Act 11: Fragile Reconciliations.

The next morning Vince and the girls set off for downtown Fresno. The city center was a treasure trove of government offices and facilities where requests could be filed.

FOIA, or the Freedom of Information Act, gives the public the right to request access to records from any federal agency. Likewise, the California CPRA does the same for State Records and the CMPR for County Records.

It took several hours to accomplish their goals, placing requests at Social Security, County Social Services, State Financial Aid, and even Hospitals and Police, Sheriff, and Fire Departments. Exhausted, they headed back toward the hotel.

The main road through town was a myriad of commercial outlets. From fast food and restaurants to outlet stores, big box stores, and franchise stores. The selection was dizzying. Halfway there, they saw a huge sign coming up on the right. In large stylish letters, COOKIES.

The squeals and shouts from the two girls made Vince jump. Luckily there wasn’t much traffic and he was already in the right lane. Vince pulled into the parking lot and noted something odd about the store they just pulled up to.

“Girls,” Vince said calmly. “I don’t think this is a normal bakery,” they looked at him, then out at the store window. The window was blacked out but featured a picture of a very identifiable plant leaf in fine detail.

A Marijuana leaf adorned the large window. Below it listed some of their product, including chewables, edibles, cartridges, and of course, baked goods. Claire was the one who seemed more excited now than Helen did, which caught Vince by surprise.

“What?” Claire asked, seeming offended by Vince’s glare. “All the gals in the transcription pool do it,” she stretched her arms out. “With the stress we deal with it’s a safe way to relax,” then she poked Vince in the chest. “And it is legal.”

“Fine,” Vince relented. “We’ll go in, get a few items, and then head back to the hotel,” he looked in the back and asked Helen, “You want anything?” she shook her head and told him it wasn’t her thing. That was a relief to Vince.

Vince opened the door to the shop and stepped in. The door chime rang and a melodic female voice rang out. “Good Afternoon Welcome to Cook...” it was cut short as Vince came face to face with Kate.

Vince had frozen in place. The woman behind the counter was indeed his sister Kate. Her hair was longer than he remembered, but still the same dark black with streaks of brown. She was wearing dark makeup and wore clothes in a Goth Motif.

“Move, idiot!” shouted Claire as she pushed past him. When she saw Kate, her jaw fell. The three stood stock still for several moments before Kate broke the silence. “What the fuck are you doing here!?!?” she spat and came out from behind the counter.

Instead of walking toward them, she headed toward a door at the far end of the store. “Hold it!” Vince shouted. “Come back here, Kathryn!” Kate stopped at the sound of her full name. She looked back at him with a death glare.

“What do you think gives you the right...” she began, but Vince raised a hand and stalked toward her. “Don’t!” she yelled, backing away from him. “You left me, remember!?!”

Vince cocked an eyebrow and replied. “And you were less than a mile from my office and I could have come for you,” he was now inches from her and lowered his voice. “All you had to do is give the US Embassy my name.”

Tears were forming in Kate’s eyes as she said, “You didn’t have to go in the first place,” her voice cracked, and her tears began to flow. Claire stepped up now and put a hand on her shoulder.

“You worried the hell out of us,” she said softly. “You hurt Helen more than me, you know,” Kate raised her head and glared at Claire for a moment.

“Yeah? And where is she now?” Kate cried, accusingly. “Did you leave her alone at the house? Or with some creepy babysitter?” Before anyone answered, Helen came through the door.

“Hey guys!” she announced. “What’s taking so long? I’m getting hungry!”

Kate shoved past Claire and Vince and grabbed Helen in a bear hug and began crying on her shoulder. “Oh, hey Katie,” Helen said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Wassup?” That made Kate start laughing hysterically.

Kate released Helen and walked back behind the counter. An older woman with silver hair in a long braid and wearing a floral Mumu came out of the back room. “What’s all the ruckus?” she asked. Her voice was strained but not angry.

When she noticed Vince she sidled up to him with a crooked grin. “Well hello tall, handsome, and just my type,” The last came out as a purr. “What can I do for you?” she emphasized the last word.

Abbey,” Kate began. “That’s my no good Brother,” then pointed to Claire and Helen, “And my Sisters,” Abbey looked Vince up and down, then at Kate.

“He looks alright to me,” she cooed with a smile. Vince just gave her a polite smile. It wasn’t that she wasn’t attractive, but he wasn’t there to flirt. “You said he was somewhere in Japan?” It came out more as a question.

“Yeah, well I guess he’s back,” Kate spat. “I’m not gonna ask how you found me, just why you’re here?” She asked, looking straight at Vince now.