looked at Joey with gratitude.

"Thank you!" she mouthed.

Instead of reclaiming her seat in its entirety she kept leaning against Joey, albeit more relaxed now. To their left they heard the angry whisper of Fat Man's wife who berated her husband over the disgrace he was. He whispered back angrily and the situation quickly deteriorated into a hissing match. Before the feature film even started, the woman grabbed her protesting and already overweight children and dragged them along the seat row and towards the exit. Fat Man followed and Joey felt momentary guilt over ruining the family's afternoon.

"Jeez, there's an argument for birth control," Deirdre giggled, snuggling against Joey's arm. The world was fine again.

Moments later, the curtain opened for the feature film and they leaned back. Joey had seen the trailers but he soon found out that the movie was even better than he had anticipated. The outrageous plot and the colorful characters made for excellent entertainment. Only when the closing credits rolled, Joey remembered that he was with a girl, and he felt like an oaf for ignoring her. He shouldn't have. Deirdre, too, blinked as if awakening from a wild dream.

"That was great!" she gushed pressing his arm.

"Yeah," Joey laughed ruefully. "I even forgot to try and feel you up."

Deirdre giggled at that. "I wouldn't notice," she smiled. "This is my first date, ever."

"You're kidding me, right?"

She shook her head. "It's the sad truth. Pathetic, huh?"

Joey shook his head. "No, not pathetic. It's rather a challenge. There's a lot of catching up for you. How about I give you a crash course over Christmas break?"

Deirdre scrunched her nose. "I'd have to look at the curriculum for that course first."

They were standing now, moving towards the exit with the rest of the patrons.

"That's easy. Today was Movie Theatre 101, including 'Basic Cuddling'. We should be able to move well beyond 'Advanced Groping' within three or four lessons. For cost reduction, I suggest we switch to rented DVDs and our living room. That will make it easier to attain the goals as long as I get Tess to stay upstairs."

"Mmm, that doesn't sound too challenging. At least, 'Physiology of Human Reproduction' doesn't seem to be included yet."

"Perhaps, with time, we can move on to that level," Joey grinned. "But for now, we're both better off with the basics."

They had reached the foyer, and the question what to do next loomed in front of them. Deirdre voiced it. "Okay, Teach. What's next in the 'Basic Cuddling' lesson?"

"Do you like Italian food?"

"Pizza Hut?" Deirdre asked.

"Yuk! You'll never see a respectable Italian there. I was thinking Toni Minetti's Blue Grotto. Only, we'd have to let Tess tag along. She'll never forgive me if I go to Minetti's without her."

"That sounds good. I've heard of it, but we've never gone there. Umm, Joey, I'd like to call my mom to tell her where we're going."

Joey nodded. Why not? His own parents had rarely raised objections to his plans as long as he was open about them.

"Yeah, go ahead. You've got your cell?"

Deirdre had already pulled it from her pocket, and she pressed a speed dial combination.

"Hey, Mom. — No, it was great. — We saw The Incredibles. — Yes, definitely. Listen, Mom. Joey wants to take me out for dinner. Tess will join us. Is that okay? — The Blue Grotto, it's a pizza place. — Thanks, Mom, you too!" She looked at Joey. "Let's."

Joey had called ahead and when they drove up to the house Tess was already waiting at the curb. Deirdre climbed into the backseat for Tess' benefit, and within fifteen minutes they were parked in the customer lot of the Blue Grotto.

"Hey Joey, hey Teresa!" Tony greeted them, looking curiously at Deirdre.

"My friend Deirdre, Tony Minetti, owner of this fine eatery," Joey introduced.

"Aw, Joey, now you breaka my poor daughter's heart! Anita hassa been widout da sleep for weeks, waiting for youra call!"

"She's twenty-four," Tess whispered to Deirdre. "It's a running gag between Joey and Tony."

"What can I say, Tony, it's your fault! You keep lowering the dowry. I have to look for better offers."

"But she canna cook, my Anita!" Tony exclaimed, kissing his finger tips for emphasis. Noticing Deirdre's confusion, he got in another lick. "You watcha this rascal, young signorina! He promise you eternal love, but then ― boom ― he finda da next beautiful flower. He leave you alone, justa like my Anita!"

"Papa, stop it! You're making an ass of yourself!" The voice from behind them belonged to a pretty, dark-haired woman who wore a white, flour-coated apron. She turned to Deirdre. "I'm Anita."

"I'm Deirdre."

Anita smiled at Joey. "She's pretty, and she'll be better for you than ... Oh, speaking of the devil, your ex is here with her parents. I'd have thrown them out, but Papa said we'll take their money first."

"Christie?" Joey asked automatically.

"How many exes do you have?" Anita laughed. "They have the table by the restrooms, and we'll place you by the window."

Joey shrugged. "No problem for me."

"Your ex-girlfriend?" Deirdre asked when they were seated. "I never saw you with a girl."

"It was in Joey's junior year," Tess explained, before Joey could come up with his answer. "They went together until last fall. When Joey was in the hospital she just moved on to the next guy. She didn't even break up with Joey, the slut!" Tess' voice was full of righteous anger.

"I'm sorry," Deirdre offered but Joey made a negligent motion with his hand.

"I've stopped thinking about her. I guess I went steady with her because everybody said she was one of the hottest girls in class. We met first when I helped her pass chemistry. I think she just leeched off me to get better grades and when I was in the hospital she had no use for me anymore. That's what you get when you follow public opinion."

Tess started to say something but she stopped, picking up the menu instead. With Joey and Tess's help, Deirdre made her selection. Tony appeared, jotted down the orders, and yelled them in the direction of the kitchen anyway. Anita yelled back at him in Italian, causing chuckles among the Italian-speaking patrons. Then Tony put a plate with slices of ciabatta bread on their table together with garlic butter and served them their soft drinks.

"What does she want here?" Tess suddenly snarled.

Joey looked up only to see Christie Daniels. She had changed, at least in his eyes. She still was a good looking blonde girl, but her face was pasty, and she had dark shadows around her eyes. He had his greeting pat, though.

"Hey Chris! Finally found some time in your schedule to wish me a speedy recovery?" he asked with heavy sarcasm, his head tilted mockingly.

"N-no. I just saw you and I thought..."

"Here she goes, bragging again," Tess cut in, giving her brother's ex-girlfriend a vitriolic stare.

Christie looked at Tess. "If I had known you were this hostile, I wouldn't have come over."

"Well, what did you expect? Tearful hugs?" Joey drawled.

"I came to apologize," Christie replied, her eyes downcast. "I treated you terribly."

"Yes, you did," Joey agreed amiably.

"I was thinking, maybe we could get together over the holidays, hang out and talk?"

Joey saw that Deirdre's hackles were rising and the realization made him smile when he answered.

"Sorry, Chris. I don't think that's a good idea. I haven't heard from you in over a year. There isn't anything to talk about anymore."

"I'm back in town if your change your mind. I'm living with my parents again, at least until the baby comes."

That was a surprise. Joey thought of a polite answer. "Well, congrats. You and Luke?"

Luke Cameron had been Joey's successor in Christie's graces. The blonde girl bit her lips and nodded her head.

"You guys marrying?"

Christie shook her head miserably.

"We broke up before I knew I was pregnant and he already has a new girlfriend. He'll pay child support or his father will, but that's it. He was cheating on me for a while, and we're not really friends anymore."

Joey did his best to keep his face neutral but Tess did not even try. "Karma's a bitch, isn't it?" she asked gleefully.

Christie gave Tess a sad nod but then she looked at Joey who much to his own surprise felt a stirring of compassion for Christie. She had to leave college and put her life on hold. Luke Cameron had his daddy pay the child support while he continued his path in life pretty much undisturbed.

"What? No schadenfreude, Joey? No comment that I had it coming, for ditching you in favor of that asshole?"

Joey shrugged. "That's water under the bridge. We probably weren't meant to be together in the first place."

"How can you be so cold? I don't think you ever loved me," Christie said in a low, accusing voice.

Joey gave that some thought. In the end, he nodded. "I guess you're right. I really liked you, but love? Fourteen months ago I thought I did. But now I have my doubts. Of course, I felt angry and hurt when you ditched me. But since then I had time to think. We just don't have that much in common, Chris. You could have done it more gracefully but I think a break-up would have been in our future anyway."

A woman appeared behind Christie. Joey recognized her.

"Hi, Mrs. Daniels," he said, standing politely. Mrs. Daniels had always been friendly to him.

"Hello, Joey!" the woman greeted him back warmly. "I cannot say how shocked we were hearing of that terrible tragedy. Of course, given the situation," here, she shot a dirty look at her daughter, "we felt that it wouldn't be in good taste to pay a visit."

"I saw your name in the condolence book. It meant a lot to us. Thank you." Joey managed to answer, and Mrs. Daniels nodded gracefully. She always did things gracefully.

"You seem to have made a full recovery?"

"My back looks like the surface of the moon, but apart from that I'm fine. Tess is also getting better with each day."

Tess nodded grimly while the Daniels women flinched visibly. "Yes, I see," Margaret Daniels sighed. Her face formed a friendly smile again. "And who would this lovely young lady be?"

"Deirdre, ma'am, Deirdre Darling. I'm a classmate of Joey's. We're lab partners, too."

"Oh, are you by any chance related to Maureen Darling, the District Attorney?"

"She's my mother."

"Lovely! I thought there was some resemblance. I had dealings with your mother last summer. I do volunteer work at a women's shelter and your mother was leading the prosecution against the husband of one of our charges. I was very taken by her professional skills, but also by her true compassion for the victim. Please, give her my kindest regards!"

"I will. It's rare for a prosecutor to receive regards," Deirdre smiled.

Tony came with the soup and the Daniels excused themselves.

"Did she really try to hook up with you again?" Tess asked incredulously. "I mean, what does she think?"

"I guess she's still shell-shocked," Joey said over a spoonful of soup. "You couldn't see anything yet, so she must have just recently learned about the pregnancy."

Later, Joey and Deirdre were alone at the table while Tess was in the kitchen, gabbing with Anita. Deirdre had been quiet while they ate, to the point that Joey thought he had done something wrong again.

"You've been quiet," he said, to get the conversation going. "Any good thoughts?"

"I kept thinking about you and Christie. When did you realize that you didn't match?"

Joey grinned. "About a split second before I said it. I wanted to be conciliatory, but when the sentences formed in my head, I knew it was the truth. In a way, it had to do with you, too."

"How's that?"

"Well, we're on our first date, right? Still, I already feel closer to you than I ever felt to Christie. We can talk about things that really interest me. We think alike. We both have very similar ideas about our future. Whenever Christie smiled at me I always knew she wanted some favor or service. When you smile at me ... Well, maybe I'm getting ahead, here."

Deirdre's hand closed over Joey's, on the table. "No, please, keep talking."

Joey took a deep breath. "When you smile at me, it just makes me happy."

She looked at him trying to make sense of what she heard. "Joey, I have no clue when it comes to dating. You're my first date. Please, are you serious? You're not leading me on, are you?"

She looked very vulnerable at that moment and Joey felt drawn to her.

"I mean what I said. That first afternoon in AP Biology, when you smiled at me it made me feel good. When you got pissed off with me, I missed your smile the most."

"Wow! Maybe it's time to head for home. We're getting ahead of your teaching schedule."

"You asked," Joey shrugged. "You're right, though. It's getting late and we have school tomorrow."

Deirdre smirked. "Must you remind me?"

"You worried?"

"A little. I made an ass of myself Friday night. I'll have to apologize to Deb, too, for screwing up her party."

"Deb is a good girl; don't worry," Joey answered with conviction. "I thought she was a queen bee, but she was really concerned about you. Angry at Mike and Paul, too. Those two should be worried."

"You're not going to retaliate against them, are you?" Deirdre asked with concern.

"I had an idea or two, but my cousin talked me out of it at lunch yesterday. He said there is nothing to gain, and he's right. Insurance will cover the damage and I can't prove that they wrecked my car in the first place."

"Your cousin?"

"Yes, Felix. His is my uncle Vincent's grandson. He's older, almost thirty, and he runs the security firm."

Deirdre nodded at that. She seemed to know who Felix was. Joey shrugged. Her mother had to be in the know as an assistant DA.

"Felix was there for us, after our parents died, just like my uncle. We get along great. He doesn't want to run my life. So when he gives me advice, I listen."

Deirdre nodded again. "Joey, before you call for the check I want to tell you that I enjoyed the afternoon, even with all the heavy stuff happening during dinner."

"Does that mean I can ask you out again?"

"Of course," Deirdre blurted and blushed. "I like being with you. I know I'm too inhibited and too shy, and that probably is a big turn-off for you."

"Don't sweat that. All my experience was with Christie. Plus, I'm a guy. I'm bound to screw up, too. Will you eat lunch with me?"

"I'd love that," Deirdre answered, smiling at him.

Tess choose that moment to return from the kitchen. "Hey, you two! Ready to roll? We have school tomorrow, you know."

Joey settled the bill with Tony and they left. Tess insisted on sitting in the back, maintaining that she was not handicapped anymore, and Deirdre had to relent. At the Darlings' house Joey parked in the driveway behind Karen's truck and while Tess switched into the front seat he accompanied Deirdre to the door. With slightly trembling fingers Deirdre managed to get her key into the lock, but before she opened the door she turned quickly and kissed Joey on the lips.

"Thanks for a great first date," she whispered. "Sleep well!"

And then the door closed into Joey's face, leaving him dazed.

Edited by Morgan
Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 6: Going Steady


When they arrived at school on Monday morning the hallways were abuzz with the news. Mike Helmond and Paul Burrows were in the hospital. They had played basketball on a public court on Sunday and there had been an argument with other young men, so far unidentified. The quarrel graduated from verbal insult into a full blown fight, and the two young men were in the hospital now having suffered broken ribs and dislocated joints.

Joey and Tess turned pale hearing of this. They knew in an instant that Burrows and Helmond had experienced the Di Rosa brand of punishment for a first offense misdemeanor. They had obviously received an expertly administered beating, done by professionals who knew how to avoid an unplanned lethal outcome.

"That was a bit heavy for a few paint scratches, don't you think?" Joey whispered to Tess.

"It's something I overheard them discuss when we stayed at Uncle Vince's," Tess whispered back. "After what happened to us Uncle Vince announced a 'zero tolerance' stance. You mess with a family member and you're up shit creek, miles away from the next paddle."

Joey's face showed his displeasure. "Fuck! Felix could have told us. This is not what I want. What if some professor gives me a 'C'? They'll whack him!"

"Naw, don't panic. You have to see it from Uncle Vince's side. It was vandalism, but things like that can mushroom and then people may get hurt."

"People were hurt, Tess."

"Yeah, well, maybe you can bring it up with Felix over Christmas. Maybe we can have a veto right for actions planned on our behalf."

"Uncle Vince doesn't believe in democracy," Joey sighed.

Joey did not see Deirdre all morning but they sat together at lunch.

"Did you hear about Paul and Mike?" was the first thing Deirdre asked. When Joey nodded, Deirdre continued. "I feel so bad. When I heard what happened to them I felt relief at first. You know, now they won't talk about me. Does anybody know what that fight was about?"

Joey shrugged. "There are rumors. The guys they played against made fun of them all the time, and Paul snapped. Turned out the others were not only better players."

"Well, at least my Friday night escapades are out of the headlines," Deirdre said in a low voice. "Anything is welcome that keeps the spotlight away."

"It'll be hard for you to avoid attention completely," Joey answered with a grin. "The 'new and improved' Dee-Dee is currently the Topic Nº2 among the male population."

Deirdre groaned under her breath. "What are they saying?"

"That you are a major babe, of course. Umh, some descriptions were a bit more colorful, but that's the gist."

Deirdre sat with her eyes downcast, and Joey could see that her ears were burning. "And, what do you think?" she asked under her breath.

Joey decided to take a risk. He placed his left index finger under Deirdre's chin and lifted it up, forcing her to look at him. "I like your eyes. They are the most lively blue I've ever seen, and the contrast with your dark hair is just stunning. When I look at your lips I want to kiss you, and when I look at your body in that sweater I get thoughts that would make Karen break out her castration gear."

"She said you're not afraid of her."

"You're worth any risk, that's all."

Deirdre's eyes widened in understanding, and then a smile spread over her features. "I thought a lot about you last night, Joey. I told you I have no clue, but it feels right to be with you."

"Same here, Deirdre. Christmas break is coming next week. We could spend some time together, you know, getting to know each other. If you want, we could work on a few projects in my upstairs lab to get ahead on the material."

"I'd like that. I'll have to clear it with my mom but I guess she'll see no problems. She likes you." Deirdre paused. "Umh, Joey, there's something else: You know, I'll be eighteen in February and I've never been kissed. I mean really kissed, not aunt-type kisses. Think we may get to kissing before I'm eighteen?"

"What about last night at your door?"

"That was a peck, not a kiss. I mean, a real kiss."

"A scorcher," Joey stated, and Deirdre nodded. "I get similar thoughts when I see your lips."

Before Joey could answer a shadow fell over them and they looked up. It was Deborah.

"Hey, you two," she smiled tentatively. "Mind if I sit with you?"

"Oh please! Sit!" Deirdre answered immediately.

"You sure? You two seemed to be in a different place."

"We had stuff to talk about ... about our lab work," Joey lied. Then when Deborah grinned sardonically, he added sheepishly. "And other stuff, too."

"Hey, Deirdre, are you okay? You're not in trouble with your mom?"

Deirdre smiled shyly. "No, she was cool. She gave me a little lecture about alcoholic beverages, how I should avoid mixed drinks and stick to other stuff. As penance she made me go to the hair dresser and for clothes shopping."

"Inhumane punishment," Deborah giggled. "You should report her to Child Services. You know, I told my father everything."

Deirdre winced. "Oh shit, Deb! I'm sorry. This was all my fault."

"Ssh! Easy! You know what happened? He had heard some rumors already. He said that because I told him everything, he knows now that he can trust me. It was great. Oh, and he said to thank Joey."

Joey smiled. "Tell him I did it for egoistic reasons. I want Deirdre for myself."

This time, Deirdre's face assumed a tomato-like complexion.

"Joey, really, you shouldn't..."

"Oh, pooh! You think you fooled me?" Deborah laughed, but then she turned sober. "Seriously, guys. I'm sorry about all this stuff. What about your car, Joey?"

For the third time, Joey replied with his standard words. "It's only paint and some glass. My uncle will fix it and we're insured."

"Well, those two jerks will take some time before they can pull shit like that again," Deborah said. "And it'll be a cold day in hell before they get invited by anybody again."

"I take it you spread the word?" Joey asked.

"Socially speaking, they're walking corpses," Deborah responded grittily. "Janine and Reba too, for that matter. What they did was just mean."

Janine and Reba were the girls who had dolled up Deirdre. Deirdre made a face. "If they're your friends, Deb, give them a chance."

Deborah gave Deirdre a smile. "I did. I told them to apologize to you and they got all huffy. So I told them they're not welcome anymore. You see, I know my reputation, but I'm not a bitch and I don't like bitches either. What they did was mean and it reflected badly on me. All right, this being settled, tell me about you two!"

Joey groaned inwardly, but he kept a friendly facade. "There isn't much to tell. Deirdre's mom invited me for dinner on Saturday. We had good food and a good conversation. Deirdre and I went to the movies yesterday and we had an Italian dinner with my sister. After that I drove her home. Curtain."

Deborah made a show of looking Deirdre up and down. "Be patient with that girl. I'm telling you, she's worth every bit of patience."

Deirdre was confused and Deborah explained. "Liz and I had to change you out of that bimbo outfit and back into your own clothes, or your mother would have had a coronary. Joey here studied the pattern of the wallpaper while we did it, but Liz and I got an eyeful. I'll have to think twice about inviting you to a pool party next summer. You're bound to cause riots, girl!"

Deirdre turned pink again but she looked at Joey. "You didn't peek?"

Joey shook his head. "Not while you were changing. When Liz and I helped you sit on the john I couldn't help seeing a bit of skin."

"Oh, I can't remember that. You helped me?"

"Had to. Liz couldn't manage you alone. It's no biggie. I had to help Tess, too, in the beginning."

"Oh my," Deirdre sighed heavily. "I must've been totally wasted."

Joey smiled. "That you were."

Deborah looked at her watch. "I better get a move on it. You two have fun!"

They both watched Deborah as she walked over to the counter to drop her tray.

"I think I like her," Joey remarked.

"Yeah, she's nice," Deirdre concurred. "Let's go. I need to get some stuff from my locker."

Together they headed for the lockers and then stopped dead in their tracks. Two uniformed police officers were going through Mike Helmond and Paul Burrow's lockers, wearing rubber gloves and packing things into Ziplock bags. Mrs. Harlow, the principal, was standing with them, dismay written all over her face. She looked up at Joey and Deirdre.

"Nothing to see here. Do what you came here to do, and don't you spread stories!"

Joey shrugged. "I guess their blood testing in the hospital came back positive for banned substances," he told Deirdre casually.

"Mr. Di Rosa! No rumors!" Harlow snapped.

Joey shrugged. "Get your stuff, Deirdre, and let's split."

Deirdre quickly opened her locker and retrieved her lab coat and her lab journal while Joey dropped off a few items in his own locker.

They left without another word being said, but once in the hallway Deirdre pulled Joey aside. "What if it wasn't just rum they gave me?" she asked.

Joey raised his eyebrows. "If they find stuff like that in their locker the shit's gonna hit the fan! I guess whatever the cops find we're rid of the assholes."

Deirdre was a little green again but she willed it away. She gave the surprised Joey a hug and a kiss. "Thank you! I'll never forget this."

"Hr-hm!" Mr. Joyner uttered from behind them. "When I said 'Get to know your partners', that was not what I meant."

Deirdre turned and from somewhere she pulled a big smile. "That's your fault, Mr. Joyner. You paired up two matching nerds. Now you have to deal with the fallout."

Joyner's boisterous laugh could be heard all along the hallway.

-------

"So, Joseph, I hear you and that girl Deirdre are getting friendly?"

"Yes, we're getting along fine. She's a great lab partner and I like her as a person."

"You be careful with that girl. Be respectful! Do not force her into anything, capiche? She's a good girl?"

Joey sighed. His great uncle had taken him aside after the family Christmas banquet to grill him about the previous months.

"She is a good girl. As a matter of fact I am her first boyfriend ever."

"That's good, Joseph. I hear good things about her mother, too. She is smart and principled, a rare thing for a public servant. Bring the girl along next time you visit. Don't be ashamed of us!"

"I'm not, Uncle Vince," Joey protested. "You have to see it from my side. It's mostly your friends and business partners who we see when we visit you. Felix is about the closest to us in age. It's just not comfortable. And they all ask me about Mom and Papa and how we are coping. I know they mean well but I don't need that sort of talk all the time."

"So, nephew of mine, how are you coping?"

Joey looked into the eyes of the old man. "I miss them like hell. I sometimes wish I could ask them for advice, only they're not here anymore. Tess misses them even worse. I mean, a girl her age needs a mother to confide in and a father to cuddle with. She's only got me and she can't have that girly talk with me."

"You know that Felice and Gabriella will announce their engagement, right?"

Joey nodded.

"Gabriella is a wonderful young woman as I'm sure you know. She'll be good for Felice. She will also help Teresa if your sister needs a shoulder to lean on."

Joey nodded. "She is a great woman. Felix is lucky. I'll tell Tess."

"So, Nephew, if these big receptions are too much for you, why don't you and your girlfriend come to a quiet dinner one of these days? Just you, her, Teresa, maybe Felice, and me."

There was no way out Joey knew. Better to make a happy face about it.

"That sounds good. Where? Here?"

Vincent Di Rosa smiled as he shook his head. "I think your girlfriend would love to eat at the Branzino. I have a table there. Talk to her mother and convey my respects. Better yet, why not ask her to join us? She can clear it with her boss I'm sure."

"Maybe in a month? I'd like to know her a bit better before I bring her to meet the family."

"Of course! What's a month? You talk to her, though. You have no reason to be ashamed of your family. We are decent people."

"About that, Uncle. Would you tell Felix to take it easy? I mean, those two clowns only scratched the paint of my car and they get busted up for that? Could we talk next time?"

"So, you want a veto?"

"Yes, something like that."

"Think about it. If you get a veto, you'll be aiding and abetting. Do you want that? I swore at your parents' grave that I will protect you against all harm. You and your sister. Those punks were messing with you and they were messing with your girlfriend. 'What's next?', I was asking myself. Maybe they'll start with your sister next time, booze her up, drug her up? Now those two won't come back. You know, they found those date rape drugs in their lockers, plus some other stuff. I don't allow such rabble in the school that my niece attends."

Joey thought about it. "You have a point there. Let me speak to Tess. She was kinda scared, too. I'll tell her the background and next time we can talk it out, okay?"

"Okay. Now, go back and enjoy yourself," Vincent Di Rosa said with a sarcastic smile.

"Yeah, I'll listen to Vito. His stories get better with each year," Joey answered with a grin of his own.

-------

Deirdre's hand felt good as it ran gently through his hair. Joey had his head parked in Deirdre's lap on the sofa in Maureen Darling's living room and he felt supremely comfortable. Maureen and Karen had gone out, Tess was visiting a girlfriend overnight, and Joey and Deirdre had rented a DVD to watch. Now that the movie's closing credits were rolling Joey luxuriated in Deirdre's touches.

When they heard keys in the front door Joey simply stayed. Instinctively he knew that Maureen would be accepting of his presence. With Karen he didn't know, but then again he would not let Karen have a say in his relationship with Deirdre. Deirdre jerked upright and her hand left his hair.

"Keep doing that, Deirdre," he whispered. "We're not doing anything wrong."

Hesitantly, Deirdre put her hand back on his head.

"Hey, wassup, kiddo!" Karen's voice sounded from the living room door. "We had to leave earlier because Morry has to be up early and we're ... What the fuck!"

The last three words came in an angry snarl. A moment later Maureen came running. "What is it? Oh."

Karen approached the couple on the sofa. Joey kept his head in Deirdre's lap, looking up at the imposing woman with a smile.

"Hey, Karen," he said casually. "We rented Ocean's Eleven. You wanna watch it, too? I only have to return it tomorrow."

Karen breathed hard to regain control but she managed. She cast Joey a look of grudging respect.

"Don't push your luck too much, Di Rosa," she exhaled.

"Relax, Karen. They're only cuddling a little," Maureen said soothingly. "You have to get used to it. She's not like us. We want her to be happy, don't we?"

With another heaving sigh, Karen nodded. "Sorry. Sometimes I'm not quite where I want to be. Okay, I'm cool."

Joey looked at the big woman. "Karen, Deirdre and I go steady now. We touch each other and we'll do more with time. We care for each other. Nothing you'll do will change that. I'll never do anything against her will, and I'll never hurt her knowingly, but with time we'll be doing the things that lovers do. And the only person who can make me stop is Deirdre. Can you please be cool with that?"

They stared at each other, Karen looking down and Joey looking up from Deirdre's lap. Finally Karen turned away. Dragging Maureen behind her, Karen headed for the stairs, leaving Joey and a dismayed Deirdre.

"Oh shit, I'm so sick of this," she moaned. "She sees me with a guy and she blows up."

Joey sat up and turned to face Deirdre. He took her hands and looked into her eyes. "Deirdre, Karen is jealous. She's like a guy in a way. You know how stepfathers are sometimes more protective of their stepdaughters than the real fathers? That's Karen for you."

He said that without mocking and Deirdre looked at him incredulously. "Why would she be jealous?"

"Duh! You're her precious, pretty daughter and no dirty man will ever be good enough."

"But she's not my..." Deirdre started to protest.

"In her heart, she is. She's trying to fill that father role, complete with all the crap."

"Shit! I never thought of it that way."

"It takes an outsider to look through the things you have grown accustomed to. Maybe I'm wrong, anyway. I'm sorry if I spooked you."

"No, you didn't spook me. I'm just ... I'll have to think about it."

Joey grinned at her.

"At least, you didn't grow up without a father figure. Ouch!" When so inclined, Deirdre could hit hard Joey found.

"Get up, Dr. Kinsey, you have finally weirded me out," she demanded sternly. Then her face softened. "Ten tomorrow, at your house?"

Joey nodded. "Do I get a kiss?"

Deirdre shook her head, giggling now.

"Not tonight. I have to determine your true gender first. What if you are a woman deep inside, would that make me a lesbian?"

Joey groaned. "I knew I should have kept my mouth shut."

"Come here, silly!" Deirdre whispered wrapping her arms around his neck.

Their lips met for a tender kiss. Deirdre always kissed like that, putting her soul onto her lips. This was no tongue wrestling match but it was highly erotic. Her eyes were hooded when their lips parted.

"I'm glad that you are the first man I ever kissed. This makes it special."

Deirdre's words caused Joey to shiver. "It makes me proud that you allowed me to be your first."

"There are more firsts in my immediate future, Joey, and I want to do them all with you, one at a time."

SCHWING! Joey could not help it; his suddenly rock hard penis almost ripped through the fabric of his jeans. Deirdre felt it through their clothes. "I take it you might be interested?" she whispered.

"When ... whenever you feel ready, tell me."

"On my birthday. I checked already, and my period will be over three days before. I'm on the pill now, so we'll be safe."

Joey suddenly felt his mouth run dry and his heart beat in his throat. "I'll get rid of Tess for that night. We can have dinner together and ... Wait, you'll want to celebrate with your mother and Karen."

"It's a Saturday, Joey. How perfect is that? Mom can do all the cheesy birthday stuff at breakfast. We can have coffee and cake in the afternoon, but the evening is ours. I want to wake up in your arms on Sunday morning."

"Deirdre, this means that we are going steady, right? You know, boyfriend-girlfriend steady."

"Yes, Joey. If you want me, I'd like that very much."

"I want it, too. I care for you, Deirdre, and not just because you're so pretty."

"Okay, boyfriend, do you ... Have you ever gone all the way with a girl? With Christie?"

Joey nodded. "A few times, during summer break. I'd like to claim that I made her orgasm five times in a row, but the truth is we were both scared and insecure."

"Don't worry. We'll keep trying until we're doing it right," Deirdre stated serenely. "Now shoo! I need my beauty sleep and Tess is waiting for you. Good night, Joey!"

With that she pushed him out into the hallway and helped him find his shoes and his jacket. After one last kiss she closed the door behind him, but her face was with him all the way home.

Tess was still awake reading in her favorite upholstered chair when he entered the house. "Hey, bro, you look kinda dazed."

"Deirdre and I decided we want to go steady."

"Damn! That's great! I'm really happy for you, Joey. She's good for you, much better than Miss Bun-in-the-oven."

"Oh, before I forget, you have a sleep-over on February 21."

"What? Where?"

"I don't know. Just make it happen. It's Deirdre's birthday, and she'll stay over with me. So please, find somebody to sleepover with."

"You're gonna pop her cherry? Wow!"

"I don't know if there is a cherry to pop, but it's going to be Deirdre's first time."

"Aaaw, how sweeeet! Don't worry, I'll be out of your hair."

"Thanks."

"Umh, will you be as understanding of me?"

"Of course. On your eighteenth birthday you'll have the house to yourself."

For once, Tess did not have an answer ready and Joey retreated to his room before that changed.

Edited by Morgan
Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 7: Attitudes


Christmas was over, and for Joey and Deirdre the grind of their senior year started again. The last week or two had been magical. Working for fun in Joey's private laboratory and spending time together at the movies or in either of their homes, the two young people had bonded in a way that would have been impossible with school work going on. Even working on their assignments had been a positive experience.

Of course, they rode to school together in Joey's car, making it "official" that they were "going steady". They did not count in the possibility that their relationship would ruffle feathers. Christie, Joey's ex-girlfriend, had two friends among the current seniors and the fact that Joey had snubbed her pitiful attempt at reconciliation did not sit well with them. Seeing Deirdre with him gave them a second target for their snide comments.

Janine Phillips and Reba Martin were another two who stirred the gossip mill. After two days, Deirdre was becoming an outcast again in spite of Deborah's influence. Deb sat at lunch with Joey and Deirdre to make her point, but their isolation was palpable. Then Tess entered the cafeteria. Joey saw that her boyfriend Brent wanted to head into another direction while Tess wanted to join Joey and Deirdre. They seemed to argue in low voices until Tess seemingly had enough.

"Oh, go hide in the corner, you chickenshit," her angry voice could be heard over the general noise level.

When a still steaming Tess joined them with two more sophomores in tow – she had rejoined her old class after Christmas – Reba Martin could be heard.

"Look, it's the handicapped table. Only whackos and cripples allowed."

Before Joey could get up Tess slammed her tray on the table and turned. Four quick strides brought her to Reba's table. She stared down at the smirking senior girl.

"Are you calling me a whacko?" Tess asked with an icy voice that could be heard at the surrounding tables.

"No, you would be the cripple," Reba crowed.

A split second later Reba crashed to the floor when Tess yanked the chair out from under her. Another second later she screamed, her arm in an unforgiving Jujitsu lock that threatened to dislocate her shoulder.

"Wanna join the cripples' table?" Tess hissed while increasing the torque. "You fucking mess with me again and I'll tear off your fucking arm and smash your ugly mug with it!"

With surprising strength Tess yanked Reba up and pushed her into the chair even before the first teacher found her way into the cafeteria. Tess faced the other girls at the table.

"Christie is a slut who dumped my brother. Now that she's knocked up and her precious new boyfriend dumped her she wants Joey back. Fat chance for that! He found a better girl by light years. So you better lay off the shit, capiche?"

Tess was scary in this moment, her face pale and her dark eyes reduced to angry slits. She had grown to 5'11" over the winter and her muscles were visible under the skin of her arms. Not one of the girls at the table spoke up. Even the teacher, Mrs. Marconi, was hesitant.

"Wha–what's going on here, ladies?"

"She called me a cripple to my face," Tess answered without hesitation.

"Now, Miss Martin, such vocabulary is not tolerated here. Have you apologized?"

"Yeah, she did," Tess answered offhandedly. "I'm cool now."

Reba looked up and there were tears lurking in her eyes, tears of fear and embarrassment. "She hurt me!" she pouted. "She broke my arm."

Tess snorted derisively. "When I called on her she fell off her chair, the little coward. I pulled her up and next she screamed as if I had broken her arm or something."

"Were you perhaps a little rough?"

"Me, rough? Mrs. Marconi, I can still barely walk and you know my left side is still weak." Tess was all hurt innocence.

"Oh, of course, I remember. Miss Martin, no more malicious slander! Have you no compassion at all?"

Tess affected a very credible limp as she returned to the their table, grinning smugly. Joey shook his head but Deb and Deirdre eyed the sophomore with a little trepidation.

"I knew Karen was working out with you, but jeez, what was that?" Deirdre whispered.

"Jujitsu," Tess grinned. "Like Judo, but it hurts more."

Mrs. Marconi had left the cafeteria again and when Tess returned the tray she put an exaggerated sway into her walk by Reba's table. The cafeteria exploded in laughter and catcalls and Tess made a pirouette. Leaving the hall she almost bumped into Ray Alvarez who grinned at her.

"Wipe that grin off your face before I'll do it for you!" Tess snarled and Ray's smile widened.

According to the consensus of the girls in junior class, Ray was the hottest item in school. Tall yet wiry, he was already an instructor at his parents' salsa school, a regional dance champion, and a member of the school's own salsa band playing the saxophone. He was also known to be quite taken by himself.

"Damn, you're beautiful when you're angry," he now said in a husky, admiring tone.

"Cut the fucking crap, Romeo," Tess shot back. "What do you want?"

"We're playing the Panama on Saturday and we're allowed to bring our girls. Care to accompany me, Teresita?"

The Panama was an upscale salsa club. Tess toned down her response.

"I'm not sixteen yet, Romeo. I have to ask my brother. I'm not your girl either."

Ray nodded. Of course, a good girl had to ask first. "Of course. Ask your brother for permission and tell me tomorrow, please."

Tess grinned. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why me?"

"I saw how you dumped that wimp, Brent. I just wanna make my move before you're taken again."

"Still, why me?"

He squinted at her. "I had watched you as freshman. Then I heard about your family and your injuries and all, and I wanted to cry when you limped in here last fall. I've watched you get better and I know how much hard work that must've cost you. You're a fighter and you've got fire. And damn, you are one hot chica."

Normally, any guy calling Tess a "hot chica" would need liquid food and loose fit pants for weeks, but Ray had a way of saying it that caused goose bumps on Tess's arms. Her eyes turned dark and she stared at him.

"You're one serious bullshitter, Romeo. A word of warning though: I've got some really protective relatives. If you're out to pluck a cherry you had better find yourself some dimwit bimbo."

"You're Old Man Di Rosa's grandniece," Ray nodded and grinned. "I know and I'll be careful, but you're worth a knee cap or two."

"Hey, save some of the sweet talk for Saturday," Tess smiled.

Ray grinned. "There's plenty more where this came from. Don't you know? 'Spanish is a loving tongue... '."

"Yeah, but you better keep that loving tongue to yourself on our first date," Tess shot back, but she could not hide the deepening dimples.

"See you, Teresita!"

"See you, Romeo."

Joey caught up with her. "I take it Brent is old news?"

"Yeah, he blew it big time. Can you and Deirdre chaperone me on Saturday? Ray plays the Panama with his band and he invited me. They won't let me in without a chaperone."

"You wanna go?"

Tess played indifferent. "I'd like to, but it's not that important."

Joey grinned and turned. "Hey, Dee-Dee, how about some salsa?"

"Huh?"

"How about you, me and the Terror of the Cafeteria go to the Panama on Saturday? It's a Salsa club and restaurant. I figure we can go on the dance floor and make those Hispanic folks weep."

Deirdre looked at him suspiciously. "Can you imagine me dancing Salsa? They won't weep, they'll howl."

"Still, it's going to be fun. I promise I'm not any better. Come on, do it for Tess. She needs a chaperone."

"Ray Alvarez asked me to come along, but I'm not sixteen yet," Tess explained. "Come on! You can wear a dress and heels and have a good time!"

Deirdre's eyes widened in shock and Tess realized her gaffe.

"Okay, no dress then. Just come along, please?" Then Tess grinned. "You do this for me and I'll stay with friends on your birthday."

Deirdre's face promptly assumed the color of a Grade A tomato.

Tess giggled. "Gotcha!" Then she put her hands on Deirdre's shoulders looking into her blue eyes. "Pretty please?"

Of course, Deirdre relented. However, when Joey and Tess picked her up on Saturday evening both their jaws dropped. Deirdre was wrapped in a little black number. Joey stared at her completely speechless but Tess recovered quickly.

"Jeez, Deirdre, you have a permit to carry that body around in public?"

Deirdre was red-faced. She looked at Joey imploringly. "Say something!"

Finally, Joey got a grip on himself. He grinned at Deirdre. "There's only one word that can do you justice."

"Which one?" she asked, setting herself up for the answer.

"Schwing!"

Still blushing Deirdre stood close to Joey. "Do you like it, then?" she whispered.

Joey nodded and grinned. "Stand just a little closer and you'll know."

The table they had at the Panama was rather close to the kitchen and rather distant from the dance floor. They sat with the girlfriends of the other three band members. At least there had been no cover charge. The other girls were from West Philadelphia High, from the Junior Class. Neither Deirdre nor Tess knew them. The three proceeded to give Tess the Third Degree. How had she met Ray? Were they going steady? What had happened to Marcie (obviously, Ray's former girlfriend)? Tess had no answers for most of their questions.

During the first band break, Ray and his three friends joined them. There was some canned music playing and he pulled Tess up for a few dance steps. Tess was not familiar with Salsa but Ray led her through the first awkward minutes.

"You'll get the hang of it in no time, Teresita," he smiled.

"Cut the crap. I suck," Tess grinned back. "It's fun, though."

"Your brother goes with Deirdre now?"

"Yeah, they're fellow nerds. Deirdre is really cool once you know her and doesn't she look hot tonight?"

"Oh no, I don't fall for that!" Ray laughed. "If I said yes, which would be the truth, you'd give me all sorts of hell."

"Damn, I hate smart guys," Tess laughed back, her eyes flashing now.

"She had us all fooled," Ray said in a low voice. "We all thought she was a dog and a lezzie, too. Have you ever seen that bull dyke who drives her to school?"

"That's Karen. She's a physical therapist. I owe her a lot. She devised the new exercise regimen that got me back on my feet. Without her there'd be no way I could dance with you."

"Then I'll thank her the next time she shows. If I survive that encounter will you come to another dance with me?"

"Just don't be afraid of Karen. She gets along with guys who have cojones but she hates wimps."

"Cojones? Am I really dancing with a sweet, virginal Italiana?"

"Nice try, Romeo. That's something you're not privileged to know." She smiled teasingly. "Yet."

He shook his head. "Then how come your nerdy brother gets along with Karen?"

By the angry flash of her eyes he knew he had overstepped some bounds.

"My brother is the bravest man I know!" she snarled. "He shielded me with his body and took three bullets for me. That, Romeo, is my measure of having balls!"

"I didn't know that; I'm sorry. It's just, he's always been ... I don't know, brainy?"

"What's that got to do with balls?" Tess shot back.

"Nothing, I s'pose. I apologize, okay? You're kinda touchy about him, eh?"

"He's all the family I have. What do you expect?"

"Of course. Damn, that must suck. I can't even imagine making it without my parents and taking care of my kid brother and sisters. But then again, I have two older brothers and they would kick in."

"Six kids? Jeez, don't your parents watch TV like other people?" Tess teased him.

Ray blushed. "I guess they find each other more interesting," he returned, his smile not quite as genuine. Tess pressed his shoulder.

"See, that's how it feels when the shoe is on the other foot."

"Oh, I get it. Let's talk about you, then."

Tess shrugged. "What do you want to know?"

"When's your birthday?"

"April 1st, and don't you even think of lame jokes!"

"Damn, another two and a half months until you can date alone."

Tess snorted. "Aren't you taking a few things for granted here?"

Ray tilted his head while he led her to the fringes of the dance floor. "Why are you acting so tough, Teresita?"

Tess's face became hard. "Because the meek don't inherit squat. My parents tried to be good to everybody. They donated for the third world, for Romanian and Albanian street children, and for the whales. Just look where it got them! They were fucking shot by an ex-Albanian street child. I'm outta compassion and I'm outta patience with people. It's me, my brother, my family, and a few select people I can stomach. Right now you're one of them, but don't take me for granted, okay? You play a nice sax and you're real easy on my eyes. That don't mean we're an item yet. For that I need to learn a little about you."

Ray smiled, perhaps with a bit too much confidence. "Sure, what do you want to know about me, apart from those qualities you listed?"

"I want you to cut the bullshit when it's just us two. I don't mind if you keep up your act with your buddies around, but when we're alone you better take me seriously." She saw his doubts then and smiled wickedly. "I told you, I'm not one of those bimbos you slay left and right. Find out for yourself if you think I'm worth the aggravation. If not, we're cool, but if you do, make an effort. I can tone it down, too."

"Jeez, Teresita, you are a pretty girl and all, but you make yourself out as a high maintenance girlfriend."

"No shit, Romeo. If you want 'easy', I'm not the girl for you." The canned music ended and Ray stood undecided. "You need to get up on stage, Romeo. I've dropped quite a load on you. Think it over. If you still want to try, just sit with us during lunch on Monday. If not, give me a friendly wave and you'll get one in return, and no hard feelings."

Ray took a deep breath. "I've got to hand it to you, Tess, you're unlike any girl I've ever met. You sure that you're only fifteen?"

"See, now you did okay. No 'Teresita' bullshit and a nice compliment, too. Keep practicing. You may not be a lost cause. Ray, it was nice of you to invite me and I'm enjoying myself. See you during the next break, eh?"

That was how they left things. The second band break, an hour later, was spent sitting at a separate table and talking. Tess heard a bit about Ray's family and the way his parents had clawed their way up to a respectable existence. Out of necessity, Tess could not tell too much about the Di Rosa but she explained about the furniture shops, the house in Powelton, and the upbringing by a ragingly liberal mother.

Before midnight, Tess bade a good night to Ray and left with Joey and Deirdre who had rather enjoyed themselves. Tess blocked all questions with regard to Ray during the drive home, maintaining that it was far too early to even discuss Ray. That did not keep her from practicing a few Salsa steps in her room before she went to bed that night.

-------

Over the next weeks Joey and Deirdre were pretty much accepted as one of the established couples in the Senior Class. This even more so when Deirdre began to thaw around people. Her class mates were surprised when shy Deirdre began to speak up about topics, haltingly at first, but then with a growing confidence. For the first time in her life Deirdre felt "normal". She had a boyfriend and a small but growing circle of friends.

During those weeks she also claimed her share of their house, inviting first Joey and then other class mates for studying. She also defied Karen when she took issue which still happened. It was a struggle at first but once Deirdre found her resolve Karen mostly backed down. That was a lesson for Deirdre and she began to take a stance more often.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox

This is a work of fiction, and neither the characters nor the events depicted are meant to implicate any persons living or dead. Some of the learning institutions described are real. Again, the events depicted are fictional and in no way meant to reflect the behavior of students or staff at these schools.



-------

Chapter 8: Roman Decadence


By mid-February it became obvious that Deirdre's eighteenth would not be like any of her previous birthdays. There were expectations by her small circle of friends. They expected a party, a birthday bash, and Deirdre was at a loss. This was something she had never done, not even before Karen killed her social life in her freshman year. It was a sad fact that there had been little social life to kill. The parents of her class mates had always been suspicious of Deirdre's unusual living arrangements, and Maureen's invitations to birthday parties for her daughter met with lame excuses all through the years before high school.

In short, not one member of the Darling household had the first clue about throwing birthday parties and thus it fell to Deirdre's friends, namely Deborah and Joey, to do the organizing. This was aided by a bundle of cash from Maureen. From the start Joey insisted on the party being staged in his and Tess' house for the simple reason that Deirdre could simply stay for the night. Tess had arranged to be with Uncle Vincent when none of her friends was able to accommodate her for the night but when she asked Joey and Deirdre they relented and invited her, too.

The motto was Roman Decadence. The basement spa would feature prominently in their planning and the guests were advised of the dress code: bathing suits under Roman-style togas, i.e. linen sheets. They planned on finger food and fruit and Joey organized a wineskin filled with red grape juice which they would drink from pewter goblets.

Deb would bring Chet Adams, her on/off boyfriend who was currently back 'on'. He was an okay guy if a little full of himself. Liz, who had aligned herself with Joey and Deirdre and was friends with them brought her college boyfriend, Wayne MacIntyre, who had graduated with Joey's old class. Then there was Ray Alvarez, Tess's date for the evening. Two more girls from the AP Biology course, Monica DeVeer and Lin Wu, completed the list. Those girls had been Deirdre's original preference as lab partners. They had snubbed her but she wanted to reach out to them. That made it a party of ten.

The day started with a surprise for Deirdre. Maureen had conspired behind her back and when Deirdre came down from her room for breakfast, sleepy and still wearing a crumpled flannel pajama, she found herself looking at her boyfriend.

"Eeek!" she squeaked, conscious of her less than perfect attire, but it was too late.

Maureen hugged her and wished her a Happy Birthday. Then it was Karen's turn and when she released Deirdre, Joey was already standing in line. By now Deirdre had recovered from her surprise and embarrassment and she was looking for a payback. With a devilish grin directed at Karen and Maureen, Deirdre plastered herself against Joey. Just a thin layer of cloth covered her naked body, and her kiss was no kiss but rather a blatant and unashamed foreplay. Joey emerged from that onslaught flustered and with an erection fit to split firewood. Giving the conspirators a smug grin Deirdre sat down at her usual place. Maureen looked at Karen and smirked.

"Hoisted by our own petard," she said dryly. "Joey, sit, please. Napkin's right next to your plate."

Deirdre giggled and patted Joey's hand while Karen glowered at Joey. "When will you be back tonight?" she asked rather harshly.

"Don't wait up on account of me. I have plans on who I'll wake up with," Deirdre answered serenely.

"You don't say!" Maureen laughed. "Well, seeing that you were born at five in the afternoon you're not yet eighteen and that means that I still call the shots until five. First order of business: open your presents. Then, breakfast. After that: shopping malls. Your boyfriend has informed me of tonight's dress code and since I know the only bathing suit you own we need to find you something that will give Joey an incentive to keep you overnight."

"Wha–what dress code?"

"Toga over bikini," Joey explained helpfully. "Let Deb and Liz have their comeuppance."

Karen weighed in. "Morry, is that wise? I mean, this is just a pretense..."

"Karen, accept the fact that Deirdre is of age. She couldn't be in better hands either."

Deirdre took a deep breath. "Karen, I'll be spending the night with my boyfriend. I'm eighteen, I'm not doing drugs, and I'll be in a private residence. Can you please accept that it's my life?"

Karen did not answer. Abruptly, she stood and left the room. Shaking her head Deirdre began to unpack the gifts. There were clothing items from Maureen, a pair of running shoes from Karen, and a flatbed scanner, again from Maureen. When Deirdre had finished unpacking Joey placed two more items before her. Giving him a shy smile, she opened the bigger one first. It was Charles Darwin's "On The Origin Of Species", a leather bound edition from 1958 which Joey had found on ebay. Deirdre pressed the book against her chest while she gave Joey a flaming kiss.

"This is so cool!" she gushed.

The second gift from Joey was smaller. It was a pair of ear pendants, aquamarine stones set in sterling silver. The stones matched Deirdre's eyes perfectly. This gift triggered the third kiss and this time Deirdre ended up on Joey's lap and with his right hand under her pajama top, right on her naked tummy.

"Jeez, I hope there are no more gifts," Maureen commented drily. "I don't think I can watch any further escalation."

"I'll better give her my third gift tonight," Joey answered with a smile.

"I'm sure you will," Maureen mumbled. "Kindly put a wrap on it, too."

Deirdre giggled unashamedly. "We should get some wrappers while we're at the mall."

Joey left after breakfast after his offer to assist Deirdre with her shower had been vetoed by Maureen. He received another kiss at the door together with a soulful look from Deirdre.

"Tonight, Joey, I'll be yours."

-------

Maureen delivered Deirdre to Joey at five o' clock sharp, driving up in her Volvo 760 station wagon which she loved and trusted. Joey had talked her into letting Uncle Rico do a complete inspection and he had declared it safe after replacing almost the entire brake system, the muffler, and most of the steering. The silver paint had long ago changed into a light battleship grey under the influence of the elements but Maureen did not care.

She came to the door with Deirdre and Joey invited her in. She had never been in the house and Tess showed her around. She spent a full two minutes looking at the pictures of Carla and Giovanni Di Rosa in the living room. She was asking a few questions, too, before Tess was allowed to show her the rest of the house including the basement spa. Steam bath and jacuzzi interested her but she also inspected the decoration for the planned Roman style bacchanal.

Meanwhile, Joey and Deirdre had some time alone. In his room Deirdre changed into her new bikini bathing suit. Taking a deep breath and blushing her trademark tomato red Deirdre dropped her clothes and stood completely naked for a few seconds before she stepped into the bikini bottom and put on the top. The bikini was black and it showed off a well toned body. Deirdre had attended ballet classes until she turned sixteen and it still showed. Joey was trying to recover from the sight of a naked Deirdre and the addition of the bikini did little to redirect his blood flow away from his midsection.

"Now I know what Liz and Deb meant," he said with a shaky voice. "God, you are beautiful, Deirdre!"

"You think so? I guess my body is okay."

Joey snorted. "Yeah, like Halle Berry looks adequate."

"Stop it! You're making my head swell," she complained.

"Jeez, Deirdre, likewise," he laughed. "Now let's wrap you into your toga."

With Joey's help Deirdre wrapped herself into two bedsheets sewn together to create a makeshift toga. With a giggle she then put a fake silver tiara into her hair before she fastened her new earrings. Smilingly she pirouetted in front of Joey before she put her feet into a pair of hiking sandals.

When they returned to the living room Maureen was about to leave. She hugged Deirdre whispering into her ear and Deirdre nodded emphatically. After Maureen left Deirdre helped a giddy Tess to wrap into her bedsheets, too, while Joey performed the same task on his own.

It was shortly after six when Deborah and Chet showed, followed by Monica and Lin who were slightly uneasy. All four were already wearing their togas. Liz and Wayne arrived in street clothes and used the guest room upstairs to change. Ray arrived last but he brought flowers both for Tess and for Deirdre earning him a pardon from Tess.

After locking the front door and activating the alarm, they moved the party downstairs into the spa zone where Joey and Tess had carried three small sofas and two mattresses which were covered with bed sheets. Candles lit the room and two fake palm trees added to the ambience. Joey led Deirdre to the largest of the sofas and let her sit while the guests rushed to offer their gifts kneeling before Deirdre's 'throne'.

The atmosphere was easy from the start and Deirdre was so obviously happy and relaxed that even Monica and Lin forgot their bad conscience. Joey who was the only one to have received a limited education in Latin read the opening paragraphs from Julius Caesar's De Bello Gallico. Nobody understood a word of it, least of all Joey himself, but it made for a great laugh.

Everybody found a place to sit or recline and the meal began. Joey and Deb had done their research and the food offered was, if not Roman, certainly Mediterranean. A large variety of cheeses, shaved Parma ham, water and honey melon slices, and grapes were offered, together with fine Italian ciabatta bread. At first they kept to the red grape juice but when Chet and Wayne started to bug Joey he went and fetched two bottles of Chianti wine, extracting promises from each guest that they would take a taxi cab to get home. Tess and Ray, being minors, had to stick to the grape juice.

Even divided by eight the two bottles of Chianti loosened the mood and soon the first couple dropped their togas and settled in the jacuzzi bath. When Deirdre dropped her toga and stood in her new bikini both Liz and Deborah broke out in wolf whistles which soon drowned in slightly tipsy giggles. The male guests wisely refrained from making any commentary.

They took turns relaxing in the hot bath and snacking in between and a lively and friendly banter ensued, mostly centering on Deirdre's new position of 'Hottest Babe in Class', an appointment vested in her by acclamation. With all the scantily clad females in presence and with small amounts of alcohol in their systems none of the young men was able to avoid erections, which in turn exposed them to merciless ribbing from the girls.

The three craters on Joey's back were also admired briefly. He was not self-conscious about them anymore and he laughed with the others when Deirdre made a show of kissing each of them better.

Later, they all wrapped in their togas again and adjourned to the living room where Joey popped a DVD into the entertainment system. It was The Life of Brian and it closed the Roman theme evening with lots of riotous laughter. Deirdre had never seen it before, and she had a sore tummy from laughing before the movie was half over. When Graham Chapman as Bigus Dickus tried to placate the Jewish crowd in his awful lisp, "Thitizenth. We have Thamthon the Thaggithea thtrangler, Thilas the Athyrian Athathin, theveral thadiciouth thcribeth from Theatherea... ," she was literally rolling on the floor convulsing in helpless laughter. Red faced and weak she sank into Joey's arms, still shaking in giggles.

Sometime towards the end of the movie Ray got up and excused himself claiming he had to leave now to make it back in time for his curfew. Joey cast a curious glance at Tess who seemed okay with his departure and he let Ray out.

Once the movie ended, the party moved back into the basement. Lin and Tess begged off to watch another movie, but the rest filled the hot tub to overflow. Under the cover of the air bubbles some grab-ass action happened – something Monica tried to ignore – but it was good-natured and nobody was uncomfortable.

During the next half hour four females claimed the three hair dryers the Di Rosa household boasted to repair any damage to their 'do' before they left, while the remaining three guys amused themselves making smart ass remarks and getting scolded for it. Deirdre did not have to worry about her hair but she flitted back and forth between her friends to assist them while Tess joined the guys and their running commentary. If she was hurt by Ray's abrupt departure she did not show it.

However, once the guests left in a taxi she hugged Joey from behind.

"You're so lucky, Deirdre," she said almost accusingly. "You got the best guy for miles around."

Joey turned and put his arm around his kid sister. "Well, Tess, when you're right, you're right," he grinned. "You gotta admit though, Deirdre's kinda hot, too."

Tess disengaged herself and hugged Deirdre instead. "I'll make myself scarce. You two have fun," she whispered, and then she scampered upstairs, already losing her toga and being naked underneath.

"The little brat!" Joey marveled, but then he turned to Deirdre. "How about some quality cuddling in the hot tub?"

Without hesitation, Deirdre dropped her toga as well as her bathing suit and glided into the hot water stark naked. Joey was not far behind, his erection leading the way to where Deirdre sat submerged. Deirdre made him sit on the underwater ledge and straddled his legs, so far avoiding his penis.

"Joey, there is something I have to confess first before we go any farther, okay?"

"Shoot," Joey answered not expecting anything dramatic. None was coming.

"You are my first man, for everything. I haven't kissed or fooled around and I never had a man ... In me, okay?"

"Yes?" Joey asked, getting curious.

"The thing is: I lost my hymen three years ago. Well, lost is the wrong word. I wrecked it."

"How come?" Joey asked, puzzled over this.

Deirdre was red faced again.

"I was home alone, and I had been on the 'net, and I saw ... things? You know, pics of naked people. There was this site where women were doing each other and I got curious. I snooped in Mom and Karen's room. In the back of Karen's panty drawer I found stuff, like vibrators. There were some other things, too, like a plastic penis. I kinda tried to figure out how they would work. I tried the smallest vibrator but even that wouldn't fit. But there was this tube that said 'gliding creme' and I read the instructions and put some of it on the vibrator. It still did not fit well, so I pushed. I didn't mean for it to go that far, but there was resistance and suddenly I felt something rip and it hurt, so I pulled it back and it was blood smeared."

"Wow, you were shocked, weren't you?" Joey said, just to say something.

"A little. Of course, I knew what had happened. Mom had given me the talk when I was twelve, and she gave me a lot of books on the subject, so I knew. I thought, 'Wow, so that's how it feels, ' and I put it back in. I switched it on and it hummed and buzzed, but I couldn't feel much, so I stopped. I washed it and put it back."

"And since?"

Deirdre buried her face against Joey's neck. "Only my fingers," she whispered. "And since last September I thought about you when I did it."

If anything Deirdre's confession made Joey even harder but he kissed her softly.

"Wow. That's ... I don't know what to say."

"Just kiss me, will you?"

He kissed her. A lot. He kissed her breasts, too, and she gyrated in his lap, bringing his stiff erection in close contact with her own, excited sex. Repeatedly she rubbed her labia along his penis, sighing while she did it and trembling slightly. Her eyelids were hooded by now and her blue eyes smoldering.

"Put it in, please," she gasped. "I want you in me. Now!"

"Here? Shouldn't we go up to my room?"

"Here! Now! I'm exploding!"

She tilted her hips slightly and scooted up along his penis which was flattened against his stomach. On the downward movement the tip caught in her dilated opening. There was some brief hesitation on both sides but then Deirdre pressed down while Joey held his penis steady with his left hand.

On the first try the tip wedged in, but only barely. Deirdre was lubricating but the hot tub water was diluting her juices and the penetration was difficult. She was tight, had to be as a virtual virgin, but she was determined, too. A quarter inch at a time, she worked her way down on his shaft, stopping twice to get accustomed and then continuing in her quest. Once his full length was inside her and her pubes were rubbing against the root of his dick she let out a deep sigh.

"Oh. My. Gawd!"

Joey held still. He had let go of his penis and now both of his hands held Deirdre's waist.

"How do you feel?" he whispered.

She wiggled her butt. "Full, I guess," she answered. "Hurts a little but it's getting better. How are you holding up?"

He had to laugh, in spite of the situation. "This is so us," he chuckled.

"Yeah, making a science project out of popping my cherry," Deirdre giggled.

Her giggle felt wonderful from where he sat with his dick buried in her to the root. He pressed her down a little by her hips, perhaps a half inch, and she gasped while her eyes showed astonishment. He repeated the maneuver and another gasp from Deirdre was his reward. She tilted her pelvis a little for the next downward pull and now a sigh emanated from her slightly open mouth.

"This ... Is ... Neat," she observed in a detached way during the next three inward thrusts.

It was. Being suspended in the hot water and almost weightless, their coupling was almost ethereal; certainly nothing like the awkward first time with Chris. Sure they were both stumbling along but they were eerily in tune with each other. He did not know how but he felt it when Deirdre was ready for more. It was as if her pussy relaxed around him. It became like molten wax: hot, yielding and definitely slippery. With his hands he lifted her up by the waist and she followed his lead, letting his dick slip out of her until only an inch remained inside her. Then he directed her down, slowly and carefully, savoring the feel of her mucous membranes gliding along his hot shaft.

Deirdre picked up from there using her legs to move up and down in a steady rhythm with her arms around his neck and her forehead resting against his. He felt her breath on his face and he heard soft mewling noises come forth, soft noises that morphed into squeals as her excitement grew. She kept her pace for a while and Joey found himself able to curb his own lust in spite of the rush of feelings.

He let his hands wander up from her waist to cup her breasts which were more pointy than ever, with her small nipples contracted and stiffly protruding. He let his hands rub over them in circles, savoring the exquisite feel against his palms. That excited Deirdre as he could tell from the pitch of her voice and the increasing volume of her squeals. He briefly worried about Tess overhearing them but he cast this concern to the side. Up in his room, wall to wall with Tess, this would be much worse and Tess knew what they were doing anyway.

While he kept rubbing her sensitive nipples, Deirdre suddenly threw back her head and sank down deep on his penis, a moan exploding from her open mouth. She leaned back and Joey used one hand to support her back while the other kept rubbing over her breasts as she rocked her hips now, her body impaled on his stiff cock. Yes, she was getting close to a climax. Joey could tell without being consciously aware of the signals. He just knew it. Her moans came continuously now as she rocked herself towards her orgasm.

Then, when the climax rushed her, her voice changed dramatically.

"Eeeeh! Eeeh! Eeeah! Eeaaah! Eeaaaaargh! Eeeaaayeeee! Joeyeeeeeeee!"

Her wailing almost broke the spell for him. It startled him and worried him, it pierced his eardrums, but when he saw her face, her head thrown back and her mouth open, her eyes pinched shut, so obviously in the throes of her passion, he felt a rush deep in his own self, a passion and a desire that were beyond physical lust, beyond sex. He crushed her against his chest while his hips went into overdrive, slamming up against her pelvis, penetrating as deeply as he could. And then the searing, blinding wave of his own orgasm washed over him.

"Aaagh! Aaarrrrgh! Aarraagh!" he cried out.

They remained clinging to each other for more than a minute, holding on to the other for dear life. It was Deirdre who first regained her wits and even her sense of humor. She held Joey's face with both hands and kissed him with a beaming smile on her lips.

"This settles it. I'm a breeder. Karen will have a cow, but fuck it!"

A giggle attack came over her and she leaned her forehead against Joey's as her body shook with laughter. When the giggles subsided she shook her head.

"This was awesome! It was almost as if I stood beside me wandering who that crazy girl was."

Joey was slowly coming to. "That crazy girl was my girlfriend and the reason for my premature hearing loss. Jeez, my ears are still ringing. There's no way Tess could sleep through that."

A giggle from the basement stairs confirmed that. Both Joey and Deirdre's heads turned towards a blushing Tess who held her bathrobe closed with both hands.

"Tess, you didn't!" Joey exclaimed, realization washing over him. Tess had watched them and jilled off!

"What if I did? You weren't exactly trying to avoid attention!"

Another giggle fit shook Deirdre and she leaned against Joey, limp as a wet noodle. When she recovered a little she shook her head.

"Gawd! I should be sooo embarrassed but I can't give a shit. Wanna join us, Tess? Right now Joey is wiped out and harmless."

"No way I'm stepping into this tub before Joey has changed the filters!" Tess laughed. "We may be closer than the average siblings but there are still limits."

"How about you bring us some soda?" Joey asked.

Shaking her head Tess stood and walked over to the table picking up three Coke bottles from the ice bucket. Giving one each to Deirdre and Joey she opened the last one herself and sat on the rim of the tub, her bathrobe wide open and revealing her rather delectable naked body.

"She's trying to embarrass me," Joey explained and then he grinned at his sister. "Tough luck for you. Even if I get an erection you couldn't see it."

That was true; he was still embedded in Deirdre. Tess was not fazed.

"I bet I can see it on Deirdre's face," she answered, grinning outrageously.

Deirdre had an introspective expression on her face, but then she nodded. "It works."

Tess laughed so hard she almost fell into the tub, but then she controlled herself and put a hand on Deirdre's shoulder.

"Is it that good, the sex, I mean?"

Deirdre wagged her head. "I've never felt more complete. But then, I love this guy, so that's playing a big part."

There, the word was out. Tess' eyes bugged and she cuffed her brother. "Say something, and quick!" she hissed.

Joey had a blissful smile on his face. "I've had sex before but this was more, this was far beyond sex. This intensity, it was wonderful and scary at the same time. But yes, what I feel can only be love. If not, then real love would kill me."

Tess looked at them and nodded, her eyes getting dark and wet. "One day, I wanna meet a guy like you, Joey. Welcome to the family, Deirdre."

With that, she got up and ran from the basement leaving Joey and Deirdre slightly baffled. They disentangled themselves from each other and used a shower head to flush off any residue. Then Joey opened the drain before the floating, congealed semen could seep into the filter system. They wrapped their bodies into their togas once more and cleared away the worst of the mess from the party. That finished Joey flushed the empty hot tub with a hose and switched off the entire system.

Hand in hand they traipsed upstairs. In the bathroom they brushed their teeth side by side, smiling at each other's mirror images. It was past three o' clock when they snuggled naked under Joey's duvet. Deirdre pressed her cheek against his shoulder and he hugged her with one arm. In this position they fell asleep and were soon dead to the world.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 9: Plans


Joey and Deirdre woke from Tess' knock, and then they heard her voice through the bedroom door.

"Breakfast in an hour!" she announced with a giggle.

Joey looked at his alarm clock. Ten o' clock. He turned to Deirdre who smiled.

"An hour. Any idea what to do until then?"

They joined Tess for breakfast a little over one hour later and their silly grins were a dead giveaway. Tess just smiled and told them to dig in. She had baked fresh bread rolls and had prepared scrambled eggs with strips of bacon, a hearty breakfast after the previous night. After breakfast, the three young people worked for another two hours to clear the mess in living room and basement and then Joey drove Deirdre home.

He brought her to the door and gave her a brief kiss before leaving again. Deirdre opened the door with her key and a scowling Karen confronted her.

"Do you know what time it is?" she stormed.

"Karen, please!" Maureen could be heard from within.

"It's half past one and yes, I had a wonderful evening. How nice of you to ask," Deirdre answered, put-off already.

"Where were you?"

Deirdre steeled herself as she faced down her mother's lover. "Joey and I made love until the wee hours and we slept in until ten. Then we had another go and I had to shower, of course. Breakfast at eleven, then cleaning up the mess from the party. I think that accounts for everything."

Deirdre thought Karen would have a stroke, but she was determined.

"Karen, I'm over eighteen. I'm not a lesbian like you and Mom. I know beyond doubt because last night was the best ever in my entire life."

"Y-you should have called! We were worried!" Karen maintained.

"You have Joey's phone number. You knew I was there."

"We did not allow you..."

"Karen, you're not my mother and not my father: you're my mother's girlfriend. There is no reason in the world to ask your permission for anything."

Maureen appeared, clearly worried. "Karen, please, must you ruin it?" she pleaded.

"She stays away all night, admits to fucking around, and you 'don't want to ruin it'?"

Deirdre felt red-hot anger wash over her. Her angry scream shocked both women.

"Aaargh! Leave me the fuck alone, you hear! I've had it! Get out of my life and stay out!"

"Karen, Deirdre, can you keep it down?"

"God damn it, Mom, don't you see it? It's been like that all my life! All those fucking years she's been trying to run my life; in Pittsburgh and here. This is supposed to be my home, right? How come I don't feel at home? How come I feel that I have to excuse myself for being normal?"

"Deirdre, that's just not true. I know things have not been easy for you..."

"Are you fucking kidding me? She made me a pariah! You could go to your damn office but I was sitting at home listening to her endless rants while nobody dared to visit me. She wouldn't even leave girls in peace. I was in a prison and she was the fucking warden."

Karen's face was red and she was close to blowing up. "It's that lousy fucker who's messing her up! I'm gonna show him not to mess with us! I'm gonna..."

"Shut up, Karen!" Maureen commanded sharply. "You'll do nothing, especially not touch Joey! He's a great young man, and I'm happy that he and Deirdre are so close.

"Karen, I allowed Deirdre to spend the night. I'm her mother. I called the shots. Now even I can't do that anymore because she's of age. You have no call telling her what to do and especially not whom to date. Remember our own youth? Remember your people telling you that you were sick? Remember what your father did to you, to 'set you straight'?"

Karen turned a ghastly pale.

"Now the shoe is on the other foot. We're gay but Deirdre isn't. Are you calling her sick? Will you 'set her queer' by force?"

Karen shook her head frantically. "Morry, you know I could never hurt Deirdre! Please, tell me you don't believe that!"

Maureen cast a hard look at Karen. "Then show some reason! You're hurting her already. You are driving her away from us, can't you see that? Damn it, the last weeks you were almost as bad as in ... Now, wait a minute! Karen, are you taking again?"

Karen's face changed to tomato-red but she wouldn't answer. In this moment she almost looked like a teenager caught with Daddy's Playboy.

"Oh my God! Didn't we have that talk a year ago? Karen, I'm a fucking DA and I'm investigating prescription drug trafficking. You want me to haul you in and have you sent away? Or do you want me to lose my job? Why, in God's name?"

"I was losing muscle tone," Karen said sheepishly.

Maureen's face was like stone when she answered. "Karen, I believe it's better you moved out."

"Morry, no! Baby, I love you!"

"No. If you did you wouldn't put muscle tone over me."

"I'll stop, Morry! I promise! Give me a chance here!"

"I gave you a chance after you almost got Deirdre expelled from school. I gave you a fucking chance. How long will you keep clean this time? A year, six months, or until I turn my back to you the first fucking time? When did you start again?"

"After New Year," Karen answered, her head hung. "I was feeling down and I felt like a wimp all the time. And then you danced with that black chick and I felt I was losing you."

"Damn it, Karen, you dragged me to that dance. I danced with Numi exactly twice and how often with you? Twenty dances? Anyway, who's your supplier?"

"Morry, I can't rat on people!"

"And I can't ignore my oath. I'm sworn to prosecute criminal behavior. You are free to leave this house but if you want to stay you have to give me names."

"Montalban, Rafael Montalban and his brother Enrique. They run the Pro Gym, on Frankford."

"They're taking, too?"

Karen nodded unhappily. "Heavy. They have excellent definition."

"How admirable!" Maureen snapped. "Do you just use or do you distribute? Oh Jesus, tell me you didn't give Tess of the stuff!"

"She could've used some but she wouldn't. She's a Miss Goody-two-Shoes."

"Are you absolutely nuts? Do you have an idea what will happen to you if you mess with that kid, or with Joey for that matter? Those two geniuses who scratched the paint on Joey's car, they spent two weeks in the hospital and suddenly we get evidence of their drug habits from an anonymous source. Somebody is watching over those two kids, somebody with a very short fuse." She saw Deirdre's face. "Joey probably knows nothing, but the coincidence was too strong. Our guess is, the uncle who towed the car reported the incident to the higher-ups."

"Okay, okay, I never forced it on her. I offered, she refused, I accepted."

"Don't ever let me find out you're dealing this stuff to minors!" Maureen said grimly. "Or rather, don't ever let me find out you're taking it either. Karen, we're not just fuck buddies. What we do affects the other and Deirdre. This is a responsibility. Grow up. Leave it behind before this destroys us."

"You're giving me a chance then?" Karen asked, and Maureen took a deep breath.

"Against better judgement. Karen, this is your last chance, okay? I'll try not to implicate you in the investigation but those two brothers will go down in flames. So will you if you touch that shit again. Tomorrow we'll shop for a therapist. You have to clean up your act. Don't try to be a man, Karen: I don't dig men, don't you know? I don't mind a strong woman but you still have to be a woman."

Deirdre blushed when she heard that, but she scraped her resolve together.

"Karen, I want you to be the friend again that you were last summer and fall. We got along so well but when you get all aggressive I want to lash out at you. Please, do what Mom says."

Karen looked uneasily at Maureen and Deirdre, but she nodded. "Okay, Kiddo. Sorry. I'll try my best. I don't want to lose what I have."

-------

The altercation with Karen had a strong impact on Deirdre. Her mother might give Karen another chance but deep inside Deirdre was sick of having to defend herself for being a heterosexual girl. It was nothing she decided or even thought about. Unconsciously, Deirdre stopped inviting her friends over to their house, rather opting to spend time away herself. One afternoon after two weeks, Deirdre explained things to Joey as best as she could.

"I'm not afraid of Karen," he maintained.

"Joey, please, let's just avoid this whole drama. It's only a few more months until I graduate. Then I'll be gone and can live my live."

Joey was surprised. "You'll move out from your mother's? Why?"

Deirdre was amused first, but then she went pale. "Oh God, I never told you, did I?"

"Told me what?"

"Where I'll go for college."

"Not UPenn?" Joey asked, showing astonishment and worry.

"No. Any place, as long as it's at least a day's journey away from Pennsylvania. Oh, shit, Joey. You thought I'd attend UPenn?"

"Yeah, you kept saying it was a great school and you kept saying you want to go to Johns Hopkins afterwards. You applied for undergraduate at Hopkins?"

"No, Joey. Oh God, when I applied at places you were not on the map yet. How was I supposed to know that I'd fall in love with guy?"

"So, where did you apply?"

"California mostly. Berkeley, Davis, Stanford, and Eureka. HSU in Eureka were the only who offered me a full scholarship. I was lacking the social competence and commitment, you know."

"Eureka? That's in Northern California somewhere, right? Jesus, Deirdre, that's as far away from Philadelphia as you can get. That's over three thousand miles from here. How on Earth are we supposed to manage that?"

"I don't know, Joey. I only now realized it. I've committed myself. You'll go to UPenn?"

Joey nodded, looking dumbfounded.

"Yeah, I'm committed. Even if I weren't, I can't leave Tess alone."

"Oh! Shit, Joey, I'm so sorry. It's just, I was floating all those last weeks, and I did not even think about stuff like college. Last fall, it seemed like heaven, to go away that far, but now..."

"Yeah, it sucks," Joey said morosely. Then he looked at Deirdre imploringly. "You ... you did not plan this, did you? I mean, a short fling for the rest of the senior year, and then an easy exit?"

For a moment Deirdre was speechless. She shook her head while she reached for his hand pressing it frantically.

"Joey, no! I'd love nothing more than go to college with you. I love being with you, I love working with you. No, this is all about how I felt last fall before I realized what ... before I lost my heart to you. Joey, we can make it. Maybe I can transfer after a year. I'll be back for the breaks and perhaps you can come visit, too. We can call each other every day. We can ... Oh!"

"What?"

"We can't have, you know, sex."

"There is that, but we can't hold each other either."

Deirdre took a deep breath. "A year. Not a day more. I'll try to be home for Thanksgiving, for Christmas, and for Spring Break."

"I guess I could fly over for a few days in between," Joey conceded. "I don't want to lose you."

"I promise, you won't. I'll try to transfer back here as soon as possible even if it means I have to put up with Karen's bitching again."

"You know, I'll have to clear it with Tess of course, but we've got plenty of room in our house."

Deirdre moaned. "Now you tell me! Damn it! To think we could live together and go to classes ... Damn!"

"Yeah, it's going to be rough. I was also counting on you being with me in classes and courses."

Deirdre looked at Joey, tilting her head. "Honestly, are you mad at me for not telling you earlier?"

Joey sighed, picking his words carefully. "Honestly? At first yes but I can see where you are coming from. And yes, how could we know last fall that we'd be an item at all."

Deirdre nodded. "Yeah, last fall I was confused as hell. I was such a bitch, wasn't I?"

"You annoyed the hell out of me. I mean, I was trying to be nice but you treated me like a leper. The first weeks after school started were really great but then..."

"I know. In a way it was the same for me. But the more I began to like you the more I became angry at you for complicating my life." She gave Joey a calculating look. "You know, that line you used on me, 'May I call you Deirdre, at least in the beginning?', that was the first time any guy ever tried to flirt with me."

"Oh, jeez, Deirdre! I should have thought of something better. Tess read me the riot act afterwards."

Deirdre shook her head, smiling again, and put her hand on his cheek.

"It worked. Only, I didn't know it really. All those possibilities rushed through my head and I thought everybody could see my ... dirty thoughts."

"You had dirty thoughts of me?"

"Anytime I saw you. You know in all my fantasies the guy who would seduce me was always faceless like a phantom. Suddenly there was a face."

Joey was deeply moved, and he pulled her close hugging her to his chest.

"I liked the way we clicked when we prepared that first paper for Paynter. It felt great to have somebody on the same level you know. I thought you were cute, too, in that frumpy way. But then there was Christie in my head and the fact that your Mom ... that Maureen is a DA. I was afraid of any deep relationship and with your mother I had this thing in my head that just a fling would be courting disaster. That's why I tried to keep this on the buddy level."

"Yeah, that annoyed the hell out of me. I mean the first time we talk you flirt with me and then it's just, 'Oh, did you see that article in Scientific American?'. I wanted to smack you."

"Maybe, you should have," Joey laughed. "I was a bit dense, I guess."

Deirdre snuggled closer. "Thank God that's all behind us. Joey, we will make it. We can phone each other and there's this new application, Skype. We can phone over the internet at no extra cost. We can chat too. We can even get two of those webcams so we can see each other. I'll try to transfer after Freshman year and I'll rent one of your rooms. That's worth a year's wait, isn't it?"

She was so enthusiastic that Joey decided to keep his misgivings to himself. High school couples usually broke up within the first two semesters of college. Maybe they were the exception. Maybe they could make it work for a year until Deirdre could transfer back. It was certainly worth trying.

-------

"I looked into that information you gave me," Detective Horrigan said pulling a notepad from his pocket. "Rafael and Enrique Montalban, twenty-eight and twenty-five years old, born in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico, naturalized in '88 together with their parents. Spent their youth in the orange groves of California. In '99 the brothers moved to the East Coast after their parents died in a fire. They seemed to have lots of capital and took over the Pro Gym on Frankford Avenue. Both have competed with some success in local and statewide body building contests. They also hold interest in a tattoo parlor next door and from the looks of them they are the best customers, too."

Maureen studied the pictures Horrigan had laid on her desk. "They look scary," she opined, and they did. Their hulking bodies were covered over and over with tattoos, mostly depicting biblical scenes, but also violence and torture.

"They are, Counsellor," Horrigan nodded. "They tried for membership with the Pagans but were rejected; why, I didn't learn, probably because they're Hispanics. They were briefly connected with the Mara Salvatrucha, hence the full body tats, but that connection seems to have been severed, again for reasons we don't know. What we know is that one James Anderson is a member of Pro Gym. He works out exactly once a month, always arriving with a huge gym bag."

Maureen nodded. James Anderson was working as a loading dock manager for a local pharmaceuticals wholesaler. He was suspected of being one of the middlemen between shady wholesalers and the illegal prescription drug networks.

"Monthly deliveries, huh?"

"Seems that way. Narc Squad asks for a search warrant."

"What's the probable cause?"

"They have two Gym members for small stuff, petty theft, and they're squealing. We have a signed testimony that the Montalban brothers sold them Nandrolone."

Horrigan placed the testimonies on Maureen's table and she read them carefully. When she finished she picked up the phone and looked at Horrigan.

"Any particular day?"

Horrigan grinned. "Anderson has his monthly work-out day after tomorrow. Would be neat to catch him, too."

Maureen held the receiver to her ear. "Judge Everett? This is Maureen Darling. I'd like to speak you about a search warrant."

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 10: Just Darling


The following weeks seemed like a serious challenge for Joey and Deirdre's relationship. The frequency of tests and quizzes increased until it seemed that they had at least one every day. They made up for that by studying together as much as possible. Deirdre was almost living at Joey and Tess' house, even spending many nights in Joey's bed. Joey switched bis bed against a queen size bed from their guest room, allowing for a better sleep.

They did not always have sex on weekday nights or mornings but they made up for that during the weekends, causing Tess to mock-complain about the noise coming from Joey's room. Since Deirdre's birthday they had tried a lot of things and Deirdre loved oral sex in particular. Often it was she who initiated their love play and it was she who scanned the internet for ideas to improve on their experiences.

In late May, Felix Di Rosa married Gabriella Feliciangeli. With Maureen's blessing, Deirdre accompanied Joey to the wedding and to the huge party at Vincent Di Rosa's mansion. She found herself the subject of considerable interest from Joey's family and she had to dance with at least twenty different cousins. They all treated her with respect, but she also caught remarks that it was a pity that Joseph Di Rosa was not joining the family business.

She even danced with Vincent Di Rosa and she was surprised at the ease and agility with which he led her around the dance floor. They spoke a little, and Deirdre found him a cultivated and polite man. She gave him an honest smile when the dance ended and thanked him. The old man shook his head then and smiled.

"My grandnephew is a lucky young man to have found a girl like you. You are a good match for him. He will be a great scientist some day, and that is good. Our family never had a scientist. It will be a sign that we have become a true part of society." He smiled again. "Joseph speaks highly of you, and I can see why. I hope to see more of you in the years to come. Poor Joseph deserves happiness."

Deirdre blushed. "He has made me happy, too," she asserted.

"Yes, he is a good youth. Now, I believe I have used up more than my fair allotment of your time. Please, give your mother my respect."

"I will. Thank you for the dance."

Joey claimed her back after the dance, and they were able to practice their Viennese Waltz and their Foxtrot for the Prom. The live band was really good and the young couple enjoyed the dance.

Deirdre also had a chance to speak to the bride while they were both doing emergency repairs to their make up. Gabriella, or Gabi, was a warm hearted woman and quite sure of her goals in life. To Deirdre's surprise she learned that Gabi had no intention to give up her job. She was a nurse in the ICU and as such she was used to bearing responsibility. She was studying to become shift manager. The more Deirdre learned about Joey's family, the less it computed with the preconceptions she had. The men had no funny bynames and most of the women held well paying jobs. It had to be true then that the family was getting close to being a part of the society around them.

Seeing the easy going, genial Felix Di Rosa, Deirdre could not imagine him as the "Family Hammer", the executioner who supposedly had those Kaçanis strung up in their own basement. That was how some newspapers had labeled him after the Olympic Massacre. The man she met had a great sense of humor, and he took honest delight in the pranks played on him. It seemed impossible to Deirdre that the laughing bridegroom could be the coldblooded mobster of the news articles.

Deirdre also noticed that Joey was very much an outsider. Sure, they slapped his back and joked about him becoming a professor, but he was not a real part of the family. By contrast, Tess was right in the middle of things, even hanging with some rather scary looking guys. From what Deirdre overheard, young Madonna-faced Tess held her own, showing a brazen self-assurance. She also saw Tess a lot around her great-uncle. To him, she showed palpable deference. Deirdre was not sure what to make of this.

When she, Joey, and Tess left around eleven p.m. Deirdre had a lot to think about. She called Maureen after they arrived to tell her they had returned safely and then joined the siblings in the basement spa for a soaking in the whirlpool. It did not bother her anymore to be naked around Tess. She could even watch her boyfriend's sister without feeling awkward. To her mind, Tess' body was beautiful. Her breasts were a solid handful on top of a well defined chest, and her limbs were sinewy without being overly muscled. Nothing was left of the jerky movements she had shown last fall. Tess moved like a cat, and like a cat, she purred with sheer lust of live, enjoying the hot, bubbling water.

"What?" Tess asked, noticing Deirdre's stare.

"I just thought that you look great," Deirdre said simply while snuggling against Joey. "It's amazing what you accomplished since last year."

Tess shot her an outrageous grin. "You're not turning lezzie on me? I mean, you're hot looking and all, but I couldn't steal Joey's girl."

Deirdre shook her head. "Naw, not a chance. I'm a breeder, that's settled. What about you?"

Tess blushed a little, but then she shot them a challenging look.

"I'm not sure. Sometimes when I'm in the sauna bath I look at the other chicks and I'm thinking: What if? How would it feel? But then, I can't deny that certain aspects of the male anatomy also appeal to me. I guess I'm not a hundred percent of anything. There you have it."

"Did ... Did Karen hit on you?"

"No! Never! Anyway, she's too butch for me, and I don't think I have a submissive streak."

Joey, who had kept silent during the exchange, laughed out.

"What?" Tess asked.

"I kinda imagined that, you with some wannabe Domme. They'd come out of the encounter with a new outlook on life."

Tess grinned at that, and Deirdre could see her puckered nipples.

"Yeah, turning the tables, that's a neat thought."

"Karen says, you're leaving the Karate group?" Deirdre asked, trying to shift the topic a little.

"Yeah, it's too much of the macho shit there. I found a Wing Tsun studio. It's a little better tailored to girls, but I'll keep up the Aikido."

"Why Aikido?" Deirdre asked. Aikido seemed so stylized. Tess grinned.

"Because once I get the Black Belt, I get to practice with a real dai katana, you know, a samurai sword. Even the bokken, the wooden practice sword, is awesome."

"Doesn't that take a lifetime, to reach a Black Belt?" Deirdre asked again and Joey chuckled.

"Not with Tess. Look under the roof. She's got her private studio up there already. She'll have that Black Belt before she attends senior prom."

"Stop that nonsense, Joey. It will take more time. But once I get the first Dan I can earn good money on the side as an instructor."

The ten minutes were up now, and they switched to the Roman steam bath. That was something Deirdre loved. The moisture combined with the heat made her relax unlike anything else. They stayed for 10 or 15 minutes and then took cold showers to cool down. It was after midnight when they reclined in the deck chairs to relax. Joey and Deirdre lay side by side, their hands entwined.

Tess giggled lazily. "You guys are a sight. Like an old couple on a nudist cruise."

Joey laughed softly. "We have to make the most of this summer. You know, girls are different than boys. I must give Deirdre the impression that she is more to me than a hot babe or she may fall for some sweet-talking tree hugger."

"You're being an ass, Joey," Deirdre replied. "Just concentrate on that 'hot babe' thing and we'll be just fine."

"So, brother, watcha doin' for prom? Limo and the bridal suite for afterwards?"

"Can't tell you. It's a secret. Deirdre doesn't know yet."

Deirdre gave an exasperated snort. "Joey and my mom have been in collusion over this for weeks. She won't tell me either. Deborah and Liz are clueless, too. I guess, all the guys are in this together."

Joey's smug grin gave credibility to Deirdre's assumption, and Tess giggled again. "Oh, boy, I can't wait to hear about it."

-------

Deirdre's curiosity grew steadily over the next two weeks, almost superseding the anticipation of the upcoming prom night. She could not wheedle any information out of either Maureen or Joey, and being a bit of a control freak it unsettled her. By Saturday morning she still had no clue as to where she would spend the night after the Prom. She had spent the night in her own room at Maureen's and she kept needling Maureen at breakfast while Karen watched them surly. At one point, after a smiling Maureen again denied Deirdre any information, Karen butted in crudely.

"For God's sake, Deirdre, what's the big question? You'll end up on your back with your legs open and an Italian sausage in your cunt. What's the big deal about how you get there? Besides, you end up like this most every night anyway. So again, what gives?"

Maureen was upset and angry as Deirdre could see, but she kept her mouth shut, perhaps not wanting an open confrontation in front of her daughter. Deirdre had no such compunctions. The many nights and days spent away had helped her free herself from Karen's dominance.

"At least I'm not getting fucked by something that has 'Made in Taiwan' on it. Jeez, Karen, I apologize for being excited. You know, it's my prom, and a year ago I could not even fathom going there, let alone with a guy, and certainly not with a guy I love. Are you so much on your macho trip that you can't have a little bit of feeling? Is that the extent of your relationship with Mom that you climb between her legs to ram in a dildo and claim possession?"

Karen turned purple and Maureen looked hurt. Deirdre felt bad immediately.

"I'm sorry, Mom, that was out of line. I'm sure you two have more together than just the sex. Why can't Karen see that what I have with Joey is also more than just sex?"

Karen jumped up and left the living room. A few seconds later they heard the front door slam shut, and then the engine of Karen's truck roared up. Deirdre gave her mother an apologetic look.

"Sorry, Mom, really. Why did she have to be so ... crude?"

Maureen shook her head and patted Deirdre's hand. "I don't know what to do with Karen. She needs therapy, but she refuses. I'm afraid the stuff she's been taking has really messed her up. She wasn't that bad, back in Pittsburgh, was she?"

Deirdre shook her head. "Mom, it was as bad, only you never noticed. When you came home from work the worst was always over. It's also that she loves you, and she takes care not to blow up while you're there. I shouldn't provoke her, but she gets on my case all the time and I'm so sick of it."

"Deirdre, I know that you have to stand up for yourself. I've let things go too far. One of these days, I'll have to make a decision."

Deirdre's eyes widened when she understood. "Mom, I'll be leaving for college soon. Don't do anything just for my sake."

Maureen nodded sadly. "It's not just about you, Deirdre. It get's a bit embarrassing to go out with Karen. She's so possessive and jealous. God knows, I never gave her reason for jealousy, but she got in a row with another woman last weekend. That woman is a cop, so she's part of my professional circles."

"Can't you talk her into therapy? Mom, I don't get along well with Karen, but one thing is clear: she loves you."

Maureen smiled another sad smile. "You will find out that love is not all in life."

-------

After breakfast Deirdre drove her mother's Volvo to the hairdresser and beauty parlor for a work-over. Maureen had booked her for the full Monty, including a bikini wax. Deirdre had high expectations for the night, and she wanted her full sensitivity. In a way Karen had been right. A lot of Deirdre's thinking was on sex these days. It was like a switch had been thrown inside her. She craved Joey's attention, his soft touches, his gentle lips and tongue, and his 'Italian sausage' as Karen had called it so crudely.

What she enjoyed even more was the feeling of closeness that she had when she slept cuddled against him. Ever since Karen had become Maureen's lover and partner, Deirdre had been barred from coming into her Mom's bed for some cuddling. Deirdre did not know whether Maureen was embarrassed to sleep with a woman or if Karen did not want Deirdre in the bed, but it had made for a lot of lonesome moments.

Thinking of Joey was not a good idea Deirdre realized. She was being prepped for the wax and it would be embarrassing if her pussy started oozing. For the next two hours Deirdre concentrated on other things while the beautician performed her sadistic rituals on Deirdre intimate regions. The young woman who had a Goth-like appearance still smirked a little and Deirdre thought that she applied the soothing lotions with just a tad too much enthusiasm.

Leaving the parlor she drove home again. Karen was back but she did not speak to Deirdre all through the improvised lunch. Deirdre shrugged it off. She was sick of Karen's attitude, and she made no effort at reconciliation. For a moment she was tempted to call Joey on the land line telephone in the living room and give him a sweet talk within earshot of Karen, but out of consideration for her mother she gave it up. Instead, she went up to her room to call Joey. She needled him again about the plans for the night, but he just laughed and told her to be patient.

She gave it another try. "Joey, Karen said it's all the same because I'll end up on my back anyway with Italian sausage in my pussy. Well, she said cunt, but I like to think of Ginny as a pussy."

She could almost see the shaking of Joey's head. "She's a bit crass, isn't she?"

"Yeah, it's getting worse. Mom is getting near the end of her patience."

There was a pause.

"We never talked about it, but I think she may be taking steroids," Joey said cautiously.

"Well, duh," Deirdre replied bluntly. "She swore it off, but she's been taking again. Mom put her under an ultimatum. Go clean or go to hell."

"You know, Deirdre, I could talk to Felix. Maybe he can lean on the people she's buying from to cut her off. Problem is, the Family is not in that line of enterprise and he may not have the clout."

"We better keep out of this, Joey. It's something between Mom and Karen. Still, where will you take me?"

There was laughter in Joey's voice. "Don't you trust me?"

"Aarrgh! You know it drives me up the wall."

"Yes, that's at least half the fun. Deirdre, you will like it. You will be with me, and we'll be alone. Just be patient for a few more hours."

"Can I at least come over? The mood here is depressing."

"Sure. Should I pick you up? We could go and have some ice cream."

"You do have redeeming qualities."

"You mean, in addition to my Italian sausage?"

"Now, who is crass? When can you come?"

"Wait outside. I'll put on some shoes and leave. Tess is with Rico for the weekend."

The connection broke, and Deirdre quickly got ready. Going downstairs, she announced.

"Mom, Joey and I will go to have some ice cream. I'll be back by five."

Maureen showed, coming from the kitchen, and Deirdre saw that her eyes were red. In a flash she was at her side.

"Mom, are you okay?"

Maureen shrugged. "You go with Joey. Karen and I have some more talking to do."

Joey was driving up when Deirdre left the house and she vaulted over the side to land on the passenger seat.

"Wow, cool. Umh, what about your hair? Can we drive with the ragtop down?"

Deirdre snorted. "Do I look like I have a hairdo? Those damn curls do what they want anyway. Just go!"

They drove to a restaurant on the river and sat on the terrace. As usual they shared a double sized bowl which allowed them to sample more flavors. Right in the middle of their ice cream tasting Deirdre reached for Joey's hands.

"Umh, when Karen made her stupid remark, I said something. I excused myself that I was excited over prom, and I said that a year ago I couldn't even think of attending prom, and certainly not with a guy I love. I think it's the first time I ever told them."

Joey's looked at her and his mouth widened in a happy smile. "I told my uncle at the wedding."

"Really?"

"Really."

"I love you, Joseph Di Rosa."

"And I love you, Deirdre Darling," he answered seriously, but then he smiled. "Okay if I call you just 'Darling' now?"

-------

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 11: Sensory Deprivation


The borrowed car arrived a little after five with Rico at the wheel. It was a real classic, a 1965 Mercedes 250SE Cabriolet, the ragtop version, with a cream color paint and red leather seats. Less than 1,000 of this model had ever been built and this one was even special. Rico had bought it at an estate sale from the heirs of the original owner, and his body shop had done its magic on the exterior. It was insured at $250,000, Joey had been told, and Rico would replace it with Joey's pedestrian BMW immediately after they had driven up in front of the Hilton where the prom was held.

In keeping with the car, Joey donned a classic tuxedo, complete with a black bow tie and his grandfather's gold cufflinks. A white carnation in the tux lapel perfected the period appearance. His wavy black hair had received a fresh cut, and he looked perfect as even Tess admitted. She and Rico followed Joey over to Deirdre's driving the BMW, and they gave two cameras a good workout while taking pictures and video clips of Joey driving up to the Darling residence.

He rang the bell and a smiling Maureen greeted him at the door accepting the bouquet with a small blush. Joey could imagine that Maureen had never been the target of Old World curtesy. Then, Deirdre walked down the stairs and that image would remain burned into his brain for the years to come. She looked stunning in her cream colored silk dress. It was cut low, with a pronounced waist, and a wide skirt with petticoat, ending just below her knees. Her shoulders were covered by a sheer silk scarf in baby blue that matched her eyes perfectly, and she wore cream-colored pumps with three inch heels.

Tess, Rico, and Maureen snapped pictures of Joey and Deirdre as he led her to the Mercedes and helped her inside. It was a sunny evening and Deirdre wore a pair of period sunshades. She tied the blue scarf over her head, to protect her hair against the wind and looked every bit as if she had stepped right out of a Sean Connery James Bond Movie. Joey walked around the car and sat in the driver's seat, but before he started the engine, he bent over to kiss his girl.

"God, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen," he whispered.

She kissed back and then she lowered her sunshades and peered over them. "I'm also the horniest girl you have ever met, so let's get this prom thing over with."

He started the engine and engaged the clutch shifting into first. Releasing the clutch he let the car leap forward. He briefly looked over at Deirdre who involuntarily used both hands to secure her head scarf.

"We must find more chances for you to dress like this," he said with admiration in his voice. "God, I thought you look fantastic when you're naked, but dressed like this you're a dream."

Deirdre blushed deeply. "Stop that, Joey!" she shouted over the engine and wind noises. "I'm not wearing much in the way of panties, and I'm leaking already."

"I can always lick you dry," Joey offered grinning outrageously, and Deirdre moaned clinching her legs involuntarily.

"I'll get you for this," she promised.

Joey and Deirdre had plenty of attention when they drove up to the entrance of the Hilton. Many of their class mates were outside, watching the parade of rented limos each spewing out between two and six students. Joey carefully placed the Mercedes in the line behind a white Volvo convertible which he knew to be Deborah's graduation gift from her father. Deborah alighted from the Volvo with her friend Chet, and a valet took care of the car. Then it was Joey's turn. He pressed the horn button, and a three-tone fanfare sounded, causing people to jump and stare. Tess and Rico were in place already, keeping the cameras running as Joey stepped out and walked around the vintage car to open Deirdre's door and help her step out. Laughter and whistles sounded from their fellow students when a blushing Deirdre emerged at Joey's arm.

Rico quickly swapped car keys with Joey, but he waited until they were surrounded by their friends before he and Tess drove off in the Mercedes.

"Wow, what an entrance!" Deborah laughed. "Somebody bring this man a Martini, shaken, not stirred!"

"Come on, Deb, when I heard you wanted to drive up in your brand new convertible, I tried to compete. Only, I couldn't afford a new car and had to take the old clunker from my uncle's scrap yard."

Joey's mock-modesty met with more laughter.

"So, where'd you find the Bond girl to match the car?" Carl Peters, one of the "jocks", asked leering at Deirdre.

Joey grinned back. "She was always there, but of course it took a man of the world to recognize her potential," he replied polishing his fingernails on the tux lapel and receiving an elbow for his trouble.

"Ass!" Deirdre hissed, but she remained welded to his left arm.

New arrivals took the attention from them and they joined in the chorus of taunts directed at each arriving couple. Soon most of the class had arrived and they all moved to the ballroom. Joey and Deirdre were sitting with their usual partners, the ones who had already celebrated Deirdre's birthday. Monica DeVeer and Lin Wu sat with them. Neither had come with a male companion, and the reason soon became clear when the young women left their closet announcing that they were lesbians. They had saved that announcement for the prom night to avoid taunts and possible recriminations. Now that they went off to college they saw no need for secrecy anymore.

A lightbulb went off in Deirdre's head. That was why they had refused to partner with her! They were lovers!

"You know, Monica, you could have told me," she said. "I thought you snubbed me because of my mom, because she's a lesbian."

Lin answered in stead of her friend. "We would have, but come on, we were both scared. And don't you complain about it either. After all, Paynter paired you up with Joey."

"There is that. Still, it's good to know why you didn't want to partner with me. I thought is was because I was a dork."

Monica grinned. "You were. And so intense!"

As the evening progressed, Joey and Deirdre danced a lot. As opposed to the party at Vincente Di Rosa's mansion, Deirdre did not dance with other men, except for their friends at the table. She did not like it at all that all the "popular" guys suddenly noticed her, only because she was wearing high heels and a dress. If they did not see her when she was wearing blue jeans they did not understand who she was anyway.

As expected, Deborah was the elected Prom Queen, and she had to stay away from their table for about an hour to hold court together with the Prom King, Jamal Wayne, who would attend college on a basketball scholarship. The funny part was that neither of them liked the other, but both kept their misgivings hidden for an hour, knowing they would never have to see each other again after the school closed.

By half past eleven, Joey prodded Deirdre to make the good-bye rounds, and at midnight, he led her out of the ballroom. Deborah and Liz with their boyfriends joined them. A valet brought the BMW and Deborah's Volvo, and they paired off in the two cars. The other two couples rode in the Volvo. Only the three men knew their destination, and they drove out of Philadelphia in a north-western direction for over half an hour until they arrived at a walled compound, called The Oasis. Here, they parked the cars.

Joey retrieved several gym bags from the trunk, each labelled with one of the girls' names and packed by their mothers. In spite of the late hour, the reception was manned by a good looking young woman dressed in an all white overall.

"Di Rosa, party of six," Joey announced, and the young receptionist smiled.

"Great, you're right on time. You're booked for the full program. If you go up to your rooms now to change, we can start at one o'clock."

She handed key cards to them, and Joey led the other guys and three bewildered girls upstairs.

"You'll find bikinis and sweat suits in your bags. Put them on, wipe off your make-up, and be ready in twenty minutes!" he ordered.

"Jooeeyyy! What program?" Deirdre whined.

"A very special program," he answered cryptically. "Don't worry, none of you will be sold into white slavery, and it's not going to be an orgy or something."

"Spoilsport!" Deborah laughed. "First, you get my hopes up, and then..."

Prodding a whiny and grumpy Deirdre along, Joey managed to get his herd ready and changed shortly before one o' clock, and they went downstairs. Joey led them into a spa area. There were a number of large stalls with massage tables, and a group of white clad attendants met them. Each was then coaxed to lie on a massage table, the girls in their bikinis and the guys in their swim shorts. What followed was a half hour, full body massage given by professionals. Three male attendants took care of the guys, and three females tenderized the muscles of the girls.

Joey and Deirdre shared a large treatment room, and he could hear Deirdre's grunts and purrs as the young woman loosened the kinks and knots in her back and her legs. Joey felt a slight hesitation on the part of his attendant when the young man saw the bullet scars, but he obviously overcame his inhibitions.

After the massage, they had to lie down on a preheated bed of Fango. It felt heavenly after the massage, and Joey almost dozed off. Before that happened, two attendants led them into another room. There were a half dozen large, egg-shaped plastic bubbles in that room, and the room smelled of sea water. The older attendant spoke up.

"All right, folks, what you see here are isolation tanks. They are basically sound proof bathtubs, filled with salt water, and kept at body temperature. Once the lid is closed, you will neither see or hear anything. You will submerge in the salt water, experiencing sensory deprivation. This will help you relax and find your middle. Normally, one is alone in the tank. However, you are booked for couple tanks. Now, I know you are all couples. This is not an opportunity for kinky sex, okay? You are supposed to relax together. I advise you to restrict all contact to holding the hand of your partner. Do not speak, do not fondle each other. Just relax with each other.

"Now, we usually advise our clients to use the tanks without bathing suits. You can opt for bathing suits, but it will reduce the effect. You will be in there for an hour, and afterwards you can lie down on the recliners in the oxygen room for a spell. Beyond that, you're on your own. We close down here at four.

"Now, please have a shower and then we'll help you settle."

The six young people went for the shower room and cleaned themselves with shampoo and warm water. Joey and Deirdre were in the lead and Deirdre collected her courage to step out of her bikini. The attendant opened the tank for them and Joey went in first settling in the warm water. Deirdre followed him. The attendant showed them where they could find the emergency pull string running down the center and then lowered the lid.

The darkness was complete and so was the silence around them. The weak splashing sounds as they settled back in the water side by side seemed amplified manifold, and the touch of Deirdre's hand felt unreal.

Holding their hands they explored their response to the dark silence.

"Do me a favor and don't fart," Deirdre suddenly whispered and he felt the vibration of her giggle.

"If you fall asleep, try not to snore," Joey returned, feeling silliness well up inside.

"I never snore!" Deirdre protested.

"Sure you do!"

"Ass!"

They lay silent for an undefined period of time until he felt the vibration of Deirdre's giggle again.

"I can't find my damned middle!"

"Lemme help you?" Joey offered.

"You, Mister, keep your hands off my middle or I'll scream. I'm so horny, I'll go off like a banshee if you touch me."

Schwing!

"Stop that, Deirdre. We have no way of knowing when that hour's up. What if they open the lid and I have a hard-on?"

"Mmmmh! Perhaps I should explore your middle? Damn, I could suck you off, but that saltwater tastes icky."

"Is that all you're thinking of?" he accused her jokingly.

"God, no! I'm also thinking of how you'll kiss my middle better once they let us out. And then, our middles can meet. I can't wait for my middle to meet your middle."

"If you don't behave, they'll put you in a separate tank."

She pressed his hand fiercely. "No, that wouldn't be fair!" Again, she shook with silent laughter. "It's unfair. We could have so much fun but you'd make a mess in the water."

"Having second thoughts?"

A fierce grip on his hand was the answer. "Never. You're my Joey. I know I'll miss your middle terribly when I have to go to California, but we can call each other and each explore our own middle until I come back. And then, your middle and my middle will never be apart again."

"What's with that middle thing?"

"I don't know. I'm silly tonight. I almost exploded when the guy began to talk about the middle. I'm sorry I'm spoiling it for you but I can't feel esoteric tonight. Maybe, never. I'm just too grounded in the physical world."

"Don't fret. It's just something Wayne suggested and I thought we'd try it out. Honestly, I'd rather have you naked in our jacuzzi."

"God! You have to remind me?"

"That was something, wasn't it?"

"You know, Joey: I have just decided something."

"And what?" he asked, knowing full well he was setting himself up.

"You're my middleman."

It felt like much more than an hour before the lid of the tank opened, and the room outside was dark save for a few dimmed red lights. A lone attendant was standing a way off, giving them time to re-enter the world. He directed them to the showers, to wash off the salt, and once covered by their sweat suits, they settled in the oxygen room on recliners. One after the other, the couples joined them, and it was conspicuous how tightly each couple was clutching hands. The young people were rather introspective, and it was not long before they all retired to their rooms.

Joey had barely locked the door and turned around when Deirdre was already bare-ass-naked and looking at him with smoldering eyes. That did it for Joey, and seconds later, she was lying on her back on the bed, her legs wide open, with Joey's tongue up in her slit. Her freshly de-haired pussy was glistening with moisture, and she was so overcharged that she came within a minute, screaming her head off.

He kept licking though, driving her into a continuous high that left her whimpering and breathless until she pushed him away with her last remaining strength. He watched her, as her chest heaved while her lungs tried to restock her blood with oxygen, and he marveled at his luck to have found this girl. She was perfect. Smart but funny. Driven but kindhearted. And behind her blushing shyness there loomed a volcano, ready to erupt into wanton lust.

Finally regaining control Deirdre peered down at Joey, her eyes still crossed.

"Joey, please, take me now," she whispered.

Smiling he moved, kissing his way up from her twitching pussy, over her taut tummy, deviating to each of her swollen nipples, nipping and biting the skin of her throat, and finally melting against her soft lips while her eager hands took hold of his straining erection, placing it against her opening, for him to sink into her core and into sweet oblivion.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 12: The Camp Bed


Joey and Deirdre did not wake up before 11 o'clock on the next morning and, to guess from the bleary eyes of their friends, they too had not gone to sleep immediately after the spa treatment.

They all skipped breakfast and opted for a light lunch instead before they left for Philadelphia. Joey drove Deirdre home. He briefly came in with Deirdre, but neither Maureen nor Karen were at home, and Deirdre needed a nap in the worst way. They kissed once more before Joey left.

At home, he put last night's clothes into the washer and put his tuxedo on a hanger. He prepared some food, but he did not eat much. Tess returned around four o' clock, and she demanded a full account of the evening and the night. She got the PG-13 version, of course, which she grumpily accepted.

She told Joey about her weekend, and Joey had the impression that Tess was deliberately seeking the contact with Uncle Vincent and the Di Rosa family. She already knew vastly more about the various business interests, and it was clear that Tess' path would lead her into a position within the Di Rosa family once she completed her education. When he mentioned it, Tess shrugged.

"That's not the worst thing, is it?"

It was her life, Joey had to admit; yet, he felt a little unease. By eight o' clock, he texted Deirdre.

'Pick u up @8, love J'

Her answer came within a minute. "W8ing 4 U!"

As promised he was waiting in front of the Darlings' house at eight, and Deirdre walked out at once. He could see from her hesitant gait that something was amiss. Her kiss when she sat in the passenger seat was brief.

"Hey, girlfriend, what's up this morning?"

"Dose of reality, I guess," she sighed. "I mean, I've been on cloud nine the last days, but now I can't deny it that all this will come to an end."

Joey felt a chill immediately. "What are you talking about?"

"Yeah, well, school will be over soon, and then we'll have summer break, but after that, we'll both go to college."

"Oh shit, don't remind me. Listen, I got a call yesterday morning from Mr. Verkade. I have an offer to intern at PennBioLabs for two months, starting July first."

"That's where you worked last summer, right?"

"Yeah, he offered to pay me this year."

"That's ... I guess that's great, isn't it?" Deirdre answered, trying to be cheerful.

"I haggled a bit. I told him of this great lab partner I have. We can visit on Friday, both of us."

Deirdre's eyes went wide. "You mean, we can both work there? For pay?"

"Yep. I kinda sang your praise, and they seem to be short handed over the summer. So yes, you've got yourself a summer job."

Deirdre shook her head. "Thanks, that means much to me. Although I have the feeling that I'm riding your shirttails."

"Deirdre, things will go the other way, too. There will be situations where I'll profit from having this brainy girlfriend. The main thing is, we get to spend time together and get paid."

-------

"God damn!" Karen Langner swore disgustedly. "Help me out here, willya!"

Her partner, Evan Thomas, helped her park the weight bar in the receptacles above the press bench and sniggered. "You're losing it, Karen. 130 Ks, that's fifteen below your best," he needled her.

"Yeah, well, don't I know it?" Karen huffed. She sought refuge in a lie. "That damn bladder infection last week. I had to take antibiotics."

"Yeah, that can suck the power outta your arms. Well, you ought to be back in shape in two weeks or so. If not, you're dropping in the rankings."

That remark stung Karen badly. She had been on top once, but she was slipping. Of course, without the 'roids, how was she supposed to maintain her strength? Without the aggression, she could not attack the weights with her usual ferocity either. Damn! Why did Morry have to be in charge of prescription drug trafficking? Why couldn't she handle traffic violations? And why did Deirdre get so pissy all of a sudden? And now she, Karen, had to bear the brunt of their holier-than-thou attitude.

She was clean for eleven weeks now and she could barely make out the shape of her abs under that growing subcutaneous fat layer. Disgusting! No definition whatsoever! And now that wimp Evan was even making fun of her. I'll show you, you asshole!

Karen pulled her little prepaid phone from her gym bag and punched in the number of Pro Gym from memory. As expected, Rafe answered.

"Hey, Rafe, this is Karen. I need some Deca-300. Can I drop by?"

"No! Haven't you heard? We were busted six weeks ago. They're watching the Gym like hawks."

Maureen! She had really gone after the Montalbans Karen realized with a shock. Damn! They were Karen's suppliers.

"Can we p'raps meet some place else? I really need some of the stuff."

"Shit, Karen, that's not easy. We don't have any stuff here. Tell you something. We make delivery runs on Wednesday, coming from outta state. How 'bout we drop by your place? Say, early afternoon? Coming in from Jersey we won't have a tail. What's your address again?"

"That's great, Rafe. I knew I could count on you. It's 1720 Mount Vernon, in Powelton."

"Okay, you got it. Four hundred for a two week package."

"That's stiff, Rafe."

"Yeah, well, I have a lawyer to pay now, and the narcs are breathing down my neck. You wanna cancel? No skin off my ass."

"No, no, I'll have the cash ready. When?"

"Lemme see, between one and two?"

"That's great. I'll be alone then. I'll see you."

Karen felt a twinge of bad conscience for betraying her promise to Maureen but she really needed the stuff. Besides, nobody would know if she kept the dose low. Deirdre wouldn't be back from school before four p.m. on a Wednesday, and Maureen not before six. She had it covered.

-------

Tuesday morning at ten, Maureen led her three visitors into the conference room where Dennis Alvarado was waiting. The Montalbans were everything she had heard of. The Mara Salvatrucha tattoes showed on their bulging arms, chests and necks which were not covered by the muscle shirts both wore. Their heads were shaven and covered with tattoos as well. Most of all, the burning, barely restrained anger in their eyes made Maureen wary. Both were bombs, ready to blow up.

"Gentlemen, please be seated. We have invited you to explore the possibilities of a co-operation on your part. Let me stress that the focus of our investigations is not the end user but the people who earn the big money. From what we found during the searches, you fall somewhere in between, but I am willing to make allowances if you co-operate with our investigation."

Sam Cooper, the Montalbans' attorney, cleared his throat.

"My clients are willing to plead guilty to a charge of illegal possession. They will name their buyers, too."

Maureen shook her head.

"As I said, we're not so much interested in the people downstream of your clients. It's the higher-ups we want. Besides, we have all the evidence for possession with intent to distribute. The quantities in Mr. Anderson's bag put your clients in the retailer bracket."

"What can you offer then?"

"Frankly? Nothing, Mr. Cooper, unless your clients really talk about supply lines and wholesalers. Why would I?"

"What is she talking about?" the younger Montalban, Enrique, demanded of Cooper. "We can't give her names. We'd be out of business."

Giving the hulking man a cool smile, Maureen leaned over the conference table.

"That, Mr. Montalban, is the point, to put you out of the doping business. In fact, we want to put everybody out of the doping business."

Rafe Montalban spoke up, ignoring his attorneys signals.

"My brother and I have built our gym from nothing. If you dry us out, we'll go belly-up in a year. More than half of our customers pop pills."

Again, Maureen forced a smile on her lips.

"Where will they go if Philadelphia is a dry city? You'll compete with your rivals on an even footing. The Olympic Gym is still closed, so there isn't much competition anyway. Go for the women, offer aerobics! Just so we understand each other: there will be no deal that will let you continue to peddle prescription pills."

"Bitch!" the younger Montalban hissed.

"That's how it is, and it has nothing to do with me or Mr. Alvarado. It's the policy of this office. It's quite simple, really. You can do the time for distribution and lose your gym. Or you can co-operate, name your suppliers, and keep it."

Maureen could see the fury behind the dark eyes of the brothers, maybe even more, madness? Maureen knew the side effects of steroid overdosing, and for some of those the Montalbans were poster boys. She could also see the sign of increased aggression, 'roid rage, in both men. For a moment she felt fear but she fought it back. Rafael Montalban stared at her, his neck swelling with anger.

"It's like always. The Gringos can't see men like us succeed in a business. With your lilly white minds and your lilly white attitudes, you make it so that we are put down again to being your gardeners and grocery baggers!"

"Mr. Montalban, why then am I offering you a deal in exchange for information on your 'lilly white' suppliers? Make your gym clean, and you'll never see any trouble coming from this office."

"Nobody tells us how to do our business!" Enrique spat, jumping up.

Maureen looked at Cooper.

"Why don't you talk to your clients and explain the rules of the game. I'm only marginally interested in them. We are after bigger game, but if they are not co-operative they will go down in flames. Can you give me a call tomorrow?"

Cooper smirked and nodded before her herded his clients out. Maureen sighed deeply.

"Those guys need medical care," she told Dennis Alvarado who nodded sagely.

"I say we prosecute the hell out of them and give the boss their scalps. Their brains have already gone soft from all the shit they've been taking."

"Let's give them until tomorrow to wise up," Maureen sighed again.

-------

On Wednesday, Deirdre took the SEPTA bus to school, refusing Karen's offer for a ride. They were still not on good terms. Subconsciously, Deirdre blamed Karen for the upcoming separation from Joey. With an intact home Deirdre would have picked a college in or close to Philadelphia. Joey would not be at school today because he was in the hospital for a check up on the injuries he had received eighteen months ago. Nothing special, just a follow up to make sure everything had healed properly. Due to all the blood transfusions he had received he also took HIV tests at quarterly intervals, now even with more reason since he had to protect Deirdre.

The day dragged along like molasses. She sat with Deborah and Tess at lunch. Tess was solo again as Ray had found her as too high maintenance. She had shrugged it off. At times, Deirdre admired the self assurance this barely sixteen year-old had. After lunch Deirdre had two more periods before she was done for the day. When she left the school building, her steps brought her towards the parking lot first. She only noticed her mistake when she saw the empty space where Joey usually parked his BMW. Of course, he was not there today. She laughed about her mistake. It was too late for taking her regular bus now, and Deirdre had to ride three different bus lines instead to get home. It was half past four when she walked the last two hundred yards.

-------

Karen was a little nervous all morning. Her conscience was bothering her by now, but she could not reach the Montalbans on Rafe's cell phone to cancel. She was sitting on hot coals when the time for the sales visit came nearer and she was almost relieved when the door bell chimed. It was both of them, Rafe and Enrique, and Karen did not like that. Enrique was just a little crazy.

"Hi, guys," she greeted them at the door. "I've got the money right here."

"Not outside!" Rafael hissed already pushing Karen aside. Enrique entered too, and Karen had no choice but to follow in and close the door.

"Nice digs," Rafe said appreciatively looking over the furniture. "Your girlfriend must make good money."

"Who says she's making the money?" Karen huffed, her pride injured.

"What the fuck!" Enrique behind her exclaimed, pointing at a picture on the mantle, showing Karen and Maureen. "Look, Rafe, it's the DA bitch!"

Rafe followed his brother's gaze and he stared at the picture, too. Slowly, his easy mood changed. His neck swelled as did the muscles of his shoulders and arms. Veins began to throb at his temple and then, without a word of warning, he turned and slammed his fist into Karen's face.

"You fuckin' carpet muncher! You ratted on us! That's how they knew about us! Fuckin', dirty, snatch-lickin' freak!"

Each epithet was accompanied by another blow. Karen tried to fend off the hits, but the fear she felt made her helpless. Not fear for herself. In the few moments before she lost consciousness under the relentless beating, she thought only one thing: 'Oh God, Deirdre's coming home soon!'

-------

Later, Deirdre thought something had felt ominous about their house, but she could never find a particular reason. She just dragged her feet up the entrance steps and used her key to open the door. She crossed the small foyer into the living room, and her eyes opened in shock. There, sitting in a recliner was Karen, slumped backwards, her face a single swollen and bruised mess.

"Oh God!" Deirdre exclaimed running over and kneeling down at Karen's side.

At the last moment she felt a presence behind her, and when she turned she saw a hulking young man in a tank top whose bulging arms were covered in tattoos. Then a fist travelled towards her face. Before she passed out, she heard another voice.

"Hey, don't mess up her face. Let's take her home for some fun."

-------

Deirdre felt nauseous and cold when consciousness returned. The side of her face hurt and she felt the swelling where she had been hit. Step by step her mind took inventory of her situation. She was stretched out on some sort of bed, but it was different. A canvas camp bed, her mind told her. Her arms were extended over her head and tied somewhere, while her legs were equally secured, only with each foot tied to another side of the frame. Deirdre froze and panic welled up. She felt the coarse canvas under her back and buttocks, and the movement of air on her skin told her she was naked. Naked! Her eyes were covered and her mouth taped shut, all she had was hearing and touch. She heard only faint voices, like from behind a solid door, but what could she feel? There was pain in her arms which were bent too far over her head. Suddenly, she heard approaching foot steps and then a door opened.

"Eh, Chica, ready for some action?" a voice with an affected Hispanic accent sounded.

A rough hand squeezed her left breast painfully, and Deirdre screamed into the tape. Her lips burned from the adhesive of the tape, and her breast seemed to swell with pain.

"I'll take off that tape now, Chica. If I hear one sound from you I'm going to tear off your nipple. Understood?"

Deirdre did not dare to move. A moment later, her breast exploded in intense pain as the man pinched it violently.

"I asked you, bitch!"

Frantically trying to control her breathing she nodded.

At least he took care not to tear off her lips as he removed the duct tape. The pain in her breast was still glowing but her breathing was returning to normal. She felt nausea rising, though.

"Please," she whispered hoarsely, "I need to throw up."

The hand yanked her hair to pull her head to the side and over the frame of the camp bed. It was just in time for her stomach to start heaving. She didn't have much in her stomach to begin with, and soon, dry heaves racked her body. When the hand released her hair, she slumped back, shivering with the cold sweat on her skin.

"You're one messy bitch," the voice sounded, and then she felt the hand on her thigh moving up.

"Please, don't," she whimpered.

One hand clamped down on her mouth, and an instant later pain bloomed from her crotch where the man had slapped her cruelly. She tried to bite the hand on her mouth but he pressed it down hard. He was incredibly strong, and his next slap against her vulva almost made her pass out. His hand still muffling her mouth, he let the fingers of his other hand penetrate her dry opening. He chuckled.

"Gonna have to lube you up, slut. You gonna feel some real man meat soon, front and back. You ever take a dick up your ass, slut?"

Under the hand, Deirdre frantically shook her head.

"You'll like it, little slut. Hell, we'll make you airtight with a dick in each hole. Then we'll shoot a movie of you and send it to your mommy, the fucking bitch! Your mommy's gonna see you DeePee'd and lovin' it! Serves her right, the righteous cunt!"

Again, Deirdre screamed into the hand that covered her mouth when the big hand slapped hard against her mound. He slapped again and again, and mercifully she lost consciousness.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 13: Ransom


"Joey!" Tess voice sounded from the living room. "Quick! Come down!"

The urgency in his sister's voice made Joey run downstairs. He had just returned from the extensive testing at the hospital. He found Tess staring at the TV. A local news reporter was speaking into the camera, in a voice awed by his own importance.

"Police confirmed the injured person as Karen Langner, the life partner of Assistant District Attorney Maureen Darling. Sources have confirmed that Ms. Langner was rushed to Penn General Hospital, suffering from multiple head trauma. Missing from the residence is Deirdre Darling, the eighteen year-old daughter of Ms. Darling. The young Miss Darling is a Senior at Benjamin Franklin Preparatory School. Both the whereabouts of Miss Darling and the motive behind this violent crime are still in the dark, even as we see the first FBI vehicles drawing up. That means, it is definitely a case of kidnapping."

Before the excited report was even finished, Joey had slumped to the floor, his legs failing and his mind racing. Deirdre kidnapped. Karen injured. Where was Maureen? There she appeared on the screen, flanked by two men in FBI windbreakers. Joey could see the pain in her eyes as she faced the cameras and microphones.

"My daughter Deirdre was abducted some time this afternoon. Something must have gone wrong, because the object of the kidnapping, to force me into a certain course of action, is now foiled. I have been suspended from all the cases I have been working on. Deirdre is a teenager, and she has nothing to do with what I do in my job. She is a little shy, but she is helpful to everybody. Whoever is holding my daughter Deirdre, please do not hurt her. Hurting her will bring you nothing. If you release her unharmed, it will be counted in your favor. If you want a ransom for her, I will try my best to match what you demand. Deirdre is my only child, so please think of your own mother, your own sisters, and don't harm my daughter."

What was Maureen talking about? Had there been demands? What would happen to Deirdre now? Joey was thinking in circles and he never heard the door bell. Tess was answering the door, and he heard her talk with somebody. Then a man and a woman wearing dark blue windbreakers entered the living room.

"Joseph Di Rosa?" the woman asked softly. "I am Special Agent Duncan, and this is Special Agent Delaney."

Joey looked at her, but he could not see anything.

"Mr. Di Rosa, we need to ask you a few questions concerning Deirdre Darling. It is important."

Joey sat there staring at the woman. Tess took a deep breath and stood in front of him. Delivering two stinging slaps to his face she grabbed the front of his T-shirt. "Joey, get a grip! You hear, snap out of this! You're scaring us, and you don't help Deirdre this way. Get a grip!"

Slap! The impact of the third blow finally registered, and Joey's eyes showed understanding again. He closed them briefly, but then he was able to focus on Tess.

"Talk to the agents, Joey! They need information."

Nodding slowly, Joey rose from the floor and faced the two agents. "Wha ... How can I help?"

The female agent stayed in charge. "Mr. Di Rosa, is it true that you are Deirdre's boyfriend?"

Joey closed his eyes in anguish. The guilt washed over him. But for his stupid appointment, Deirdre would have been here with him all afternoon. "Yes," he said hoarsely.

"Have you seen her today?"

Joey shook his head. "No, I was at the hospital all day for a follow up."

"What was that follow up about?"

"I was shot eighteen months ago when our parents were murdered. I took three bullets to my chest."

"Excuse me, but I have to ask this: Where were you between two and five o' clock?"

"Sitting in a waiting room, waiting for the doctor to call me in. They have video surveillance."

Duncan nodded. "Do you know of any enemies Miss Darling might have?"

"I thought there have been demands already?" Joey answered, his mind finally kicking in.

"We are still conducting the investigation in all directions."

"Deirdre is the shy girl in the background. Some people make fun of her, but nothing like hatred or anything. People mostly ignore her."

"Okay, I suppose that wraps it for now. May we contact you again if more questions come up."

"Of course. Is Maureen ... I mean Ms. Darling, she looked terrible on TV. Is anybody with her, like a friend from her office?"

Delaney raised his eyebrows. "She is under protection right now."

"May I speak her perhaps? We always got along and with Karen in the hospital she may need support."

Delaney looked at Duncan and shrugged. "You can ask her. It's a free country."

"Umh, about Karen, she's a friend," Tess spoke up. "How is she doing?"

Duncan shook her head and made a sympathetic clucking noise. "That's not our case. From what I heard she was beaten to within an inch of her life. It doesn't look too good."

Tess looked at Joey, and there was a dark glow in her eyes. "You go and be with Maureen. I'll call the Mansion."

Joey' eyes widened and he nodded. "Tell them I'll foot any bill up to what my share of the fund is."

He left with the agents as they drove back to Maureen's house. He found her in her living room, sitting on the pretty antique sofa with her face buried in her hands. Joey approached her hesitantly and sat down at her side.

"Ms. Darling, umh, Maureen, I came as soon as I heard."

She looked up and the next thing he knew she had collapsed against him. Holding her trembling and shaking body, he realized how bad things must be. The policemen and agents crawling about the house gave them a berth, and as soon as Maureen calmed down a little Joey whispered in her ears.

"Maureen, who did it? Why? I can get my uncle and my cousin involved, but I need to know why and who."

She stiffened in his arms. "Do you think they may help? But why?"

"I'll ask my uncle the favor," Joey said simply. It would require more of him, he was sure. His uncle would demand that he joined the Di Rosa organization, or at least follow the old man's wishes, such as head for law school. If need be, if this would save Deirdre, he would cross that bridge.

"Two brothers, Rafael and Enrique Montalban," Maureen whispered. "They own a gym, Pro Gym, on Frankford Avenue. I've nailed them for conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs, mostly steroids. They want a plea bargain, but I have all the evidence, and my boss said no deals unless they squeal on their suppliers. They demand I give them a deal, and they would release Deirdre once the deal was approved by the trial judge."

"That's harebrained!" Joey whispered back. The implications were not good. People that crazy were dangerous for Deirdre.

"It is. It's all gone to hell now, because the cops found Karen on the porch. She must've dragged herself out of the house with her last strength. Now the DA has suspended me, and there can be no deal. The Montalbans vanished of course. Their call came from the Camden area, so the FBI took over."

"I'll see what we can do, Maureen. Listen, you said something about a ransom. How much can you offer?"

"I have some equity in the house, and some savings. Then, there's Deirdre's - " – she sobbed – "college fund. Fifty to sixty thousand."

"We may need more, much more. Look, I have a lot sitting in my trust fund from my parents. Is it okay if I throw in for a ransom?"

For the first time, Maureen looked into Joey's eyes. "Would you do that? Why? I mean, she..."

"Maureen, I love her. If I didn't try everything..." he couldn't end the sentence. There was a chance, more than an even chance, that they would never see Deirdre alive again.

Suddenly, Joey's cell phone chirped.

"Yes?" Joey asked. Whoever called had to know whose phone it was.

"Hey, Cuz, how are you coping?" Felix' voice sounded.

"Don't ask, don't ask."

"I know what you mean. Listen, Tess just called us. You know your sister and how she can wrap Pops around her fingers. The word from Pops is we'll help any way we can."

Joey looked around. Nobody was near but Maureen. "The names are Rafael and Enrique Montalban, of Pro Gym on Frankford. They wanted to pressure Deirdre's mother into a plea bargain. That is blown. Can we somehow contact them? Maureen wants to offer a ransom. She's only got 50 Grand, but I'll throw in whatever is needed on top of that."

"Not another fuckin' gym!" Felix groaned. "Montalban, wait, that rings a bell. Let me check a few things, and Joey, the old man wants you here."

"Tell him, no. I need to be here for Maureen and to find out about new developments. Tell him I'm grateful for his help and I'll do anything he demands."

Felix chuckled a little. "Be careful, Cuz, or you can kiss your college plans good bye."

"I don't care, Felix, I just want her back."

"Okay, I'll call you back."

With a click, the connection broke. Maureen was staring at Joey. "I cannot accept that, Joey. You cannot sacrifice yourself for Deirdre."

Joey shrugged. The dice was cast and he felt calm. "It's the only way, Maureen. I told you how I feel."

The following night was spent at Maureen's place waiting desperately for a call from the kidnappers. It never came. The next day passed like molasses. Felix called twice, but he had no news. Joey went home once to shower and for fresh clothes, but he was back within an hour. Maureen was becoming unglued with each hour that passed and during the next night she did not sleep one minute.

They sat at breakfast, without appetite and hollow eyed, when Joey's cell phone chirped. Maureen looked up with hope in her eyes.

"Yes, Felix?"

"Listen, Joey, our middleman established contact. He was able to hear her for a moment, so she's alive. He thinks they've abused her, though. Are you positive that you want her back, whatever shape she's in, whatever ransom they ask?"

"Felix!" Joey started angrily, but Felix cut him off.

"Easy, I just needed you to be aware of the reality. Your girl was raped. You must face that. Can you do that?"

"I don't give a shit! I want her back!" Joey said through clenched teeth.

"They wanted a quarter million, but the middleman negotiated them down to two hundred grand. We don't want to seem too anxious or they may hurt her more out of spite. We can get things rolling in an hour. Pops will front the cash to speed things up. I'll be over with you in an hour."

The call ended and Maureen tugged at his arm.

"Felix says they have a contact. The ransom is two hundred thousand, but my great uncle will front the money for now. Maureen, the mediator thinks that Deirdre was raped, but she is alive."

Joey would never forget the look of absolute dread and pain in Maureen's eyes.

"My baby," she whispered hoarsely. "My baby!"

Holding her in his arms was all he could do, but then he informed one of the agents of the development. Not twenty minutes later, a very pissed off SA Delaney showed up, demanding to know what was happening. Luckily, Felix arrived not long after. He introduced himself, and Joey could see the deep distrust in the eyes of the FBI agent. Felix briefly explained that they had established a contact through a middleman and that the ransom drop was imminent. Delaney did not like that one bit.

"You mean those two get the money and ride into the sunset? Why didn't you let us handle this? This is getting close to Obstruction of Justice."

"So fucking sue me," Felix answered brusquely. "You want the kidnappers but Ms. Darling wants her daughter and my cousin wants his girlfriend back. I work for my cousin, not for you. If we find out anything about those men I'll pass that information on to you."

"Yeah, right! Where will we find them dangling?"

Felix' face was a mask. "I have no idea what you're talking about." He turned to Maureen. "Ms. Darling, my grandfather asked me to convey his sympathy and sorrow for your ordeal. Let us hope for a good outcome."

"Yeah, right. He's a philanthrope, your grandfather," Delaney snorted.

Suddenly angry, Maureen turned against him. "So far, he and the Di Rosa family seem to be the only ones to make any kind of progress. Why don't you keep your sarcastic comments to yourself and find my daughter instead?"

"We're following our leads..."

"I want my daughter! You do know where you can shove your leads?"

SA Duncan got involved, following her role as 'good cop'. "Mr. Di Rosa, what will happen now?"

"I'm waiting for the call from the middleman. Then we'll probably know the location where Deirdre is kept." He looked uneasily at Maureen. "You should send in some EMTs with your hostage rescue team. From what I hear from my middleman, Miss Darling may have been severely abused and injured."

In the ensuing silence, Maureen's suppressed sobs were the only sound.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 14: Di Rosa's Honor


Everything hurt. Lying face down on the rough canvas of the old camp bed her bruised breasts were sending jolts of pain. Her jaws were sore after hours of oral abuse. Her vagina felt raw, but worst was her anus, even now plugged with some giant plastic penis. Whenever she twitched pain shot through her and she felt moisture – blood for sure – running down her crack and over her raw pussy.

Deirdre had completely lost her feeling of time. She was not sure if they had raped her for hours, for days, or even for weeks. Both captors had been insatiable, their erections barely abating. They had appeared like figures from a hideous nightmare, like monsters from some B movie, with their completely shaved heads and bodies, their bulging muscles, and the weird tattoos that covered chest, back, arms and even the shaven heads.

At one point, one of them had talked about pills and somehow Deirde had made the connection. Viagra or Cialis, or something like that. They had cheered each other on, with one of them giving directions like a movie director; a notion that was confirmed when she saw the camera on a tripod, adding insult to the injuries and the excruciating pain.

A few times, Deirdre had passed out when her brain shut down with the pain becoming too much for her. Each time she was woken by brutal beatings against her breasts and genitals. In the end neither of the captors could ejaculate anymore and that had added to her pain because of the lack of lubrication.

A phone call, some long time ago, had made them pause for some time, perhaps a few hours, but then they started again, laughing and telling her, she was worth something for them after all. Then, finally, they had left her alone in her agony, tied face down on the camp bed, a dildo still stuck into her anus as final humiliation.

Suddenly, a burst of light seared her eyeballs; intense, white light that stunned her, accompanied by what sounded like a thunderclap. Blinded and deafened, she began to panic, robbed of her sensory abilities. Then, hands were working on her tied feet and hands, and somebody gently wedged the plastic penis from her anus.

Her hearing came back, and there was a mad noise around her, with many voices shouting about, but there was one soothing, female voice close to her. The tape was taken off her mouth.

"Deirdre Darling?" the voice asked.

Somehow, she had the strength to nod.

"You are safe now. I am Special Agent Martin. I am with the Hostage Rescue Team, and I'm the EMT. Have you been shot or stabbed?"

"No, jus' fuckt and fuckt," Deirdre was able to mumble through her swollen and torn lips.

"Jesus, get in the stretcher! Have the plasma expander ready!" somebody shouted.

Somebody put a sheet over her back, and then they turned her over, wrapping her in the sheet. Some sort of padding was stuffed between her legs, and she flinched with the pain.

"Oh fuck, look at her breasts!" a male voice exclaimed in abject horror.

"Shut your face!" the female EMT barked. "Miss Darling, are you in pain?"

Deirdre screwed up her eyes to look at her and the EMT realized the monstrous stupidity of her question. She radioed with somebody, and then an infusion of clear liquid was hooked to Deirdre's arm. She had not even noticed when they put in the vein catheter. Then, wondrously, the pain subsided, and so did Deirdre's consciousness.

-------

"They found her!" SA Duncan exclaimed. "They're bringing her to the ER as we speak."

"Is she alive?" Maureen asked weakly.

"Yes, she was able to answer questions, but she's in a bad shape and in great pain. We can bring you down to the ER now."

Maureen turned to Joey. "Can you come with me?" she pleaded.

Joey took a deep breath, feeling fear and helpless rage at the same time. He nodded.

"Give me a call when you're ready for pick-up, okay?" Felix said, putting a hand on Joey's shoulder. "You were in a worse shape, Joey, and yet you pulled through."

Joey nodded again. "Thanks, Felix, for everything."

"Hell, Joey, you're family and Deirdre is your girlfriend. She's a good girl, too. Anytime."

They arrived at the hospital even before the ambulance with Deirdre. They watched her arrive and Joey had to hold Maureen when the mangled girl was wheeled into the ER, her face a single, angry bruise. With horror Joey saw that the green sheet that covered her was blood soaked around her midsection. For four hours they sat in agonized silence before a stone faced surgeon approached them.

"We have been able to stop the bleeding and to close most of the wounds. We put her into an artificial coma to help with the healing process. The damage..." He looked at Joey. "I'm sorry Sir, you are?"

"He's her fiancé, and he's the only reason she's still alive," Maureen said with a touch of determination. The surgeon shrugged.

"She suffered a lot of tearing, both anally and around her vagina. Her genitals are badly bruised, too, probably from direct beating. She has severe abdominal bruising, but no internal bleeding. Her face looks bad, but actually that's the part of her that suffered the least. It's all superficial bruising and a few cuts, probably from slapping her around. The same for her breasts; they're black and blue, but no lasting damage inasfar as we could assess."

"Will she be okay again?" Maureen pleaded.

"Physically, I don't see permanent damage, but she'll take a long time healing. I don't have to tell you that she'll need a boatload of therapy, and then some more." The man pinched his eyes shut for a moment, but Joey could see the tears. "Listen, I have to go. We'll move her to a monitoring room now. If you want you can sit with her."

Maureen nodded. "Thank you, Doctor. I'd like that."

Looking at the beat-up, comatose Deirdre, Joey felt at once helpless, desperate, but also increasingly furious. An all-consuming hatred against the men who had done this to Deirdre began to envelope him, up to a point where he could not sit anymore. Maureen looked up with tired eyes.

"I guess we better call it a day. You go home, Joey. I'll never forget what you did for us. I'll go and sit with Karen for a while."

Karen was in the ICU, still in a coma, and still suffering from severe brain swelling. Obviously, the Montalbans had beaten her methodically and for a long time, even splitting her skull open, and in all likelihood bringing her into a permanent vegetative state. Maureen had not been able to be with her for fear of missing a ransom call, but now she needed to be with her partner.

"Sure thing, Maureen. Promise me that you'll get some sleep, too."

"One can always hope."

Felix came to pick him up. To Joey's surpise, Vincent Di Rosa was also sitting in the limousine. He alighted from the car when Joey approached it.

"Show me your girl, Nephew," he commanded.

Joey knew better than to contradict him. The nurses were a little surprised, but Don Vincente knew how to convince them.

"I wish to see my nephew's fiancé, so I can weep and pray at her bed."

No tears flowed and no prayer was said though when Don Vincente stared at the still girl.

"Infamia!" he muttered once, but then he focused on Joey. "Nephew, will you allow them to get away?"

Joey understood and shook his head. "If you will grant me revenge on those animals, I'll be like your own grandson," he replied grimly.

The old man smirked. "We'll see about that. Just remember how they left her and let the anger lead you for now. Let it be a cold anger, not a hot one. It's a worn cliché, but revenge is a dish to be enjoyed cold. Make your heart cold and follow our lead."

"I will," Joey answered firmly.

"Come then, Nephew. Your revenge awaits you!"

Once outside, the limousine took them to the airport and there to a private hangar where a Gulfstream jet was standing ready.

Joey was worried. "What about Tess? Don't I have..."

"Let Teresa have her youth, Joseph. Yours will end tonight," Don Vincente said ominously.

Twenty minutes later they were in the air and on a south-western course, and after two hours they touched down. Joey had no idea where they were. Once the plane was parked they stepped down the foldout ladder and onto the tarmac. They walked a short ways to where a black Cadillac was parked. Nothing was said until they sat in the car with Felix driving, following the road signs to Knoxville, Tennessee. Felix now spoke to Joey.

"Listen, Joey. The Montalbans are in a motel, east of here. Some friends tracked them to a motel near Roanoke and relocated them to a shored up place closer to here."

"Tracked them?"

"The banderoles. We gave them the 200 G in twenties as specified. That's two hundred bundles. No chance for them to check them all for bugs. That's expensive shit we're using and they never caught on to us. Now, Joey, you need to understand that we needed some help. Officially we're not operative anymore. The council approved because we declared it a vendetta, your vendetta. I also had to give those Spics assurances through our middleman that nobody in my organization would hurt them. You with me so far?"

"You mean, since I'm..."

"Not a member of my organization, you're not bound by my promise," Felix completed. "Those Montalbans insulted Joseph Di Rosa and the Di Rosa family. That's the premise. But it means, when we get there, you have to be The Hammer. Can you do that?"

"Think of your girlfriend, Joseph. Think of what they did to her, and you will find it easy," the old man added sadly.

Joey's gut turned to water. The time had arrived and now he had to make his bones. He had not expected it this early. Yet, it was the price he had willingly offered for Deirdre's life. A life that she would have to live without him. How could a girl like Deirdre live with a mobster? Still, if this was the price he was bound to pay it.

He nodded, forcing his hands to be steady. "I can do it. How do I... ?"

"Nothing theatrical, Joey. No shooting off their dicks or such shit, and no garrote. These days, a man with a bloody mouth is a disgrace. Just step up to them, give them greetings from Deirdre and put two rounds into each forehead. Then turn and leave the clean-up to the hired help."

"What will you do with the bodies? I mean, won't the cops be suspicious of us?"

"We're still figuring that one out. It must be a communion, Joey. Meaning no bodies can be found or the feds may come after us."

"Okay, I can do it," Joey said trying to sound calm and composed.

"Our friends have left them for us. Nobody will see us going in, nobody will see what will happen other than those scumbags, and they won't talk. That means it'll be just you and I. The physical evidence will be taken care of, but the people who'll do that have no clue who we are or who the Montalbans are."

They drove for almost an hour before they stopped at a run-down motel. A 'No Vacancy' sign was lit. Felix made Joey put on a long veterinarian glove that covered his arm almost to his shoulders.

"Powder residue is a bitch," he explained. Then he gave Joey a small gun, a .32 snub nose revolver. "It's a double action. Just point and softly pull the trigger. It's a special gun and special ammo made for stuff like that. Remember: two shots to the head each. Best start with the younger freak."

Joey felt himself pushed forward through the darkness until they stood at a door. Felix produced a submachine gun which he held ready when he opened the door. Joey had his first look at the Montalban brothers. They were alone in the room, tied to sturdy steel chairs with cable binders. Both were huge, with bulging muscles that could only come from a pill bottle and with jutting chins. Steroids, Joey thought. They were not cowed at all. The younger of the two in particular greeted the arrivals with angry jeering.

"Look, more spaghettis! What hole are you all crawling from? You fucking wimps, without your guns I'd rip you apart. I'd rip you all new assholes, you hear me?" His look fell on Joey. "Who's the kid? He looks like somebody fucked his girlfriend!"

He laughed like a maniac. This was all that Joey needed to get over his inhibitions. In just a second his fear and apprehensions were blown away by an unholy fury. Two steps brought him in front of Enrique Montalban.

"My girlfriend sends her regards," he said with a calmness that surprised himself.

"So, what she say? She's missing me?"

"She said to tell you, drop dead!"

Lifting the gun and pulling the trigger twice was but the work of two seconds, and Joey stepped back to look at his handiwork. Two small holes had appeared in Enrique's forehead, but there were no exit wounds, just some blood trickling down over the dead man's face. Joey faced the older Montalban, fixating him with the cold, all-consuming hatred he felt. Rafael Montalban's neck bulged as his own rage built up.

"And you? You look like somebody just shot your kid brother," Joey almost whispered.

"Fuck you! That's how you keep your word, you fucking Spaghetti?"

Felix stepped forward. "My assurance was that nobody in my organization would hurt you. My cousin doesn't work for me, capiche? You insulted a Di Rosa, asshole! What did you expect?"

"Fuck you, your pin-dick cousin and his slut! She loved my dick in her ass, you hear? She loved it, you cock-suckers!"

Without any conscious effort the reply came to Joey's lips: "Tell it to the maggots!"

He fired the gun twice and Rafael Montalban was no more. Joey turned to Felix.

"Thank you," he said soberly handing him the gun and Felix dropped it into a plastic bag. The long gloves went into another bag and then they left. In the car a change of clothes was waiting for Joey and he briefly exposed his scarred back to his relatives. Don Vincente sighed.

"I shouldn't have let you be the shooter, Joseph. With all you went through, I should have spared you this."

Joey shook his head, still on his adrenaline high. "It's better I did this. I can't always ride Felix' shirttails."

Felix gave a grim smile. "Well, you certainly made your bones today. A bella figura, too. A young kid on your first job, and you never let them rattle you. Who would have known? You are a Di Rosa at heart."

Joey was silent as Felix drove the limo carefully back towards the airport. The adrenaline was slowly wearing off by now and Joey felt his high abating. The enormous reality of what he had done became clear to him now. He had killed two men, and he had been absolutely cold doing it. Worse, he had relished the act. Suddenly Felix' words registered. He was a Di Rosa. It was in his genes to be a hit man. Putting bullets into the Montalbans' heads had come to him naturally. All his dreams of becoming a scientist one day, to help mankind, had been just that: dreams. How could he return to being a student after this night? Vincent Di Rosa spoke up after a while.

"Once we are back in Philadelphia you must find your balance again, Joseph. This is not your life. Your life is to be a great scientist. Your life is to help that girl heal, to make her forget what those animali put her through. Your life is to be the big brother to Teresa. Let us take care of this part of our world."

"You mean, you don't want me to work for you?"

The old man shook his head. "Again, you're not cut out for this. In a day you'll be feeling guilt. Sit by your girlfriend's side then, see her breathing and see her healing, and remember: we all made that possible."

Felix nodded to that. "Joey, if you ever feel doubts about tonight, look at this." He pressed a small video camera into Joey's hands. "Those shit heads filmed each other while they raped her; the boys found the camera in their luggage."

"Did you look at it?"

Felix shook his head. "Not for me to look at. The guy who found it said it made him sick, and that says a lot 'cause he does pimpin' for a living. Do what you want. Look at it to justify what you did or destroy it to erase the memory. Do what works for you."

The Gulfstream was ready at the airport, and a half hour later the plane was on its way back. They landed on a small airfield near Baltimore and drove to Philadelphia by car, to throw off anybody who might be tracking air traffic. A little after eight a limousine drove Joey back to the hospital.

At the hospital, Joey found Maureen was still there. He had been able to catch two hours of fitful sleep on the plane to Baltimore, but Maureen had not slept at all in three days. Sometime around noon she collapsed. Lack of sleep, dehydration, and a full blown mental meltdown sufficed to have her admitted. Uncle Vincent pulled a few strings, and Maureen was put in the same room with Deirdre. Joey had their beds pushed close together, and so Maureen rested in a hospital bed holding Deirdre's hand and talking to her unconscious daughter.

Strangely, nobody ever inquired about the whereabouts of the Di Rosa during that night. The elaborate alibi that Felix had organized was never needed. For all the Feds knew, the Montalbans had disappeared with the ransom money and they were more concerned with watching the border to Mexico. For a few months they would be on the FBI's most wanted list, but then others would replace them.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 15: Aftermath


After five days the physicians decided to wake Deirdre from her coma. Maureen had recovered from her breakdown, and Deirdre's wounds were healed enough to allow her back into consciousness. The barbiturate drip was disconnected after morning rounds, and by early afternoon Deirdre showed signs of waking up. They had decided that Maureen should be alone with her when she woke up to reduce the emotional stress. Thus, when Deirdre opened her eyes Maureen was waiting outside her room watching.

She saw the doctors as they entered Deirdre's room, and they stayed for almost an hour. In spite of everything, Maureen smirked thinking that they probably would not have stayed for more than five minutes if Deirdre had been admitted on Maureen's own health plan. The hospital bill was being footed by the Di Rosa and it showed.

It would be other doctors, too. Dr. Cramer, for instance, was America's leading expert on genital reconstructive surgery. He had been flown in from Los Angeles where he made a living repairing hymens for good Catholic or Islamic girls, but also by performing vaginal lifts for those ladies who found that facial lifts were not enough to retain the attention of their younger lovers or husbands. On the other hand he was well known for offering his skills pro bono publico, for victims of sexual abuse or for girls from poor background who were suffering from congenital defects. He was making use of his paid time in Philadelphia to do just that and saving some of his patients the costly travel to the West Coast. That, of course, after spending seven hours to repair the damage Deirdre had sustained.

Dr. Westcott was from New York, called in to make sure that Deirdre suffered no disfigurement to her face, but he had relatively little to do, except for carefully closing a few small cuts. The third man inside was Dr. Elliot Bernstein. He was from Philadelphia and specialized on traumatized crime victims if he did not make big bucks by helping brain dead socialites cope with the heavy burden of their rich existences. Yes, Deirdre was getting whatever help money could buy.

After the doctors had left, the friendly young nurse who – as Maureen had learned – was the fiancé of Felix Di Rosa called her in. Bracing herself Maureen stepped through the door. They had removed the cooling mask from Deirdre's face. The deep bruising was already shifting towards a cafe au lait coloring, and the swelling of her lips had receded.

"Mom?"

Deirdre sounded hoarse.

"Deirdre, my baby!" Maureen bent down to kiss Deirdre's forehead. "You're awake again."

Deirdre looked down at herself and at the lines going into her arms, and she shrugged.

"How do you feel?" Maureen asked in a whisper.

"All things considered, not too bad. I'll make a full recovery they say."

Deirdre shrugged and winced immediately. Just then, the pretty face of Gabriella Feliciangeli showed over Maureen's shoulder again.

"Hello, I'm Nurse Gabriella. Do you remember me?" Deirdre nodded. "Let me check a few things."

Gabriella proceeded to take Deirdre's temperature, her pulse, and other parameters. Then she produced a comb and braided Deirdre's hair into a short queue. With Maureen's help, they took off the hospital gown and put a regular pajama on Deirdre, one of her own. Seeing her discolored breasts and the huge bruise on Deirdre's abdomen Maureen started to cry. She could see nothing below the navel because Deirdre's genitals were covered with an elastic gauze pant from which a catheter led down into a collection bag.

Gabriella left them, and Maureen fed Deirdre another ice cube from a plastic container. It seemed to help.

"How ... How did they find me?" Deirdre asked.

"Joey's family did. They were able to establish contact with the Montalbans, and Joey ransomed you."

"The Montalbans?"

"The men who abducted you."

A sobbing breath escaped from Deirdre's mouth. "Were they caught?"

"Not yet, Deirdre, but it's only a matter of time."

Deirdre was silent for a minute or two.

"Joey. Can you tell him thank you from me?"

"Tell him yourself, baby. He'll be your next visitor."

"Nooo! I don't want him to see me like this."

"He already saw you, Deirdre, when they brought you in. He spent hours here while you were unconscious. That young man has a heart of gold."

Suddenly, another horrible picture entered Deirdre's mind. "Karen! Where is Karen? I saw her in the recliner, and there was blood all over her."

Maureen's face told her everything before she even answered. "She's been hurt badly, Deirdre, and she may not survive. Her skull was fractured and they can't pick up much on her EEG."

"Oh Mom, what will you do?"

"I have you, Deirdre. You need me, and frankly, I need it that you need me."

"Why? Why did those men hate us so much?"

"I indicted them for conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs. They wanted a plea bargain, but we have enough evidence and my boss said, no bargain. They wanted to blackmail me into giving them a deal. Of course, when Karen was found, the police became involved and I was suspended from all my cases. We hoped that would keep them from ... Keep them from hurting you." Maureen's voice broke. "I'm so sorry, baby; you got caught up in this, and we couldn't do anything, couldn't offer them anything. I couldn't protect you as I should."

Deirdre shook her head. "Mom, they started right away. They started to hurt me and all the other stuff. Nothing mattered. They were crazy, completely crazy."

"They must have overdosed on those steroids for years, Deirdre. There are side effects of that, such as extreme aggression. It's called 'roid rage in those circles. Joey's cousin found out a few things about them. They have priors for aggravated assault. They had to flee, of course, and they have the FBI and the police on their trail. There is a huge reward for their capture, a half million dollars, from Joey's great-uncle. They will be caught, and my boss will go for the death penalty. They found enough evidence on you and at the place where you were held to make it stick. They will pay for what they did!"

Deirdre stared ahead. "What if they're not found? They could be anywhere, right?"

"There is a chance that they skipped the country, yes."

"What if they come back one day? How can I live like that?"

"I don't know, baby, we have to wait for results. You can't leave the hospital for another week anyway."

"And after that?"

"I can take a leave. We could go someplace for a week or two, away from here. How about you and Joey go somewhere?"

Deirdre turned her head away. "Why would he go anywhere with me? Look at me!"

"I think Joey is a bit more mature than you give him credit for," Maureen returned. "He was with me all the time while they were looking for you; he even pledged himself to his great-uncle to get the support of the family, and the ransom came out of his trust fund."

"I know that Joey is a fine guy, Mom. He will always do what he thinks is the right thing, even pretend that everything is still the same with us. I just can't buy it. I know things are not the same anymore. I was a fuck toy for ... How many days?"

"Two," Maureen said miserably.

"It felt longer. Anyway, I'm not the girl I was."

Maureen shook her head. "I was there when Joey got the call from his cousin who told him that you had been abused. Apparently, his cousin asked whether Joey was still willing to ransom you. All he said was, 'I just want her back!'. Does that sound like a guy who has second thoughts?"

"It sounds like a good guy, Mom. I love him. That's why I have to let go."

"That doesn't make sense, Deirdre. Why are you punishing yourself over something you had no control over?"

"Just let it go, Mom, please!"

"Will you at least talk to Joey?"

"Yes, sure, I mean, he deserves it. Maybe, it's better if he sees me looking like shit, like right now."

-------

Joey already knew that Deirdre was awake and that her healing was going according to plan. Gabriella had called him as soon as she had left Deirdre's room. She had also told him what to expect from the physical side.

Joey had spent three days searching the internet for information on how to best approach a sex crime victim. He had also spent an hour with a colleague of Dr. Bernstein to get more pointers. Self esteem or the loss thereof was the key problem for the victims. They needed to feel loved and accepted even though they would reject love at first. There was the tendency to withdraw into a protective cocoon, mentally or physically, and this had to be countered early on. Disfigurement was a serious impediment for recovery, and even the transient bruising would make it impossible to bring Deirdre among people at first.

All this was compounded by the mental turmoil Joey himself was in over the killing of the Montalban brothers. The initial sense of achievement, the sating of his thirst for revenge, had both abated and now he loathed himself. He was everything that his parents had not wanted him to become. Tess had guessed what had happened and she was there for him, stroking his ego and trying to keep his spirits up. Her most persuasive point was that he could not succumb to his self-loathing or he would be unable to help Deirdre.

She did not leave him alone, either. Claiming to be frightened, she had spent the last nights in Joey's room, but it had been his head that had rested against her and her hands that had stroked his hair to soothe him into sleep. The roles were reversed for the time being, with Tess serving as surrogate mother.

What further aggravated the situation was the media interest in Deirdre. The reporting of her kidnapping had been the start, but then it leaked out that she had been raped. With so many people involved in her rescue it was impossible to pinpoint the source. One photograph of Deirdre, taken at the Prom, was plastered all over a tabloid front page together with the headline: 'The Monster Brothers' Beautiful Victim'. When the first photogs began to loiter around the emergency ward, Di Rosa Security posted guards at the door to Deirdre's room and only pre-approved personnel was allowed entry.

Another stone in Joey's shoe was the graduation ceremony. Deirdre was Valedictorian, and rather than letting the runner-ups fill in the class had unanimously voted for Joey to speak in Deirdre's stead. He had tried to beg out, but in the end Mr. Joyner and Deborah had talked him into accepting. He had no clue what to say.

This was the situation when Joey received Maureen's call briefing him on Deirdre's status. They decided to let Deirdre sleep one night before Joey would make his visit and he appeared at the emergency ward a little after eight o'clock. He knew all the nurses there from his own stay, and they sympathized with him and wished him the best. In the end he braced himself and knocked at the door to Deirdre's room.

Entering he held his breath, and once again her bruised face brought tears to his eyes. All the prepared opening words went out of the window as he ran over to sit at her side. He grabbed her right hand pressing it fiercely.

"Deirdre, I'm so terribly sorry," he managed to say.

"Me too, Joey. We had so much and now it's all over."

Taking a deep breath, Joey held her hand and stared into her eyes. He focused on the blue irises, trying valiantly to ignore the discolored skin around her eyes.

"Deirdre, Maureen told me that you cannot believe me right now, but I'll say it anyway. The thought of losing you almost killed me. I need you and I love you. Please, don't make any decisions until you had some time to recover. Don't write me off. Let me prove to you how much you mean to me."

"Joey, you're a sweet, sweet guy. You mean well, and I guess you believe in what you say. The problem is that I'm not the girl anymore that you knew. I spent three days in hell. I'm not sure that I'm grateful that I survived, right now. Everything hurts and everything that made my life beautiful is soiled now. I loved to kiss you, Joey, but now, all I see is my blood and shit on the dicks they forced me to lick clean. Can you cope with that image?"

Before Deirdre even knew, Joey had his lips on her mouth, gently touching and licking her lips.

"Deirdre, I love you. The only thing that matters is that you are alive. I'll give you real kisses when it won't hurt you anymore, and I'll kiss your boobies, and your belly button, and yes, I'll kiss your pussy. I'll kiss it with extra love because I know how much it was hurt. And one day, when you'll be ready for me, I'll make love to you again. You are my Deirdre, and no brutal, dirty, psychopath can change my love for you. If you decide that I don't deserve your love anymore, because I ... Because I wasn't there for you, I'll accept that, but I still won't stop loving you. I will still hope that you will forgive me."

"I want to believe you, Joey, but..."

"Ssh! Take your time. Give me a chance to prove it."

"I will still have to go to Eureka, for college."

"Then go. If we can get over the last week, what's three thousand miles?"

Little by little, he could see that her defensive posture was melting.

"What about the temptations, the worries, the complications?"

"Minor worries, Deirdre. Losing you is what I'm really afraid of, and I'd rather take the chance of you moving to California than losing you outright. I'll be pestering you with phone calls, though."

That, finally, brought a smile-like grimace to her lips.

"What about sex then? 'It's a part of what we are for each other, ' right? It'll take me a while healing — down there – and then some more time healing up here," she said, tipping her temple.

Joey looked into her eyes again. "Deirdre, I'm not stupid. I read up on the internet. No way you'll be comfortable with sex for months, perhaps even longer. I know that, I accept it, and I won't pressure you."

"So you read up, huh? Is that why you say all the right things?"

"I can't afford to screw up, Deirdre."

"So, what does the internet say, how do I look like?"

He saw the challenge. It would be so easy to butter her up. 'You're still my beautiful girl.' or some other crock.

"You look like shit, Deirdre, and you know that. I look at you, and I can feel your pain. But I know that these are just bruises, hematomas. Bleeding into the tissue due to blunt trauma. The erythrocytes with decay, and the hemoglobin will be resorbed and degraded. The swelling will recede, the color will fade, and two weeks from now, all that'll remain will be that scared look in your eyes. I can't do a thing about those bruises, so I'll focus on getting the fear out of your eyes."

The smile reached her eyes now. "Wow, and you can find lines like that on the internet?"

"With the right search words..."

"I didn't even know you could spell big words like 'hematoma'."

As long as he focused on her eyes, this was the Deirdre he knew and loved. He bent over her and kissed her again. This time her lips welcomed him.

"See, it's still there. As long as we believe in each other, we have a future."

Deirdre sighed. "It's so tempting to believe you, you know, but I'm afraid. Afraid you'll have a change of heart, but also of other — things."

No bullshit, Joey admonished himself.

"Okay, that makes two of us being afraid. I'm afraid, too, that you may have a change of heart, that you may meet another man or decide you can't ever let a man near you again. I have other fears, like when I drive out of a parking lot, that somebody may block my way and let loose a slew of bullets. Deirdre, in a way, I can probably relate to your fears better than any other person."

She gave him a hard and accusing look. "It's not the same getting shot or getting raped. The shooting took seconds, but they fucked and beat me for days."

"It's almost the same. Both make you afraid of a repeat. Both violate your body. And Deirdre, Karen is a friend, but she's hardly a parent for you. I woke up from being shot up and I had no parents anymore, only a badly hurt sister. So stop giving me that crap."

His tone was gentle, and that was why he got through to Deirdre. Her eyes teared up immediately, and she reached for his hand.

"Sorry, Joey, that was stupid. I'm messed up or I would not ... belittle what you had to go through."

Joey pressed her hand in return. "You are forgiven if you let me visit you tomorrow."

Exhaling, Deirdre nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."

"I can only come in the afternoon. Graduation is tomorrow."

Deirdre remembered and groaned, but then, a weak smile showed. "You know, at least I don't have to deliver a speech."

Now it was Joey's turn to grump. "Yeah, but guess what: I have to give it in your stead. So, any thoughts you wanted to share with our class?"

"You're kidding, right?"

"Don't tell me you haven't prepared something weeks ahead," Joey insisted.

Deirdre looked down at her hands. "I did. It's on my laptop. I wrote it on the Sunday after Prom Night, when you were at your uncle's. I guess, it reflects the outlook I had then. Bright future and all that stuff."

"May I use it? I'd rather be your mouth piece than make up any stuff of my own."

Deirdre's blush could be seen even under the bruising. "No, it's too ... Joey, there is stuff in it about you and how you helped me become a real person."

"I would certainly skip that. You didn't just ramble about me, did you?"

"No. I tried to make a few other points, too. But it's raw. I never finished it."

"May I look at it, Deirdre? At the very least, it will tell me how you felt that Sunday before things got fucked up."

"Alright, okay, look it up. You know my account password, right?"

"Deirdre, I wish you could be there with me, and so will a lot of people. Is there anybody you would like to see? Deborah? Any of the teachers?"

"No, not now, not the way I look. Umh, Joey, could you perhaps bring me my laptop? They'll transfer me to a regular room this afternoon, and I need something to pass the time."

"Sure thing. You're gonna need something newer for college, won't you?"

Deirdre's venerable G3 Powerbook was almost five years old. She had bought it for small money the year before, and it was getting long in the tooth.

"It works fine," she maintained.

She was attached to the machine. She had purchased it with self earned money. It might be chunky compared with the sleek aluminum cases sported by the current models, but to Deirdre it was her robust workhorse.

"Okay, I'll get it for you. Anything else? You're still on liquid food, right?"

She nodded, looking uncomfortable. Then, apparently, she thought about something else because she reached out and touched Joey's arm.

"You know what I'm really, really grateful for?"

"Tell me."

"That I found you. That you were my first. That you are a good lover. With these ... men ... as my only reference..."

She didn't finish, didn't have to. Joey held her hand tight.

"That wasn't just me, Deirdre, that was us. You know, I was with Christie before you. Compared with what we have, the memory of the sex with Christie makes me feel bad."

Joey had placed emphasis on the 'have', present tense, and it was not lost on Deirdre.

"I get what you mean, Joey. So, what will happen after graduation? You'll be working five days, eight hours each at that company?"

"I cancelled. I ... There are more important things for me to do."

"Looking at my shiners?"

"Being with you, talking to you, making sure you feel loved."

Deirdre rolled her eyes. "You're full of crap, but it sounds good. Listen, can I talk you into one more kiss? I need you to leave now. My cold pack needs changing."

With a smile, Joey bent forward. Deirdre tried to lift her body, but with a grimace of pain, she fell back.

"Damn!" she groaned. "That bruise on my tummy is a bitch. If those assholes ever get caught, let's pay someone to kill them. Your uncle must know the right people."

Her words washed like ice water over Joey. In a second, his smile froze and he deflated. Deirdre noticed.

"Hey, you don't have to kiss me," she said hesitantly.

Shaking himself briefly, Joey concentrated on the present, feeling ashamed.

"Umh, sorry, sure I want to kiss you."

Nevertheless, he could not feel the love he wanted to convey, and from Deirdre's expression, he knew that she noticed. His kiss was lackluster, even in his own perception.

-------

"Class of 2005, dear parents and teachers, dear guests,

"this is a very tough moment for me. I am filling in for the true Valedictorian, Deirdre Darling. Deirdre cannot join us today on this day of celebration. A little over a week ago, her life as she knew it was torn apart by a violent and senseless crime. To those of us who know her for the rather shy and gentle girl she is, it is unbelievable that anybody might even think of harming her, but yet it happened, and now she is in the hospital, waiting for her injuries to heal, waiting for the criminals to be apprehended, so that she may rebuild her life. Two weeks ago, when she was a happy teenager, she wrote a draft of what she planned to tell you today. It was still on her computer, it may be a bit rough around the edges, being a draft, but it expresses what this ceremony is about.

"I am now reading Deirdre's words. Not all of them, 'cause she sort of mentioned me a few times, and I'm not comfortable reading that.

"Dear fellow students of Benjamin Franklin Preparatory School,

"today is a date that we will always remember as the official end of our youth. Most of us will have one last summer of freedom before we will go to college or into other education programs in the fall.

"What this means is that our time together is at an end. We may see each other at some future reunion, we may run into each other while back here in Philadelphia, but for all practical matters we now have to find new friends in the places where we will soon work and study. Some of you, as I know, have been together since grade school, and for those the change will come the hardest. For others, like me or my friend Joey – that's me – who joined this class only recently the change will be less dramatic. Yet, in spite of the short time spent with all of you, I want to thank you for the way you accepted me in your midst. For a girl who was used to being a misfit, the time here was an eye opener. I learned a lot, not only the study subjects, but also how to relate to other young people, how to be a part of something bigger.

"Most importantly, I learned not to rely on first impressions. Some of the best friends I have now I rejected at first or dismissed them as not in my league. Boy, was I wrong! I only wish there was another year to get to know the rest of my class a little better. I'm afraid that I may have missed out on a few more people who would make great friends. So, to all of you who became my friends and to all of those who could be my friends, I wish happiness, success, health, and the fulfillment of your dreams.

"There is some more stuff Deirdre wrote; it's about me and she must have been off her rocker there, so I'll skip it. I want to add a few more words of my own. Like Deirdre, I joined the Class of 2005 only a year ago. I, too, started out as the new transfer, and I found the same. This class is made up of a bunch of great people. If there will be reunions, count me in! I'll be looking forward to see you again.

"Somebody's taping this speech for Deirdre, so I can't stop without saying something else. Deirdre, we all love you and we wish you a speedy recovery. We wish with all our hearts that you will get over your hurt and continue to be the wonderful girl we have come to know. This is from me personally: Deirdre, I love you and I'll always will."

Stepping down from the podium, Joey found himself in Deborah's hug. Then Liz closed her arms around him. It was an emotional moment for Joey. Of course, everybody wanted to know how Deirdre was but there was not much Joey could tell. He said that she could not show in public because of a bruised face and painful hematoma over her stomach which was requiring her to lie immobile. He also told their friends that Deirdre would certainly be happy to receive get-well-cards and flowers, but no visits until she recovered somewhat.

Once the ceremony was over, Joey joined his own family. Tess was there, of course, but so were Felix and Gabi. Vincent Di Rosa had watched the graduation, too, and he gave his grandnephew a heartfelt hug. They left the school grounds to have lunch in the City, but they made a short stop at the cemetery where Joey and Tess spent some time at their parents' grave.

At lunch, a number of people stopped at their table, business partners of Vincent Di Rosa, and they offered their felicitations to Joey. It was clear to Joey that they did not necessarily refer to his graduation from high school but rather to his other graduation, a week ago, when he had made his bones in a run-down motel near Knoxville. It was also obvious that Don Vincente did not appreciate the allusions, pointing out that Joey was accepted at UPenn where he would study to become a scientist and researcher. Once alone again, the old man patted Joey's arm.

"Do not worry, Joseph. These people just read stuff into things. Your future lies in the academia. I know that, and you'll have my full support."

"Uncle, I pledged to be..."

"I know, but I refuse. I want you happy. Our family has achieved much in America, but no one of us has ever been a professor. You'll be the first, Joseph. I hope to see the day when Joseph Di Rosa, Ph.D., will deliver his first lecture."

Joey had to admit that he liked that thought, too. After lunch, Don Vincente's limo drove Joey home. Tess was moving in with their great-uncle over the summer while she did her internship in the real estate division of the family's law firm. Her clothes were already at the mansion and she had kissed Joey farewell. At their house Joey quickly changed into 'civilian' clothes and he was just about to leave again when he spotted a car in the street, two houses down. Two men were sitting in the car, ostensibly looking anywhere but at Joey's house. An icy feeling washed over his spine and he pulled his cell phone, punching the speed dial for Felix' cell phone.

Not fifteen minutes had passed when a police cruiser appeared. Joey recognized his uncle Fredo Di Rosa at the wheel. The cruiser stopped behind the parked sedan, an Impala, and Sergeant Di Rosa alighted, approaching the parked car cautiously. He talked to the men in the car, seemingly arguing with them. In the end, they both had to step out and lean against their car while they were searched. Another cruiser appeared, and they were taken away. Next a tow truck bearing Rico Di Rosa's decals took their car on the hook and pulled it away. Uncle Fredo then came to Joey's door.

"Reporters," he explained. "They got fresh with me telling me to mind my business. Too bad they were parked in front of a fire hydrant. We'll have to release them again but for now they are accounted for. We'll think of something if they don't get the message."

"Thanks, Uncle Fredo. What do they want here?"

"Beats me! I guess, somebody blabbed out that you're that girl's boyfriend. Add to that that you are a Di Rosa and these dirt mongers get a hard on. They're from the Rumor Mill."

"Oh great! Those assholes already ran Deirdre's prom photo."

"Just stay cool, Joey. They're sleaze bags. If you see them again, call Felix."

"Okay, will do. I better split now. Again, thanks."

"You know me, 'to protect and to serve'," Fredo grinned. "Talk to Rico about a different car. A red Beemer really sticks out."

Of course, Fredo was correct but there wasn't anything Joey could do. Tess had her driver's license, and she had the Mini Cooper at the mansion for her use. Besides, if he had another car the reporters would quickly pick up on that.

He put the bag with Deirdre's laptop in the car – he had picked it up the evening before – and drove to the hospital. He found a space in the visitor's parking and headed for the Ob/Gyn ward. Deirdre had a private room and she was alone.

"Hey, Dee-Dee," Joey greeted her.

She looked up with a half smile.

"Hey, Joey! How did things go?"

"Not too bad, considering. Deb and Liz send their best wishes. I brought you the powerbook."

"Thanks. At least I can read a bit on it. Any news from the police?"

Joey shook his head. "No, but I haven't spoken your mother since yesterday when I picked up your laptop. Has she been here?"

"This morning. Karen's parents arrived, and there may be trouble. The Langners are not the nicest people. They may claim custody over Karen."

"Oh shit!" Joey said softly. "That's just what we need, more trouble. Well, that's nothing I can help with. So, how do you feel today?"

"A little bit better. My tummy still hurts when I move, even with all the painkillers. I had a look at my boobs this morning and they're shifting from blue to brown. They're tender, too. The nurse washed me up there and I wanted to strangle her."

Joey felt guilt wash over him again. "Oh shit, Deirdre, I keep thinking this was my fault. If I hadn't gone to the stupid hospital..."

"Stop that, Joey. They would have still got me in the evening instead, or they would have got my mother, or both of us. It's pointless." Her face softened. "You got me away from them, Joey."

"Yeah, but we were too late," he said dejectedly.

He saw the hurt in her face and replayed his own words in his mind. He felt mortified now.

"I meant, too late to spare you the ordeal. It's not too late for us, it never will be. I'm sorry; this came out the wrong way."

Deirdre nodded, but he picked up on her sadness, increasing his own feelings of dejection and inadequacy. They sat silently for a while, each following their own train of thoughts. In the end, the silence was too much for Joey.

"Hey, what do you say, once you get out of here, you still want to go on a trip with me? We could rent a beach house, say on the North Carolina coast, do some swimming and sunning."

"I don't know, Joey. It sounds tempting to be away from everything. Then again, I won't be ready to wear a bathing suit for a while."

"We could get you one of those granny suits, full body, you know."

It was a weak joke, and it got him a weak smile.

"Let's wait and see, Joey. I won't go anywhere for a while, not the way I look like."

"You'll look fine in no time, Deirdre. Three weeks, tops. We could go ... Wait! How about Europe? Paris, London, or Rome? A week, maybe two. A change of scenery and some time spent together. We could see museums and cities. Good food, too."

"Joey, that's expensive, and I don't want you to spent all your parents' money on me. I'm in your debt as it is. Besides, I couldn't leave my Mom now."

Joey ticked off his rebuttal using his fingers.

"One, flying to Europe isn't that expensive. Second, forget that ransom money. Third,..."

"I can't forget it. You paid, what, two hundred thousand Dollars for me? That's money I owe you."

"I didn't pay for you," Joey answered, a little testily. "I'll never make any demands of you because of it either. But my third point was, you'll be leaving Maureen anyway come September. What's another week?"

Deirdre turned her head away. "I'm not sure I want to go on a trip with you."

The words were spoken in a very low voice, but they rang loudly in Joey's ears.

"You don't ... But why? Aren't we... ?"

"Joey, I'm a complete mess, can't you see? I can see how you try to be the good guy here, the sensitive guy, but I don't buy it. Can you honestly tell me that you still see me the same way as before?"

Joey looked at her guiltily. Had he shown any revulsion? Had he flinched, seeing her bruised face?

"Well, I don't see myself as the same girl. That girl was fucked to death. I tried to think of us, Joey, of my birthday, of Prom Night. Those nights should be my dearest memory, but now even thinking about anything, anybody touching me makes my skin crawl. The thought of touching myself down there makes me sick.

"I can't be your girlfriend, Joey, not for a very long time, maybe never. I don't want you to hang around me, getting frustrated and angry with me. Joey, I need you to let go. Yes, you were too late. Through no fault of yours, but still too late to save the Deirdre you loved and who could love you. You were cheated, Joey. The Montalban brothers left you an empty shell for your money."

"Deirdre, now you're scaring me. You can't mean that. You and Tess make up what I really care for in this world."

Deirdre was still looking away from Joey. "Joey, please, just go, leave me be."

He saw how her shoulders were shaking and reached out to touch her. "Deirdre, please..." He stopped. He felt her body go rigid under his touch, and she began to tremble uncontrollably. He jerked his hand away as if burned. She began to hyperventilate, too. In panic, Joey pressed the alarm button. A few seconds later, Gabriella came in.

"Oh, fuck, another one," she hissed under her breath.

With quick precision, she filled a syringe and emptied it into the drip line. Within a minute, Deirdre's breathing calmed.

"Wha—what happened?" Joey squeaked after letting out his breath.

"Panic attack. The second. Yesterday evening she had another one, when Dr. Cramer tried to examine her. What did you do?"

"I just touched her shoulder. She had turned away from me and I could see she was crying. I only wanted to comfort her."

"Joey, she's only getting aware of what happened to her. The memories seem to come back, and she could not deal with them during the coma. Now they're overwhelming her." Gabi looked around and then put her hand on Joey's arm, continuing in a whisper. "Tell me, Joey! I know Felix went away the night after they brought her here. Tell me! Did you make those figlii di puttana pay? Tell me that they didn't get away!"

Joey felt his face heat up and he bit his lips. Gabi seemed to reach her own conclusion for she stepped close and hugged him.

"You poor boy. This isn't fair. You should be a happy young man, heading for college. Joey, I'll talk to Deirdre. I'll try to make her see things the right way. Just have patience. It may take some time for her to come to grips. Don't lose your faith. She is a basket case, anyone would be, after what happened to her. Once she finds her balance she'll remember who and what you are for her. You had better leave now, okay?"

Nodding dejectedly, Joey dragged his feet out of the room. He sat in his car for a long time staring ahead numbly before he could muster the energy to start the engine and drive home.

The reporters were back, this time parking plumb in front of the house and blocking the drive way. For just a few seconds Joey felt the temptation to stomp on the accelerator and smash into their car. He calmed himself and set the lights indicating that he wanted enter the driveway. There was no response. He honked the horn. A few birds flew up, but the car stayed put. Again, the temptation to use violence flared up, but again he resisted. He drove down the street. At the next intersection he performed a U-turn and returned. He parked twenty yards down the street and walked briskly into his house, taking the steps two at a time. He could see a flash, but he kept his back towards the reporters.

For the rest of the evening he stayed in, only once calling Tess on the phone and searching the internet once more to find more information on the treatment of rape victims. It was a depressing work, but he kept to it with dogged resolution. Somewhere, there had to be a clue how to help Deirdre! He woke up from somebody knocking on the front door. Peering through the peephole, he recognized Felix and opened.

"What's up, Felix?" he asked, worried.

Felix threw a newspaper on the table. It was the Rumor Mill, and the front page showed a photograph of Deirdre, in color, and with her face a swollen, blue and brown mess. "Monster Brothers' Victim Needs Face Transplant!" the headline screamed. Joey stared at the rag and the hurt and confusion of the last days welled up.

"I'll fucking kill them!" he screamed in impotent fury.

Felix shook his head. "Nope, that's why I'm here. Let Deirdre's mother and the hospital file charges against the Mill, but keep out of it. Right now, nobody has raised any flags about us and the Montalbans' vanishing act. We can't afford any media brouhaha, you hear! Keep your cool."

"That's easy to say! I couldn't even drive into my own fucking garage yesterday, because those scum suckers blocked my driveway." Joey pointed through the window at the Impala.

"Really?" Felix shrugged. "Well, nothing you can do. First Amendment and all that shit. Keep your cool. Di Rosa Security is working for you."

"Felix, you're not... ?"

"Naw, this'll be subtle. Say, that Ms. Giorgini, she still living down the street?"

Joey nodded, not sure what Felix was aiming at. The whole street knew that Ms. Giorgini was 'entertaining' male visitors to make ends meet, what with four illegitimate children and the eldest just fourteen. That fourteen year-old, a girl named Sandra, also had a growing reputation at school and in the neighborhood.

"Perfect. I imagine she can use a break," Felix said enigmatically. Then he turned sober. "Gabi told me about your girl. Be patient. She'll come around. By the way, good job not answering Gabi. She doesn't have to know about shit like that."

Felix left then, taking the time to cough up a wad of phlegm and spitting it contemptuously against the side window of the Impala. The reporters seemed to know who he was. Not a word of protest came from them.

Joey made some breakfast, in spite of his distinct lack of hunger, simply to plan his next moves. He was interrupted by a call from Maureen.

"Hey, Joey, how are you?" she asked with concern.

"I feel like shit. First Deirdre's panic attack yesterday and now that shit in the Mill."

Maureen's voice surprised him; it was venomous. "We'll make them pay for that, in more ways than they'll expect. They're scum."

"Maureen, what's happening with Deirdre? I only touched her shoulder yesterday and she froze. What does Dr. Blumberg say?"

He could hear Maureen sigh. "Dr. Blumberg says, she's only now remembering what happened to her, and the memories are coming back with a vengeance. She won't even tolerate Dr. Cramer touching her; we had to get one of the female ob/gyns to check on her stitches. It's really bad. Joey, I know you want to be with her, but could you please stop calling on her until she is more stable? Right now you cannot help her. I promise that I'll work hard on her to make her come around. You are the only good thing in her life, and I know that she needs you, long term. Just not right now. Please?"

"Are you sure?"

"Didn't you see how she reacted yesterday? I promise: I'll keep you up to date, every day, on the hour."

"If you think it may help her, I'll do it. Only, yesterday she said she couldn't be my girlfriend anymore."

"She isn't herself right now. Let Dr. Blumberg work with her, let me talk to her, and in a while she'll come around. Please, trust me, Joey. You know that I think the world of you, don't you?"

"Yes, I do, of course," he answered. Then he remembered something. "How is Karen?"

"It's bad, Joey. The frontal lobes of her brain are damaged. It's only the cerebellum that's still working and that keeps up her breathing and her heartbeat. The doctors say it's a terminal, vegetative state: there is no hope. She'll never wake up again."

Joey swallowed heavily. He had known Karen, had talked to her, and now she was not there anymore, her mind obliterated by the violent attack.

"Do you think that Tess and I might visit?" he asked. "Tess owes her so much, and I ... Well, I've known her a little."

"If it makes you feel better, do it. Karen will never know. Right now, I'm fighting her parents for custody. She has a few savings, and I guess that's what they're after. We have a partnership contract though, appointing each other as guardian and executor."

"How are you coping with all that? I mean, it's not my business, and I'm just a high school kid, but I can't imagine handling what you're facing right now."

"It's tough," Maureen sighed. "Thank God, I have a good associate. Dennis Alvarado is helping out a lot."

The name rang a bell for Joey, but he kept his mouth shut.

"Just let me know if you need any help. You said you think the world of me. I just want to say: the feeling's mutual. I think you're one great woman and mother."

"Thanks, Joey. Umh, Joey?"

"Yes?"

"I would have loved to meet your parents. Knowing you and Tess, they must have been wonderful people and parents."

"They were. I hope they will live on in Tess and me."

They ended the call, and Joey puttered around the house for the morning, doing some cleaning and clearing tables and desks. Remembering Felix' instructions, he drove his car to the hospital and went in. He could tell that security was tightened. He went and found Gabi, telling her that he would not return until Deirdre showed some improvement. She hugged him again and sent him on his way. When he left the visitor parking, sure enough, the Impala was on his tail. He made another visit to the cemetery, knowing that they would follow him there, eager to get pictures of him at his parents' grave.

Next, he drove down to the river and parked close to Penn Treaty Park where he walked and sat for a while watching the river. He returned home around six o' clock and drove the BMW into the garage. The Impala took position shortly after. A half hour later, the reporters even had pizza delivered to their car. Joey shrugged and went about preparing a dinner for himself. Around nine, Felix called.

"We checked out your friend. He's the guy who took the picture of Deirdre in the hospital. Wait another hour. The fun is about to start."

Around ten o' clock, Joey saw flashing lights in the street and went to look. A police cruiser was standing in the street, blocking the Impala with the reporters while they were standing with their hands on the hood of the black-and-white, being searched and cuffed. Joey could see Sgt. Di Rosa among the arresting officers, and he waved at Joey giving him a thumbs-up sign.

A half hour later a grinning Felix let himself in.

"They're already booked," he announced.

"What for?"

"Possession of child pornography," Felix answered smugly. "Around nine-forty, Ms. Constance Giorgini called the precinct to complain about a man who was loitering in front of her house with a camera and taking photographs through the window of her daughter's bedroom. Imagine the satisfaction when the investigating officers indeed found images of a naked Sandra Giorgini on a memory chip in the photographer's jacket."

Joey understood at once. "I imagine Sandra just loved to pose for them," he said dryly.

"She's not ugly, that one. We'll find some decent model work for her, you know, stuff for catalogs and such, teenager clothing. That way she'll make a better living than her mom. Your friend, the shutterbug, will spend one hell of a night in the holding. My pal Dennis Alvarado will prosecute. His partner will go free, of course. We couldn't plant evidence on both scumbags."

Joey suppressed his qualms. "I guess, it couldn't happen to a nicer person. How did the sleaze ball get into Deirdre's room?"

"The hospital is investigating. Gabi told me they are questioning all the nursing and cleaning staff as well as the doctors. We shouldn't have pulled our men, but the Fibbies were leaning on Deirdre's mother. The hospital rent-a-cops were probably off having donuts," Felix ended with disgust.

"Shit, I hope she never sees that rag."

"Yeah, maybe it's better if she goes to the West Coast for a year or two. She can always transfer back when the whole excitement dies down."

"Felix, right now, I'll agree with anything as long as she doesn't get a panic attack when I touch her."

"It'll be worse before it gets better, Joey. It's all coming back to her, and she has to come to terms. Pops says, we shouldn't have let you be the shooter, but I don't agree. You are her boyfriend. It was for you to make them pay. I know you feel like shit about it but trust me: in a couple of months you'll get over it. Speaking of those shit heads, they weren't dropped into a river. I'm thinking they should turn up at some point in time. That way your girl will know for sure they're gone."

"Wouldn't that point at us?"

"I'm talking a few years, Joey. I'm also talking about some place just north of the border in Texas. No link to Knoxville, no link to us. Just two sets of bones with the right DNA and dentals."

"Years?"

"What? You can't marry the girl anyway before you graduate from college."

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 16: Rumors


For the next week, Joey kept waiting for a summons to the hospital and to Deirdre's room. It did not come. Maureen kept him posted, but visits were still not possible. If anything, Deirdre's mental state was deteriorating.

With all the stitches pulled and her bruises waning, she was allowed to leave the hospital. Maureen was with her when the ambulance drove her home, but once they wheeled her up to the front door, Deirdre had another big panic attack. Nothing helped, and Deirdre screamed and struggled until they wheeled her back to the ambulance. After a brief telephone conference with Dr. Blumberg, Deirdre was driven to a private sanitarium outside of Philadelphia.

She remained there, in full seclusion, for six weeks. There were days when she would not even see Maureen, but according to the attending therapists, there was improvement. On a bright and sunny day in late August, Deirdre returned to Poweltown Village in a taxicab with Maureen. It took a great mental effort to walk over the threshold of their house. Joey learned about this event a few hours later when Maureen called to report. Deirdre was sleeping in her room, but she had been clear in her head and communicative during the cab ride. Of course, Joey inquired about visiting, but Maureen asked him to be a little more patient.

She came by on the next morning, running up to his door. When he opened, she pressed a letter into his hand.

"She must have written this this morning before I woke up. She wanted you to have it right away. I have to hurry back. I hope it's good news!"

And then she was already driving back. His heart beating in his throat Joey went back into the house and ripped the envelope open. He saw her neat handwriting and began to read.



My dearest Joey,

I have heard from my mother that you kept pestering her for news about me all those weeks while I was locked away as a certified loon. I am deeply sorry that I kept hurting you with my silence, and I have only my mental state as an excuse.

The last weeks were grueling, in more than one sense. First in closed sessions, then in group session, they made me remember everything that happened to me during the almost three days the Montalbans kept me. I still cannot see the sense in that, me reliving all what happened, but they were adamant. I do not know whether it is because or in spite of those sessions, but I am now better able to deal with what happened.

Physically, I seem to have healed completely. The bruises are all gone, even on my body. I am eating normal food now, and everything down there seems to work. What still doesn't work is me being alone with any man. Mom was thoughtful enough to get a female cabbie to drive me home, but that is something I need to work on.

This especially if I ever want to see you again. I don't know how you feel about me now after two months. I am almost hoping that you have moved on. It would spare me some difficult decisions ahead, but I also fear this possibility. I am at once terrified of being with you and of losing you. Crazy? I already stated that I'm a loon, right?

I am also afraid that by allowing you near me, I will set you up for more hurt in the future. I don't want to hurt you! Mom keeps telling me that I'll hurt you the most by not allowing you near me. I want to believe that, but then the memories come back, and I cannot see myself as ever being able to be what you expect of a girlfriend.

The therapist also showed me the brilliant pieces of investigative journalism in the Rumor Mill. They really did a number on me with that photograph. I hear the guy who took the picture is in prison now for possession of child pornography, and I'm thinking, yes, that's the kind of guy it takes to make money off a raped girl.





I also hear that the men who took me are still at large. This and the pictures in the tabloid make it impossible for me to stay here in Philadelphia. Don't get me wrong: I will have the fondest memories of the time I spent with you. Then again, the thought of being recognized on the street as the 'poor girl who was raped' is just too much. I won't even touch on the thought of running into those two monsters.

So, Joey, I have decided to accept the scholarship in Eureka and to move there in two weeks. This is not to be away from you. I would like to keep contact with you, by e-mail, be telephone, by letters. The therapist told me to focus on the good things in my life, and you, Joey, are the best thing that ever happened to me. I know that you are afraid of losing me to another man, to another student, over there. Believe me, the man is not even conceived yet who could talk me into a date for the next months or even years. In no time it will be Christmas, and we can see each other again. I hope that I will be able by then to interact with you the way I want to.

So, here goes: Joey, I begin to believe that you may still be able to feel for me, that I may still be yours again one day. Going to Eureka is without alternative right now, but I promise that I will not, not ever, go on a date with a man while over there. In return I ask you for your understanding. It's only a few months, and then, hopefully, we can talk and find solutions. I learned a few things about myself during therapy, and I hope it will make me a better person, a stronger person, and hopefully, a person who can live up to the image you keep projecting into me.

Please relay my deep gratitude to your cousin, your uncle, and to any other person who helped saving my life. My fondest regards go to Tess, but my love only to you.

Deirdre



The letter was encouraging, heartwarming even, but left Joey at a loss over what to do. He had counted on at least seeing her once before college started, but the letter did not indicate any such possibility. He needed to see her. Sitting down at his desk, he unscrewed the old fountain pen of his father and began to write an answering letter. He felt it was better to send a hand-written letter than some computer print-out.



My darling Deirdre,

I have received your letter and the most important news it gave me is that you have recovered from your injuries. I can imagine that you will still find it difficult to meet other people, men in particular, but your letter at least gives me some silver lining of hope that you will give me a chance in the future. This is already more than I could hope for in the last, dreadful weeks.

I already expected you to turn your back on Philadelphia. Too many bad things have happened here, and it is not really your home town anyway. Tess is two years away from her graduation, and depending on her plans, I may be free then to transfer to another college, perhaps even out in the West. I cannot see myself at your tree hugger school (just kidding), but then there are Berkeley and Stanford within driving distance from Eureka.

So, yes, I accept your need to be away from Philadelphia. What I have problems with is that you want to leave for California without seeing me. You say it's only a few months, but I have lived for two months without seeing you, and they were miserable two months. I can see how you have problems with a date, but perhaps we can have dinner some place. Maureen can be there, and Tess, and I can at least see you and be sure that you are not hurting anymore. I ask you for this one favor, Deirdre. Give me a chance to see you once more before you leave.

This is not an ultimatum. I will be waiting for you regardless. It will make the wait more tolerable though, and it will give me a sign that you still have feelings for me.

Yours in love

Joey



He put the letter in an envelope, wrote Deirdre's address on it, and drove over to the Darlings' house. He jumped from his car and almost ran to the letter box to drop his message, and then he drove off. He did not see the curtain move, did not see Deirdre's pale face, nor the come-hither gesture she spontaneously made. He received her phone call, however, not fifteen minutes later.

"Hey, Joey. I saw you dropping off the letter. Yes."

"Deirdre! Are you ... Yes?"

"Yes. Do you think we can go to the Blue Grotto? It's where we had our first date, remember?"

"Of course I do. When?"

"How about on Saturday. It's only two days, but I need to go to a hairdresser before you see me."

"So, you and your Mother? Should Tess be there, too?"

"Only if you are afraid of me. Joey, I'll try. I'll ask Mom to sit at another table, so we can talk. If I can't, I'll ask her over. Promise me that you won't be pissed then."

"Dee-Dee, I told you: any which way you can. I'll just be happy to see you."

"Six o' clock fine for you? It won't be as crowded then."

"Again, any which way. I'll get us two tables at six. You are one brave girl."

"I try. Umh, Joey, it feels good talking to you. Do you have anywhere you need to go?"

"Even if I did, I'd say no. Are you kidding? It's been ten weeks since we really talked."

"Can we talk some more on the phone? It's good to hear your voice."

"Same here, Deirdre. Are there things you need help with, like getting stuff from shops or getting any paperwork done?"

"No, not really, not right now. Most things, I just order over the internet right now."

"Deirdre, how do you plan to get to this place? I mean, flying in a plane, there's bound to be lots of guys flying with you."

"Yep, that's one sore point. We plan on asking the ground crew to seat me with women. Also, there's a ton of people on a plane. My problem is being alone with men in an enclosed space."

"Deirdre, aren't you cultivating those fears, too? You have to realize that the Montalbans represent only a minuscule fraction of men."

"Yes, I know, but my primary concern is to get to Eureka without freaking out along the way."

"What will you do in Eureka? There's bound to be male professors, administrators, students all over the place."

"I know, Joey! It will be tough, but then again, I may learn to deal with men along the way. I need to learn that. How am I ever to be with you again if I can't deal with my fears?"

"Will you get therapy over there?"

"Yes, of course. I'll find somebody. Dr. Blumberg is looking he said."

She sounded less than enthusiastic when she said that, but before Joey could talk about that some more she changed topics, asking him about some of their common friends. That kept them talking for another fifteen or twenty minutes until Deirdre announced that she had to end for now.

-------

Saturday arrived, and at six o'clock sharp, Joey sat at his reserved table in the Blue Grotto. Deirdre arrived only two minutes later, with Maureen hovering around her, and the way she cast apprehensive looks in all directions cut into Joey's heart. She flinched when he stood to offer a chair, something he had done often to mock Old World courtesy, but the way she froze it was apparent that it was not appreciated. That set the tone for the dinner. Deirdre had been introverted and shy when they first met, but now she looked like a turtle desperately looking for its shell.

Joey had arranged for Anita to serve them, and the table was out of the way from the routes to kitchen and restrooms allowing Deirdre to calm down a bit. The talk remained strained and uneasy, though. Deirdre held on tight to Maureen's arm, preventing her from using a separate table, restricting the topics of discussion and making it impossible for Joey to speak about his feelings. He felt increasing desperation. This dinner was going nowhere he had hoped, and he learned nothing new from Deirdre other than she was leaving in a week. It was almost to his relief when Deirdre fled the restaurant an hour later, a helplessly shrugging Maureen in tow.

With a heavy heart, Joey settled the bill with Anita.

"The poor girl," she commented. "And poor you. She'll take a long time getting well again. Don't take it personal, Joey. You're not to blame for anything."

Joey wished he could believe her.

-------

Over the next weeks, Joey prepared for attending college. There were books to purchase, prep courses and tutorials to attend, and he had to plan his course load for the first semester. With Deirdre gone to the West Coast, he felt empty.

Tess had moved back into their house for the starting of the school year, and she lent Joey strength with her optimism and her positive attitude. Yet, a week before the start of the fall semester, Joey's life took another downturn.

He and Tess were leaving the Blue Grotto when they ran into Deborah. Joey gave her a tentative smile.

"Hey, Deb. How are things for you?"

Her hard and accusing look cut into his heart. "I can't believe you dumped poor Deirdre!" she spat. "Not good enough for you anymore, Di Rosa? Not virginal enough? I thought you were a good guy, but it was all bogus. All the 'I love you, Deirdre' crap at graduation was a lie, wasn't it? I can't imagine what the poor girl is going through!"

Joey's head was spinning, and his mouth opened and closed futilely. No sound came out of it in the face of this outrageous accusation. There was no need. As if she had been waiting for this, Tess exploded into a harangue of her own.

"Are you fuckin' nuts, you self-righteous bitch? Joey dumping Deirdre? What a laugh! She wouldn't see him anymore for two months, hiding away in the looney bin, and then she met him for one fuckin' hour before she up and leaves for fuckin' California! My brother helped save her life, he even paid the ransom, and he got kicked in the balls by her. So don't you dare placing any blame on my brother, or I'll rip your face off for you!"

Deborah stumbled backwards under the verbal onslaught.

"Tha ... that's not what I hear," she retorted. "I hear that he never visited her anymore after a couple of days and that she went crazy over that."

Before Tess could proceed to make good on her threat, Joey held her arm. With a face of stone, he addressed his former friend.

"I wonder who you talked to, but then it's all the same. You hear something about me and you believe it. You don't talk to me, you don't ask me whether it's true. I guess you trash-talked me with others, too. You can go to hell. I don't need friends like you. Come, Tess, let's split."

He turned on his heel and dragged Tess along who was still itching to settle the argument violently. Tess was driving them home and when Joey got out of the Mini he opened the front door of their house and went straight upstairs. His life would be lonesome. If Deb had spread the story others would 'know', too. Too many of their class would attend college in or near Philadelphia. He would be a pariah. Mentally, he shrugged. He was not in the market for a girlfriend anyway. Maybe, once Deirdre would come home for Christmas they could go out, and then people would see that the rumors were wrong. Maybe.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 17: Roomies


Claire Ingram sighed when she entered the lecture hall. She was late and the room was packed already. Professor Babcock was still busy hooking up his laptop to the projector. Claire let her gaze sweep the room. There! An empty seat, in the second to last row.

She made her way over and asked perfunctorily. "Hey, may I have this one?"

The girl who sat on the next seat jerked before she nodded without looking. Claire did not know her; she was sitting hunched over as if to avoid contact. Babcock was still fiddling with the cables and Claire gave it another try.

"Hi, I'm Claire."

The girl lifted her head and Claire looked into a pair of surprisingly blue eyes under brunette, curly hair. A Celtic girl and a pretty one.

"I'm Deirdre," the girl spoke, no, whispered.

"So, what's up for today?" Claire kept asking.

"Non-parametric tests," Deirdre answered.

"Hrhm!" Babcock started to quell the murmur in the seats. "We will deal today with non-parametric tests, such as the U-test, first developed by Mann and Whitney in 1947..."

For the next ten minutes, Babcock showed tables with p values and formulas. Claire zoned out as usual in statistics but she had a rude awakening.

"Ms. Ingram, please, where would one apply the U-test?"

Desperately, Claire tried to remember anything from Babcock's droning presentation.

"Umh, for testing the significance of different data pairs?"

"Yes, but why not use the t-test?"

How the hell was she to know that? A helpless shrug was all she could muster.

"Ahem, an insightful shrug, to be sure," Babcock sneered to the titter of the spitlickers in the first rows. "Who's that next to you?"

Claire nudged Deirdre who looked up.

"Darling, Sir, Deirdre Darling," she almost whispered.

"Yes, Ms. Darling ... What sort of name is 'Darling'? Your parents should have named you Clementine, not Deirdre," Babcock sneered.

"Fourth grade, Alwyn Thomas," Deirdre said softly.

"Beg your pardon?"

"In fourth grade an obnoxious boy named Alwyn Thomas was the first to make that joke, Sir. By my count you are number 56 to come up with that clever pun."

Deirdre's voice was very low but everyone had heard her clearly. Claire had a hard time keeping her face straight. Others did not even try. The giggling even included Babcock's fan block.

"A witty reply, Ms. Darling," Babcock smiled evilly. "Perhaps you will enlighten us with the answer to my question?"

"The difference between U-test and t-test, Sir, or the one about my last name?"

"This is statistics, Miss Darling."

"Oh, okay." Deirdre started, still speaking in a low voice. "The fundamental difference is that the U-test compares ranking, not numerical values. This makes it more robust against outlier data pairs but sensitive against shifts of the median."

"And, pray, why is that so?"

From this point on, Claire, together with the rest of the class, lost track. They were talking about Null hypotheses and distribution curves and the exchange became heated to a point that Deirdre spoke with a clear, carrying voice. To Claire it was like watching two people argue in Latin. Obviously, Deirdre held her own because Babcock returned to his droning lecture and avoided asking any questions for the remainder of the class.

When they packed their stuff Claire shook her head. "Do you know that stuff?"

"Have to," Deirdre answered her shoulders hunched again. "That's something I'll need for certain."

"Are you planning on being a Math major?"

"No, but Science, Biology."

"Say, didn't I see you yesterday? Where are you rooming?"

"Cedar, but only since last week."

"Oh, I'm Cedar, too. Why'd you change?"

"Didn't get along with my last roomy."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm rooming with Marge Foxworth. She's all about partying and I'm losing sleep. Who're you rooming with now?"

"Erin Harper."

"That's Marge's best friend. I feel for you."

"Amen. It's difficult to get any work done with her prattling nonsense on the cell."

"You're going back now?"

"Yeah."

"Mind if I tag along? I'm a bit lost. My best friend transferred out last week."

"Sure."

And so Claire walked with Deirdre. She was even able to extract some personal information from the girl but boy, was she ever shy! She was recently from Philadelphia but she had grown up in Pittsburgh. Her mother was a lawyer, an assistant district attorney. Claire also told about her background, her parents, their home in Ventura, but she left out Cheryl. She was not ready to talk about Cheryl.

Their rooms were only four doors apart and both doors were open with music blaring from each of them. Marge was sitting on her bunk, her one naked leg dangling down while she applied nail polish to the toe nails of the second.

"There's a party in Maple tonight. You coming?" Marge asked.

"Who's inviting?" Claire asked back. She was very careful with parties, all part of the baggage she was carrying.

"The MacAdam brothers. Gawd, they're dreamy, aren't they?"

"Not the brightest bulbs on the Christmas tree," Claire answered.

"Yeah, well, it's a kegger not a spelling bee," Marge giggled.

"I think I'll pass. Just keep it down when you come back, will you?"

"Yeah, yeah. I may not be back tonight anyway if you know what I mean."

That was nothing new for Claire. Marge often stayed away on weekend nights and the way she smelled when she returned made it clear that her idea of fun included beer, grass, and male ejaculate, and not necessarily in that order of preference. Claire just nodded and sighed.

"You know, you're like boring, Claire," Marge observed, "but you're way better than Erin's new roomy."

"I saw her today. She seems nice," Claire defended Deirdre.

"She's like a total loon! She's afraid of guys, can you imagine? And at night, she'll like start whimpering, even screaming sometimes. Erin says she's gonna complain."

A great big lightbulb went off in Claire's head. "Say, Marge, wouldn't it be cool for you and Erin to be roomies? I mean, I seem to get along with Deirdre but we both don't seem to click with you or Erin. We could swap roomies. Think of the fun you could have with Erin!"

Claire processed that idea for only a second before she smiled.

"Awesome! I mean, like Erin and I, we could ... Well, never mind. Wanna go over and talk it out? Or should we like ask the RA first?"

"Naw, let's talk to Erin and Deirdre first," Claire said.

"I bet the RA is happy to find a roomy for that weird girl. She's been through two of them before Erin. Always the same: screaming in the night and ya know like freezing up when a guy comes near."

Claire felt realization wash over her. Deirdre was traumatized. She had nightmares and was afraid of guys. For Claire this spelled just one explanation: sexual abuse victim. She kept her mouth shut though. If she told Marge of her suspicion the story would be all over the campus before this night was over.

"Let's go over, then."

Entering Erin and Deirdre's room, Claire felt the tension between the girls.

"Hey, Marge," Erin greeted her friend. "Guess what! Miss Goody-two-Shoes tells me I can't have Luke visit next weekend. 'This is a girls only floor.' Like anybody gives a fuck!"

"Well, I do and it's my room, too," came the obstinate reply from Deirdre.

"Jeez, what is it with you? You never got laid?"

"Ahem," Claire interrupted, "Marge and I just had an idea."

"Yeah," Marge continued. "Claire like volunteered to take the kill joy in with her. Meaning, I could move in with you."

"Awesome! Claire, you serious? I mean, you're a stick in the mud but compared with her you're Miss Congeniality."

"I'm serious. Deirdre's into the books as much as I am. Deirdre, what do you say? Wanna room with me?"

Deirdre looked up suspiciously. "Why?"

"I think we may be more compatible."

"Yeah, right," Erin laughed. "Wait until..."

"Shut up!" Marge hissed and Erin opened her eyes wide in realization that she was about to ruin the swap if she trash talked Deirdre.

Claire sat against Deirdre's desk. "Wanna try?"

Looking at Erin, Deirdre sighed. "Okay, I guess. Can't be worse than now."

Claire grinned with relief. "That's the spirit. What say we move you right away? Marge, if we all help we can get this done before supper and you guys can start the good life."

"What about the RA?"

Claire pulled her cell phone and dialed the RA. Denise Everett answered after two rings and it took Claire less than two minutes to get the approval.

"All set," she announced and in rare harmony the four unequal girls set to the task of swapping rooms. Less than an hour later, Deirdre's meager belongings filled a third of the wardrobe in her new room, and Claire helped her to organize the rest. Once finished Claire jumped up on her bunk bed.

"This is great! I was dreading the coming night with Marge going on that party over at Maple. The last time she brought back two guys and they kept yakking until the wee hours."

Deirdre regarded her for a moment. "Look, let's get things out into the open. Marge told you I have nightmares, right?"

"Not directly, but yeah, I got the idea."

"Why then? Are you aiming for a psych major? Do you see me as a study case for a homework?"

"Nope, I wanna be a business major," Claire laughed. "Believe me, even if you have nightmares it won't be as disturbing as Marge running her vibrator empty."

Deirdre blushed but she showed a faint smile. It morphed into a smirk.

"Umh, Claire, if I start thrashing and crying, better stay away. My first roomy, she tried to comfort me, and I somehow broke her nose in my panic."

Claire's eyes widened a little. But then she shrugged for show.

"Never worry, I'll just douse you with cold water." And when Deirdre looked shocked, "I'm kidding you."

They went to Commons for supper and after they returned they both hit the books for a while. When Deirdre went into the bathroom for a shower, however, Claire fired up her laptop and linked up to Google search. She typed "Darling Philadelphia Deirdre" into the search window and hit the return key. When the results came back seconds later, Claire whimpered. It was worse, far worse than she had feared. While the newspaper articles gave no specifics as to the sort of abuse Deirdre had suffered, it was implied she had been beaten, raped and tortured for days. The cover of the Rumor Mill with Deirdre's bruised and deformed face said enough about the brutality she must have suffered. Mercy!

There was another picture on the title of an earlier issue showing Deirdre in her prom dress. God, what a gorgeous girl she was! She stood there smiling at the guy at her side whose face had been blacked out by the Rumor Mill.

The shower stopped and Claire closed the browser window while breathing deeply to regain her composure. For a moment she questioned her wisdom to share a room with the girl, but then she thought of Cheryl and her doubts were replaced by resolve. No, this time she would not fail. She owed it to help Deirdre.

Claire lay awake for half of the night, waiting for Deirdre to start into her nightmares but she slept peacefully and sometime close to morning Claire finally fell asleep.

One thing Claire appreciated immediately was that Deirdre always cleaned up after herself. The shower was always free of hairs and foam and the mirror was spotless whenever Claire entered the bathroom after her. Another thing was her sharp intelligence and photographic memory. With Deirdre in the room Claire could dispense with her encyclopedia. She was always helpful, too. In short, after just one week Claire was happy about her choice.

Then, one night at around two she woke up to a pitiful whimper, so full of fear and pain that Claire felt goosebumps.

"Noooo! Not again, pleeeaase!" Deirdre pleaded in her sleep. "Noo, not there! Hurts! Hurts!"

Mindful of Deirdre's warning Claire climbed from her bed and approached cautiously. From what she could see Deirdre was trying frantically to free herself from under the sheets. The sheets were tucked in under the mattress and did not give. Carefully, Claire pulled the sheets free. Once her legs could move freely Deirdre's struggles eased and she calmed. Claire watched her for more than an hour before she went to bed again.

The next day was a Friday and Deirdre awoke with no signs of remembering the nightmare. Claire decided not to mention anything until the evening. If Deirdre reacted upset it would be better if she had the weekend to get over it. Claire had a therapy session that afternoon and instead of talking about her own issues she brought up her roommate.

Dr. Wilson, her therapist, played along sensing that Claire was reliving her own trauma with her new roommate. Once Claire had told her everything Wilson nodded.

"You feel that Deirdre is your chance to redeem yourself?"

"Yes, in a way," Claire admitted. "But there's more. I have those newspaper images before my eyes and I ask myself: How can she go on living? With Cheryl it was one guy, one night, one rape, and she couldn't get over it. Deirdre was held captive for almost three days and they used her as a punching ball in between raping her. How can anybody cope with that?"

"From what you tell me she isn't coping. She's shutting down. She does not confront the rape."

"Do you think you could help her?"

"That's not easy. With such a massive trauma she should be admitted. I can try though. She's on the health plan, right?"

"Should be. I mean, she's enrolled."

"Whenever she feels ready I'll try to help. That's all I can offer. She must acknowledge the need though."

"You think I should talk her into seeking help?"

Rachel Wilson smirked. "I think you should try. At least for your own conscience. Give it a shot."

As it happened there was a free concert on campus that evening and Claire talked Deirdre into coming along. It was a local band and they mostly covered stuff from the last years but at least it was live music. Deirdre seemed to enjoy herself, too, when she suddenly froze up. Looking around Claire saw only a good looking Hispanic guy walk by. He was tall and athletic, meaning well muscled, and he looked hip with his ultra short haircut and a couple of tattoos on his arms. He was easy on Claire's eyes but in Deirdre he obviously evoked terror.

"You look a little pale, Deirdre. Care to step out for a breather?" Claire suggested taking her roomy's hand. It was cold and shaking like a leaf.

Silently, Deirdre nodded her eyes never wavering from the tall Hispanic man even though he was three rows away already. Claire mumbled her excuses as she steered Deirdre from the seat row and past the other students. Once outside they went straight for their room and once there Deirdre began to wake out of her catatonic state.

"I'm sorry," she whimpered. "I don't know what just came over me."

Tears were forming in her eyes and Claire quickly hugged the girl. "Ssh, it's okay. You were scared somehow. That Hispanic hunk spooked you, huh?"

Just when the words had left her mouth Claire cringed. Hadn't she read those newspaper reports? Those men who had abducted Deirdre had been Hispanic. Deirdre had to be afraid of Latinos.

"I guess he did," Deirdre admitted in a hoarse whisper.

"Deirdre, you wanna talk about what happened to you?" Claire heard herself blurt and the girl in her arms froze up again. Frantically she kept babbling. "You don't have to, you know, but if you keep it in it'll eat you up from the inside. Believe me, I know."

Deirdre pushed herself away giving Claire a hurt look. "What do you know? How can you know?"

Claire took a deep breath and exhaled. "I'll tell you if you sit down."

Hesitantly, Deirdre sat on her desk chair and Claire sat on her own. She pointed at the silver framed picture on her desk. "Ever asked yourself who that is?"

Deirdre shrugged. "Picture of you, back in high school?"

"It's a picture of my sister Cheryl. She was two years older. She went to Berkeley. She loved it there; she had a ball. But after she came back from her Freshman year she was changed. She was morose, staring into space for hours on time, avoiding her old girlfriends, even avoiding her family, us. We just thought she was missing her friends at college, we even teased her saying she'd be back with her boyfriend soon enough.

"Well, on August 3rd I came home from the beach. Nobody seemed to be home and I went up to let a ba ... bath." A first sob racked Claire's chest. "I entered the bath ... room and I f-found her. Sh-she had slashed her wrist. She was dead."

Claire could barely see as her eyes teared up but it was clear that Deirdre stared at her.

"We had no idea. We were so clueless. We didn't see her signals, her pain! A guy who had been her friend had raped her after a party and he taken pictures of her and threatened to post them on the internet if she went to the police. Her roommate spoke up about it at the funeral but it was too late then. Cheryl couldn't handle it, she couldn't talk to us and we didn't see it."

Claire wiped her eyes and stared hard at Deirdre.

"I know what happened to you. I Googled you and your mother. I cannot fathom what you went through but I had a first-hand look at what it can do to a girl. Deirdre, I'll be utterly damned if I'll fuck up a second time. I see how you're hurting. I see your fear, your terror whenever a guy comes near you. I watched you last night when you whimpered for mercy in your sleep and it tore my heart out. Deirdre, please, let me help you!"

"What can you do, Claire? I'm just a wreck. I used to have a life. I had a boyfriend and I was counting on a future. And now? I'll be an agoraphobic for the rest of my life."

"What happened? Tell me your boyfriend didn't dump you!"

"Oh no, he was great. Actually, he payed my ransom, two hundred grand from his inheritance. He saved my life and he kept babbling about our future. I had to protect him from himself."

"You dumped him?"

The blunt question shocked Deirdre and she stared at Claire accusingly. Claire stared back.

"The guy stood by you and you gave him the boot? Jeez, girl, that's cold!"

"He didn't mean it. He's just like that, a good guy, but it was tearing him up. He was uneasy and awkward around me."

"Did you ever consider that it made him sick to see you in pain?" Claire asked gently. "Did you consider that he felt guilty because he did not prevent your kidnapping?"

"That's what he kept pretending," Deirdre answered sadly.

"And you know different, how?"

"I just know," Deirdre said miserably.

"Deirdre, I have been in therapy ever since I found Cheryl and it helped me a great deal to cope with my guilt. Right now I'm seeing this woman, Rachel Wilson. She's on our health plan. I could probably get her to see you. Just to try it, you know. What can you lose? Talk to her! She's a great person. She may help you. Listen, just do it for me! It would kill me coming back from classes and finding you here."

Perhaps it was reason, perhaps it was the desperate quality of Claire's appeal, but Deirdre nodded silently.

"Will you do it?" Claire asked, taking both of Deirdre's hands. Deirdre nodded again.

"I can try."

"Thank you! I'll try to set up an appointment in the next days. Are you going home over Christmas?"

The terror returned to Deirdre's eyes.

"I can't!" she whispered. "Those men were never caught. They may wait for me to come back!"

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 18: Kitchen Talk


Rachel Wilson was in her early thirties, and her small size made her look even younger. She had only limited experience with rape victims, but after Deirdre Darling made an appointment she read up as much as she could, both on the case and on general principles of dealing with a severely traumatized woman.

When Deirdre entered Rachel's office for the first time, the young therapist knew she had her work cut out for her. Deirdre was beyond nervous, and her eyes darted in all directions as she entered. Early stages of agoraphobia, Rachel made a mental note. This girl would not relax in the therapy room Rachel sensed.

"Hi, you're Deirdre, tight? I'm Rachel. I'm sorry, I was running a bit late on the previous appointment and barely made it. Would you mind if I brewed a tea before we start?"

"No, that's okay, I guess."

The girl was relieved over the delay, which was Rachel's intent.

"You want a cup, too?" she offered, to which Deirdre nodded. "Come to the kitchen, and I'll get some water to boil."

While the water heated – Rachel had set the plate to medium to make it take longer – she started an innocuous conversation, quizzing Deirdre on her study plans, how she got along with Claire, how she liked the rough climate of Northern California, and a number of other topics as they came to her mind. The Oolong tea took a while to stew – more time to establish a more relaxed atmosphere – and once the cups were poured Rachel steered the talking towards more relevant topics, namely Deirdre's childhood and adolescence. Deirdre was the last patient on this afternoon. Rachel ignored the clock and continued over the set time making full use of the opportunity. She was able to extract the entire sordid story of Deirdre's social pariah status in Pittsburgh, of her new start in Philadelphia, and then the first meeting with another wounded soul, Joey Di Rosa.

The growl of Deirdre's stomach – it was past six-thirty – broke the spell.

"Oh, boy, we just talked the time away. I'm so sorry that I wasted the appointment with this irrelevant chit-chat. On the other hand, I feel that I know you much better already."

Deirdre just nodded, shy again.

"Those Darling jokes must come out of your ear, right?"

Deirdre nodded again.

"Boy, can I understand that!" Rachel continued. "Do you know what my maiden name was? Green! Rachel fucking Green! Friends came out in my senior year and when I was in college, all I got to hear was, 'Why can't you give poor Ross a break, Rachel?', or, 'I think you were on a break!'. God, I don't think I would have accepted Larry's proposal if I hadn't been sick and tired of my last name."

That, finally got a weak smile from Deirdre. "That must have been bad. Where did you grow up?"

Yes! Interest! A question!

"A small place in Montana, Clearwater Crossing. Well, they abbreviated that to Clearwater in '98. Just eight thousand souls, a general store, a small community hospital, a savings bank, and a high school. County seat, too. Look, I want to make up for my wasting your time. How about you come here tomorrow, same time? I won't charge."

Again, a tentative smile from the girl. "I'd like that. Will we ... Will I have to talk about, you know,..."

"The rape? No, I don't think so. Idle as our talk was today, I discovered a few things about your past that we need to explore in detail before we can tackle the grim stuff. I'll not lie to you, Deirdre. It will be a tough piece of work to resolve your issues. Perhaps it was for the best that we got to know each other first."

That ended the first session. Rachel was satisfied with the outcome. Trust was established now and she had been able to learn more about Deirdre's background. That Karen character must have been like a huge albatross around Deirdre's neck. Rachel knew a few lesbian women who had suffered under intolerant heterosexual family members, but this was the first case where the shoe had been on the other foot. She wondered about this young man, Joey Whatshisface, no, Di Rosa. The only time Deirdre's eyes had shown warmth had been when she talked about him.

Over the next weeks, even over Christmas, Rachel saw Deirdre twice a week. It was always in the evenings as last patient for the day. She learned en passant that Deirdre's decision to stay in Eureka over the Holidays was not well received by her mother who felt rejected. From a few remarks, Rachel also learned that Deirdre's relationship with her high school boyfriend was dwindling away under her inability to return to the East or even to maintain regular contact via telephone or email. Unfortunately they had not yet arrived at the events preceding and following the rape orgy. There were mountains of issues in Deirdre's earlier live that needed unearthing and being dealt with.

Then, in mid-January, Deirdre placed a request for an emergency meeting. Rachel skipped her lunch break to fit her in. The girl arrived in a state of terrible agitation.

"K–Karen died yesterday," she sobbed once Rachel had made her sit. "She never woke up again, but she died yesterday. M–Mom called, and she expects me to come for the f–funeral, but I c–cant't. I just c–can't!"

"Deirdre, did you tell your mother about the reasons?"

"I told her I'm afraid, and she keeps saying, those m–men are long g–gone. How can she know that?"

"You know," Rachel said gently, "this is difficult for me. So far, we have stayed clear of what happened when those men abducted and raped you. I will not pretend that I can understand you without having discussed those events. We really need to progress to that now in our appointments. You are afraid of those men showing up again and repeating what they did, right?"

Deirdre stared at her. "In my head, I know they are lying low, somewhere in Central America. In my head, I know that won't dare to come back. They risk the death penalty if they are ever caught. I know that. I doesn't help. My heart c–cramps even when I think the w-word Ph–Phila ... I know I'm not rational."

"Deirdre, does your mother know the shape you're in, mentally?"

Deirdre shook her head.

"Would it help if I explained things to her?"

Deirdre nodded, hope in her eyes.

"That would help. She th–thinks I'm refusing to c–come out of spite, but that's not it!"

Rachel pushed her phone over the table. "Why don't you dial for me, Deirdre. I'll do my best to explain things."

Silently, Deirdre pushed the buttons and handed the receiver to Rachel.

"Assistant District Attorney Maureen Darling's office, how may I help you?"

A secretary, Rachel thought.

"Hi, this is Dr. Rachel Wilson, from Eureka, California. I would like to speak Ms. Darling in a personal matter."

"Just a moment, Doctor," the secretary replied, and only a second later, a panicky voice assaulted Rachel's eardrums.

"Yes, Darling here! What happened to Deirdre?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I did not mean to frighten you. I'm calling on Deirdre's behalf. She is sitting across from me, and she's not hurt in any way."

"Oh, my God! I'm sorry, this is one of my nightmares, receiving a call from a hospital or the police. Are you her physician?"

"I'm her therapist. Ms. Darling, are you alone or can anybody listen in on this phone conversation? I need to ask to make sure I'm not violating Deirdre's privacy."

"I'm alone."

"Good. Ms. Darling, Deirdre has authorized me to speak to you concerning her present mental state. I understand that your life partner passed away yesterday and I want to offer my sympathy first."

"Thank you. It was expected, but it still hurts."

"Now, as far as I understand, you would like for Deirdre to be present during the funeral which would be the normal thing to do for her, right?"

"Yes, Karen and I were together for over ten years. Deirdre grew up around Karen. We were a family."

"Ms. Darling, I assure you that Deirdre would come if it were possible for her. I have worked with your daughter for six weeks now, and we are just beginning to touch on the events of last summer. Deirdre is still extremely traumatized. It is her sub-conscious that makes her unable to follow rational thinking when is comes to returning to Philadelphia. She just told me that she pretty well knows that the perpetrators will not ever be back in her life. Her sub-conscious though will make her suffer extreme distress if she were to fly home. We are working on that, I assure you, and Deirdre has expressed a strong desire to get over her limitations. As her therapist, I ask you to be understanding."

She could hear a deep breath being taken. "How long will it take?"

"We are making progress, Ms. Darling. I'll not lie to you. The abduction and the violations she suffered are just one of her many traumata. The worst, to be sure, but not the only. Right now, I feel guardedly optimistic, but it would be wrong to give you a time line."

"Oh. I see. Those other issues, too. God, I must sound like a horrible mother to you."

"Ms. Darling, I'm not here to judge, I'm here to help healing. From what Deirdre told me, your youth was very difficult, too, and unfortunately, that leaves traces. Deirdre does not want to dissociate herself from you, if that is what you fear. She just needs time to cope with her demons."

"Th–thank you, Dr. Wilson. Can you ask Deirdre what I am to tell Joey Di Rosa? Does Deirdre still want him? He deserves an honest answer."

Looking up, Rachel saw Deirdre deflate in her chair, an expression of absolute dread in her features. She shook her head frantically.

"Ms. Darling, I'm afraid this is an issue that Deirdre is not yet ready to talk about."

After a few more phrases, Rachel ended the call. She looked at Deirdre.

"You're scheduled for an appointment tomorrow evening?"

Deirdre nodded.

"I guess it is time for you to tell me all about Joey. We'll start tomorrow."

"Rachel, I don't know what..."

"Deirdre, I covered for you today. What I just did is irregular and something I normally would not do. Now you owe me, and I want the story of Joey in exchange. Are we clear?"

Deirdre nodded like a person on death row would, resigning to an unforgiving fate. Yet, on the next afternoon at five she appeared on time, a resigned expression on her face. Once again, as had become their favorite way to conduct those appointments, they sat in Rachel's tea kitchen over cups of Oolong tea and perched on the stackable chairs. Over the course of an hour they explored the first months after meeting Joey, touching briefly on Joey's own background as a victim of a violent crime. They got as far as the first movie date, and Rachel could not help feeling that this marked Deirdre's first normal, teenage experience. She said that much.

"Oh, it was like a door opened for me. There was this guy and he was good to talk to. He didn't try to grope me as soon as we were alone like Karen said all guys would try. Yet, he made me feel wanted, you know. He wouldn't let Karen scare him either. I mean, why would he? He had taken three bullets for his sister, how could Karen scare him? He could take any of her shit and just smile his little smile and shake his head.

"He made me see that he liked my brain as much as my b ... Body," she corrected herself, even smiling coyly.

"But you're dumping him right now," Rachel injected with perfect timing. "Why?"

"I don't know! He keeps saying that what happened does not change his feelings, but how can that be?"

"Let me ask you another question, Deirdre. Did what happened to you change how you feel for him?"

That shut Deirdre up. Her jaw dropped while her brain worked on that question. Finally, she looked at Rachel, her eyes already filling with tears.

"No," she whispered. "No, I still love him. But can you imagine what sort of girlfriend I can be?"

"And do you really think he does not know the implications? You tell me he is into science like you and as smart as you. Why do you give him so little credit then? Why do you paint him as a dimwit who isn't aware of the consequences of his own doing? He is a grown-up man, living on his own and taking care of his sister. He isn't a boy anymore, just as you are not a girl anymore. I can't think of a better way for you to heal than to have the security of a loving relationship. Why are you throwing that away?"

"I..."

"Let's meet again tomorrow. I think we are making good progress right now, facing your key issues. Please think about my question. We can continue from there."

When discussing the reasons for shutting out Joey Di Rosa, Deirdre had to allow the discussion of her abduction and rape. Her feelings of inadequacy that resulted from the abuse became a topic as well as the perceived lack of warmth Joey had displayed. It was painfully slow work for both, but by early May they had progressed to a point where Deirdre was determined to return to Philadelphia over the summer and to reconnect with her mother and with Joey.

Deirdre admitted to a weird feeling that she had when she called her mother. It seemed almost like her mother was dreading the visit. Rachel was able to dissuade the doubts. It was natural for Deirdre's mother to feel apprehension. After all, she must have felt rejection from Deirdre. According to Deirdre, Joey Di Rosa had been genuinely happy to hear from her, but he, too, seemed apprehensive. Again, an understandable attitude in Rachel's view.

Until the flight date, they worked more on Deirdre's self-esteem and her ability to move among a crowd of men. In the end Deirdre was able to watch a movie with Claire and Claire's new boyfriend, a nice chap named Edward Parson, Ed for short. During the last session, again over tea, Rachel, Claire and Deirdre had a little celebration, to mark Deirdre's return to life. Helping her friend had also been a good experience for Claire allowing her to let go of her accumulated guilt over her sister's suicide. Rachel had an incredible sense of accomplishment when the two young women left her office. Deirdre promised to return to the counseling after the summer break.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 19: Left Behind


The service was brutal for Maureen. She was alone among a score of Karen's relatives headed by her abominable father at whom Maureen could not look without feeling a hot wave of hatred. He was responsible for the twisted person Karen had become. He and her mother who had looked away when he had raped his daughter to 'drive that perversion out of her'; the perversion being that Karen had been caught making out with a girl. Now they stood there, self-righteously complaining how their daughter had been led astray by her 'unnatural desires'. It had cost Maureen the threat to turn over Karen's childhood diary to the Altoona DA for them to allow her at the funeral service, but the other mourners looked at her like dirt on their shoes.

Now the door to the chapel opened again and Maureen's heart leaped. It were Joey and Tess Di Rosa who entered, both wearing black, both heading Maureen's way. Like a frigate under full sail, Karen's mother came charging along the aisle.

"May I ask your business?" she asked coldly.

"Is this Karen Langner's service?" Joey asked.

"Yes, and who are you?" Martha Langner asked brusquely.

"Well, why don't you first tell us who the fuck you are?" a belligerent Tess shot back. "I was a patient of Karen, and I want to express my gratitude for the help she gave me. This is my brother. He knew her, too. We also know Ms. Darling, and want to show our support. So, again, what's it of your fucking business?"

"Young lady, you will not talk to my wife..." William Langner gobbled, also drawing near.

"You and your wife can shove it! Karen told me what you did to her, so one more word and you'll need a face transplant! Got that?"

There was something Tess had to do about that temper, Maureen thought, but then again it was great to see the self-righteous assholes put in their place.

"I invited them, they are with me," she interjected. "And if I were you I would not mess with them. Remember, I still hold a certain document."

That put a stop-cock in William Langner's sound emission device. Maureen turned to the siblings.

"Thanks for coming, both of you."

"Hey, I owed Karen," Tess said. "Sorry I lost my cool, but the self-righteous bitch got to me."

Martha Langner had to hear that, and indeed, the furious look she cast at Tess was evident. Tess just shrugged, and Maureen remembered a few things Deirdre had told about Joey's sister. She was an atavism, a true fall back to the violent and reckless ancestry of the Di Rosa family: a Madonna face with the attitude of a cranky Doberman.

The ceremony was brief. No doubt, the minister wanted to avoid any further confrontation and he rushed through the rites. Then the casket was closed and an elevator transported it into the basement where it would be processed to the cremation oven. Karen's parents would get the urn with Karen's ashes and all that remained for Maureen would be the memory of ten years. Maureen felt thoroughly empty when she left the chapel supported by Joey and Tess. It was over. She was alone now. Karen was dead and her daughter had left, maybe never to return. A wave of depression enveloped her but she shook it off.

"Can I invite you two to a lunch? The Langners won't let me attend their banquet."

Tess shrugged and cast a challenging look at William Langner.

"Fuck them. Who'll have an appetite eating with that scum?"

Joey shook his head melancholically. "I had better split. I have a practical course at two, but Tess can stay, can't you, Tess?"

"Sure," Tess volunteered.

Joey gave Maureen an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. Maybe I can drop by one of the next evenings?"

"I'd like that, Joey," Maureen answered. Joey dropped by every other week, and they would talk about the news from Deirdre.

He bid his farewell, and Maureen took a cab to a nearby restaurant with Tess. It felt good to have company in the aftermath of the burial service, even the company of a seventeen year-old high school student. Then again, Tess was seventeen going on thirty, and she had firsthand knowledge of loss and mourning. Yet, their lunch came to an end, and Maureen professed her dread to return to her empty house.

There was a task waiting for her and that was to identify all of Karen's personal belongings and to pack them up. Karen's relatives demanded them and rather than fighting over used gym clothes and a few tech gadgets Maureen had promised to hand them over after the funeral. They would come that evening and Tess spontaneously offered her help.

After dropping Tess off at their house for a quick change into comfortable clothes, Maureen changed into jeans herself and began to sort through their common bedroom. She filled three moving boxes with Karen's underwear, sweaters, pants and other clothing items. There was no jewelry; Karen never wore jewelry. There was, however, a large collection of articles of a more delicate nature. When Tess arrived, Maureen asked her what to do with a dozen strap-on dildos, a variety of vibrators, and several other contraptions. Grinning devilishly, Tess suggested to distribute all those items among the underwear and other clothes, so that her relatives would have to go through everything before turning it over to Goodwill. Tess' suggestion to apply some fresh gliding creme to everything to have them in 'working order' was a bit too much for Maureen, but she followed the other advice.

Two more boxes were filled with Karen's books on physical therapy and her other interest, erotic fiction, mostly male perspective fiction. Those were also interspersed with the professional reading to create embarrassment. Boxes Nº 6 and 7 took a small compact stereo that Karen had used for aerobics classes at the community college and some portable music players, a digital camera, and a few more gadgets.

Then there was Karen's laptop computer which Maureen knew to be filled with erotic images and video clips, some of the former of herself and Karen. She didn't have a password for it, however, and she did not want the Langners to see those. Tess, more computer savvy than Maureen, found a box of software CDs and DVDs and proceeded to install a fresh Windows XP system after replacing the hard drive with one she had quickly bought at a shop near Drexel college. Karen's hard drive now sat in an external drive housing for Maureen to go over the files and retrieve those of sentimental value.

In no time it was five p.m. and the door bell rang. To Maureen's surprise it was Joey. Tess explained that she had briefed her brother and he came accompanied by a heavy set man of medium age whose physiognomy screamed 'mobster'. He was there to prevent things from going out of control, Joey explained, and indeed the man, a Mr. Santini, looked mean enough to deal with Karen's entire family and still keep one arm free for other tasks. He quickly affixed a small label at Maureen's front door bearing the inscription, "Protected by Di Rosa Security", and underneath, "Caution, Armed Response". He smiled at Maureen.

"This gives me authority," he explained. "I'll take it off later when I'll leave."

A little while later two cars drove up, one of them Karen's truck. Karen's parents and two male relatives alighted and approached the entrance. Maureen opened.

"We have put all of Karen's belongings into those boxes in the garage. Help yourself," she said curtly.

William Langner laughed harshly. "I don't think so. I want to have a look myself."

He moved towards Maureen and the two men began to follow, but now Mr. Santini appeared between Maureen and the men almost out of nowhere.

"I'm sorry but I must deny you access," he said politely.

"Who the hell are you?"

"Ettore Santini, of Di Rosa Security. These premises are under our protection and I cannot allow you access unless you have a valid search warrant and are accompanied by a law enforcement officer."

William Langner glared at Santini. "Are you one of her queers?"

"Again, sorry; if that is your interest, you may want to shop around in Camden, on the other side of the river," Santini answered with a sneer.

"What's going to keep us from just going in?"

Santini shook his head and showed the large automatic in the holster under his arm. Then he showed his left hand which held a pepper spray can, and tilted his head in a mocking, silent question. The Langners withdrew immediately and began to confer under their breath. Shooting angry glances at Santini they walked over to the garage. It was empty but for the boxes and they began to haul them to Karen's truck.

Maureen had called the police when the confrontation began and now a cruiser stopped on the street behind the Langners' cars. Two officers alighted and marched up to the door. One of them, a stunning, tall African woman, gave Maureen a sad smile.

"Ms. Darling?" she inquired, and Maureen stepped forward giving her a curt nod of recognition. Numi N'Gomo was part of the scene like Maureen.

She briefly explained the situation and pointed at the garage where Karen's belongings were stacked. The Black officer approached the Langners.

"I'm Sergeant N'Gomo. I must ask you load the belongings of your relative and remove yourself from the premises. You are trespassing Ms. Darling's property."

"This was my daughter's home!" William Langner protested.

"Yes, but it is a private residence. If you believe that you have rights in the property you must file a claim in court. Listen, why don't you collect the items Ms. Darling has stacked and just leave in peace?"

"She's hiding my daughter's possessions!" Langner maintained.

"Sir, have you inspected those boxes?"

"No."

"How do you know if anything is missing? Are you looking for anything particular?"

"No, but there must be more."

Maureen stepped forward. "There wasn't anything more. This is what Karen owned. Karen invested all her money in that truck. She contributed to the living costs, but the house is in my name only, and the furniture is mine, too."

"You lived together. Half of everything is Karen's."

Maureen sighed. "There is no common law marriage or civil union between same sex partners in Pennsylvania, thus there is no communal property. Check with a lawyer."

Officer N'Gomo shook her head. "Mister, why don't you find a lawyer to discuss this. If you think you have a claim, you must file a petition in court. Right now you have to leave the property. If we find you trespassing again we will have to arrest you."

Greed and fear of an arrest battled in Langner's face, but then he gave in. Maureen got in the last words as the four Langners finished loading the boxes on Karen's truck.

"If I ever see you again on my property I'll file charges. Get out and stay out of my life!"

The Langners drove off with their loot without another word. Santini made a quick phone call while the police officers bade their farewell. Then he approached Maureen.

"We'll shadow the two cars for the next hours, just to make sure. I'll have our patrols take a look every hour, too."

"Thanks, Mr. Santini, but I don't know how I..."

"There is no obligation for you. I was here to protect Miss Di Rosa. We were alerted that she might be in danger."

Joey led him outside. "Tell Felix thank you, please," she heard him say.

"No problems, Joey," Santini was heard, but then he was walking to his car and Joey returned.

"Tess called me to come over and I had a hunch it might get ugly. That guy gave me the creeps and with Tess running her mouth as usual I thought it better to have the cavalry around."

"You're a kill-joy, Joey," Tess complained. "I would have loved to fry him."

She brandished a small electroshock device and Joey shook his head.

"Tess, cut that shit. He could have slapped you senseless before you got that thing out. Stop playing Supergirl, damn it! You know the consequences if you get hurt. You want that?"

Maureen looked between the two siblings. Something unspoken was passed between them and Tess nodded, obviously accepting the rebuke.

"Sorry, I got carried away."

"Maureen, is there anything we can help you with? Do you want to come over for dinner?" Joey offered.

"No, that is nice of you, Joey, but I have things to think about. I have to get used to being alone."

"Any word from Deirdre?" Joey asked in a low voice.

"She used her therapist to stonewall me. Some Dr. Wilson. She sounded sincere. Deirdre is still a mess it seems. I spoke her two days ago and I offered to come and visit if she feels unable to come here. But no, please don't, please leave me alone, I can't handle you."

"She hasn't called in two months now," Joey said sadly. "She doesn't take my calls either. I guess she made a decision then."

Maureen shook her head in dismay. "Don't blame yourself, Joey. You did your best, more in fact than anybody would have expected. Maybe the new therapist will help her to see what she has in you."

Joey shrugged. "I'm not holding my breath."

More was not said. After Joey and Tess left, Maureen locked up. After the events of the last year Maureen had invested heavily in home security. The ground floor and first floor windows were rated burglar proof now and the door was a steel-reinforced job with a Swiss lock system, same as the smaller door to the backyard. Spare keys had to be ordered from the importer in New Haven; no local locksmith had blanks for the system. In addition, a surveillance camera system fed into two monitors, one in the entrance hall and one in Maureen's bedroom where she also kept a spare prepaid phone.

Living alone in the house was uncomfortable for Maureen. She missed the little noises of other people being around, she missed the mess left by Karen and the scattered open books from Deirdre. With her work schedule, keeping a dog would be out of the question and Maureen was not a cat person.

She also missed the physical aspect of a relationship. Karen had been a skillful lover, one of the reasons why Maureen had tolerated some of her less than endearing qualities. Now, fingers and her single small vibrator had been Maureen's only relief in months, a relief she had sought only reluctantly, feeling a bad conscience. After all, her lover had been in a coma, and her daughter might never again be able to give herself to love or lust. Thus, her masturbation was shallow and purely physical, with no good thoughts to add warmth.

She rushed through a shower before she heated a frozen dinner and sat by the TV, the images and sounds filling the void in Maureen's evening. By nine o' clock, she was in bed, tossing and turning until eleven when she was able to find a few hours of troubled sleep. Come six o' clock she was already sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and working on a brief. At least she had her work, and she needed to immerse herself into her cases to keep the pain away.

The case she was working on currently was right in her territory. Two executives of a major prescription drug distribution company had rigged the books to divert truck loads of drugs into illegal channels. These were white collar types, and normally they would spend a maximum of two years in one of the minimum security prisons, the country clubs. However, one of the end users had suffered a fatal heart attack which was attributed to the anti-erectile dysfunction drug he had purchased over the internet, and now Maureen was charging for manslaughter under Pennsylvania law. It was white collar guys such as the defendants who kept the illegal drug trade running, and they had also supplied the Montalban brothers. Maureen had an axe to grind.

-------

"On the charge of voluntary manslaughter, we find both defendants guilty. On the charge of mail fraud, we find both defendants guilty. On the charges of theft and embezzlement, we find both defendants guilty. On the charge of obstruction of justice, we find the defendant Edward Tanner guilty."

The foreman ended and handed the paper in his hands to the bailiff who in turn handed it to Judge Washington. The judge gave Maureen a ghost of a smile before he banged the gavel once.

"Edward Tanner and Joseph Paul Dunston, the jury found you guilty on multiple charges. The sentencing hearing will start day after tomorrow at ten a.m. The court is adjourned until then. Do the defendants wish to post bail?"

John Stevens, the lead defense counsel, stood. "Yes, Your Honor."

Judge Washington looked at Maureen who rose slowly.

"The state proposes bail set at $ 1 million for each defendant. Both defendants face a long jail term and they have considerable financial assets as well as business connections outside the United States. However, the State will be content with a lower bail in connection with ankle monitors."

"The defendants will be fitted with ankle monitors. Bail is set at $200,000 apiece, " Judge Washington announced, banging the gavel again.

"Objection, Your Honor!" John Stevens expostulated, his face deep red. "Both defendants are respected members of the business community, and they have strong family ties in Philadelphia!"

"I doubt that the business community has any respect for criminals, and their family ties may not prove as strong when weighed against a lengthy prison term," Maureen shot back.

Washington shook his head. "Mr. Stevens, I don't want your clients to be no-shows at sentencing. It's ankle monitors and bail."

"All rise!" the bailiff shouted as Washington left the court room.

John Stevens turned to Maureen immediately. "Jesus, Maureen, what is it with you? These men are not criminals; they're business men."

Maureen shook her head. "The drug cartels are run by business men, too. Only, it's illegal business, just like what your clients did. John, a man died because your clients wanted to make an extra buck on top of their hefty salaries. There is a reason why those blue pills are prescription drugs and your clients knew."

"It's because they supplied the Montalbans, isn't it? Maureen, my clients did not rape your daughter."

Maureen felt the blood leave her face. "No, but they provided the steroids to make the Montalbans crazy and the blue pills to keep the rape going for two days." She stared into Stevens' eyes. "Think of it, how often did Deborah drop by at our house back then? It could have happened. Would you defend your 'businessmen' if the Montalbans had caught your daughter along with Deirdre?"

John Stevens turned white. "That's low hitting," he said.

"You think so? Did you see the Mill picture of Deirdre? How about a mug shot of your daughter had been on that cover? Your clients kept drug dealers in supplies and made good money. As far as I'm concerned they are guilty, and the jury agreed with me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to return to my office."

Stevens then approached Dennis Alvarado, the junior ADA on the case. Dennis just held up both hands.

"I'm with Maureen here. My brothers are cops on the Narc Squad. People like your clients make us sick. The little street dealer often has no other means to make a living or to finance his own addiction, but your guys made over three hundred grand a year on their salaries and bonuses. They were just greedy."

As they left, Dennis chuckled. "John is already shitting in his pants. He's on the defense team of Victor Abrahams next month. If the Boss makes you the lead there, his client will go down in flames. You had the jury eating out of your hand. I mean, even I got goose bumps during your CA. They could feel that you're not in this for a career boost."

Maureen nodded. Yes, she had felt the connection with the jurors. Perhaps it was because she was convinced of her case, perhaps it was because the jurors had to know about Maureen's personal history, but her passionate closing argument had swung the mood.

They walked the short distance to their offices when Alvarado suddenly stopped. "Hey, Felix!"

Maureen looked up, and there was Felix Di Rosa carrying a bag of baked goods.

"Hey Dennis!" He noticed Maureen. "Ms. Darling. I haven't had a chance yet to offer my sympathy. Tess told me. I'm sorry."

"Thank you," Maureen answered, trying to muster a friendly smile. "And thank you for sending Mr. Santini."

Felix looked at Dennis. "And, did you put any bad guys away today?"

"You bet. Two white collar guys. They funneled prescription drugs into the illegal channels. A user died, and Maureen made the manslaughter charge stick."

Felix looked at Maureen with honest respect. "That's what, the sixth conviction since summer? You are making a dent in the prescription drug trade."

Maureen could not help herself. "I hope that isn't a problem for you?"

Felix laughed. "No, my grandfather divested himself of any remotely related business interests over two decades ago. We are legit in spite of what people say and my grandfather disapproves strongly of the use of any drugs, save for life threatening situations. I swear, he gets his teeth done without pain killers."

They parted then, Felix heading for his own offices, and Maureen and Dennis continuing on their way. At the office there was more back slapping, more high-fives, but also some green looks Maureen noticed. Wesley Bonner, the D.A., motioned for them to step into his office. He was grinning broadly.

"John Stevens just called to complain about you. His precious corporate clients will do hard time and he thinks you're being on a crusade. I told him, that's how we do business here. We have an attitude towards criminals. Great work, both of you."

"Thanks," Maureen answered earnestly, and Dennis nodded and smiled.

"We'll meet with Stevens and his team tomorrow. I told him you'll be the lead prosecutor in the Abrahams case, and now he wants to talk plea bargain. Maureen, you really rattled him."

"Are we ready for a bargain?" Maureen asked.

"As long as he gets to wear orange overalls for a couple of years, I don't mind saving some tax payer money. We have good evidence and if you perform as well as against Tanner and Dunston we may be able to send him away for ten years. Let's say six, with an option for parole after four."

Maureen and Dennis nodded judiciously and Bonner continued.

"There is something else I need to talk about. I'll run for one more term before I'll retire, meaning in six years somebody will have to take over. Now, Maureen, I'll be upfront about it. You have great qualities as a litigator and normally I'd groom you."

"I can never win an election," Maureen said evenly. "I'm a single mother and openly lesbian. They'd drag me through the mud and everybody else around me, too."

"Yes, that's what I fear, too. That's why I think Dennis should be it. A cop for a father, two cops for brothers, and his grandfather died in the line of duty. Plus, he's already a great prosecutor and he'll be able to raise local money for campaigns.

"As for you, Maureen, I'll put you in for Senior ADA. We'll reorganize a bit and you'll be heading the entire narcotics branch. That way you'll get to work regularly with the Alphabet Soup, FBI, DEA, DHS, the works, and you'll get real cozy with the US Attorney's office. Federal jobs are by appointment and once the Great Moron is gone there may be a push for diversity. If you want I can put in a good word with the right people. Any other administration than the current and we should get you in."

Bonner was a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and his disdain for the current tenant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington DC, showed in about every second sentence he spoke. He was also looking forward to a change in office and to his own party returning to the power.

"So you want to phase me out?" Maureen asked.

"No way, but I want what's best for you. If getting you into Chestnut Street won't work you'll still be Senior ADA and division head in here."

In essence, this was good news for Maureen, with a promotion in her immediate future and Bonner's support should she ever seek a Federal job. She knew that she was no election material with her chosen life style, and her uncompromising stance in the recent trials against shady business people would leave her in short funding for any campaign. She knew that she was fronting for Bonner as the Bogey Woman, the Red Haired Witch and loose cannon who he could disavow if necessary. However, she was getting a name out of this as a fierce and passionate litigator, and even if Bonner dropped her, many law firms would make her an instant criminal litigation partner.

If Bonner made good on his promises, a job with the US Attorney's office was tempting. Even Senior ADA was nothing to sneeze at. Still, it grated on her that Alvarado, almost ten years younger, had been chosen as the Golden Boy to carry the flag. Why had nature cursed her with lesbianism? She could be everything but for the prejudice of people like her parents. She could be a successful lawyer, run for office, have a happy family with a father for Deirdre, had it not been for her need to be close to a woman. Deirdre would not have been an outcast, would not have been raped ... Maureen stopped her meandering thoughts. Deirdre would not have been born if Maureen had been 'normal'.

Deirdre. Once she thought of her daughter her depression only went deeper. She had to call it a day or risk being seen with red, puffy eyes. In the underground garage she started the old Volvo for the drive home. She barely made it with her eyes brimming and her constricted throat. She managed to park the old clunker in the drive way but then the hopelessness of her life overwhelmed her. She slumped over the steering wheel bawling her eyes out. She cried over Deirdre's senseless suffering, she cried over Karen's twisted life and death, she cried over her many missed chances. Darkness engulfed the street, but Maureen's tears did not abate.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 20: Finding Comfort


It had been a shitty day from any point of view. It had started with a pop quiz in his mathematics class – a class he definitely did not enjoy – and it continued all through the morning classes. If that was not enough he had run into Reba Martin of all people, and she had the gall to dress him down for 'dumping poor Deirdre'. Once again, like so many times in the recent months, he had felt an unholy fury well up inside and his rather uncouth response had earned him a five-minute lecture on the part of some dried-up biddy who taught French Lit and didn't seem to pardon his French.

The fury changed into depression during the afternoon. His e-mails were still not answered by Deirdre and from what he had heard from Maureen she was also stonewalling her mother. Perhaps the new therapist would be able to help but Joey was beginning to lose hope. Still, on the way home he detoured to Mount Vernon Street hoping to catch Maureen and get some information.

Maureen's venerable Volvo stood in the drive way, so she had to be at home. Joey parked behind her car and stepped out heading for the door. In the corner of his right eye he saw a slumped figure behind the wheel of the dark Volvo and fear flooded him. A second later he banged against the side window. To his relief Maureen jerked upright, but her tear-streaked face and her swollen eyes made him fear the worst.

"Maureen! What happened?" he cried banging against the window.

She opened the door.

"Maureen! Tell me! Did something happen to Deirdre?"

She stared at him without understanding at first but then she shook her head sadly.

"No, no, nothing. Nothing I know of, at least, and what do I know? No, I just realized how shitty my life has turned out. A year ago I had a partner and a daughter who was in love with a great young man, and look at me now! Karen's dead and I didn't even get to keep her ashes. Deirdre left me, left us, and she won't even call anymore. I keep thinking I may as well call for the check and leave."

"Umh, Maureen, it's really cold out here. Shouldn't you go in, have some supper? You want me to help you?"

"Would you mind, Joey? God, I must sound so pathetic, but I need somebody to talk to. Plus, I can't cook to save my life."

"Tell you what, Maureen. I'll have a look at your fridge and I'll whip something up, and then we'll have dinner together. You'll have some wine along with it and we can talk."

Joey noticed the tired gait of the woman who had lost everything in the last year. He had always liked Maureen and to see her so depressed deepened his own sadness. He helped her from the car and along the narrow path to the door. Being inside the house woke some of his worst memories: those terrible two days when they were waiting for a sign of life from Deirdre. The house was dark and bleak, lacking human warmth. No wonder Maureen was depressed coming home to this place.

She excused herself to change out of her lawyer clothes and Joey headed for the fridge. He saw some dubious looking cold cuts and threw them into the waste bin. There was a box of eggs, not yet past the expiration date but getting there, a few tomatoes not far behind the eggs in terms of getting ripe, and a fairly fresh red pepper. Omelette was the order of the evening it seemed. Joey set to work.

The kitchen had been Karen's domain, and Joey found that her taste in cooking utensils had been extravagant. He found a sinfully expensive set of Japanese knives and a bamboo wood cutting board, and for the next ten minutes he sliced and diced the veggies, careful to keep his fingers away from the razor sharp knife edge. He even found onions and cut up two before he poured olive oil into one of the priceless copper pans to stew the chopped vegetables. Maureen had come down again wearing blue jeans and a sweater. She was watching Joey. When the vegetables were almost done, Joey poured the stirred egg yolk over them, followed by the whipped egg whites. Two minutes later the steaming omelette was ready, the appetizing smell even rousing Maureen from her depression.

They ate at the kitchen table, Maureen drinking a Spanish wine she had found in a cabinet. The French bread was at least two days old but Joey had moistened it with water before baking it again, and it was almost edible.

"I guess, you're hired," Maureen said after the first bites, smiling in spite of herself. "How did you get the bread edible again?"

Joey explained, and for the next minutes they talked about cooking and other mundane issues carefully avoiding the sticky issues. They washed the dishes in silence and relocated to the living room. Joey's eyes fell on the mantle above the defunct fireplace. Right in the middle Maureen had placed a portrait of Deirdre, taken on her eighteenth birthday. It had been done in black and white by a professional photographer at the mall, and Deirdre looked stunningly beautiful.

Seeing the picture overwhelmed Joey. Tears poured over his cheeks and now it was he who needed support. He found himself leaning against Maureen's shoulder sobbing out his sorrow over Deirdre while Maureen gently stroked his hair.

"You poor boy," she crooned softly. "Life is so unfair to you."

Joey let it happen. He had not felt the comfort of a mother for over two years, had not been able to give free rein to his feelings, and now this wonderful, warmhearted woman held him and accepted to be his surrogate for a few precious moments. Neither of them noticed the passing of time as they sat immersed in their sadness, lending support to each other. They were torn from their mood when Joey's cell phone went off. Both sat apart, feeling sheepish, while Joey fished the phone from his pocket and answered it.

"Damn it, Joey, where the fuck are you? It's past twelve!"

That was Tess and she sounded pissed.

"Gee, umh, sorry, Tess. I'm with Maureen. We have been – hrhm – talking and I kinda forgot about the time."

"Are you okay, Joey? You sound funny."

"I – umh – I'm okay, just a bit down. Listen, Tess. Go to bed and activate the alarm. I'll be another hour or so. Okay?"

"If you say so. Joey, is everything alright with Maureen?"

"I guess. Lemme get my head clear before I drive home, okay?"

"Okay. I'll see you at breakfast."

"Yeah, see you. Sleep well, Tess."

"And you. Give Maureen a hug from me."

The connection broke and Joey thought about Tess' last sentence. He had taken comfort in Maureen's arms and had not given anything back. He looked at a rumpled looking Maureen.

"Tess said to give you a hug from her," he said, putting his arms around the petite woman's shoulder.

Maureen smiled wryly but she accepted the hug and even returned it. They sat like that for a minute or ten before Maureen let go.

"Listen, Joey. I know this sounds weird and maybe a bit ... Well, anyway, would you mind staying over? I feel so alone in this house all the time."

Joey looked back with apprehension. "Not in Deirdre's room! I can't!" he said between his teeth.

"No, that would be asked too much. Umh, Joey, what if you came to my room? We could hold each other. It feels so good to have somebody hug me."

"So good you'll even put up with a man?" Joey asked with a weak attempt at humor.

"Not any man, Joey, but I feel close to you. We're missing the same person, after all."

"All right. Lemme call Tess."

He did, and Tes told him to sleep wherever he wanted but not to wake her anymore. He smirked.

"Tess allows it."

Of course, Joey had no pajama, but Maureen told him to sleep in T-shirt and boxers. She set the alarm clock for eight o' clock after consulting with Joey.

It felt strange for Joey to join an older woman under the covers especially thinking that he was sleeping where Karen had used to sleep. His misgivings soon melted away when Maureen put her head on his shoulder. It was a simple gesture of trust and it was eerily similar to the way Deirdre had cuddled. It was so nice to hold Maureen. Even her hair smelled like Deirdre's and her breasts, through the satin pajama top, were firm and pointy like Deirdre's.

It took perhaps an hour, but Joey managed to fall asleep in spite of the unaccustomed sensation of a female body at his side. Sleep was interrupted a few times when he and Maureen had to readjust their positions, and when Joey woke for the fifth or sixth time he found himself behind Maureen spooning her and with his right hand on her chest. He froze in place and wanted to retract the offending appendage but he noticed that his hand was held in place by both Maureen's hands. He felt an erect nipple under his palm and Maureen's heaving chest caused a steady rubbing. Mortified, Joey felt his penis swell inside the boxer shorts, pressing against Maureen's tight behind.

God, she felt good. She was even pressing her tight butt against his growing wood, moving up a little to allow for the tip to slip between the cheeks. Joey could not help himself; he began to rub his erection in the cleft between Maureen's butt cheeks.

"Mmmmmh, feels good," Maureen suddenly purred in a sleepy voice. "Keep rubbing!"

Her right hand let go of his and landed on his thigh, stroking it and kneading it, while Joey continued to saw his penis up and down between Maureen's cheeks. His boxers were getting soaked where his penis leaked lubrication, and the waist band was rubbing against the tip. Suddenly, Maureen's hand sneaked between their bodies and under his waist band.

"Oh God! That's big, Joey," she whispered. "Pull down my pants and put it between my cheeks."

In a trance Joey complied while Maureen lifted her hips from the bed to help him. With a whimper he tried to slide between her naked cheeks but Maureen tilted her pelvis and changed the angles and his penis slipped between her legs, now rubbing along a soaking wet pussy instead.

"Oh my God," she whispered reverently.

'Oh my God' was right. Joey almost shot his load right then when his bare glans rubbed along Maureen's vulva. If he had, his life and a few others may have taken a different course altogether but he controlled himself with an effort. For minutes he softly rubbed Maureen's pussy with the tip of his penis.

It was Maureen who instigated more. Again tilting her hips she stuck out her butt, bringing her opening right in front of Joey's dick. When he pushed forward, instead of gliding along her vulva, he speared her opening sinking deeply into her folds. He gasped with the sensation as did Maureen. He felt her pussy flutter around his penis and she pressed her butt against him to take it deeper. The sensation was simply too much.

With a sobbing cry, Joey pressed into Maureen while his penis began to pulse, flooding her core with a load that had been saved up for months. Maureen gasped at the sensation pressing back against Joey's pelvis and rocking her hips softly. Then, with a small whimper, she too began to shake. They stayed joined for a while even after Joey's penis softened, neither of them able to comprehend what had happened. In the end, Maureen was the first to come to grips. Releasing the shrunken penis she turned to face Joey.

"Oops. What was that?"

Joey's face reddened in the dark. "I'm ... That ... I didn't..."

"I'm afraid we did it both," Maureen said softly. "That wasn't too gross. You know you are only the second man to have his dick inside me? I hated it the first time. Now, it wasn't not so bad. You kinda poked all the right places."

"You ... You're not mad?"

"Joey, who told you to push down my pants? Not that I planned it, but you gave me something very precious. You made me feel attractive and desirable. Don't get me wrong. I have not turned hetero. But I have to admit that a penis is not as gross as I thought."

"You ... You are an incredible woman, Maureen."

"Not bad for an old broad?" Maureen could even joke now.

"Not bad for any age. I..."

Just then, Maureen's alarm clock went off. She silenced it and looked at Joey ruefully. "The pleasant dream is over. You have to get back to Tess, and I need to go to work."

"Can we, I mean, can we shower together?"

Maureen's eyes widened a little, but then she smiled. "You want to inspect the old broad you bedded by light?"

"In a way, yes. You are so beautiful: petite but all woman. I would like to see you one more time."

"You, Joseph Di Rosa, are dangerous. I'm thirty nine, an old broad, and you make my heart beat faster with your sweet talk."

"You're no old broad, Maureen. You're almost like an elf: ageless and beautiful."

"Stop it! You'll make my head swell and explode. Let's go have a shower."

They did not make it through the shower without another tryst, again from behind, but this time standing up. They rinsed off the residue afterwards and dried each other off. In no time at all Maureen was dressed and Joey rushed to put on his clothes.

"We need to talk about this night, Joey. Come by tonight," Maureen said in parting, before they both climbed into their cars.

Tess had not said anything, had only looked at him curiously when he arrived and went up to change into fresh clothes. No saucy comment, no cross examination. Just a long look and arched eyebrows. Joey did not care much. The last night had given him solace, some peace, plus a pretty exciting sexual experience. After all, he'd had sex with a confirmed lesbian and she had claimed to have liked it. It was definitely a boost for his damaged self esteem.

There was just one thing that spoiled it: there was no way he could let anybody know. He liked Maureen too much to spread any damaging rumors. She was a professional woman after all. Plus, she was Deirdre's mother and Deirdre, even after dumping him for all practical matters, was still the woman he really craved.

He called Maureen at her office, around four, and they agreed to have dinner in the Blue Grotto. Joey called to make the reservation and asked for one of the secluded tables claiming the need for a private conversation. He picked up Maureen at seven. She gave him a warm smile and a hug before he backed out of her drive way. Their talk was easy on the way over to the restaurant and Joey felt comfortable again. That was how Maureen affected him, he decided. He felt drawn to her, even now that they were in public.

They had a table in a corner, over five feet from the neighboring tables, and settled down. They both ordered and while they waited for the drinks Maureen put her hand on Joey's arm.

"Are you sorry about last night?"

It was good that he had thought about it before. He shook his head.

"No. It was a good experience all around. It feels right to be with you, even without ... Well, even without the sex. Not that the sex was bad, but..."

"I understand, Joey. Yes, it feels right. It's absolutely weird for me, but I feel comfortable with you. About the sex thing: I'm afraid that was a one-time thing. Okay, it was a two-time thing, but you know what I mean. We can't let this happen again. I like you, Joey, but you're my daughter's boyfriend. Even if she's cold-shouldering us both I don't want to ruin whatever's left of Deirdre's affection for us."

"What does she care? Not a single line since November. Not even a fucking Christmas card. Nothing. She writes me that wonderful letter, how I'm the greatest thing that ever happened to her, and now I'm not even worth a single e-mail. When did she call you the last time?"

"A week ago. You know that. She calls but she doesn't tell me anything of consequence. I tell her you are waiting for a sign of life but it's like she's not hearing me. Joey, she still loves you, only she's mentally paralyzed."

"I want to believe that. Am I asking too much when I want at least some short messages from her, say, on a quarterly basis? 'Still love you, have patience, I'm getting treatment.' Damn it, even if she's afraid of me she could text me a short note."

"You're right. I was thinking that maybe I should fly to the West Coast, make a surprise visit. But then I think she doesn't want to see me. She resents me just as she resents Karen. It's our fault, everything is our fault."

"Maureen, Karen did fuck up. You know that. She called Montalban, probably had them come to your house."

Karen's prepaid had been found, and the records showed a call to Rafe Montalban a day before the abduction.

"I know. She promised to stop with that stuff and I believed her because I didn't want to lose her. It's driving me crazy. I'm like one of those poor women who keep going back to their druggie, wife-beater husbands."

Joey did not contradict her. The analogy was too fitting.

"Maureen, you say we can't repeat what we did last night. Is it because you are unsure about your ... Damn, how to say this ... Your orientation. God, that sounds so tacky."

"You mean: am I afraid of becoming a breeder?" Maureen allowed herself a smile. "Joey, you are the first man I ever willingly allowed inside me. You made me feel good but you're still a man. I am fond of you, I feel comfortable with you, but I cannot have the emotional connection, the rush of feeling that I had with Karen. Even when you made me climax," here she whispered with a shy smile, "even then something was missing. You're a guy, Joey, a good guy but still a guy."

He nodded. "I don't claim to understand, but if that is how you feel ... So, back to being acquaintances?"

Maureen pressed his hands. "Joey, I would like for us to be friends. We have a common goal: to help Deirdre overcome her hurt. Come on, who can claim that he'd had his mother in law? Isn't that a fantasy for guys?"

Joey had to grin. "Only if the mother-in-law is a major babe."

Maureen tilted her head. "Would you really want to be seen with me? Joey, I'm thirty-nine."

"Look in a mirror, Maureen. You look like a girl from a distance and like late twenties from up close. Okay, maybe I'm biased because you look so much like Deirdre."

"We're completely different."

"You have the same eyes and nose and you smile the same way. Your..." he lowered his voice to a whisper, " ... breasts feels the same and your butt, too. She's just taller and brunette."

For a moment, Maureen's eyes became smoky, but she shook it off. "Just when did you visit Ireland? You certainly kissed the Blarney Stone or is there something similar for Italians?"

"Just the truth," Joey shrugged. "Okay, friends then, not acquaintances and not lovers."

-------

It was early June and Joey was sitting at his desk studying for a Physics test when his cell phone went off. He stared at the display almost forgetting to accept the call. He quickly pushed the button and held the phone to his ear.

"Deirdre?"

"Yes, it's me."

"Oh my God, I thought I'd never hear from you again."

"I know, Joey. Mom told me. Things were not easy for me but we have made progress. Joey, will you still see me if I come back for the summer break?"

"Of course. Why are you even asking?"

"Because I left you hanging high and dry since fall. I wanted to call but I kept pushing it back. Then I was ashamed and afraid to call you. I have a therapist, since before Christmas, and she finally convinced me. Joey, I'll come right after the finals. I even have the flight booked already. I would like to meet you. There is so much I must tell you and so much I need to know. Umh, Joey, are you seeing somebody else now?"

Joey exhaled. Here it came. "No, Deirdre, I'm not seeing anybody." Shit. He had to tell her. "I had a fling with a woman, in March. It was a one-night stand only. I'm sorry."

"Is it over?"

"I'm still seeing her from time to time but we decided to stop the affair after the first night."

Her voice was barely audible. "I guess I can't blame you, the way I left you."

"No, I guess you can't, Deirdre. For all practical purposes you dumped me, or else nothing would have happened."

He spoke with a touch of harshness and he heard her gasp. She was silent for a moment. When she spoke again, her voice sounded catchy.

"Could we still meet? I really want to make things work again."

"I already said yes, Deirdre. I care for you. I want to help you. But you have to let me into your life again. I almost don't know you anymore."

"I know. I'll try, I promise. Joey, you didn't ask me whether there was somebody else."

"Was there? From what Maureen told me, you're still scared of men, so, no, I wasn't afraid of that."

"I'm in a better place now, at least a little bit better. I was even at the movies with my roomy and her new boyfriend. Claire has helped me so much."

"Perhaps, if you want, I could also come to visit you at your tree hugger school?" He needled her. A change of tone was his reward.

"Snob! It's a very good school. I like it here. About the visit: I'm open for that. Only, for obvious reasons I'm in a girls-only dorm."

"Hey, I meant to visit so we can reconnect some and I could meet your friends."

"What? Both of them?" she joked. Then, her voice turned sad. "I'll not lie to you. The first months here were terrible. I went through three room mates before I hooked up with Claire. I'm still having nightmares and I scared the other girls with my thrashing and whimpering. Claire taped it for me once. It would scare me, too."

"Deirdre, how will you handle Philadelphia? Should we perhaps rent a place somewhere on the coast and away from here? Tess could come too, even Maureen."

"Sounds like an idea. Let me try though. Rachel says I must get rid of those associations. If I can't handle being in Mom's house, do you think maybe I can stay with you?"

"We'll have a guest room ready for you," Joey said bravely.

"Maybe I can spend some time in any case. We have a lot of catching up to do. Are you working over the summer?"

"No plans, yet. There are a few things to fix around the house and I need some time off studying."

"Joey, I can't wait to see you again. I hope to be your girlfriend again soon."

"Deirdre, I would love that. You know how much you mean to me. Can I call you back tomorrow? I've missed your voice and we wanted to keep calling each other."

"Yes. I'll rig my laptop to receive a Skype call. Say at seven West Coast time?"

"That's ten here. I can do that. Deirdre, I hope this is our new start. I'm sorry I gave in to temptation. As long as I know that you are still my girl it will not happen again. I swear."

"I won't let you forget it again. Okay, here's Claire. We need to go and grab some dinner. Thanks for still listening. Good night, Joey."

-------

Joey and Maureen still met for dinner twice a month. Maureen would update him on Deirdre, as far as she knew, and he would tell her of his own life knowing that she would relay the information to Deirdre. They met again on the weekend after Deirdre's call. Joey arrived at the restaurant, a Moroccan eatery, and found Maureen pale and worried. Of course, that made him worried in an instant.

"Maureen, what's up? You look like something bad happened."

"Something happened, Joey, but not to Deirdre. I talked to her, and she's okay; she's still planning to come. Would you sit, please?"

He sat and looked at her expectantly and still worried. She took a deep breath.

"Joey, I'm pregnant."

She said it in a calm, low voice, but to Joey it echoed all through the small restaurant. He stared at her, dumbfounded and unable to come to grips with the information.

"Yeah, well, I didn't expect it either, much like the first time," Maureen continued to fill the silence. "It's official though and you are the only possible father."

"Pregnant?"

"Yes, afraid so. I'm so stupid! I should have been careful."

"Oh, God, Maureen, I never thought..."

"We both didn't. Joey, I won't drag you into this. I can take care of the child. You go on with your life. I just wanted you to know. There are no obligations."

"You ... You plan to keep it?"

Maureen nodded and gently patted Joey's hand.

"Knowing the father quite well I know it's going to be a wonderful child."

Joey nodded, his mind whirling, trying to get his brain to work again. He looked at Maureen.

"Will you give me five minutes? I need fresh air to think. I'll be back, I promise."

Maureen nodded a little sadly, but Joey jumped up and ran out of the door. Outside, he began to pace up and down furiously trying to process the news and the implications. Fact: Maureen was going to have a baby and it was his child. Fact: she was offering him a way out. Fact: Maureen was thirty-nine. She would be a rather old mother. Fact: if he opted out, the child would be alone if something happened to Maureen. Fact: Maureen had a job, she had even been promoted. There was a lot of pressure on her and a child would make it worse.

His mind then wandered to a few years back when one of their neighbors had a child. The father had left her alone right after the birth, disappearing into the blue. Joey remembered how angry he had been hearing that. Mrs. Marlin had been a pretty woman and it was unfair to leave her alone with all the work and problems. Was he the same? Would he shirk his duties? Would he someday have to face a boy or a girl who would accuse him of deserting him or her?

Squaring his shoulders, he walked back into the restaurant. Maureen smiled when he sat down. She smiled more when he took both her hands.

"You're offering me a way out but it's a coward's way. I was in that bed too, and it's my responsibility. If you let me I'll try to be a father."

"Are you sure, Joey? This is a lot of responsibility and a lot of work."

"So much that it takes two people, right?"

Maureen nodded. "I thought you'd react that way. What will you tell your family?"

A good point, Joey thought wryly.

"Tess will read me the riot act. Felix and most of the cousins will tease me for years, but my great-uncle will tell me that a man has to do his duty for his family. Your child will be family for me. What will your colleagues say?"

"I don't even want to think about it. Thank God you're over twenty at least."

"No, I mean, about the family ties with the Di Rosa?"

Maureen just shook her head and looked at him with a hard expression on her face. "They can say what they want. Your cousin found Deirdre. I don't care what he does for a living."

"Oh shit! Deirdre!"

Maureen sighed deeply. "Yes, that will take some explaining. That's why I thought you should keep quiet about your part."

Stubbornly, Joey shook his head. "I won't lie to her, not even by omission. Things have a way of coming out and how will she react then?"

"Look, Joey, I don't want to come between you."

"Maureen, right now, we're so far apart, we have all of America between us. The child will be only one issue of many."

Maureen smiled sadly. "How will we tell her then? When she comes home?"

Again, Joey shook his head decisively. "No, we have to tell her now so she can come to grips with it before she arrives. I already told her that I had a brief affair with a woman."

"That's not the same as sleeping with her mother," Maureen threw in.

"I guess it isn't. We'll have to be honest, though. We can tell her how it happened. She knows that I felt dumped by her. You can tell her how you felt, too. She'll understand. She has to."

Maureen stared at Joey. "I'll tell her. You stay out of it. I'll fly out to San Francisco and ask her to meet me there. Next weekend. I'll tell her I have a meeting on Friday and could we meet on Saturday. I'm not showing the pregnancy yet so I can prepare her before I tell her."

"Maureen, it's my respon..."

"I know, Joey, but I want her to be angry at me, not at you. Please, let me do this by myself. Besides, if we both fly over there my cover story won't work. Trust me?"

Joey wagged his head at first, but then he sighed and nodded.

"Okay, but don't take all the blame."

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 21: The Final Straw


The call to Joey left Deirdre drained. There had been the adrenaline rush before she dialed, the apprehension when they began their talk, elation when he told that he was not with another girl, and then the crushing information that he had cheated on Deirdre. No, not cheated, Deirdre corrected herself. He had despaired of her. How could he not? Still, jealousy had risen like bile in her throat. She thought she had covered it well. Perhaps it was better that way. If he had sinned, maybe he would not judge her too harshly. Maybe he had needed the one night stand to get even with her. She had been soiled, after all.

She told Claire little about the call, only that Joey was not taken, was willing to talk to her and open to an effort to rebuild their relationship. If Claire sensed anything she did not let on. They went for dinner at the Students Union and Deirdre managed to mangle the chicken leg on her plate badly enough to give the impression of an appetite.

At night she lay awake for a long time. What was it that bothered her so much? Before she called she had been all but certain that Joey had moved on, had already found a cute co-ed at UPenn and got over Deirdre. He had not. Instead, he'd had meaningless sex with another woman. He had needed to vent his frustration, granted, but to hop into the sack with a woman? Was he capable of being so callous? A woman? He had said 'woman', not 'girl'. Perhaps one of the teaching staff at UPenn, somebody he would run into many times. Was that woman okay with the one-night thing or wanted she more of Joey?

She was thinking in circles soon and she did not catch much sleep at all that night. The thoughts kept her occupied all through the day, meaning she caught a few curious stares from her fellow students and teachers when she was quite obviously zoned out in the classes. In the evening Claire asked her if all was okay. Deirdre could not tell her of the disappointment she felt but she could not pretend to be looking forward to the summer break either. Fortunately, Claire blamed Deirdre's fear of Philadelphia and Deirdre did not correct her friend.

Come the weekend she had somewhat regained her balance, and when Maureen called her on Sunday evening to tell her she had business in San Francisco on Friday, Deirdre immediately agreed to meet Maureen at her hotel on Friday evening for two days of mother-daughter time. Perhaps, her Mom could help her sift through the morass of conflicting emotions.

Deirdre skipped most Friday classes to take the Greyhound from Arcata to San Francisco. Ninety bucks had got her a roundtrip ticked for the seven hour thirty minute trip. She had packed a small duffel bag for clothes and toiletries and a big satchel bag holding her venerable Powerbook and several pounds worth of small font printouts she had to read. She was early and she was able to identify an elderly Black lady who traveled to San Francisco to meet her son. She chatted her up and the friendly woman agreed to sit next to Deirdre, blocking her against male travelers.

The trip was taxing, but she was able to read through half of her pile of prints. She was glad for her companion, too, as every male passenger who boarded let his gaze sweep over Deirdre making her feel uneasy. Mrs. Washington, the Black lady, soon became aware of her seat neighbor's apprehension and she patted Deirdre's hand once.

"You don't worry none, Sweety. I'm with you all the way an' I've got my sturdy umbrella, too."

Deirdre nodded and gave the woman a grateful smile.

"Ma daughter Angela, she was hurt once. She had that look on her for a long time."

"Wha–what happened to Angela?" Deirdre asked with apprehension.

"She found that huge man, Leroy Parker, and he was right nice to her and never gave up until she wasn't afraid of him no more. They married two years ago and made me a grandmother last year. You have a sweetheart?"

"I guess I have. He's on the East Coast, but I'll see him during Summer Break."

"He's a good young man?"

Deirdre nodded. "Yes. I owe him my life."

"Sweety, you make him know that, you hear? Men, they're kinda slow an' girls must tell'em everthing so they'll understand things."

Her Mom was there, waiting for Deirdre at the bus station on Market Street and being her petite and trim self. She was wearing her professional outfit. There was an awkward moment until Maureen opened her arms and tilted her head in invitation. Finally, Deirdre was able to step close and give Maureen a hug.

"Hey, Baby," Maureen said softly. "You look good."

Deirdre shook her head. "No I don't. I haven't seen a hairdresser in a year. You look a million, though."

"Flattery will get you a dinner. Let's go. The Best Western is around the corner. We better check you in first. I got you a single room or would you rather share with me?"

"Single is fine, Mom. I brought some reading and I'm sure you've got things to go over."

They checked Deirdre in, in a room next to Maureen's, and Maureen helped with the unpacking. She shook her head.

"Didn't you bring any of the nice things to wear?"

Deirdre looked at her change of clothes and shrugged.

"I don't like to draw attention to myself, Mom. What for? I'm not looking for dates."

"How about dressing nicely for yourself?"

Deirdre shrugged again without answering.

"How about we find a department store tomorrow?" Maureen offered. "Nothing flashy, just a few new things, maybe a nice sweater or two and some blouses? You know, Joey wants to pick you up at the airport when you come for summer break. You should dress nicely, don't you think?"

"Okay, if you think so," Deirdre relented.

"Yes, I do. Maybe I'll get something, too. So, ready for dinner?"

Deirdre nodded and they left the room heading downstairs and outside. Maureen led her daughter down Market Street.

"What do you eat? Chinese or fish?" she asked.

"Chinese. We have fish all the time," Deirdre answered with a little eagerness.

Maureen flagged down a taxi which brought them right to Chinatown. Fifteen minutes later they were sipping tea and going over the menu. They picked a variety plate for two and settled into their chairs talking about mundane topics. Deirdre told of her college experience so far and she mentioned Claire, telling Maureen how much her fourth and hopefully final roommate had helped her. From there the talk moved to Rachel and the sessions with her. This covered the first course and lasted well into the main dishes.

The sensitive issue of Karen's burial service came next. Deirdre apologized twice for being a no-show, explaining how the thought of flying home almost paralyzed her. Maureen then recounted the service and the ugly confrontation with Karen's parents. She told how Joey mustered the muscle from Di Rosa Security to quell further unpleasantness. She also explained how Tess helped her pack and how she had hidden Karen's sex toys among her things to annoy and embarrass her parents. Deirdre was even able to muster a weak smile over the thought.

They did not talk about Joey that evening. Deirdre was uneasy, feeling a mixture of reproach and guilt over him, and Maureen was also reluctant to talk about him directly. Instead, Maureen explained about her career prospects. She also told Deirdre in great detail how she had gone after the white collar people behind the prescription drug trade. When she ended, Deirdre smiled weakly.

"You did that for revenge, right?"

Maureen shook her head. "No, for justice. These people are rich or getting there. Yet, they risk other people's lives to make an extra buck. They have no excuse for their behavior. It's greed, simple as that. I'll go after them as long as my boss is behind me."

"I read some about you in the online papers. The one where you got the homicide conviction for the two managers made headlines even here on the West Coast. I think you did well. The ... the Montalbans used pills to keep going. They must have come from those white collar people."

"And the steroids that drove them crazy," Maureen added grimly. "John Stevens had the gall to accuse me of crusading. He was the lead defender. I reminded him what could have happened if Deborah had been visiting with us. That shut him up."

Deirdre took a deep, ragged breath to fight down the growing fear after being reminded of her ordeal.

"Have you ... did you hear from Deborah?"

"No, Baby. She went to Boston. Pre-law, nothing less. We haven't heard from her."

"That's good for her."

When they finished it was already past ten. They returned to their hotel and went straight to their rooms. Deirdre was tired after a full day of either reading or talking, and she went to bed right away.

They met for breakfast in the lobby and then they hit the streets. Maureen dragged a protesting Deirdre into the nearest GAP, but all she could bully her into buying was a blouse Deirdre liked. In an outdoor shop, at last, Deirdre found what she liked. Fjäll Räven trecking pants and a smelly Bellstaff wax-cotton jacket were her pick, much to Maureen's consternation. Deirdre explained that the pants were virtually indestructible and quick drying after a wash or a rain and that the jacket was great for outdoor activities such as excursions. As a compromise she also accepted two pairs of Lee jeans and a few neat sweaters. Loaded down with the purchases they went back to the hotel before they hit the Cable Car for a ride to the harbor.

They dutifully visited Alcatraz and had a belated lunch at Pier 41 before they took a cab to the Golden Gate Park. There, sitting on a bench in the sunshine, Maureen suddenly took her daughter's hand.

"Deirdre, I need to tell you a few things. Some of them may disturb you, but I ask you to hear me out. Can you do that?"

Deirdre tensed. What now? It took self control to nod.

"Shoot," she said between clenched teeth.

For the first time in her life, Deirdre saw her mother blush fiercely. Her hands clenched a handkerchief and her voice was shaky.

"Deirdre, Joey told you about the indiscretion he committed?"

Deirdre nodded, feeling her apprehension increase. This could not be good, could it?

"Deirdre, there is no use to talk around this. That woman was me."

When the words became clear to Deirdre she had to close her eyes briefly while she felt nausea wash over her. Joey had slept with her Mom? Her Mom had slept with Joey? A man? Maureen had slept with a man?

"B–but ... Joey, I mean, he's a man. Aren't you ... How come?"

"It just happened, Baby. I had a breakdown and Joey found me sitting in my car crying my eyes out. It was after the trial against the two managers. It all came together. I realized that with all my success I was still coming home into an empty house. Karen was dead, you were gone, there was nothing and nobody for me. Joey came by, I guess to ask if I had heard from you. I just kept crying and he helped me inside. It felt so good. I know it was wrong, Baby, but I needed a shoulder to lean on. I begged him to stay, and some time during the night, we lost control.

"Baby, when we realized what we had done, we stopped it at once. I felt terrible, but still, that night saved my sanity. Can you forgive your stupid mother, Baby?"

"You slept with Joey." Deirdre stated, feeling dazed.

"I did, Baby. I'm afraid, there is more."

"More?" Deirdre almost snarled. What could be worse?

"Baby, I wasn't protected. I caught. I'm pregnant. I'll have a baby, a daughter from the looks of it. I had the tests run, because at my age, well you know about the risks, don't you?"

The enormity of that last piece of news almost took Deirdre's breath away.

"I offered Joey to leave him out of everything, I really did, but you know him. He's always trying to do the right thing. Of course, he'll step up to the plate and be a father. Of course, he will do his share of raising our daughter. He is a great young man, Deirdre. I can't tell you how much I hope that you two will soon be together again."

Deirdre stared at her mother unbelievingly. What was she talking about? Did she believe any of the crap she was babbling? What had she done? She had sneaked up on Joey when he was lonely and vulnerable. She had lured him into her bed and seduced him. She had let him impregnate her, to close the trap. But why? She was a lesbian, wasn't she? Why would she want Joey? Suddenly, Deirdre saw the reasons. Maureen had hit the glass ceiling at the DA's office. Only aligned with a powerful ally like Joey's great uncle could she move further up. She was using Joey and hurting Deirdre for her fucking career. Fuming anger took over in Deirdre.

"You scheming bitch," she snarled. "Do you hate me so much that you have to give me the final blow? Wasn't it enough what your drug dealers did to me? Wasn't it enough what you brain dead bull dyke did to me? Did you have to steal the one good thing I ever had?"

"Deirdre, I didn't steal Joey. He's there for you to claim. I'll keep out of the way. You can't..."

"Ha! You know it and I know it. With that child you put a ring in Joey's nose. When did you think of that? When the Di Rosa showed how much pull they have? You want their support for your career, right? What better way than to bag the Old Man's beloved nephew!"

"Deirdre, no! I never planned anything, I swear!"

"Mom, that's all the same now. I never thought you'd do that to me. I always thought you cared a little for me. But you hate me, right? I remind you of the man we never talk about, right? Now you get back at him by making my life miserable."

"Deirdre, that is the biggest piece of crap I ever heard! You're my daughter, damn it! I carried you for fucking eight and a half months. I dragged you along for years; I gave up any social life to care for you. How can you even think I'd want to hurt you? I told you, it wasn't planned. Deirdre, Joey is in Philadelphia waiting for you. He loves you and you love him. Talk to him! It was not his fault. When you come back for summer break..."

"Are you crazy? Do you still think I'll set a foot in your house? The house where you seduced my boyfriend?"

Apparently, Maureen's temper was running out, too.

"Which boyfriend, please? The one you called exactly once in nine months? The one you left behind? The one whose calls and emails you didn't return? Blame yourself, Deirdre! We all know the ordeal you went through but that does not allow you to treat the ones who love you like shit! Did you ever say 'thank you' to Joey's great uncle or his cousin? Did it ever appear to you that they stuck their necks out for you? You just did your disappearing act and left all of us to guess if we still meant anything to you."

Deirdre shook her head and in a low, bitter voice, she got in the last words.

"I can't believe that you blame me for getting raped. I never want to see you again, ever! You win. Take Joey, have your precious new daughter, and get your career. Just leave me alone. Thank God, I have a full fellowship. Take your fucking money and keep it. I can do without you. Tell Joey good luck with his life. Tell him I'm sorry I brought him together with a snake!"

With that Deirdre jumped up and ran off toward the exit of the park. She never turned, she just ran. At the entrance she found a cab. The fare was steep given her meagre funds but she didn't care. At the hotel she ran up to her room and packed her scarce belongings. She looked over the new purchases. She wanted those pants and the jacket badly, but she did not have nearly enough money to pay for them and she would never accept anything from Maureen again. Pride even made her ask for the check for her room but it was already charged to Maureen's credit card.

Anger further sustained her when she arrived at the Greyhound Station. She found a bus leaving in an hour, and when she settled in her seat a young sailor made a move to sit next to her, giving her a smug grin. With a venom she never knew she possessed she gave him a dose of her mind and he withdrew to the back of the bus. The driver started to say something but the burning anger in Deirdre's eyes made him reconsider. Good! Let the world leave her alone. Let everybody leave her alone! She could do well on her own. She needed nobody.

Only later, on the road north and after her anger abated, Deirdre began to cry silently. She cried for Joey, her lost love, her only love and hope in a traitorous and mean world. She cried for the loss of her future and she cried over her dead and buried dreams.

Half way up the coast her cell phone began to chirp. She looked at the display. It was Joey. She accepted the call and spoke into the phone without listening to Joey's words.

"Joey, it's over. Maureen wins and I lose. Never call me again, just leave me alone. I know it's not your fault, but leave me alone."

She heard him shouting her name when she took the phone from her ear and ended the call. Then she opened the back of the phone and pulled the sim card. For what did she need a cell phone? She had nobody to call anymore.

-------

When Maureen arrived back in Philadelphia Joey was there to pick her up at the airport. They had talked on the phone four times since the blow-up with Deirdre but Joey was not prepared for the sight of a Maureen who suddenly looked ten years older.

Over the next weeks, taking care of Maureen took up most of Joey's evenings. Time and again he reminded her of the responsibility she had for her growing child to get her to eat. All the while he kept bombarding Deirdre's e-mail account, literally begging her to call. It was in vain: no answering e-mail ever came through.

With acceptance came bitterness. On a day in late June he sent Deirdre a farewell letter. After all the begging e-mails he kept the letter impersonal. He wrote her that he accepted her wish to be left alone. He wrote that his feelings for her had finally run dry. He also wrote that he hoped she would find a man she could be happy with. It was a big lie but he could not stand Deirdre's silence anymore.

He had contemplated to fly to California to make his plea in person but he did not have the guts. Before his inner eye he could still see the Deirdre who had a fit when he touched her, back in that hospital bed. He was deathly afraid of causing the same thing again by showing up.

The care for Maureen kept him busy. By early July she had recovered mostly, but now her progressing pregnancy made her appreciative of his help and he spent time on the weekends doing her shopping, cleaning, and laundry. He also spent those nights at her house holding her and keeping her company, and by mid-July they started to have sex again. It was never love, but it gave them both a feeling of belonging and of comfort. Maureen was appreciative of his efforts to please her and she reciprocated willingly, quickly learning that pleasing a man physically was indeed simple.

By early August, Joey took Maureen to a garden party at his uncle's place where Vincent Di Rosa expressed his pleasure over the impending addition to the Di Rosa family. Joey and Maureen had decided to name their daughter after Joey's mother and she was to bear the Di Rosa name. This was on Maureen's insistence. She and Deirdre had suffered enough under the 'Darling' taunts; her second daughter would be spared that. Hearing of this decision the eyes of old Vincent Di Rosa creased in a satisfied smile and he kissed Maureen's hand elaborately.

For Vincent Di Rosa, Maureen was now family, and the old man proved this by playing some pieces of useful evidence into her hands that allowed her to close the two still pending cases from the aftermath of the Olympic Massacre. Maureen went into her maternity leave with a perfect eight for eight run of convictions to her credit.

Carla Gabriella Di Rosa was born on November 12 after six hours of labor. Joey had coached Maureen all through birth. When he visited Maureen in her room he held the birth certificate and a huge bouquet of flowers. Maureen was resting comfortably in her single room and the unlikely couple spent the rest of the day bonding with their newborn daughter.

Little Carla had a full shock of curly black hair, making it quite obvious that black hair is a dominant genetic trait. Taking turns at holding their daughter the new parents had a day of rare bliss.

Once more they attempted to reach out to Deirdre. Joey and Maureen wrote a letter. They included a picture of Carla and asked Deirdre to attend her half sister's baptism, set for December 24. They never received an answer and Joey considered that an answer in itself.

Maureen also reached out to her estranged parents and sent an invitation. To her surprise and secret dismay they accepted. They arrived a day before the ceremony and were stashed away in a large suite at the Ramada Inn. They were impressed seeing Maureen's BMW 530 Touring in the driveway (a deal from Joey's cousin Rico), they were impressed with the beautifully restored Victorian house (curtesy of Di Rosa General Contractors), and they were impressed by the bouquet of flowers sent by the Mayor's Office.

More was in store. The baptism was huge. There was an unlikely mix of high ranking law enforcement officers and suspected crime family members, but on that day all hatchets were buried. Joey had rented the entire Blue Grotto for the day, and Toni Minetti kept rubbing his hands over all the important city officials who enjoyed his food and might come back in the future.

Little Carla was toasted time and again, but she slept through most of the day. She ended the day as a rich girl, too. Italian tradition called for cash gifts, and Maureen counted over eighty thousand dollars when they went over the envelopes on Christmas morning. That was nothing compared with the two million dollar trust fund that Vincent Di Rosa had quietly established for the future of his great-grandniece. They had agreed to use the current proceeds of the fund to hire a trustworthy nanny who would care for the infant when Maureen went back to work.

To Maureen, all this was ridiculously simple compared with the worries and the economizing after Deirdre's birth. She felt bad for giving her two daughters such vastly different upbringings. Out of her bad conscience she sat and wrote yet another letter to Deirdre.



My dear daughter,

it is Christmas Day, and the baptism is over. I have some time at my hands, and I want to reach out to you. I am aware that you may decide to tear this up the moment you recognize my hand writing. Yet I will never give up. Expect a monthly letter from me from now on until the day when you will hopefully decide to talk to me again. Tear it up or read it: it is your choice. Yet, I will never give up on you: that is my choice.

Your half sister had a good day, meaning she slept through most of the ceremonies. Especially the rather raucous toasting some of Joey's relatives kept going. It was almost comical to see suspected racketeers and district attorneys mingle at the party, and I suppose this baptism was the final nail in the coffin of my career ambitions.

You missed your grandparents if you want to call them that; my parents to be exact. Joey talked me into inviting them and to my surprise and dismay they accepted. It was telling how the visible symbols of success, my new car, the refurbished house, the flowers from the Mayor, reconciled them with my life style. In the end I could not even hate them anymore, but a resin of disdain certainly remained.

In case you need somebody to align yourself with you may want to consider them. They are your grandparents after all and you will find open ears when you complain about my character. They are Ronald and Ethel Darling, of 1817 Chestnut Dr, Altoona, PA. While I would prefer that you talked to me again, I would rather have you in contact with them than know that you are alone in life.



One thing I will always include in my letters is the latest news regarding the Montalbans. A call from the FBI field office last week did not convey anything new. They have disappeared completely. The last confirmed sighting was at a gas station on Interstate 81, heading south. The FBI have scoured the region with no success. Even the Mexican Federales have conducted a search in their hometown, Ciudad Victoria, but none of their relatives have seen them.



Their assets were frozen and now their gym was sold. I have filed a claim on your behalf, to receive compensation from their assets, but there are creditors, too, who have claims. If we can get any compensation from their assets it may provide you with the funds to complete your education without the need of accepting my money.

This is all the news I have. I will send the next letter by the end of January. Remember: my arms and my heart will always be open for you whenever you decide you can talk to me again.

Your mother

Maureen



Maureen then wrote an address of the envelope and sealed it. She would send the letter tomorrow. Perhaps, Deirdre would read it, perhaps not. Maureen expected no answer, but that was not her purpose anyway. All she wanted was to offer her hand and she would keep offering it for as long as it took.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 22: James Parker, PhD


It was two years after Deirdre and Maureen's fallout. James Parker, Ph.D., Professor of Genetics at Humboldt State University, was groaning while going over the papers his junior class students had returned. The topic was an exciting one, or so he had thought. "Pick a Nobel Price Winner and describe her/his impact on modern Biology!" Half the class had – predictably – picked Kary Mullis and the Polymerase Chain Reaction. Of those, not even twenty percent had a true understanding of Mullis' work. The other half of the essays, if you wanted to call them assays, dealt with various other scientists, obviously in the order Google or Wikipedia had spit them out.

Parker sighed. Not one student so far had even touched on what he hoped for. He put away another collection of vacuous drivel and picked the next. The first thing he saw was the neat layout. A girl, of course, one Deirdre Darling. He could not remember her for his life. One of the wall flowers, probably, a Junior. He looked at the title. "David Baltimore and the Birth of Eukaryotic Molecular Biology." Parker whistled. 1975 Nobel Price for his description and characterization of the "Reverse Transcriptase" from Mouse Leukemia Virus, an enzyme that had revolutionized the way scientists could access the sometimes huge genes of higher organisms. This might be interesting.

Twenty-five minutes later, Parker began to re-read the paper from the start, this time for pure enjoyment. The girl could WRITE! Not only that, but her research was almost without fault. Parker would wager that he could submit this treatise to a low-ranking periodical and get it accepted as a review. The kicker was that she had even added two pages describing the involvement of the great scientist in an alleged scientific fraud case in the 1980s and his handling of the matter which caused a significant change in the rules for proper scientific conduct.

Deirdre Darling. She would bear watching. He had been invited to write an article for the Annual Reviews in Microbiology, and he already dreaded the drudgery of research. Perhaps he could interest young Ms. Darling to help out. Hell, the way she could write, she could probably write through all the draft stages and he would only prepare the final manuscript.

It was with much more enthusiasm that James Parker returned to the task at hand and finished off the stack of papers. When he was done, he faced another problem. If he took the best work, Darling's paper, as one hundred percent and the worst as a twenty percent effort, the majority of the papers would be between twenty and forty percent. Non-passing grades. He could not let more than half of the students flunk the class. Deirdre Darling was wrecking the curve so badly that she would be the object of hatred among her peers. Having been a certified nerd himself and a subject of vicious bullying in his school years and even in college, he could sympathize with the girl. The solution was to rate her at one hundred fifty and the worst paper at twenty five percent. That meant, only three students would flunk out, and Ms. Darling would still be the only "A" student. If only he knew what she looked like!

-------

She looked like a reject from a homeless shelter. Brunette, curly hair that stuck out in every direction, bushy dark mono-eyebrow, but with a face that could be more than pretty. Her clothes were clean, no doubt, but they were worn and out of fashion by years. Parker had checked with the student office already. Deirdre Darling had won a full academic scholarship with a 3.87 GPA and a SAT over 1,450 on the 1,600 scale. Parker knew that the scholarship covered tuition and room. Skinny as the girl was, money must be short even with the basics covered.

He handed out the essays without much ado and to a generally joyous response. He watched Deirdre Darling as she opened the paper to where he had written his comment. "A stellar effort! You are to be commended on a paper that should make a PhD student proud. Please see me after class. Parker."

At first he saw the flush of achievement on her cheeks, but then, undeniably, apprehension. Did she fear to be accused of plagiarism? He had run defining parts of her text through Google Scholar just to make sure, but nothing had turned up.

When the class ended she tentatively approached his desk.

"You wanted to talk to me, Professor Parker?"

"Yes, please, be seated. I have a proposition for you."

"Yes?"

No eagerness, only — what? — fear?

"Nothing bad, I assure you. It's just that you made my evening, yesterday. Of the thirty-three assays I had to endure, yours was a diamond in a pile of gravel. Excellent writing, my dear, and outstanding research. The little thing at the end, about the fraud affair, was just the cherry on top. Now for my proposition: I have been invited to write a piece for the Annual Reviews in Microbiology. You know what an Impact Factor is?"

The answer came promptly. "The sum of citations garnered by the articles in a given journal over a three-year period, divided by the number of articles published in the same period. It's a rough estimate of the average impact of a paper in a certain journal and it's used for the ranking of journals and the papers that are published in them."

Parker beamed. "Succinctly put. Now, the Annual Reviews carry a very healthy twelve point six impact factor. It's something I would like to add to my CV. Unfortunately, my teaching load is considerable this summer semester. What I'm trying to say is: I need assistance. Would you be interested in helping out with some research, perhaps even write a few draft chapters? The practice would certainly help you and it would count as extra credits."

Wow! He had obviously found the right words. The girl was glowing with excitement all of a sudden.

"Yes, I would like that very much, Professor!" she blurted. "What is the subject?"

"Mechanisms of gene control in eukaryotic microorganisms," Parker answered. "That will cover the Euglenozoa, including the Kinetoplastida, the Apicomplexa, the Amoeba, and the Giardiae. There's a lot of published work, but now with most of the genome projects finished, we can insert some phylogeny studies."

"May I perform those? I sort of like doing that," the girl asked enthusiastically.

Okay, she was weird. That stuff bored Parker to tears.

"Oh, of course. You can learn a lot from that," he replied magnanimously.

-------

It was two months later and Gwendolyn Parker was worried. Once again she'd had to endure a long winded sermon at dinner about the sheer brilliance of James' newest discovery, some frumpy scarecrow by the name of Deirdre. If you listened to James she had singlehandedly written a seventy page review manuscript, fully researched, annotated, and with a complete list of references. She was a marvel if James was to be believed.

Gwen Parker was worried because eight years ago she had been an ugly duckling herself, with a towering intellect that bedazzled the young assistant professor, James Parker. For four years, until the enforced move to California, she had been his sidekick first, then his secret lover, and finally, when the affair became public, his wife. The marriage had prevented a greater scandal but James was denied tenure at the Ivy League school where he had been assistant professor and instead he had to accept the Associate Professorship in Eureka.

Was James looking for his next Gwen? It was possible. After all, Gwen was now a faculty member in her own right, independent of her husband and erstwhile mentor and James seemed to grate a little under her growing professional success. A young, pliable genius would give him the illusion of greatness again.

Thus, when James disappeared for his chess club evening, Gwen sat down at his desk and looked at the manuscript. When James returned four hours later she was still sitting there, plowing through the text for the third time. This was the work of a college junior? She knew her husband too well to suspect he'd had a hand in the writing. The sentences were structured too cleanly, the language was too sober, and the vocabulary too rich for this text to have come out of James' keyboard. She shuffled the pile and her gaze fell on the title page. Author(s): James Elroy Parker. She flipped pages until she found the Acknowledgement. "I thank my wife, Gwendolyn F. Parker, for her insightful comments and for a critical reading of the manuscript. I would also acknowledge D. Darling for help with the preparation of the manuscript."

Gwen looked up at her husband when he entered the living room/study, her eyebrows raised.

"You like it?" he asked, and, seeing her raised eyebrows, "What?"

She pointed at the title page and the acknowledgements. "When did I perform a critical reading?"

"Oh, just now I hope."

"And this here, 'help with the preparation'. You're not serious, James, are you?"

"Come on, the girl did a great job, wrote most of the draft text. I've got to acknowledge her."

"James, she wrote the whole damn thing! I know your style. You wrote a part of the summary and the general introduction. That's it. Please, tell me you are not cheating a student out of an authorship!"

"Gwen, she's just a Junior! I gave her an assignment for extra credit and she did well. But, an authorship? I mean, they commissioned the review to me."

"James, if there is one thing I always trusted it is your integrity. She wrote ninety percent of the text and did most of the research. She deserves a first authorship."

"Gwen, this is my big chance. A big review that will be cited all over the next years. A landmark review. I can't have that diluted."

Gwen shook her head. "I don't see it diluted. If the author list reads 'Darling and Parker', it just means that you have a brilliant student working for you. That's just more power to you. Come on, when was the last time you had a winner like her among your students? You cheat her out of it, and somebody will tell her that she deserved more. And then? She'll go away for her Master or her PhD. Give her what she deserves and be her mentor. You can have her around for another five years if you play your cards right, and just think of what she can do for you in that time!"

She could see the impact of her words. James was a decent and ethical person but the last years had been hard for him. He had been a rising star in the East, but now, in a small school with limited resources, he was having a hard time keeping up the quality and quantity of his work. He nodded nevertheless.

"Okay, I see your point. I won't cede the first authorship, though. I'll put her in as co-author."

Gwen smiled and nodded. "You'll feel better for it, believe me, and you'll have a loyal protégé."

He nodded, but there was something in his far away look that disturbed Gwen.

-------

The girl was a mess, Gwen decided. She was clean, no doubt, but she was dressed like a scarecrow. And she gave the word shy an entirely new meaning. Dangerous. A shy, ugly duckling, just the type James would try to 'form'. Gwen should know for she had been like that. Perhaps not the scarecrow part, but the rest fit. Gwen had been surprised to find out that Deirdre Darling was in her own Biology of Evolution class and she asked her to stay behind.

"Hi, I just wanted to tell you that I saw the manuscript you co-wrote with my husband. It's a remarkable achievement."

"Thank you, Dr. Parker," Deirdre answered with a deep blush.

"James told me you did the phylogenetic analyses?"

A silent nod was the answer. This girl was terminally shy.

"I like the part where you focused on the zinc finger domains for the ClustalW analysis. Far more meaningful to focus on conserved domains."

"Yes, using the full sequences would have killed the tree building. I was thinking of reducing everything to the conserved parts, but that would have been hard to explain in the legend."

Wow! Two full sentences. Perhaps her shyness did not extend into her scientific thinking?

"You used Loderholm's algorithm, too."

"Well, it just came out in January and I thought, why not use it right away."

Once she became animated the girl seemed to glow from within. Being an enthusiast herself Gwen saw a kindred soul.

"Right," she smiled, "no better time than 'right now'. You're a Junior, right?"

"Yes, Dr. Parker."

"Look, would you like to earn some money? I'm giving a summer course here in August, and I still need an assistant. I would pay you, of course."

It was like the sun rose in Deirdre's face and Gwen briefly held her breath. Yes, she needed to align the girl with herself. She was dangerous. Innocent and guileless but dangerous, especially for Gwen's ex-geek husband.

"Let me give you the course manual. Read it through until next week and then tell me where we might improve it. Write down your hours, too. As I said, it's a paid job."

"Certainly, yes, thank you, Dr. Parker."

And then she was gone leaving Gwen behind in a mixed mood. She had found a smart and qualified assistant but she had to be careful. Wait! Perhaps there was nothing to worry about! Perhaps the girl had a boyfriend, maybe even a girlfriend. She certainly looked like she played for the other team. Come to think of it she sat alone at a table in Gwen's class, far away from any of the male students. Perhaps she was on some social site where more information could be gleaned. On the spur of the moment Gwen typed Deirdre's name into the Google search window.

Not five minutes later Gwendolyn Parker stared at her computer screen with unbelieving, wide eyes as she read the old newspaper reports about the abduction and brutal abuse of Deirdre Darling.

-------

James Parker was uncomfortable. He did not know how to deal with the situation. The evening before, during dinner, Gwen had flipped open her laptop and shown him what the internet knew about Deirdre Darling. Looking at the gruesome picture on the front page of the Rumor Mill had caused a pinching pain in his balls, but the descriptions of the girl's two-day ordeal of rape and beating had left him with a mixture of puerile excitement and self-loathing. He was an academic, a learned, cultivated man, and to feel the stirrings of lust when reading about the brutal abuse of the girl made him question his personal integrity.

Damn! He had looked forward to working with Deirdre. In the back of his mind, he had harbored a Pygmalion phantasy. Taking the ugly duckling under his wings, forming her into his acolyte, and finally, the arousing fantasy of seducing the young swan. This was shattered now. She was not shy. She was gun shy. She feared men, had to fear them. All her mannerisms made sense now, the hiding in the back of the class, the sitting alone, her fear of staying behind after class.

It would be difficult to get out of his promise to be her mentor for the PhD program, but how could he handle her? He had an idea then. She had signed up for his lab course in Molecular Microbiology, in the fall semester. With the right assignment of tasks and some manipulation of the study samples he could make sure that she wouldn't make the grades for a fellowship to get into the PhD program. Without a fellowship he was certain that she could not enter, and she would have to pursue her Master's degree at some other place. He called in his head technician and gave him rather specific instructions. It was a damn shame, nonetheless.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 23: The Kiss of Life


"Young man, what on Earth are you doing?"

The stern voice shocked Joey so much he almost dropped his daughter. He glared at the female cop in front of him.

"I'll thank you not to startle me while I'm doing this," he snapped. "I'm not doing this diaper thing often."

"Is this your child?" the cop asked looking at him suspiciously.

"You mean, am I the father? Yes, I am. Still I'm not out with her on my own a lot, so please lay off. This stuff scares me."

He must have looked genuinely desperate and the cop's lips twitched.

"You wanna wipe from front to rear with a girl. You don't want any of the nasty stuff ending up in her vagina," she advised him matter-of-factly.

With the cop giving him a few more hints and the things he remembered, Joey was able to finish the job, albeit with glowing ears.

"Thanks," he said, looking up to her.

She was tall and she had authority about her. Her hair was in short, tight curls close to her head. From her face, he guessed her to be late twenties, but he was not sure. She was African American, and Joey always found it difficult to gauge the age of people outside his own ethnic group. Then he remembered her as one of the cops who had responded to Maureen's call, after Karen's burial. She did not recognize Joey, obviously, but that did not surprise him. The black beard he had grown and the long black hair had changed him a lot over the last two years.

"So, where's the mother?" she asked casually.

"At her office. I have a free afternoon and the nanny needed time off."

"Now, don't take me wrong, but I would like to ascertain that this little girl is really yours to stroll with."

Joey had to smile. Of course, he was acting so awkwardly with Carla that it had to look suspicious.

"You want to talk to the mother? Call the District Attorney's office and ask for Ms. Maureen Darling, Assistant DA. The number is 686-8000," he added helpfully and with a grin.

The cop stared at him incredulously. "Maureen Darling is that baby's mother? And you ... Wait a minute, young man! I know Maureen, I mean I..." she blushed furiously under her dark skin.

Joey understood. Maureen and even more so Karen had been part of the Lesbian scene, and obviously the cop was also part of it. He looked at her name plate for the first time. Sgt. N'gomo, it read.

"I remember you, Officer. You responded to Maureen's call when Karen's parents made a nuisance of themselves."

The cop swallowed. "Yes, you're right. You were with the pretty Italian girl." She blushed under the dark skin. "How is Maureen? How does she cope with Karen's death?"

Joey wagged his head. "At first it tore her up bad. I mean, with Karen gone and her daughter gone, she was really alone. That's how we came together. We both needed some comfort, I guess."

"But how come you knew her?"

"I was her daughter's boyfriend before."

"Little Deirdre? You were ... Wait! You were her boyfriend when she was abducted and ... You know?"

Joey nodded, making a grimace. He didn't know why he confided so much in this policewoman, but she was nice and she knew Maureen and Deirdre.

"She wasn't the same afterwards. She refused to stay with me. She just up and left for California."

"But you got her free from those swine, right?"

"My cousin did. I had help from my family."

The cop lowered her voice. "I hope they buried those fuckers!" she growled.

"The abductors were paid the ransom they demanded and they fled," Joey answered succinctly. "I have no knowledge of their current whereabouts."

Sgt. N'gomo grinned and nodded. "Sure, whatever you say. So this little one is Maureen's? Give her a kiss from me, will you. Tell her, we'd like to see her again."

Joey nodded. He knew who 'we' were. He also knew that Maureen was not over Karen yet and loath to join the scene again. "She needs time to get over Karen," he said apologetically.

"O.K. I'll see you around," Sgt. N'gomo said, resuming her patrol.

Joey put Carla in the stroller again pushing her through the park. Looking around at all the women pushing strollers he realized how unusual he must look, a young man of twenty-two with a baby.

During the next loop Carla fell asleep and Joey sat on a park bench and opened a textbook to get some work done. He had not been sitting long when a young, black-curled woman, also pushing a stroller, walked past. She looked at him with amused interest.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked with a noticeable Italian accent.

Joey looked up and shook his head. He resumed reading but he noticed that the young woman sat down with a sigh and stretched her jeans-clad legs. He looked at her. He judged her at around twenty or younger. She was slender but not skinny, with long, well-formed legs and prominent breasts. Her face was something to behold, with a strong nose and expressive mouth. A lioness, Joey thought.

She smiled and said something. It sounded Italian.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I may look Italian, but I don't speak it."

"I said, you like what you see?"

Joey grinned. "There's nothing wrong with the way you look," he answered.

"Mhm, I can say same about you," she grinned back, obviously enjoying the flirting. "Whose baby is that?" she pointed at Carla's stroller.

Joey poked his thumb at his chest and the girl's eyes opened wide.

"Bad boy!" she scolded him. "Making girls pregnant that young!"

"Carla's mother is older than me," he defended himself. "Besides, we didn't plan her, but we wouldn't give her up for anything."

The girl's eyes softened. "At least, you take-a care of ... her? What's her name?"

"Her name is Carla, after my mother," Joey said proudly. "And you, who are you pushing around?"

"Her name is Megan. Her parents host me here in the USA. I'm an au-pair. I'm from Napoli. And you?"

"I was born and raised here in Philadelphia. My family's been living here since the 1920s. Originally, they're from Castelvetrano, though."

"Siciliano, eh? What is your family name, no, what is your name?"

"I'm Joey Di Rosa."

"You are-a joking, eh? Di Rosa? You related to Don Vincente?"

Now it was Joey's turn to look in surprise. "How do you know my uncle?"

"When I come here, I visit your uncle and give him a letter from my grandfather. My grandfather, he's old fashioned, worries about me. So he writes to your uncle, asking him to 'have an eye on me'. Wait! He did not send you here to watch me, eh?"

This made Joey laugh, despite the realization that this girl must be the granddaughter of a Camorra capo.

"No, really not. I haven't seen my uncle in a month. I go to college."

"Ah, so you're the wayward nephew?"

"He talked about me?"

"Yes, he said he'd bring you together with me. You're a good kid and you'll be a scientist and your girlfriend left you. He said nothing of a daughter."

"Oh, man. Your grandfather is a friend of Uncle Vince? A 'friend of the friends'?"

She made a face. "I guess he is. My father is a professore at the University of Naples. He teaches physics. Oh, I am Fabiana. Fabiana Zimariano."

"Pleased to meet you, Fabiana. Do you go by any nickname?"

She blushed. "Yes, Faba. I didn't grow these," she pointed at her breasts, "until after I turned seventeen; I was tall and skinny."

Joey smirked. Back then the nickname had been cruel, meaning beanstalk. Now nobody would make that association.

"I guess you grew out of that. Okay if I call you Fabi?"

A smile was his reward. "Yes, I like that," she answered. "Maybe we can go out together when you have time. I have Sundays off."

Briefly Deirdre's image flashed before Joey's eyes but he gave a mental shrug. She had left him for good over two years ago. He would not even know how to contact her. He had put his life on hold for too long.

"Sure, let's exchange cell phone numbers."

She gave him her number and programmed his into her own phone.

"Don't call me during the days. Megan's parents are strange. They don't allow me to use a cell phone. They say the rays can hurt Megan. I'm keeping this hidden and on vibration, so please only call me after ten. I'll give you the family phone number, too."

When she left Fabiana waved at him and wiggled her behind. He was smiling broadly when he steered Carla's stroller back to where he had parked his car.

-------

Fabiana was slightly subdued when he picked her up at the curb in front of the apartment building. She talked little on the way to the mall where they wanted to see a movie. Joey picked up on her mood but he knew her too little to know if this was a normal mood swing for her.

On the three weekends before they had visited the zoo, an art exhibition, and they had made a trip to Lancaster County to see the Amish country. Joey had the impression that Fabiana liked to be with him and that their relationship was moving ahead.

They watched a movie, the sequel to a hugely popular comedy/adventure flick, but Joey left the theater disappointed. Fabiana commented negatively, too, and they bitched about Hollywood sequels for a while.

Rather than opting for the mall food court Joey drove them to Toni Minetti's Blue Grotto. Toni served them in person and he and Fabiana hit it off right away. Joey could only shake his head at the deluge of rapid fire Italian he could hear but not understand. Apparently, during that shouting match Fabiana had also specified their order since Toni left without a word to Joey.

It was not necessary. The Involtini di Vitello alla Siciliana,  veal roulades, were heavenly. The food lifted Fabiana's spirits but over the espresso coffee she started to brood again.

"Listen, Fabi? Is something the matter? Would you rather I drove you back? Didn't you want this date really?"

Her eyes opened wide with realization. "Oh, I'm sorry, really. It has nothing to do with you. I just ... I saw something yesterday evening, and I can't stop thinking of it."

"Must be pretty bad if it survives Toni's food," Joey probed.

"It is bad. The Everhearts, my host family, Megan's parents, had a terrible row. I think Mr. Everheart he beat up his wife. I heard her crying and screaming, and I want to call the police, but then it stops. I hear the door slam, and next, Mrs. Everheart, she knocks on my door. She has switched off the light, but I can see that her lip is split. She say I not worry, she just has been clumsy.

"I offer to look after her lip, but she say it is nothing. Then, when she turns to go back to the bedroom, I can look into her robe. Joey, she has bruises all over! I could hardly sleep all night.

"Then, this morning, Mr. Everheart, he come to the breakfast table. I set the table for three, but he tell me Mrs. Everheart sleep late. And then he lean into me and grips my arms and say, 'Don't you go and run your mouth, little girl. I don't like uppity brats, and I know how to treat them.'

"I tear myself loose from his hands and tell him not to touch me, but he just grins at me. Then he says I cannot have a free day because he and Mrs. Everheart have plans for the evening. I tell him I have the right of a free day and I haven't had one in over a week. He can call the agency if he want but I'm going out today. He get all red in the face and give me nasty looks but he don't say anything."

Joey heard all this incredulously. Did things like that still happen? And why did they always seem to happen with people he knew? He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

"Fabi, most importantly, don't go back there. Not alone, at least. Let me call Uncle Vince. He promised your grandfather to look out for you, and he'll be pissed at me if I don't tell him. Let's see what he thinks, okay?"

"He won't go and..."

"No, not personally, but if something happened to you, your Mr. Everheart would end up as road kill. Now let's call him, okay?"

Obviously too worried to object, Fabiana acceded to his idea. Joey called the special number that would get him rerouted to Felix's prepaid cellphone du jour. Felix was in town anyway and he agreed to meet them at Toni's. Ten minutes later Toni's boisterous greeting could be heard and soon after Felix and Gabi sat with them. Felix did not know Fabiana but Joey quickly explained her kinship to Don Emilio Zimariano and Uncle Vince's promise to look after her.

Then, to the sympathetic noises of Gabi, Fabiana related last evening's events. Felix knew Everheart as an upper echelon manager in a local investment firm. Long term, the Di Rosa could take care of him but on a Sunday evening there was no way to help Fabiana retrieve her possessions.

"Look, Joey, why don't you call your DA girlfriend and collect some favors from her? She can even have the Blues accompany her and Fabiana. You can tell her we would consider it a personal favor to Pops."

Maureen had promised Don Vincent any favor she could legally do for helping to rescue Deirdre. Joey kicked himself for not thinking of Maureen first. He called her and found her stressed out over a crying Carla. Thus, when he explained Fabiana's problem and promised to have Tess watch over Carla while they handled it, Maureen told him to be at her house with Fabiana in twenty minutes.

They quickly said good bye to Felix and Gabi and Joey drove them to Maureen's house. It took them over twenty minutes and when they arrived, a Plain Jane police car was already parked in her driveway. Maureen waited for them. Joey introduced Fabiana, and Maureen introduced Detective Horrigan, on duty for the DA's office. Again, Fabiana told her story. Maureen decided she could do nothing for Mrs. Everheart if the woman did not come forward but she would accompany Fabiana to the apartment to chaperone her while she retrieved her possessions.

Horrigan rolled his eyes a little at the waste of time but he liked Maureen and she had covered for him in a case where he had stuck out his neck too far for his own good. Together they set out for midtown while a grumpy Tess had diaper detail with Carla. The drive back to town took fifteen minutes. The doorman in the apartment building knew Fabiana but he balked at letting three more people accompany her. Horrigan lazily flashed his badge and they were through.

The Everhearts had their apartment on the fifth floor and they took the elevator. On Maureen's advice Fabiana opened the door with her private key, but once it was open she called out for her employers.

"Mr. Everheart, Mrs. Everheart, are you here?"

No answer.

"Hello! This is Fabiana. Is anybody here?"

A door opened and a second later an angry Mr. Everheart appeared.

"Are you out of your damned mind, you stupid brat?" he stormed at Fabiana only to check when he saw the people behind her.

"Mr. Everheart, Miss Zimariano will leave your apartment and your employ as of immediately. She wishes to retrieve her personal effects and we came to ascertain that she will be free to leave."

"Who the fuck..." Everheart began to storm but Maureen held up her badge.

"Maureen Darling, Assistant District Attorney. This is Detective Horrigan, also of the DA's office, and Mr. Di Rosa, Miss Zimariano's cousin."

"Where is you search warrant? I have rights," Everheart snapped angrily.

"We do not plan to enter your apartment. We merely accompany Miss Zimariano and you will kindly stay here by the open door while she collects her belongings. If you move from the door, I must assume that Miss Zimariano is in danger and that will give Detective Horrigan probable cause to enter your apartment, forcibly if need be."

Maureen nodded to Fabiana who squeezed past Mr. Everheart and ran along the corridor. They could hear a door open and then the sound of a zipper. Fabiana had opened her suitcase.

Everheart stayed at the door staring at Maureen and the two men angrily.

"I'll complain to your boss tomorrow," he hissed at Maureen. "Do you know who I am? I'll bury you."

Maureen just snorted contemptuously. They could hear Fabiana rummage down the hallway, and then they heard the sound of wheels on a hardwood floor. The wheels paused and a knock sounded. Fabiana's voice drifted along the corridor.

"Mrs. Everheart? Mrs. Everheart? I have to leave. I can't ... Mrs. Everheart! HELP!!!"

Fabiana's scream electrified Horrigan. One moment he was watching the situation with a good deal of boredom, the next moment he had his duty weapon out and trained on Everheart.

"Freeze! Move back to the wall! Turn around, face to the wall! Hands on your back, now!"

The click of handcuffs announced that Everheart was secured. Joey wanted to sprint down the hallway but Maureen kept him back.

"Stay out of this for now, Joey. This isn't your business. Watch this man. If he tries to get up, call us."

Horrigan had forced Everheart facedown on the carpet. Together with Maureen, he rushed down the hallway where a door stood open.

"Oh my God!" Joey heard Maureen exclaim when she reached the open door. "Joey, call 911! Domestic violence. One person seriously hurt, request ambulance!"

Quickly, Joey punched in the three digits. While he waited for the call to go through, Everheart squirmed onto his back and tried to get up. Joey bent over the handcuffed man.

"Stay the fuck down, or I'll break your arms! Capiche?"

Thanks to the Sopranos most people were familiar with certain Italian idioms.

"Emergency 911, how can we assist you?" the voice of the dispatcher came through.

"Yes, we are here at Maryland Avenue 1408, apartment 5-3. There is an injured person, a woman. Domestic violence, and it's serious. We ask for an ambulance and police assistance. Assistant District Attorney Maureen Darling and Detective Horrigan, of the DA's office, are on the scene."

"Yes Sir, I have recorded your request. Who is calling, please?"

"My name is Joseph Di Rosa. I am here with a ... my cousin. She works in the household."

"Please wait, Sir, I have alerted the police and the ambulance service. Thank you for calling Emergency 911!"

The police arrived in less than five minutes. Two officers in blue. Joey recognized Sgt. N'gomo as one of them. They took in the situation, and Joey explained about Horrigan and Maureen, down the corridor. Horrigan came out, showing his badge.

"This is bad, folks. We need to get the woman to the ER, ASAP. Her windpipe is crushed, and we have a hard time getting air into her."

N'gomo's young male partner raised his hand.

"I was a corpsman back in the sandbox," he said.

"You're on, Doctor," Horrigan replied, pointing down the hallway.

While the young cop ran to the bedroom Horrigan tossed a set of keys in Joey's direction.

"Run down and get the first aid kit from my trunk, willya!"

Joey ran. He took the stairwell and bounded down, two steps at a time. Past the alarmed doorman he ran through the entrance and to Horrigan's parked Plain Jane car. In the trunk he found the regulation first aid kit and grabbed it. He took the stairs again and he was panting when he arrived on the fifth floor.

Horrigan was dusting off his suit, and Mr. Everheart was coughing and wheezing.

"Wouldn't you know it? He tried to get up and run!" Horrigan exclaimed. "A good thing that Sgt. N'gomo helped me to restrain him."

N'gomo collapsed her steel baton against a door jamb giving Joey a grim wink. He suppressed a satisfied grin and ran down the corridor with the first aid kit. At the door he paused. He saw the young cop as he performed CPR on a prone woman. Fabiana knelt at her side with tears streaming down her face. Maureen also stood by, watching the efforts with a grim look on her beautiful face. Joey stood helplessly. The first aid kit could not help here he knew. He remembered the volunteer first aid course he had taken at UPenn.

"Officer, if you keep up the heart massage I can do the breathing. I took a first aid course just last year."

The young officer did not turn. "Do it!" he rapped, and Joey dropped to his knees.

Careful to do everything right, he tilted the strange woman's head back to open the airway. There was drool and blood on her face, but now was not the time to be squeamish. Joey took a deep breath and closed his mouth over the woman's while pinching her nose shut. He exhaled into her mouth, but her chest didn't rise and he felt resistance. Her airway was almost closed. He tried again, lifting her chin and tilting her head further back. This was better. He got air in on this try.

"Count to fifteen between breaths!" the cop rapped, straining with the heart massage.

Joey did as told. It was very unlike his training to be doing this with a partner, but the cop seemed to be trained well. Joey counted twenty-five breaths until they heard noises in the hallway and a second later two EMTs rushed in and took charge. Joey was pushed aside while one of the techs inserted a tube into the woman's throat. He had to try twice before he succeeded but then he attached a balloon to the tube and began to pump air into her lungs. Meanwhile, the second tech had activated his AED.

"Stand back!" he ordered, and his partner let go.

The body of the woman jerked with the electric shock, and the second EMT checked for pulse.

"She's back!" he announced, and his partner resumed breathing her.

The AED was hooked up and the rhythmic beep-beep of its ECG unit told them that Mrs. Everheart's heart was beating again.

"Okay, let's move her! Chop-chop!" the senior EMT ordered.

Joey and the young cop helped to put the unconscious woman on the stretcher and the two EMTs wheeled her out of the apartment and into the elevator. The cop went with them but Joey felt he had to let them do their job. He went back and helped a sobbing Fabiana stand up. Maureen took his arm.

"Joey, can you stash her at your house for the night? I'd offer her Deirdre's room, but she'll be my witness."

Joey nodded. "She can stay in the guest room. Is she allowed to take her suitcase?"

"I can't see why not. Take a cab and get a receipt. I'll see to it that you'll be reimbursed."

He took Fabiana's arm but she suddenly jerked upright.

"Megan! We haven't checked on Megan!"

She was already running down the hall, Officer N'gomo in tow. Joey followed apprehensively. They found the little girl sleeping through the turmoil and closed the door carefully. Maureen called Youth Services on her cell phone to arrange for a case officer to come by and take care.

"Shouldn't I take care of her?" Fabiana asked.

"Afraid not. We have to go along regulation road here. Do you know if the Everhearts have any relatives in Philadelphia?"

"Yes, yes!" Fabiana gushed, glad to be of help. "Mrs. Everheart's mother lives here. I have her phone number. Mrs. Everheart said I should call her mother when I couldn't reach her. She's Mrs. Pollard." She fished her cell phone from her pocket and checked her contact list. "215-762-1514," she read and Maureen took note.

"Bring her home, Joey. See that she gets some sleep. I'll call you tomorrow. Oh, can you take Carla overnight?"

"Of course. Tess too, if you want," Joey deadpanned and was rewarded with an admonishing look.

He took Fabiana's suitcase and she picked up a few shopping bags with her belongings and they took the elevator down. Once outside Joey was looking for a cab but a car horn honked and he recognized Felix and Gabi in a shiny black Audi A8.

"What are you two doing here?" Joey asked as Felix got out and popped the trunk.

Loading Fabiana's suitcase into the trunk, Felix grinned. "Cuz, I told you, you can't pass a wind in this town without the old man getting a whiff of it. Just get in. To your house, or to your pretty DA's?"

"Maureen's, please. I have to pick up Tess and Carla. Maureen won't make it home before the wee hours."

Felix put the car in drive and left the curb.

"The woman made it to the ER alive," he gave them the latest news. "That sick bastard throttled her?"

Joey nodded in the affirmative.

"Damn! What a sick shit! How old is this Everheart woman?"

"I think twenty-five?" Fabiana guessed. "She's young, much younger than her husband."

"So, Fabiana, what will you do now?"

"I have not thought about that," Fabiana answered, surprised. "I guess, my au-pair just ended."

"Don't worry, we'll think of something, eh, Joey?"

Joey's thoughts had gone along the same lines.

"Can you switch hosts?" he asked Fabiana. "I mean, will the agency find you other hosts or can you find them yourself?"

"Watcha have in mind, Cuz?"

Gabi laughed. "Of course, it's perfect. Maureen needs to go to work, Joey has college, and the nanny works her regular hours. This would be great."

"Will you tell me what you're talking about or do I get three questions?"

Joey laughed. "I'll ask Maureen if she needs an au-pair to help take care of Carla."

"Perfect!" Felix nodded. "Pops will love that. I mean if your DA girlfriend can keep her fingers off Fabiana, eh?"

Fabiana raised her eyebrows and Joey filled her in. "Maureen is a lesbian. Her partner died three years ago. Carla is the result of a one-time lapse with me. Or maybe, two time. Maureen has a grown daughter already."

"Eh, you hear from that Deirdre girl lately?" Felix asked. "Damned ungrateful of her to ditch you after what you did for her."

"Leave it be, Felix," Joey sighed. "That thing really fucked her up and she doesn't know half of the story."

"Yeah. A shame that! I figured her as your wife back then. Damn those fuckers! Well, we'll make them pay if we ever find them, eh?"

Joey grimaced, still feeling queasy when he thought of killing the Montalbans. It did not help that they had it coming. It did not help that Deirdre would have never been safe from them. It did not help that they had destroyed his and Deirdre's future together. He knew that he would kill them again given the opportunity, but the memory still made him sick. He forced himself back to the present.

"Think of it. You've met Maureen today. I can ask her, but only if you want. Okay?"

Fabiana nodded. "Thank you. I'm really glad I met you in the park," she said, putting her hand on Joey's arm. "Do you think Mrs. Everheart will live?"

"That's something we'll have to wait for," Joey sighed. "She made it alive to the hospital. I guess, that's a big step. I take it she's a nice woman?"

"I've only been with them for seven weeks. She was nice to me."

It took them fifteen minutes to reach Maureen's house and another fifteen to wake Tess and fill her in. Carla was sleeping while she was carried to Joey's car and she kept sleeping for the short way home. Felix escorted them home and it was then that Joey discovered that they had been shielded by two cars, front and back, all the time. Felix took security serious.

Fabiana was shown to the guest room while Joey and Tess quickly dragged some bedding and other necessities into the room. They all took showers before they went to bed a little after eleven o'clock.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 24: Making the First Step

Maureen came by for breakfast. Joey was skipping the first classes of the day to wait for her. She looked decidedly tired.

"The woman will live," she announced. "We'll charge her husband with manslaughter, but he'll be out on bail this afternoon. Miss Zimariano, I would advise you to keep a low profile. He is a very unstable person. He may come after you. I will ask the judge to deny bail but I don't have much hope."

Fabiana was worried as they could see. Perhaps it was not a good idea for Fabiana to be in Maureen's house. If that man came for Fabiana, Carla could be in danger, too.

"I'll ask Uncle Vince to take you in for a couple of days," he told Fabiana.

Fabiana smirked at first, but then she nodded. "At least, I'll be safe there," she conceded.

Maureen left with Carla then and Joey dialed his great uncle's number. Of course, Vincent Di Rosa would be happy to host the granddaughter of his old friend, Don Emilio Zimariano, and Joey had to promise to drive her out to the Di Rosa estate.

He had just ended the call when his phone beeped. To his surprise it was the female cop, Sgt. N'gomo, who called.

"Hi, Mr. Di Rosa, it's Sgt. N'gomo. Remember me?"

"Sure. What can I do for you?"

"It's about Maureen, I mean Mrs. Darling. Mr. Everheart threatened her personally yesterday. He said he'll find out who she is and where she lives and he'll bury her. He was raving, yes, but I think he may just be out of control enough to go after her. She's shrugging it off. They may release him on bail this morning."

"What is it with this guy?"

There was some hesitation and a deep sigh. "Okay, here's the beef: He was an analyst with an investment firm and it seems he made a few bad calls over the last year. They canned him a week ago. I guess the world is caving in on him and he's taking it out on the people around him."

Joey thought briefly. This was worrisome. Maureen should have learned the lesson about dealing with violent perpetrators.

"I'll talk to her. Thanks for the heads-up. I can take our daughter to stay with me for a while, and I'll talk to a cousin of mine. He runs a security firm. Maybe, she'll allow me to have some security installed in her house."

"That's a good idea. I'll talk to the folks in your precinct to increase the patrols in her street."

"Great, that may scare him away if he tries something. Thanks!"

"De nada! Maureen is a friend. I'll call you if I learn something new."

"You do that. Take care!"

After disconnecting the call Joey thought only briefly. Three people were under threat now, Fabiana, Maureen, and most importantly, Carla. He had to inform Uncle Vince.

Of course, the opportunity to talk to his uncle presented itself when he drove Fabiana out to the family estate. A maid showed Fabiana to her room while Joey told his uncle about the situation asking for his advice. The old man listened silently, only once uttering a condemning "Che infamia!" when Joey related the injuries Mrs. Everheart had sustained. When Joey ended, the old man sighed.

"Let me talk to some people. Maybe, we can talk some reason into that man."

Joey smirked. He had a vague idea of the methods of persuasion Uncle Vince's men might put to use. To his surprise and secret chagrin it did not bother him overly if only Carla and Maureen were safe. His uncle continued.

"You have to understand that this is a serious matter. I gave my word to look after my old friend Emilio Zimariano's granddaughter. It will be best to have this man put away. Once he is in prison things will work out by themselves given his bad temper."

"I'll talk to Maureen. I think it may be better to have Carla in my house for the time being."

"That's good thinking. Talk to Teresa. Tell her not to open the door to any stranger. Tell her not to leave doors open."

Joey smirked again. "I'll do that. Thank you for helping."

"Carla is of Di Rosa blood, Joseph," Vincent Di Rosa admonished Joey. "Never forget that. We take care of our own."

Leaving Fabiana with his uncle Joey drove home. He made a detour to Maureen's house and when he arrived he found Maureen at home. They quickly surveyed the house and made a list of weak points. There weren't many, Joey learned. When Di Rosa General Contractors had renovated the house they had ramped up the security. All ground level windows had reinforced frames and panes and would not budge to anything short of a battering ram. The doors, front and back, were solid mahogany, an inch thick, with steel reinforcements around the locks and hinges, and a seven point locking system. The lock system itself was Swiss made, as was his own, with special keys that could not be copied by a garden variety locksmith. This front was safe.

There remained the underground parking at the DA's office and the drive home as potential interception points. Joey discussed this with Maureen to make sure she was careful.

He played with Carla for an hour before he bade Maureen good-bye and drove home. He had lost a full day over this business and for the rest of the evening until Tess came home he tried to read up on what he had missed. His professors were cool enough about such things. Joey was one of their best students, and one of his teachers, Professor Harland, was his mentor in a project he was pursuing. Joey had promised to put in some work over the weekend.

When Tess arrived she gave him the usual kiss and ran upstairs to change. What a difference the last three years had made! Nobody would be able to tell that Tess had been all but palsied the way she moved these days. She was not exactly beautiful with the strong features she had developed as she grew up, but she was attractive as hell with a body to die for and enough energy to drive three normal girls. They had dinner together and talked about their day. Tess made a face when Joey told her that he had informed their uncle of the situation.

"Think he'll have him iced?" she asked rather casually.

"Nah," Joey replied. "I guess they'll have some of those scary looking guys clue him in on who he's messing with. He'll see the light."

"And what if he's stupid?" Tess asked.

Joey shrugged, a little surprised at his indifference. "I saw what he did to his wife, Tess. If he runs against a wall a few times or gets his kneecaps busted, I won't lose any sleep over it."

Joey did feel bad though when, a little after two o'clock, Maureen called.

"Everheart is dead," she said. "He jumped from his window a little after midnight. I'll get the report tomorrow but I suppose we can relax."

A suspicion formed in Joey's head. His uncle had obviously decided that Everheart posed a risk that weighed heavier than his usefulness for mankind. His eyes narrowed a bit but then who was he to judge, with two hits to his credit? Therefore he did not ask any questions.

"I know it may sound heartless but I feel relieved. I was worried about you. Your warrior princess, Sergeant N'gomo, called me yesterday and told me of his threats."

"And you were worried because he threatened me?"

"A little, yes."

"Don't be, Joey. I even have an off-duty police officer sleeping in my guest room. Numi pulled some strings. The woman is connected."

"Sgt. N'gomo?"

"Yes, Numi N'gomo. She's an old acquaintance of Karen and me."

"That's good, Maureen. Make sure to go out with her next weekend. She seems to like you."

Joey could hear Maureen blushing on the other end.

"Stop that nonsense!" she barked. "Now, go back to sleep. I'll call you again tomorrow. Ask that Fabiana for her plans. I can offer her a place as au-pair."

"Sounds like a plan. She seemed open to the idea yesterday. Maybe she likes you, too?"

"Joey, please stop this. I want Carla to grow up like a normal girl. I can't start anything with a woman. I don't want her to be hurt the way..." She stopped in mid-sentence.

"The way Deirdre was hurt?" Joey asked softly. "I don't think it was you living with a woman, Maureen. It was more that she felt she had to emulate your ways to be acceptable to you and Karen. This and Karen's way to interact with the males of our species."

"I keep thinking of her, Joey. I want her back so badly. It feels like a part of my soul is missing. Two parts, I miss Karen, too."

Joey felt a constriction in his throat. Thinking of Deirdre still had this effect on him, even after three years.

"Maybe you could invite her over Christmas? Be real nice to her. Tell her I'll be gone over Christmas, so it's just you and her."

"You are going away over the holidays?"

"I was thinking of it. Tess and I want to see something of the world. Maybe we'll go to Sicily to see our roots."

"I don't know, Joey. What if she turns me down?"

"Maureen, you'll never know if you don't ask," Joey answered, well aware that he was in a wrong position to make that remark.

Maureen saw it, too. "Balls! That one from you!"

"I know, I know, but it's different. You'll always be her mother; I'm just the ex-boyfriend."

Maureen sighed audibly. "Okay, I'll try. Have Fabiana call me tomorrow. Good Night!"

"Same. Try to sleep, Maureen."

-------

After breakfast, Joey called Fabiana at his uncle's house and told her of Everheart's unlamented demise. She took it well.

"That mean I can go back to the City?"

"Yes, and Maureen would offer you a new au-pair position in her house. You could help her. It's not too much work."

"She seems nice, your Maureen," Fabiana said. "Pick me up this evening. I told your uncle I'll spend some time with him."

"Will do. Tell him thank you for his trouble for me. I'll pick you up at six and bring you over to Maureen's place."

-------

An hour later saw Joey in Professor Harland's laboratory. Harland was a microbiologist, and Joey, the would-be savior of the developing world, was in his third year doing volunteer work in Harland's lab. His study object, a unicellular organism from South America, was a unique model system for genetic studies but is was notoriously finicky to manipulate in the laboratory. It was also the causative agent of a potentially lethal infection with serious late effects such as cardiovascular damage. Together with Harland, Joey was working to test new ways to cultivate and manipulate this organism.

Work in the Level 3 Biohazard Unit was routine to Joey after two years. In the air lock leading into the safety lab he changed into blue scrubs, a blue lab coat, special gloves, head cover, and a face mask. Inside the low air pressure room Joey opened the incubator and took out a set of tissue culture flasks. Using a high powered inverted microscope he examined the contents of the flasks, going slowly through the focus planes. slowly through the focus planes.

There! He saw movement. Carefully focussing the lenses he followed the tiny organism as it undulated in the liquid growth medium. There! Another one! Both looked intact, motile and viable. He searched more. In the course of the next ten minutes, Joey could detect at least twenty of the minuscule cells. It was undeniable. The organisms were growing under the pressure of the antibiotic selection, meaning that the foreign DNA Joey had introduced worked as expected. Quickly, Joey put the flask with the control culture over the lens.

For over a half hour, Joey tried to find living cells in the control flask, to no avail. A feeling of achievement washed over him. The last changes to the electroshock treatment had made a difference. He had discovered a new way to manipulate gene expression in this organism making it more accessible to genetic studies.

In spite of his building excitement Joey secured the flasks in the incubator and treated all surfaces with disinfectant. In the air lock he discarded gloves, face mask, and hood. His coat and his scrubs went into the hamper and then he dressed in his normal lab clothes and left the air lock.

Once outside Joey found Harland's office. The older man looked up.

"Hey, Joey, you look upbeat."

"Andy, I see growth under selection. The negative control is still empty!"

Harland sat upright. "You sure?"

Joey made a face. "I counted twenty or so live cells in the transfected culture, but not one in the mock control, and I spent half an hour looking. Of course we'll have to wait for a few more days to be sure but I'll do another electroshock tomorrow. In ten days, we'll know."

"That's a good plan. I'll talk to the Dean, Joey. You'll miss a few courses in the next weeks, but this is more important than looking at fossils. I'll be fair to you. I will not add another person to this project. If this comes through, you'll be the First Author. I expect full commitment in exchange. Okay?"

Joey smiled. A first authorship? This would be a big story. This could earn him a place in a top rated PhD program.

"I'll talk to my sister and my daughter's mother. I'll come in on the weekends and put in a few night shifts if that's all right."

"You need to give me your schedule in advance so I can be here as backup. I can't let an undergraduate student work at BSL 3 without supervision. This story may be hot, Joey, but I don't want to lose my job over this. I'll talk to my wife and clear it with her but I need a schedule."

"I'll work on it," Joey promised. "The next four weeks I won't need night shifts. After Christmas I have X-ray diffraction with Professor Edwards all afternoon. That's when I'll have to work nights."

Harland nodded. "I'll tell the Dean anyway. If this works out, we may land a Science paper. That ought to be more important for this school than regular course attendance."

-------

Two weeks after the Everheart incident Maureen received a letter from one of the oldest law firms in Philadelphia, Stansfield, Lipton and Croft, asking her for an interview. Maureen was nonplussed. She'd never had any dealings with the firm as they mostly represented large corporations. Nevertheless, she accepted an interview a week later.

The place was plush and classy, Maureen found. Real wood paneling adorned the walls of the reception area and the whole place screamed affluence and dignity. None of the name partners were still alive – the firm was established in 1849 – but she was received by the managing partner, Mr. Holloway, and the two other senior partners. Mr. Holloway was all cordiality.

"So nice of you to come, Ms. Darling. Please, these are Mr. Landon and Mr. Washington."

Maureen shook hands with a rotund, balding, sixty-ish man and with a tall, athletic Black man of fifty-odd years.

"Thank you for the invitation, gentlemen," she smiled back. "I must admit that I don't quite know to what I owe this invitation?"

"Quick and to the point, Ms. Darling. No sense wasting time, that's exactly what we try to emulate here," Holloway beamed. "Ms. Darling, your excellent record as Assistant District Attorney has not gone unnoticed. I'll admit that some of your cases were unorthodox in our view, but you showed a tenacity and persuasiveness in the courtroom and in chambers that we see as valuable asset. You were also vouched for by one of our oldest clients, a man whose insight we quite value. In short, Ms. Darling, we would like to offer you a partnership in our firm, succeeding our Mr. Elliston who is retiring. We do not attract many litigation cases, but many of our business clients value in-house referrals if they need trial representation. Such referrals were rather rewarding for our Mr. Elliston, I may add."

Washington cut in. "There is also a serious underrepresentation of female partners and members of minorities."

Maureen squinted her eyes at Washington. "Two for one," she said drily, and Washington nodded.

"Indeed," he confirmed. "That alone would not suffice, though, to make you an offer. It is your powerful presence in the courtroom that we seek."

Maureen nodded. She knew they were buttering her up, and she also knew who the "oldest client" was. Vincent Di Rosa wanted Maureen out of the DA's office in a not-too-subtle way. Yet, this offer might just be the world on a silver platter, much better than the vague hope of being appointed as US attorney in some distant future. For a brief moment Maureen remembered Deirdre's accusations that she was using Joey and his relatives to further her career. She shrugged. This was too attractive to walk away from. All her life she had been the outcast, the odd lesbian woman who would never be taken seriously. Here, she could be part of something powerful. Here, she could make a difference.

"Can you give me more specifics, gentlemen?" she asked, crossing her legs and leaning back in her chair.

-------

Meanwhile Joey put in a lot of lab hours. In spite of his earlier plans he was forced to put in a few all-nighters, too. Harland had some ideas how to make the data more flashy, and Joey spent the nights joining chunks of DNA into working mini chromosomes. They also needed a high powered Confocal Laser Microscope, to gather images and short video clips of live cells, but there was none available in the department. The one in the cell biology department was currently broken. The premeds also had one but they guarded it fiercely against lowly microbiologists. Thus, Andrew Harland called an old friend at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Charles "Chuck" Weintraub in turn talked to his wife Carol who was the proud owner of such a $700,000 piece of hardware.

Four weeks before Christmas, Joey made his first trip to Baltimore. Carol Weintraub herself helped him gather the first set of clips and she quizzed him unobtrusively while they analyzed the agar-embedded cells on the microscope slides. The first session was a sound success but more samples would be necessary. It was agreed that Joey would spend a day each week in Baltimore until Christmas and when he left Carol Weintraub casually mentioned that she would like Joey to present his project before her group the next time he came.

It was a very elated Joseph Di Rosa who drove back to Philadelphia that evening. Dreams of imminent professional success were at the forefront of his thinking when he drove up to Maureen's house at around a quarter to eight. He was eager to report to her about the success, hoping that some of this information would reach Deirdre if and when she visited. If Joey turned out to be a shooting star in microbiology, Deirdre had to relent and give him a chance again, hadn't she?

He alighted from his BMW and knocked at the door. It took a few moments but then a rumpled Fabiana opened.

"Oh, hi Joey," she purred.

Her English had improved dramatically over the past two months but there was an enticing residue of Italian accent left in her speech.

"Hey, Fabi," Joey smiled back at her.

Over the last two months, Fabiana had become a frequent visitor at Joey and Tess' house, either picking up Carla or bringing her over, and always staying for a chat or even some deeper conversation. Joey found it easy to talk to her and one evening, being strung out, he had told her about Deirdre and her abduction.

Fabiana had listened to him patiently her eyes showing nothing but compassion. In the end she had taken his both hands and pressed them.

"That's what Felix meant, eh? You'll ice those fuckers as soon as you find them, right?"

Joey found that Fabiana saw too many Soprano reruns which colored her diction, but he shrugged. Fabiana pressed his hands again.

"Your girlfriend, she was stupid. You did what you could. If I had been her I would have never left you. Porca miseria, what a story!"

Now, Fabiana was standing in the doorway, smiling at him.

"Maureen has gone out and Carla finally fell asleep. I'm the last one standing and I need a grown-up to talk to. Come in!"

Obediently he followed her in and they settled on Maureen's grandmother sofa. Here, Maureen had sat with Karen; here, Joey had sat with Deirdre. Now he sat with Fabiana, babe extraordinaire, while Deirdre looked down at him from the framed photograph on the mantle.

"So, what brings you here?"

"I ... umh ... I wanted to see Maureen."

"Ah, but you are too late. A great, big warrior princess has taken her to dinner, and the way she looked at Maureen your sexy little MILF will be the dessert."

"Numi?"

"The very same," Fabiana laughed. "Madonna, what a woman! Why does Maureen get all the good people?"

"Because she's a good person herself?" Joey hazarded.

"Good save, Joey. And loyal. I'm afraid our warrior queen will replace you in Maureen's bedroom soon. What you gonna do then?"

"Whacking off, what else?" Joey answered, easily entering into the slightly sexually charged banter they enjoyed.

"You are a strange man, Joey," Fabiana mused. "Here I have thrown myself at you for weeks, and you don't even notice."

Joey's eyes went wide. "Jeez, Fabi, I didn't know ... I ... You know, I..."

"Oh, shut up!" Fabiana grumped. "You don't notice anything but this photograph. She left you, Joey. Get used to it and live your life."

"Fabi, I'm sorry, but Deirdre and I..."

"Were meant to be together. I know! What if she's got a boyfriend in California? I mean, look at her. She's pretty. You don't really believe that she's sitting in her dorm room pining after you?"

"Fabi, don't say that!"

"Oh, wake up, Joey. Chances are she's having her new boyfriend over tonight. And all the sweet things she ever said to you, she's telling him now while they're fucking!"

Fabiana stopped and for the first time with Joey, possibly for the first time in her life, she felt true fear. The Joey she knew was gone. Instead a killer had materialized in front of her, with stone cold eyes and a thin line for a mouth. The line parted, and the words that fell out of that mouth felt like an arctic wind in their coldness.

"Shut your mouth! Shut your fucking mouth! What do you know? How can you talk of her like that? I saw what the Montalbans did to her. I saw her lifeless body in the hospital, blood running from all her openings where those animals had raped her for days. I came too late to save her. It's that simple. I was her boyfriend and I failed her when she needed me. Don't you dare to talk about her like that!"

A second later she heard the door fall shut, but Fabiana was still gripped by the fear she felt. Felix' words that evening weeks ago about the Montalbans came to her mind and suddenly she knew in her heart what had really transpired. The Di Rosa had taken them out for a communion, and Joey had avenged his girlfriend.

When she finally got a grip on her fear the remorse washed over her. Joey would hate her now. She had lost a friend. More, she lost a friend she felt respect for. He was smart and caring, a gentle father to Carla and supportive of Maureen. Yet, when push came to shove, he had all the qualities Fabiana had been conditioned to expect of a man. She felt anger at the stupid girl who had rebuked and hurt that fine man.

-------

Maureen Darling sat at her desk and stared at the report, sent by express mail from California. The private investigator had easily found out Deirdre's dorm and room number, her e-mail address and her cell phone number. She might as well get it done, Maureen decided. A little deception would be in order, though. She decided to call with her new iPhone. It had an AT&T prefix number instead of her old Sprint number and Deirdre would not recognize it. Maureen wanted a chance to talk. It was 7 a.m. on the West Coast, a good time. Taking a deep breath Maureen typed in the numbers.

"'lo?" came the sleepy voice of her daughter and Maureen took another deep breath. Two and a half years are a long time.

"Deirdre, this is Maureen. Please let me talk before you hang up!" Maureen realized she sounded panicky.

"M-mom? Is that you?" Deirdre's voice sounded soft, surprised, but not harsh.

"Yes, Deirdre. Can we talk, please?"

"Um-yes, sure. Did anything happen?"

"Deirdre, you're my daughter. We haven't spoken in over two years, and it's killing me."

"Oh, I planned to call you on Christmas, really. Well, I planned that for last Christmas, too, but I chickened out. How'd you get my phone number?"

"I'm in law enforcement, I have my resources."

There was no need for Deirdre to know that she had been cased by a P.I.; that would be too creepy.

"Oh. How are you, and how is ... Hrhm, ah, Carla?"

"She is a sweet girl, and she's growing very fast. I'm getting better. I ... I had my first date last week, after Karen."

"A woman?"

"Of course! Remember? I'm Maureen. I'm a lesbian."

"I just thought you and J-Joey were still together."

"Joey is a great guy and a wonderful father. He's a friend, too, but he's a man. Having a child did not change my sexual identity. It didn't when I had you, and it didn't when I had Carla. Joey and I, that was an accident. It happened when I was very depressed and screwed up. Karen was dead and you were gone. I couldn't just go to our old hang-outs, so soon after Karen.

"I have healed some, and I believe I may have found a woman I may care about. Her name is Numi; she's a cop."

"Oh." Nothing more.

"Deirdre, I was thinking, would you consider coming home for Christmas? I'll be alone with Carla, and I would love to talk to you. Hey, you can throw at me whatever I did to you but please, Deirdre, stop treating me like a leper!"

"Oh, God! Mom, I can't! There are reasons why I moved to California and those reasons still exist. I just can't. Philadelphia is where my nightmares are lurking behind every corner or tree, can't you see that?"

"The Montalbans, right?"

There was no answer, only a ragged breath, almost a sob.

"Deirdre, nobody ever heard of them again. Joey's great uncle says that somebody killed them for the ransom money when they tried to skip the country. Felix Di Rosa even spread the word in his circles that the Di Rosa want them badly. Nothing, and that has to mean something. Deirdre, these animals are not here anymore."

"You have a death certificate and a conclusive coroner's report? Mom, I know I'm not rational. I'm a loon. Thank God I've been with Claire. She knows what happened and she runs interference when I become unglued by something."

"Oh, Baby! I had no idea it was still that bad. Weren't you getting therapy?"

"I was, the first year, but Rachel got kicked out of our health plan. The other therapists on the plan are men, and that just doesn't work."

"Is she still around, your first therapist, Rachel I mean?"

"Yes, I run into her sometimes."

"Go back to her. I'll pay. Baby, you need help. Let me help you, please!"

There was a pause at the other end, but then Deirdre answered.

"That would be great, really. I trust her. Listen, Mom, I'm not stonewalling you. I would like to see you. Could we perhaps meet someplace else? Oh, why don't you visit me? The town will be empty over the holidays, and there are a lot of bed and breakfast places."

Maureen had not thought of that. However, with Joey gone to Europe, who would watch Carla? Then again who said Carla had to stay in Philly?

"I'd love that, Deirdre. I'd have to bring Carla though. Joey is in Italy over the holidays with Tess and so is my au-pair girl. I'm stuck with Carla. She's a sweet girl though."

"Mom, I'd love to see my little sister," Deirdre's whisper came over.

Maureen inhaled deeply. "Okay, let me check the flights to San Francisco. Wait, why don't we do this: I'll rent a car in Frisco and pick you up in Eureka. Then we go to some resort hotel for a week, just you, me, and Carla. After the holidays I'll drop you off in Eureka and we can set up things with that therapist. How's that sound?"

"You mean a resort hotel with a pool and stuff? A week?"

"More if you want. Find a place you like; I'll look, too. Send me the info by e-mail. Oh, Baby, I'm so happy!"

"Mom, chances are that we'll argue, you know."

"Oh yeah! I know. I want to argue, too. Make no mistakes, I have a few issues. We need to talk, though. I want you back in my life and if I have to listen to some tough truths for that, it's a price I'm willing to pay."

"Okay, Mom. I know I also made mistakes. Let's bring everything out into the open. You look for a flight and I'll check resort hotels. Mom, I need to go to the bathroom badly, and my class starts at eight. Thank you for making the first step. I mean it. I tried a few times but I chickened out."

"Have a good day, Baby. Thank you for listening. I can't wait to hear from you!"

"Bye, Mom! Ahem, how is Joey?"

"In a nutshell, he's working too much. He has some hot project going at UPenn. He explained it to me, but he could explain it to me in Italian and I would understand it just as well. He spends every free minute in that laboratory. I'm glad that he and Tess decided to go to Sicily. That way he'll have some rest.

"For a while I thought he and Fabiana, my au-pair, had something going but they fell out last week. Neither one will talk about it but Fabiana has asked questions about you, so I think the fight was over you."

"How? I haven't seen him in over three years."

"Deirdre, I still have that picture of you on the mantle over the fireplace. Whenever Joey comes to pick up Carla, that's where his eyes go first. You may have moved on but he's not over you."

All Maureen heard was a sob and then the connection was dead. She shook her head. What a mess! Something had to be done. It was quite obvious that Joey and Deirdre both suffered under their estrangement and neither would ever be happy without the other. Well, first things first. If Maureen wanted to help she needed to be back in Deirdre's life herself.

Local color



-------

Chapter 25: Mother-Daughter Issues

On the evening after calling Deirdre, after spending another hour on the internet and reviewing resort hotels, Maureen sent an e-mail to her daughter with a proposed plan. She had a flight to San Francisco on the 21st and she would spend the night in an airport hotel. On Saturday the 22nd, she'd drive up north and pick up Deirdre in Eureka before heading to The Bellweather Inn which was located on the Redwood Coast. They would stay until January 2 before they would head back to Eureka. Maureen suggested to make an appointment with the therapist for Januray 3rd. Maureen crossed her fingers after she pressed the "Send" button.

Deirdre answered before the next morning and when Maureen got up and fired up her laptop there was the reply. Yes to everything in short. Carla was still sleeping and Maureen confirmed the flight reservations and the hotel booking.

The next thing Maureen did was sneaky. The P.I. had provided her with contact information for Deirdre's room mate including a cell phone number. She also knew that the girl, Claire Ingram, was a business major and not likely to be with Deirdre during the day. She was lucky when she called the young woman in the early afternoon.

"Ingram," she heard.

"Claire Ingram? This is Maureen Darling. I am Deirdre's mother. Please excuse me if I call you out of the blue but I need your advice. Do you have a minute?"

"Yes?" the voice was guarded. "Deirdre said you called her."

"Yes, I will come to California over the holidays to see Deirdre. I have a reason for calling. You have to know that Deirdre has not accepted a dime from me for over two years. I know she must be really short on money and other things. I just want to ask if you know what her greatest wish is."

"Gee, Mrs. Darling, you're right. She's not flush with money. She has jobs to keep her afloat and she has a fellowship, but she barely breaks even."

"Then there has to be something that she wants or needs and cannot afford."

"Well, she's got this very old laptop, I think it's an old Powerbook, one of the black ones like Carrie Bradshaw had or even older. It doesn't run the software she needs very well and she bitches a lot about the time it takes to run the calculations."

Maureen groaned inwardly. That Powerbook had been obsolete even when Deirdre bought it four years ago.

"Well, we can't have that," she answered brightly, relieved to have a clue already. "What brand do you think she wants?"

"Oh, she's a Mac nut. A Dell would never fly with her."

"Okay, I can do that. Don't let her know about my call, please. Thank you very much!"

"Umh, Ms. Darling, please don't be hard on Deirdre. She's still hurting so much. She told me everything so I know what it's about."

"Yes, I know. That's one purpose of my visit to get her all the help she needs. Thank you for being her friend all those years."

"That was easy: I like her a lot. Will that be all? I need to go to class."

"Oh, I'm sorry, of course. Thank you again and have a Merry Christmas."

When the connection broke Maureen left her office to visit Derek Jacobsen, a fellow ADA in the office and the resident evangelist for the Cult of Apple. He had talked her into getting her new phone, and so far she could not complain.

"Hi Derek. Listen, I want to buy my daughter a laptop for Christmas and she's a Mac person. Is there something I need to know?"

Was there ever! When Maureen left Derek's office an hour later he had helped her configure a laptop he thought was appropriate for a post-graduate student. He had dismissed the consumer series MacBooks and advised on a Pro series model. Maureen was to buy the basic midrange model and Derek would install more RAM and a larger hard drive for her. It was cheaper that way he argued, and the OEM hard drive – whatever that was – could be used for backups. Derek was very helpful but Maureen was still grateful when she finally escaped his flood of well meant advice.

There was an Apple Store on Suburban Square and she found an alert young woman who helped her with the purchase. Since Derek had specified the model, Maureen was able to leave the store just fifteen minutes later with a dent in her credit card and an expensive piece of hardware in her shopping bag. She had also found a stylish satchel bag to go along with the laptop and she drove home feeling smug.

-------

"Do you need assistance with your child, Ma'am?" the woman at check-in asked.

The question was not far-fetched as Maureen had to admit. She was carrying three bags, one for her own needs, the diaper bag for Carla, and the laptop satchel while pushing the foldable stroller with Carla.

"That would be helpful, yes. I've never travelled with my daughter before. It's a bit daunting."

"Somebody will assist you with boarding, Mrs. Darling. Will you be all right getting to the gate?"

Maureen nodded. The diaper bag could be attached to the stroller and the other two bags were manageable. Or so she thought. Security turned out to be a nightmare. Loading everything on the conveyor, unpacking the laptop for inspection, and getting Carla out of the stroller made her wish for three or four additional hands. In addition Carla began to fuss getting it in her head just then that she wanted to walk by herself.

The gum chewing woman in the blue pant suit was not sympathetic at all. She made Maureen unpack the diaper bag for inspection and then wanted to see her shoes, too. Maureen suspected that she enjoyed the harassment of this well-to-do woman who had to juggle three bags, one stroller and a struggling two-year-old. Maureen was about to snap when she remembered an old trick and cooled it. Taking her time she talked to Carla and calmed her down. She untied her shoes one at a time. She smiled serenely at the inspector as she took her sweet time to put the shoes back on, still talking to Carla.

"You want to move on, Lady," the inspector finally snapped at her.

"In a moment," Maureen answered with another serene smile. "You don't want me to go barefoot, do you?"

In the end the inspector helped her to reassemble her bags and stroller just to get her moving. At the gate an airline representative helped her with boarding. Still, Maureen leaned back with a relieved sigh once every bit of luggage was stowed away.

A moment later Maureen had to get up again to allow another mother with child enter the seat row. The woman was red-faced, sweaty and seething with anger. She had an infant with her of less than a year and she was grateful when Maureen offered to hold the baby until she could stow away her bags. With a sigh not unlike Maureen's the woman dropped into the seat and retrieved her baby.

"I'm gonna complain this time," the woman seethed. "That Nazi cow at security, I swear she enjoyed putting me through the paces. She had me unpack every bottle of ointment and Billy cried all the time."

"I had her, too," Maureen commiserated. "She even had me take off my shoes. I just took my time. In the end she even had to help me just to get the line moving again."

"I was so close to slapping her!" the woman fumed.

"Not good," Maureen said lightly. "You have to play it cool with those people. They have so much powers these days, and it's just not worth it to fight them. I'm Maureen Darling, by the way."

"Miranda Saunders," the woman answered. "Are you from Philly?"

"Yes, I'm spending the holidays with my older daughter in Northern California. She goes to college there."

The woman stared at Maureen incredulously. "Is she some sort of prodigy?"

"No, I had her when I was twenty," Maureen explained.

"Oh, her first Christmas away from home."

Maureen shook her head with a wry smile. "She's a Senior. I'm forty-one."

"Damn, there goes my self-esteem. I had you pegged at thirty-five, max."

Maureen was not immune against flattery, and soon the two women were engaged in a lively conversation. Miranda Saunders was an attorney too, working at the Treasury. She was visiting her parents in Monterey over the holidays. She was guarded about her marital status and Maureen did not press. She hinted at her own orientation but did not flaunt it overly.

She picked up good vibes from Miranda who obviously was not prejudiced against lesbian women to say the least. They continued to talk all through the flight and when they exited the plane and waited for their luggage they even exchanged phone numbers. It felt good to Maureen to be attractive to a much younger woman. She'd had dinner twice with Numi N'Gomo in the last two weeks. She felt there was something, a spark, between them, but she could use all the flattery and buttering up to sooth her still rather bruised ego.

A shuttle picked up Maureen and Carla and brought them to the hotel. Carla was fussy now and Maureen spent the rest of the evening playing with her and reading to her until she fell asleep.

On the next morning, the rental car was waiting for her with the child's seat she had specified. It was a Jeep Cherokee and it took a while for Maureen to get accustomed to the size and weight of this car. The navigation system was up to date, though, and it piloted Maureen out of San Francisco and northward. She drove along Route 101 but it took her almost six hours to arrive in Eureka. Up to this point Maureen had been calm but once the navigation system took her through the last turns and intersections she felt sweat on her palms.

She found the dormitory without problems and parked in a visitor parking lot. Gathering Carla, the diaper bag, and the new laptop satchel Maureen walked to the entrance and looked at the directory. Thankfully, there was an elevator that took her to the second floor. Again Maureen had to get her bearings. Apartment 2.07 was to the right. With her heart beating all the way up in her throat Maureen pressed the bell button and held her breath.

"Mom!"

Whatever doubts and fears Maureen had held evaporated in the violent hug Deirdre gave her. Carla was startled and started to whimper a little causing Deirdre to let go and step back. Now Maureen would have been able to look at Deirdre but her eyes were too misted up to see clearly.

"Hello, Carla," she heard Deirdre coo.

Blinking a few times Maureen was able to clear her vision. There was Deirdre, tall, slender and almost unchanged. Maureen reached out and touched her daughter's cheek.

"Baby," was all she could say.

Deirdre leaned into the touch and sighed deeply. "You look great, Mom."

"So do you, Baby. You're still my pretty girl."

"You wanna come in and fresh up or should we go?"

"If you don't mind I'd like to see your room, Deirdre."

"Oh, okay, come in. Watch that shoe rack."

The room was not too small, perhaps 15 by 12 feet, and there were two beds. One was loaded with two bags. On the other bed a young woman was sitting who got up hastily.

"Hi, Ms. Darling, I'm Claire Ingram."

"Hi, Claire. It's nice to meet you. This is Carla, my younger daughter."

"Oh, hey, you're a sweety," Claire cooed poking Carla's belly playfully.

Carla giggled dutifully and Claire went into full "Uh-uh-da-da" mode. Maureen put Carla on her feet sighing with relief and looked around. On Claire's side the room was appointed with some decoration and a few items such as movie posters and a flat screen TV/DVD combo. Deirdre's side was spartan by contrast. Maureen looked at Deirdre's clothes and blushed pink seeing the threadbare sweater over faded blue jeans. She pointed a finger at her daughter.

"We'll stop on the way to get you some new clothes."

Deirdre smirked. "Do I have a say in this?"

Maureen shook her head. "No. I want to spend the holidays with my pretty daughter and not with a bag lady. If you have more of those rags in your bag put them back in your wardrobe. Pick whatever you want but I want you to have new clothes."

Deirdre shrugged. "Okay, I guess. You won't hear me complaining."

She opened the duffel bag she had packed and Maureen was dismayed at how little Deirdre had packed for the ten-day trip. She sighed.

"We had better get moving. We have two hours to drive and at least as much to get you some decent clothes."

Deirdre showed some irritation. "Mom, you know that I don't put much store in clothes."

"Then do it for me," Maureen answered. "I feel terrible right now seeing you in those ragged clothes. It's like I'm the evil stepmother who won't even give you something to dress in."

"Okay," Deirdre sighed. "If you feel strongly about it then let's do it. No dresses though and nothing neat. Just two or three blue jeans and maybe a nice sweater or two."

"Fair enough. Pick some new boots, too. Now, shall we go? Claire, it has been a pleasure meeting you. Oh, I brought something for you."

Maureen held out a small parcel to the young woman. Claire was surprised, but she took the gift and smiled.

"Thank you, Ms. Darling. Should I unwrap it now?"

"No, no, wait until Christmas. It's just a small token of gratitude."

Deirdre's eyebrows shot up when she heard that, and Maureen explained. "Claire was kind enough to give me some information I needed. You will see on Christmas morning." Seeing Deirdre's smile she understood. "Oh, I see. Well, Claire is your friend. Here, take it! This way I don't have to carry it around all the time."

Maureen held out the navy blue satchel and Deidre took it by the shoulder strap. She hesitated.

"Oh, open the damned bag already! It's for your work mostly."

Deirdre pulled at the flap and the Velcro strips ripped open.

"The Pro? The 15-inch? Mom, that's too much! That's ... thank you! This will help me so much!" Impulsively, Deirdre stepped close and gave Maureen a crushing hug. "I need to bring my old one along to transfer my files and my software. Oh, better just the backup disk. Lemme see, yes, here's the Firewire cable. Oh, Mom, this is really great."

Maureen basked in Deirdre's obvious joy and she cast another grateful glance at Claire who smiled back. It took another twenty minutes for Deirdre to collect whatever she needed. It was refreshingly like Deirdre that her book bag was heavier than the duffle that held her clothes. In the end, they all sat in the Cherokee and Claire was waving from the steps of the dorm.

Maureen left the curb and navigated out of the campus to find Route 101 again. In a strip mall along the highway they found a jeans shop that had Lee jeans, Deirdre's favorites. Maureen sent her daughter in with $500 and the strict order to spend them. Deirdre came back not thirty minutes later with a load of shopping bags and wearing a new, burgundy knit sweater. A sporting goods store was raided next and Deidre emerged wearing a brand-new pair of Lowa Air trekking boots. Another pair of Lowa hiking shoes was in the shopping bag, together with Deirdre's old boots. Satisfied that her daughter had at least new clothes Maureen started the Jeep and headed north.

Deirdre spend the first half hour leaning over the back rest and playing with her half-sister. When she turned around again she looked at Maureen quizzically.

"Why 'Carla'?" she asked.

"You really don't know?" Maureen asked, slightly surprised.

"No."

"She's named after Joey's mother," Maureen answered. "Joey asked and I certainly did not plan to name her Ethel after my mother. Her last name is Di Rosa, too. I mean, you and I, we both had to listen to those lame 'Darling'-jokes all our lives. I wanted to spare Carla that aggravation."

Deirdre just nodded. "I didn't know the first name of Joey's mother. He did not talk of her much. I guess the wound was too fresh back then." She had the quizzical frown on her face again. "Speaking of paternal last names, can you finally tell me who my father is or was? I mean I'm twenty-one. Shouldn't I know who contributed to my genome?"

Maureen's hands tightened around the steering wheel. "I didn't see that one coming," she temporized.

"I know, that's why I fired it when you couldn't duck. Really, Mom, this is not about judging you or something. Don't you think I have the right to know?"

Maureen stared straight ahead, trying to marshal her thoughts and emotions. "I guess you have. I never told you because it was one of the most hurtful experiences in my youth."

"Mom, were you raped?" Deirdre's tone showed panic.

"Almost. Oh, damn, I guess I was. I was in college. It was early in my Junior year. I was a lot like you now then, living on a small fellowship and working on the side. Wearing worn-out jeans and hand-knitted sweaters. I was an outcast mostly. People knew about my orientation. The guys saw no percentage in talking to me and the girls were afraid that my being a lesbian might rub off on them.

"There was one girl, Geraldine Picket, who I had this huge crush on. God, she was beautiful, witty, nice and smart. Only problem: she was as straight as a ruler. Oh, she didn't bad-mouth me, she was 'tolerant', she 'accepted my lifestyle', and she made a point of including me in her small clique. I didn't give a crap about her clique. I only saw Geraldine and I wanted her to care for me. It hurt me when I saw her with her boyfriend, Craig Tobias. It made me sick when she told me of him and how much she adored him. It was simple: she crushed on him as bad as I crushed on her.

"Then, two weeks before Christmas break she all of a sudden asked me to join them for a dinner. Craig would bring one of his frat brothers along and I was to blind date him. I protested at first reminding her that I wasn't really dating material. She told me then that we might get together during the evening. She said that Craig and his friend, Evan, would probably be drunk and fall asleep and she wanted to cuddle with me. God, I was stupid and believed her!

"I agreed and we went for dinner: Craig, Evan, Geraldine, and little lesbian me. True enough both guys ordered beer and before we even had the main course they'd had two pitchers. I was getting my hopes up for a little touchy-feely with Geraldine later. After dinner we went to a bar. We weren't carded so no problem. I had two glasses of wine and the guys had more beer. It was really nice and I remember laughing a lot.

"We got a cab and had ourselves driven back, but to Craig's off-campus apartment. There were more drinks there and suddenly Geraldine sat on my lap and we kissed. The guys laughed and clapped and then Geraldine was feeling me up."

"Mom, you don't have to continue..."

"No, it's okay. Karen was the only person to ever know this. Well, Geraldine was getting me worked up and soon she dragged me off into a bedroom. She closed the door and then she started undressing me. I was worried because of the guys but she told me it was okay; she would deal with them later if they were still awake. She undressed herself and then she lay back on the bed and opened her legs for me.

"Let me tell you one thing, Deirdre: it's a myth that lesbian women go for the beaver at the first opportunity. Oral sex, well cunnilingus, is something we don't usually do with somebody we are not really comfortable with. I mean, I crushed on Geraldine but this was the first time we had even touched. So I asked what was going on here? And she goes, what, you don't want this?

"I told her I really liked her but that I was feeling uncomfortable going for broke right away. She said sorry and that she didn't really know how to do this and she gave me that really great kiss and I felt all woozy. Remember, I really was into her. Next thing I know I'm on my back and she's kissing the daylights out of me. I kind of got into a zone then kissing her back and she was feeling me up all over.

"Then she starts to moan and I'm thinking, wait, I'm not doing anything to her. I open my eyes and there's Craig looming over us and he's pumping away at Geraldine from behind. He winks at me and I'm thinking hey, I'm getting some, Geraldine is getting some, what's the harm? I mean, I was buzzed pretty good, right? I close my eyes again and enjoy her kisses. She gets bolder with her fingers, mostly rubbing around, well you can get the picture. She really works me up and I'm getting all aroused.

"Then, suddenly her fingers are gone but something big pushes in. I look up and there's this guy Evan on top of me and he's in me and I scream. I really scream the house down. Craig and Geraldine are to my left still going at it and they stop and Craig says something like, 'Dude, that's going to far, pull out!'. But then this Evan guy starts jerking and moaning and he is cumming in me, the stupid ass.

"Now Craig is really angry and pushes Evan from the bed and he and Geraldine apologize to me. Geraldine takes me to the bathroom to flush out the sperm because, you know, why would I be on the pill? When we come out from the bathroom Evan is gone and Craig and Geraldine are both sorry and they hug me and all. Didn't help though because two weeks later my period didn't come.

"By that time good old Craig is in full fraternity mode and he's stonewalling me. No, he doesn't know Evan. He's not even a frat brother. My big crush Geraldine suddenly isn't sorry anymore either and she can't help me. Gee, she doesn't know Evan at all. All I have is a first name which does not match any name in Craig's fraternity and a belly that gets bigger with each passing day.

"So I go to the counselors and they get me some assistance and find a place in a special program for me. I finish Junior year, I drag my big belly through classes all fall and I give birth to you in February. My professors cut me some slack and I finish with decent grades. You know the rest: I got another fellowship for law school and they had a day care facility so I could keep you."

"You never found out his name?"

"I did later when I was at the DA's office in Pittsburgh. One of the cops who worked for us owed me a favor. It was easy. All he had to do was to find out the name of Craig's best man when he married Geraldine. They had set me up. It was a sham. Geraldine played the bait so Evan Connor could nail me. Yes, his name is Evan Connor. He moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he is a partner in a personal injury law firm."

"Ambulance chaser, huh?" Deirdre asked.

"That's right. Now, did I ever confront him? No, and I won't. I managed without him and we never went hungry or lacking for things. You can go and find him but you have to count me out. I need that guy as I would need a lip herpes. I did not want him to ever come near you."

"No revenge, Mom?"

"Who said that? Geraldine got a bit bored with Craig it seems and she slept around with Evan. My cop friend got the evidence and I sent it to Craig with compliments. A copy went to Evan's wife, too. Now, they're not friends anymore and not married either.

"Deirdre, you have to believe me one thing: I never ever regretted having you. In fact it was my consolation that I had got something good out of that mess and you are it."

Deirdre looked ahead silently for a minute before she was able to articulate her feelings.

"Wow, that's quite a story. Thanks for telling me at last and thanks for not telling me earlier. Connor, huh? Well, I'll never complain about my last name again. Mom, do I look like him?"

"You got your size from him and your hair color, I guess. He was tall. Character-wise I have no clue. I never knew him really. I would hope and think he left you nothing but physical traits."

"I'm glad you made it on your own, Mom. I won't pretend growing up was easy. You know that. The way I remember Karen is the way she was in that last spring. She always said she didn't have motherly instincts for me. I believe it. She was like a stepfather for me with all the crap fathers tend to do like intimidating boys and stuff." Deirdre took a breath. "J—Joey thought Karen was trying to fill the father role."

Maureen was a little speechless at first. This was deep. This was very personal. "Deirdre, Joey never spoke about that with me. He really said that? When?"

"Right around Christmas. Remember that evening when you and Karen came home and found Joey with his head in my lap? Karen started her act but composed herself when Joey wouldn't get scared or flustered. He made that comment about going out with Karen to shoot the breeze, and when you were both gone, I asked him what he meant. And he said, Karen felt like a stepfather would."

Maureen shook her head. "Who would've thought I'd have a child with Dr. Kinsey? You know, he was right. Karen made love to me like a man and she was possessive like a man. Sometimes it was difficult to assert myself. But she loved me and I loved her."

"Mom, I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you when she died. I could have managed somehow with my studying but I was afraid. Afraid of Philadelphia and afraid to face you. If it's any consolation I felt like shit."

Maureen sighed. "At first, I thought you did it because you blamed Karen."

"Honestly, I did and I still do, but I felt guilty, too. There were so many things to feel guilty about in Philadelphia. You and Joey, foremost. He saved my life, he stood by my side, and all he got was a kick in the balls for his troubles. I should have let him down gentler until he realized it himself."

"Realized what?"

"That his feelings for me were guilt, not love. He tried so hard to show his support, he tried not to be inconsiderate, he tried to pretend he could still love me, after what ... what they did. But I saw the pain in his eyes and the uneasiness around me. Still, I should have been open instead of just running away."

"Deirdre, the boy loved you. He was uneasy because he felt guilty, because these men took you and he couldn't protect you. He thinks that's why you left him."

Deirdre stared at her mother with wide open eyes. "How could he ... Why would he think that I blamed him for anything?"

"Let me think. Could it be because you dumped him? Could it be because you decided to go away from us? Could it be because you never wrote to him?"

"But he saved me! He paid the ransom to get me out of their hands. I owe him my life. And what could he do?"

"You tell him that and he'll tell you that what happened did not change how he felt for you. How do you rationalize running away then?"

Deirdre closed her eyes for a moment. "Mom, these men are still out there, somewhere. They still have a tape showing how they fucked me. There's still that easy chair where I saw Karen. Besides, it's over. We could have saved it when I came back after freshman year. I wanted to try. You know what went wrong then.

"For a year I had tried to understand what had happened to me, Mom. I had counseling. I realized that I had to do something to grab the initiative. I planned this carefully. I wanted to come home to Philly. I wanted to talk to Joey. I wanted to try again. I wanted to tell him that I was his for the asking if he could still accept me. I wanted Joey to be my boyfriend again." She gave her mother a withering look. "Then we met in Frisco and you smiled at me and told me, 'Gee, how about that? Your boyfriend knocked me up, and we'll have a baby together. He is sooo sweet!'. You stole my boyfriend, Mom! You crushed my hopes! You made me the single most-sorry excuse for a woman. I couldn't even compete for my 20-year-old boyfriend with my forty-year-old, lesbian mother.

"That's why I lit out, Mom. That's why I couldn't stand hearing your voice. That's why I tore up the letter where you wrote about Carla's birth. You weaseled yourself into my boyfriend's life, you snared him with a baby and you had the nerve to announce it with a smug grin. I hated you so much I wanted to change my name, only I couldn't afford the fees."

Maureen sighed. "Why is it so hard for you to forgive me that single lapse? I was alone. My daughter had left me and Karen was dead. I went from having a family of sorts to being a childless widow. One evening, I was so depressed that I broke down crying while I was still sitting in my car. Joey came by and saw me and he became worried. He helped me out of the car and brought me inside. He made tea for me. And he did something wonderful: he hugged me. Nobody had hugged me for months! I just crumbled. I cried my eyes out while he held me. Then, when I had cried myself out we talked a bit. I told him how I felt and he held me. I felt so good. When he said he'd have to leave now I didn't want him to leave. I couldn't stand to be alone again. I asked him to stay.

"Well, we ended up in bed. We were both terribly embarrassed later and I thought this was it. A one-time mistake. Only, I wasn't on birth control. Without Carla, this would have been it. Once I was pregnant, however, I had to tell Joey. Deirdre, I want Carla to grow up with a father like a normal kid. I don't want her to suffer as you had to. I know it's a bit selfish but how could I know that you still had feelings for Joey? You left him, you left me, and you never once gave either of us an opening."

For a minute or two, neither woman spoke. Maureen cracked first. "Deirdre, you are my daughter. I still love you. I want to be a part of your life again and I want you back in my life."

Deirdre looked back at her for another minute. "I ... I felt empty all those years in Eureka. Like an orphan. I don't make friends easily and you are the only family I have. I'll try to get over your fling with Joey. I mean, I have no claim on him anyway."

They had passed Orick already and Maureen knew that it was not far anymore.

"We can talk more in the next days. Let me concentrate on the driving now. There should be sign for the access road."

They drove silently while Maureen scanned the side of the road. At last she saw the arrow-shaped sign and turned into a narrow road. Five minutes later they drove up to the entrance of the Bellweather Inn. Two young men made short work of unloading their luggage and ten minutes later they were standing in their suite. There was a crib bed in the bedroom and two doubles, while the living room had a sofa, two upholstered chairs, and a couch table. There was a desk, too, and a TV set.

After unpacking they went downstairs for dinner. At the front desk Maureen arranged for wireless internet access before they sat in the dinner room. A waiter brought a highchair for Carla and they ordered their food. With people sitting around them they kept their conversation limited to non-sensitive issues. After dinner they went up to their suite and watched the news on TV. They debated watching a movie but decided against it. By tacit agreement they kept talking about mundane things. Maureen told Deirdre a little about her work. She was a Senior ADA now leading the branch of the DA's office in charge of narcotics. She worked closely with the DEA and the Eastern Pennsylvania US Attorney's office. There was some talk of her being appointed to the US Attorney's office. She was qualified but under the Bush administration she had thought it wiser to stay where she was.

Around ten o' clock Maureen readied Carla for bed and turned in herself a few minutes later. Deirdre stayed in the living room for another two hours eager to configure her new laptop computer and test its performance.

They spend the 24th exploring the vicinity of the lodge. Little Carla would walk part of the way. When she got tired Maureen or Deirdre would carry her for a bit. On their walk they had all the privacy they needed and they were able to speak about the more sensitive issues. The more they talked, the more they revealed about the hurt they felt, the more they felt drawn back to each other.

That night when Carla was in her crib bed and Maureen had settled under her covers Deirdre came out of the bathroom in her threadbare pajama.

"Mom, could I cuddle with you just once? I ... I really need a cuddle."

Wordlessly Maureen lifted her blanket and Deirdre slipped in scooting close to her mother. With a deep, content sigh Maureen wrapped her arms around Deirdre's shoulders pulling her close. Deirdre drew a ragged breath, almost a sob, as she cuddled close.

"Mom, why couldn't I cuddle with you all those years?" Deirdre asked.

"I guess we felt uncomfortable," Maureen sighed. "Karen had this thing. She didn't want to be in bed with you. You have to know that something was done to her when she was younger."

"We're a messed up bunch, aren't we?" Deirdre asked.

"I guess we are," Maureen sighed.

They fell asleep with Deirdre wrapped in Maureen's arms and they woke up in spoon formation with Deirdre's back against Maureen's front and still wrapped in her mother's arms.

"Merry Christmas, Baby," Maureen whispered into Deirdre's unruly hair.

Deirdre took a deep breath. "This was nice. I haven't slept that well in years, not since..."

She stopped, but Maureen had a good idea. "Since Prom Night, huh?" she asked softly.

Deirdre just nodded and Maureen stroked her daughter's hair unable to find the right words.

Later, at breakfast, Maureen told Deirdre about the offer she had received from Stansfield, Lipton and Croft. To her utter surprise Deirdre showed honest delight and pride.

"Mom, you earned that. You've been doing great things, but it's always been somebody else who got the credit."

Maureen later remembered this as the point when she began to believe in their reconciliation.

"Thanks, Sweety. Your opinion means a lot to me."

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 26: Breaching Barriers


Maureen heard the doorbell but she was busy changing Carla's diapers,

"Numi, can you open?" she called.

A minute later, Joey stuck his head through the half open door. "Hey, how are my two favorite women?"

"Don't let Tess hear that," Maureen answered. 'Or Deirdre, ' she wanted to add, but she bit back the impulse. Then her eyes widened a bit. "You've grown a beard."

Joey grinned back. "Yep. Forgot my shaving kit. Tess says she likes it."

"It certainly gives you a ... let's say unusual look," Maureen smiled. "You're going to keep it?"

"I may. I'm over the itchy phase already, and it keeps the cold away."

"It'll keep the girls away, too," Maureen smirked. "By the way, Fabiana didn't come back. Something about having to take care of a relative. You guys had a fight, didn't you?"

Joey nodded, turning sombre. "Yeah. I kinda lost it when she ... She said something about Deirdre."

"The girl liked you, and I thought that maybe you could like her, too."

Joey looked at Maureen steadily. "She wasn't meant for me. It's too bad, though. Carly liked her." He looked at his daughter. "Oh my God, did she grow again? She's what, 34, 35 inches?"

"We haven't measured her but I'd say 35," Maureen agreed. "Oh, how was your flight?"

"Do you know why the Pope John Paul kissed the ground each time he arrived some place? He was flying Alitalia."

"That bad?"

"No, I'm kidding. Better service than most American carriers I'd say. The only problem was that they all spoke Italian to us and it embarrassed the hell out of me that I don't speak the language. Well, Tess and I got a quick course for our iPods and we practiced some, but still. Sicily was great! We want to go there again when it's spring and the blossoms are out. We saw some pictures: it must be the most beautiful landscapes then. We saw all those old Roman ruins and we made a trip to Naples and Pompeii. That was awesome! I almost wished I'd taken more Latin at school."

"Met any relatives while there?"

Joey made a face. "We had to visit a cousin but it was awkward. They hardly speak any English, and we speak only a little Italian and no Sicilian dialect. I think they were glad when we left. Tess had a ball. I think she received at least three marriage proposals."

"Well, she is beautiful, Joey."

"Don't tell her! And how was your trip?"

Maureen sighed. "It was a little of everything. Deirdre and I made up for real. She really fell in love with Carla, too. We had a great time in that lodge. The downside is: she's still a basket case. She's afraid of men, she's still having nightmares, and she's a bit overworked and stressed out, much like you were before Christmas. She's a complete loner again. She's got a great roomy, but apart from that she has little social life."

"Shit," Joey said softly.

"I've arranged for her to have therapy again. When she walked out on me and refused to take my calls, she lost her therapist. She's been carrying around all that baggage without any help."

"Maureen, I really wish I could help."

"I know, Joey. Don't blame yourself, okay? You saved her life back then; you did all you could. Deirdre and I talked about all that. Believe me: she doesn't blame you for anything."

"Why'd she leave then?" he almost snapped.

"It's not logical. She couldn't believe that you still wanted her. Apparently, she felt that you could not cope with the rape."

"But I told her that all that counted was that she was still alive!"

"She read something into your body language, Joey, and I agree with her. You were different, hesitant around her."

Joey closed his eyes, recounting those days. "That wasn't about her, it was about me," he said in a low voice.

"Joey, the abduction wasn't your fault. I know you were at the hospital that day. Even if you had been with her, you'd likely be dead now like Karen."

"It was something different."

"What?"

"I can't tell you, Maureen."

"Joey, what was it? You can tell me, whatever it was."

"No, I can't, Maureen. It would tear you apart if you knew."

Suddenly, Maureen became very pale. "Joey, what did you do?" she whispered.

"Please, Maureen, let it be."

Maureen sank down on a stool. "Oh my God! It's all clear now! That's why they were never ... Did your family make you do it, Joey? Did they force you? What is part of the deal you struck with your uncle?"

Joey stubbornly shook his head. In a low voice he asked, "Do you want me to leave?"

"What? No. Why?" Maureen was confused.

Joey just smirked for an answer.

Maureen understood. "Oh, because I'm..."

"Yes, because you are what you are."

Maureen rose from the stool and before Joey could react her lips were pressed on his mouth in a fierce kiss.

"There! I wish I could love you the way you deserve, Joey. Those animals almost killed my Baby. They killed her soul and left her empty body. Whatever you did, I don't want to hear it and I'll never ask again. I only wish their end was painful and slow."

Joey shook his head, not committing himself and Maureen let it be.

"Are you guys okay?"

Numi's voice came from the door, laced with concern. Maureen kept her composure.

"I was telling Joey about Deirdre. We got a little emotional."

"I can see. Joey, will you stay for dinner? I made oven potatoes, and we have sour cream and scrambled eggs."

"Stay, please," Maureen added keeping a firm hold of his arm.

"Okay, thanks. Tess has her friends over, so I'll better stay out of her hair."

They had dinner together but they talked very little. When Joey left however, Maureen gave him another hug and a kiss.

"Thank you, Joey. For everything, whatever it was."

"Please, Maureen, be careful and don't..."

"I'm not completely stupid, Joey. I need you to help me raise Carla. Carla needs her daddy, and ... Enough of that. It was pure conjecture on my part and I have no knowledge whatsoever. Only, one day you'll have to somehow tell Deirdre about your secret."

"What?!"

"She still lives in constant fear of those men, Joey. Knowing that they can't hurt her anymore might bring her a long way towards healing."

Joey closed his eyes. He heard Numi in the kitchen sorting china and silverware into the dishwasher.

"How can this work, Maureen? It's not that I really know her anymore. We where together for less than six months, and that was over three years ago. You're asking a lot here."

"Joey, I'm not asking you to tell her anything. It would be great though if some bodies would turn up so she'd know they're dead."

Joey shook his head grimly, realizing that he was on thin ice. "I have no idea. Maureen, please, let's stop talking about this!"

"Okay! I promise, Joey. This will be for you and only for you to tell, if at all."

"Thanks. You're a great woman."

Maureen smiled at him and hugged him once more. "Joey, don't get me wrong, but I really love you. I love you as much as I can ever love a man."

"I know, Maureen. You know I love you too."

-------

During the next week and into February, Joey was back in Professor Harland's lab doing the last control experiments. Things were really playing out as they had hoped and now he was busy creating the figures for the manuscript. Harland would not let him write beyond the draft stage but included him as they went along writing the manuscript. Then, by March 3, Joey and Harland spent two hours submitting the manuscript text, the images, and accompanying information to the editorial office of a major publication.

Joey kept his fingers crossed for the next days, and a week later they were notified that the editors had deemed their manuscript promising enough to start the peer review process. They had a chance.

-------

A week later, at Vincent Di Rosa's house, Joey was able to pull Felix to the side.

"Hey, you said back then that you stashed away you-know-who where they might be found at some point."

"You saw the girl again?" Felix asked.

"No, Maureen did, over Christmas. She's still a nutcase and afraid of returning to the East. I mean, not that it will do me any good, but would you consider having them pop up?"

Felix made a face.

"Let me check. No promises, Joey. If we do that we must stage it just right to avoid any leads that might bite us in the ass. It's not like we have local reps down on the Border. That's a trade down there where we don't want to mingle. I'll call you when I know something."

"Thanks, Felix. If there are any costs..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. For a guy who isn't interested in her anymore you sure act funny."

Joey blushed deeply. "It's for Maureen's sake, too. I mean, maybe she can have her daughter back."

Felix raised both hands and laughed. "Okay, okay, I get you! Don't go talking to Pops. I'll give it a shot."

Joey's face showed his question and Felix laughed even harder.

"You don't know? Pops thinks the world of Maureen. Anything for her! She's had it so tough. Hell, he twisted arms so bad to get her that partnership I thought we'd have to off a lawyer or two, to make his point."

Joey swallowed. "I didn't know. I thought she was good enough."

"She is, but sell a lesbian, single mother to a bunch of stuffy old boys! Halloway was having fits at first. A queer in his hallowed firm! He crapped cinder blocks! Washington was the reasonable guy. He'll be the next managing partner anyway when Halloway retires next year."

"Does Pop have that much pull?"

"Sorry, Cuz, need to know and all that," Felix grinned. He switched topics. "What are your plans in the fall?"

"The place where I did some of my work before Christmas, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, the lab chief wants me to apply for their PhD program."

Felix whistled softly. "Nice! You'll be the science big shot one day, no doubt."

"Yeah, well, I have to get accepted first. I'm also flying out to St. Louis next week for an interview. It's a bit far away, but they have a great program, too. Still, Johns Hopkins would be closer."

"Good luck and keep us posted. You know how it is: a little donation to the faculty can work wonders."

Joey shook his head firmly. "No, Felix! I want to get in on my own merits. Besides, if our manuscript gets accepted soon I won't have to worry much."

They left it at that, and Joey went to find Tess. She was with Uncle Vincent, and they were talking in a serious manner he could see. He made a face. Tess was heading for a future with the family. Already a pre-law student at Drexel she would go to law school in two years, and from what Felix had hinted, Uncle Vincent would get her into one of the best.

Again, Joey shrugged. The Di Rosa were making large strides to solidify their legit business interests and divesting themselves of the last remnants of the more shady side. The security firm would always remain as a safeguard against the violent outside world, but even now Uncle Vincent had acquired ownership of a generic drug production plant. They were producing all the prescription drugs for Citrus Drugs, their own growing drug store chain, cutting out the supplier and wholesale level. One of his older cousins, Peter Salieri, was in charge, and Joey was already hearing good things about their bottom line. If Tess would work in the legal affairs of the Di Rosa empire that was nothing to worry over.

-------

Deirdre Darling entered the School of Biology's main building with a beating heart. She had an interview with Professor James Parker. She was hoping for his endorsement to get into the school's PhD program.

He was busy typing on his computer and Deirdre sat silently in the visitor's chair so she would not break his train of thought. He looked up from his writing a minute or two later and gave her a false smile.

"Oh, here you are. Always so quiet, Deirdre. What can I do for you today, or rather, what will you do for me?"

"Umh, Professor Parker, I came to ask if you are willing to endorse my application for the PhD program. Also, I would really love to pursue a PhD under your supervision."

"You flatter me, my dear Deirdre, but of course, where else can a gifted student such as you want to work in this dismal place?"

"Would you, then?" Deirdre asked, her hopes up a bit.

"I can endorse your application, no problem. You are extremely gifted, my dear, intellectually that is. One of the brightest students I've had so far. My problem is, I can't promise you a place in my lab two years from now. You see, there are so many gifted students and some of them also excel in the lab. You know that this is your weak point, don't you?"

Deirdre hung her head, to cover her disappointment.

"I'm not saying, no," Parker hurried to add. "I like your way of thinking and the little review you helped me with really proved your talent."

Helped him with? Deirdre had researched and written the damned thing! All Parker had done was add his name and send it off. She stayed silent, though. There was still a chance.

"By the way, aren't you from Philly?"

"Yes, in a way. I finished high school there, at Benjamin Franklin Prep School."

"That's a coincidence. Do you happen to know a Joseph G. Di Rosa? He should be about your age."

A sense of foreboding washed over Deirdre. This could not be good, could it? "Yes, Joey Di Rosa. He was my lab partner in high school."

"Wow! The world is a small place. You two got along?"

"M-mostly," Deirdre managed to stammer, her face getting flushed.

"Here, have a look at this. I reviewed this manuscript for Science two weeks ago. I gave it high priority and it already passed the editorial board. Your high school buddy will have a Science paper before he even graduates."

The letters on the first page of the printout blurred before Deirdre's eyes with one exception: the first author's name read 'Joseph G. Di Rosa'. She forced herself to read the title. 'Bringing RNA Interference to Trypanosoma cruzi', it read. It was a small wonder that Parker was so excited. He was working with a related organism that was tricky to manipulate at best and in some cases downright impossible.

"The paper is not yet online. I want to recruit the young man to our program. He'll be a tremendous asset. I contacted him but he seems reluctant to move to the West Coast. He said something about family obligations."

"He has a small daughter in Philadelphia and the girl's mother probably can't move." It cost Deirdre all her strength to say that.

"Okay, Deirdre Darling, here's the deal: if you manage to get this young man to sign up for our program I'll supervise your thesis and endorse you for at least a partial fellowship. Just fly home to Philly and make things happen. I don't care how, just do it."

"That may prove difficult, Professor," Deirdre said feeling panic wash over her.

"So is getting into my lab, Darling-Girl," Parker answered grittily. "You're not much of a lab rat and you know that. Show me some other qualities. Getting things done is one of them. Go home, visit your mom. I'll arrange for a visit with Prof. Harland at UPenn. He's our hero's supervisor. The cover is that you want to learn as much as possible about their approach for your future PhD project. Hell, I'll even spring for the trip! So what's it going to be, Darling-Girl?"

Deirdre hated his constant harping on her last name and she hated Parker for forcing her to go and face her worst demons. She had to see Joey of all persons and beg him to come or she would never get a chance to get into Parker's lab. She realized that Parker was waiting for her answer.

"I'll try my best, Professor Parker."

"Not enough, Darling-Girl! Make things happen, that's what I need. Get a haircut, will you, and dress up some. Come back tomorrow and we'll finalize those travel plans. Now shoo! Call your mom! She'll be delighted to see her daughter."

Deirdre was near tears when she left the building. The pressure to go into that city just so she'd be able to realize her own aspirations. For a moment Deirdre considered dropping out. Take her BSc and find a job. But then she knew that she could not sacrifice her dreams, not for anything. She had to dash in, make her plea, and then get the hell back out of Dodge.

She was under no illusions as to the chances of convincing Joey to leave her mother and their little daughter. Carla. Sweet little Carla. Seeing her baby sister before her inner eye actually gave her a warm rush, slightly dampening the panic she felt. Still, it took until late afternoon before she made her phone call.

-------

Maureen was enjoying the rare pleasure of a quiet evening. Carla was over at Joey's and Maureen allowed herself a glass of finest Sicilian red wine, a Christmas gift from Vincent Di Rosa for the mother of his great-grandniece. It was good to have some time for herself. Changes were coming up for her, not least her joining of Stansfield, Lipton and Croft. Everything was signed and Maureen had resigned at the DA's office effective June 30.

When the land line phone rang Maureen was mildly surprised. Nobody called on the land line anymore. When she saw the Caller ID she inhaled sharply. In a flash images raced through her head, nasty images of accidents, illness, or other catastrophes. With trembling fingers, she took the call.

"Deirdre? Is that you? Are you alright?"

"Mom?" a subdued voice asked, barely recognizable as Deirdre's.

"Deirdre?"

"Yes, it's me, Mom. I-I wanted to call and ... I need to ask you something."

"You're not in trouble, are you?"

"No, not the way you think," came the almost testy reply. There was a brief pause, as if Deirdre was trying to calm down. "Mom, I have to go to UPenn for a few days to learn some new technique. Do you think I could stay with you?"

So that was the reason. Maureen felt slightly annoyed. Over Christmas she had claimed fear of visiting Philadelphia. And now she wanted to come to visit a college? Maureen took a deep breath to force her own annoyance down. She swallowed the cutting remarks she wanted to make so desperately.

"Yes, of course. This is still your home."

Maureen allowed her voice to show a little of her irritation. There was silence on the other end. Then something that sounded like heavy swallowing.

"Mom, if possible I need to see Joey."

Now that might be tricky, Maureen thought. "I'll see what I can do, Deirdre," she sighed.

"Not going to be easy, huh?"

"Not much sense in guessing, either. I'll ask him, or you can ask him, whatever. Do you need a pick-up at the airport?"

"That would be nice, Mom. I'll arrive on Friday, at five-thirty, from San Francisco. Can you make that?"

"Yes, I can adjust my schedule. I'll pick you up."

"Okay, thank you. I really appreciate your understanding."

"Deirdre, whatever you do you will always be my daughter. I love you and I miss you terribly. I look forward to seeing you."

"Thanks, Mom. This really means a lot to me. I'm kinda depressed and afraid right now and you're really helping me."

She sounded that way and Maureen's anger abated. "That's my job, isn't it? You come visit and I'll talk Joey into meeting you. Just don't expect him to be enthusiastic. You hurt him, Deirdre, and seeing you will hurt him again."

-------

Her flight had landed almost on time and Deirdre made her way towards the luggage claim. There was her mother, petite, trim and good looking as ever and with a smile on her face. At her side, clutching on to her mother's hand, was little Carla with her black, curly hair, her dark eyes, and her sunny smile. She pressed a teddy bear to her chest with her free hand. Swallowing heavily Deirdre made her way over.

"Hi, Mom," she offered self-consciously not fully knowing whether she was allowed to hug her.

"Hey, Deirdre," her mom answered and she reached out with her free arm.

When she sensed her mother's left arm close around her shoulders Deirdre felt a rush of feelings, mostly good ones. Then, suddenly, she felt someone tug at her trouser leg. Looking to her left and down she saw the up-bent face of the little girl. Freeing herself from her mother's hug, Deirdre knelt.

"Hey, Carla," she offered. "Remember me? I'm Deirdre."

"Dee-Dee?" the small child offered, smiling a disarming smile and Deirdre's heart melted instantly.

"Close enough," she beamed back. "Is this your bear? What's his name?"

"Vincent!" Carla answered proudly. "He's my unca."

"Your Uncle Vincent?"

"My gweat-unca!"

"She only sees him every other month but he's spoiling her rotten," Maureen explained. "Joey's great-uncle, I mean. Shall we go?"

Thankfully, she spotted her ratty duffle bag on the conveyor just then. Leading the way, Maureen steered Carla towards the exit and Deirdre followed with her duffle bag. She felt a little panic close in on her as they walked towards the short term parking garage. She half expected the old Volvo station wagon and she was surprised to see a shiny, silver-metallic BMW 530d Touring. Maureen sensed her daughter's surprise.

"I'm a senior ADA and since you didn't allow me to spend any money on you..."

"I could manage without your money, Mom," Deirdre answered in a neutral voice. "You also had to make it on your own, hadn't you?"

"Yes, but I would gladly drive a smaller car and have you back in my life for good. Besides, Joey's cousin made me a good price. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it isn't listed as stolen somewhere."

Deirdre looked at her mother in surprise. Since when did she joke about such things?

There was a child seat in the back and little Carla was secured in it. Deirdre sat in the passenger seat and Maureen navigated the car out of the parking structure. Not much was spoken on the way home but Deirdre felt a constriction in her throat when she saw their old house. It was freshly painted and the diminutive front lawn looked much better than she remembered it, but to Deirdre it evoked a host of memories.

Her own room was untouched, just as she had left it almost four years ago. Deirdre could see the traces of the vacuum cleaner on the wall-to-wall carpet and the bed linen smelled fresh. She almost expected Karen's voice any minute and that brought tears to her eyes. She turned to Maureen.

"Mom, I never ... I never realized how much I'd miss Karen here."

Maureen nodded sadly. "If it hadn't been for Joey and then Carla I don't know how I could have gotten through the loss. I know she was brash and intimidating but she truly loved us."

"I know," Deirdre whispered not really trusting her voice.

"Well, why don't you unpack and take a shower. I'll bring Carla over to Joey and Tess and we can go out for dinner."

"Does Joey already know that I'm here?"

"Mhm. I told him and he offered to take Carla to give us a chance to go out. I also told him you'd want to talk to him. He wasn't really jumping up and down about the idea but I talked him into it. Sunday morning you'll get your chance."

"Does he hate me?"

Maureen exhaled, slightly exasperated. "You're a grown-up, Deirdre. Ask him. I guess he's not over you, but neither are you over him or you would've called him yourself. What do you want of him anyway?"

"My mentor, Professor Parker, wants to recruit Joey. Joey didn't bite when Parker called him and somehow it came out that I know him."

"He sent you here to talk Joey into going away to Eureka?" Maureen asked incredulously.

"It's a package deal. If I succeed Parker will tutor me, maybe even with a fellowship. If not, I guess I'm out on my ass. Not that I expect much success, but I have to give it a shot."

"Why? Are you so bad?"

"I suck in the lab, Mom."

"But Deirdre, you were so good in high school."

"Yeah, well, that was with Joey and not everybody is such a good partner."

"Deirdre, Joey has an offer from Johns Hopkins. He even has a supervisor for his thesis already."

Deirdre shrugged. Sure, with a Science paper in press, Joey could literally pick any PhD program.

"I promised Professor Parker to try. I know it's a stupid idea to begin with. He would never leave Carla."

"Just so we're clear about things, Deirdre," Maureen stated firmly. "I don't want him to go to California either. I want Carla to grow up with a father."

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 27: The Highway to Paradise



When Joey parked his car in Maureen's driveway, Carla was already struggling to get out of her safety seat. Joey quickly unbuckled and opened the passenger door to free his daughter from that pesky restraint. He set her down on the grass and watched her run to the door. He looked at his watch. It was eight-thirty. Maureen had told him to be there at eight o'clock but Carla had decided that she wanted to sit on her potty one more time. It was new to her and her feeling of achievement over it was immense.

Maureen's door was open where Carla had stormed inside but now Maureen emerged smiling at him. He unhooked the child's seat and squeezed it into the trunk. He also grabbed Carla's overnight bag and quickly walked to the door. Maureen gave him a very small peck on the cheek. Suddenly, Joey felt transported back to his Senior year in high school. There stood Deirdre, almost as he remembered her. He had to clear his throat.

"Hey Deirdre," he offered with a hoarse voice.

"Hey Joey," she answered with a mix of apprehension and husk in her voice.

"Maureen says you wanted to talk?"

Deirdre nodded. She was tongue-tied. The man in front of her, was that Joey Di Rosa? He had been tall, but now he was a grown up. His chest had filled out, and his arms and legs showed muscles she did not remember on him. What changed him most was the full black beard that covered the lower half of his face. His hair was long, too, giving him the roguish look of a brigand.

Joey's lips, almost hidden under the luxurious black growth, showed a smirk. "You have to do better than this if that talk is supposed to cover any ground."

"Still the smart-ass, I see," Deirdre smiled in spite of herself.

Joey swallowed hard. Her smile still worked its magic on his sympathetic nervous system, and he felt his heart beat faster. "You look great," he observed, just to say anything.

"You look different, all grown up," Deirdre said in a low voice. "So, what have you planned?"

"Intercourse," he deadpanned.

"What?" Deirdre squeaked.

"Intercourse, Pennsylvania. It's in Lancaster County, you know? You've never been to the Amish country, have you?"

Deirdre closed her eyes briefly. "Ha-ha! I didn't know you're a stand-up comedian these days."

"I have to supplement my income. You have no idea how much Carla eats, and don't get me started on the diapers and trainers."

"Joey, cut it out, please. I really need to talk to you and it would help if you didn't make me feel like a dork all the time."

Joey shrugged. "Fine by me. No Intercourse, I take it?"

Deirdre heard Maureen giggle which did not improve her mood, but then little Carla butted in.

"What's an interhorse, Mommy?"

Deirdre felt a bubble burst and her own laughter broke through. She started with a giggle and ended up holding her belly. When she had calmed herself she knelt in front of Carla. Giving Joey an evil look she lifted her finger.

"The word is intercourse, Carla, and it means what your Mommy and your Daddy do when they get all silly."

Now Joey looked decidedly uncomfortable. "You mean like tickling?" Carla queried.

"Yes, Sweety, very much like tickling," Deirdre confirmed.

Carla turned to Joey. "Are you gonna tickle Dee-Dee, Papa?"

Joey was flustered. "No, but I may have to spank her if she's not good."

"Oh, she is, Papa. She gave me a coloring book."

"Okay, maybe then I won't spank her." He turned to Deirdre. "May I show you Paradise if Intercourse is not to your liking? It's in Lancaster County, too."

Deirdre shook her head. "I'll regret this trip."

Without further ado she walked to Joey's BMW convertible and sat in the passenger seat. Joey started to follow but Maureen held his hand for a moment.

"Be nice, Joey. She came to make peace with you. Give her a chance."

They were mostly silent while Joey navigated the Beemer towards the Schuylkill Expressway, but then Deirdre spoke up on the issues that were important for her.

"Joey, I made peace with my mother."

He gave her a genuine smile. "I know and it's really great. It hurt her that you wouldn't call or take her calls."

"Oh well, we both had our hurts, believe me. But we put them behind us and I hope we're good again. Joey, you are the other person I need to make peace with."

He cast her a quick look before he concentrated on driving again. "What's on your mind?"

"Mom and I put everything on the table. We cleared the air. I'd like to do the same with you."

He cast her a look again. "Think you can take it?" he asked with more than a touch of reproach.

"You think you know enough to judge me?" she shot back.

"Well, I didn't leave you, if you remember. I know you were hurt, Deirdre, believe me. I saw what those bastards had done to you. But why did you have to shut me out from your life?"

Deirdre shook her head. "I was convinced that you were only trying to stay with me because you thought it was the right thing. Sense of duty, you know. Don't abandon the poor raped girl. But I felt your apprehension, your uneasiness."

Joey shook his head. "That wasn't it, Deirdre. I swear."

"I felt so dirty, so ... soiled, and I just knew that you felt the same about me."

Joey did not answer, but he shook his head.

"Joey, the stuck their fingers and dicks into me, front and back, and when they were done, they stuck them into my mouth for clean-up. They put a camera on a tripod and filmed everything. They said they'd send a copy to Mom. That video may pop up on the internet any time."

Joey took a deep breath. He had gone over what to say with Felix years ago.

"Deirdre, there is no video, not out there, nor anywhere. They sold the camera to us for an extra twenty grand. We just never told Maureen or the Fibbies or that video would be evidence in some property room for every dirty cop to watch and get his jollies."

"The Montalbans sold you the camera?" Deirdre asked almost breathlessly. "I mean, why?"

Joey looked at Deirdre. He really could not tell her the truth. "They needed all the cash they could get what with their accounts frozen by the FBI. They wanted another hundred grand for it, but Felix haggled them down."

Deirdre understood. "They are afraid of your family, right? After the Olympic, they have to be."

"Old beliefs die hard," Joey said evasively. "Under my great-grandfather the Di Rosa gained a nasty reputation and Uncle Vince is good at keeping up the illusion. Saves trouble, you know. It's what made them agree to the ransom in the first place."

"Thank God," she breathed. "That's one fear less. Do you know that I scanned every single free porn site in the last years? I was almost certain that they'd post it one day, just out of spite to get back at my Mom. Why didn't you tell me before? Where is it?"

"Deirdre, I saw parts of it, I mean, I had to verify it was genuine. It made me so sick. And then when you shut down on me there was no chance to tell you. I didn't dare to tell you that I saw it. I'm sorry. I sort of planned to let you destroy it yourself, like to put this behind you, but in the end I decided to do it myself. I was afraid it could be found. I took a sledge hammer to the camera and a welder to the memory stick. Nothing is left but molten plastic and silica at the bottom of the Delaware."

Deirdre took a deep breath. "Thank you. Thank you again, I guess. You did all those things for me which I didn't even know of."

"So, why'd you break up? Why did you shut me out?"

"I couldn't stay, Joey. My abduction, the rape, everything had been in the news, everything but the video. The way people looked at me, I just couldn't stand it! In Eureka nobody knows but my therapist and my roomy, Claire."

Joey clenched his jaw and the knuckles on the steering wheel were white. Deirdre noticed.

"What, Joey?"

"I got a lot of shit after you left. Everybody thought I'd dumped you because of the rape."

"Oh shit," Deirdre moaned. "I'm sorry. What did you tell them?"

"Nothing. What could I tell them?"

"God, I made such a mess. I didn't even realize what I did to you until Rachel confronted me with it."

"The therapist?"

Deirdre nodded. "She helped me put the pieces together. You know, when I planned to come back after the first year I wanted to give us a try again. Rachel told me to give you a chance. You know what happened. I met Mom in San Francisco and she told me she was expecting your child." She held up her hand. "Wait! She explained things to me. I know I overreacted. But this was crushing. I wanted you back and my own mother had stolen you! I felt so pathetic."

"That's why you never called again?"

"Yes, that and ... Joey, I'm still scared here. Last night I had a nightmare again. This city scares me. These men are still free."

A shiver went through her body, and Joey could see the goosebumps. He debated with himself whether to tell her the truth, but he couldn't yet.

"Deirdre, nobody heard a word of the Montalbans in four years. They vanished. Somebody else has taken over their business we heard, and word is they were killed while trying to cross into Mexico."

"Rumors don't help me, Joey, but thanks. They'll never find me in Eureka as long as I keep a low profile."

"Kinda difficult when you want to make a career in science," Joey wondered. "I mean, with that review of yours out they can already find you through Google."

"I kept hoping they'd be caught," Deirdre said miserably and again, Joey wanted to tell her everything. "Well, no use wishing for the impossible."

For a few minutes they were silent, each of them pursuing their own thoughts. Joey spoke up first.

"Again, Deirdre, why the break-up? The thing with Maureen and Carla happened because of that, so it all boils down to you breaking up with me for no good reason at all."

Deirdre's lips quivered. "Joey, I told you: I was feeling dirty and used and worthless. How could you still want me? I just couldn't believe it."

There was an exit ahead, and Joey braked sharply to leave the interstate. He stopped the car and faced Deirdre. He pulled up his shirt and turned, showing her the gruesome scars on his back. She went rigid but he didn't care.

"See them, Deirdre? Be honest! Did you ever feel repulsed by my scars? Do you think I'm worth less because those bastards shot me up when they killed my parents?"

Deirdre shook her head almost violently. "No! Why should I? There was nothing you ... Oh wait, I know where you're heading. Joey, it's not the same."

"Deirdre, that's bullshit and after all those therapy sessions you know it, too. Raping or shooting are the same. They hurt. They make you feel violated and without control."

Deirdre sighed. "My brain tells me the same, Joey, but I feel so ... I feel dirty. Plus, I can't be with men anymore. When I'm alone in a room with a man I panic. I don't go to parties. I rarely eat out. They all think I'm screwy. How can you want a girl who's afraid of you?"

Now, Joey's eyes showed real anger. "How can you say that? How can you say you are afraid of me? Did I ever do anything to make you afraid of me? Deirdre, that's just bullshit! You and I were one person! Remember Prom Night! Remember our promises! How could you ever fear me?"

"It's my baggage, Joey," Deirdre moaned. "I try to fight it, I keep telling myself that the men I know are good people but even here, sitting in this car with you, I'm ... uneasy."

"God, you're really fucked up!"

The words were out before he knew it and suddenly the hopelessness of the situation caught up with him. He put the car in first and turned left for the overpass. He looked straight ahead trying to hide his brimming eyes but he could not help the tears that ran over his cheek. To his right, Deirdre sat there, sobbing silently. He turned onto the on ramp heading back to Philadelphia.

"Let's turn around and get you back," he said, trying to steady his voice.

Deirdre bit her lips. She had really fucked this up. Instead of making peace with Joey she had piled even more hurt on him. What a fucked up life! What a hopeless mess! Suddenly Deirdre felt violently sick.

"Joey, please stop!" she managed to blurt.

He looked at her surprised but he obeyed. The BMW had barely come to a full stop on the shoulder when Deirdre threw her weight against the passenger side door. She fell to her knees in the grass adjacent to the pavement and her stomach heaved up her breakfast. Again and again, the violent heaves racked her body until nothing was left in her stomach but bitter bile.

Only then did she notice Joey's hands on her forehead holding back her hair. Panic welled up briefly, but she was too weak to fight against the touch. Once the heaves subsided he let go. A moment later a tissue was held in front of her eyes. She wiped her mouth and blew her nose, feeling a renewed disgust at herself.

With her sympathetic nerve system out of synch her body shivered badly, and when she tried to stand she began to stumble. Again, Joey hands steadied her and he led her back to the car and had her sit on the passenger seat with the door open and her legs out on the soft shoulder. For a second Deirdre thought he'd sit behind her and she was even ready to lean against him, but he went and pulled a blanket from the trunk. When he wrapped it around her shoulders she looked up gratefully. Taking a deep breath she touched one of his hands.

"Joey, I'm not afraid of you. Not you, Joey Di Rosa. My mind knows I can trust you. But you're right. I'm such a fucked-up mess." She looked at him pleadingly. "Will you please sit with me?"

Wary and self-conscious he sat down in the driver's seat. Deirdre steeled herself and leaned back against him. She turned and even pulled his right hand around her shoulders. Then she exhaled. She felt as stiff as a board but she willed herself to sit still while she felt Joey's touch. It took a minute or two before the rigidness left her shoulders and she almost smiled then.

"Wow!" she said softly. "You are the first man to touch me like that in four years."

Apparently Joey had his emotions under control now. "Deirdre, are you still seeing that Rachel woman?"

She nodded sadly. "Since my fallout with Mom I've been a bit short of money and then Rachel left the health plan. The two therapists who are on the plan are both men. Thanks, but no thanks. But I've had sessions with her every week since January."

"You need the help, Deirdre. You'll be in the loony bin in another four years if you don't act."

Deirdre nodded. "I know that I'm fucked up. Joey, can we try one more thing? Can you pull me closer, you know, like under your armpit?"

Breathlessly, Deirdre felt him pull her close. She felt his warmth, his toned body under the polo shirt, and surprisingly all she felt was comfort. And then a miracle happened. She felt his lips touch her sweaty forehead in a light kiss. She closed her eyes in the softness of the caress. Then his arms let go.

"Let's get you home," he said. "I better close the ragtop, 'kay?"

With the canvas top closed the car was much darker and more cramped. For a moment Deirdre felt her panic well up again but she managed to will it away as Joey started the engine and put the car into gear. Once moving again Deirdre felt the time right to start the business part of her visit. There was no sense putting it off.

"Joey, do you remember Professor Parker?"

"No?"

"He called you, about ten days ago. He wants to recruit you to HSU. He's been my mentor there."

"Oh yes! Now I remember. He called me in the middle of the night to sell me your PhD program. Is he kind of screwy?"

"No!" Deirdre was indignant. "He's an excellent scientist and well respected. He saw your manuscript and was impressed. He's very interested in you."

"Wait, Deirdre! Is this why you are visiting?" His tone showed ... what, hurt?

"No. Well, in a way, yes. He sort of hinted that it would bode well for my future at HSU if I could convince you to consider his offer."

"What a sleaze ball!"

"How can you say that, Joey?"

"He reviewed our manuscript, obviously. He used privileged information to recruit me before the paper comes out. That's unethical, Deirdre, can't you see?"

"You wouldn't consider HSU then?" Deirdre asked feeling sadness.

"No!" Joey blurted. "Christ, I have offers from Johns Hopkins and from Washington in St. Louis. Those are Microbiology powerhouses. No offense, Deidre, but HSU is a tree hugger school in most people's perception."

He saw her face fall and realized what was behind Deirdre's offer.

"Listen, I know we could see each other, but think about the consequences. Carla is getting more and more aware of the people around her and I would only see her a few days each year. Then there is Tess. I can't leave her alone yet and I couldn't take her with me either. Plus I don't want to be a glorified technician. Parker wants me for just one purpose. I'll do electro-transfections until I'm blue in the face. At Hopkins I'll get a chance to expand my repertoire."

Deirdre nodded sadly. "I know, Joey. I only promised to ask you. No hard feelings, really."

"Wait. My refusal, how will this impact on your 'future at HSU'?"

Deirdre shrugged. "Possibly no slot in the PhD program for me; no fellowship is a given."

"You mean he tied this together? Either you talk me into joining or you're out on your ass? The man's a Grade A weasel!"

"Joey, I really suck in the lab. I'm good with literature, I'm good with informatics, but I have acquired a second left hand in the last years when it comes to lab work."

Joey shook his head. "Can't you see the set-up? If you're not good enough for him – and I doubt that – then he shouldn't accept you at all. But to sent you here to 'convince me'," he made quotation marks with his fingers, "he's trying to pimp you out to recruit me."

Deirdre's eyes went wide in shock. "Joey, that's not what I..."

"Your 'mentor' must know how badly you want into his program, right? And he sends you here telling you to put out or get out in a sense. Tell me, if it weren't for that squeeze, would you even have come to Philadelphia?"

Deirdre started to see his point, and it made her even sadder. "Maybe I should just settle for a BSc. When you're a famous lab head you can hire me to proof your manuscripts. That's all I seem to be good at."

"We have to talk about this, Deirdre. You must tell Maureen. Why are you so set on that damn school? It's nowhere near the Top 100 nationwide. You can find a dozen places as good as HSU in a three-hundred-mile radius around Philly."

"I don't know. I guess I felt comfortable there."

"Away from us?"

"Not from you, dammit! I agree: it's a tree hugger mentality among the faculty and the students but there are worse people. Women's rights are taken seriously, there is an atmosphere of mutual respect between students and faculty, and I learned a lot of other things. And it's ... yes, it's three thousand miles away from the Montalbans."

Joey acknowledged the point with a sad nod. But something did not click. "How does that fit with sending out a pretty student to bait a reluctant graduate?"

"You really blow this out of proportion, Joey. He didn't tell me to sleep with you."

He tilted his head, looking at her. "You know, we should look at options. You can ask Harland. He knows a lot of people. And talk to Maureen. She's still got money tucked away for your education."

"Maybe I should. Parker's not going to be happy when I show up without you."

"If you want I'll send him a very polite 'thanks, but no thanks'. Won't help much, I guess, but anything to prevent a bad fallout for you."

"That's nice of you," Deirdre acknowledged. "At least, he can't hurt me much in the finals."

"You think he might do that?"

Deirdre shrugged.

"How about it, Deirdre. I offer to come to Eureka for four weeks after my final. He pays for my air fare and lodging. While I'm there I'll train any student or technician he wants me to. He'll get what he really wants and you can collect all the brownie points."

Deirdre looked at him with an open mouth. "I can't ask you to do this, Joey. I mean, why would you?"

"To help a dear friend of whom I'm very fond in spite of everything."

"But..." Deirdre began. "I'll call and ask Parker first thing tomorrow."

The fact that had dawned on Deirdre so suddenly was that if Joey came to HSU for a month she would be the only person there he really knew. She would be around him all day for four weeks. They would work together and eat together. Perhaps she could get over her fears around him. Perhaps ... They could walk in the evenings, maybe barbecue on the beach. Sometime in those four weeks an opportunity would present itself. A happy smile of anticipation spread over Deirdre's lips and lighted up her eyes.

"Earth to Deirdre! Earth to Deirdre! Incoming words!" Joey mocked. She looked at him. "Hey, you were far out for a sec. Happy thoughts?"

Deirdre smiled shyly but did not answer.

"I was thinking, Deirdre. Would you in turn like to come with me on Wednesday? I'll have my formal interview with Carol Weintraub at Hopkins. I'll have to give a seminar talk. Care to come and cheer for me?"

"Day trip to Baltimore? Sure! I'd love to. I've read your manuscript. I'll love to ask a few pointed questions."

"Hey! Don't shoot me down there!" Joey pleaded.

"What? You told me I should look for chances back East. If I can pick you apart maybe they'll take me instead," she joked.

Joey's smile vanished from his face and his eyes narrowed. Deirdre felt alarm. Everything had gone just fine in the last minutes and now she had said something that somehow hurt Joey. Tentatively, she put a hand on his arm.

"Hey, Joey! That was a joke. I'd never do such a thing. Maybe, it's a bad idea..."

By now his face had cleared and he was smiling again, even grinning. Deirdre thought she could see mischief in his eyes.

"Nah, I just had a thought. Happens from time to time; no cause for alarm. No, you just come along. I'll show you my future school and perhaps in a few weeks you'll show me yours."

The rest of the drive was spent talking about his relatives. When they arrived at Maureen's house, Joey got out of the car and saw Deirdre to the door. There was an awkward moment but Deirdre stepped forward offering her cheek and Joey kissed it. Maureen opened the door and beamed at them seeing them seemingly at ease with each other. Suddenly, another person appeared behind her and Maureen turned.

"Deirdre, Honey, this is Numi. I ... I met her through a case a few months ago and we ... Well, I would like to think that we have become friends."

"We sure have, Maureen," the woman chuckled.

She was tall, easily six feet. But where Karen had been a bull dyke, Numi was a sleek, tall panther. That image jumped into Deirdre's mind because the woman was Black. Not African American Black, but African Black. Her head was covered with the shortest of black curls and her face with her prominent forehead was like a polished carving made of ebony wood. It took a moment for Deirdre to remember her manners.

"Hi, I'm Deirdre. Nice to meet you, Numi."

The woman gave Deirdre a friendly smile, her rosy gums and white teeth contrasting with her charcoal skin.

"I'm happy to finally meet you, Deirdre. Maureen has told me so much of you. Hey, Joey!"

"Hi, Sarge," Joey answered casually.

Deirdre looked at him with astonishment. He seemed completely at ease with the woman's presence.

"Numi is a sergeant with the Philadelphia PD," Maureen explained. "I ... We met working on the same case."

"And you're... ?" Deirdre asked hesitantly.

"We're still getting to know each other," Maureen said evasively.

Deirdre looked at Joey again for guidance but he seemed unperturbed smiling at the two older women.

"Well, I have to get going. I'll pick you up at eight, Wednesday. You have my cell number?"

Still confused, Deirdre nodded and Joey waved at the women and left.

"He's really a great young man," Numi said. "You and Carla are so lucky."

"I know we are," Maureen said wistfully. "He's understanding, too," she added significantly, nodding to Deirdre.

"Mom," Deirdre almost whined. "What's going on? Are you and Joey breaking up?"

Maureen rolled her eyes. "How often do I have to tell you? Joey and I are just partners for raising Carla. We're not a couple and we never were. How can we break up then?"

"Should I perhaps leave?" Numi asked a little self-consciously.

Deirdre was immediately contrite. "No, please don't. I'm just confused. Three days are just not enough to catch up on four years. Things are ... difficult for me."

"I can imagine," Numi said. "Maureen told me about your problems at school, about your fears of not being accepted. I also heard of your terrible ... experience, being abducted I mean. I ... I have had some brush with crime myself. It hurts so much, it takes so much out of you..."

"It destroyed my life as I had planned it," Deirdre said simply.

"Yes, it tends to do that," Numi said wistfully. "Listen, Deirdre. I would never intrude on a relationship. But Maureen, your mom, does not have a relationship with Joey. I made sure of that. I even asked him and that great young man just said, 'Go, make Maureen happy again!'. I intend to try that, but I don't want to be in the way of your reconciliation with your mother. So please tell me if you have any problem with me? With me being with your mother? With me ... being Black?"

Deirdre's eyes widened. "No!" she almost screamed. "Please believe me: not that! No, I just assumed all the time that Joey and Mom were somehow ... well, together. That's what I hated them for and I could excuse my own faults with it, too. Now everything turned upside down and I must come to terms with things. That scares me."

Numi's black eyes rested on Deirdre with understanding. "Joey, huh? That young man is not over you either, not by a long stretch."

Suddenly, Deirdre was hugged by both older women. Then Maureen held her daughter's shoulders with both hands. "You go for him, Deirdre. You two have wasted four years. Seeing you two together it's blatantly obvious that you belong together."

"Mom, that was four years ago! I ... how can this work? I'm in freaking Eureka and stuck in a dead end while Joey's on fire. He'll go on the fast track. What can he want of me, especially with what ... You know what I mean!"

Maureen smiled sadly. "Have you still not realized it? Joey could never get over you. I think, even when he was with me, he was imagining being with you."

Deirdre swallowed. "Are you sure?"

"Anybody with eyes can see it," Numi piped in.

Deirdre stood slowly. "I have to think about ... things. Thank you, both of you."

-------

Back at their house, Joey was placing a call with Felix, inquiring about an ongoing excavation project in Texas. They had last talked about it a week ago and Joey wanted to make sure that things were in flow. He also made a call to Baltimore, to one Dr. Carol Weintraub, his future mentor at Johns Hopkins University. That done, he literally rubbed his hands. The cards were stacked properly now and the game could begin.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 28: Taking Chances



Deirdre watched Joey as he shifted up. The BMW convertible was at cruising speed now, 65 mph. The soft top was closed as it was still early in the morning and the air was a bit chilly. Joey was outwardly calm in spite of what was riding on today's interview.

"So what's the schedule for today?" she asked to make some conversation.

"I'll deliver my talk at their lunch seminar. I guess Carol will use the time before that to grill me a little more. She said one of her students will show you around the labs."

"A guided tour? That's neat. Will there be lunch at the lunch seminar?"

"We'll stop at a deli and I'll spring for a roast beef sub. You still like them, don't you?"

"You bet. What comes after the seminar?"

"More talk I guess. Carol said you'd be welcome to join. I told her that you are good at poking holes into hypotheses."

"But I have no clues! I read up, of course, yesterday evening, but..."

Joey laughed.

"What?" she asked.

"I bet you did. Don't you always?"

"Well, I like to be prepared so I don't look clueless."

Joey snorted, clearly amused over her understatement. If anything, Deirdre had been pure Banzai when it came to reading up.

They drove in silence for a while with each of them following their thoughts. Joey was mentally going over his talk again, cramming the things he wanted to point out into his short term memory. He did not have to be nervous. He had given this presentation four times already, twice at his own school, UPenn, once at Northwestern University in Chicago, and once at Washington University in St. Louis. The latter had offered him a place in their PhD program but Joey was hesitant to accept. It was too far from Philly and his family. Still, it was a secure and extremely attractive fallback.

He knew that Deirdre's presence had to do with his desire to perform well. A lot of the plans he had been breeding over in the last days hinged on being accepted in Baltimore, plans Deirdre knew nothing about yet.

Deirdre saw his lips move silently and she understood that Joey was mentally pumping himself up for his talk. This was something she understood well. Without inner tension, without the rush of adrenaline, only the most seasoned lecturers can give an inspiring talk and Joey was just an undergraduate student. She kept silent, giving him the chance to prepare. They were nearing the Baltimore Beltway when Joey nodded once and looked to the right.

"Thanks," he said simply and Deirdre smiled back. "I'll be more talkative on the way home. I promise."

"I understand," she smiled and that was all she needed to say.

Joey clearly knew his way to the Johns Hopkins campus and he parked the fire red convertible in a staff parking lot off Madison Street. Looking at his wristwatch he saw that they had ample time and he steered Deirdre to an off-campus bakery/deli where he ordered two large roast beef subs, with mustard, onions, and pickles. He also bought two coffees, one latte for Deirdre and a pitch black, extra strong one for himself, before they strolled back to the campus.

Deirdre was immensely impressed. This was a powerhouse school, soaked in a long tradition of scientific excellence. She sadly admitted to herself that she would kill for the chance to work here one day. The Preclinical Teaching Building was in the north-eastern corner of the campus and this was where Joey led Deirdre. Once inside they took an elevator to the fourth floor.

Stepping out of the elevator, Deirdre saw the usual narrow, crammed corridors and crowded laboratories that signaled a vibrant research environment. Although it was still early students were already busy and Deirdre heard a young, female student in a shouting match with a colleague over the usage rights to an ultracentrifuge. In Parker's lab, she mused sadly, at this time of the day his two technicians would be starting the day with a coffee before the students trickled in an hour or two later. What a difference!

Joey led Deirdre into an office, a small cubicle separated from the surrounding lab by a two-inch cardboard and plaster wall. The cubicle was perhaps 6 by 7, and it was positively crammed with a desk, two chairs, and two shelves that occupied two of the four walls. The woman sitting in one of the chairs got up. She was forty, perhaps forty-two, with wire-rimmed glasses under a mop of red curls and dressed in a very Deirdre-ish way, i.e. like a bag lady.

"Hi Carol," Joey greeted the woman and Deirdre realized that she was staring at Carol Weintraub, cell biologist extraordinaire. Well, the woman was no clothes horse, that much was clear.

"Hey, Joey! You're here already. Fine! And this is your friend? Deirdre, right?"

"Yes, Professor," Deirdre started.

"I'm Carol. I'm 'Professor' for administrators and other pests. Joey tells me you're his high school lab partner?"

Deirdre nodded. "Yes, we were a good team."

"You'll graduate from HSU this summer?"

"Yes, Pr ... Carol. I applied for their PhD program, too."

"Well, good luck. I have someone to show you around while I give Joey here the third degree. Ah, there she is. Deirdre, meet Joan. Joan, give Deirdre the tour, please. Show her all the good stuff, too. Who knows, maybe we can lure her to Baltimore?"

Carol winked at Deirdre who was not sure if the last words had been just a joke. She looked at Joey for help but he only gave her a nod and an encouraging smile.

"Have fun," he said. "Don't miss my talk!"

Joan was waiting, and there was nothing Deirdre could do but follow her.

"Hey," the small Asian girl greeted her. "So you know Joey from high school?"

"Hey. Yes, we were lab partners."

"Ooh, lucky you! I tried to get my hooks into him last fall and in January when he worked here with Carol. Are you his girlfriend?"

Deirdre felt her face heat. "No, not anymore. I mean, we were together in high school but we separated. We're friends now."

"Oookay," Joan grinned. "This is where the tour begins. This is the main lab. We're between eight and ten students in here, plus two techs; so it's really crowded. We're great friends, though. Carol doesn't run a sweat shop here, she's all team spirit and such."

Deirdre looked around. She could see at least seven students at the lab benches, and they were busy. She picked up on the atmosphere and as Joan had said it was friendly, even cheerful. Joan then led her through a number of equipment rooms and Deirdre noted that there was nothing to bitch about. She hoped Joey would make it into this lab. He would be happy with the possibilities.

Then Joan sat her down on a chair next to a puny desk where Joan's lab journals and her laptop were resting on layers and layers of paper printouts, commercial flyers and other junk. For the next hour, Joan gave Deirdre a run-down of her own research project. Deirdre had a warm feeling of sympathy listening to the petite Asian girl. She really lived for her work and that was something Deirdre could relate to. Of course, having read up on the work in the Weintraub lab, Deirdre asked a few questions which started a friendly discussion. Once that wound down Joan showed her another large laboratory.

"This is Chuck's," she said, and when Deirdre looked her question, she added, "Charles Weintraub, Carol's hubby."

Of course! Charles M. Weintraub, another hot name in Molecular Biology. Joan led the way.

"Oh, there he is. Chucky, this is Deirdre."

The fifty-ish, grey-bearded man looked like a Hawaiian Santa Claus wearing a loud, short-sleeved shirt over a great belly. He gave her a friendly smile.

"Carol told me of your visit. You're Joey's friend, right? She tells me you're some kind of molecular modeling guru?"

Deirdre again felt her face heat. Why had Joey spread such a rumor? "No, no guru, really. I just like bioinformatics and I sometimes tinker with CloseFit and ModelP and such for fun."

"Fun? That stuff has my best student almost in tears! Wait, when's Joey's talk? In fifteen minutes, right? No sense starting anything before that. Could you drop by after his talk for a half hour and help my student? She's got this protein which is essential for myeloma growth. The fruit fly protein was crystalized four years ago, and Sally wants to fit the human peptide sequence into the fly structure. Could you have a look and see where she's screwing up?"

"I'd love to," Deirdre beamed, meaning it. "I don't know how much I can do in a half hour, though. What sort of hardware do you have?"

"We have a twelve-node cluster of QuadCore MacPros for 3D imaging," Weintraub said casually, and Deirdre's eyes lit up.

"Wow," she said softly. "I guess I won't have to watch progress bars here."

Weintraub chuckled. "The geneticists have it Friday to Monday for their damn linkage studies, but during the week it's ours. Can Sally bring you back here after the lunch seminar?"

"I'll love to help," Deirdre answered with a smile. To have such raw processing power at her fingertips, albeit for a few minutes, was an exciting prospect for her. On her laptop, although brand-new, those 3D rendering applications took more time.

"Great! So let me show you the way to our seminar room."

Chuck Weintraub led the way with Joan and Deirdre following. The seminar room doubled as the department library and Deirdre looked around with interest. She almost felt giddy seeing all the top journals lined up on the shelves.

"Wow," she said again.

All around her people sat down in their chairs and unpacked their sandwiches. The smell of coffee permeated the room. Then a side door opened and Carol Weintraub led in Joey. Joey smiled at Deirdre before he remembered to toss her the roast beef sub, still wrapped in aluminum foil. She caught it mid-air to the snicker of Joan and unwrapped it.

Meanwhile, Joey hooked up his laptop to the projector and woke it from sleep mode. The first slide of his presentation showed on the wall and Carol Weintraub clapped her hands once. The room went silent after a few seconds.

"Folks, our seminar speaker today is Mr. Joseph G. Di Rosa who mostly goes by the name Joey." There was a smatter of laughs. "Joey is currently finishing his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania where he majors in Biomedicine. Today, he will present his work on the genetic manipulation of Trypanosoma cruzi, a protozoan parasite responsible for Chagas' Disease in South America. I may add that his results will appear over his own name in Science in a month or two. We hope to recruit him to our PhD program so I ask you to keep any stupid questions to the necessary minimum."

Again, people laughed softly.

"Okay, Joey, they're all yours," Carol ended the introduction and Joey stepped in front of the audience.

"First, I would like to thank all of you for having me here but also for your willingness to consider me for your prestigious PhD program," he began.

Then, without further ado, Joey launched his talk. Deirdre knew enough about the organism with which Joey was working but she was impressed by his skillful introduction. He was straight to the point, only giving the information needed, and he spoke in short, crisp sentences. The main part, his results, was presented with only a few references to the technical difficulties he'd had to overcome. Towards the end he gave his results a critical review, mentioning limitations and caveats. He wrapped up after just twenty-five minutes to a benevolent applause from the audience. Deirdre found herself beaming proudly as Carol stepped to the front again.

"Thank you for a concise and informative talk, Joey," she said, and Deirdre nodded emphatically. "Are there questions?"

The Q&A lasted for another twenty minutes. In her opinion Joey handled himself well though, admitting to yet unanswered problems but pointing out the limited amount of time he'd had. That was the point after all. He was just an undergraduate and he managed to drive that fact home with the faculty members and students.

The fact that Joey managed to wolf down his sandwich while answering all the questions brought back bittersweet memories to Deirdre. He had always been able to eat, she remembered, even under stress or when he was busy.

Finally, the library emptied. Chuck Weintraub quickly informed Carol and Joey of the plans he had with Deirdre and Joey smiled at her which confused her a little.

Sally, or Sarah Eldridge, was a big girl, as tall as Deirdre, but perhaps twice as big around. Yet, she waddled briskly in front of Deirdre to lead her into what was labeled 'Imaging Room'. Deirdre saw two high powered microscopes to the right. On the other side a robust shelf extended all along the wall, with a long line of MacPro computers, in their distinctive aluminum, cheese grater design. There were also two 24" iMacs which served as terminals for the cluster and Sally made Deirdre sit in front of the left one.

Deirdre saw the window of the CloseFit software open, already recognizing the version as being the second-to-last. It would not matter because the only changes in the last version were in the GUI. Sally had tried to fit the human protein sequence of amino acids into the fruit fly-derived structure, but Deirdre saw immediately that it would not work. She opened the application folder to see what they had. ClustalW was there and she launched it.

"Can you show me the sequence files?" she asked Sally who pointed her to the folder she needed.

The sequence comparison and alignment took less than a second. Deirdre scanned the alignment with her eyes. It really looked like a good match for most of the two sequences but there was an irregularity near the beginning.

"That sequence, is it from the Human Genome Project or did you verify it?" she asked Sally.

"Genome Project, but we did partial sequencing for confirmation."

"You have the original sequencer files?" Deirdre shot back. She was losing herself in the problem already, something that happened all too often when she 'tinkered' with bioinformatics tools.

Sally had to retrieve the sequencing data from her lab computer. She came back a minute or two later with a USB thumb drive which she popped into the port. Deirdre nodded and loaded the original data sets. Scanning the colored peaks and lines she mumbled the sequence to herself and compared it to the output file that she had opened, too. She did not even notice Chuck Weintraub who had entered the room and was watching her. She was too busy reading the DNA sequence and translating it simultaneously into the corresponding amino acid sequence. This was all automatic for her, the base triplet code was almost an integral part of her thinking.

There! This was the region where the two proteins did not fit. But of course! Deirdre quickly checked the file information window for the version number of the sequencer software and made a sawing motion with her right fist.

"Gotcha! Well, lookee here! Someone's not keeping up with their software as they should!" She turned to Sally. "There was this glitch in the Human Genome Project. It happened frequently with the old SequEA software package. They corrected it over three years ago. Problem is, your sequencing unit didn't update their software and you are using an outdated sequence file. That's why the old Genome Project and your own sequencing seem to match: they both make the same mistake. Gimme a second to recompile!"

She did not even notice Weintraub as she pulled her own laptop from her satchel. Plugging Sally's USB stick into her own computer Deirdre recompiled the DNA sequences using the current version of the software.

"You have a private SequEA license?" Chuck asked and Deirdre spun around.

"No, ah ... yes, but you know it's..."

"Okay, I don't wanna know," Chuck grinned. "So what's the beef?"

"Wrong sequence for the human protein!" Deirdre exclaimed triumphantly. "Now, instead of the proline amino acid that is incompatible with alpha helices you have the same leucine that's in the fly sequence. Let me save this."

Within a minute Deirdre had loaded the corrected sequence into the CloseFit software. It took her another twenty minutes of fiddling, but then a three-dimensional model of the protein in question was slowly rotating on the display. All this was ridiculously easy if the hardware rendered the 3D images in split seconds. She looked up beaming proudly but then her face fell and she blushed beet-red. Oh my God! Chances were she had just wrecked Sally's career.

"Damn, Sally, did you watch that?" Chucks voice sounded behind her and she wanted to crawl into a hole.

"Holy shit!" Sally's exclamation did not sound like she was upset. Deirdre looked to her right. Sally was positively beaming.

"This explains everything!" Chuck marveled. "Now we can really move on. Deirdre, you probably saved Sally's ass with this."

The big girl pressed Deirdre's arm. "Chucky's right! We were so close to giving up. Thanks! You're my savior!"

Deidre was still hunched a little but she relaxed now.

"My dear girl, please tell me you haven't committed yourself to any school yet!" Chuck exclaimed, sitting on the desktop to the left of Deirdre and looking down at her.

"N-No, HSU hasn't made an offer yet," Deirdre admitted. 'And they probably won't, ' she added silently.

"That's good, that's so good!" Chuck exclaimed, literally rubbing his hands. "Listen, Deirdre, how long will it take you to file an application for our PhD program? We need it by next Tuesday to meet the deadline and I will go on file as your mentor. That practically guarantees acceptance. They haven't rejected a protégé of mine in the fifteen years I have been on this faculty. But you have to move fast and of course you'd have to want to enter our program."

Deirdre's mouth hung open for a few seconds. "Y-you want m-me to ap-apply here?" she stuttered. "Me, here?"

"You can bet your ... last Dollar," Chuck answered curbing his colorful exclamation in the last moment. "You seem to be a wiz with that stuff and you could help us, even now. Sally she can teach you a lot, too. Sally's a genius when it comes to cloning."

Still dazed, Deirdre closed her eyes to clear her thoughts. They. Wanted. Her. At Freaking Johns Hopkins! She opened her eyes again and took a deep breath.

"I have my resume on file and I have letters of recommendation from two faculty members as PDF on my computer. I can work on the application tonight and e-mail it tomorrow. A hard copy can be sent by Friday."

Chuck beamed at her. "Hah! Wait until Carol hears this! She thought she landed the big fish. We'll show her yet!"

Deirdre was alarmed. "I'm not hurting Joey's chances, am I? I couldn't do that. Never!"

"Oh pooh! Don't worry about your hot shot boyfriend! His application has already been pre-approved. I shouldn't tell you that, so don't blab. And he'll be a great asset. I only have the feeling that you'll turn out just as good or better. Plus you're better to look at, at least from where I stand." The last statement was made with a boyish grin.

"Well, I beg to differ," a voice sounded behind them. Deirdre spun around to see Carol Weintraub.

"Why, you old Casanova! Picking pretty girls for your lab?" She smiled at Deirdre to show she was joking. "So, Chucky, tell me: is she good?"

"She solved Sally's problem with the structure just like that. Turns out, we have to talk to the sequencing unit. Somebody probably saved a few bucks not updating the software. After the revision the sequence fits like a charm. I'll have Deirdre's application by e-mail tomorrow."

"Ask her about internships! She worked her way through college," Carol reminded her husband.

"Oh, yes. We need to finish this stuff to submit the paper. Would you be willing to help us out over the summer? I could pay you according to the technician pay scale and if your input justifies it you can even be a co-author."

"I'd love to," Deirdre temporized. "Only, my finals are not before early June and I would still have to move here from NorCal."

"No problem. Let's say that you'll start the second week of July and if you are late by a few days it's no drama either." Chuck turned to his wife. "So, where is your hotshot student?"

"Alf took him upstairs for a quick talk," she responded. "Why don't you introduce Deirdre to Alf, too."

"Alf Brenner is our Deputy Dean," Chuck explained. "Indeed, why don't I? Come, Deirdre. Let's rescue your boyfriend!"

It did not occur to Deirdre to protest against the assumption that Joey was her boyfriend. In her dazed state everything seemed possible, even that. Shaking her head in another attempt to clear it she followed Chuck Weintraub.

-------

For the first miles of the return trip Joey drove in silence and Deirdre was still trying to cope with her mixed emotions. An offer to pursue a Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University! This was the school she had dreamt of as a high school student. It was the world on a silver platter and it was for her to claim. But there was her fear again. Baltimore was only two hours away from Philadelphia where the monsters lurked. She looked at Joey. He noticed her gaze and turned his head.

"What?"

"Joey, I know you engineered all this. It's like a dream. It's just, I don't know if I can do this. It's so close, just two hours by car. It's getting better now while I'm with you or with Mom. When I'm alone though, I feel nothing but panic."

"Umh, Deirdre, about that. Felix gave me a call this morning. What with my talk and what I had planned I didn't want to tell you right away. It's like this: ten days ago, they found the remnants of two men down in Texas, near the Mexican border. Dental charts match the Montalbans. They are still waiting for the DNA tests for confirmation, but it's a very high certainty already. It certainly matches the rumors that they wanted to cross into Mexico."

"How ... how did they die?"

"Felix said head shots. My guess is that somebody wanted the two hundred and twenty grand they were carrying."

Deirdre looked at him, no, she stared into his eyes trying to read his mind. He felt almost helpless under her stare. Her head tilted and a grim little smile appeared on her lips.

"Those bodies pop up ten days before you put a scam on me to get me to interview for Charles Weintraub? Come on, Joey! I may be scared and confused but my head doesn't screw on. There never was a ransom. Your family found them and killed them, and then you called in the FBI."

Joey shook his head. "No, we paid the ransom. The money was paid and the middleman was told where to find you. I swear."

Deirdre's grim smile widened. "Okay, you swear and I believe you. So, what happened after I was found, after you learned what they had done to me? Come on! Don't tell me this is a coincidence. You or your cousin made those corpses pop up right in time for my visit."

Joey looked ahead again trying to clear his thoughts. Could he trust Deirdre? How would she react? Wouldn't she be repulsed when she learned that he was a murderer? He knew he had to risk that but it was still a tough decision.

"Deirdre?" he asked tentatively.

"Yes, Joey?" came her surprisingly soft reply.

"Can you promise me, will you swear that what I tell you now will never be retold to anybody? Not to Maureen and not to any of your friends? Will you promise that you will not even bring it up with me again, ever?"

"My word. I'll never tell anybody. Now spill!"

"Deirdre, the Montalbans died a few hours after you were freed."

Deirdre saw his face and she recognized the expression. He looked the same as he had back then, after her rescue. Tentatively she touched his arm and he turned his head to her. She saw the anguish in his eyes and suddenly understanding washed over her.

"Did you... ?" she could not finish the question.

He nodded, breathing deeply and obviously fighting his emotions.

"Is that why you were so ... miserable, so detached? It wasn't because you despised me secretly?"

"I can't help it," he replied with a voice raw with emotion. "Every day for over a year, I listed the reasons why I had to do it, every fucking day. They raped you brutally, they hurt you and broke you. They would do it again given even a sliver of a chance. They had murdered Karen. They were drug pushers and earning their living by ruining people's health. They had defied the Di Rosa and posed a danger to each of us. They had insulted me and my family. But when it all boils down to the truth I did it because Enrique Montalban taunted me. He and his brother had the fucking nerve to brag about how they had raped you. It was jealousy and blind rage that made me do it. It makes me uncertain just who I am. There's a killer just under my surface."

He stopped his monologue noticing that Deirdre had slumped into her seat sobbing helplessly. He turned to Deirdre and spoke softly, barely audible over the noise level of the engine and the wind.

"I'm sorry, Deirdre. Maybe, I shouldn't have told you. But you were a hostage of your fear all those years. I'd rather you despise me than that you live in that fear for all of your life."

Deirdre's sobbing stopped and she looked up with glistening eyes. "Despise you? Are you out of your fucking mind? Why on earth would I despise you?"

"I'm a murderer, Deirdre. I killed two men," he said through gritted teeth, staring ahead.

Hesitantly, Deirdre reached out with her left hand and touched his bearded cheek. He flinched a little.

"Joey, don't you understand? I'm crying because I'm finally free."

"But I..."

"Shhh! Joey, stop that. If you killed those monsters I'm not afraid of you. I don't think badly of you. They deserved to die! Look what they did to us: they destroyed our lives and hopes. Given a chance I'd have gladly killed them myself."

Joey made a face. "That's easy to say, Deirdre, but when you do it it kills a part of your own soul. Make no mistake: I'd do it again in the same situation but it still makes me feel miserable."

"That's because you're a good person, Joey. A bad person wouldn't give a shit, least of all after four years."

Deirdre looked straight ahead while tears still ran down her cheeks and she breathed heavily.

"I'm free, I'm finally free!" she kept saying with a dazed voice. Finally, she tore herself out of it and faced Joey. "What a day! What a crazy day this is. Joey, we need to talk, and a lot. I don't know where we're heading but we need to bring everything on the table. And wherever we are heading there is no way I can ever shut you out from my life again. Ever. You saved my life and you avenged me. I ... God, I wish I could just hug you and kiss you and drag you off to some motel room."

"Hold that thought," Joey actually smiled. "There's some motels coming up after we cross the Susquehanna."

Deirdre smirked. "Give me a little more time. There are things I must understand and things I must get over. Joey, I need to know the truth: what do you feel for Mom?"

"Wow! You don't pull your punches today, do you?"

"I'm serious. If there is to be a future for us I need to know. You can't imagine how much this crushed me. The truth, Joey! Do you love her?"

Joey held her gaze for a second before he looked ahead again. He decided to be honest. "Yes, I do."

A quick look showed him that Deirdre's face fell, but he continued.

"She's a wonderful woman, don't you know that? She carried my daughter, Deirdre. I love her. It's not the love I felt for you. It's like she's a surrogate mother, a good friend, and an occasional partner, all rolled into one woman. No, I don't think of her as my girlfriend. I'm glad that she found Numi because she needs a good woman to be really happy. But I cannot regret a single moment I spent with Maureen."

Deirdre swallowed. "Fair enough. Hearing my mother described as fuck buddy takes some getting used to but I get your meaning. She loves you, too, you know. Probably as much as she can ever love a man."

"There is that and more. Spending all that time with her, seeing your picture on the mantle whenever I picked up Carla, I just couldn't forget you. I couldn't move on while being constantly reminded of you." He squinted at her. "Did you mean what you said, you know, 'everything on the table'?"

Deirdre held her breath and nodded.

"Tell me, Deirdre, did you blame me for the abduction and rape? I mean, if I hadn't stood you up that day..."

"Joey, are you blaming yourself?"

He nodded. "Every day. If I had been with you, if I had been able to fight them off, all that ... nothing would have happened."

"And you thought that I stopped calling because I was disappointed in you?"

He nodded, this time unable to speak.

"Oh, shit!" Deirdre swore softly. "Joey, I never blamed you. Honestly. I. Never. Blamed. You." She buried her face in her hands. "What a fucking mess! Joey, I can't tell you how sorry I am. I dumped all that shit on you and made your life a mess. How you must have hated me!"

He shook his head. "I could never hate you. I could never forget you or stop wanting you. You should know that."

Somehow, for the first time in almost four years, Deirdre was getting close to believing him.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 29: Justice and Cold Beer


Maureen Darling ended the call and looked across the desk at her daughter. Deirdre had dropped by the DA's office to hear about a wish she had made.

"I spoke the DA of Val Verde County. They have the DNA results and they're matching. The bodies are in their freezer. Nobody claimed them so far. We can fly down and the coroner will let you view them. Should I call Joey or would you like me to fly with you? I won't let you fly alone, so if that's your idea you better think again."

"Not Joey!" Deirdre fairly squeaked. "I can't demand that of him."

Maureen squinted at her daughter. "He told you?"

Deirdre's face became a rigid mask. "He told me that they were found. He's got work to do before his graduation and I already claimed two days of his time. Besides, it would be awkward traveling together."

Maureen was contrite. "Sorry, stupid idea. Will you still fly with me? Being who I am may help."

"That would be nice of you, Mom. Only, I have to fly back on Monday. What are the connections to Val Verde anyway?"

"I would think through Houston. Let's check."

Maureen called a travel agent who promised to call back. Meanwhile they ate the lunch Deirdre had brought. Twenty minutes later the agent called back with the flight information. If they left early on Saturday, at six-fifteen, they could be in Houston by half past eight. A regional flight would see them to Del Rio, the seat of Val Verde County where the coroner's office was.

Maureen made reservations for three, plus Carla. When Deirdre looked her question, she smiled.

"I've never been away with Numi. She can watch Carla while we tend to your business."

Deirdre smiled. "That's great, Mom. I like Numi. I can relate to her."

"You still can't forgive Karen?"

Deirdre thought about it, but then she shook her head sadly. "No. In my book, she's the Nº3 culprit. She brought two felons into our house to satisfy her drug habit."

"Don't you think she paid the price for it?" Maureen asked gently but the hard look in Deirdre's eyes gave her the answer.

"No, Mom. I paid the fucking price. She got her head bashed in. That was terrible for you but for her it was over in the blink of an eye. I'm still paying for her stupidity after four years, and Joey does as well. I have the fucked up mind. I woke up screaming for months. All so she could keep her fucking muscle tone.

"So, I'm sorry, Mom, but I can't forgive her. Not yet. Maybe when I've pieced my life back together."

Maureen nodded. "Numi keeps saying the same. I just feel, knowing what she went through as a child with her father, there were reasons for how she was."

"Give me a break, Mom! How often did you rant about that sort of excuse from the people you're prosecuting?"

Maureen squinted at her daughter. "A double standard, huh? I just can't forget that Karen was the first person who ever accepted me for what I am. She was the one who taught me to stand up for myself."

"Mom, I'm not mad at you. I know how much she meant to you, and I'm sorry for the loss you suffered and for the hurt. I just can't see her the same way. To me she was always that embarrassing, loud-mouthed woman who scared away the other kids. To you she was an inspiration but to me she symbolized my outcast status."

"Still those issues, huh?"

"You bet, so let's better drop it."

"Yes, that's nothing we can resolve. So, you wanna call Joey and tell him where you're going?"

"I'll tell him later. We'll have coffee. I'm to meet Professor Harland. I must at least pretend to do what I was sent over for."

"So we're set? I'll set the alarm for four o' clock; that should give us time enough."

"You'll see me tonight. It's not like I'm moving in with Joey right away. Not for a long time. I just want to get to know the man he has become."

"You'll be impressed," Maureen said earnestly.

"I am already. That's one of the problems. He's got a kid, he runs his own life and looks after his sister, and he's already on the board as a serious scientist. I can't help asking myself what he can possibly want of me."

Maureen reached out and touched her daughter's cheek. "Have a good look in a mirror, and you'll have half the answer. Kiss him like you used to, and you'll have the other half. He loves you. He doesn't need reasons."

"I'm afraid he is still trying to live up to the nice guy image. I don't want his pity or his sense of duty."

"At least give him a chance. Allow for the possibility that he simply cares for you."

After lunch Deirdre took a bus to the shopping district. Right after Christmas, Maureen had given her a debit card with a monthly limit of $1000. Deirdre had her fellowship which covered most of her expenses, and she had barely used a fifth of that allowance. Now Maureen had urged her to spend at least some of it.

Deirdre found a few shirts and blue jeans she liked and she even bought a little make up. A separate USB number pad for her laptop was also on her list, to crunch numbers more effectively. In an outdoors clothing shop she saw a beautiful Fjällräven Greenland hiking jacket and she actually called Maureen before she went in to buy it. After almost three years of extreme economizing she felt decadent when she left the store with a $340 jacket.

By now it was time to visit Joey on campus and she took a cab to save time. She was almost at UPenn when she realized that she had strolled through Philadelphia for an entire day without a shred of fear. A wave of gratitude washed over her while she thought about what Joey had done for her. She knew how much it had cost him emotionally. When they met in the department cafeteria she therefore crushed him with a violent hug.

"I just realized it, Joey: I strolled the streets and I wasn't afraid. Not one bit. You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you!"

"Thank you for saying that. You know, it helps me, too, in a way, coping, I mean. So, let's pick up some coffee. Andy is already waiting. Hey, neat jacket!"

"Thanks. I just bought it. Mom insists that I should spend more of her money."

They filled three coffee mugs and Joey carried them on a tray while he led the way to the Microbiology Department and to Andrew Harland's office. They entered and Deirdre felt a slight rush of panic. Two men were in a narrow office with her.

"Can we leave the door open, please?" she whispered to Joey. He nodded.

Fortunately, Andrew Harland did not look frightening at all. He looked like a serious contender for the Slob of the Year award, wearing washed out, ratty blue jeans with various lab dye stains all over the thighs. His left index finger was also dyed blue, probably with Coomassie Brilliant Blue as Deirdre suspected. He wasn't tall either, perhaps five-eight, and less than one-hundred and fifty. Her nerves calmed.

"Hi, so you're Parker's spy?" he greeted her with a grin.

Deirdre blushed pink.

"Or should I say the siren who came to lure my best student to the Western Shores and to his ruin."

He did have a weird sense of humor Deirdre decided.

"In that I failed miserably," she admitted deciding to play along. "I had to ask for asylum at Johns Hopkins due to my failure."

"Anyway, how is James? More importantly, how is Gwen?"

"Gwen got her tenure two years ago. She works on Caenorabditis elegans development. Dr. Parker is doing okay, as far as I can judge that."

"Beautiful review you wrote for him," Harland smiled.

Deirdre stared. She had not told a thing to Joey about the review. Harland laughed at her surprise.

"How do I know? Easy. I read most of James's papers and he never was one to write overly lucid texts. The review was so far off from his usual ramblings that it had to be somebody else. I showed it to Joey and he confirmed that it was your writing."

She cast an accusing glance at Joey who shrugged. "Come on, Deirdre! We wrote three or four papers for Mr. Joyner. I know your writing when I see it."

"So, my dear, how may we help you? I'm afraid we cannot allow you inside the Level 3 unit to perform some hands-on experiments, but Joey and I can give you any information you need."

This, Deirdre could handle. She had a check list of questions and statements which she ran by Harland and by Joey, and they answered them openly. Harland seemed to be an extremely easygoing, laid back sort of lab chief but he was very much up to date with what was going on in his unit.

Smiling inwardly Deirdre realized that Joey had moulded his own presentation style on Harland's low key attitude. Nothing like the pomp and flourish with which James Parker celebrated his presentations. Harland conveyed information and he offered opinions, but he never pontificated. Deirdre felt a little envy at Joey for having such a great mentor.

At one point, Deirdre became wide awake. They were discussing the cultivation after the gene transfer and there was a discrepancy to how she had learned this.

"Why add the antibiotic after another day, not immediately?" she asked.

Harland answered. "It takes a day to fully express the antibiotic resistance. You add the pressure too early and the cells die."

For a moment Deirdre lost the thread. That was exactly what she had suggested when her own gene transfer experiments had failed repeatedly during the practical course she had taken in Parker's lab. Parker had dismissed it.

"That's neat," she said. "Dr. Parker will be happy to hear of this trick."

Harland raised his eyebrows. "That's just standard procedure from the days of old. Everybody does it this way. James knows that. Hell, just look at the materials and methods sections of his own papers."

Deirdre's face became beet red. She felt shame over her failure to read up properly about the procedures, but she also felt burning anger at Parker. He must have set her up! He wanted her to fail in the course. Why? She had helped him, she had been loyal. Why then had he sabotaged her?

She found Joey looking at her and she knew that he knew what she had just realized. He shook his head. "Just pray that things with Chuck will work out. I told you that Parker's a weasel."

"Tsk, tsk! My dear Joseph, you should not speak of a highly respected colleague in such defamatory language," Harland mock-chastised Joey. "He may just have a rather unique understanding of ethics."

Deirdre snorted and shook her head. "Should I change a few things in my report to get back at him?"

Joey shook his head. "Please don't. Think of the poor slob who will get the project. Parker will just blame the student."

They finished their discussions a half hour later and Deirdre left together with Joey.

"Shit," she said as they walked to the parking lot. "I should have listened to you and applied for late admittance here. Harland is such a cool guy."

"Yeah, he comes over as a complete loser at first glance but he's smart and compassionate. Plus, he has a true feel for the biological systems."

They climbed into the BMW and Joey started the engine.

"Umh, Joey, Mom and I will fly to Texas tomorrow."

"To Texas?" Joey asked with alarm in his voice.

"I asked her. The ... the Montalbans are still lying in a freezer down in Del Rio. I need to see them. I believe you, really, but I need to see them dead. It's for closure, or maybe just to have the last laugh at them. Mom has arranged for a viewing with the coroner. She'll come along with Numi and Carla. Numi will take care of Carla while we're in the coroner's office."

Joey was very pale. "As long as I don't have to come along..."

"Come on, I would never ask you that. I need this for my peace of mind. I want to look at them, to really get it into my head that they're dead."

"You do what you have to do. Just don't let anybody in on what you know."

"Trust me, I'll be careful."

-------

Deirdre's night was spent lying awake. She kept the tossing and turning to a minimum but around three-thirty she could not stay in bed anymore. She crept downstairs and brewed coffee. She sat there sipping when she heard steps on the stairs and a moment later Numi showed.

"Carla is fussy," she explained with a yawn that would have made a panther proud.

There was still water in the kettle and Numi brewed a jug of coffee for herself. A little later Maureen showed, also a little the worse for wear. She sank on a chair and when Numi poured her a cup she pulled her down for a kiss. Deirdre looked at them wondering why she did not feel the embarrassment she had always felt when her mother and Karen had exchanged kisses. It was strange how Numi put her at ease. Perhaps it was because Numi was decidedly female, her voice a pleasant alto, and her figure sinewy and slender. Her high, pointy breasts also left no doubt about her gender. She also walked like a woman, whereas Karen had affected a gait right out of Jurassic Park. Maureen caught her daughter's look.

"What's up, Deirdre?"

"I'm happy for you, Mom," Deirdre answered. "I find I am finally comfortable with what and who you are."

"You mean Numi and I?"

"Yes. I don't want to reopen our discussion from yesterday but I feel completely at ease with you two as a couple."

Numi scrunched her nose, looking much younger than her thirty-four years. "You didn't with, hrhm, Karen and Maureen?"

Deirdre shook her head giving her mother an apologetic look. "I guess Karen and I had too many issues. She could be a great person and for a while after we moved here I actually began to like her. It just didn't last."

"And you blame her for what happened to you," Numi stated.

Deirdre returned the look. "Damn right, I do. Her and the two pieces of shit I'll be visiting today."

-------

By five o'clock, they were at the air port and headed for the security checks. Suddenly Maureen stopped.

"There, that's the obnoxious bitch from before Christmas!" she said, pointing at a security guard.

They approached the security gate. Of course, no recognition showed on the guard's face. Maureen and Deirdre passed the detectors and were waved along without fuss.

Numi was held back. She had to take off her shoes and her belt, and she was still searched. She shrugged it off to Maureen and Deirdre once they had passed security.

"She's just a grunt and she's got supers breathing down her neck. Forget her."

Flight and connection to Del Rio worked out as planned and the rental car was waiting for them, too. At the police station they were met by a real life Texas Ranger wearing a suit, boots, and a Stetson hat. Ranger Walton then escorted them to the coroner's office. Deirdre was getting antsy by now.

"Excuse me for asking, but what is the exact purpose of this visit?" he asked.

Before Maureen could explain Deirdre stood as tall as she could.

"Rafael and Enrique Montalban abducted and raped me almost four years ago. They beat me up, too, for good measure. I'm here to make sure it's them."

"From what I see in the file ID was positive, both by dental records and DNA testing."

"Then let me do the visual and you'll have triple ID."

The Ranger shrugged and led them into a tiled room with a multi door freezer. A man in a lab coat approached them.

"Visual ID on the Montalban brothers," Ranger Walton announced.

The man in the lab coat, a Dr. Tyler, opened two adjacent doors and pulled out two sliders with shriveled human corpses.

"They're about completely mummified," Dr. Tyler said to nobody specific.

Deirdre just stared at the desiccated remains. Yes, she could see the features of her tormentors in the shrunk faces. She also saw the holes in their foreheads and a barking laugh came out of her mouth. Dr. Tyler, not privy to Deirdre's history with the Montalbans, raised an eyebrow when Deirdre lifted the green sheets that covered the bodies. She smirked, seeing the pencil thin desiccated penis of Rafael. Enrique's was missing entirely, having been broken off at some point.

"Who's dead now, you butt-fuckers! You low-life needle dicks, who's laughing the last laugh? Rot in hell!" She looked at Ranger Walton who had watched her curiously. "Say, Ranger, what would be the fine for spitting on a corpse?"

"An admonishment for a first offense. A serious one for the second," the Ranger answered drily.

Deirdre collected spittle and deposited a phlegm right on Rafael Montalban's shriveled member. The spittle that landed on Enrique's face was less impressive. Then she faced the Ranger.

"Sorry for the melodramatics."

Walton shrugged and lifted his index finger. "Don't do it again, young lady! I mean it!" He grimaced. "If all this helps you put them behind you, be my guest. Maybe if we don't find out what to do with them you can help with their disposal."

"What will happen to them?"

"We're dickering with the FBI in Quantico. They have requested the mummies for their pathology unit, you know as displays for their students to train on."

"Yess!" Deirdre pumped her fist. "I love that thought. Thanks, Ranger! I really appreciate your time. Yours, too, Dr. Tyler."

Maureen nodded and shook the men's hands. "Thanks for indulging us."

Once outside they were met by Numi and Carla.

"How'd it go?" Numi asked.

"Oh, I had a ball!" Deirdre answered grimly.

"So what now?" Maureen asked.

"Langtry," Numi and Deirdre answered almost in synch and they both laughed. Deirdre continued. "The Jersey Lilly Saloon. Mom, how can you not want to see that?"

Maureen was nonplussed.

"Maureen, Judge Roy Bean!" Numi almost shouted. "The Law West of the Pecos! It's right here in Langtry."

Maureen finally understood and Deirdre smiled grimly.

"A fitting place to visit, don't you think? Quick justice and cold beer sounds just right."

Deirdre was almost disappointed when she learned that in his entire time as justice of the peace, Roy Bean had only one miscreant hanged, mostly opting for the more lucrative fines. It was an interesting visit though and they indeed had cold beer with their belated lunch. At one time while Numi was visiting the restroom Deirdre took hold of Maureen's arm.

"Mom, do you honestly think I may get Joey back?"

"You're sure you want him?" Maureen asked.

"He's the only man for me," Deirdre said with conviction. Then she balled her fists. "Damn it, if I could only get over those panic attacks!"

"Give it more time, Baby. Look how far you've progressed in the last months! And don't worry about Joey! Why do you think he engineered your visit in Baltimore?"

"To help me. He felt bad because his refusal might cost me my fellowship. That's how he is."

"Yeah, sure, that's why," Maureen snorted. "If you want Joey back you have to stop doubting him, girl."

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 30: Pick-Up


Deirdre leaned back and pinched her nose. She stared at the paper sheets in front of her. Should she just return them now or try to find errors? No. At this point she was too tired. She would probably introduce more new errors than she could correct. Rotating her shoulders she sat straight. Then she exhaled and shuffled the forms into a neat pile before she put them in the folder and sealed it. Packing her writing utensils, her pack of tissues, her water bottle, and her box of Mars mini bars, she walked to the front and placed the sealed folder on the desk where James Parker eyed her with accusing eyes.

Parker was a sore loser. Deirdre knew that now. Two weeks ago she had received the acceptance letter from Hopkins. She had gone straight to the faculty office to withdraw her application for HSU's PhD program. The very next morning Parker had cornered her in the hallway demanding to know the reason. When she told him that she had been accepted at Johns Hopkins he became angry and accused her of being ungrateful.

She defended herself telling him that he himself had doubted her qualifications and he simply stomped away. The next day he offered a half-hearted apology but he had treated her like a non-person ever since. Now he looked at the folder that contained Deirdre's answer sheets. She knew that he died to open it but it was sealed and it would only be opened with three other faculty members present.

Taking advice from Maureen, Deirdre had lodged a complaint against Parker over the incident in the hallway, and the Dean had assured her that her final would not be graded by her erstwhile mentor. She shrugged and turned to leave.

"You could have had a great future here, Darling-Girl," Parker said, causing the whole class to perk up.

Deirdre turned, shaking her head. "Yeah, if I'd got you the student you really wanted. You know, I can have a great future at Hopkins, too."

After getting in the last word Deirdre left the classroom for the last time ever. With the grades she already had there was no question of her passing. She would pack her stuff at leisure in the next days and find a plane to Philadelphia.

She made a brief stop at Gwen Parker's office to say good-bye to her. Gwen had been helpful to her during that summer course and she had congratulated her honestly for being accepted at a prestigious school such as Johns Hopkins.

In a way, it was a pity that Parker had rejected Joey's offer to teach Parker's people the new technique he had developed. Deirdre had looked forward to four weeks with Joey. She shrugged. They traded phone calls three or four times a week, although those had petered out a bit in the last week. Nevertheless, they would join the same PhD program. They were friendly with each other again, sometimes even joking over the phone or on Skype. Deirdre was confident that they had a chance. The one thing that she really hated was that she would not be able to take Joey to the beach here on the Pacific Ocean, to show him what a great place Eureka was. She sighed as she stepped out into the sunlight.

-------

Joey checked the schedule on the pin board once more, making sure that his tired eyes were not playing tricks on him. Deirdre was due to finish in an hour. That did not mean anything as he knew. In high school she had always walked out before the official end. He decided to take no chances. He parked himself in front of the lecture hall building with a folding table, two champagne glasses, and an ice bucket containing a $49 bottle of Moet&Chandon. He sat in a folding chair and watched the entrance, sipping tea to stay awake.

Driving twelve hours per day for four days had just about killed him. The driver's seat of the Volkswagen Camper was certainly a comfortable one, but sitting on your butt all day long with nothing to watch but the odometer as the van ate away at the 3060 miles from Philly to Eureka was mind-numbing. Plus, he had started this day at four a.m. to cover the last 350 miles.

He sipped more tea and blinked his dry eyes to moisten them. Just then the door of the building in front of him opened. Joey grinned. A good half hour ahead of the deadline.

Deirdre blinked in the sunlight and stretched her neck muscles. Two other girls and a young man approached giving her hugs. Joey held his breath but the man hugged Deirdre only perfunctorily before slipping his hand into the hand of one of the other girls.

"Hey, Dee-Dee!" Joey called out.

Deirdre's head snapped up and her eyes went wide. "Joey!" She came over, blinking her eyes repeatedly.

"It's really me," he smiled, tentatively opening his arms.

Equally hesitantly Deirdre stepped close and gave him a hug. They held each other for a minute or two before Deirdre freed herself. She remembered her surroundings.

Cheers and catcalls sounded from behind her. Her friends were laughing and whistling and Deirdre smiled at them waving at them to come over.

"Guys, this is Joey. Joey, these are my friends Claire and Ruth, and Claire's boyfriend Ed."

Joey shook hands with them with his left arm still around Deirdre's back. The girl Claire beamed at them.

"So that's Joey. Jeez, Deirdre, he really exists."

Joey looked at Deirdre who had her head down. He saw her flushed neck and knew her face would be beet red. He looked at Deirdre's friends.

"Hey, does anyone of you have more finals today?"

They shook their heads.

"Deirdre, what do you say? Should we invite your friends to toast your graduation?"

She looked up still blushing and squinted in the sunlight.

"Well, seeing that you only graduate once I brought some expensive bubbly. Let me get more glasses."

He ran for the van and grabbed the card board box with the champagne glasses. Luckily, he had bought and brought a set of six. Returning to his impromptu buffet table he removed the wire from the bottle and let the cork fly with a loud pop. The champagne bubbled up and Joey filled the glasses. Everybody took a glass and then Joey raised his.

"Folks, a toast to Miss Deirdre Darling, Bachelor of Science!"

"Woee!" Ruth exclaimed. "This is the real stuff! Deirdre, you better keep this guy!"

"I hope to," Deirdre answered, just a bit shakily. She gulped down more of the champagne. Then she squinted at Joey. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Giving her a smug smile Joey indicated the camper with a wave of his hand.

"You needed somebody to move you back east. I need somebody to show me the Pacific Ocean. I also need a companion for the long drive back. It's so damn boring alone. What do you say?"

"This is a camper?" Deirdre asked apprehensively. "You expect me to spend the nights with a miscreant like you?"

"We can always marry in Reno, if you doubt my honest intentions," Joey answered modestly.

"Hah! You wish!" Deirdre exclaimed, the champagne quickly going to her head. "Your ... What was that?"

Joey grinned. "Gotcha!"

A sly grin spread over Deirdre's face. She held out her glass. "You'll have to get me a lot drunker for that," she challenged.

"No problem."

He filled her glass, tipping off the other's glasses as well. Her three friends just looked back and forth between Deirdre and Joey. Claire shook her head.

"Ed, can I ask for asylum tonight? I suspect my roomy will get laid."

-------

Of course, nothing of the sort Claire expected happened. Deirdre was a little tipsy but she sobered up over the afternoon. They walked the campus together but with the surprise of Joey showing up gone Deirdre's demons made an admirable comeback.

They were sitting at a vantage point, looking out at the Pacific Ocean.

"Wow! Now I know how why you liked it here," he grinned.

"Joey, really, why did you come here? I know I left you on friendly terms and I'm over my fears with you, but coming here to pick me up ... This is sudden."

"I don't know. It seemed like a great idea. You know, driving coast to coast, seeing stuff, getting to know each other again."

"Joey, I am not ready for what you may expect," Deirdre said earnestly. "I trust you, but in a small camper alone with a man, even you, I may panic again."

"Hey, give me some credit there," Joey answered. "I'm not expecting anything beyond talking and experiencing things together."

"How about sleeping arrangements?"

Joey nodded. "I thought that might bother you. We can both have our separate beds to sleep in. You can barricade yourself in the alcove."

"Damn you! I'm trying to get out of this but you take the wind out of my sails at each turn," Deirdre pretended to grump, but she smiled now.

"Deirdre, I'm aware of how difficult this may be for you. I also think that we have to have some time together, so we can both heal."

Deirdre took a deep breath and looked at Joey. "Can we take this one city at a time? I mean, what's the first major stop? Reno?"

Joey nodded.

"How about I sign on until Reno. If I can't ... If my fears get the better of me, can I take a plane from Reno? Please, Joey, this is not about mistrusting you as a person. It's me, not you. If I decide to fly home will you please not be mad at me?"

Joey nodded. "Reno's just a day trip. We'll spend the night at a camp ground and the morning after we either drive on to Utah or I'll drop you off at the airport."

"When do you plan to leave?"

Joey shrugged. "When you're ready. I suppose you want to visit the after-finals parties and say good bye to all your friends?"

Deirdre snorted. "You met Claire and Ruth. Ed I have to tolerate to be with Claire. He's not bad but he's..."

"A man, huh?"

She nodded, her eyes brimming. "God, I'm so fucked up!"

"So, you wanna leave right away?"

"I need a few days, to pack and for paperwork, but come Thursday I can leave. Can we fit all my personal stuff in your van?"

"Sure. It's quite roomy inside."

Indeed, the camper offered plenty of storage room, more than she expected to need for her meagre possessions. She shook her head. She wasn't getting out of this. Thankfully, reason came to her help. This was Joey. Didn't she want to make up with him? Didn't she think of his loving touches in her happy dreams? Even now, he was thinking of her sensitivities. If there was any man on the face of this Earth who could help her find a normal life again it was Joey. She exhaled. She had to give it a try.

"Okay, Thursday it is," she sighed. "Joey, don't get me wrong, I really appreciate what you are doing for me, what you are trying. I think I want the same. Just don't rush me."

"Promise!" Joey answered solemnly. "Now, how about some dinner?"

They compromised on an off-campus diner and when they got there, there were a number of people from Deirdre's Senior Class who were also celebrating the end of finals. It was obvious from their stares that Deirdre was not a common patron of the diner, nor of any other social gathering place.

They sat in their own booth. Joey ordered a pitcher of beer to go along with the burgers they ordered. The food was good and the beer was from a local micro brewery. Even Deirdre had two glasses and by the end of their dinner she was more relaxed. When they walked back to where Joey had his camping van she even slipped her hand into his and she was rewarded with a smile that gave her a warm feeling in turn. She hugged him once more before she slipped through the door of her dorm.

It was a little after nine o'clock when Joey arrived at the nearby campground he had picked. In no time at all he set up the van, pulled the blinds, and climbed into the alcove bed where he fell asleep within minutes.

-------

Joey woke from a persistent knock on the sliding door window and he climbed down from the bed and opened the blinds. The sight of Deirdre waving two cups of coffee and a bag of bagels sufficed to wake him up. He quickly opened the big sliding door.

Deirdre's eyes widened a little when she saw him. He was only wearing shorts and his chest showed a growth of black hair. So did his legs. He was not so much muscular but sinewy. Most importantly he was the exact opposite of the steroid-inflated, shaven bodies of the Montalban brothers, her only other reference as far as men went. She set down the coffee and the bagels and tentatively reached out with her right hand to feel Joey's chest hair. He stood stock still while she played with the short curls.

"This feels neat," she finally said. "You've grown a lot of that in the last years."

Then her eyes went lower and Joey grimaced. Her innocent, gentle caress had caused an erection and the thin shorts were tented.

"I-I better get dressed first," he stammered. "Sorry, really."

Strangely the sight of Joey's arousal did not scare Deirdre at all. She'd expected to feel apprehension but her reaction surprised her. Joey desired her! Her little touch had been enough to make him hard. Somehow this made her happy. She smiled.

"Don't worry. I guess, this is something you cannot help." She let her hands rub his chest hair again. "Isn't this amazing? I can touch you. Give me your hand, Joey!"

She grabbed for his hand and pulled it to her face. She placed the open palm on her cheek. Again, Joey did not make a move on his own. He let her experiment with the touches knowing that any false move on his part might ruin this special moment.

"I always loved your touches, Joey," she said dreamily. "Your hands on my face or my boobs, you were so gentle."

She stared into his eyes, and Joey gasped. He could see something he had missed for four long years. There was a smoldering passion in her blue eyes. He slowly bent his head forward until his forehead touched Deirdre's. The contact was infinitely reassuring and he luxuriated in the feel. Then, Deirdre pressed his palm against her mouth and kissed it softly before she let go of it and stepped back.

"We better have breakfast before you make a mess," she said, not teasing him at all.

"Yeah," he answered hoarsely. "Lemme take a shower, too."

While Deirdre sat in one of Joey's folding chairs he dashed over to the restrooms. When he returned not ten minutes later his hair was damp from the shower and his erection under the shorts was gone. Deirdre allowed herself a smile, again surprised at herself. Somehow, seeing the half-naked Joey had alleviated almost all her fears around him. This was Joey, her soul mate, her lover, who had gently taken her virginity on her eighteenth birthday, who had kissed every square inch of her body, who had held her close as she fell asleep. There was no similarity between him and those two, steroid-crazed monsters.

While he was inside the van finding clean underwear and a pair of blue jeans, Deirdre looked at the dust covered flanks of the van. Realization hit her. He had driven over three thousand miles just so he could be with her on her graduation day. This was not some token gesture to show he was a sensitive guy, to show he did not think badly of her. Joey must still love her! The rush she felt almost took her breath away. Then, anguish hit her. Those fucking fears she had! How could she act on what she knew if she felt panic with him?

Did she really feel panic? Didn't she just assume it because that's how she'd felt with other men? She thought of the few men she'd given trial runs, like watching a movie or having dinner. Her eyes flew open in realization. All those men, good guys no doubt, sported the hip, ultra short haircuts and had tattoos on their arms or elsewhere, just like so many of the younger crowd. They had all looked like miniature versions of the Montalbans! Why had she even considered them? Was she attracted to that look? She shook her head. Not really. Okay, the movie stars sported the same look these days, but she did not care for it that much.

By contrast, Joey looked like an extra from an early eighties' movie. She had seen Serpico in a film seminar two months ago, and Joey looked like the young Al Pacino, only much taller. Honestly, who in these days let his chest hair grow? Still, it had felt nice under her palm she thought. Manly, in the old-fashioned, natural way.

There he was, wearing his perpetual blue jeans and a short sleeved, checkered shirt. She gave him a smile.

"Ready for breakfast?"

He grinned back at her, white teeth in the black growth of his beard, obviously enjoying her mood.

"Let's," he said.

Inside a minute he had unfolded an aluminum table and a second chair. The coffee had cooled but was still more than warm in the styrofoam cups. Joey produced cream cheese and strawberry jam, her favorite. Sitting in the morning sun they enjoyed their cream cheese and jam bagels.

"What are the plans?" Joey asked.

"No plans," Deirdre answered. "Finals are over and it's a Saturday. I need to unwind. Let's pack my winter clothes into your hold and then drive to Samoa Dunes. Papers and books tomorrow, then beach again. Monday, I'll run by all the offices to clear out. In the afternoon we'll pack my summer clothes and my laptop. Monday night I'll spend in your camper and Tuesday I'll clear my room. We'll spend Tuesday night with my friends eating out. Wednesday morning, you and I will drive to Reno."

"Sounds like a plan," Joey admitted. "Do you have a bathing suit?"

Deirdre nodded, slightly uncomfortable.

"I still have my old suit. I-I didn't have much use for it."

"It must be a bit outdated now," he remarked. "Oh shit, Deirdre! I almost forgot."

He stood and rummaged in the van before returning with an envelope.

"Here, this is your graduation present from Maureen."

Deirdre opened the envelope to find a bundle of fifty-dollar-bills. She looked at Joey.

"This is for the trip. Maureen said you should be able to afford some things."

"That's all?"

"This is also for the chance that you may want to take a plane. Maureen thinks I'm rushing you."

"I changed my mind. I'm going with you – all the way."

Joey breath caught and he looked at Deirdre for confirmation. She nodded and Joey closed his eyes for moment, savoring the elation he felt. With their breakfast finished Joey accompanied Deirdre to her dorm. Claire was in and her eyes bugged when she saw Deirdre and Joey hand in hand. Then, in a flash, she raised her cell phone and snapped a picture.

"Sorry! Nobody will believe this without proof. Should I make myself scarce?"

"No, really not. Joey's helping me packing my winter clothes."

"What? Both the coat and your boots?" Claire laughed.

"You know I didn't need more," Deirdre said defensively. "I just don't put that much value..."

"I know," Claire said moving close for a hug. "Deirdre, I couldn't have wished for a better roomy those three years. I thought I was the only person to see how great you are until Garibaldi here showed up."

Deirdre blushed. "You know, I liked having you, too. You've been a great friend."

She hugged Claire fiercely but then she started to cry and fled to the bathroom. Claire stared after her and then at Joey.

"Please, whoever you are, don't hurt her. Have patience with her. She's worth it."

Joey gave the pretty blonde a smile. "Don't worry. If she lets me I'll never let her go."

"That's the spirit," Claire laughed, obviously relieved. "So tell me, Joey, do you have a brother?"

"No, just my kid sister Tess. My parents are dead. Tess is all the close family I have except for my great uncle and my cousin."

"Pity that. Now tell me about your cousin."

"Married. They have two kids."

"Damn! What about that great uncle? Is he at least rich?"

"Yes, but you're not his type."

"Just my luck. I'm just kidding around you know. I feel a little down right now. Ed will go to Sacramento to work for his Dad and since I have a place at Cornell there's not much hope for us."

"Hey, when you're in Ithaca you can visit us in Philly or even in Baltimore. That's not too far."

"I can do that. You're going to Johns Hopkins, like Deirdre?"

Joey smiled. "Yes. My mentor's husband recruited her on the spot when she accompanied me to my interview. We'll be working in neighboring labs once we start our theses. And you? Which school are you going to?"

"S.C. Johnson School of Management."

Joey whistled. "Remind me to ask you for a loan in six years."

Deirdre came back from the bathroom, smiling at her friends. "Hey, you guys get to know each other?"

"Mhm, Joey already invited me to Philly or Baltimore. He's right. It's not far from Ithaca."

"Oh, I'd love to have you visit!" Deirdre exclaimed. She sobered. "Did you and Ed have 'the talk' yesterday?"

Claire nodded, a little subdued. "We're cool. It was bound to happen. It's not like we've been planning to marry or something. We clicked well for the last two years and it's a pity that it has to be over, but that's the way it's gonna be."

For the next half hour Deirdre and Claire stuffed warm clothing into a nylon duffle bag. When that was finished Deirdre looked sadly at the almost empty drawers and closet.

"Not much to show for four years, huh?"

"But you made it on your own. That was important for you, wasn't it?"

Joey got up lazily and looked into the closet. There were three pairs of blue jeans on hangers and a few blouses and shirts. Behind that was a dress in plastic wrap. Joey's eyes flew open and he made a strangled noise. Deirdre looked up to see him clenching his fists to maintain his calm but she saw the pain in his eyes.

"Joey, are you alright?"

"Your prom dress, Deirdre, you still have it?"

"I would not part with it for anything," she answered. She caught up on his mood. Their night together as lovers, after the Prom, was when they thought nothing could ever separate them. Only a week later the Montalbans proved that wrong. Moving close, she took his hand and pressed it. He looked at her and she could see that he was close to tears.

"Joey, I promise that there will be a day when I'll wear it for you again."

He nodded. "I-I'll bring the duffel down and store it away. Just come down when you're ready. See you later, Claire."

He almost fled from the room.

"What was that about?" Claire asked alarmed. "Did something happen on your Prom Night?"

Deirdre shook her head sadly. "No, not on Prom Night. That was wonderful and we were so much in love." She faced her room mate. "The rape happened a week later. I was certain that Joey could not love me anymore. So I broke up with him and moved here."

Claire's tears were flowing, but she smiled. "He proved you wrong, eh? He kept loving you all these years. He's a great guy. You better go after him right away. Give him a kiss and let him hold you. I hate to say this but he may have suffered as much as you did, at least emotionally."

Deirdre hugged her friend. "Okay, let me change into my shorts and get the big towel, and then I'm outta here."

She threw her biggest towel into a satchel bag and changed into cargo shorts. Then a comb and her keys and she was ready to go. Kissing Claire's cheek once more she stormed from the room and downstairs.

Joey was pacing the pavement. "Sorry," he mumbled, trying to muster a smile. "Seeing that dress again really hit me kinda hard."

"Claire knows about the rape," Deirdre said. "For three years, she was the only one I could talk to."

"I'm happy that she was there for you, Deirdre."

She smiled wryly. "I promised you the beach. Let's go."

During the eight mile drive to the Samoa Dunes park, neither of them spoke much. Deirdre directed him and he let her even though his navigation system would have done the same. It was a sunny day and the temperature was getting up to the 70 mark. Joey parked his van at the end of Bunker Road. They took a cooler with soft drinks and a large blanket and marched through the impressive dunes.

Cool temperatures and the fresh wind notwithstanding they spread their blanket in a depression in the dunes and sat down. Joey was still subdued and stared at the approaching Pacific rollers. Deirdre watched him for a while before she decided to fight down her own apprehensions. It was for her to make the first step. She rose and knelt behind Joey hugging him from behind and resting her chin on his shoulder, her mouth close to his left ear. She felt him tense at first but then he just leaned back into her. His longish hair was whipped by the wind and tickled her face, but she held on to his back.

"Joey, I have to tell you something that became clear to me this morning. I know you always told me that you could still love me, right?"

"Yes?" Joey responded warily.

"I just couldn't believe it. I had this idea in my head that you were only being noble and trying to show what a good guy you were. Ssh! Don't talk, let me finish. Even when I visited in April, when we opened up and talked, I still couldn't get my head around the fact that you didn't fault me for what happened." He jerked in her grip. "Let me finish, Joey! I have been piling up those feelings of inadequacy for four years, and it's not easy to let go of them.

"Yesterday, we talked some more, but this morning was the turning point. You came back from the showers and I looked at the dusty sides of your van, and suddenly it hit me. You drove over three thousand miles, to see me and to pick me up. Nobody does that for appearances' sake. It hit me then that you still care for me, that you may still be mine for the asking."

She let go of his shoulder and scooted around him, kneeling in front of him and taking both his hands in hers.

"So, I'm asking. Joey, will you give us another try? Will you accept that progress may be slower than we both want it? Will you be understanding when I'm a mess from time to time? If you are willing, then I promise that I'll be as much of a girlfriend as my mental state allows. I also promise to keep up therapy once we get home. I promise to work hard to overcome my limitations and I promise to accept Carla as part of what we will build. Well, that's the easiest part. I love the little rugrat. Are you with me, Joey?"

"If I say yes, will you give me a kiss?" he asked with a catch in his voice.

Deirdre nodded emphatically. Joey smiled and nodded.

"Let's give it a..."

Deirdre's mouth was on his and she put her heart into this kiss. It was tender and sweet, and it lasted for an eternity before she let go and sat back on her heels.

" ... try," Joey finished with a happy smile.

Deirdre was flushed and she was breathing hard. Her blue eyes were smoldering under half closed lids.

"Fuck slow progress!" she growled deep in her throat and then launched herself into Joey's arms. He ended up on his back with Deirdre plastered to his chest, kissing him as if her life depended on it. Unconsciously his hands landed on her midriff where her sweater had ridden up a few inches. The feel of Deirdre's skin under his hands was electrifying.

Deirdre felt it too, and she gasped into his mouth only to resume her ferocious kissing. He let his hands wander up over the small of her back. They roamed over her shoulders, under the sweater, and brushed over her bra straps. Deirdre began to whimper softly and then it happened. Her lower body scooted down from his hips until she straddled his left thigh. Her hips undulating, she rubbed her crotch against his leg with increasing urgency.

Joey kept his leg motionless. He was afraid to break the spell and he restricted his hands to gently stroking her back. Instinctively he knew that this was a crucial moment, and he was content to feel Deirdre's mounting lust. He felt her thighs clench as she continued humping his leg and he felt her breath against his neck, her lips sucking painfully on his skin.

Finally, instinct overruled his restraint. His right hand, with a mind of its own, found the way under Deirdre's waistband, even under her panties, and closed around the firm globe of her left butt cheek. He squeezed the clenching muscles and pressed Deirdre's lower body firmly against his thigh. That did it.

"Aah - aaah - aaaaeeeaah! Joeeeee!" she moaned into his ear.

Her thighs clamped violently and she bucked against his leg for three or four more times before she collapsed on top of him. The rush of emotion and the raw sexual charge of the moment were too much for Joey.

"Oh, damnnnn!" he moaned himself as his penis began to jerk in his pants. "Oh shit!"

Deirdre lifted her face from his neck and looked at him almost in wonder. "Did you just come?"

He nodded, blushing violently under his black facial hair. She kissed him tenderly.

"Oh my God, Joey! I came too! I came just from rubbing against you. Don't take this the wrong way but this was the best sex we ever had!"

"It was pretty intense," Joey admitted smiling sheepishly.

Suddenly, he became aware of his hand on Deirdre's butt cheek and he wanted to pull it out of her pants.

"No! Stop! Leave your hand there," she pleaded. "Rub my butt a little more!"

He did, luxuriating in the feel of her firm flesh. Soon, however, the fresh wind in combination with their wet underwear proved too uncomfortable. Self-consciously they stood, uneasy with the wet spots on their shorts. Deirdre wrapped her towel around her waist and Joey used the blanket as they trudged through the soft sand and back to the camper. Once inside, they looked at each other.

"What now?" Joey voiced the big question.

Deirdre surprised herself by shrugging away the uneasiness. She opened the button on the waist band of her shorts and pushed them down. Joey froze for a second, staring at her legs and at the wet, translucent cotton panties that showed her dark pubic hair. But then he quickly activated the gasoline space heater and dropped his own shorts. By now Deirdre had shed her wet panties, too, and she wrapped the towel around her hips. Joey let some tepid tank water into a wash basin and washed the semen from his briefs. Blushing and grinning Deirdre performed the equivalent task on her panties and they hung the wet underwear over a clothesline in the back of the van.

Joey had found fresh underwear for himself and he offered a pair of shorts to Deirdre so that she could dispense with the towel. It was a loose fit but with the drawstring pulled tight she could wear them.

"So, we have to wait for my shorts to dry," Deirdre stated. "Any ideas what we can do?"

"Let's talk and cuddle. I can't get enough of feeling you close."

"Sounds like a plan. Show me your mobile palace first. I've never slept in a camper."

For the next ten or fifteen minutes Joey showed Deirdre the workings of the camper. How the bench/table combo folded down into a second bed, how the propane stove and the propane powered fridge worked, the fresh water tank, the solar panel, and the space heater.

"This is neat," Deirdre said when he finished the tour. "Show me the alcove."

The alcove offered a little over three feet height over the four footer mattress and there were small windows on either side for air circulation. It was narrow but cozy. Deirdre climbed up and lay back on the side not occupied by Joey's folded quilt. Joey stood with his arms resting on the edge of the alcove, watching her and lusting after her long, slender legs, knowing that she was not wearing underwear under the oversized shorts.

"Come up here and let's test this," Deirdre demanded patting the mattress.

Obediently, Joey climbed into the alcove and stretched out beside Deirdre.

"Admit it, you were sneaking peeks at my pussy from down there," she accused him with mock sternness.

"I tried," he said truthfully. "The light was bad though."

She shifted her body, resting her head on his chest, and pulled his left arm around her.

"There, much better. Joey, I think I'll prefer sleeping up here with you. Only, we have to be careful. For obvious reasons I'm not on the pill and I'm in the middle of my cycle. Did you bring condoms?"

She felt the movement as he shook his head. "Sorry, no, I never thought we'd get there so fast."

"Well, it's to early anyway. There is so much to explore between us. It's so great to just lie here with you and not feel panic."

"Says you," Joey snorted. "I was so afraid I'd do something rash or stupid and scare you away again."

She rolled on her side and looked into his face. His head was propped up on a foam cushion and he looked back at her.

"When you squeezed my butt I felt such a rush! One of these days I want you to kiss and rub me all over again. I used to love your hands on my butt when your thumbs pulled my cheeks apart and I knew you were staring at my openings. Remember how you licked my pussy from behind?"

"Do I remember that? Jeez, Deirdre, what are you trying here? If you keep teasing me I'll run out of underwear before evening."

"You're right. It's not fair to get you all worked up when I can't really go further yet."

"We'll take our time, Deirdre. You're worth any wait."

Deirdre's face split in a radiant smile, and Joey held his breath. Four years! It was four years since he had seen that happy smile on her face. It was beautiful.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 31: Road Trip

The remaining days in Eureka passed in a blur. There were so many things to do. Joey had brought a digital camera and Deirdre ran around campus snapping pictures of buildings and people. Fellow students who had known her only as a shy recluse were surprised at her transformation. They saw the young man in her tow and naturally they attributed Deirdre's change to her being reunited with her boyfriend. In the three days before their departure Deirdre exchanged more personal information with her fellow students than in the four years prior. With regret she realized that quite a number of them could have been friends.

She made a discovery, too. When she met men she could avoid the panic if she focussed on the differences between them and the Montalbans. She would study them and pick on where they were different. It helped.

Not everything was peachy, though. Professor Parker held on to his petty grudge. He was downright hostile both to Deirdre and to Joey, accusing him of stealing away his best student. At first Deirdre felt a little guilty but then Joey reminded her of how Parker had set her up for failure, and she shrugged Parker off as the sore loser he was.

Then came Tuesday evening and Deirdre had cleared her dorm room. For the first time she was set to sleep in Joey's camper, but before that they attended a big farewell party. Joey promised to stay sober and Deirdre allowed herself to drink a few wine coolers and to develop a nice buzz. She danced with Joey, she danced with Claire and Ruth, she even danced with Ed who was suitably surprised. Her mood was so relaxed that she even gave Ed a farewell kiss. Of course, Claire and Ruth got kisses as well and they all promised to write and visit each other.

Joey received a heartfelt hug from Claire when they parted around two in the morning and Deirdre heard Claire's stage whisper.

"You take care of Deirdre. You're what she needs."

Somehow Deirdre could not have summed up her own sentiment better. In particular she needed Joey to get safely to the campground. She kept tripping over her own feet, something she found inordinately funny. Once inside the camper, changing out of her clothes presented another formidable challenge, a challenge she again mastered with Joey's help. The fact that his hands were on her naked butt for a few brief moments was noted but welcome. Joey even managed to get her into the alcove bed and she was asleep so fast that she missed him joining her.

The insistent beep-beep of an alarm clock cut through her eyeballs like a knife and she moaned in pain. The beeping did not stop and she sat up with her eyes still closed. Of course she bumped her head against the roof of the camper but it forced her to open her eyes. She was alone in the alcove. Joey was nowhere to be seen and Deirdre felt a little panic well up. Fortunately, she was able to connect a few dots even with the fog in her brain. Joey had to be in the washrooms she decided. She sank back and tried to clear her head.

Indeed, a short while later the sliding door opened and the smell of coffee filled the camper. Deirdre sat up, this time avoiding the roof.

"Hey, sleepy head," Joey greeted her. "Want some coffee?"

Deirdre was pretty much on autopilot when she climbed down from the alcove and sat at the small table. The first sip of coffee did wonders. The second cleared her head. After the third she could even muster a wry smile when she looked at Joey.

"Remind me to kick my own butt for getting drunk," she croaked. "Why didn't you protect me?"

Joey shrugged and grinned. "You were having too much fun. I mean, you danced with everybody, you laughed, you were happy. That's worth a little head ache."

"Not from where I sit," Deirdre grumped, but she remembered now how great she had felt. "Did I make an ass out of myself?"

Joey shook his head. "According to your friends you never had so much fun as long as they've known you. I never thought you'd French-kiss Claire and then flash your boobs in public."

"I did?" Deirdre squeaked, her head ache forgotten.

"Nah, I'm just kidding you," Joey grinned. "You would've though, with a little encouragement."

"You asshole!" Deirdre huffed while Joey leaned back in his seat and guffawed.

She leaned over to punch him but he caught her hand and pulled her up from the seat and into his lap. He looked deep into her eyes.

"Deirdre, it was wonderful to see you having so much fun. You needed it. Hell, you need lots of fun, and I'll try to give you as much of it as I can in the next weeks."

"How about you give me as much Ibuprofen as I need first?" Deirdre replied with a smile.

After breakfast Joey settled the bill with the campground manager and stowed away the camping gear in bins and crates. A little before eleven they rolled off the campground and started their journey of three thousand miles. Actually it would be more for they had added points of interest along the route. The first-stop-Reno plan was already abandoned in favor of a trip down the coast and to San Francisco. They arrived there in late afternoon and Joey sprang for a room in a Best Western close to Market Street.

They had dinner in Chinatown and afterwards they strolled around in the Financial District before they turned in. The room had two doubles and Joey encouraged Deirdre to use her own bed. This was about growing together again and he was leery of being too pushy. He was rewarded when he woke up with Deirdre snuggled into his arms. She had woken up in the early morning and had come to his bed for some cuddling.

After breakfast they rode the Cable Car to the harbor. They caught a visitor's boat to Alcatraz and toured the decaying prison complex before they had an early lunch on Pier 41. Joey hunted around until he found a small bakery where he talked the owner into giving him a small sample of live sour dough. He wanted to start baking his own bread back home and everybody knew (or so he claimed) that Italian bread from San Francisco was the best.

Later they strolled the Presidio before they arrived at the Golden Gate Bridge in late afternoon. It was a sunny day and the red skeleton of the bridge against the cloudy blue sky looked fantastic. They walked almost all the way to Marin County before they turned back. Without conscious decision they had walked hand in hand almost the whole day. When they rode the cable car back to Market Street seating was crowded. Without ado Deirdre made room for an older man, sitting on Joey's lap instead and smiling happily.

After dinner they went up to their room and prepared for bed. That evening Deirdre slipped under Joey's covers right away moulding her backside against his front. Then she took his hand and put it under her pajama top, on her naked breast. She snuggled her buttocks against his growing erection sighing contentedly as his hand caressed her nipples. They did not go further that night but Joey was content with the progress they were making.

In the morning they used the bathroom together. They even showered together and Deirdre let Joey soap her front and back. When his soapy hand came close to her pussy she snapped her legs shut catching it, and she humped her pussy against it until she had a calm, blissful climax. A toe-curling kiss was Joey's reward before she took mercy on him and began to massage his iron-hard cock. It took only a few strokes before Joey erupted against the shower stall and they giggled like madmen when they rinsed the stall clean afterwards.

Yosemite Park was their next destination and they reached it by mid-afternoon. It proved to be a defining point of the journey and of their lives. After a drive along Route 120 through a breathtaking scenery they arrived at the North Pines Campground on Merced River. They found a campsite close to where Tenaya Creek joins Merced River and parked the camper. The campsite had a fire ring, a food locker, and the washroom was close by.

Setting up camp was easy enough. Joey brought out the folding chairs and table and rigged up the awning to the camper's side. He put the small espresso maker on the portable gas stove and they both enjoyed sweetened espresso coffee before long. The next order of business was to water proof their brand new hiking boots, bought en route at a wilderness store. They planned to do some hiking and they had bought proper twill trousers and rain gear as well. Both Joey and Deirdre were city kids but Deirdre had taken part in a few excursions offered by her school of biology. She had learned the basics and Joey willingly accepted her guidance.

The site next to them was already taken and occupied by a couple their own age. They came over as soon as Joey and Deirdre sat with their espressos. Joey offered to brew some more of his potent black poison, and the two campers gladly accepted. Their names were Ellen and Tricia. They were a lesbian couple from the Silicon Valley. Both were software engineers working for the very computer maker that supplied Deirdre with the sleek objects of her desire. Deirdre herself was more than knowledgeable in bioinformatics and soon the three women were conversing fluently in geek speak.

Joey just sat and watched with a grin. He loved to see and hear Deirdre talking so animatedly but the subjects of the conversation went beyond his limited knowledge. He also used Macs but he was content to run standard applications and movie editing software.

At some point the topic of the conversation shifted allowing Joey to join in. Ellen and Tricia announced that they would make the short hike to Mirror Lake the next morning. It was their third trip to Yosemite, and they knew the terrain quite well. When Tricia offered Joey and Deirdre to come along, both gladly accepted. The two young women exchanged a glance then and Ellen asked a question she had been mulling for a few minutes.

"Listen, you two seem to be a straight couple but you seem at ease with us. I mean, you don't give us the looks we usually get. How come?"

"You mean because you're a lesbian couple?" Deirdre asked with a wry smile. "My Mom's a lesbian. I grew up with her and her partner."

"I grew up in a multicultural part of Philadelphia. My parents were always very open minded. Bigotry was a no-no at home," Joey added.

Tricia looked at Deirdre. "But you're not... ?"

"Lesbian? Bi? I don't think I am. I think if I were, it would have come out early on. I grew up thinking my mother and Karen expected me to be but I could never ... you know, find a spark with a girl."

Tricia laughed. "See, Ellen? She's no danger." She turned to Deirdre. "Ellen is worried about you. You're too pretty and she thinks I might stray."

Deirdre showed her trademark crimson blush and looked down, but her hand sought Joey's for assurance. Tricia laughed again.

"You ever had a girl hit on you?"

Deirdre nodded her head and Tricia relented her teasing. The talk turned to other topics and soon it was time to prepare dinner. The new friends agreed to join forces for dinner preparations. Joey had bought fresh produce on the way and he volunteered to prepare a salad. The girls started a cooking fire and when the flames died down they roasted pork chops over the glowing embers. Grilled pork chops and salad made for a fine dinner and Joey threw in two bottles of Chianti wine from his storage bin.

When they were finished Tricia leaned back into her friend and grinned at Joey and Deirdre.

"That was great. Are we set for tomorrow?"

"I guess we are," Joey replied, very relaxed himself as Deirdre was leaning against him with her back.

"Let's get going early, say eight?" Ellen suggested. "Don't forget a blanket and stuff. There are some nice spots for sunning. Make sure your food is in a sealed Tupperware box. I'm partial against sharing my stuff with bears."

With that they parted for the night. Joey and Deirdre made sure to put all the items listed on the advisory into the bear-proof lockers before they turned in. In the camper they undressed. It would be their first sober night together in the alcove bed but it turned out to be easy. Deirdre put on a pajama and rolled her body into her quilt, and Joey did pretty much the same. Deirdre's right hand reached out to grab his left hand though, and they fell asleep hand in hand.

Turning in early Deirdre woke up with the first sun rays illuminating the drapes. Joey woke just a little later looking into her smiling face.

"Hey, sleep well?" she asked.

He nodded trying to get the cobwebs from his brain. Next thing he gulped. Deirdre must have been up already. She was wearing a sheer tank top with spaghetti straps and bikini briefs. He stared at her long, toned legs.

"You have fantastic legs, did you know that?" he said reverently.

A beaming smile was his reward. "That wasn't really an answer to my question but thank you anyway."

"Yeah, I slept well. I could get used to waking up with you looking at me."

"You're sweet," Deirdre said warmly.

She leaned over and kissed him. It was a long kiss. When she let go of his lips he could see the smoldering fire in her hooded eyes. She lay half atop of him now with her naked leg thrown over his thigh. He kissed her back taking her face in both hands and a moment later he felt her panty-clad pussy rub against his thigh. Their kissing grew in heat until Deirdre tore herself away with an obvious effort. She gave Joey an enigmatic smile.

"Don't be mad at me. I won't take much longer. I promise. I feel the old connection between us. It's even stronger. Bear with me a little while longer."

Joey gave her a wry smile. "You'll be my death. Did anyone ever call you a cock tease?"

"I'm sorry, Joey. I'm not doing this to tease you."

"I know. My head knows that I need to have patience but my lower body disagrees."

"Are you hard again?" she asked huskily, her eyes still fixated on his.

Joey nodded licking his lips nervously. With sudden determination Deirdre let her head glide down on his body until it bumped into his erection. She lifted up a little and rubbed her cheek against his dick. Her right hand sneaked into the leg opening of Joey's shorts. He groaned when her fingers closed around his shaft. She did not jack him, not yet, she just pressed and released the fleshy rod in her hand.

"Deirdre, please! Do something or stop!" he groaned.

"Do something?" she asked coyly. "What should I do? This?" She slowly moved her hand down and up on his shaft. Next she pulled the stiff penis into the leg hole and kissed the exposed tip. "Or this?"

"Gawd!"

She let her tongue flick over the head.

"Christ!"

Deirdre giggled softly.

"What's next? The Holy Ghost?" she asked mischievously. She took the whole head into her mouth and let her teeth graze the sensitive skin.

"Holy shit!" Joey cried.

"Close enough," Deirdre laughed.

Her mouth, now all soft lips, closed around the head of Joey's penis again and she sucked it while pumping the shaft with both hands. A new sensation was added when she let her tongue swirl over the underside and Joey groaned helplessly.

Deirdre had her left hand buried between her legs now rubbing her opening furiously. She felt safe and she was excited. Joey's complete acceptance of her ministrations left no room for apprehensions. She was in control. She literally held him in her hands. His hips began to buck as he neared his release and Deirdre increased the suction. She stuffed three fingers into her wet opening now and she imagined Joey penis stretching her pussy.

"Watch it!" he moaned, already erupting into her sucking mouth. Hot, salty semen splashed against her palate and she swallowed hurriedly like she had done often over four years ago when she first discovered her penchant for oral sex.

She continued to lick and suck until Joey begged her to stop. Then she looked up at him again. She could not see his eyes as he lay flat on his back shuddering in the aftershocks of the sensations she had caused.

"Gawd, you killed me!" he exhaled raising his upper body to look at her.

She smiled at him smugly. "You liked it?"

With an effort Joey sat up and pulled Deirdre close. She was hesitant to kiss him with his semen still around her lips but she relented when she saw that he did not mind. When their lips parted he made her lie down.

"Will you allow me?" he asked scooting down until he faced her crotch.

She nodded emphatically. "Please!"

He did not pull down her panties right away. Instead he began kissing her thighs starting at her knees. He bypassed her panty-clad lower body, kissing his way along the curve of her hips and then taking an inroad towards her bellybutton. Her sharp intake of breath when he let his tongue work on her navel was encouraging and he began to kiss lower, along the waistband of her panties. Her hips lifted off the mattress and Joey made use of that by pulling her panties down to her knees in one smooth motion.

His breath caught when he saw Deirdre's sex from up close for the first time in years. The trimmed hair was moist from the dew of her excitement and she exuded a smell of arousal that he remembered too well. He began kissing the insides of her thighs, getting close to her pussy but skirting it. Deirdre's legs fell open revealing her opening to his eyes. He kissed the top of her lips tentatively and tasted her arousal. His tongue delved into her folds next exploring the soft flesh and Deirdre whimpered. Her hands took a hold of his head giving directions to his efforts, and she tilted her hips to give him better access.

Joey was reminded of their oral lovemaking after Deirdre's eighteenth birthday. In this moment he knew that she was still his Deirdre. He was more confident now, nibbling at her lips, diving into her depths with his tongue, and finally closing his lips over her hooded clitoris.

He heard a strangled cry when he sucked on her love button and her grip on his head became more urgent. He felt his own arousal return, felt the need to take possession of her body. His left index finger snaked into her opening feeling for that rougher texture inside. His right hand began to join the action as well. He lubricated his right index finger in her freely flowing juices and almost let it graze over her rear opening before he jerked it back at the last moment. No anal play! He knew how much she had been injured there. The last she probably wanted was his finger near her butt.

Joey stiffened his tongue instead and stabbed her opening with it, causing squeals and moans. Deirdre's hips met with his tongue's probing, forcing it into her pussy as deep as possible. She humped his face and tongue for a while with her hands on the back of his head until she suddenly stiffened and shuddered. She exhaled with a little whimpering sound and then her legs fell flat on either side of his head.

Suddenly Joey felt pain when Deirdre gripped his hair and ears pulling him up and over her body until they were face to face. Their lips met and Deirdre tasted herself on his face.

"Joey, next time you can put it in. I'm ready. Gawd, how ready I am!"

"But you're not protected," Joey protested weakly.

"I bought condoms in Eureka," Deirdre grinned. "I knew I couldn't wait much longer. Do you know how happy you make me? I never thought I'd ever be this happy again."

"Same here," Joey answered, his voice a bit unsteady with emotion. "All those years, I couldn't forget you. I always had to look at your picture on Maureen's mantle whenever I came to pick up Carla. I almost hit Fabiana when she said you were already with another man while I kept pining for you."

Deirdre stiffened a bit he could tell. "Were you serious about her? Mom said you hit it off together."

Joey wagged his head. "I don't know. Without you in the back of my head, perhaps. We had some sort of connection. After we fell out over you that connection was gone. I guess she became afraid of me. I kinda lost it when she trash talked you."

"Was there anybody else? I mean, except ... you know?"

"Except Maureen? No. Remember? The old crowd avoided me because they thought that I had dumped you. Then Carla happened and suddenly I had to be a dad. Even with Fabi nothing serious happened. We dated a bit, went out and saw movies. We didn't even kiss."

Deirdre kissed him again. "Poor baby!" she cooed. "I put you through a lot, didn't I?"

"You're worth it."

That answer earned him another kiss, a kiss that sufficed to rekindle his erection. Deirdre noticed, giving his stiff prick a loving tug before she pushed him off.

"We need to get ready for the hike, lover!"

An hour later they were on their way with Ellen and Tricia. The hike was a moderate two hours and the vista was magnificent. Deirdre snapped photographs like there was no storage limit. They all climbed up on a jutting rock which overlooked the lake and spread their blankets for the picnic. It was a very warm day for the place and for the month. The air was still and the sun was shining down on them, warming them up. Checking to see whether there were other people around Ellen pulled her sweater off. The T shirt came off along with it and she sat with a naked chest, her rather large breast swaying gently.

"You guys don't mind, do you?" she asked innocently.

Joey shrugged. He had been brought up by his parents, namely his mother, to regard nudity as natural. He looked at Deirdre who shrugged, too.

"No sweat," he answered Ellen's question.

"Cool!" Tricia exclaimed sending her trail shirt flying and exposing a trim upper body with two cute flea bite-sized titties.

To Joey's utter surprise Deirdre took a deep breath and pulled her own fleece shirt over her head. T-shirt and bra followed before Joey was able to close his mouth. His flabbergasted expression made Deirdre laugh.

"Come on, you too!" she demanded.

There was no reason for shyness, not as long as they all kept on the trousers, Joey decided and he took off his fleece jumper and T shirt. Ellen and Tricia looked him over unashamedly and giggled.

"Jeez, it's the Mountain Man," Ellen commented. "You know, you're not allowed to mate until that stuff turns silver?"

Deirdre let her hand play with his chest hair. "I like it. It's natural and it's Joey," she stated. "And there's no way I'll let him wait until something turns silver."

"Wait," Tricia cut in. "Haven't you ... I mean, you're not a couple?"

"We've been separated for four years," Joey explained. "We're rebuilding."

"College came in the way, huh?" Ellen asked sympathetically.

Joey knew what came when Deirdre took a sobbing breath. "No. A week before graduation I was abducted and raped by two drug dealers. I have been a basket case ever since and I couldn't believe Joey still wanted me after that. We're trying to put that behind us now. We found that we still love each other."

"Oh, shit!" Ellen moaned. "I'm so sorry, Deirdre! I'm sorry for prying."

Deirdre leaned against Joey who hugged her protectively. "You couldn't know. Besides, I must learn to deal with that shit. It wasn't my fault and it wasn't Joey's either. It was two animals in 'roid rage. I'm starting to realize that other men are not like them. I can still get claustrophobic sometimes when I'm alone with a man in a narrow space but that's also waning. I can cuddle with Joey again and other stuff, too." She smiled impishly. "If you'll listen carefully tonight you may just hear us jumping that final hurdle."

"You go, Deirdre," Tricia said, looking at Deirdre with admiration in her blue eyes. "So you haven't ... done it in four years?"

Deirdre nodded.

"Don't do it in a camper with drawn blinds!" Tricia exclaimed. "This must be such an important step in your healing. You should do it someplace you'll always remember."

"You're so right, Trish!" Ellen seconded. "Wait! I've got it. Trish, put on your stuff. Let's leave them alone here. Look at the scenery! What better place to reclaim your life than out here under the blue sky!"

Deirdre blushed pink at the suggestion but Joey could see how her nipples contracted. She cast a look around, checking whether they had privacy.

"When and wherever you are ready, but only if you're ready," he whispered into her ear.

Deirdre turned and looked at him. His dick came to full erection in an instant when he saw the smoldering fire in Deirdre's eyes. She nodded silently but her look conveyed all that was necessary.

"Can ... Can you stand guard, guys, make sure nobody comes up here?" he asked Ellen and Tricia.

Ellen was already wearing her sweater again.

"Sure thing. Take your time and make it a good one."

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 32: Cloud Nine


Less then two minutes later, Joey and Deirdre were alone on top of the rock. They looked at each other.

"Are you sure?" Joey asked.

Deirdre nodded. "As sure as I'll ever be. You are the only man I can imagine doing this with. I'm sick and tired of being a prisoner of those animals. Set me free, Joey! Are you ready?"

"Are you kidding? Look at me!"

"Yes, that ought to do the job just fine," Deirdre giggled eyeing the bulge in his pants.

With deft movements she opened her trekking pants and slid them down her legs. Sitting up she opened the laces of the boots. With the boots off, the pants followed and Deirdre was sitting in the sunlight, naked save for her wristwatch.

Joey had not been idle either and it took him only a few seconds longer to reach a comparable state of nudity. Seeing him with his hard penis jutting out from his midsection Deirdre's hand wandered down between her legs. It came away glistening with moisture.

"I guess we can skip extensive foreplay," she said huskily. "I'm so wet, it's scary."

With a smile, Joey lay on his back, waving his prick at her. "Why don't you climb aboard then?"

"You want me on top?" Deirdre asked slightly flustered. That had not been his favorite before.

"Are you kidding? Do you have any idea what you look like out here? I want to enjoy the view."

Smiling and nodding, Deirdre scooted close to Joey and swung her left leg over to straddle him. There was a little fumbling when she gripped his penis to align it with her opening. It was slippery and her hand slid off. The sight of the wagging penis made her giggle but then she gripped it again.

"Oh. My. Gawd!" she exclaimed softly, her voice full of awe as the head of Joey's dick slipped past her opening and stretched her tight vagina.

Even with all the lubrication she produced it still took over a minute before she had inserted the straining member fully into her canal. The feeling made her woozy for a few moments. So full! She relaxed sitting on her heels while she adjusted the angle of her pelvis to better suit the intruding organ.

"You are so beautiful, Deirdre!" Joey whispered, his eyes drinking in the sight of her, impaled on his prick as she was.

Deirdre fairly shuddered when she heard the love and adoration that permeated his voice. She pressed down further and felt the wiry curls of his pubic hair against her sensitive skin. Slowly she began to lift her body off Joey's feeling the agonizing sensation of his prick leaving her pussy. She lifted and lifted until only the tip remained lodged in her opening. In this position she hovered over him for a few seconds while their eyes locked. Closing them in anticipation Deirdre sank down on his shaft again while deep moans came from both their mouths. This was so good, so right!

She lifted again, this time excruciatingly slow, making Joey tremble under her. When she began to sink down though, his hips arched up and the fleshy rod drove deeply into her making her shudder and gasp. Just two strokes so far and her head was starting to swim already. She needed to pause. She sank down on him and kissed his upper chest.

"This is so intense!" she whispered.

She heard Joey chuckle and opened her eyes.

"What?"

"Perhaps it's good to have four years between each time. I may not survive a higher frequency."

"Goof! I'll give you a higher frequency!" she threatened.

She lifted much faster now and once she reached the apex she slammed down forcefully. Lift, slam! Lift, slam! With a steady rhythm Deirdre began to ride Joey in earnest. Joey held still now, leaving it to her to establish the rhythm. The next four or five minutes brought both of them close to their peaks, but Deirdre stopped suddenly, lifting herself up and letting Joey's dick plop out. Without a word of explanation she lay down at his side and spread her legs. Seeing that he stared at her dazedly, she nudged him.

"You still know where to put this, or do you need a map?"

"You want me on top?" he asked, still not quite there.

Deirdre rolled her eyes. "Duh!"

"Oh, okay," Joey laughed, getting his wits back.

He knelt between Deirdre's spread legs and bent forward resting on his left hand. With his right hand he brought Little Joe into the right position and pushed. Jesus!

"Kiss me!" Deirdre panted, her head lifting off the ground to meet his lips.

He locked his lips over hers only to feel her tongue pushing in with urgency. Both her legs closed around him and he felt that she locked her feet behind his back. Then her arms pulled him down by the neck and he came to lie flat on Deirdre's tummy and chest, his hips keeping up the old in-and-out. When their kiss broke, Deirdre fell back again. Her eyes rolled up in her head while he felt the walls of her pussy contract.

Her head bent backwards, she sent out a keening wail from her half open mouth, a wail that pulsed in the rhythm of his thrusts until he, too, felt the tingle and knew he was there. He pushed in with each spurt of semen, unconsciously trying his best to place the little swimmers as close to the Holy Grail as possible.

Deirdre wailed in earnest now, howling into his ear as she reached her final peak. With her arms around his neck she pressed her face against his neck, her lips sucking fiercely, painfully. Then she sank back with her gaze unfocused and cross-eyed. Joey stroked her face and hair.

"I can't say how close I feel to you right now," he whispered. "I feel like everything is all right again, even better than ever before."

With some effort, Deirdre was able to focus her eyes again. "You're my Joey," she said softly rubbing his chest hair. "I guess we're a real couple again, huh?"

"You betcha! No getting rid of me again."

She looked at him dreamily. "I can barely believe it. A few months ago I was this scared mess, this basket case, and all I needed to heal was you. Why didn't I realize this earlier?"

"Maybe, the time wasn't right? I don't care anymore. We're back together." He looked around, becoming aware of their whereabouts, and smiled. "Let's get decent again."

Joey and Deirdre used tissues to clean a few strategic spots. Deirdre stuffed more tissue into her panties before she pulled them up. Suddenly she stopped in mid-motion and turned pale.

"Joey, we forgot something!"

Joey was just struggling into his pants and he looked up. Her facial expression told him all.

"Oh, damn," he swore softly.

"Damn is right. I completely forgot," Deirdre said shaking her head. But then her lips formed a wry smile. "Jeez, I hope you didn't knock up the second Darling woman. Mom would laugh her head off."

Joey had recovered. He put his arm around Deirdre. "It would screw up some short-term planning, but nothing long-term," he said rubbing Deirdre's back.

Deirdre cuddled against him. "I know. It'll be one hell of a change but we can make it."

They sat like that for a few minutes before they heard foot steps.

"That sure sounded like a four year wait rolled into a single fuck," a voice came from the side.

It was Ellen, sitting on her haunches and eyeing them with amused interest. Tricia was standing back a little but she was also grinning from ear to ear.

"Jeez, Deirdre, once you got going, you sounded like a fire engine on speed. You'll be on hearing aids in a year, Joey!"

Joey hugged Deirdre closely and grinned. "Yeah, but what a way to go deaf," he chuckled.

"My advice, Joey: lick her out. That way her thighs cover your ears," Ellen laughed.

Joey grinned, determined not to let them fluster him. "How about that, Dee-Dee? Those lezzies don't seem to know what a good one sounds like."

Deirdre had recovered by now and while she was fighting her embarrassment, Joey had given her too good an opening to pass.

"Hell, yeah. Tongue is nice but it takes a bit more to get me into air-raid mode."

Ellen laughed. "Sorry, you two. We just couldn't resist. It was all I could do to not run over and cry: 'Me next!' Trish had to twist my arm."

Tricia rolled her eyes. "She's jealous of me but once there's a whiff of pussy in the air, who makes a fool of herself?"

"I do, Sweety," Ellen laughed. "What do you think, girlfriend? Do those two need some lunch?"

Lunch they had and afterwards they took pictures of each other. By then another group of hikers drew near and by silent consent the four packed their gear and started on the return trip. They greeted the approaching group in passing but did not stop. Once they reached the camp site Joey and Deirdre headed for the showers. Cleaned up Joey set up the barbecue for their supper while Deirdre chopped veggies. Suddenly Deirdre stopped and motioned for Joey to listen. From Ellen and Tricia's tent moans could be heard and whispered pleading and giggles. Grinning widely Deirdre resumed the chopping while Joey fanned the charcoal.

The charcoal was white and ready for the chops when the two girls emerged from their tent grinning a little sheepishly. Deirdre gave them a knowing grin.

"I'd ask you to help with the veggies, but then again, better not. God knows where you had those hands," she shot at them.

"I can make an educated guess," Joey joined in and Tricia blushed furiously.

"She made me," she said pointing at her girlfriend who giggled.

"It's all your fault," Ellen laughed, in turn pointing at Deirdre. "You got our engines running with your air raid siren impression."

The girls went for a quick shower and when they returned the food was ready. Joey added wood to the fire for warmth and they sat around it eating and talking. It was past nine when they called it an evening. Joey and Deirdre retired to the camper after putting all the food into the bear-proof lockers, and the girls crawled into their tent.

Once settled in the alcove Deirdre snuggled close to Joey's back, hugging him fiercely.

"I love you, you know."

"I begin to believe it again," he answered. "It's almost like waking up after a nightmare."

He felt her nodding. "We'll have to tell our families."

"Maureen will love it. I'm not so sure about my uncle and my cousin."

"They think I'm ungrateful, huh?"

"Something like that. They'll get used to it. Tess will too."

"Fences to mend, huh? Well, that can't be helped. Are you worried?"

"Nah. One thing, though. Never, ever give the impression that you know about the Montalbans, okay?"

Again, Deirdre nodded. "Well, I promised, right? So it's the fact they were found dead that changed my mindset?"

"Good enough. After all, that's why they had to be discovered."

"Joey, there's this thing. You know my background. I'm Miss Goody-Two-Shoes. I don't tell lies and I couldn't commit a perjury. If they ever put me on the stand and ask me if I know what happened to the Montalbans I'm screwed. I'll spend the rest of my born days locked up for being in contempt of court."

"What are you aiming at?"

"Well, it's like this. There's this thing called spousal privilege. As your wife I couldn't be forced to testify. I wouldn't have to lie either. It's difficult for a DA to get around a spouse who stonewalls."

Joey chuckled. "May I consider this a marriage proposal?"

Deirdre cuffed him from behind. "You ass! I'm worried about that. I can't ever lose you again."

Joey turned. "Let's make a stop in Las Vegas. I don't want Elvis to marry us but they ought to have a judge there or someone else who can perform a civil ceremony."

"Are you serious, Joey? Do you want me?"

"No, but you have me worried over your testimony," he deadpanned getting cuffed again for his trouble. "Seriously, yes, at the first chance!"

"Goof! I love you, Joey. Plus I'm sick of the 'Darling' jokes."

"You'd still be a Dee-Dee."

"I can live with being Dee-Dee. So we'll get married in Vegas? You know, I need to call Claire. She was my anchor all those years. No way I can marry without her."

"Let's fly her in. She is still in Eureka waiting for her parents to pick her up, right? Call her and tell her the flight is on me. We can't do this without Maureen and Carla, either. I need a best man, too, and I need Tess to be there."

"You're right, Joey. They would never forgive us if we excluded them. Whom do you have in mind for a best man?"

"Felix. Is that a problem?"

Deirdre shook her head. "He helped save my life, remember? Your uncle?"

Joey grinned. "No way around that." He chuckled. "That'll stir things up for sure at the FBI field office in Vegas. Let's call the folks."

"Wow," Deirdre marveled. "That's fast. A week ago I was afraid of sleeping in the same van. Is it all right to call them at this hour?"

"No problem with Felix. He's a night owl. Let's call Maureen first." He pressed speed-dial #2 and held the phone to his ear. Maureen answered at the third calling tone. "Hey Maureen, it's Joey."

Deirdre pressed her ear to the other side of the phone to hear.

"Joey! Is everything all right?"

"Couldn't be better," Joey answered. "That's why I'm calling. Do you think you can catch a plane to Las Vegas the next weekend?"

"Las Vegas? What is going on? Why should I fly to Vegas?"

Deirdre could not hold back anymore. "I need a mom and a flower girl, so please bring Carla."

There was a pregnant pause. Joey and Deirdre could hear Maureen swallow.

"Are you two sober? Are you serious?"

"No and yes," Joey laughed. "It's an emergency. We made out like rabbits today and the rubber broke, and now we ... Ow!"

As mentioned Deirdre could hit hard.

"Asshole! Mom, we're serious and there was no rubber involved in our decision. Joey and I have found found back to each other, and I have to move fast before some scheming older broad makes her move on him again."

"Maureen, I love Deirdre. You know it. If anything that wedding is years overdue. I'll call Felix and ask him to arrange travel for everybody. Don't worry; it's my treat. I'll have Felix call you tomorrow."

"This will not be some mob wedding, Vegas style?"

Joey laughed. "You should know Uncle Vince better. It won't be an Elvis impersonator either. Seriously, Maureen, can you come?"

"Of course! Do you think I'd miss my baby's wedding? I'll call Felix myself." There was some excited murmur in the background. "Can Numi come, too?"

"Of course," Deirdre shouted into the phone. "I need somebody sensible to keep you from making eyes at my man."

"Brat! With all those goombahs on Joey's side, I need another law enforcement person for back-up."

"Mom, thanks. I'll see you in Vegas."

"Wait, don't you need a dress?"

"I've got one and I promised Joey to wear it for him again."

Maureen was silent for a moment.

"You take care. I love you both," she finally whispered.

"That went well," Joey grinned, pressing speed dial #3. "One down, four to go. Hey Tess! I hope I interrupted something."

"Joey! What's up? Did Deirdre really come with you?"

"Was there ever a doubt?" Joey asked and Deirdre giggled.

"She's there? Gimme her!"

"Hey Tess," Deirdre spoke into the phone. "Yes I'm here. I'm afraid your brother's stuck with me for good."

"You're back together? Holy shit! How are you?"

"Right now I'm sitting on Cloud Nine and all the people down on the ground look really tiny," Deirdre laughed.

"Joey, don't let her go again! Marry her! At least tie her up and take away her driver's license and credit card."

Joey and Deirdre grinned at each other.

"About that, Tess, can you and Whatshisface hop on a plane next Saturday and come out to Vegas? Bring a nice dress, too?"

Silence.

"Can you?"

"Wha ... Wha ... What d-did you j-just say?"

Joey and Deirdre grinned at each other. Tess flustered?

"I was kinda hoping that my kid sister would be there for my wedding," Joey said softly.

"Are you guys drunk or do you mean it?"

"Yes to both!" Deirdre laughed.

"Oh. My. God! Joey, you're crazy, both of you, but I'll be there."

"Good. I'll run this by Felix but I bet he'll want to be there, too. Call him tomorrow. I guess he'll want to arrange for flights and security."

"Will do. Umh, Joey, there'll be no Whatsisface. Evan and I broke up."

"Oh shit, Tess, I didn't know. What happened?"

Tess snorted. "His father found out about Uncle Vince. He's worried how his constituency will react if his oldest son is seen with a 'Mafia princess'!"

"Oh shit, what an ass! You okay?"

"Getting better. And I'll be still better soon. Felix is already collecting all the dirt on Evan's father he can get a hold of. There's a lot of it, it seems. A week from now another fucking politico will talk to the cameras with a stone-faced wife at his side. Keep following the Inquirer!"

Joey felt a little chill. Tess was scary sometimes. 'Mafia princess' may not be too far off the mark.

"Okay, think it over whether it's worth the aggravation. On Saturday I want your prettiest smile, got that?"

"Will do, Joey. I love you. Give Deirdre a big one from me!"

"Whew! Now you know what it's like when Tess is mad at you," Joey remarked. "Now Felix."

Speed dial #1 (mandatory!) connected him to his cousin.

"Eh, Consigliere, come va?" Joey said when Felix answered.

"Joey, what's your problem this time?" Felix sighed.

"Yeah, well, could you come to Vegas on Saturday? I kinda need help."

"Jeez, Joey! Tell me you didn't gamble!"

Joey laughed. "No, I need a Best Man."

"You what?"

"Best Man, as in carries the rings and gives a goofy speech afterwards."

"Who's the girl?"

"Duh! The same as ever. I've managed to fill her up with pink pills and now I need a wedding before the shit wears off."

Felix must have heard the slap.

"Hey, Deirdre!"

"Hey, Felix, long time."

"You okay again, kiddo?"

"I'm great. This big goof kinda hit all the right buttons and now I can't seem to get rid of him."

"Does Pop know?"

"No. I was kinda hoping you can relay this to him. Tell him we'd love to have him at our wedding, really."

"Okay, where and when?"

"Saturday. Las Vegas. That's as far as we have come. We only decided to marry a half hour ago."

"Must have been a real good one. Ow! Stop hitting me! That was Gaby, and she says hello."

"Deirdre, Joey, that's great! You go!" Gaby's voice sounded.

"Listen, let me handle this. I'll talk to Pop and we'll organize the rest. You just be there and don't lose the bride again. You have a tux?"

"Why would I ever travel without one?" Joey laughed. He looked at Deirdre. "Seriously, Felix, there is a tux in my closet, from my graduation. For reasons I don't want to discuss this is the tux I want to wear for this occasion. Can you send it ahead?"

"Tess knows where to find it?"

"Sure. She'll call you tomorrow to talk about flights and stuff. Ahem, Felix, I told Maureen to call you, too. She will bring Carla and Numi."

"I guess we'll rent a Gulfstream again. Pop doesn't like to fly commercial anymore. She's welcome. Hell, Pop can play with all the children on the way. Okay, I'll talk to him and arrange for the flight. We'll do this at the Alexandria. Maybe I can get you a villa but we can't snub any of the high rollers."

Vincent Di Rosa, among other lucrative investments, held a controlling interest in the Alexandria, one of the older, smaller casino hotels on the Strip. As far as Joey knew Felix was not officially involved in the running but he would be difficult to ignore by the management.

"Don't go all out, Felix. We don't want honeymoon suites and stuff. Just a nice, civil wedding and dinner with family afterwards. Think of Maureen, too."

"No problem. She'll be a partner at Stanfield, and Pop is their biggest client."

"Okay, Felix. Thank you! You're a great cousin, hell, you're the best. Give Gaby as kiss from me."

"Not a chance! She's already wading waist high through dresses and shoes in her closet. Okay, I'll call you tomorrow to bring you up to scratch. Give Deirdre a hug from me."

"Will do, Felix. Take care!"

Joey looked at Deirdre. "Okay, now Claire. You wanna do this?"

Nodding happily, Deirdre punched in the number from memory.

"Hey, Claire, it's me, Deirdre."

"Deirdre! How are you?"

"Wonderful! Claire, can you drop everything and fly to Las Vegas on Saturday? It's our treat, airfare and hotel. I need you. You're my best friend, and I need a Maid of Honor."

"You and Joey?"

"Nah, I met this really cool guy at a rest stop after Joey dumped me. Imagine, he plays in a band, the Pink Elephant Revival. Gawd, he even allows me to carry his guitar case when I'm good!"

"Deirdre? Are you serious? How long have you known him? Damn, I can't believe Joey dumped you." Claire sounded worried.

"Claire, don't let her screw with you!" Joey laughed. "Of course she'll marry me."

There was stunned silence for a moment.

"Deirdre, did you just play a prank on me?"

"I guess I did," Deirdre giggled. "Got you, too!"

"Jeez, you had me with my panties in a bunch, girl! So, what happened?"

"What does it sound like? Claire, we made love today on a beautiful lake in Yosemite Park, in bright sunlight and above us only sky. It's like the bad stuff never happened! We already called my mother and Joey's family. We'll have a civil ceremony in Vegas and you must be there."

"This is short notice. I have to see if I get a seat."

Joey brought his mouth close to the phone. "Take business, Claire. There's always room in business. Remember, it's on the house. We'll call you tomorrow with the specifics, but you'll stay at the Alexandria."

"Hey, Garibaldi! I said have patience. Is that patience?"

"Claire, we're already four years behind schedule. I've got her convinced now. Don't you mess this up!"

"Don't worry, sport! What drugs do you have her under? Should I bring more to make sure she doesn't bolt?"

"No drugs. You won't believe it, but she proposed to me."

"I did!" Deirdre confirmed with a giggle.

"Jeez, wherever you are bring me a bottle of the local water. Okay, I can be in at two-twenty seven on Saturday, on American. How's that?"

"Sounds great. I doubt we'll have the ceremony before five."

"And confirmed!" Claire exclaimed. They distinctly heard a mouse click. "Okay, you guys. Saturday, it is. Deirdre, will you be wearing..."

"Absolutely!"

"Okay, I have to get something in blue then. Shopping, yeehaw!"

"Claire, I can't wait to see you! We have to stop now. I kinda need a power cuddle right now."

"You go, girl! All the best, you two!"

Joey grinned at Deirdre. "I'd say, this went much better than I feared. There's just one thing missing."

He climbed down from the alcove and Deirdre heard him rummage briefly. Then his face appeared again and he lay down beside her.

"Gimme you hand," he demanded.

Slightly stunned at the tone, Deirdre complied and Joey held her left hand.

"I've been holding on to this for four years. I bought it when you were in the loony bin. You were so insecure then and I thought I could make things clear with it. But then you wouldn't let me visit you anymore. I kept it, hoping there would be a chance one day."

With that he pushed the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly and even in the weak lighting the diamond sparkled.

Deirdre had listened and watched mesmerized. Staring first at the ring and then at Joey her lips began to tremble.

"Deirdre, I'm telling you this because I don't want you to ever doubt my love for you again."

Stunned and silent, Deirdre nodded. It was a while before she could voice her feelings. She shook her head.

"What a giant fuck-up! You were right to tell me. Should I ever feel doubt again I will simply look at the ring. Joseph Di Rosa, are you sure you want to marry a stupid, insecure geek?"

"I'm positive, Deirdre. You're all I ever wanted and all I'll ever want."

Deirdre inhaled deeply. "Joey, I'm bound to fuck up again. I didn't exactly have a normal youth. I have no clue how husband and wife are supposed to behave in everyday life. You have to help me out and kick my butt when I screw up."

"Well, for one thing, that is what husband and wife do," Joey answered, smiling again. "You have to do the same, though. When you think something is wrong, talk to me. Remember: I may fuck up, too. I'm not perfect. So please don't expect me to be."

"Okay, fair enough," Deirdre nodded seriously. Then a tentative smile broke out on her face. "Joey, the ring is wonderful. I'm sorry I didn't give you a chance back then but I don't know whether the ring would have been enough to get through to me. It's a powerful reminder, though, and I accept it in that spirit."

Joey smiled back. "Heavy stuff, huh? Come now, let's cuddle. It's getting late and if I know Tess and Maureen, the phone will begin to ring again with the dawn's earliest light."

Deirdre cuddled close, burying her face in his chest. "We dropped quite a bomb on them, didn't we?"

"We sure did," Joey chuckled.

With his free hand, he switched off the reading light. In the ensuing darkness, Deirdre's lips found his.

"Good night, Joey. I love you."

"'Night, Dee-Dee. I can't wait to wake up at your side."

Only a deep, contented sigh was the answer.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 33: Vegas Style


On Monday morning Joey and Deirdre said their good byes to Ellen and Tricia and packed their equipment away. They took Highway 395 and drove south to visit the Sequoia National Forest. They found a campground and decided to stay for three nights. They spent Tuesday hiking the forest paths and taking pictures of the huge trees. On Wednesday Joey and Deirdre took a guided tour of Crystal Cave and did more hiking before they drove the final leg to Las Vegas on Thursday. They arrived in Vegas in the late afternoon and easily found the Alexandria casino hotel. As soon as Joey presented his ID at the reception they entered a different world. No fewer that four bellhops took care of their scant luggage and a top floor luxury suite was reserved for them. In the suite Joey found his tuxedo together with a card from the hotel's tailor.

A fruit basket was sitting on a sideboard and the manager who accompanied them made sure they had everything. They were, he assured them, comped for room and board. There would also be a line of credit in all hotel shops. Deirdre stared unbelievingly at the sheer luxury surrounding them and once they were alone they explored the suite. There was a large whirlpool and a steam room, and the entertainment system was state of the art.

"Holy shit!" Deirdre laughed. "This is for two people? How much does this suite cost?"

Joey shrugged. "Usually nothing, I suppose. This is an apartment for gamblers, established high rollers in fact. They get comped for room, board and drinks. The Casino expects them to gamble for high stakes in return. If they don't make a sizeable drop downstairs they'll find themselves in an efficiency room pretty quickly."

"And your uncle owns this place?"

"Not completely and not directly I suppose. I don't really know these things. Remember, I'm the family geek."

Deirdre shook her head. "So your father could have been part of this and he chose to start a furniture store. You on the other hand plan to be an underpaid researcher. Jeez, Joey! I thought I was the loon here."

She was smiling, letting Joey know she was joking.

"I guess I must be. There's a price to all this, though."

"I know. It's kinda unreal anyway. So, what's the plan?"

"Well, the others won't fly in before Saturday, Friday evening at the earliest. So tomorrow we go shopping for anything we'll need. I have to see the tailor to have my tux let out a little. Then we can relax at the pool and work on our tan."

"Poor Joey! No bachelor party."

"How about you strip for me?"

"How about we watch a show?"

"Nah! Did you see who is performing? Selina Dijon. Barf!"

"Yeah, that's bad. How about we eat something and then try out this Jacuzzi thingy? I haven't enjoyed one in four years."

"Now that's a constructive idea," Joey smiled.

They ate something and afterwards Deirdre played some on the slot machines. Joey won sixty dollars at Black Jack and lost it again at Roulette. They laughed about that when they returned to their room and Joey filled the whirlpool. Buoyed by the hot, bubbling water they made love with all the time in the world. They were completely shriveled up before they were done and as limp as overcooked noodles. They formed a single big, naked puddle on the huge bed and never woke before the reception desk called around nine.

After breakfast Joey had laundry service come up and they entrusted Deirdre's prom dress and Joey's tux to a pretty Latina girl for ironing, together with a $50 tip to ensure the continued well being of their garments. Joey had tried on the tux and it was a perfect fit. He had lost a few pounds on the trip it seemed.

Next they scoured the shops for a bikini and they found a very appealing, practically non-existing assembly of black strings and minute cloth fragments. Deirdre was blushing six shades of red when she sported that touch of nothing at the pool and Joey teased her mercilessly by massaging more and more sunblock into her taut body. He could see and smell the moisture seeping through the little black cloth triangle that was fighting the losing battle of keeping Deirdre's pubes decent.

His own swim trunks, though much bulkier and more solidly constructed, were experiencing similar problems and soon they submerged themselves in the clear water of the pool in the hopes of making their predicaments less visible.

"I'm so horny, it's scary," Deirdre whispered in Joey's ear clinging to him with her near-naked body.

"You are so beautiful, it's scary," Joey corrected her with a smile. He held out index finger and thumb a quarter inch apart. "You are this close to getting ravished in front of everybody."

He felt the shiver going through Deirdre's body and her eyes closed. "Keep talking," she purred, grinding her pelvis against his leg.

"I better not. I can't keep coming in my pants. It's kinda uncool."

Their laughter broke the erotic tension and they hugged exuberantly. Making good use of his temporarily deflated state Joey led Deirdre back to their recliners. They ordered drinks and watched other people around the pool to pass the time.

They had a light lunch of salads before they returned to their room for a shower and some badly needed sex. Once the barriers had broken down Deirdre had lost all her previous inhibitions around Joey. It was as if she was catching up for the last four years the way she used her body to inflame her lover's lust. Yet it was innocent and never calculating. She simply wanted her man to fill her as often as possible, something a very enthusiastic Joey was happy to be of help with. They were going through a big box of condoms like a hot knife through butter.

Right after their love making, while they were naked on the bed and basking in the afterglow, she dropped another bomb on Joey.

"You know, one of these days, I want you to ... There's one part of me I need you in."

Joey did a double take. "A–are y–you serious?"

Deirdre stroked his cheek speaking persuasively. "Joey, I have thought it out for days. I love you, I trust you, and I know you will be gentle. I just ... Please understand. I can't let those monsters be the last, the only men to take me back there. This is not for kicks. I want to be yours completely, but those two still possess that part of me until you reclaim it. Just once, okay? Am I making sense?"

"I don't know. Won't that hurt you again?"

"There are ways. I've read up. It's a matter of preparation. Believe me, I don't want to be stitched up again. We could find the stuff we need in a drugstore. A douche set and some astroglide, plus more condoms, although..."

"Although?"

"If it's not too repulsive for you I'd ask you to go without. It's about reclaiming me. Will you think about it?"

"I'll think about it, Deirdre. Don't get me wrong, the idea ... It still does not seem right though, with all ... Oh, hell, let's think about it."

Deirdre smiled. "You're one great guy, Joey. You're always thinking of me first."

-------

Deirdre's dress and Joey's tux were returned cleaned and pressed by six p.m. and a little later, the two went out for dinner. The shows were not to their tastes and instead they just strolled along the Strip, watching the hordes of tourists with amusement. After returning to the Alexandria they wasted a handful of quarters on the slot machines for kicks and watched the card games for a while. They placed a five dollar chip on the 21 at roulette but the 15 came up.

"Now that we've gambled away our money what else can we do?" Deirdre asked with a smile.

"I can think of a few things," Joey leered.

"You'll have to hold that thought, buster," a voice sounded beside them.

Joey spun around and there was Tess grinning at him. The rest of the family was standing behind her.

"We decided to be a day early to throw you a bachelor party," Tess laughed, hugging first Joey then Deirdre. She held her future sister-in-law at arm's length. "God, it's good to see you again. You look great!"

Deirdre smiled back. "I feel great," she beamed. Then, her gaze fell on the thin, almost emaciated man in his seventies and she swallowed. Collecting her courage she made her way over.

"Mr. Di Rosa,..."

The old man nodded, looking Deirdre over with a benevolent smile. Deirdre nodded to herself.

"I owe you my life, you and Felix. I can never repay you for your efforts on my behalf so I'm afraid I'll have to stay in your debt."

"My child," the old man answered, his voice still full of strength, "you will make Joseph a happy man. That is repayment enough for me. Let us leave those old stories behind us. We came to celebrate the future."

"Thank you, Don Vincente," Deirdre answered earnestly.

Just then Felix brought in the rest of the party: Maureen, Numi, Gaby, and the children who stood and gaped at the blinking slot machines and the card tables. After all the hugs were exchanged Felix directed the entire group towards the elevators. It turned out that the Di Rosa party took the entire east wing of the top floor. A team from Di Rosa Security had already sealed off the floor as well as the one below.

Deirdre and Joey first joined Maureen, Numi and Carla in their room. Gaby and Felix had brought their nanny with them who would watch over all the small children in a separate room, a nursery equipped with toys and cribs. Numi was slightly dazed. To her, it was like traveling with the entourage of a pop star or some ruling royalty.

Carla demanded attention from Joey and that gave Deirdre and Maureen a few precious minutes of one-on-one. Maureen talked a mile per minute trying to give Deirdre all the information about the plans and Deirdre just let her. The particulars of the ceremony and the celebrations were of minor importance for her.

Then Maureen talked about her first weeks in her new role as partner at Stansfield, Lipton and Croft. It was a completely new experience for her. She already had a number of clients as well as one pro bono publico case which would pit her against her former colleagues at the DA's office.

-------

A small banquet hall was reserved for their dinner. Tess and Gaby grilled Deirdre about her years at HSU but also about the last weeks while she was on the road with Joey. It was no real bachelor party but they played a prank on Joey when some time around midnight a dancer made her appearance, starting to gyrate in front of him to a blues beat. Joey turned beet-red looking frantically for Deirdre. Taking pity on her groom Deirdre quickly sat on his lap, claiming it for herself against any attempts by the dancer. As it turned out, Tess and Felix had arranged for one of the showgirls to act as stripper and she never proceeded past shedding her blouse. Tess laughed so hard at her brother's embarrassment that she got a hick-up.

Joey was still flustered when he and Deirdre retired to their room at one o' clock. A slightly drunk and giggling Deirdre hummed the blues tune and undressed slowly and with a woeful lack of skill and grace, but her goofball strip tease gave Joey his perspective back. When they finally cuddled in bed, naked and drunk, Deirdre removed the rest of his fears.

"Joey, you don't have to tread lightly around me. Not anymore at least. Even if that stripper had been real I would have seen it as the prank Tess planned. I'm not a prude, Joey. I was only scared."

They slept in until ten and then the entire clan assembled in one of the suites for an extended brunch. The additional guests who arrived in the course of the forenoon joined them there. Uncle Rico was there with his wife and he escorted a surprise guest. It was Mr. Joyner, their old Biology teacher who had paired them up for the AP course and he beamed with pride over this achievement.

A little after two, Claire Ingram entered the suite and a moment later the two roommates were in a violent hug. Claire was introduced around as savior of Deirdre's mental health and her loyal guardian. The last guests arrived a half hour later; Tricia LaGuardia and Ellen Bell had been secretly invited by Joey, and Deirdre squealed with happiness once more.

At three o' clock everybody retired to their rooms to change. Joey was locked out and had to dress in Felix's suite while a gaggle of women descended on Deirdre to prep her for the wedding. Joey, once dressed in his prom tux, was led to the hotel chapel where he met a heretofore unknown kinsman, Father Pietro Di Rosa, a younger cousin of Vincent Di Rosa. He had his parish in Wilmington but he had flown to Las Vegas for the ceremony.

The chapel filled with their guests and then Deirdre was led in by Maureen, wearing her prom dress and looking more gorgeous and happy than ever. Maureen was shedding tears all the time, so much that Carla became worried and fussy. A long look was passed between Joey and Deirdre and then Deirdre went to the front pew and pulled her little half sister up. With Carla between them and holding their hands, Joey and Deirdre spoke the vows that made them husband and wife.

It was a small party afterwards with less than thirty guests, but it was intimate. Joey and Deirdre really could spend time with each of their guests making the event more memorable. At one point Deirdre had a chance to pull Felix to the side and she made use of it. She wanted to convey her gratitude but she also wanted more information about the official story of the Montalbans' unlamented demise. Felix could not give her the full story but he gave her the gist of what was known officially.

"ValVerde Sheriff's Office arrested a guy who traffics illegal immigrants across the border from Mexico. In exchange for a reduced charge he gave them the beef about two stiffs he'd found half buried in the desert near the border. Deputies went out there and found two mummified corpses. The dental records rang the chimes in the database. That's when the Fibbies took over. The coroner lifted some DNA from the mummies and it matched, too. Time of death is kinda hard to establish and the traffickers must have opened the grave before to look for valuables, but my rough guess is they tried to cross into Mexico with the help of the border gangs. Somebody found out about the two hundred grand they must have carried and buried them."

"So, it's just bad karma?" Deirdre asked with raised eyebrows and Felix gave her a conspiratorial grin.

"We may have spread the word that two spics with tattoos were on the lam with two hundred grand of Di Rosa money. We only did it to recover Joey's money, of course. Any inadvertent lethal consequences were neither anticipated nor condoned by us."

Deirdre had to admit that she liked the story. It sounded plausible.

"Then I should thank you once more for trying to recover Joey's money," she answered with a grin of her own. "Of course, only because we could use the money."

"I heard of your visit to Del Rio. Leave it behind you now," Felix said, once again serious. "You're happy again, Joey's happy again, and the bad guys roast in hell."

To his surprise, he received a full kiss from Deirdre. "Thanks for being such a cool cousin," she smiled after releasing him.

The party lasted into the wee hours. Don Vincente retired when the nanny collected the children, claiming his wish to read to them before they slept. The others retired in the reverse order of age. That is to say that in the end Claire, Ellen, Tricia, and Tess were the last hold-outs who kept Joey and Deirdre company. The suite had a luxurious bathroom with a huge whirlpool and around one in the morning they all gathered there for a relaxed soaking. Joey called housekeeping for a pile of towels and robes. With the exceptions of Claire they had all been together in the buff before and none of the girls were prude. Thus it came that Joey found himself surrounded by naked female flesh. To hide his resulting erection and also to benefit from it Deirdre placed herself in his lap causing good natured taunts.

There were a few alarmed squeaks from the girls when suddenly the bathroom door opened but they breathed their relief when they saw Maureen and Numi who came to investigate the noise they had heard from next door.

"If you want to stay you have to drop 'em," Deirdre demanded, bushed from the champagne she had consumed.

Joey grinned when he saw the gleam in Maureen's eyes but the others did not know where to look when first Maureen and then Numi shed their pajamas. With her petite and trim body Maureen did not look like a forty-ish mother of two, and Numi's sleek, charcoal body was a sight to behold. Ellen and Tricia could not stop staring at the older couple and now it was their turn to receive a ribbing.

They continued their soaking and drinking until four in the morning at which time Joey had suffered through over three hours of constant erections. He wrapped a happily drunk Deirdre in a robe, tied a towel around his own hips, and then hoisted his giggling and protesting wife over one shoulder to carry her to their room past the grinning security guys. Once in their room robe and towel were quickly shed and Joey fell between Deirdre's legs, much to their mutual satisfaction.

They slept like logs afterwards, not waking up until eleven when the phone rang to call them to the Sunday brunch. They found a hung over group of relatives and friends, and more than one of them looked a bit sheepish. Don Vincente, Felix and Tess were absent meeting with the hotel management over some issue or another.

Deirdre blushed furiously when Maureen entered the suite as one of the last and with a Tricia in her tow who showed a sheepish smile. Only then did they notice that Numi and Ellen were sitting together.

"Oh. My. Gawd!" Deirdre whispered, her eyes darting between her mother and Numi.

By then Maureen had stepped around the table and hugged Numi from behind.

"You had a good night, darling?" she asked in a stage whisper, causing a few gasps.

"Delightful," Numi grinned widely. "Yourself?"

Maureen nodded. "Oh yeah!"

Deirdre groaned, but then she could not help it and started laughing. "You know, I almost missed being the only adult in the family."

When the brunch was finished, the big farewell began. After a hasty exchange of hugs, phone numbers and email addresses, everybody piled into the four waiting limousines to be driven to the airport. Only Joey and Deirdre remained to stay another night in Las Vegas. Joey had a big surprise waiting for him, though.

"I've done some research," Deirdre announced. "Dress nicely and let's get the bus ready."

"You want to leave already?" Joey asked surprised.

"We'll be back tonight," Deirdre answered cryptically.

A half hour later she directed him out of the city and towards the north, seemingly heading for an Air Force base in the desert. After barely an hour she made him leave the highway and follow a sign to a place called Antelope Valley. When Deirdre made him park the bus in front of the Redlite Ranch Bordello Joey did a double take.

"Care to let me in on the joke?" he asked.

"We need professional help," Deirdre replied serenely. "Joey, will you just go along with me for maybe two hours? It's something that I need done. Please, just do me the favor."

"But this is..."

"I know what it is, Joey. Just play along and trust me. Can you do that?"

Exhaling deeply, he nodded. "Okay, but I won't have sex with another woman and you better not peddle your pretty behind either."

"Fair enough," Deirdre smiled. "Let's go in."

They had to ring and were buzzed in. An ancient lady received them looking them over with a certain curiosity.

"We are Mr. and Mrs. Connor. I made an appointment by telephone," Deirdre stated. Joey picked up on an undercurrent of nervousness in his wife's voice.

"Oh yes. Sondra will be with you in a sec."

They were left waiting in the reception room but not for long. A woman in her early thirties appeared, a friendly smile on her lips.

"Hi, I'm Sondra. Why don't you follow me?"

She led the way into the back and into a rather large room. Once inside she dropped the silk robe she wore and stood wearing nothing but a lace bra and panties.

"Why don't you sit here for a while, Mr. Connor, while I help your wife prepare," she instructed Joey. "Feel free to use the TV."

Then she led Deirdre into the adjoining bathroom. Intermittently, Joey heard their voices and once even a giggle from Deirdre but it took about twenty minutes before they returned to the room and now Deirdre was naked. She smiled shyly at Joey.

"Joey, we are married now. I love you and you are the only man I ever loved and made love to. But you know that those two beasts raped every orifice of me and there is one you have yet to claim back. That's why we're here. Sondra helped me prepare and she'll coach us. I'm as clean back there as possible and I'm already lubed up a bit. I want you to claim my anus. I don't want those two shit heads to be the only men who ever had my ass."

Joey had been expecting this although not that soon after the wedding. With his finely attuned sensitivity to Deirdre's feelings – nothing difficult with her heart on her sleeves most of the time – he knew it was important to her. He had his doubts about the idea – not the least about his ability to perform in the presence of their 'coach' – but he knew he could not refuse Deirdre.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he simply asked.

Deirdre nodded. "I am. Joey, I don't expect this to be part of our routine in the future; maybe it'll be our one and only anal sex, but it's symbolic for me."

"Okay," he sighed. "How?"

In spite of herself, Deirdre giggled. "A little enthusiasm would be a good start. Well, Sondra, how do we go about this?"

The woman had watched the interplay with interest but without any surprise over the allusions towards the Montalbans. Deirdre must have explained it to her during their cleaning session. She patted the bedcover.

"Why don't you lovebirds lie down and get comfy. Hell, you can even kiss your wife on the mouth; that would cost you an extra 'C' with me."

Joey stripped his polo shirt, his slacks, and his jockeys and stood naked. His penis was not yet 'up' to the task. Deirdre lay down on the bed leaving room for him, and he stretched out at her side.

"Now, you guys, most people think doggy when they hear anal, or reverse cowgirl, or whatever else they've seen in the porn movies." Sondra smirked. "Hell, some even try to switch between ass and vagina 'cause they've seen it in some brain dead porn flick. Don't even think about that! Once he's been in your ass, girl, the only way he gets into your pussy is after some serious washing. Got that?"

Deirdre nodded. "Sure, who wants an E. coli infection in the uterus."

"Okay, you're the college kid. What I'm getting at is: anal takes relaxation. You need to find a very relaxed position. You guys ever spoon?"

"Yup, my favorite," Joey smiled.

"Why?"

"'Cause it's relaxed. Plus I can get my hand on all the good parts."

"Keep him, girlie! He's got it right in one. That's the point. You have one hand free for the good parts. You also have your mouth right close to her nape and ear. They're both highly erogenous zones, right, girlie?"

Joey could see how Deirdre's nipples contracted in response and so could Sondra.

"Yep, they are. So, Joey? Why don't you spoon the girl and get the show on the road. Start with kissing her like I'm sure you like to kiss her."

Obediently, Joey cuddled against Deirdre from behind, brushing her curls to the side and starting to nibble on the sensitive skin under her ear. A low squeal was his reward. He also let his hand roam over Deirdre's tummy and chest.

"Yes, rub her all over. She's got one hell of a body. She could make a fortune in here," Sondra kept talking.

"Yeah, right!" Deirdre snorted but she patted his thigh with affection.

They kissed for a while while Joey continued his exploration of Deirdre's front, finally finding the soft hair over her pussy. When his finger slid between the slightly puffy pussy lips it encountered both natural lubrication and some slippery stuff. It made his finger plunge into her folds with his palm flat on her pussy mound. Deirdre lifted her right leg up, giving him more access and he rubbed her pussy with his palm while keeping his middle finger inserted.

"Now would be a good time to put your dick in her pussy, fuck her a little, you know," Sondra coached them gently. "Take it easy, easy does it."

Joey had no problem gaining access to Deirdre's pussy. The last two weeks had made them familiar with the other and not even the presence of a prostitute could break the spell. He began a leisurely, sawing motion, enjoying the feel of Deirdre's canal around his dick. When they had a nice rhythm going the bed moved and Joey saw that Sondra was kneeling in front of Deirdre. She had a tube of lubricant of which she pressed a dollop on her middle and index fingers. Then she bent forward, inserting her hand between their swaying bodies, with her fingers sliding into the crevasse between Deirdre's butt cheeks. Joey felt the knuckles of her fingers against his pubes when he penetrated and he felt Deirdre get slightly stiff.

"Relax, Hon, it's just my fingers. Just like we practiced, 'kay? Feel it? Good. Just breath in and out. In. Out! In!"

Deirdre jerked and a low moan escaped from her mouth. Joey kept fucking her gently but Sondra's fingers were obviously causing the dominant sensation for Deirdre. For a few minutes Deirdre was getting both openings penetrated and Joey saw a sheen of sweat on her forehead and a look of concentration.

"You're doing great, Hon." Sondra cooed now. "You know that I have three fingers in? Does it hurt?"

Deirdre shook her head while breathing laboriously. Sondra began a faster rhythm, finger fucking Deirdre's rear with increasing force. Deirdre did not seem to have complaints.

"Oh, God!" she panted, in a dreamy voice.

Without Deirdre seeing it Sondra gave Joey a sign to pull out. He complied and a second later he almost levitated from the bed as Sondra's second hand deftly spread lubricant over the head of his penis. Then she gripped the shaft and with expertise she placed the bulbous head at Deirdre's gaping hole.

"She's all yours, Joey," she smiled. "Push in!"

And Joey pushed. In spite of Sondra's efforts Deirdre's anus was not nearly wide enough to allow easy access. Joey could get the very tip in but then she clenched. He kept up the pressure but Deirdre was tensing up.

"Bite her neck!" Sondra whispered.

Joey did, biting the soft skin under Deirdre's ear. She shuddered and moaned and just like that the head popped in.

"Unhh! Ooof!" Deirdre grunted.

Joey stopped all movement. "You okay?" he asked, still worried.

"Yeah ... I'm ... Doing ... Okay," Deirdre panted, her forehead pinched into an expression of concentration. "Just ... Go ... Slow!"

God, she was tight there! His penis felt as if stuck in a vise and he could barely move. He managed two or three minuscule movements.

"It's ... Getting – Oh my God! – Better. Try deeper!"

In innumerable increments, Joey gained deeper and deeper penetration. Her ass was tight and hot and unlike anything he had ever experienced. Already he was fighting against the urge to let go, to just hump away and let his semen flow.

"Play with her puss again," Sondra instructed him.

Massaging her pussy mound and rubbing her clit with his palm made Deirdre relax more, and he was able to sink fully into his wife's anus. Her hips began to undulate, causing his penis to go in and out of the tight opening, but also rubbing her clit against his palm. Deirdre relaxed even further, allowing an easier penetration. With the combination of his penis in her rear and his palm on her pussy she also got increasingly worked up.

"Rub me, Joey!" she panted, and he increased his efforts, against her jerking pelvis, always keeping his erection buried deeply. "Yes, Joey, rub me! Rubmerubmerubmerubmerubme – RUBMERUBMEEEEEEE!"

Oh God! Finally he could let loose. With a deep, strangled cry Joey humped Deirdre's buttocks for a few final thrusts and then he had his almost painful, blinding release deep within her bowels.

They collapsed, panting and trying to get oxygen back into their lungs while Sondra jumped from the bed. She returned a little later and gently wiped first Deirdre's and then Joey's face and chest with a warm, wet cloth.

"Pull out now, slowly," she instructed and when Joey did she expertly wrapped his penis into the washcloth, wiping off any evidence of the rectal penetration. That done she pressed the cloth against Deirdre's anus.

"Come, girl, let's go wash you," she said softly, helping Deirdre up and leading her into the bathroom.

Joey followed hesitantly but Sondra gestured for him to come. She made Deirdre sit on the throne and quickly prepared a readymade douche.

"Okay, Sweety, let's flush," she grinned. "You did well, both of you, now let me show you how to clean up."

That was what she did and when they emerged from the bathroom Joey and Deirdre had learned the basics of after-anal clean-up as taught by a pro. Once dressed, Sondra led them into a bar room and had them sit down. The old lady who had welcomed them watched with a smile. She patted Deirdre's hand.

"You feel better now, my dear girl?"

Deirdre nodded with a dazed smile. Grinning, Sondra presented them with two T-shirts bearing the silhouette of a lying, half naked woman and the slogan, "I got laid at the Redlite Ranch Bordello, Antelope Valley, Nevada". That broke the dazed spell for Joey and Deirdre and they both laughed while they imagined wearing those T-shirts to work or at one of Uncle Vincent's parties. They ate a sandwich and drank sodas at the bar before they left and Joey never learned what the private lesson had costed.

Driving back, Deirdre made a face at one point, wiggling her butt. "It was therapeutic, it was exciting, but I think I'll pass on it for a while. How was it for you?"

"Pretty incredible. It's a terrific feel but it's a lot of preparations and some icky procedures."

"My take exactly. I don't rule out a repeat, maybe on some day when we have a weekend for ourselves, but it's a little non-spontaneous with all the prepping."

"Ready to head home now, Mrs. Di Rosa?"

"Abso-fucking-lutely! How long from Las Vegas?"

"Five days if we drive five hundred miles a day."

"What stops have you planned?"

"Let's see: Denver, Lincoln or Omaha, Chicago, Akron or Pittsburgh, and then last stop, Philadelphia. Care for a stop in Pittsburgh?"

Deirdre affected a shudder. "You mean, to meet old friends? Thanks, but no thanks. I demand motel accommodation by the way. I want a king size bed every night. I'll make it worth your while. I mean let's face it: a week from now we'll be in the grind already. If this is our honey moon I want all the honey I can get."

Joey pressed his wife's hand. "No complaints from this husband," he grinned.

"And none from me," Deirdre smiled back. "Think you can get it up later tonight for some plain, straight pussy fucking?"

"How about some pussy licking as starter?"

A happy giggle was his reward. "Sounds like a plan. Joey, I'm happy. You made me happy. Thank you for not giving up on me."

"I couldn't. You were meant for me."

Sighing contentedly, Deirdre sank back into the seat still holding her husband's hand.

"Yes, it must have been fate," she stated after a while.

Local color and advice by Douglas Fox



-------

Chapter 34: A Neat Hit


Special Agent Maxwell Delaney read the report on his computer screen. He, like many other Supervisory Special Agents had received it this morning with a delay of only four days. When the entire Di Rosa clan had jumped on a chartered business jet on Friday afternoon with a flight plan filed for Las Vegas, NV, the Las Vegas field office was put on orange alert and all the agents had to cancel their planned weekend activities. Everybody expected an important gathering of Cosa Nostra bosses and surveillance of the other crime families was stepped up.

The next section of the report, however, described what had really happened. Three limousines had conveyed the passengers plus some bodyguards from Di Rosa Security to the Alexandria. Two hours later they came down from their rooms to party in a separate ball room and on the next afternoon they dressed to the nines to attend a wedding. A freaking, impromptu Las Vegas wedding. The language of the report conveyed a lot of the disgust felt by the watchers who had to sacrifice their weekend to watch old Vincent Di Rosa dance with the bride. Delaney grinned.

The grin froze when he read the particulars. The couple in question was none other than Joseph Giovanni Di Rosa and Miss Deirdre Virginia Darling. The mother was former Assistant District Attorney Maureen Darling who was accompanied by a Sgt. Numi N'gomo (female) of the Philadelphia PD. Other notable guests were Mr. Felix Di Rosa, President of Di Rosa Security Inc. and best man, Ms. Theresa Carla Di Rosa, sister of the groom, and a Miss Claire Ingram, maid of honor and so far unknown to the FBI. Also present were two female software programmers from California, also without a history of mob connections.

Delaney leaned back in his chair. The two kids had obviously made up. He calculated. Yes, they must have finished college by now. The ransom had finally paid off for young Di Rosa.

There was picture of the couple inserted just for fun as Delaney suspected. He had only seen the girl once as she emerged from her ordeal, a beat-up, mangled wreck, whose eyes were still showing the horror she had survived. In the wedding picture he saw a rather stunning woman who melted against a 1980s throwback with black beard and longish hair. That was the young Di Rosa?

The report went on for another two pages, noting with painstaking accuracy who attended the wedding and who waited on the guests. It also noted that the Di Rosa family members flew back to Philadelphia late Sunday and that they had not met with any known power figures in Las Vegas. The happy couple it seemed left town in a camping van for their honeymoon. It had been a rather cheap wedding for the Di Rosa and rather expensive for Uncle Sam, what with weekend overtime for over thirty agents.

Delany smirked and closed the file. He was genuinely happy that the poor girl had at last found back to young Di Rosa. The young man had struck Delaney as loyal and honest. Perhaps, the find of the Montalbans' mummies must have given the girl closure. The thought made Delaney pause.

Wasn't that convenient? The Montalban brothers had vanished into thin air four years ago and then, this spring, the Sheriff of Val Verde County had received a tip and found two desiccated bodies which matched the dental records and the DNA of the two rapists. This was almost too much of a coincidence. Delaney opened the file "Darling, Deirdre, Federal Kidnapping Case 2005/084" to jog his memory.

Two days later he was standing in front of the four story office building that housed "Di Rosa Security Inc.", as stated on a modest stainless steel plate to the left of the entrance. Kira Duncan, his erstwhile partner, was with him. She had transferred to the Racketeering Unit but Delaney had borrowed her for this interview.

Riding the lift to the fourth floor offices this felt no different from any other corporate headquarters, yet both agents were acutely aware that they had entered a lion's den. Nevertheless the secretary who received them was professional and friendly, ushering them into a large office.

There, behind a cluttered desk, stood Felix Di Rosa, President of DRS, who offered his hand in greeting.

"Have a seat, Agents! Can I offer you refreshment? Soda, coffee, tea?"

"No thank you, Mr. Di Rosa. It is kind of you to receive us on such short notice."

"Say nothing! I take it, this is about my sister in law's kidnapping?"

"Yes, indeed. As you may be aware, the remains of the Montalban brothers were found close to the Mexican border, in Val Verde County, Texas."

Di Rosa nodded politely. "I have seen the newspaper reports," he answered. "It has come as a great relief to Deirdre and her mother."

"Have you, in the past four years, heard anything of either man?"

"Frankly, no. Of course we had hoped to recover the ransom money."

"Ah yes, the ransom money. It was, how much?"

"Two hundred thousand dollars."

"Paid in cash?"

Di Rosa tilted his head and raised his eyebrow.

"PayPal has not yet extended its services to the kidnapping industry," he deadpanned.

Delaney blushed a little. He had meant to win some time with his question but it had been a dumb one.

"Of course. What I meant, did you use ready cash or did you withdraw the money from an account?"

"If I remember it correctly the money was taken from the cash reserve of my grandfather's grocer business. They use cash to buy produce from farmers and we could be sure that the money was clean, so we'd not break the rules and jeopardize Deirdre's life. Joey paid my grandfather back later."

"I see. You wouldn't have the numbers of the banknotes?"

Felix shook his head. "Time was too short for that. It was all twenties, two hundred bundles. Remember, we were trying to find the girl and not the kidnappers."

"I see. Do you, with your background in providing security, see any particulars in the way the Montalbans were found. Or in the way they died?"

Felix Di Rosa shrugged. "How did they die? How were they found?"

"Two rounds to the head, small caliber. A .32, probably with a reduced charge."

"From my criminology course in college I'd hazard they were killed by a professional hit man."

Delaney almost choked over the answer. "And what is it you'd hazard as to why they were killed?"

"That's easy. I read they were found near the Mexican border? I'd guess they tried to cross into Mexico and hired some of the local trafficking networks to get them across. Those folks would just snuff them and take all the cash rather than take a small part and run the risk of being caught as accessories."

"But how would those 'folks' know about the cash?" Duncan threw in.

"Well, that may have been partly our fault. You must be aware of the fact that we maintain a network of paid informers not unlike your own to get advance warning of any threats against our customers. Such networks work in either direction, of course. We passed the word that we were looking for two Hispanic men, heavily muscled, shaven heads and covered with tattoos, who were running with my cousin's money. Of course, the idea was to recover the money and if possible apprehend the Montalbans. I'm afraid that somebody may have used that information in a way we had not anticipated, and now we have lost the money and the perps. In spite of this I am confident that my cousin will console himself with the fact that he got his girl back. In fact, they married last Saturday in Las Vegas, but I'm sure this is all in the report you received."

Delaney eyes went wide at the brazen outrage. It left him speechless. It was Duncan who followed up.

"You admit to spreading the information that the Montalbans carried two hundred thousand dollars in cash?"

"I'm sorry, was that classified information?"

"It may have caused their death."

"The operative word is 'may', Agent. I assure you that I can sleep well in spite of this possibility. Must I remind you what they did to poor Deirdre? No, a bullet to the head was way too nice in my views. Is there anything else?"

"No, thank you," Delaney answered, knowing that he held the shorter end of the stick. "We appreciate your time."

"Not at all. Anytime we can help, Agents."

Thus dismissed Delaney and Duncan left the building in silence. They did not talk for another minute or until they found their parked car. Once sitting inside Delaney looked at his former partner.

"You know, Kira, we just learned of the neatest mob hit ever. You have to give it to Felix: he is one brilliant SOB."

"How do you figure?"

"Think of it! The moment Di Rosa learned that the girl had been raped he planned the revenge. I'll wager a year's pay that the word about the Montalbans being on the lam with two hundred grand of Di Rosa cash was spreading before they even left Philly. Di Rosa did not even have to contract anybody. Those two shitheads probably had a dozen freelancers on their trail, like starving lawyers after an ambulance. The two morons were even helpful enough to arrange for the payment. They thought they were carrying a ransom but they were carrying the money to pay for their own hit. Jesus, that's smart!"

"Two hundred grand for a double hit? That's a lot," Duncan protested.

"We only have Felix' word about the amount," Delany answered. "What does Felix care anyway? It was his cousins money, and anyway, they're rolling in cash."

"So, what are we going to do?"

Delaney shrugged. "Nothing. What can we do? There was nothing illegal in what Di Rosa did."

Duncan sighed. "Well, you can say what you want but in this case I can't feel bad about it. It's a lot cheaper than a trial and the death penalty. Plus I saw the girl in the hospital. Felix was right. Those assholes came off too cheap with only their brains blown away. Did you see her in the wedding photograph? God, she looked so happy again, the poor girl. Whoever brought that about deserves some leeway in my book. Speaking of happy, are you free this weekend?"

Their growing relationship had been the reason for Kira Duncan's transfer to Racketeering. Grinning at his former partner, Delaney shrugged.

"I guess I am. Let's be happy, too, and to hell with the Montalbans."


-------
The End
-------
Posted:  2011-05-03
Last Modified: 2011-07-07 / 04:17:09 pm
-------
http://storiesonline.net/
-------