WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE THE END!!!!!!!!!!

     The old nurse looked at Melissa saying nothing as she backed away from her. Here Melissa felt terrible for yelling at the kind old woman so she sighed and apologized saying "Gertrude, I am sorry, it was wrong of me to be so disrespectful to you, I know you are only trying to help."
     Gertrude reached out to touch Melissa's hand saying in a very comforting tone "I understand, it must be very difficult for you to talk about what has happened, but you, being a psychiatrist yourself, know the value of getting it all out, off your chest." the old nurse smiled sweetly "If you ever change your mind I can arrange for a visit. You just let me know, and I'll take care of it."
     "Thank you, I appreciate your concern, but now I am very tired and would like to lie down now."
     Now Melissa's bedroom was on the second floor so Oliver had one of the rooms downstairs prepared for her. It just so happened that the room he had made ready for her was the very same room Charles had wandered into, many years ago, the night he had come to see her after his bar room brawl with Mr.Pruce. Melissa had been ashamed and embarrassed by what Charles had found there, but now she had no ill feelings whatsoever as she went into the room where a hospital bed had been placed for her. With a bit of pain and discomfort Melissa was helped into the bed by her nurse and her cousin. She was given a mild sedative and soon she was fast asleep. Her son had crept into her room with Cairo, who laid down at the foot of the bed as little Charles left the picture he had drawn for his mother. It showed, crudely drawn by the three year old, a bright blue sky with a happy yellow sun shining down on him and his mother, both holding hands with giant smiles upon their faces. Oliver came in to find the boy on his knees in prayer by his mother's bed saying "Dear God thank you for bringing Mommy back home to me."
     "Charlie." Oliver said in a whisper "Come, let your mother rest."
     The little boy smiled up at his uncle who took him by the hand and gently closed the door. Melissa fell into a deep sleep and dreamed a peaceful dream. She found herself walking through a deep green jungle, all was cool and quiet, she felt no pain as she touched her naked body; which had been made whole again. She could hear the sweet gentle laughter of children off in the distance. Melissa felt safe as she walked on surrounded by bright colorful flowers and birds chirping above her head. So serene and blissful was this place she thought surely this is what Heaven must be like. Here she felt that no harm should ever come her way. Then as she knelt by a crystal clear stream she saw floating on the waters a sheet of paper that was as bright as a star. Reaching out she picked up the blank sheet of paper in her hands. No words were written on it and she could not understand what this could mean. Then she suddenly found herself back at her house where she saw herself sitting at the large desk in her study. She watched in amazement as she observed herself writing on the piece of paper. Here Melissa walked up behind herself and peered over her own shoulder as she watched her hand moving quickly writing out  the words 'I am alive. I have survived. I am safe. No harm shall come my way.
    
                          THE  END          



                                                                      

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Last Chapter Continues

     Melissa felt her pulse quicken as Oliver stared out the window. She had deliberately checked out of the hospital one day early so no one would be aware of her homecoming. Her son stood by her squeezing her hand as he was afraid someone was coming to take her away from him. The old nurse narrowed her gaze as she stood by Oliver by the window. Two men in dark suits exited the black sedan and approached the house.
     "Oh thank God." Oliver said relieved "It's the F.B.I. Melissa."
     "Agent Hunt?" she asked perplexed "I already told him everything that happened." she sighed not wanting to go over any more details of her abduction, torture and rape. "Charlie, Mommy needs you to go upstairs to your room for a little while." she instructed her three year old.
    "No Mommy! I want to stay with you." he protested.
    "It's alright darlin' I'm not going anywhere, everything is fine, now go draw me a picture okay, and take Cairo with you." she smiled.
    "Alright." the little boy replied as he slowly went upstairs with the dog.
    Oliver opened the door letting the two Agents inside. Melissa greeted them introducing them to her nurse, who reminded Agent Hunt of Frau Blucher from the film 'Young Frankenstein'. She smiled shaking the men's hands as she warned them both in a stern voice not to upset Miss Christian, who was of course not happy to see either of them.
    "Miss Christian I am sorry to have to come visit you unannounced but I and Agent Owens  went to see you in the hospital but you had already left." he explained as Agent Owens shook Melissa's hand with a serious look on his face.
     "Well, I have already  given you all the information, and I'm not sure what else I can tell you." Melissa sighed as a worried look came upon her face. Oliver went and stood next to her as she sat in her wheelchair.
     "Yes, Agent Hunt, my cousin just got home, please I hope you have not come here to upset her." Oliver said with indignation.
     Here Agent Owens spoke up not caring for Oliver's tone "No sir. We have merely come to inform you of a rather serious development in your case." 
     Melissa froze for a moment unable to respond momentarily. "Tell me." she said after a brief pause.
     "May we sit down?" Agent Hunt asked as he retrieved a thick folder from his attache case.
     "Yes of course! Where are my manners? Please have a seat." Melissa motioned with her good hand. "Would you like something to drink, some iced tea perhaps?" she said remembering to be gracious to the guests in her home.
     "No, we're fine." Agent Hunt replied as the two men sat on the large brown leather sofa.
     "Well then gentlemen, due tell." Melissa said as Oliver placed a hand on her shoulder.
     The F.B.I. Agents opened up the folder, pulling out two photographs setting them down on the coffee table. Melissa recognized the face of her tormentors and she tried to turn her head away. Oliver looked down and picked the photographs up, he too knew these men from his trip to Argentina. "That's them!" Oliver shouted as he stared down at the large capital letters in red that spelled out the word DECEASED; which was a joy to his mighty heart.
     "Yes, forensics has confirmed Norman Pierce, a.k.a Bengiman Pruce, and Jerome Hays were in the wreckage of the plane." Agent Hunt said as he took the photos back from Oliver and set them on the table in front of Melissa.
     "Yes, just like I told you." Melissa rolled her eyes as she had witnessed first hand the men's demise. She sighed.
     "Well Miss Christian," Agent Owens said shaking his head. "You also informed us of the two women you believed to be responsible for your kidnapping."
     "Yes, Xation's sisters." Melissa replied.
     "Yes, Xation's sisters, I flew down to Argentina to interview them but.., " he paused as Melissa interrupted him.
     "What did they tell you?" Melissa asked her heart racing with anticipation.
     "Unfortunately I was unable to obtain any further information from the Diaz sisters."
     "Well what did you think they would confess?" she laughed.
     "No, I was unable to question them because they are no longer alive." Agent Owens informed her.
     Melissa sat motionless in shock her mouth dropped open as she stared wide-eyed "What?" she asked incredulous.
     "They both committed suicide several days ago, just about the time you were found alive in the jungle."
     Both Melissa and her cousin Oliver could not believe what they were hearing. Melissa was confused as she said "Felina?"
     "She slit her wrist in her bathtub." Agent Hunt replied.
     "Serena?" Melissa whispered.
     "Swallowed a bottle of Nembutal." Agent Owens informed her as he pulled out two more photographs and passed them over to her.
     Melissa looked down at the pictures; which were taken as Xation's sisters lay in their caskets. The beautiful dead women looked very peaceful in the photographs, unlike the angry faces Melissa saw at the trial and execution of Charles. Now Melissa became angry saying. "You took their pictures at their funeral!?" which she thought was completely disrespectful.
     "I took them before the funeral started." Agent Owens explained. "I also obtained copies of the Death Certificates. This was necessary for our files."
     Melissa did not know what to say as Oliver and her nurse took the photographs and looked at the dead women. Oliver had known them personally as he had spent the entire summer in '95 with them. He was sad about the circumstances of their demise but he was happy the two women no longer posed a threat to his beloved cousin.
    "That's why we are here Miss Christian to inform you this case is officially closed." Agent Hunt said as he retrieved the photographs from the aged nurse.
     Melissa bowed her head saying a silent prayer that only God heard and understood, then she looked up and took in a deep breath. "Thank you gentlemen for your time, hard work and dedication." she said as she reached out to shake the F.B.I. Agents hands as they stood giving her a welcome smile. "I can't begin to express my gratitude for everything you have done."
     "We are just glad you made it back home to Texas and your family. If you have any questions or need someone to talk to you have our number." Agent Owens said with a knowing look.
     "Yes Miss Christian you have been through quite an ordeal and it will take your mind sometime to heal. I hope you can get passed this trauma and move forward with your life, but as Agent Owens has stated, you can call anytime, day or night, we will always be there for you."
     With that Oliver showed them to the door thanking them profusely as he shook their hands patting them on the back for job well done. As he turned and closed the door locking it he looked over at his cousin who seemed neither happy nor sad as she stared off into space her green eyes glistening with a few tears. The old nurse reached down moving a long strand of hair from off Melissa's face as she bowed down saying "I can schedule a psychiatrist to come out and see you tomorrow." she said trying to be helpful.
     Now a flash of anger came upon Melissa's face as she shouted up at the old woman "I am a psychiatrist!"

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Last Chapter

     Cairo had been laying out by the mailbox since Melissa disappeared. Oliver had to bring his water and food dish out to him as the dog refused to leave the spot where he stayed day and night, rain or shine, for nearly two weeks waiting for his owner to return. The old greyhound had not eaten much and had slimmed down to his old racing weight. Oliver had grown quite concerned but each time he tried to physically move the huge dog, Cairo would bare it's sharp white fangs and growl fiercely, once snapping at Oliver's hand, so he was a smart human and Oliver let the animal be. Now it was another hot Texas summer day the sun high in the sky as Cairo turned his head towards the road, pricking up it's ears as the old black dog stared intently at a large white van that traveled slowly down the quiet residential street.
     As the medical transport van neared the house Melissa sat in her wheelchair looking out the windshield at her home as Oliver followed behind in his Mercedes with her son strapped in the back seat. Here she began to tear up as a wonderful happiness filled her heart. She had been through so much and Melissa was overjoyed to be coming home. As the van pulled up in the driveway Cairo stood up barking loudly as he ran after the vehicle somehow knowing his master had returned. Melissa heard the familiar sound of her beloved dog and she tried to turn her head to look down out the window but the cervical collar around her neck would not permit her to do so. The driver feared he would hit the dog as it jumped up pawing at the sliding door which separated him from his master. The old nurse, who was afraid of dogs, hesitated getting out of the passengers side waiting for Oliver to hold the excited animal back. Melissa called out saying "Cairo! Sit!" hearing his master's voice the dog obeyed. Now when Melissa was brought down out of the van in her wheelchair the dog strained against Oliver's grip on his collar, and as Melissa assured the old nurse she had nothing to fear Cairo broke loose and ran straight for Melissa standing up on it's hind legs pawing at her lap as he licked her face. "Good boy!" Melissa said petting her old dog with her one good hand. The old nurse stood over by the van her trepedation subsiding as she saw the giant black dog was as gentle as a lamb.
     Cairo sniffed his owner and seemed curious as to the casts on her ankles, wrist and around her torso. Melissa was in much discomfort but that melted away as she sat in her wheelchair in the driveway of her home as her son came over hugging the dog and his mother saying "Cairo missed you too Mommy!" he smiled sweetly "It's okay Cairo. I told you Mommy would come home." Suddenly Cairo with a happy wag of it's tail ran back to the mailbox where he stopped then turned back around and in a flash was back at his mater's side where he laid it's giant head on her lap dropping the drool covered tennis ball out of his mouth into her good hand. Melissa was so touched by this gesture from her beloved animal she began to cry uncontrollably.
      "Mommy don't cry!" little Charles began to tear up as he stroked her face saying "Your home now! Everything is going to be okay." her son said reassuring his mother.
      "I'm just so happy I made it back!" Melissa exclaimed through her tears feeling elated.
      The old nurse sighed wiping a tear from her eye at this touching scene as she said "Come Miss Christian let's get you inside it's a hundred degrees out here."
      "Yes I want to go inside my home now." she smiled as her son wiped his mother's tears with his tiny hands as Oliver went and opened up the front door. Melissa was wheeled inside to the cool quite comfort of her big beautiful house and as the small group, including the dog, went in all the turmoil and trouble she had suffered melted away like ice in the sun and Melissa took in a deep breath praising God for her safe return.
     "Melissa." Oliver said as he heard a car pull up in the driveway.
     "Yes?" she smiled up at her cousin.
     "Are you expecting anyone?" he asked looking out at a black sedan that was parked behind the medical transport van.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 9

     All was quiet in the house as Jason went and poured himself an ice cold glass of milk. He felt very depressed and he thought it was strange that, even though he had just learned of his aunt's death, no tears would come. He felt a change in himself and he could not understand why so much sadness had been brought upon his family. Jason looked out the window at the calm night and the full moon shining down on the lake. He opened up the french doors which led to the balcony. Standing out in the warm summer night the scent of pine trees drifting up from the forest below Jason wished his heart and mind were as peaceful as the night here in the mountains. Jason stared out across the lake and over to the Laurel Valley Country Club where he and his mother had a wonderful day out on the golf course and cheeseburgers and milkshakes in the clubhouse afterwards. It seemed so strange to him that hours ago he was a happy little boy without a care in the world. Summer would be over soon and he would rejoin his classmates and friends at his private school and the leaves would be changing soon as the fall approached. But now he did not care about school, his friends, his golf game, or cheeseburgers and milkshakes. He knew he was too young to endure the pain of more deaths in his family, but he knew his resolve to be strong must remain.
     As Jason looked up into the dark sky lit up by the bright moon and millions of stars, his mind thought back to the day of his father's murder. He remembered he had just arrived in Texas with his grandparents on a long flight from Argentina. He could recall the aroma of garlic and simmering sauces coming from the large kitchen as he entered his father's house. He was tired and hungry but his heart filled with joy as he was reunited with his long lost mother. He had not seen her in many years and on his fifth birthday he wished, as he blew out his candles on his birthday cake, that his mother would return to him; and at long last his wish and prayers were answered and as his mother sat with him in his room she smiled and cried tears of joy as she sat watching him eat his grilled cheese sandwich and bowl of delicious tomato soup. As he sat with his mother he was overjoyed and so happy to have her in his life again. He remembered he had fallen asleep in her warm arms, his head pressed against her breasts he was overwhelmed with feelings of being safe and loved.
     It was sometime later he was awoken by the sound of a gunshot coming from his father's room down the hall. Startled and in fear he had sat up in his tiny bed waiting for his mother and father to come and tell him everything was alright, but his father never came. It was Charles, whom he always had a great affinity for, who came into his room sitting on the edge of his bed saying. "Jason, there has been an accident and you and your mother must leave the house tonight at once."
     "Where's my daddy?" he had asked not knowing Charles had just murdered his father.
     Charles never answered him instead he took Jason in his arms and carried him downstairs where his mother was waiting for him. Her hair was soaking wet and she seemed in shock and had been crying, her eyes moist and swollen and there were deep red marks on her throat. He recalled Charles taking them out to the driveway and he gave his mother an envelope full of cash. As the two of them drove away Jason looked up at the window to his father's room hoping to see his father's face but he would never see Xation's face again.
     Jason looked down into the dark forest thinking of running out into the vast wilderness where he could be alone with the bears and the wolves but he knew that was just the little boy in him. Now he understood he must be brave and strong for his dear precious mother for she and his grandparents were all he had left. These dire circumstance would force him to become a man. He felt his father would be proud to see him tonight, no tears in his eyes or fear in his little heart. Jason let out a sigh as he went back into his home closing the doors behind him. He had to get up early and pack and prepare for his aunt's double funeral. As he went passed his mother's room he heard her on the phone with the airline making travel arrangements. He wanted to go back to Argentina to the land of his birth, back to his family's estate. Jason missed his grandparents deeply and he thought of happier times with his father and Tia Felina who had taught him how to ride and the last Christmas they had spent together as a family. Jason curled up in his bed as many wonderful memories filled his head he was finally able to fall asleep then he dreamed a dream of his life way off in the future. He saw himself as a full grown man riding along the pampas on a white stallion the wind in his dark hair and the sun in his eyes and a smile upon his face.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE more chapter 9

     "Mom?" Jason asked in a hushed voice as he crept closer to her bed.
     "Oh Jason!" Lexa replied ashamed he had heard her crying.
     "Are you okay?" he asked his little heart racing with concern for his beloved mother.
     "No." Lexa answered truthfully as Jason sat next to her on her large comfortable bed.
     "What is wrong?" Xation's son asked as he reached out touching his mother's hand as she held the phone up to her ear. "Who are you talking to?"
     "Your grandfather.., something terrible has happened." she said trying to fight back the tears in order to be brave for Jason.
     "Has something happened to grandma?" Jason asked fearing the worst, for he loved that dear old lady.
     "No honey, grandma and grandpa are fine." Lexa replied putting his little heart at ease, if only for a moment. Carlo heard the conversation and he tried to get his daughter-in-law's attention as she said "Your aunts have..," she paused not wanting to tell him of the double suicide in order to protect his young, innocent mind.
     "Tia Serena? Tia Felina?" his heart sank then saddened.
     "Leah! Wait!" Carlo shouted into the receiver.
     "Yes?" she stopped talking and listened then replied to Carlo "Okay." Lexa took the phone from her ear handing it over to the shy, dark eyed boy. "Your grandfather needs to speak with you."
     Jason took the phone knowing he had about two seconds before this tragedy would be known to him. He slowly placed the phone to his ear as he stared into his mother's sad green eyes. "Hello." Jason said his voice shaking.
     "Oh there's my boy!" Carlo said as a little bit of joy seeped into the raw, broken parts of his heart, for his grandson was the only blessing God would allow him now. "Jason, I first want to tell you how much your grandmother and I have missed you, my dear boy!" he said a slight elation in his voice as he went on forgetting, momentarily about the tragedy, as he asked "Did you like the set of golf clubs I sent for you?"
     "Yes, I shot a 69 yesterday." he said answering the old man's question but changed the subject to matters more pressing. "Tell me what has happened!"
     Lexa wiped her eyes as she took in a deep breath watching the expression on Jason's face as he received the awful news. It was strange, for as he attained the knowledge of what had transpired over the weekend, his face changed. Now it was true he had his father's dark eyes and dark hair, but Lexa had always seen her sister Leah's face in the boy; which could have been due to Lexa's overwhelming sadness of missing her dear departed sister, of this she could never be sure. But here and now a deep serious look overcame Jason and now he looked just like his father Xation Day.
     "Grandpa, I wish this never happened," Jason paused  "but we will come, so you will not be alone. I love you very much and we will be there soon." he paused listening to his grandfather then he said goodnight and handed the phone to the woman he believed to be his mother.
      Lexa took the receiver and placed it back in it's cradle as she waited for a torrent of tears to come pouring out of her nephew, but he only looked deep into her eyes, as if he were staring straight through her. Now she felt suddenly ill at ease, for though he was being strong and quite brave, Jason was being stronger and braver than a nine year old little boy should be. "Jason? Did Carlo tell you what happened?" Lexa asked shocked by his lack of sadness.
     "Yes." he replied in a still calm voice that now sounded darker and deeper.
     "How do you feel right now son?" Lexa asked amazed that Jason was sitting there before her, in his spider-man pajamas, looking like a miniature version of Xation Day.
     "I am very tired." Jason answered calmly. "I want to go back to sleep now."
     "Come, climb in." Lexa said pulling back the covers of her bed.
     "No mom, I'll be okay." Jason said with a sigh. "I want a glass of milk and then I'll go back to bed." he leaned over hugged his mother telling her everything would be alright. He lovingly kissed her on the cheek, then he rose up from where he sat and walked towards her bedroom door. Jason did not look back as he went into the hall, shutting his mother's door behind him.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Begin Chapter 9

     "Hello?" Lexa answered half asleep as her phone rang in the middle of the night at her home in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
     "Leah?" came a deep voice over the phone, Lexa instantly recognized the voice on the other end of the line.
     "Carlo?" she asked not sure why Xation's father would be calling so late. Lexa had a terrible sinking feeling as she sat up in her bed. "Has something happened to Aphina?" she asked concerned for Xation's mother.
     "No, it's not Aphina." Carlo answered a sadness in his voice as deep as a well.
     A chill ran across her skin as she paused hearing Carlo weeping as he spoke, it was difficult to understand what he was saying. "Felina?" Lexa asked fearing she had heard him correctly.
     "Both of them Leah! They are gone!" he cried with the pain in his heart from losing his two beautiful daughters. "My Felina and Serena!" he tried to explain through his bitter anguish, and what he told Lexa nearly broke her heart. Now it was true she, and her dead sister Leah, had always been treated like outsiders by Xation's sisters, but as Lexa heard dear old Carlo crying, telling of the suicides, she felt a deep pain in her heart and she wept along with the old gentleman. There were long pauses through the pain of loss, a few words at a time would pass between them. Lexa tried to console the dear sweet man, who always held a special place in her heart and she in his, but this was a very difficult thing to do thousands of miles away in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
     "Carlo, you must be strong for Aphina!" Lexa encouraged him.
     "Leah.., I know you and my girls did not always get along, but it was only because they were so jealous of anyone Xation loved, but they truly deeply cared for you." said Carlo as he went on weeping. "And.., now they are gone..," he paused " perhaps you will come and visit with Jason? For the funeral." now Lexa had heard the sound of men crying as they suffered pain and misery, but she had never heard such a pitiful, plaintiff, anguished plea, when Carlo said. "Please Leah, Jason is all we have left! My children are gone forever! Jason is all we have left now! Please."
     "Of course Carlo, I would never keep your grandson from you." she paused "Especially now." here Lexa began crying harder saying "Oh, how will I tell Jason? He's only nine years old! First his father and now..," Lexa began to hyperventilate a little as the sad sound of her voice carried through the spacious cabin; which overlooked Laurel Lake, where she and Jason had lived happily for the last two years. Jason, ever curious and with a feeling of dread, got up out of  his bed and crept down the hall to his mother's room, drawn there by her tears. Xation's son opened up the door and went in.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 8

     Serena felt as if she were light as air, as if she were floating a few inches off the bed. Her pupils constricted as a cold wave swept through her body, she could no longer hear the wind blowing outside or see the flames flickering in the fireplace. Now as it happens, with a massive dose of Nembutal mixed with wine, the central nervous system is the first casualty of the drug, next the sensory cortex shuts down, along with confusion, shallow breathing, nausea, including hallucinations.
     Serena wished to pray but she felt the Lord had forsaken her the day a bullet entered her brother's brain. Now as quickly as she felt as if she were floating, a heavy wave of unseen hands seemed to slam her back down on, and into the bed again. She now felt three or four inches in the mattress as she sank down. This feeling was due to the damage caused to her cerebellar function. As the drug seeped into all her body fluids, with high concentrations in the brain, liver, and kidneys. Now as the chemicals were metabolized by her hepatic microsomal enzyme system she began to have many psychiatric disturbances.
     Here Serena still had time to be saved, she could have reached for the phone on the nightstand and called down to the maids quarters, or her parents; who, if they left their room downstairs in the west wing, would have been in Xation's room in four minutes. But Serena was lost in strange feelings and dreams that seemed  to be real. She rolled over on her side, eyes closed and panting, as her body tried to get in a little oxygen, for her body wanted to survive, even if she did not. But her flesh would lose this battle tonight, as her soul wanted only to go away to the grave.
      Serena felt no pain, in fact she felt nothing, unable to see or hear any longer she felt her grip loosen as the framed picture of her and her brother and sister slipped off the bed, shattering as it hit the tile floor. Then she felt the sensation of someone crawling up in the bed beside her. She felt two nice strong arms wrap around her tightly, in these arms she felt peace and love. Serena could not turn and see who this large, muscular man was, but his grip on her body was squeezing the air from her lungs and she could no longer breathe as she felt the last gasp of breath escape from her body. At this point in the overdose Serena suffered from tachycardia, followed by a coma, followed by full circulatory collapse, leading to respiratory arrest, then Death.
     And so it was, and now you all know, at 3:47 in the a.m. in the Estate of the Diaz family, just north of Buenos Aires and east of Villa Rosa, the most beloved sister of Xation Day, the charming, elegant lady Serena Maria De La Rosa Diaz died in her brother's bed with all the pain in her heart that this World had to offer. She had killed herself for she was sick with love. And from this terrible sickness she could find no cure, so it was that the in the arms of Death, where Serena might find her salvation.
.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE More Chapter 8

     The storm had passed and all was cold and wet outside as Serena looked out for the last time at the view from her window. Serena pulled the drapes shut tight as she stood there numbed by the chill of death she had witnessed. Her mind was sharply focused on the path which leads away from life and she would not change her mind or course of action. Now her sister Felina had been so courteous as to select the dress and shoes she wished to be buried in, and had been so kind as to leave a note, if however brief, she had left one final communication from her heart and mind. But, here now, Serena would not be so kind.
     She left her bed unmade, the nightstand with two empty bottles of expensive red wine, with a glass still full on the dresser. Serena went into her closet slipping off her nightgown as she took a long pale blue silk robe and wrapped herself up in the cool, soft, garment. This is all she would need to clothe her in her grave. Next Serena went into her large bathroom where she washed her face and brushed out her long black shiny hair. She then opened up the gilt mirrored medicine cabinet and took out a full bottle of Nembutal, a powerful barbiturate. Gazing at her reflection Serena looked into her dark eyes and gave herself a bittersweet smile saying "I have to go away now."
     Serena left the bathroom not bothering to turn off the light as she walked over to the marble top long dresser and picked up the last glass of wine she would ever have here on Earth. She walked slowly out of her room not bothering to close the door behind her as she walked down the long dark hallway. She walked towards her sister's room as she turned right going down the hall that went passed the grand staircase; which led her down over to the east wing of the house where Xation's room was. As she walked in silence carrying the glass of wine in her hand she reached for the key in her pocket; which rattled against the bottle of pills as she retrieved it from her pocket. Serena felt a thrilling rush in her heart as she unlocked and opened the door.
     Here it was dark, so Serena went over and pulled back all the drapes letting whatever bit of light in from the cold dark night. Here the storm clouds had parted and  a sliver of the cold winter's moon shone through in a silvery, pale blue stream of moonlight. Long dark shadows were cast in the corners of the room as her eyes adjusted to the light. Serena felt very cold, but not faint of heart. She went over to the fireplace and pushed the ignite button on the gas fireplace; which lit up in orange and yellow warming flames. Serena gazed in at the fire for a moment until she brought her gaze to the line of photographs on the mantle. There was Xation and Leah on their wedding day, Xation on the eighteenth hole at Augusta, A picture from his college days in London. Pictures of him riding in one of his many polo matches. A picture of him with his son. Now Serena had not been in her brother's room in a along time but she was familiar with all the photographs here, as it was she who had placed them here along with the all the, long since burned down, candles, but here in the center of the mantle was a picture she had not seen in quite sometime. It had been taken by Charles as they all had traveled aboard the sailing ship 'Il Pointe' on their trip to Monaco for the Formula 1 Race in '93. It showed Xation in the center, tan and shirtless, with Serena on his left and Felina on his right, both in bikini's, all with huge smiles on their faces. This was one of Serena's favorites but it had disappeared from her room about two years ago. She surmised Felina had brought it in here, perhaps in some small effort for them to be closer to her brother. Serena picked up the silver framed picture and went putting it on the nightstand. Then she took out the pills, pouring the entire contents of the bottle into her dainty hand. She popped a handful in her mouth a few times, swallowing the lethal dose with the glass of wine. As she took in the last sips she realized that of all the glasses of wine she had consumed in her life these last few drops were, by far, the sweetest.
     Serena pulled back the down comforter and silk sheets as she slid into Xation's bed for the last time. She laid her head back in the soft warm pillows inhaling the lingering aroma of her brother's cologne, as the flames from the fire lit up the room in an orange glow. Serena looked at the photograph as she reached out clutching it close to her breasts. She felt very calm, very relaxed, almost in a euphoric state, but remember she was quite drunk at this time. Serena then felt as though she were sinking down in a hazy fog, and as her heart rate decreased she whispered in a voice as faint as her heartbeat saying "It is finished."

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Begin Chapter 8

     Now, you who have suffered the bitter pain of life and know the taste of blood and degradation, and survived with a smile on your face, might have some words to offer Serena as she sat there in silence, shocked and mortified, suicidal thoughts of escape filling her mind. But on this dark, cold, winter's night there was no one to comfort her, or give her heart ease. Serena never felt close to her mother and father, so she let them sleep.
     Serena had no idea how long she had been sitting on the edge of the tub holding her dead sister's hand. She only remembered she was crying as she turned and tried to pray. She remembered she was crying, her tears all rolled away. She wanted to leave this world and join her brother and sister and her dearest Hays. She thought how unfair it was that Felina had gone before her to the grave, and now was with Xation and Hays in heaven, or where ever they may be,that was the place Serena wanted to be. Now a torrent of tears fell from her dark eyes as she stood up from where she sat perched on the side of the blood filled tub, it looked as if Felina were resting in a vat of red wine, but there was no blood of the grape here. Serena thought how much her sister was like a rare, fine vintage; of which the World had drank her in. Felina had made the World blush and feel faint, as she had gone straight to it's head. Crying on Serena reached for the closest thing to wipe her eyes  grabbing Xation's smoking jacket off the vanity chair. She took the silk brocade garment burying her face in it as she wept. Then as she wiped her face she heard the sound of a metal key falling on the tile floor as it slipped from out of one of the pockets. Serena paused, looked down at her feet seeing the little silver key she knew instantly which door it would open.
     Serena sighed as a small flutter of joy filled her aching heart. Felina had left her this final gift, the key to her brother Xation's room. Now gripping the key tight in her palm she stood next to Felina and bending down she kissed her sister's cold wet forehead saying "Thank you my dear, sweet sister. You must forgive me for what I am about to do, but I have no other choice in this matter. Thank you for leaving me the key." Serena smiled sweetly softly saying "So when I come to see you, I hope you and Xation will be waiting there for me." Serena stroked Felina's long black hair for the last time as she went and blew each of the candles out, save for one; which she took in her hand, it's soft warm light leading the way down the long hall as she went to her room to retrieve her bottle of Nembutal.
     As Serena walked slowly towards her room in the glow of the flickering flame her shadow following close behind in the great house; which was as dark and still as the grave, her mind began to think. Now Serena had been well educated, a lover of Literature, History and Art and many thoughts came to her; the words of kings, queens, princes and poets, the thoughts of philosophers and the great eastern religions, the words of Solomon and  the words of Jesus Christ; but all these words failed her, for everything was Death to her tonight.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE End Chapter 7

     Serena had managed through much tears, and two bottles of red wine, to finally fall asleep. Now she was awoken just a few minutes later by the sound of someone walking past her bedroom door. She listened to the familiar sound of Felina walking down the hardwood floor in her riding boots. Serena looked at the clock and thought it strange her sister would be dressed for riding at two o'clock in the morning.
     Serena got up out of her warm bed as she wished to speak to her sister. As she went to open her bedroom door Serena heard the click,click of her sister's boot heels on the floor, but when she went out in the hall there was no one there. Serena was a bit drunk and highly upset in a delicate emotional state of mind, but she knew what she had heard. Serena went down the hall and went into her sister's room where she heard the strains of the classical guitar playing on the stereo. A terrible feeling of dread crept into her mind and an icy chill ran up and down the length of her spine as the air seemed to grow colder all around her as she stood by her sister's bed in a thin white silk robe.
     "Oh no." Serena said as she noticed the long silver sequence and rhinestone gown laying draped across the large bed, along with the matching high heels. This is when Serena found the short note Felina had written. "I have to go away now." Serena read the note aloud. Then she turned as if some unseen hand was moving her towards the bathroom. Serena could smell the fragrant oil from the burning candles and with much trepidation she slowly walked across the room, her bare feet cold on the marble floor. She felt her heart race as she reached out putting her hand on the door knob. Slowly, whispering a prayer for all to be well, Serena pushed the door open softly. Taking in a deep breath she stepped in as the glow of the candles flickered filling the room with a warm soft light. Serena looked at the long vanity table; where she noticed one of her brother's smoking jackets laying on the chair. This was odd, as his room had been locked up ages ago. Now Serena called out to her sister whom she thought might be in the closet removing her riding gear. There was, of course, no answer.
     Serena then turned to leave and as she reached out pulling the door back she looked down in the blood filled bathtub where her sister was sitting back in the tub, her head fallen over to the side. Serena in shock and horror sat down on the edge of the tub in silence, staring down at the pale white, naked corpse of her dear, dead, sister. Serena went numb all over as she realized what her sister Felina had done. Serena reached down in the red still water lifting her sister's cold lifeless hand in hers. Serena began to weep as she gazed down at the large deep gash across her sister's limp wrist. Here Serena began weeping holding Felina's hand in hers as she lovingly stroked the back of Felina's hand saying in a low plaintiff wail. "Why?" Serena said choking on her bitter tears pleading "Why didn't you take me with you? How could you leave me here on my own?"

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE more Chapter 7

   'This is what you want, this is what you get.' Felina heard the words of her brother echo through her mind as she slipped down into the steaming hot water; which was warm as an embrace. Felina in her last bit of theatrics, to set the mood, she had gone so far as to pour an entire bottle of sweet almond oil into the tub as the knife lay there beside her. Felina had set her mind on edge. She wanted to slash away, slash away all.
      Felina gripped the sharp, steel, blade in her hand pressing the knife against the blue veins of her wrist, pulsating with the red blood of life. As the classical guitar notes of Segovia filled the air Felina thought for a moment of a memory of a song from a band she saw at a small venue in Seattle. Felina sang softly "Bury me softly in this world. I give this part of me for you. Sad rains down and here I sit holding red flowers in her tomb."
     Here Felina took the knife slashing deep into her flesh and the pain was so intense she cried out "Jesus!God! Lord!" Felina bit her lip as she endured the severe pain as she felt her life begin to drain out from her with each beat of her heart. She slid her hand underneath the sweet, aromatic, water as she felt the short, sharp, pain as the life blood seeped from her self inflicted wound pooling out in deep red clouds in the water. You could hear her whisper "Lord, I want to be inside of you." Felina panted her last breaths coming like water off a mountain "I give this part of me for you."
     The pain was intense but she summoned up the courage of her people saying. "Forgive me Father for what I have done. For now I give up my body through my blood."  Here the water seeped a deep crimson with her blood, the color of rubies as Felina managed to say "Mother Mary pray for me now, and at the time of my death." Felina, there in the glow of the candle light, closed her eyes; And so it was on this dark, stormy winter's night here in Argentina the highly regarded, elegant, dear lady, the most beautiful sister of Xation Day, Felina Serafina De La Rosa Diaz lie broken, bleeding and dying. From this calamity there was no hope of escaping. Felina was gone she had punished her flesh to let her spirit fly.

WHERE THERE'S TROUBLE Chapter 7

      Serena stirred in her bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, as usual. She had, instead of taking her prescribed medication for her depression, Serena had sought her solace at the bottom of a bottle of red wine. Still she could not sleep. Now not so long ago she would have crept into Xation's bedroom to try and sleep in her dearly departed brother's bed, but for some reason Felina would always fly into a rage. So Felina had taken to hiding the key from her. So it was Serena arose from her bed turning on the light, going over to the little reading corner she had by the fireplace; the wood of which was just about burned down but still radiating a warm, comforting heat. Serena scanned the endless shelves of books, sliding her hand across the spines of the many volumes until she stopped, slipping out a thin, small, antique volume of The Poems and Plays of Robert Browning. Serena, not caring what she read at this point, settled back in her warm bed pulling the down comforter up around her naked body. She read the first few pages of Pauline A Fragment of a Confession, without much interest, until she came to a passage that touched a nerve in her miserable,bitter,little, heart. And these are the words that were printed on the page. 'Betrayed by sleep.., until the feeling rushed that I was low indeed, yet not so low as to endure the calmness of thine eyes; And so I told thee all, while the cool breast I leaned upon altered not its quiet beating; And long were words, like a hurt bird's complaint. Bade me look up and be what I had been! I felt despair could never live by thee.'
      Serena felt the pain and bitter tears well up inside her as she closed the book, crying like a child who has lost it's way home, for she had remembered this from an evening when Hays had read the very same story to her years ago. Now her infinite sadness wrapped it's self around her like a suffocating cloak of darkness and Serena had no control over the emotions pouring out of her. It was very late and she knew everyone was asleep, so she let herself have another good, tension releasing, cry, perhaps the exertion would bring her mind to ease of sleep. And as she was weeping Felina came a creeping down the long hall. She had dried herself off, wrapping up in one of her brother's expensive silk jacquard smoking jackets, her long wet black hair a disheveled mess falling around her shoulders. Now Felina could hear her sister crying and so she paused at the door, pressing her ear against it, she clearly heard the terrible sadness coming from within; which only added more resolve to Felina's nerves as she listened. The sound of her sister sobbing had a strange cadence to it, almost like music. This made Felina shed a few tears of her own, as she heard the sound of her little sister's tears for the last time. She wanted to go inside and say goodbye, but she was afraid to do so would take all her resolve and courage to kill herself away. So instead, Felina stepped away from the bedroom door saying "Farewell my dearest sister." Then Felina walked down the long hall to her room preparing her heart for the grave.
     Just as Felina opened the door to her large, elegantly decorated room, she heard the rumble of thunder as a heavy rain began to fall, lashing against the roof of the great house. This was just the touch of drama she needed for her last night here on Earth; which would be over by the hour. Felina went in and gathered all the candles she had in her room and brought them into the bathroom where she placed them, lighting each, one by one, Felina placed them all around the massive garden tub as she turned on the hot water. For this is the room she would leave this world in,  she gazed at her reflection in the mirror, and now she felt a sudden sense of thrilling release, as if she were about to attend the event of a lifetime. So she removed the smoking jacket placing it on the chair of the vanity table, letting her wet hair fall down over her shoulders. She combed out her long black hair for the last time. Preparing herself for Death Felina put her make-up on, applying a thick coat of deep red lipstick, almost the color of blood. Felina stood in front of the vanity mirror smiling for the first time in many years as the anticipation of escape from this world came closer to her horizon.
     She went back to her bedroom where she made the bed and straightened the room up a bit. Then she went to her massive walk-in closet where she selected the dress she wished to buried in along with a matching pair of high heeled shoes; both of which were covered in silver sequence and rhinestones. She lay these on her bed along with a short note which simply read ' I have to go away now.'
     This is when she retrieved the long sharp knife from the drawer. Felina went over to her stereo, the knife in her hand, and put a recording of Segovia on, her favorite guitar player of all time; and as the sweet sound of the classical arpeggios filled the air Felina walked naked, just as she came in this world, into the illuminated bathroom where the candlelight reflected in the mirrors and off the gleaming gold fixtures. Now the rain pounded harder and the thunder became louder, when off in the distance lightning flashed across the sky. Outside the wild, cold winds and rain, were raging; but here inside, tonight Felina felt as though she were coming closer to her world. She had no first hand knowledge of the hereafter, but she was resolved in her agitated state of mind that nothing could be worse than her life here on Earth. Maybe tomorrow the Devil might find her, but tonight nothing was worse than the pain in her heart.