Deceptions Revealed

by Lillith Payne

  Someone asked her to do a birthday cake, and after that it just escalated. She’d taken night classes to get her food handler’s certification and then set about breaking through to the next empty store for baked goods. With this last renovation she now occupied three of the four retail spaces below. Their home, from the first day in Hunter, was upstairs. The old brick building had arched windows stretching from floor to ceiling on the second story. Up here, she’d taken out walls and rearranged the layout to make it a comfortable space for them. Her kitchen was large but homey, a long trestle table in the center where they usually ate and where Danny played while she cooked. There was a dining area off to the side, but they used it only when company came. The living room ran the length of the space, fronting the main street. She had long, billowing lace curtains on those windows, which allowed the sun to shine through and create beautiful patterns on the hard wood flooring.

  Her bedroom was large. It had its own private bath and she had room for a sitting area under the side window. Daniel had his own space across the hall decorated with a hockey and skiing theme. He’d grown out of dinosaurs at three. His room shared a full bath with the guest room at the end of the hall. When Aunt Alice and Uncle Henry came to stay, they were always comfortable there. Across from the guest room was a small office. The rest of the space over the unused store was used for storage.

  Her style wasn’t really a style, rather a mixture of what she had and what she could acquire. Some of the furniture had belonged to her parents, such as the dining room set and banquet. The bureaus in both her and Daniel’s rooms were from her family home. The rocker in the guest room had been her grandmother’s. Some things, like the coffee and side table had been bought at a garage sale and refinished. Only her sofa in the living room was new. A large investment and one she planned to have forever. Finding a sixteen-foot-long couch with a curve had been hell, but it was what she’d visualized. The length became an automatic room divider without walls. The nubby tapestry material was kid friendly and treated with the latest stain protectors. So far, it had fared well. JoAnna figured when Danny was older, she could have it recovered to change the look.

  For now, this suited them both. Something deep inside wanted to say, “Screw you, James, if you don’t like our home,” but she’d pulled back the silent taunt, remembering how comfortable he’d made himself last night.

  What truly bothered her was Daniel’s lack of questions or comments on their situation. This morning she’d been prepared for the onslaught but got none. It was all too easy. Daniel was too accepting. While he was a superior child from her perspective, he was still a child and did have his moments of temper when pushed or tired. She wondered what questions he’d asked James this afternoon.

  Back on time, Daniel was animated about the movie they saw yet dismissed James without much thought after his snack.

  “Is it okay for me to play my X-Box until supper?

  “Sure, go ahead, but thank James for your day out before you go.”

  “I did already,” Daniel said, rolling his eyes at her like she should know better.

  “Yes, he did,” James said.

  “Great, then go ahead and play for a while.”

  “See ya’ next weekend, James.” Daniel skipped from the room, heading toward the television and his beloved games. JoAnna didn’t offer James coffee or a drink. Instead she made it clear his time was up.

  “Any problems?”

  “No. We were fine.”

  “He didn’t mention the situation this morning, and I didn’t want to push.”

  “He didn’t ask me much. We talked about New York City and your skating trip every year. Oh, and by the way, I’m invited for next year.” JoAnna looked appalled and James laughed. “Poor Joey, now you have to share him and with me of all people.”

  “Don’t start pushing me today. It’s been a long enough weekend, and now you’ll disappear. And when he does have questions or gets moody because he realizes his whole life has changed, I’m the one who has to deal with it.”

  “I told him I’d call him Wednesday night. Are you going to have a problem with that too?”

  “You’ve got a strange attitude, James. What happened?”

  “Nothing,” he snapped and she gave him a curious look. “I just don’t like being the odd person out. And that’s how you make me feel.”

  “That’s because right now you are. And I’ll not accept that I’m turning you away. I’ve given you access to him, suggested meetings and let him go alone with you, a total stranger to both of us, for the afternoon, and on a Sunday too. You could have had him all to yourself yesterday yet you deliberately asked for Sunday. How do you think that made me feel?” JoAnna pulled a breath before continuing. “I’ve had you in my home for supper. What more do you want?”

  His response was nothing more than a knowing glance. She turned away and shook her head. “Forget it. I told you, I’m not part of the deal. So we… kissed a few times. Like you said on the mountain last week, just getting it out of our systems.”

  “We did more than kiss, and you know it. And you know we would have finished if you hadn’t gotten paranoid about the camera.”

  “I don’t need my son as an audience to my sex life.”

  “I don’t either, but we could have moved someplace else.”

  “Like my bedroom? Move on, it’s not going to happen. I’ll not be another convenience for you while you’re here for the weekends.”

  “That’s not what I’m thinking. If you remember clearly, we did move out of sight of the camera and you came from the touch of my tongue, with my fingers buried deep inside you. I could have taken you there on the floor in the hallway. I didn’t. I want more.”

  “We’re strangers who lust after each other, sex would be easy.”

  “It’s just that we all belong together. We should be a family unit.” She thought she might faint at the suggestion but instead she shook her head from side to side.

  “This is as much of a family unit as we’re going to be. You may be his father, but you’re not my boyfriend or lover and I don’t want you as either. At one time I was thrilled at the prospect of being your wife, but we didn’t manage to get to the ceremony, did we?”

  “No, we didn’t.”

  “That’s a closed chapter in my life. So are you. We have a son in common, and that’s all.”

  “Fine, then it won’t bother you if I date while I’m up here?”

  “Only if you introduce your friends to Daniel and expect to share your time with him and her together. What you do after hours is none of my business, just like what I do is none of yours.”

  “Ah, yes. Alan. I’d almost forgotten about him. He must be put out these last weeks, thrown off schedule is he?” He was baiting her and JoAnna decided not to rise to his challenge.

  “Get out. Just go.”

  “I’ll go, but I’ll be back, too. I plan to be a dominating force in Daniel’s life. If Alan becomes his stepfather, I can’t help that, but I can reinforce who he is and who his father truly is.”

  “Actions speak louder than words.”

  “And I haven’t passed your test yet?”

  “No! You think two weekends of part time parenting is enough to qualify you as father of the year? Get real, James, it’s the monotony of every day that makes you a parent, not a movie and supper every other weekend.”

  “I’m going, because this is getting us nowhere.”

  “Good, say good-bye to Danny and be on your way.”

  He sauntered off through her home as though he owned it and it pissed her off. On his way back through the kitchen he hesitated.

  “Can we change our meeting with Helen to Friday? It will save me a round trip drive?”

  Joey gave him a resigned smile. “It’s all right with me, but it’s your responsibility to change it with Helen and Alan’s office. I’m not your secretary. If it works out, let me know what time when you call Daniel Wednesday evening.” She was determined not to lo
se her cool in front of him. When he left she could have her own private hissy fit, but until he was gone, she’d stay sane.

  “Fine, I’ll handle it on my end.” His tone sounded remorseful.

  Joey understood in that moment how easily they could get out of control. One misplaced word and one of them was bound to pounce, to think the worse. “James,” she called as he headed out, sorry she had when he paused. They stared at each other for several seconds. All she could say was, “Drive carefully.”

  With a nod of his head he was gone. For a whole week she’d not see him. Maybe he’d remember to call Danny on Wednesday - that remained to be seen. Changing arranged appointments would be his territory, he could make the phone calls. She had a business to run which was as important to her as his job was to him.

  * * * *

  James made the late drive back to Manhattan and was sorry he had. His apartment didn’t welcome him, rather depressed him. The idea of heading back to work tomorrow bit at his stomach. He’d told Doris not to expect him until late. He’d used the morning to look for a new apartment.

  With that in mind, he stripped and showered, finally settling before the television with a beer and the classified section of the Sunday paper. It was going to piss off Benjamin royally when he moved, and he decided he’d keep it to himself until the deal was done.

  * * * *

  Tuesday was a bright winter day. The sun was melting the snow on the sidewalks, and the chill had retreated. The store was busy but not crazy after the first of the year, allowing JoAnna to get most of her paper work done. After a quick lunch at her desk, she was about to head out to the bank when Carol came to her office. The look on her face told JoAnna something wasn’t right. .

  As friends go, Carol was a steady one. She listened to JoAnna’s story, refrained from showing too much initial shock and kept her questions to a minimum. She offered moral support and a shoulder if one was needed. Best of all she offered chocolate when needed and back up where Daniel was concerned.

  “There’s a woman out here who wants to talk with you.”

  “Someone we know?” JoAnna stood, ready to face the stranger.

  As soon as she saw the woman, she knew who she would be. Not by name, but by impression. Her winter white wool pant suit with matching leather boots and bag made quite a statement. Her blonde hair swept high and pulled back on her head. Her make-up was heavy but flawless. JoAnna could smell her perfume across the room, likening it to the smell left behind in a small church on a hot day just after a funeral. Worse yet, she must have bathed in the stuff. Automatically, JoAnna decided she’d send her gray flannel slacks and black suede blazer to the cleaners. The odor would linger and infect the rest of her closet.

  They were about the same height, but where JoAnna softened with curves, this woman stood all angles and planes, long and thin. Pulling herself back to the moment, she decided it would be best to just get on with it. Maybe Ben Montgomery hadn’t sent the woman.

  “Can I help you?” JoAnna asked, approaching the stranger. The woman put down a book with her gloved hand, using the time to give JoAnna the once over as only a woman can to another woman. Not liking being sized up by the competition, Joey stood tall and braced herself for what was to come.

  “You’re JoAnna?” She let out a little laugh as if all her problems were over. Her voice was deep and held a slight accent. JoAnna would bet it was phony.

  “Yes, I’m Ms. Sheridan, the owner. What do you want, Ms.?”

  “Pilar. Pilar Drake, as in Drake Industries.”

  They didn’t offer to shake hands. This time JoAnna gave the blonde a long stare before relaxing and folding her arms across her stomach, refusing to give the woman a second of insecurity. She would admit, the other woman’s green eyes were striking.

  “Ms. Drake, you asked to see me?”

  “We have a friend in common.”

  JoAnna knew what would come next.

  “I’m just up for the day to see what his new condo needs for comfort. James mentioned your coffee shop. I figured I’d buy some beans so he won’t have to make the trip.”

  “If we’re taking about James Montgomery, he prefers the dark Columbian blend. We sell it by the pound in the bakery area. Pearl will be glad to help you.”

  Pilar glanced around the shop and let out a breath on a laugh. JoAnna didn’t like her or her attitude.

  “If that’s all, Ms. Drake…”

  “That’s all. Except for you to understand the relationship James and I have. I’ll not take a back seat to any child, Ms. Sheridan. You’d better understand that now. Whatever you have in mind to get James back won’t work. We’ll still get married in the spring as planned. If you expect to unload your child with us, you’d better make sure he’s well behaved. I’ll not tolerate an unruly child.”

  “You’ve never met my son, so don’t assume. And I wouldn’t worry, Ms. Drake. The custody arrangements state quite clearly that whatever time Daniel and James spend together, it’s to be private time. No girlfriends or even fiancée’s. So, go ahead with your wedding plans. After the honeymoon you’ll have lots of weekends to get to know Daniel, but not before.”

  “Things will change when we have our own family, Ms. Sheridan. Don’t expect to have James’ time then at all. I’m sure the money you’re asking for will continue to come on time, but James won’t. Once my children are born, yours will fade away, a distant reminder of a bad time in his life.”

  “I’d prefer you not refer to my son as a bad time in his father’s life. If you do again, I’ll take it personally and you don’t want to piss me off, Ms. Drake. I’m sure Benjamin has told you I’m quite vindictive and capable of almost anything.”

  “A threat from the baker?” Pilar laughed openly as if it was the best joke she’d heard in years.

  “Just reality. If you’ve nothing else to say, you’ve gotten what you came for. You’ve seen me and the shop. You’ve made your point about your upcoming wedding and family. Anything else? If not, I suggest you leave.”

  “But what about James’ coffee?” Pilar was half way to the door when she said it over her shoulder.

  “The other side of town has a coffee shop. I’m sure you’d prefer to do your shopping there from now on. You seem uncomfortable on this side of town.”

  “I’m always uncomfortable when forced to slum.”

  “Then leave and don’t come back. Tell Benjamin you delivered his message, and it was received.” JoAnna spun on her heel and headed back to the office, gently closing the door.

  She assumed Pilar left but was so angry with herself and with James she was ready to spit nails. JoAnna grabbed the bank deposit and her coat and fled the shop, hoping the cool air would calm her. Initially her response was to call James and light into him, but as she walked toward the bank, the small town around her instilled an inner calm. That was what she liked about the mountain. When she took the time to look, she realized you were in a very special place.

  After smiling and nodding at several people she passed on her way to the bank, the discussion was the impending snow storm. Of course it was predicted for weeks away, but in a ski town, every storm was news. James faded into the background as she mentally ran through her cupboards, knowing she would need to pick up a few canned items if the storm really was coming. By the time she got back to work, her mood had lifted, her mind distracted by the weather report.

  Chapter Seven

  Wednesday evening JoAnna stayed near the telephone. That afternoon Daniel had mentioned James’ call, and she’d instantly gone on alert. If he called, she’d relax. If he didn’t, what would she tell Danny? Instead of driving herself insane she decided to make them hot chocolate.

  Just after eight the phone rang. She’d never seen Danny move so quick to answer the phone. His face was lit up, his little cheeks glowing, as he grabbed the phone.

  “Hello, who is this please?”

  “Hello, Daniel. This is James. How are you?”

  “I’m fine, Ja
mes. Mom, it’s James. He called like he said he would.”

  “I found a book about chess rules. I thought we could read through some of it this weekend.”

  “That would be great, I’m memorizing all the pieces and moves.”

  JoAnna walked from the living room, forcing herself back to the milk warming on the stove, remembering a time when the telephone didn’t make her anxious.

  Danny interrupted her. “James wants to talk to you. We’re gonna play chess over the weekend. He’s got a book of rules.” Extending his hand with the receiver, he lifted up on his toes to check the heating drink.

  “It’s not ready yet. I’ll call you when it is.” JoAnna took a deep breath and brought the receiver to her ear. “Thank you for calling when you said you would.”

  “I was able to reschedule the meeting with Helen for eleven Friday morning. Everyone’s been advised.”

  “All right, eleven. Can I ask what you promised to do with Daniel this weekend?”

  “Nothing specific, just that we’d see each other. I figured we could decide after the meeting.”

  “Fine.” She tried to pull back her tone, tried to sound normal, but inside she was wounded and holding it in. Once she heard his carefree voice she snapped and allowed the hostility to find her voice.

  “Is something wrong? What’s going on? Your tone is caustically polite. Somehow I feel if I was there you’d be throwing daggers at me.”

  JoAnna let out a breath. She had to make a decision. She could be upfront with James about Pilar’s visit or she could neglect to tell him. But then she’d still be angry with him, and he’d be confused, thinking she’d turned into a bitch for no reason. The last time she kept an uninvited visitor from James it had turned to her disadvantage. She still wondered if anything would have been different had she told him about Ben’s visit and bribe offer.

  “We’re supposed to be starting a new chapter in our lives with Daniel as the focus. So from the start, you should know, sending your girlfriend here isn’t a good idea.”