Rachel slipped the keys to the store into the lock and opened the door. Her right hand automatically went up to turn off the security alarm and flip on the lights to the show floor. Taking off her coat as she made her way to her desk she smiled, knowing that her father, although always late, would surely make his way into the shop just in time to have missed most of the inventory.
Laughing softly to herself she sat down at her desk and slipped her purse into the lower right drawer as usual. As she did, her eyes moved over her desk taking in what paper work she had to do that morning. Her eyes stopped on a simple white envelope with her name on the front in her fathers hand writing. "Oh, so not gonna show up at all for inventory is that it Dad?", she thought as she went to open the envelope. With a soft gasp she read the letter over and over, hardly believing what her eyes were seeing.
My Dearest Rachel,
It is with a sad and heavy heart that I must tell you this. I know I said it a few weeks earlier, and that it did not come to pass, but as of today it has. Russell Nash dies today. But then you knew he would. I had explained that to you years ago. You already know what my real name is and how to contact me should some disaster occur. I explained in length that night why I would have to go. You my daughter are the only person that knows the true reasons why I have to go.
It hurts me more than words can express that I have to leave, but I can leave now with a less heavy heart as you have found Jake. He will take care of you. Of this much I know. Remember, you are always my daughter. You are special like no other.
I am sure Brenda will seek you out, try to not tell her too much my daughter. Brenda will fret too much. You know all that she saw that night, and why I have spent time with her up until now, reassuring her that it was all just some wild flight of her imagination. She will need you more in the days to come I am sure.
I also have deeded the antique shop into your name. I trust you to run it as I would. All that I ask is that you keep my inner room safe, and all the items within it. They are still my memories and of my past in some way or another.
I trust you to handle it Rachel. You are the only one who can.
With all my love,
Your father,
Rachel couldn't think. She always knew this day would happen. She just didn't expect it so soon. Rachel took a deep cleansing breath, and fought the tears that threatened to stain the letter and the papers on her desk. Carefully folding the note back into the envelope she placed it carefully into her purse. Standing up she walked around the shop, composing herself, making her self ready to forge into her future with her father gone.
Brenda and Rachel--New York--1978
Brenda stepped out of the taxi and looked up at Nash Antiques, a whirlwind of emotions playing out on her face. She remembered well the day Connor took her into his round room and proceeded to put a dagger in her hand and stab himself. Even though Brenda had convinced herself that this was all a show and the dagger wasn't real, the emotions that played out that day were real. She remembered it all with clarity. Taking a deep breath she walked up to the front door of the shop and let herself in.
"Rachel? Are you here?" Brenda's husky breathless voice called out through the reaches of the deceptively large shop.
"Rachel? Its Brenda! I really need to talk to you!" Brenda called out again as she'd gotten no response to the first question.
"I'm in the back Brenda. One Moment," came Rachel's finely cultivated voice from the back of the shop.
As Rachel stood from the inventory, she pushed her hair back out of her eyes gracefully. She did not look forward to this meeting. Indeed she knew it was going to be one of the hardest meetings she'd ever had. As she made her way to the front of the store, her soft blue eyes swept over Brenda Wyatt. What she saw broke her heart. Brenda was pale as a ghost, her eyes shadowed with a pain that Rachel could only guess at. Yes, she had lost her father, but she still had her Jake. Brenda had no one now.
"Hello Brenda, I won't ask how you are doing. I';m pretty sure I know that answer."
A soft laugh escaped Brenda unaware "If you only knew Rachel. If you only knew." Brenda looked at Rachel intently. " Listen if you have any idea where your Father is. Id really like to know. I have news I need to tell him. Its important. His disappearance is really most ill timed."
Rachel looked at Brenda with a deep sadness. "I wish I could tell you Brenda. But I can't. I don't know myself where he went. He did this sometimes, when he needed to escape. But he has never done it when involved with someone. I don't know how to help you. I wish I did. but I don't."
Brenda sighed softly. She had hoped against hope that Rachel would know. Of course, Rachel had no ideas of where Connor had disappeared too and with that knowledge Brenda knew that she was just going to have to deal with her little predicament alone.
Brenda looked at Rachel a long moment. "I'm sorry, I know you've lost your father. That's got to be as hard as me losing the man I love. I hope that over time we can continue being friends."
Rachel smiled at the younger woman. "Of course Brenda. Father would have it no other way."
Brenda smiled at Rachel and turned to walk out of the shop, to try to forge a new life. She knew she would be unable to forget Connor, especially now, but there was something more important she had to concentrate on. Yes, there was definitely something more important to concentrate on.
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