Girl in the Spotlight

by Virginia McCullough

Miles nodded, but his frown deepened.

  “I’ll explain later,” she whispered.

  With a subtle nod, he confirmed he got the message.

  When the waiter came, they were back to acting like people simply away on a trip. How odd to be with Miles and engaged in something so mundane as ordering breakfast. But considering what a good time they’d had on the flight to Boston, she wasn’t surprised to feel so relaxed with him. They’d even managed to talk their way through the ninety-minute delay on the runway. Lyle would have groused and turned sullen, but Miles, a regular business traveler, took it all in stride.

  Wait, wait. For all she knew Miles was an equally annoying grump when he’d been married and traveling with Andi. When Lyle was out on a date these days, he was no doubt his most charming self.

  Had she just said the D word, date? Yes, that word had filtered through her mind at the Half Moon Café and again now in Boston. No matter what she called their time together, so far, Miles had been the best possible companion on this adventure.

  The couples in the booth finished and filed out of the restaurant before she and Miles were finished eating. As soon as they were out of earshot, Miles spoke up. “So? Can you tell me what they said?”

  “I’ll tell you when we’re alone, but I think Maxine is—or has been—ill.” Her uneasiness grew about being privy to information she and Miles weren’t meant to have.

  “Then as soon as you’re done, let’s go. I’ll make a pot of coffee in my room.”

  She nodded in response.

  “And then,” he said brightly, “we can be tourists until it’s time to go back to the arena and see the men’s event and an ice-dancing program.”

  “Then let today’s show begin.” Her cheeks warmed with pleasure. But she couldn’t deny being troubled by what she’d overheard.

  * * *

  AS PROMISED, EARLY the next morning, Lark called Dawn, leading off the conversation with the thrill of seeing Perrie Lynn perform.

  “I bet you were proud,” Dawn said, “and I’m so glad you called.”

  Pride? Such a limited word, Lark thought, standing by the window and looking at the cityscape surrounding her, a mix of modern high-rises and the friendly older buildings with their carved stone facades still intact.

  “I don’t know how to describe what’s going on inside of me. My body has been on full alert since we arrived,” she explained, “and now her long program is tonight. On prime-time TV!”

  Lark gave her friend a rundown on what she and Miles had been up to, but got off on a tangent about Perrie Lynn’s performance. “She was magnificent, finishing third, which exceeded expectations. She’s still so young.”

  “Were you nervous? Excited?” Dawn chuckled. “Dazed?”

  “All of those things and more.” She paused. “I need a minute here to pull myself together for this next part.” Finally, she let out a big breath. “The thing is, and I mean this in a positive way, I saw for myself the life the Olsons have given her. That’s why I’ve been on the verge of tears so often these last two days. I realized in such a profound way what Maxine is to Perrie Lynn. That’s the way it will always be.”

  “Oh, Lark,” Dawn whispered into the phone, “yes, you sound emotional, but I don’t know, maybe not so terribly sad.”

  “That’s it. I’m accepting the reality of Perrie Lynn and her family in my heart. It’s not just an intellectual concept.” She brushed away tears before they had a chance to trail down her cheeks. “But none of this is even about me. It’s about Perrie Lynn and her parents. And I was struck by knowing that I have this blind love for someone I’ve only spoken to once in my life—way back when she was way too tiny to understand.”

  Lark could probably calculate the exact number of days and hours that had passed since she’d murmured reassuring words to the tiny bundle in her arms. I’m so sorry, but it’s for the best, little one. She’d stared at the perfect little face one last time and drew her closer to her heart. I promise you’ll have a good life with people who will love you so, so much. They can give you what I could never hope to. A family.

  “At the time,” she explained, “all I could think was that she’d have a family. My parents had managed to destroy ours.”

  “But that family has been put back together now, Lark,” Dawn said softly. “When you meet Perrie Lynn, you can tell her about Evan. You have a wonderful brother and he and Donna have fun little kids. Even your quirky mom managed to pick up the pieces and assemble a new life.”

  “You’re right. I should probably give Mom more credit, especially since I learned the hard way what it’s like to marry a man who turned out to be so much less than I’d imagined.”

  “But the dreary past is gone, my friend,” Dawn said. “Here you are seeing Perrie Lynn, and you’re with her father, who happens to be single and not just able, but willing to share this with you. Now that’s mind-boggling.”

  “So subtle, my friend. But since you bring him up, the trip is going very well. He’s coming to all the events, like the pairs and the ice dancing. I’m certain he didn’t become mesmerized the way I did by the sheer beauty of two people moving as one. But a romantic like you would have been over the moon to see them in person.”

  “You’re right. But back to you. I suppose you’ve had dinners...”

  “And a drink at the hotel after seeing Perrie Lynn.” Lark paused, trying to find words for how special it all felt. “Ever since meeting at the airport, it’s like we’re under a spell or something. But it’s, you know, not real life.”

  Dawn chuckled. “No, I suppose it isn’t. I was about to come back with some smart remark about it being better than that, but I’ll refrain. Just don’t go assuming this experience doesn’t mean anything.”

  “Thanks for that. I’ve laughed and cried, and had a lot of fun, too. We’ve played tourist and visited Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. And tonight is Perrie Lynn’s big night.”

  “I just hope you can stand having so much fun,” Dawn teased, “especially with someone who, based on your own words, is pretty good company.”

  “I’ll try to cope,” Lark quipped. With that, she ended the call.

  Grinning and buoyant, Lark turned her attention to answering a few emails and accepted an assignment for a piece about childhood headache syndromes. She finished up and still had time to kill before meeting Miles. Too restless to stay in the room, she took the elevator down to the gift shop in the hotel lobby to pick up a copy of the Boston Globe and browse the magazine racks.

  Her mind kept returning to her conversation with Dawn, especially her reassuring words about family. As grateful as she was for her family, every time she thought about explaining her past to them, especially Evan, a wave of anxiety surged through her.

  She distracted herself by glancing at the magazines, but saw nothing that piqued her interest and pivoted toward the checkout counter.

  She froze in place. Maxine.

  Lark was certain it was Maxine interacting with the cashier as she paid for her items. Lark had imprinted the woman’s face in her mind when the camera in the arena had briefly focused on her and Eric as they waited for Perrie Lynn’s scores. Maxine had waved for the camera and the audience had responded with cheers. Lark had noted her jaunty deep blue hat and dangly earrings. This morning, though, a bright fuchsia scarf was twisted elegantly around her head.

  As tall and pretty as she was, Maxine’s frailty confirmed the rumor. She’d most assuredly been ill. Maybe she still was. Perhaps sensing someone staring at her, Maxine glanced up and her face registered surprise.

  Lark swallowed hard as Maxine quickly signed her receipt and approached with a cordial, social smile.

  Taking in a breath to regroup, Lark moved forward and held out her hand.

  “Hello,” Maxine said in a cool voice, grasping Lark’s hand. “
No need for introductions, I suppose. You look exactly like the photo on your website.”

  Lark cleared her throat. “We... Miles and I have tried to stay out of the way.”

  She nodded, but didn’t smile. “You’ve obviously kept your distance or we’d have seen you before now.”

  “Miles arranged for us to come here so we could see Perrie Lynn skate.” Lark skimmed her fingers along her temple, where beads of sweat had appeared. “I’m sorry. I’m tongue-tied. I didn’t imagine...you know, running into you like this. Miles chose this hotel because it’s not too close to the arena.”

  Maxine scanned the area around her. Turning toward the store entrance, she said, “Follow me.”

  On the way out of the store, Lark remembered to dig in her purse for change to put on the counter for the newspaper. She followed Maxine to an empty corner in the lobby, away from the elevators and the registration desk.

  “Look, I don’t have a problem with you being here,” Maxine said, stopping abruptly and resting her back against the wall. “As long as you don’t violate our agreement and you keep your distance. I realize you’ve kept up your end so far.” She glanced down. “I know it’s only natural that you’d want to see her. I get it.”

  “Thank you. For everything.” Lark’s voice choked with a rising jumble of emotions. “Especially for the family you’ve given Perrie Lynn.”

  Maxine waved her off. “I’ve been thanking you for eighteen years. Believe me, that’s only natural, too.” She held up the shopping bag she carried. “Muffins. This hotel has the best ones around. We’re actually in an apartment in a high-rise down the street. Declan is staying in the same building. Fewer distractions in an apartment than in hotels.”

  Smiling as hot tears pooled in her eyes, Lark nodded. “Tonight is her big night, huh?”

  “Yes,” Maxine said, frowning slightly. “And it’s not like any other day or any other competition. She’ll spend much of the day with Declan and the pair team he coaches. She’ll practice and get her head in the right place.”

  “Miles is as excited to see her as I am,” Lark said. “This is all so unexpected. I can barely believe it.”

  Maxine’s expression shifted when she said, “By the way, years ago we gave Perrie Lynn as much information as we had, short of identifying you.” Maxine sounded slightly impatient as she glanced nervously around her. “We told her that you made a sacrifice to give her the best life possible.”

  Lark willed herself to hold back the flood of feelings ready to crash like a giant wave and demolish her composure. “And it’s true, Maxine. You can’t imagine what a relief it’s been to know for sure that what I’d hoped for all these years matches the reality.”

  Maxine stared at the floor, placing her bone-thin index fingers in the corners of her eyes to staunch tears. “I fell in love with her, Lark. And so did Eric. It’s that simple.” She looked up long enough to scan the lobby.

  Always on guard, Lark thought. And there they were, in a public space with no privacy guaranteed.

  Maxine began fidgeting with the long ends of the silky scarf extending over her shoulder. “When the subject of finding her birth parents first came up, Eric and I gently warned her that not all birth mothers, and fathers, want to be found. We were relieved to know you want to be in touch. And you and Miles seem to have made good lives.” She tapped her temple with her fingertips. “Sorry, sorry. Such a cliché. I didn’t mean it that way.”

  Extending her arm, Lark said, “Please, no apologies. What you said is true. I have a wonderful son. He’s almost thirteen now. I have a business, and so does Miles. My marriage, well, that’s a different story. Not important now.” Lark spoke fast, as if desperately needing to convey this information. Or maybe she was defending herself, wanting to look worthy in Maxine’s eyes.

  “Well, let’s just say that Eric and I couldn’t believe our luck.”

  Lark exhaled the air she’d been holding in her lungs, and her laughter wasn’t filled with nervous energy this time. “I’m laughing because I’m so delighted just to be here, with you...to have a chance to talk.”

  “I feel that way, too, for all kinds of reasons I don’t want to get into now. But I can’t emphasize enough what kind of focus this level of competition requires. None of this quarantine, though, for lack of a better word, is meant to hurt you, or in the long run to prevent you from meeting Perrie Lynn.”

  “I do understand.”

  “But if we run into each other again, we’re strangers,” Maxine said. “Do you agree?”

  “Absolutely.” Every cell in Lark’s body lit up with indescribable joy. “And as difficult as it is, I don’t have expectations beyond meeting her one day.”

  Maxine nodded, a faint frown creasing her forehead as she straightened her scarf.

  Lark weighed her next words. “Maxine, Perrie Lynn is your daughter. She always will be.” Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks again, but not from sadness. She was filled with affection for the woman standing in front of her.

  “You betcha.” Maxine’s voice carried a pleasant inflection and her face beamed with a broad smile. “And one day you’ll discover that she’s far more than a figure skater. Her sparkle and brightness will take her far no matter what she chooses to pursue in the future.”

  Unable to add anything to that, Lark only nodded.

  “I’m going to say goodbye now.” She held out both her hands. Lark took them, knowing this wasn’t about a handshake, but rather, a way of solidifying their connection through touch, hand to hand, woman to woman.

  Maxine let go first. “Until the next time, then.” She turned away, but quickly spun back to face Lark. “I’ve wanted to say something to you, but I don’t want to upset you, either.”

  Lark reached out to touch Maxine’s arm. “Please, say whatever it is you want. I’m overjoyed to have met you in person, and nothing you could say would upset me.”

  “Okay, then, here’s the thing.” Maxine touched her fingers to her lips before taking in a breath. “No matter what happens in the future, I will never, ever know how to thank you for giving me the gift of Perrie Lynn.”

  Before Lark could react, Maxine turned the corner and disappeared. Only then did Lark let a stream of tears cover her face.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  MILES ANSWERED THE knock on the door and there was Lark, beaming with happiness. Immediately, he knew the day would exceed his already high expectations. Lark carried a bag of muffins and balanced two humungous coffees in a cardboard tray. She told him her story, as if reciting the details of a miracle. He asked for more details and she recounted everything she remembered about Maxine, including concerns that the rumors they’d heard matched Maxine’s appearance. Still, by the time they took off for a walk Lark was still floating in the clouds somewhere.

  What started out as light snow as they left the hotel grew heavier with every block.

  “I suppose this is nuts,” Lark said, her eyes sparkling. “I can barely see ten feet ahead.”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He brushed a few snowflakes off the strands of hair that escaped her hat. “We can always duck inside a café if we get cold.”

  “Hey, we’re from Wisconsin. We can handle a little snow.” She tucked her arm through his.

  “True, but have you noticed we’re almost alone out here?” he asked, conscious of the simple pleasure of walking arm in arm on the almost deserted street.

  “Ah, yes, but other people aren’t bubbling over with anticipation—or maybe I should call it a case of the jitters. I just need to burn some energy.”

  He grinned down at her, seeing in her face the radiance that had taken over her whole being when she’d told him about meeting Maxine. He was happy for her, but admittedly envious, too. He’d have liked to speak with Maxine—or especially Eric. He pushed aside his slightly bruised f
eelings and chose to revel in the joy the morning had brought to Lark.

  “The only cloud on the horizon,” Lark said as they walked through the accumulating snow, “is Maxine herself. She was thin and pale. It was kind of alarming. I wonder...”

  She didn’t finish the sentence, but Miles chose to be optimistic. “She’s here, though. Maybe her treatment is over and she’s recovering. Those people in the restaurant yesterday only knew that she’d been sick. For all they know, Maxine will be well again soon.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Lark said.

  He heard skepticism in her tone, but remained silent.

  “How’s everything at home?” she asked suddenly. “Is Brooke excited about tonight’s competition?”

  Jarred by the instant change of subject, he nevertheless refocused and responded. “She never misses a chance to remind me about it.” He paused. “I suppose one day, way off in the future, I’ll tell her I was here.”

  “It gets complicated, doesn’t it?” Lark said.

  With his gloved fingers he squeezed her hand linked through his arm. “Let’s get an early lunch before we’re knee-deep in snow. A long, leisurely lunch. Then, it will be time to get to the arena for the afternoon events.”

  “I’m already jumping out of my skin.”

  “No kidding?” he teased.

  By the time they found a pub a few blocks from their hotel, Miles realized that he enjoyed the simple act of walking down the street with Lark. He’d had so little of that kind of ordinary companionship in his life, especially after he and Andi split up. Thinking back, he and Andi had shared very few arm-in-arm walks or leisurely lunches.

  Over their sandwich plates, he kept the conversation as far away as possible from Perrie Lynn’s big night. The more they’d anticipated and speculated—and hoped—the more nervous they’d become. At Miles’s prompting, Lark told him stories about Dublin and her side trips to the Irish countryside with new friends. He offered his impressions about a three-week trip he and Andi had taken after they’d married. How easy it was to picture driving through England and Scotland with Lark, and then flying first-class to Paris as he and Andi had done.