Becca's Story

Protagonist is very rich, massively successful, stone cold b***h with no real friends, just employees. Being slowly eaten alive by grief and rage from his sister Becca's death. A crying child, the

She was loosing it, she knew. In the past, the thoughts of killing, dismembering, and burying parts until she got caught would start around 5, it was 2.

She knew the cause, the sick growing knot of sorrow, regret, guilt, loss, and blame, all held together with white hot blinding fury. It was killing her. She probably should talk to a therapist if she could find one she didn't want to pitch out the nearest window in 3 min. She didn’t want help accepting it, getting over it, getting on with her life, she wanted them dead, bleeding at her feet..

She knew it was the cause of her wild success in business, also her being a uncaring stone cold b***h in person. So she hid here in a forgotten hidden niche of her favorite coffee shop poach. Sitting watching nothing, lost in memory.

Then she heard it, a child softly sobbing. Oh s**t. The one thing she could not ignore. Turning she saw a small girl, 5?, sitting wedged in corners, head on knees sobbing.

Honey, can I help you? Daddy’s hurt and they can’t help. Where is your mommy? In heaven. Your granny? She wouldn’t let go with her. sigh. Where is your father? Over there she said pointing to hospital.

Carolyn, 31, 5’10” walked into main entrance, after visiting hours, guard looked up, knew her, said nothing. Let her argue with locked door he thought. She ignored him, walked to executive elevator. Entered code. Went to orthopedic floor. Went thru the NO ADMITTANCE doors. Nurse said you can’t .... F**k you she said.

Chart said Paul, 35, 6’2”. He looked like hell, bent, spindled mutilated. Girl ran and hugged him as center of her universe. What did you do!? He smiled, tried to catch a load of re-bar when sling broke. Failed. Why? Money, time for school clothes. How bad? Absently, focus on little girl, bad, her mom died when she was one, ovarian. Bad, expensive, lost savings, house, car, job. Working three jobs,, kinda seeing daylight, now this. I had hoped my mother would show some empathy, nope. When Linda died, they wanted me to dump her into foster care and find a suitable wife, we don’t talk a lot. Damn, I under stand that. I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m blathering all this to you, We haven’t actually met. I’m just out of options and lost. At this point CPS is my only option and it takes act of god to get your kid back from them. Daddy, I’m thirsty. It’s OK Becca, just ask the nurse.

What. Did. You. Say?

Odd look, Becca, or Beckie, Rebecca actually. Pale, Carolyn left room, leaned against wall, took a deep breath, and walked to nurses station. He’s Dr Hollis patient, right? Yes but… Carolyn picked up hospital extension on desk, dialed a number, and said, ..’Hollis, you penciled necked twit, get your skinny a*s down to orthopedic floor, and now!’ Turning to nurse, how much is his bill? Uh uh. NOW. Hollis showed up, running. She repeated the question. OK, to nurse, run a $20,000 credit against his account. You should… the business office…. Does this terminal work? Do you work? RUN IT. Behind her the nurse could see De Hollis nodding frantically. She set up payment, Carolyn waved a card near device, beep and green light was instant. Now, Hollis, fix him. Whatever, do it. Understand? Donation season is coming up. She turned back to room.

Nurse said, what a b***h! Oh yes, Hollis said. Her donation is always 8 figures. Last year it was the 42,000,000 pediatrics wing. LEAVE HER ALONE. You understand? Uh, yes Doctor.

As various nurses and staff began flooding room with test gear, Carolyn said, with a catch in her voice, Becca, let’s get you fed and settled while they take care of your dad, OK? She smiled at Paul, she will be cared for and safe.

They stopped at high end clothing store, saleswoman said, Carolyn, we have, …. Cutting her off, she gestured at Becca, underwear, T’s, shorts, jumpers, school clothes, socks, shoes, everything. Like she lost it all in a fire. Nice brush n comb, hair ties, everything. Go

Leaning down, Becca, easier to say now,let’s go see in any of those teddies or dolls need a home. Behind her back sales staff watched in total bemusement. Becca picked out a teddy bear with one brown eye, he was lonesome.

Delivered? Asked sales woman. Except for the bear, yes, thank for your help. As they left, sales woman asked, who was that? Does Caroline have a nicer twin sister?

Called her usual food delivery, add Mac n cheese to my order, thanks. Uh, we really don’t have… I’ll bet i can find a delivery service smart enough to hunt up some kid worthy mac n cheese, want me to try? Usual time Ma’am? No, at 6, thanks.

They had dinner, Caroline absolutely riveted by teddy bear story. Got her bathed, dressed, hugged and bedded down. Sleepy, You owe me a story. Opps, gotta buy some books. In morning she asked where Becca had been living, she said at address, here showing a key. Let me get some stuff for you honey. Called a Foreman of transportation, asked him if he would do her a favor and fetch all the stuff at the address, clean, wash, fold, pack in suitcases or boxes, and deliver to her apartment. And get all deposits back. Done the man said, arrived before noon. she thanked him and gave him a couple hundred to split for over and beyond. He left, sunned.

She looked at her spare rooms, back room had a huge closet or small sitting area attached. They had a connecting door and path opened to rest of apartment. She ordered a youth bed, child’s dresser with hanging rod off side. Small chair for next to window, bean bag, pillows, shelf for toys and off duty bears. She locked and blocked outside door with dresser. In apartment she moved couch in front of that door. Looking his belongings, she recognized drafting stuff, she ordered adjustable drafting, dual drafting machines, dual lights, supplies. Set up. We don’t do that. Let me speak to delivery, hi, you want around 200 cash to set up all the stuff I bought? Hesitation, 300. Done.

Call Hollis at hospital. What would be best drafting chair for Paul, given his condition, hesitation, he named one. No idea, a favor, order delivered to my apartment, assembled. Add to my account. I appreciate it. He did it with a puzzled look. Set up Paul’s room, king, oversize dresser, La-Z-Boy power lift by windrow, the now delivered table and stool.

When Paul was discharged, Becca showed him every item she had, beaming. He kept looking at Caroline. She asked Becca to color and said it’s time we talked.

Becca, my Becca, was my 11 year old big sister. She got in to wrong crowd, he watched her sit hunched forward crying silently. My parents could not or would not see it. Bad. Worse. Drinking. Sex. STD s. Drugs. Pornography. Prostitution. Trafficked. Dead. Heroin
OD in alley at 13, my parents said poor character. I have not spoken to those b******s since her funeral. It’s killing me. The knot of emotions all wrapped in blind white hot fury is killing me. I was dreaming of finding them, dismembering them, over and over. None after taking her in.

Your Becca is saving my life. I’d do anything for her. Please, for gods sake, let me stay as part of her life.

And us?

Whatever, friends, companions, helpers, whatever you want, wherever it goes.

After a long thoughtful delay, I think a care giver invested in Becca is ideal. We’d be glad to stay. Unbelievable relief.

Routine

Breakfast, school, homework, coloring, stories, bath, bed, repeat. Weekends, pancakes, zoo, museum, park.

The happiest Caroline had been in decades. Paul healed. She got him a gig, free unless they wanted more work. they called day after he submitted his design. Full time job, benefits. he felt his life was back under his control. Stayed.

Then her mom called, You know Car‘o’line, having homeless staying is just not done. She shattered phone against wall. Called her office, there was some kid who had a learning call blocker? Yes Ma’am, George. Send him and his kit to my place. My Harrison will want to come. For credit, right. Tell a*s if he comes, have his cardboard box.

Morning George. What do you need. Voice recordings. Handing phone over, look under b***h. What does it do? Small learning AI recognizes voice regardless of fake accents, tone, interference, blocks call, hangs up. Perfect. Clear all blocks on my phone and we’ll see. They heard, ”Ring Car… click.“ Gone. GREAT

Why haven’t we fast tracked this? Mr Harrison… Have a development timeline and business,plan in my inbox by noon. Called office again, I’ve had enough, terminate Harrison. Tomorrow.

They were walking Becca to little park at end of the block, she wanted to check on the frog she’d seen. Two women had come out of building and they heard, ‘Must be nice, rich b***h bought a family. Paul just took a breath and kept walking Becca. Caroline turned back, Nice thing about being a really rich stone cold b***h is not taking s**t from anyone. Don’t want me as neighbor, fine. Tomorrow I’ll buy this building and, in name of charity and diversity, donate to city as Section 8. Enjoy your new neighbors. She walked off to catch up with Paul. The women breaking down as they realized they had totally fucked up their lives in 10 seconds. Paul looked at her. No, I would have months ago, now I’m just letting them stew.

They walked on, unconsciously holding hands.

Paul was sitting at kitchen table, laptop open to Rentals site, For Rent section of paper under his coffee cup. What? she said, an edge she could not control in her voice. Not for me, work is getting more than I can handle alone and I’m NOT running business out of my bedroom much longer. It’s just when price works, location sucks, local is sky high. I really don’t want to spend half the day commuting. Let me make a call she said.

That afternoon she asked him walk with her. Down to lobby, up in standard elevator to floor just a couple under her penthouse. Opened door. Empty, very musty, unused. Reception with very dead plants, very large single L shaped room behind reception. No view, just buildings, Only one window, northern light though. Rest of room dark, entire area cluttered with cubes. She said it’s been on market for over a year. Not prestigious enough for lawyer, no facilities for medical, too small for most companies, too large for most startups. But, for engineer drafting, two or three should be fine. Owners want it leased. Now. Leverage. Smile. Before you ask, leasing is not my control. Talk to this twit, drive a hard bargain.

He drove a very hard bargain, got it, gave her a hug that lasted just a little long, both dismissed it.

Next day, he discovered the penthouse elevator now stopped at that floor.

Paul knew Larry from his last real job, smart, fast learner, methodical, meticulous and a bit of a hick to be honest. Called him. Still basically a go-for at old line company. Caught him up,offered him…YES came instant response. Drag all your stuff to address, ignore guard, load everything in penthouse elevator. There are three options. Ground, penthouse and our floor. What’s that? Uh, Larry, guess

He showed up,with his table, stool, some supplies. This is great, in front of window right. What is all that? Old cubes they have not hauled off. They’re also clearing reception. It’s got plumbing, I’m making it a mini-kitchen, microwave, plumbed Keurig for coffee, toaster oven, frig. Couch, lift top coffee table. Sound OK? Great! Let’s get started.

When looking at flat bed plotter, Larry said as they had the room, they should upgrade to high end and rent time. Paul,had just gotten a settlement check he didn’t expect for accident (some lawyer Caroline had sicked on builder caused him to accept responsibility for mess, looked scared actually) so they upgraded. Minor source of income but invaluable for networking with other architects needing plotting.

Caroline showed up with Becca a couple days later to show her where daddy worked. She ran around talking non stop. Larry just watched. As they were leaving, he said, she’s great. To Paul, hell of a job after Linda passed. to Caroline, good man, keep him. As the door was about to close, Paul gave Caroline a peck on the cheek. The only ones who noticed were Larry, smiling, and Becca, who saw everything. until, that night when Caroline sat bolt upright. Then after some thought, went back to sleep.

After seeing the help Larry was to,Paul, and the insistent constant low level bitching at her offices, Caroline agreed to look for an admin to organize her chaos. The parade of polite over qualified suitably dressed, ladies with perfect decorum started. The record was 35 min before leaving in tears.

Carroll showed up, impeccably dressed, Ivy league school accent. Betting in office was maybe an hour, she looked solid but it was Caroline be after all After part of typical Caroline tirade hey heard, Oh f**k off, I’ll do it my way and faster. long silence. Caroline asked for two coffee set up’s and they talked for rest of afternoon. Hired. Word spread. No one argued with her. It helped she was whip smart and very competent.

When she met Becca and Paul, she was at a loss. Kid? Adopted? Paul lover? Ex? Co-parent? Married? Divorced? One thing for surer there was a LOT going on and she did not want in mix. She saw Larry as useless hick dismissed.

As they were putting Becca down, finally, she collapsed onto couch just as Paul leaned back to center. She was now sitting next to,him and leaned against him as his arm draped over her shoulder. Her head leaned his shoulder. They sat, exhausted, for a while. She stiffened inched away, got up and headed for bed. She said, sorry, that was too much for us. As her door closed, she heard, no, that was nice. Sleep took a while.

Carroll walked into Caroline’s office, eyes wide, Mr Beachcomber of Beachcomber, Bobbitt, and Willis is, here to see you, what do… Harry, get In here Caroline called. Carroll knew that white shoe law partnership were THE sharks. Vicious, very high paid, ruthless, sharks. Mr Beachcomber was Sr partner, Managing partner, and Founder of a 300 odd group of sharks. He walked in, grabbed Caroline, swing her around and said ’Damn girl, you’re looking great!

Caroline said, Carroll, please get us all coffee. ’Please’? Harry said, who? Sigh. Odd look. Becca. Not mine. Long story. Coincidence, I’d like invite you, looking at Becca’s picture on desk, and yours, to my lodge for weekend. This nor'easter will be bad, really bad. Stuck in high rise with no, power…. Come up now, stay as long as storm lasts. And if storm fizzles, you can watch deer, rabbits, and maybe an elk.

Let me talk to Paul and I’ll call in morning. Paul? Part of story. Hmmm. One room or two? Two, blushing. Oh I have to hear this.

That night, she called Carroll, Paul, Becca, and i are leaving now. sorry but you’ll need to finish Thomson mess before you come. Larry has a job to complete so he can drive. But.. Oh stop, he’s a nice guy.,,

They got to lodge, cabin, mansion, whatever you call a 150 year old log stricture with hand hewn logs. 3 floors, 9 bedrooms, 11 fireplaces, 300 acres. Posted.

When they arrived storm had started, snow very, heavy. Harry met them with a pleasant looking woman, he said this is Ellen. Caroline said, shocked, ‘Mary Ellen…. No, he said, just Ellen! Ellen said, told you. It’s, OK, Caroline will figure it out.

As they were carrying stuff upstairs, Paul said, what?

That’s Justice Mary Ellen Harrison Associate Justice of US Supreme Court. Her estranged husbands is one of of the most useless piece of s**t b******s walking the earth. They had a couple kids before he stated f*****g every skirt in Washington. Won’t give her a divorce, annulment is easy but technically, that makes marriage never exist, and technically her kids would legally be b******s. Won’t do that. Waiting for the s**t to die. Oh, he estranged the kids.

Her and Harry is VERY private. Understand? Done.

At the storm peaks, there was a thump at front door. Harry n Paul opened it to find two show covered kids, Carroll out cold, all they got from Larry before he passed out was something about black ice, car dead, having to walk, fireman’s carry.

They quickly stripped the heavy outer clothing and boots. Harry got the straight back chairs from dining room and most of couch cushions. He built a wall in front of fire to reflect heat. Put Larry on his side, spooned Carroll in front of him, and covered both with several blankets. Well, without power, that’s the warmest place I can build. Becca wanted to play in fort, later

In morning, storm had passed, very cold, still, clear, everything silent with untouched layer of snow. DAD! Screamed Becca, LOOK! From tree line was trophy buck, old, very large, 12 point st least, accompanying two doe, couple of faun. Caroline was on her way to window happy that Becca was seeing the deer when Becca called, hurry mom, you’ll miss them. Shock. Surprise. Uncertainty. Harry just smiled like he’d gotten a gift, whispering to Ellen.

Harry got his camera, trying to get deer family and reflection of Carolines family reflection in window in single shot. Succeeded.

When deer wandered back in to woods, Caroline took a desperate breath, looked at a bemused Paul, and asked Becca, honey, what did you call me? Mom. I love you, you take care of me and daddy, that’s what mommies do, isn’t it? Looking at her dad and Caroline, is that OK? Yes said Paul, oh yes said Caroline. Harry looked at Ellen who said, I’d like some hot chocolate, anyone want some? Becca was gone in a flash. They were alone except for kids sleeping in front of fire.

Paul rose, holding Carolines hands next to him, close. He said. We’ve been could I, should I, what if, can we, crap for a year. Becca fixed that. I want you in my life, I want you in our lives. I pray you feel something similar. she dropped his hands, threw her arms around his neck and said oh god yes. They stood kissing for a long time.

After a quick breakfast they were gathered in same room, coffee and watching Becca spot white rabbets. Harry and Ellen were discussing custodial parentage vs non familial duty to intervene, e.g. when must a stranger stop a parent. Discussed at law review level.

At same time, Carroll had realized she was alive and warm. And spooned to a man. shifting, she saw Jerry from about 2 inches looking quite concerned. You OK? Yes you? Fine. Impulsively she kissed him lightly. His eyes changed, his kiss was not light, deep and lasting. Nice, she shifted again, pulled his head down and got serious. Playing footsie under blankets, his hand on her chest, now cupping a breast. Interrupted by booming laughter, Harry said we are doing professional level detailed review of a point of law and these kids are necking like homecoming.

Embarrassed, they were straightening blankets, clothes, expressions, hair. Caroline leaned over and said, this is Ellen, Harrys friend. Period. Understand? Carroll looked puzzled but nodded. Later she looked at Ellen closely and showed shock, masked at once.

Toward dusk, Becca stood in front of Harry. Mom said you are her, carefully, god father. That’s correct. Looking at Ellen, and you are his friend. Yes, wondering where this was going in a 6 year old mind. So, that makes you my god grandparents. Read me a book. As she climbed into the two old lawyers lap, she beamed. Later Caroline and Paul swore they could hear the click. Here were two of the most powerful legal minds in the country reading a child’s book, doing all the voices. she carefully picked up his camera and took a few snaps. Just for him.

Bed time. And Paul was sharing a bed with Becca, damn it.

In the morning, Harry hollered everybody down county breakfast. Becca ran in Carroll is gone, her bed is unused. Paul and Caroline sent identical messages, Get up, Get dressed, Get down here, Now. Carroll and Larry showed up, still in their hormonal fog. Love or lust TBD. Harry was paranoid about the old cast iron monster. Every part was hot and would burn the unwary. Biscuits, toast, ham, bacon, sausage, scrabble, eggs, French toast, flapjacks. Coffee, tea, milk, orange juice. Then he blocked the stove off with a custom screen. Time to eat. They had a wonderful, companionable breakfast with lively conversation.

Roads were clearing, he made everyone promised to seek refuge at his house in next storm. Gave everyone the gate code. 100% agreement.

Carroll’s mother called, when she found out where she had spent the storm, she wanted all the details, probably for social media. Carroll told her Caroline and her family and her lover. Hung up on screech. She asked Caroline if she could get the phone blocker, her mom was driving her crazy. George installed it next day.

On their first night back, Caroline quietly entered Paul’s bed. I’m not sure I remember all this, it’s been years, He smiled, let me. Wonderful.

In morning, Becca ran by, hi daddy, hi mommy, I’m hungry. I’m going to watch cartoons. New normal.

The sick lump in her stomach was much smaller. She was healing. Not healed, healing.

Paul’s mom was getting insistent about showing off her son’s ’catch’. Caroline asked if he wanted it stopped. For good. Part of him didn’t want his mother to receive the full Caroline, then he remembered his Linda, still warm in mortuary with his parents saying to put Becca up for adoption and find a suitable wife. The zero help had gotten raising Becca. He looked at Caroline, do it.

They attended one of his mothers dinner party’s. The first thing Caroline did was tell the first TUX she saw to get her some caviar and champagne, knowing he was actually some SVP of something. Looked at his mother and said, oh, yeah, you are the useless b***h who,told your son to dump, his kid and marry someone suitable before his wife got cold. Just a minute said his father, oh, the gutless ball-less piece of s**t that supported her. You two are a matched pair. Enjoy your guests. And they left.

A few months later, Caroline noted she had too much sanitary supplies, like she hadn’t been using. Dead stop. Shock. Surprise. Then unquenchable curiosity. Went to hospital, walked into obstetrics, said I need tests. Well if you want to make an appointment… F**k that, run the tests now! Someone who knew her spoke to head of obstetrics, they ran tests. Doctor smiled, you are two months along. Want to know sex, no said Caroline glowing like a light house. Your grant proposal is approved. I have not filed one, make it count, its approved.

An absolutely over he moon Paul and squealing Becca were next. after discussion, all Paul’s remaining professional gear was moved to his office. They moved to a new California king in her bedroom. Becca moved into Paul’s old room, now a bedroom and playroom. Becca’s old room, directly across from adults bedroom, was repainted in green and yellow. Crib, dressing table, rocking chair by window.

Harry came to her apartment. You are never in office? No, keeping busy she said rearranging some place mats again. He watched flutter around in amazement and finally said, in shock, you’re nesting! Yes she cried, and I can not stop! Looking at him, laugh out loud and I will end you. 35 years in court held up, his expression did not change, however his shoulders shook and his face did turn an interesting shade of puce.

And that? Pointing to the huge snifter that on table with what appeared to be thousands in it, hundreds, 50s and 20s mostly. Sigh. Paul says pitchers have big ears, that is my curse jar…. Not going well. His laughter could be heard over entire floor.

Copyright©2025 Jim Bartlett

Author's Note

Protagonist is hurting, her language is R