“They had been looking for this guy for a while when they got a lead he was seen in a local park. It was really late at night when Stone and T caught up with this guy. He was high on something and buck naked, prancing around through the trees claiming to be Robin Hood.” She snorted. “He actually tried to hug Stone because he said he thought Stone was one of his band of merry men.” They laughed so loud everyone in the café turned and stared at them.
“And then the guy turns to T and asks him why he’s not wearing tights!” They simultaneously burst out laughing and Sadie almost choked on her coffee.
Roxanne talked about the businesses and their success. Pride poured through her voice when she spoke about how her dad started the securities company thirty-five years ago. He dreamed one day it would be a family business. He even changed the name to Garrison & Sons, although everyone still called it Garrison’s.
When she talked about her dad and mom, Sadie could feel the love through her words.
“They adopted us when I was five. My biological parents had been killed in a car accident. We were placed in foster care when our grandparents refused to take us in. I don’t remember much about foster care though, we were only there for three months, and I was so young.” Roxanne stated matter of fact shrugging.
It was sad to think of Roxanne and Ethan abandoned by their only family and with no one in the world except for each other.
Roxanne smiled at Sadie. “But I do remember meeting my mom and dad for the first time. My mom brought me this stuffed monkey and she told me whenever I felt scared, I should squeeze him as tight as I could and he would take all the fear away.”
She talked about how excited she was when she met Stone and Bogs who they had adopted six months earlier.
“I thought Stone and Bogs had the coolest names.” She giggled.
They went for manicures at Ginny’s on Main Street. Just like breakfast, Roxanne insisted on paying.
“Sadie, it’s my birthday pampering day and I decide how I’m going to spend my money,” she said, walking over to the nail polishes.
“I know, but I feel weird about you spending your money on me. I’d really like to pay,” Sadie insisted. It wasn’t right for Roxanne to spend her money on her.
Roxanne huffed and turned around to face Sadie.
“Don’t make me kick your ass in the middle of the spa,” she threatened. “Now stop arguing with me and get over here and pick out a color.”
All the clients and employees stared in horror at them. Again, Sadie burst out laughing, Roxanne had that effect on her.
By the time they got to the mall, she felt as though she had known Roxanne for years. Sadie embraced her endless stories. She talked about growing up with four brothers and her lack of dates in high school.
“Damn those boys, I love ’em, but they made it almost impossible for me to get any in high school.” She winked at Sadie. “Almost.” That made Sadie chuckle.
She talked about the arrival of T into their family, six months after she was adopted.
“I was so intrigued by T. He was quiet and tough. He scared the boys I think at first but not me. I quickly introduced him to what life was like with a pesky sister.”
“I don’t think he likes me.” Sadie snorted.
Roxanne looked up from the rack of shirts. “T?”
Sadie nodded.
“Sadie, let me tell you something about T. If he didn’t like you, he wouldn’t have freaked out on that bitch, which was awesome by the way.”
“He did that for Stone.”
Roxanne shook her head. “No, I know T, and he didn’t do that just for Stone. He did it for you, too!”
She shared stories from childhood about all of them. They had a wonderful childhood once John and Darla came into their lives.
They were in a shoe store browsing when she told her about losing her mom, Darla, three years ago to breast cancer.
“The cancer was aggressive. By the time we found out, there wasn’t much that could be done.” Roxanne sniffled trying to hold back her tears. “But she never gave up, she fought it. Even on her bad days, she never lost her smile and hugged us every chance she got. Dad said she fought to get as much time with us as she could. ’Til her last day.” Sadie walked over to her and put her arm around Roxanne.
“She sounds amazing, Rox, I’m sure you made her very proud. I bet she loved you and the guys very much,” Sadie whispered while she rubbed her arm.
Roxanne looked over at Sadie with a sad smile and tears welled in her eyes. She nodded. “She was the most incredible person. I wish you could have met her, Sadie, you would have loved her.”
They shopped a bit more before heading back to the apartment. After Roxanne’s sad breakdown, she quickly pulled herself together and bought four pairs of shoes. She called shopping her therapy. They made two more stops before pulling into the gates at the apartment. Sadie helped Roxanne with her bags and they headed upstairs.
“I’ll just drop this stuff off and come over. Pizza and movies sound good?” she asked.
“Sounds great!”
Sadie unlocked the door and walked into Stone’s place. She turned on the lights and glanced around. Sadie wished Stone was here. She wanted to talk to him. She wanted to know him, really know him. After hearing Roxanne talk all day, Sadie realized there was so little that she knew. Sadie asked a few questions about their company and bounty hunting. Roxanne told her some but it was all so vague.
