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			  RIVER DEEP, MOUNTAIN HIGH

 		         by Jeanette Larsson (c) 1998

				  CHAPTER ONE

-Oh, where is he? Sydney complained impatient. She was sitting at Swans' 
with Garrett, Callie, Jimmy, Sandy, Saja, Glory, J.T, Mila and Owen. They 
were all waiting for Neil to show up.
-I wonder why Neil has called us all here, Sandy said thoughtful. 
-Who knows why Neil does things, Garrett said tired. I'll be surprised if 
that tech-weenie knows it himself.
-Hey, stop insulting him! J.T said annoyed. 
-And what are you going to do about it, Rocket Boy? Hit me? Come on. He 
stood up, and so did J.T. 
-Hey, you guys..., Glory tried to calm them. Suddenly Neil stormed in. 
-Oh, great, the tech-weenie's here, Garrett said sarcastic and sat down. 
-So, you wanna here this or not?
-Sure, Neil. Talk away, Glory said friendly. 
-Spill it, Garrett said, sounding bored.
-Well, my dad was really happy about his facial cream we made, he's made 
millions.
-That's great, Neil, Sydney said, but what has that got to do with all of 
us?
-You didn't let me finish, since it became such a success, he's lending us 
the yacht for the week-end. We can go wherever we want.
-Oh, can we go to Hawaii? Sandy exclaimed.
-No, Australia! Owen said, to see the opera-house in Sydney.
-Real funny, you guys, it's not a jet, it's a yacht. What about the 
Bahamas? Sydney suggested.
-Yeah, that sounds good, everyone agreed.
-Then it's settled, Neil said. We'll leave tomorrow. I'll go tell my dad.
-Oh, I have to get home and pack, Sydney said and stood up. 
-Yes, we should all get home and pack, Glory said. Everyone got up and 
left, except for Callie and Jimmy who remained in their seats.
-Aren't you going home to pack, Walker Woman? Jimmy asked.
-No, I don't think I'm going...
-Why not?
-I don't think my dad would approve.
-Of course he would. What's the matter, Walker Woman? You're not scared of 
the water, are you? I mean, you do live on a sub. 
-No, it's just that it's so lonely out on the water, anything could happen, 
you know.
-Don't worry, I'll keep you company.
-I'm sure you will. But I still don't know...
-Come on, Walker Woman. It wouldn't be any fun without you.
-Alright, I'll go with you. But who's going to take care of the Tool n' 
Die if we're both away? 
-Leave that to me, you just go home and pack.

-Hello, Fats? Jimmy called his old boss on his cell-phone. Fats was 
somewhere in America, but Jimmy had no idea where. 
-Yo, Jimmy! How's it hangin'? Fats responded.
-The connection's really bad, I can hardly hear what you're saying.
-Wait a minute, I'll turn off the engine. There, so, what's up?
-Me and Callie was kind of thinking 'bout taking a vacation, and I can't 
find anyone to take care of the shop while we're away.
-Don't worry, I'll get to it. When are you leaving?
-Tomorrow morning.
-Whoa, that's what I call short notice. But I'll give it a shot. Just leave 
the key under the doorstep as usual when you go home tonight.
-Sure thing. Thanks, Fats.
-See ya. Fats hung up the phone, thought for a while and then picked up 
his cell-phone and dialed another number. A male voice answered on the 
other line.
-Hey, Barek. You need a job?

Next morning...

-Would you hurry it up a little you guys? Callie teased Sydney and Mila 
once she had reached the yacht. Sydney and Mila was far behind, carrying 
their bags behind them. 
-Oh, I should have brought Ralph along, Sydney moaned.
-You really think he would have fit in that bag? Garrett said taunting her 
as he helped her aboard. 
-Very funny, she replied coolly.
-What have you packed, anyway? Jimmy wondered.
-Only the most necessary items, she said calm.
-Like what? Garrett said curious.
-Clothes, shoes, perfume, make-up, bathing-suits, suntan lotion, sun-
glasses, and some other things.
-You sure you haven't packed down your room? This bag weighs tons! Garrett 
complained.
-It's not my fault you have no muscles!
-No muscles, huh? I'll show you muscles! Garrett picked her up and carried 
her on board. How's that?
-Are you done? Jimmy sighed. We should get going.
-Hello everybody! An annoying voice called out. Sandy, who was already on 
deck, turned even though she knew whose voice that was. Nancy's.
-Sydney-O! I must say I'm surprised at you, forgetting to tell your best 
friend about this trip. But I guess that's understandable considering all 
that's been going on with your mother and Garrett, and...
-Can I speak to you in private, Nancy dear? Sydney said with a phony smile 
on her lips.
-Why, of course, Sydney-O. 
Sydney left the yacht and accompanied Nancy on the docks. She grabbed her 
around the wrist and pulled her away from the yacht.
-I don't know what you're talking about, but could you please stop with it.
-Are you sure you don't know? I can't believe you've forgotten about that 
incident at the hospital with you and Sandy. 
Terror ran through Sydney's veins. What did Nancy know?
-I still have no idea what you're talking about. Sydney attempted to 
leave, but this time Nancy grabbed Sydney by the wrist. 
-You don't think I know that you were switched at birth with Sandy?
-Where did you hear that? Sydney said terrified, then continued. I mean, 
how could you think something like that, you know it was just Garrett's 
idea of a joke? That's so pathetic, Nancy.
-Well, in that case, you won't mind if I tell Sandy about it, do you?
-Why? When it's not true, what's the use?
-I guess you're right. Why would I want to even speak to Sandy, when I 
have you as my best friend, Sydney-O?
-This is starting to sound like black-mail.
-Why, how could you think such a thing of me? It's just that if you're not 
my friend, I would need to talk to someone else. And since that probably 
would be Sandy, what on earth would we have to talk about but you?
-This is definitely black-mail. Fine, you can come along on the stupid 
cruise.
-Oh, thank you for asking. 
-Just don't get your hopes up.

-Nancy is joining us, Sydney declared to the others.
-What? Sandy said.
-You don't mind, do you Neil? Sydney asked.
-Of course not, the more the merrier, he said ironic.
-Well, then I'm not going, Sandy said.
-No, Sandy, you have to come with us, Mila said.
-Yes, the stars will not shine as bright if you do not accompany us on this 
journey, for you will not be here to light up the sky, Saja said and then 
paused. Or, I'll miss you.
-I'm sorry, Bobby. But I can't stay when she's going with us, Sandy looked 
at Nancy's direction.
-Don't be silly, Sydney said and came up to her. She will not bother you, 
I promise.
-I guess...
-Good, then it's settled.

Garrett, Sydney, Callie, Jimmy, Mila, Sandy, Saja, Glory, J.T, Neil and 
Sandy were just about to leave, when they saw someone running towards the 
yacht. Mila called out to Neil, who was the first mate, to hold the yacht. 
It was Billy Gunn who was coming.
-Billy, I didn't think you could make it, Mila exclaimed surprised, yet 
happily.
-Well, my gig was cancelled, so I thought I might join you, love, he said 
with his Australian accent.
-Who invited him? Garrett said to Sydney through his teeth. Sydney didn't 
answer, she was too busy seeing her life pass before her eyes. This trip 
wasn't going to be good.

They left the docks with Neil at the helm.
-Sydney, Garrett whispered in her ear and pulled her aside, away from the 
others.
What's this with Nancy? I thought you didn't want anything to do with her?
-I don't, but... It's nothing. She found out about the trip, what was I 
going to do? Throw her in the water? I couldn't just ignore her, that would 
be cruel.
-Cruel? Excuse me, but I thought I was talking to Sydney Rutledge here? 
Last time I checked, you were still the expert on cruelty, don't lie to 
me, Sydney. What does she have on you?
-You've always got me figured, haven't you?
-Let's just face it. I know you too well.
-Finally, something that mother would agree with...
-Come on, all that's over now. She's accepted me now, hasn't she?
-Well, yes, but I still get this feeling...
-Hey, let's not worry about what she thinks anymore, she'll come around. 
Just give her some time.
-I hope you're right...
-You know I always am... Well, we're getting off the subject here. I asked 
you what Nancy has over your head.
-It's that birth certificate.
-You mean the one that...
-Yes.
-How did she find out about that?
-I guess she have ears.
-I'm gonna kill her!
-Come on, Garrett. You couldn't even if you wanted to. Didn't you say 
after Mila's slumber party, that you were going to kill me?
-So?
-I'm still here, aren't I?
-Point well taken. But I'm not gonna let her hurt you.
-I'm afraid there's not much you can do about it.
They looked over at Nancy, who was leaning against the rail, with a phony 
smile on her face.

-See, this isn't so bad, now is it? Jimmy said smiling to Callie.
She smiled back at him. Nancy watched them from the rail, jealously 
grunting when Callie leaned closer to Jimmy. 'Sisters forever' she quoted, 
what a joke. Jimmy will soon realize that Callie is completely wrong for 
him, and when he does, I'll be there to pick up the pieces, she smiled to
herself.

-Billy? Hello? Mila desperately tried to get his attention. He looked like 
he was somewhere far away. Mila turned her head to see what it was that he 
couldn't take his eyes off. In the direction Billy was looking, stood 
Sydney and Garrett talking. A chill ran through Mila's spine, but she shook 
it off and again tried talking to Billy. This time he reacted.
-What?
-What is it that is so interesting?
-Um, nothin', love. I was just so astounded by your beauty so I couldn't 
collect my thoughts.
-Yeah, right, Mila sighed.
-Right, he said, once again absentminded, could you excuse me for a minute, 
Mila?
-Sure...
She watched as he headed for Sydney, now standing alone.
-What's the matter, Countessa? Nancy's annoying voice traveled through 
the air. Have you been stood up?
-Don't be ridiculous, Billy just had some business to straighten up.
-With Sydney Rutledge? Nancy looked challenging at Mila, Mila's eyes turned 
black.  But I wouldn't worry about it, though. I have a feeling that Miss 
Rutledge will soon be joining us down here on earth.
-Nancy, I have no idea what you're talking about, but I think it's time 
you get off your high horse, and start to realize that with that attitude, 
you won't be making any new friends...
Mila walked away and joined Garrett at the helm.

-'Ello love, Billy said to Sydney, she turned around.
-Would you please stop calling me that!
-Then what am I supposed to call you?
-Nothing. I don't want to have anything to do with you. Go keep Mila 
company.
Billy looked over his shoulder. 
-She doesn't look like she's in the need for company, he said and looked 
up at the helm, where Mila was laughing at something Garrett said. Sydney's 
eyes darkened as she watched them.
She shoved Billy out of the way and headed up the stairs.

-Where are we? Sydney asked.
-According to this map we should be around here. Garrett pointed at the 
area around the Bermuda Islands.
-We're near the Bermudas? You have to turn, head for Florida!
-What? Why would I do that?
-Because right now we're probably entering the Bermuda-triangle.
-That's ridiculous.
-Maybe you should turn... Mila said slowly.
-Alright, alright. He looked at the control board and suddenly became very 
quiet.
-What? Sydney asked. What's the matter?
-The compass... the needle is spinning around...


                               To be continued...

***If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc., email Jeanette 
at jan.larsson@d.lrf.se