by Curry, Edna
***
When he awoke near midnight, he called the hospital and was told Renee was doing fine, and was sleeping.
He felt starved, and realized he’d had very little to eat in the last twenty-four hours. He went downstairs to the hotel restaurant. Although it was a Friday night, there were still a lot of people in the bar and even in the pool.
He wondered if Lisa had been upset to find him gone when she awoke this morning. It was much too late at night to call her now. But he would—the first thing in the morning. He owed her that courtesy, at least. After all, he thought, Lisa hadn’t really deceived him. He’d never asked about her finances, and she hadn’t volunteered. Why should she?
But how could he have been so blind? He certainly knew how to pick women who had expensive tastes.
He found a table and a paper to read. A young, pert waitress came to take his order and looked at him with distaste. Trace was used to a decidedly more friendly attitude from girls, and felt irritated until he realized he must look a mess. Even Sandra had noticed he hadn’t shaved, and her parents had treated him like a bum.
But, of course, that was Sandra’s parents’ usual opinion of him anyway. They had treated him that way even when he had worn a tuxedo to one of their fancy parties. He ignored the waitress’ wrinkled nose, ordered a big breakfast and buried his face behind his newspaper until it arrived.
***
The next morning, he put away another meal just like it, to the surprise of the same waitress. She treated him much better this morning, when he looked freshly groomed, which improved his mood considerably.
Feeling much better with a full stomach, he dug out his phone card and rang Lisa, but there was no answer. Irritated, he thought, why didn’t she buy an answering machine along with all the other expensive stuff she’d added to Gram’s house?
He shrugged and stopped at the hotel gift shop and bought one of Renee’s favorite author’s new books, hoping she would soon be feeling well enough to read it.
At the hospital, he was relieved to find Renee’s condition much improved.
Later Renee’s boyfriend, Mark, a handsome dark haired young man, arrived to see her, looking sheepish and carrying a big bouquet of flowers in one hand. His other arm was in a sling. He greeted her with a kiss, and stood holding her hand beside the bed. Renee introduced him to her father with a great deal of pride in her voice.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Mark?” she asked, looking him over with a loving gaze.
Mark stroked her hand and kissed her again. “I’m fine, Renee. You’re the one we’re all worried about.”
Trace felt an unreasoning jealousy on seeing his daughter’s obvious love for this handsome young man. Reminding himself that at twenty-one she was no longer a child, he excused himself to allow them some time alone. “I’ll go down to the cafeteria for some lunch. I’ll see you later.”
Renee sent him a grateful glance. “Thanks, Daddy.”
She’s a young woman now, he scolded himself. Let her live her own life.
As he ate his lonely lunch, he stared into his coffee cup, soberly reflecting on his own future. He hadn’t been doing so well with his relationships. It’s time that I start living my own life, too. Time to shake off the hang-ups of my past. If I don’t want to live the rest of my life alone, I’d better start mending my ways. Loving the people in my life is more important than how any of us spends our money. He flushed, remembering Lisa had told him straight out that she was spending her own money. He had no right to force his ideas on her.
***
When Lisa opened her eyes Friday morning, it was already daylight. She brought her arms up to stretch, and realized she was naked under the covers. Their lovemaking came back to her in a rush, and with a smile, she turned to look at Trace. But the pillow beside her was empty. Trace was gone.
She threw back the comforter and sat up, looking for him. The bathroom door was open, so she could see that he wasn’t in there. Then she realized she could smell fresh coffee brewing. Trace had obviously gone downstairs. She slipped her nightgown back on, grabbed a robe, and stuck her feet into slippers.
Catching a glimpse of herself in the dresser mirror, she realized her long dark hair was tousled from their lovemaking. She quickly picked up her hairbrush. A few vigorous strokes brought it back to its usual shiny waves. She smiled at the obvious pleasure still written on her face, laid down the hairbrush and ran lightly downstairs.
“Trace?” she called as she stepped into the kitchen. “Why didn’t you wake m—” She stopped in dismay at the sight of her brother standing in her kitchen drinking a cup of coffee. “Sam? What are you doing here?”
“Morning, Sis. I still have a key, since I own half of this place, remember? Want some coffee?” Sam’s brown eyes narrowed in suspicion as he took in her nightclothes and lack of make-up. “Did you say, Trace? What would he be doing here?”
Lisa blushed, and didn’t answer. Instead she went to pour herself a cup of coffee.
“Well, well, well!” A wide grin spread across Sam’s face. “So that was the reason you came to Gram’s house. Big sister lost no time in renewing her acquaintance with the football hero, eh? You always did cotton to that big guy. I didn’t even know you knew he had moved back here.”
Lisa snapped around to face her brother, a furious frown creasing her forehead. “I didn’t know he’d moved back here until I got here and he came over. I told you, I came here to get away from the impossible situation in St. Cloud. Those kids were driving me up the wall.”
Sam held up one hand to ward off her anger and sat down at the table. “Okay, I believe you. I told you more than once you were a fool to let Bob and Jodi move back home when they could afford their own places. You were too soft on them.”
Lisa sighed and nodded. She knew Sam was right. When they’d first moved back home, she had assumed they would soon tire of living with her, and would leave again as soon as their father died and things settled back to normal. But it hadn’t happened. They’d shown no signs of leaving and even resisted her direct efforts to force them out. So why did she feel so guilty for making them grow up when it had been long past time for them to do so?
“But you’re still letting them put a guilt trip on you, aren’t you, Lisa? They never would have learned to stand on their own two feet if you had kept paying the bills and being their maid, to boot!”
Lisa covered her face in defeat. “Okay, enough already with the lectures. I know all that.”
“Yeah, well, then why did you do it?”
She looked at him and shrugged, then got up and refilled both their cups.
He sputtered in protest at her action. “See what I mean? Look what you just did. I can get my own damn coffee.”
Lisa laughed ruefully and sat down across from him. “I’m sure you could, little brother. I do it out of habit; I didn’t mean to offend you. I’m trying to reform, and not be everybody’s caretaker, really I am.”
Sam looked disbelieving.
She tried a change of subject. “You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here. I thought you told me you haven’t come to Gram’s house in years.”
“Yeah, I know. But I got to thinking.” He tossed her an uncomfortable glance. “You know money’s kinda tight for Barb and me right now, with the hospital bills for the new baby and all. I wondered if you’d consider selling this house.”
Sell this house? Where they’d spent their teen years after their parents had died, and where it seemed so many memories were enclosed in these walls? Well, she’d wanted to be free of the past, free of responsibilities, hadn’t she?
No, she couldn’t give up this house. The St. Cloud house had been different. She and Bill had inherited that old monstrosity from Bill’s parents and it had always seemed more theirs than hers. Bill had been willing to spend the money for its upkeep because it meant a lot to him, but she had no qualms about parting with it.
Suddenly it struck her that she was thinking just what B
ob and Jodi had said about the house in St. Cloud. With sadness, she saw clearly why they’d felt that way about it. That house had held their childhood memories just as this one held hers. But while she couldn’t afford to keep that house, she could afford this one.
“But, Sam, if you’re worrying about the cost of the carpeting and drapes, I told you I would pay for them myself.”
“No, Lisa, that’s not it. It’s just the taxes and insurance on this house are an extra expense. You know, Barbara and I are too busy at home to ever come here anyway.”
Lisa recognized the stubborn set to his jaw and knew she was not going to change his mind. She sipped her coffee and chewed her lip thoughtfully. “Sam,” she said, making up her own mind, “Why don’t I just buy your half? I need a place to live, and this house is perfect.”
Sam looked up in surprise. “Are you sure you don’t want to go back to St. Cloud? I mean, what about your job?”
“My job was just a temporary one, and it ended before I left. I would have to look for something new anyway.”
A wide grin spread across Sam’s face, and he exclaimed, “Great!”
They agreed to get an appraisal of the current value of the house, and accept half of that as the selling price. Sam would have their family lawyer draw up the papers.
A warm glow of peace and contentment filled Lisa at the realization her future was here in Mankato, close to Trace. She was so lucky. ”Want some breakfast, Sam?”
“No, I’d better get back to Barbara. She likes some help with the boys on my few days off, you know. They’re a handful.” He stood and carried his cup to the sink.
“I’m sure they are. But so lovable. Give them a hug for me, will you?”
“Sure, thing, Sis. When are you coming up to see us?”
“Soon. Tell Barbara I’ll call first.” Lisa walked him to the door and gave him a hug and kiss good-bye. She was pleased with Sam’s proposal, but she couldn’t wait for him to leave so that she could try to phone Trace.
When there was no answer, she went to the window to look for Trace’s car. The street in front of his house where his familiar blue Buick usually sat was empty. He’d probably had an early class. They’d been too wrapped up in making love to discuss what his schedule was for today.
She frowned, looking at his closed garage and wondering if he’d put his car in it. He usually didn’t, but maybe this time he had.
It was a beautiful spring day. Perhaps he’d gone out on an errand, or out for a game of golf. After all, he didn’t owe her an explanation of his whereabouts.
But why had he left her bed without a word after such a wonderful night of love? A painful thought occurred to her. Had it been so important only to her?
She went to the refrigerator for some eggs to make breakfast, but found none. It was time to do some shopping. She remembered she also had a swimming date with Susie at one. After making do with toast for her breakfast, she went upstairs to shower and dress.
***
Trace’s car was still not there when she returned late in the afternoon, and his house was dark. Lisa frowned, uneasy now, again wondering where he had gone.
She spent the evening at her computer, writing, but found herself wandering to the kitchen for a cup of tea or a snack every hour or so, and looking out the windows at Trace’s house on her way. His house stayed dark and his car didn’t appear.
She slept fitfully, and when she’d heard nothing by morning, she went out to her yard to work on her flower beds. She told herself she didn’t care if Trace disappeared without a word. He certainly had no need to tell her his whereabouts. It was no concern of hers if his car had not returned. Today was Saturday. He had a right to go somewhere for the weekend without telling her, didn’t he?
She stretched, staring at his house. It looked empty and forlorn, or was that only her imagination working overtime? Jenny didn’t come on weekends, so Lisa couldn’t even ask her if she knew where Trace had gone. She had the oddest feeling that something was wrong, and then told herself that it was only her own wishful thinking. She wanted Trace to have a good reason for not calling her. She didn’t want to think he had just gone off for a fun weekend as though their lovemaking had not been important. It was too important to her for that thought to be tolerable.
As Lisa pulled weeds, her mind lazily slid back over the way they’d made love on Thursday night. The man certainly had a way about him. She loved the way he kissed, the way his lips moved over her body, up and down her bare skin, his sensuous caresses, like the soft touch of silk sliding over her breasts, like silky fur sliding over skin. Her memories were so vivid that she could feel it like it was really happening right now.
It was. ”Yikes,” she yelped, jumping up. Her heart racing, she looked down. “Baby. You almost scared me out of my socks. Where did you come from?”
Baby just looked up at Lisa, rubbing herself against Lisa’s leg in a begging manner, much like she had done the first night Lisa had arrived. Only this time, Baby wasn’t soaking wet, and it was a warm spring day.
Lisa sighed, and picked her up. “Did Trace leave you outside? Honestly, he’s in trouble now, with two females mad at him. Are you hungry, Baby? Come on inside, I think there’s a can of cat food left in my cupboard.”
She opened the can and Baby downed the food in hungry gulps, and then drank thirstily from the dish of water Lisa gave her.
Lisa frowned. It was nothing unusual for Baby to have sneaked outside when Trace left. But he was always so responsible. She couldn’t see him leaving for several days without making sure Baby was provided with a safe place to stay, and at least dry cat food and water.
Something didn’t add up, here. Was Trace sick? Or hurt? She imagined him lying dead of a heart attack at his desk with no one around to notice, until she remembered that his car was missing. It was missing, wasn’t it?
Impulsively she ran outside and peered through his garage window, but his car was not there.
Stop being foolish. He’s probably off on a fun weekend, and just forgot the cat. Everybody forgets once in a while. He’s a professor, isn’t he? He’s got a right to be absent minded. It’s how professors are supposed to be.
But not Trace. It doesn’t fit.
She sighed and fixed herself some lunch, then sat back down at her computer to work on her book. Baby curled up on the plush carpet beside her feet, purring, as if to thank Lisa for being there when she needed her.
When at last the phone rang, she grabbed it before it had finished the first ring, and almost wept with relief when she heard Trace’s voice.
“You have to get an answering machine, Lisa,” he told her. “I’ve called a half dozen times since yesterday without getting an answer. Where have you been?”
“I guess I was out most of yesterday, and I’ve been working on my yard today. I can’t hear the phone out there. Why? What’s wrong?” How dare he disappear, and then ask where she had been? Where had he been? She swallowed and tried for a polite tone. “I mean, why were you calling?”
“I’m in Chicago. Renee was injured in a car accident,” he said, and told her about Sandra’s frantic call and his hurried trip to be with Renee.
She immediately forgave him. “Oh, Trace, I’m sorry. How is she?”
“Much better now, but it was touch and go for a while. She had to have surgery to repair some internal damage.”
“I was imagining all sorts of bad things,” she admitted. “I thought it must have been something upsetting, since you left Baby outside.”
“Baby! Good Lord, I forgot all about her. Is she okay?”
“Yes. I was weeding my flowerbeds, and she came over. Luckily, it’s no longer cold at night, so she’s fine. She’s here, laying on the carpet beside me at my desk.”
“You’re a life saver, Lisa. Can you keep her ‘til Monday? Jenny will be there then to take care of her. I had a substitute take my Friday and Monday classes, so if Renee’s doing all right, I’ll probably be back Monday afternoon. See yo
u then.”
She hung up and turned back to her work, but her mind kept straying to Trace. He hadn’t said a word about their last night together. But then, he was upset about his daughter. She was expecting too much. Besides, she didn’t want any relationship with ties and responsibilities, did she? She had just gotten free and she was going to stay that way. So why was she trying to make a big deal out of it, if he wanted to cool it?
Early the next afternoon, she was again at her computer when the doorbell rang.
When Lisa opened the door, she gasped in pleasure. “Trace! I thought you weren’t getting back until tomorrow.”
“Hi, Lisa. Renee was much better, so I decided to come home early. The only connecting flights from Minneapolis were either early this afternoon or very late tonight. So I took the early one.”
“Come in.” She took his jacket, hung it in the hall closet, and led the way into the living room, asking, “Have you had lunch?” When he nodded, she added, “Coffee, then?”
Trace reached for her and turned her into his arms. “The only thing I want is you, Lisa. God, I missed you.” He kissed her hungrily, then nuzzled her neck.
She breathed in his wonderfully familiar scent, snuggling against his broad chest. “I missed you, too, Trace. Tell me all about this sudden trip to Chicago.”
“Later. First, I need to make sure my memory hasn’t been playing tricks on me. I seem to remember a very nice mound here, soft and warm and—” He trailed kisses down her throat and slid a hand under her soft blue sweatshirt. “Oh, I like this!” he exclaimed, discovering that she was bare except for a silk camisole.
Lisa blushed. “I like to be comfortable around the house.”
“Mm, I love it.” He sat down on the sofa, pulling her down onto his lap. Then he pushed her sweatshirt up and teased and tasted her breasts until she squirmed in pleasure. Her resolve to maintain some distance in their relationship slid away as his caresses caused her insides to soften and flutter in response.
She opened her mouth to receive his searching tongue and tasted him in return.