“So, this is the famous baby,” she purred. He starred along the length of her, her long legs in a short dress leaving little to the imagination.
“Yep, this is Dan Junior.”
“She allowed you to name Miss New York’s kid after you? Boy, that’s devotion.”
“Lisa takes after her mother,” he whispered. Sandra laughed out loud.
“Oh, is that right. Well, I think you’re lucky to be alive.” Lisa chased Brent back out onto the veranda, laughing.
“We need to get Brent and Marcus together more often. They’re first cousins! I keep forgetting. Sandra, he sure is cute.”
“Thank you, Lisa. I think so, too.”
“Your nanny is very attentive,” she said. Dan got up with baby Dan and left the room, talk of nannies and babies suddenly too boring.
“Yes, I’m very lucky,” Sandra said, looking carefully at Lisa, her young body after two children, her youthful, healthy skin and hair. She was definitely Pam’s daughter. Five years made a big difference in a woman, as she compared herself to Lisa. Sandra felt old and used up.
“I need to get a second nanny. Four little ones are too much even with my mother-in-law staying with us. Ed’s mother, not Dan’s.” Pam walked in holding Miranda’s hand.
“Hi Aunt Sandra,” she said in her little voice. Sandra drummed up interest in the child; after all, they did live with each other for almost four years.
“Hi there, Miranda! How are you?” Visibly struggling to bring herself down to the level where she could converse with the four year old, Pam saw the wisdom of removing Miranda from Sandra’s care; sorry she’d taken so long. If Sandra and Tom were still together, would Miranda still be with them? Pam shuddered, guilt leading her to reach out and pull the little girl closer.
Finally, gratefully, Sandra said it was time for them to go. Their car would arrive any minute and she wanted to gather up her belongings and be ready when it got there. The next minutes were a bit of a madhouse with everyone having the last hug and kiss from little Brent, too big to be called baby much longer.
When they finally left, even though four little children were still in the house, the relief felt was enormous. “Whew, was it just me or did a lot of energy just purge when they walked out of the door?” Pam whispered to Lisa as baby Marcus reached out asking to be held. Pam picked him up and he immediately put his head down on her shoulder.
“Everyone needs a nap now,” Dan said, pointing. “We should get home, too.” Pam didn’t argue as they gathered their belongings in a repeat performance; the family leaving grandmother’s house. When the door finally shut after she waved them away, Pam looked at her watch and realized she hadn’t heard from John yet. The thought had just fluttered through her head when she heard a big diesel engine roaring up the street, and looking out the sidelights, breathed a sigh of relief. It was John.
Chapter 20
The weekend stretched out before her, anticipated to be boring and lonely. Cara Ellison was so lost she considered driving back to the grocery store just in case Lisa made another food run, the impulse to do a drive by the Chua’s house strong. She’d picked up a Friday Times, but there wasn’t a thing suitable for her in the classified section. Hopeful that Sunday’s paper would be better, she would just bide her time. No computer or television, she grabbed a paperback but it wasn’t a good fit and she couldn’t get into it. Friday night, she was in bed sleeping by eight-thirty, just like she did in prison.
Waking up Saturday morning at dawn, Cara didn’t know where she was at first. The bland white walls and simple shades made it seem lighter than it was outside. Getting out of bed, she pulled up the shade, forgetting that her bedroom overlooked the highway. Her lawyer told her to pretend the noise was the ocean. It was gray and raining. She didn’t know what to do to fill the time, plans to go to the park ruined and the library would be packed on the weekend. Then a miracle; her attorney called. Standing at the counter, absently stirring sugar into her coffee, she didn’t even realize the phone was connected when it suddenly rang. Scaring her, she leapt up and grabbed it to answer.
“I hope I’m not getting you at a bad time,” Clifton Johnson said with a snicker. As if he were standing in front of her, she could imagine the smirk on his face. Wanting to throw her phone against the wall, she remembered her anger management class.
“No Cliff, not at all. I’m used to getting up at dawn, after prison and all.” She flipped him the bird but stayed calm. “What are you calling about? I know it’s not to harass me about my sleep habits. And thank you for having the phone turned on.”
“You’re welcome. It will be reflected in my bill. I’ve got some pretty unbelievable news for you. You might actually want to sit down.” She took the cup of coffee, went over to her familiar table, and pulled a chair out.
“Get on with it Cliff. The suspense is killing me.”
“I got a call from your former lover, er nemesis,” he said.
“You better watch yourself, counselor. I believe what you just said to me could be surmised as harassment in a court of law.”
“Right. I apologize, Cara, please forgive me. Now can I get on with my reason for calling?” There was a possibility he was needling her on purpose.
“I think I just got it! If you piss me off badly enough, I’ll lose it, and then you’ll report me to my parole officer and make more money having to represent me when I get thrown back in jail.”
“No, no, no, nothing like that. You’re a dreamer, you know that? Shut up for a minute and let me talk, will you?” She bit her tongue as he listed what Dan and Lisa had decided to do in her favor. “Dan Chua withdrew the restraining order but with some parameters. You’re not to come over to their home or his office without calling first. There’s to be no harassing behavior, stalking, continuous texting and emailing, anything of that nature. Dan has several job leads to extend to you. If you are in interested in his help, call Donna at his office Monday morning.
“In addition, Dan’s looking into the problem with the repossession of you house; since it was bank owned, he might be able to work out a deal for you.” Cara gasped.
“Oh, is that right! My adversary, as you have referred to him in the past, is going to do something about the problem you claimed was out of your jurisdiction.”
“Miss Ellison, I did not impregnate you. Therefore, I felt no obligation to save your house from foreclosure.”
“And let me remind you sir that it wouldn’t happen in this lifetime, so keep dreaming,” Cara stated proudly.
“If I may continue,” he said. “He was unable to reverse the supervisory child visitation which would begin the following Friday because CPS is already involved.
“You realize this is unprecedented,” Clifton Johnson said. “You’re being given a second chance by these people. I hope you’ll abide by his guidelines. And I hope you appreciate what I’ve done for you.” Cara knew it had everything to do with running into Lisa Chua at the grocery store and nothing at all with Clifton Johnson.
“Cliff you sound like friggin preacher. I’m not an animal, okay? I had a mishap and it landed me in jail. Evidently, the Chua’s don’t think I’m such an evil person after all. And I need my computer back.”
“I thought I put it in the apartment,” he said. “It must be in the storage unit.”
“Well, I’m not a mind reader, so either tell me where or get it out for me, please.”
“It’ll be at my hourly rate,” he said.
“Whatever, Cliff, just get my computer for me, please.” She was losing her patience with him but trying for nice, didn’t hang up without first saying goodbye. “And have a great weekend!”
Cara was so excited, she knew Lisa advocated for her. With something to work toward now, the weekend no longer loomed ahead of her without purpose. Getting breakfast, she sat at the table and pushed the curtain aside to look out the window. The dreary day and uninspired view didn’t faze her because there were no bars to look through. She was free.
***
Driving back to Smithtown from Pam’s Sunday afternoon, Lisa watched the scenery zoom by, listening to Dan talk on his phone to Cara’s attorney. He’d called to let them know Cara’s reaction to their offer.
All four children and Daniela were sleeping, buckled in, safe. The few minutes it would take to get home would be Lisa’s chance to unwind before the chaos of late afternoon. Secretly, she knew she would become Cara’s champion because taking care of Dan Junior was becoming too much for her. It was one thing when he was an infant and did little more than eat and sleep. Now that he was crawling, there was a competition between Dan and Marcus for her attention. She didn’t want it to turn into rivalry. The possibility of hiring and training another nanny was an option, but she thought it might be easier to embrace Cara, who wanted the baby. Before getting involved with Dan, Cara was a decent person and there was no reason not to involve her in Dan Junior’s care.
Tired, Lisa knew the stress she was under, and that much of it originated with Dan. “What did he have to say?” Lisa asked, fighting the urge to fantasize about divorcing him.
“Cara is very grateful. Shocked, he said. Clifton Johnson needs to retire.”
“Why’s that?”
“Oh, a bunch of stuff; letting her house go into foreclosure, not helping her engage an employment agency, the sort of thing that goes along with paroling a client.”
“Let’s let her see the baby,” Lisa said.
“CPS would throw the book at us,” Dan said. “No, please don’t contact her. Friday will come soon enough, you’ll see.” He glanced at her, noticing how thin and unhappy she looked. “What’s the urgency?”
“I need her help with the baby. It’s time Dan. I’m beat.”
“I guess I thought we were in it for the long haul,” he said softly, selfish. “Not just fostering him until his mother could pull it together.” It was at this juncture that Lisa decided to be honest with Dan about her feelings for Cara.
“What did she do that was so wrong? She hit you over the head because you betrayed her. You used her,” Lisa whispered. “So is that a reason to deny a woman her child?”
“You’ve done a one-eighty,” he said challengingly.
“Dan, I was pissed!” Then she relaxed and laughed. “You are so completely clueless. What did you expect from me?”
He nodded in understanding. “I get it. I’m sorry. It’s just I’m confused because I’m not sure I want her involved with him or with us.”
“Well, too bad. You should have thought about it before you…” and here she leaned in close so only Dan could hear… “Screwed her. You take care of him then and stop loading your responsibilities on me. The nursery is closed.” They drove the rest of the way in silence. Dan was stewing over what he knew to be the truth, and Lisa felt vindicated because she was finally honest with him. In the same token, she felt horrible, because the reality of what he had done would always play a role in their marriage.
Once again, she was making choices that would benefit everyone else. It was the only unselfish thing to do.
***
Zach’s taxi pulled up under the portico of Ted’s hotel and he sent Ted a text to let him know he’d arrived. Minutes later, Ted met him in the lobby, exhausted, carrying his overnight bag. He grabbed Zach and they embraced, two men who were fond of each other, like a father and soon to be son-in-law. But then Ted started to cry. Zach led him to a secluded area, a small uncomfortable couch and chair in the corner. Zach pushed him down into a chair and hovered close by.
“We need to get on the road,” he sobbed.
“Just relax,” Zach replied. “Where’s Jeff’s car?” Ted pointed to the back of the hotel.
“Do you want me to bring it around the front or do you feel up to walking back there?”
“I can walk,” he said, standing up again. “I’ll be okay. Sorry.” Zach took his bag and Ted didn’t protest. He didn’t want to think or feel anything. As the hours passed waiting for Zach, Ted became more despondent. He’d barely gotten over Ashton, still sorting through the debris of the man’s life, and now he had to do it all over again.
They approached the car and Zach whistled. “The Bentley? No friggin way.”
“Why?” Ted asked, confused. “Are they difficult to drive?”
Zach laughed. “Sorry, Pop, but I’ve never lived in a house that cost as much as this car. It’s a little intimidating.”
“We’re well insured,” Ted answered. “Remember, the man was a lawyer. Everything’s insured, in trust and insane. No, insane’ the wrong word. What’s the rest of the phrase?”
“I have no idea,” Zach replied. “Keys?” Ted dug through is pants pocket for the keys.
“How long will it take to get to the city?” he asked. “I’m homesick for Natalie’s house.”
“Is that where you’re going?” Zach asked, frowning. “Not to Babylon?”
“No, to the Village for tonight.”
“What’re we doing with the car? This isn’t the kind of car you put in an overnight garage.” Ted thought for a second.
“I’ll get Natalie on it,” he said. Zach skillfully drove to the highway and they didn’t say much the rest of the way. Natalie found a private garage that would take the car for a week, or until Ted figured out which of Jeff’s relatives would get it in the will.
Natalie and Deborah were waiting at the door of the apartment for them, and the minute Ted made eye contact with Deborah he started to cry again. Zach had a grim expression as they got everything in the apartment and shut the door.
“I think this is more about Ashton than Jeff,” he whispered to Natalie. “He keeps getting the two dead men mixed up.”
“Oh, wonderful,” she replied. “I hope he’s not losing it.” She went to Ted and led him to her room.
“Ted, you’re staying in my room tonight and I’ll sleep out here on the couch.”
“I can’t force you out of your room,” he whined. “I’ll sleep out here.”
“Nope, I’ve got everything ready for you. You need privacy and when you want company, we’ll be right out here. I have a little supper prepared for you. Nothing fancy.” After his belongings had been organized, they followed Natalie into the tiny kitchen. There was just enough room for them if Natalie sat on a bar stool at the counter.
“There’s roast chicken and different salads, all from the deli. Dig in.” The sound of chairs scraping on the floor and china and cutlery filled the room.
“What now?” Ted asked. “What the hell do I do now?”
“One day at a time, Pop,” Zach said.
“Zach’s right, Dad. Just let’s get through today. Tomorrow we’ll figure out what the most pressing thing is which must be done and then we’ll do it.”
“I’ve got to get to the beach house. All of his papers are there, the will, the car titles. I can’t even remember the name of his attorney.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Deborah said. “We’ll go to Babylon tomorrow and I’m sure everything you need will be right at your fingertips.”
“Deb’s right, Ted. I’ve seen Jeff’s office. It’s immaculate.”
The family finished eating and Deborah and Zach said goodnight soon after and retired to her room to watch TV. Ted stood in the doorway of Natalie’s bedroom, watching her make up the couch. “Sleep with me tonight,” he said softly. “I don’t want to be alone.” Natalie straightened up and turned to him.
“Ted, I want to be here for you, but you can’t use me. It’s not fair. You know how I feel about you and then when you’re done with me, I have to try to come back from the heartache.” He walked to her, looking over his back at Deborah’s bedroom door. Grabbing her by her arm, he pulled her over.
“I won’t do anything. I just want you next to me. Please?” Natalie knew she was a fool that Ted would come to his senses soon as he usually did, and she’d be left with a void as big as a canyon to fill. No amount of ice cream would be enough.
“Ok
ay, I want to be next to you, too.” He helped her fold up the sheets that were on the couch and they went into her room together and shut the door. Later, Deborah would come out to get a glass of water and see the empty couch, remembering her father’s words earlier that day.
“Oh lord,” she said, avoiding looking at her mother’s bedroom door.
But Ted kept his word, only spooning Natalie, and they feel asleep.
Chapter 21
Before everyone knew it, Monday had arrived. The sun was back out and the puddles dried up in the street. The splashing fountain on Sea View caught the eye of every neighbor and transient beachgoer. Summer was back after a brief departure.
The night before, John stayed at Pam’s until long after midnight, a Monopoly board the culprit. “You can stay here if you’d like,” she said softly after the last game was over, hoping he’d agree.
“I would love to, and you know it,” he replied, holding her hands and looking into her eyes. “But the men will be here by seven to work on the kitchen. I don’t want them to think you’re someone who’d have a guy spend the night after a week. Does that make sense? It doesn’t have anything to do with wanting to be with you because I do.”
“But I am someone who would have a guy spend the night after a week! I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I really do,” she answered. They laughed together, John hugging her tightly, acknowledging that he appreciated her candor. Pam wished it was a year from now so they could be together without guilt and told him so.
“Let’s not wish our life away. The kitchen will soon be finished and we won’t have Babylon’s biggest gossips to contend with.”
“Those little men?” she asked, surprised.
“They are the worst,” he answered.
John didn’t say it, but he also had to deal with Violet. Although she claimed she wanted John to start dating, she didn’t want him to date Pam. Violet knew Pam’s secrets. Otherwise, Violet was going to be a problem.
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