Wavering Mollisher

A Plot Twist

Della adjusts her protective eyeglasses before snapping them on her face. It was days after her hot encounter with Lucas and she locked herself up in her father’s workshop. True to his promise, Lucas had rusted cogs of the outskirts brought to her. Della spent the better part of the first day analyzing each piece of the machinery, familiarizing herself with the different parts.

Today, Della woke up with an epiphany on how to improve the old wheels. She rushes out of her bed, not stopping to greet her father. “Papa, I’m going to be in the workshop!” 

She ties on her rubber apron and slides gloves on her hands.  She pulls her hair back and begins to work. She begins applying some wheel grease on the nearest copper wheel, rubbing it harder against the smooth surface when the rust won't come off the medal. Della huffs in frustration. Perhaps reviving rusted wheels is not possible and she would have to start from scratch-making a new wheel that is. With a sound of frustration, Della whirls away from the table.

 “Making progress?” Charles chuckles.

 “Papa!” Cami’s eyes find her father in front of the door. “I thought I knew what I was looking at! Perhaps my dream of finding an effective solution for the city’s energy is just that-a dream.”

“Giving up so soon, daughter? I thought your mother and I raised you better.” Charles is amused at his daughter’s impatience. She was like her mother in that regard. He slides to the table to assess her project. “Quite the old piece of equipment, eh? Are you studying the mechanics of the cog or are you planning on reviving it?”

Della wipes her greasy hand on her forehead. “I was planning on giving it new life. The city isn’t going to provide new machinery for Merryville Outskirts. I was hoping to provide a temporary solution while I work on an idea for a larger cog that will provide widespread steam energy. Surely I could convince the Merryville council to provide spare cogs.”

Charles listens to his daughter while studying her work. He thoughtfully strokes his chin. “Have you thought about trying to clean the rust off?”

Della looks at her father like he has six heads. “Papa, what do you think I have been doing all morning!? It is impossible to remove!”

Charles shakes his head. “Not necessarily, I have heard of this chemical borax, that can remove rust from the most stubborn cogs and wheels. I will go into town on Thursday and retrieve it for you.”

 Della beams at Charles. “That would be amazing, Papa! Thank you!”

 Charles pats his daughter’s head. “Of course. Now show me the schematics of your new wheel idea. Perhaps I can be of some assistance.”

Days slip by, and Della hardly leaves the workshop. Lucas and Caroline tried to call on her but were unsuccessful in their endeavors. Della needs time away to think about her current romantic predicament. If she was being honest, she was attracted to both Lucas and Caroline. Lucas makes her feel sparks every time they touch, while Caroline’s touches and kisses made her feel safe. She was starting to wonder if Angie was right about having them both. Would it be so wrong for everyone to be happy?

Della switches to an electric saw, moving a piece of copper over the sharp blade. Charles is supposed to return soon with the chemical that would clear the rust. Until then Della would occupy herself crafting a crude copper cog. The saw whirs loudly as Della begins the delicate process of bending the hard metal material.  She turns the machine off to take a break after a couple of minutes. She hears laughter behind her.  

Lucas kneels to her eye level. “You look beautiful today.”

 Della looks at her greasy coveralls. “Are we looking at the same person?”

Lucas softly smiles. “We are and trust me, the woman is gorgeous. Della, I have missed you. Your father tells me you have locked yourself in here. How is it going?”

 Della wipes grease off her face. “Some slight bumps, I am still trying to remove this stubborn rust! Papa is bringing something from the city that will help.”

  Without warning, Lucas pulls Della flush against his chest. Della gasps and places her hands on Lucas's chest. “Lucas! You’ll get grease on you!”

Lucas’s lips move to her ear. “Is that a promise?” His mouth sucks on her earlobe. A strangled moan comes out of Della's mouth as Lucas's lips move to her jaw. He lines his forehead with hers and brings his thumb to her chin. “You have some grease right here.”

Della closes her eyes and soaks in the sweet moment. Lucas watches Della’s face relax, a sense of pride feeling him at bringing her some peace. He would do anything for Della. In the short time he has known her, his thoughts had been consumed by her. Lucas is starting to fall for the redhead and he was looking forward to the rough landing.

 Della moves her head until her lips are touching Lucas’s palm. She brushes her lips against his palm. “Not that I don’t enjoy your company, but is there another reason I am getting a visit by Lucas Clarke?”

“I found out more information about the Upper-Class Committee“ Lucas gets straight to the point.

 Just like that Della’s defenses go out, creating a wall between her and Lucas. She pulls back and wraps her arms around her body. “Tell me.”

  Lucas soaks her in for a moment, knowing that with the news he told her, her world will shatter. “Your mother isn’t dead Della.”

“Does this amuse you, Lucas?” Della’s face switches to anger.

 Lucas’s eyes widen in shock. “NO! I swear this isn’t amusing! My sources tell me she is alive.”

 Della covers her ears refusing to hear anymore. “I won’t hear another word. Get out!”

 Lucas rushes over reaching out to hold her. “Della, I’m telling you the truth!”

Tears burst out of Della’s eyes. “But… but…father. Surely if she were alive, she would have told him! She wouldn’t leave him to suffer so!” She tries to push Lucas’s body away, but he holds her tightly.

 Lucas cups her cheeks. “I don’t have all the answers for you baby.”

“Where’s Caroline?!” Della demands. “I need Caroline!”

 Lucas feels like he was slapped in the face. Why did she need Caroline? Isn’t he enough?! He swallows his jealousy, surrendering. “Let me ring her. I think she is at the station.” Lucas exits the workshop. Behind him, the sounds of screaming and crashing items fill his hearing. How could he comfort the distraught woman? He hardly cared enough about any woman’s emotions in the past. Perhaps this is penance for starting a turf war with his ex-Ruth. Lucas walks into the Delacroix’s small loft and dials Henry’s station number.

 An hour later Caroline bursts through the door. “I’m here. Where is she?” 

 “She’s in the workshop. She has been asking for you.” Lucas states bitterly.

 Caroline knew she should attend to Della. She should ignore Lucas’s despondent attitude and worry about the woman in the shed. She can’t shake Lucas’s hurt from her head no matter how hard she tries.

 “Pray tell, Mr. Clarke, what has you upset?” Caroline turns towards him.

 Lucas sarcastically laughss. “Wouldn’t you like to know?! You should be delighted Ms. O’Neill, Della asked for you instead of taking comfort in me.”

 “I take no delight in your pain,” Caroline informs him.

Lucas looks up at the blonde in surprise. “I told Della about her mother, and she got angry and refused to let me comfort her. She asked for you. Am I not enough?” He ruffles his dark locks. “I feel worthless right now. I just want to help her.”

 Caroline nods in understanding. “Shouldn’t you be telling Della these things?”

“Would she even listen?” Lucas scoffs. He places his head in his hands. Caroline knows that the man needs space, so she begins to walk towards the workshop. “I’m going to check on her then I’ll be back. Please don’t be too upset, I’m sure there is a reason for why she asked for me.”

 “Della?” Caroline walks into the workshop. She is greeted by two arms and a wet face. 

 “Lina! Can you believe this?  Lucas Clarke told me mother is alive! How could he be so cruel?” Della sobs into Caroline’s shoulder.

 Caroline pulls the woman into her. “Della, doll, what are you talking about?”

Della lifts her tear-soaked face. “Lucas! He is playing a cruel joke! He says mother is alive! She hasn’t contacted us, though.  What a cruel joke.”

 Caroline cups Della’s cheeks. “Della? Your mother is alive. She faked her own death. Honestly, I think Lucas held back some of the story because he was worried about the pain it would cause you. One of my sources came back and told me. I’m so sorry, doll.”

 Della’s eyes study Caroline's “But…why?”

 Caroline’s heart breaks for the distraught Della. “I don’t know why. That’s what I am trying to gather. It all comes back to Lucas. He has kidnapped, what, two or three members of the Upper-Class before you? There is something mysterious about your kidnapping…” Caroline doesn’t realize she is rambling until Della backs away from her.

“What do you mean by my kidnapping?” Della sinks in her chair.

 “Della, if I tell you what my theory is-you promise to remain calm?” Caroline kneels in front of Della's chair.

 “What the hell is going on Caroline!?” Della demands.

Caroline squeezes Della’s knuckles. “Deep breaths, okay? Your mother is intelligent. She comes from a poverty-stricken neighborhood in nearby Springfield, right? She met your father, and the two married moved to Merryville and had Henry and you. Your mother always wanted to marry into a wealthy family to have the things she was denied and provide her daughter a better life.”

 “My mother loved father!” Della interrupts Caroline’s explanation.

Caroline squeezes Della’s hands. “I never said she didn’t, doll. I’m saying she planned on marrying into a wealthy family. Your mother ensured you and Henry had the best upbringing. Now, let’s talk about the kidnappings. You probably knew your mother had dealings with the Upper-Class Committee. However, she was more involved than she let on. When Lucas started with his ‘Robin Hood’ missions, Ruth couldn’t stand that her ex was making her a fool. Your mother couldn’t stand that one of the sons from the upper class was helping the ‘peasants’ in Merryville.  This is where my theory begins: To bate Lucas and his community they had to orchestrate a high-target kidnapping. Your mother used you as the target and lured Lucas with promises of a payday if he kidnapped the daughter of a well-known inventor. Lucas took the bait and that is where your paths crossed. Now your mother wasn’t counting on Lucas releasing you or myself being with you at the time. When she found out she had to think quickly before you found out it was her behind the kidnapping. So, she hired people to kidnap her husband and fake her murder. The men that took your father would drop him right on Lucas’s doorstep, making him look as if he orchestrated the murder of your mother.”

Della’s mouth flies open as Caroline finishes “You honestly believe my mother is conniving? What does Henry think?”

 “The same as you. He thinks Lucas Clarke is responsible for all of this.” Caroline watches Della’s reaction, checking for any sign of hurt.

 “Papa!” Della jumps to her feet.