Lost Soul

By Chrissy Yacoub

Tracy Fletchers parents are mortified when her boyfriend Adam proposes marriage and she accepts. In an attempt to get Tracy to reconsider, her parents make a deal with her: Have her take a trip to coastal Maine where Victoria, an old friend of Tracys mother, and her son own a hotel. However, the deal is for Tracy to go without Adam so that she can think this proposal through without any distractions.

She takes the deal and her and her two best friends venture off to Maine unaware that the states tourism is suffering due to a series of murders taking place in the area. The monster known as the Frightening Finger Fiend is running around murdering married and engaged couples.

Upon arrival, Tracy meets Victorias son Hunter and his best friend Zachary who marvel at the uncanny resemblance Tracy bears to a woman they both loved and lost tragically. The haunting tale of this lost love begins to unfold and Tracy learns it is filled with jealousy, betrayal and murder. Tracy gets closer to Hunter and Zachary just as Adam makes an appearance having followed her in an obsessive attempt to keep watch on her. His jealousy becomes apparent as he is horrified to learn that Tracy has decided to leave him. Meanwhile, the murders have increased as many more victims are found just beyond the woods. Theories of the murderer being a ghost of a woman seeking vengeance continue to arise. As Tracy and her friends get closer to uncovering the truth behind these brutal slayings; the murderer has selected the next target and they soon learn they are too late.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 9, 2009
• ISBN: 9781467058629

Chrissy Yacoub

Chrissy Yacoub is a published author of six books, including a poetry book. Writing at an early age and pursuing her goal adamantly, she had her first novel published at nineteen. Yacoub has also tried her hands at song writing proving that there is no avenue of the written craft she is not willing to explore. She attributes much of her success to her fan base and has claimed that without them, she wouldnt be where she is today. She continues to write in the fiction genre with Lost Soul being her first psychological thriller to date dealing with the human emotions we all experience in dealing with the loss of a truly loved one and the many effects it takes on us both emotionally and mentally. Yacoubs last two novels Autumns Apparitions and its sequel Ghostly Echoes, received phenomenal reviews as Yacoub dealt with the issue of Does a soul linger after death to complete unfinished business? Her novel Cultures Colliding was a fiction-based book set in the backdrop of nine eleven and deals with the issues that arise when two people of different backgrounds and religion fall in love despite their families objections. Her other novels Somewhere Out There and The Dreamers tenderly explore the issues that young adults face such as love, finding themselves in their careers and not allowing themselves to walk in the shadows of others. Check out Chrissy Yacoubs works and remember to read Whispers in the Breeze; a beautiful collection of poetry that inspires and captures human emotions so precisely and expresses them into the written word that Yacoub has clearly demonstrated over and over she is a pro at doing.

Book preview

Prologue 

The eerie full moon has made another visit upon the dark, clear, crisp night. It is the only light shining in a black naked sky. Even the lighthouses have taken a break from their daily duties of guiding lost ships through the abyss of the mysterious ocean that swallows its victims with no remorse. Shadows dance across the autumn leaves that are undergoing pigment changes as they prepare to fall making way to another dark and dreary winter.

I gaze out my window, which overlooks the forlorn harbor in the distance along with the backdrop of a rugged wilderness that holds many secrets. That is when I see her. Her beautiful apparition gracefully glides across the water like an angel dancing without a care in the world. She is dancing for me like she always used to do way back in the days; the days before she was stolen from me. The days we were so happy and in love. I was so foolish to think it would last. Nothing lasts forever. But I was also foolish to think that she was an angel. She was an angel draped in devil’s clothing. She cast me under her spell making me believe in her goodness and purity. Nobody is pure. Evil resides in us all. We are all capable of horrible things when pushed to the limit. But I never hurt her. I loved her with all my heart and soul and everything that I had. I gave her myself. Isn’t that the most valuable thing you could give anybody? Yet it wasn’t enough. Nothing was enough for her. She just kept taking, and then in the end came her betrayal. I will never trust anybody again. What’s the point? They only disappoint you and leave you with bitter memories to take to the grave.

Now she haunts me every night; dancing and taunting me with every move. The curvature of her body silhouetted against the moonlight driving me crazy and making me long for her warm, sultry skin against mine, wanting to taste the bitter sweetness of her candy lips. Why must I be tormented like this? What have I done to deserve such pain?

The only conciliation is knowing I have taken my vengeance, well, part of it anyway. I am still waiting for the second part of my payback, but first there must be plenty of suffering. I want those who hurt me to suffer like they have made me suffer! I want them to live in anguish as they have made me all these months. Of course that is only half of my revenge. The other half will be the grand finale. After all, there comes a time in all our lives when we reach our own grand finale. That is when all pain and suffering ceases and all worries of this world are no more. That is the part we call death.

As I prepare for another lonely evening of restless slumber, I hear her moaning and wailing in the near distance. She is calling out my name beckoning me to approach her. Why? I don’t know. I thought she was through with me. But I guess some times when you’re a part of somebody’s soul; you never really are through with them.

I must answer her call. I slowly leave my melancholy room making sure to wrap myself in a sweater before going out into the cold night air. There she is; my goddess of beauty. The woman I have always loved and will forever love. I follow her voice and her gesture begging me to come closer and closer. I know I shouldn’t yet I cannot help myself. It is a force pulling me like a magnet and I can’t resist. Oh how I’ve tried but her allure is just too overwhelming for me. I knew she’d come back to me sooner or later. Even if it is in the afterlife I knew that she would eventually recognize the error of her ways. I was her one and only love; surely she had to know that. Yes she lost sight of that for a while but I knew she would return to her senses. It’s such a pity it’s too late. But isn’t that how it always works? One realizes the error of one’s ways when it is too late to turn back the clock.

Is it really you? I ask.

Yes it’s me my darling, she replies.

Why? Why are you returning to torment me? I cry in anguish. I am trying to rid my heart of you and move on, but you won’t let me.

I love you, she replies as her apparition dances across the water and moves toward the lighthouse before turning around and gesturing with her fingers for me to follow.

I obediently do so like a lost puppy following its master. In many ways that’s how it was when she was alive. She was the master of my heart and I obeyed her every command. She heads to our favorite hideaway; the abandoned lighthouse at the edge of the cliff. That’s where it all began and where it all ended. I go inside in a hurry, afraid I will lose her if I don’t keep up. She is in great shape, but then again, death has that affect. You are not restrained by the body’s limitations since your body is no more; turning into ashes again like how we were before our dear mothers gave us life.

I knew where she was taking me, of course - all the way to the top. I follow her up the dark winding staircase in silence. It is so cold and dank in there but I hardly notice. Once we get there, she heads to the window where she always loved to look out and stare at the harbor and the beautiful state of Maine. Her long flowing hair flowed in the breeze of the autumn air enchanting me and longing for me to reach out and caress those soft locks. But I know once I reach out to her I will only grasp air for she is not really there. It’s ironic because toward the end it was the same thing; I’d reach out to her only to discover that she was not really there.

Why did you take me here? I ask.

She doesn’t speak a word but merely points out the window where I careen my neck around her to peek.

There he is, walking along the harbor as he likes to do most nights while gazing at the moon and most likely visualizing her face. I nod in understanding now. Yes, I tell her. he misses you too.

I want to be with him, she whispers to me. I am so sorry but I want to be with him. Please let me be with him.

Of course I understand what she means as I look at her with disgust. What about me? I wanted to be with you too and God help me I still do. There was a time you felt that way also.

She says nothing but looks away back at him for that is where her heart truly belonged. You realize what this means, don’t you? I ask her. What it means if I allow you two to be together? Is that all right with you?

She turns to me in sadness and nods.

But he is the reason you are dead, I insist. Yet you still want to be with him?

Her silence answers my question. She was desperate for him; their souls were connected and the only way to make that connection complete was reuniting them. It is tempting, I have to admit, yet the only reason I hadn’t allowed it to happen in the first place was because I knew it was what she wanted and I didn’t want to grant her that satisfaction. But I also knew that she would continue to torment me until I did as she requested. I look through her silhouette back outside to him. He looks so pitiful out there all alone. I look back at her and ask, You promise you’ll leave me alone for good once I do this for you?

She nods.

I take a deep breath and sighed. Fine, but it will be done on my time and in my way.

She says nothing and soon fades into nothing; the same way she materializes. I am alone again with just my thoughts as I continue staring out the window. He is gone; vanished just like her. It won’t be long before he vanishes completely. She wants to be with him so badly, I will make it happen. Of course, the only way to do that is to rid the world of him-permanently. The next thing to do is plan his demise. Should it be painful and long or short and sweet? Should he suffer first or die at a moment’s notice with no time to prepare? Decisions, decisions. Well, nothing would be decided tonight. He had a long day ahead of him tomorrow and besides, he did not want to do it right away for he rather enjoyed her visits, which would soon cease once he carried out his plan. No, he wanted to see her a few more times. Then, when he gets sick of her, he’ll dispose of him and the two could share eternity forever as far as he was concerned; both burning in the eternal flames that he was sure would destroy whatever was left of their souls and he would be free of them - at least until he joined them.

Chapter 1 

The late September days were slowly meandering into fall as October was knocking on the door preparing to make its grand entrance allowing autumn to drape the land with its leaves losing their chlorophyll and exhibiting the beautiful fall foliage. The dinner at the Fletcher household was drawing near to its conclusion as the final toast was made congratulating Tracy Fletcher on receiving her Psychology degree from California State University. It would have been a degree received months ago until Tracy discovered that she had some units that she didn’t complete and had to do so before officially graduating.

But rather than fret that she couldn’t be in the graduation ceremony, she thanked her lucky stars because it was a great excuse not to sit in the hot sun for hours on end back in May and suffer like everybody else did. She still received her degree, it was just delayed a couple of months, which didn’t matter to Tracy. What mattered was that she was finished with college and needed a hiatus before entering the Master’s Program. She would take a year off and work to recover from the four brutal years she endured in college before subjecting herself to another set of years of exams and stress.

Brian Conner tapped his wine glass with the end of his spoon and cleared his throat, May I have everyone’s attention please? he said with a sheepish grin.

Wow, so formal, his cousin Sheila Robertson remarked with sarcasm.

Brian gave her the evil eye as he continued. I’d like to propose a toast to our recent graduate who has successfully completed her college years and earned herself a bachelor’s in preparation for bigger and better dreams…

Is that the only thing you want to propose? Sheila said while giggling.

That comment got her a slight kick in the leg underneath the table that quickly quieted her smirk. She loved teasing her cousin about Tracy because everybody knew what an enormous crush he had on her for years. She practically grew up with Tracy and they were best friends since grade school, which was about how long Brian liked her also. Unfortunately, because they knew each other for so long, Tracy couldn’t help but look at him like a brother, which greatly disappointed Brian but he was always there for her nonetheless.

Adam Roach, who was seated beside Tracy, also stood and gave his toast as he placed a hand on top of Tracy’s while holding up a wine glass in the other. I want to toast my beautiful girlfriend also, he said while glancing at Brian with a grin and then continuing. I am so proud of her and all her hard work. I also wanted to wait for this day to do this.

Everyone at the table gasped as he all of a sudden got down on bended knee, put the wine glass down and slipped his hand into is pants pocket pulling out a tiny square box. Tracy’s big blue eyes widened in anticipation as Adam said, Tracy, my love, I know we have not known each other for very long but I feel as though our hearts have been connected forever. I may not have my life completely figured out…

That’s an understatement, Tracy’s father whispered to his wife who just elbowed him to be quiet.

but I do have one thing that I know for certain and that is I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Tracy Fletcher, will you marry me?

Tracy gasped as she tried to say something only to realize no words were coming out of her mouth.

The table grew absolutely silent awaiting her response as Tracy gasped again when Adam opened up the box to reveal the most beautiful, sparkling diamond Tracy had ever seen. Adam also pointed to the inside of the ring where he had their initials T&A engraved. She knew it must have cost him many months of overtime at the auto shop to earn it. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked from the ring to Adam and instantly flung her arms around his neck. Yes, yes, yes!!! she exclaimed with delight. Yes I will marry you!

Tracy’s mother almost collapsed out of her chair as both Mr. Fletcher and Brian took a hold of her to prevent that from happening.

Adam leaped into the air with joy before taking Tracy’s hand and placing the ring on her finger as he looked past her and toward Brian with a satisfied smirk. He looked back to Tracy and said, You have made me the happiest man on earth today.

Oh Adam, she cried as she embraced him tighter.

Okay, okay, party’s over, Mr. Fletcher said clapping his hands. We need to talk to our daughter now.

That was Brian and Sheila’s cue to leave and Adam got the hint as well. They departed from the dinner table as Sheila pulled Tracy to the side to say her goodbyes and take a close look at the ring on her finger. As she congratulated her best friend, Brian merely thanked Tracy’s parents for the dinner and silently walked out the front door knowing that Tracy wouldn’t even notice if he didn’t say goodbye to her.

A minute after his departure, the front door swung open as Adam walked out to join Brian. He pulled out a cigarette from his shirt pocket along with a lighter as he offered one to Brian who declined. Brian worked hard to break his habit of smoking and was officially cigarette-free for a year and though he craved one with every fiber of his body right now, he refused to allow Adam to be the cause of his setback.

As Adam puffed on his cigarette he glanced at Brian. That was a nice toast you made for Tracy, he said.

Before Brian could reply, Adam said, I guess the next time you toast her will be at the wedding. You will come to our wedding, right?

Slow down, man, you just proposed to her tonight, Brian said, his irritation rising with every minute. Where was Shelia? He was so ready to get the heck out of here.

I know, I know, but it’s only a matter of time, Adam continued. So that reminds me, in the future, Brian, please leave all the congratulatory toasts to me when it comes to my girlfriend, or should I say, fiancée now?

He enunciated finance ever so slowly and clearly making sure Brian got the message loud and clear.

He did. Hey man, it was an innocent toast to congratulate her on a job well done, Brian said.

Adam leaned closer to Brian’s ear, his cigarette breath causing Brian to hold his breath as he said, We both know there isn’t anything innocent when it comes to how you feel about Tracy.

What the hell does that mean? Brian cried in defense, unable to just let his words roll off him.

Hey come on dude, there’s no secret how you feel about my fiancée, Adam said, once again enunciating fiancée so that Brian couldn’t miss it. All I’m saying is, back off.

Tracy and I have been friends long before you came into the picture, Brian reminded him.

Yes that’s true, Adam said with a nod. "The keyword, however, is friends. Remember who her fiancée is now."

Before Brian could respond, the door opened and Tracy called out, Brian Conner, did you think you could leave without saying goodbye?

Brian turned to Tracy and smiled at her despite how he felt. Sorry. I didn’t think you’d notice.

Get over here and give me a hug! Tracy demanded with a smile.

Brian did so, but while they embraced, Adam just smirked and said, Hey, so since you consider Brian a brother, I guess that will make him my brother in law pretty soon, right babe?

Tracy just laughed and said, Yep I guess so. We’ll be just one big happy family.

Yeah, one big happy family, Brian muttered underneath his breath.

Uh, we gotta go, Shelia remarked. Congrats again girlfriend. She turned to Adam. You too.

Thanks Sheila. Talk to you later, Adam said, touching her arm in a friendly gesture as the two walked to the driveway toward Sheila’s Honda as they got in and left.

Well honey, I’ll leave you to your parents, Adam said putting out his cigarette before pulling her in his arms, his tattoo of Tracy’s name exposed on his bulging biceps as his tee shirt’s sleeve rolled up to his shoulder during their embrace.

I love you, she whispered to him.

I love you too.

He gave her a kiss before she watched with dreamy eyes as he exited her front gate and walked to his brown Ford pickup and drove off into the late summer evening.

Tracy took a moment to inhale the scent of the chrysanthemums intermingled with the aroma of hamburgers on the grill as people were taking advantage of the last few days of warm weather barbeques and late sunsets. She knew that October was around the corner and even though California didn’t really have a change of seasons, the warm days and late daylight hours would soon disappear and be substituted by cooler air and dark afternoons. October also meant the anticipation of the coming holiday season. It also signified the first autumn that Tracy wouldn’t be in school in a long time. She was excited about that but scared since she had no job or plans lined up. But as she thought about Adam and his recent proposal and her acceptance of it, she was more excited than anything else. She was getting married! Was she ready for this? she wondered. But before she had a chance to contemplate the answer, she heard her father bellowing from the house.

Tracy get in here this instant!

She knew that the perfect evening was about to be shattered as she mentally prepared herself with armor and headed back inside the house.

The Fletcher house was an average size in an average neighborhood located just on the outskirts of LA. Their three bedroom home was ideal for them since Tracy had no brothers or sisters and any more additional rooms would have been extravagant for them. They liked to keep things simple and their home screamed simplicity. It was modern in every since of the word since Tracy’s mother was always up on the contemporary and was a genius at hospitality. The front had a country flavor of nostalgia with its wooden porch and the interior was equally charming and welcoming. It had a wide archway that opened to join the formal dining room with a fireplace in the corner and a dramatic angled kitchen with an island to help with food preparation. Despite Mrs. Fletcher’s desire for hardwood floors, they never got around to it so they settled for wall to wall cream colored carpet. Encompassing the living room was a wide glass screen door that overlooked and lead to the large backyard that held a swimming pool and Jacuzzi with only a few rose bushes in the corner since there was no other room for anything else, which Mr. Fletcher was grateful for since he possessed no green thumb.

Passed the living room and kitchen areas was a long hallway leading to the three bedrooms. The bedroom at the far end was the master and belonged to Tracy’s parents while Tracy occupied the room by the kitchen. The extra bedroom was converted into a den for Tracy’s father who was an architect and took home his work many nights. In fact, he was the man behind the floor plan of their home.

As for the home’s décor, that was left strictly up to Mrs. Fletcher who was an antique fanatic and avid collector. Hence, there were old antique lamps, knickknacks and other souvenirs and charms adorning all the book cases, walls and fireplace mantel.

Tracy’s parents did not let her breath as soon as she stepped inside the family room where they were both standing, hands on their hips, ready to go for the kill.

What the hell were you thinking? cried Mrs. Fletcher.

Have you lost your mind? added Mr. Fletcher. You can’t be serious.

You are too young! snapped Mrs. Fletcher.

And he is not the right guy for you, added Mr. Fletcher. He isn’t the right guy for anybody if you ask me.

Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, Tracy said holding her hand up for them to stop talking. What do you mean he isn’t the right guy? Nobody can make that determination but me. And as far as my age goes, I just graduated from college…

Precisely, interrupted Mr. Fletcher. You haven’t even entered the work force. And you are still going to pursue your Master’s. What are you thinking contemplating marriage?

I can still work and go to school while I’m married, Tracy laughed as though they were being ridiculous. I don’t see why my getting married should hinder me from doing all those things.

Because you won’t be concentrating on yourself, Mrs. Fletcher explained. You’ll be occupied with your husband and your new marriage and everything else will go down the tubes.

Besides, what’s the rush to get married? You’re so young, said Mr. Fletcher.

Yeah, and I have my whole life ahead of me, right? Tracy added rolling her eyes. I’ve heard that one before.

It’s true, Mrs. Fletcher said. You haven’t even been with Adam for that long.

Long enough, Tracy argued. Six months is plenty of time to know someone. Besides, you two got married after three months of knowing each other and you were young too.

That was different, Mr. Fletcher said.

How? Tracy challenged.

It just was, Mr. Fletcher said. Besides, we’re not talking about us, we’re talking about you.

Tracy shook her head. You guys are such hypocrites. I can do as you say but not as you do?

Learn from our mistakes! her father roared as his wife just looked at him insulted.

I don’t mean that you were a mistake, dear, her father retorted. I’m merely saying that we were young and rushed into things. But I knew I was going to marry you.

Look honey, if this guy is the one then he’ll be the one a few years from now, Mrs. Fletcher said.

A few years from now! Tracy cried abhorred. Just how long do you expect me to wait on getting married?

With him, forever. With anybody else, maybe when you’re 40! Mr. Fletcher yelled back.

What is your problem with Adam anyway? What’s he ever done to you guys?

What has he ever done period? Mr. Fletcher roared. That boy is the biggest loser I’ve ever seen. He has no ambition in life; no talent…

That’s not true! Tracy cut in. He’s great with cars.

Oh and how well do you think you two can survive based on this great knowledge of where the carburetor is located?

So he’s not a doctor or a lawyer, Tracy cried. or an architect like you, Dad. That doesn’t make him a loser.

And that temper, Mrs. Fletcher said. You said it yourself; that boy has a temper to be reckoned with!

So he gets easily angered, so what? None of us are perfect!

Mr. Fletcher sighed in frustration clearly losing his patience with his daughter who was so intelligent in other areas of life that it surprised him and distressed him to see her so ignorant when it came to men; especially Adam.

Dad, you’re ruining this day for me, Tracy said, her eyes filling up with tears.

Her father approached her and swept a lock of her long sandy brown hair away from her face. Sweetheart, we only want what’s best for you and we don’t think that is Adam. All we’re asking you to do is think about it.

But Tracy was stubborn, an attribute inherited from her parents also as she turned away, arms crossed and declared, I have thought about it and I want to be with Adam.

With that said, she stomped out of the room and out of the house making sure to let the front door slam after her as Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher looked at one another in exasperation.

Now what? Mr. Fletcher asked his wife. I guess we stand back and pray she comes to her senses.

Like hell we will, Mrs. Fletcher argued. It’s time I handle this.

Mr. Fletcher, who had been married to his wife for twenty three years, knew exactly what that meant when his wife said those words. She had a plan.

The air was warm and dry with the Santa Ana winds coming into town with a vengeance indicating fire season. Sheila drove with the top down on her convertible to soak in as much of it as she could before it was too late. Brian, who was next to her in the passenger side, remained silent through most of the ride, his allergies kicking in due to the dust the winds blew in from every direction.

Shelia, her short brown hair cut just below her shoulders blowing wildly in the wind, drove with the radio tuned to rock as she danced her neck to the beat. She glanced over at Brian and turned down the volume before saying, Are you sure you’re all right?

Of course I’m all right. Why wouldn’t I be? Brian said, his face straight ahead on the road, not daring to meet Sheila’s gaze.

Come one Cous, it’s me you’re talking to, Shelia said, one hand on the steering wheel, the other on his shoulder for comfort. I know how much you like Tracy and how that proposal must have hurt.

It’s not so much that; it’s more the fact that she shouldn’t be with that loser. The guy is no good for her. She deserves so much better.

Like you? Shelia teased.

I know what you’re thinking, Brian said. That I would say any guy with Tracy is a loser because he isn’t me, but that’s not true. Even you have to admit that Adam is no good for her.

Sheila turned serious removing her hand from his shoulder and placing both hands on the steering wheel in silence.

Brian continued. He’s a jealous, ill-tempered guy who I don’t even think loves her. I think he’s just doing it to piss me off.

Sheila laughed. Isn’t that a little farfetched? I mean if he was trying to piss you off, he’d kiss her in front of you or something, but not propose. I agree with you on the jealous, ill-tempered part. What gets me is that I’ve known Tracy forever and it doesn’t seem like her to just jump into something this major after only being with him for six months. She really doesn’t know enough about him. Come to think of it, none of us do.

I know enough, Brian mumbled. He’s a loser.

Sheila shook her head as she approached their apartment and she pulled into her carport killing the engine. I’m really sorry Brian, she said seriously.

Hey, it’s cool, Brian said trying desperately to play it off as no big deal even though Sheila knew it was killing him deep inside. It’s now like I’m in love with her or anything. Don’t worry about me. I don’t have time for a girlfriend anyway. I have my newspaper and travel writing to keep me busy and occupied. I don’t want to have to worry about a girl on top of all that.

He got out of the car as Sheila followed in silence. She watched as he headed to their mailbox situated in the midst of the other mailboxes belonging to the many tenants residing in their adorable but overpriced complex. The two decided to live with each other because they got along so well and they were family. Brian was Sheila’s cousin from her mother’s side and Sheila lived in Orange County, California where she went to Chapman University before she got into culinary school in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Brian had attended San Diego State to obtain his journalism degree. After they graduated, Sheila moved to LA to live by school while Brian landed a job with The Los Angeles Times as a report writer. It just made sense to move in together since they were both going to be in LA.

As for Tracy, they had met her back in grade school located in LA near her parent’s house where they all grew up together, but went their separate ways in college only to end up back in the same area proving that all roads really do end up home.

I can’t believe summer is over, Sheila remarked as they went inside and she plopped down on the leather sofa in their living room area to relax a bit after the big dinner.

Hey Sheila, you got a letter in the mail, Brian informed her as he handed her a manila envelope that said, Los Angeles Marriott.

She quickly opened it up as Brian joined her on the couch. This was Sheila’s only hope of getting an internship this season with the hotel as a chef. That was the only thing missing for her culinary education to be completed. She needed at least a sixteen week internship somewhere, paid or not, as a cook. She had the option of choosing what she liked whether it was a hotel, airline, cruise ship or anything else that suited her fancy. After applying and getting rejected everywhere she wanted, Sheila prayed that The Marriott would be her salvation.

But after a moment of reading the letter enclosed, Sheila put her head down in defeat as Brian slowly took it from her only to read that they already had someone fill that position. Sheila knew she should have applied early in the summer but she was so bombarded with other things in school that it caused her to send in her application in August, which was already too late.

I’m sorry, Brian said quietly. I know how bad you needed that.

Sheila smiled weakly. Well, it just means I’ll have to do my internship most likely in the spring, which just means a delay in graduation. I guess I should adopt the Tracy attitude and not care when I graduate just as long as I do.

Brian put his head down at the mention of Tracy’s name and Sheila immediately regretted bringing her up because she knew how much tonight really hurt Brian.

They were silent for awhile before Sheila ran a hand through her short brown hair and let out a laugh. Look at us, so pathetic, she said.

Yeah, we are a sorry duet, aren’t we? Brian agreed.

Well, you know what they say when you feel you hit rock bottom, Sheila remarked.

Brian wrinkled his brow and looked at her with his deep purplish eye and asked, What?

Sheila smiled and put her arm around her cousin. You can only go up from here.

Tracy was still fuming thinking about her parents as she drove across town to Adam’s house. Along the way she passed several shops with Halloween costumes displayed in their windows and she couldn’t help but smile recalling all the past Halloweens when she and Sheila and Brian would dress up and play silly jokes on their other friends or go to costume parties to steal the show with their crazy makeup and attire. Brian liked to go all out with his costumes and take it to elaborate extremes just for entertainment purposes. She hoped she wasn’t too harsh with him earlier when she told him he was like a brother. She knew he didn’t want to hear that because of his insatiable crush that he had always had on her, but Tracy kept bringing up that fact every so often so that Brian would come to terms and accept that a brother was all Tracy felt toward him. She thought that if perhaps she kept saying that, then he would learn to look at her as a sister also. Tracy had no idea that it didn’t work that way.

As far as her parents were concerned, she knew that they’d be against this marriage. In a way that was the reason she wanted to marry Adam. Of course she loved him but she also wanted to prove to her parents that he was a decent man and she would be able to handle school, a job and being a wife. But despite all those thoughts, Tracy also couldn’t help but wonder why she wasn’t more excited about Adam’s proposal. Was it just because it just happened and she was merely in shock? Of course, that had to be it, she thought. After all, this was a big deal and it was going to take a while to sink in. But Tracy was sure that once it did, she would be delirious with joy. Of course she would be. She was getting married! She just needed to digest the information; she was too overwhelmed and upset with her parents and that was the reason why she wasn’t as excited as she thought she’d feel.

Tracy didn’t realize she was gripping the steering wheel with all her might until her palms turned red and she had to ease up a bit. She wasn’t going to allow her parents to ruin a perfectly wonderful evening. She had her degree, she was going to enjoy a school-free year and she was engaged! She had a lot to look forward to so who cares if her parents disapproved of her fiancée? They’ll just have to get used to the idea. And she knew they would. They loved her and she was their only daughter so like it or not, they would have to accept Adam as part of the family. Tracy knew that her parents, especially her father, would object to any man Tracy would marry because she was their little girl in their eyes and would always be that way so naturally they would be overprotective of her. So sure they say it’s Adam, but Tracy knew it was more than that. It didn’t take a Psychology degree to figure out that they felt as though they were losing her. Well, she would just have to show them that rather than lose her, they’d gain a son in law. Little did Tracy know that it was that exact thought that scared the hell out of her parents.

Adam lived in the heart of downtown Los Angeles where the streets were often congested and the air was smog laden. Tracy pulled up in front of his rundown two story apartment complex where the paint was chipping and the scent of the sewer was always lingering in the atmosphere.

She killed the engine and sat at the wheel simply staring at the complex and wondering why she was hesitant to get out of the car. This was exactly why she needed to get out of her house, she thought. Already her parents managed to plant major seeds of doubt into her mind about marrying Adam and she knew that if she stayed there longer, they would really get to her. That was just silly, she reprimanded herself. There was no reason to second guess her decision and nobody, including her parents, controlled her life.

With that thought in mind, Tracy placed her hand on the car door and was just about to open it when her cell phone rang, startling her.

Hello? she answered after fumbling for it in her purse.

Tracy, I’m so sorry to bother you, but I think Sheila needs you right now.

It was Brian.

What happened? Tracy asked, remaining in her seat.

She got rejected from The Marriott, she heard Brian say. I know this is your day and I hate to ruin it….

No, nonsense! Tracy interrupted. You know I’d be upset with you if you didn’t call me.

She’s pretending that it doesn’t bother her, but I know it does, Brian said.

Say no more. I’ll be right there, Tracy said and hung up before Brian could argue.

Tracy decided against knocking on Adam’s door and instead, put the key back in her ignition and started the car to leave.

Brian hung up and felt guilty for using his cousin to get Tracy over, but it’s not as though he was lying. Sheila was bummed and she could use her best friend right now to cheer her up. Besides, Brian was bummed too and he knew the only cure for that was seeing Tracy’s lovely face again. Also, Brian thought with a smug smile as he slipped his phone into his pants pocket, Adam wasn’t the only one who could be devious.

Chapter 2 

Laura Fletcher was in excellent shape for her age of fifty two because she worked hard at it by going to the gym every day after work and watching her calories. She kept her hair shoulder length in the summer because of the heat and by autumn it would always grow past her shoulders in cascading waves, which she kept well trimmed through winter. It wasn’t hard to see where Tracy acquired her beautiful wavy locks also. It certainly wasn’t from her father who had extremely tight curls and always chopped off his hair to near bald every few weeks to maintain it.

Laura just finished hanging up the phone with a satisfied smile as her husband eyed her suspiciously waiting to hear what she was plotting. What’s up? he asked.

I just got off the phone with Victoria.

Victoria? Gosh, we haven’t heard from her in ages, ever since Forester….

Yes I know, Laura said looking solemn.

How has she been?

She’s doing well, Laura said hesitantly. Although her inn is suffering.

Oh? Why is that?

It seems that the tourist level is exceptionally low this season for some odd reason, Laura said. But otherwise, she is well and so is her son. As a matter of fact, I told her that Tracy just officially received her degree today and she was overjoyed. I also told her that she has no job at the moment and is taking the year off before going back to get her master’s.

O-kay, Bobbie said slowly, still wondering where this was going.

Anyway, Victoria had a brilliant suggestion, Laura continued. She has always wanted to meet Tracy and since Tracy has no job right now and school is over; wouldn’t it be nice if she go to Maine for a bit? You know, a trip may help clear her head.

Bobbie was confused a bit and then the light bulb in his head suddenly turned on and he got the point loud and clear. You are so devious, he said with a chuckle. I know what you’re trying to do. Get Tracy away from Adam for a bit to think this proposal through.

Precisely. And there’s nothing devious about it. I think she needs some distance from this guy to really figure out how she feels, don’t you? I mean, she has been around him every day since they met and that can really hinder her judgment. Perhaps if she is away from him she will realize how she can get along without him just fine and will perhaps change her mind about getting married right now.

That could work, Bobbie said. Or it can have the opposite effect. Haven’t you heard of the adage, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’?

Well then you think of something! Laura snapped defensively.

Hey, hey, I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, Bobbie said putting his arm around his wife. In fact, it can’t hurt either way. We can tell her that we want to send her away as a graduation present and if she comes back still wanting to marry Adam, we won’t protest. She will want to take him with her, of course, but we’ll try to make a deal with her and tell her that if she goes without him to really think this through then we will accept whatever decision she makes when she returns.

But you’re right,