Leather And Lace Part 24

"What a nice surprise." Cynthia said as she entered the kitchen and kissed her son on the cheek. "Shouldn't you be at work?" She asked as she moved over to the stove and stirred the bubbling pot.

"Yeah, but there's something that I need to tell you." He led her over to a chair and helped her to sit. "I...I've been having nightmares recently." He wasn't going to tell her that his dead brother had to bully him into telling the truth. He was hoping that if she thought it was his idea to come clean that she might go easier on him.

He nervously paced back and forth while revealing the fact that he had lied about what happened to his brother all those years ago. After his story was finished he ventured a look at his mother. She was staring off into s.p.a.ce. "Mom, I'm so sorry. Please say something." He fell to his knees in front of his mother, begging her to forgive him.

"After everything that I taught you, that the church taught you, you brought those kinds of people into our home?" She focused on Philip's pleading face.

"I didn't realize what kind of people they were, not at first, not until it was too late. I never would have a.s.sociated with them if I had known. I didn't mean for anything bad to happen. I loved Derek too."

"Why did you lie? Why did you let me blame your sister?"

Philip sat down heavily in the chair across from her. "They threatened us and I was scared. And because I knew you didn't seem to love Fran as much as the rest of us. She was the one that you yelled at the most, the one that you blamed for most things that went wrong even if there wasn't a reason to. So I guess I thought one more thing wouldn't matter." He stated sincerely.

"I..." She stopped and thought about the past. She knew she had sometimes been hard on the kids but she had been so tired from working and trying to make a living. And she was hurt and angry with her husband for leaving her. And her oldest daughter had been the spitting image, in both appearance and att.i.tude, of the man that had walked out on them. She knew that there were times that she had been too harsh with the young girl. But Frances had tried her patience on so many occasions, sometimes on purpose Cynthia had thought. "Maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on her about some things."

"Oh my G.o.d, guess what happened? You'll never believe it! I can't."

"Slow down, Lisa, you sound like you're about to hyperventilate." Raven had answered the phone to hear the enthusiastic ranting coming from her sister. "Catch your breath and tell me what's going on." Kris had joined her by the phone when she heard Raven's side of the conversation.

Lisa did as asked and took a few deep breaths. "Mother called and asked me to come over to the house. She said that Philip had something important to tell me." She waited for a comment from her sister, but silence was all she got. "Raven? You still there?"

Raven had put Lisa on speakerphone so Kris had heard the excited comments and answered for the stunned woman. "She's still here, just stunned I think."

"Are you headed over there?" Raven cleared her suddenly dry throat and asked.

"Yes, it'll take me about an hour to get there since I have to change buses." Lisa explained. "What should I say if he mentions trying to find you?"

Raven contemplated the best way for Lisa to handle the problem. "If he asks about me don't say anything about us being together again. I don't know how they would react to that and I don't want you out numbered." Raven explained. "I'll be the one to contact them."

"Okay...I uh, I guess I should go now so I don't miss my transfer." Lisa hesitated before saying good-bye and hanging up.

"Lisa." Raven softened her voice. "Don't be nervous. What ever happens, you've got nothing to feel bad about. You were only trying to right a wrong."

"I know. I just want so badly for everything to work out. I'll call you afterwards."

"Why don't Raven and I meet you downtown? We can get some lunch or something." Kris' suggestion got her a grin from her partner and a relieved 'good idea' from Lisa.

Raven started her pacing after the phone disconnected. After about five minutes of watching the nervous bundle of energy, Kris grabbed the car keys. "Let's go."

"I thought we were going to give Lisa time to get to the house and find out what's going on?" Raven's eyes followed her companion towards the door.

"It'll take us forever to get downtown this time of day." Kris threw the comment back over her shoulder. "And if I watch you pace for much longer, you're going to wear me out." She grabbed her heavy jacket and tossed Raven hers.

Lisa walked into the cafe with an unreadable expression on her face. She pulled out a chair and sat down at the table that the two curious women occupied. She ordered iced tea and a sandwich before she revealed anything. "He admitted it. Told the same story you've been telling all along. But he made like it was all his idea to finally blurt out the truth." She finally explained. "He told mother he'd been having nightmares and that was what prompted him into finally coming clean."

Her food was served and she started eating while her news sunk in and she waited for the questions that she knew would start. She wasn't disappointed as Kris excitedly started throwing them at her. "Wait." Lisa wiped the mayo from the corner of her mouth. "Let me just tell you what happened." She took a swallow of her drink while she collected her thoughts. "I walked in and I couldn't even get my coat off before he launched into his confession. It was like he just wanted to get it over with." Lisa proceeded to tell about the next hour and a half of trying to act like she was surprised by what was going on.

"So he didn't mention the nightly visits?" Kris asked. Lisa shook her head no since her mouth was full.

"I guess we'd better get that equipment out." Raven stated. Reminding herself to call John.

"He also mentioned wanting to find you so he could set the record straight." She looked at her sister while she munched on potato chips. "Again making it sound like it was his idea."

"Did he at least act like he was sorry?" Kris asked Lisa. "Or do you think he's just scared?"

Lisa contemplated silently. "He was remorseful about Derek." She also told them about his excuse to Cynthia as to why he lied. "But I honestly couldn't tell if he felt bad about blaming you or not."

The waitress chose that moment to ask about dessert but they all pa.s.sed. "Mother was...hard to read. She looked reluctant when Philip talked about finding you. Almost sad, I think maybe she's ashamed, kind of." Lisa tried to express the feeling she had when she had observed her mother during Philip's confession.

"She should be." Kris snarled. "And it should be more than 'kind of' ashamed."

"My defender's showing her teeth." Raven leaned over slightly and rubbed Kris' tense back.

"Well she's got a h.e.l.luva a lot to make up for." Kris stated firmly.

Raven paid the check and the three of them headed for the car. "What are you going to do?" Lisa asked as Kris pulled out of the underground parking garage. "Do you even want to see them? Or is it enough just to know that Philip admitted it and mother now knows that you were telling the truth?"

"I hadn't really considered what I want." She stared out the window at the pa.s.sing buildings. "I guess I'd like for them to see that I'm not the complete failure that mother a.s.sumed I'd be."

Kris interrupted. "Do you want to come home with us?" She asked Lisa before she headed for I-5.

"Andy and I have a date tonight so I need to get back to my apartment." Lisa answered. "Is it okay to tell him about all this?"

"Yeah." Raven looked back over her shoulder. "Just don't mention the breaking and entering part."

"Technically we didn't, we had the key." Lisa winked at the grinning image of Kris in the mirror.

"Ooh, I like the way you think." Kris turned right on Boren. "Had a lot of practice splitting hairs, have you?" It was a rhetorical question and Lisa wiggled her eyebrows in a fair imitation of her sister.

That night, Granny and John had been informed of the successful ending to their endeavor and Raven and Kris were now sitting side-by-side staring into a dying fire. "You never did really answer Lisa's questions this afternoon." Kris glanced at the relaxed woman beside her. "What are you going to do?"

Raven yawned and stretched. "I think I'll meet with them and see what happens. But I'm not going to be disappointed if nothing good comes out of this."

"Don't you want her to make up for the things you missed by not having a mother?" Kris asked. "By not having a childhood?"

"Ah, but she can't, love, that time is lost forever." Raven explained. "But I'm not complaining, since you wouldn't be here if all that hadn't happened." She tweaked Kris' nose.

"I love you." Kris' eyes started to water.

"And I love you." Raven stood and extended her hand to the emotional young woman. "Come on, babe, let's go to bed. I'm exhausted; you wore me out last night. You should have known that I wasn't ready for that much physical activity." Raven grinned at the indignant expression displayed on Kris' face.

"Me?" Kris squeaked, "I didn't...I...you."

Raven covered the stammering mouth with her fingers. "You know I'm only kidding." She lightly kissed the lips that her fingers had silenced then rested her forehead against Kris'. "Let's see how long it takes you to wear me out tonight." She wiggled her eyebrows and urged her partner up the staircase ahead of her.

Raven pulled into a vacant s.p.a.ce in the pay parking lot not far from the Seattle Center and turned off the engine. She waited for Kris to circle around and join her on the driver's side. "You sure you don't want to wait in the car?" She asked her companion as they turned left at the lot entrance and headed south.

"I'm sure, I'll wait for you outside the building. That way I can pace without too many people thinking I'm crazy." Kris looked up at the uncharacteristically jittery woman. "Are you nervous? You can change your mind, I wouldn't mind going up with you." They had talked about this on the drive into the city. Raven had thought it best if she confronted her brother alone. Reasoning that Philip might be less inclined to confess in front of a second person.

Raven glanced at Kris and smiled. "Not nervous, just...uncomfortable. But I still think it's best if you wait for me. Thanks for asking though." She stopped in front of the double gla.s.s doors that marked the entrance to the building where her brother had his office. She squeezed Kris' hand before pus.h.i.+ng one of them open and entering.

Philip was pecking away at his keyboard when he heard someone enter his office. Thinking it was his secretary he didn't bother to look up. "I thought you were going to lunch, Betty?"

Raven pushed the door closed and leaned back against it. "Since the desk out there is empty, I'm guessing she did."

"Who?" Philip looked up to see the tall figure casually leaning back. He slowly removed his gla.s.ses and stood up. He opened his mouth but nothing came out other than a gasp.

"I understand you wanted to see me." Raven pushed off the door and moved to stand behind the chair in front of his desk.

He cleared his throat. "Yes." His palms were sweating and he rubbed them on his slacks. 'G.o.d she's...intimidating.' He picked up his cup and gulped down the rest of his cold coffee, trying to wet his dry throat. "Would you, ah, like...some coffee...or something?"

"Look, Philip, I'm not here for milk and cookies." She saw him flinch at her abrupt tone and sighed. He reminded her of the terrified little boy that ran out of the house on that fateful day so long ago. And suddenly, instead of revenge, she just wanted to get this over with.

"I know." He stared down at his desk, wanting to look anywhere but into his sister's compelling gaze. He had the most unpleasant feeling, like he was being held mesmerized, against his will. He likened it to how the victim of a cobra must feel, right before the serpent strikes out against its prey. "I told mom the truth." He didn't elaborate, knowing she would understand.

Raven's hands gripped the back of his visitor's chair. "Did you now?" She saw him nod his head and slowly raise it and fix his gaze to a spot past her shoulder. "Well gee, that only took 16 years. You want a medal?" She stated sarcastically. Then remembered telling Kris that they probably wouldn't be together if things had happened differently. She sighed deeply as she rubbed her temples with her left hand.

"Mom asked me to see if you would meet with her." He thought it was in his best interest to change the subject.

"Does she?" Raven watched him nervously fidget with his empty coffee cup. "Last time I saw her she told me I was a disgrace to the family and that she never wanted to see me again. You telling me she's changed her mind?"

"I don't know...maybe." He shrugged his shoulders. "Look, Frances."

She interrupted him. "Raven, I go by Raven, Philip."

"Okay." He looked her in the eye for the first time since they had started talking. "Would it be okay with you if I was at the house when you come home?"

Raven thought for a few minutes and decided she would rather be on home ground and surrounded by friendly faces when the reunion took place. "It's not my home anymore and I really would rather not go there again. If you want to, you can bring her by to see me." She moved around the chair to stand in front of his desk. "Give me a pen and I'll write the address and directions down for you."

Philip admitted to himself that he was very curious about his sister after he had been forced to think about her again. He had spent the better portion of last night imagining different scenarios of her life. What did she do for a living? Where did she live? Was she married? Did she have a family? Did she ever make anything out of herself or was she one of the lower cla.s.ses? "I'm sure that will be okay with mom."

"I'll call you tomorrow to find out what day would be best for the two of you."

Kris gave her partner until they were back in the car and headed home. "How did it go?" She turned in her seat, as much as the seatbelt allowed and stared at the dark-haired woman's profile.

Raven shrugged her shoulders and merged into traffic on I-5 before she related her and Philip's conversation. "At first I wanted to make him squirm and grovel."

"But you didn't." Kris stated confidently. "Because you're a nice person."

"No, I'm not." Raven stated just as confidently.

"Yes...you...are." Kris crossed her arms in front of her chest, defiantly.

"No I'm...I'm not going to win this one, am I?" She glanced at her obstinate companion.

"You're learning, Taz." Kris smiled triumphantly as she patted her partner's thigh.

Raven shook her head and grinned as she turned her blinker on and moved to the far right hand lane, preparing to exit I-5 onto Lake City Way.

As soon as Raven pulled into the garage, Kris jumped out and headed for Granny's to fill her in while Raven called her sister to do likewise.

"Hey, sis." Raven sat down at her desk and propped her feet up.

"I have been pacing the floor waiting for you to call. How did it go? I take it you didn't kill him." Lisa collapsed onto her couch and Andy rubbed her tense neck with one hand.

Raven chuckled and related the conversation for a second time. "I really don't know what to expect. I'm not holding my breath for an apology, though."

"Can I be there when they come by?" Lisa asked.

Raven was truly surprised by the request. "Why? I mean if you're here they'll obviously know we've been in touch before now and that could only cause trouble for you."

"I know and I don't care. I'm tired of being lied to and influenced and manipulated." Lisa leaned back into the comforting ma.s.sage. "It's time I stood up for myself with mother instead of dodging the issues."

"Okay, I'll see if they can be here Wednesday since you're off then. I'll let you know tomorrow." They said their goodbyes and Raven hung up the phone.

"You look tired." Kris stated. "Can I interest you in a nap?" She pushed off the doorframe she had been leaning against and held out her hand.

"You can interest me in anything that involves you, me and a bed." Raven wiggled her eyebrows as she walked towards and grasped the outstretched hand.

Wednesday dawned cold and wet, which was nothing new for Seattle in winter. The weatherman had promised sun breaks by early afternoon and Mother Nature seemed to be co-operating. Raven sat on the floor in front of the TV with the game controller in her hands. She was busy navigating Lara Croft through an Egyptian Tomb. Kris was stretched out on the couch with her laptop. She would periodically type a sentence then hit the backs.p.a.ce key until it was erased.

"You'll never get that story finished if you don't quit deleting everything you type." Raven glanced back over her shoulder.

Kris stuck her tongue out at the chuckling woman.

"Not now, darlin', we don't have time." Raven turned back to her game.

"Smart a.s.s." Kris directed the comment to the back of the dark head. "You're either a good actor or you aren't the least bit nervous. Which is it?"

"She's definitely not nervous." Granny leaned on the back of the couch Kris was still lying on. "I've really only seen her that way once."

"When was this?" Kris loved to hear bits and pieces of her partner's past.

"I had the flu," Granny started.

"It was pneumonia and I had to drag your b.u.t.t to the hospital because you were to pig-headed to go to the doctor when I told you to." Raven interrupted. "And you think I'm stubborn." Raven told Kris.