Girl in the Spotlight

by Virginia McCullough

  “We haven’t stopped thinking about you and Perrie Lynn. Not for a minute.” Miles moved out of the way of a bellhop pushing a luggage cart and dodged a couple with a stroller on his other side. “It’s got to be a tough time.”

  “I won’t lie to you. We’ve had some bad days. By the way, Maxine told me about meeting Lark that morning at the hotel.” A quick chuckle followed. “She went to that hotel store for what she considered the best poppy-seed muffins in New England. But she took me aside and told me about their encounter—one of those chance things. She was really happy about it.”

  Lark would be pleased to hear that, he thought. “Lark felt the same way.”

  “At the time, I wasn’t so sure it was a good thing, but given what’s happened, I changed my mind.” A couple of silent seconds passed. “You know we never had negative feelings about Lark—or about you. But to be honest, if Maxine hadn’t been sick, she wouldn’t have reached out as she did, or, rather, when she did.”

  Miles gathered his thoughts to make sure the words he spoke expressed what he truly meant. “Acknowledging our presence in the background helped us a great deal. It allowed us to become attuned to Perrie Lynn’s career and the life she’s had.”

  Eric cleared his throat and let out a couple of low groans. “I hope what I’m about to say doesn’t change how you feel, but...”

  But? A tingling sensation traveled down Miles’s arms and into his hands. I’m not going to like this.

  “It’s hard to explain, I guess, but Perrie Lynn is only beginning to deal with losing her mom.”

  Of course—the shock, the numbness, is wearing off. Wishing he was in his room and not leaning against a pillar in the hotel lobby, Miles braced himself for what he was certain was coming.

  “I’ve spoken with others on her, well...let’s call it a team. Specifically, Declan and Leffie. We’re in agreement about this,” Eric said without a hint of hesitation. “We need to give it more time before we tell Perrie Lynn about you and Lark. A few months, I’m thinking, depending on how she’s doing. She already has so much to deal with.”

  Miles could have recited all the reasons Eric and the others were making wise choices. In that moment, he forced a response he knew reflected his ability to be a reasonable person. A quality that served him well—at least most of the time. “I understand, Eric, dad to dad, to quote your own words. You need to do whatever you believe is right for Perrie Lynn.”

  “I’m sorry, though,” Eric said, sadness bleeding into his voice. “Maxine spoke well of Lark, and—”

  “Please, don’t apologize,” Miles said. “Lark and I have been concerned for Perrie Lynn, too.” As sincerely as he meant those words, his dread about repeating this conversation to Lark sat like a rock in his gut. Her eagerness to meet Perrie Lynn had blinded her in some ways. For her, the world championships loomed like a magical deadline.

  “It’s a matter of making an adjustment.” Eric was back to a businesslike tone. “Right after the worlds, Perrie Lynn joins a three-week tour. By skating-show standards, that’s a short trek through a dozen or so cities. After that, she’ll finally have a break, and we’ll go to Santa Fe to see my dad. Then the new training schedule starts.” Eric’s guffaw broke through and lightened the mood. “Another season means new music, new programs, new costumes.”

  As a dad, Miles didn’t doubt Eric’s wise decision. “You know, Lark and I have also been thinking of you, Eric. This is a profound loss for you.”

  With dismissive gruffness, Eric said, “I’m doing okay.”

  A promise from Eric to keep Miles posted followed, along with a positive exchange of words about meeting in the summer that brought the call to its logical close. By the time Miles was inside the elevator on the way to the tenth-floor conference room, he’d practiced what he’d say to Lark later. Even if he’d had the time to make the call then and there, he wouldn’t have done it. He needed time to adjust himself.

  * * *

  LARK STUDIED HER screen as she scrolled through the flowchart of the PR plan Dawn designed for Party Perfect. They’d been together for over an hour in a study room at the library going over the elements of Dawn’s plans for a business she hoped would turn into a long-term client. After going over the first draft of the party-planning handbook, Lark was satisfied she could meet Dawn’s deadlines. She glanced at her friend, who was reviewing the same document on her own screen. “I can get started on all these pieces right away, and I’ll try to work a little ahead. You’ve done an amazing job launching this campaign.”

  “Thanks, I’m excited about the challenge.” Casting a pointed look Lark’s way, Dawn added, “But I hope you don’t find the work too awfully boring.”

  “Are you kidding?” Lark teased. “I just finished producing three pieces for adults about superbugs, so you bet I’m happy to write about baby showers and Halloween.”

  Dawn sighed in a show of mock relief. “I’m so glad you feel that way. These two women are committed to becoming the biggest party-planning business in the region.”

  “And with your help, they’ll accomplish their goal.”

  “In terms of scheduling, though,” Dawn said, “I don’t want to pry, but aren’t you expecting to take a trip to Minnesota soon?”

  Lark smiled. “My pulse races at the thought. But life goes on. Every week I take on new assignments and agree to deadlines. Meeting Perrie Lynn isn’t going to change that.”

  Dawn snickered. “I know. I’m just getting excited for you—and Miles.”

  Warmth rippled through Lark at the mention of Miles. “I have to admit I miss him when he’s gone. We’ve spent more time together these last weeks.” And shared a few more kisses, too. “When he’s away, we text and talk a lot.”

  “I’m happy it’s going well for the two of you.” Dawn closed the computer and grabbed her jacket off the chair. “Mostly, I’m proud of you for opening your heart—with my encouragement, if you recall.” She playfully patted herself on the back. “Where is Miles, anyway?”

  “Seattle. He was admiring Mount Rainier while we chatted. He’ll be back in a couple of days.” She stood and began gathering her things, but she needed a minute to calm herself. She couldn’t think about the world championships and the end of the skating season without being flooded by a mix of emotions. Excitement, certainly, but anxiety, too, as if fear were attempting to sneak in through the back door. She couldn’t rationalize the vague apprehension she walked around with every day. About Perrie Lynn, but mostly about Evan.

  Dawn peered into her face, pretending to examine her features. “Hmm... I have a new word for you. Radiant.”

  Distracted from her concerns, Lark touched her cheeks. “Cut it out. You’re making me blush. I admit, though, sometimes I need to pinch myself.”

  Pulling her hat over her hair, Dawn said, “Okay, Ms. Radiant, meet you at the Bean Grinder—five minutes.”

  In the few minutes it took to drive from the library to the coffee shop, snowflakes began to fall and swirl in the air on the windy day. Alone in her car, Lark let her underlying worries about Evan break through the facade of busyness. Until the email from the chess-club teacher-volunteer, Mr. Howard, Lark had convinced herself that Evan was adjusting, doing okay. Yes, he was the master of one-word answers, and sometimes his mood was best described as flat. But wasn’t that typical for an almost thirteen-year-old? The email, labeled as a friendly “heads-up,” made it clear Evan’s sulkiness had bled over into school.

  According to Mr. Howard, Evan had begun isolating himself from the others in the club. But what grabbed the teacher’s attention was acting like a sore loser after his good friend, Eduardo, beat him fair and square. Out of character, the note said.

  When Lark pulled into the Bean Grinder’s parking lot she spotted Dawn standing next to her car with her palms open to catch snowflakes on her gloves.

 
“Hey, what can we expect? It’s only March,” Lark quipped when she got out of her car and approached Dawn.

  “I know. I won’t despair over this long winter, as long as they have my favorite Bean Grinder chocolate-chip cookies today...” Dawn stopped talking and pointed beyond Lark. “There’s someone heading toward you—he’s jogging pretty fast.”

  Lark turned just as a man with short-cropped gray hair closed the distance. “Lark McGee?”

  “Yes, what can I do...”

  The man thrust an envelope toward her. “For you.” He hurried away and crossed the street.

  “Oh, no,” Dawn said. “Lyle?”

  Nodding, Lark stared at the envelope. “It’s from Lyle’s lawyer. You don’t think he’s...” She didn’t know how to phrase it.

  Dawn grabbed her forearm and held on tight. “Yes, my friend, I do. Open the envelope, Lark.”

  Doing as she was told, Lark tore the seal, pulled out the papers and scanned the first page. “You’re right. He’s suing me for full custody of Evan!”

  Dawn cupped her elbow and steered her off the walkway to the coffee-shop door. Lark’s grip tightened on the sheaf of papers as she fought the urge to tear them into little pieces and let them swirl in the air with the snow. “Unbelievable. He declared me un...fit.”

  “Get out your phone, Lark. Now. Call your lawyer.” Dawn circled her fingers around Lark’s wrist. “Lyle won’t get away with this.”

  “I’m going to call Lyle first.” Lark stood a little taller. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

  “No you’re not.” Dawn spoke quickly and with authority. “That’s exactly what he wants you to do—get emotional and show your rage. But don’t give in to him. Keep your distance and let the lawyers do the talking.”

  Before she could stop them, tears flowed down her cheeks. “Evan doesn’t want this. We talked about it after Lyle went behind my back and told him about Perrie Lynn. Lyle told Evan he could stay with him anytime he wanted.”

  The note from Mr. Howard flashed in her mind, darkening her mood even more. What else was Lyle communicating to Evan behind her back? Was her son too nervous to talk to her?

  Dawn dug around inside her shoulder bag and pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. “Look, this is Lyle’s bluster—he’s willing to part with his money just to get back at you. Fortunately, Evan is old enough to express exactly what he wants.”

  “And he has done that. But, what if—if he’s afraid to fight with his dad?”

  “Doesn’t matter. You aren’t afraid.”

  Lark waved her off. “At this moment, every cell in my body is in a state of terror.” She turned to look Dawn in the eye. “You’re right, though. First step, call the lawyer. Something like this sure puts things in perspective. What happens with Miles, and even seeing Perrie Lynn, has to take a backseat. Everything is about protecting Evan now.”

  * * *

  A FEW HOURS had passed since he’d left Lark a message and he hadn’t received so much as a text to tell him when she’d be free to talk. He was back in his room for the evening and wanted—needed—to unload the news. But not in a text, or even in a voice-mail message. Odd not to hear from her. They’d developed a habit of getting back to each other quickly, even if only to confirm a later time to talk.

  Miles stood at the window and absently tapped his hand against the frame, every muscle tense from the knowledge that he had critical information to pass on to Lark. It was too much like keeping a secret from her, even if not intentionally.

  He got out his phone and sent another text: When can u talk?

  Although not especially hungry, he ordered a burger from room service to get dinner out of the way. Then he called Brooke to hear about her day before he stretched out on the king-size bed and turned on a basketball game for distraction.

  When the call came, he sat up fast. “I’m so glad to finally hear your voice.”

  “Something’s happened.” Lark was almost shouting, and before he could respond, her story poured out.

  Eric’s call suddenly shriveled in importance, where only minutes earlier it had been the most critical development of the day. Lyle’s mean stunt was a thousand times worse. “I’m so sorry, Lark. What can I do?”

  “Nothing.”

  The ferocity of the word stung and left him without a ready response.

  “I’ve called my lawyer, Ned Williams. It’s all I can do.”

  “But please, Lark, slow down. Talk to me. What is Lyle arguing in order to convince a judge to give him full custody? What grounds?”

  “He’s calling me unfit. That my past—my secret past—and deliberately withholding information about my other child makes me unfit.” She talked so fast the words ran together. “Obviously, I have to stop seeing you immediately. We’ll work something out when it comes time to meet Perrie Lynn.”

  “Whoa! What do you mean?” He didn’t even try to keep the incredulity out of his voice.

  “Come on, Miles,” she said, her voice cracking. “If I’m going to establish my fitness, then I can’t have a man lurking around in my life, let alone the father of my so-called secret child.”

  “You’re crying, Lark, I can tell. I’m so sorry, but please try to calm down so we can think about what’s best to do.” How was he going to tell her the other news? “Where is Evan now?”

  “He’s spending the night with Lyle, as scheduled. Much as I hate to admit it, that’s just as well. I’m a mess. Fortunately, the custody papers don’t allow him to change anything now, so Evan will be here after school tomorrow.”

  Relieved to hear that, Miles prepared to speak in the most determined tone he could manage. “We’ll figure this out, Lark. Together. And by the way, I’m not lurking. I’m in your life.”

  “Oh, Miles, stop. When it comes to Evan, there is no we. There is no together.”

  His gut burned with rising confusion. Or maybe it was panic. “Wait, wait. I know you’re upset, but a lot has happened since our first meeting at Hugo’s. We happened.”

  Lark groaned. “Right. Silly me. I was living in some kind of fantasy world where we had a future, but I can’t risk losing Evan. I have to face a simple fact. Our past will always come up. It isn’t going away.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m not going away, either,” Miles said, quickly adding, “I’ll recede into the background for now—if that’s what you really want. You need to marshal all your energy to fight Lyle. I get that. But I’m not turning my back and walking away from you. You don’t have to figure this out on your own.”

  Silence.

  “Lark?”

  “I’m here, Miles. I just don’t know what to say.” She sighed into the phone, leaving behind the sound of defeat. “This is all coming at such a bad time. With the skating season almost over, we’re expecting to hear from Eric. I never thought this would be easy, but still.”

  I have to tell her. Now. “I’m so sorry about dumping more bad news on you, but I don’t have a choice. I heard from Eric.”

  “You did? Why didn’t you say so?”

  He closed his eyes, a lame attempt to block growing frustration. “I left a message and wanted to talk. It’s why I left another text. Eric is having second thoughts about the timing of our visit to meet Perrie Lynn.”

  Miles winced against the low moan coming from Lark.

  “Wait, Lark, it’s not all bad news.” He plunged in and repeated what Eric had said about Perrie Lynn. “He’s going to delay telling her about us, because the loss of her mother is just hitting home now. He—and Declan and Leffie—think she needs more time to make peace with Maxine’s death. It’s understandable, really.”

  “Maybe so,” she whispered, “but I still don’t know what to say. The disappointment is crushing. And now it’s piled on top of my fear for Evan that has left me weak and shaky.
”

  “You don’t have to talk. I’ll stay on the phone with you. You aren’t alone.” Miles closed his eyes and dug his thumb and index finger into his forehead, as if he could force the tension away. If only he could hold Lark in his arms and stroke her hair. He’d whisper that everything would be okay. He’d give anything to be by her side when she confronted that miserable man she’d married.

  Seconds passed.

  Finally, he broke the silence. “I need to ask you something about Evan.”

  “Uh, okay.”

  Keeping his tone measured, he said, “Haven’t you already talked to Evan about the custody arrangement?”

  Without hesitation she said, “Evan was worried. And I asked him outright if he wanted to keep our arrangements the same, and he said yes. That’s why I’m determined to fight Lyle. It’s why I need to be careful about the image I project. He’s already made my past look tawdry—he spits out the word distasteful.”

  Miles tightened his jaw in response to the ugly term being associated with her.

  “Evan knows I’m in touch with you,” she said, “which adds fuel to Lyle’s efforts to turn my life into a scandal. When I was in his office he made a big deal about deceiving him about the Boston trip.”

  “You can’t let him control you like this, Lark. There was nothing wrong with that trip.”

  “Except that I did lie about the reason I went. It won’t sound so innocent in court.” Another deep sigh. “I need to go. I can’t talk about this anymore. We were going to have dinner when you get back, but obviously, I’m calling that off.”

  Resigned for now, but not for the long haul, Miles said, “I hear you, Lark. Right now, you do what you need to do. I’ll keep you posted about Eric.”

  He decided not to argue. For now. He knew one thing for sure. He was not going to let Lark permanently walk out of his life. “Keep this one thing in mind, Lark. At the moment, it feels like you’re fighting against Lyle.”

  “With every nerve ending,” Lark interjected.

  “But based on what you know about Evan’s feelings, you aren’t so much fighting your ex, but standing up for your son.”