Post by Danielle Basch on Jul 13, 2018 1:42:17 GMT -5
The trip to New York was... interesting, to say the least. Seeing Starr take in the sights of NYC was like watching Charlie Bucket take those first steps into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Suffice to say, I think the three of us had a pretty good time.
But after a weekend of shopping, spectating, and believe it or not, babysitting, now, it was time to relax at home.
Of course, as everyone knows, nothing in this world ever goes 100% according to plan....
7-11
Oceanside, CA
July 11, 2018
It’s barely past 11 am, and already, the line for the annual “Free Slurpee Day” event is out the door, wrapping around the building just past the air pump. I can tell Donovan is getting impatient from the low growl rumbling in his throat, but from where we stand in the line, I can tell it won’t be long before the frozen sugary goodness that is 7-11’s signature beverage will soon be in our possession. Behind me, Starr is busy swiping on her phone. From the subsequent giggling I hear every few seconds, it’s most likely a Facebook exchange. After one exchange in particular, she looks up at us. I can tell from the pleading look in her eyes she wants to ask us something....
Starr: Big Brother?
The feigned innocence in her voice is a dead giveaway. She definitely wants something. I’ll just keep quiet; she did ask him first, after all....
Donovan: What is it, Starr?
Starr: After this, can we swing by my... err... Sorry, OUR mom’s place? There’s a few things I left over there that I need to pick up.
Donovan: I didn’t have any particular plans after this... What say you, Nixy?
I shrug my shoulders. Why wouldn’t I? There’s nothing else on my agenda for the day, either.
Danielle: I don’t see why not. Just as long as we’re not trying to clear the place out in one trip...
Giggles all around. Except for Donovan. He merely smirks.
Donovan: Oh look! Only a few more people ahead of us now...
The three people in line ahead of us walk up to the attendant standing beside the Slurpee machine, small cups at the ready. I watch as they each place their orders... one Cherry, one Coke, one... Crunchberries?
Danielle: Crunchberries? As a Slurpee flavor?
Starr: OOH! My friend Brie had that one before. She said it’s SOOOOO good!
I look up at Donovan. The cringing expression on his face suggests that the thought of a Slurpee that tastes like a breakfast cereal is repulsive. Oh well... to each their own, I suppose.
Danielle: You don’t say? Maybe I’ll give it a shot. What about you, Donny? What flavor are you getting?
Donovan: I think I’ll stick with classic Cherry....
I sigh, then turn my attention to Starr. We both just shrug our shoulders and take our places in front of the Slurpee attendant.
Donovan: I’d like a Cherry Slurpee, please...
Starr: Crunchberries for me!
Danielle: I’ll have what she’s having.
Starr looks up and notices something else that grabs her attention.
Starr: Hey! Anyone hungry? The ¼ pound Big Bites are only $1!
Danielle: Hmm... I could eat. What about you, Donny?
Before he can say anything, his stomach answers for him. He looks at me, his steel blue eyes punctuating his sheepish grin.
Danielle: That settles it, then. Hot dogs for everyone!
The sun shines down on us as we all walk out of the store, our lunch in our hands. Donovan has two of the Big Bites because... well, have you seen him? It takes a lot of fuel to power a machine that big. He pauses just before we leave the shade of the store’s awning, clearing his throat as he leans against the wall.
Donovan: We might as well eat now. With all of that cheese sauce you two piled onto your hot dogs, I don’t want a huge mess in the car.
Starr rolls her eyes, a gesture that doesn’t go unnoticed by her brother.
Donovan: YOU especially! I think you put more chili and cheese than there is ACTUAL hot dog...
I can’t help but giggle at this. He’s not wrong, of course. Starr apparently loves the 7-11 chili. Me, cheese has always been my go-to condiment for hot dogs. But I can see his point. He’s about as protective of his vehicles as he is of me....
Danielle: Well, might as well dig in. Don’t want these hot dogs to get cold...
I pull my cheese-covered hot dog out of the box and sink my teeth in. The resulting bite turns out to be much bigger than I anticipate, and I can’t help but feel my face turn red. It doesn’t help any that Donovan chooses that exact moment to make eye contact with me. I nearly choke on my lunch as a result.
Danielle: What?
Donovan: Something wrong, dearest?
Danielle: Oh, nothing... it’s just that I grossly underestimated the thickness of the sausage...
Starr: Hey... PHRASING!!!
Of course, Starr’s Archer reference gets a chuckle out of me, while my little remark earns a raised eyebrow from my husband. I shake my head at him...
Danielle: Oh, Donny... don’t act like you’ve never heard me say that before....
Starr: GROSS! You guys, I’m right here!
Donovan rolls his eyes, but I can see he’s trying to hold back a smile.
As we’re eating, “Voices” by Motionless in White begins to play from Starr’s phone, and like any typical teenager, Starr is quick to answer it with a smile on her face.
Starr: Hey, Brie! What’s up?
Donovan and I watch as she listens, only to see the color drain from her face as her eyes widen with a combination of shock and horror.
Starr: W-what do you mean? What the hell are you talking about?
More silence on Starr’s face as she listens. After a few tense seconds, she hangs up, slipping her phone into her pocket.
Donovan: Starr, what’s happening?
She looks up at her brother, her lip quivering as if she’s about to start crying. I can only watch as the concern grows on both of their faces.
Starr: Brie just said that she went over to my place... and cops were there, asking her if she knew where Mom was...
Danielle & Donovan: What!?
Starr: I’ve got a bad feeling about this.... The cops are saying she’s jumped bail.
Danielle: Donny, fuck your hangups about food in the car. We need to get over there... NOW!
Without even the slightest objection, we all file into Donovan’s Maserati and peel out of the parking lot as soon as the engine turns over. I’m not sure, but I think skidmarks may or may not have been left on the pavement....
Evans Residence
La Jolla, CA
With the Maserati idling curbside, Starr and I make our way into the house. Right away, I can sense that something just isn’t quite right. But the look on my sister-in-law’s face...
It’s a face I never want to see her make again.
Starr: What the...?
She stands in the open doorway, looking into the lower level sitting room, only where a room full of furniture once stood, she now finds nothing but bare floor and walls. The dining room table remains, but the kitchen cabinets all hang open, their shelves laying totally bare. I look around, trying to spot any sign of break-in...
...or any occupancy at all, for that matter.
Starr: Mom? Are you here?
Danielle: Starr...
My call falls on deaf ears as the young girl runs up the stairs. I clench my eyes shut, my face contorting into a cringe as I dread the thought of what Starr will find at the top of those stairs.
Silence...
In truth, it was only a couple of seconds, but with the heavy sense of dread I feel pushing down upon me, it seems more like an eternity as I keep my gaze fixed upon the top of the stairs, waiting for even the slightest hint of movement.
*THUD*
The sound of a single footstep breaks the silence, sounding far louder than it actually is. At the top of the stairs, Starr is standing there, her face completely devoid of any expression whatsoever. She stares vacantly as she gradually makes her way down the stairs, one agonizingly slow step after another. As she reaches the bottom, Starr stares blankly at the front door...
...or rather, THROUGH the door. Her lips move as if to form words, but the only sound that emerges is a barely audible squeak...
Starr: Gone....
She shakes her head.
Starr: It’s all gone...
I put a hand on my sister-in-law’s shoulder, but Starr just steps forward toward the door.
Danielle: You mean to tell me that your mother took everything?
Starr whips her head around to glare at me, her eyes showing the same fire that burns in Donovan’s whenever he gets upset. If ever I had any doubts about Starr and Donovan being related, that look shattered whatever was left.
Starr: That... BITCH is NOT my mother anymore!
She collapses onto the floor, her knees smacking hard against the wood planks as the palms of her hands land with loud, heavy slaps that echo throughout the house. I rush over to help Starr to her feet.
Danielle: Come on, kiddo... let’s get out of here. There’s nothing more for you here.
Not a single word is spoken as Starr and I walk back to the car. As Starr climbs into the backseat, muttering under her breath, I hop into the front passenger seat, shooting Donovan a worried expression.
Danielle: Donny, we’ve got a HUGE problem...