Maybe Baby Lite

by ANDREA SMITH

  Trey was losing patience with me. His voice had an edge to it. “Tylar,” he implored, “there must be a friend, a neighbor, someone you can call to get word to your mom about your injury.”

  “Look,” I snapped, “maybe she hasn’t paid her cell phone bill. It happens. If you think for one minute that my mother wants me back in her house to make sure I recover to your expectations well then you're delusional. She has her own life to live and apparently, that's what she's doing. That phone works both ways you know. It’s not as if she has called me in the last three weeks. If you don’t believe me, check the call log for yourself!”

  Trey was momentarily taken aback by my outburst. “What about a job? Does she work somewhere that we can call?”

  “She works Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for Findley, Morris & Sneed. It’s a law firm in Louisville. You can call her but I won’t. Just ask for Maggie.”

  He sighed audibly, walking over to the side of the bed where I could see him. He had his suit jacket slung over his shoulder. He lowered himself down on his haunches so that his face was inches from mine once again. Oh God why didn't he kiss me? I knew he'd wanted to and I knew I'd wanted him to more than anything! My body ached for something it didn’t know. Why him?

  “Tylar, I'll have someone here tomorrow to take you back to your cottage, okay?”

  “Thank you,” I replied, smiling, “Could you please have them bring something for me to wear?”

  “Sure,” he responded politely. “Ray and I'll review the staffing schedule for the next couple of weeks to see who we can move around to cover your duties and where we might put you in the interim.”

  “I appreciate that, Trey.” And then he was gone.

  CHAPTER 7

  At 9:30 a.m. the following morning Denise barreled through my hospital door, carrying a bag of clothes with her. “Ray let me into your cottage sweetie. I got you a pair of jeans, bra, panties, tee shirt, and these sneakers. Will that do?”

  “Denise, you’re an angel,” I said.

  As Denise drove us back to Sinclair Stables, I quizzed her. “Have I missed anything good since I’ve been out of commission?”

  “Well, honey, I’m not sure what you consider good. Let’s see. I did hear Ray say that Derringer is eating well again. Oh and the races will start over at the track Saturday evening. Everybody’s excited about that. Ray said you're to take it easy today and he'll stop over later to fill you in on your revised schedule.”

  “I can hardly wait to get back to work. I feel perfectly fine you know. I hope Trey didn’t tell Ray to schedule me somewhere boring, like over at the Belle.”

  “Well, whatever you're instructed to do, Tylar, it’s for your own good. Keep that in mind, you hear?”

  “Yes, Mom,” I teased.

  Pulling down the long drive at the Sinclair estate, I spotted Clint and Luke out in the pasture, exercising Ariel and the brown chestnut, Socrates. Both horses were being worked to race at the track over at the Belle. Denise tapped her horn, getting Luke and Clint’s attention. I waved eagerly at them from the passenger seat. Clint recognized me immediately, pulling off his hat and waving it back and forth while Socrates, startled by the car horn, pranced.

  “I can hardly wait to ride again! I want to help them get the quarters ready for this weekend’s races.”

  “Well I wouldn’t count on doing that anytime soon, hon.”

  “What do you mean Denise?” I turned to look at her.

  “It’s just that when Trey came by early this morning to speak with Ray, uhh, I did hear a few things.”

  “Spill it, Denise! I mean it.”

  “He instructed Ray that under no circumstances were you to be working in the stables, exercising the horses, or even pleasure riding until further notice.”

  “What?” I exclaimed. “What will I do, then?”

  “I think maybe you'll be working over at the Belle,” she said, almost inaudibly.

  “Oh, God! Dressing up and giving tours? No way, no fucking way!”

  “No, no,” she assured me.

  I felt some relief.

  “I think you're scheduled to work in the main building.”

  Oh great. I'd be bored stiff over there. There were just old ladies in that building working the gift shop, restaurant, and special event planning. I looked over at Denise.

  “It won’t be forever, hon. He’s just worried about you after what you’ve been through and all. I heard him tell Ray about your nightmares. I really do think it shook Trey up. I’ve never seen him so concerned about anyone like he is with you. Seems to me he’s quite protective of you, sweetie.”

  I gave her a sidelong glance, with an unspoken Puleeze.

  “I don’t care if you believe me or not, you’ll see in time.”

  “I had a concussion, Denise. Of course I was having dreams, nightmares, whatever. But there was nothing on those discharge papers saying anything about me not riding or working around horses.”

  “He’s just being a bit over-protective, sweetie, you know after that accident back there in—” She stopped abruptly, realizing that she'd said too much.

  “C’mon Denise, finish what you started. I’ve already heard some rumors about him and a fiancée that ditched him tell me what else you know.”

  “Listen Tylar, if you want to know what happened ask Trey; I don't like to talk out of turn."

  That was the end of the conversation.

  My cottage was stuffy from being closed up for so many days. I immediately opened the large front window to circulate the air. Ray had put my pay envelope on the breakfast bar, along with some mail that had arrived for me over the course of the last week. I had to make it last since there wouldn’t be a check coming Monday for this week.

  I relaxed on the couch, reminiscing about our house in Kentucky and what it had been like growing up there. I'd always been given chores. By the time I turned seven years old my chores included doing the dishes, taking the trash out, cleaning my room, and folding my own laundry. By the time I reached 13 years old, I was responsible for cleaning the whole house on Saturdays, earning $20 a week.

  I liked Saturdays because Mom would allow me to have my new best friend Laurie over on Friday night to spend the night with me. Laurie’s mom, Mona, and my mom were good friends. Mona was about the only female friend that I remembered Mom having. They lived five blocks from us. Laurie would come home from school with me on Fridays. After Mom got off work, she'd bring a pizza home for us and let us stay up until midnight.

  On Saturday, Mona would come by and pick Laurie up at noon. That's when my chores began. I'd put clean sheets on the beds then start cleaning the rest of the house. Mom left right at 1 p.m. for her weekly appointment at the spa. She'd get a facial, pedicure, manicure, and her hair styled. She'd stop at the grocery to get stuff for dinner.

  Saturday was Mom’s date night so that's when I would stay overnight at Laurie's. Mona would come by with Laurie around 5:30 to pick me up, just as Mom was starting dinner for her date, always a fancy candlelight meal. Laurie said her mom was the same way on her Friday date nights. I guess that’s why Laurie slept over at my house on her mom’s date nights. It was more romantic without kids around. Laurie said that she didn’t remember her dad either; he'd died before she was born. She said that except for her mom, she had no other family. We had a lot in common. My mom’s parents had died before I was born; my dad’s parents didn’t want anything to do with me she told me.

  I was startled from my sleepy memories by the sound of my cell phone ringing. I jumped up to answer it. “Hello?”

  “I trust you got home and settled okay.”

  It was Trey’s “business” voice and my stomach did a flip-flop. I wanted his smooth and silky voice back.

  “Yes,” I answered softly. “Everything went fine. I feel fine. I'm ready to go back to work and dig in.”

  I was curious as to whether he was going to divulge my new assignment, or leave the dirty work to Ray when he came by later.


  “Tylar, Ray was supposed to stop by this evening after his shift to discuss the schedule we worked out for you for the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, when I just now called him, he has been delayed by an early delivery of a foal over at the Belle. He's staying there waiting for the vet. Since he hasn’t had the opportunity to discuss the specifics with you, I wanted to give you a call to let you know to just take it easy tomorrow until Ray can get with you about next week’s schedule.”

  “I see,” I replied. My voice was sharp now. “Why don’t you go ahead and fill me in, Trey. I already know I’m scheduled to work over at the Belle. Are you punishing me for some reason?”

  Tylar,” his voice was quiet yet stern, “I don't appreciate your tone with me. Not that I owe you an explanation but to answer your question, you're not being punished. I simply must make appropriate decisions in the best interest of the business and minimize any risk of re-injury to you.”

  "I’m sorry I was snippy with you, Trey. You're right, I was out of line. Do you accept my apology?”

  “I suppose,” he replied guardedly.

  I smiled into the phone. “It’s just that I know that with the races starting this weekend and all, the rest of the group can probably use all of the help they can get prepping the horses. I can be of more assistance at the stables than anywhere else. I can make sure that I don’t over-do it, Trey.” My voice was soft and sweet. “Please, Trey?”

  “I know what you're trying to do, Tylar,” he said, firmly. “It isn’t working. You'll start your assignment over at the Le Vie Belle on Monday. Ray will fill you in on the details sometime before then. This is non- negotiable, understood?"

  I mentally flipped him off.

  “I’m waiting,” he breathed into the phone, his voice stern and expectant.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I replied rolling my eyes and not bothering to hide my irritation. “What about Derringer?”

  “What about him?”

  “Can I at least take care of him when I’m off the clock?”

  “No,” he answered, “I want you to distance yourself from the horses until your follow-up appointment with the doctor.”

  “Trey the discharge papers don’t say anything about my not being allowed around horses.” There was silence on the other end. I heard soft music in the background.

  Where is he?

  “Hello? Are you there?” I asked.

  “Ah yes, I’m sorry. This really isn't a good time to discuss the details of your schedule. I’ve made myself clear from the company's standpoint, and I believe that you're clear on what's to take place on Monday, correct?”

  Huh? Why's he talking like that to me?

  Just then, I heard a female voice speaking to Trey. His attempt to cover the mouthpiece was less than perfect. The voice sounded like Charlotte’s, though it was a bit muffled so I couldn’t be sure. It sounded as if she was saying something to him about dinner being served, did she say “Don’t keep me waiting, baby”?

  Holy shit! He wants her to think I'm one of his fucking clients!

  Trey shifted his voice back to me, “Are you there?”

  “I am,” I replied coolly. “Are you with your non-girlfriend?”

  “Never mind that,” he replied brusquely. “As to the matter we were discussing, I want to make sure that you're clear on what I expect and that you'll adhere to your schedule on Monday.”

  “Right. Monday,” I repeated. “Yep, I'm clear about Monday, Trey. No worries.”

  “Okay, then,” he said. “Please rest up until then?”

  “Sure thing Trey,” I said succinctly.

  Tomorrow was Friday and I had no plans to “take it easy.” I needed to busy myself with the horses. Since I wasn't officially assigned to the Belle until Monday, I was still technically following the rules. I'd get a good night's rest and be back in action tomorrow.

  Unfortunately, a restful sleep wasn't going to happen for me tonight. My earlier reflections of my former best friend Laurie, her mother, Mona, and my mom would come back to haunt me complete with details that I'd long since forgotten. I'd not be forgetting those details anytime soon.

  CHAPTER 8

  The phone call with Trey left me with a cluttered mind, so I spent the rest of the evening scrubbing the kitchen, bathroom, and dusting every piece of furniture in my cottage. I vacuumed the carpet, shook out all of the area rugs, and Windexed every possible surface. I liked keeping myself busy. I still had a stack of mail piled neatly on the counter. It would have to wait. Finally, exhaustion had won out. I was determined to sleep.

  Tossing and turning in my bed, my dream was familiar. It spawned from a memory of when I was 13 years old.

  It's a particular Saturday. Mona and Laurie have picked me up from my house to spend the usual Saturday night with Laurie. I've just turned 13 the month before. Laurie is older than me by about six months, but it might as well be six years on this weekend.

  We've been hanging out at a video arcade about a block from her house the past few Saturday evenings. Mona lets us walk down there and then she picks us up promptly at 9 p.m. Laurie and I are both interested in boys, but the problem is, we both like the same boy. His name is Kyle; he is fifteen years old and to us, he seems practically all grown up. He lives in the same neighborhood as Laurie, which I feel gives her an unfair advantage over me. I'm okay with competition, but it has to be fair.

  Laurie goes into the kitchen after we eat and gives her mom a hug, and then innocently asks if Mona minds if we go to the Video Palace to meet another one of her friends from school, Vanessa. She tells her mom that Vanessa is having her birthday party at Video Palace, and that she wants both of us to be there. The only problem is that Vanessa’s birthday party won’t be over until about 11 p.m. Laurie's good, she even digs into the pocket of her shorts and produces a birthday party invitation that confirms a birthday party is being held this evening, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. for Vanessa Goldman at the Video Palace.

  “Well, Jesus Christ,” Mona admonishes, “Why didn’t you let me know before now?”

  “I’m sorry, Mom.” Laurie says, looking contrite. “I just wasn’t sure that Tylar would want to go, but she does. We both do, please?”

  “Honey, we haven’t bought Vanessa a gift or card or anything? I won’t have folks thinking that we're white trash. You know how I feel about that.”

  “Mom, that’s not a problem. Kids our age, they just want money, you know? Besides that, I already bought her a birthday card. All we need to do is slip some money into it.”

  Laurie produces what appears to be a brand new birthday card with envelope.

  “Well, I guess it’ll be all right,” Mona acquiesces. “You two go get ready while I finish up these dishes. I’ll run you over then.”

  Laurie and I run up to her room. I'm elated.

  “How easy was that?” Laurie laughs.

  “Is there really a Vanessa?” I ask.

  “Of course there is,” Laurie replies. “You always use a real name with something like this. And the good part is Vanessa is going to be at Video Palace when we get there. She has used the same story with her parents.” I'm amazed at Laurie’s skillful manipulation.

  “Is Kyle going to be there, too?” I question nervously.

  “Of course he is, dummy,” she answers. She sees the look of despair on my face.

  “Look Ty,” she says, “I know that we both like him. We're best friends, too. There is no way that we should let a boy come between us, right?”

  I nod, not sure where this is going.

  “Here is what I suggest,” Laurie continues, in her most grown-up voice. “Let’s just see how things shake out. I mean, other guys will be there too. Vanessa’s boyfriend is bringing some of his friends. Maybe I'll meet someone better than Kyle. Maybe you'll. Either way, no boy is worth ruining a friendship over.”

  “I agree, Laurie.”

  “Pinky promise?” she asks, offering her pinky up.

  “Pinky promise,” I reply, linking my r
ight pinky with hers.

  Mona put a $20 bill in the envelope with the faux birthday card for Vanessa. Laurie has already told me that this will be our spending money. We're wearing mini jean skirts and halter-tops.

  Mona drops us off at the Video Palace, telling us she will be back at 11 p.m. sharp to pick us up. Once inside, the music is blasting. A taller, blond girl approaches us almost immediately--Vanessa. She has more make-up on than even Laurie. I guess her to be sixteen years of age at least. They click immediately, giggling at what they pulled off. Laurie introduces me to Vanessa, and then quickly asks if the guys are here yet.

  “They’re out in the car waiting for us,” Vanessa answers, smiling mischievously.

  “Cool,” Laurie says, turning to me. “C’mon Ty, we be partying!”

  “You mean we aren’t staying here?” I ask.

  “No way,” Laurie replies. “You heard Vanessa; the guys are out back in the car waiting for us."

  “But who is old enough to drive?” I ask.

  “Vanessa's boyfriend, Justin,” she responds.

  “Oh Laurie, I don’t know. I don’t think this is a good idea. Your mom might find out. She’ll tell my mom. We’d both be in a lot of trouble.”

  Laurie looks at me as if I've grown two heads.

  “What are you worried about?” she demands, incredulous that I'm not gung-ho on the whole idea.

  “Do you really think either of our moms gives a damn about where we are or what we're doing?”

  “Why wouldn’t they?” I ask.

  Immediately her whole demeanor shifts. I feel like I'm from another planet by the way Laurie is staring at me. She lashes out. “What exactly do you think DATE night is?”

  “Look,” I hiss, embarrassed because it's obvious that Vanessa can hear everything we say. “I know that both of our moms have their dates over. I don’t think about the sex part. That's their business.”

  “You're really clueless aren’t you, Tylar?” she asks without venom in her voice this time. It was if she suddenly feels sorry for me. I’m not sure which is worse. “Here’s the deal,” she continues, “What we have waiting for us in a car are several really, really hot guys, including Kyle. Vanessa’s guy, Justin, is driving. They are willing to take us to a house where we can get a buzz going, and then you know, whatever happens, happens. Are you in?"