Certain Sure

by Williams, Reina M.

  “Yes. Fine, thanks. I guess no one will wonder why you call me Miss now. Maybe some tea, Maggie?” she said with a wan smile. “What do I need to do, James? Will you live at Aleen’s?”

  “Yes. You don’t need to do a thing. I’ll take care of everything.” He embraced her and whispered in her ear.

  “Thank you, James,” his mom said when he released her. “You’ve been a good husband and father.”

  Fin snorted and strode into the living room.

  “I better go up and pack,” his father said. Fin watched as he caressed Aleen’s back. She smiled at him.

  “Do you need some help?” Aleen asked.

  “Better not,” his father said.

  Fin shook his head. Why attempt distance now? Why not take her upstairs for a quick tumble? He walked to the small bar and poured himself a whiskey.

  His mother padded into the room, her footsteps no louder than Rose’s when she tiptoed. Fin plopped onto the couch, his hand steady on his glass. No need to splosh out good whiskey.

  “Won’t you try to understand?” she said.

  “I understand enough,” Fin said. His voice sounded different, yet all too familiar. He crossed his legs. Katie and Aleen walked in.

  “James upstairs packing?” his mother asked them. Aleen nodded. “Good. I suppose I should call Fergus, or maybe James would rather?”

  “We came to ask you that,” Aleen said.

  “It can wait. We’ll ask him.”

  “I’ll go up and ask him, shall I?” Aleen said.

  “Yes, thank you,” his mother said with her wistful smile. She hadn’t smiled so much in a long time.

  “Mom, this is insane.” They all seemed happy, like this mess was normal.

  “Would you rather we all hated each other, that we had angry scenes?”

  “I don’t know. But I’m glad you’re divorcing him. Maybe now I’ll never have to see him again.”

  “You don’t mean that. Even if you do, what about Rose? All the times the families get together?”

  “What of it? And how is Rose going to feel?” Fin said. He downed the last of his drink and stood.

  “Fin, while she was here, she asked me: ‘Why don’t you and Grandpa James kiss like Grandpa Pat and Grandma Mavis?’ It will be better for her to see a truly loving marriage than--”

  “I thought you and dad loved each other.” So many lies. He and Fergus had gotten good training in concealment.

  “Never the way a married couple should. Surely you’ve noticed. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s Fergus you should apologize to.” No wonder Fergus had been so messed up.

  “I will. Your brother loves Maureen.”

  “I guess.” Fin didn’t doubt that anymore than he did his attraction to Katie or his father’s to Aleen. But now he saw the foolishness of it all. “I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Are you going to be okay here, by yourself? I could come back after I drop off Katie.”

  “I’m not alone. Maggie’s here. Thank you, but you have your own life and I need to do this.” They both stood. His mother hugged Fin, then Katie.

  “Are you sure you’ll be all right?” Katie said. “I could…”

  “Thank you. I’m fifty-six. It’s time I learned to be on my own. Not that I will be, really. Please, Fin, try to understand. If you would talk to Aleen and your father…”

  “No, thanks.” He kissed his mother’s cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Ready, Katie?”

  “Yes, but I should say goodbye.” Her pretty face and petite shapely body twisted him inside.

  “I’ll go up with you, dear,” his mother said.

  “I’ll wait here,” Fin said. He drank another whiskey before striding into the front entry.

  Fin paced by the door. Maggie came out with a tea tray as Katie walked down the stairs.

  “Goodbye you two,” Maggie said. “I’ll see to your mother, Fin, don’t you worry.”

  “Thanks,” he said, opening the door for Katie.

  Fin said nothing the whole drive home. Katie shifted in her seat, but she was silent. Not even an “I’m sorry.” After parking the car, he turned to her.

  “I guess I should thank you for being so nice to my mom.”

  “I love her like I love my aunt.”

  “Yeah. I always liked Aleen. It’s too bad.”

  “Why?”

  “Won’t see her again.” His jaw clenched.

  “I know you’re mad, but I believe it can work out. Your mom is okay. Your dad and my aunt are really in love. They have been for over thirty years.” Katie’s voice pleaded with him.

  “Might not be as thrilling once they don’t have to hide.”

  “That’s cynical.”

  “I would’ve thought you’d understand.”

  “I’m not cynical. I didn’t think you were either,” Katie said, keeping her voice soft.

  Fin shrugged. If she’d say she was sorry, promise not to lie anymore, maybe he could begin to sweep away the debris. He could take her to the cottage. The comforts of home would ease him again.

  “Did you really mean that? You won’t come to any family parties?” Katie said.

  “I mean it. I can see Rose other times. As well as the rest of you.”

  Katie frowned. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at work?” Katie said as she opened the door.

  “Yeah. Goodnight,” Fin said.

  Katie walked across the street. She glanced over her shoulder at him. Fin gripped the steering wheel. Maybe she would come back. She hurried into the house. Fin waited a few minutes before he drove away. He didn’t need Katie. Thinking he did was a mistake he wouldn’t repeat.

  He ended up at a bar in Palo Alto, one he used to frequent. He flirted, but ended up alone as closing time approached. Knowing he’d had several pints, he sat trying to figure how drunk he might be. He’d recognized one of the waitresses earlier. She approached him.

  “You okay?” she asked. He must be more messed up than he thought.

  “Sure,” he said, standing. All in his head, he was fine. He leaned into her.

  “You wait and I’ll drive you home.”

  He nodded and sank into the chair. So she wasn’t Katie. At least he wouldn’t spend the night alone.

  “Thanks, Remi,” Fin said as they approached his street. “Wanna come in?”

  “Just for a bit,” she said. “Nice place,” she added as they walked to the cottage holding each other. Or maybe she supported him.

  “Thanks,” he said. He’d hoped Katie would be his first guest. People used to say he was a foolish idiot. It didn’t seem funny anymore. He faced Remi and tried to kiss her.

  She pushed him away. “I don’t screw around anymore. I’ve got a little girl.”

  “Where?” Fin said. He staggered to the couch and sat.

  “She’s at her dad’s tonight. We were never married…it’s complicated.”

  “Still love him?”

  Remi shrugged. “I better call a cab,” she said. Her voice was low, lonely.

  “I could drive you in the morning,” Fin said.

  Remi studied him.

  “I’ll crash here.” Fin waved a hand over the couch. “You can sleep in my room. Least I can do, after the friend you’ve been. I’ve never forgotten how you helped my brother.”

  “He was a good guy, mixed up with some bad people. He okay?”

  “Married with a little girl. My niece, she’s five.”

  “So’s my daughter. If you’re sure you don’t mind, I’ll stay. I’m about to fall over I’m so tired.”

  “I know whacha mean,” Fin said, his eyelids nodding shut. He fell into the sofa. His body felt heavy, the couch solid under him. Too bad it wasn’t Katie. He clutched the pillow.

  Fin woke with a gritty yawn the next morning. Remi stood in the kitchen, pouring coffee. It was nice, having a woman around. “You wanna shower?” she said.

  Fin nodded. She had breakfast, just toast, for him when he came out, dressed, his hair still dam
p.

  “I’m working over at Dillons’ Pub,” he said after they chatted a few minutes. “You should come by sometime.”

  “Maybe I will,” she said. “Mind if we go? I need to pick up my daughter soon.”

  “Sure.”

  Fin led her to his car. Remi even laughed at his dumb old jokes. When Fin turned to walk to the driver’s side after helping her in, Katie approached with a frown. She stopped and went still, a sunflower on a breezeless summer day. Without a wave or a word, she ran across to her house, into the back yard. This time he wouldn’t follow.

  Chapter Twelve

  Katie rocked herself on the porch swing. She was an idiot. She recalled sitting here, believing she would find the man in her visions. She realized now she believed he was Fin. She shook her head. Those flashes meant nothing, her friendship with Fin was nonexistent, and obviously their night together was meaningless to him. Fine, she thought, I know what I need to do: see the business plans through by any means necessary. She had held back, not wanting to anger Fin or her father, but now she didn’t care. If she was leaving, she may as well finally do things the way she wanted before she left.

  Katie called Fergus. He would help and not rat her out, like Maureen might. He told her to come over. He had taken the day off work and Maureen and Rose were out shopping and having lunch with Mary.

  “Want a cup of coffee?” Fergus asked her thirty minutes later as she followed him into the kitchen of his home in Burlingame. Katie shook her head and glanced around the bright, small kitchen Maureen complained about, though she didn’t cook much. Her sister coveted her in-law’s house, which was more in line with how Maureen envisioned her life.

  “How are you, Fergus? Fin was really angry.”

  “I’m fine. Surprised, but okay. I knew my parents’ marriage wasn’t like a lot of other people’s, but then whose is? They both seem happier. Unlike Fin, I actually listened to my dad. I know a love like he and Aleen have is hard to find. Why should I be angry about it?”

  “Maybe you should talk to Fin.”

  “I hoped you had,” he said studying her with his penetrating deep blue eyes.

  “We’re not friends like that.” Katie ran her hand over the countertop.

  “Oh? So, what brings you over?”

  “I did want to see how you are, but I also need a favor, or two.”

  “Sure. What can I pull off for you this time?”

  “Geez, Fergus, I don’t think I’ve asked you for that many favors.”

  “No, but, let’s just say I do what I can. There’s a lot you don’t know.”

  “You Dunbar men are sure full of yourselves.” Katie crossed her arms.

  “Want my help or not?” he said with a grin like Fin’s.

  “Promise you won’t tell anyone, not even Maureen?”

  “I promise. Rose will tell you, I’m good at keeping secrets.”

  “What secrets could Rose have?” Katie relaxed her arms and sat across from Fergus.

  “She has plans for people, but, like me, she prefers to work her magic unknown.”

  Katie laughed. “You two. I’m glad she still believes in magic. I don’t think I do anymore.”

  “So, what are these favors?”

  “First, I need the name of that clown you hired for Rose’s birthday last year,” Katie said. Fergus’s grin broadened as she continued, ending with a chuckle when she finished telling him her plans.

  “I’m going to have a mess to clean up this time, little sister. I’ll do it, though. Just let me be there to see Fin’s face. The poor guy.” Fergus chuckled again.

  Katie scrambled for the next several hours, almost cleaned out her savings account, picked up supplies, made calls, and ordered advertisements. She ate a late lunch, set up a couple interviews then went to the pub. She managed to avoid her parents most of the day which was better for her. She wasn’t much of a liar.

  Mondays weren’t the busiest days at the pub, but they did all right, especially once Katie’s mom had talked her dad into having Happy Hour during the week. Besides, they were understaffed still, so she and Fin didn’t talk to each other--both were too busy. After closing, Katie lingered, not sure why except she hoped to hear Fin singing again. Shaking her head, she went to the door, stopping when Fin called to her.

  “Something on your mind?” he said.

  “Not really.” She gripped the door handle.

  “You didn’t say hello this morning.”

  “Neither did you.”

  “You ran off before I could.” His casual tone made Katie wince.

  “I’m sure you didn’t want to bother. You had other things to do.”

  “Do you expect me to sit around like a monk?”

  “No, but I’d hoped you were better than someone like Michael.”

  “I’m not engaged to you.”

  “No chance of that, so you can do what you want,” Katie said, banging the door open.

  “Sure, thanks. Goodnight.”

  Katie waved and stalked out.

  The next morning, Katie snuck over to the pub to take care of some business. She worried Fin might show up, but knew he wouldn’t, as he needed to replace a section of the cottage rain gutters. Mrs. Knight kept her updated on his progress. Katie smiled as she drove home. Mrs. Knight had taken a real liking to Fin though the two were an unlikely duo. Then again, Fin could probably charm a penny from the most flint-hearted lady, and Mrs. Knight was anything but that. She shrugged, but, feeling wistful, went into the back yard, wandering around before settling on the swing, rocking herself slowly. The side door opened and closed, probably her mom coming to work for a bit while her dad read the paper or maybe by now playing checkers with Mr. Drew again.

  “Hi,” Fin said.

  “Hi.” Katie stopped the swing.

  “Can I join you?”

  “I guess.” Katie frowned, angry at her fluttering stomach.

  Fin sat next to her and pushed them into a gentle swaying. “I was going over the books with your dad. He’s agreed to let me do them from now on and I’ll call later to renegotiate with some of the vendors. And, I’ll be interviewing later this week.”

  “I guess I should thank you for telling me.”

  “You guess?”

  “Well, excuse me for not feeling grateful to the man who managed to take the job I’ve begged my dad for.”

  “I didn’t take anything from you. Your dad offered. Whatever problems you two have were around long before me. I’m not giving this up, it’s too important to me. If you’d give your dad, and me, some time, there’s room for us both. Your dad needs to slow down and when I get married and have a family, I’ll need you as a partner.” Fin put his hand on Katie’s. She remembered this, this was her vision. Fin’s Dunbar grin almost broke her.

  “I thought you were a confirmed bachelor.”

  “I think I’m done with all that.”

  “You didn’t look done yesterday.” Katie pulled her hand from his and bit her lip. Her eyes stung.

  “Katie, let it go. Nothing happened,” Fin said in a quiet voice.

  “Yeah, right. I don’t need to let anything go. And I don’t need anything from you. I’ll find my own job, thanks. Don’t worry, I won’t leave until my dad can come back, or you have enough help. I’ll see you later.” Katie walked around to the side door, listening to the squeak of the swing as it went back and forth. She opened the door, shutting it behind her. Shutting out the noise, shutting out Fin.

  For the second night, she and Fin didn’t talk, though this night dragged and Katie had to search for things to do so she could avoid Fin. As she walked out after closing, she stopped. He sang “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes” from Disney’s “Cinderella.” Katie listened to his mellow, lilting voice. She closed her eyes and for a split second, trembled with the thought that he knew about her visions, her dreams, and he sang to her. When she opened her eyes, she almost laughed at herself. She really needed to get out of town.

  “Spying
on me again?” Fin said before Katie could get away.

  “No, just stopped to listen. What made you sing that?”

  “I had lunch with Rose today. We were singing it. She’s up to something.”

  “I heard. Do you know what?”