Ren - Gen 5 Ch 3

"Thanks for watching Colt for us."

Things were slowing improving between Maureen and me, and tonight I had a special surprise planned for her.

First we stopped at the White Rose, then I led her across the street to the theatre. She was thrilled when she saw who was playing in concert, and was even more excited when I showed her our backstage passes. In no time at all she had thoroughly impressed everyone with her musical knowledge, and was offered a job on the spot.

She beamed at me as we headed for home.

"Thank you Ren. I love you so much."

I sighed contentedly and held her close. "Love you too, sweetheart."

"Sigh..."

Another night home alone with Colt while Maureen is at the theatre. Not that I begrudge her this time away - she's been so happy since she started her new job. Tonight I wandered aimlessly around the house.

Bored, I pulled a random book from the shelf. Grandpa Gustave's 'Abandoned Nectary' - I haven't looked at this in years. And what's this? A slip of parchment with an odd diagram, followed by a series of random numbers? How curious.

 I felt a sudden itch to take off immediately to France, but our wedding day is only a few weeks away. So I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo, for future reference.

And not long after, at the edge of Sunflower's Pond, I married my sweet Maureen.

The whole extended family was in attendance, including my cousin Antwan and Uncle Lance.

My cousin Dominique appears to have appointed the designated rice thrower.

I thought Mel would be pleased that we included Francesca Lessen, but  he pointedly deflected her advances the whole evening. I wonder what is going on - he was never one to turn down a little romance.

A honeymoon was out of the question, with Colt still a baby, but we celebrated by installing a pool, and a complete renovation of the old place.

The renovation was barely complete, when we lost Dad, and shortly after, Mom passed as well. Maureen was so strong for me during that time; I don't know what I'd do without her.

I planted a little olive tree in Mom's favorite spot, out behind the barn. Did I say little? We are all amazed to see the tiny sapling towering over the old windmill in only a few months.

Not only that, but strange glowing crystals are appearing nearby. A result of Mom's years of experimenting back there?

Life moves on - Mel is working days at the White Rose, but I know he spends his nights at the old warehouse. I hear more and more strange rumors about the goings-on at that place, when I check in at the police station.

Colt is growing fast. I still watch him every night while Maureen is at the theatre. Sometimes I'm so jealous of Mel, being able to come and go as he pleases. But then I throw Colt in the air, and hear his excited giggles, and it's all worthwhile.

"Hey love, would you mind if I go out for a few hours tonight? Mel wants me to meet some of his business partners - I might even get a decent case out of the deal."

"Go ahead, dear. You deserve a night out. Just be careful, I get a bad feeling sometimes about Mel's friends."

I know better than to get into an argument with her about Mel, so I just left quietly, rolling my eyes when I thought I was out of sight.

"And don't you roll your eyes at me - you know I'm right!" I just had to grin at that.

"Yes, dear!" I called back with a laugh.

We headed for 'Creatures',  the same club we visited the night Colt was born. Only tonight, instead of  the bar downstairs, Mel led me to the elevator.

"It's the VIP section for us tonight, bro."

As soon as I stepped into the VIP lounge, alarm bells began to go off in my head. I kept my cool as Mel called to the girl sitting at the bar.

"Elvira, come meet my brother!"

I watched mesmerized as she drifted toward us. Any coherent thought flew from my head and I couldn't take my eyes off her as she smiled seductively at me.

"Ah, so you are Ren. Hmmm, so different than your brother, but still quite delicious. I can feel the darkness deep inside you, though you try your best to hide it."

Her words barely registered. All I could think of was taking her in my arms, and....

As suddenly as it appeared the desire I had felt was gone. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mel smirking at my discomfiture.

Elvira laughed lightly. " Ah, do not worry, Ren. I have no desire to steal you from your beloved... Maureen?" She cocked her head intently, her eyes bored into mine. "Yes, Maureen."

"Your brother keeps me busy enough as it is," she purred as she pulled Mel into a rough embrace. What has Mel gotten himself into? No wonder the rumors are flying down at the station.

Elvira turned to me again.

"Why don't you sit and have a drink while Mel and I take care of some business?"

Trying not to stare, I swallowed hard, and nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

Trying not to attract attention, I did as I was told, and proceeded to get quietly juiced.

Once home again, I felt obligated to warn Mel. I headed downstairs to his room. It used to be mom's old basement workroom, but he appropriated it for a bedroom when we renovated. He wasn't there, but I noticed the door open leading to the ancient crypt.

What the...??? I realize I'm still pretty juiced but....what is she doing here? I wish my head was a little clearer.

"What the hell is that creature doing in my house?" My heart was pounding in fear for Maureen and Colt.

"Whoa, whoa, bro... relax, everything's cool. Calm down, will ya? El needs a place to stay - and this place is perfect. She's here from Bridgeport to help out our... er... shipping business."

"But... but... she's a.."

"But.. but.." Mel was mocking me now. "But think of the power bro, you felt it. Don't you want that kind of power?"

I ignored his question.

"She can't stay here! What about Maureen? If she were to find out.. I just can't risk it!"

"Your precious wife won't find out. That is... if you keep our secret."

Blackmail... I've tried it a few times,  but now the shoe is on the other foot it seems.

"Very well, she can stay as long as Maureen never sees her. And make sure she doesn't touch those urns."

Ren - Gen 5 Ch 2

"If you ask me, you should dump her. A kid'll just cramp your style, bro."

I stared morosely at Mel over the plates of greasy nachos. I hadn't asked, but it was standard 'Mel advice' - always thinking of number one. He knows if I give up the bar scene he'll have no one to slip him drinks. Trouble is, I like hanging at the Grind just as much as he does, but is it worth giving up Maureen and.. our baby?

After a sleepless night, I wandered out onto the patio the next morning. I always seem to think better outside, for some reason. As I gazed off into the garden, I absentmindedly fingered my pendant. My mind was whirling with random thoughts, which slowing coalesced into one amazing truth filling my head. I knew what I had to do. I glanced down at the pendant in my hand, and it was glowing softly.

I made my way to Four Bridges Park. Maureen is an amazing musician, and I know she likes to play here on sunny afternoons. She had garnered quite an audience, and I stood just out of her view, waiting for an opportune moment. When I saw her small baby bump, my heart skipped a beat.

 It was almost dark, and her fans had mostly dispersed, before I dared to approach.

"Maureen, I know I haven't treated you as you deserve, but I truly want to change my ways. I love you with all my heart, and I want to be part of your and our baby's life. Will you marry me?"

I held my breath as she glanced back and forth between the shining ring and my hopeful face.

"Do you promise to give up the bar scene?"

"I promise."

She gazed searchingly at my face, as if to ferret out the truth of my statement. She must have been satisfied with what she saw there.

"Then yes. I love you, Ren. I just want my old Ren back, the one I knew back when we were still in school."

"You have him back, love," I whispered as I pulled her into my arms. But inside, I knew that Mel's influence had changed me. I could try, but I could never go back to who I was in high school.

But I set all that philosophical stuff aside for now, as I concentrated on making my sweet Maureen happy.

"I can feel him kick! He's a strong little guy!"

Mom and Dad are delighted. We all can hardly wait for the arrival of the newest addition to the Greenbow family.

The months flew by so fast, I hardly missed my nights out with Mel. And before I knew it, it was Mel's eighteenth birthday.

He claimed to want only a small family party, but that was just a cover. The real party would begin afterward, at a new club that had just opened.

It was perilously close to Maureen's due date, but I really wanted to celebrate with Mel, and check out the new club. And I had kept my promise so far - hadn't been to a bar since Maureen had moved in.

"So.....ah.. sweetheart..." I began as I caressed her swollen belly. "Mel wants me to check out this new ... ah... restaurant ... with him tonight... for his birthday." I know, I'm a terrible liar.

"Please?"

But Maureen was shaking her head in an emphatic 'No'.

"It's too close, Ren. The baby could come at any time. I want you here with me."

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Mel rolling his eyes at me. 

Suddenly something inside me snapped.

"Don't be ridiculous! The baby isn't going to come in the next hour. I'm just gonna go have one drink with my brother on his birthday. What's wrong with that? Nothing!"

I answered my own question as I angrily stalked away.

I rubbed my hands together in glee as we arrived. It had been way to long since I'd been out on the town. The place didn't look like much from the outside, being located in an abandoned warehouse, but Mel assured me the inside would blow me away.

 He was so right. Flame jets everywhere, and that bartender.. just wow. It was empty when we got there, but it filled up fast. I guess I've been gone from the party scene a long time to have missed this place.

I had my one drink with Mel. Then another one while Mel hit on one of the girls. Then a few more, just so I could stare at the bartender a little longer.

Then we fired up the bubble bar while we watched a gang of girls out on the dance floor. Before I knew it, it was 2 am and the bartender was doing last call.  I was pretty far gone, not having this much to drink for months now, and the ride home is pretty fuzzy.

The next thing I remember clearly is standing in the kitchen, staring dumbly at my phone, and the half dozen missed calls from Maureen staring back at me.

I stumbled up the stairs as fast as I could, and truly panicked when I saw she was in labor.

"Wha' shoul' I do?" I asked frantically.

Maureen shot daggers at me out of her eyes. "Just get my bag, and drive me to the hospital."

I turned too quickly to retrieve the bag from the other room, and suddenly the room began to spin and I lurched against the bed.

"Never... mind!" Her words were punctuated by sharp intakes of breath. I'll ...get it.

She insisted on driving. I argued with her about it at the time, but in retrospect, it was probably a good idea.

She ignored me as she walked into the hospital, but I was determined to be there when my son was born. The cool night air was sobering me up, and I was starting to panic for an entirely different reason. Maureen had every right to be furious with me. Would she let me make it up to her?

She still wasn't speaking to me when we brought little Colt home.

As I held my newborn son,  I was in awe at depth of love I felt for this tiny being. I promised myself that I would find a way to make it up to Maureen. I just have to.

Ren - Gen 5 Ch 1

It seems that I now have the dubious pleasure of updating our family journal. To back-track a little, that birthday party was awesome - I'm really glad my mom agreed to it. I think the best part was when I finally realized that my annoying, evil little brother was actually pretty cool, and fun to hang out with.

"Psst, hey Ren, sneak me one of those drinks, will ya? No one's lookin'."

I glanced around. Mom and Dad were totally oblivious out on the dance floor. So I quickly snagged a drink off the bar and holding it low, slipped it over to Mel. I was surprised not to feel even a twinge of guilt over it. I felt pretty good, even.

"Thanks, bro. You're not so bad after all."

I kept slipping Mel drinks, and we kept drinking drinks, till we were both pretty juiced. I discovered Mel gets all philosphical when he drinks, and we had a long discussion on his decidedly Machevellian views.

"It's all about power, Bro. You gotta have power if you're gonna get what you want, and sometimes the path to power isn't pretty."

Since the night of our birthdays, Mel's become quite the mixologist. When he's home he can usually be found playing around at the bar in our basement.

I've never seen a high school kid throw back drinks like he can. I keep his secret, which is pretty easy.

Dad's usually engrossed in his video games, and Mom's playing with the fireplace. Not the two most observant of parents.

As for me, I snagged a job as a private investigator. My clients appreciate my mad deduction skills, and Mel appreciates the info I feed him from the police department. I never ask, but I assume he's passing it on to his friends at the warehouse.

Most of my clients are pretty cool, but some are downright crazy. Like this guy. He was sure someone was sneaking into his house and ruining his shoes. Turns out he was doing it himself. He freaked out when I tried to tell him.

Made me burn all my notes in front of him. At least he paid me.

I love this job. I'ts what I was meant to do. Going through strangers' mail...

....breaking into houses without fear of the law...

...taking stuff for evidence.. I bet mom would like these flowers.

I know mom is into "borrowing" stuff too. I see her sneaking stuff into the mailbox all the time. I say, what's the point of "borrowing" stuff if all you're gonna do is send it back the next day? Not me.

And after dealing with clients all day, there's nothing like going out on the town with my bro.

Mel's a real ladies man.

A different girl every night. Tonight it's Francseca Lessen, but even she can't hold his attention long.

I try to keep up with him.

But my heart belongs to Maureen, my highschool sweetheart. She is such a doll. She hates the bar scene, but when I'm done partying she's always there waiting....

... and willing.

So I was surprised to see her one night, come into the Grind. I gave her a little kiss.

"Hey doll, What you doing here? Come have a drink with me?"

But she pulled back a little as I kissed her.

"What's wrong, babe?" I wondered.

"Don't you ever answer your phone? I've been trying to call you for days." She was not happy.

"Uh, I've been busy..." Truth is Maureen's been pressing me lately about spending more time with her, and I hate being pressured.

"Busy doing what, this?" She waved her hand vaguely at the bar. " I just came to tell you one thing. I'm pregnant, and if you want to be a part of your baby's life, you need to change your ways.

And with that, she stormed out of the bar, leaving me in a state of shock.