Just Another California Girl, Episode 23

8/14/2019 Just Another California Girl, Episode 23

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After my existential meltdown, things went back to


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normal at Vanessas. The following morning a neighbor greeted me

as I stepped outside to have a smoke. She just stepped out of

her midnight blue crossover and swiped a loose strand of poker

straight blonde hair from her face.

Is Alana around?

Before I could answer, Alana appeared at the door blinking

away the sunlight.

Hi Cath. Your hubs got the baby today?She bent down and

swooped up the LA Times from the corner of the lawn. She shook

the dew from it. 200,000 JOBS ADDED its headline blared.

I got a chance to shop unfettered at Costco for a change.

Did you hear? Shermans family is putting himin a home?

That sucks, Alana said, biting her lower lip.

Such a sweet man. A Veteran. World War One.

I dont think there are any left, Alana murmured,

exploring the newspaper.

The front door slammed just then, jarring us all. Vanessa

stood in a satin gown with her eye mask pushed up to her

forehead.

Sorry, were we too loud?


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They cant do that, Vanessa implored. They cant do that

to that sweet, sweet man. Hes a person. He deserves to be

home. She put her hands to her face and wept, dramatically but

sincerely. I could tell she was shedding genuine tears.

Vanessa approached Cath. Her expression was pained, as if

Cath could help things simply by saying it wasnt true. I

stubbed out my cigarette and mentally recounted the day I met

Sherman. Standing outside, bewildered, holding his empty coffee

cup.

He deservesto be able todie at home. No one I know can

die in a ---a hospital. So cold, so septic. Even those hospice

places. Not the same thing as home.

Aunt Van, get a grip. Hes ninety seven.

Ninety-something. Hes up there, Cath chimed in. He is

such a sweet man, but I guess his family wants him looked

after.

Ilook after him. I care about people like Sherman

Vanessa was falling apart. Alana reached over to lead her back

into the house.

Sometimes its the way it goes, Alana sounded impatient.

Its not your job to take care of everyone.

No one should die away from home.


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No one should, I heard myself blurt out, But, they kinda

do. Sometimes. Besides, we dont know how things will turn out,

right Alana?

Exactly. Van, he could go just like that tonight. She

snapped her fingers. And, hed do it at home, right Cath?

If I hear more, Ill let you know. My slow cookers in

need of my attention.

Cath skipped off across the street like the young,

sprightly wife and mother she appeared to be. For some reason I

noticed how close in age she was to Alana. I made a note of it

in my head.

Vanessa went inside, collapsed onto her bed in tears and

made Alana close the door. No one was to go in and bother her

for an entire day.

Then the house phone rang.

I found myself looking for a pencil to sharpen. One that

didnt need it but, I needed a distraction. Chasfiend was

sitting on the sofa in the creepy room, ears all perked up over

the drama that was unfolding.

I think I know whats really going on here, he said in a

snide whisper.


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I listened in to Alana on the phone. She uttered something

about biopsy and followed it up with Oh, no. Then she hung

up and knocked on Vanessas bedroom door. Its important.

Chasfiend and I stayed in the creepy room, uncomfortable,

not knowing what to do. The room was quiet, no television on, no

internet music playing, nothing. I emptied a sharpener and

grabbed the first pencil I could off of the desk. I went about

sharpening while Chasfiend let on more about his suspicions.

You know that Chas is still alive, dont you?

Oh, garden seed. Theres a death certificate. They showed

in on the DVD of Hot Rod Rage.

Ive spent my life researching all this and talking to

people and meeting people like Vanessa who know the truth. Im

an expert.

No one knows exactly how it happened. Im with you there,

Chasfiend. I mean, John.


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Just Another California Girl, Episode 23