HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN

Part 2

By Meloira

Morning came to Bay City early, but not early enough to catch Carl sleeping. As had always been his habit, he was up before the sun. A little time to relax, read or watch the dawn break. Whichever was on the agenda.

When she finally managed to crawl out of bed, Cindy found him sitting at the room’s dining table, halfway through a day old edition of the Herald and surrounded by the remains of breakfast. Unlike her father, Cindy was far from a morning person.

"I can’t believe you. We traveled all night, spent forever dragging around airports, didn’t get to bed until way past the witching hour, and here you are looking so rested. It’s disgusting! Just please don’t tell me you were up before dawn." After finishing her tirade, Cindy tried to flash him her best glare, but failed. It was way too early for feigned hostility.

Carl merely continued to read the paper. "Okay. I won’t tell you." Cindy groaned in exasperation.

"You never stop, you know that? How do you get by with so little sleep?" She plopped into the chair across from him. Carl dropped the paper and grinned at his daughter.

"It’s in the genes."

"Ugh. Why couldn’t I have gotten those? Where’s the coffee? It’d better be at least lukewarm or you’re going to have one rotten morning old man."

"Is Daddy’s girl grumpy without her morning fix? Hmm? I suppose I shall need to start carrying your legally controlled drug of choice around in a syringe."

Cindy didn’t miss the smirk. "Ha. Ha. Where is the coffee?"

Carl shoved the requested item in her direction. He prided himself on knowing when to back down.

"Ooh, good. It’s semi-hot. Doesn’t taste half-bad either. That’s one thing this town has going for it." Cindy poured herself a second cup. "Doesn’t beat that stuff we had in Brazil though. After a week of that, I thought I'd never sleep again."

"Maybe I should have brought some along. We’ll need to be on our toes while we’re here."

Cindy shook her head. "You are way too paranoid. I mean, this is a social visit. It’s not like we’re here on some secret mission. Besides, the last time you were in Bay City you were the good guy." She watched him through narrowed eyes. He’d changed so much since they’d left that it was somewhat hard to see this old side of him surfacing again. Cindy only hoped it wouldn’t last long.

"Be that as it may, I have every reason to worry. Who knows how many enemies I left behind, and to be frank, I’d rather not take chances." Carl knew that it was going to be hard to make her understand.

"Enemies? You were practically a hero when you left. You were the only one who saw through Grant's plans. You saved Vicky’s life and brought that slime to justice. Not to mention that the man nearly killed you in the process. And while we’re at it, let’s not forget the part where the doctors said you might never walk again. You were the one who made the sacrifices for Bay City, and if not for you Grant would still be making people’s lives miserable. God only knows who else he would’ve harmed. It could have been me if I hadn’t listened to you. So if these idiots, and that is a kind word, still hate you, then that’s their problem. We’re here for a christening, not a crime spree. God, I hate this place!"

Carl settled back in his chair and prepared to watch his daughter vent.

"I’m still having trouble grasping why in the world you would want to come back you know. This town is such, is such a…"

"Wasteland?"

"Wasteland. And you came back here to be godparent to some kid you’ll probably never see again."

"Vicky asked."

"Vicky didn’t ask. She never asked. As I recall, Vicky pleaded. Vicky begged. Vicky cajoled. Vicky, she, she…"

"Twisted my arm."

"Twisted your arm. It was either say yes or else. The nerve of that woman calling you up after all this time and asking you come to Bay City. What was she thinking? Bay City is cursed, it’s poison, it’s…"

"The Bermuda Triangle of the mid-West."

"The Bermuda Tri…quit putting words on my mouth Carl! You always do that."

"Sorry."

"Forgiven. Do you see my point? Bay City and the Hutchins family do not mix. At all."

"Point taken Cynthia. It’s just that I was unable to resist Victoria."

"It seems no man can."

"Cynthia," Carl growled in a warning tone, "it apparently means a great deal to Victoria and Jake that I be godparent to their daughter. So, that is why I am here and I will remain here until tomorrow afternoon."

"That’s when we’re gettin’ the hell out of Dodge, right?"

"Right."

"Thank God." Cindy felt better with her frustrations out in the open. "So, anything in the paper?"

"Just the usual. Oh, read the society pages. I think you’ll be interested."

Cindy was surprised. "You never read the society column. Uh oh. My dad’s reading the country club news. I better check your temperature ‘cause I know something’s wrong now." How she loved to tease him.

"Down Nurse Cindy, everything is fine. Forewarned is forearmed."

"Okay then, I’ll give ‘em a go." Cindy grabbed a Danish from the tray on the table between them. Nothing like a little sugar early in the am. "You called home yet?"

"Not yet. I thought I’d wait until she’s had time to wake up."

"Wake up? Ha! She’s probably been up longer than you have and no doubt terrifying the household. Right about now, I bet her auntie and uncle are rethinking any family plans they once had."

Carl stood up from the table. "I miss her. Do you realize this is the first time we’ve been apart since I found her?" Carl’s face broke into a smile. "I can’t wait until the adoption is final."

"Me too." Cindy dusted the crumbs from her pjs and finished the last of her coffee. "So, let’s get this show on the road so we can get back to the little grub." She walked over to her father and hugged him. "What time are we expected?"

"Vicky wants us there early so I can become acquainted with my new goddaughter. So you, hither self to yon bathroom and prepare for the day’s festivities. It always takes you forever. I need some air so I’m going out for a short walk."

"Hey, I do not take forever!" Giving her backside a playful slap, Carl nudged her toward said facilities. "Goddaughter. That sounds so Mafia."

"Godfather doesn’t sound much better. ‘If you let me change your nappy, I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.’"

Cindy was torn between laughter and stupefication. She chose to let her jaw drop.

"What? Is my Brando a little rusty? Close your mouth darling."

Unable to resist a parting shot, Cindy turned in the bedroom doorway. "And you were a criminal mastermind?"

"You better believe it my heart."

"Oh, I’m trying." She closed the door just as a well-aimed pillow landed in the spot where she had just been standing.