Chapter 13: A Nice Normal Day


Veronica sits in her car outside her apartment building, keys in hand, eyes focused in front of her on nothing in particular. A neighbor walks by with his golden lab. A white SUV rolls by, music blaring through the windows. A young woman jogs by, ponytail swaying.

It’s official. Spending the night with Logan Echolls did not stop the world from spinning. Didn’t stop my head, either.

Veronica takes one last look in her rearview mirror, straightening her hair. She struggles to find the expression that will fool her Dad, the same Dad who can smell a lie at fifty paces and crack a suspect in five minutes. Veronica tries for a look that says ‘I stayed up all night talking about a boy’ instead of the more incriminating ‘I stayed up half the night doing a bit more than talking to a boy.’ Not sure if it’s working, she sighs, grabs her bag and throws open the car door.

Best cure for a really weird night? A nice normal day. Veronica gets out of the car and heads for her apartment. Too bad I haven’t had one of those in about a year and a half.

Veronica closes the door behind her and makes a beeline for her bedroom.

“Veronica? Is that my vagabond daughter?”

“That it is!” Veronica calls out in reply. Continuing into her room, Veronica pulls the door shut and starts yanking her dress off. She tugs her hair back into a ponytail and pulls on her bathrobe. A soft rap at the door interrupts her removing her boots. “Just a sec.”

Once she has her feet into slippers, she goes to the door and opens it so her Dad can enter.

He looks surprised at her appearance. “Hello, sweetheart. You have a good time last night?”

“Surprisingly, yes.” Veronica blinks quickly, wishing her mouth would check in with her brain before answering questions.

“Surprisingly?” Keith’s eyebrows lift in question.

“Well, y’know, I’m a little rusty on the whole sleepover scene. Wasn’t sure if it was paint the toenails, then call boys and hang up giggling or vice versa. Tricky waters to navigate.”

“Yes, I can only imagine the pitfalls.” Keith smiles at Veronica before his expression turns more serious. “Listen, I need to talk to you about the case you’ve been helping with.”

“Okaaay. What’s up?” Veronica’s brow furrows slightly.

Keith leads Veronica to the living room and they take seats on the couch and chair. “I need you to back out and leave this case to me now, Veronica.” His expression is dead serious and Veronica sits straight up at his tone.

“What? But Dad, I’ve almost got it. I know I can find him today...”

“See, honey. That’s what I’m worried about. I don’t want you to find him.”

Veronica frowns. “And yet, that’s what the nice Russian lady is paying us to do. I’m sensing a conflict. And hopefully an explanation?”

“First, she’s not such a nice lady. The guy she’s looking for testified against her father and put him in jail. And second, the not-so-nice lady’s two brothers are interested in finding him for a not-so-nice purpose.”

Veronica’s eyes widen as the reality of what her Dad is telling her sinks in. “He’s in witness protection, isn’t he?”

“That’s right. But I’m taking care of it. I’ve already talked to the sheriff’s department...”

Veronica interrupts, “Please tell me you did not involve Deputy Dog?”

“Actually, I worked around him. No matter what, the Sukarenkos won’t be bothering our sleepy little town again.”

Slumping back into the armchair, Veronica takes a deep breath. “So, I almost beat the witness protection program? Is it wrong that I’m the tiniest bit proud?”

“You did learn from the master, Veronica.”

“Soon I will take the pebble from your hand, Dad-san.”

Keith grins. “One day, grasshopper. Now, part two of the conversation is that I have to leave town. One of my more elusive bail jumpers has been spotted in Albuquerque, so I’m catching the next flight out.”

Veronica jumps up. “Need me to make the arrangements?”

Keith waves his hands, making her sit back down. “Already booked. I want you to just relax. Do some homework. Talk on the phone. Plot world domination. Whatever it is you kids today do. Okay?” Leaning forward, Keith plants a kiss on Veronica’s forehead and stands up. He pats her shoulder before heading to his room, still talking.

“I’ll check in with you later tonight.” Keith reappears, duffel bag in tow. “I expect to be back tomorrow night or maybe Monday. Be good?”

“The best.” Veronica glances at his bag. “You’re going right now?”

He smiles at her from the front door, “No rest for the wicked. Or for those chasing ‘em.”

Veronica stands up and walks her Dad to the door, then calls after him as he heads for his car. “Be careful.”

“Always, sweetheart.” Keith waves goodbye as he hops in the car.

Veronica closes the front door, hand resting on it for a few seconds. Pushing off, she heads for her bedroom, immediately flopping down backwards on the bed with a sigh.
Her eyes stay trained on the ceiling for a handful of minutes before shifting to her bag on the floor. Thoughts and flashes of the night before push into her mind’s eye unbidden. Leaning over, she pulls her cell phone out and looks at the display. Her thumb slides over the buttons lightly as she imagines the conversation.

Oh hi, Logan. Yeah, I know I’ve never called you just to chat, so I thought I would give it a whirl. Pure coincidence that it is less than eight hours since I kissed you.

Veronica rolls her eyes and puts the phone on her bedside table. Minutes later, she stands in the shower, the hot water thrumming against her skin calming her nerves somewhat. After spending longer under the spray than strictly necessary, she steps out, skin flushed pink. Wrapped up in a robe, hair wet, she heads back into her room, eyes immediately falling on the phone. The thoughts she dispersed with the pounding water start to regroup immediately. Her skin flushes even pinker as she turns toward getting dressed and pushes thoughts of Logan deeper down.

Just as she starts to tug a shirt over her head, Veronica hears the ring of her cell phone. Her eyes widen and her stomach knots instantly. She yanks the shirt down and darts for the phone. Snatching it up, she answers, her voice higher and breathier than she intended.

“Hello?”

“Veronica? Are you okay?”

Veronica drops down on the edge of her bed, the disappointment making her slump. The weight of that disappointment distresses her much more than she would like.

“Oh hi, Meg. Yeah...fine. How about you?”

“Oh no, you don’t. We’re not doing the small talk thing. I lied to your Dad for you, so it’s time to pay up.”

“Wow, cutthroat Meg. I like this version. Reminds me of myself.” Veronica stalls, trying to figure out what Meg might believe as a reason to be in L.A. all night.

“No stalling. Were you in L.A. with Logan Echolls last night?”

Veronica chokes, which quickly turns into a convulsive coughing fit. “Lo-Logan?” She coughs some more, eyes watering now. “Where did you - why would you think that?”

“That’s not an answer, Veronica.” Meg’s voice is playful, but Veronica has the distinct impression she’s not getting out of this conversation unscathed.

Veronica sighs into the phone. “Okay, I’ll tell you why I was in L.A. if you tell me why you think I was there with Logan Echolls, of all people?” She tries for an incredulous laugh, but is distinctly aware that it falls short.

“Well, I was talking with Duncan at the party last night after you left and he asked me if I knew what was going on with you and Logan. Like if you were on a case for him or what.”

“Okay.” Veronica feels a slight twinge of jealousy at the mention of Duncan chatting with Meg. In the next breath, she finds her mind wandering to Logan for the approximately 47th time since she last saw him. Meg interrupts her reverie.

“And, you told me this morning you were in L.A., so I just put two and two together. Did I come up with four?”

Veronica falls silent, weighing the consequence of telling Meg the truth. She had been so busy through this conversation coming up with a convincing lie, Veronica didn’t give much thought to just admitting what happened. Having a girl friend to confide in was just one of the things Veronica let go of the day she saw Lilly Kane’s blood spilled on cold concrete. The ability to trust followed soon after.

She takes two deep breaths, the decision not one she takes lightly. “You always were good in math, Meg.”

Meg gasps into the phone and Veronica wishes she could take it all back. Rewind the last five minutes and just not answer the phone this time.

“Is there something going on between you two? Why did you go to L.A.? Tell, tell!”

Excellent, excellent questions, all. Veronica feels herself tense, wondering how she can answer questions for Meg she has not been able to answer for herself. She backtracks slightly.

“I can’t talk about...His eyes? His kiss? His unexpected sweetness?...the case, Meg. It’s private.” Veronica holds her breath and waits for a reaction.

“Veronica....you just promised to tell me why! I won’t say a word.”

Veronica pauses, not sure if she is ready to actually trust Meg. “I was there to help him with a case. And one thing led to another and I ended up staying there. Just to...keep an eye on him.”

Not to mention two lips. But that’s another part of the story.

“I’m asking one more time. Is there something going on between you two?”

Veronica grimaces, wanting to know the answer to that one herself. “All I can say is...maybe.”

“Oh my gosh.”

“Meg...” She feels the panic welling up again.

“But how? When? And to tell the truth, I thought you two didn’t really...get along.”

“That’s a terribly polite way to put it. And well, also true...” Veronica’s voice shakes the tiniest bit and she hopes hopes hopes Meg doesn’t notice.

There is quiet over the phone line for a moment. “You kissed him, didn’t you?” She noticed.

Into the breach, Veronica.

“Yes.” Her hand convulses on the phone, clutching it tightly. Truth telling always makes her stomach clench.

“Wow.”

“Twice.”

“What?”

“We kissed twice.”

“Holy moley. This is big, right? I mean, it seems big.”

“I...don’t know, Meg.”

“I get it. You don’t have to actually say uncle, Veronica. I’ll let you off the hook...for now. But I’m not done with you, missy.”

Veronica can see Meg’s mock serious face in her mind’s eye and it makes her smile despite her worry. “Not a word, Meg. It’s all very - unsettled.”

“My lips, they are sealed.” She pauses. “So, how’s the search for my Mr. Right going? How’s that for a segue, eh?”

“Oh, you’re a smooth one, Meg Manning. And I have an idea for your case, I’ll follow it up today, okay?”

“Sure. Call me later?”

“You bet.”

“Bye.” Even in saying goodbye, Meg’s voice slips into a singsong teasing tone.

Veronica grimaces slightly. “Bye.” She pulls the phone from her ear and pushes the end button. Veronica stares blankly at the phone for a minute.

Veronica mentally backs away from her reasoning for revealing this big secret to Meg so easily. The implications of both the truth, the trust and the event itself have her mind spinning faster than ever. She refocuses on the phone and sees that she has absently scrolled through her contacts and is hovering over ‘Logan.’ With a start, she snaps the phone closed.

“Back to work, Veronica.” Back to distracting yourself.



On to Chapter 14: Normal is Overrated