Part 1: Memories and Promises
Part 1 summary: Miss Parker is invited to a wedding. Jarod sends her a present. And Mr. Lyle moves up in the world.
Monday
Miss Parker’s residence
Blue Cove, DelawareMiss Parker was surprised by the square creme colored envelope. Usually her mail constituted of bills and junk - and the occasional nasty surprise from Jarod. This time it contained what could only be a wedding invitation.
“Damn!” her faint voice echoed in the empty home.
She hated weddings. All that crying, hugging, wishing well. All that family! Family, the only thing she did not have. The Parker family had recently been expanded, but the love had only diminished. Weddings were for other people, not for her. She herself could never get married, after all she couldn't produce a family...
“But who could be getting married?” She wondered. Surely no one at the Centre would dream of inviting her to a personal function.
Annoyed, she opened the envelope with one swift motion. Her effort tore it in half and made it more difficult to take the invitation out. After a couple of exasperated attempts, she got it out, only to have its contents spill to the floor. Her bad mood only worsened.
She leaned down to pick it all up when she noticed the name. “Mr. and Mrs. Devon invite you to the marriage of their daughter Helen Devon...” It read.
Helen. Her prep school friend. Her only friend at the Sacred Heart School for Girls. Helen was getting married. Miss Parker’s mood suddenly lightened. As she grabbed the invitation and sat down in her couch, her mind played tricks on her. She could see two girls covered in mud, laughing and hugging by a lake...
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Parker remembered when she first met Helen as if it was yesterday.
After her mother had died (had been murdered, she painfully corrected herself), Daddy had been sent to a Catholic boarding school in Massachusetts. The Centre Director had no time for a young girl who needed discipline and a stern hand. The Sacred Heart School for Girls was the perfect solution. Far away, strict, discrete, and in need of a healthy financial contribution.
Young Miss Parker cried every night she was there until she met Helen. All the other girls would taunt her and she made lots of enemies. At first, Parker would occasionally attract her school friends if they persisted in their cruel commentaries about her dead mother and missing father. After a while, she stopped caring. She built walls around her heart; she masked her emotions; she became the Miss Parker of today.
The school administration knew her well. They had a chair reserved for her in the main office. But regardless of how many times she was sent there, Daddy never came. He never called. The administrators gave her empty lectures and reminded her that next time she could be expelled. But they knew that those contributions from Blue Cove, Delaware, were more important than an insolent, lonely child.
She hated all the girls there. They would show off their presents, their family albums, their visiting parents. She had nothing to show. She was a ghost in the halls of the school.
When the summer came, she had to stay there. Daddy thought it was best if she got a head start for the next academic year.
As she recalled that summer, a tear ran down her cheek. She was so alone. Now and then.
Yet, suddenly that summer, Miss Parker made a friend.
Helen arrived one June morning. All scared and teary. Miss Parker saw the Devons say good-bye to their daughter outside the main school building. Mrs. Devon hugged her daughter tightly and said, “I love you.” Those three words tore Miss Parker’s heart. They reminded her of her own mother. Instantly she felt jealous of Helen. Here was another enemy to be made.
As luck would have it, Helen was assigned to the room next to hers. Miss Parker avoided her as much as she could. Especially since Helen was intent in being everyone’s friend.
Helen, however, was not to be discouraged. She was a small blonde girl with a contagious smile. All the other school girls loved her. Eventually she was able to wear Miss Parker’s apprehension down. It happened one rainy Saturday afternoon in August.
Since most of the girls were from the surrounding areas, many spent those summer weekends visiting their relatives. Miss Parker was among the exception. Every weekend, she was one of the lone pupils that roomed the school looking for something to do.
Helen usually went home too; but having noticed that Miss Parker never seemed to go anywhere, she decided to stay to get to know her.
That fateful morning, Miss Parker was woken up by a loud banging on her door at 6 am. She got out of bed and answered the door. Helen was there dressed in sporty clothes and with a big smile.
“What do you want, Devon? Do you know what time it is?” Miss Parker asked still sleepy.
“I want to know if you want to come with me to the lake, Parker.” Helen said as if they were old friends.
“Why would I want to do that?”
“Because there is nothing else to do! Come on, it will be fun. You’ll see.” Helen urged tugging on Miss Parker’s arm and pushing her into the room. “Change into something comfortable, we don’t have much time before Sister Mary wakes up. Think of it as an adventure.”
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A loud ring woke Miss Parker from her memory. She picked up her cell phone, “What!” she screamed into the receiver.
“Ah...uhm... Miss Parker? We are expecting you and...” Broots apologetic greeting reminded her of her responsibilities at the Centre. She glanced at the clock and noticed she was running late.
“Spit it out, Broots.” She said reflexively. She knew it wasn’t his fault, but she couldn’t bring herself to be nice.
“Uh... there’s a package here for you... I think that it’s from Jarod,” Broots said nervously.
“I’m on my way.” She said and hung up. She got up put on her coat and stuffed the invitation into her pocket. She would look at it later.
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The Centre
Blue Cove, DelawareShe arrived at the Centre soon after and headed for her office. The package was on her desk. It was a large square box wrapped in coarse wrapping paper.
“This better not ruin my mails,” she said out loud as she opened the package.
Inside was a smaller box made of velvet. As she began tugging on its edges, Sydney walked in.
“What does Frankenboy have in store for us today, Syd,” she said icily.
“I don’t know, Miss Parker,” Sydney answered cheerfully.
“What is going on with you? Did Mr. Raines die over the weekend?”
“No, nothing so drastic. I had a nice chat with Nicholas yesterday, that’s all.” Nicholas was Sydney’s son, with whom he had started spending time with recently.
“Well, good for you,” she said sarcastically, her envy showing through.
“Now, Miss Parker, you know that you....”
Before Sydney could finish, Broots stormed in yelling, “Miss Parker, Sydney, you better come see this quick!”
“What?” Miss Parker asked.
“Broots, come down. What is going on?” Sydney asked.
But Broots just moved his arms wildly, “Come quick!” and stormed out.
A baffled Sydney and Miss Parker followed him out the office, Jarod’s package left behind.
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Jarod’s lair
Seattle, WashingtonJarod sat by his computer as he attempted to break into the Centre’s European financial office. Surrounding him were a collection of 50 or so Pez dispensers; the Star War characters (his favorite was Yoda for it reminded him of Nia), many cartoon characters, the muppets, etc. As his computer signaled the password was sent, he murmured slowly, “Use the force young Jedi.”
He wondered if Miss Parker had received his latest package. He knew it would not be traced to his latest lair, but instead would send Miss Parker to Florida. He needed to ensure she was detained away from the Centre while he finished his latest project. The computer beeped; he was in.
He opened the Centre’s recent financial records and downloaded information about transactions between five different offices, all authorized by the same person. The person’s identity was only marked by the authorization code of 21858437. Yet Jarod knew exactly who it was. It was the same person that had helped Damon steal Jarod's past sims.
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The Centre
Blue Cove, Delaware“This better be good, Broots,” Miss Parker murmured. Then she saw it. An office in Renewal Wing was being remodeled. New state of the art equipment was being brought in as well as a large oak desk. A very nice and expensive desk.
She walked in and noticed that the office was almost a large as her father's.
"So, who's moving in?" She asked Broots.
"Your brother. He has been named Assistant Director by the Triumvirate. And he brought Brigitte back from exile!" Broots said nervously, maybe he shouldn't have said "brother" he thought.
"What?" Miss Parker was besides herself. How dare he! The Centre chain of command was strict about promotions. No one ever made Assistant Director before 40! Let alone Bobby or whatever his name was.
"When did this happen, Broots?" Sydney asked.
"Yesterday. I just found out this morning, when the equipment was being brought in. They are all gathering in Mr. Parker's office, for an impromptu celebration. And there's more," Broots told Sydney.
"What more?" Miss Parker asked horrified.
"You have been removed as chief of the search for Jarod. We have been assigned to Mr. Lyle's office. He's in charge," he said as faintly as possible, bracing himself for the worst.
"No!" Miss Parker quickly turned around and headed for her father's office. He couldn't do that to her. He couldn't. He had promised she could leave the Centre once Jarod was caught by her. By her, by only her. He promised. And now?
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Mr. Parker's office
The Centre
Blue Cove, Delaware.The door was opened and a crowd had gathered.
Miss Parker suddenly became apprehensive. If only she had a cigarette. These days the cravings were not as strong, but still there. Ever since she quit, she did feel better, but she did not know if she could stop herself from smoking again.
“Angel, I am so glad you are here,” Mr. Parker said as he approached his daughter, “Come congratulate your brother on his promotion and on his new bride.”
At the sounds of those words, Miss Parker turned around quickly to scan the room. Her face winced in horror when she saw Lyle and a young, pretty Asian girl. Just like that other poor girl. She felt her father nudged her in the direction of the “happy couple.”
With all the restrained civility she could muster, Miss Parker said “Congratulations” to Lyle and the girl. She was introduced as May Li.
Lyle just snickered, but the girl smiled. “Poor girl,” thought Miss Parker, “She doesn’t know what she is getting into.”
"Welcome to the family, May Li." She managed to say.
"Thank you... sister. Can I call you sister?" May Li said in her accented English. Her eyes shone with intelligence. She did not appear to be your ordinary mail bride. Yet, it was unlikely Lyle would marry anyone else. He was not the type to like women with brains. Here was a mystery. Who was she? Why did she marry Lyle?
"Yes, you may call me sister," Parker told her. Somehow it was okay if May Li called her sister, but certainly it was not okay for Lyle.
May Li smiled more broadly and Miss Parker was once again reminded of Helen's smile. She found herself softening momentarily. She liked May Li; if only circumstances were different maybe they could even be friends. Well, as close to friendship as Miss Parker would allow herself to be.
"Tell her the good news, son," Mr. Parker said. The word "son" came out with a paternal pride that ripped Miss Parker's heart. She not only had lost her mother as a child, now her "brother" had taken her father as well. The momentary tenderness she had experienced with May Li banished.
"More good news?" Miss Parker said arching her eyebrows, mentally bracing herself.
"I'm going to be a grandfather, Angel," Mr. Parker said.
At that moment, Miss Parker felt a sharp pain between her breasts. It was as if her heart was breaking. She moved to the side with a faint, "Congratulations. Excuse me." Only Sydney noticed her state. Mr. Parker went back to his conversation with Centre personnel about the new addition to the Parker family.
Parker knew her pain was far from just emotional. Something was burning her insides. "I'm too young to have a heart attack," she thought. She leaned into her father's desk, her nails biting into the wood as her fingertips turned white. Her feet were shaking as the pain washed over her, only to come back in pulses. She let out a gasp.
"Miss Parker, are you all right," Sydney's concerned voice called attention to her. She felt his reassuring touch on her shoulder.
"I'm...," Before she could respond, another jolt of pain shook her body. Sydney reached out and leaned her into his body to help her stand.
"Let's take Miss Parker to infirmary, Broots," he said.
They quietly exited Mr. Parker's office. No one noticed.
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The Centre Infirmary
Blue Cove, Delaware"Miss Parker, you have a severe case of acid reflux," the Centre doctor told her.
"What?" She asked still feeling the intense pain in her chest. It was if she was being stabbed. Well, it sure felt as if she had in her father's office. He and "son" could go to hell for all she cared.
"Miss Parker? Miss Parker? Are you paying attention?" said the annoyed physician. "You have acid reflux. For the medically *challenged* that means that you have the beginnings of an ulcer in your esophagus. The pain you experience is the result of gastric acid burning your esophagus. There is this valve..."
"Skip the lecture, doctor. So, what you are saying is that I have a bad case of heartburn?" she abruptly interrupted his snug medical babble. She could swear that Broots and Sydney were laughing from the waiting area. Heartburn; how appropriate. "But Sydney, she does not have a heart," she could imagine Broots saying.
"Miss Parker, may I call you by your..." the icy glance she through him made him change gears instantly, "Never mind, as I was telling you before you so rudely... Uhm, your condition is serious. If left untreated, you might require surgery. A potential hole in your esophagus might produce internal bleeding, which could kill you. As with your ulcer, I suggest that you take steps to change your life. Stress is probably a factor, you need to..."
She took a deep breath. As if she needed any more dangers that could kill her. The doctor was murmuring something about "quality of life."
"Look, I stopped smoking, okay? What more do you want from me?" She exploded. That last question was not really directed to the doctor.
"Okay. I wash my hands from this. Excuse me, Dr. Greene," the doctor said as he swiftly walked to the waiting area, "She's all yours. Here is some medication that might help her. I leave her care in your hands. Good luck." He quickly disappeared to his office down the hall.
"Miss Parker," Sydney began in his paternal tone as he entered the infirmary.
"Spare it, Syd. We should get back to work."
"I don't think so, Parker. You need to rest. Don't look at me like that. Take the day off, if not for you, then for us."
Miss Parker gave him a nasty look before grabbing her coat and exiting the infirmary. Halfway down the hall, she realized she forgot the medication. She came back in time to hear Broots saying, "She sure is not taking this well."
"That is none of your business, Broots. Why don't you go back to where you belong?" She lashed out like a hurt animal and grabbed the medication from Sydney. Then she turned around and left. Her heels could be heard clicking down the tile floor.
She didn't stop until she reached her car. Once inside, she allowed the tears to flow. "Damn, damn," she muttered. Now she had lost Daddy. No, she had lost him the day he found out he had a son. She just didn't realize it until now. She cleaned the tears from her face with a resolution. No one was to see her cry.
She turned the ignition and headed home. Every detail of the day etched in her mind, except the unopened velvet box.
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Miss Parker's Office
The Centre
Blue Cove, DelawareThe velvet box was not forgotten by someone. Angelo had witnessed Sydney and Broots taking Miss Parker to the infirmary. He was concerned. "Daughter sick" he muttered as he watched her leave the Centre.
Using the tunnels he knew so well, he headed back to her office to ascertain what had made her so sad. There he came across the box. It was from Jarod! "Jarod friend" he knew. He also knew that the contents were not safe there. He pocketed the box inside his clothes and headed back to his room.
"Message safe now. Angelo make daughter happy" he muttered.
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Miss Parker's residence
Blue Cove, DelawareMiss Parker entered her home and collapsed in her couch. Her hands hiding her face. Silent tears wet her beautiful tailored skirt. As she tried to dry her eyes with her coat, the invitation from Helen slipped out. She had almost forgotten about it.
She picked it up and noticed the wedding was scheduled for this weekend. Odd, usually one had more notice. That's when the piece of paper fell out. It was a handwritten note in Parker's childish handwriting.
"I, Marisa Parker, promise a favor to Helen Devon. Whatever it might be. Whenever it may be."
A smile crept on her face. After all these years, she still had it. She turned the paper around to reveal a few words written with an elegant handwriting. From Helen, no doubt.
"Marisa, you promised! Please come to my wedding, it would mean to world to me if you were my Maid of Honor. I would have asked you sooner, but I knew you would have said no. But a promise is a promise. See you there."
Oh, great! She probably have to wear a ridiculous flower dress. But she couldn't say no. Not to Helen. She had been her friend. She had promised.
Promises.
With a sigh, she got up and opened the liquor cabinet taking out a shot glass and a bottle of scotch. She needed a drink. And a cigarette. She reached into a small drawer by the side table next to the coach, taking out her silver cigarette case and her lighter.
"Buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride," she said to none in particular as she poured herself a shot. While she swallowed the scotch, she felt an excruciating pain in her chest. Wincing, she chugged the contents. Tears welled up in her eyes again.
Her fingers played with the note. She shouldn't have promised.
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end of part 1
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sneak preview of part 2: Miss Parker is sick and in need of comfort. Jarod obtains more information about the Centre's doings.