Without A Trace

Twenty-Three.

Back at the house after everything is quiet I walk outside with a bottle of whiskey in my hand. I hand the girls each a glass and sit down in front of the fireplace. The fire-flies flicker around the yard and theres no sound besides the crackle of the wood. I pour each of us a drink and sit down pulling my legs up and resting my head on my knees.

"What a fuckin day," Anna says swirling her glass looking at her drink. "It took me two hours to get Lewis to calm down."

"Michael was about to go on a rampage this morning I was sure of it. But I made sure Pip was present almost all day so that helped keep him at bay for the most part," Ivy says sighing taking a big swig of her drink.

"Thomas had a mental fuckin breakdown at the track. We didn't have a meeting. He cried," I say staring into the fire. "I've never in my whole ten years of knowing him have ever seen that man shed a single fuckin tear about anything."

"This isnt the life I thought I would be living," Anna says sighing before lighting a cigarette. "I knew what this family was, but I didn't realize the amount of stress it would put on me to keep my husband sane." She says before taking a big drag of her cigarette. "I always thought I'd be on the beach somewhere working in a local hospital. If you would've told me years ago that I would be married into this family, doing what I'm doing," she shakes her head taking another puff of her cigarette, "I'd tell you you're a fuckin liar."

"I knew what I was getting into, but I didn't think it would put cracks in my marriage like it does," I say taking a swig of my drink. "I love Thomas and I knew from day one that I wanted to be with him forever. But my husband is strong as steele....and today I watched him crumble like fuckin sand." I say pinching the bridge of my nose.

"Michael is slipping into madness. His obsession with Campbell is out of fucking control," Ivy says lighting a cigarette. "Pip even notices something is wrong with him. Michael is the most calm and genuine person I've ever met. But this fuckin obsessive behavior is for the fuckin birds."

"I'm so fuckin worn out from this fucking family," I say pouring myself another glass of whiskey. "This whole fuckin life. I feel like im suffocating."

"But I wouldn't want to put up with anyones shit in this family without you two. For the amount of fucking bullshit we see and deal with, you two and pip are the only sense of normalcy I fuckin get. It keeps my head on my shoulders. But it also reminds me why I fuckin love this shit hole of a family," Ivy smiles at us. "It reminds me of why this family is so strong. Is because of us three."

"Cheers to that mate," I say throwing my drink back and looking up at the stars, "I told Thomas when we first got together that he would never have to buckle to anything as long as I was around. That I always would be there. Like the stars, no matter how dark of a place you're in, you remember the stars are always there."

"You can keep your bloody stars," Anna says taking a puff of her cigarette, "My husband is losing his fuckin mind and I feel like im sitting here drowning, watching it happen."

I lean over and rest my hand on hers, "You're not drowning because you're not alone. I'll never let you go through this with him alone. Neither will Thomas or Aurthur or John or Michael. Lewis is a bloody good fighter, he will beat his demons. And I'll keep you afloat. I'll drown to the bottom of the fuckin ocean for this family before I let any of you drown in your battles. And thats a fuckin promise," I say exchanging glances with Ivy and Anna.

"Tomorrow we will sit down with Michael. His behavior needs to be brought to his attention. We'll talk with him after Lewis and Thomas go to the track in the morning to prepare for the derby. Then after Michael has to do his accounting when the gambling room opens, us three are going to have a meeting," I say looking at them. "We will meet in Thomas's big office. Be sure to wear something that matches the meeting. I think we need to make a run into town tomorrow to tie up a few loose ends, what say you ladies?" I ask taking a long puff of my cigarette.

"Aye, I think we do," Anna says sitting up.

"I agree. Been bothering me the last few days. And I known it's been bothering you ladies as well," Ivy says clearing her throat.

"The boys are to be left out of it," I say seriously meeting both of their gazes. "Not a single one is to know what the fuck we're doing tomorrow. This is the first and only time we go behind their backs and take care of business our way."

"What if they find out Cor?" Ivy aks concerned.

"How will they find out if nobody says a word to anyone?" I say meeting her eyes.

She nods her head and leans back in her chair, "I'll sweep the hallway and make sure theres no wondering ears. From anyone."

"Whats your plan Cora?" Anna asks.

I look over at her and blow the smoke out of my mouth. I point my fingers at her that are holding my cigarette, "Dont worry about it," I move and point to Ivy, "Dont fuckin worry about it. You will find out tomorrow when I talk to you guys."

"You're starting to sound like Thomas," Ivy giggles softly.

"Dont forget your holsters girls," I say looking back up at the stars, "Might have fuckin target practice while we're out too."