by Ashley Quinn
“I’m glad the food arrived,” He greeted them with a broad smile. He nodded at the trays of ballpark appetizers along the countertop. “Whoo-eee, I can’t wait to get some of those tacos in my mouth!”
Tiffany snorted with uncontrollable laughter and London immediately pinched her wrist. “They do look delicious,” she agreed with a forced smile. “Excuse me, we’ll be right back.”
London pushed Tiffany into the tiny bathroom and closed the door behind them. “What is the matter with you?” She whispered loudly. “In case you’ve forgotten, you’re stuck in a box with Dad and a bunch of his executives until this game is over. You have to drink some water and pull it together.”
Tiffany’s head fell back as she giggled. “I’m stuck in a box and I’m not even a lesbian.”
London rolled her eyes. “Are you happy?” She continued. “You got the obligatory lesbian joke out of the way. You have to get a grip.”
Tiffany tried to speak but dissolved into a fit of nonsensical laughter.
London wasn’t amused. “You can’t go back out there.”
A knock on the door quieted both of them. “Are you girls okay?” Vince called through the door. “The game is almost over. Rangers are up by two.”
London glanced at Tiffany and noticed her smile had disappeared. Her pupils were still large and her face was turning a pale shade of green. “Are you okay?” She whispered.
Tiffany shook her head quickly. “No, I’m really nauseated.”
“Girls?” Vince knocked on the door again. “Is everything all right?”
“Just hold it,” London commanded. “I’ll get you some water.”
Tiffany shook her head again. “I don't think I can hold it. It’s coming up, it’s...”
London cracked the bathroom door with a smile. “Dad!”
He glanced quizzically at the slumped-over form behind her. “Tiffany?”
Her head shot up. “London...” she mumbled and then the vomit was everywhere on the shining ceramic tile of the bathroom floor.
London jumped out of the way and quickly shut the bathroom door in Vince’s face. “She’s not feeling well, Dad,” she called.
“Food poisoning?” He asked through the door.
London stopped short. “Food poisoning?” She whispered to no one in particular. “Really, Dad?”
“You’ll have to ask her when she’s feeling better,” London finally called back. She hated to lie.
I’m not covering for this she told herself silently. Tiffany needs help.
“Okay,” Vince replied easily. “The game is almost over and we’ll head straight home.”
London listened to his retreating footsteps and cupped her hands over her mouth and nose. The bathroom reeked of sour vomit. Tiffany stared at the floor as a single tear snaked out the corner of her eye.
I shouldn't have taken Holly’s call London thought guiltily. I knew Tiffany wouldn’t stay put and she’d go back to the bar. I can’t leave her like this.
“Come on,” London finally said between her fingers. She nudged Tiffany’s palm with her foot. “Let’s get this cleaned up. Then I’m taking you to the car myself to sleep it off.”
Tiffany blinked. “You’ll sit with me in the car? While I try to sleep it off, I mean. Could you stay with me?”
London looked at her sister for a long moment. She nodded and swallowed hard. “Of course, Tiff. I’ll stay with you.”
---
Later that evening, after she had helped Tiffany into bed, London sat by the pool. She had rolled her jeans up to her knees and dipped her feet into the warm, still water. As it lapped gently at her calves, she ran a hand through her hair and pulled it into a messy ponytail.
Nearly midnight and it’s still at least 85 degrees out here she thought. She lay on her back and stared up at the vast night sky twinkling through the pool fencing. Dozens of stars blinked back at her. Her mind wandered from the worry that chewed at her for her sister to her confusion about the promotion and finally settled on Natalie.
Her life is so different from mine she thought. But that’s one of the reasons I like her so much. Her heart is as big as her smile. Could I ask her to leave everything she’s ever known? She swallowed hard as she tried to picture Natalie living in Chicago, being part of the fast-paced bustle and blending with the loudness of the streets and the chaos of the city. She couldn’t quite imagine it. I could never take her away from Mission Bakery she thought. That place is her heart and soul. That leaves me with no choice. Do I stay? Could I give up my job at W.H. Young, the one consistent thing I’ve had over the years, and my life in Chicago for this?
As she took a deep, relaxing breath and implored the stars for guidance, it didn’t seem like the most outlandish idea. The hot stillness of the night air surrounded her like an invisible blanket and the water tickled softly against her bare legs. This feels good she thought lazily. I could almost forget every...
Just then, the patio door slid open and a figure strode to a nearby chaise. London sat up quickly, her reverie broken. Vince smiled and gave her a short wave.
“I didn’t know you were still out here,” he spoke. “You seem deep in thought.”
London sighed. “Something like that.”
“You’ve come to the right spot,” he replied. “The pool deck is one of my favorite places to come when I need to decompress.”
London glanced at her father. His eyes were on the water as he spoke and his mind seemed miles away. Maybe now is a good time to say something about Tiffany she thought. But how do I bring that up? Say ‘I’ve noticed in the short time I’ve been here that your daughter is a drug addict, how do you not see that?’ What if Tiffany hates me for ratting her out and never forgives me?
“Dad, how soon do you think you’ll retire?” She blurted out. “You should be home more.”
Vince smiled again. “That’s the idea,” he replied slowly. “It’s going to happen sooner than later. In the next couple of years. Maybe less.”
“I think, you know, that Tiffany needs someone,” London went on. “It doesn’t seem like she has many friends around here. Good ones, at least. And she doesn’t seem very close to Diane.”
Vince laughed humorlessly. “It’s a miracle she even maintains a relationship with her at all.”
London was momentarily silenced by her father’s rare candor. She traced her fingertip along the blue tiled edge of the pool. “Was it a bad divorce?”
Vince scratched his nose as he appeared to ponder that. “Are there ever any good ones?” He countered and then sighed. “Diane wanted a lot of things in life. She wanted a comfortable lifestyle, a beautiful home, lots of spending money. She wanted to attend society events, charity galas and she loved the annual Margarita Ball. But one thing she didn’t like was working at anything, even when it came to relationships. Ours had been deteriorating for a while, but I buried my head in the sand and ignored how unhappy we were. It was easy with the demands and travel required at the company.”
“I throw myself into work when I’m unhappy too,” London replied after a moment. “It just seems like Tiffany doesn’t have anything. Or anyone.”
“Her mother had all sorts of ideas for her when she was younger,” Vince continued. “I think she thought Tiffany would be a mini version of herself. They’d go shopping, get their nails done, plan charity events, that sort of thing. But Tiffany is the opposite of her, really. She was always interested in different cultures, countries and learning about the world around her. Diane just never understood her. Instead of allowing her to develop into her own person, she gave up on Tiffany. I’m much closer to her than Diane is.”
If you only knew. “I think she’s lost,” London replied. “She’s crying out for help. You two may be closer, but you travel all the time.”
“Has she mentioned these concerns to you?” Vince asked as he furrowed his brow.
London took a deep breath. “Well no, but her actions speak louder than words. She was happy overseas, b
ut now she’s back and she doesn’t know what to do with herself or where to go in life.”
“She’s a free spirit, London,” Vince replied gently. “Things like traditional schooling or business never interested her in the slightest. She’s at a confusing age and I think she’s feeling the pressure of having to decide on a career path. I’m trying to be patient with her and let her figure out what she really wants. After all, I never had that luxury. There was no question in my family that both my brother and I would take over Foster Holdings.”
He really doesn’t have a clue about Tiffany’s problems London thought with a sigh. Suddenly, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything more about the issues her sister faced. Today was draining. I’m exhausted.
“Do you ever wish you had done something else?” She asked, half-expecting her father to pretend he hadn’t heard her question.
Instead, he shrugged and gazed at the water for a moment. “Doesn’t much matter now,” he answered honestly. “But I always wanted you and Tiffany to do whatever it is that your heart calls you to.”
What if my heart is calling me to a person? London wondered. A kind and beautiful person who owns a bakery and a food truck? What then?
“I’m going away for the weekend,” she said after a moment. “I’m spending the weekend in Haskell with someone I’ve been spending some time with here. She and her family were kind enough to invite me to join them for a barbecue and it...it means a lot to me. Just keep an eye on Tiffany, okay? Especially after I...” her voice trailed off lamely.
After I leave she finished silently. Why is it so hard to say now?
“She?” Vince raised his eyebrows and shot her a knowing glance. “All right, sweetheart. I hope you have a good time. I’m sure Tiffany will be fine.”
London stood, shaking the water from her legs, and padded across the patio. She paused for a moment in the sliding glass door and stole another glance at her father. I think that’s the first time he’s ever called me sweetheart.
“Good night, Dad,” she said. She waited as he met her eyes and then she smiled.
“Sleep well,” he replied. “‘Night, sweetheart.”
CHAPTER 16
Exactly two days later, London rolled down the window of Natalie’s Ford F150 as they flew over the back roads of Texas. She dangled her hand out the window, palm facing the wind, and took in the scenery around her. The long, single-lane farm highway stretched for miles ahead and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
London stole a glance at Natalie from behind her sunglasses. Her left hand rested atop the steering wheel while her right hand held half an Oreo. She tried very hard to keep her thoughts P.G. as Natalie’s tongue darted between her lips to lick some of the cream from the chocolate cookie. London shifted in her seat and took in the desolate ranch road.
I feel as though I can see for miles in every direction she thought incredulously. They had passed through a few small, dusty towns along the way. Tall white wind turbines, their distinct three blades casting long shadows over the ground, loomed further from the road.
“Oreo?” Natalie’s voice cut through her thoughts.
London smiled at the open package Natalie offered to her, but she shook her head. “No, thank you,” she replied.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Natalie commented as she set the package between them. “Is everything okay? I promise I’ll try to make sure you have a good time this weekend.”
London laughed. “That’s not it at all,” she quickly reassured her. She reached over the Oreos and squeezed Natalie’s hand. “I’ve been looking forward to this time together. I’m just trying to take it all in.”
Natalie wrinkled her nose and glanced out the driver’s side window. “Take what in?” She asked. “There’s nothing but ranches, farms and little towns that never progressed past 1950’s.”
London laughed again. “I didn’t know places like this still exist,” she replied. “The scenery looks like something out of an old Western movie. I’ve never been anywhere like this in my life.”
Natalie smiled and rested her hand on London’s thigh. The casual gesture made her swallow hard. She was sure the heat from Natalie’s palm would sear a hole right through her jeans. It’s like she already sees me as hers she thought. I never wanted to be anybody’s but my own. But now? Even though it’s old-fashioned, I sort of...like the idea of belonging to somebody. Well, not just somebody. Natalie.
“It’s fun to see what you see,” Natalie admitted. “To me, this is an old, boring farm road that I’ve driven hundreds of times before. But with you, it’s something new and exciting.”
Natalie took her hand from London’s thigh and fiddled with the radio. The station had gone out a few miles back and left them with static. She twisted the dial until something finally came through the airwaves. “Sorry, it’s country music,” she went on sheepishly. “I don’t mind it, but I’m sure you’re not used to it. Unfortunately, I think this is just about all we’re going to get out here.”
“I don’t mind,” London replied confidently. “It’s...fitting.”
Natalie giggled. “I guess it is,” she conceded. “I have some C.D.s somewhere in the back. Mostly classic rock, though. A lot of Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones...”
“You like Fleetwood Mac?” London asked incredulously. “They’re one of my all-time favorite bands. My mom was a huge fan, she played their music all the time when I was growing up. I’ve always wanted to see them live.”
Natalie’s cheeks colored slightly. “They’re one of my favorite bands too,” she replied in slight surprise. “I know most people our age don’t know them very well. Ever since Jane took me to a concert when I was thirteen, I’ve been in love with them. Granted, we were in the nosebleeds but it was still an amazing experience.”
“I can imagine,” London agreed excitedly. “They are easily one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Hands down.”
“Definitely,” Natalie started with a quick nod. She opened her mouth and then paused as London’s eyes suddenly widened.
“Oh my God, that man is flying!” London interrupted in shock. She did a full 180-degree turn in the passenger’s seat and winced as the belt cut into her ribcage. “Natalie, that guy is flying!”
Natalie eased her foot over the brake and looked at London as though she had grown a second head. “What?”
London pointed silently. “I...I don’t know what else to call it,” she went on excitedly. “He’s just...flying.”
Natalie leaned over the steering wheel and followed London’s finger. She burst into laughter. “He’s crop dusting,” she replied through her giggles. “That’s all.”
“That looks so dangerous!” London exclaimed in awe. “He could fall at any minute. How can he just hang on a rope like that over that field? I’d be terrified I’d fall, or the wind would be too strong...”
Natalie’s laughter was infectious and soon London was giggling too. “I’m not crazy,” she insisted. She crossed her arms and tried to keep a straight face. “He’s flying.”
“He’s spraying insecticide onto his crops to protect them from bugs and animals. Most people out here are born into farming. It’s probably been a part of his family for generations,” Natalie tried to explain.
“That,” London continued as she paused and aimed her phone through the window. “Is the craziest thing I think I have ever seen.” She bit the tip of her tongue in concentration as she carefully zoomed in on the farmer and snapped a photo. “And I’m from Chicago. I’d probably pee my pants if I was up there.”
Natalie grinned. “So the tough and mysterious London Foster admits she’s afraid of something,” she teased. “Not a fan of heights?”
London shook her head. “Not at all,” she confirmed. “And I am not tough and mysterious.”
“Uh-huh,” Natalie replied dryly. She slipped her fingers between London’s. “And that’s okay. I know you’ve been through a lot and I know I’ve broken down a lot more of those walls than
most. But I’m telling you right now that I’m going to break through them all,” she paused and shot a shy smile at her. “As long as you don’t keep anything from me. Deal?”
London leaned back against the headrest and watched Natalie for a long moment. I have to tell her about the promotion she realized as her stomach did a nervous flip. But what if she stops seeing me? I don’t want to let her go.
“Okay,” she murmured with a smile. She lifted Natalie’s hand to her lips and kissed the soft skin between her thumb and index finger. “Do you always have this effect on people? Or am I just the lucky one?”
Natalie blushed. “I told you that day we were at the park,” she replied. “Different is good.”
London gazed out the window, their hands still intertwined. I’m worlds away from W.H. Young, Chicago and everything I’ve ever known she realized. And Natalie is right. This feels right. Sitting next to her and holding her hand feels right in ways I don’t fully understand.
“Here’s Haskell,” Natalie announced proudly. She slowed her truck to a respectable 35 miles per hour as they entered the town limits and the farm road became First Street. A modest blue and white sign greeted them. Black plastic letters spelled out “Pray For Rain” just beneath the simple script announcing the town.
London looked around slowly. The small downtown area consisted of aged brick buildings with faded awnings reaching over a narrow, cracked sidewalk. Most of the downtown businesses were shuttered, with the exception of a pharmacy, a jewelry store and a tiny dive bar. They rolled slowly past a square brick building with an attached garage. A sign posted in front of it noted that it was the city hall. Old air conditioning units dangled precariously from each window of the building.
“Wow,” London murmured as she craned her neck this way and that. “I’ve only ever read about places like this.”
A small red and white sign with a large arrow advertised local church services and pointed down a wide side street. An image of a man kneeling before a cross, his hat in his hands and his saddled horse behind him, was below the words “Cowboy Church.”