G III: Chapter 21

 



By the time light dawned on the Fuller household, the family was already bustling around the house with their morning activities.

Johanna and Dylan were just about finished with their breakfast when James joined them. They sat with him until he was done as well, to keep him company.

Brian had already eaten and was upstairs searching for a job. He figured now would be as good a time as any to start on his lifetime wish. He was an adult now, maybe just entering that stage but still in it, and with that comes a little more responsibility. Brian searched until he found a website that he could advertise himself as a private detective of sorts. He started his application there. Since everyone is accepted, he got the job.

Johanna and Dylan ran to the bus when they heard it honking for them outside. It had just dawned on Dylan that his birthday was close by and he wouldn't be doing this much longer, school would be behind him. He hadn't really thought about his future much, maybe he should.

Daphne had just walked out as Dylan and Johanna were leaving, she called her goodbyes and waved, then headed right to her garden for the days work.

 

When Johanna and Dylan were back home they each went separate ways. Johanna went right to doing her homework and Dylan went outside to practice his Martial arts.

"I can concentrate more when I feel 'centered'." He had said.

Johanna rolled her eyes. Actually she had asked him to do his work with her because she wanted to copy his. Johanna had taken to being really lazy at school, skipping classes and not finishing her homework. Daphne was unaware of this, but Dylan hadn't missed these facts. He was originally going to make sure she did her work this afternoon, but when he saw that Daphne was in the dining room, he decided to hone his skills first. Johanna would finish if Daphne was there.

 

Shortly after her lunch, Daphne had a special ceremony to attend. Since she reached the top of her career she was considered a town hero and the Mayor held a celebration in her honor. Half of Twinbrook came to see her awarded the Ghost Hunter's Key. Daphne's cheeks remained red from blushing during the entire ceremony. She shook hands with the Mayor of Twinbrook as the citizens threw confetti in the air. When the party was over everyone released balloons into the air, it was quite a sight to behold. Daphne remained for an hour or so, just talking to the people that came and thanking them.

Back at home, Johanna was talking to her dad about getting a job.

"I am really looking for something simple, but fun." She told him. She didn't want to admit that she was lazy and didn't want to do too much work.

James thought about it for just a second. "What do you need a job for?"

"Actually I want to go to Egypt soon, and I was hoping to get a part time job to save up the money. I know the family has enough to cover my ticket, but I want to buy it. With my own money." She said.

"Ah, I get it. Well." James paused to think of anything in town that would be good for her. "I heard there was an opening at the Day Spa, they hire part time."

"Great! I will go there first thing Saturday then. Thanks dad."

"Sure, enjoy being in the workforce!" He smiled at his daughter, he kind of hoped that she would follow in his footsteps and become a Policewoman when she grew up. It seems that her dreams might be pointing her in a new direction though.

 

Brian was working on a new block of ice when he got his first phone call for a case. It was a little kid on the phone, asking if Brian could find out who stole his mouthwash.

"Uh, look kid..." Brian thought about it for a split second. This wasn't really the type of case's he was hoping for, but he had to get his name out there somehow. "Okay, I'll meet you outside the Red Rendezvous in twenty minutes."

The kid agreed and Charlie left to get the information for his first assignment.

Brian's first thought was that the mouthwash hadn't left the house, so he went to where the little boy lived. There he spoke with the boys mother and grandmother about his concerns. The each denied taking it, but then the Mother said that she found a bottle of mouthwash in the trash can next to the bathroom sink.

"I'm sure that's the one he is talking about, maybe it fell off the counter and he didn't notice it." Brian stated.

He was about to inform the young man, but realized it was very late, and he was extremely hungry. Brian went home to have dinner with his family and get to bed. The very next morning, bright and early he phoned the boy to meet him at the park.

Brian explained everything he had found out. The young man felt very silly for hiring a private detective for something so silly, but Brian made sure he knew that he could hire him for anything he needed, even if it was for a lost toy.

"Thanks Mister. I will keep you in my phone book!" The boy said as he walked off.

Brian smiled as he balled up the small paper with all of his notes.

First case .... Closed.

"I'm gonna be awesome at this." He said aloud.

 

That same morning, Dylan and Johanna had their own plans. They ate breakfast together but each went a different way after that.

Dylan went out back to continue his training. He had come quite far in the short time he had been studying and practicing. Him being so disciplined helped a lot in the Martial Arts skill. This was the first day he practiced with the board breaker, and he found he had great inner strength. The first attempt of one board was too easy, so he moved to two. Also to easy. Up to three, still easy. He had five boards stacked together before he felt any amount of a challenge. When he broke those as well, he felt very proud of himself.

Johanna went to he first and favorite fishing spot. Not to far from the house and full of fish. Fishing always relaxed Johanna and while she was waiting for a bite, her mind tended to wander. The main thing she thought about was her future. 'What am I destined to be?' She asked herself. 'I love fishing, and don't much care for homework - or work of any sort. I know if I stayed here, I could probably get away with not having a job at all. But I also want to be free, to make my own choices and mistakes. If I stay here I'll be under the watchful eye of someone all the time. Especially Dylan, he's becoming quite protective and parental.'

She continued to think of the pros and cons of staying or going without coming to any decision. The only thing she did decided to do, was go ahead and get that part time job.

Johanna went to the Spa and applied. She was accepted immediately and would start the following Monday, right after school.

She went home after that, and as she was walking inside she noticed that the garden hadn't been tended. 'Mother Daphne must still be asleep. I'll do it for her.' Johanna thought. She went into the garden and did what she could. She could harvest the fruits and water the plants but she still wasn't sure what was a weed and what was not, so she left that for Daphne.

Daphne awoke that day and started doing some housework. There was so much to do that she didn't get into the garden work until early evening. It was then that she realized someone had already done half of it. She smiled and continued the gardening. She watered the plants that had been missed and weeded the ones that needed it. Afterward she showered and made dinner for everyone.

 Brian received another case that afternoon, as he worked on his sculpture. The man on the other line asked to meet Brian at the beach and Brian agreed. This man was concerned that his wife had another lover. Brian took the case and told him he would work on it right away.

 

Brian went right to the mans house and stared at it from the front. 'I'm sure there has to be evidence somewhere' he thought. Then the trashcan next to him caught his eye, and the mailbox. 'Aha! People always try and destroy evidence, maybe it's in the trash.'

Brian began to dig and search through the garbage can. Unfortunately one of the paparazzi that was always following him around, saw him. Brian looked up guiltily at the guy and said "Uh. I dropped my keys, I'm just looking for them."

When the man was gone Brian continued his search. He did fine a balled up note and an empty box of chocolates. Brian moved on to the mailbox, to see if there was any new letters or anything there. A small message was stuck between to letters addressed to the mans wife.

'Meet me at our usual, at 9pm. Can't wait to see you love."

Brian nodded as the suspicion was confirmed. Bad news for the man but at least he knew.

He called the gentleman and met him on the side of the road. 'I guess he was walking home.' Brian thought.

"Well Sir, I am sorry to inform you, but it looks like your wife is seeing someone aside yourself. I didn't find any names, or any photos as of yet. Would you like me to continue on this case?" Brian informed the guy.

The gentleman's face fell into an expression of sadness, that was quickly replaced by pain which was then replaced by anger. "No thank you Mr. Fuller. I'll handle the rest myself! Thank you for your help, I'll remember your name."

Brian nodded and crumpled up his paper.

Case Closed.