A Perfect Love Story - Book 9

A Call From Lewis

STEF POV

As I finish my shift and file the rest of my arrest reports for the day, I am pretty exhausted. More exhausted then I'd like to be because and I realize that I should have taken off from work today. But that wasn't like me at all because one thing I thrived on was structure as well as routine, and those are two things that help me to remain sober. Also, I had picked up surfing again at the end of last year, and yet, I've barely made time for it. Granted the last time I went was with RJ so maybe it just left a bad feeling in my brain altogether. But I couldn't let that stop me from doing something I used to enjoy and maybe tonight I would go on out and catch a few waves before dinner.

This week had been rather interesting. Between finding that tape the other day from RJ which now more than ever I had to tell my wife about because we needed to talk to all the kids about it, to stopping at Lena's gallery today to hear Francesca hollering at the top of her lungs at Denni, I am very fried. I will have to have some very hard conversations with my family this evening, and I just need a break.

It feels as if life is and has been piling all of this heavy stuff on top of me, and while I do know this is a part of life, as therapy and AA have taught me, how I respond to it is what matters. Finding that hobby or activity to help me work through some of this stuff has been my saving grace. Turning to alcohol in the past is what had gotten me into so much trouble, and I haven't really started to process life and emotions until a year ago when I started this journey after my marriage split.

Shaking my head, I sigh as I close my filing cabinet as my desk phone begins to ring, and I groan hoping that I don't have to work a double again.

"Hello?" I quickly answer, while holding my breath as I hear my brother, Lewis' voice on the other end.

"Hey, hey, Stef! I was hoping I wasn't too late catching you before you went home! How are ya?"

I laugh softly as I remove my readers and take a seat at my desk. "I'm good, love, but aren't you coming down this weekend to Eddie's? You okay?"

"I'm good, sweets, but I was just calling you at work in case your kids were around. Look," he says in his deep voice, rather seriously, "I received the paperwork from your old precinct in regards to Frank, Jr's death. Your captain faxed it over because she wanted to keep me in the loop. I actually called the officer in charge of the investigation, and it looks as if we need to hold a family meeting and tell everyone that Frankie was, in fact, murdered. I really, really hate to tell you this, but I know you were the closest to him, and you do deserve to know and not be blindsided like our brothers and parents will be when I break the news."

I must have been holding my breath as Lewis spilled because I feel myself become lightheaded, and I blow out my breath as it feels as if an elephant is sitting on my chest right now. "O...okay. Um, thanks for telling me. I kinda...I kinda figured that would be the case. She...Cap, I mean, told me when Len and I were in New York City that this was a giant possibility; so, I've had time to process it. But thanks, Lew," I manage as I take a sip of my now flat coca cola.

"Stef, this is an awful lot to process, even for me. I'm just...I don't know how to feel, to be honest. But we do need to tell our family. We can't hide it. Do you think you could help me head that up? I mean, I feel as if getting everyone to come down to San Diego would be best? Since Mom is there, and well, Dad hopefully will get his stubborn ass on a plane and come too," he laughs as I join him.

"Ya, I mean, I think we should tell Eddie, and maybe he can help head this up. This is a lot, Lew. I just...I have a shit load going on already as you know. But, I'll help where I can love."

"I do, and I'm sorry, sis. How's Stefanie by the way?"

"She's pregnant, Lew," I sigh as I rub my forehead. "Wouldn't talk to me or Lena, and her father is such a DICK not to mention her mother is MIA. I just...can I go back on vacation?" I laugh now, cynically as I hear him sighing on the other end.