Chapter 12: Would You Ever?

"Who is the person you wish to have this warrant served?" the police officer asks dryly.

"Gregory Collins."

"On what grounds?"

"District Attorney Samantha Van Buren informed me that Gregory Collins came to Kingthorn with the intent to harm Carol Bradshaw. We believe that the incident may develop into a murder and trial. But if things escalate before that we want to make sure she's safe from harm."

"Hmm well, I remember that 1955 domestic violence case he was embroiled in. I was the arresting officer. I definitely believe that this could turn into something dangerous if not handled properly. Give me a few minutes and I'll have a warrant ready for you."

Darwin nods his head before walking to the waiting area.

Kimberly is in the dining room eating a ham and cheese sandwich with mayonnaise, a bag of potato chips, and a white can of cola. As she finishes her chips she washes it down with her soda. When she finishes she washes her saucer and heads to her bedroom. She goes and turns on her radio and starts bobbing her head to a soft rock song. As she snaps her fingers she hears the doorbell. She gets up and goes out to the foyer. As she gets closer to the door Carol comes out of her bedroom.

"Hey, Mom I didn't expect you to be home early," Kimberly says stopping in her tracks.

"I wasn't feeling well so I called in." Carol lies walking closer.

"Aw, well I hope you feel better soon," Kimberly says softly touching Carol's arm.

"Thank you, baby," Carol says glaring at the door.

"You're welcome. So did you have any visitors coming today?"

"I had one earlier but that was all," Carol says looking at her daughter.

"I want you to go to your room and shut the door. It could possibly be anyone."

Kimberly looks at the door momentarily and back at her mother.

"Okay," Kimberly says heading back to her bedroom and shutting the door. Carol goes to the door and presses her back against it. She grips her silver pistol tightly while looking through the peephole. When she sees it Gregory she cocks her pistol and opens the door. She immediately points her gun at him with a fierce expression. Gregory is wearing a brown leather coat, a black turtleneck sweater, blue jeans, and black motorcycle boots. On his head is a black beanie. His hands are resting in his coat pockets.

"How the hell did you find us?!" Carol asks suspiciously.

"I followed our daughter of course. You can't be that stupid Carol."

"What the hell do you want? You're supposed to be behind bars in a Maryland prison."

"You would like that, wouldn't you? Fortunately, I was released on good behavior. Even though you and I had a domestic dispute over a decade ago the warden approved for me to come and stay here."

"I doubt that besides haven't you done enough damage. You left me when you discovered I was pregnant and you still don't want a relationship with your daughter!"

"Whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. I am here to stay and there's not a damn thing you can do about it."

"Like hell, I can't. This is my property and I decide who can and cannot inhabit it!" Carol says confidently stepping out onto the porch and shoving Gregory in the process.

"Why don't you tell Kimberly who you truly are? Tell her that you are the daughter of a powerful and feared mobster. She is the daughter of a crime legacy!"

Kimberly is standing next to her cracked bedroom door shocked and hurt. Seconds later she softly closes it.

"I think it's high time that she is reintroduced to me," Gregory says attempting to enter the house and is blocked by Carol.

"I don't give a damn what you think it's time for. You came in like a hurricane and left nothing but destruction in your wake. You need to walk your trifling ass off my property." Carol says angrily.

"You can't keep me from my daughter!"

"I can and I will"

Gregory expectorates towards Carol earning a pistol whip from his former lover. Gregory stumbles off the porch steps onto the cement. Carol watches him disdainfully as he gets to his feet dusting himself off.

"Don't think you've won bitch." Gregory says pointing at her while backing up.

"I already have now get your pathetic ass out of my sight!"

Gregory heads to his car.

Once he's gone Carol shakes her head and goes back inside. After shutting and locking the door she leans against it closing her eyes. She places her right hand on her chest sighing in relief. When she opens them she sees Kimberly standing a few feet away. Tears are streaming down her face and her lips are pursed. Her hands are clenched.

"Kimberly," Carol whispers.

"Would you ever kill me in cold blood if I ever disrespected you?" Kimberly asks shaken looking at Carol's gun.

Carol swallows a lump in her throat.

"No, I wouldn't because you're my flesh and blood." Carol sobs.

"I find it hard to believe considering what I just heard."

"Sweetheart there's a reason I didn't tell you about your grandfather."

Kimberly shakes her head.

"You didn't tell me because you're still involved in that life," Kimberly says going into her room and shutting the door.

Carol goes to her bedroom and closes the door.

Darwin is reading a magazine about the current economy of the country.

"Mr. Tansworth."

Darwin gets up and walks to the desk.

"Yes?" Darwin says placing his hands on the desk surface.

"Here is your warrant." the officer says handing Darwin a white envelope.

"Thank you, sir," Darwin says before leaving the station.

Alvin is in his bedroom reading a gay male magazine when a knock comes on his door. He quickly places it under his mattress and sits back down on his bed.

"Come in."

Ingrid comes in. She is wearing a long-sleeved blue dress with white trim and white pumps. Her blonde hair is combed back and secured by a white headband. She goes and sits down next to Alvin.

"How are you, sweetheart?" Ingrid asks while ruffling his hair.

"I'm doing fine, how about you?"

"That's wonderful and I'm doing fine. I think now that Jason is gone our lives will be more peaceful."

"I don't know about that. Jason's father doesn't seem like the yielding type of man."

"Trust me darling if he returns I know what I have to do," Ingrid says squeezing Alvin's hand.

"I hope it doesn't have to come to that."

"Me too," Ingrid says kissing his cheek and leaving.

Deena gathers herself off the floor and gathers her notes. She puts them back in their respective place and leaves the study. She heads upstairs to her bedroom where she shuts and locks her bedroom door. She places her notebook on her desk and places her backpack in the chair. She then goes into her bathroom grabs a cloth and wets it. She looks at her reflection and tears fill her chocolate brown eyes once more. She turns on the faucet and places the towel under the water.

She wrings the towel out and places it in the left corner of her mouth. She holds it there while grabbing some rubbing alcohol. The stinging sensation makes her wince momentarily while cleaning her mouth. When she finishes she places it back under the water again and wrings it out. She hangs it on a nearby rack and looks at her reflection.

"God I've dealt with this physical punishment my entire life. I don't know how much more I can endure. But until you intervene I think I have no choice." Deena says before leaving her bathroom.

Kimberly packs an overnight bag and heads out the door. She goes over to Alvin's house and knocks on the door. A few seconds later the door opens and Alvin is standing there. Seeing her crestfallen face Alvin quickly embraces her and helps her inside.

"Kimberly you look like you saw a ghost," Alvin says as they walk the living room and sit on the couch.

"I do. I just feel like I never knew my own mother." Kimberly sobs.

"What happened?"

"I'd rather tell all of you at once."

"Okay. I'll go and get them. Stay right here." Alvin says squeezing her hand.

"I will." Kimberly sniffles.

Alvin leaves with a soft close of the front door. He heads across the street to Danny's house and knocks on the door. A few minutes later the door opens revealing Danny. He is dripping wet and only covered in a white body towel. Alvin looks the boy's body over in admiration and something else undetectable.

"What's up, Alvin?"

"Can you come to my house right now?"

"Sure, is everything okay?"

"Kimberly wants us all together"

"Okay, just give me another forty-five minutes and I'll be there."

Alvin nods his head.

"Okay."

Danny steps back inside and shuts the door.

Alvin turns on his heels with his mouth open in disbelief as he heads downstairs.

'I didn't know Danny had all of that going on. I wonder what- Danny doesn't like boys so get your head out of the gutter' Alvin mentally kicking himself.

When he reaches Deena's house he knocks on the door. Moments later the door opens and Chasity is standing there. Her expression is cold and her arms are folded. Alvin swallows a lump in his throat while peering into Chasity's eyes.

"Who are you and what the hell do you want?" Chasity asks rudely,

"Good evening Mrs. Tansworth I'm Alvin Goldsteen, I'm a friend of Deena's. I was wondering if she was here." Alvin says feeling his heart rate increase.

"Just what I need, a quiet house. Wait right here." Chasity says shutting the door.

Chasity heads upstairs to Deena's bedroom and opens it.

"You have a friend downstairs named Alvin Goldsteen. I don't know how the hell you managed to snag someone like him for a friend. Anyway, I want a quiet house so you can go out." Chasity says before walking away leaving Deena stunned.

Deena heads down to the foyer and opens the door where she sees Alvin.

"Hey Deena can you come to my house?"

"Sure. My mother just gave me permission." Deena says stepping out and shutting the door.

As they cross the street Deena glances at Alvin with curiosity.

"Are you okay Alvin? You look like death just paid you a visit." Deena says observantly as they step onto the sidewalk.

"Your mother is scary," Alvin confesses.

Deena squeezes his shoulder.

"She's nice once you get to know her. She's just protective over me."

"I see."

They step on his front porch and head inside. The duo heads to the living room where Kimberly is still sitting on the couch. Deena sits on Kimberly's right side takes her hand into hers and squeezes it.

"Kimberly, what's going on?" Deena asks searching her friend's golden eyes.

The only things Kimberly can produce are tears and sniffles. Forty-five minutes later the doorbell rings. Alvin gets up and goes to the front door. When Alvin opens the door he sees Danny standing there. He is wearing a black jean jacket, a white T-shirt, black jeans, and black and white tennis shoes.

"Thanks for coming," Alvin says stepping aside.

They go to the living room where they gather around Kimberly.

"Kim, would you like something to eat or drink?" Alvin asks kneeling before her.

"Some water or strawberry soda," Kimberly says still looking in Deena's eyes.

"Okay, I'll get you some strawberry soda," Alvin says squeezing her knee and leaving.

"Kimberly, why do you have an overnight bag?" Deena asks glancing at the bag.

"I was thinking of spending the night here at Alvin's house."

"I see," Deena says placing her attention back onto Kimberly.

Alvin returns with a can of strawberry soda and hands it to Alvin.

"Alvin, I was wondering if it was okay if I stayed overnight. If your mom is okay with it." Kimberly says looking over at him.

"I don't see any harm in that. I'll go and ask her." Alvin says before going to his mother's bedroom.

After three knocks the door opens and Ingrid is standing there with a smile.

"Hey, Mom I was wondering if Kimberly could spend the night. She's having a hard time at home."

"Sure she can. She can sleep in Jason's old room. Is everything okay?"

"Okay and more or less. It's nothing big just an argument between her and her mother." Alvin says with his hands in his pockets.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure they'll come to an understanding soon." Ingrid says before leaning down and kissing Alvin's forehead.

"Thanks, Mom," Alvin says flashing her a smile.

"You're welcome sweetheart," Ingrid says before returning inside and shutting the door.

After shutting the door Alvin returns to the living where Danny is.

"Hey, Kimberly my mom said it's okay for you to spend the night. You'll be in Jason's old room."

"Okay, thank you."

"Don't mention it."

"So what's going on?" Danny asks going to the couch and sitting beside Deena.

"My father came to see my mom today. During their argument I overheard him say that she's the daughter of a mobster. In turn that makes me the granddaughter and daughter of one. I'm afraid guys. I don't know if I want to go back home. What if I disrespect her? Would she kill me without hesitation?"

The others look in between each other shocked and fearful before looking back at Kimberly.

"I don't think your mother would kill you just because of her who her father was. She probably didn't tell you because she wanted to protect you or go down the same path as he did." Deena surmises.

"She said she didn't tell me for a reason but I don't know what that reason is."

"Did you stick around to find out what the reason was?"

"No. I was so caught up in the revelation that I went into my room without hearing her out." Kimberly says shamefully.

"Whatever you do don't sever your ties with her," Danny says getting everyone's attention.

"You need to go home and makeup with her. We as children don't understand why our parents do what they do we just go with it because we think they're doing the right thing. Go and figure out why she kept this from you."

Kimberly and Alvin look at him shocked while Deena smiles with a faint blush.

"Okay, I'll go back tonight. I'm sure my mother doesn't want to see my face right now."

"You're talking nonsense. Your mother will be relieved to see you. I'm sure she's probably worried sick as we sick." Alvin says reassuringly squeezing her knee.

"You guys are right," Kimberly says grabbing her bag and standing up.

"I'm going to go home and make things right," Kimberly says heading to the front door.

"That's the spirit," Deena says opening the door for her.

After stepping out onto the porch the quartet walk to Kimberly's house. Before going inside she hugs them.

"Thank you for the support guys I really appreciate it," Kimberly sniffles.

"That's what a wolf pack is for," Danny says.

Kimberly heads inside and shuts the door. The trio walks to the sidewalk side by side.

"I hope everything is alright between Kimberly and Ms. Bradshaw," Alvin says looking back at the house.

"It will be. All you can do right now is have faith and believe." Deena says smiling back at the Bradshaw residence.

Soon the trio disperses and heads to their homes.

That night at seven Carol is at the dining room table having a chicken salad and a glass of white wine. She is wearing a maroon robe and black slippers. As she indulges herself Kimberly enters the room. Carol looks over at her and cleans her mouth.

"Kimberly," Carol says softly.

"Mother."