Finding Abigail

by Christina Smith

  We pulled up to Lincoln Park, which held about five baseball diamonds, a playground, and a soccer field. The park was extremely busy; there were games in progress on both the baseball diamonds and the soccer field. Even the playground was filled with kids climbing all over the equipment. The sounds of parents yelling were almost as loud as the children’s squeals of delight. The air smelled of grease, which must have been coming from a concession stand situated next to the bleachers.

  I followed Nick to the back, where a sign announced the Monkeys and the Warriors game. They had already started when we sat down on the bleachers beside a tall man with thick brown hair and a mustache. Next to him was a pretty woman with her hair in a braid. “Are the Monkeys winning?” Nick asked him, taking some popcorn out of the bag that was sitting on the bench.

  “Not yet, just started,” the man said, staring down at the game. He quickly glanced over and noticed me, and a wide grin spread across his tanned face. “Who’s this? No, don’t tell me, it’s the hot blond from the bar, right?”

  I blushed; I had never been described as hot.

  “Uh… thanks, jackass. Are you trying to embarrass me?”

  This must be his brother, Rob.

  “I’m always trying to embarrass you. That’s what brothers are for. Now stop being rude and introduce us.”

  “If you would shut up for a second, I would,” Nick said as he punched him in the arm. “Abby, this is my big brother, Rob. Rob, this is Abby. And the girl beside him who is entirely too good for him is his wife, Heather.”

  I leaned over, clasping the large hand Rob offered. Despite the size, his grip was gentle. When I shook Heather’s hand, she didn’t look or smile at me. Her skin was cold.

  “Go, Bobby!” she yelled, dropping my hand and standing up. For some reason I had the feeling she was trying to avoid me.

  “And that little girl down there who just got a home run is my niece Bobby.” I followed his finger and saw a girl about ten. She was wearing a brown jersey with the name Monkeys on the front and a matching ball cap turned backward on top of a very long dark brown messy braid. She was doing a little victory dance and giving her teammates high-fives.

  “She’s cute.”

  Nick smiled, his face taking on the expression of a proud uncle. “And the boy down there in front of the concession stand, the one with the mustard- and ketchup-covered T-shirt, is my nephew Nicky.” I saw a little boy about seven eating a hot dog with the wiener hanging out, about to fall out of the bun. He had light brown hair like his mother, and was wearing grass-stained jeans to go with his stained T-shirt.

  “Go, Jimmy, run,” Rob yelled at a little boy with red hair who just bunted the ball. “He’s getting much better, Bill,” Rob called to the guy in front of us.”

  The man who must be Bill turned around, the glare from the falling sun glistening off his glasses. “Yeah, we’ve been practicing in the back yard when I get home from work.”

  “Well, it’s definitely helping,” Rob replied.

  I tuned out the two men, as they discussed techniques to help their kids improve their batting average and focused on the game. The air was cooler with the falling sun and I wished I had thought to bring a sweater. I crossed my arms trying to take the chill away.

  The rest of the eight innings were intense. The kids played and had fun. But the parents yelled, held their breaths, and screamed at the umpire. You’d think it was an all-star game at Yankee Stadium the way they carried on. In the ninth inning Nick and Rob started talking about a robbery case Nick was working on. Rob was a cop as well, but he was Homicide, just like his father had been before he made captain. I felt a little out of place, so I leaned over to talk to his sister-in-law. “Heather,” I called. She reluctantly turned to face me, leaning around her husband. “What do you do for a living?”

  She had a polite but brisk expression on her face. “I’m a kindergarten teacher. You?” she asked, even though I knew she really didn’t care.

  “I write children’s books.”

  Her face brightened slightly. “Really? Anything I’d know?” I hated this question. Sometimes I felt like I was bragging. But I was the one who started the conversation. I listed some titles that weren’t that known.

  Nick must have heard what I said, because he looked away from his brother and grinned at Heather. “She also wrote Wendy’s Wish.”

  Shock and awe crossed her face briefly. She quickly recovered, but her smile was slightly more genuine. “Seriously, you’re Abigail Watson? You wrote Wendy’s Wish, the one that was just turned into a movie?”

  A wave of embarrassment washed over me as it always did when I was the center of attention. “Yep.”

  “That’s so cool. My kids loved that book and movie. And I just read it to my classroom.” Her voice became more animated, matching the surprised expression on her face. It was the most emotion I had seen from her, where I was concerned, since I sat down over an hour ago.

  Bobby hit another homerun, and everyone stood up and screamed, forgetting all about my line of work.

  The Monkeys won six to two. Bobby got three home runs. She was sweaty, her cheeks flushed, but her lips were spread in a permanent grin. After the game, her family rushed down the bleachers to congratulate her. I lingered on the bench feeling a little out of place. “Hey, Abby, how about that hot dog?” Nick called up to me after he gave his niece a high five.

  “Sure. Thanks,” I replied, starting down the bleachers, carefully avoiding leftover food wrappers that lay sprawled on some of the benches. Once I stepped onto solid ground, I made my way to where he stood at the concession stand.

  As I ate my hot dog, the crowd that had gathered around Bobby, giving her hugs and high fives, started to dwindle. “Uncle Nick, did you see that last home run? I slid home just like you showed me.”

  “I sure did.” He turned her hat around, folding the peak. “Here, let me see that ball and I’ll show you how to throw a curve ball.” As he walked through the gate and onto the grass of the baseball diamond, I found my gaze wandering down, catching a glimpse of his backside in jeans. Even though no one caught my stare, my cheeks heated with embarrassment.

  Bobby followed Nick onto the field. When they were standing about ten feet apart, Nick tossed the ball in a curve. Bobby jumped up with her arm stretched out, but instead of catching it, the ball just grazed the tip of her glove, falling onto the grass.

  I leaned against the fence and watched, taking another bite of my hot dog. Nick took long strides until he stood in front of her, taking her hands in his, and then throwing the ball. Just as it flew into the sky above us, Rob rushed through the gate and caught it bare-handed. He spun on them with a grin.

  “You like him, don’t you?” a soft voice asked from beside me. My head spun toward the person who spoke. It was Heather, resting on the fence next to me. The cuff of her red baseball jersey caught onto the wire. I had been so wrapped up in Nick, Rob, and Bobby, I hadn’t noticed her approach.

  I nodded as my lips spread into a grin. “Yeah, I do. He’s so sweet with your kids. He seems like a great guy.” Just as I answered, Nicky rushed past us, slipping onto the field where the two men were tossing the ball to each other. Nicky jumped up, trying to intercept it, but the ball was way too high for him.

  “If I were you, I’d find someone else.” Heather’s voice was low, just above a whisper. I turned my head to look at her again, to ask if I had heard her correctly, but she was walking away. “Okay, guys, time to go. It’s bath night.” She grabbed Nicky and lifted him up. Bobby joined her brother and mother.

  They said their goodbyes and waved as they headed for a blue minivan. I watched as she helped the boy in, and just as she slammed his door, she glared at me before climbing into the vehicle. I stared at the van as it pulled out of the lot, wondering why she had a problem with me. Was I not good enough for her brother-in-law?

  “So how about an ice cream?” Nick’s voice startled me. I was lost in thought and was again caught off guar
d.

  Shaking the unwanted thoughts of Heather from my mind, I said, “Sure.”

  He took my hand and led me to his SUV, and like a gentleman he opened the door for me.

  We pulled up to the marina and strolled slowly over to the ice cream stand. He ordered a chocolate for himself and a rocky road for me. We walked along the docks, looking at the boats and eating our ice cream cones.

  “Your niece and nephew are adorable. Bobby’s really good at baseball. Does Nicky have any interest?”

  He smiled. “Yeah, he plays too, but he’s still young.”

  “You’re really good with them. Isn’t it fun to spoil nieces and nephews? You spend time with them for a couple of hours and when you get tired, you can take them home.”

  He nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I love to get them all hyped up and then send them home to their parents.” He laughed as he took my hand and led me to the bench to sit down. I finished my ice cream after he did. I could feel goose bumps form along my arms. The air was even cooler by the lake.

  “It’s pretty here at night, watching the lights from the boats.” I felt his finger gently touch my cheek. I turned my head just as he leaned in and brushed his lips on mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He took the kiss deeper, opening his mouth, and I felt a knot in my stomach as his tongue brushed mine. We jumped apart at the sound of footsteps coming towards us. An older man was walking by wearing a wide grin.

  Nick’s face colored so slightly I might have imagined it. “Maybe I should take you home now.”

  “Good idea,” I replied with a giggle.

  As we walked hand in hand to his car, I felt giddy thinking about that kiss, hoping we could finish it soon.

  Ten minutes later we were sitting in front of my building, with the car turned off. “I really want to walk you up.” His voice was raspy, his eyes hooded. “So I guess I should stay here.”

  Heat surged inside me. Was this going too fast, if both of our thoughts were heading this way? I really wanted to invite him up, but I knew that after that kiss, things might head in a direction I wasn’t ready for. Instead, I turned to him and leaned in for a goodnight kiss. It lasted longer than I intended and when I felt his tongue touch mine, I felt the familiar knot squeeze inside my belly. Ignoring the alarm bells that were starting in my mind, I let him wrap his arms around me, pulling me tight against him.

  Taking a quick gasp of air, he took the kiss deeper. When I leaned back to take a breath, he started to kiss my neck. As small moan escaped my lips, I decided it was time to go upstairs for a cold shower. “I should go,” I whispered while his lips moved to my collar bone. “Thank you for a great evening.”

  He lifted his head slowly, gazing at me with chocolate, smoldering eyes. His lips that had just been busy driving me crazy turned upwards. “Yeah, I guess you should go before we give your neighbors a show.”

  I laughed. “Thanks again.” I opened my door and stuck a leg out.

  “Friday night,” he said suddenly. I turned at the sound of his voice and raised a brow in question. “I’ll cook for you at my place.” He touched my arm to stop me from leaving.

  The tightness in my belly turned to a tornado. “Sure, that sounds nice.” I stepped out and walked to the door, careful not to turn around for fear one of us would change our minds. I was breathless as I made my way to the elevator, replaying our kiss as I waited for the doors to open. I hardly noticed the Murray twins screaming in their stroller as their mother fumbled with her mailbox key.

  “You know what this means, don’t you?” Brenda asked, sipping her coffee. We had just finished dinner and Jeff was giving the kids a bath, leaving us a chance to talk. It was Thursday night and Brenda had asked me over for dinner so I could tell her all about Nick.

  “What does it mean, big sister?” I stole a raspberry turnover off of the dessert tray and took a bite as I waited for her to enlighten me.

  “Men don’t cook unless they want something. That’s how they seduce you.”

  “Yeah, I figured that one out all by myself. I’m not an idiot.”

  “I know, but it’s been awhile since you were in a relationship. I wasn’t sure if you’d remember.”

  I licked the raspberry off of my fingers. “Oh please, it wasn’t that long ago that Jason moved away.”

  “One year and three months to be exact.”

  I stuck my tongue out at her, not bothered at all by the reminder. I was fine with my lack of love life; it just bothered everyone around me. “But who’s counting, right?”

  She took a turnover and held it in her fingers, staring at it. “Are you sure you’re ready? You’ve only known him a week.”

  “I know, but I feel like I’ve known him longer. Plus we’ve talked on the phone every day. I’m ready, believe me.” I couldn’t stop the grin that was spreading across my lips as I winked at her. “Like you said, it’s been over a year.”

  Still holding the turnover, she sighed heavily before taking a bite. “Fine, but I will need details,” she mumbled with her mouth full.

  I laughed as Jeff came down the stairs. “What did I miss?” he asked, taking a beer out of the fridge.

  I wasn’t going to tell him. Even though we were pretty close, I had no desire to discuss my love life with him. Unfortunately, Brenda didn’t feel the same way.

  “After a year of Abby’s dry spell, she’s finally going to take a dip in the pool,” Brenda explained, which had me gasping and laughing at the same time.

  Jeff stared at her with his beer in his hand, a confused look on his face. “What do you mean?”

  Brenda sighed. “She’s finally going up to bat.” He shrugged his shoulders, still not understanding. “Taking the plunge?”

  “Could you speak in real language please?”

  She groaned. “She’s finally going to do the nasty with Nick. There, is that spelled out enough for you?”

  I laughed as Jeff finally realized what she was talking about. “They’re going to have sex? Why the hell didn’t you just say so?”

  I stood up and grabbed my bag off the floor next to me. “Well, this has been fun discussing my love life, but I’m going home to plan what to wear tomorrow night.”

  Jeff twisted the top off his beer and tossed it onto the table, where it bounced twice before landing in the bowl of fruit. “Believe me, if he’s getting sex, he won’t care if you walk in wearing a potato sack.”

  “Thanks,” I said, smirking at him. “See you later. I’ll call you Saturday morning with details.”

  As I shut the door behind me, I heard Brenda yell, “You’d better.”

  Chapter Eight

  Afterglow

  I was nervous the next day. I couldn’t help but worry about what was going to happen. I knew what he expected; like Brenda pointed out, when a man made you dinner, it was a sure sign he was hoping for more than just dessert afterward. I definitely wanted the same thing, but it had been so long. Would I remember how? What was I thinking? Of course I knew what to do. It was just like riding a bike. It would come back to me...right?

  At about three o’clock, I had to stop writing. For some reason I couldn’t get sex off my mind and it was a tad inappropriate for a pre-K book. I had to figure out what to wear anyway, and despite what Jeff had said, I needed something more special than a potato sack.

  My mind was drawing a blank. A dress was too fancy, jeans too casual and really that was all that was in my closet. Two dresses, and jeans. Maybe Debbie was right, I needed to shop more often.

  After the third search through my closet, I finally decided on the black dress pants I usually reserved for meetings with publishers, and a silk shimmering silver blouse that Debbie had given me for my last birthday.

  I left my hair down, but straightened it since I gave myself plenty of time, and then finished the look off with dark-gray, smoky eyes. The makeup lady at Brown’s department store had shown me how to do it, but I hadn’t had a reason to use the technique until now. The girl looki
ng back at me in the mirror was ready for whatever came her way. The black pants hugged her legs nicely and the smooth soft silk of the blouse was low cut, showing just enough to give off a sexy vibe.

  Nick lived outside of town, which meant I had to drive. When I reached my car a nervous knot formed in my gut and stayed there the whole way.

  I pulled up to an older apartment building. The gray stone was aged; however, the grounds were clean and decorated with flower boxes that dotted the walkway. The building itself wasn’t overly huge, just four levels, and from the windows it looked like there were two units per floor. Inside the entryway, it smelled of pineapple and coconuts.

  I followed Nick’s directions up to the fourth floor, and reluctantly knocked on 4B. The sound of soft jazz floated out of the door, which was surprising, I had him pegged for a strict classic rock fan. I liked the fact that he listened to more than one type of music. It showed that he had layers, and I looked forward to getting to know each one. The door swung open just as I was about to knock again. He stood in front of me wearing a white apron covering dark jeans and deep-blue collared shirt. The apron had splashes of butter and other undistinguishable liquids all over it. His face was wearing a half grin as he took me in, and I noticed a smudge of flour under his left eye. “Hi, are you on time or am I running late?” he asked, sounding flustered.

  With a quick glance at my watch, I took in the time. “Well, you said six, and it’s six now...so.” I trailed off as he stared at me. “What?” I asked, wondering if my mascara was running.

  “You look beautiful,” he answered as he stepped back to let me enter.

  His comment left me flustered. I leaned in as I brushed by and wiped the flour from his cheek with my thumb. With him so close I couldn’t stop myself from pressing my lips against his, and breathing in the scent of him.