Restrained Recovery
Part Two
by owelpost (drakkar@rogers.com) and windrider (chelm@netwalk.com)

– x –

By the time Letitia had deposited her in the taxi, Lara was feeling momentarily clear-headed. She slumped in the seat, leaning her head back and gazing at the ceiling. In her hand she clutched the papers, now somewhat damp and crumpled.

You okay, maam? the cabby asked.

Lara started at his voice. It was a rich, gravelly yet kind voice. He was an older gentleman with salt and peppery hair and steel gray eyes. His face was somewhat wrinkled, but it made him look wise. Trustworthy. Lara liked him immediately.

She smiled at his rearview reflection. Yes, thank you.

I see so many people in so many different states of disrepair that I often wonder if anyone is happy anymore, he said, sadly shaking his head. I know its so Hollywood to unload your problems on a cab driver, but Ive discovered that most people find it helpful to confess to a complete stranger. If you need to talk, please feel free to do so.

From anyone else, the invitation would have made Lara bristle and clam up, but this man exuded sincerity. I appreciate the offer, she said. He seemed to understand immediately that she would not be discussing what was bothering her and he shared a sage smile with her. She watched him for a moment, memorizing his kindness, his honesty.

They drove in comfortable silence, allowing Lara the time to think about what the ***** she was going to do, what she could do about Susan. Shed tried walking away, moving to a new part of town, changing friends, jobs, getting a new life. Susan had found her anyway. What a surprise. She had such instincts, that woman.

Susan. Unbidden, her face came. That face. Those eyes. An indescribable shade of blue, with dark indigo rims. Eyes deep enough to fall into. And Lara had. Susan had found her at a time when she was full of need, and filled her up. Thats all it had taken.

But I dont have that need any more, Lara reminded herself. Thats what had given Susan her power. And Lara had taken it back. Shed walked out, left that need behind. In deep breaths, she settled her thoughts and memories, and found that by the time they had reached her street, she had managed to collect her thoughts enough to realize what she needed to do. What she would not do. She would not beg. Never again.

The cab driver said something, and Lara realized at least one of them had been carrying on a conversation she hadnt been present for. She laughed nervously. Im sorry– She hadnt even asked his name.

He took his cue from her face. My names Sampson, but most folks just call me Gramps.

Lara couldnt help it; she laughed. Pleased to meet you, Gramps. Im Lara. Would it be possible for me to hire you out for the evening?

He glanced at her in his mirror. She was smiling, but her expression carried an underlying determination and for a moment, he feared for her. Youre my last fare for tonight, Lara.

Okay, no problem. Ill find another taxi, she said, hiding her disappointment extremely well. If he hadnt been as seasoned a people watcher as he was, Sampson mightve missed the fleeting look.

Now hang on a minute, there. Where exactly do you need to go? he asked, rubbing his chin with a knuckle. He pulled up in front of the address that the woman who had deposited this strange girl into his cab had given him. He parked, stopped the meter and turned in his seat.

Laras face darkened briefly and she shivered. Ive got to go somewhere I never, ever wanted to go again, she whispered. He waited expectantly as she thought for a moment, and then she finally managed, Pettrucios.

Gramps caught himself inhaling deeply. Hed heard of the place. Scary things happened there to people like her. Lara, I know its not my business, but is there any way you can do whatever it is you need to do without going anywhere near that place?

I wish there were, she whispered.

All right. If youre sure you want to do this, you have yourself a wheelman.

Lara couldnt deny the relief she felt. Thank you, Gramps, she breathed, I just need to run upstairs for a little while.

Ill be here, Lara, he said, settling back in his seat. When she had exited the car, Gramps muttered, God help you.

– x –

Radar Night at The Planet. Shane was slumped in the corner of their booth, watching warily from beneath her dark hair, worrying a stir stick from side to side with her gorgeous tongue, and drumming her fingers on the table.

Alice watched her over the monitor of her laptop. God! Look at that. No wonder they go wild for her, Alice thought, watching her manipulate the stir stick, then caught herself. I dont BELIEVE She made a disgusted noise, leaned forward, reached across the table, and snatched the stir stick out of Shanes mouth. Youre going to get splinters in your tongue youre driving me crazy. What? Cmon, give!

Shane sat up and gave her a blank look. What?

Youve been fidgeting and fretting for the last hour. What is WRONG with you?

Shane grabbed the stir stick from Alice, tucked it back into the corner of her mouth, looked far away, looked down. It involved an embarrassing confession, to begin with. I think we may have a new problem, Al.

Huh? Alice blinked.

Your chart.

What about it? Alice gave her a quizzical look. Wait! Youve been checking yourself out havent you?

Shane rolled her eyes, looked away.

You have! Shane, the hub, gets curious!

Yeah, well, OK. I just wanted to see if I was still Lenored, all right?

Alice shot her a look that said, Dont even go there. We are NOT discussing my mother. And?

Remember when you searched the chart for Lara and she didnt turn up anywhere?

Yeah?

Shes there now.

Well, Alice made a disgusted noise, I should HOPE so. She and Dana have been inseparable for like two months.

Shane just stared at her in that infuriating, non-informative way of hers. Lets see what weve got. She hit a few keys, and waited for the machine to bring up the page. She looked over the top of the computer at Shane, who had started on a new stir stick. When the laptop beeped, she leaned forward, looked at the screen, pulled back with a puzzled expression on her face. Now THATs odd. She is here with Dana but what the ***** is that? She turned the laptop around, pointing at a bright red line from someone named Susan Birch inching across the screen toward Laras name. Is that what you saw?

Yeah.

When?

This afternoon.

Who is it? Ive never heard of her. Have you?

Shane shrugged. That could mean anything from nope to Id really rather not say at this time. It was clear no more information was forthcoming at the moment.

O-K, then, Alice hit a few more keys, lets see what the database shows us. She waited while the machine scrolled lines and lines of input. What? She snorted. Like *****! She hit a few more keys, waited again while the machine retrieved her answer. Thats impossible!

What?

Susan Birch doesnt exist. Shes not in the database, which means she cant possibly even show up on the chart. Shes not registered, theres no log-in, no IP address for anyone posting her to the chart. No nothing. Its like shes a ghost.

Shane gave her a worried look, as if it somehow made perfect sense to her. Then she sat up. Uh-oh.

What? Alice turned her head and saw Dana approaching. Oh *****! She closed the laptop. Do you think she knows?

Dana walked over, in less than a direct line, with a shot and a mixed drink, one in each hand; they clearly were not her first drinks of the night. She sat down heavily and sighed the deepest sigh Alice had ever heard.

Hi.

Dana waggled a hand at her.

OK, Dana, we can play 20 questions, or you can spill it right here, right now! How much torment can you take?

Its Lara.

Did you guys have a fight? Shane asked.

No! Nothing like that. At least, I dont think we did. Danas brow furrowed in a way that meant she was trying to sort through something. No. Im pretty sure we didnt fight. She tossed down the shot, chased it with her mixed drink and waved to Marina for another. You guys?

No, Im good, thanks, Alice answered.

Me too, Shane added.

Alice crossed her arms and looked at Dana. Were waiting, she said quietly, trying not to clench her jaw.

She wouldnt kiss me. In the changing room, I mean. Now when have you ever known Lara not to? She slumped.

What did she say, Dana? Shane leaned forward over the table.

Wellalmost nothing, actually. She just pulled away. Told me she was having a bad day andshed call me later.

Thats it? Alice arched her eyebrows. Thats it? And youre projecting the end of the world over that? Jeezus, Dana, get some perspective. Maybe shes on her period or

No shes not, Dana said emphatically, then realizing what her answer had told them, blushed, ducked her head.

Dana, anybody can have a bad day. Even you, of all people.

I know, Dana snapped, but

Well, did she say anything else? Do anything else?

No, this girl just walked up and asked if she was ready to go, and they left.

Alice sat up straight. Wait a minute. What girl?

I dont know. Some girl, thats all.

Was she hot?

Alice! Shane shot her a withering glare.

W–! I dont know! I dont think so!

What did she look like?

I wasnt paying attention, Alice. Danas voice was rising. I was trying to figure out what was wrong with Lara. Anyway, she took a long pull on her drink, I think Ive seen her around the club before. Her name is LeLeti Oh, I dont know, some L word.

Shane visibly relaxed. Dana, hon, you need to call your woman and talk about this.

Shane, I dont think I need relationship advice from you. Dana snapped.

Dana! Alice was genuinely shocked by the bitterness in Danas voice. Even as good as Shane was at masking her feelings, she had flinched.

Sorry. Her face didnt reflect it.

No, Shane waved her hand, shes right. But I do know how NOT to do a relationship, Dana. And not talking is the best way not to have a relationship.

Dana looked sheepish, stood up, walked around the table and wrapped Shane up in her arms, kissed the top of her shaggy head. Youre right, Shane. Im really sorry, OK.

Shane patted her hand. Sok. Her eyes almost concealed all the hurt and worry she felt at the moment.

Go talk to her. Yeah. Thats what I need to do. Right now.

Uh, Dana, you need some coffee first, Alice mother-henned her. Or Ill give you a ride. Take your pick.

Dana gave her a look like shed been offered overcooked brussel sprouts. Ill take a cab, Alice, but thanks for the offer.

Alice and Shane watched her walk away on wobbly legs. Oh boy! Alice breathed. What do you think? she asked Shane.

I dunno. Could be nothin at all, could be exactly what Lara was saying a bad day and maybe some friend from the club gave her a ride home. Nothing more than that.

Well, at least we know it wasnt this SusanBirch. Whoever the ***** that is.

Yeah, the ghost in the machine. Shane had a worried look on her face that was making Alice very uneasy.

Shane, I dont like to pry–well, actually, yes I do–but I can respect that there are some things, some people you dont talk about. And thats ok, really, though Id really like to know but–this is Dana. Shes our friend, yknow? And through everything else, weve stuck together, been there for each other. I think, if you know something, you

Shane closed her eyes as if what she knew, or thought she knew, was too awful to contemplate. You may not want to know, Alice.

Alice laughed. It cant be that bad.

It could, Alice. It really could. Listen, I gotta go. See ya.

Alice watched Shane walk away, muscles bunched. This probably is not a good thing, she whispered to herself

– x –

End Part 2