We sat in the middle of an upscale New York restaurant. “I was born in Virginia to a coal miner and a coal miner’s daughter. It just wasn’t Loretta Lynn.” I laughed but I was serious.

He stared at me with compassion as he sipped his sparkling water.

I found myself bouncing my leg from nervousness

“Tell me more.” He requested.

“I had this Giant stuffed Lion my Dad gave me when I was five. It could talk, I swear it could. I still have it in my closet.”

He listened carefully.

“One Summer that Lion convinced me that My Mother was going to kill me. He told me everything – the when, where and how. I believed him.”

He crossed his legs and leaned back a tad.

“I grabbed Cruz – That’s the Lion’s name. We ran out of the screen door. I remember the sound it made when it slammed shut. Cruz’s size slowed me down. I had to drag him through the gravel driveway and then I thought of the perfect hiding spot.”

He smiled. “Really? Where was that?”

“Over by the barn. Daddy had an old ’55 Chevy hood leaned up against the wall. We slid in behind there. They never came for me. We finally just went back to the house.”

“How did that make you feel?” He asked.

“Is this a date or a session? If it’s not a date then I want to leave. Maybe it’s inappropriate for a Dr. to see his patient outside of the office.” I kept a straight face while speaking.

“No. I’m interested in you. Am I wrong for that?” He baited me back in.

“When we walked back inside. I was shocked to see that my other stuffed animals had formed a circle around Mom and Dad. They were tied up and their mouths Duct taped. My Brother stood outside of the circle and he was holding my Daddy’s Hunting Rifle. I blacked out after that.”

“You are so beautiful.” He said, making me extremely anxious so I kept on talking.

“My brother went to prison. I was tossed around from home to home. My Brother writes to me occasionally and tells me how much he loves me and that he forgives me for everything. I don’t know what I’ve done to need forgiveness.”

He looked over his shoulder and called for the waiter to bring the check.

“Take me to see your Lion. Our time here is up.” He said. I knew he was falling in love with my type of crazy.

The waiter proceeded to grab my arm. “Wait! Where are you taking me?”

“Back to your room Ms. Lynn.”

“Richard, hand me my Mink from the backseat.” I felt the need to throw the twenty five thousand dollar coat at her. I decided against it. Her wrath would have been unbearable.

She had been in such a rush to see the little resort we intended to buy. She jumped out of the Jeep as her heals sunk into the snow. “I still can’t believe you wore those.” Shaking my head in disapproval. She was so vain. Nonetheless, I loved her more than my own life.

“You have no sense of fashion.” The misty cloud from her breath seemed to be in excess, probably because she always had too much to say and so quickly.

The first cabin was used as the Business office. Marty, the realtor met us there. 

“These things are hideous, Richard! I don’t like the Green, Pink, Yellow or Blue. Disgusting!”

The few guests that were left, stared at us strangely.

“I don’t like Marty either, Richard.”

I opened the door for her so we could greet him and get down to business. Her dainty hand with acrylic nails and bright red polish quickly ascended so that Marty could kiss it. She believed she was some sort of Royal, whom she didn’t care for either.

“Have a seat Mrs. Hollis.” He said.

“I prefer to stand.”

I knew it was because she deemed the place as dirty.

“I guess you haven’t told her yet?” Marty directed his question towards me.

I shook my head “No.”

“Told me what, Richard?”

Marty reached over and pressed the discreetly hidden button between F7 and F8 on his keyboard. The back wall opened up.

We followed Marty down a Metal, Spiral staircase. Felicia tightly grabbed hold to my arm, lifted each leg and removed her shoes for safety purposes. She stumbled nearly having the accident she wished to avoid.

Placed in the center of the basement was a glass safe holding a valve filled with a violet liquid causing the room to glow in a perfect purple.

“What is this?” She whispered.

“Do you like this color my love?” I asked.

“Maybe.” She winked at me causing me to fall more in love.

“We’re not hear to purchase the place. I have a surprise for you. Marty sells life, Felicia. What he has in that valve will let you live an eternity. You and I both together forever. Your beautiful skin will never age.”

“I have to think about it.” She said.

Back at the top of the steps, she turned and lunged at Marty causing him to tumble all the way back to the bottom.

“Well, is it accident proof?” She asked.

I ran back down to take his pulse. Marty was gone. “You idiot. Why would I drink a serum that is not fool proof?” Putting her heals back on, she looked up at me “I’m a fine wine, better with time and the fact that you don’t know that, well… it disturbs me. Who in their right mind buys life from a guy named Marty, anyways?”

“Barbara, look! That’s a German Spy plane flying over. They’re probably on to us. Put your hand down. Don’t be so conspicuous. Now everyone’s going to know we’re CIA!”

“I was just trying to block the sun so I could see better, Teresa. I told them not to pair us together for this mission! You are so dang paranoid!”

“Look coming there – The man in the blue. He’s about to take us into custody.”

“He isn’t taking me anywhere! I haven’t forgotten my training.”

“Neither one of you can barely remember your name.”

“Huh, What’d you say Bundesnachrichtendienst? I know a member of the BND when I see one.”

“I didn’t say anything….. I was wondering if you ladies would join me for a bite of lunch at this lovely Cafe?”

“Sure!”

“I see you aren’t as paranoid as I thought, Teresa.”

“Shut up, Barbara! You should never turn down a lunch date with a Handsome Gentleman.”

“Will you ladies excuse me while I take this phone call please?”

“Now what? I’m sure he’s talking to his superiors for further instructions.”

“Just be quiet.”

“Yes, son. We were having a good time until I went in to a Souvenir shop and left your Mom and Aunt Teresa alone for five minutes. A plane flew over and now they think they’re back in the Agency. Clearly the Shock treatments didn’t work. I don’t why the Government insisted on wiping their memories clean once they retired, anyways. We’re probably going to have to cut this trip short. In the meantime, I’ll just slip them a sedative. …. … …Yes, I know… but we’re not going to stop living our lives. I made promises to your Mother that I still need to fulfill. … I love you, too.”

“It’s your turn to pick Jeremy. What do you want to play?” Now, in college we reverted back to our childish ways. Asking me to choose the next game was just another way to poke fun at my intellect.

I humored them. “Duck, Duck, Goose.”

I stood up from the log Rebecca and I shared as a seat. The Campfire gave off enough light that we could make this work.
“You all know the rules but, we’re going to switch up the chase. Whoever I choose as “The Goose” will not chase me around this circle but will follow me into the trees or wherever I chose to run. Everything else, exactly the same.”

“Nooo… That sounds dangerous.” Of course Jillian would disagree seeing as she was prime candidate for “The Goose” having broke up with me for my Best friend Rob.

Rob- that lush, slurring his speech agreed with her. However the others were down for an adventure. “Majority rules.” Bugging my eyes, I glared in Jillian’s direction.

One by one, I tapped their shoulders “Duck… Duck… Duck…. Duck.. Goose!” I took off into the forest with Rob close behind. The light from the fire dimmed, the terrain became a struggle. I heard a loud thud when Rob tripped over a pile of branches that littered our path and then I heard his body being drug off into the night.

“Okay put the mask on him and start filming, Jillian’s next and then we’re done.” We all had an agreement to rid our lives of the disloyal ones and to make one heck of a movie. The Blair Witch Project was Child’s play next to the “Gruesome Goose Gathering.”

I kicked him in the side with my steel toe boot. “Duck!”

Me and Dr. Womack stood silently in front of what was left of the largest Fruit Farm in the state. I don’t know why he brought me here.

Dr. Womack had been me and my brother’s guardian since we were little. He always said he was keeping us safe from whatever evil liked to take little boys from around here. But, the things he taught us said differently.

I took my Green “Tractor Service” ball cap off and held it to my chest. Dr. Womack did the same with his Brimmed Leather hat. We were showing respect to what had become that boys final resting place.

The transient boy was last seen with Mr. Clabourne at the corner Diner. Nel; the waitress said she heard him offer the boy work. That wasn’t uncommon. He always tried to help a soul in need.

I don’t know why they decided to go hunt for the boy or who tipped them off. But, when that boy’s gruesomely assaulted body was found mangled amongst the trees, No one waited for an investigation.

A mob of angry town folks, screaming, hollering, carrying torches, burned Old Mr. Clabourne’s Apple Orchard to the ground.
Not long after, the Sherriff and his deputies went in there and drug that old man down his front entryway. He didn’t have the strength to fight, only beg for mercy. They said his head bounced off every step, making a thud and finally….his pleading stopped. If you ask anyone around here, they’ll tell you it never happened. The Coroner listed Mr. Clabourne’s death as a Natural Cause. He wouldn’t have gotten a fair trial anyways.

I believed they knew Clabourne didn’t murder that boy. I guess sometimes people just need a reason to be angry and someone to take it out on. Well…. This must’ve been one of those times.

I can still hear the change jingling in the old man’s pants pockets. He always gave me and my little brother money for a soda – Never did hurt us.

I flipped a quarter off my index finger and let it hit the ground, leaving it as acknowledgement that I believed him innocent.

The smoldering ash was too much for Dr. Womack. He put his handkerchief over his mouth and coughed. He looked down at me. “Son, this was a lesson in empathy.” He said as he sat a piece of Apple pie from the diner down by what was left of a tree stump. “Always care a little something about your victims.” We went back to the truck and never mentioned Clabourne or the kid again.

Truly?

“You’re listening to WLLV in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly love.”

The DJ spoke so quick and full of enthusiasm that I almost changed the dial.

It was a Rainy Monday Morning. I hadn’t had my coffee and the windshield wipers on my old Volvo station wagon were failing me.

“Join us this Saturday February the 14^th at 1400 hours for our Annual “I love rock contest.” Whoever finds the Rock wins a night out with the Jock, Disc Jockey that is. Yours truly, Big Daddy Love. At the end of the evening, I will personally whisk you away in your own brand new, bright red, Ford Mustang. Don’t forget to register by calling into the station.”

Yeah, right. Like I was going to go hunt for a heart shaped rock in Fairmount park, The largest park in Philadelphia.

Along with my thoughts – came a familiar engine sputter.

I guess I will… go look for that rock. It wasn’t like I had a Valentine to spend the day with.

I got up around noon Saturday and stopped by the ATM. I withdrew my last $700.00. I showed up at the park, signed in and started looking.

“Please Lord show me some favor.” I said aloud.

I had been there well over three hours when I came across Big Daddy Love sitting at a long folding table next to two gigantic speakers blaring “Pour some sugar on me.” Twiddling his thumbs, he waited for fans to come by for an autograph. That wasn’t going real well.

I tightened my ponytail and went over. I was going to try my hand at fast talking.

“Big Daddy Love?”

He cupped his hand around his ear. “Huh? I can’t hear you.”

“Look, I have seven one-hundred-dollar bills and I need you to take them from me and tell me where to find this rock. My car is on the brinks and truthfully, this event could last for days. Help me and you both out, please!” It felt like I was speaking a million miles a minute.

He looked up, winked and shouted “What about the date, Hottie?”

“Within contest rules!” I yelled back making sure I could be heard over the tunes.

He waved me down closer to him and quietly spoke in my ear. “Wait another hour, then ask me to remove my left sneaker.”

Oh my goodness.. He had been sitting here this whole time with a rock in his shoe.

He walked over and stood next to me, holding the same glass of whiskey he normally held. His breath wreaking, he handed me an old map he found folded up in his Grandaddy’s Bible.

“It looks like our backyard, Sam.” The Center is the house. The square is the sandbox, Bottom right is the swing set.” While trying to keep his voice from slurring, he pointed towards the dotted line in the front. “That’s the street.”

“I guess Mike. What does this have to do with anything?” I asked.

“I was thinking since Junior’s birthday is tomorrow. We can hide his gifts where the Red X’s are. Huh? What do you think about that? Good idea, huh? Give him the map, send him on a treasure hunt.”

“He’s only 6. I don’t know.”

“Alright then. That settles it.” He flopped back down in his La-Z-boy recliner. He was only 32 but acted much older. Now I had to go get the Power Rangers from the bedroom closet and bury them in the yard. His ideas always turned into my work.

It was still daylight. I could do it now. Luckily, there was no rain in the forecast.

There’s a Flower bed over on the right hand side of the house near the first X and a small tree in the front yard near the other Red X. I would let him find his gifts first thing in the morning and then we could eat some cake for breakfast – Make it fun. We just can’t do the party thing because Mike is always drunk.

In the front yard, I kneeled by the tree thinking there was no way I could hide this here. There was nothing to disguise this present. I would literally have to dig a hole! I let my mind wander for a moment until I was brought back to reality by the squealing of tires. The car made impact with the Electric pole, the wires shook. The women’s body was flung through the windshield. Her foot hung from the steering wheel, keeping her and the vehicle together.

I froze in shock. Mike ran out of the door. “Marissa, Marissa!”

He knew this woman? He turned to face me. “Call 9-1-1 Sam!” He screamed.

“My Darling Marissa. No!” He rubbed her bloody hair away from her face.” Unsteady on his feet, he was able to mutter a few words before he passed out. “She’s a friend from the bar.”

The twins ran into my bedroom squealing with excitement. It was the weekend. I just wanted to sleep in this once.

They both jumped on my bed in their Spider-Man pajamas, bouncing their knees up and down to make sure they had my full attention.

“Daddy’s home! Momma, Daddy’s home! He looks just like you said he would.” Had he been released already?

I ran to the window and pulled the cord on the vinyl shades so I could see out. Gasping, I grabbed my robe. Not caring who seen me, I ran out barefoot.

I threw my arms around his neck, bumping my head against his permanently placed helmet as I had done so many times in the past. “Scrambler, how did you get out? I thought the twins had to be of age before they would grant you Superb status again. Superb was code word for Super Hero in Velocia.

His status was revoked once I became pregnant. It was a violation of the Velocian rules. I was from Chicago and had no ties to it’s people and definitely no powers. He was serving time in order to regain his birthright which is what kept him alive and also to pay restitution for his misconduct.

He spoke in the computerized voice I missed so much. “I scrambled the rules. It took me years to mix up their thoughts so they would agree to my deliverance. They blocked my rays from their memory drives for so long. Everyday I exercised my tools, getting stronger by the minute. In my absence, I secured frogness to keep an eye on you. He was the only one left I could trust.” That made sense. Many a night I lost sleep because of a croaking frog.

He turned towards the boys in slow motion. “I see they will need scrambling too.” Mind scrambling was his power. “I thought you would have taught them better.” He said.

“What do you mean? I asked. “They are very well behaved.”

“You allow them to wear Spider-Man pajamas?”

He picked them both up by his foot and tossed them up to his chest. Their eyes widened but not in fear. Holding his boys for the first time. “I will never let you go.” As he spoke, I imagined that tears welled up in his eyes, if he possessed such.

“Momma, Dad’s a Super Hero.” The kids whispered in sync.

“He’s your Super Hero.”

Our house was always dark and dreary, never any excitement. Mother insisted we keep the blinds closed. The snow added to the depression I always assumed I inherited from her. My younger sister running around cheery – angered me. I felt as if I had zero in common with this family.

Jules looked nothing like me. Her hair blonde, sun kissed skin and the most beautiful hazel eyes you could find. If you looked close enough, sunflowers appeared to outline her pupils. Everyone liked her. They wanted to be her.

I, on the other hand; brunette, brown eyed, if you seen me, you would swear I had never met the sun. Most importantly, I didn’t care to be social.

“Come look at this Loren!” The excitement in her voice told me there had to be another “Hottie” on Instagram trying to befriend her. 

“What is it?”

“Just come here. Please.” Her tone softened. I moped down the hall, uninterested but trying my best to be sisterly.

“I’m in Mom’s room. Look what I found.” Her hands were trembling.

I was a little more interested now that some rule breaking had taken place. But nervous in a sense.

“A Camera, Map and some photo’s and read this letter on the backside of the map.” She flipped it over, the penmanship was superb. I was intrigued. “Mom told us to never go through her stuff, Jules.” Now that I look back, a good sister wouldn’t have shared her findings.

She pressed the map against my chest “Read it!”

“My Love,

Though the miles may separate us for a lifetime. I vow to wait here for your return. Patiently longing to be a father to our child. The film on this camera remains undeveloped until you decide to tell my precious Loren of her true beginnings.

Smile Always, Brown”

My first thought was of Dad. How would he react? Or …. did he know I wasn’t his child?

“Smile for the camera. I thought Mechelle was doing today’s Broadway Beach photo shoot.”

“So did she.” The tall, slender model tilted her head to create an optimal scene. As she leaned against the buggy, her poise caught more than just the camera’s eye. The photographer found himself smitten.

“Show me what’s in the trunk.” He laughed as the camera clicked away. She repositioned her long, golden ponytails so they too could be captured.

“Yeah, I don’t think you really want to know what’s in there.” She then moved her Louis Vuitton shades over her eyes – their color matched the oceans blue. She was something to gawk at. Her attitude made her even more attractive.

He sat his equipment down in the sand and unwittingly approached her, not a practice of his. Mesmerized, he acted out of character.

“Show me!” He insisted.

“You’re all the same. Every since I was a little girl I have fought off the likes of you. So, sure let me show you.” She tilted the large wooden case over on its side and opened it.

“What in the world is that?” He bent down squinting his eyes and leaned in to get a closer look.

“Shark bait.” She whispered in his ear tickling his lobe with her breath. She reached into her tall boots and pulled out the ten inch blade she kept for protection though using it had become more of a hobby. She slid it into his abdomen over and over again. He never realized he was looking at severed body parts.

“Beach Bum” She drug him to the edge of the sea. “Shark Chum” The waves carried him away.

She returned to the set and took a soda out of the cooler. She set the timer on his camera and positioned herself for the last take. With a giggle, she placed the bottle to her lips. Very few things made her happy. Her career was for the money. Her recreations felt necessary to live. Today topped it all, she was able to enjoy a coke and a smile. “Next…” She threw her belongings in the car and headed out.