Elastic Heart: (The Happy Endings Resort Book 6)

by Evelyne Stone

  She definitely knew more than I thought, possibly even more than I knew about the story. Oh hell, it was time to admit I really didn’t know much of anything. Maybe she was right. “Do you know how I could find Kathy?”

  “She has coffee in town at the new café every morning. It was a ritual she started with your father.”

  That wasn’t the only thing she started with my father. “Thank you. I should let you two enjoy the rest of your dinner,” I said, hoping nothing more needed to be discussed, especially since I was positive this was the first time I’d ever spoken to either one of them.

  “How’s your mother doing?” Bess asked.

  I hadn’t opened my mouth to answer her question before Herbert spoke up.

  “Let her get some food, Bess. She just got here, for goodness sakes.”

  Bess nodded to me and smiled. “I’m sure we’ll see you again real soon.”

  I wanted to hug Herbert for helping me out of this uncomfortable conversation, but refrained. “I’m sure I will.” With a nod and a smile, I walked back to the hostess podium. I ordered a burger and fries to go.

  ~*~

  I’d decided later to walk from my cabin to the trailer, needing time to think about my plan of attack. Should I throw everything in boxes to go through later? What would I do with the TV, and other furniture? Leave them, or ask someone to take them to a donation center? Why hadn’t I thought this through more before I’d arrived? Probably because I wanted to envision him living in a tent, with nothing but his clothes and a sleeping bag. Kathy wouldn’t have wanted to stay the night with him, if that had been the case.

  Once I was out of the rental cabin section, the first thing I’d spotted was the pool I’d frequented with my friends. I never understood why they needed a pool if there was a lake, until I got older. The lake was for family outings during the day and partying at night. The pool was the central meat market. A place where everyone stood around, showing off, flirting, and picking out who they wanted to hang out with that night…or make out with. I had my first kiss by the lake, thanks to that meat market.

  My parents wouldn’t let us use our cell phones the whole summer. It almost seemed liberating. If someone wanted to talk crap about someone else, it would be to their face. There were plenty of fights that would break out, usually over a girl. No one fought over me, mostly because I played hard to get. There was only one boy I lusted after. He kissed me once, and never spoke to me again. His best friend was Hunter and some other shrimp of a boy, whose name I don’t remember.

  Stopping every so often to reminisce took me into early evening. I made my way back to my cabin, skipping the trailer all together. I’d decided going in full swing tomorrow would be the best idea. I could speak to the front desk guy and figure out what to do with the furniture and whatnot.

  After showering, unpacking my things, and finding nothing on TV, I started getting restless. Too much nervous energy was running through my body. I pulled out my e-reader, but couldn’t get past the first page of the three books I attempted to read.

  There was a knock on the door just as I was about to take two sleeping pills. I grabbed my robe off the back of the bathroom door before answering. I couldn’t imagine who it would be, but no one needed to see me in a white tank with shorts.

  “Jade!”

  “Brooke?”

  Her body slammed up against mine, and her arms wrapped around my neck. “It’s so good to see you! I heard you were here, but I didn’t believe it. Had to see for myself.”

  “How the hell are you?” I asked, trying to wiggle free from her grip. She held on tight.

  “Good, good. How are you? Are you doing okay with everything?” Her hands moved to my upper arms and she pulled back. Her eyes traveled from my head to my feet and back up. “You look great!”

  “I am great,” I lied for the second time that day.

  “Now, don’t lie to me,” she said, walking past me, through the front door. Her short, white sundress twirled around her tanned body with every movement. She took a seat on one of the chairs. “Come here, and sit. I want to know everything. The condensed version, though, cause I can’t stay too long.”

  “Okay…” I drew out, not sure what she meant by ‘everything.’ “Do you want me to order in some wine? All I have is water.”

  “No, no,” she said, patting her belly. “I got another bun in the oven.”

  “Another?” Her slim frame showed no sign whatsoever of carrying a child, much less a second. Well, maybe her boobs were bigger, after a second glance. She was never well endowed before.

  “Well, you remember Michael, right?”

  I shook my head.

  “He was here most summers, but we didn’t really hang out with his group. Anyways, we started seeing each other the summer before my senior year in high school. He’s from Endings, and I lived up north. We talked on the phone and stuff, and I invited him to my graduation. Well, he knocked me up.”

  She was talking so fast, and with a much heavier accent than I remembered. I wasn’t sure if I’d heard her correctly. Her parents were much stricter than mine. There was no way they’d let something like that happen.

  “Excuse me?” I asked, just to be clear.

  “I know. I couldn’t believe it, either. I was over eighteen, so I packed up, and moved here with him. I didn’t find out until I was getting ready to head off to the University. My parents flipped, so I left all that behind, and started my life here. He’s a great daddy.”

  “Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

  She laughed, flipping her sun-kissed brown hair. “Call me crazy, that’s fine. I don’t regret it.”

  “So, you’re pregnant with your second?”

  “Yes,” she beamed. “Michael finished trade school, and he’s working with his dad building houses.”

  “Sounds like it has all worked out,” I said, smiling.

  “What have you been up to since high school? Boyfriend? Longer term booty call?”

  “Besides being the angry teen?” I asked, laughing off the truth. “No, no boyfriend or any man, for that matter. I just haven’t met someone interesting enough to make it worth the effort.”

  She rolled her eyes, not able to hide her disappointment in my lack of juicy gossip.

  “I just graduated from the university in my home town with a business marketing degree. I have no clue what I’m going to do next. It seems as though everyone has a business degree. The competition is fierce.” I shrugged. I felt pathetic saying that out loud. Everyone I graduated with had a plan. Not me.

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” she said, smiling at me like she really believed it.

  “Now,” her face changed from giddy to serious. “Tell me everything.”

  “I’m not really sure where to start. I’m only planning on staying for a couple days, so I can get my dad’s stuff packed up. I’m sure you heard he passed away.”

  “Oh, I did,” she interrupted. “Hunter sees Michael all the time on project sites. That’s how I knew you were here.”

  “Oh, well, that’s why I’m here. It’s been hard because we had a falling out of some sorts, but I’m an only, and my mom had to work, so it’s all on me.”

  “I never saw your dad, but I did run into your mom about four years ago.”

  “Wait, what?” She had to be mistaken.

  “I just saw her that one time at the small market we used to get candy from. She didn’t tell you?”

  “No. I don’t know when that could have possibly been.”

  “Well, you can ask her about that later. So, what about Kathy?”

  Small towns and their gossip… “What about her?”

  “Have you talked to her? Ever?”

  “No,” I said.

  “She’s a sweet woman. You should meet her before you leave.”

  I stood up, needing to move around. Brooke was my friend at one point. No need to beat around the bush. “Why would I want to meet the woman who my dad left us for?”<
br />
  “What?” she screamed, standing up, too.

  “Oh, so you didn’t hear that part? It doesn’t surprise me,” I paced around the room, looking for something. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but it helped.

  “I had no idea,” she said, sitting back down. Her eyes were wide, so I knew she wasn’t lying.

  “I’m sure most people around here have no idea.” I found a bottle of water and chugged half of it.

  “We need to get to the bottom of this,” she demanded.

  “We?”

  “Jade, sweetie, you were one of my best friends. If Kathy is a skank, we need to call her out on it!”

  I loved that she felt so passionately about it, but I hadn’t come back to cause more rumors. “I don’t think talking to her will help anything. I’m just going to pack up his things, and leave without looking back.”

  “Over my dead body. We’re going to get answers.” She picked up her keys that had fallen on the floor when she’d jumped up. “Tomorrow, we’ll go talk to Ross.”

  “Who’s Ross?”

  “He’s the main security guard around here. He’ll remember when your mom was here. The man’s memory is unlike anyone I know.”

  I found myself, once again, trapped by her arms.

  “Meet you back here tomorrow around eleven. I’ll get a sitter,” she said, releasing me, and heading for the door.

  “Thanks for stopping by,” I said.

  “It was great seeing you,” she hollered and closed the door.

  My brain felt like mush. I couldn’t remember my mom ever mentioning a trip here. Why would she even bother after my dad left us? I almost called her, but I didn’t think accusing her would be a smart move, before getting more information. It was possible Brooke was wrong, and it wasn’t really my mother she saw. But, if it was, I needed to find out more.

  I took the two pills I’d left sitting by the sink. An hour later, I was dead to the world, wrapped up in a soft comforter, with the TV still on.

  Chap

  ter 3

  The next morning, I woke up to the sound of loud, quacking ducks. I didn’t remember any ducks around the area, so it confused the hell out of me, until I realized it was my phone. The annoying ring tone was my mom’s.

  “Hello?” I barely got out of my cotton mouth.

  “Did I wake you?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, it’s ten in the morning, so I assumed you’d be awake, and packing.”

  Oh shit. I over slept.

  “Oh my gosh, I forgot to set my alarm.”

  She sighed. “You only have today to finish up the trailer, so you better get your ass up.”

  “Actually, I’m thinking about staying an extra day.”

  “Why?” she asked in an accusing tone.

  “Are you ready to talk about the pictures?”

  No response.

  I let out the breath I’d been holding, not quite sure how to handle my mother’s odd behavior. The silence was hurting my head, so I finally responded, “I ran into Brooke last night, and I’d like to catch up with her. I’m hoping she can help me pack up.” I wasn’t going to mention anything else.

  After a long pause, she sighed again. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay much longer.”

  “Why not?”

  “You have things to take care of here. This wasn’t supposed to be a vacation. In and out, remember?”

  I could tell by her tone she was getting upset. I had to console her, before she hung up on me. “You’re right, but I do need one more day. He had a lot more stuff in the trailer than I thought, and it’ll take some team work to get his larger items donated.”

  “Okay, but promise me you’ll get out of there fast. That town is not healthy for you.”

  She was getting upset. I had a feeling she was hiding something, maybe because I was already suspicious, and with my mom breathing down my neck, I had to do it quick.

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Alright,” she replied, and hung up.

  True, my mother and I had butted heads on more than one occasion, but I’d hoped we were past that. I’d spent the past year not stepping on my mother’s toes, so she wouldn’t treat me the way I saw her treat my stepfather at times. It didn’t feel good, and quite frankly, it infuriated me. There wasn’t any time to waste sulking, though. I had a job to do.

  I ran into the bathroom, hoping my hair didn’t need to be washed before going out. One side still held the curls, but the other side laid flat. I jumped in the shower, not hot, and scrubbed as fast as humanly possible. Having less than an hour before Brooke would show up, I’d decided to twist my wet hair up into a bun. I applied the bare minimum make-up, making myself presentable. Knowing I was going to have to spread out the clothes I’d brought over an extra day – maybe two – I dressed in the shorts from the day before and a white tank.

  Opening one set of curtains for some sun, I looked out at the clear, blue sky. Another beautiful day. Brooke hadn’t arrived yet, so I quickly turned on the coffee maker, and made myself a cup of much needed caffeine. Even though I’d had plenty of sleep, the pills left me with a mild hangover. I sat in front of the window, appreciating the scene before me. Living in the city left me craving the site of trees. I loved the lush, green fullness and the smell they created. Not as much as the ocean, but it was a close second.

  I’d just finished the last drop of hot goodness when Brooke arrived. She pulled up in a run-down mini van, which looked nothing like the beauty she was. She wore denim shorts and a blank cap sleeve top that showed off her chest. I’d never felt the need to compare myself to other women, but Brooke had a glow that made me feel less beautiful. I’d chalk it up to the pregnancy glow, but it was more than that. She was happy and content, both of which I was not.

  “Morning, sunshine,” she greeted me, pulling me in for a hug.

  “Good morning.” I leaned into her, appreciating the way her hug made me feel. “So, what’s the plan?”

  “Ross is doing his rounds, and should be back in his office in about ten minutes. I’d say let’s walk, but I’m not in the mood,” she giggled. “Are you hungry?”

  Normally, I didn’t eat breakfast, but I noticed she patted her stomach. She was eating for two, and who was I to get in the way of a pregnant lady and food? “Starved,” I replied.

  “Oh, thank goodness. I had a bowl of cereal, and it wasn’t nearly enough. I’ll drive.”

  “Okay. Let me get my purse.” I checked myself in the mirror one last time, deciding I needed to apply a little lip gloss. After collecting my phone, purse, and keys, I was ready...for what, I didn’t know.

  ~*~

  Brooke’s van didn’t look like much from the outside, but she’d obviously kept the inside clean. There were no signs of toys or rotten food, which is what I’d always imagined the inside of a mini van would include.

  We stopped at the café. There was a short line, which gave me a chance to look at their menu. It wasn’t much different than every other café I’d been to. Brooke chatted with the couple in front of us, and waved hi to another couple seated at one of the tables. I’d wondered what it would be like to live in a place where, no matter where you went, you saw someone you knew. Would it get old, or feel good, knowing you’re never alone?

  I ordered black coffee and a cheese roll, and turned back to Brooke. She lit up the room. I wished I had the ability to be a shining star. Before my father left, I’d been going through the normal teenage mood swings, but I was happy. After he left, I didn’t know how to be happy. I went to school every day, at the college I’d planned on attending my entire life, but I felt like a zombie. I couldn’t get excited about any of my classes, even though I got straight A’s. Life was happening all around, but each day was exactly the same as the day before. Brooke, on the other hand, looked like she controlled the world around her.

  “I’m so sorry. You must feel like I’m ignoring you,” Brooke said, finally giving me her f
ull attention.

  “No. It’s fine. I have a lot on my mind.” I’d finished my roll, and most of my coffee.

  Brooke took a huge bite of the muffin she’d ordered. She devoured it in six bites. How in the hell did she stay thin, scarfing food like that?

  “Ready? I feel so much better now,” she said, chugging the last drop of orange juice.

  “Are you sure you don’t want anything else while we’re here?”

  “Don’t make fun of me,” she smiled. “It’ll be lunchtime soon, so I’ll be fine.”

  She parked at the back of the resort’s main building.

  “Looks like he’s back already,” she said, pointing to a golf cart parked in front of an open door.

  “What exactly are we going to ask him?”

  She turned her body to face me. Her expression told me she was taking this very seriously. “He’ll remember if your mom was here any time during the last few years. I swear I saw her. Maybe he’ll be able to tell us more about your dad and Kathy, too. After talking to you last night, I thought about things, and I can’t remember when the first time I saw Kathy and your dad together. My memory sucks. Kids will do that to ya,” she said, rolling her eyes. She jumped out of the van, waving at me to follow.

  We walked up to the office, and came face to face with a rather scary-looking guy. He wasn’t small by any means. He looked at me with one eyebrow up, and then his eyes moved to Brooke. I swear I saw his lip twitch, as though he was going to smile, but his mouth remained a straight line.

  “Brooke,” he said, nodding once.

  “Hi Ross! How ya doing?” she asked in a high pitch voice.

  “Fine.”

  “This is my friend, Jade,” she said, waving her hand towards me.

  He nodded at me once.

  I waved, not saying anything. I wasn’t scared, but I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Okay, maybe he did scare me a little.

  “She’s Henry’s daughter,” Brooke said.

  Ross looked at me, his face relaxing just enough for me to notice. “I’m sorry about your father. He was a great man.”

  “Thank you,” I responded with a smile.