#SandyBottom

by Alexi Venice

  “I doubt that,” he said with the certainty that men use when commenting on uncertain things.

  She turned over her phone. “Let’s google crime in Eau Claire, shall we?” She googled and clicked on a local TV station website. “The top story is: ‘Two men have been arrested after a search warrant was executed at Lion House of Rastafari for delivery of marijuana and maintaining a drug dwelling.’”

  They both burst into laughter.

  “I forgot that weed isn’t legal in Wisconsin,” he said. “I suppose the House of Rastafari would be the first place a detective would look for it, though.”

  “I mean, seriously,” Jen said, “you’d be bored out of your skull.”

  “There have to be some murders,” he said.

  “I’m sure they have the occasional murder, but it’s probably pretty obvious who did it, and I doubt there are enough to keep you busy full time.”

  “How could you move to such a boring place?”

  A sarcastic blurt escaped her. “That’s the point. I’m looking for stable and calm to raise our daughter, but the detective in you needs the gritty city.”

  He gave her some disbelieving side-eye. “First, I question whether ‘stable and calm’ would make you happy. You’re just pissed at Amanda. Second, I’m pretty sure you can find what you’re looking for in San Francisco if you live with someone besides Amanda. Let’s focus on the real issue here—it’s Amanda, not the city.”

  She shifted appreciatively in her chair, facing him. “I don’t disagree with you. I’m pissed at Amanda and probably ended our relationship. I see her clearly…I’ve never not seen her clearly…but love does…well…clouds your judgment.” She swirled her hand in the air, as if trying to supply words that didn’t exist. “Anyway, Kristin’s needs override anything I’ve ever felt for Amanda, so that matter is now closed for discussion.”

  He looked at her quizzically. “Seriously? Just like that?” He snapped his fingers. “You’re dumping her?”

  “Whoa!” She raised her thin, blonde eyebrows. “I’m dumping her ? You’re sort of overlooking the fact that she had an affair with Roxy, aren’t you?”

  “Affair? I thought it was more of a one-night stand, and it was definitely before she went to rehab. Besides, I thought you’d forgiven her for that and reunited.”

  Jen squirmed, resituating the quilt over her bare feet. “Well…I did, but I was operating with faulty facts. She made her affair sound like a one-night stand, but I figured out it was more of a one- weekend stand. There’s a difference.”

  “From one photo of them together in bed you concluded they had a weekend stand?”

  “Not just the photo, which was taken during the day when the sun was quite high, by the way. You can tell by the light angle. So, they didn’t just hook up late at night when Amanda was high. She had to have been sober in the morning. Or, at least close to sober. In addition,” Jen thrust her finger into the air, “Amanda smelled like another woman when she arrived home from Cape Cod. I know Amanda, and she likes to shower every morning, especially after sex. So, the fact that she arrived home in the evening, smelling like sex and another woman, tells me that they had sex on the CIA jet home too. Like I said, there’s a difference.”

  He rubbed his tanned hand over his face. “Wow. I had no idea. You pick up on stuff that I never would.”

  “I doubt that. I’ve seen your detective powers at work. You’d smell sex and another woman’s product on your lover, wouldn’t you?”

  He squinted. “I didn’t on you.”

  Embarrassment flooded her. “Ahem…I never had sex with Amanda while I was with you. I wouldn’t do that. We might have kissed a few times, but we both insisted on a clean break before we…ah…you know.”

  He regarded her seriously then a smile appeared, reassuring her. “No worries. I believe you, and yeah, I’d like to think I’d know if my lover was fooling around on me.”

  Plunged into an uncomfortable silence, they turned their attention to the lake. The mist had almost evaporated in the intense sun, and the otherwise glassy water was broken only by the occasional jump of a fish.

  Jen’s phone vibrated with an incoming email. She picked it up and read it, then said to Tommy, “Oh good. Dr. Olson replied. He’d like to tour me through the clinic this afternoon then take me to dinner with a few colleagues.”

  “Greaaaat,” Tommy muttered.

  She reached over and patted his knee. “It’s okay. I’m just looking. I need to do this for me. For Kristin. For all of us. I hope you can support me.”

  He took a deep breath, his whiskery face shadowed with doubt. “We can talk more tonight when you get back.”

  Her hand quickly retreated. “Yeah. About that. Would you mind watching Kristin? I plan to stay overnight.”

  “I thought you said it was only an hour drive?”

  “It is, but I’ll probably have a glass of wine at dinner then feel exhausted.”

  He regarded her. “You’re staying at Victoria’s tonight, aren’t you?”

  Her troubled lips turned up into a half-smile. “See? You’re better at sleuthing relationships than you made yourself out to be. Yes. I plan to.”

  He shrugged. “Well, ironically, that makes me feel better. I’ll chalk up your trip to getting laid rather than a job interview.” He reached over and imitated her knee-patting. “The ‘job interview’ serves as a ‘subterfuge,’ as we like to say in the detective business. More coffee?”

  She rolled her eyes. “No thanks. I’ve had my limit.”

  He left with his own mug.

  Jen’s phone flashed an incoming text, so she picked it up.

  Victoria wrote, Can I offer you a lift to Eau Claire this morning?

  Speak of the devil, Jen thought. She smiled and drained the last of her coffee before replying, Thanks for the offer but I decided to drive myself. My meeting isn’t until this afternoon.

  Victoria replied, Any plans for dinner?

  Jen quickly thumbed a response. Dr. Olson mentioned something about pulling together a group of physicians for dinner. I don’t know when or where yet tho.

  Bubbles formed over Victoria’s side of the conversation then text appeared. You’re absolutely staying at my place tonight, right?!

  A prickling sensation ran up Jen’s spine. Ah. Yeah. If you’ll have me.

  Victoria replied, Oh, I’ll have u all right.

  The corner of Jen’s lip curled up as she considered the possibility. Text me your address?

  A second later, Victoria’s Eau Claire address populated. A second after that, Victoria wrote, Stay in touch during the day. Good luck!

  Tommy returned to the porch with Kristin in one arm and a fresh mug of coffee in hand. Kristin was the picture of her daddy with blonde curls and sleepy Italian eyes. She was wrapped in her aqua blanket with fish and urchins on it, clutching her ultra-soft stuffed animal, a white unicorn with pink ears. The stuffed animal was as big as her torso, but she squeezed it to her chest like it was her baby. She had even named it, “Baby.” She smiled around the pacifier in her mouth when she spotted Jen.

  “Uppy,” Kristin said.

  “Yes, you are!” Jen popped up from her chair and gave Kristin a kiss on the forehead. She didn’t attempt to take Kristin from Tommy, though, nor did Kristin make a move to leave her father’s warm embrace. Instead, Jen took Tommy’s coffee mug and held it while he sat down and situated Kristin on his lap. After both were tucked in, Jen set his mug on the coffee table next to his chair.

  Just then, an eagle flew in front of the porch, which was at the top of the bank overlooking the lake. Kristin pointed and said, “bird” before Tommy or Jen could say anything.

  “Big bird,” Tommy said in his husky voice. “An eagle.”

  Kristin smiled.

  “Quite the nature siting,” Jen added. “I love it here.”

  Kay joined them with her coffee and a sippy cup of juice for Kristin. “Good morning all.”

  “Hi, Mom. An eagle just f
lew 30 feet in front of the porch.” Jen pointed toward the treetops overlooking the lake.

  “She’s nested at this end of the lake for years. She patrols the bank, looking for fish in the shallows.”

  “Where’s her nest?” Tommy asked.

  “On the other side of the channel,” Kay pointed across the water to a thick woods. “You can see it better from the boat. I’ll show you next time we’re on a cocktail cruise.”

  “I’ve never seen an eagle nest,” he said.

  “It’s as big as a V.W. car,” Kay said.

  “I don’t doubt it,” he said.

  “Hey, Mom, can you help Tommy with Kristin this afternoon into tomorrow morning? I’m going to Eau Claire to meet with Dr. Olson.”

  Kay’s kind eyes brimmed with excitement. “I’d be delighted. Do you want to take my car?”

  “If that’s okay with you,” Jen said.

  “More than okay,” Kay said. “How exciting.”

  “Yeah. Really exciting,” Tommy mumbled under his breath.

  Nineteen

  They chased away the rest of the morning frolicking on the beach, Tommy and Kristin taking first place over Jake and Patrick in the sandcastle-building competition. Grandma and grandpa awarded Kristin a blue ribbon from the drawer of Duncan’s multiple athletic achievements. He wouldn’t mind since he was at football training camp.

  Kristin’s smile and squeals of delight made their hearts burst. Jake and Patrick, ultra-competitive brothers who usually pouted when they didn’t win, gathered around Tommy and Kristin for her first blue-ribbon photo shoot.

  After a shower and monster snack, Kristin napped while Jen and Kay prepared a sandwich buffet with fruit salad and kale slaw. Then Jen showered and threw on a navy sundress that she had packed for a potential dinner out. Kay loaned her a white blazer with navy piping for a more professional look. Fortunately, Jen and Kay wore the same size blazer—big enough for Jen’s broad shoulders and Kay’s middle-aged healthy glow.

  Jen zipped up her overnight bag, bringing a variety of things she might have the courage to wear at Victoria’s if the mood struck her.

  “I found my pearls, dear,” Kay said, coming into Jen’s room and dropping them into the palm of Jen’s hand.

  “I don’t know about these, Mom.” Jen balanced them in her hand. “They’re so heavy for summer.”

  “Let’s try them on. They’ll add a touch of class.” Kay clasped them around Jen’s neck, and they looked at their reflections in the mirror. Jen was a younger version of her mother, who had aged a bit since Jen had seen her last, reminding Jen that time waited for no one. She lay her hand on the pearls.

  “Thanks Mom. They’ll remind me of you while I’m chatting with colleagues.”

  “That’s what I thought, too.” Kay’s face radiated pride. “You’re my only girl, so these pearls are yours someday.”

  “Oh Mom.” Tears clouded Jen’s eyes. “Not quite yet, though, okay?”

  “Whenever you feel the time is right,” Kay said.

  Jen hoped she wouldn’t let her parents down by scoping out this opportunity. She didn’t want to build their expectations that she would move back. After a light lunch at the kitchen island, Jen hugged everyone goodbye.

  “Thanks for letting me borrow your car.”

  “I’d do anything for you. You know that,” Kay said.

  “Drive the speed limit,” Roger said. “Lots of cops from here to Eau Claire.”

  “Good to know,” Jen said.

  “You look good in that four-door sedan,” Tommy said.

  Jen rolled her eyes.

  “There’s the look I got throughout her teenage years,” Kay said to Tommy, “that one right there.”

  “I’ve been on the receiving end of that look many times,” he said.

  Tommy and Kay shared a laugh.

  “Let’s not make too much fun of Jen before a job interview,” Roger said from the table where he was eating a sandwich stuffed with three kinds of meat.

  “Thank you Daddy, but it isn’t an interview. I’m just inquiring, but it’s nice to know you’re on my side,” Jen said.

  “Did you just call dad, ‘Daddy?’” Jake asked.

  “Ah…I don’t know. Did I?” Jen asked.

  “Yes,” everyone replied in unison.

  “You’ve never called me ‘Daddy’ before,” Roger said. “I kinda like it.”

  “She got that from Amanda,” Tommy said with a full mouth. “Amanda calls Jack, ‘Daddy’ all the time, and it really irritates Jen. Now Jen is doing it, and I’m so ratting you out to Amanda next time I see her.” He bumped her shoulder with his own.

  With one eyebrow, Jen silently warned Tommy to stop. “Well, I need to leave if I want to be on time.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car,” Tommy said, laying his sandwich on the counter.

  Jen turned to Kay. “Thanks for helping Tommy with Kristin, Mom. See you tomorrow by noon.”

  “Take your time and enjoy yourself,” Kay said, hugging Jen.

  Tommy followed Jen to the front door where her bag was resting. He picked it up, and Jen slung one of Kay’s navy purses over her shoulder along with the blazer.

  As they strolled along the cobblestone sidewalk, Tommy said, “Could your bag be any bigger for one night? Christ! What do you have in here?”

  Crimson crept from her ears to her toes. “Ah, sweats and a sweatshirt in case Victoria’s house is cold with air conditioning. Plus, it was the smallest bag I brought from home, so I had to use it.”

  “Uh-huh,” he said in a disbelieving tone.

  She pecked him on the cheek after he stowed her bag in the back seat. “Thanks for everything, Tommy.”

  “You know how I feel about this, but I want you to be happy,” he said.

  “I know. I want you to be happy too. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Just one step at a time, okay?”

  “Please come back.” He hugged her lightly.

  “Always,” she said.

  “Be safe and make responsible choices,” he said in mock-fatherly tone.

  “Thank you.” She dropped into the driver’s seat, started the car, and turned it around for the long, wooded driveway. As she drove away, she glanced in her rearview mirror to see Tommy light a cigarette and stroll down a grassy path away from the main cabin. A pang of guilt hit her because she knew that he smoked only when he was stressed. Can I really do this to him? Move his girl from San Francisco? Can I deprive Kristin of her daddy?

  Jen’s heart sank, but she motored on.

  Later, she merged onto Highway 53 south and kept pace with other traffic speeding along. It was a warm, summer day, the plump clouds drifting innocently across the blue sky. Jen’s mind turned to her upcoming meeting with Dr. Olson. Her emotions flowed in and out of excitement, fear and nervousness. A strong undertone, however, was a sense of disloyalty to her life in San Francisco. Not to Amanda. Fuck Amanda. But to the career she had built in the city. To Melissa Cohen and the patients who were loyal to Jen. To Tommy. To Grandpa Cy and how lonely he would be without Kristin in his life. Why didn’t I invite him to come with us to the lake?

  The faces of colleagues and Tommy’s family, including his twin sister, Tina, flashed through her mind as she drove, poisoning her ability to embrace the job opportunity with a clear conscience. She was excited and curious, but her upbeat attitude was drained by the guilt and sense of infidelity. She knew interviewing wasn’t unfaithful per se , but her heart wasn’t pure, so the shine was wearing off even before she got there.

  Precisely one hour later, she drove into the sprawling parking lot of the massive Summerfield Clinic campus. She got out and stretched her arms overhead, sighing. Well, I guess if I’m going to do this, I’d better plaster a smile on my face. She donned her mother’s white blazer, ran some dusty pink lipstick over her lips and entered the impressive glass and steel building to ambient air conditioning and friendly volunteers who greeted her.

  Before long, she found herself in
a well-appointed conference room in the Internal Medicine Department, chatting with Dr. Neal Olson and two of his colleagues, an older man, Dr. Gary Bauer, and a middle-aged woman, Dr. Christie Kowalski.

  “What brings you to Wisconsin?” Christie asked. She had kind brown eyes and short, grey hair.

  “I was born and raised in Madison, went to UCLA Medical School, and did my residency at UCSF. My parents have a lake cabin an hour north of here, and I’m visiting them for a few weeks,” Jen said.

  “And, I scooped her up when I ran into the Dawson family at Fireside Bar & Grill on the lake,” Neal said, his light brown eyes flickering.

  “Oh, Fireside,” Christie said. “I’ve been there quite a few times. So, Dr. Dawson, do you want to move back to Wisconsin?”

  Jen smiled and gave a small chuckle. “Please, call me Jen. That remains to be seen. Right now, I’m looking at the opportunity and weighing my options.”

  “Fair enough,” Neal said, “I hope we can entice you.”

  Gary, the elder of the group, cleared his throat. “Are you married? What does your husband think of moving to Wisconsin? Is he from here too?”

  “Good God, Gary. You know we’re not supposed to ask questions like that!” Christie said. “I’m sorry, Jen. Ignore him.”

  “No worries,” Jen said. “I’m happy to answer. No, I’m not married. I have a two-year old daughter, Kristin, who I want to raise in a safe community—like I was raised in—so that’s part of my motivation.”

  “Oh…well,” Gary said in an authoritative voice. “Eau Claire is a great place to raise kids. The public school system here is top notch.” He turned to Christie. “See? Jen wasn’t offended by my question, and it gave me the chance to brag about our school system.”

  “I apologize for Gary,” Christie said, “but thank you for sharing. I echo his enthusiasm for our schools. We also have a daycare on campus for employees’ children. My two children went through the Summerfield daycare program, and they loved it. You wouldn’t have to worry about daycare if you joined us.”

  Jen smiled for the first time since arriving. “That’s reassuring.”