Everything I Do-Chapter 13

 

Keesha saw a woman at her door about to raise her door to knock. She quickened her step. Was that who she thought that was. It couldn’t be. It had been many years, and she just figured that she didn’t want to be found. "Faith," she called when she neared the door. "Is that you?"

The woman turned around and smiled at her cousin. She had to admit that Keesha had changed a lot since the last time she saw her, but of course she did. How many years had that been? "Yes," she said. "The last time I checked, that’s who I was."

Keesha laughed; Faith always had a sense of humor despite the fact that no one had been able to contact her in all this time. She gave her a hug. "I’m so happy to see you."

"I’m happy to see you, too, but could we have this reunion inside please," she said softly.

"I’m sorry," she said pulling away and unlocking the door. "I have to be honest, I never thought I would see you again. After everything that’s happened, I thought that you would never come here, at least. As happy as I am to see you, I have to wonder why you’re here now."

She smiled. Keesha was always inquisitive. She always searched for the truth, the reason behind everything. "I hear that you’re getting married. I wouldn’t want to miss that. I want to see the man that stole your closely guarded heart."

Keesha smiled at her. "You still know me rather well, don’t you. You’ll meet him soon, I promise. When did you get in?"

"Just a couple hours ago. Thanks," she said taking the offered cup of coffee. "I wandered around town for a little while to see what you and Justus found so interesting for all these years," she said smiling. "I want to see where he’s burried," she said.

Keesha returned the smile. "Okay, that’s not a problem. We’ll go tomorrow if you’re up for it."

She nodded. "Thank you. I’ve had time to think and deal with Justus’ death, so I think that I’m ready. Actually, I’m long overdue. All this time that I’ve had to think has led me to some other decisions, too."

"Am I to assume you have made some decisions about the Quartermaines?"

She nodded again. "Yes, I want to meet these people. I want to meet the man that Justus finally accepted as his grandfather. I have to meet these people."

"Fine, okay. You will. Would you like for me to go with you, or would you rather do this alone?" she asked although the last thing she wanted to do was go over to the Quartermaines and risk a run in with AJ.

"That would be great if you would. You probably know really well, and you could give me some support."

"Have you eaten anything? I could make us some dinner," she offered standing up.

"No, I haven’t eaten anything yet. But, I was just going to check-in someplace, and then get something to eat."

"Nonsense, you’ll just stay here. How did you find out all of this information anyway?"

"I’ve kept in touch with the family off and on. They were a little surprised when I asked for your address, though. Are you sure it’s okay if I stay here?"

"Of course it is. Carly, my roommate and soon to be niece," she said smiling, "is with her fiance tonight, so I doubt she’ll back until tomorrow, but I don’t think that she will have a problem with you staying here. You know that her finace is your cousin."

She smiled. "Really, it’s a small world, I guess. How is he?"

She thought for a second. "He is a long story, which I will fill you in on later. What do you want for dinner?"

*****

"I really don’t know how to thank you for coming over and helping me out of my sorrow," she said smiling as they sat down at the table. "Thanks for convincing me to come here, too."

"Well, you’re very welcome. I’m glad you called me. Now, are you going to tell me what happened?"

"Carly came by today." He nodded as if to say he understood. "I don’t know why I let her get to me. She’s not worth it, and I know that, but still, I let her."

"Hey, we all can’t be on our best behavior all the time," he said smiling. "Don’t be ashamed, she can make a monk upset. Don’t worry about it."

"I try not to, but it’s hard sometimes you know." She saw his look changed as he looked behind her. "What?" she asked turning around. She saw who he was looking at. "It seems like she follows me around."

"Do you want to leave, we could go someplace else," AJ suggested.

She shook her head. "We were here first, and I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of getting to me again. Let’s just ignore them and enjoy our dinner, okay."

He smiled and nodded. "Okay."

"Well, well, well, look who’s here," Carly said to Jason as they sat down.

"You’re not going to start anything with them, right," he said.

"I’ll be on my best behavior, I promise," she said holding up her right hand. "You know what, on second thought, I would just rather leave," she said. Even having Robin in the same room with her killed the romantic mood she wanted to set tonight. Robin had seen them together, which was enough.

"You want to go someplace else?" he asked. Carly said she wanted to go out to dinner, but now she didn’t. "Robin’s not bothering you, is she?"

She shook her head. "Not at all, I just would rather get some take-out and go home with you. I just want to be alone with you, that’s all."

"That’s what you want, are you sure?" he said standing.

"Yes, that’s exactly what I want," she said joining them

"Carly and Jason," Jane said when they meet in the entrance to the restaurant and gave them hugs. "Are you leaving already?"

"We’re just going to get something and go home. The atmosphere in there isn’t very good."

"Which must mean that there is someone in there you would just a soon avoid," Jax translated.

"Oh, you know me so well, Uncle Jax," she said. "Yeah, Robin’s in there, but we just want to be alone tonight. Where’s Keesha, by-the-way?"

"She is at home. Actually, it is by her suggestion that I brought the old parents out tonight," he said putting an arm around each of their shoulders.

"And we thought it was because you loved us," John said. "Well, keep out of trouble tonight," he told them.

"We’ll try to," Carly said pulling Jason behind her as they left.

"Hello, Robin, AJ," Jax said as he approached their table and his parents went to theirs. "It is certainly a pleasant surprise to see you here," he said to her smiling.

She smiled back. "Thank you. I see that you and your parents are out for a night on the town."

"Yeah, I thought I might treat them to dinner. Well, I’ll let you both get back to your dinner."

"Okay. Can I call you later?" she asked. She really wanted to find out what went on with him and Brenda. When she came home earlier, she barely said two words to either her or AJ and then went to her room.

He nodded. "That would be fine. Good-bye," he said to them both.

"Are you okay, AJ?" she asked concerned.

"Yeah, I’m fine. I wonder where Keesha is?" he asked. "Seems odd that she wouldn’t be out with them."

She smiled at him and concentrated on her dinner. Would either of them ever be able to move on with their lives?

*****

Jax looked over at the clock and saw how late it was. Who would be calling this late? "Hello?" he asked as he answered the phone.

"I woke you didn’t I," she said regretfully. "I’m sorry about that."

"This is what you call early, huh?" he noted with humor. "What happened to this early night you were going to have?"

"Things came up. Guess who was here when I came home?"

"I don’t think that I ever could. Why don’t you just tell me?"

"Okay, my cousin Faith was here, you know, Justus’ sister. I have to tell you I was very surprised."

"That’s good to hear. I know that you’ve been trying to get in touch with her for sometime now. Did she say why she decided to come now?"

"She says that she wants to finally meet the Quartermaines. We’re going over there tomorrow morning. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen when she shows up."

"Edward will probably try to move her into the mansion. Make sure you warn her before you go over there that he can be a bit overbearing. So, the reason you are up so late is because you have been gossiping with your cousin," he teased her.

"Hey, honey, it’s called girl talk."

"Sure," he said. "Well, I can’t wait to meet this cousin of yours. What say you to having lunch at the Outback tomorrow around 12:30? That will give you a long visit with the Quartermaines."

"I say that’s wonderful. I’ll see you then. Until then, pleasant dreams and good-night."

"As long as you’re in them, they’re always pleasant. Good-night."

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