Fates' Destiny (5 page)

Breakfast wasn’t as eventful as she thought it was going
to be. Mr. Fates focused on a newspaper, Jason scowled probably because when he came to the table his equipment bag was waiting for him (it quickly met the floor again), and Ali tapped away on her phone. The only conversation Destiny had was with the 6 year old angel about how excited she was to go to school. Apparently it was her week to lead the line and she was thrilled.

One thing was very clear in the time she’d spent with the entire family at breakfast: They made absolutely no effort to communicate.
An issue that Destiny was determined to fix. She just wasn’t sure how yet.

After everyone was gone Destiny called Kenna and told her that she had an emergency situation that required every form of body
and face cleanser she could scrape up. Kenna told her she’d be there within the hour.

After hanging up with Kenna she decided to call her brother. He probably needed a good laugh and was sure to get it when she told him about her little incident this morning.

“What do you mean he dyed you?” Ry asked as she slid onto one of the wooden barstools and wrapped her free hand around her cup of coffee.

“He put powdered drink mix in my shower head and mixed it with my shampoo, conditioner,
and body wash. I’m streaked red from head to toe.”

“
Ohmygod!” Ryan erupted into laughter. “That was genius.”

“Yes it was.” Destiny had to give credit where credit was due.

“Are you going to retaliate?” Her brother asked on a pant.

“Of course.”
Destiny took a sip of her coffee. “I’m just not sure how yet. Got any ideas?”

“Well,” He paused for a moment, rolling thoughts around in his head. “You could do rubber snakes in the bed or
spiders from the ceiling or perhaps bucket of water over his door…”

“Na.”
Destiny shook her head. “Those are all lame. I need something good.”

“You could get some drywall and paint and seal his room up.” He suggested. “I’ve always wanted to do that.”

Good idea but… “Too much work and time. Plus, I don’t want to damage my boss’s house.”

“Ok… Well… W
hat about exploding cake?”

She perked up, her curiosity sparked. “What’s that?”

“You take a balloon and set it in something to make it take the form of a cake. Then you spread icing all over it. You tape a small needle to a knife and when someone cuts into it BOOM, icing everywhere. I heard it was pretty cool.”

“Oh, now that sounds interesting.” She remembered how many times Jason went to the cookie jar which meant he enjoys sweets. A grin formed her lips as a plan hatched in her devious mind.

“You may want to try it with some shaving cream first and make sure it explodes.” He suggested.

Just then the doorbell rang.

“Oh.” She glanced at the archway. “That’s Kenna. I’ll have to call you back.”

“Ok. Let me know how it goes.”

“I will.”

She told her brother she loved him and hung up just as Richard led Kenna into the kitchen.

Her dark hair was pulled back and draped over her shoulder. A fitted black tee and jeans hugged her thin, tall figure. Her blue eyes widened when they landed on her.

“Oh god Des.”
She gasped. “What happened to you?”

Destiny slid off her stool, gave her friend a hug, and explained.

“Apparently young Jason Fates is a bit of a prankster.”

Kenna
took her chin between her thumb and index finger and lifted to get a better view of her neck.

“A bit?”
She asked as she examined her face. “What is this? Is it permanent?”

Destiny laughed as she shook her head. “It’s powdered drink mix. Fruit punch I think.”

“Wow!” Kenna took a step back. “You’re taking this a lot better than I would.”

“Oh, don’t be mistaken Kenna. I’ll get my revenge. Now, can you help me?”

Kenna gave her one more intense look over. “I don’t know. I’ve never faced this kind of issue before.”

“I’m sure you have something in
your black bag there,” She glanced to the bag Kenna carried. “Miss Skin Care Specialist.”

“Well,”
Kenna sat her bag on the island with a laugh. “If I can clean this mess up you can change my title to Miracle Worker. Now, sit.”

Destiny did as directed and slid back onto the bar stool as Kenna unloaded bottle after bottle onto the granite surface.

“So,” Kenna started as she grabbed a dark green bottle and saturated a cotton ball with its clear contents. “Other than this little issue how’s everything going here?”

“Actually,” Destiny held still
as Kenna started wiping her cheek. “it’s not that bad. They need a lot of help though.”

“Tell me.”

Destiny told her friend about all she’s observed and witnessed in her short time there. She told her about the equipment bag and the bet she had going with Mr. Fates. Also about the conversation they’d had about how to go about handling the children and about his help with Jason last night.

“He seems to care for his children but too busy to give them a little attention.”

“Well,” Keena put a little pressure to her wipe down of her cheek. “it has to be hard balancing a successful business and family.”

“Oh, no d
oubt.” Destiny agreed. “But I think he could take a little time out of his schedule to hang out with them.”

“You should talk to him about that.” She suggested as she reached for another bottle and cotton ball. “He seems like a
reasonable man. Maybe he could work in a few hours on the weekends or something.”

It was actually sad to think that she was going to have to ask him to try to fit time with his children in his busy schedule but it had to be done.

“I think I will. Thank you Kenna.”

“Hey, what are friends for.” She smiled as she scrubbed Destiny’s face a little harder.

“Destiny!”

The sound of
Dela’s voice came from the living room.

“In here!”

Dela came into the kitchen, carrying a purse that was as big as one of Destiny’s suitcases. “There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere… Oh,” She spotted Kenna. “I didn’t know you had company.”

“
Dela Brewton,” She motioned to Kenna. “This is my best friend Kenna Roberts. Kenna,” She motioned to Dela. “This is Dela, Mr. Fates’ chef and Richard’s wife.”

“
Kenna,” Dela strolled across the floor, hand extended. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“You too
Dela.” Kenna accepted her hand.

“
Kenna’s here to clean me up.” Destiny explained as Kenna went back to work on her.

“Oh, I heard.”
Dela said on a quiet breath. “I can’t believe you didn’t quit… Or smack him.”

“Me too.”
Kenna added as she scrubbed Destiny’s forehead.

Destiny just laughed. “It’ll take a lot more than a little dye to get rid of me.”

“Tough girl.” Dela patted her shoulder. “Tough girl. I have to make a run to the store. Is there anything you may want?”

“Oh yes.” Destiny slid of
f the stool, happy that she wasn’t going to have to go out looking like she did. She walked to the dining table and grabbed her wallet.

“I need some balloons, needles, and cake icing.”

Dela’s brow furrowed as Destiny held out some money to her.

“What in the world is all that for?” She asked as she took the money.

Destiny smiled her devious, wicked smile and said,

“Retaliation.”

The day passed by quietly.
Kenna worked endlessly to remove the dye from her face. Bottle of expensive cleaner after bottle of expensive cleaner. It was agony. When she had tried each one without success Destiny had suggested searching the internet for a solution. They were both surprised when the two ways they found was using toothpaste or baking soda.

They decided on baking soda and both
were shocked when Kenna wiped Destiny’s face with a mixture of baking soda and water and the red streaks lightened with each stroke. It was funny. After all that baking soda was the key.

Sometime
during the late morning Mr. Fates had sent a carpenter over to repair her bedroom door. Even called her to make sure it was exactly as it was before.

About an hour before the children were due home Destiny decided to start her exploding cake.

Dela chuckled behind her as Destiny blew up a few balloons and tested them with shaving cream. She was almost 100 percent positive this was going to be her best prank yet.

She molded a paper bag around a balloon that she’d blown up extra tight, leaving the top of the balloon exposed. She had to make it look like an actual cake.

Then she smeared two containers of white icing all over the concoction. Once she was done with that she pulled a dinner knife from the drawer and carefully taped a needle to the end of it. She studied the knife to make sure the needle wasn’t noticeable. Then she took the cake and sat it on the island.

“Done.”
She said to Dela.

Dela
turned her attention from the roast she had cooking most of the day and smiled.

“
Good job. You can’t even tell it’s fake.”

Destiny studied her work and had to agree. If she didn’t know better she would’ve thought it was real too.

“Let’s hope Jason likes it.”

Dela
laughed as she went back to what she was doing. At that moment Destiny heard the door open and Anna’s voice.

“Destiny!”

Oh, they’re here.
She moved the cake in place, laying the knife half on/ half off the platter it rested on.

“In here Anna!”

A second later Anna came bouncing through the archway, her pink backpack hanging off one shoulder.

“Hey Anna.”
Destiny knelt down to intercept her hug. “How was your day?”

“Great!” She sparked excitedly and then her little brow drew together. “You don’t look like a candy cane anymore.”

“No,” She shook her head, stifling her laugh. “I don’t look like a candy cane anymore.” Well, at least her face didn’t. The rest of her was going to take a little more time and a lot more baking soda.

“That’s good. I have something exciting to tell you.” Her
blue eyes lit up.

“Ok, you can tell me after you put your backpack away.” Destiny touched her fingertip to Anna’s nose and she giggled.

“K.” The little sweetie skipped out of the kitchen.

Destiny straightened to her full height and turned just in time to see Jason eyeing the cake.

“No sweets before dinner Jason.” She told him with the hope he wouldn’t listen.

She held back her chuckle as she watched the boy smirk at her and swipe his finge
r through the icing and shoved the icing covered finger in his mouth, taunting her with his dark eyes.

“You can dare me all you want.” She just couldn’t help herself. “But if you touch that cake I can promise you, you will regret it.”

Again he swiped his finger across the icing with enough force to worry Destiny that the bag may crumple underneath (thankfully, it didn’t) and shove his finger in his mouth.

Her smile
only widened. “Will you please go put your equipment bag and backpack away?”

When she didn’t respond to his dare he shoved away from the island and snapped, “You do it.” Then he stormed toward the archway, leaving both his bags on the floor next to the island.

As she watched him walk out of the room she let out a soft, sad sigh.
That’s one troubled child.

As he walked out Anna reappeared, skipping cheerfully.

“Ok Destiny. You ready for my exciting news?”              

Destiny forced her smile back and lowered in front of Anna.

“Yes Sweetheart,” She gently tugged the hem of Anna’s shirt, straitening the pattern of pink hearts displayed on it. “Tell me your news.”

“Ali and I are in the gymnastics competition Saturday.” She looked like she was about to burst with excitement.

“Really?”

She nodded. “
And I want you to come.”

“Awe Sweetheart.”
Her heart melted as she hugged Anna. “I would love to. I’ll ask your father as soon as he gets home if I can join him.”

All excitement faded from the little girl’s face in an instant. Her blue eyes dimmed with sadness.

“Daddy never comes to our competitions. He’s too busy.”

Sadly Destiny wasn’t the least bit surprised.

“Well, maybe I could ask him if he’d take time out from work to go.” She wasn’t sure if he would but she had to do something to ease this child’s misery.

“Really?”
Her face lit up with hope. “You’ll talk to him?”

Destiny nodded.
“As soon as he gets home.” 

Anna cheered excitedly just as Destiny felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket.

Well, speak of the devil.
She thought when she seen ‘Mr. Fates’ on the screen. She’d programmed his number when he’d called her this morning.

“Hello.” She answered.

“Are my children home?” He asked and she smiled. “Yes sir. They got home about 15 minutes ago.”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jason
had reappeared in the kitchen, was again leaning over the cake. “Jason, don’t touch that cake.”

Her warning received a huff from the young man.

“Is he giving you a little trouble?” Mr. Fates pulled her back to the phone.

“No sir.” She turned her back on Jason and focused on the call. “Just being himself.”

“Then that’s a ‘yes’.” His deep chuckle vibrated through the phone. 

She let out a soft laugh. “Than ‘yes’ he’s giving me a little trouble.”

“Well, let him know that if he gets out of line I will handle it. And don’t let him forget he still has to clean your bathroom.”

“I won’t.”

“Good. Now the reason I’m calling is I’m going to be running a little late today. I’m at a standstill on the interstate. Looks like there’s an accident or something.”

“Oh.” Destiny lowered into one of the dining chairs. “Would you like us to wait to have dinner?”

“No, no. You guys go ahead without me. I’m going to get home as quickly as I can. Traffic just started crawling.”

“Ok.” Destiny felt slightly disappointed. After all, tonight she’d planned to somehow get this family talking to each other.

Suddenly…

POP!

The sound bounced off every surface in the room. Her eyes darted around and that’s when she saw Jason leaning over the island. The knife she’d rigged up hovered over what was left of her exploding cake.

Laughter burst out of her as she stood. Icing covered the young man’s face and hands. White splattered the front of his hair and shirt.

Dela stood in front of the stove; hand over her mouth to smother her laughter.

“What in the hell was that?” Mr. Fates’ voice rose over her hysterics.

“Jason touched the cake.” She panted between laughs.

“Excuse me?” He asked.

“Exploding cake.” Was all she was able to get out.

She watched as Jason gently laid down the knife, turned to h
er, and licked the icing at the corner of his lips.

“Well played Destiny.” His voice held no disrespect. “Well played.”

She bowed her head to him just as Mr. Fates said,

“Exploding cake?”
His deep voice a mixture of panic, concern, and anger.

“Calm down Mr. Fates.” She made her w
ay to the island as Jason went to the sink and turned on the water. “It was just a balloon covered in cake icing.” And it made one hell of a mess. She glanced to Dela to ask her where the cleaning supplies were but Dela was already holding a bottle of cleaner and a roll of paper towels.

She tucked her phone between her shoulder and ear and accepted the cleaning supplies from Dela.

“Thank you.” She mouthed as Mr. Fates said,

“I was wondering how you were going to get him back.”

Destiny laughed as she tore a paper towel from the roll. “I was trying to hold him off until you were here to witness it but didn’t work out that way.”

He laughed. “I think my son may be in over his head with you.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged as she wiped icing from the granite surface.

“Well, I guess I’ll let you get back to tormenting my son. Traffic’s starting to move a little faster now. I should be home shortly.”

“Oh, hey!” She rushed out. “There’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about while you’re doing nothing.” She glanced over at Anna and smiled.

“Trying to get out of rush hour traffic isn’t exactly ‘doing nothing’ Ms. Reece.” He
said, a playful hint to his deep voice.

“You know what I mean
.” She teased.

“Yes,” He chuckled. “
I know what you mean. Now what do you want to talk to me about?”

“Well, Anna came home and told me that she and Ali have a gymnastics competition Saturday and asked me to go. I was thinking maybe you could take some time out of your day and join me.”

With every second he was silent Destiny felt her hope diminishing. After what seemed like forever he finally said,

“Saturday?
I think I may be able to swing that.”

“Really?”
She squeaked excitedly and glanced at Anna who was watching her. Her eyes lit up when she heard Destiny’s excitment.

“I just have to check my schedule.” He continued.

“Awesome! Anna’s going to be thrilled. As will Ali.”

“Ok.” He laughed. “Now I’m going to let you go and get through this traffic. These people are maniacs.”

“Ok. See you soon.”

The moment she lowered her phone Anna jumped out of her chair and threw her arms around Destiny’s neck.

“Thank you Destiny.” She squeezed. “Thank you so much.” Then she pulled back as if she couldn’t contain her excitement. “I’m going to go tell Ali.” And in a flash she was running out of the kitchen screaming, “Ali! Ali! Guess what!”

Destiny’s heart swelled as she looked down at her phone.

Yep.
She told herself.
I made the right decision.

~              ~              ~

Adam had no idea why he felt compelled to let her know he was going to be late. He just did.

Nor why he was anxious to get home. He hadn’t felt like that in a long time. But he was. So much so that he cursed every person who slowed in front of him.

As he finally reached his exit his phone went off in the console.

He automatically rolled his eyes when he seen ‘Luke’ on the screen
.

“What do you want
?” He answered.

“To know why you didn’t tell me you were leaving?”

“Didn’t know I had to answer to you Luke?”

“You don’t.” Luke laughed. “I just found it odd you left without letting me know.”

It was odd. He usually told his brother his every move. But tonight…

“I guess I forgot.”

“Forgot?” Luke asked incredulously. “Well, where are you going?”

“Home.”
Adam didn’t hide his agitation with his brother’s interrogation. “Where the hell else would I be going?”

“Ah.” Luke sounded
cynically. “Anxious to see Destiny?”

“No.” Adam defended with a snort. What a ridiculous notion? “She requested I have
dinner with the children tonight.”

“
They’ll probably like that.”

Adam had to agree. They probably will.

“Ok. Well, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I’ll let you go.”

“Alright.
Talk to you later.”

“Tell Destiny I said ‘Hi’.”

Adam rolled his eyes and disconnected the call.