MISSING TIME.

ONCE UPON A TIME

CHAPTER THREE: ONCE UPON A TIME.

"Mrs Craymore." Both Lopez siblings said in shock, and then they both looked at each other amazed at the timing.

Mrs. Craymore, Grayson's mother stood at 5'4 with dirty blonde hair green eyes, and a figure that told you that she was a beauty at a younger age.

Mrs. Craymore looked at both siblings in confusion as to how they knew her.

Val explained.

"We went to school with your kids Mrs Craymore." She said.

Mrs Craymore nodded as realization flooded her face which then cracked me to a warm smile.

"How are you two doing? How are your parents?" She asked them politely as moved to change Miguel's IV drip.

Miguel cleared his throat and gave Val a warning look before answering,

"They are okay, actually they are on a cruise ship right now."

"That's lovely to hear, you should take better care of yourself not worry them." Mrs Craymore added before leaving the room.

Both siblings let out a sigh of relief before looking at each other with a laugh.

Val waved her hands to stop Miguel and make him continue his story.

Miguel coughed and stretched his hands out for water which Val rushed to get for him.

After Miguel had wet his throat he began while turning his head to the window a sad look on his face,

"You remember that Grayson was awkward as a teen right? He only had me as his friend. That is till Amy came along.

They were tight as thieves that people thought they were dating. Everyone thought so till Amy started going out with Tony Franco who told everyone that they were just friends.

But only I knew that Grayson was head over heels for Amy, even when she was going out with Tony.

Grayson would do anything for Amy, and I mean anything. Ah, he was so gullible back then.

Then things started to change. The way Amy treated him changed and they had a real fight about it I was the only witness or so I thought.

You know after the fight Grayson felt bad for raising his voice that he wanted to go back and apologize to Amy but I stopped him. So when Amy sent an apology text and the location of a party at her parent's house I urged him to go.

You see Grayson hates parties, never knew why but I forced him to go because I wanted to go.

Big mistake that one, that choice changed Grayson's life forever.

It was a high school party what would you expect? Just cheap booze and loud music. But this time, it was different.

Amy was not the one who sent Grayson the message it was Gina"

"Gina, like your slut of a wife Gina?" Val Interrupted with a shocked voice.

Miguel glared at her and then continued,

"She was doing Tony Franco a favor, when Grayson arrived he was told that Amy was in her room which he went to. As he stepped in he was hit with a bat and knocked out cold then stripped naked with Amy's dress messed up to look like she struggled. I don't know what they wanted to do but then Amy's big brother came in and all of Amy's friends said they heard a scream and came up but saw both Amy and Grayson unconscious In bed.

Then things went out of control with Amy saying she never invited Grayson. You know her father is a local judge so things just went haywire.

Grayson tried to argue that he was innocent but no one believed him.

Everyone thought him guilty. Even me at some point, that's why I didn't testify.

His family disowned him and he was sent to juvie. Did two years and came back.

I still remember that day he came to me first, punched me in the face, and asked why. Tears came down his face as he cried. I couldn't explain myself, so I let him hit me till he got tired.

Then he left and walked to his home. When I went back, Dad saw me and asked me what happened.

Then I told him everything, that was the first time Dad beat me up.

Dad took me to the hospital to get my stitches.

I don't know what happened between when Grayson walked off and when we pulled out of the hospital, but there was Grayson beaten to an inch of death with his mother standing over him in anger before walking off.

Dad pulled the car over and both of us went to him he was covered in blood when we tried to take him to the hospital he refused vehemently.

So Dad took him home, you were out back then. Me and dad patched him up as best as we could then let him crash on the couch.

The next morning he was gone, leaving a thank you note.

It was not till when we went to visit you in the city that we ran into him at a local market.

He was different, changed his name, and took the last name of his favorite Lee Child character.

Been keeping in touch ever since." Miguel finished as he took a swing of water.

Val was lost in thought as she digested the update.

"You said he had evidence to clear his name, How did he get it? Why has still not cleared his name?"

"Well I found a video among Gina's things, it was damning enough that he could clear his name, I handed it to him but he was just nonchalant and said that that was not his issue anymore and he was Arnold Claymore anymore.

Kept the tape though." Miguel answered with a shrug.

"So let me get this straight he was always framed by Tony who Amy ended up marrying and disowned by his family. I thought they were always close to each other. I'm confused."

"You and I both, but I learned to respect his wishes," Miguel added.

"Your wife is a real piece of work, you know that right?" Val said in disgust.

Miguel sighed at the comment. The sound of the door opening made both siblings turn to the door to see who it was.

Gina walked in with bated breath and red eyes.

She walked over to the unoccupied side of the bed,

"Are you okay, the doctors said you need rest.

I called my mother, she will pick Carlos up from school. Do you need anything, I can get them from home." Gina rambled on incoherently.

Miguel just stared straight ahead as he did his best not to look at Gina. Because all he could think about was her laughter. She has never laughed like that with him.

It was like seeing a new side of her that he didn't know about.

Val watched the both of them with increasing frustration, one she didn't let simmer,

"Well, he does need one thing from you, an explanation for one, when did it start? How long has it been going on? What is your divorce lawyer's number? How do you want child support?" Val spoke fiercely, only to feel a hand on her arm.

It was Miguel's he looked at her and shook his head.

She got the message and stood up,

"Dios no permita que hagas algo estúpido.." she said and walked out, slamming the door behind her.