COME UNDONE
by
PiperMerlyn
Chapter 19
The Chapters
2 June 2003
Provincetown, MA
11:23 am
The house smelled musty.
Casi stepped through the front door and heaved a sigh. She set the suitcase and the medium-sized carrier down inside the door. The carrier shuddered as the cat inside tried to get out. She glanced over her shoulder and watched as Chad carried the larger carrier and the other suitcase up the walkway. She wasn’t sure how he’d known she was coming in today and the one suspicion she had made her wish blowing a whistle over the telephone line could be torturous enough.
She stepped to one side, noted the blinking numbers on her answering machine and groaned. She was in no mood for the dozen or so messages that were waiting for her. Chad walked through the door and set his load down. He pushed the door closed and nodded to her. “I think that was everything.”
Casi nodded. “Yes.” Now that the door was shut, she opened both carriers. The larger one held Merlin and Luna since they seemed to tolerate each other in enclosed spaces. Salem had the smaller carrier to herself. The three cats streaked out of their carriers and ran up the stairs. Casi straightened up and looked at Chad, feeling awkward. “Thank you for meeting me at the airport.”
“I wanted to, Cassandra. I’m quite relieved to see you safe once again.”
There was the faintest tone of censure in his voice and Casi could feel herself bristling. “Yes.”
Chad arched a sandy blond eyebrow, then reached for the doorknob. “I wish I could stay but I must get back to the hotel and pack up. I’m leaving tonight. Must get back to business.”
“Yes, of course.” Casi hoped she didn’t sound as relieved as she felt.
He studied her for a moment, then placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. Casi watched him leave and pushed the door closed behind her. Alone, she let out a huge sigh and gazed at the luggage and carriers crowding the foyer. She should take the bags upstairs, move the carriers to the garage where they stayed when not in use. She shook her head and decided not to bother. She needed some time alone.
Casi made her way upstairs and felt a moment’s deja vu. The last time it had been so different. She shuddered with the memories of tears and hurt. This time she knew he’d come back, previous broken promise aside. She should really lay that to rest anyway. She stopped at the door of her room and saw all three cats curled up on her bed. She grinned and sighed again. At last, she was home and was safe. That was all she needed right at the moment.
*****
6 June 2003
Provincetown, MA
2:01 pm
“What on earth are you doing here?”
Casi arched an eyebrow at her aunt. “What does it look like?”
Lyra Saxon glanced around the shop. Her niece was busy unloading boxes and placing the stuff on the shelves and tables. “I can see what it looks like. Let me rephrase my question. Why are you here?”
“I’m going bored out of my skull. I’ve had enough rest to last me for a year.”
Lyra frowned. “Casi, child, I merely thought...”
Casi glanced in the direction of where Lyra kept her cards. “Stop spying on me.”
“I was not spying.” Lyra stiffened her shoulders and grunted. “I never spy.”
Casi finished the display to her satisfaction, then carried the empty boxes to the counter and tossed them in the direction of the door. She spotted the beaded curtain and realized she was flashing on the shop. It was funny how she found all the little clues her brain had supplied her with all during the time she had amnesia. “Right.”
Lyra touched her shoulder. “Casi, I...”
Casi decided she couldn’t be angry with her aunt anymore. She took a deep breath. “Yes, he walked away but he’s coming back this time. He promised.”
Lyra moved her hand from Casi’s shoulder to her cheek. “Good.” She looked around. “Where’s Samantha?”
“Taking an ice cream break. I made her promise she’d bring some back with her or she had better just disappear and never come back.”
“I heard that,” came a new voice as the bell above the entrance jingled. Samantha held up small pint containers. “New York Cheesecake for you,” she said, handing one pint to Casi. “Dutch chocolate for you,” she added, handing the other pint to Lyra. “They’re probably just that right mushy consistancy to eat now.”
“Mmm.” Casi grabbed her pint and headed for the kitchen, with Lyra and Sam following.
Lyra sat down at the table and dug in, after getting a spoon. “Delicious.”
Sam didn’t sit, instead she stood at the end of the short hallway to keep an eye on the door. “Hey, Case, you doing the thing this year?”
Casi had a mouthful of cheesecake-flavored ice cream in her mouth. “Hmm?”
“Fourth of July.”
Casi nodded and kept eating.
“Good. Zack’s been talking about nothing else.”
Casi laughed. “He’s hooked, isn’t he?”
Lyra was eating her ice cream more sedately. “Considering he married her, I would imagine so.”
Casi thought back to when her aunt had said that Zack would stay and marry Sam even before either of them knew. She felt a moment’s temptation to ask if she and Joe would get married then shoved that thought ruthlessly away. She didn’t believe in those damn cards. She finished off the ice cream and for a moment felt sad. What if he didn’t make it to the Fourth of July get together, who would grill the steaks and chicken this year?
Casi got up and threw her pint container away. He was coming back, she knew. Just in time for all the festivities. He’d promised.
*****
5 July 2003
Provincetown, MA
12:13 pm
“You’re awfully quiet today,” came a familiar whisper from behind her.
Casi turned to see her sister walking out onto the deck. “Hey.”
Catherine sat down in one of the wooden chairs and stared out across the backyard. Their brother Marcus was stretched out on an inflated float while Ian and Adrian were cavorting in the deep end of the pool. “Donovan said he and Britt would head out for the airport in a little while.”
Casi nodded. It had been a tense weekend. Casi had been as civil as possible with Donovan, even polite. She still suspected he’d called Chad and she didn’t appreciate the motive behind it. “Good.”
“You’ll have to forgive him eventually.”
“Says you.”
Cat bit back a grin, then turned serious. “Casi, he’ll come back. You said he promised.”
“Yeah and I keep flashing on the last time he promised.”
“No need to bring up the past, Case.”
“And I know that, damn it. And yet, it still comes back to me, how he broke that promise.” Casi shifted in her lounger. “Damn it, Cat, I love him. I know he didn’t break that promise on purpose but...”
“Once bitten, twice shy?”
“Did you have to remind me of a heavy metal song?” Casi let her head fall back against the headrest of the lounger and she closed her eyes. “Great White.”
“What?”
“Great White. They sang that song, Once Bitten Twice Shy.”
Catherine chuckled low in her throat. “And here I thought you only listened to Marc’s music. You been listening on the sly, sis?”
“You bet.” Casi opened her eyes and grinned at her sister. “I’m glad all of you could make it.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t think Ethan will volunteer to grill steaks any time soon.”
As if conjured by his wife, Ethan walked out onto the deck. Both hands were were wrapped in gauze bandages and he held them up the way a surgeon would waiting for gloves. Catherine glanced at him. “What are you doing?”
“I’m being very careful with my hands.”
Casi shifted around to look at him. “What have you got all that on your hands for. You barely suffered first degree burns.”
“The key word is suffered. I’m in perpetual agony here.”
“Oh you poor thing you. I guess I’ll make you use only one hand to drive home with.”
“I thought you were driving---wait, why are we driving. We flew up here.”
Catherine sighed. “He’s getting wiser,” she whispered to Casi.
“I’ve heard they do. Something about osmosis, wasn’t it?”
Catherine laughed. “Something like that.”
“Are you two conspiring against me?” asked Ethan, as he sat down in one of the other wooden chairs.
Casi grinned. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Although, you realize when we all go swimming tonight you won’t be able to go. Chlorine is murder on first degree burns.”
“I thought that was salt water,” said Catherine.
“That too. But he’d have to go down to the beach all alone for that kind of torture.”
Ethan grunted. “Just keep it up. I’ll get the both of you back later.” A shout made him turn around and he saw Ian dunking Adrian in the pool. “Where’s the lifeguard when you need him.”
“Would that be you?” asked Catherine.
“Me? I can’t swim.” He held up his hands. “Not with these things on my hands. And who designated me lifeguard?”
“Marcus last night. When it was discussed that everyone else would be too drunk to have the sense to rescue anyone,” smirked Catherine. “See? He’s sleeping off the hangover right now.”
The French doors opened and Donovan and Brittani stepped outside. Donovan walked over to Casi. “I’d like to state for the record, I did not call him.”
Casi angled her head to look at him. “Really.”
“Casi, I swear.”
Casi sighed. “Fine. Who did?”
“I don’t know, damn it, but it wasn’t me.” Donovan held up a hand in the Boy Scout salute. “Scout’s honor.”
Catherine glanced at her older brother, then grinned at Casi. “I think he misses you exploding on him.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” began Donovan. He glanced out at the pool. “Is someone having trouble out there?”
“Yes.” Ethan jumped to his feet. “I designate you lifeguard. Go. Save Adrian. Stop Ian. Hurry.”
Catherine rolled her eyes. “He gets dramatic when he’s in pain.”
Donovan arched an eyebrow. “I would have never known.”
Casi just laughed.
*****
27 August 2003
Provinectown, MA
9:47 pm
Thunder rumbled overhead and a bolt of lightning slashed across the black sky. Rain slid down the glass in the French doors. The electricity had gone out an hour ago. She’d reported it and learned the storm had knocked out half the town and it would be awhile before the lights came back on. She sat there in the den, watching the lightning and the rain. Deprived of the distractions of the stereo, television and computer, Casi had found herself drawn to the dark downstairs and just watching the storm as if she’d never seen one in all its fury before.
There were still times when it seemed that there was a hazyness surrounding her, as if her memory hadn’t come back completely. Only yesterday she’d searched every room in the house for a specific book, only to finally find it on the wrong shelf in the study. She sat there, watching the rain pelt against the glass, the individual droplets slide down as if chasing each other.
Thunder exploded over the house just then and all three cats dived under the nearest sofa. Lightning stitched across the darkness, leaving an afterimage behind her eyes. Casi blinked and realized that tears were sliding quietly down her cheeks. She hadn’t even noticed she was crying.
He hadn’t made it to the Fourth of July bash and she knew he’d said if he hadn’t shown up by then, he’d definitely be there by Halloween, by her birthday, but right now, she doubted she’d ever see him again. Her memory was perfect concerning the last time he’d broken a promise and she felt mean to keep remembering it. But it didn’t look as if he was coming any time soon. Where was he? Still in Bulgaria? Was he safe?
The tears came harder, as if competing with the rain outside. What if something had happened—what if he was injured or ill or—She shook her head and dashed the tears away almost ruthlessly. Thinking like that would only be detrimental to her hopes, her peace of mind. He had to be okay. He had to come back.
She swallowed hard and got to her feet. She walked to the French doors and watched the rain thump against the deck in a fast rhythm. The lightning was going from individual streaks to lighting the entire night sky and the thunder wasn’t quite so loud—sure signs the storm was moving out to sea. As if on nature’s cue, the lights inside flickered back on with the welcome hum of the central air kicking on. She had just decided if the lights stayed out any longer, she would have started opening windows.
Casi took a deep breath and turned from the window to see her cats coming out from under the sofa. With the lights back on, already things felt better, safer. She spared one last glance for the darkness outside and told herself to ignore it. He was coming back, he’d said this time he was coming back. She wasn’t the teenager she’d been back then, feeling personally slighted by the fact that he hadn’t come to her college graduation. He had a legitimate reason and she had to deal with reconciling her old anger with the truth.
She started for the stairs, then turned on her heel, switched off both the den light and the kitchen light and sat back down on the sofa. With the thunder fading, the cats were willing to sit with her until the storm was gone. Casi decided she was going to watch nature’s fury until the storm was gone and with it her anger, her frustration, her worry. She sat there with the three cats on her lap and decided she was going to have to get on with her life—one step, one day at a time.
*****
13 September 2003
Provincetown, MA
3:02 pm
“Sometimes I miss it.”
Samantha Watson looked at her cousin with surprise. “You’re kidding, right? Eight hours stuck in a building, going from class to class, getting your brain fried?”
Casi shook her head. She watched the wind blow the leaves around outside. Soon students would be walking home, sometimes stop in for a quick look around. Casi leaned her elbows on the glass counter. “I loved school.”
“Always knew you were weird.”
Casi shot her cousin a quick grin. “Love you too.”
Samantha sat on the stool and fiddled with the toggle clasps on her blouse. “Casi, are you okay?”
Casi frowned. “Yes.”
“I mean...Aunt Lyra said he was supposed to come back around July and he didn’t. He—“
“He said if he didn’t get here by then, he would definitely be here by Halloween.”
“Oh.” Samantha nodded. “Good.”
Casi glanced her way. “I’m fine, Sam. It was different this time. He didn’t walk away because he was afraid for me. I think he realized that was a mistake, trying to keep me safe by keeping me far away from him.” Casi swallowed hard, amazed she could be so calm talking about this.
“Okay. So I guess no elaborate Halloween thing this year.”
Casi gave her cousin a shocked look. “Are you kidding? Are you nuts?” Casi reached out to feel Samantha’s forehead. “Are you hallucinating or something. I always go elaborate for Halloween and in case you haven’t noticed the stores have had their Halloween stuff out for nearly two weeks.”
Samantha laughed. “Okay, okay. Stupid question, then. Need help?”
“I always need help. Zack can help too.”
Samantha pulled open the back of the counter where the cash register sat. She’d just noticed it was low on paper. “Well, I think he gets a kick out of your haunted house theme every....”
Casi frowned. “What?”
Samantha glanced at the beaded curtain and lowered her voice. “Did Aunt Lyra move her cards?”
Casi shook her head. “Not that I know of. Why?”
“They’re not in their usual spot.”
Casi shrugged. “She says she does a reading every day, right?”
“In the morning, Case.”
“Don’t start with that, Sam. I know I blew up at her last year. There’s no point in stopping somethng you have no control over. I just refuse to believe that those cards can predict the future.”
Samantha didn’t say anything for a long moment. “I don’t know, Case. Aunt Lyra told Zack from the first he’d learn to love Provincetown. Hell, he hadn’t even met me yet.”
Casi shook her head. “Coincidence, destiny, whatever. Not those cards.”
Samantha sighed. “Right.” Just then the door swung open to the jingling bell and several middle school students walked in, looking for telescopes.
Casi was glad for the interruption and she focused on business, forcing herself to forget everything else.
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Disclaimer
The Hardy Boys belong to Simon and Schuster and the Stratemeyer Foundation. The authors have just borrowed them for an adventure or two. The authors promise to put the boys back when they are done with them. The authors do claim copyright to the original characters in this story. Please do not borrow original characters without express permission of the authors.