Looking For A Legend (Book 1)

Looking For A Legend Chapter 23 - Valentina

            This holiday was not going at all like Valentina had expected.  Then again, she expected to confront her father about his being in the closet.  She got a lot more than she anticipated.  After yesterday’s breakfast, Valentina and her father, if that’s even what she should be calling Murroh, didn’t talk about what had happened.  They both had apologized for yelling, and getting confrontational, but neither mentioned Tracker again.

            After Valentina calmed down, she cleaned up the breakfast dishes.  It was about that time that Murroh emerged from his room, reeking of alcohol.  He suggested that Valentina go to a spa on his treat.  While she was mad at Murroh, it was harder to stay mad at him while she was wrapped in a plush robe and fresh from a massage.   It was hard to stay mad, but it was just as hard to get happy.  There was something inside that made Valentina feel wrong.  It was dull pain in her stomach.  While her father – that still felt wrong in a way too – wouldn’t mention anything more on the topic of Tracker, he did promise her three answers, but vowed he wouldn’t reveal her father’s name.  Something about a dangerous life, and he didn’t want her to poke her nose into the same business that took him away from them.  Tracker would be Tracker for some time more.

            Just three answers.  It didn’t feel like enough.  How could narrow her curiosity down to three questions?  She thought to ask Eli for help, when Valentina realize she’d never responded to his message.  A pang of guilt flashed through her.

            “I got to New York safely,” she wrote, “and I got some heavy news.  I need a hand to hold.  I really want it to be yours.”  Valentina sent the words off without giving them a second thought.  She wasn’t sure if they were right, but now they were the words on their way to Eli.

            A message returned shortly after, “I wish I could be there for you.” Eli really was there for her, even if not physically, emotionally she knew he was there.

            “Everything feels so messed up. Do you ever regret being born in to this world, having a gift and all?” Valentina typed to him.

            “Every day, until recently.” Eli’s replies came quickly.  It made sense.  It wasn’t too late back in England.  And if his holiday went as he’d told her it would, he had no other plans.

            “What made that change?” A part of Valentina knew what was on Eli’s mind, and she predicted his answer before it returned.

            “I met you.”  She knew what he’d write, but she blushed just the same.  It wasn’t flattery.  Eli wasn’t the type to waste words like that.  Elijah Coates meant what he said, and he said that Valentina made his life worth living.

            “I’m coming home tomorrow.  I can’t wait to see you.  I have a lot to tell you.” She smiled as she typed.  Valentina was vaguely aware of the manicurist telling her to put her phone down, and she gave the woman a dismissive wave as she finished typing to Eli.  She waited for his reply before she slid her phone back into her robe pocket.

            “I’ll be there waiting.  Just tell me your flight number.  Stay strong Valentina.” He wrote.

            She smiled and felt that familiar warmth spread through her mind.  Valentina put her phone away and started to think on her three answers.  They’d have to be good.  They would have to be things that her mother might have known, and not had a chance to tell Valentina.  Things about her father, or her mother herself, or Valentina’s childhood. 

            “How do you want your nails, hon?” Her manicurist asked, getting her attention.

            “Oh…” Valentina said after a moment, considering what would look best, or be most practical. “Um, just a French.  Not too long, please.”