Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ All Star Dreams (Ver. 3) ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

All Star Dreams: Chapter TwoBy Bekka Mouri-Hibiki
© Bekka Mouri-Hibiki 2007


Betty walked into the post office carrying a big box, garnering a few odd glances from the people that were there. She had stayed up all night printing her stories so she could mail them to the publisher that had showed interest in them. Two reams and a few ink changes later, she had everything bound and ready to go. Once she had it mailed, she was looking forward to a long day of sleep and possibly finding out more about the black-haired haired man that had come to her rescue a few days before.


She had been off from work in the days following the incident since no events had been planned and she used her time to finish her three stories. Something about her rescuer had charged her up and she had been walking on air since meeting him. It was like his touch had broke something loose inside of her, allowing her to feel the world around her again. Perhaps she was being foolish since he was way out of her league and probably wouldn't have looked at her if she hadn't backed into him.

She tried not thinking about that, her mind manufacturing fantasy after fantasy involving him though she knew it was crazy. It gave her something to hold onto and great fodder for new stories she was bound to write. In the three days since meeting him, she had written several little stories about how they would meet again. The scenes had played out in her head and she was but a helpless scribe as she wrote them out.

Since she had finished her serious work, the foolishness had been a welcome break. As she waited in line, a new fantasy involving her man-god bubbled to the top and she began to get antsy, dying to get home and write it out. She looked at the clock on the wall as the line slowly trudged forward then caught the scrutinizing gaze of a policeman in the corner. He was probably in his forties, looked like the typical cop type and scanned her with a critical stare.

Betty hated cops because they always looked at her like she was guilty of something. Her pale white skin and black hair made her look like a Goth punk. She didn't think she looked that bad though since she dressed usually in nice dress shirts and tight jeans. She tried to look as normal as possible but it just didn't work.

Her mother had been Cherokee Indian and her father, besides being a bastard, had been a tall Norwegian from Norway. The story of how her parents met had never been quite clear but she was the result of the their union. Her mother had stood six two while her father had been seven even, Betty's height petering out a bit taller than her mother. She resembled her mother except in a taller package, something she was grateful for since she pretty much put her father just below pond scum on her mental rating scale.


The cop shifted as if he was going to approach Betty but her turn in line finally came up. Relieved, she stepped up to the counter, setting down her package. " I'd like to send this to New York please, " Betty told the mail clerk.

" Goodness that's a big package, " The older gray haired lady said. She looked really awake though it was still early; 9:00 am. She looked at Betty over her horn-rimmed glasses, " What's in there? "

" It's something I've been working on for long while, " Betty told the lady as she tried not to get nervous. She didn't like talking to strangers, especially ones that cast a critical gaze on her as if they already had their ideas about her. " Can you tell me how much postage will be? "

" Set it on the scale and I'll let you know, " The lady nodded. Betty set the package down and she arched an eyebrow at Betty. " That's heavy. What's in there? "

" A thousand pages of paper, " Betty said.

" Oh, " The woman nodded in a way that told Betty she didn't believe her. She calculated the postage. " How soon do you need it to get there? "

" As quickly as possible, " Betty said.

" Overnight is fifty-one dollars, " The lady said. " Now we can send it three day for... "

Betty got her wallet out. She got out a fifty and a one then laid the money out on the counter, " Fifty one even right? "

The woman looked puzzled, " Without tax. "

" Oh, " Betty tucked the rest of her cash back into her wallet after getting an extra five. " I was afraid it would be more. "

The woman nodded once, " Right. Now, empty the box. "

" What? " Betty was puzzled by the woman's request.

" I said for you to empty the box. I want to see what's in there before I take it, " The woman said. She pointed to a sign on the wall that said all large packages had to be open for inspection. " It's policy. "

Betty sighed, " Give me something to split the tape with then. I didn't see the sign the other times I was here. "

The woman handed Betty a pair of scissors then stepped back from the counter. Betty noticed that everyone else in the post office had either backed off or went into the foyer. Betty tried not to think about what they were thinking as she slowly slit the tape. Once it was cut, she took out the first manuscript.

She set it down on the desk then took out the next one and finally the last. The woman came a little closer then looked at Betty. " Is that everything? "

Betty nodded, " Like I told you. It just a thousand sheets of paper. "

The woman eyed the manuscripts warily, " Turn the box upside down. "



Betty sighed and turned the box over, shaking it. " Empty. "


" Re-pack your box, " The woman said. " I guess it's safe. "

Betty sighed and put her manuscripts back in the box. " Is that all? " She asked. She tried not to think the clerk was suspicious of her, convincing herself that it was for national security.


" Yes, " The woman picked up the money.

" Thank you, " Betty said and waited for the receipt to print up. She watched as the woman put the postage label on the box then handed her the receipt and change. " Have a good day. "

The woman said nothing in return as she put her 'station closed' sign on the counter. Betty turned to leave and had just barely got out of the post office when the cop came up to her. She tried to smile, " Yes officer? "



" What's you name girl? " The cop asked.



" Betty, " She replied.



" Your full name, " The cop said sharply.



" Betty Rogers-Skogan, " Betty tried not to respond with the same tone. She was certain what question was coming next.

" What school do you go to? " The officer asked.

" School? " Betty asked. She was surprised. Most of the time, the police would say something about her father.

" Shouldn't you be in school? " The officer acted like Betty was trying to dodge the question.

" Not in thirteen years sir, " Betty said. She cursed the fact she looked young for her age for it caused more problems than it was worth.

The officer looked puzzled. " Can I see some ID? "

Betty got out her driver's license. She pointed to her birth date on it, " I'm twenty-nine sir. "

The officer looked at the ID for a long time before handing it back to Betty. He then muttered, " Sorry about that. "

" No problem, " Betty said. She waited as the cop walked back into the post office then headed for her car.


**



Daniel threw a wadded up sock at the half-dressed Branslav to get his attention. He had been in a daze since the banquet, not paying attention too much off court. He and Daniel had just finished practice and were supposed to be heading out to lunch. Daniel had called Branslav's name several times and couldn't get his attention but the sock seemed to do it.


Branslav snatched the sock up from the floor and threw it back at Daniel, " What? "

" I said we need to get a move on if we're going to make our reservations, " Daniel threw the sock again.

Branslav deflected it that time, sending it flying off into his locker. " Sorry. It's just I can't seem to get my mind off... "

" Betty? " Daniel arched an eyebrow. " And I thought you said love at first sight didn't exist. "

" I thought I didn't, " Branslav sighed. " Did you see her eyes? "

" Dark as the deepest midnight, " Daniel rolled his eyes. " You've said it at least a hundred times in the last three days. "

" I hope she didn't get fired, " Branslav muttered as he stood up to pull up his pants.


" We can stop by the hotel on our way back, " Daniel said.

Branslav shook his head, " What if she's there and gets freaked out by me showing up? What if I show up and she gets in trouble? "

" You think too damn much man, " Daniel shook his head. " You just need to bat or get off the plate. "

" What? " Branslav looked confused. " I don't understand you. "

Daniel laughed, " Oh. What I meant was you need to take your chance man. "

" Oh, " Branslav nodded. Though he had been in America since he was nineteen, he was still having trouble with understanding the slang. He knew a lot of American men used baseball terms to describe dating and sex but he wasn't sure what everything meant.

Daniel shook his head, " You need to make a move man. I think she was just as much into you as you were into her. "

" You think? " Branslav cocked his head to the side. " Really? "

" She nearly passed out looking at you so yeah, " Daniel said. " I hope you can keep your mind off of her tonight though. I'd hate for us to lose to Robert's team just because you're obsessing over a girl. "

" I'm not obsessing, " Branslav shot back. " I just can't get her off my mind. "

The door to the locker room swung open, Martin coming in with the Supernova's coach, Fox Sweet, in tow. " Oh there you are Branslav, " Martin said. " Coach Sweet and I have been looking for you forever. "

Fox was an average looking six foot tall forty year old with red hair and green eyes. He was a former high school coach but was picked up by Martin under unclear circumstances. He was a good coach but struck most of the players as kind of creepy off court. " What do you need coach? " Branslav asked.

Coach Sweet stepped forward. " I need you boys to come back as soon as you're finished with lunch. We need to work on Daniel's free throws and your three pointers Branslav. "

" But we're the best on the team, " Daniel started.

" Then why were the stats from the San Diego game so awful? " Martin arched an eyebrow. He shook his head, " No. You two need lots of work if you're ever going to get out of the prep league. "

Daniel let out a frustrated growl but Branslav put a hand on the younger man's shoulder. He nodded, " Yes sir. "

Martin looked at Branslav, " I think you and I still have some unfinished business Branslav. Come see me in my office when you get back. "

Branslav narrowed his eyes. He remembered that he hadn't talked to Martin yet about the incident at the hotel. He was hoping he had forgotten but Martin was unlikely to forget anything. He looked Martin in the eye, " Yes sir. "

There was a knock on the frame of the locker room door, " You guys ready? "


" Not yet, " Coach Sweet said as he glanced at Robert over his shoulder. He sneered, " What are you doing here Hughes? "

" What? " Martin turned around. He gave Robert a nasty smirk, " Oh. I thought you said you'd never set foot in this locker room again Hughes. "

" I'm still outside aren't I? " Robert narrowed his eyes. He wore a faded black t-shirt under a brown leather jacket and a pair of well-worn jeans, the knees thin and starting to tear and finished off the look with a pair of black motorcycle boots.

" We're coming Robert, " Branslav looked at his friend. " I think we're finished here. "

Martin nodded, " For now. "

Branslav and Daniel walked past Coach Sweet and Martin. As they started to walk away with Robert, Martin called out, " White Bread. "

" What now? " Robert snapped. He hated the nickname Martin had bestowed upon him. He had gotten it because he was so straight-laced and never did anything wrong, on or off the court, since coming to the prep league.

" I hope you're ready for your friends to kick your ass tonight, " Martin smirked.

Robert narrowed his eyes, " We'll see about that. "

" Let's go, " Branslav growled. " We don't have time for you to get into it here. "

Robert rejoined his friends as he ground his jaw. He wanted to hit Martin so badly but he had an image to uphold. He would be setting a bad example if he hauled off and socked Martin in his smug mouth. " Let's just forget about him, okay? " Branslav said.

" I'll try, " Robert replied.



" Let's talk about something else, " Branslav said.

Daniel rolled his eyes, " Oh boy. "

Branslav ignored Daniel, " Do you think we should see if Betty got to keep her job later on? "

" When later on? " Robert asked. " I heard you two need to get back here for more practice later. "

Branslav shrugged, " I don't know but I'd like to know you know? "

Robert shook his head, " Look man. We wrote two pages each and I know a lot of other players went and vouched for her too. If she got fired it was by an illiterate blind man. "

Branslav though about it then nodded, " Point taken. "

Robert was silent for a long moment, the memory of the woman still sticking in his mind. She had been on his mind quite a bit even though he didn't want her to be. There had been something about her that made her hard to forget. He too was worried that she had been fired but he didn't want to admit it.



He found her attractive and it scared him. He had tried so hard for so long not to get attracted to anyone else because he was married. Though things weren't as good as they had been, he wanted to keep it together. His whole world revolved around his family and he didn't want to do anything to destroy it.



" So do you think we should go after practice? " Branslav asked, breaking Robert's trance.



" I have to be at my hotel as soon as practice is over to call my wife, " Robert sighed. " You two can go. "



Daniel put his hands up, " I got a date after practice. "



Branslav looked at his friends, " Then I'll go by myself. "



" That sounds good, " Robert said. " You call us if you find anything out. "



" Yeah, " Daniel nodded. " I want to know if she got to keep her job. "



Branslav nodded, " I'll call you both. "



" Sounds like a plan, " Robert said. " Now. Let's get out of here. I'm starving. "


**

After completing a couple more errands, Betty returned home. She wanted to get everything squared away so all she had left to do was sleep. As she shut the front door, the phone on the hall table started to ring. She picked it up when she saw it was the hotel's number on the caller ID box.



" Hello? " Betty said.

" Betty, " It was Mr. Richards.

" Yes sir? " She said.

" I have something to tell you and they thought it would be the best for me to tell it to you, " Mr. Richards sounded grave.

Betty didn't like the tone of his voice, " What's wrong? Did something happen? "

" Betty, " Mr. Richards took a deep breath. " You don't have to come to work day after tomorrow. "

" Why? Did they cancel the event? " She leaned against the wall.

" No. They didn't, " Mr. Richards said. " Betty, you've been terminated. "

Betty went cold all over, the phone dropping from her hand as she crumpled to the floor. She scarcely breathed as the news sank in. She picked up the phone numbly, " Are you sure about that? " She whispered.

" Yes. I'm sorry. I did everything I could, " Mr. Richards said. " They told me they had to because Martin Richardson has a big stake in the hotel and... "

" I understand. He'll take all of his business from the hotel, " Betty felt the numbness setting in again. She had felt alive for the first time in forever but the news made her dead all over again.

" Yes. I'm really sorry. I can help you find another job, " Mr. Richards started.

" That's okay, " Betty felt tears welling up in her eyes. " We can talk about that later. I just want to take some time off now... to get my head together. "

" Don't do anything to rash now. You can always get another job, " Mr. Richards started.

" How? I never finished college, " Betty said. " All I've done is work for the hotel and that doesn't look good on a resume. "

" You can go back to college, " Mr. Richards said.

" I couldn't, " Betty said. " I'd have to start all over it's been so long, wouldn't I? "

" I don't know, " Mr. Richards sighed. " Well you know how to get me so when you decide what to do, call me. "

" Yes sir, " Betty said. " I really need to get to bed sir. I'll call you later. "

" Take care Betty. Don't beat yourself up over this. It's not your fault, " Mr. Richards tried to comfort her.

" I won't, " Betty sighed. " Later. "

Betty hung the phone up before drawing her knees to her chest, tears flowing from her eyes as she wondered what she was going to do...

**



Branslav walked into the lobby of the Maltese Gardens. He had stopped there on his way home from practice without Robert and Daniel. Curiousity was eating away at him and he had to see if Betty was there. He walked up to the desk, the man there looking up at him.



" Can I help you sir? " The desk man asked. He looked like a male model with his sparkling white teeth, chiseled features and blonde hair.



" Um yes, " Branslav nodded. " I was here for an event the other night and I just wanted to see if someone was here. "



The man arched an eyebrow, " I see. Do you have a name? "



" Betty. She was one of the bussers from the basketball event, " Branslav explained. " Well, she was the only busser. "



The man sighed, " No one from the catering staff is here today. They're off until day after tomorrow. "



Branslav frowned. The Supernovas were going to be leaving for San Francisco after the game with the Taos Turquoise, " Oh. "



" If you want, you can leave a message for her and I'll make sure she gets it. It's the best I can do, " The man reached for a pad of paper and a pen.



" No, " Branslav put his hand up. " It's okay. I'll come by another time. "



The man nodded, " Yes sir. "



Branslav turned on his heel and headed out of the lobby.