Loose Ends - Book One

Levi - Hey, Jackie Chan!

"What happened to you?!" Vicky's sitting on the couch, watching Adult Swim when I storm in through the front door.

            "You're not gonna believe this," I start pacing in front of the TV. "I saw someone at the garden."

            Her eyes widen. "Holy shit, are you sure?"

            "I saw a middle-aged man at my mother's garden. And I tried to confront him."

            She picks up the remote and mutes the TV. "Tried?"

            "He ran!" I throw my hands up, still in disbelief. "He took off as soon as he saw my face. So, I chased him."

            "You chased him?!"

            "Mhm," I place my hands on my hips and look down. "On a motorcycle."

            "Where'd you get a motorcycle?"

            I clear my throat, "Mila Garcia."

            Vicky blinks at me, twice, confused.

            "I stole it."

            "Winston!" she stands up and puts her hands on her head. She sounds exactly like my mother.

            "I'm going to return it."

            "What about the police?!"

            I open my mouth, and a few seconds later, words finally come out. "Maybe she'll have a heart?"

            "Oh my..." Vicky starts pacing around the living room, now.

            "Look, no one knows who I am. I'm just gonna sneak it back, later, and hope no one catches me."

            "And what if someone catches you?"

            "I already stole it, and I can't hold onto it. Do you have a better idea?"

            We stay silent for another minute or two. I know I'm not making things easy for her, but I was desperate. I was so close.

            She finally sighs and drops back onto the couch. "Okay, just... Just lay low, for now. These cops get lazier every day. They'll probably give up in an hour or two."

            I sit down on the couch across from her. "I'm sorry. The last thing I want is to stress you out. You have to believe me, though—"

            "I do," she looks at me. "I do believe you."

            "Really?"

            "Of course. I'm on your side," she gives me a soft smile. I have a feeling she's reassuring me about what happened earlier.

            "I know."

            "So, tell me exactly what happened at the garden."

                                                                        ***

            I lay low until the sun begins to set and the sky starts turning pink. For the last two and a half hours, I was trying to connect some dots. I know for a fact that there was a woman who knew my mother closely. The memories keep trying to present themselves to me, but I still don't have a name. I thought she could've been the one looking after the garden, but now I don't know who's harder to find. That man is long gone. Coward. How significant could that man have been to my mother? I even tried finding him on the internet like I tried with the woman. No luck. Either I suck at finding people, or everyone associated with my mother is off the damn grid. My eyes were getting weary of looking at a screen all day, so I decided it's time to return the bike. Vicky went out to grab a drink, so I locked up and headed out.