CHAPTER EIGHTY-EIGHT

Friday evening — 5:45 P.M.

Jacob stepped through the doorway and listened. He could hear Valerie screaming in the kitchen. Valerie’s pain and terror threatened to overwhelm his little brother self. He had to stay focused. He pushed away everything other than his singular focus – Johansen.

Cloaking his mind, he slipped off his boots and jacket. He knew he had only a few minutes before Johansen would be on him. He had to be ready for whatever came in his direction.

Then, as if placed there by some friendly god, he saw Mike’s hockey gear. With his eyes on Johansen, he picked up Mike’s hockey stick. He crawled forward to the bag. When Valeriescreamed again, he opened the front pouch of Mike’s bag. He breathed a sigh of relief. Three pucks. With a silent prayer of thanks for Mike’s compulsive nature, he slipped a puck into each of the back pockets of his jeans.

Johansen sniffed.

“SHOW YOURSELF!”

Jacob hopped to his feet. In one fluid movement, he tossed the puck up and hit it hard with Mike’s stick. The puck flew through the air and hit Johansen in the forehead. When Johansen fell backwards, Delphie crumpled to the ground clutching her head. Johansen’s hold on her tore at her mind.

Rooting himself into the foundation of the Castle, Jacob used his power to push Valerie deeper into the kitchen. As Mike scrambled after her, Jacob slammed and locked the kitchen door. Slowly moving his right hand, he attempted to create a shield vortex around Delphie to protect her. Johansen asserted his hold over Delphie and she began to scream in pain. Jacob’s vortex collapsed onto itself.

“Mom!” Jacob called to Celia. He pointed to Delphie. “Go!”

Celia went to comfort Delphie.

Johansen was on his feet. He sent energetic tendrils around Jacob. Johansen’s mind searched Jacob’s body and soul for any weakness. Sloughing him off, Jacob dropped the hockey stick. He fought back with his mind.

Their battle began.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
(part six)

Friday evening — 5:40 P.M.

Jacob helped Jill out of the back of MJ’s SUV. When Jill turned to get Katy and Paddie from their car seats, Jacob went to the driver’s window to talk to MJ.

“We’ll see you Sunday?” Jacob asked.

“SUNDAY!?” Honey leaned over to ask Jacob.

“I have a little surprise,” MJ said. “Jake helped me find a little place in the mountains. I thought maybe a weekend away.”

When she didn’t respond, MJ got nervous.

“J-j-j- just us. I th-th-thought i-i-it would b-b-be nice.”

Honey gave a little cheer. She kissed his cheek and MJ looked relieved.

Feeling movement, Jacob leaned down to pick up a tired Katy. He looked over at Jill as she lifted a sleeping Paddie into her arms. Their eyes held for a moment. They were a little loose, happy and looking forward to spending naptime in each other’s arms.

“Have a great time,” Jill said.

She leaned in to kiss MJ’s cheek. Honey blew her a kiss. Standing in the driveway, they waved to Honey and MJ as they drove off. Jacob leaned over Katy to kiss Jill’s lips. They began to walk toward the Castle.

“You think we…” he said.

Jacob stopped walking. His face stiffened from smiling to serious, almost deadly. Jill touched his arm to make sure he was all right. When he looked up, he gave a terse whisper:

“Wake up Paddie. Jill! Do it now.”

Jacob ran around the back of the Castle to the foot high stained glass windows of Delphie’s chapel. Without hesitation, he kicked out the antique glass from one of the windows.

“Jacob! No,” Jill said. “Those are irreplaceable!”

He nodded to her then went back to work kicking out the window. When the window was gone from the space, he laid his coat over the ragged edges of the frame.

“Go down there,” he said to Katy.

“I don wan to, Daddy,” Katy said. “I’m really tired.”

“Katherine Marlowe, you will get down there this instant,” he said.

Stunned and terrified by his tone, Katy began to cry. She squirmed out of his arms and hid behind Jill’s legs.

“You’re scaring her,” Jill said. “What’s going on?”

“Something terrible. That’s what’s going on,” Jacob said, his voice somewhere between despair and rage. “Katy and Paddie are in danger. Katy in particular.”

“Let me go with them,” Jill said. “Get them settled.”

Jacob nodded. He hadn’t thought of Jill going with the kids. That was a better plan. She would be safe. If he died…

Rather than finishing the thought, he took a groggy Paddie from her. He set Paddie on the ground. Holding her hands, he guided her through the tight space. He dropped her to the ground. She ran to a pew and dragged it under the broken window. Standing on a pew, she took Paddie from him.

He picked up Katy and kissed her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Katy,” Jacob said. “I got scared and…”

“You scared me when you were like my old Daddy,” Katy said. “I thought you hated me.”

“Never,” Jacob kissed the girl’s cheek. “I can only, always, love you. Even if I’m scary.”

“Don’t worry, Daddy,” Katy said. “Your Mommy explained everything.”

“Celia?”

“I call her Naomi,” Katy said.

The little girl threw her arms around Jacob.

“I love you, Daddy,” Katy said. “Just remember, you’re stronger than him because you can love. Love will kill him. I don’t know what that means but that’s what your Mommy said to tell you.”

Jacob kissed Katy’s head. He helped her through the opening to the chapel and into Jill’s arms. Jill set Katy down then returned to the opening.

“I love you, Jacob Marlowe,” she said. “You come back to me.”

He leaned down to kiss her.

“I love you,” he whispered.

He stroked her cheek then watched Jill take the kids toward the pillows near the back of the chapel. With one last look, he ran toward the side entrance of the Castle. Holding open the security door, he let out a breath.

This was it. This was the moment he’d spent the last months preparing for. He was fit and strong. His mind was clear. His mental and psychic capacities had grown with steady practice. He was as ready as he would ever be.

For a moment, he wished he was somewhere else, someone else. He wished he didn’t have to open this door and fight to the death with a man he barely knew. He wished for a hundred more quiet mornings and sunlit summer evenings. He wished for the children, his children, he might never meet. He longed to see Katy married and happy.

But Jacob was never one to waste a lot of time on wishes. The moment passed and he was ready again.

Nodding to himself, he opened the oak door and walked inside.

Denver Cereal continues on Monday…

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
(part five)

Friday afternoon — 4:45 P.M.
19^th Avenue Medical Building

“I told you, Nash! I’m going to have a sister,” Noelle’s loud voice echoed off the elevator.

“No!” Nash yelled back. “We just didn’t get to see. He’s shy. Like me!”

The kids had gone back and forth since they left the doctors office.

“You tell her Sandy. I’m right aren’t I?” Nash said.

Not wanting to get in between the arguing kids, Sandy put one hand on Noelle’s shoulder and the other on Nash’s shoulder.

“Sandy?” Noelle asked.

“I don’t know,” Sandy said. “I was so excited that the baby was healthy. Did you see its little fingers?”

“The baby was sucking his thumb,” Nash said.

“Her thumb, Nash,” Noelle said.

“I’m kind of glad we don’t know,” Sandy said. “Will you be terribly disappointed if she’s a girl, Nash? Will you be terribly disappointed if he’s a boy, Noelle?”

“No, but…” Nash said at the same time Noelle said, “I’m still right.”

“You are not!” Nash said.

“What if you’re both right?” Sandy asked. Laughing, she added, “What if it’s a girl AND a boy?”

“Ewwwww!” Nash said while Noelle screamed in horror.

Sandy laughed. The elevator came to a stop in the lobby.

“Can we get ice cream?” Noelle asked as they left the elevator.

“Of course,” Sandy said. “But not a lot. Just a single scoop. Ok. Remember we have a big dinner tonight?”

“Mrs. Valerie’s coming home and Mike too!” Noelle said.

“Mr. Mike?” Sandy asked.

“He just likes to be called Mike,” Nash said.

“Ok,” Sandy said. “Ice cream, then we get ready for our dinner party.”

The children burst from the building and ran to the car. Sandy trotted after them.  Smiling, she drove to Liks for ice cream.

~~~~~~~~

Friday evening — 5:25 P.M.
The Castle

Valerie stopped walking when she reached the side door of the Castle. Tipping her head to the side, she puzzled. Mike came up behind her carrying their bags and his hockey gear.

“Would you like me to carry you over the threshold, my bride?” he asked. Setting their bags down, he moved to lift her into his arms.

“No,” Valerie said. Her hand touched the glass of the security door. “Something’s wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Mike asked.

“Delphie always meets me at the door. I’ve never come home and had her not open the door when I’m standing right here,” Valerie said. “Something’s very wrong. I can almost smell it.”

“She probably burned dinner,” Mike said. “Come on.”

Mike used his key to unlock the security door, then the original solid oak door underneath. He held the door for Valerie. Still unsure, Valerie hesitated. He gave her a little shove and she stepped inside. He set their bags next to the living room closet.

He followed Valerie as she meandered through the silent living room and into the kitchen. By the time he reached the kitchen door, Valerie had turned. She was shaking her head.

“No cheesecake? No dinner?” Valerie asked. “My heart is pounding. I’m terrified something awful has happened to Delphie.”

Mike spun in place. He took the stairs two at a time. Running down the hall, he burst into Delphie’s apartment.

Only settling dust and silence.

He was almost to the stairwell when he heard Valerie scream. He pounded down the stairwell to find Valerie slumped against the kitchen counter.

“Babies,” she gasped. “Contractions.”

Sensing movement, he turned to see a tall thin man dragging Delphie by her hair. He was ready to jump the scrawny man when Valerie screamed again.

“No, Mike! Don’t do it, Mike!” Delphie screamed. “Stay with Valerie! He will kill us all!”

Mike dropped to Valerie’s side. Valerie screamed again.

“NO Marlowe will survive this day,” the man said.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
(part four)

Friday afternoon — 2:35 P.M.
The Castle

Sitting on the edge of Sam’s bed, Delphie conserved her strength. She’d endured hours of psychic interrogation as a young child. She could endure it now that she was strong, well loved, and experienced.

But she was starting to lose track of her answers. His questions had become wild, crazy and off centered. She said whatever came into her mind. If her answers were vague or unclear, he would hurt her either use his psychic powers to squeeze her mind or hit her.

She’d do almost anything not to be hit. She had hated being hit as a child. She hated it now.

Why hadn’t he taken her back to Leadville? What was he waiting for?

When he was hungry, he dragged her into the kitchen by her hair to demand that she make his lunch. He used to only like restaurant food, expensive fancy food. But today he only wanted a sandwich. That was all a sandwich. They ate and he returned to his crazy interrogation.

Thank the Goddess that age had taken any sexual urge from him. While she was certain she would survive whatever he dished out, she just didn’t want to have to endure him today.

She’d become so accustomed to being loved, respected, and cared for. These hours with Johansen were almost more humiliating than when she was a child, when she didn’t know better. Every time she was ready to give into her despair, she saw Celia near her. Celia’s support helped her through the worst of the day.

“I need a glass of water,” she said.

“You may get one from the bathroom, Chastity,” he said. “I’m going to take a nap. If you leave, you will die. Your mind will break into pieces. You know this. No Marlowe can save you now.”

“I will take a bath while you nap,” she said.

“Fine,” he said.

Taking off his ancient dress shoes, he lay down on Sam’s bed. His scarecrow limbs made him look like more like a coat hanger person than the demon he was. When he closed his eyes, she went into the bathroom.  She filled the tub with warm, rose scented, foamy water then stepped in. When her entire body was in the tub, she dared to reach for the bathroom telephone. As silently as she could, she picked up the receiver.

No dial tone. Johansen must have cut the lines. She’d never used a cell phone. Jacob bought her one but she couldn’t figure out how to use it. It sat, uncharged, on her dresser. She cursed her stupidity.

For the first time, Delphie gave into her hopelessness. She slipped below the suds and wept.

~~~~~~~~

Friday afternoon — 3:40 P.M.
Lipson Construction

“Sorry, honey, I can’t join the party,” Tres yelled to Tanesha over the loud music in the background. “It’s awesome, really wonderful news.”

“So why aren’t you joining us?” Tanesha asked. “Heather and Blane are taking care of Molly’s kids today. She won’t be there.”

“It’s not that,” Tres said. “My brother needs some help moving in. He’s going to stay with me for a while.”

“Enrique?”

“Yeah,” Tres said.

“But I thought he owned his house,” Tanesha said.

“He does,” Tres said. “He’s ending it with Calvin. Calvin said he’d move out at the first of the month. Enrique doesn’t want to throw him out…”

“Like he did Blane?”

“Well, yes, that’s exactly what he said,” Tres said.

“Huh.”

“Huh is right,” Tres said. “He quit his job today too.”

“Wow, better find out what’s going on with him.”

“That’s what I thought,” Tres said. “Sorry I’ll miss the party.”

“It’s all right,” Tanesha said. “I have to work at seven anyway. I think they have a family dinner this evening. I just thought you’d have fun if you came.”

“I would have,” Tres said. “Thanks for the invite. I’ll be with Enrique the rest of the night.”

“Ok, I’ll catch you tomorrow,” Tanesha said.

“Tomorrow.”

Tres smiled when he set down the phone. Since they’d had their big talk, he and Tanesha seemed to be closer, more honest. She was becoming his best friend, maybe the best friend he’d ever had. Grabbing his coat, he went out to his car.

What the hell was going on with Enrique?

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
(part three)

Friday early afternoon — 1:15 P.M.

“Mr. Blanchard, are we ready to hear the verdicts?” the Judge asked.

After arriving early, they had spent the morning waiting for the defendant. She and her attorney had attempted to renegotiate her plea bargain. Today! After three weeks of nonsense, she’d decided she wanted the plea. The victim’s advocate said she was abusing the victims. Their office filed some special form on Jill, Katy, Paddie, and Honey’s behalf. The District Attorney was furious. Listening to the Judge, Jill could tell that the Judge was angry too.

“Let us proceed,” the Judge said. “Have you reached a verdict?”

“Yes, your honor,” the jury foreman stood. He gave a piece of paper to the bailiff.

Jill watched the tiny slip of paper move across the room. Jacob grabbed her hand. Sucking her thumb for the first time since last summer, Katy snuggled further into Jill’s lap. The little family braced for the verdict.

The Judge’s dark fingers made the piece of paper seem bright white. The Judge gave a small nod.

“I’d like to poll the jury,” the Judge said. “Do you agree with this verdict?”

One at a time, the jurors stood to say, “Aye.” When the last juror sat down, the tension in the courtroom raised a notch.

“To the charge of assault with the intent of murder, the verdict is…”

Jill thought she would pass out.

“Guilty!”

Jill wanted to cheer and scream but she knew she’d get thrown out of the courtroom. Breathing deeply to control her excitement, she heard:

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

“Guilty.”

The step-sister was found guilty on every single charge!

EVERY CHARGE!

MJ covered Honey in a hug. Jill and Katy hugged Jacob until Paddie begged to come up. With Katy on one hip and Paddie on the other, Jill hugged her brother, Steve, and sisters, Megan and Candy, and mother, Anjelika, until she ended up back in Jacob’s arms.

The Judge pounded her gavel to gain order. Finally, everyone sat back down.

“The jury has requested special circumstances,” the Judge said. “Even though I am not a fan of the death penalty, I’m sorry to say that special circumstances are not allowed in this case. Somehow Honey Lipson managed to survive, so we are unable to entertain the death penalty in this case. That said, I will determine sentencing in two weeks.”

With another pounding of her gavel, the Judge adjourned the court.

“Let’s celebrate,” Honey said.

“Let’s!” Jill replied.

“I guess that’s our cue,” Jacob patted MJ on the back.

The happy group left the courtroom to celebrate their victory.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
(part two)

Friday morning — 8:25 A.M.
The Castle

Delphie wandered through the main Castle living room. Today, by some act of the Goddess, everyone would be gone from the Castle until after dinner time. After her miserable night, Sandy was working today. Noelle and Nash were at school and work until they went to see the baby this afternoon. Honey, MJ and Jill plus Jacob, Katy and her little friend, Paddie, were at the trial. Delphie even thought most of Jill’s family was going to be there to hear the verdict. Sam was covering for Jacob, and Aden. He left early and would be home late. Valerie and Mike weren’t due in from Prague this evening. Rosa and her cleaning team had arrived early and finished their weekly scouring of the Castle. Even the dogs were at the groomers today.

Tonight, they would have a lot of celebrating to do – Valerie was home; Mike’s art show opened on Sunday; the awful trial was over; Aden and Pete had survived the night and seemed to be gaining strength; and a new baby to love for Sandy, Noelle and Nash. As always, dinner would be a loud, laughing party.

But for now, Delphie had her Castle all to herself.

After months of longing for the solitary peace and quiet of the empty Castle, she felt a little lonely. She straightened a pillow on the couch. Patting the cushion, she decided to take a bath in Sam’s big tub. She was almost to the hall when she heard a noise. Turning, she gasped in horror and stepped back.

Levi Johansen stepped into the living room. The demon from her childhood had arrived to take her back.

“Hello Chastity,” he said.

Raising his hand, he used his psychic powers to grip Delphie’s mind. She fought him off as she and Jacob had practiced since Christmas. She was barely able to defend herself. Invisible to the naked eye, the two powerful psychics were locked in a battle of will and mind. Feeling a burst of his energy, Delphie panicked. She forgot all she’d learned and took off running toward Sam’s room. Johansen caught her at the door.

He wrapped his hands into her bottle bright red hair. He smashed her forehead against the door to stun her. Using both of his hands, he pressed his will into her mind.

“You’re mine,” he said.

~~~~~~~~

Friday mid-day — 12 noon
York Street Club

“My name is Enrique.” His anxious voice came out in a croak.

“Hi Enrique,” the men in the room said.

“Among other things, I am an alcoholic. It’s been two days since my last drink.”

Sitting outside in his car, he’d almost thrown up from the terror of simply walking into this AA house. Now that he was here, he felt all right, nervous, but almost as if he belonged. Enrique sighed with relief when the man next to him introduced himself.

One day at a time.

That’s all he had left.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow….

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN
(part one)

Friday morning — 5:25 A.M.

Dressed in her pajamas, Jill ran down the stairs from the loft. Her bare feet made a tight drumbeat as she pounded past the landing. Slipping around the corner, she almost ran over Honey. Honey had been wheeling at top speed toward the stairs. Jill caught Honey’s chair before they fell over.

“The jury returned!” the women said together.

“Ann just…” Jill started at the same time Honey said, “I got…”

They both gave a nervous laugh.

“You first,” Jill said.

“The jury insisted on staying all night.” Honey’s voice was fast and excited. “The victim’s advocate said they reviewed every bit of evidence, everything. She got the call this morning. The jury has reached a decision. That’s what she said. ‘The jury has reached a decision.’ What did Ann say?”

“Pretty much the same thing. Ann said she was sure they would stay the weekend. After all the befuddling counter testimony and everything else, she and the DA thought the jury was confused and would want the weekend. But…”

“The victim’s advocate said this was good news.”

“Ann said a quick verdict is usually a guilty verdict.”

The women beamed at each other.

“We made it!” Jill exclaimed.

Honey nodded.

“Ann said that sentencing would be in a couple weeks.” Jill bit at the skin on the edge of her thumb. “She said that the jury may make a recommendation but since it’s not a capital case, the judge decides on a sentence.”

“I hope she’s put away for life.”

“At least,” Jill said. “We’d better get dressed! We’re supposed to be there at seven. They want Katy and Paddie there too. Oh, I need to call Colin.”

“Jill?”

“Shoot I don’t know if they’re in town,” Jill continued her nervous chewing on her thumb.

Honey put her hand on Jill’s arm. She pulled Jill’s thumb from of her mouth. Jill looked down at Honey.

“Congratulations!” Honey beamed. ”We made it through three weeks of hell!”

“Congratulations to you,” Jill said. “You’re amazing!”

“I’m so excited to get back to work and my regular life,” Honey said. “Oh and guess what?”

“What?”

“The doctor said MJ and I can try for a baby again next month,” Honey beamed. “Can you imagine? Done with this crap and a baby. I hope I get pregnant right away.”

Jill leaned over to hug Honey. She kissed her cheek.

“Now let’s go get dressed!” Honey said.

Honey spun in place and wheeled off before Jill could say another word. Jill took the stairs to the loft two at a time. Leaning against the door, she couldn’t help but smile.

The trial was almost over.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
(part six)

Friday early morning — 2:30 A.M.
Between Colorado Springs and Denver

“I’m worried about you,” Seth said as they sped along I-25 back to Denver.

“Why?” Sandy asked.

“You have a lot on your plate,” Seth said. “Most of it has nothing to do with you. Aden’s kids, Aden’s problems, Aden’s injuries, your father’s legal issues, your mother’s horrible greed, your father’s estate. The list goes on and on. Here we are at 2:30 in the morning trying to get back to your temporary home because?”

“The kids need me at home,” Sandy said.

“They aren’t your kids, Sandra.”

“Whose kids are they? Come on, Seth. They have no one. Their psychopath mother’s in prison. Their father’s in the hospital or prison or hospital-prison. They have no grandparents. They just have me.”

Seth’s silence spoke more than any words he could have said.

“And who do I have?” Sandy asked. “I have you, the girls, and them.”

Seth glanced at Sandy then nodded.

“We need each other.” Uncomfortable, Sandy changed the subject. “What did you find out about what happened to Aden and Pete?”

“Aden has a brother,” Seth said. “According to his records, he didn’t list any family in prison.”

“I doubt he knew his brother was there.”

“I did his background check,” Seth said. “His story checked out. He arrived at home from school and his family was gone. He was fifteen years old. Youngest of seven kids. He was the only Norsen, of those still living, who is not in prison.”

“Until now,” Sandy said.

“I supposed it’s my fault for not telling him about his sibling. It just never occurred to me. Anyway, Aden’s brother should never have been at minimum security,” Seth said. “Canon City is overcrowded. There’s no room for the hard cases. Aden’s brother has done well in with the structure of prison. They thought it was a safe risk.”

“What is he in for?”

“Murder. He’s a lifer.”

“Murder!? A murderer was in minimum security!?”

“The overcrowding is really horrible. They built a new prison for the hard cases but the state can’t afford to open it. These guys are scattered around the system. There’s been five or six murders by these hard cases this year alone. Aden was lucky he wasn’t killed.”

“What happened?” Sandy asked.

“According to the tapes, Aden and Pete walked into the exercise area and were attacked by Aden’s brother. It was frenzied attack – quick and deadly. Aden was out with three punches. When Aden fell, he was kicked and stomped on until Pete jumped in.”

“Where were the guards?”

“Another great question,” Seth said. “They were in the middle of shift change. Something Aden’s brother would have known, but no way Aden could have known.”

“How did it end?”

“A couple prisoners had worked for Lipson Construction. Big black guys. One held Aden’s brother while the other got in the way. As soon as they intervened, all the black guys got involved. It could have been a riot. But one of the guys, the first guy, kept repeating, ‘Dis man’s gonna hire me. Promised me when I went in. Alls I gots to do is stay off drugs. Can’t hire me if he’s dead.’ If it wasn’t so horrible, it would be pretty funny. They had everything under control by the time the guards showed up.”

Digesting the story, Sandy fell silent.

“How’s Pete?”

“They did what they can do,” Sandy said. “It’s 50-50. One of his ribs punctured a lung, he had multiple brain injuries and his heart is messed up. I don’t really understand it. Pete’s a drug addict. They think his heart was damaged by the drugs. The doctor said he would either improve tonight or they’d need to talk about when to terminate care.”

“Terminate care?”

“Pull the plug. Delphie’s having one of her transition ceremonies for him tonight.”

“Oh,” he said. “Is Aden that bad?”

“I don’t really know. He has brain injuries too. The doctors said they would put him out for a few weeks to see how he does. I… I have to believe that he’s strong enough to get well.”

“You wish you could stay with him.”

“Yes, I wish I could stay with him,” Sandy said. “But I wish a lot of things. I wish he hadn’t gone off at my father. I wish he wasn’t stupid enough to believe my father had molested Noelle. I wish Dad was still alive. Every day, I wish that. I wish my mother hadn’t lost her mind or could see that I was the one victimized. Not her, me. I wish…”

She stopped talking when Seth patted her leg.

“I have to focus on what’s right in front of me, Seth. I have two frightened traumatized kids to deal with. Whatever else, including Aden, has to come after them. He made his choices. He takes his consequences. That’s what he always says.”

“He fails to see that you have to deal with the consequences of his actions.”

Sandy patted her belly and Seth smiled.

“How’s the baby?” he asked.

“The one thing I’m doing right,” Sandy said.

“Wait until it’s born,” Seth said. “The moment it’s born, you cease to feel like you do anything right.”

“Good to know,” she said.

“We have another hour,” he said. “Why don’t you rest? I’ll make sure you’re updated if anything happens with Norsen or Pete.”

“The doctors said I could call. We left Molly there. She’ll need…”

“Just rest for a while Sandy. You can take care of the world later.”

Sandy smiled.

“Plus, there’s donuts at the end of this journey.”

Sandy drifted off with a smile on her face and lingering thoughts of donuts in her dreams.

Denver Cereal continues on Monday…

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
(part five)

Aden’s eyes closed but his hand held hers.

“The kids are lost without you, but overall they’re doing well,” Sandy said. “They’re such good kids that it’s not surprising. Noelle and Katy play a lot in the afternoons. Noelle is really patient with Katy. I think Noelle’s so overwhelmed with grownup stuff that it’s nice, healing even, to play little girl games. Nash and Teddy are still doing martial arts. Teddy’s dad, Zack, is taking them skiing next weekend. They’re both really excited about learning to snowboard. You know, since they’re rich.”

She laughed at Nash’s riches. Aden’s hand moved up and down.

“Me?”

He seemed to sigh.

“Drama central. I got shot at but Alex Hargreaves saved the day, of course. I still have to deal with my father’s crap. At least once a week, I meet with the Feds or the police to look at photos or whatever. Drama. But Jake set up a salon for me. I’ve been working Tuesday through Saturday. It’s really nice to work and we need the money. The Feds are keeping the millions in my father’s house and…”

His hand pointed to him.

“We can’t use your money,” Sandy said. “Something wrong with the signatures or something. And we’re not married. It’s one of the things I thought we’d work out when you get settled. That’s all right because I’m making enough money to cover expenses. Delphie over fills our refrigerator and Sam’s taken the kids shopping a couple times. We eat dinner with them most nights. So, we don’t really need a lot of money.

“I’ve been driving your car.”

He patted her leg.

“I know. Good thing because it’s been dumping snow.  March in Colorado,” Sandy said. “Crazy weather. When you get back, you’ll find that the stations have been reset. But I figured you could change them back.”

His hand moved toward her belly.

“Baby?” Sandy asked. “We’re going tomorrow to have the first ultrasound. Hopefully the baby only has two legs and two arms. The kids are coming with me. They want to be involved and I don’t see any reason to keep them out.”

Aden collapsed back against the bed. It was almost as if his desire to know about  her and her news drove him to consciousness. Now that he had an update, he could rest. Sandy held his left hand until she was sure he was out again. She went to get the nurse.

A doctor came in and woke Aden again. Sandy winced when Aden yelped with pain. They tested his reflexes and made sure he could move his limbs. Finally, an anesthesiologist put Aden into a medical coma.

The doctors told her Aden would be under until his brain had time to heal. Once Aden was stable, he would return to Canon City’s hospital ward. He and Pete might spend their entire prison sentence in that hospital ward.

Sandy watched the doctor’s mouth and hands move as he talked. Aden owned that same Tag Hauer watch. Aden used to have the same manicured nails and perfect haircut. Her eyes flit back and forth from the doctor to the man in the bed. When the doctor stopped talking, she nodded because she knew he expected her to. The nurse escorted her back to Molly.

Molly looked up at Sandy and took her hand. Together, the two women waited for news about Pete.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…

CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
(part four)

Thursday — 10:20 P.M.
Memorial Hospital Central, Colorado Springs

Aden shifted in the bed and Sandy jumped to his side. She took his hand then  sighed. He was still out. He had a turban of bandages around his head from his brother’s boots and the surgery to relieve the pressure in his brain. His nose was splinted. He had a dozen broken ribs. The fingers on his right hand were all broken as well as a few bones in his hand.

And according to the nurse, he was better off than Pete.

Poor Pete. He’d covered Aden with his body to protect him from his brother’s kicking feet. Pete was still in surgery. Molly was a complete wreck. Caught between guilt and outrage, she’d wept in the surgery waiting area. To make matters worse, Pete had spent all their savings on his last drug binge. They were broke and didn’t have enough insurance to cover everything. Sandy assured her that she would help. But Molly was inconsolable.

Aden was lucky.

Sandy was about to return to her chair when he stirred again. The nurse said that he should wake up, just for a little while, before they put him in a medical coma.

“Pleee…” Aden’s voice came softly. Sandy bent down toward his mouth. “Dooonnn leee go.”

“Don’t let go of your hand?” Sandy said. “I won’t.”

Aden’s mouth shifted to a kind of smile. He’d lost two teeth in the front and a few molars were broken.

“Miissss,” Aden gasped a breath. “you.”

She kissed his cheek. Keeping her voice light and cheerful, she told him about their lives.

“The kids made you these pictures.” Sandy held up Noelle’s then Nash’s. “They do them every day. It’s kind of their letter to you. We’ve been waiting to find out where you would be so we could mail them to you.”

“Hoowww?”

“Nash’s arm is still in a cast. We had to get a new cast because he broke the old cast on a job. He was using the old cast as a kind of lever. Anyway, the new cast is smaller and more manageable. He’s been working at Lipson every day. They put him on Jerry’s crew. He and his friend Teddy. He likes it and he’s making some money. Do you remember Melinda? The daughter of my client? He wants to take her to the movies now that he’s rich. I think he’s too young. But, we’ll see.”

Aden gestured toward his face with his bandaged hand.

“Noelle’s face is still healing. It seems like forever, but the doctor says she’s healing well. It’ll take a couple more months for her eye to clear, but her sight is almost normal. We’ve been looking at some cool glasses for her.  The ophthalmologist says that she may have needed glasses all along. You know Noelle, she’s happy to have something new.”

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…