Our Sick Inheritance (editing)

Ch 70 (kyle) - What Hellish Small World Is This?

Wonderful smells of a home cooked breakfast drifted to Kyle's nose as he entered the kitchen. Stacy was active cleaning up after Alicia that was cooking. It was a good system. Both girls were chatter boxes and didn't stop the flow of it when Kyle walked in but waved a morning greeting. The girls filled the table of plates of Stacy's favorite breakfast dishes because she was leaving on her trip in a few hours.

Kyle was quiet but the glint in his eyes told everyone his mind was already at work. He did all he could to focus on what his family was talking about as he started to quickly eat his breakfast. At Alicia's raised eyebrow, he slowed down.

He listened to the discussion of their day's plans when Kyle's ears poked up at the mention of the sweater Stacy had borrowed from Anna. Alicia stated her wedding client's plans for the morning before she was going to head up to hold Jose's newest granddaughter. Alicia had gotten the call early in the morning from Jose's wife as she was excited and bursting with happiness.

"I have a final meeting at the venue today where the food is to die for, and the establishment is really beautiful. We are finalizing the menu as their guest list increased a bit so the bride needs more sweets and finger foods to fill up space. Emily is meeting me there in an hour. What time are you leaving honey?" Alicia asked taking small bites of a homemade waffle topped with whipped cream and strawberries with chocolate shavings.

"At about twelve or so, I want to go over everything one last time and make sure I'm not forgetting something. I am shopping with Maria and Tanya today at a bunch of winter break sales before we stop for dinner at our favorite hangout. Then we are driving down to Portland to check into our hotel with the pool." Stacy said and looked at her dad who no longer looked worried about her leaving.

Kyle put down his half full cup of coffee and smiled. He was always amazed at the thought process and attention to detail his girls displayed. He would have just driven until he got to where he was going then call home whenever he had a chance. Sometimes he felt he restricted his kids' freedom too much, but on the other hand at least they were safe and he always knew where they were.

"Mom, I am sure Anna wouldn't mind if you wore the sweater to your meeting." Stacy said.

"Oh no honey, I'd be afraid of ruining it. Just keep it in the box and return it when you see Anna after your trip." Alicia replied calmly, but Kyle could see the glint that entered Alicia's eyes at the memory of wearing it.

Last night before Kyle turned out their lights, he had remembered the look on Alicia's face as she talked about how she felt when she tried it on. Kyle was reminded of the day he presented Alicia with her engagement diamond ring and asked her to marry him. He wished he could buy expensive things for Alicia, but she never complained. She seemed satisfied at what he could do. Kyle shook his head. Alicia preferred if he picked a beautiful flower and gave it to her with a few words of love and devotion. She liked the mushy stuff, and he felt comfortable expressing his love without embarrassment. Kyle smiled at his memories. He was a lucky man. Once Stacy was in her college, he was going to treat Alicia to traveling and gifts that made her eyes sparkle, no matter how much it costs him. They worked hard raising their kids, they deserved some fun.

"Well she should be here by the weekend so I will give it to her before she leaves as I'll be home around the same time she is." Stacy said not noticing her mother for which Kyle was glad because it would have caused Stacy to push Alicia to wear it and to be honest, Kyle didn't think it would take much. He could think of a hundred other things they needed that could cost twelve hundred dollars other than a sweater.

"I'd like to go with you when you return the sweater Stacy." Kyle said carefully.

"What? Why do you want to go with me Dad?" Stacy asked and noticed Alicia was staring at him intently.

"I have a couple of questions for Anna." Kyle said simply covering up that Colin Fairfield wasn't a safe man to be around.

"Oh gosh Dad, you can't do that before or after I give the sweater back?" Stacy asked horrified. He could tell that Stacy was thinking he couldn't trust her. It wasn't really her he didn't trust but explaining that would be unheard.

"No I think I would rather go with you that way Anna won't feel like she did something wrong and would be more comfortable having someone there her age that she knows so she'll talk to me." Kyle had learned a long time ago how to talk to his daughter... carefully, for she was smarter than he was sometimes.

"Ok Dad." Stacy said but Kyle could tell she was lost in her thoughts.

Their conversation was making Kyle uncomfortable and Alicia laughed to break the tension.

"I think we are both going to miss that sweater." Alicia said making Stacy smile and nod her head.

"I have to get to the office." Kyle said before he gave Stacy five hundred dollars as he had Jake and wished her luck on her trip. He also reminded her to be safe and keep in touch.

"Daddy, I promise I will definitely call. Mom and I already worked out a schedule." Stacy said.

"Thank you so much for everything. I love you so much. I feel so spoiled."

"There isn't anything on this earth I wouldn't buy you if I could afford it." Kyle said.

"Even a tattoo?" Stacy asked slyly.

"Except for that." Kyle grimaced. The girls laughed, knowing how he felt.

"I'll bring home dinner." Kyle said then kissed his wife.

After hugs and babbles while the girls walked him to his car, Kyle left for work. He watched Stacy and Alicia walk arm in arm back into the house. Kyle waved and drove away. Like pulling foxtails out of a dog's fur, he couldn't shake the tugging sensation of unseen thoughts that were hiding in the shadows of his conscience. He wanted to follow his daughter until she got to the first hotel. If he told that to Alicia, she would laugh and dismiss his fear as being over protective.

The feeling of discomfort deepened and started to attack his stomach, which made his heart skip a beat. As Kyle headed towards work, he fought the urge to call Stacy on her phone, tell her she couldn't go, and make her stay home behind locked doors. He knew that would evoke a rage from his daughter that a lion would shutter away from. He had just given her permission to go again. He couldn't do that to her, nor did he want that kind of attention. If she would go to school at their local university, then he could keep an eye on her and save money by letting her live at home. However, he knows how strong and stubborn his daughter is. She was going to do what she wanted no matter what his opinion was. They had always encouraged their children to think and decide for themselves what would be the right and smart thing to do in every situation. It usually took them trial and error to figure things out, just as it was for Kyle and Alicia learning to be parents.

Kyle tried to call Jake again but didn't get an answer. He left another message this time with more firmness in his voice so Jake would take the seriousness of calling him back. Normally his son wouldn't have ever ignored his calls or not called back unless he was driving for which he turns off his phone. Kyle and Alicia taught their kids to do that so there wouldn't be any temptation. They had navigation on their cars so they didn't have a need to be on a phone until they pulled over to use it.

Kyle hoped Jake did well at the tables the night before and just didn't check his phone if he was pushed out by checkout time even if he stayed up all night. That doesn't explain why he didn't call back in his truck before he got on the road to head to Brittany's. A myriad of possibilities ran through his head. He had to relax and focus for Anna was starting to put a mark on his family's life.