Finding Kylie Read online

  A light breeze blew through the trees above, which kept away the hot Oklahoma sun. Smells of Italian and Mexican foods were wafting throughout the patio, which made his stomach growl in anticipation. He quickly ordered a diet soda for his wife and water for himself.

  In lifting his glass up to take a sip, he realized he was on the tail end of the most unnerving stare.

  Do I know her? He drank down the cool water. She seemed familiar, but her stare was making him feel very uncomfortable. Maybe I should go say hello?

  “Hey babe. Thanks for getting my drink.” Lauri swiftly leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, before sitting down. “You okay? You look kind of odd.”

  She noticed her husband’s forehead scrunching up, like it does when he was in intense thought.

  “What’s on your mind?” She hoped she didn’t have to pry it out of him.

  Jesse smiled, nodding to the table across from them, and then turned back to Lauri.

  “I have the most odd feeling that I know that girl from somewhere ... don’t look. Wait a few minutes, and then turn in her direction and tell me if we know her.”

  Jesse kept his head from turning toward the table across the patio. He didn’t want to give it away that he was talking about the girl, who was only a few feet away.

  “Which one?” His wife was dying to know what was going on.

  “The one with the green eyes.” He couldn’t help thinking how striking they were.

  “Okay.” Lauri casually picked up her drink, and talked loud enough to be heard from any direction. “What a lovely day. Thanks for meeting with me today.”

  She casually turned to take the whole patio in and scanned the table in question. As she turned back to him, she shook her head.

  “No, I don’t know who she is, but she’s still looking over here. Maybe she has a thing for politicians. I know I do.”

  She grabbed his hand from across the table, and winked, giving him a beautiful smile. His wife always had a way to make him feel better.

  “You’re probably right. It’s nothing.” He grinned, thankful she was with him. Jesse didn’t give the girl across the patio another thought.

  Chastity observed the strong connection between Jesse and the woman across the table from him, and realized how long she’d been staring. She diverted her eyes, from an obvious private moment between the two of them.

  What’s wrong with me?

  Whitney poked her on the arm and asked what she assumed Chastity was thinking.

  “They’re cute together aren’t they?”

  Chastity wrinkled her nose and smiled. “Yeah. Is that his wife?”

  Whitney laughed. “Of course. He’s one of the good ones from what I hear.”

  Chastity slipped a twenty in the folder, with their bill, as Whitney pushed her chair back.

  “You ready to go?”

  As she stood up to leave, she took one last look at her uncle. It felt weird walking away from him, when all she really wanted to do was get to know him. She knew at that moment that she would have to make contact someday soon.

  Chapter 25

  Lauri parked her car and walked into the assisted living center, where Jackson had resided for the last five years. She waved to the attendant, as she walked past the desk.

  “He’s in his room, Mrs. Mikale.” The attendant signed her in.

  “Thank you. Will you let the kitchen staff know that I’ll be helping him with lunch today and to serve it in his room?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He picked up the phone to arrange Mr. Mikale’s tray to be delivered.

  She rounded the corner and paused outside Jackson’s room.

  Okay Lauri, prepare yourself. It may be a good day or it may not.

  The care of her father in law had not been easy. Since they had him in the best facility available, she technically didn’t have to be there, but Lauri couldn’t sit by, leaving him all alone. She knew her husband had deep rooted pain, where his father was concerned, but Lauri couldn’t be held responsible for neglecting a family member. Blood relative or not, he was still family and had always been good to her.

  On Jesse and Lauri’s wedding day, Jackson pulled her aside, and gave her the most special gift she could have ever imagined.

  “These are for you, my dear. They belonged to my dearly departed Marilyn … my wife.”

  Jackson handed her a double strand of antique pearls with a diamond broach.

  “Oh, sir. I can’t use this for my something borrowed. I can’t – its just too nice.” She gently touched them with her white-gloved hands.

  “They’re yours. She would want you to have them.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” She was so touched.

  Jackson motioned for her to turn around. “Let me put them on you. The most beautiful woman in the world wore these, on her wedding day, and as you wear them, know that you, too, are one just like her. That’s why you should keep them.”

  Lauri’s eyes misted just thinking about it. He never talked about his wife again, as it was too painful. But on that day, she saw into the depth of Jackson’s heart - and knew that it had been soft at one point. It became clear that he closed himself off, so he wouldn’t feel the loneliness from the losing the love of his life.

  It’s too bad he didn’t have the foresight to know that in shutting off that part of his heart, he would shut out his boys too.

  She put her hand on the door to his room.

  Okay Lauri, big smile ... here we go.

  She put on her happy face and walked in. “Good afternoon Jackson. How are you doing?”

  He looked up from his reading chair and closed his book.

  “Hi there! Care to join me in a good book?”

  Whew. It’s a good day. Thank you God for letting him have a good day.

  “Sure! What are you reading?” She sat down next to him and looked his bookshelf over. It was a large collection of all his favorites, from all different genres. He liked everything from fiction and theology, to mysteries. Today, he was reading ‘The Art of War’.

  Jackson held the book up and tapped the cover. “Care to engage in a friendly chat on the subject?”

  “No, thanks. That’s too heavy of a subject for me. I’m all for peace today.” She winked at him and took the book. “I have some new pictures of Alex to show you. He’s grown so much this summer. He was the star on his soccer team, and is starting in football this year.” Lauri dug through her purse and handed some photos to Jackson.

  Recently, she stopped bringing Alex to see his grandpa. It distressed him too much if Jackson didn’t recognize him. It was so unpredictable to know what to expect, and was too hard on Alex.

  “Ahh! What a good lookin’ grandson I have. He’s a Mikale all right. Look at that football uniform.” Jackson thumbed through the photos, grinning from ear to ear.

  Lauri couldn’t hold in her excitement over Jackson’s awareness today.

  “Those are your copies to keep. I thought you could show Alex off to your buddies on poker night.” She took a few and set them on top of his bookshelf. “See. I’ll even put a few up to remind you daily about how blessed you are.”

  As she turned back to face Jackson, she instantly recognized his blank stare and her heart fell. He was fading away again.

  Jackson tilted his head and blinked. “Well, where are the pictures of my granddaughter?”

  Lauri stroked his back and sat next to him. “You don’t have a grand-daughter. Alex is our only child and he’s the only grandchild you have. Remember?”

  “No, I know about him.” Flustered, he pointed to Alex’s picture. “But where’s my granddaughter?”

  It was like someone turned off the light and Lauri didn’t know how to handle it. For months now, he had been insistent on asking for his imaginary granddaughter. Not knowing what else to do, she humored him but it didn’t seem to solve the problem. Out of sheer desperation, Lauri resigned from the conversation.

  “I’ll tell you what – I’ll go ask someo
ne, and if I find out I’ll let you know.”

  “Lunch time! It’s meatloaf, Mr. Mikale - your favorite!”

  “Thank you, Sheila. Put it right here.” She motioned the attendant toward the table, near Jackson’s chair.

  At least the food will provide a distraction. The man is obviously going down hill.

  For now, Jackson forgot about anything except his hunger and gladly reached for his tray. Even though Lauri felt like leaving, she pushed in his chair and sat down next to him for the duration.

  I don’t know what to do anymore. She patted his arm, and watched him eat. Jesse needs to know how bad his father is getting.

  Chapter 26

  After his conversation with Lauri, Jesse concluded it was time to put his father’s house on the market. After work, his first stop was the Mikale estate to inform Ms. Adams.

  This isn’t going to be easy, he thought as he pulled into the driveway.

  Angela heard the sound of the engine from the living room, and looked out the front windows, in time to see Jesse getting out of his car.

  Jesse, my boy! She hurried to the front door to greet him.

  “What a lovely surprise!” She shrugged her shoulders and clapped her hands in delight.

  Jesse opened his arms for a hug, and kissed her on the cheek. “Hello, Ms. Adams.”

  She pushed away from him, frowning. “Don’t be silly. You know you should call me Angela. You’re not a child anymore.” She then took his hand to pull him inside. “So what can I get you? You’re just in time for Wheel of Fortune, and I was about to have tea. Care for some?”

  He smiled in remembrance of her six o’clock routine. Once the family was fed and the housework was done, Ms. Adams always made time for her hour of television. It was the only time she had on her own without anyone interrupting her. Now that the house was empty, she welcomed the company.

  “No, thanks. I actually just wanted to visit with you for a few minutes, and then I’ve got to go.”

  She gave him a quizzical look. “What about? It’s not your dad. He’s okay isn’t he?”

  Jesse smiled reassuringly. “He’s okay. Please - sit down.”

  As she sat, she reached for a dishrag and nervously twisting around her fingers. “Now that doesn’t sound good. Tell me...”

  He sat across from her in silence, trying to formulate his words. He then told her what he and Lauri decided earlier in the afternoon.

  “I want you to come and move in with us. Lauri could use the help with Alex and the house, and I don’t like the thought of you being here all by yourself.”

  Angela started to protest but it dawned on her what was happening. “Who is going to take care of the house if I’m not here? You’re going to sell it, aren’t you?”

  She knew this day would be coming, and couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the only home she’d known for over forty years.

  “Angela, dad isn’t going down hill any time soon, but he’s certainly never coming home again. In fact, he’s drifting further and further away. He keeps mistaking Alex for a girl and wants to know where his granddaughter is. To be honest, Lauri isn’t really coping that well. That’s why she needs your help, and I think it’s time to put the house on the market.”

  Angela wrung the towel around her hands so tightly that her fingers were turning purple. She knew this day would come, and dreaded divulging the Mikale’s secret.

  “You said he’s asking for his granddaughter?”

  Jesse saw her obvious torment. “If you’re worried about him … he’s alright. I just think it’s time to consolidate some of his things. Are you going to be okay with this? You don’t have to move in with us if you don’t want to. You’ll have whatever you need to move out on your own.”

  In seeing how upset she was, he tried to appease her further. “You’ll never have to worry about bills or medical expenses. You know our estate will always take care of you.”

  Angela wiped a tear from her face. “No, I don’t deserve it. I’ve kept something from you for a long time, but it wasn’t my secret to tell.” She tried to reign in her sobs, to finish. “You know how your dad is ... was ... he was extremely controlling and harsh. If I had said anything I would have lost my job.”

  Jesse leaned forward and wondered if his beloved friend was losing her mind too.

  “What’s going on? Are you okay? Did my dad do something to hurt you?”

  She vigorously shook her head. “No, but your brother did something a long time ago, and he hurt some one pretty bad. Your dad didn’t expect me to overhear anything because I’m the help, but I did. I still have the necklace ...”

  She lifted the rag to her face and let loose the emotions she’d held in for so long. Jesse got up and quickly stepped over the coffee table to sit next to Ms. Adams on the sofa.

  “Please tell me what’s wrong. What necklace? What did John do this time?”

  He had never seen her this way, and was angry that she’d ever be put in this position.

  He said gruffly, “What is it?”

  She lifted her face and pushed her grey hair from it. She stared at the coffee table, as if million miles away.

  Jesse tried again. “It’s okay. I’m here and you’re going to be okay. What ever it is I can take care of it.”

  “Please know that I didn’t hold this in to hurt anyone. I just didn’t know what to do.” Her voice shook. “The next day John was shipped off to military school, and for awhile it seemed like it never happened. And then, one day I pulled out that necklace and it was like it was burning into my conscience.”

  Jesse tried to get direct eye contact from her. He lifted her chin so they were face to face, and asked, “What was?”

  She sunk back into the couch and finally said the words, she’d been avoiding for years.

  “The fact that your brother was capable of rape, and he got an innocent girl pregnant.”

  For Jesse, it seemed like the room started to spin uncontrollably. He leaned over, holding his head, unable believe what he had heard.

  “What? And dad knew?” He heard her sniffling and lifted his head, hoping to God his gut was wrong. Surely, his father wasn’t party to his brother’s crime.

  Tears were rolling down her face, as she nodded. “He knew. The young girl came, with a friend, to confront John but your brother was out. Your dad answered the door and took them into the study.”

  “Oh my gosh ... he knew? It makes sense now why John was shipped off so suddenly. I always thought dad got tired of John’s reckless behavior, but he was just trying to protect him ... again!”

  He stood up and kicked the end table over, smashing an oriental lamp to pieces across the floor. Angela yelped and covered her mouth.

  “I’m sorry.” He spun around, instantly regretting his outburst. “I just can’t believe it. How could he? How could they?”

  He slowly sat back down, as the final piece of the puzzle clicked in.

  “You said she was pregnant? She had a child?”

  Angela shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know where they are, but yes, there was a child. John didn’t even know that part until seven years later. Your dad had paid her off to hide his secret.”

  His face twisted, in anger. “That bastard!”

  She firmly put her hand on his arm, in an attempt to calm him. “Your brother was coincidentally stationed in an area, where she was living at the time. He saw her shopping for her daughter … and knew she was his. Her age ... her eyes ... it all made sense.”

  Jesse snapped. Everything in him wanted to find his brother and beat the life out of him for what he did to that innocent girl.

  “Please know that your brother made a mistake and knew nothing of the child. He’s spent every last minute since then trying to find them.”

  “How can you make excuses for him? I’m going to kill him!” Jesse stood up on a mission.

  Angela knew that he was on the verge of doing something he’d regret, and needed to ease his mind.

&nbs
p; “Don’t call your brother. Give yourself some time to mull it over. He’s not even aware that I know. I only found the investigator’s files a while back.”

  Jesse abruptly stopped and turned back from the doorway. He ran his hands through his hair and began pacing the entryway.

  “Did you say investigator files?”

  Angela watched his wild eyes, as he narrowed in on her. She crossed the floor, to meet him head on. As the realization set in, he rubbed his jaw and sighed.

  “Are you telling me that dad had a private investigator following them? What else could he do to terrorize that poor family? Where can I find the files?”

  She nodded in the direction of the study. “In there, behind the books on the second shelf.”

  She sat back down, watched him storm inside, and reached for her tea.

  Jesse threw the door open to his dad’s study, and pounded across the floor to the bookshelf. He yanked all the books, from the second shelf, to the ground, until he saw a thick dossier.

  It’s true. Proof - sitting right in front of me.

  He stared at it for a few seconds, as if the whole world was on his shoulders. Finally, he grabbed it and turned to sit at his father’s desk.

  I was never allowed in here as a child. Well, I’m here now dad … your secret’s out.

  Carefully, he opened the cover to expose the details of two private lives. In bold letters, the names Kylie and Chastity Wayne were typed inside. He ran his finger across them, feeling as if he was invading their space, but he trudged on needing to know the truth.

  Kylie Wayne, she was a few years behind me school. That poor girl!

  His heart broke for her.

  As he ran his fingers down the spine, he was in awe of how thick it was. The reports started in 1988 and went through 2000.

  I guess after dad went into the nursing home, he wasn't able to keep this up.

  He read about the various places the investigator had traced them too. The P.I. started tracking them in North Carolina and followed them throughout the country. He quickly scanned the notes from various entries.