Odds Of Love: Secrets

Episode 22

Faith Lane had not forgotten about today being the day that Pamela's family was laying her to rest.  She had not forgotten her dead girlfriend one moment since the accident. No matter how  much alcohol she drank she would not and could not erase the woman from her mind. 

She would never forget Pamela. The woman with her beautiful face and gorgeous lush body and overwhelming perkiness. She would never forget the part she had played in Pamela's death too.

If it was not for her - and Melinda - Pamela would never have been out driving that rainy night. She would have been home. Safe and sound and waiting for her cheating girlfriend.

If it was not for her that secretary of Richard Norland would not have been hurt. The man had lost sight in the other eye for God's sake. He had gotten it back but the burns on his face...... She was remembering the night of the family dinner at her brother's house and the hurtful things she had said to Nigel Hawthorne -Cyrus. It was wrong. She wanted to make it up to him but didn't have a clue how to. Richard Norland had tried to get her that night and would have if her brother and the old man hadn't stopped him. She in a sober moment didn't blame him. If it had been someone making fun of Pamela and her weight she would have responded the same way. She was actually impressed by the man. She didn't think Richard had those mighty balls especially to come at her.

She in her simple black dress and matching black high heels, her hair pulled back in her usual work braid , stood slightly away from Pamela's family at the cemetery as the pastor droned on in prayer that was supposed to be so comforting but wasn't. She didn't feel like she truly belonged with them. She and Pamela had been dating and living together, yes , but not long. They were not like Spencer and DuBuis. But, she mused , they were probably a step above Richard and Nigel. Maybe. She smiled slightly as she wondered exactly who they thought they were fooling. It was so obvious they were a couple. Even drunk she could see that.

A person touched her on the shoulder and she turned to acknowledge them. Only to gasp in shock.

The woman smiling back at her........

Was Pamela.

She had Pamela's thick strawberry blonde hair and glorious eyes that looked like they were always laughing even today on a sober occasion. She looked just like her dead girlfriend except for the fact that her hair was cut really short and spiked up on the top with gel. And that she was slimmer than Pamela. She was too skinny actually. To the point of being bony.

Who the hell was this woman? , she thought as waves of great shock swept over her body.

The woman said softly," I know it's a shock. I'm Pammy's cousin Penelope Perkins. We look alike. I know. At least that's what people tell me. " She stopped talking and swallowed hard. " She was my best friend. We grew up together. " She hesitated again. " She told me about you but she never introduced us because.... I'm not sure why. But I know who you are. You're Faith Lane. Her girlfriend. I'm sorry for your loss. "

Faith needed a drink. A stiff drink. Because as she looked in the eyes of Penelope Perkins she could feel herself falling in love again.

This could not be good.

Her cell phone beeped and she glanced at it although that meant looking away from Penelope Perkins.

It was a text from Melinda.

Melinda: You want proof we're married. Here it is. Should I move in your place or are you coming to DC with me? I recommend DC.

There was an attached picture showing a grainy looking marriage license for Melinda Marion Veldez and Faith Anne Lane.

She looked from the text to the now blank space on her ring finger. She thought of that wedding band she had left on her dresser top that morning.

Shit.

" Are you ok? ," Penelope asked. " You're coming to the repast right? It's at Aunt Josie's house. She's been cooking forever. She loves food. "