Ashley pulled up outside of Kara’s house and wondered what they’d do tonight. She expected hanging out with Kara would be entertainment in itself. She was barely halfway to the door when it was flung open.
“Hello Ashley!” Mrs. Fortune came out and gave Ashley a big hug before she could say anything. The woman was a little shorter than Ashley, but a lot stronger. When she hugged her, she lifted Ashley right off the ground. She put Ashley back on the ground so suddenly Ashley felt a little off balance.
“I’m Kara’s mom, but you can call me, Mrs. Fortune. We’ve met a few times before outside of Duncan’s gym before, right?” Ashley gave the woman another look and thought she and her daughter looked a lot alike. Looking at her face gave Ashley a glimpse of what Kara would look like in another thirty years.
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you,” said Ashley.
“Let’s go inside, shall we?” Her arm came around Ashley and she all but dragged her inside. Ashley felt Kara must’ve inherited her strength from her mother too. They were barely inside before the door was slammed shut. “Kara! Ashley’s here!”
Ashley looked around Kara’s house and realized the Fortunes must’ve been very wealthy people. All of their furniture was top of the line and looked cleaner than most things Ashley had ever seen. She wondered if she could get her room to this level of cleanliness in an entire day.
“Welcome to my humble house,” said Kara, coming down from a set of stairs on the right.
“Humble indeed.”
“Come on, I’ll show you my room upstairs. Thanks mom.”
“We’ll be having dinner in half an hour,” her mom said.
Ashley followed Kara up the stairs and noticed the walls were covered in pictures of Kara. Kara frowned and held her hands out.
“This is the wall of Kara. My parents are a bit obsessive with pictures. I’ve tried to take them down, but they won’t let me.”
Ashley gave a small smile as they went up the stairs. It truly was the wall of Kara. Ashley could see her entire life progression through these pictures. She was suddenly glad her mom had never done anything like this. They came up to a small hallway with more pictures.
“On the left is a bathroom and this is mine,” said Kara. She flipped on the light and cheered. “Ta DA!”
. Kara’s room was about the size of Ashley’s, but it had a lot more in it. The TV was huge and game systems surrounded it. Next to it was a large computer with multiple screens. There was a large chest in the corner next to her bed. Perhaps the more interesting pieces were the blades lying about Kara’s room. There was a large dagger next to her computer and a couple of swords on the walls. “It’s not much, but it’s home.”
“What are you talking about it’s not much? This room is amazing.”
“Meh, it works I suppose.” Ashley set down her bag and her eyes kept scanning the room for any more surprises. Her eyes kept lingering on the shiny blades. “Like my collection?”
“Yeah, I’ve never had a friend who had swords.”
“My family loves them,” said Kara. “I got my first when I turned eight.”
“My mother would never let me have a knife, let alone a sword,” said Ashley. “They’d either be too dangerous or she’d say I’m too clumsy to have one.”
“My parents would’ve disagreed. They gave me weapons early so I could get used to them. When I turned sixteen, they gave me a custom blade of my choosing. I chose this.” Kara moved to a blade hanging next to her bed and pulled it off for Ashley to see up close.
It was a large two-handed sword unlike any Ashley had ever seen. It had no guard and didn’t even resemble a sword. It looked like someone had found a meat cleaver and stretched it three feet. It started out thinner at the bottom and grew gradually larger towards the tip.
“It’s a bit heavy, but I like the power in it,” said Kara as she moved the blade around. “The tip is heavier which makes it a little off balance, but I designed it that way. When I swing it I have to commit to my target, but it hits as hard as an axe.” Kara spun it around herself before holding it out to Ashley. “Care to try?”
“No thanks,” said Ashley nervously.
“Maybe something smaller for you would be better.” Kara put the sword back on the wall and ran a loving hand along it. “So what would you like to do? I have lots of games.”
“I never really played video games.”
“That’s because you don’t have what I have. Trust me, by the end of the night you’ll be loving them.” Kara stiffened suddenly and bowed to her. “I’m sorry I’m being a bad hostess. Do you want something to drink?”
“Yes my dear, could you fetch me something?” Ashley tried to use the highest and snobbiest voice she knew as she spoke. She wanted to see Kara’s reaction, but Kara just took the scene and ran with it.
“Oh yes m’lady. Right away!”
Kara curtsied her invisible dress and rushed out of the room. Ashley laughed and chased after her. Kara vaulted down the stairs and Ashley sprinted after her. Ashley was sure she would be faster than Kara on an open track, but Kara was definitely more agile. She rolled across the floor and leapt up in time to spin around the corner and into the kitchen.
“What would you like?” she asked when Ashley made it into the kitchen. “We’ve got everything in here.”
The fridge was bigger than any Ashley had ever seen and was filled to the last inch. There were sodas, juice, milk, bottled water, and other drinks she didn’t recognize. They both took a soda and Ashley took a minute to admire the rest of the kitchen. It had large cabinets and a walk-in pantry. There was a row of glass cabinets that held only the finest of wine glasses. Underneath the glasses was a large wine fridge filled with bottles.
“My parents like their wine,” whispered Kara.
“I can tell,” Ashley whispered back.
“I can’t figure out why, it tastes nasty.”
Upstairs Kara introduced Ashley to the Wii. She sat back laughing as Kara showed her a dance game. While it looked very fun, Kara looked completely ridiculous doing it. Ashley grinned as she realized she couldn’t wait to hop in and join her.
“Kara, can you come downstairs for a moment?” called her mother.
“Yes mom.”
Kara paused the game and rushed out of the room. Ashley wasn’t sure if she was supposed to follow so she waited for a minute. When Kara didn’t come back, Ashley went to look for her. She could hear Kara and her mother speaking rapidly in the kitchen. Ashley strained to hear them from the living room, but the more she tried to listen, the less she understood. They were speaking in French.
“Alright, talking is all done,” said Kara suddenly and came back into the living room smiling at Ashley. “Sorry that took so long.”
“It’s no problem,” said Ashley.
“I just needed her for a moment,” said Kara’s mother. “You two can go back to playing. Food should be here shortly.”
There was a sudden rap at the door and Kara and her mother looked expectantly to it. The knocking continued. Both Kara and her mother just watched the door and kept twitching their fingers. Kara held up her hand for Ashley to see. The person knocking on the door was doing it in a pattern, which Kara was counting.
One. Four. One. Two. Three. Then Kara closed her hand and the door began to unlock. It opened quickly and a large man strode in. He shut the door just as quickly and locked it. He stared out the peephole before glancing around the room. When he seemed satisfied, he stood up straight and turned around.
“Everything secure?” Mr. Fortune asked in a stern voice.
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“Yes, father,” said Kara.
“Good. This is our guest?”
“Yes, father, this is Ashley.”
“Very good. It’s nice to see you Ashley. You can call me Mr. Fortune.”
Mr. Fortune held out a large hand. Ashley took his hand and he shook it furiously. She had thought Kara and her mom were strong, but compared to Mr. Fortune, they must’ve been weaklings. He was only an inch taller than Ashley, but he was built like a tank. He must’ve worked out every day for hours to be in the kind of shape he was in. Even though he was in a fine suit, Ashley could clearly see the thick muscles bulging through. His hair was dark brown and buzzed short like a soldier.
“It’s nice to see you too.” Ashley took her hand back so he couldn’t crush it again.
“It is. I know your dad. He’s a good man, honorable man. Very efficient worker, made this house for us.”
“Wow. I didn’t know that.”
“He did a superb job. Now then, has my daughter shown you our security measures?”
“Dad…” whined Kara. “Ashley doesn’t need to hear this.”
Mr. Fortune stared at Kara so coldly his daughter went silent. Ashley felt the after effect of Mr. Fortune’s stare as he turned back to her. This man was very strict, rigid, and lived by a certain set of rules.
“Security is our top priority here. I would no sooner leave your friend vulnerable than I would you. Come with me you two, I’ll give Ashley the tour.”
Kara gave Ashley a look that said I’m sorry and they followed after her dad. He stopped at an alarm system next to the stairs.
“Basic alarms. We set them every night at 9PM and I turn them off when I get up in the morning. If you need to get out at any point, all three of us know the codes. If you accidentally open a door, you’ll know. The alarm both calls the police as well sounds loud bells throughout the house.” Ashley nodded and Mr. Fortune showed off the front door as well as the backdoor.
“There are only two doors leading in and out of this house. Both are steel reinforced doors with three bolts for the top, middle, and bottom of the door. It’d take an ox to break through these doors. Now look at these windows.” He tapped his knuckles against them. “These windows have also been reinforced. You couldn’t get through them if you had a baseball bat.” Ashley nodded again and felt a little nervous.
“But isn’t this dangerous?” she asked. “What if there’s a fire?”
“Ah ha! You’re as clever as your father!” shouted Mr. Fortune. “He too was worried about that exact same thing, but I had already thought of that. Look here.” Mr. Fortune moved the curtains aside and revealed two small latches on either side of the window. “These are pressure releases. If you pull down on them, the window will fall right off its hinges. Two quick pulls and you’re free to escape. Brilliant, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” said Ashley.
“Very brilliant,” concurred Kara.
“I’m glad you think so. Now come, let me show you the upstairs.” They headed upstairs and Ashley began to wonder what else Mr. Fortune had to show them. Kara mouthed to her that it was almost over.
“Now home defense is only the first part,” continued Mr. Fortune. “You can only do so much to defend your home, but to a determined foe there will always be a way inside. When that happens, it’s time to turn home defense into home offense.” He stopped at Kara’s room and held his hand out.
“Kara’s room is prepared with an assortment of weapons. There are many ways to persuade an intruder from coming into your house and one of them is coercion. If a burglar enters your house and sees you charging him with an axe, he’ll know very quickly he chose the wrong house. Then there’s my room.”
“The armory,” said Kara. “Dad could take on an invading army with his arsenal.”
Ashley would’ve thought Kara was joking before, but now she was ready to believe her every word. Her parent’s bedroom looked fairly normal at first, but Mr. Fortune showed them his walk-in closet. Half of it was a giant chest safe with a large dial.
“This is my personal insurance. When the day comes that all hell breaks loose, we’ll have this.”
He spun the dial a few times and Ashley tried to watch. He did it very fast and kept his body close so she only saw that the first number was thirty-one. A few seconds later he threw open the trunk and stood back to admire it.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Beautiful was one way to put it. Ashley looked at the man’s massive gun collection in horror. There were multiple rifles, shotguns, and a few things that didn’t look entirely legal. There were boxes of ammunition underneath and a row of pistols. Whatever Mr. Fortune was waiting for, he’d be ready for it. When Armageddon came, she decided she would go to Kara’s house. Mr. Fortune closed the chest and spun the dial a few times for good measure.
“There’s only one last thing,” he said. He pulled up the rug at the front of his closet door and revealed a trap door. “This opens up to a ladder which leads to the basement. Our last move if things get too dangerous up here.” He placed the rug back down and turned around smiling. “Do you know what to do in case of an emergency now or should I go over it again?”
“I understand,” said Ashley.
“Good. Now go have fun, I’m going to see how my wife’s day has been!”
Kara led Ashley out of her parent’s room and back into hers. Once in, she closed the door and slid down it, sighing.
“I’m sorry about that,” she whispered. “My dad is a bit…” Kara twirled her finger near her head. Ashley smirked.
“It’s okay,” she whispered back. “I’m surprised he didn’t interrogate me.”
“Me too. I think it’s because he trusts your dad so much.”
“I’ll have to thank him.” Kara put her ear against the door. When she seemed satisfied, she moved to sit next to Ashley.
“Okay, he’s downstairs,” she said in her normal tone. “My dad is a bit paranoid in case you couldn’t tell.”
“I couldn’t,” said Ashley sarcastically.
“Oh good, then it’s just me,” laughed Kara. “It doesn’t take much to set him off.” The doorbell rang and Kara’s eyes went wide.
“What’s wrong?” asked Ashley.
“I don’t think we’re expecting any more guests.” She went to the window and pressed her face against it to look down. “Oh no.”
“What?”
“Mom ordered pizza.”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“My dad.” Kara went to the stairs and waved for Ashley to follow. Ashley followed her nervously and they both watched Mr. Fortune at the door. He hadn’t opened the door yet and was scrutinizing the delivery man through the peephole.
“Too obvious…” he kept muttering. “Too obvious. Think you’ll get the better of me, do you?” He threw open the door.
“Order for Mrs. Fortune?” asked the delivery man happily.
“I know what you’re here for young man! Your charade isn’t going to fool anyone, especially me!” Kara just put her hand over her face and Ashley cupped her mouth. Mr. Fortune pointed at the pizza man’s hat.
“Your hat says you’re from Yvonne’s Pizza Corner or YPC’s for short. Well I happen to know that YPC’s doesn’t deliver. You’re obviously a spy in a terrible disguise!”
“Um…sir? YPC’s started…”
“Silence! You’re a spy and I know it. Who sent you? Was it the Russians? Perhaps the Greeks?” Mr. Fortune started to pace on the spot. He stopped suddenly and pointed at the man. “Ah HA! I’ve figured it out. You’re with the Kenyans, aren’t you!”
Ashley bit her tongue to not to make any noise. She was worried about what Mr. Fortune could possibly be thinking, but at the same time, it was so funny. The man at the door was most definitely not Kenyan or any of the other things he’d listed. The delivery man looked confused and ready to run.
“Sir, do I have the right house?”
“What other house would they send you to?” demanded Mr. Fortune. “There’s nobody else in this town who has this kind of information. Unless…” He started pacing again. “Could it be that Alexandria is an agent just like I thought?” Ashley wasn’t sure if it was safe to laugh, but Kara looked like she might burst at any moment when Mrs. Fortune came into the room.
“He’s okay! YPC’s started a delivery service last week. I called him.” Mr. Fortune looked at her doubtfully.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Mr. Fortune nodded and looked back at the delivery man.
“I apologize. Obviously I mistook you for someone else.”
“A common mistake?” suggested the clearly terrified man.
“Of course, of course. Has my wife paid you yet for the pizza?” The pizza man stared at him quietly. Mrs. Fortune hadn’t been in the room yet, so how could she have paid him?
“No I haven’t,” said Mrs. Fortune. “Here’s the money with tip.” Mr. Fortune took the money and counted it.
“Very good. Let me add a few dollars to your tip. You seem to have gotten here quickly and efficiently, I like that in a worker.” He handed the man the money and the man passed over a few pizzas.
“Have a good night,” said the delivery man as he backed away slowly. He didn’t turn his back to Mr. Fortune until he got to his car. Mr. Fortune just waved merrily and closed the door when he was gone.
“Good man. I hope he does well. Dinner is ready!”
Kara just smiled at Ashley and headed into the dining room after her dad. Ashley felt she was beginning to understand why Alex had told her it was okay to come home for the night. She was almost considering it if Mr. Fortune kept acting like this.
The pizza was good and the dinner conversations very amusing. Apparently Mr. Fortune ran a small business in town dealing with the stock market. His strong sense of paranoia seemed to be why he was good at his work. He saw the littlest signs of panic in a business and pulled out stocks before they could crash on him. He also did all of the talking at the table and they just ate as he chattered away. When they were done, Kara excused them back upstairs.
“And that’s my dad all the time.”
“He’s amusing.” Kara grinned as she sat down on her bed.
“Yeah, except my mom forgets to tell him stuff all the time. She once hired a gardener and my dad thought he was a burglar. He almost shot him.” Ashley cringed and smiled. It was funny as a story, but she made a mental note never to sneak near Kara’s home.
They spent most of the night trying out Kara’s ridiculous games. Ashley found herself laughing hysterically as they played together. She also found herself wearing out much quicker than she would’ve thought. They had to take breaks and talk for a bit before they could continue. At nine, Mr. Fortune checked on them and said the alarm was active.
They stayed up half the night and slept in until noon the next day. Ashley had slept lightly as she kept hearing someone walk through the house at night. It happened almost hourly and she assumed Mr. Fortune was patrolling. Ashley was surprised when Kara told her it was actually her mom.
“My mom doesn’t like the dark.”
“Weird.”
“My house has never been normal, even to me.”
“You make my home seem normal.”
“I’m glad you think of your home as a home now.” Ashley’s smile faded, but Kara’s grew. “For a while you always looked lost. Now you look like you’re settled in and at home.”
“I guess I am,” said Ashley slowly. “I guess this is my home now.”
The thought didn’t leave Ashley even when she left Kara’s house. She parked her jeep in the driveway and looked at Alex’s house. It didn’t seem like Alex’s house anymore, but hers. When she walked in the door and breathed in the warm air, she felt like she was at peace.
“I’m home,” she said loudly.