The Angel's Daughter

by Jody Sharpe

  Duke and Homer bark happily when we arrive back at the house. Dawn tries to bark and it comes out “Hrumpf.” We go in and there sit Dad and Aunt Helen eating cinnamon rolls in their respective red and pink bathrobes with Bubbles on Dad’s shoulder hoping for hot chocolate and Pink on my aunt’s lap wearing a Valentines dress. Dad and Aunt Helen look ecstatic each time they see us together.

  “Hi, you two, back so soon?” Dad inquires.

  “It was too wet to make a fire,” Josh remarks.

  “You must be hungry then. Cinnamon rolls, dears? There are scrambled eggs on the stove too.” Aunt Helen always pushes food. I’m surprised I don’t bust our scale.

  “You guys look like a Hallmark card as usual,” I quip.

  “Wouldn’t that be jolly now?” Dad gets a kick out of hearing how much he looks like Santa. Bubbles jumps down from Dad’s shoulder to grab a crumb. Amazingly, Pink jumps down too to see what Bubbles is doing. The little white ball of fur and squirrel begin to play, tumbling around the kitchen floor. We laugh hardly able to contain ourselves.

  “Will you look at that?” Dad laughs hard.

  “Oh no,” my aunt raises her voice. “Do you think Bubbles can hurt her?”

  “No,” Josh assures her. “They each need a friend their own size.” Pink gets tired and jumps back on Aunt Helen’s ample lap again. Bubbles leaps to her station on Dad.

  “We’re going over to have breakfast at Laurjean’s.” I kiss them both and show them the necklace. Josh can’t resist taking a roll on the way out.

  “Look at the line,” I say as we walk down the wet sidewalk. The sun is shining, but the little puddles are everywhere reflecting the sky and passing rain clouds.

  “Well, Laurjean says I’m her favorite since saving their cat, Daisy. She told me VIP treatment anytime I come in from now on.”

  “Impressive,” I laugh. “I’ve known her since I was born but always wait like the rest of the townies.”

  “Just you watch; she’ll pull us through to the head of the line.”

  We see people we know as we walk by to give our name for a table. In line is Guy Benfield, editor of the Mystic Bay Town Crier and psychic mystery writer. “Hey Hannah, I need to come over this week and do a story about the fawn?”

  “Sure, Guy. Come on in or call us anytime. She’s a little doll.”

  “Will do.” I always thought I’d be a journalist like Guy, maybe even publish a book too, but that plan sadly derailed for me. We get to the head of the line. A few people back, Meredith and Tony greet us. Chris is taking names.

  He yells, “Mom, Doc Josh and Hannah are here. Want them to get a table now or wait?”

  “VIP,” Laurjean responds from the back. Everyone begins to cat call.

  “Hey, you two, what’s with the preferential treatment?” Meredith kids.

  “Laurjean says saving old Daisy gives me clout. Do you want to sit with us?”

  Tony shakes his head and laughs, “No, you go ahead. Come see us when you finish.”

  We wade through the front open door. Laurjean greets us in Valentine heart slacks and red Next Door Café t-shirt.

  “Happy Valentines, kiddos. I’ve got a very special table for you!” Her white hair is swept up in a bun held by a red pen. All the tables have pink and red valentine tablecloths on them. Each table has candy hearts on it too.

  We order coffee and her Sunshine pancakes with fruit. I look around the restaurant and wave to Andy Walin. He’s with a pretty girl I’ve never seen before. He gives me the thumbs up sign and I do too. Somehow I think the meaning of that sign has changed for both of us. I see Madam Norma and her daughter, Miss Marilyn, in the corner. She waves me over. Laurjean pours us coffee.

  “Madam Norma wants me to come over. I’ll be right back.” I take my coffee and walk over to them, both white-haired beautiful older ladies. You would never guess Madam Norma is one hundred plus and her daughter in her eighties.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day, you two look like sisters, pretty as ever.”

  “Why thank you, we get that all the time,” Marilyn winks at me, realizing my words were meant as a complement.

  “How are Helen and your Dad, dear?” Madam Norma is still sharp as a tack.

  “Great, they’re minding the fawn. I heard you came over to see her.”

  “Yes dear, we did. What a little gem. And I see you’re with Dr. Josh. He’s a gem too. He takes such good care of our little poodle, Cookie.” She looks towards the door with sudden concern.

  “Hannah, do you know that woman and man who are talking to Josh now? They just walked in the restaurant.” I turn around. I can’t see the man or woman’s faces since Josh is facing me. The woman has long black hair and a red sweater on as most of the patrons do. Josh catches my eye for a moment.

  “I don’t think so.” Turning back to Madam Norma I wonder what is going on.

  “The woman’s aura is dark. Don’t go back yet,” she says in a whisper. “Stay here until they leave.” I look at her perplexed.

  “That’s why we called you over. You were to come over to me for a few minutes because someone was going to walk up to you and you needed to stay far away from that person.”

  I look back at the woman and man. Now, the man turns to the side, I recognize him. He’s Brock Tricoult, the head of the English Department at San Francisco State, Sam’s former boss. His hair has got some gray and he looks a little heavier. Laurjean comes up to us. “Who’s with Josh? Never been in here before.” She pours us all more coffee.

  Marilyn and her mother look at each other in a silent knowing way.

  “I don’t know who she is but he’s a professor at State. Maybe she’s his wife. I don’t think I knew whether he was married.”

  Laurjean walks on with her coffee pot and we sip our coffee and Madam Norma leans in and whispers, “Here they come, don’t react.” Brock and the woman walk up to our table and stop.

  “Hi Hannah, saw you with Josh. Remember me from SFS? Good morning ladies,” he nods his head at Madam Norma and Marilyn. “I’m Brock Tricoult and this is my girlfriend, Bambi.”

  My head is swimming. Madam Norma, Marilyn and I don’t respond. Bambi, Sam’s ex wife is with his old boss? I’m shocked and sure my eyes grow like two Next Door Café saucers. Bambi looks like she did in the photo I saw at Sam’s. With her long straight dyed black hair and dark eyes like slits, whatever is attractive about her seems undetectable to me. Her arm is around Brock and I can’t speak. Then all of a sudden Josh is there. He stands behind me, hands on my shoulders.

  Bambi smiles deviously, “Well Hannah, we finally meet. You stole my ex. Remember him, Sam Blakley, your old lover, your professor? He was still married to me then or didn’t you know that? Maybe you liked that part of it. And you kept it a secret. I could’ve destroyed his career telling Brock here…wish I had now that I’ve met you!”

  My heart races, no one moves. It’s as if we’re struck by lightning but Josh says, “I think you need to leave now.” His hands tighten on my shoulders.

  Brock is clearly unnerved and says, “I apologize. Hannah, I didn’t know about you and Sam. I’m sorry.” He takes Bambi by the hand and practically pulls her away towards the door. She turns her head around and starts screaming, “I heard them say in line you found a fawn. I bet that’s my Grandpa’s fawn, he’s missing a fawn from his petting farm in Millersville. You stole that too, you bitch!” Brock practically drags her out of the restaurant. Everyone stares as they exit. I know they’re trying not to but a lot of people look my way. Thankful they left, I feel myself trembling.

  Madam Norma says, “That one will try to hurt you again but darlings, you can handle her…keep your distance.” She smiles at me and I try to smile back but can’t.

  Marilyn shudders, “Mother is always right about people and that one is dark, no heart if you ask me.”

  I get up in a daze, “Thank you for trying to help.” I give them each a hug.

  Josh thanks them too. We walk back to the table and
I can tell everyone is trying to act normal.

  We sit down. Katie, the cute little blond waitress who has a crush on Chris brings our pancakes.

  Josh says, “Thanks Katie, but can you bring us a box and the check? We’re going to eat these at home.”

  “Sure thing.” She darts off and I note Chris giving her a long look as she walks by him. My hands are shaking.

  Josh takes my hands in his. “I can’t believe that woman. I know you’re upset but an injured fawn couldn’t walk away from a farm by itself. We’ll drive out there and see just where this place is, how far away it is from where you found her. And I don’t care about the guy. Okay?”

  I nod as he continues, “Brock brings his dog to us. He lives up in Hillsboro. He said he saw you in line with me and wanted to say hello. If I had known what was going to happen I’d have stopped it.”

  He squeezes my hands.

  I can’t look at him so I focus on his plaid shirt. Oh God, I don’t want to talk about Sam. What a mess this is, but I need to tell him something at least.

  Finally meeting his gaze I calm down a bit. “I was in Sam Blakley’s creative writing class and we dated for awhile even though it could have caused him problems. We broke up when I wouldn’t move to New York with him. Bambi used to call the store constantly and hang up. Dad and Aunt Helen didn’t think dating him was a good idea. I was immature and didn’t know he was still married!”

  White tears come and I wipe them fast looking down. My hands are still shaking even in his big hands. Wouldn’t you know just when we’ve begun to reconnect, Sam would ruin my life again. “Do you think that Dawn is her grandfather’s?”

  “We’ll find out. Don’t worry. Bambi certainly is a vindictive person but let’s not let her spoil our day. Let’s go.” I nod as Katie brings the box and the check. He puts our pancakes in the box and pays her. Maybe the whole restaurant watches us leave but I don’t care. We stop and tell Meredith and Tony we’ll see them later. I can tell they’re very concerned. We practically jog home away from the restaurant. I want to jog away and keep going down the road to somewhere where there’s a life where you don’t have to keep secrets. What if we have to give Dawn back? Did Sam ever tell that dreadful Bambi what I told him? Why would he? I’m getting a feeling of foreboding having seen her. What else can go wrong?

  To: Hannah’s email@…..

  From: Sblakley’s email@…..

  My beautiful student, are we still on for lunch today?

  Call me…Sam

  It’s a balmy and sunny Monday. I’m sitting drinking my coffee out on the back porch watching Duke and Dawn play and old Louie putz around. The breeze is blowing from the sea and the smell of the crisp air urges me to breathe in and out slowly. We’re both getting off early today to drive up to the place I found Dawn then over to Millersville. Josh’s located the place he thinks is Bambi Blakley’s grandfather’s petting farm. He wants to take me up the coast to Pal’s Captains Inn in Hillsboro afterward to have a nice quiet dinner overlooking the ocean. I went there once with Sam. That was the night he told me he loved me. I for sure won’t tell Josh that one. And I admit I’m utterly freaked out about Bambi. My father is not worried. He encouraged me to think only good things today. Dad and my aunt had warned me about dating Sam but of course naïve me didn’t heed the advice. Josh reacted well but I wonder what he really thinks of me. Dating a married man and my professor no less wasn’t cool. This is all getting too interconnected. Sam is invading my life through Bambi and I’m worried. Thinking of dinner in Hillsboro, reminds me that Brock Tricoult lives there too, maybe with Bambi. What if we run into them? Meredith comes down her steps in her bathrobe holding Tuffy. She opens the side gate and puts the dog down, “We’ll have a real animal menagerie over here now,” she laughs. Duke and Dawn rush over.

  “Hey, girl,” I smile pretending to be happy. “How’re you feeling?”

  “Super, but I’m getting mucho big.” She sits down on the stoop.

  “You look terrific. I can’t wait for little Hannah. Aunt Helen’s already sewing everything pink she can think of. By the shower little Hannah will have a totally pink wardrobe!”

  “Good thing it’s not a boy. What would she do? Now tell me how are you’re holding up after seeing horrible Bambi? Are you okay?”

  “Not really. We’re driving up to see the petting farm today after work to see how far it is from where I found Dawn. I hated telling Josh about Sam. What a mess.”

  “I know but don’t worry, it’ll all work out. I have a feeling it will.”

  “Madam Norma said that too. Josh’s taking me to Pal’s Captains Inn tonight afterwards. Sam took me there for a romantic dinner once. Meredith, this is awful. I’m thinking maybe it’s getting too serious, too soon with Josh you know…..with Bambi and her accusations about Sam and then Dawn, it’s too much pressure. He’ll wonder what’s wrong with me.”

  “What?” she says. “You’re kidding right?”

  “No.”

  “Look Hannah, Josh is a great guy and he doesn’t care about who you dated in the past. Being one of the few who knew about Sam I should have talked you out of it. But hindsight is twenty-twenty like they say. Tony didn’t care that I went out with a few too many guys in college. He had a slew of girlfriends. Life happens, so go out to Pal’s and try to have a good time okay? So what if you went there with Sam. You’ll have new memories. That witch Bambi can’t hurt anything. ”

  “She does look like a witch doesn’t she? Do you think she’s pretty? Her hair is such a fake black.”

  “Uh, no,” laughs Meredith. I laugh for the first time in twenty four hours.

  Aunt Helen comes out of the door with cinnamon rolls. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but if someone looks like a witch she can’t be pretty. Pretty comes from the inside like you two girls, pretty inside and out.”

  “Aunt Helen, you and Mom were the beauties of the family. You were gorgeous in your wedding photos.”

  “Yes, you were.”

  “You girls are great kidders. Like I said it’s what’s inside that counts. Well I’ve got to go back to my soup.” She holds out the plate of rolls.

  I pat my stomach. “My jeans are tight and I’ve got to get ready for work.”

  “Me too,” says Meredith patting her belly but she can’t resist taking a roll anyway.

  My aunt kisses me on the cheek. “Hannah, don’t worry your pretty head one more minute about that Bambi woman okay?”

  “Okay Aunt Helen. I won’t.”

  “Have a great day my dears,” Aunt Helen returns to the house with the animals parading behind hoping for a crumb.

  “Hang in there,” Meredith says taking a bite. She gives me a hug then leaves through the gate for home, little Tuffy trailing behind.

  A twinge of fear creeps walking up the stairs with me. I glance at my tin angel imagining her waiting patiently for the western sun so she can shadow in one wing, then half, then a full angel shadow. If Sam told Bambi what I told him she would have said so yesterday wouldn’t she? She would’ve accused Dad in public. That didn’t happen so I need to stop worrying. Dad’s cover is still secure. I need to keep my mouth shut and stop freaking out. What would Josh think of this whole unbelievable reality? He’d probably think I’m crazy just like Sam did.

  In the shower I let the hot water wash my fears away. I daydream about magically flying above the town. It seems like a dream now that Mom ever watched us flying, a girl soaring with her angel father nearly high enough to touch the clouds. He’d take Mom flying too when I would stay nights with Aunt Helen. Mom told me it was the most exhilarating experience ever. “Who needs wings when you can fly with an angel, one who is the love of your life?” She accepted it without question that an angel had come to save her life. He caught her as she was about to walk in front of a car, escorted her home and virtually never left her. It was one of those love at first sight stories made more miraculous because a real angel fell in love with her. You could see the love in their fac
es when they looked at each other. It was meant to be. That’s what I’ve always wanted, a love rich and lasting like theirs.

  “Mom, be here now and please help me calm down.” Feeling a little better, whether thanks to Mom, or the peace of my apartment, I get dressed and go down the stairs with the cat scampering ahead. I wonder if Meredith was really right about Bambi not hurting me. Too bad her parents gave her that precious name. Boy, were they off! How about Vulture? That might have worked.

  To: Hannah’s email@…..

  From: Sblakley’s email@…..

  My beautiful Hannah, Pick you up at 6 to drive to Pal’s Captains Inn in Hillsboro…It’s the most romantic restaurant on the coast. I can sit across the table admiring you, and kiss you later… Wear the green dress I like. Sam

  It’s always a slow day on Monday. The sale addicts are nowhere to be seen and Taylor is enjoying the day off. I’ll close shop up early so I can get ready for Josh. I’m aimlessly straightening shelves and taking down Valentine signs, my mind flooded with ambiguous thoughts. Let’s face it, I’m lying to myself and Meredith and my aunt. I have every right to be worried.

  “Cool it,” I shake my head pushing away the dreaded feeling of exposure. Dad never blamed me for telling Sam. He has the forgiving way, the angel’s way. I wish I had more of that. I’m as imperfect and human as anybody else in the world. I start to fold some dog raincoats. The door flies open. Meredith, out of breath, stops and points.

  “What’s wrong?” I move quickly to her.

  “Turn on channel 5 quick. Sam is on a show to talk about his new book! The angel on the book cover looks like you!” Meredith points to the TV mounted on the wall. It takes me a second to register what she has just said.

  “What?” Everything seems like slow motion and the remote won’t go on fast enough to find the channel. Dad walks in, “Good morning, girls.” Bubbles hangs on his shoulder as usual. He stops when he sees what’s on the screen.

  “Welcome back, I’m speaking to author Samuel L. Blakley about his romantic first novel, “My California Angel.” Samuel, tell us more about this love story. “