July Jones, Chapter 10
I'm sorry it's been a while since I've updated this story. But, kind of hard to update with no internet. I had this ready to post the day the DSL went out. I went over it one more time just to double check there was no big mistakes before posting. Anywho, I hope those reading enjoy.
Author: BloodyTearsOfLife
Title: July Jones
Rating: PG-13/R
Disclaimer: All characters from The Fast and the Furious belong to Universal Studios, yada, yada, yada. I only own the ones you don’t know. And no profit is made of this, this is just for mine and hopefully your entertainment.
Summary: July Jones has just learned she's been lied to for the last 10 years. Now she is in LA trying to find the real her but it won't be easy and what happens when she moves next door to the team.
[|All Chapters|] [| Previous Chapter|]
Chapter 10: Dinner at the Lewis’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ride to the Lewis’ house was rather long, a good half an hour. It was filled with long silences and some small talk. They ended up in the ritzy area of LA, where the big mansion homes began to appear. Arnold parked in the large driveway of a three story white house. The bright green lawn was trimmed and an assortment of colored flowers dotted the sides of the walkway to the front door.
“Here we are,” Arnold said as they got out of the car.
“It’s big,” July mumbled, feeling intimidated by the size of the house, which seemed to dwarf her own home.
Arnold chuckled at her and the look on her face. “This is nothing compared to some of the houses further down.”
They made their way up the front and the door opened before they even reached it. Standing there was a short, slight plump looking woman, who had a grandmother feel to her. Laugh lines were etched into the russet skin of her face. She looked slightly older than Arnold and wore a warm smile on her face.
“Good evening Arnold,” the woman said taking the coat Arnold shrugged off. There was a hint of a Spanish accent in her voice and July was shocked to remember hearing that voice whispering in the back of her mind.
“Evening Miriam,” he replied as she reappeared from putting his coat away.
Miriam then caught sight of July, who was lingering behind Arnold not sure what to do. Miriam’s eyes widened, her hand flapping at her mouth. “Oh my goodness, is this who I think it is?” she asked, her eyes shining with hope.
“Why yes it is. July, I’d like you to meet Miriam, she use to be your nanny, we employed her after the accident.”
July stood there looking at the lady not sure who she was and desperately trying to put the name and face together and the whispering voice at the back of her mind.
“My July, you have grown so much,” Miriam cried, enveloping July into a hug, not noticing the bewildered look on her face.
Suddenly, imagines came to July, invading her mind. Memories were corrected and other’s came to the surface, refreshing emotions. July closed her eyes and allowed everything about Miriam to come back to her; images of a little girl and a younger looking Miriam playing together, bandaging her scrapes, teaching her how to tie her shoes, helping her with her homework. As July remembered everything about Miriam, she couldn’t stop the tears that came to her own eyes.
“I remember you, Miri,” July murmured into Miriam’s ear and returned the hug, the other woman’s cries doubling as July used the shorten version of her name that only she had ever used. Arnold politely left to give them a bit of privacy.
“I’m so glad you’re here now. You’re home now,” Miriam mumbled, her accent falling heavy. July instantly felt the spark of connection between them and felt like a tiny piece of the puzzle had been put into place. Miriam reluctantly let July go, wiping the tears from her face. “I don’t think I have ever cried tears of joy until now,” she commented, chuckling.
“Me neither,” July said drying her face too.
“Come, let’s go see where everyone is.” Miriam looped her arm into July’s. July moved closer to Miriam, tightening her grip slightly as if to assure herself that Miriam was real and wasn’t going anywhere. The connection between them was as if it had always there and to July, it felt as if she had gained back her aunt.
Miriam led her thought the elaborate hall into a very large dinning room. It could have easily seated twenty or more people but Miriam didn’t stop there. She continued into the next room that was much smaller and had a table that sat six, the table already set for dinner that evening.
“This is where we will be eating,” Miriam said and then led July through another door that lead into the kitchen. Charlotte was busy bustling around the kitchen, making food, while Arnold stood to the side.
“Oh hello dear. How are you?” Charlotte asked giving July a quick hug and then turning back to stir something on the stove.
“I’m doing good, how about you?”
“Great. As you can see Amy isn’t down yet, but she should be shortly.”
“So,” Miriam began as she started to help Charlotte, “Arnold told me you’re living in the house already, yes?”
July nodded. “Yeah, I haven’t done all the exploring yet. I’m still trying to get settled.”
“Arnold, why don’t you show July around the house while Miriam and I finishing cooking?” Charlotte suggested.
“Sure. Shall we?” Arnold prompted, waving his hand to the kitchen door.
July smiled and nodded her head and then exited the kitchen with Arnold on her heels. He gave her a brief tour of the house, smiling an amused smile when July gasped aloud at something that had impressed her. July found the house very large; it was easily two, or even three times the size of her house.
Off in the distance a phone rang and then stopped. July was startled when Charlotte’s voice came from the intercom at the end of the hall. Arnold walked down the hall and pressed a button.
“Yes dear?”
“The phone call is for you,” Charlotte’s voice said through the intercom.
“Alright, I’ll take it in my office.” Arnold pressed another button and then turned back to July.
“I’ve going to take this call. Feel free to look around. I’ll meet you back down in the kitchen when I am done,” he said sweeping past her and disappearing around the corner.
July found herself left all alone in the middle of the hall. She wasn’t alone for more than two seconds when she heard a door open and footsteps approach. A girl came into view as she rounded the corner. She was wearing a pair of jeans and an off the shoulder white shirt. Her flaming red hair fell in waves, barely brushing past her shoulders. Her brown eyes were regarding July with curiosity and as Amy stepped forward, July could make out the light layer of freckles on her face.
July felt extremely weird. It was as if she was seeing Amy for the first time but not--which, logically was true but strange nonetheless. July stood up straight but noticed that Amy had her by an inch or two. July stood still and waited for Amy to do something.
Amy was at a loss. This girl she had been missing forever was standing right in front of her and she didn’t know what to do. July looked a little different than the last time Amy had seen her. Her hair was really long, half way down her back and was black as ever. Her sky blue eyes still was the same but there was something hidden within them that made them different; maybe it was finding out the truth about everything. So many times Amy had wanted to call her and talk to her but couldn’t and now that July was standing in front of her, she was dumbfounded. She tentatively took a step forward not wanting to scare July.
“Hi,” she greeted with a smile.
“Hi,” July said feeling uneasy.
“I’m Amy,” Amy introduced herself, sticking out her hand.
“July.”
And as July shook her Amy’s hand, her world went black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was as she was walking through a fog. Finally, the fog cleared and then July saw it: the memories. They came, showing themselves like a movie: scenes of her and Amy growing up and playing. She stood and watched herself grow before her own eyes. It was like she was experiencing them but at the same time she was watching them. It was a very confusing experience. The memories were just of her and Amy but a boy would show up every once in a while and she assumed it was Amy’s brother, Max. Slowly the images began to slow and fade, leaving her in the fog again.
Everyone surrounded July as her eyelids slowly fluttered open. She found herself laying on the floor in the hall, Charlotte and Miriam huddled close to her.
“Are you all right?” Miriam and Charlotte asked at the same time and then shared a maternal look with each other before looking back at July.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” July replied, sitting up and rubbing her head, which now had formed a headache.
“Did the same thing happen with Amy, like back at the office?” Arnold asked.
July glanced up at him and nodded, the pain too much for her to do much else at the moment. Slowly it started to subside and she found she had enough strength to stand up.
“Let’s go down stairs and sit you down at the table. Dinner is about ready,” Charlotte suggested. Charlotte and Miriam each hooked an arm around July and helped her down the stair and into the dinning room, with Amy and Arnold trailing behind them. July settled herself down into a chair as soon as they made it to the dinning room.
“You sure you’re okay?” Miriam asked again, noticing July’s still pale face.
“I’m fine. I think my brain’s just a little overloaded at the moment,” July answered, pressing a palm to her temple. Miriam fretted over her a moment longer before disappearing into the kitchen after Arnold and Charlotte, leaving Amy standing by the door.
“Sorry,” she whispered quietly.
“Huh?” July asked turning towards her, confused about what she was apologizing about.
“Sorry about making you faint,” Amy clarified, coming forward.
“Don’t worry about it. It was actually a good thing.”
“How was it a good thing?” Amy asked with a raised eyebrow.
“When I fainted, I remembered everything about you. It was like I was watching a movie about us, but it was really just my memories that I was finally able to remember,” July said not exactly knowing the words to explain what had happened but tried her best.
“So you remember me now?” Amy asked coming closer.
“Yeah Fuse,” July replied, using Amy’s nickname that she remembered. Since everyone called July “Firecracker”, they called Amy “Fuse”.
Amy broke out with a smile on her face and sat down across the table from July, a nostalgic smile on her face. “Man, it’s been forever since anyone has called me that.”
“Why’s that?” July asked and Amy’s faced darkened.
“After you left, no one called me “Fuse” anymore, it just didn’t seem right with you not here,” she explained with a grim smile.
They sat in silence for a second until Amy spoke back up. “Do you remember what we use to call Max?”
July thought for a moment before her own grin broke out on her face. “Match,” July answered laughing lightly.
“Yup, and you remember why?” Amy continued, her smile growing even larger to show the front of straight, white teeth.
“Because your brother would do or say something to make us mad, so everyone called him “Match” because he would set us off,” July said, recalling the vague memory of Max saying something to the two of them and then they would get mad and chase after him. The two of them spent the next few minutes reminiscing until the door to the dining room opened and a guy came in. Amy was instantly upon him, hugging him.
“Okay, give me room to breathe here why don’t ya?” he grumbled, releasing Amy.
They chatted for a few seconds and July felt some envy at the sibling bantering between the two of them. They kept talking until the guy caught sight of July. “Hey, she’s already here,” Max commented, coming towards July.
July stood up and evaluated Max. He was quiet a few inches taller than her. His brown hair was shaggy and his green eyes were a sparkly emerald color. She could see the features that him and his sister shared, same noses, chin. Their mouths and eyes were where they varied the most. Amy’s eyes were more rounded like her mother’s while Max’s were almond shaped like his father’s.
She felt Max’s eyes sweep over her and resisted the urge to make sure her hair was laying flat. It wasn’t that she was attracted to him, because after everything she remembered, he seemed more like a brother to her; she just wanted to make a good second impression.
“I’m Max,” he said sticking out his hand. Amy’s eyes widen in fear as July went to shake his hand.
“I’m July, but you probably already know that,” July replied, cautiously shaking his hand. Both her and Amy breathed a sigh of relief when July didn’t faint again. A couple more images came to her mind but she didn’t feel any intense pain this time, just a slight prickle.
“Yeah I already knew, but I figured I could still do the introduction incase you didn’t,” he shot back with a smirk.
“No, I knew. Amy and I were just talking about you,” July taunted, sticking her hands into her back pocket, taking up her usual stance.
“Oh really?” Max looked back at Amy skeptically.
“Don’t worry, nothing bad. Well, nothing too bad.” Amy said grinning.
Max rolled his eyes at her and turned back to July. “So you’re living in LA now?” he asked and July nodded her head. “You been out and around yet?”
July gave a slight shrug. “Your dad showed me around one day, just to give me a layout of the city.”
“Yeah, but he probably took you to all the boring places,” Max said taking off his leather jacket to reveal a slightly muscular built body and the telling of a tattoo on his arm peeked out from his white shirt.
“I wouldn’t doubt,” Amy added and then looked at July. “Don’t worry, I’ll show you all the cool places to go,” she promised and the two shared a smile.
A silence fell over them just as the kitchen door opened. Out came Charlotte, Miriam, both who were carrying dishes piled with food and trailing behind them was Arnold, who was carrying a pitcher of water and one of iced tea. Once Charlotte had set down her dishes, she took the pitchers from Arnold and began to fill everyone’s cups. After she was done and set the pitchers down, she went over to Max and gave him a hug.
“Hey honey,” Charlotte gushed, her voice as sweet as saccharine.
“Hey Mom, Dad,” Max greeted back, giving his dad a nod.
“You’re actually here on time,” Arnold remarked mockingly.
“Well you said we were having company so I didn’t want to be late,” Max replied defensively and Charlotte stepped in between the two of them.
“Now, none of that you two,” she chided. “Let’s just sit and eat.”
With one last glance at each other they sat down, Arnold taking the head of the table and Max sitting on the side very far end away from him. July looked at this with a raised eyebrow and then turned a questioning face to Amy. Amy rolled her eyes and gave her an ‘I’ll tell you later’ look and then took a seat next to Max. July and Miriam sat down on the other side of the table while Charlotte took the other head seat.
“Let’s eat. I didn’t slave over a stove all day to just look at food,” Charlotte prompted.
Everyone gave a small chuckle and it slightly dissipated the air of tension that had settled over them. For the next few minutes that only noise was the clanks of food being dished out and passed around. Once everything was passed around, they all dug in. After a few bites of food, Arnold cleared his throat.
“July, so how’s everything going?” he asked pleasantly.
“Okay, everything is going fine. I found a place to get car parts so I’m going to be working on the cars this week,” July answered, taking a sip of her iced tea.
“What cars you working on?” Max eagerly questioned.
“My parents left me a Toyota Soarer and a Nova,” July said taking another bite of her food.
“I begged dad to let me get a Skyline but he wouldn’t let me.”
“So what do you have instead?”
“An Acura Legend, but I have to take it in,” he grumbled, “it’s been making this funny sound when I first start it up.”
“I could tell you what is wrong with it if I heard it.”
“You’re a mechanic?” Max asked surprised.
“Yeah. My…” July stalled not sure how to word it but started again when she figured she might as well just say it how it was, but found it harder than she thought it would be. “My… adopted dad owned a shop and taught me everything. I also took classes in high school.”
“So you’ll be going to high school with me then,” Amy stated.
“No I won’t,” July corrected.
“What?”
“I already graduated,” she supplied but was met with several puzzled frowns. July spent the next few minutes explaining how she had graduated early.
Amy gave a pout. “Wow, I’m majorly jealous, you got to finish a whole year early.”
“So what are you thinking about doing now?” Miriam asked, her eyes shining with pride.
“Not sure. I was thinking about getting a job or maybe even going to college. I don’t know,” July mumbled stabbing her food with her fork, wishing someone would draw the attention to something else.
“Well, whatever you decide, we’ll help you,” Arnold reassured her.
July saw Max give a scowl out of the corner of her eye. “Thanks,” July replied hesitantly, still not sure what was up between Max and Arnold.
They finished eating and talked about various things, July and Amy talking about their years apart from each other and the things they had done. Max contributed to their conversation once in a while. Once dessert had been eaten, July and Amy stood up and began to gather plates.
“You don’t have to do that,” Charlotte said starting to get up and July ushered her back into her seat.
“I know, but I’m going to anyways. You just sit, you were the cook.” July grabbed the rest of the plates and went into the kitchen, Amy walking behind her.
“So what was that all about?” July inquired once the kitchen door closed and she was sure it was safe to talk.
“It’s stupid. He’s such a hypocrite,” Amy all but growled setting dishes on the counter and beginning to scrape food into the garbage.
“What? Who?” July asked taking the plates and rinsing them off in the sink.
“Dad,” Amy fumed as she scrapped the last plate. “He is so infuriating. He acts one way with you and with us, he’s totally different.”
“What do you mean? He’s seemed pretty nice so far.”
“That’s because dad puts on an act. Whenever we have people over, dad does a complete turn around. Stick around long enough and you’ll get to know the other side of him,” Amy replied cryptically, loading dishes into the dishwasher.
July was still confused and voiced her question. “So what was all that about though?”
Amy gave a sigh, resting her hip against the counter. “Dad is making Max go to law school to become a lawyer just like him. Max doesn’t want to, he despises dad’s job. And then tonight dad tells you he’ll help you whatever you decide, which makes matters more tense.”
“And the whole showing up on time?” July asked remembering the snide comment earlier.
“Max isn’t the most punctual person.”
“Gotcha,” July said leaning against the counter. “So what about you?”
Amy scrunched up her face. “I’m suppose to be a good little girl, graduate, find a nice man, pop out a couple of kids and be a good wife,” she answered with fake enthusiasm and July gave a short laugh.
“Right, like that’s going to happen,” she chuckled.
“Excuse me, are you trying to imply that I can’t get a guy?” Amy blinked at her but underlying her words was a teasing tone.
“No, but I mean come on. You do the whole mom at home thing? It’s just not you. I haven’t been around you for the last couple years but from what I remember, that’s not you.”
“And you’re right, that’s not me. Glad you remember,” Amy said with a half smile.
Just as July was about to say something, Max came in piled with the rest of the dishes. Amy took them from him and began to put away the leftovers.
“Man, I’m glad to be out of there,” he mumbled.
“I bet. Why do you think I started to gather the dishes? It was getting a bit too weird for me,” Amy replied, putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and turning it on.
“What time is it?” Max asked.
“Almost six,” July answered with a quick look at her watch.
“Still early,” he commented. “You two want to go do something?”
“You just want to get out of the house,” Amy shot back at him and Mike gave her a ‘duh’ expression as he hoisted himself onto the counter.
“We could go see what’s playing at the drive-in,” Amy suggested.
“You guys still have drive-in around here?” July exclaimed. “I’ve never been to one.”
“Well that settles it. We’re going. Can’t have July be under privileged,” Amy teased smirking.
“But movies don’t start playing until after seven,” Max reminded.
“Well, we can work on your car first then,” July supplied and Max gave her a smile.
“I like your thinking. Makes me think you might actually have a brain,” he taunted and side stepped away from the smack July aimed at his arm. “Now, now, no hitting the driver. Let’s go so you can propose our plan,” Max said to Amy, rolling his eyes. Max went out the door with Amy and July following.
“So what are you three up to?” Charlotte asked. Max prodded Amy, knowing that if she asked their dad would be more liable to say yes and give them some extra cash.
“Dad, we were wondering if it was okay to go to the drive-in. July’s never been to one,” Amy said, emphasizing on the never part.
“Sure,” Arnold agreed after thinking for a second. He dug in his pocket and pulled out a couple of bills. “Here’s some extra money for food. You guys have fun.”
“Thanks for coming July,” Charlotte said giving her a hug.
“Thanks for having me,” July replied and then turned towards Miriam. “It was really good to see you Miri. We should get together some time and you can help fill me in on stuff. Maybe help me go through the stuff at the house.”
“Of course. If you look in the top drawer in your parents’ office desk, you’ll find a little phone book. My number is in there under Valentino. Just call me whenever you need me,” Miriam said getting up and giving July an affectionate hug.
“I’ll take July home from the drive in,” Max stated and Arnold gave him a curt nod.
“Have fun,” Charlotte encouraged.
The trio waved bye and left out the front door, puling into Max’s car. It was painted a blood red and the windows were heavily tinted. He had modified it with a body kit but there wasn’t anyway for her to know what else he’d done to the car until she heard it, drove it, or checked underneath the hood.
July listened intently as Max turned on the car. Sure enough his engine started to make a weird sound.
“See what I mean,” Max complained. “It makes this sound for a few minutes but once I get going it stops.”
“I’ll have to check the engine but I’m pretty sure I know what it is.”
The ride to July’s house was filled with chatter. They talked about stuff that they liked: bands, show, movies, cars. The girls found they had tons in common and differed from Max slightly. They pulled up to July’s house soon and Max parked into her driveway.
“So this your car?” Max questioned, nodding towards the Accord.
“Yeah, I drove this one, but I got my good ones in the garage,” July replied as she made her way to the front door and opened it. “Come on in. We can get into the garage inside.
“If you don’t mind, I think I am going to sit and watch TV,” Amy said plopping down on the couch and July nodded at her. Amy wasn’t much into cars past driving them.
July and Max walked down the back hall. She opened the door to the garage and fumbled to find the light switch, finally finding it and flicking it on.
“Wow,” Max murmured going over to the cars.
July smirked and pressed a button to open the garage doors. “Let’s give your engine a few minutes to cool down before I do anything. Why don’t you pop the hood though?”
Max nodded and then followed July’s suggestion and popped the hood of his car. July began to tell him the basic of an engine and Max listen attentively.
Unbeknownst to them, Vince had been taking out the trash when he saw Max’s car pull up into July’s driveway. He stopped and watched as July and two other people got out of a car, one girl and one guy. They looked similar and V figured they were brother and sister. He remembered that July had gone over to have dinner with a friend. She hadn’t told him the specifics so he had no clue where she had gone.
He watched as they disappeared into the house and as the garage door open a few minutes later. Vince watched as the guy came out, opened his hood, and stood back, listening to July and she looked over the engine and pointed out a few things. Vince watched with rising anger as he saw them talked and laughed, the ease at which they interacted with each other. He could feel the jealousy rising within him and did the only thing that calmed him down. He got into his car slamming the door and peeled out, burning rubber as he flew down the street.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
tbc…
Author: BloodyTearsOfLife
Title: July Jones
Rating: PG-13/R
Disclaimer: All characters from The Fast and the Furious belong to Universal Studios, yada, yada, yada. I only own the ones you don’t know. And no profit is made of this, this is just for mine and hopefully your entertainment.
Summary: July Jones has just learned she's been lied to for the last 10 years. Now she is in LA trying to find the real her but it won't be easy and what happens when she moves next door to the team.
[|All Chapters|] [| Previous Chapter|]
Chapter 10: Dinner at the Lewis’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ride to the Lewis’ house was rather long, a good half an hour. It was filled with long silences and some small talk. They ended up in the ritzy area of LA, where the big mansion homes began to appear. Arnold parked in the large driveway of a three story white house. The bright green lawn was trimmed and an assortment of colored flowers dotted the sides of the walkway to the front door.
“Here we are,” Arnold said as they got out of the car.
“It’s big,” July mumbled, feeling intimidated by the size of the house, which seemed to dwarf her own home.
Arnold chuckled at her and the look on her face. “This is nothing compared to some of the houses further down.”
They made their way up the front and the door opened before they even reached it. Standing there was a short, slight plump looking woman, who had a grandmother feel to her. Laugh lines were etched into the russet skin of her face. She looked slightly older than Arnold and wore a warm smile on her face.
“Good evening Arnold,” the woman said taking the coat Arnold shrugged off. There was a hint of a Spanish accent in her voice and July was shocked to remember hearing that voice whispering in the back of her mind.
“Evening Miriam,” he replied as she reappeared from putting his coat away.
Miriam then caught sight of July, who was lingering behind Arnold not sure what to do. Miriam’s eyes widened, her hand flapping at her mouth. “Oh my goodness, is this who I think it is?” she asked, her eyes shining with hope.
“Why yes it is. July, I’d like you to meet Miriam, she use to be your nanny, we employed her after the accident.”
July stood there looking at the lady not sure who she was and desperately trying to put the name and face together and the whispering voice at the back of her mind.
“My July, you have grown so much,” Miriam cried, enveloping July into a hug, not noticing the bewildered look on her face.
Suddenly, imagines came to July, invading her mind. Memories were corrected and other’s came to the surface, refreshing emotions. July closed her eyes and allowed everything about Miriam to come back to her; images of a little girl and a younger looking Miriam playing together, bandaging her scrapes, teaching her how to tie her shoes, helping her with her homework. As July remembered everything about Miriam, she couldn’t stop the tears that came to her own eyes.
“I remember you, Miri,” July murmured into Miriam’s ear and returned the hug, the other woman’s cries doubling as July used the shorten version of her name that only she had ever used. Arnold politely left to give them a bit of privacy.
“I’m so glad you’re here now. You’re home now,” Miriam mumbled, her accent falling heavy. July instantly felt the spark of connection between them and felt like a tiny piece of the puzzle had been put into place. Miriam reluctantly let July go, wiping the tears from her face. “I don’t think I have ever cried tears of joy until now,” she commented, chuckling.
“Me neither,” July said drying her face too.
“Come, let’s go see where everyone is.” Miriam looped her arm into July’s. July moved closer to Miriam, tightening her grip slightly as if to assure herself that Miriam was real and wasn’t going anywhere. The connection between them was as if it had always there and to July, it felt as if she had gained back her aunt.
Miriam led her thought the elaborate hall into a very large dinning room. It could have easily seated twenty or more people but Miriam didn’t stop there. She continued into the next room that was much smaller and had a table that sat six, the table already set for dinner that evening.
“This is where we will be eating,” Miriam said and then led July through another door that lead into the kitchen. Charlotte was busy bustling around the kitchen, making food, while Arnold stood to the side.
“Oh hello dear. How are you?” Charlotte asked giving July a quick hug and then turning back to stir something on the stove.
“I’m doing good, how about you?”
“Great. As you can see Amy isn’t down yet, but she should be shortly.”
“So,” Miriam began as she started to help Charlotte, “Arnold told me you’re living in the house already, yes?”
July nodded. “Yeah, I haven’t done all the exploring yet. I’m still trying to get settled.”
“Arnold, why don’t you show July around the house while Miriam and I finishing cooking?” Charlotte suggested.
“Sure. Shall we?” Arnold prompted, waving his hand to the kitchen door.
July smiled and nodded her head and then exited the kitchen with Arnold on her heels. He gave her a brief tour of the house, smiling an amused smile when July gasped aloud at something that had impressed her. July found the house very large; it was easily two, or even three times the size of her house.
Off in the distance a phone rang and then stopped. July was startled when Charlotte’s voice came from the intercom at the end of the hall. Arnold walked down the hall and pressed a button.
“Yes dear?”
“The phone call is for you,” Charlotte’s voice said through the intercom.
“Alright, I’ll take it in my office.” Arnold pressed another button and then turned back to July.
“I’ve going to take this call. Feel free to look around. I’ll meet you back down in the kitchen when I am done,” he said sweeping past her and disappearing around the corner.
July found herself left all alone in the middle of the hall. She wasn’t alone for more than two seconds when she heard a door open and footsteps approach. A girl came into view as she rounded the corner. She was wearing a pair of jeans and an off the shoulder white shirt. Her flaming red hair fell in waves, barely brushing past her shoulders. Her brown eyes were regarding July with curiosity and as Amy stepped forward, July could make out the light layer of freckles on her face.
July felt extremely weird. It was as if she was seeing Amy for the first time but not--which, logically was true but strange nonetheless. July stood up straight but noticed that Amy had her by an inch or two. July stood still and waited for Amy to do something.
Amy was at a loss. This girl she had been missing forever was standing right in front of her and she didn’t know what to do. July looked a little different than the last time Amy had seen her. Her hair was really long, half way down her back and was black as ever. Her sky blue eyes still was the same but there was something hidden within them that made them different; maybe it was finding out the truth about everything. So many times Amy had wanted to call her and talk to her but couldn’t and now that July was standing in front of her, she was dumbfounded. She tentatively took a step forward not wanting to scare July.
“Hi,” she greeted with a smile.
“Hi,” July said feeling uneasy.
“I’m Amy,” Amy introduced herself, sticking out her hand.
“July.”
And as July shook her Amy’s hand, her world went black.
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It was as she was walking through a fog. Finally, the fog cleared and then July saw it: the memories. They came, showing themselves like a movie: scenes of her and Amy growing up and playing. She stood and watched herself grow before her own eyes. It was like she was experiencing them but at the same time she was watching them. It was a very confusing experience. The memories were just of her and Amy but a boy would show up every once in a while and she assumed it was Amy’s brother, Max. Slowly the images began to slow and fade, leaving her in the fog again.
Everyone surrounded July as her eyelids slowly fluttered open. She found herself laying on the floor in the hall, Charlotte and Miriam huddled close to her.
“Are you all right?” Miriam and Charlotte asked at the same time and then shared a maternal look with each other before looking back at July.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” July replied, sitting up and rubbing her head, which now had formed a headache.
“Did the same thing happen with Amy, like back at the office?” Arnold asked.
July glanced up at him and nodded, the pain too much for her to do much else at the moment. Slowly it started to subside and she found she had enough strength to stand up.
“Let’s go down stairs and sit you down at the table. Dinner is about ready,” Charlotte suggested. Charlotte and Miriam each hooked an arm around July and helped her down the stair and into the dinning room, with Amy and Arnold trailing behind them. July settled herself down into a chair as soon as they made it to the dinning room.
“You sure you’re okay?” Miriam asked again, noticing July’s still pale face.
“I’m fine. I think my brain’s just a little overloaded at the moment,” July answered, pressing a palm to her temple. Miriam fretted over her a moment longer before disappearing into the kitchen after Arnold and Charlotte, leaving Amy standing by the door.
“Sorry,” she whispered quietly.
“Huh?” July asked turning towards her, confused about what she was apologizing about.
“Sorry about making you faint,” Amy clarified, coming forward.
“Don’t worry about it. It was actually a good thing.”
“How was it a good thing?” Amy asked with a raised eyebrow.
“When I fainted, I remembered everything about you. It was like I was watching a movie about us, but it was really just my memories that I was finally able to remember,” July said not exactly knowing the words to explain what had happened but tried her best.
“So you remember me now?” Amy asked coming closer.
“Yeah Fuse,” July replied, using Amy’s nickname that she remembered. Since everyone called July “Firecracker”, they called Amy “Fuse”.
Amy broke out with a smile on her face and sat down across the table from July, a nostalgic smile on her face. “Man, it’s been forever since anyone has called me that.”
“Why’s that?” July asked and Amy’s faced darkened.
“After you left, no one called me “Fuse” anymore, it just didn’t seem right with you not here,” she explained with a grim smile.
They sat in silence for a second until Amy spoke back up. “Do you remember what we use to call Max?”
July thought for a moment before her own grin broke out on her face. “Match,” July answered laughing lightly.
“Yup, and you remember why?” Amy continued, her smile growing even larger to show the front of straight, white teeth.
“Because your brother would do or say something to make us mad, so everyone called him “Match” because he would set us off,” July said, recalling the vague memory of Max saying something to the two of them and then they would get mad and chase after him. The two of them spent the next few minutes reminiscing until the door to the dining room opened and a guy came in. Amy was instantly upon him, hugging him.
“Okay, give me room to breathe here why don’t ya?” he grumbled, releasing Amy.
They chatted for a few seconds and July felt some envy at the sibling bantering between the two of them. They kept talking until the guy caught sight of July. “Hey, she’s already here,” Max commented, coming towards July.
July stood up and evaluated Max. He was quiet a few inches taller than her. His brown hair was shaggy and his green eyes were a sparkly emerald color. She could see the features that him and his sister shared, same noses, chin. Their mouths and eyes were where they varied the most. Amy’s eyes were more rounded like her mother’s while Max’s were almond shaped like his father’s.
She felt Max’s eyes sweep over her and resisted the urge to make sure her hair was laying flat. It wasn’t that she was attracted to him, because after everything she remembered, he seemed more like a brother to her; she just wanted to make a good second impression.
“I’m Max,” he said sticking out his hand. Amy’s eyes widen in fear as July went to shake his hand.
“I’m July, but you probably already know that,” July replied, cautiously shaking his hand. Both her and Amy breathed a sigh of relief when July didn’t faint again. A couple more images came to her mind but she didn’t feel any intense pain this time, just a slight prickle.
“Yeah I already knew, but I figured I could still do the introduction incase you didn’t,” he shot back with a smirk.
“No, I knew. Amy and I were just talking about you,” July taunted, sticking her hands into her back pocket, taking up her usual stance.
“Oh really?” Max looked back at Amy skeptically.
“Don’t worry, nothing bad. Well, nothing too bad.” Amy said grinning.
Max rolled his eyes at her and turned back to July. “So you’re living in LA now?” he asked and July nodded her head. “You been out and around yet?”
July gave a slight shrug. “Your dad showed me around one day, just to give me a layout of the city.”
“Yeah, but he probably took you to all the boring places,” Max said taking off his leather jacket to reveal a slightly muscular built body and the telling of a tattoo on his arm peeked out from his white shirt.
“I wouldn’t doubt,” Amy added and then looked at July. “Don’t worry, I’ll show you all the cool places to go,” she promised and the two shared a smile.
A silence fell over them just as the kitchen door opened. Out came Charlotte, Miriam, both who were carrying dishes piled with food and trailing behind them was Arnold, who was carrying a pitcher of water and one of iced tea. Once Charlotte had set down her dishes, she took the pitchers from Arnold and began to fill everyone’s cups. After she was done and set the pitchers down, she went over to Max and gave him a hug.
“Hey honey,” Charlotte gushed, her voice as sweet as saccharine.
“Hey Mom, Dad,” Max greeted back, giving his dad a nod.
“You’re actually here on time,” Arnold remarked mockingly.
“Well you said we were having company so I didn’t want to be late,” Max replied defensively and Charlotte stepped in between the two of them.
“Now, none of that you two,” she chided. “Let’s just sit and eat.”
With one last glance at each other they sat down, Arnold taking the head of the table and Max sitting on the side very far end away from him. July looked at this with a raised eyebrow and then turned a questioning face to Amy. Amy rolled her eyes and gave her an ‘I’ll tell you later’ look and then took a seat next to Max. July and Miriam sat down on the other side of the table while Charlotte took the other head seat.
“Let’s eat. I didn’t slave over a stove all day to just look at food,” Charlotte prompted.
Everyone gave a small chuckle and it slightly dissipated the air of tension that had settled over them. For the next few minutes that only noise was the clanks of food being dished out and passed around. Once everything was passed around, they all dug in. After a few bites of food, Arnold cleared his throat.
“July, so how’s everything going?” he asked pleasantly.
“Okay, everything is going fine. I found a place to get car parts so I’m going to be working on the cars this week,” July answered, taking a sip of her iced tea.
“What cars you working on?” Max eagerly questioned.
“My parents left me a Toyota Soarer and a Nova,” July said taking another bite of her food.
“I begged dad to let me get a Skyline but he wouldn’t let me.”
“So what do you have instead?”
“An Acura Legend, but I have to take it in,” he grumbled, “it’s been making this funny sound when I first start it up.”
“I could tell you what is wrong with it if I heard it.”
“You’re a mechanic?” Max asked surprised.
“Yeah. My…” July stalled not sure how to word it but started again when she figured she might as well just say it how it was, but found it harder than she thought it would be. “My… adopted dad owned a shop and taught me everything. I also took classes in high school.”
“So you’ll be going to high school with me then,” Amy stated.
“No I won’t,” July corrected.
“What?”
“I already graduated,” she supplied but was met with several puzzled frowns. July spent the next few minutes explaining how she had graduated early.
Amy gave a pout. “Wow, I’m majorly jealous, you got to finish a whole year early.”
“So what are you thinking about doing now?” Miriam asked, her eyes shining with pride.
“Not sure. I was thinking about getting a job or maybe even going to college. I don’t know,” July mumbled stabbing her food with her fork, wishing someone would draw the attention to something else.
“Well, whatever you decide, we’ll help you,” Arnold reassured her.
July saw Max give a scowl out of the corner of her eye. “Thanks,” July replied hesitantly, still not sure what was up between Max and Arnold.
They finished eating and talked about various things, July and Amy talking about their years apart from each other and the things they had done. Max contributed to their conversation once in a while. Once dessert had been eaten, July and Amy stood up and began to gather plates.
“You don’t have to do that,” Charlotte said starting to get up and July ushered her back into her seat.
“I know, but I’m going to anyways. You just sit, you were the cook.” July grabbed the rest of the plates and went into the kitchen, Amy walking behind her.
“So what was that all about?” July inquired once the kitchen door closed and she was sure it was safe to talk.
“It’s stupid. He’s such a hypocrite,” Amy all but growled setting dishes on the counter and beginning to scrape food into the garbage.
“What? Who?” July asked taking the plates and rinsing them off in the sink.
“Dad,” Amy fumed as she scrapped the last plate. “He is so infuriating. He acts one way with you and with us, he’s totally different.”
“What do you mean? He’s seemed pretty nice so far.”
“That’s because dad puts on an act. Whenever we have people over, dad does a complete turn around. Stick around long enough and you’ll get to know the other side of him,” Amy replied cryptically, loading dishes into the dishwasher.
July was still confused and voiced her question. “So what was all that about though?”
Amy gave a sigh, resting her hip against the counter. “Dad is making Max go to law school to become a lawyer just like him. Max doesn’t want to, he despises dad’s job. And then tonight dad tells you he’ll help you whatever you decide, which makes matters more tense.”
“And the whole showing up on time?” July asked remembering the snide comment earlier.
“Max isn’t the most punctual person.”
“Gotcha,” July said leaning against the counter. “So what about you?”
Amy scrunched up her face. “I’m suppose to be a good little girl, graduate, find a nice man, pop out a couple of kids and be a good wife,” she answered with fake enthusiasm and July gave a short laugh.
“Right, like that’s going to happen,” she chuckled.
“Excuse me, are you trying to imply that I can’t get a guy?” Amy blinked at her but underlying her words was a teasing tone.
“No, but I mean come on. You do the whole mom at home thing? It’s just not you. I haven’t been around you for the last couple years but from what I remember, that’s not you.”
“And you’re right, that’s not me. Glad you remember,” Amy said with a half smile.
Just as July was about to say something, Max came in piled with the rest of the dishes. Amy took them from him and began to put away the leftovers.
“Man, I’m glad to be out of there,” he mumbled.
“I bet. Why do you think I started to gather the dishes? It was getting a bit too weird for me,” Amy replied, putting the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and turning it on.
“What time is it?” Max asked.
“Almost six,” July answered with a quick look at her watch.
“Still early,” he commented. “You two want to go do something?”
“You just want to get out of the house,” Amy shot back at him and Mike gave her a ‘duh’ expression as he hoisted himself onto the counter.
“We could go see what’s playing at the drive-in,” Amy suggested.
“You guys still have drive-in around here?” July exclaimed. “I’ve never been to one.”
“Well that settles it. We’re going. Can’t have July be under privileged,” Amy teased smirking.
“But movies don’t start playing until after seven,” Max reminded.
“Well, we can work on your car first then,” July supplied and Max gave her a smile.
“I like your thinking. Makes me think you might actually have a brain,” he taunted and side stepped away from the smack July aimed at his arm. “Now, now, no hitting the driver. Let’s go so you can propose our plan,” Max said to Amy, rolling his eyes. Max went out the door with Amy and July following.
“So what are you three up to?” Charlotte asked. Max prodded Amy, knowing that if she asked their dad would be more liable to say yes and give them some extra cash.
“Dad, we were wondering if it was okay to go to the drive-in. July’s never been to one,” Amy said, emphasizing on the never part.
“Sure,” Arnold agreed after thinking for a second. He dug in his pocket and pulled out a couple of bills. “Here’s some extra money for food. You guys have fun.”
“Thanks for coming July,” Charlotte said giving her a hug.
“Thanks for having me,” July replied and then turned towards Miriam. “It was really good to see you Miri. We should get together some time and you can help fill me in on stuff. Maybe help me go through the stuff at the house.”
“Of course. If you look in the top drawer in your parents’ office desk, you’ll find a little phone book. My number is in there under Valentino. Just call me whenever you need me,” Miriam said getting up and giving July an affectionate hug.
“I’ll take July home from the drive in,” Max stated and Arnold gave him a curt nod.
“Have fun,” Charlotte encouraged.
The trio waved bye and left out the front door, puling into Max’s car. It was painted a blood red and the windows were heavily tinted. He had modified it with a body kit but there wasn’t anyway for her to know what else he’d done to the car until she heard it, drove it, or checked underneath the hood.
July listened intently as Max turned on the car. Sure enough his engine started to make a weird sound.
“See what I mean,” Max complained. “It makes this sound for a few minutes but once I get going it stops.”
“I’ll have to check the engine but I’m pretty sure I know what it is.”
The ride to July’s house was filled with chatter. They talked about stuff that they liked: bands, show, movies, cars. The girls found they had tons in common and differed from Max slightly. They pulled up to July’s house soon and Max parked into her driveway.
“So this your car?” Max questioned, nodding towards the Accord.
“Yeah, I drove this one, but I got my good ones in the garage,” July replied as she made her way to the front door and opened it. “Come on in. We can get into the garage inside.
“If you don’t mind, I think I am going to sit and watch TV,” Amy said plopping down on the couch and July nodded at her. Amy wasn’t much into cars past driving them.
July and Max walked down the back hall. She opened the door to the garage and fumbled to find the light switch, finally finding it and flicking it on.
“Wow,” Max murmured going over to the cars.
July smirked and pressed a button to open the garage doors. “Let’s give your engine a few minutes to cool down before I do anything. Why don’t you pop the hood though?”
Max nodded and then followed July’s suggestion and popped the hood of his car. July began to tell him the basic of an engine and Max listen attentively.
Unbeknownst to them, Vince had been taking out the trash when he saw Max’s car pull up into July’s driveway. He stopped and watched as July and two other people got out of a car, one girl and one guy. They looked similar and V figured they were brother and sister. He remembered that July had gone over to have dinner with a friend. She hadn’t told him the specifics so he had no clue where she had gone.
He watched as they disappeared into the house and as the garage door open a few minutes later. Vince watched as the guy came out, opened his hood, and stood back, listening to July and she looked over the engine and pointed out a few things. Vince watched with rising anger as he saw them talked and laughed, the ease at which they interacted with each other. He could feel the jealousy rising within him and did the only thing that calmed him down. He got into his car slamming the door and peeled out, burning rubber as he flew down the street.
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tbc…