by BL Miller
"I had the locksmith come by and change the combination on her safe. Cartwright Insurance will pay the claim. There really isn't anything else we can do."
"Is that all he took, just her broach?"
"Yes," Susan nodded. "All the other jewelry was still there. But only we would know that the broach was the most expensive piece in there. She's got that necklace that looks like it's worth more than it is and it was untouched."
"Tommy knows what everything is worth. Mother only takes it out on special occasions. He probably figured she wouldn't notice right away." Ronnie looked over at Rose, silently wishing they were alone. A deep anger welled within her and only the young woman's embrace could ease it. The hell with it, you already think we're lovers. She took a deep breath, reached out, and wrapped her hand around Rose's smaller one. Susan gave what was clearly an uncomfortable smile. You started it. Ronnie squeezed her friend's hand once, then withdrew. She glanced sideways to see Rose's surprised and questioning look. She smiled and hoped the blonde woman would understand. Sometimes I just need to touch you.
"So…um…let's talk about other things." Susan said. "Did you get the recipe from Maria for the stuffed chicken?"
"I did, but I'm not in the mood to fuss around with that tonight. You'll have to come over during the week and have her make it."
"Do you mean that one with the broccoli and that sauce?" Rose asked. "That's delicious. Maria said you always liked that."
"Well, Ronnie liked it too." The young woman's disarming smile caused Susan to return one in kind. "Maria makes absolutely the best stuffing."
"Yes she does," the eldest Cartwright agreed. Rose smiled to herself remembering the red box that said 'Stove Top' sitting on the counter one evening. She decided to keep the housekeeper's secret. Besides, she had tried making Stove Top before, when she lived alone, and it never turned out as well as Maria's.
With the subject off the physical gesture and on to a more familiar topic, Susan visibly relaxed.
"That's why Ronnie got to keep Maria. She cooks so well, if she worked for me I'd be as big as a house."
"Sometimes I feel that way too," Rose said, patting her stomach. Just then John came scampering out into the kitchen.
"Mommy, I want some soda."
"You need to say please and you have to ask your Aunt Ronnie," his mother said. He looked over at his tall aunt and repeated his question properly.
"Of course."
"Aunt Rose, can I sit on your lap?" Startled eyes met his innocent question. "Please?" he added, thinking that was the problem.
"Um well…"
"If Aunt Rose wants to let you sit on her lap, that's up to her," Susan said. She looked at Ronnie and nodded.
"Sure, if you want to, that's fine." Rose pushed her chair back a bit to give him some room. He quickly climbed up and pulled her arm around his middle to keep from sliding off. "Are your brothers letting you play with them?" she asked in his ear.
"No, they're no fun to play with," John pouted.
"Jack's no better," Susan said. "I swear the instant that controller gets in his hand his age drops thirty years." The sounds of boys arguing drew their attention. "I'd better go see what they're up to before one of them kills the other." She stood up and held her hand out to her youngest son.
"Come on, John."
"We'll be there in a minute," Ronnie said, standing close to Rose's chair. Once they were alone, she leaned down for a kiss. "I think Susan's warming up to you."
"I don't know. When you touched me, she looked like she swallowed a bug."
"But even after that she let John sit on your lap and call you Aunt Rose."
"Mmm, that's true." She allowed Ronnie one more kiss before reaching for her crutches. "Did you call for the pizzas yet?"
"Damn, I knew I forgot something. What did everyone want?"
"Two large mushroom, two supreme, and you wanted your pepperoni and mushroom," Rose said. Susan's shrill voice came from the living room. Apparently there was a battle of wills going on between her and her twelve-year-old son, Ricky.
Ronnie shook her head. "I had better get out there Can you call it in for me? It's three on the speed dial."
"Sure." Rose picked up the phone and pressed the button while Ronnie went to prevent World War Three. She got through on the first try and placed the order. She hung up and had just positioned her crutches under her arms when the phone rang. Thinking it was the pizza place calling back, Rose picked it up. "Hello?"
"R-Ronnie?" She did not recognize the voice but she certainly understood the tone. The woman on the other end of the phone was crying.
"No, this is Rose."
"Would you please tell Ronnie that her mother is on the phone? I-it's very important," Beatrice sniffed.
"Hold on just a second." Realizing she couldn't hold the phone in one hand and use her crutches, Rose set it down on the counter and worked her way into the living room.
part 10
Susan had hold of Timmy and Jack was holding Ricky as the two boys hurled insults at each other. "You cheated."
"Did not!"
"Did so!"
"Did not!"
"Enough!" Ronnie's voice boomed over the squawking. "I don't care who cheated or who's turn it was. If you two can't play nice I'm going to shut it off." The threat had not stopped the two brothers from bickering again and again.
"But he started it."
"Timothy!" Both his parents yelled.
"Ronnie." Rose leaned on her crutches. "Your mother is on the phone." As the tall woman passed her, she spoke in a lower voice. "She sounds like she's been crying." That caused the dark-haired woman to hesitate for a second before picking up the phone. A crying parent never meant anything good.
"Mother? Mo-…Mother…Mother, stop crying. I can't understand you." She silently motioned for Rose to get Susan. "Okay, tell me again, slowly." The redhead entered the kitchen just as Ronnie was piecing together what her hysterical mother was trying to tell her. "Are they sure? Okay, okay Mother, slow down…what did he say?" She turned her back to the other woman and leaned against the island. "Mother, listen carefully to me. Did he say for sure that it was Tommy?" At the mention of her brother's name, Susan's hand went to her mouth.
"Did something happen?"
"Who called you?" Ronnie asked as she waved her sister away. She had enough to do trying to understand what Beatrice was telling her. "No, Susan's here. We'll stop by and pick you up. Yes Mother, we'll be there in fifteen minutes. No. Don't call anyone else. If they need to be called, I'll do it later. No, don't call a cab. We'll be right there. Yes, I promise…bye." She pressed the off button and set the phone down on the counter.
"Ronnie?" Susan took a step forward. "Did something happen to Tommy?" There was no response. "Ronnie?"
"Tommy…" Her back to them, she gripped the edge of the island. "He was going eastbound in the westbound lane of the Thruway."
"Oh my God," Rose whispered. Ronnie pushed herself to a standing position and faced them.
"Rose, I need you to watch the boys until we get back. I'm sure they'll just eat pizza and play video games."
"Of course," the young woman replied. "Anything. You know that."
"I'll get Jack and our coats," Susan said, her voice shaky. She left the room to get her husband. Rose hobbled over to her tall companion. For several seconds, neither spoke. Finally Ronnie broke the silence.
"I don't know how late we'll be. Try to put them to bed by ten. There are plenty of rooms for them to choose from."
"I'll take care of it," Rose promised. She reached up and cupped the older woman's cheek. "I love you."
Ronnie gave a shiny-eyed smile. "How do you know just what to say?" She pulled her love close and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too, Rose. Don't kill the kids or play any game that involves tying you up, okay?"
"I think I can handle them. You have more important things to worry about." She felt Ronnie step back and realized Jack and Susan had entered the room.
"I'll call you as soon as I know anything."
"They can't have any caffeine or sugar after seven. John has to be in bed by eight and the other boys can stay up until ten." Susan said as she rifled through her pocketbook. "I can't find the keys. Jack, where are the keys?" Her lower lip quivered and her hands began to shake.
"I'm driving," Ronnie said firmly, snatching the keys from her sister. The change in her tone caused Rose to look at her. Where soft curves accented the strong jaw, taut muscles clenched just beneath the surface. Ronnie's back was straight, her stance commanding. Gone was the soft, sensitive woman Rose was privy to. In her stead was the executive, the leader of a multi-million dollar company and head of a powerful family. Although she understood the need for the two identities, Rose still wished desperately that Ronnie did not have to be the caretaker all the time. She hated the way the pressure and strain drained the energy out of her beloved. Watching them leave, Rose could only pray that everything would be all right.
********************
The chime of the clock woke the dozing woman. Rose reached for her crutches and stood up. A quick rubbing of her eyes helped her see that it was three o'clock. There had been no phone call yet, not a word. She went out to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. No doubt when Ronnie returned she would want some. Soon Rose was smiling at the peaceful sound of the coffee maker. Ricky and Timmy had decided to continue their fight, forcing Rose at one point to send them to separate corners to cool off. That action earned her a colorful string of words from Ricky. Only the threat of repeating them to his Aunt Ronnie managed to quiet him down. At bedtime she took the easy way out and let each boy pick his own room to sleep in. Her arms still ached from working her way up the stairs twice before Ronnie's nephews finally fell asleep.
Rose passed the time by drinking coffee at the kitchen table and rereading the daily paper. Tabitha popped in from time to time, demanded attention, then left. Three days worth of newsprint and half the pot of coffee slipped by before Ronnie's Jeep pulled into the driveway. She got up on her crutches and went to the door, opening it in time to see Jack helping his wife and mother-in-law out of the vehicle. "Oh Lord," she whispered, knowing the worst had happened. Ronnie took over for her brother-in-law and helped Beatrice inside. "What rooms did you put the boys in?" she asked as she passed.
"The rooms on either side of yours and the one at the end of the hall," Rose said, choking back a lump in her own throat. Until she saw the crushed look on their faces, she had been holding on to the hope that Tommy had somehow survived the accident. Ronnie nodded and looked at Jack.
"The room on the left near the end of the hall is empty. Put her there. I'll put Mother in my room." She took the matriarch's pocketbook and set it on the counter. "Mother? Come on, I think you need to lie down for a little while."
"But I have to call…"
"I'll take care of letting everyone know. You need to lie down." She saw Jack leading his wife out of the room. "Come on, we're going upstairs now."
"Horrible…it's just so horrible…" Beatrice cried.
"I know, Mother. Come on now." Ronnie led the grieving woman away.
Fifteen minutes later she returned to the kitchen. "Rose, do you think you can make a pot of coffee?"
"I already did. Your cup is on the table." Ronnie looked at the familiar mug, then at her companion. "I figured you'd need some coffee," Rose said with a shrug. "I've had a bit myself." They both looked over at the nearly empty pot.
"That was good thinking." She rubbed her eyes. "What time is it anyway?"
"Almost six-thirty."
"I guess I should wait an hour or so before I start calling everyone." Ronnie wrapped her hands around her mug and stared at the beige liquid. Uncertain what to say, Rose remained silent, giving her companion the time she needed. Blue eyes shone with unshed tears but remained focused on the coffee. After an extended silence, Ronnie began to speak. "The witnesses said he turned into the off ramp instead of the on ramp." Her lower lip quivered and she blinked rapidly.
"He was picking up speed and hit a dump truck just before the entrance to the highway."
"Ronnie, I'm so sorry." She put her hand on the strong forearm.
"They um…" The blinking increased as she battled to keep the tears in. "They have to do an autopsy." Her voice hitched. "They think he might…the drugs…" A sob escaped her lips and Ronnie found herself being pulled into Rose's arms.
"Okay, I've got you," the young woman cooed. The chairs scraped across the kitchen floor as they moved closer, neither wanting to break the contact. The caretaker needed comfort and Rose was the only one who could provide it.
"I-it isn't fair. He's too young," Ronnie choked. "The drugs…"
"I know." She kissed the dark forehead. "I know." She began rocking as hot tears soaked her shirt. Sobs racked the tall frame but Rose held on, murmuring comforting words and gently rubbing Ronnie's back. "I've got you…that's right, let it go."
"It was those damn drugs," she cried.
"I know." Rose continued rocking and holding her beloved until finally the tears subsided and the sobs reduced themselves to sniffles. She felt Ronnie pull back and released her embrace.
"Better?" She received a shaky nod. "Come here." She took a linen napkin off the table and wiped the wet face. "Blow…that's better."
"Thanks, I just needed…well, that." Ronnie wearily sank back into her chair and shook her head.
"This is just so hard to believe." There was nothing Rose could say so she scooted her chair over until their knees were touching. Ronnie laid her hand atop the smaller one and squeezed. "The next few days are going to be rough."
"You don't have to go through this alone." Rose brought her free hand up and cupped her love's cheek. "I'll be right here with you, I promise." She looked at the clock. "It's still too early to call everyone and you really need some rest. You've been up all night."
"What about you?" For the first time Ronnie noticed the dark circles under the beautiful green eyes. "Did you sleep at all?"
"I dropped off sometime around two but I was up by three."
"We both need some sleep." She stood up, then frowned. "I have to take the couch. If someone wakes up…" There was no need to finish the sentence.
"Why don't I take the couch? You need the comfortable bed more than I do."
"I'm too tired to argue with you Rose. "
"Then don't," the young woman said firmly. Ronnie looked at her and wondered if anyone else would be able to speak to her in that manner and get away with it. She suspected not, except perhaps Maria. Her eyes saddened at the thought of breaking the news to the housekeeper who had known Tommy since he was a baby.
"There is so much to do. I have to call the cousins…"
"You can do all that after you've had a couple hours rest." Rose forced herself up on her crutches.
"Come on now, I'll lie with you until you fall asleep." Ronnie nodded wearily. She needed to rest and there was no doubt that with her blonde friend by her side she would be able to do just that.
After going to the bathroom and changing into her sweats, Ronnie crawled into bed. "You sure you won't fall asleep?" she mumbled groggily while arranging her pillows.
"No, I've had so much coffee I don't think I'll be able to sleep." Rose held her arm out. "Come here, let me hold you." Soon Ronnie was nestled against her chest. "That's right," she began stroking the long black hair. "You rest and let me worry about you for a change."
*********************
Rose was humming softly and gently rubbing her sleeping companion's back when she heard the car pull into the driveway. Her eyes closed slowly with the realization that it was now Monday and in less than a minute Maria was going to walk through the door, completely unaware of the previous evening's events. She looked over at Ronnie and knew she could not wake her for this.
"I'll take care of it," she whispered before slipping out from under and placing a gentle kiss on the sleeping woman's shoulder.
She entered the kitchen just as Maria was closing the sliding glass door. "Oooh, that wind," the housekeeper said as she removed her coat. She turned and realized she was not alone. "Oh, good morning, Rose. Is that Susan's car in the driveway?" At that same moment she noticed the halfempty coffeepot and the newspapers strewn about the table.
"Yes."
"Rose, what's going on? Where's Ronnie?"
"She's sleeping. Maria, please come sit down." Rose leaned her crutches against the island and pulled out a chair.
"Why is Susan here? Are the boys all right? Did something happen to Jack? Is…"
"No, they're fine. Please sit down." Rose let out a breath and waited for the housekeeper to take a seat before sitting down herself.
"You're scaring me. What happened?" Maria's voice was full of worry. Rose felt her throat tighten even before she spoke. "I wish there was an easy way to tell you this." Realizing her words were only making the older woman more upset, she took a deep breath and continued.