The Space Speculation: Book 2 ~Painful Past~

Chapter 32: Teenaged Rebellion

"I have warned you, Mrs. Lane. I have given you multiple warnings and I will only say it once more. You know who I am, and I know who you are, Paithenia." 

My heart beat quickened and I willed myself to stay calm. 

"Remember, I know where you live." Calvin leaned forward and lowered his glasses to look into my eyes. 

I suddenly felt sympathetic for this man; well, alien. His son had led him into a life of hatred and madness. I wondered what he would be like if it weren't for Chad. 

Chad. The name made me want to scream. He had taken Colin's life. He had taken control of my life, of Bill's life, and now, of Calvin's life. My mind jerked back to the present as Calvin sighed and stood up to pace around the room. 

"I am telling you this for your own safety, dear Paithenia. I'm sure your family would be devastated if you were suddenly arrested for the serious charge of illegal communication with outer space aliens." He smirked. 

"And remember, if you discuss this with anyone..." he drew a line across his throat with his finger. I gulped.

 Calvin was intending to intimidate me with his words and body language, and indeed, I was scared. I felt sure that he would watch me closely, forever, if nobody stopped him. I, for one, did not want to live in fear for the rest of my life, nor did my family, I'm guessing. I was determined to stop him.

 On the drive home I contemplated asking Bill for help. I didn't want to put him in danger, but I needed brains to help me figure out how to stop Calvin. 

I had made up my mind to go see Bill as I pulled into the driveway. I dreaded telling Tom and Paisley. 

"Again?" Tom exclaimed at the dinner table.

 I nodded slowly. 

"This time, I promise, it's necessary for the project I'm working on." 

I wasn't technically lying. I was working on a project that required me to leave, and it was necessary to talk to Bill. 

Tom sighed. "How long will you be gone?"

That night, I told Tom I had to go somewhere to discuss something with someone about my trip. I felt bad that I wasn't telling the whole truth, but it was close enough.

 I spoke to Bill and told him I needed his help, and that I would be arriving on Pluto soon. I tried not to think about what I was about to do, so on the way home so I turned on the radio.

 Unfortunately, the radio was tuned to the news channel, which only made me more depressed. I switched it off and sighed. 

I said goodbye to Tom at four a.m. He was still half asleep when I rolled over, kissed his cheek, and murmured, "See you in a week or so." 

I considered going to Paisley's room and telling her goodbye, but I decided not to. 

As the years had gone by, she had drifted away from me and started spending more time with her friends. I was told by Tom's sister in-law, Margaret, that it's called "teenaged rebellion". I knew nothing about it. The last time I had seen young Bill was when he was eight, so I had never found out about teenagers. I shrugged. Paisley would get over it.

 I left a note on top of the stairway banister where I knew she and Tom would see it, then I grabbed my small backpack and climbed into the Jeep, closing the door to the house softly and locking it behind me. 

Only a few employees were at work so early in the morning, so I didn't have to be entirely sneaky as I uncovered the canvas cloth I had put on the space pod.