***Carl's POV***
It's been 2 days now!!
Two days since dad was taken.
The cafe was officially closed and empty.
Everyone including the workers had gone.
Cami had a big fight with her mom before she was allowed to stay.
Rachael was released after 3 hours in S.J's county office.
It's been two days since she had anything to eat.
It's been in two days since I slept properly.
We haven't seen Zee and his mom ever since.
I'm sitting on the bench across the river, where dad used to sit to paint Mom's face.
I'm staring at my little sister who has done nothing but sit by my mom's grave next to the chapel, crying out her eyes.
We weren't allowed to see dad yet. The shity police officers had sent some delegates to the cafe yesterday to speak to us about dad's trial,and tell us when we were allowed to visit him.
Expectedly, Rachael had almost torn out flesh from one of the police officer's face,with her nails.
I had to lie to them that she had acute Intermittent Explosive Disorder (AIED),and she had not taken her meds.
Surprisingly,they believed!
Uncle Fidelis,mom's elder brother and our family lawyer, would be coming from California to see us.
Never in my life have I ever felt so helpless.
I was the son of the house...the first son.
The man,the brother who is supposed to have all the answers.
But I'm just here... useless... powerless... unable to even make my sister eat.
"Carl."
A rough but feminine voice called out.
I didn't turn to look. I just shifted a bit to the right,in case she wanted to sit.
"Cami"
I replied dryly.
She wrapped her long arms around my back and gave me an uncomfortable but well needed hug.
"It's alright to cry you know."
I shook my head.
"I have to be strong for Rachael.
She can't afford to see me breaking down... it's...it's the least I can do."
She slipped next to me but sat, facing the opposite direction.
"I never got to meet my father, Carl...you know that right?"
I nodded, slightly shocked that she brought it up.
"It's kinda weird that in my life,I never felt the need to have a dad... I had and have your dad. He was all I needed in a father."
I smiled and nodded slowly.
I remembered how Cami was even given birth to in S.J as well.
I was 2 then...but I remember how her mom and mine came back from the hospital that day, with a tiny puff ball wrapped in a SpongeBob blanket.
I was so pissed about the whole blanket issue that I told Mom that if she didn't get me one,I'll take Cami's own.
"In this world, no matter how long it takes, good always wins k?
I may not know much but at least I know this. The truth will come out in no time."
I smiled a bit and gave her a small nudge.
Cami was an angel... when she needed to be.
Just then, Rachael marched past us, fuming in anger.
"Rachael."
We both called after her, but no answer.
We shared confused glaces and trotted after her.
"Rachael... please calm down. This isn't healthy!"
"Rachael!! Rachael!!"
She trotted upstairs and emerged a minute later with a pen and a paper in her hands.
"We.Are.Getting.Dad.Outta.There!"
She almost yelled.
We went silent.
"We?".
Cami asked slowly.
Rachael began to walk quickly to one of the tables and sat down, drumming nervously with her fingers.
Why was she behaving so weird?
"Rachael...are you ok?"
She didn't say anything.
Cami and I sat at the other side of the table, waiting for her to say something.
Anything!
After what seemed to be forever,she slammed her palms on the table, causing it to vibrate,and sending jolts of fear into Cami and I.
"What the hell is it!!? Just tell us already!"
Cami beat me to it in the yelling.
"Guys...we can get dad out of there.
I over heard them saying that trial is in THREE WEEKS!!!
We can find evidence that proves his innocence!! We can help him!
Those cops would not be expecting the whole thing!!
WE CAN GET DAD OUT!!!"
Silence.
Awkward silence.
I glanced a bit at Cami's direction and she was also looking at me, mouth agape in shock and confusion.
"Wha...what's going on guys?...are...are...is the whole idea not good enough?
We can start tomorrow...or even today...or when ever...you know..."
"RACHAEL!! CALM DOWN!"
I ordered in the tone that she didn't definitely didn't like.
She shot up from her chair and glared at me.
"Don't use that tone on me Carl!
Don't you understand?! We are trying to save dad!!
I could see her point there.
We needed to do something but, aren't the cops supposed to be investigators?
Isn't that their job?
"HE'S BEEN EFFING ACCUSED OF MURDER AND YOU ARE JUST GONNA SIT THERE?!!"
"Let the cops do their jobs Rachael. I..."
"WHAT STUPID JOB!!! THE ONE THEY DID WHEN THEY ARRESTED AN INNOCENT MAN!!
ARE YOU THIS STUPID?!"
I kept quiet.
Rachael was fuming. She was angry and I was stupid!
The second time in the same week that I had admitted that.
"Mm.mm"
Cami cleared her throat beside me.
"So what was the paper for?"
She asked with great carefulness not to say anything more upsetting.
Rachael smiled widely.
"I want to write a letter to dad.
***Rachael's POV***
"I want to write a letter to dad."
I was sick of sitting and sulking.
I was tired of being a burden!
Through out my life...I had done nothing but hide behind dad and Carl,and expect them for things.
But now, that whole shitty phase is over!
I was going to help my dad! The first time in my life...in our life that he needed me,I'm going to suck it up and help him!!
"We are gonna write to him. Since they won't let us see him, we'll send it to him! We'll promise him that in two weeks,the only gates he'll be seeing,is that to the café."
Carl nodded a bit.
"You're right...I hate to admit it though. But dad needs us...no more cowering."
I smiled and squeezed his left palm that was placed on the table."That's the spirit Carl."
"But you have to promise me that you'll have something to eat.
There are stuff in the fridge ok?"
I nodded and smiled.
"So..." I pulled out the paper.
"Let's go!"
*
*
*
(Key... Rachael's writing is in italics, Carl's in bold italics and Cami's in underlined italics k?)
"Dear dad...
How are you doing? Shoot! Dumb question! I guess they don't give 3 course dinners and do movie nights over there.
Dad... we're scared.
Carl,Cami and I are freaked out.
I haven't even been able to have anything to eat.
How the hell was the murder weapon found in your room?
It doesn't just add up!!
We know you're innocent...you could not even kill that snake the other day when it crawled into the kitchen...you let it go.
Dad, we're not going to sit like losers and expect magic to happen.
No! We're going to help you dad! Rachael is so bent on that,and so are we!
Mr Jeff or dad...lol...you always told me that I could call you that.
My mom wanted me to leave with her..but I didn't!
I'm going to stay here and FIGHT!
God forbid that I sit around doing nothing!
We're getting you out of there dad...even if it's the last thing we'd do!
Rachael,Carl and Cami
With love.
We wrapped the letter up.
"Are you guys ready?"
I asked in confidence.
They both nodded. We held our hands together in a circle.
"We're gonna kick some ass!"