by Patricia Fry
“What about them?” she asked, sarcastically.
“Don’t you think it’s about time you stopped torturing them?”
“Torturing them? I haven’t even seen them or talked to them.”
“I know. That’s what I mean. Don’t you think they’re frantic wondering what has happened to their little girl? Now that you have a baby of your own, can’t you just imagine the pain you’ve brought them by disappearing the way you did?”
Leah looked at her baby in Savannah’s arms and began to cry. Wiping at her eyes, she said, “I don’t know why I’m so teary, lately.”
“Hormones,” Savannah said. “Plus, I think you’d really like to have your parents with you during this wonderful time in your life. Don’t you want to share Charlie with them?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” she said. “I just can’t imagine they’d care. They’re so strict. You just don’t know how they are.”
“Only because they love you, Leah. How about this—why don’t you contact your sister? Can you do that? She’ll give you some indication of your parents’ frame of mind.”
Leah thought about it. “Yeah, I guess I could do that. Maybe tomorrow. I’m really kind of tired now. I’d like to lie down and get some sleep.”
“Yes, good idea,” Savannah said laying the baby in the portable crib she’d brought up from Lily’s room. “Let me know when you wake up and I’ll bring you a bowl of chicken soup. Sound good?” Savannah asked, smoothing Leah’s hair and helping her stand up from the chair.
She nodded. “Thank you. And thank you, Detective.”
“Just doin’ my job,” he said.
Chapter 9
The following morning, Leah joined Savannah and Michael for breakfast in the kitchen. She laid the baby in the portable crib Michael had carried down for her.
“Ba-bee,” Lily said, pointing. “Ba-bee, shhhh,” she hushed, putting her little finger against her lips.
Leah reached for Lily’s hand. “Yes, the baby’s sleeping, isn’t he?” She turned to Michael. “She’s sure smart—talking already and all.”
“She doesn’t miss much,” Michael said. “And she does love babies.”
“And ki-kis and…what does she call the dog?” Leah asked. She laughed. “Wow-wow, goggie, pup-pup?”
Lily pointed toward Lexie. “Oof-oof.”
“Ah yes, oof-oof,” she repeated, laughing.
“I’ll be right back,” Savannah said. “I want to take coffee to the security guys.”
“Everything go okay out there last night?” Michael asked when she returned.
“Yes, no trouble. They said it dipped down to near freezing earlier this morning, though, so they were happy to get the coffee.” Savannah peered down at baby Charlie and smiled. “How’d the baby sleep last night?”
“Pretty good,” Leah said. “He got me up to nurse a few times and I changed his diaper. He’s a good eater…and a good pooper. I guess that’s all good.”
Michael smiled. “He’s sure a handsome little guy.”
“Adorable, like his mommy,” Savannah said, running her hand over the younger woman’s hair before slipping into a kitchen chair.
“I called my sister this morning,” Leah said quietly.
Savannah looked across the table at her. “Oh?”
“Yeah, she cried when she heard my voice. She was at basketball practice.” Leah paused. “She said Mom and Dad haven’t stopped looking for me. They’ve been obsessed with finding me.” She choked up. “She said they cry a lot—both of them. When I told her about Charlie, she went ballistic, saying how cool it was and how happy Mom would be.”
“So, what now?” Savannah asked.
“I think I’ve sorta jumped in with both feet.” She grinned. “My sister can’t keep a secret. I guess I have to call my folks now.”
“How do you feel about that?” Michael asked.
She shrugged. “It’s time. If I want to be a grown-up, I really should start acting like one.”
Savannah smiled. “Good for you. I’m proud of you.”
Leah spoke more quietly. “I’d really like to know those people are all caught before I bring my parents into the mess I’ve made. I don’t want them in any danger. And I don’t want to tell them about the…problem.” She then said, “Harrison and I want to be together with the baby for a while today. Which do you think would be best—for him to come here or for me to go to his place?” She looked from one to the other, waiting for a response.
“Well, he’s certainly welcome here,” Savannah said, “but I don’t imagine he’s ready to climb stairs, so maybe we should take you over to Colbi’s house.”
“…and his house,” Leah said. “He’s part owner, you know.” She chuckled. “He’s pretty excited about owning something.”
“Does he know what comes with ownership?” Michael asked, sounding skeptical.
“Um…” Leah hesitated.
“Responsibility,” Michael said.
She nodded. “Oh, he knows that. As soon as he’s on his feet, he plans to become a chef. We’ll get married and raise Charlie together. When the baby’s in kindergarten, I might go back to school and study to become a paralegal.”
“A paralegal?” Michael questioned.
“My dream was to become an attorney. I still might get to do that someday. I’d like to join a firm that focuses on family issues.”
“Sounds like you two have it all figured out,” Savannah said.
“Yes, Harrison and I have been talking on the phone a lot and making wonderful plans.”
Savannah’s tone became more serious when she asked, “Honey, would you consider this?”
“What?” Leah asked suspiciously.
“Please don’t make a legal commitment with Harrison until he has proven himself. Can you promise yourself that you’ll do that?” When the younger woman looked puzzled, Savannah explained, “He doesn’t have a very good track record. He’s been given the benefit of the doubt many times, and so far, he has never held up his end of any bargain. He seems bent on self-destructing. I wouldn’t trust him until he starts performing those promises he’s making.” When it appeared that Leah was going to protest, Savannah said, “I’m not saying he does this by design. It seems to be a habit he’s in, and habits—bad and good—are hard to break. It takes a lot of gumption to change, and so far Harrison hasn’t displayed much of that gumption.”
Leah sat quietly for a moment, then said, “I hear you, Savannah. I really do. And I promise you and myself…” she glanced at her baby, “…and Charlie…that I won’t do anything drastic or agree to anything legal and binding with him until he shows me the money.” When Savannah started to interject, Leah held up her hand. “But Savannah, I can tell you right now that I truly believe in him, in the deepest crevices of my heart. Being attacked and witnessing the brutal murder of his friend has…well, it affected a lot more than just his body. He truly wants to change and I believe I can help him with that. But I’ve already made it clear to him that I won’t jeopardize my son’s life by making any more stupid mistakes.” She chuckled. “He said he promises never to become one of my stupid mistakes.”
“Good girl. I’m glad to hear that he’s at least making the right comments. Now, what time do you want to go over to Colbi’s and Harrison’s?”
“I can be ready in an hour—after I help with the dishes and anything else you’d like me to do.”
“Sounds good.”
“Hey, did you know that Colbi and Damon are about to set a date? They’re talking about buying a more modern house along the river, so Harrison and I might eventually take over the family property.” When Leah saw the look on Savannah’s face, she added, “Eventually, I said. No legal commitment, no more babies out of wedlock.”
“Then okay,” Savannah said, smiling. “You make Mama Savannah very happy.”
****
“Are you coming in with us?” Leah asked Savannah when they arrived at Colbi’s hom
e later that morning.
“Absolutely; I want to hear about the marriage plans,” Savannah said excitedly as she unstrapped Lily from her car seat.
Just then, Colbi stepped out her front door and rushed to the car, smiling broadly. “I don’t know which little one I want to get my hands on first,” she said, looking from Lily to Charlie. “Oh give me this one,” she said, reaching for the new baby. When she noticed Lily whining and holding her arms out to her, Colbi said, “Oh, how sweet is that? She wants Aunt Colbi.”
Everyone laughed.
Once they were inside, they found Harrison sitting in a recliner chair in the living room. Leah rushed to him and kissed him and he held onto her, trying to coax her onto his lap. “No, I don’t want to hurt you,” she said.
He laughed. “Hurt me, hurt me.”
“Here, Harrison, take the lightweight,” Colbi said, offering him the baby.
“Awww, there’s my handsome boy,” he cooed at the sleeping baby.
Colbi took Lily from Savannah and hugged her. “Can I get you something to drink?” she asked her guests.
“Nothing for me,” Savannah said. “Lily and I aren’t staying; I just want to hear the news…”
“News?” Colbi said. “What news? Something on TV?”
“No, your news.”
Colbi glanced around at Harrison, Leah, and then Savannah. Just then they heard another voice. “Do you mean our news?” Damon asked, walking into the room.
“Hi, Damon, I didn’t see your car!” Savannah said.
“I parked in back—doing some guy-work in the laundry room.” He cringed. “Stuff Michael taught me, damn him.”
Savannah frowned. “Why damn him?”
“Now that I know how to do this stuff, I have to do this stuff.”
“Not your cup of tea, huh?” Savannah said, laughing.
Colbi smiled and rubbed his arm. “But he’s so good at it.”
“Hey, how about we take the boy and hang out in my room for a while,” Harrison suggested to Leah.
“Yeah, see you later, Savannah. Thanks for the ride.”
“Let me know when you’re ready to come back,” she called. Once the couple had disappeared, Savannah asked, “Well, when are you doing it?”
“Doing what?” Colbi asked playing dumb.
“Getting married, that’s what!” Savannah insisted.
Both Damon and Colbi smiled. He pulled her against him by the shoulders, saying, “Soon.”
“No date, yet,” Colbi added.
“And you’re moving?”
“Thinking about it,” Colbi said. “I’d like to live in a more modern place and Harrison loves this old place. He wants Damon to teach him how to fix things. He was actually helping Damon out there until he got too tired.”
“Yeah, he’s creative and has a fix-it-man’s mentality. He’ll be good at that kind of work. Of course, his passion seems to be cooking.”
“Yes,” Colbi said excitedly, “Max is coming over to talk to him this evening. Isn’t that cool? Maggie, too. They’re coming for dinner. Harrison hopes Max can give him some good tips for breaking in as a chef. Did Max go to a culinary school, do you know?”
“I think so. I’m not sure. Is there one around here?”
“Harrison has actually been checking into some in Frisco,” Colbi said. “Oh Savannah, I’m so happy. I have both of my men back in my life, big-time. And maybe a third.”
“A third?” Savannah asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, Charlie,” she said, smiling. “Harrison sure wants to bond with the little guy and if he and Leah can make a life together, I guess I’ll be a bona fide aunt, won’t I?”
“Oh, my phone,” Savannah said. She looked up. “It’s Craig. I’d better take it. Excuse me, will you?” She walked into the dining room. “Hello, Craig.”
“Where are you?”
“Colbi’s.”
“Is Leah with you?”
“Yes, why?”
“Just wanted to let her know that we caught up with Ano and Pono. I’d like to have Harrison ID Pono. Is he there?”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell him and Leah that I’ll be by in a little bit?”
“Sure. Are we safe now? Have you arrested them?”
“Once we get the ID, they should be locked up for a very long time. As for the gal in Frisco, they’ve been looking for her on some charges that, if they stick, will keep her out of circulation, too.”
“Good—but she probably wouldn’t have been a threat to Leah until she went to Frisco, right?”
“Possibly.” He cleared his throat. “I talked to her father this morning.”
“Leah’s?”
“Yes.”
“Oh? I guess little sister can’t keep a secret,” she said.
“What?”
“Nothing. Did you tell him where Leah is?”
“Well, not until I felt him out.”
“What do you mean, Craig?”
“You know, I wanted to get a sense about his intentions. Leah’s nearly twenty-one now and she has rights, too. He sounds like a reasonable parent to me—caring and worried sick about his daughter. Can you get her to call them, please? I want it to be between her and them. She hasn’t broken any laws, really; she’s a free woman.” He coughed. “Do you think you can talk her into calling them?”
“I think she plans to do that. I’m not sure if she did it, yet, but yeah, I’ll push the issue. Can I tell her you talked to her dad?”
“Yeah.”
****
“They’re flying into Frisco and renting a car,” Leah said the following Monday morning at breakfast in the Iveys’ kitchen. “Should be here around two this afternoon.”
“Are you excited?”
“Frightened?” Michael asked.
She shrugged. “I don’t know how to feel. So much has happened since…”
“Yes, it has,” he said. “I guess you’ll know how you feel once you see them, won’t you?”
“What time’s the baby’s doctor appointment this morning?” Savannah asked.
“Ten. Is that okay?”
“Sure.”
“Do you think he’s gained weight?” Michael asked.
“He should have with all that he’s eating. He’s a little glutton.”
Savannah and Michael smiled.
“What if your folks want you to go home with them?” Savannah asked.
Leah thought for a moment, then said, “You know, I hope they do. I think I’d like to go home for a while and think about things. Learn how to care for a baby—Mom will be such a great teacher. Harrison and I can stay in touch. We discussed it, and we think it would be good for us not to rush into anything. I’d like him to have the space to go to culinary school if that’s what he wants to do. I want to reunite with my family—Nana, my cousins, my sister—before Harrison and I marry.”
“You seem pretty certain that you’ll end up together,” Michael said.
“I am. But we both want to be sure. Colbi helped us to understand how important it is to become whole as a person before you share your life with another person. It’s two wholes that make a healthy relationship, not two halves, like some people think. Now that makes so much sense to me—and I think Harrison is starting to get it, too.” She turned and looked at Savannah, then Michael, saying excitedly, “Guess what Harrison is thinking about doing?”
“What?” Savannah asked.
“Joining the circus.”
“What?” they both said.
“Well, actually the carnival circuit. He’s been talking to his cousin, and Klint told him there are people who make good money following carnivals with their food booths. Harrison is super excited about the idea of having his own restaurant on wheels and he thinks traveling would be a blast. We could get a small camper and maybe eventually expand to a motor home. I can home school Charlie, or maybe we’d make enough money that we can buy a
place and he could open his own restaurant, maybe in Hawaii.”
“Wow! You have some interesting dreams, there, “Michael said.
“Harrison’s going to talk to Max about it and ask if he’ll help him come up with a good carnival-food item. You should have heard Klint talk about some of the concoctions people serve at carnivals.”
“Gosh, I’m stunned,” Savannah said. “Sounds like, as Michael says, an interesting lifestyle. It could be fun and profitable.” She hugged Leah. “You’ve come a long way, hon. I’m so happy for you and proud of you. I hope our daughter grows up with the same wisdom.”
Leah guffawed. She ran her hand over Lily’s head. “Yeah, let’s hope she doesn’t make any awful mistakes like running away and getting involved with …” she shuddered. “Oh, I don’t even want to think about it.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “I’d better get Charlie bathed and fed so we’re ready to go for his first checkup.”
****
“Isn’t he a fatty, doctor?” Leah asked cheerfully. “He’s a good eater. In fact, he’s a good baby—doesn’t cry much.”
Savannah smirked playfully. “Could that be because he’s always being held?”
After examining the baby, the doctor looked from Savannah to Leah. “He’s a very lucky little boy to have people who love him.” He cleared his throat. “Go ahead and get him dressed; I’d like to speak with you—both of you—in my office.”
The two women looked at each other, then Leah dressed the baby and wrapped him in his blanket. Once they were seated across from the doctor, he said, “I don’t know if anyone has told you about the tests we took at the hospital.”
“Yeah, I knew they were doing some tests on him. They do that with all babies, don’t they?” Leah looked from the doctor to Savannah. “That’s what I understood.”
“Yes, in particular those whose mothers didn’t have prenatal care. Then there’s more testing done.” He cleared his throat. “One of the tests came back positive. Your little boy has Down syndrome.”
“What?” Leah said. “What’s that—you mean retarded? Oh my God,” she said, looking down at her baby. “No. He’s perfect. Look at him. He doesn’t look like there’s anything wrong with him. You must have made a mistake.”