Chapter~19~Her work is never done.

Harley~

It has undoubtedly been another long day chasing my tail. The ever-optimistic in me hopes that we have the stalker running scared after losing his glove. The cop in me says he is lying low until the heat dies; either way, my plan to make like a tree is slipping further away.

'It doesn't have to be if you would listen to me. Decide whose butts you want to save at this point for crying out loud, woman!'

'We've had this discussion, Rae. We aren't leaving until this is done, bounty hunter or no. I'm not turning my back on these people.'

As I enter my apartment and flip on the light, a sense of home surrounds me. My 1,200 square feet may not seem like much, but it's all mine. It's certainly nothing like what I grew up in; my father's pack house could hold 10 of these two-bedroom flats. Of course, Father also had rule over everything in his pack; my private quarters were no exception.

'Who needs Ian's stuffy old mansion? We can build our own. A sunroom would be nice, so I can lie in the sun in winter! It gets cold in the mountains.'

Rae's excitement brings a smile to my face. 'Ok, Rae, I will build you a sunroom, but the size of our future home doesn't matter so long as it's peaceful.'

This apartment is the first space I have been able to do with as I please. A deep sigh escapes me as I plop down on the sofa and look around, realizing how much every inch is me, from the light lavender paint on the walls, the beach scene paintings, the unique trinkets that caught my eye, to the fluffy, multicolored rugs on the hardwood floors.

I've accumulated far too much to fit into my Jeep. I'll soon have to decide what to leave behind. The overflow will make a nice donation to the Hope Center. The only family photo I own catches my eye from its spot on the end table. It is a picture of my mother and me. My thumb trails over the glass after I pick it up as tears burn my eyes. Lauren was right; I am the spitting image of her.

'I miss her too, Harley.'

'It's so unfair, Rae.'

'Our mother is still with us. You can't change the past, nor continue to carry all this. Harley, it's time to put it down.'

'Easier said than done, Rae.'

The throw pillow I had a chokehold on gets a rest as I toss it aside and stand up, glancing over at my kitchen. I'm wondering whether making a sandwich was worth the trouble. The thought of consuming said sandwich caused a wave of queasiness in the pit of my stomach. Maybe later, deciding I need a shower first, I push up and head down the hall to my bedroom.

After turning on the water in the shower, I sat on the toilet to undress and wait for the water to heat, still feeling like I was about to spew a rainbow. Thanks to LA's whiplash weather, I have suffered back-to-back major allergy flare-ups, which have plagued me with migraines and depleted all my energy for the past few days.

I've had the cognitive defect since I can remember, though it's never been this bad. However, because I have rescheduled the appointment for my monthly allergy and GCRP shots three times and again for Friday, it should be no surprise that I am a walking, snotting, oozing zombie.

The thought earns me a growl from Rea. 'I know, Rae, I will keep the appointment on Friday.'

'Do you think going to the lake could bring us closer to our mother?'

'I don't know, Rae, I suppose it's possible.'

It made sense if we were indeed part of some mystical lake; that would be the best place to make a connection. After drying off, I slipped into my favorite t-shirt and threw back the comforter on my bed, sliding inside. It isn't long before I realize it will be a repeat of last night and the night before and every night since my Wolfman left.

I've always been a glutton for punishment; some things never change. I've been back at the motel for the past four days, hoping he would return. In my defense, he was coming on strong at McGilleys. Still, it doesn't excuse my behavior; my cheeks still burn with the shameful words on repeat in my head. 'Fuck me, Wolfman!' Who would even say that?! 'Drive it like you own it!'

'And that he did!'

Rae's purr vibrates in my head painfully. 'Shut it, Rae!'

Now I am frantic, searching my bed for the only way I can get any rest. Then I remembered that my dislike of my dependence on it had gotten the better of me the night before, and I threw it to the floor, having given up on sleep. A groan escaped me as I threw back the comforter to get up and retrieve it.

My head spins like I am on a tilt-a-whirl for a second when my feet hit the floor, forcing me to brace my knees on the side of the bed to steady myself. When I can, I jerk the Wolfman's pillow up from the floor, crawl back into bed, and bury my face in the sweet spot. That is some good stuff right there!

I glanced up at the clock on my nightstand, and it read three a.m. I sighed, knowing the captain expected me in about five hours and that I had to scavenge through three more impound lots at some point. After cocooning myself under the blanket, with the Wolfman's pillow pulled close to my body, I roll over to sleep again.

The movement and sudden lack of oxygen cause dizziness, only this time it is painful, followed by nausea, overwhelming me, making me bolt upright in my bed. The vertigo I am experiencing is not my friend and sends me dashing across my bedroom to the bathroom.

Where I drop to my knees and empty the nonexistent contents of my already empty stomach into the toilet. With the back of my hand, I wiped my face and leaned back against the tub, hugging my knees to my chest so I could rest my pounding head, hoping the pain would subside.