We Meet Again

Thirty-seven

Introducing Mar'i Lynn Grayson. The sweet daughter of Richard and Kori Star Grayson. 

!!All images utilized belong to the model/photographer!!

(Mar'i)

We drove to my aunt and uncle's house. My mother was very nervous, but she wouldn't tell me what's going on. I suppose that it's work related... but... why so much panic? Mom and dad always went to work, but they never behaved like this! Dad seems scared, and mom is falling apart!

She's crying as we speak!

My mom never cries, unless her and dad fight! But they always work it out in minutes, how do I know?

I count them.

I don't like that my parents have this job. And I have a feeling that it's' only going to get worse. What changed? Why all the secrets?

(Flashback)

"Mar, I have to leave for a bit, but don't wake mom."

"Why now daddy?"

"It's just... part of the job. I won't be gone long alright."

"Alright daddy."

"I love you!" My dad said while hugging me.

"Daddy... I'm scared! I don't like your job! Can you just go to bed?" My dad smiled and looked in looked in my eyes.

"I'll be back! Take care of your mother for me... okay?"

"Okay daddy." He hugged me again and I hugged him back as he read his cell phone, leaving my room in a hurry. I followed him discretely and saw him look at mom, and kissed her on her forehead saying...

"I love you Star! I absolutely love you!" And he kissed her again, shed a tear, and changed into full force FBI!

(Current)

I held on to my new bear that mom got from the mall earlier as she looked... frightened! She was driving really fast, but would stop quickly if there was a stray cat or a raccoon on the way so she don't run them over. I wanted to ask her what's happening, but I didn't. We just drove in silence to Uncle Vic and Aunt QB's house.

When we got there, I saw Aunt QB on the phone with her niece Kayla, asking if she could watch me and Garfield Jr. I guess this calls for them all to leave! Now I really started to worry. Misfit came to me and started licking my shoes and I looked straight into Jr's eyes. He seemed just as, if not more confused than I did. So I quietly walked over to him and sat next to him on the couch and watched the grown-ups run around like something was on fire.

"What's happening?" I whispered to Jr.

"I don't know... but from the looks of them... it seems to be very scary. I've read a few books about body language, and it looks like something very bad has happened. Uncle Vic said not to worry, but how can I not when he looks so...petrified!

"What does that mean... petrified?" I asked curiously.

"It means frightened, alarmed, horrified, scared... that sort-of thing. He gave me a proud smile. I smiled back at him.

"How do you know such grown-up words? Why didn't you just say scared?"

"I don't know... it's just a better word for being more than just scared. It fits, and from the looks on their face, don't you agree?"

Wow... he looks like uncle BB! It's strange, but he is handsome... just like him! And he's cool too! Just like him! Jr looked away from me to continue to... I suppose... study the grownups.

(Sounds like little Mar'i has herself a crush on Uncle BB~ LOL)

"It's going to be okay. My mom and dad work for the highest police in the world! They can make all the bad things disappear. Watch! You'll see! Look... my mom got me this bear today." I shoved my toy in his face. He looked like he was upset. I tried to take his mind off all the confusion. I've seen this a few times, but I imaging that this is Jr's first.

"Woah!... dude this is cool! Oooooh, the shirt even has your name on it! Sick! Can I see it?" He smiled so brightly in awh of my bear. I smiled back and gave it to him. He immediately started to examine the bear with a smile and wonder on his face. How do I know... it's the same look my mom gets when my dad surprises her with a gift, like a bunch of flowers from America. My mom wasn't born here, so everything my dad shows her or gives her... it's like finding a new shiny treasure.

"You like it?" I asked.

"You bet! It's so awesome!" He laughed and it sounded just like uncle Gar, strange. Where did Jr. come from? I knew of Dylan but not Jr. But I like Jr. He's so great and friendly. I hope he goes to my school! We are going to be best friends!

"It's this place in the shopping mall called Build A Bear Workshop! They can make any bear just the way you like! Maybe one day my mom can take you. Of course I'd go too, but you can get whatever you like!" I smiled at him as he watched me talking, then his face looked... sad.

"I'd like to go with you and your mom... really, but I'd like to go with my mommy and daddy. Can you tell them for me? I know my dad will do it, but I don't know about my mom. I think my mom has some scary secrets that my dad doesn't know about that no one knows about.

I don't know, but back home in South America, my mom was beat up a lot if she didn't do what Uncle Slade and Aunt Rose told her to do. So she started to get... mean. Not to me, but to the grownups. I worry about her, but my dad makes her laugh! He makes her... happy! But, she still cries a lot."

"Why does she cry?" I asked my new friend.

"Because she's... hurt! Maybe going to the mall will make her smile some more. She really has a pretty smile. And she's very nice to me and my dad... but..."

"You don't know your mom very well either?" I put things together. I might be going on eight, but I am smart!

"Not as well as you know your mom. She was sick and sleepy all the time. We didn't go anywhere together like you and your mom. She was always fighting... or... just... not there." He started rubbing on my bear as if he was going to cry. I put my hand on his shoulder to make him not feel alone. What does my mom call it... compass, no... compassion.

"It's okay! She's here now! You can have fun with her now!" I said and he looked at me and smiled again.

"Yeah you're right. I have her now! And I'm going to make sure nobody makes her cry again!" He had a scary look on his face. He turned away from me and started rubbing my bear again, but this time he started to cry, just a little bit, still smiling.

"Hey, I got an idea!" He said suddenly, which made me so nervous that I quickly pulled my hand off his shoulder.

"What?" I asked.

"We can watch the Lion King again? We can eat popcorn too." He started walking away with Misfit hot on his trail.

"Okay... sure!" I just followed him to the movie theater that Uncle Vic and Aunt QB had downstairs. I however made sure that my mom knew where I was going so she could know... just in case. I mean I like Jr... he's cool, but, he makes me nervous. He has so much anger inside of him that it's easy to see. I hope he never gets mad at me!

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(Edited 2021)