The Daughters of Winston Barnett

by Dara Girard

"No, I can't." She continued to hold out her hand.

  He glanced down at the hand confused then shook it. "I don't need thanks."

  "I know," Janet said in a curt voice amazed by how his hand swallowed hers. Was there nothing about this man that wasn't oversized? "But I give it all the same."

  "You're welcome."

  She pulled her hand free and walked away, still feeling the strength of his gaze and the heat from his grasp.

  By the time Janet reached the lake house, Beverly was settled on the couch in the living room, with pillows and blankets. Janet set her things down and went over to her sister. "Are you all right?"

  "Yes."

  Moments later, Frederick entered and stared at them. "What the hell is this?"

  "What do you mean?" Janet asked offended more by his tone than his language.

  He removed the pillows from behind Beverly's head and placed them under her ankle.

  "What are you doing?" Janet demanded.

  "Jeffrey knows," Frederick said, sending his friend a cutting look. "She's suffered a sprain not a fainting spell. Did you clean the cut?"

  "Yes," Jeffrey said affronted.

  Frederick rested his hands on his hips, his voice aggressive. "With what?"

  "I'm sure he's taken excellent care of my sister," Janet said annoyed with Frederick's tone. "You shouldn't talk to your friend this way."

  He lifted a sardonic brow. "Really?"

  "Yes, now leave her alone to rest."

  He nodded then turned on his heel. "Fine."

  "Durand," Beverly called to him.

  He took a deep breath before turning. "Yes?"

  "I don't know how to thank you."

  "You don't have to," he said as though he'd done nothing at all then left.

  Janet shook her head as she watched him go.

  "Don't worry about him, Janet," Jeffrey said. "I'm used to his ways."

  "He shouldn't talk to you like he's your father."

  "He talks to everyone that way."

  Janet looked at Beverly. "Are you okay?"

  "Yes, I'm fine. Please don't be rude to Durand."

  "I was only mirroring his behavior. Did he hurt you?" she asked looking at Beverly's wrapped ankle.

  "Of course not."

  "Everything is all right now," Karen said.

  But all was not right when Janet woke up that night to her sister's moans. She'd decided to spend the night with Beverly to look after her. Janet turned on the lights and looked at her sister. A clear sheen covered her face and sweat soaked her pillows. Janet touched her forehead. It burned with fever.

  Janet shook her awake. "Beverly."

  Beverly slowly opened her eyes, her gaze unfocused. Janet grabbed her robe, dashed to Jeffrey's room and knocked. Frederick answered.

  Janet stumbled back shocked.

  He rested a hand on the doorframe and stared down at her equally surprised. "What's wrong?" he demanded.

  "I was looking for Jeffrey."

  He tapped impatiently on the doorframe. "What's wrong?"

  Janet stiffened at his tone, but answered him. "It's Beverly she's burning with fever."

  "Get her dressed."

  "Why?"

  "We're taking her to the hospital." He turned.

  "For a fever? I think—"

  Frederick turned back to her his voice unyielding. "Don't argue with me."

  Jeffrey came out of his room and stared at them. "What's going on?"

  Frederick answered before Janet could. "Get dressed. We're taking Beverly to the hospital."

  Jeffrey started down the hall towards Beverly's room. "What's wrong with her?"

  Frederick blocked his path and quietly said, "Get dressed or I'll go without you." He pinned his gaze on Janet. "You have two minutes or I'll take her as she is." He went back into his bedroom and shut the door. Jeffrey and Janet shared a look then quickly did as told.

  "That man," Janet muttered gently changing her sister although she wanted to kick something. Beverly was too weak to respond so Janet dropped the subject and finished dressing her before changing into her own clothes. They were both ready by the time Frederick and Jeffrey arrived. Frederick walked over to the bed where Beverly still lay. He lifted her leg and unraveled the bandage to look at her ankle.

  "Is it infected?" Jeffrey asked.

  "Yes." He gently set her leg down.

  "But I did everything. I—"

  Frederick walked to the door. "This is not the time for blame. Let's go."

  Jeffrey looked at Janet with anguish as he gathered Beverly in his arms. "I'm really sorry about this. I—"

  "Let's go!" Frederick said not caring if he woke up the entire household.

  They obeyed.

  Chapter 15

  "I was sure I cleaned that wound," Jeffrey said as he, Frederick and Janet sat in the waiting room of the local hospital. Fortunately, it was a slow evening and Beverly had been seen immediately when they entered the emergency room.

  Frederick casually flipped through a magazine. When it became apparent that he was not going to reply, Janet responded, "It will be okay." She was determined to offer Jeffrey the comfort that Frederick would not.

  "I took my time with her and was very careful."

  "I know."

  "I thought I was thorough." He buried his face in his hands. "I guess I wasn't."

  "Everything will be okay." She glanced at Frederick, vexed by his nonchalant manner. "I know how much you care."

  Frederick closed his magazine, tossed it on the table then selected another one.

  "I can't believe this," Jeffrey moaned. "I thought I was helping."

  Janet felt some of her patience thinning, but still kept her voice gentle. "I know."

  Frederick turned a page and addressed his friend without looking up. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself."

  Jeffrey lifted his head. "What?"

  "You heard me."

  Janet pursed her lips. "You shouldn't talk to him that way, he's upset."

  Frederick looked at her. "More than you?"

  Janet hesitated taken aback by the question. "No, but—"

  "Then he should be comforting you. You're the one who woke up to your sister burning with fever. You're the one whose sister is in a hospital."

  Janet opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

  "He's right," Jeffrey said ashamed.

  "No, he's not right," Janet said appalled by Frederick's callous comment and the picture he painted of Jeffrey. "He's your friend. He should stand up for you not bad talk you in front of others."

  Jeffrey grinned. "Frederick takes some getting used to."

  Frederick set his magazine aside. "Jeffrey knows I will always be there for him, even if he has a bad habit of over dramatizing things and indulging in excessive guilt."

  Janet scowled. "And you're intolerant of both."

  "I know he's better than that."

  Jeffrey stood then stretched unaware of the tension in front of him. "I'm thirsty. I'm going to the vending machines, would you like anything?"

  Janet and Frederick shook their heads and he left. Without Jeffrey to distract her, Janet didn't know what to do with herself. She wasn't interested in the magazines, the TV was reporting another sad story about a war torn country and she certainly didn't have anything to say to Frederick. She crossed her legs and swung her foot, staring at the strange pattern in the carpet. Unfortunately, the silence made her wonder what was happening to Beverly. What was wrong with her? Had the infection spread? Had they been able to reduce her fever? When would the doctor talk to them?

  "Your sister will be okay," Frederick said.

  Janet didn't look up at him, she especially didn't like the cool, casual way he said the words, but they made her feel better all the same.

  Minutes later Jeffrey returned with three cans of soda and three bags of chips. He handed the drinks and chips to the others as though giving them a peace offering for his past behavior. Frederick said nothing. Janet smiled. She h
ad nearly finished her drink when the doctor came out.

  She was a tall Hispanic woman with short hair and a wide smile. "Your friend will be fine. She suffered a really nasty sprain. While examining Miss Barnett, we discovered some minor nerve damage that will probably heal on its own. However, when we looked at a CAT scan of the injury, there appears to be a shadowy area, which our radiologist believes is where some of the gravel and dirt from the tracks went deep into the open wound. That is probably the cause of her fever.

  "I spoke to Miss Barnett and explained that in order for us to do a deep cleaning of the area, which would be extremely painful, we will need to give her some local anesthesia. The procedure can be done here in the emergency room. However, I would like to keep her in the hospital for a day or two, at least until her fever and some of the swelling goes down."

  Janet thanked the doctor then turned to Jeffrey. "What do we do now?"

  "Go home," Frederick said. "Get some sleep so you can be with your sister tomorrow."

  * * *

  Mrs. Barnett hung up the phone with a satisfied click. She looked at her husband as he played chess against Francine who was failing miserably. "Three extra days!" she announced.

  "What are you going on about?" Mr. Barnett said, studying the chessboard.

  "Beverly twisted her ankle wearing those new high heels and had to be rushed to the hospital because of an infection. She's all right now. She's taking antibiotics, but the doctor wants her to stay in the hospital for a day or two."

  Francine clicked her tongue and adjusted her frames. "Such is the price of vanity. Janet knew those shoes were ridiculous."

  "They are not ridiculous. She got her heel caught in a train track."

  Mr. Barnett kissed his teeth in disgust. "And could have been squashed like a beetle or carried away to heaven by a fever because you forced her to wear them."

  Mrs. Barnett rested her hands on her hips. "I didn't force her. Besides no real harm came to her and now Janet gets to stay longer and charm Jeffrey even more. Before summer I hope to have two daughters engaged." She clasped her hands together and stared up at the ceiling. "God works in mysterious ways."

  Mr. Barnett shook his head, stared at the chessboard then up at Francine. "I taught you how to play, how come you're so bad?"

  Francine tentatively moved a piece. "I do try."

  He took one of her knights and knocked it off the board. "I can never beat Janet this easily."

  "That's only because she lets you win," she muttered resentfully.

  "What was that?"

  "Nothing."

  "Tell me what you just said."

  Francine pushed back her chair and stood. "I'm tired. I'd like to go to bed."

  "It's early yet."

  "I have a lot of homework."

  "You always finish your homework first thing." He gestured to the board. "Come finish the game."

  Francine looked to her mother for help.

  "Leave her alone, Winston," Mrs. Barnett said. "We all know you've beaten her. That should make you happy."

  "But she has a few choice moves that she could take and—"

  Mrs. Barnett nodded at Francine. "You can go to your room."

  Francine smiled grateful then left.

  Mr. Barnett sat back disappointed. "You spoil them."

  Trudy sniffed from her position on the couch where she'd fled after her father had demolished her at the game earlier. "I hate losing."

  Mr. Barnett set the table up again. "Then you should learn how to win."

  "That's why I never play against, Daddy," Maxine said curled up in a chair watching a game show on T.V. "I never play games I know I can't win."

  * * *

  "I'm glad you're finally getting better," Janet said to her sister as she changed for bed. Beverly had been released from the hospital early that morning. "Two evenings by myself with them was a little too much. This is not how I planned to spend my spring break."

  "I don't like this anymore than you do," Beverly said from her position on the bed. "Hopefully we can go home in a day or two. I'm missing time off work and we could use the money. And I hate spoiling everyone's fun."

  "You haven't spoiled anything. Everyone decided to extend their stay and make the best of it. Karen and Tanya don't work and Jeffrey and Durand are on track with their project so a few days delay won't matter. I just want to go home."

  "I'm sorry."

  Janet pulled on her nightgown then looked at her sister with regret. "Don't be. I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself. I'm not blaming you."

  "I know and I'm doing my best to get stronger. I'm sure I won't be so tired tomorrow and can join you downstairs."

  "That will be a relief. When I'm with them nothing I say is right. Especially about art."

  "But you love art."

  Janet climbed into bed and drew up the blankets. "Not the right kind to suit Karen and Tanya. I say I like Mondrian and they say they prefer Cezanne. I like the illustrator Tom Feelings, they like Jacob Lawrence. It's impossible to agree on anything."

  "Never mind. Tomorrow will be better."

  Janet liked her sister's optimism, but didn't agree. She turned off the lights then lay on her side. She waited until she was confident her sister had fallen asleep, then she snuck out of bed. She changed back into her street clothes then left the room.

  She loved roaming the house at night. The quiet hush of evening invigorated her. Unlike her own house, the lake house had many rooms in which to explore and no one would wake up and ask her what she was doing. She could truly be alone.

  At this sacred hour there was no one to answer to. She could eat what she wanted or look through the extensive library without anyone commenting on her selection. There was no one to impress or explain to. Sweet freedom. Janet went out onto the porch. She stared at the lake as the moonlight touched the dark surface that reflected its image like a mirror. Then her gaze fell on a dark, still figure. She knew immediately who it was. His large silhouette was enough to identify him. Beside him sat the shadowy figure of a dog. Her pulse quickened. Durand seemed to enjoy the night as much as she did.

  Janet frowned. He was an intruder. She knew the thought was irrational, but the feeling didn't leave her. The night was hers and she didn't like his claim on it. He embodied the dominance and control she wished to escape. And there he was again dominating the very scene she'd come to admire.

  Since leaving the hospital with Beverly he rarely spoke to her and when he did it was always brusque. Yet she knew he watched her, his piercing ebony gaze assessing and intense. What did he see when he looked at her? She didn't like him, but everyone else did. She wasn't surprised by the Farmers, and Beverly liked everyone, but even Abigail and Les seemed to enjoy his company. How could they all be so blind?

  Janet folded her arms. What kind of man are you, Durand? He turned as if she'd spoken aloud. Janet gasped and stepped back from the railing trying to hide in the shadows. He soon turned away and Janet disappeared inside.

  The next day Beverly was strong enough to join them, although she needed to use crutches. They ate brunch on the porch then each found ways to entertain themselves. As Abigail cleared the table she watched the group of young people. Jeffrey stayed by Beverly's side eager to attend to her every need. He'd given her a blanket, which she wrapped around her shoulders. She smiled at him. Janet sat on the railing with her sketch pad pretending to draw the lake, but always sending curious looks towards the pair. Frederick sat on the stairs stroking his dog and watching Janet. Karen sat at the table while Tanya painted her nails and she watched Frederick. Abigail lifted the stack of dishes and shook her head at the drama unfolding in front of her, before returning inside.

  "I can't believe Janet said she likes Feelings over Lawrence," Karen said, glancing at Janet. The porch was large enough that she knew Janet couldn't overhear, but that Frederick could.

  When Tanya didn't say anything, Karen kicked her. Tanya jerked her hand spreading nail polish on Karen's finger.
"Look what you made me do."

  Karen narrowed her gaze and hissed in a low voice. "Say something."

  "About what?" Tanya said applying nail polish remover. "You've ruined a nearly perfect manicure."

  "Who cares? Reply to what I just said."

  "About what?"

  "About Janet's artistic taste." She raised her voice. "Don't you agree that Janet wasn't being honest last night about Tom Feelings?"

  "No, I mean yes," Tanya hastily corrected when Karen growled. "I don't believe her."

  "Janet likes to be contrary because it gives her a reason to voice an opinion. Don't you agree Frederick?"

  He absently turned to her. "What?"

  "Never mind." Her gaze fell on Jeffrey. "I'm glad Beverly is feeling better."

  "Yes," Frederick said.

  "Watching her with Jeffrey is so amusing."

  He sent her a sharp look. "You think so?"

  "Don't worry," she said amused by the look of concern on his face. "It's nothing serious. You should know him by now. He falls in love so easily." She looked at Tanya. "Remember that woman in Morocco?"

  Tanya nodded. "And Italy?"

  Karen smiled. "It's harmless."

  Frederick didn't return her smile. He studied the pair for a long moment then abruptly stood. "Jeffrey, help me give Milton some exercise."

  He walked down the steps towards the lake before Jeffrey could protest. Jeffrey said something to Beverly then followed. Janet filled the seat Jeffrey had vacated and watched the two men. "It looks like Durand has two pets instead of one."

  "Don't say that," Beverly said. "Jeffrey really enjoys Durand's company. They're good friends."

  Janet took off her shoes and tucked her feet underneath her. "Their friendship is a mystery."

  "Not to me. Jeffrey told me they met when they were both volunteers with the American Red Cross and stationed in an East African village helping dig wells. They also gave vaccinations against childhood diseases and illnesses that were responsible for the high infant mortality rate in the region. Twice they had to deal with rebel invaders and Jeffrey swears that Durand saved his life, although he won't go into detail."

  "Sounds commendable," Janet said surprised.

  Beverly made her voice firm. "It is commendable."