by Patricia Fry
Savannah shook her head.
Craig cleared his throat. “Well, we did some checking and we believe this girl’s on the run. If she’s the same girl, she went to the islands for a cheerleading camp with her college last spring and never made it home. They think she hooked up with a bad-news dude named Kale. When he went to jail, charged with the gruesome torture death of an island man, she found herself pregnant and alone.”
“Her parents must be frantic. Why doesn’t she go home?” Iris asked.
“According to the island police, her parents believe it’s because of their religion. They think she’s ashamed to come home.”
“Gosh, what a mess that kid has made of her young life. I hope she can clean up her act before she brings a child into it,” Savannah said.
“Speaking of making a mess of one’s life,” Craig said, rather quietly, “what do you think about what’s going on with Colbi and her brother?”
“Oh, that jerk,” Savannah said. She grimaced. “I guess I shouldn’t say that. I mean, he may be a very nice guy, but not when he’s on drugs. I hate to think of how he’s hurting Colbi. She wants family so badly that she’s willing to overlook his…problems.”
“She has a family just waiting to accept her,” Iris said. “Damon’s ready to marry her. Heck, we already think of her as part of our family. If she’d only say yes to my son.”
Savannah nodded. “But she won’t as long as she thinks Harrison needs her and as long as Damon disagrees with the way she’s handling the situation.”
“That young man’s just about a hair’s breadth away from finding himself in jail again,” Craig said.
“You mean Damon or Harrison?” Savannah asked.
“Harrison, of course.”
“I sure hope not,” Savannah said, “for Colbi’s sake.”
****
“Thanks for dinner,” Michael said as the two couples stepped out of the diner into the chill of the night a little while later.
“Do you have time for a nightcap at our place?” Craig asked. “Or we could walk down to the Second Street Lounge, if you’d like.” He patted Michael on the back. “You can spring for drinks.”
The Iveys looked at one another and he said, “Your aunt has probably put Lily to bed by now. Yeah, I guess we could…if you want to, hon.”
Savannah nodded. “Sure. I’m not ready to go home.” She laughed. “I feel like I’m still on vacation.”
The two couples had found a booth in the lounge and ordered their drinks when Craig leaned toward Iris. “Isn’t that Colbi’s brother?”
“Where?” she asked, looking around.
“He’s coming this way.” As they watched, Craig said, “Looks like he and his buddy are taking the booth behind us.”
“Yeah, that’s him,” Iris said. She grinned at Savannah. “He’s a handsome dude, isn’t he?”
“What?” she asked.
“Colbi’s brother. Don’t you think he’s handsome? As you younger people say, hot?”
“I guess so,” Savannah said, unenthusiastically.
Michael winked playfully at his wife and said across the table, “She dated him.”
“You did?” Iris asked, her eyes lighting up. She raised her hand for a high five, saying, “You go, girl!”
“Shhh,” Craig said. “Listen, he’s really on a roll.”
Savannah and Michael both strained to tune into the conversation in the next booth.
They heard Harrison say, “Yeah, I’ve got it made on easy street. My long-lost sister has rules, but you know me, I don’t do rules. I do what I want.” He snickered. “I call her the warden.”
They heard his tablemate ask, “So what are the rules?”
“I have to look for a job every day,” he said, snickering.
“And are you doing that?”
“Sure I am. While I’m walking around town drinking beer and smoking pot, I’m looking at people doing their jobs.”
Both men roared.
Harrison lowered his voice. “I found me a real good thing last week—awww man, she’s sweet. But I’m afraid she comes with rules and chains and all that stuff, too.”
“Is that the little dark-haired chick you were with a couple days ago? Yeah, she seemed cool—like she has it together. So what’s the problem?” his friend asked.
“She wants to start a new life, know what I mean? Heck, I like the life I’ve created here. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, money for booze…”
“Yeah, when you steal it.”
Both men laughed loudly.
“And I got all the time in the world to do whatever I want, when I want. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?”
“So what are you going to do about the ‘sweet thing?’”
“Shit, I don’t know. I mean, she’s getting under my skin, I have to admit that. But we just don’t want the same stuff.”
“Hey, I’m some older than you are, Harrison, and I have to tell ya, you can change your mind. And you should change your mind while you can. You hang around in this life too long and it consumes you. You know Frankie, don’t you? And Slimy and The Hog…how do you think they got so, well, so freaky lookin’ and spunkless?”
“Yeah, I know ‘em. How?”
“By staying in this life too long. Buddy, you’ve probably lived the best years out here doin’ your thing. It’s time you climbed out of this rut and actually did something with your life.”
“Like you?” Harrison asked, roaring with laughter.
The other man spoke more quietly. “I had the chance once and didn’t take it. I wanted the high too much. What I didn’t realize was the high is temporary. The low was what I lived with day in and day out and so do you—don’t deny it. You live for the highs, but they don’t last. You aim for the highs, but all you’re accomplishing is mellow—which translates into lazy, no-good, accomplishing absolutely nothin’. That’s me; that’s you. I blew my chance for something different. Don’t do the same.”
The two couples in the next booth sat stunned when the conversation stopped. “Is he actually thinking about what his friend said?” Iris asked in a whisper.
Savannah shrugged. “Could be. For Colbi’s sake, I sure hope so.”
Craig held up his hand to silence her when he saw Harrison scoot out of the booth and stand. They heard him say to his friend, “Hey, I have a job to do tonight. Better get to it.” Speaking more quietly, he said, “If I do it up right, I might get lucky.” He paused, then turned toward the other man. “Why don’t you come with me, Moss? You could use a little action, couldn’t you? The job could be rather interesting. Come on, man, for old time’s sake.”
“Oh, why not?” the man named Moss said, easing out of the booth and following Harrison through the door.
Savannah sighed. “Well, there go our hopes for him and Colbi.”
“He said he’s going to a job,” Michael pointed out.
“No, Michael,” Iris explained, “he said he’s going to do a job.”
“Yeah, big difference,” Savannah said. “He probably plans to do another jewelry heist.”
“Another one?” Craig said. “Has he done that before?”
“Uh,” Savannah hesitated, “…well, we’re pretty sure he took our house key out of Colbi’s purse and used it to steal some of my jewelry.”
“Dang,” Craig said. “That’s not good. How’d you figure out it was him? Fingerprints? Did the neighbors see him?”
“Well, Rags…”
“Oh no, don’t tell me,” Craig said. “The cat? Really?”
“Yeah, he found my jewelry under Harrison’s bed at Colbi’s house. Harrison blamed Colbi—said she must have done it, she had the key.”
“Did you press charges?” Craig asked.
Savannah thinned her lips. When Craig frowned a little at her, she said, “Well, I just didn’t want to make Colbi’s life any more complicated. I got my jewelry back.”
“Did you change your locks?” C
raig asked, looking from one to the other.
She nodded. She then yawned. “Hey, we’d better go pick up the punkin’ and get home. Thanks again for the nice evening out. We really should do it more often.”
Once outside, the two couples started walking down the block toward Craig’s car, when Savannah stopped and stared at something on the pavement in front of her.
“Come on, hon. It’s cold. I’ll race you to the car,” Michael teased.
“Wait,” she said, walking away from him.
“What’s she doing?” Craig asked.
“Heck if I know,” Michael said. “Looks like she’s joining that homeless person over there.”
“Leah?” Savannah said as she approached someone wrapped in a familiar blanket.
“Huh?” the woman responded, as if she was just being awakened. “Oh, hello.” She glanced around. “What are you doing here?”
“We were having a nightcap. I recognized the blanket.”
“Yes, the one you gave me. Sure do appreciate it. It’s cold tonight,” the young woman said, pulling the blanket up around her more tightly.
“Leah, why aren’t you staying in a shelter?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Is it because you’re afraid you’ll be identified? Is that it?”
The girl looked up through large dark eyes. “Something like that.”
Savannah knelt next to her. “Listen, why don’t you come home with Michael and me?” When Leah started to resist, Savannah said, “Please, let’s get you out of the cold and into a comfortable bed. Even if you don’t want to take care of yourself, you owe it to your child, for heaven’s sake. Please. Now come with us, will you?”
“I can’t. I have to wait here for someone. He’s supposed to bring me the suitcase.”
“Oh?” Savannah said. “When’s he supposed to be here?”
“Any time,” she said. She pulled out a cell phone. “Earlier today he gave me his phone so he could stay in touch, but it’s about to lose its charge.”
“Hon, why don’t you come with us? You can charge your phone at our house then he can call you and you can tell him where you are.”
Leah glanced in the direction Savannah motioned and noticed Michael and the Sledges waiting. “Okay, I guess. If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“No. Now come on,” she said, helping her to stand.
When the two women caught up with the others, Savannah said, “Craig, Iris, this is Leah. Michael, she’s going to stay with us tonight.”
As Craig and Iris nodded, Michael said, “Oh, I see. Well, let’s get in the car; it’s cold out here.”
“Sure is,” Leah said, sliding into the backseat with Savannah and Michael.
“Craig, why don’t you just take us home, I’ll buzz over and pick up Lily at Maggie’s.”
“Heck, Michael, let’s just go get her and we can hold her on our lap for the short distance from their house,” Savannah suggested.
“Oh, okay.”
Several minutes later, after they’d picked up Lily from Margaret’s and Max’s, Leah, noticing the blanket fall from the sleeping baby’s face, said, “She’s a beautiful baby. I hope I have a beautiful baby.”
“How can you miss?” Iris said, turning in her seat to peer at Leah. “You have great features. Are you Hawaiian?”
“No, I’m half Mexican.” She chuckled. “I was able to pass myself off as an islander for almost a year, though. I used to dance and they always cast me in the exotic roles—as an East Indian or Tahitian or even American Indian.”
“You dance?” Iris asked, now even more intrigued.
Leah nodded. “I love to dance.” She lowered her head. “I miss it.”
“Thank you for the ride, Craig,” Savannah said once they’d arrived home. “Come on, Leah, let’s get you into a soft bed for the night, shall we? Did you eat this evening?”
Leah hesitated. “I finished the granola bars this morning and had an apple for lunch. Apples are healthy.”
Savannah winced, then said, “Yes, apples are healthy, but you need more than just an apple and a granola bar to keep up your strength. Darn it, Leah, you’ve got to think about your baby. Come with me. Let’s get you something to eat. Have you been getting prenatal care?”
“Huh?” Leah asked, while dropping her blankets and backpack in a pile at the bottom of the staircase.
“Have you seen a doctor regularly since you’ve been pregnant?”
“No,” she said, following Savannah into the kitchen.
“Wash up and I’ll heat some soup for you. Do you like vegetable beef?”
“Sure,” Leah said.
When the girl returned from the bathroom, she responded to Savannah’s question. “No, I haven’t seen a doctor—until last night. I thought I was having labor pains, but they said it was false.” As Savannah dished up the soup and placed a few pieces of French bread on a plate, Leah continued, “I didn’t even know what was going on with me until I was almost six months along. Then I never had a reason to see a doctor. So no, I haven’t been to a doctor.”
“You’ve been feeling okay?”
“Yes, except…”
“Except what?”
“Except when I don’t have anything to eat. Then I get weak. And on nights when it’s too dangerous to sleep, I don’t feel very good in the morning.”
Savannah cringed. “Well, you should sleep well tonight in a quiet and safe environment.” Once Leah had finished eating, Savannah said, “Now come on, I have a nice room for you.” She picked up the backpack and led the younger woman to the room at the top of the stairs. “We call this the Healing Room. You have a private bath. Do you have a clean change of clothes? Night clothes?”
Leah shook her head. “On the streets, we don’t change clothes that often.”
Savannah looked at the young woman. “I might have something you can wear.”
“Thank you. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go right into the shower. I haven’t had a shower in…I don’t even want to tell you how long.” She raised her eyebrows. “Oh, I wash up. I’m clean. I just haven’t had the luxury of a shower or a bath.”
“We have both options here. Help yourself. I’ll be right back. If you’re in the shower, I’ll just leave a few things on the bed for you.” She smiled at Leah. “Sleep tight. See you in the morning.”
****
Savannah awoke the following morning with an uneasy feeling. Her thoughts consumed her as she headed into the bathroom. What have I done, inviting a stranger here? What do I know about her or her intentions? There’s obviously something amiss about her situation. I just hope it’s as simple as the fact that she’s a runaway. I’d love to see her reunite her with her family. She chuckled to herself. That seems to be a quirk of mine—making sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be, doing what they should be doing, in order to live the fullest life possible. Like me. She grinned at herself in the mirror as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
“The cherub’s awake,” Michael said, putting his arms around her and smiling into the mirror at her. “Want to get her while I clean up?”
“Sure,” Savanna said, kissing her husband. “So what do you have planned on your day off?” she asked.
“If the weather cooperates, I thought I’d take care of a few repairs around the place—fix the rusty hinge on the tack room door, replace that piece of siding the tree branch scraped up during the last wind—things like that.”
“So you’re going to wear your tool belt, huh?” she asked in a flirtatious manner. “I like it when you wear your tool belt.”
He grinned and shook his head as she left the bathroom.
“Good morning princess,” she said, approaching Lily’s crib. “Ready to rise and shine?” she asked, picking her up and snuggling with her. “Let’s get you a dry diaper,” she crooned into the baby’s ear.
“Ki-ki,” Lily said brightly, pointing at Buffy.
&
nbsp; “Hi, Buffy,” Savannah greeted, leaning over and petting the cat’s lush fur.
“Ki-ki, meow,” Lily said.
After changing the baby, Savannah put her down on the floor and led her toward the kitchen.
“Ki-ki,” Lily said when she saw Rags approach. She giggled when the cat rubbed against her, his tail brushing across her face.
“Rags, don’t be so rough,” Savannah scolded, when he knocked the toddler off balance. Savannah picked Lily up and carried her the rest of the way into the kitchen. She had seated her in the highchair when she heard a soft voice behind her.
“Good morning.”
Savannah spun around. “Hi, Leah. How’re you feeling this morning? Did you get a good night’s rest?”
The girl practically swooned, saying, “The best. That bed is so comfortable. I don’t think I woke up once, even to pee. I haven’t slept that good since…” She suddenly stopped chattering. When she noticed Savannah was still looking at her, she said, “Well, since I was a child, I guess, and in my own bed at home.”
Savannah stared into Leah’s eyes for a moment, then invited. “Sit down, won’t you? What do you like for breakfast?”
“Oh golly, I’m easy—I’d appreciate whatever you’re serving.”
“No really,” Savannah said, “I can make omelets, French toast, eggs and bacon, I have English muffins and homemade jams and jellies, pancakes, biscuits… Anything sound especially good?”
“You had me at homemade jams and jellies,” Leah said. Looking across the room rather dreamily, she explained, “My grandma used to make jam. My sister and I got to help sometimes. I didn’t like the work, but it was worth it to spend the time with my grandmother. Nana always made everything fun.”
“Where is your family, Leah?”
“Idaho.”
“When did you see them last?” Savannah asked.
“Nearly a year.” She looked down at her baby bulge. “They wouldn’t want to see me like this, that’s for sure.”
“Hi all,” Michael said, charging into the room.
“Da-da,” Lily chirped.
“Hi punkin’” he said, kissing her forehead. He turned toward their guest. “Good morning. How’re you feeling this morning?”