I left my new found treasures in trunk as I strolled back into Mimi’s house, making a mental note not to let her or Papa take the wheel until the contraband was removed. I didn’t feel that now was the best time to bring up my recent trip to the five finger discount store.

Mom and Mimi were sitting at the table talking, their faces spread of worry with a slight hint of sorrow all directed at me.

“Sit with us,” Mimi said. This was more of a statement rather than  question. I did as I was told and waited for someone to speak next. I fiddled with the paper napkin left on the table from Papa’s morning coffee. I rubbed the brown stains between my fingers as I waited…. someone had to have something to say. I said a silent wish that it would be soon because the only thing I had to break the ice with at the current moment was the trunk full of “borrowed goods” and for some reason I didn’t feel they were quite ready for that.

Mom spoke first, “It’s time to start thinking about finishing up here and heading home Fib.” My mouth must have fallen open in my shocked reaction to her words because she continued speaking ever so gently. “What has happened here is a tragedy, one I wish I could have protected you from, but it cannot stop you from living your life and you cannot let it define who you are.” Although her words rang bells of truth in my mind, my heart felt differently. I knew something wasn’t right here, with this whole situation. If I walked away now, who would be left to go after the truth? Certainly not the RPD, as they had always proven their lack of worth on the night in question. Kim had too many other life events ot attend to, and Kiera to care for. How would the truth every be uncovered if I planned to leave now? I could tell that my mother was reading my thoughts through the changing expressions on my face. She laid her hand on mine, “I am going to help you Fib. We will get through this. But you have a life you just started in California, with a new husband a new home. All of that cannot cease to exist based on the current events. Have you even talked to Steve?

Ah, yes… Steve. As many of you may recall I was married and sleeping next to my husband on the night of the dreadful call. But yet he has not played a major role in this entire experience. In the moment I blamed myself, for being too busy and caught up in the events to be bothered to call and talk to him about it all. Hindsight tells me that there was much more to that than I had ever imagined.

“We have talked, and sent messages.” I explained to my mother. “But it has just been so busy and he has been working.” She nodded her head as if to show me that she understood. “But these are the things that you cannot let make sever changes to your life Dana,” she warned. “These are the moments you have to live for, for yourself and for your father. Take a few moments and go and call Steve, talk to him about your week and see what kind of a bond you can build from that kind of trust and honesty. “Okay Dalhi, ” I mumbled under my breath, although I don’t think she heard me.

I set up camp on the rickety bronze bed where I felt comfortable and home. I started to dial the number, my fingers sliding over the keys with the ease and familiarity of having done it a million times before.  He answered on the second ring, sounding happy to hear from me. I on the other hand felt guilty for not being able to return the happiness in my voice. We chatted about the events of the last week, I left out some of the details as not to worry him; breaking and entering, theft, the ugly verbal brawl with McCracken at the office, and then again at the funeral. The idea was not to worry him, not to make him think I was loosing my mind. Steve’s responses and answers sounded so blasé given the current situation and the lack of spousal support received. “Ya, probably about time to come home, I agree” he was saying as it was clear he was also doing something else while talking. I mean, what the fuck guy? I am your wife and I just went through the most traumatic event of my life to date and you can’t even give yourself over to one tiny conversation? My head began to spin thinking of all the things that were no longer adding up, coming now into the full view of the light.

Who in their right mind leaves their new wife to handle the death of a parent alone in another state? Even work would have allowed for a flight to make the service at very least. I mean, Billy flew from Vegas to be here, why the hell hadn’t my husband found his way to a plane? As he continued on about minuscule bullshit about the weather and his work I found myself becoming more and more angry… and suspicious. I couldn’t understand how he had removed himself so fully from this situation, I mean were we together or not? My head ran through the events of the last few days like a crack head on speed. His calls had been scarce, his messages of simple language, and his inquiries mostly about the will and the settlement. What the fuck was I really dealing with here? I couldn’t listen to the mindless chatter coming through the receiver any longer so I excused myself to end the call.

I had to sort this out, I needed to say it aloud and having someone present as a sounding board, but most of all I needed a drink. You would think after my massive hangover earlier this morning the thought and scent of alcohol would be enough to make me run for another trash can… but oddly enough I thought it would do the trick in this case. I dialed up my friend and asked her out for some cocktails and conversation. She happily agreed and started rattling off some of our favorite local dives. “Anywhere with vodka works for me,” I stated. Suddenly my mind flashed back to the trunk of Mimi’s car loaded with all of my rather illegally obtained treasures. ” I’ll drive,” I offered. “I will pick you up at six at your place. Oh, and by the way do you have a basement?