Chapter 2
“And all the roads we have to walk are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding, There are many things that I would like to say to you But I don’t know how. Because maybe you’re gonna be the one that saves me
And after all, You’re my wonderwall.” Oasis
A road winding through dry, tall, wheaten colored grass climbed up the way to my new life, my new home. It’s amazing what a few thousand feet does to the topography.
“Dan is excited you have a motorcycle”. Dan being Dana’s brother.
“Dana? Is there a possibility that Cary might get the death sentence?”
“Yes”
“I just don’t get it.” I said. “Why put these people to death when we could study them for the rest of their lives, and see where their brain lead them to kill?”
Dana was silent for a while. I was started to get what sea sickness feels like, because we were driving around so many corners.
“Stop”, i said. I am going to throw up.
“Was it the truck stop food?”
“No slow down, the curves are making me sick.”
In reality, I wasn’t cool with living with a serial killer's’ family during Cary’s murder trial. I had had enough in my life to deal with. Like staying sober.
She stopped. I slammed the door open, and projectile vomit flew from my mouth.”
I wiped my eyes, witch were watering, and spit a couple of times to get all offending tastes out of my mouth. I wiped my mouth with my bare forearms. I’m not ready for this, I thought.
“Slow down please.” Dana apologized and was happy to oblige me.
We entered Mariposa, and turned down another hi way.
Dana; “ we actually will be living in Bootjack, a famous steakhouse that’s been a destination for years”
“Great, just slow down.” I had become nervous about meeting Dell, Kay, and the rest of the Stayner family. I was just out of rehab dealing with my own issues, and now a serious one had been thrown in my lap.
The White house was aptly named. It was a big white, double story steakhouse with living quarters upstairs.
Cindy Stayner was there to greet me, along with her spouse, Dan Sartell. I got hugs from both.
“Dana has told us how talented you are, and what a personality you will be behind the bar.”, Dan. “Let's get your motorcycle off the truck. Do you mind if I take if for a test drive.”
I could smell booze on his breath, but sometimes, people can handle it.
“Go for it. I gave him the key”
He immediately flipped it, damaging my mirror. I wanted to laugh. I could tell right off, that this guy was ego filled. He looked damaged, while embarrassed that my motorcycle laid on it’s side. It was like they were waiting out on the deck all day for our arrival. Kay was there, Mrs. Stayner, with a big warm smile on her face. So was Dell. Dell is Dana’s something in law. Cindy is Dan’s wife, and Kay comes into place by being Dan’s Mother in law.
It was beginning to twilight. Everyone except me and Dana, a year out of rehab, had a fancy drink in our hands while sitting under the umbrellas that were meant to be comforting to customers during the sunshine hours.
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Dan wanted to try to ride my motorcycle again. I told him till wait to morning. He was a fat guy, not out of shape, fat. I worried about the extra weight on my motorcycle should he want to ride it, and crash it again.
“Dana tells me you’re a talented musician. And, that you’re a web designer. And a lot of other things people could be envious about.”, Kay complimented me.
“Well, thank you Mrs. Stayner, I’m sure Dana is just being nice.”
“Call me Kay. Can I get you a soda, or a drink; must have been a long hall?”
Then Cindy; “Yes, maybe if you’re good enough, you can play here. We’re very interested in your PR skills, and know that you can bring in some great music, plus, I heard you make great desserts; but we shall see.”
I could tell Cindy was going to be a pain in the ass. Some tragedies make people mean, others humble. Cindy was going to be mean.
Dana and her brother helped me carry my belongings to my living quarters upstairs. I thought it was going to be fun living next to Dana’s living quarters, and it was. It was like having one of your bestfriends living next to you in the next bedroom.
I was carrying my musical equipment up the stairs, a keyboard, speakers.
“I hope that’s not going to be too loud when our customers are here.” Cindy warned.
Like I would not have this consideration. I hated her already.
That night, after all my belongings had been moved in, the restaurant was going full boar. I, of course, was not expected to work that night. I was putting away my belongings in my new room. Then there was a knock on the door
“Hi. I’m Josh. I understand you’re a musician, that’s cool. what are you doing now?”
Josh was the White House's dishwasher.
“I am moving in.”
“What are you doing after that?”
“Probably spending some obligatory time getting to know everyone. Dana and I might watch “Female Trouble”.
“What are you doing after that? Can I come over? I got some awesome Weed.”
“I don’t smoke pot.”
“Well can I come over anyways?”
Clearly he wanted to make a new friend.
“Hey, I’m not doing anything tomorrow, why not come over then.”
Josh was blonde, green eyed, and had abs.
“Have you heard Chop Suey by Systems of a Down?”
“No. You’ll have to let me listen to it.”
My god was he good looking.
“Ok, why not come over about 11:00 tonight.”
After Dana and I had watched the movie, and hung out, and after she gave me the low down about the restaurant, I said goodnight to her. Then I walked out into the warm summer air, crickets chirping, and some frogs making noise somewhere, and sat at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for Josh.
