Surprises

Part Nine

Lucky left the penthouse and headed for his old haunts. Now, that he was a working adult--he shook his head and chuckled at that thought--he didn't have to run away from the stuff that teenagers usually felt a need to bolt from. He was on his own, his own man. He could do whatever and not have to answer to anyone. Damn, it felt good. But that didn't mean he didn't remember. Lucky inhaled a deep breath. He remembered everything.

The first place he checked out was the catacombs. Nothing there. No candy bar wrappers or empty Coke cans. She hadn't been there. He jumped back on his motorcycle and headed back towards town.

From Sonny and the ADA's agitated behavior Lucky guessed the kid had been on the street for a while. He wondered about that. She was unmistakably their kid, but he'd never heard anything about Sonny getting it on with Dara Jensen. Something like that couldn't be kept under wraps. Everybody would gab about it. Who wouldn't? Something was off about their family unit. Having met their kid and noting her vulnerability, he was curious about the entire dynamic. Boy, he had a feeling things would get explosive and pretty quick. And if he knew his cousin...hot damn! The fallout could go for miles.

Lucky hadn't eaten since breakfast. His stomach rumbled to remind him. Up ahead, he saw The Recovery Room. The fragrant aroma of burgers and fries attacked him viciously. He found himself pulling into the parking lot without even thinking about it. Once he parked, he shrugged. Maybe he'd live up to his name and she would be in there chowing down.

Mike waved at Lucky as he walked into the restaurant. Lucky waved back and went to the counter. "What's up, Mike?"

"Hi, Lucky," Mike said, wiping down the counter. "I haven't seen you around."

"I've been doing a little of this and that."

Mike smiled. "So have we all. What can I get for you today?"

"Burger and fries sound pretty good," Lucky said.

"Sure thing." Mike placed the order and returned with a root beer float. Lucky smiled as he set it on the counter in front of him. Mike shrugged. "I remembered you like those. This one is on the house."

"Thanks."

Lucky took a sip. The float went down smooth and thick, just the way he liked it. He swallowed a little more and looked around the room. Not much was happening. A few medical personnel decked out in their green scrubs sat at a table across the way. They all had their noses in books. Lucky doubted if they would have noticed anyone let alone a cute kid with killer dimples. He called out to Mike. Maybe he'd know. Then, Lucky frowned. Did Mike even know he had granddaughter out there lost somewhere? Looking at the man and his easygoing smile, Lucky thought not.

"What's up? Your order is next."

"Nah, it's not that," Lucky said. "I was wondering if you've seen a girl."

Mike grinned. "I've seen lots of them. They're in and out here like you wouldn't believe. Are you looking for someone in particular?"

Lucky fought the blush creeping up his neck and focused on the task at hand. "I'm looking for a kid actually. She's about fourteen or fifteen...about this tall." He indicated the height with his hand. "Dark, wavy hair, large brown eyes and impressive dimples. Have you seen her?"

Mike frowned, thinking. "I would remember a looker like that. I can't say I have. I'll ask the cook. Maybe she came in while I was out. Why are you looking for her?"

Lucky paused. It wasn't his place to tell Mike the kid was his granddaughter, but he didn't wanna lie to him either. Family situations were always tricky. "She's a runaway. Her parents are looking for her."