18 - Rebel

Maia was at her wit’s end.  The school had just called yet again to report Natalie truant. Peaches wasn’t with her, so Maia could only imagine what sort of trouble she was getting into during the day.

The nights were even worse.  Sometimes Natalie wouldn’t return home until sunrise.  It was a wonder she hadn’t gotten picked up by the police yet! Maia had no idea what Natalie was up to, but suspected it had something to do with this Cale person that Natalie was always gushing about. That is, when she was actually home and not brooding sullenly.

Maia had yelled and grounded Natalie many times, but it didn’t seem to matter.  She’d just sneak out again.

Maia wanted answers. Perhaps it was time to contact the only investigator Maia knew... Natalie’s father.

Even though he was no longer officially doing work involving Maia, Keith agreed to take the job, and called Maia when he had some information about Natalie’s activities.  It hadn’t taken long.

When Maia went to Keith’s to view the report, she had expected to see some sort of written timeline detailing where Natalie was and whom she was with, not the tabloid photos taken by paparazzi that Keith showed her.

“She’s going to bars and clubs?  With an adult??  And shes... she’s...” Maia choked.

“She’s being a teenager,” Keith said calmly.  “She’s just rebelling a little.”

“That’s easy for you to say!’’ Maia retorted. “You’re not the one waiting for her to come home in one piece, all the while fearing the worst has happened!” 

“Well, at least I’m not the one out woohooing with random strangers and trying to get pregnant while deranged stalkers try to burn my house down with my kids in it!” Keith yelled back.

“That didn’t seem to matter much when you were one of those random strangers!  And you can just shut the hell up! You don’t know anything about my life or what I’ve been through!”

“I know more than you think,” Keith said evenly. “Some are things that I suspect you didn’t even know yourself, but your buddy Steve Cupp sure did.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“After the fire, I searched Cupp’s house and found those.”  Keith pointed to a folder full of papers on his desk.   

“According to these papers, Maia Lee isn’t your real name, and your parents didn’t die when you were a child.” Keith paused.  “And apparently, your deceased husband, Charlie Ray Buckshot, knew all about it.”



Author's Note - <3