Dark Side of Tomorrow

By Sky Love

Dee is heading back to Chicago to reunite with her birth family after meeting them for the first time two weeks ago. She had come down with PI Tim, who had found her parents and went down with her to meet them after having been kidnapped some 33 years ago. The man that had kidnapped Dee was now in prison and the women she thought was her adopted mother has now committed suicide. In the apartment they lived in above the bakery they owned Dee found $150,000. Tim tells her not to deposit it in a bank. So here is Dee traveling with all this money and her cousin she had just found snooping in her things. After all the deceit and deceptions this past year Dee doesn't know who you trust and who you don't.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Oct 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781456631949

Book preview

Dark Side of Tomorrow

by

Sky Love

Copyright 2019 Sky Love,

All rights reserved.

Published by eBookIt.com

http://www.eBookIt.com

ISBN 978-1-4566-3194-9 (ebook)

ISBN: 978-1-4566-3340-0 (paperback)

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Dedication

I'd like to dedicate this book to my husband, Ron. Who has supported me since I started writing. He's become a great cook and taken over a lot of the household chores. Together we go rock hunting. When I get stuck writing he has even helped me get my thinking rolling again. We enjoy spending time at our cabin in Northern Michigan where I do a lot of my writing. Not only is he my husband of 56 years, the father of my children. He is my best friend. God has truly blessed me.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Some Favorite Recipes from Dark Side of Tomorrow

Chapter 1

Dee was driving for about an hour thinking of all that had happened this past year. A year ago, if someone would have told her about all the deceit and deception that would be revealed, she would have laughed in their face. I guess you just never know what life can dump in your lap. She felt like she was starting a new adventure, not really a fresh start because of all the past that is still hanging over her. Her adopted mother committing suicide, her adopted dad in prison for kidnapping her at birth. Other charges they couldn’t prove. She was thinking, why am I driving around with $150,000.00 in my suitcase? Just because Tim the private eye that helped her find her parents and then told her not to put the money in the bank until things settled down. One thing she regrets leaving behind is Jim.

Dee was in love with Jim, but she pushed him away because she felt her life was too much of a mess to put on him. Now here she is today on her way back to Chicago to get acquainted with her birth family.

Dee and Tim, the detective she had hired to try and locate her birth family went to Chicago. The meeting was a little strained at first. She met her parents Tom and Mary Williams, Savannah her sister and John her cousin. Dee and Tim spent the night visiting till late hours and in the morning when they were ready to head back to Michigan, John volunteered to ride back with them. That way when Dee came back to Chicago in a couple of weeks she wouldn’t have to drive alone. Seemed nice, right? Now, John who is supposed to be going to college, with Dee’s parents paying for it. Something about John going to college didn’t sound right. Plus, if he was going to school, he should be in classes now not taking two weeks to travel to Michigan. Dee was remembering some of the strange things John did while in Michigan, like jumping into her business when she gave away the bakery she owned. The bakery was obtained by her adopted father Sal because he killed the owner and paid the man’s wife a small amount of money. Dee felt she had no right to own and profit from the business. She gave the business to Kelly, a waitress that had been with them for years, and Kelly’s new husband who was the chief baker now that Sal was in prison, and her adopted mother, Maria dead. Still, no matter what the situation was, John had no business to tell her what she should do. Just before they left, Dee came into her room to find John going through her things. He said he was looking for pictures of her, for the family.

Plus, how about the fact that Dee thought she was thirty-two only to find out that she is thirty-three. Now that’s a shocker. Let’s not forget how Jim’s sister Lisa was kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend Brad. Along with Brad’s ex-wife. That is how Dee met Jim. Cody, Lisa’s boyfriend, Jim, and Dee were the ones to find Lisa and Betty. Oh, what a year. Now here she is driving with a man a little younger than she is. Can she trust him or is he just another one full of lies and deceit?

They were driving about three hours with little conversation when Dee decided it was time for a break. They pull into a country cafe, that’s what the sign said, Country Cafe they get out and Dee says, I’m hungry let’s eat, my treat. Dee offered to pay because she wasn’t sure how much money John had on him. Once inside and their order placed, the waitress brings them coffee. Dee begins asking John, Tell me how did you come to live with the Williams.

John starts with, Well you see I figured I could help Uncle Tom with fixing up the house.

Dee continues, Well how can you help around the house if you’re in college, studying takes a lot of time?

John hesitates, toys with his food and says, I might as well come clean. I don’t think I’ll get anything past you. I’ve only known you a short while and I can tell what you’re thinking. You are like a bloodhound. Ok, it’s like this, Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom are the best people and when someone’s in trouble they are right there. John fumbled for words, About two years ago I got into some trouble and spent six months in jail. When I got out Uncle Tom came and took me in and put me in college. I had promised to stay out of trouble, and I have, but I just couldn’t cut the schooling. Schedules, classrooms it drove me crazy. It’s not that I couldn’t do the work. I was getting passing grades, no trouble. I just couldn’t take the routine. I talked with Uncle Tom and he said if I got a job and enrolled in some type of course, I could still live there and then you showed up and here we are.

Dee tells John, I appreciate you being honest with me. I hate deceit. I’ve had enough of that to last a lifetime. They finished their lunch, filled up the gas and were on their way again. The weather was starting to get nasty. The rain was falling in buckets.

Now fog was setting in. Dee started telling John, I don’t like this kind of driving, let’s pull over in the next truck stop. Two miles down the road they spot a big truck stop. Dee says, Thank God, parks and turns off the engine and lets out a huge sigh. John says, You know I would offer to drive but I’m as scared as you. I don’t like weather like this either.

Dee ask John How about we go inside and get dessert. I’m not really hungry but maybe this fog will lift? John agreed. Inside they took a booth in the back. The waitress told them they had Apple pie, Rhubarb pie, Cherry pie, and Coconut Cream pie.

When she said Coconut Cream pie, they looked at each other and both said, Yes Coconut Cream. They laughed, turned out that was both of their favorite pie. Coffee and Coconut Cream pie what a better way to wait out a storm.

Dee started asking John about the Williams. She said I’m not trying to sound nosey. I’m just excited and nervous to learn about my family and what their life is like.

John says, I can totally understand that. When I first heard about you being found, I was full of questions. Aunt Mary and Uncle Tom were beside themselves. You see they had felt guilty all those years. They felt if they wouldn’t have gone to the store and left you with Mario. You would never have been kidnapped. John paused for a moment and had tears in his eyes. He gulped them back and continued. They told Savannah and me after you were found that they were afraid you wouldn’t want anything to do with them. The first year for them was almost unbearable, they had even thought of suicide. Uncle Tom had lost several jobs, Aunt Mary became very withdrawn. I guess they were a mess. Into the third year, a pastor from the local Baptist church came to visit them. They didn’t let him in, he left them bible tracts. He came every week same time. Finally, after about the 8th or 9th week, they let him in. John lowered his head and started to cry, excused himself to the restroom. Dee is sitting there trying to figure things out. When she started this trip, she wasn’t sure if she liked John, she didn’t trust him. Now she is seeing another side to him. John comes back to the table. Dee says, John, I’m so sorry for upsetting you. John begins, No, it’s ok. I just get a little emotional when it comes to them and the preacher. You see he never gave up on them. It was at the end of that third year when they finally walked into the church. They got saved and started helping at the church. Uncle Tom is now the assistant pastor of that church. Dee says, Wow that’s wonderful, you must be proud of him. John looks her straight in the eye and says, If it wasn’t for Uncle Tom I don’t know where I’d be, maybe dead and headed to hell. The waitress comes and brings their check and asks if they would like more coffee. They said, No. Paid their bill and left.

Once in the car, John continued to talk about the Williams. Then John laughs and says Now, we have Savannah, her real name is Mary Savannah, but she says it’s too confusing having the same name as your mother. So, she uses her middle name. I love her to death, but she is hooked on this online dating thing. She was in a relationship with this guy for three years, she thought they were going to get married. Found out he was married. She took it hard. Then started meeting guys online. I’m afraid she’s going to meet someone dangerous and get hurt. When I say something to her, she laughs at me.

Dee asks, What is she studying. John says Criminal law, she will be graduating soon. Her friend has a detective agency and she would like to work for him. Dee replies, That’s impressive

Screeching brakes, head slamming into the window, glass flying. The smell of fire, gas, and chemicals from the airbags. John is trying to move, trying to take in what had just happened. Wiping the blood that is running down his face, he looks and sees Dee slumped over. Dizzy, dazed he unbuckled his seat belt, reaches over and checks Dee. She’s breathing but unconscious. He looks out, there’s the truck that slammed into them but no other vehicle. He must get out; he must get Dee out to safety.

He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his phone and dials 911. He tries to tell them what’s happened. We need help, we just got hit by a truck. Dee is hurt, she’s unconscious. You have to hurry. They go back and forth, as far as a location he could only tell them, they had just left the truck stop on 94. Right then a car pulls up and this man takes over telling the location.

John goes around the car and tries to get Dee’s door open. He’s pulling and pulling, finally, the door opens and John releases Dee’s seatbelt and gets Dee out onto the ground. All the time John is trying not to move her around too much.

Other cars are stopping now, people trying to help, getting Dee and John away from the vehicle, that is now catching on fire. One young man opens the back door and pulls out their luggage. Someone had checked on the truck driver and said he was dead. Blankets were brought out and covered John and Dee. John bleeding and woozy kept trying to get to Dee but they were telling him he needed to stay still. Suddenly there are sirens and flashing lights. Lights and sounds that were hurting John’s head and eyes. Next came the ambulance, paramedics were working on Dee, a police officer was helping John. They put Dee in the ambulance and was going to put John in the second ambulance, but John insisted riding with Dee.

Once at the hospital and Dee being cared for, the nurse turned to John to ask a question and he passed out. When he came to, he was in a bed and he started calling for the nurse all excited, Where’s Dee, where’s my cousin? They tried to explain that she was in the next room. John was so distraught that the doctor gave him a shot to calm him down. Sometime through all this John had given the nurse his uncle’s phone number and they were on their way. John was not settling down, so they ended up rolling his bed next to Dee. John kept saying, You don’t understand, we just found her, and I can’t lose her. I’m responsible for her. She’s my cousin!

Turns out that Dee was still unconscious, a couple of sprains on her arm. Lots of bruises and a few cuts to her forehead. John ended up with cuts to his face, a nasty gash to his knee. No broken bones. Finally, the shot took hold, and John fell asleep. After an hour or so he wakes up and wanted all the details about Dee. Asking what they were doing for her and why isn’t she awake? When will she wake up? A nurse came into John and tells him John you really have to relax a little or the doctor will order another shot. Now the doctor is doing everything he can for her right now. It may be a while before she wakes up. Now, do you want to be a support for her when she wakes up? If you do, then you need to get some rest.

John leans back and closed his eyes. Then he sat up and told the nurse, I’m sorry but you don’t understand, Dee was kidnapped when she was a baby and we just found her. We can’t lose her. Please help her. The nurse reached out and took John’s hand and said, John let’s pray and let God take control and you rest. Soon John was sleeping. When John woke up the Williams were standing there between both beds. John was trying to explain the accident but all he knew was a truck smashed into Dee’s side of the car. They told him that the driver was dead, they figure he had a heart attack.

Two days of waiting, the Williams checked into a motel and the hospital was going to release John. Dee still had not regained consciousness. John was released from the hospital. He went to the motel and showered. Tom and Mary went into town and bought John and Dee a set of clothes, theirs were a mess. John rested and cleaned up, a couple of black eyes and he was back at the hospital. He and the Williams were setting there, and John kept talking and telling of his trip to Michigan with Dee and then the trip coming home. How much he likes her and how great she is. Suddenly Dee says, John slow down, I’m not dying. They all started laughing, Dee was awake. They called the doctor in. They left the room while the doctor checked her over. The doctor told them, She passed with flying colors. I think if everything stays the same through the night, we’ll let her go home tomorrow. They told Dee they were going to let her rest and be back in the morning to take her home. As John leaves the desk nurse tells John, Don’t forget your luggage and other items. The police dropped by with it.

Dee thought how strange it felt for them to be saying, home. Home with people I don’t even know. Then John says Oh, Dee you will be happy to know I have all our luggage. The Williams and John went back to the motel to sleep and let Dee rest for the drive home.

First thing in the morning Tom and John went to the tow yard and looked at Dee’s car, which the insurance had totaled out. He took all the information for Dee and her insurance company. Plus picked up the police report. Tom took the plate off the car and they left for the hospital.

Time to pick up Dee. She looked tired, a few cuts and bruises. She was very happy to get out of the hospital. The ride to the Williams house was fine, Dee slept most of the way. It was a quiet ride, even John didn’t say much. Dee did say, Mr. and Mrs. Williams, I’m so sorry to put you out like this, I really feel bad. Tom spoke up and said, Two things, first that’s what families are for, and second could we drop the Mr. and Mrs. and for now call us Tom and Mary. Dee said, That will be great, thanks. Then Dee dosed off and when she woke up, she started thinking about the $150,000. That was in her suitcase, or is it?

Tim was having some financial problems at his private investigator business; his wife was leaving him, and he had to act fast or go under. After helping Dee find her biological parents, Tim started gambling again and lost a lot of money. Tim calls Jim and tells him, Hey buddy you ask me to check out this guy John. Well, I can tell you he’s been in jail for about six months and he is not in college. I can dig deeper if you like. Jim says, No that should be fine for now. Thanks silence then Tim continues Would you like me to bill you thru the mail or online? Plus, Dee hasn’t paid, would you like to take care of that? Jim says, Go ahead and email me both bills I’ll take care of it. Within half hour there was Tim’s bill of $4,500.00. Jim is thinking, wow that seems an awful lot, but I guess I should have questioned the charges first. Plus, he’s trying to remember but he thought Dee had paid her bill with Tim off. Then he thinks, she was busy and may have forgotten. Tim is thinking, ok that’s a start; now how can I get some of that $150,000.00 that Dee has.

Tim decides to give Dee a call to see how things are going. He dials and Dee answers Hello, this is Dee. Tim started in Hi, Dee I just thought I’d check in on you and see how things are going. How is the new family? Dee begins, Well I haven’t gotten to Chicago yet. You see I was in a horrible car accident on the way there and just got out of the hospital. Tim says, Are you ok, did someone hit you or what? Now you know if you’re going to be suing the other party or insurance company, I can help you. Dee was thinking, wow he acts fast but says, Well I haven’t even thought that far yet, but I’ll keep you in mind. Thanks Tim.

Pulling up to the Williams house Dee got butterflies in her stomach, not sure if it was from the accident or just nerves. They pull into the garage and John was, Johnny on the spot taking the luggage upstairs. They show Dee into the family room and ask her if she would like something to eat or would she like a nap. Dee said, I’m not hungry but a glass of water would be nice. Mary ran to the kitchen and brought Dee a glass of ice water. Then Mary turned to Tom and asked if he would like something, he said, No.

Dee started talking, You know it’s so nice of you to allow me to come here. It is very kind of both of you. They both sat there looking at each other than Tom said, We know this is a strained situation and I wish we knew how to make things easier. The truth is, it’s going to take time. You are our daughter and even though we don’t know you, we love you and our home is your home. Dee started to cry, and Mary came over, put her arms around her and they cried together. Mary said Dee why don’t you go up and take a shower and nap. I’ll start supper and when you wake, we’ll eat. Dee was glad to hear that because she had not seen John since he went upstairs with the luggage.

Back in Michigan Jim decided to drive into town to the bakery, he needed a few things. Fresh donuts, their wonderful sourdough bread and maybe have one of their juicy hamburgers and homemade French fries with cheese. Now Jim hardly goes anywhere without Red. Well except work. Can’t take a dog to school. Red jumps into the truck and they’re off. On