by Lydia Rose
Carrie greeted Kayla warmly when they walked into the gallery. “Kayla, it’s so good to see you and you’ve brought me paintings.”
“Yes,” Kayla said handing over the two pieces.
Carrie uncovered the artwork and stared. “These are wonderful, Kayla. A little bit different this time. Your work shows more feeling than I’ve ever seen before.” Carrie turned to Ann. “I’m Carrie Venture.”
“I’m sorry,” Kayla said. “Carrie, this is Ann Reynolds. She’s writing a book about me.”
“How wonderful,” Carrie said eyeing Ann. “Do I have you to thank for this wonderful work that Kayla brought me?”
“Me,” Ann said surprised. “I had nothing to do with them.”
“Oh, I think you did, but I won’t push.” Carrie smiled at Ann and winked.
Ann cellphone rang. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.” Ann opened the door to the gallery and stepped outside.
“This is Ann.”
“Ann, this is Charles Benson. We’ve read through your book.”
“What did you think?” Ann asked nervously.
“I don’t think it’s quite done.”
“Why?”
“We all like the Harris family, but you never went into depth as to why they are living that way. We all think they should be a bigger part of the story.”
“I did tell you why the Harris’ live as they do,” Ann said trying not to sound defensive. “I said they preferred to live a simple life and raise their children that way.”
“Has the lesbian tried to seduce you?”
“What?”
“Well, you’ve been up there for months with her all alone.”
“Mr. Benson, I don’t appreciate what you’re insinuating.”
“I’m sorry, Ann, but I thought maybe the two of you might have gotten together.”
“I thought you were against me speaking about Kayla being a lesbian?”
Kayla watched Ann pace in front of the gallery window. She could tell the conversation wasn’t going well.
Charles Benson was suddenly quiet.
“What other criticism do you have?” Ann asked.
“None really. We just want you to tighten up some things to complete the book. When will you be back?”
“I’m not sure. I need to wait until we can get a flight out of here.”
“We?” Charles Benson asked quickly.
“I mean me. I want to go see my parents first before I come back to Seattle.”
“Well, call me when you’re back and we’ll sit and talk again.”
“I will. Good bye.”
“Good bye, Ann.”
Ann walked back into the gallery. Kayla knew the phone call had upset Ann, but she could do nothing about it now. “I called the airport about flights. If the weather holds we should get out of here in a couple of weeks. I booked our flights.”
“Thank you,” Ann said softly.
“Carrie, it was good to see you again,” Kayla said shaking her hand.
“It was good to see you too and I’m glad to have met you, Ann.” Carrie added with a wide smile.
“You too, Carrie.” Ann returned the smile even though she felt it was forced. “Where to now?”
“I have to send the other paintings out.” Kayla paused a moment. “Is everything okay, Ann?”
Ann nodded. “Fine.”
After the packages were sent, they went to the local store to buy some supplies. Ann followed Kayla through the store not really participating in the shopping.
The ride back to the cabin was again quiet. Kayla waited until they were home before she questioned Ann again.
Ann put the groceries away while Kayla started a fire in the fireplace. “Would you like coffee?” Ann asked from the kitchen.
“Not right now. Why don’t you come over here and sit?” Kayla asked patting the seat next to her.
Ann sat down and laid her head on Kayla’s arm. “Just what I needed,” she said.
“Are you ready to talk about it yet?” Kayla asked taking Ann’s hand.
Ann let out a big sigh and told Kayla about her conversation with Charles Benson.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell him we’re together,” Ann said softly.
“It’s okay, honey. It’s none of his business.” That’s what Kayla said, but she was afraid that Ann was embarrassed to admit that she was in love with a woman. “I know this is all new to you.”
“It’s not that new,” Ann said rubbing Kayla’s hand. “We’ve been together for months.”
“Yes, but it’s only been the two of us. You’ve been living in a world where no one else existed.”
“The Harris’ know about us.”
“It’s not the outside world. Carrie suspected and even asked me when you went outside.”
“What did you tell her?” Ann asked not meeting Kayla’s gaze.
“Nothing. She just said she hoped I was happy. I told her I was.”
“I’m sorry that I can’t be open with strangers,” Ann whispered. Will I ever be able to admit we’re a couple?
“I understand, Ann.” Kayla assured her.
“Thank you for being so understanding.” Ann added with a smile.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ann called her dad to let him know they would be arriving on Saturday. “Dad, do you think you can bring mom home for the weekend?”
“Honey, don’t you think it will be harder on your mom if we do that?”
“No, dad. I think it would be good for her to be in her own house. I’ll be there to help you.”
“Okay, honey. I’ll pick your mom up Saturday morning.”
“Dad, I’m bringing a friend with me. The woman that I’m writing the book about.” Ann added not wanting to just spring Kayla on her family.
“Your friends are welcome here anytime, Ann.”
“Thanks, dad. We’ll see you on Saturday.”
As the plane finally landed in Dallas, Kayla turned to Ann before they left the plane. “You can introduce me just as the woman that you’re writing the book about, but why are we going to say that I’m with you?”
“I’ll tell them that we aren’t done with the book yet and I still have questions to ask you,” Ann said with a smile. “We won’t be sleeping in the same room.”
“I understand.” Kayla got up from her seat on the plane. They got the rental car and now drove to Ann’s parent’s home.
When they walked into the house, Ann’s mom was sitting in a wheelchair in the living room.
“Hi, mom,” Ann said kneeling in front of her mother. “How are you feeling?”
Kayla could see her mouth was slanted on the left side. Her left arm just hung loosely and her leg was the same.
Ann’s mom moved her right hand up to her face and cupped Ann’s chin. She tried smiling, but it looked like a sneer.
“Mom, this is my friend, Kayla. The book I’m writing is about her.”
“I’m happy to meet you, Mrs. Reynolds,” Kayla said patting the woman’s arm.
She looked at Kayla and then to her daughter. “You too,” she managed to say. Her eyes never left Kayla’s face.
Kayla realized that someone whose speech wasn’t perfect would avoid using it in front of strangers.
Mr. Reynolds walked into the living room. “Ann, you’re home.”
“Hi, dad. This is Kayla.”
Kayla’s hand came out. “It’s very nice to meet you Mr. Reynolds.”
“Likewise, but call me Carl.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Your mom looks good, doesn’t she, Ann?” Carl asked.
“Never better,” Ann said smiling at her mother. “Dad, why don’t you and I go make some coffee?” Ann led him out of the room.
Kayla got down on one knee in front of Susan Reynolds. “Mrs. Reynolds, I’m going to put my hands on you. I promise I won’t hurt you.”
Susan looked at Kayla and nodded.
Kayla laid her hands on Susan’s arm and leg. The wh
ole time she did this, she gave Susan soothing words. “You’re going to feel better in a few minutes and I’m going to need you to keep my secret. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I hope you will.”
Susan looked at Kayla not really understanding, but she nodded in agreement.
Kayla stood up and watched as Susan’s mouth straightened out. “Hi,” she said softly smiling.
Susan touched her mouth and said. “Hello.” Her eyes opened wide because it was the first time since the stroke she sounded normal. “What did you do to me?” Susan asked reaching out for Kayla’s hands.
“Hopefully, I made a friend who will keep my secret,” Kayla said with a chuckle.
“I promise to keep your secret, but what about my husband?”
“I expect you to tell him, but no one else.”
“Does Ann know?”
Kayla’s head went up and down,
“Are you in love with my daughter?” Susan asked studying Kayla’s face carefully.
Ann and Carl came back into the room before Kayla could answer. Ann looked at Kayla for acknowledgment.
“Everything is fine,” Kayla said stepping away.
“Dad, there’s something I have to tell you,” Ann said guiding him to a chair. “Kayla has helped mom and I need you to keep this between us.”
“What do you mean helped your mother?” Carl asked standing up.
“Honey, she means I’m all better,” Susan said in a strong voice.
Carl almost stumbled hearing his wife voice. “Sue, what did she do?”
“Look, Carl.” Susan moved her arm and leg. “I’m not sure I can stand on my own at the moment, but I know I will soon enough.”
Carl got on his knees and began to cry. “You’ve come back to me, Sue. You’ve come back.” He turned to Kayla. “Thank you. Thank you,” he said taking her hands in his. “How can I ever repay you?”
“The only thanks I want is for the both of you not to tell anyone. Not even Jan. I’m sorry if that seems cruel, but I can’t risk it.”
“We understand,” Carl said. “We’ll do whatever you say. Right, honey?”
Susan smiled. “Anything, Kayla.”
“Dad, tomorrow you and I will go to the nursing home to pick up mom’s things. We’ll tell them that we hired someone so mom can stay in her own house.” Ann looked at her mother. “That’s what you want, mom?”
“Yes. I want to be home.” Susan put her hands on the arms of the wheelchair. “Can someone help me up to see if I can stand on my own?”
Ann moved the footrests up on the wheel chair and she and her dad took her arms and lifted.
“Let me see if I can stand.” Susan requested.
Ann and Carl let her go, but kept their hands near in case she started to fall.
“I don’t think I have the strength to just get up and walk, but you watch me get out of this chair.” Susan looked at Kayla. “Come over here, Kayla.” As Kayla moved closer, Susan’s arms went around her and pulled her tightly. “Thank you for giving me my life and family back.”
Kayla smiled shyly as she stepped away. “It was all my pleasure.”
“Carl, you know what I’d love to eat?”
“Pizza,” Carl said with a laugh. “I’ll go pick it up.”
“I couldn’t chew the pizza after the stroke.” Susan laughed. “To tell you the truth, I didn’t care about much in my condition.”
Ann sat in front of her mother who was now resting on a comfortable chair. “I can’t imagine how hard it was for you, mom. I know you tried your hardest at physical therapy, but you weren’t improving fast enough.”
“So, Kayla,” Susan said looking at her. “Tell me about yourself.”
“Not much to tell. I’ve been in Alaska since I was ten years old when I lost my parents and I’m a painter.”
Ann giggled. “Mom, she’s being modest. Kayla is a very accomplished artist. Her artwork is in high demand otherwise the book I’m writing would be boring. I wish you could meet Kayla’s friends. They live totally off the grid. When we visited them at Christmas, I had to use an outhouse.”
Susan laughed. “I would have liked to see that.”
“I was terrified. I made Kayla come with me in the dark.” Ann looked at Kayla and smiled.
Susan saw the look her daughter shared with her miracle worker. She also knew Ann wouldn’t volunteer any information. “So what else is new?”
Ann shrugged. “I learned to cross country ski.”
Susan waited. “And.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say, mom.” Ann shrugged her shoulders.
Kayla sat there quietly knowing Susan was waiting for Ann to tell her about her new relationship, but Ann just sat there.
Jan came into the house a few minutes later. “Ann. I’m so glad you’re here,” she said hugging her sister. “Mom, you look good. Those therapy sessions must be starting to work.”
“They are, dear,” Susan said softly.
“Your speech is much better.”
“Thank you,” Susan said with a wink at Kayla.
Jan turned to Kayla. “Hello.”
Ann took Jan by the arm. “Jan, this is my friend Kayla. Kayla, my sister Jan.”
Kayla stood up and held out her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m happy to meet you.”
“Well, I’ve heard nothing about you,” Jan said with a giggle. “Who are you?”
“I’m writing a book on Kayla’s life. I brought her with me because we’re not done with the book,” Ann said looking at her sister.
Kayla glanced at Susan and knew she wasn’t fooled.
*
In the morning, Ann and her father went to the nursing home.
“Mrs. Reynolds, would you mind if I use your phone?”
Susan rolled her wheelchair into the living room. “Of course I don’t mind. Take the portable upstairs so you can have privacy.”
Kayla smiled. “I don’t need privacy. I’m just going to check the flights and see when I can get back to Alaska.”
“You’re leaving?” Susan asked.
Kayla nodded. “I did what I came here for and I may as well go home.”
“Does Ann know?” Susan asked.
Kayla shrugged. “She knows I’ll be going back.”
“Just not right away,” Susan said with a raised eyebrow.
“Ann has to go see her publisher in Seattle to discuss the book.”
“My daughter is thirty three years old and we never even met her fiancé. I knew the moment I saw you two together that you’re a couple.” Susan shook her head.
“Ann isn’t ready for you to know that. I’m not sure she’s ready for me either.” Kayla admitted.
“You love her, right?”
Kayla’s head went up and down. “I do, but this is all new to Ann.”
“Does Ann love you?” Susan asked.
“She says she does,” Kayla said with a shrug.
“Ann told me that she and Gary didn’t get married because neither one was ready to pull the trigger. I didn’t believe that. I don’t think she was really in love with him and maybe you’re the reason.”
“Me? I didn’t know her then.”
“No, but she knew marrying him would be settling.” Susan maintained.
“You might be right, but I don’t think she’s ready to pull the trigger with me either. Aren’t you upset that your daughter is in love with a woman?”
“All I’ve ever wanted for my children is for them to be happy. If you make Ann happy, that’s all I care about.”
Kayla stood up. “Let me call the airline.”
“You’re still leaving?” Susan asked.
“I have to let Ann work this out in her head. I won’t force her to be with me. Ever.” Kayla left the room with the phone in her hand.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ann and Carl came back to the house with Susan’s things and barbecue for lunch. “Where’s Kayla?”
“Upstairs. Why don’t you go bring her d
own for lunch?” Susan said with a nod of her head.
“Kayla?” Ann called as she came up the stairs.
“I’m in here.” Kayla was packing her bag.
“What are you doing?”
“I was able to get a flight out tomorrow morning back to Alaska.”
“You’re leaving?” Ann asked moving closer to Kayla. “Why?”
“Ann, I want you to spend time with your parents. I know you have to go see Benson in Seattle too. I may as well go home.”
“But.” Ann began, but didn’t finish. “I bought you a phone while I was in town. I added you to my plan.”
“You didn’t have to do that, Ann.”
“I want to be able to talk to you when you go back. Come downstairs, we brought lunch.” Ann looked at Kayla stunned that she wasn’t going with her to Seattle. Ask her.
“Thanks. I’ll be right down.” Kayla sat down on the bed. Ann buying the phone was a clear indication that she had no intention of going back to Alaska.
“Where’s Kayla?” Carl asked Ann.
“She’ll be right down.” Ann sat down at the table no longer hungry.
“Carl, would you get me a cushion from the living room for my back?” Susan asked leaving her alone with Ann. “Did Kayla tell you she’s leaving?”
Ann looked up and nodded.
“You didn’t try to talk her out of it?”
“She wants to go back,” Ann said quietly.
“Did you ask her to stay?”
“No.”
“What am I going to do with you?” Susan asked.
“What do you mean?” Ann asked, but Carl and Kayla came into the room.
“Kayla, you are going to love this food,” Carl said unaware of the tension in the room.
Kayla took a bite of the barbecue beef sandwich. “It’s great, Carl.”
Carl smiled then looked at Ann who hadn’t picked up her sandwich. “I thought you were hungry, Ann.”
Ann picked up the sandwich and took a bite.
Kayla finished the sandwich and excused herself. Ann stood and followed Kayla out of the room.
“What’s going on?” Carl asked turning to Susan. “Ann was so happy all morning. What did I miss?”
“Kayla is leaving in the morning.”
“So. I’m sure she wants to get back home.”