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Chapter 16
Sheridan Crane closed the cottage door behind her and sighed
in frustration. She knew she shouldn’t let him get to her, but she couldn’t help it. Luis Lopez Fitzgerald managed
to get to her like no other man she’d ever met. "I’m glad this day is over with" she said as she flipped
on the lights in her cottage. Sheridan felt chilled as she was still soaked from her encounter with Luis earlier.
She decided to call Cook and have a tray sent over while she took a hot shower and change into some dry clothes.
Then she planned on forgetting all her troubles with the Cop from hell and concentrate on something pleasant, or
rather someone.
Once Sheridan had brought thoughts of Pezz to mind she
seemed to forget all else. This was a man that was unlike anyone she’d ever met. She felt comfortable talking to
him about just about anything and he had a way of making her feel better. As soon as she’d dressed from her shower,
she couldn’t help but to go over to the computer and read the card he’d sent her earlier. She sighed happily as
thoughts of their "cyber hug" filled her mind. Sheridan had never been one to wish her life away, but
waiting for Pezz to get online at 8:00 felt like an eternity. She decided to fill her time by sending him a thank
you for his card this morning.
Luis helped his mother clear the dishes from dinner. Pilar
watched her son in silence. She was worried about him. He didn’t quite seem himself, yet she didn’t know exactly
how to approach the subject with him. She suspected his mood changes lately had something to do with Sheridan Crane
working at the Youth Center, but she also had the feeling there was more to it than Sheridan being a Crane. She
wondered if maybe Luis wasn’t secretly attracted to her which was causing him to lash out.
Luis finished the dishes for his mother and retreated to
his room. His mother hoped and prayed everything would work out for her son, soon.
Once in his room, Luis immediately went to his computer.
He knew it was early yet, but he was hoping KC might be online. A grin formed on the corner of his mouth when he
found he had mail from her.
Dearest Pezz,
I don’t know how to begin to thank you for the wonderful card you sent me this morning. I had such a wonderful
time chatting with you last night, I can’t begin to tell you. When I woke and found that card waiting for me, it
just brightened my whole day. Words can not express the feeling that came over me at that moment.
I must confess I feel better knowing that you lost power too
last night. I thought it was just me and I was terribly afraid you’d think I cut you off. In case it happens again,
please know I would never do that. It’s hard enough to shut down my computer in the wee hours of the morning when
we both need to get some sleep, never mind interrupting our chat early and so abruptly.
When I first realized we both lost power I got excited, thinking
we might be closer than I dare hope, but when I watched the morning news I realized that at least half of the Eastern
seaboard lost power last night. It was a nice thought while it lasted.
I took your advice and had a much better day than yesterday.
Better that is until that idiot decided to attack me again. Truly Pezz, I wish I knew why he hated me so. I have
never done anything to the man. As a matter of fact I thought he was very nice when I first met him and then out
of the clear blue he seemed to take out every frustration in his life out on me. Luckily for me, his friends don’t
seem to hold the same animosity towards me, so all is not lost.
Still, I so wish I could have come home to a town where the
people were more like... Well, more like you. If I ever landed in the same town as you I don’t think I’d ever leave.
If you get on early IM me please? I think I’m going through
Pezz withdrawals since we were so rudely interrupted last night.
I’ll be waiting.
KC
Luis closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He figured
when he opened his eyes this would all be a dream because this woman was too good to be true. He opened his eyes
and her letter hadn’t disappeared at all. He grinned at the wonder of it all and questioned what the pounding noise
was he was hearing. He nearly died when he realized it was his own heart nearly jumping out of his chest. "How
is it that a simple email from a total stranger can have this effect on me?" He wondered. "Maybe because
she’s not a stranger" he said as he pulled his buddy list up. "Somehow I feel I know her better than
I’ve ever known any woman."
[PezzMan]
Hi angel! I’m so glad you’re here early tonight. I’ve waited all day to talk to you.
[KCGirl] Same here! Big sigh! Now I’m happy again. I don’t have to reread your old
mail.
Luis grinned. He loved how honest she was and somehow it
didn’t bother him at all to admit anything to her either. He couldn’t help himself, sometimes he read her letters
over and over again.
[PezzMan]
You too, huh?
[KCGirl] Guilty! :-)
[PezzMan] How’s the weather where you are tonight?
[KCGirl] Lousy. It’s been pouring for a few hours now. I’m half expecting to lose
power again.
[PezzMan] God I hope not. It’s raining here too.
[KCGirl] So, what do you want to talk about tonight?
[PezzMan] Anything, as long as I’m talking to you angel, I’m happy.
Sheridan felt her heart skip a beat and her cheeks were
flushed. There was just something about this man that she couldn’t get enough of. She could spend all night chatting
with him on line and never tire. It didn’t matter what the topic was, if it was Pezz she was talking to, something
interesting would come of it.
[KCGirl]
Boy Pezz, you really know how to make a girl blush. You always know how to make you smile. No one has ever been
able to make me smile the way you do.
[PezzMan] Thanks for your note by the way. Did you mean what you said?
[KCGirl] I meant every word of it, but which part in particular are you referring
to?
[PezzMan] The part about never leaving town if I were in it?
[KCGirl] I’d give anything to find you lived in this town. Speaking of which, did
you figure out my clue yet?
[PezzMan] Honestly beautiful, I haven’t had time to look it up. I grabbed the dictionary
last night and didn’t get to read it. Let me check it right now.
[KCGirl] OK. I’ll be waiting. Don’t forget, you owe me a clue as well.
[PezzMan] That’s easy. My clue to you is Presidential retreat. BRB.
Luis grabbed his dictionary and looked up the word unison
and this is what he found:
unison(noun)[Middle
French, from Medieval Latin unisonus having the same sound, from Latin uni- + sonus sound- more at SOUND]
First appeared 1575
1 a : identity in musical pitch; specifically : the interval of a
perfect prime
1 b : the state of being so tuned or sounded c : the writing, playing, or singing of parts in a musical passage
at the same pitch or in octaves
2 : a harmonious agreement or union : CONCORD
Luis didn’t need to read any further. That was it! KC was
from Concord. Now the question was, was it Concord, New Hampshire or Concord, Massachusetts?
[PezzMan]
I got it! I got it! You’re from Concord!
"How did I know he was going to guess that?"
Sheridan grinned.
[KCGirl]
Nice try!
"Nice try? What is she talking about! It’s right here!"
[PezzMan]
What do you mean nice try? It has to be Concord! It spelled it right out in the dictionary!
Sheridan shook her head, still grinning from ear to ear.
"Men!" she giggled.
[KCGirl]
My sweet Pezz, you’re looking too much for the obvious. I said I was going to make the clues easier, I didn’t say
I was going to tell you outright where I live.
[PezzMan] LOL. No, you didn’t. I guess that was just my wishful thinking. Hey, you
saved me from trying to figure out which Concord it was, right? :-)
[KCGirl] Why not remember all the clues? Which Concord has a lighthouse?
[PezzMan] All right smartie! Good point.
[KCGirl] OK big guy, My turn to guess.
[PezzMan] How do you know I’m big?
[KCGirl] I don’t, it’s just the way I picture you. I know you have dark hair and
eyes and in my mind you’ve got to be quite tall and incredibly handsome.
[PezzMan] Really? What if I turn out to be 5’0 with a huge hooked nose and warts all
over my face?
[KCGirl] First of all, I know you’re pulling my leg with a remark like that and second
of all even if it does turn out to be true it won’t matter. All that matters to me is a person’s inner beauty and
Pezz, in my mind you are the most beautiful person I know.
[PezzMan] Well, you got me KC. I’m 6’2 and have been told I’m not bad to look at,
but I don’t know about that. I have to say though that I agree with you. I’ve told you this before and I’ll tell
you again, to me you are one in a million. How did I get so lucky to have you in my life?
She still couldn’t get over it. This man was just to incredible
for words. The way she felt whenever she chatted with him on line was beyond words. She was happier than she could
ever remember and felt free to express herself to him completely... well. almost.
[KCGirl]
You emailed me silly, don’t you remember?
[PezzMan] Don’t even kid yourself angel, I remember only too well. It was the best
decision I ever made.
[KCGirl] Do you ever wonder if there was a reason we met? I mean, think about it
Pezz, what are the odds that we’d actually hit it off this well? We started off over 3000 miles and an ocean apart
and now it appears we live in the same state.
Luis’ heart began to race and his palms suddenly became
sweaty. He couldn’t believe what he just read. Was it possible?
PezzMan: What do you mean the same state? What do you know
that I don’t know?
"Oh God! I didn’t mean to do that! I don’t know if
I can get out of this one. Come off it Sheridan, you don’t want to get out of it now, do you?" Sheridan chuckled
to herself.
[KCGirl]
Oh nothing. I shouldn’t have said anything.
[PezzMan]
You figured out my clue didn’t you?
"Of course I figured out your clue Pezz. Anyone over
the age of 12 should know the Bushes have a summer home in Kennebunkport." Sheridan couldn’t keep the huge
grin off her face. "If only he could see the look on my face at this minute" she said as she typed her
response.
[KCGirl]
I plead the fifth.
[PezzMan]
Oh no you don’t! You’re from Maine aren’t you?
"You got me Pezz!" Sheridan laughed. "But
this is too much fun to tell you that just yet."
[KCGirl]
Did I tell you how much I loved your card this morning?
"I gotcha KC and I’m gonna get you to admit it one
way or another" Luis laughed.
[PezzMan]
Oh, angel, you are so busted! Gotcha!
[KCGirl] Did you now? And how are you going to get me to admit it Mister? 0:-)
[PezzMan] Oh I get it! That’s supposed to be your angelic look? Little Miss innocent
is that it? :) [KCGirl] Why Pezz, I have no idea what you’re talking about! 0:-)
"She’s really enjoying herself with this one"
Luis grinned. "I’d know how to take care of that one if only she was here. Hmm, I wonder if it would work?"
[PezzMan]
Do you know what I’d do to you if you were here with me right now to get you to fess up?
[KCGirl] No, but I’d love to hear it :)
[PezzMan] Ever hear of tickle therapy? The Pezz is an expert at it. I have a little
sister you know, that I could get to do anything I wanted in a heartbeat.
[KCGirl] I bet you had to catch her first! ;-)
[PezzMan] You are good! LOL. Come on KC! Please tell me?
[KCGirl] Hmm.......
[PezzMan] I’ll be your best friend for life! Pretty please?
[KCGirl] LOL!! How can I resist such charm. All right, it was my mistake, so I will
confess. Yes, I am from Maine.
[PezzMan] HA HA!! I KNEW IT! I JUST KNEW IT!!
[KCGirl] Do you know how many lighthouses there are in Maine?
[PezzMan] No, I never counted them all.
[KCGirl] Oh, you’re very funny! There are over 60! PezzMan: That many? I think I
need a new clue.
[KCGirl] Huh! Fat chance buster! You need to work on my last clue some more.
[PezzMan] I already did.
[KCGirl] Try Roget next time.
[PezzMan] Is that another clue?
[KCGirl] Not a clue so much as direction.
Several hours later
[KCGirl]
I just thought of something!
[PezzMan] What’s that angel?
[KCGirl] I have no idea how old you are!
"Uh oh, moment of truth time" Luis said.
[PezzMan]
Does it really matter?
Sheridan hesitated. That was a tough question. No, it didn’t
matter in their present relationship, it didn’t matter at all. But if anything were to ever come of it... "Oh
Sheridan get off it!" She yelled at herself.
[KCGirl]
Well I suppose not.
[PezzMan]
I sense hesitation?
[KCGirl] I didn’t mean anything by it, really I didn’t.
[PezzMan] Since I don’t know how old you are either, I don’t know if this will make
you feel better or not, but for the record I’m 28.
Sheridan exhaled excitedly. Her heart was pounding and
she didn’t even know why. Maybe it was because now they had something else in common, their age.
[KCGirl]
I wonder if your reaction will be the same as mine? I’m 26.
This time Luis was the one who found himself with a huge
grin spreading across his face.
[PezzMan]
I bet it was KC. I have no doubt it was! ;-)
[PezzMan] Listen Angel, I really hate to do this, but I think it’s that time. I can
hardly keep my eyelids open.
[KCGirl] I know. This is the saddest part of the day for me. Saying goodnight to
you. :-(
[PezzMan] Same here. I have more bad news for you. I won’t be online tomorrow night
until very late, if at all.
[KCGirl] I’m sorry to hear that, but I understand you have a real life.
[PezzMan] KC, just because we haven’t met, doesn’t mean I don’t think of you as "real."
You are very real to me.
[KCGirl] Thank you Pezz. That means a lot to me. I feel the same way about you.
[PezzMan] I’ll email you every chance I get tomorrow and if I’m home early enough
I’ll try to catch you on IM.
[KCGirl] Don’t worry about me Pezz. I’ll be fine. Just make sure you send me a new
clue sometime tomorrow. I need to narrow you down a little further! :)
[PezzMan] Will do! Have a great day tomorrow! Give that moron who’s giving my angel
a hard time a smack from me.
[KCGirl] I would except I don’t want to get that close to him! LOL. He can be dangerous
sometimes! :)
[KCGirl] Goodnight Pezz
[PezzMan] Goodnight KC.
Luis and Sheridan both signed off sighing in contentment.
Not only had they had a wonderful chat, but both found out they lived in the same state. Life was definitely good.
Sheridan lay in bed, tossing and turning lightly as she
entered REM sleep. As many sleepless nights as she’d spent in her life, since she’d stated talking to Pezz online,
she’d had no trouble at all entering a deep slumber.
Sheridan laughed as she typed away furiously at the
keyboard. Somehow chatting with Pezz online always caused her to see the best in everything and everyone. She enjoyed
teasing him and right now she was teasing him tremendously.
[KCGirl]
Sorry buddy, but I don’t give out that kind of information. There’s nothing you can do to get it out of me.
"Nothing I can do is there?" Sheridan whipped
around in her seat. "That voice! Where did it come from? She was sure she’d heard it before, but she didn’t
know where.
"Who said that?" Sheridan asked, still seeing
no one.
"I said it KC. It’s me, Pezz ."
Sheridan stared, she saw a very tall, well built dark
haired, dark eyes man standing before her. She knew he was handsome, but she didn’t know how because she couldn’t
make out his face, yet she could see him smiling at her.
"I came to tell you there are ways of getting information
out of you KC" Pezz said with a glint in his eyes. She knew his demeanor was that of playfulness. She felt
a smile tugging at the corner of her lips as she stood up from her seat to face him.
"And I said there is no way I’m telling you that
Pezz" Sheridan laughed, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Remember what I told you KC. I have a kid sister
and I know how to get what I want."
"And I told you I bet you had to catch her first"
Sheridan grinned. "I bet you can’t catch her and I know you can’t catch me."
"Watch me" Pezz said. Before she knew it Pezz
was chasing her around her living room. Sheridan squealed with delight as she darted to and fro avoiding his grasp.
"I told you, you couldn’t catch me Pezz!"
Sheridan giggled. She looked around and suddenly couldn’t see him. "Did you give up Pezz?"
"Give up nothing!" Pezz laughed as he grabbed
Sheridan from behind. I told you I was going to get you!"
Sheridan couldn’t control her laughter as she found
herself being carried to the couch, kicking every inch of the way. "I still won’t tell you! It’s a secret
and I don’t tell secrets!"
"I’ll just have to tickle it out of you then"
Pezz grinned. He began tickling Sheridan mercilessly. Sheridan roared with laughter, writhing in his grasp trying
to get away from his torture.
"Uncle! Uncle!" She shouted through her tears
of laughter.
"You mean I win?" Pezz asked, stopping the
tickling, but now practically on top of Sheridan.
"Yes, you win" Sheridan said breathlessly,
opening her eyes only to find herself staring right into Pezz’s incredibly handsome black eyes. She felt a wave
of excitement flow through her body as she felt his strong hands caress her cheeks . She felt as though time stood
still. She couldn’t see his face, yet she could. She couldn’t feel his touch, yet she felt his muscular body on
top of hers. She saw him lean in and for a moment thought her heart had stopped beating. She was unable to breathe,
unable to move. His soft lips touched hers and she felt her body explode in 1000 different ways all at the same
time.
Sheridan awoke with a start. She sat up in bed and heard
her heart beating through her ears. Her breathing was rapid and irregular. "Oh my God" was all she managed
to say.
Luis drifted into a deep slumber within minutes of getting
off the computer with KC. He’d wanted to look up "unison" in the thesaurus before he went to bed, but
he was just too tired. He told himself he’d do it in the morning.
[PezzMan]
Concord, I know you live in Concord.
[KCGirl] Look close Pezz. Don’t look for the obvious.
[PezzMan] No, you’re right. Concord doesn’t have a lighthouse.
[KCGirl] Did you know there are over 60 lighthouses in Maine?
[PezzMan] That many?
[KCGirl] Look closer, Pezz. Unison, what does it mean?
[PezzMan] It means Concord KC, that’s what the dictionary says.
[KCGirl] Don’t look for the obvious, Pezz. Look Pezz, really look.
[PezzMan] a harmonious agreement or union : CONCORD. It means Concord.
[KCGirl] Look beyond the words Pezz, what does it mean?
[PezzMan] a harmonious agreement
[KCGirl] That’s it Pezz, look beyond the obvious.
[PezzMan] harmonious... harmonious... harmonious...
[KCGirl] Take it further Pezz. Consult Roget.
[PezzMan] Harmonious, Roget....
Luis rolled over and opened his eyes. He was covered in
sweat. He jumped out of bed and ran to his desk, turning on the light. He grabbed the thesaurus from his bookshelf
and looked up the word unison. He found himself forced to sit down when he read the synonyms for unison.
concord, accord, harmony, symphony; homologue; agreement
Luis’ eyes were glued to the third word from the left.
He saw it in front of him in black and white, yet he still couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Once the reality
of the situation set in, Luis had a decision to make. What did he want to do about it?
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