Part 1: Looks Good on Paper
Dear Diary, I don’t know what it means to be a girlfriend. It wasn’t until I got home with Jarah from the Preminger house that I realized that’s what I am to Bram. I suppose that sounds like a weird thing for me to “suddenly” realize. But when he took me in his arms and kissed my cheek, it hit me all at once.
It makes me wonder what I would be like if my mom and Perry had raised me instead of my dad? I have to be careful following that train of thought because while I loved my dad, I feel like he robbed me of who I should be now.
I’ve worked for years through therapy regarding my upbringing, and I know it does no good opening those doors again, and walking down the dark corridors. I can’t change what happened, I can only accept it was out of my control, and strive to move on. In my own way.
Sounds good on paper, doesn’t it?
“What’s wrong, Kara?”
A heaviness weighted my chest, and there was an aching in the back of my throat. I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about my thoughts yet. What would he think?
“You’re worrying me, I know something is wrong,” he said after a few moments of silence.
“I’m your girlfriend.”
Part of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Try not to sound so happy about it.”
This put a slight smile on my face, and my muscles relaxed a little. “I am happy about it. I’m just trying to figure out exactly what it means.”
His mouth gaped, and I thought I upset him at first. Then, he let out a huge breath, and said, “I’m in the same boat as a boyfriend. Like you, I’m just fumbling along.” His voice grew softer when he added, “I’ve never loved anyone before you.”
He found my hand, drawing it to his lips, and kissed it, sending tingles down my spine.
“I love you, too. It’s just… there are things going on in my life you don’t know about. And, there is a lot I don’t know about you.”
“What do you want to know?” he asked. “Let’s see, you’ve met my family, well, except my father. I grew up in this house, had private tutors, then I met you.”
“Yes, I know this summary of your life. But, what about your mother?”
He drew back, shoving his hands in his pockets. His posture was rigid, and he was frowning. “I can’t- someday- someday I’ll tell you about her.”
It seemed like an invisible wall had been set down between us. Even so, I could feel pain rolling off him, and tears welled up in my eyes.
“I’m sorry, Bram. I shouldn’t have asked.”
He sighed again, raking his fingers through his hair. “Actually, I’m sorry. You have every right to ask. It’s just… It’s difficult.”
“I understand,” I told him. And, I did get it. I’d already told him my father kidnapped me and how I grew up isolated. Bram and I were still teens when I described what it was like to see my father shoot himself, then, the police whisking me away. While we sat on a bench outside, and he held me safe in his arms, I’d recounted the disorientation of speeding along in a police car, the blurry lights of the city assaulting my eyes for the first time. The chaos of being brought to the hospital, and the invasion of doctors and nurses touching me, prodding me, when I’d never even seen another person other than my father before. It was dizzying, overwhelming, and I thought I was going crazy-
“-Kara,” Bram said, stepping closer. “Are you all right?”
I shook my head as if that would also shake the memories and sensations away that had me in their grip. When I finally looked at Bram, the wall I’d sensed was gone, and there was only concern for me on his face. His fingers brushed mine before he took my hand. There was strength in him, and he was sharing it with me now, I could feel it.
“I’m fine,” I said at last. But was I? Even if he never told me about his mother, or why he felt such pain, I realized he needed to know what I was up to. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
He listened patiently without interruption while I told him about the mystery box, how it had affected my grandma and mother, and how I’d stolen it to protect them. I watched for signals of disbelief, but didn’t see any, as I disclosed the evil that shook me to the core whenever I handled the items in the box.“`
When I began talking about my great-aunt Rosetta, he stopped me.
“Wait a minute, your great-aunt was Rosetta Sprague, Leader of the Free World?”
“Yes, that’s right, and- “
“-And she was assassinated over some kind of government coup?”
“Again, yes. But, there’s more. She was involved in other plots, and some have to do with the contents of that box. I’m trying to figure it out.”
I explained the photos of Ella Dean’s body and how I thought Rosetta had killed her. Then, finally, I told him about mystery-boy.
“Wait a minute,” Bram said. “You took my little brother to that house to get clues and you feel nothing but evilness when you touch the pictures and stuff?”
“Well, when you put it that way, it sounds much worse than it was. Besides, I thought he’d wait in the car.”
“You should have known he wouldn’t.”
“I know, I’m sorry about that. It won’t happen again. I told him he could help me find mystery boy, but I haven’t told him about Ella Dean’s murder or the rest of it.”
“He’s talking to you, though?”
I nodded even though Bram couldn’t see me, and a smile spread across my face. “Yes, he won’t shut up.”
Bram laughed and pulled me into his arms. “I could help, you know. I don’t like the thought of you doing this by yourself.”
“You have to finish your cookbook. Besides, I’m not alone. At least not in searching for the mystery-boy. I’m certain no harm will come of finding him. And, I’ll keep Jarah out of danger, I promise.”
Bram must have trusted what I said because he didn’t press it any further.
“Keep yourself out of danger, too.”
“I will.”
I sealed my promise with a kiss.
Part 2: Well, Duh
Later that evening after supper, Jarah pulled me into my favorite room with the fireplace. It was the only room in the house I liked because it was smaller, cozy, and it was the first place Bram had said he loves me.
“Did you open it?” he asked.
“Well, now I said I wouldn’t until you could see what it was, too, didn’t I?”
Carefully, I pulled the note out of the little pocket in my skirt. It was folded in half just as we’d found it in the hidden drawer in the chess table.
“Well?” he asked after I unfolded it.
As I stared at the scrawled writing, my heart began to beat faster, pounding against my ribs.
“Kara, please,” he urged.
Coming to myself, I said, “It only has a name written down.”
“Whose name?”
I blinked hard, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. “Xalen Sprague. My great-grandfather.”
“Well, why would he have that name?”
My limbs felt cold, as I thought about it. All that came to mind was that the Spragues used to be the head of this division of The Inheritance. I wasn’t sure if Jarah or Bram even knew about the inheritance, and my mother had warned me I wasn’t even supposed to know. Now Otto Seaforth was in charge. What did this all mean?
“Earth to Kara!”
I turned to Jarah again, my cheeks warm. “I’m sorry. What did you say?”
He’d already changed gears.
“I think I found it,” Jarah said, a triumphant grin on his boyish face.
“Found what?” His smile was so rare, I couldn’t help but do the same.
“The cemetery in that picture of mystery-boy. I’m pretty sure it’s in Fortress Rock, near the Capitol. There’s more than one cemetery, but I was able to narrow it down using the name Kotek.”
One of Rosetta’s notes on mystery-boy had said, ‘…Pleased with the Kotek choice…‘ We’d decided that might be the boy’s adoptive last name. It left more questions open, though. Like, who was this boy, and why had he been given up for adoption? Why was Rosetta hiding this?
“Turns out,” Jarah continued, “there’s lots of Koteks buried in Lilypad Lake Memorial Gardens. In Fortress Rock.”
“But how did you know to look in Fortress Rock?”
“It was easy,” he said. “First, I did a search for that image or one’s like it. There were lots of pictures to go through before I found a few that looked similar. Then, I figured if he was being observed by the Leader of the Free World at the time, she wouldn’t want him too far away.”
“That’s assuming she was actually observing him, and not some person she hired to do it for her,” I said.
“The notes about him were written by her, so I figured she was watching him herself.”
“Well, I’m amazed. I totally underestimated you, Jarah.”
“Well, duh. Most people do.”
This kid.
“So what are we doing next?” he asked, rubbing his hands together, and quirking an eyebrow.
That’s when I decided to make Jarah the expert in this matter.
“You tell me,” I said.
“I’ll do a search of living Koteks in Fortress Rock who would be your mom’s age or older.”
“Sounds like a solid plan.”
Part 3: Confidence in the Kitchen
The setting sun never ceased to amaze me. Ever since I was a little girl living in the woods near a pond, I got excited to see the sun rise or set.
If only I were an artist. I could capture these moments when I felt free of burden or care. I hope when I’m old and gray, I still watch them and find the same comfort.
When I came inside, I went straight to the kitchen. Supper was hours ago, but Bram was working on a recipe he wanted to include in his book.
“Ah, good, it’s you,” he said when I walked in. “You have to try this. It’s been simmering a while, and I think it’s ready.”
“What is it?” I asked, taking a clean spoon from the drawer and lifting the lid. “It smells so good.”
“Bourbon glazed carrots,” he said. “It will have a better name, though.”
I blew on my spoonful to cool it off, then popped it in my mouth. I was instantly rewarded with warm sweet and savory sensations on my tongue. “Mm… these are so good. And, I don’t usually like cooked carrots that much.”
“Too much bourbon?” he asked.
“No, I think it’s just right.”
“Good! I’m trying to compose dishes and sides that are tasty, but easy for a home cook. Maybe I should rethink this, though. Maybe my dishes should be comprised of ingredients people already have on hand.”
“What else is in the carrots?”
“Brown sugar, butter, cayenne pepper, salt, and some other stuff.”
“Well, I think that sounds like ingredients most people have. You’re on the right track, don’t second guess yourself.”
After my pep talk, we went outside, and I described the sunset to him. I’m not sure I did it justice, but he seemed to appreciate how it made me feel.
Part 4: Aleks Kotek
Jarah is the real mystery-boy. I don’t know how he does it (maybe if I used a computer more, I’d get it?), but he located an older gentleman by the name of Aleks Kotek living in Fortress Rock. After a little research, we found his wife was deceased, and he had a daughter who also lived in Fortress Rock.
Jarah insisted we drive there and meet Aleks, but I was afraid of the reception we’d receive. What if he didn’t know he was adopted? What if he knew, but didn’t want to know where he came from?
We had lengthy discussions on whether we should bother this poor man or not. But what it came down to was, Rosetta had gone to great lengths to hide this person. I needed to know why.
So, I called him. He had a caretaker there named Mia who I was able to speak with. She was guarded at first, which was understandable. But after I explained who I was, and that I thought Mr. Kotek might have answers, she loosened up a little bit.
“Aleks was adopted by the Koteks, yes,” Mia said over the phone, “when he was a baby. That’s what he tells me, anyway. He searched for his parents many years ago, but then, abruptly stopped. He has never said why and I don’t press him. I’ve known the family a long time, having taken care of his wife also before she passed.”
“Do you think he would meet with me?” I asked. “I’d really like to see him.”
“Perhaps if it’s a casual meeting. He has early onset dementia and I don’t want him unnecessarily upset.”
“That’s completely understandable. I don’t want to upset him either. What do you suggest?”
It was decided that Jarah and I could see Aleks Kotek during his morning at the park. Apparently, he liked to sit on a particular bench each day to feed birds.
The next morning, we piled in the car and drove the hour and a half to the town where a lot of my family used to live. I’d never been here.
Jarah used his phone’s GPS, and we made it there without incident.
“That must be him,” I whispered, my eyes searching for his caretaker Mia.
An older woman, standing near the bushes smiled, then nodded at me.
“Maybe you should stay here,” I said to Jarah.
“Uh uh, nope. I’m the one that found this guy.”
“Fine,” I sighed as he followed me to the bench.
The man sitting on the bench was older looking than I’d expected, but there was something about his facial features that put me on edge. He was definitely mystery-boy, and he resembled some of the pictures in the older journals I had from my family. I couldn’t help but notice, in fact, how much he looked like an old snapshot of my grandfather Holden.
Jarah and I glanced at each other, then I took a deep breath. “Mr. Kotek? Hi, I’m- “
When we’d first approached, his expression was sluggish. But when he saw me, his eyes widened, and his face went ashen.
I half expected him to scream, but instead, with a low voice, he said, “It’s you! I didn’t tell! I promise, I never did!”
Notes:
Thank you so much for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting! I wish you all a wonderful week ahead!
Bram should have totally not acted like an open book and then drawn back when she asked about his mother. Probably slipped his mind that she’d ask about that. He’ll open up eventually. Still love their relationship. The little scenes with her encouraging his cooking and describing the sunset were so cute. I really like those little moments.
Aleks definitely looks a lot like Holden! This lines up with the theory that I’ve got. And lol him mistaking Kara for Rosetta. Can’t blame him!
Thank you, Heather. I see what you mean about Bram, and I agree with you. I think you’re right that eventually, he’ll tell her. I’m so glad you love their relationship. I like those little moments, too.
Aleks does look like Holden, you’re right. 😀 I bet your theory is spot on!
What a response from mystery man! I’m hooked!
Glad she’s getting on so well with the lil brother 🙂 SHe’d get nowhere without him!
Thank you so much. ❤ I’m glad your hooked! 😀 😀 You’re so right that Kara wouldn’t be anywhere right now without Jarah’s savvy. LOL
Awesome chapter !
Thank you so much 🙂 xo
You are welcome the rest of this generation will be full of intrigues.
Let us hope so. 😀
Why not ?
I find mysteries to be difficult to write sometimes because I’m worried the resolution won’t be satisfying enough or that I will miss details that need to be tied up. 😀
Yes that’s true but hey that’s good to challenge yourself !
Yes, you’re so right about that. 🙂
I can’t believe you stopped at that cliff hanger! You’re so mean. You could’ve written at least two more sentences!
Thank you, Jina 🙂 I know, right? I apologize. 😀 Tomorrow, it comes out!
Oh goodness, what a cliffhanger! I have a mini theory on who he is, but I could be very wrong. We will see 🙂 I wonder why Jarah likes solving mysteries so much…
Thank you, Raymond 🙂 I’m sorry about the cliffhanger! The good thing is that in tomorrow’s chapter, part of the mystery is solved! And, you get to meet Otto. Blech, though. LOLOL
what a story i really love stories
Thank you, Rachel. 🙂
I have a pretty good guess of who Kotek is and also of who he thought Kara is. She does resemble her great aunt after all.
Ooooh! I can’t wait to see if you’re right about who Kotek is. 😀 You’re right about her resemblance to Rosetta.
Waaaah they found mystery boy?! Way to go Jarah & Kara! It’s just secret upon secret, and I love it! It’s also so endearing and sweet the way Bram & Kara interact; despite their age and all they’ve both been through, they can be so mature in navigating their relationship, in the give and take to consider each other’s feelings in ways a lot of adults who’ve had plenty of relationships in the past often still can’t do very well!
xx
Thank you, Caz 😀 Yes! Mystery-Boy has been located, mostly thanks to Jarah. haha He’s a lot more useful than Kara imagined he would be.
I’m glad you love how Bram and Kara interact. They both had such unusual childhoods, in some ways it puts them behind, but in other ways, it makes them more perceptive. If that makes sense. lol
What the heck .. lol a terrible place to leave us … btw I am loving Bram
Thank you, Lisa! 🙂 I’m so sorry about the cliffhanger. 😀 I’m so glad you love Bram, though.
Whoa!! I agree with Jowita that mystery boy looks just like Holden! Who could it be?! And I bet he thought Kara was Rosetta… they are so much alike! I can’t wait to find out what happens!!
Thank you so much 🙂 I have to agree with both of you. He really does resemble Holden quite a bit. And, you’re right, he did mistake Kara for Rosetta. Which means he knew her! :O
Girl, I’m going to get you for this! You left us with a huge cliffhanger. How could you do this to us! You are so, so mean. LOL!
OMG, Mystery Boy looks so much like Holden. The genetics are very clear. And Kata seems to remind him of Rosetta. Poor guy seems scared to death. It’s so sad about the early onset dementia though. It might make it hard for her to get clear answers.
Jarah is so clever. I love that he is coming out of his shell and is a huge help to her. With Kara’s help, I think he will go far.
Bram is sketching me out a bit. Kara was totally upfront with him about her swine of a father, yet he refuses to tell her about his family. Unless he comes out with it, that wall is going to be harder to dismantle. He better not break her heart because she has had enough pain and heartache in her life.
That recipe sounds so yummy! My stomach is growling now, and I want some. LOL!
Thank you so much, chickie 😀 I’m sorry about the cliffhanger. :O Mostly. LOL
Mystery-Boy does look like Holden, it’s true. I think you’re right that Kara reminds Aleks of Rosetta. Hopefully, Kara can reassure him quickly.
I’m glad you like Jarah’s blossoming personality. Kara wouldn’t get very far without him.
I can see why you feel that way about Bram. I agree about not breaking her heart. She really doesn’t need to go through a breakup right now.
I’ll be honest; my stomach is growling, too. 🙂
How could you!!!! etc. etc. Keeping us in suspense like that. lol – Poor man, though, I hope she quickly reassures him not to worry, but now the plot thickens…
I’m waiting for Bram to be somehow related to her and ruin the whole thing! Love Jarah, he’s a hoot and I’m so glad Bram wasn’t upset that she shut him out of this intrigue in lieu of Jarah’s help.
Thank you, Jo 🙂 And, I’m so sorry! :O I felt sorry for Aleks, too, and his reaction to seeing Kara. I’m sure she’ll do her best to calm him.
Oh, boy, that would stink so bad if Bram was related to Kara. Eeep!
I’m glad you love Jarah. He’s been fun to think and write about.
I think Bram has recipes on the mind. lol Although, he’s probably going to want to be included in other ways.
Oh, my! The more mysteries we solve, the more we reveal!
I’m really loving and appreciating the world – building and the character – realization. Geographically, politically, and historically, everything fits! You’ve got a fully realized integrated world! And the way each character is presented as a fully realized individual with a past and a context contributes to that world – building. I’ve never really thought about how character contributes to world – building…. it’s fascinating.
Thank you, CT 🙂 I know that’s right! LOL
You are so kind to mention all of that. It’s taken a few generations to build all of this. Thank you again. One thing I’ve been thinking about is how the mistakes of past generations (Rosetta, for example), are coming around full circle and affecting the descendants of the family.
I agree with the opinions of everyone before me. A bit bothered by Bram not sharing anything about his mother as well as little about his father either. A relationship is a two-way street, buster. I still am not 100% on board the Kara-Bram relationSHIP and things like this does not tip the scale toward the positive in my book. He seemed pretty calm with her taking his brother somewhere that could have been problematic and I think he knows more about the Sprague/Foundation link than he’s sharing. Bram: still waters run deep. Hopefully his tendrils aren’t as deep and grasping like we’re coming to believe his dad’s are. And the mystery box and boy plot thickens with Aleks. Hmm … many possible paths to guess but I am joust going to wait and see. LOL
Thank you so much, Addy 🙂 You’re right to call Bram “buster.” lol Relationships only work if both people are sharing. I can see why you are cautious about Kara and Bram. There is a lot to consider when it comes to him. And, Bea did warn her, too, about the Seaforth family.
“while I loved my dad, I feel like he robbed me of who I should be now.”
He sure did!
“Let’s see, you’ve met my family, well, except my father. I grew up in this house, had private tutors, then I met you.”
Nice try, buddy.
Something just occured to me. This job…being Jarah’s counselor or whatever. Is it a long-term thing? I noticed her family picture on the dresser and thought, “Oh, she’s living living there now?”
Jarah is a trip lol.
I love bourbon glazed carrots! Well, glazed carrots in general. I’ll have to make that soon lol. I too don’t usually like cooked carrots!
Thank you, Jess 🙂
Jem did a real number on her, but she is not going to let it control her future.
Nice try indeed.
Yes, the care taking job is a long term position. She’s staying at their house.
I’m glad you think Jarah is a trip. lol At least he’s talking now. haha
I think I need to make some bourbon glazed carrots myself now. hahaha
How could yooooou! :O You can’t just stop there Kym!!! That’s extremely mean! But I’m guessing, like Jowita said, that it’s because Kara looks similar to Rosetta and he thinks that’s her. But what was that about Xalen, though?! :O
Thank you, Louise 🙂 I’m soooo sorry about the cliffhanger. :O Yes, I think you’re right that Kara must remind Aleks of Rosetta. Which means he knew her! :O I’ll be nice to your Xalen, don’t worry.
Maybe. 😀
The mystery boy does look a lot like Holden, and obviously Kara is similar to Rosetta… In looks, of course, must be the hairstyle!
Hm, wonder what they’re going to find out…
Thank you, Jowita 🙂 I think he looks a lot like Holden, too, while Kara is similar to Rosetta.
Answers coming soon! 🙂
How could you! A huge cliffhanger! He looks just like Holden! Oh my! And Kara probably reminds him of Rosetta! He is Rosetta’s son. Or is he Holden’s child somehow? Rosetta cloned him? Has to be. But what does Xalen have to do with any of it? Hmmmm…..
Also, why won’t Bram talk about his family. Kara has shared everything! I have a bad feeling about all of this. Don’t you dare break Kara’s heart. 👀 I’m watching you! She’s had enough heartbreak with her insane father.
Thank you, Audrey 🙂 I’m sorry about the cliffhanger. I always wonder if my chapters are too long. LOL I think you’re right about Kara reminding him of Rosetta. Those are some good questions. It’s all going to come unraveled soon.
Another good question, this time about Bram not talking about his family. I will try to keep Kara’s heart intact. She’s been through so much already. lol
I don’t think they’re too long. Especially when you post once a week. 😊
Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂 I’m grateful for the feedback.
I’m super annoyed at him you know…. she tells him all about her dad, yet he is still being so standoffish about his family. Seriously? Can his family be worse than what Kara went thru with her father? And I’m surprised he wasn’t more upset about the whole taking his brother to the house thing.
Jara is so clever! I’m thinking that has something to do with his upbringing. Abused kids learn to be clever in so many different ways. The smarts he has obviously, genetic. I love seeing my clever, smart sim in your game!
I’m not the least bit surprised he thought Kara was her aunt. Put some glasses on the girl and a stressed look and bam you got Rosetta. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!! It’s a shame about the early onset dementia though because now Kara won’t know if any info she gets from him is even real let alone accurate. If only Holden knew….
Oh and my mouth was watering at the description of that recipe…now I am hungry!
Thank you, Bee. 🙂 LOL I can totally see why you’re super annoyed with Bram. He knows so much about Kara but hasn’t divulged anything similar about himself. Hopefully, he’ll open up to her soon. Yeah, I think he might realize in the near future how much danger Kara and Jarah might be in.
Jarah is clever, it’s true. I like how you tied in his upbringing with finding ways to be clever. I love seeing your smart, clever sim in my game, too. 😀
Yes, I think you’re right about Kara. She needs Rosetta’s red lipstick, too. lol Hopefully, his dementia isn’t too far advanced and he can provide some reliable details.
I’m hungry, too! Where’s Bram to cook when I need him?