Chapter 71

Kiki picked up the receiver and held it to her ear. She would have much rather talked to her on her cell phone, but she feared that it, too, had been lost in the fire.
"Hello?"
"Kiki, darling!" her mother's voice rang out from the other end. Constance Long, her mother, had been raised with a silver spoon in her mouth, having come from a very rich and prominent family. In rebellion to her parents, she had married Frank Long, Kiki's father, a working man. Kiki was never really sure if her mother had ever really loved her father, but it was none of her business. With such a domineering wife, her father was usually quiet and let his wife have her way- most of the time. But he was noted for going against his wife's wishes, upon occasion. "How are you? When I heard you were in the hospital, I simply couldn't believe my ears!"
"Mother, stop being so dramatic," Kiki chided. "So, you were so worried that you waited until now to call me? And I'd bet you're still in California."
"I couldn't get a flight, dear," Constance replied flatly. "But I can catch the first flight out, if you really need me--"
"No, mother," Kiki cut her off. The last thing she needed right now was her mother swooping in, pretending to be the doting mother. Kiki knew better. "Stay where you are. I should be released by tomorrow, I hope."
"But do you have a place to go? How's the house?"
And there it was. It didn't surprise her that her mother would ask about the house before she asked about her. "Mother, that's something I need to speak with you about--"
"Don't tell me that nothing was salvageable," Constance replied.
Kiki let out a deep breath. "No, mother. The investigation isn't complete yet, but I'm sure that it's totaled."
"No matter," Constance breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm sure the insurance company will pay off."
"Which is something I need to speak with you about."
There was a pause at the other end. "And what's that, dear?"
"Since I was buying the house from you, I'll need some of the insurance money so I can get another house."
"Kiki Marie Long! You burn down my house and now you want money for it?"
Kiki sighed. "Mother, I didn't burn down the house. Just pay off the mortgage on the house, give me what I paid you, and we'll call it even."
There was another pause on the other end. "Well, we'll see, dear. The house was already paid off."
"Then there shouldn't be any problem--"
"Well, we'll have to pay for the clean-up and for--"
"Mother, I have to go," Kiki cut her off, not in the mood to hear any excuses. And she was sure her mother would have a long list. "But rest assured, I will take you to court if I have to." But Kiki knew that, since her parents owned the house and there was only a handshake and a gentleman's agreement between them, she wouldn't have a prayer in court. But if there was anything her mother hated worse, it was going to court and the thought of having to spend more money.
Constance gasped at the other end. "You'd take your own mother to court?"
"Yes, I would and I will, if I have to." Kiki sighed, knowing she got her fierceness from her mother. "But I don't want it to come down to that. I'd rather us settle this amicably." She hated talking to her mother. By the time the conversation ended, she was usually talking like her.
Her mother paused at the other end. "How much are we talking about?" she asked flatly.
"Well, I've been paying for the house over the last three years and I lost all my belongings, so I think around five thousand would be fair." Actually, it would be more than fair, considering the payments she had been making.
"I'll see what I can do. We can talk about that later, dear," her mother replied. "But in the meantime, you take care of yourself. I'll wire you some money to get some clothes and a place to stay. I will have no daughter of mine becoming a beggar."
Kiki rolled her eyes. "Mother, I'm no beggar."
"Just tell me where to wire it and I'll send some money today." She sighed at the other end. "It won't be- what you asked for, but it'll do until we can settle on the exact amount."
"Thank you, mother. Just a minute." Kiki covered the receiver with her hand. "Jocelyn? Would you come back in here, please?"
Jocelyn peeked her head around the corner and walked in. "What do you need?"
"My mother is wiring some money today. Would you mind going to pick it up for me?" Kiki would trust Jocelyn with her life.
"Yes, of course." Jocelyn's eyebrows pulled together in concern. "And I'll bring it right back."
Kiki smiled. "I know that. If I can't trust you, then who can I trust?" Kiki held her finger up to Jocelyn, wanting her to wait a minute, and then turned her attention back to the phone. "You can wire it to the Christmas Cove Community Bank in my name. My friend Jocelyn Taylor will pick it up."
Constance scoffed. "Are you sure you can trust her?"
"Yes, of course I can trust her." Kiki rolled her eyes. "Mother, I'm not an idiot."
"Yes- well- your father will wire the money today. In the meantime, don't worry about anything. Just take care of yourself- until I can get there."
"Mother, don't come." Kiki knew she had a lot of decisions to make and didn't need the added strain of her mother adding her two cents. "Thank you, mother. Now, I have to rest."
"You mean, you must rest." Her mother was continually correcting her, when given the opportunity.
"Goodbye, mother--"
"Wait!" her mother yelled on her end, causing Kiki to pause. "Your father wants to speak with you."
There was a pause at the other end.
"Kiki? How are you feeling, dear?" Her father's voice was filled with actual concern.
Kiki's eyes welled up with tears. No matter his shortcomings for not standing up to her mother, he was still a loving father. "I'm okay, Dad. Nothing to worry about."
"How did you ever manage to escape- the fire?" His voice broke at the end.
"I didn't." A lump formed in her throat as the pain of separation from her father filled her heart. "A fireman found me and carried me out."
Frank sighed in relief. "Remind me to shake that man's hand and thank him personally when I see him."
"Dad, that won't be necessary." If he would come to visit without her mother, Kiki would love it. But that wasn't going to happen. "I'm fine. Really I am."
"Good- well- I'm glad you're okay." Then he lowered his voice. "And don't worry about the insurance money. I'll make sure you get your fair share. I'll see to it personally."
"Thanks, Dad." Kiki missed her father now more than ever. At this point, she wished she was a little girl again and could climb up onto his lap and let him tell her that everything would be okay. But those days were long gone. "I love you."
"I love you, too, honey." Kiki could hear the smile in his voice. "You take care now and if you need anything, text me."
Kiki chuckled without humor. "I would- if I had a cell phone."
There was a pause at the other end. "I'll take care of it. You take care of yourself."
"I will. Bye, Dad." When Kiki hung up the phone, she missed her father now more than ever. "I knew I shouldn't have bought the house from my parents, but Dad said he's going to take care of everything."
Jocelyn nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door facing of her hospital room and Taren peeked his head in. "Should I come back later?"
Kiki swiped a hand quickly over her cheeks, and then replied, "No, it's okay. Come on in, Taren."
"Well, I guess I'd better be going." Jocelyn gave her a knowing smile, and a kiss on the cheek. "Call me if you need anything. I'll come and get you when it's time to go home."
Kiki nodded. "Thanks, Jocelyn. I'll talk to you later."
Jocelyn gave her one last wave and then walked out, smiling, obviously happy that Taren had stopped by again.