The Clandestine Assistant

3. Back Home

"I'm so glad you're coming with me." I laid my head down on Charlotte's shoulder. 

Charlotte turned away from the airplane window, laying her head on top of mine. "Me and you babe, through thick and thin." 

"Aww you guys are adorable. When's the wedding?" Mark gushed from across the isle. 

"Shut it Mark!" I threw my bag of biscotti at him. "You're just jealous of our friendship." 

Mark smirked. "Not jealous, girls are just weird. Can you imagine if I told Chris...me and you babe through thick and thin?" 

I laughed. "Yeah that would be weird. Where is he these days?" 

Mark looked at dad. "He's here and there. Traveling a lot." 

"Well next time you talk to him tell him I said hi." 

Mark nodded. "I will." 

I smiled as I thought of Chris. I'd always kind of had a crush on him, since I was about ten. He lived next door, and has always treated me like a little sister. I sighed, oh well I'd never be his type anyways. 

"What's wrong?" Ava asked. 

I smiled, and yawned. "Nothing." I leaned my seat back, and pulled out my eye mask. "I'm going to try and sleep a little." 

"Ooh try this." Charlotte put her headphones over my ears. "It's supposed to help you sleep." Soft music, with rain in the background started playing. I smiled, Charlotte was always into the hippy stuff, and trying new things. I could feel my eyes getting heavy. 

"Ava, Ava wake up!" I felt my body being shaken. I lifted off my mask, and blinked as my eyes adjusted to the brightness. "We're descending." Charlotte smiled at me. 

I smiled back, sitting my seat up. I hated this part, the plane going down and making your stomach roll up a million times. I took a deep breath. Mark reached over and grabbed my hand. I smiled at him.

"It's ok, we're almost down." He reassured me. 

I nodded. "Thank you." Mark winked and nodded at me. He drove me nuts, but he was a really good big brother. He never let anyone talk bad about or hurt me, he had gotten in many fights defending me growing up. Which was often, kids are cruel to anyone who doesn’t fit the norm, and being one of the bigger girls made me the butt of many jokes. I squeezed his hand thinking back to the day he found out about what she had done. I had to beg him through tears not to say anything. He was ready to kill her. I closed my eyes as the plane touched down on the ground, making me hop slightly in my seat. 

I heard the dinging of the intercom system. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to John F. Kennedy Airport. It's six PM eastern standard time, Sunny and seventy five degrees. On behalf of Hart Airlines and the entire crew, I’d like to thank you for joining us on this trip. We look forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice evening!” 

"Sis?" Mark was staring at me. "Can I have my hand back?" He asked. 

"Oh sorry." I dropped his hand. 

He laughed, and rubbed his hands together. "It still shocks me how strong you are sometimes." 

"Sorry." I smiled through my teeth. We got our bags out of the overhead compartment and made our way towards the front of the plane. "Why didn't you just bring your plane?" I asked dad. 

"Elaine had a show in France this weekend. Plus I like to see how things are on flights every once in awhile." Dad replied with a smile. "She'll be home tomorrow though, she's excited to see you." 

I felt a pit in the bottom of my stomach. Mark put his hand on my shoulder and whispered. "It will be ok, I'll be there." 

I laid my hand on top of his, and nodded. 

"How was your flight Mr. Hart?" The pilot asked, as we walked by. 

"It was good Frank thank you. Smooth flying." Dad replied as he shook his hand, then the flight attendants as well. "Shirley, you guys did good thank you." They smiled and nodded as we exited. 

"How do you remember first names like that?" Charlotte asked. 

"I don't know, I've just always been able to." Dad replied.

"Ava can do it too!" Mark added. 

"How have I not noticed that before?" Charlotte asked me. 

I laughed. "Well you're not the most observant person out there Char." 

Charlotte shrugged. "That's true!" 

We made our way to baggage claim and got our bags. "Charley should be waiting for us outside." Dad informed us. 

We walked outside and sure enough, he was waiting outside with the SUV. I walked up and gave him a hug. "Ms. Ava it's so nice to see you." 

"I missed you Charley. How are the boys?" 

"Growing like weeds and eating us out of house and home I'm afraid." 

I smiled, as he loaded our bags in the back. "Well, you tell them I want to see them ok?" 

"Yes Ms. Ava." He smiled opening the door. I climbed in followed by Charlotte. "Ms. Finch nice to see you again." 

"You as well Charley." 

Dad and Mark took the middle, while Charley sat in the driver's seat. "Straight home Sir?" 

"Yes Charley. Thank you."

Charley nodded and pulled out, to make the trip home. 

"We should probably start looking for apartments tomorrow. Look through ads, see what's available." I told Charlotte. 

"Sounds good. Want ads for you too." She winked at me. 

"Wait you're not staying at home?" Dad asked. 

"Dad I don't want to make that commute everyday. Plus how do I fly under the radar if I live in South Hampton village?" 

Dad sighed. "What about the Park Avenue Condo?"

"Again. How do I justify living there?"

"Fine but I'm putting you girls up in one of our apartments." 

"Dad." 

"Ava I insist. It's not negotiable. If you're going to be living in the city, it will be in one of our buildings." 

"You know he's not going to cave. Just give in." Mark added. 

"Fine." Charlotte was smiling, at me. "What?" 

"Sorry but I agree with your Dad on this one." 

I shook my head. "Traitor!" Charlotte laughed. "What are you doing?" I asked Charlotte. 

"Ordering some buisness attire for my new job." She smiled. 

Mark looked back and smirked. "Daddy's credit card?"

Charlotte stuck her tongue out at Mark. Dad slapped him. "What was that for?" Mark asked.

"Leave Charlotte alone, you work for me. How is that any different?"

Mark looked at Charlotte and rolled his eyes. She shrugged her shoulders and smirked.

Dad and Mark started looking through their phones, doing work stuff I am sure. I sat looking at the city, whizzing by outside my window.. I knew this drive all to well, this was home. After the hour and a half drive we pulled up to the house. I loved this home it was big, but it was cozy. Elaine had changed a lot of it over the years, but there was still traces of my mom all over, it gave me comfort to know at least part of her was still here. I had been dreading coming back. I hadn’t been back for more then a week since I left for boarding school at twelve. But I would have one night before she got back. One night to relax and just enjoy it.

Charley stopped in front of the house and opened the drivers side passenger door, letting dad out. Mark hopped out, as Charlotte and I followed.

"Thanks Charley. You can take the day off tomorrow. We are going to just hang out around here. I'll send you a message tomorrow evening with Wednesdays schedule."

"Yes sir." Charley replied. "Welcome home Ms. Ava, it really is good to see you again."

I hugged him again. "Thanks Charley. Tell the boys I will reach out once we get settled. Give Jill my love too." Charley nodded and got back in the car.

We grabbed our bags and headed into the house. "I just love it here." Charlotte smiled.

"Dinner in thirty minutes." Dad said as he started towards his room.

"Let's go get settled." I smiled. "Thanks Dad." We made our way down the hallway to two rooms at the end. I went into my room while Charlotte took the one next to me. I smiled looking around. I crashed on the bed and sighed.

Charlotte ran in and crashed down next to me. "It's official now. We're adults." She rolled over onto her belly and frowned at me. "How boring."

I smiled up at her. "At least we have one night before the witch gets home."

Charlotte sighed. "She's not that bad. I can’t stand her either, but maybe she will be better this time." She kissed my forehead. "I'm gonna go shower before dinner."

I smiled and nodded, rolling over onto my side. I grabbed the picture of mom and I on the side table and smiled. Charlotte meant well. From her perspective my step mom really wasn't that bad, but she had no idea. No one knew what she had put me through growing up, not even Mark. He only knew a little bit. I just kept it to myself, I wanted him to be happy,  and she made him happy. I sighed and hopped out of bed, making my way to my bathroom to shower myself.