Look to the Rainbow

by Lynn Murphy

  “Not until tomorrow. Dad is flying in to drive back with me. We were staying at Casey’s, but I don’t think we should go there right now.”

  “You can stay with me,” Kel said.

  “Kel, I can’t stay with you. Even if Daddy is here. It won’t look right and they’ll make up some sordid story about how we spent the night together after my harrowing experience.”

  John added, “She’s right Kel. Everybody, including you if you want to, can stay at our house. Tara, you might want to call your dad, and let him know you’re all right, at least physically, and tell

  him he is welcome to stay with us as well.”

  Skip said, “But how to get them out of here is the big question. And I think I just got the answer.” They all followed his gaze to the doorway where his cousin Seamus Lansing had just entered.

  “Why am I always the last person in this family to find out anything?” Seamus asked.

  Skip’s cell phone rang. “You aren’t,” Skip said. “Mom and Dad are, but they’ll have to wait. Seamus is almost unknown by the press, so he can take the girls by Casey’s to get what they need and over to John and Kim’s house. I’ll distract the press by telling them Kel’s going to make a statement.”

  Kel released Tara and only then gave her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll see you there in a little while.” He turned to Mary Katherine and asked if they could go check on Evan. He stopped on the way out the door to hug Casey and then left.

  Tara watched him go and felt as if she were suddenly totally alone, even though she knew she was not, being surrounded as she was by people who cared very much about her. Skip called his parents back and that prompted her to try and call Michael. He was just getting off his plane and of course, was seeing the news reports and had a dozen texts and calls from her mother, Jack, and his office. She gave him John’s address and told him she would call her mother. Julia was frantic, but very happy to hear from her. By the time she finished that call, Seamus was waiting for them and Skip escorted Casey and Tara and Kimberly to Seamus’ car, and Tara scanned the parking lot behind the hospital for reporters and saw none and got into the car, surprised how just that act-getting into a car right after a car accident-was so upsetting. She felt that if she spoke right now she would completely fall apart. Casey reached over and took her hand and they sat without talking in the backseat. Casey told Seamus where Tara had left her suitcase and Kimberly went inside to pack a few things for Casey. They both kept looking for someone to be following them.

  Casey finally spoke. “I still can’t believe that happened.”

  Tara agreed. “I know. If I saw a reporter or photographer right now I would lose it. I really would.” She looked at Casey’s bandaged arm. “Are you in pain?”

  “A little. My head hurts some too, where they stitched it up. How did we survive that, Tara?”

  “I don’t know. I was praying as the car started spinning. Do you think that really saved us?”

  “I was too. I’m sure it did. Otherwise, how could we explain it?”

  Mary Katherine sat beside Evan as slept. He had been mostly asleep since she and Kel had left the others. The bruises on his face had darkened to a deep purple, as had the ones spreading across his chest. Even in his sleep his face was etched with pain. She had been glad to hear that the broken bone had been set without the need for surgery and that he had no internal injuries. She had yet to see the news reports showing the car and she wasn’t sure she wanted to. Only now did she allow herself to be angry at the photographers who has broken so many traffic rules and put Evan and Casey and Tara at such a risk. They had all known that Tara was being harassed, but none of them had taken her distress as seriously as they should have. Her cell rang and she saw that it was her mother. She almost didn’t respond, but she decided it was better to talk to her now.

  “Hello, Mother,” she said, hoping that this wouldn’t last long.

  “I saw on the news that Evan and that girl Kel is dating were in a car accident. Why were they together?”

  “Don’t you even want to know how Evan is?”

  “Oh, well, yes, was he hurt?”

  Mary Katherine willed herself not start an argument. “He was. He has a concussion and a broken sternum. And they weren’t alone, Casey was with them. He had gone to pick them up when they had walked downtown and were being harassed by a number of photographers.”

  “I don’t have to tell you this doesn’t look good.”

  “What are you implying?” Couldn’t her mother show any compassion toward Evan, ever? Not even today?

  “My dear, three of my friends have already called wondering about the impropriety of him being alone with her. What should I tell people?

  “You can tell them Evan is a gentleman and was helping friends, or tell them nothing at all. It’s none of their business.”

  “And you should see that expensive car you bought him!”

  Mary Katherine closed her eyes and counted to three. “Mother, I have to go. I could care less about rumors or the car as long as my husband and friends are okay.” She ended the call without saying goodbye as Evan stirred.

  “Who are you talking to?” he asked, the first clear sentence he’d put together since coming in. He reached for her hand and she took it.

  “No one now. I was just telling my mother to mind her own business.”

  “Well,” he said as he closed his eyes again, “it’s about damn time.”

  And it really was, she thought.

  Kel stepped in front of the microphone and spoke to the astoundingly large number of media people gathered.

  “I will not be taking questions. This is my turn to speak and I don’t want what I have to say being misinterpreted or restated. Today three people that I love very much were in a car accident caused by members of the press. Two of those people were injured and I am told that the driver of one of the cars that hit them was killed and the other also injured.A few months ago I asked you to stop harassing Tara. I was naïve enough to think that you would, because I had not been hounded by the media as she was. What happened today was completely unnecessary. It should never have gotten to this point, where lives were endangered simply for you to get a photograph. Your relentless pursuit of her as cost her a job, needless stress, and strain on our relationship. She is not a celebrity, she didn’t ask for this kind of attention. You chased her, you followed her every move and you put her life in danger and I am asking you now for it to stop.” His voice broke a little. “The story is over. There’s nothing left to cover. Please just leave her alone and respect her privacy. Find something else to report.”

  They tried to get him to talk some more, to answer questions, but when he walked away, they filed their reports and disbanded.

  He and John stopped back in to check on Evan and found Skip sitting with Mary Katherine.

  “How is he?” Kel asked. Seeing Evan injured and in pain, essentially because of him, wasn’t any easier this time.

  “Still pretty much out of it, but they say that’s normal and he can go home in about an hour.”

  “Skip, can you help Mary Katherine any way she needs you tonight?”

  “Sure Kel. How did the talk with the press go?”

  “I talked. Hopefully they listened.” He sighed. “I would give anything for this not to have happened. I should have done something before now. It might have kept this from happening. It might have saved mine and Tara’s relationship. But I’ve got a feeling that she’s really leaving tomorrow and it’s over.”

  John put a hand on his shoulder. He wanted to say something to give Kel some hope, but he’d seen the look on her face and he thought that it was over as well. “Let’s go see how everybody’s doing at our house. We’ll check on Evan later.”

  They drove in complete silence. It had been a long stressful day. No one had seen something like the events of this day coming, but they all should have. She had told them time and time again what was happening, but they had all just assumed it was annoyin
g, and a handful of tabloid reporters. Kel had not realized how many people were involved, how popular a subject she had become. And all because he’d been careless enough to kiss her in public. He should have been more discreet, he should have kept their private lives private. He knew the truth now. She loved him, but she couldn’t live like this.

  John pulled into his driveway half expecting to see reporters camped everywhere, but there were none.

  “Kel, this wasn’t your fault either.” he said quietly.

  “It was John. Indirectly, maybe, but still my fault.” He looked at John, with sadness and regret in his eyes. “I think I’ve lost her.”

  “Maybe not. Or maybe she’ll just need a little time once she gets home.”

  “I gave up being an idealist a long time ago, John. At least in matters of the heart.” He got out of the car and walked into the house. After a minute or two, John followed him.

  Skip helped Evan out of the car and did his best to make that as painless as possible and while Evan didn’t complain, both Skip and Mary Katherine knew every movement hurt. Taking the stairs was a slow process but they’d decided the best course of action was for Evan to go on upstairs rather than stay downstairs for a few hours and then move again. After getting Evan settled in bed, Skip went for takeout and Mary Katherine and Socrates settled themselves beside Evan. The little dog seemed quite concerned about his beloved master. Mary Katherine told Evan they had the only dog in the world who could manage to look worried. Socrates had wanted to lie next to Evan with his head resting on his chest, Mary Katherine had to move him twice before he seemed to understand he couldn’t do that and he moved to Evan’s feet and lay down there, continuing to anxiously keep watch.

  Mary Katherine had gently climbed up beside him, much the same as he had when she had been going through chemo. He lay back against her and asked her to turn on the television. She hesitated, knowing that the news reports would all be about the accident.

  “Go ahead, darlin’,” he said. “ I want to see what they’re saying.”

  One of the reporters had managed to get a live video of the accident as it happened and watching, Mary Katherine found she was holding her breath. The cameras continued to cover the aftermath of the accident, the mangled car, Tara and Casey, Evan being removed from the wreckage. Mary Katherine was incensed that they had been allowed to film it. It was the top story on every channel, followed by a replay of Kel’s statement. Mary Katherine hated to see Kel so upset and obviously so certain that he and Tara were finished. She understood what he meant when he said “The story is over.”

  After watching the coverage, she turned the television off. She didn’t think she could view that over and over. “Evan, how did you survive that? How?”

  He was closing his eyes again, slipping back into sleep, but he answered. “As soon as I saw the car coming toward us, I started to pray. That’s all I remember.”

  Her fingers raked gently through his hair and he shifted slightly, gasping a little in pain when he moved.

  ` “Is it really bad?” she asked, knowing he couldn’t have anything for several more hours.

  “It only hurts when I move or breathe,” he said.

  “Sleep a little. We’ll wake you up.”

  She eased him gently out of her arms and onto the pillows they had propped up. By the time Skip arrived with dinner, he was out of it again.

  Skip spread the food out on the coffee table between the sofa and easy chairs in the sitting area and they talked quietly as Evan slept.

  “He thinks prayer saved them,” she said.

  “You don’t believe that?” Skip asked.

  “I don’t know what I believe. Evan believes it. You do too, don’t you?”

  “Yes. Having seen the photos I don’t see how there could be another answer.”

  “I know my husband is alive when he should have been dead. I know he prays. I don’t know if the two things are related.”

  “Evan doesn’t accept things as coincidental,” Skip pointed out.

  “No.” She reached for one of the containers of Chinese food.

  “I know he prays a lot, Mary Katherine. I know you don’t share his faith. But you love that about him, don’t you?”

  “I love everything about him Skip. His strength of character, his patience and understanding, his sense of right and wrong.”

  “All that stems from what he believes. It’s all because of his faith. That’s what you like about John and George, even if you don’t realize it.”

  She nodded. “Maybe. It’s something to think about.”

  “I’ve found out I need to rely more on just plain prayer this year.”

  He looked suddenly very sad and serious and Mary Katherine’s heart went out to him. Of all the O’Brien children, aside from Casey, Skip was the one she loved most, and she would have to say she loved them all. “But you are doing better?”

  He smiled a little. “Yes. One day I might even be able to date again.” They fell silent and finished their dinner. She knew where he was. When Harry had died, she hadn’t thought she would ever have the courage to date anyone else. She glanced over at Evan, sleeping, and nearly cried looking at his bruised and swollen face. Somehow, someway, she’d found her way into the life of this wonderful man and she’d almost pushed him to the breaking point before she woke up and came to her senses and understood how truly wonderful he was. It seemed as if fate, or some higher power perhaps, was constantly trying to remind her of what she had lately. She rose and went to wake Evan, relieved when he roused out of his deep sleep and talked to her for a few minutes before drifting off again.

  Skip cleared away the remains of dinner and told her he was going to make some calls and check the news reports downstairs, but that he’d be back up in a little while. Mary Katherine carefully lay down beside Evan and watched him sleep, grateful that she had the opportunity this evening instead of the alternative.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Kel wasn’t sure, when his alarm went off the next morning, if he really slept. He assumed he must have, but he was exhausted when we sat up and contemplated his usual morning routine. All he could think about was Tara and the events of the day before as he tested his blood sugar, showered, dressed and went downstairs to take his insulin and eat. In the end, he had elected not to stay at John and Kim’s house. He hoped Tara and Michael would wait until he got there before they left for Atlanta. He had again the sinking feeling that they were finished, but didn’t think she would leave this time without saying goodbye.

  He let himself in John and Kimberly’s front door and heard voices in the kitchen and followed the sound. Everyone stopped talking as he entered and he and Tara made eye contact. Then they all seemed to start back their conversations and Kel drew Tara aside and asked her if they could talk in private.

  They went into a small den off the kitchen that John used as a home office and Kel stood in front of her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders and said, “You’re leaving me, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. “But not because I don’t love you.”

  Tilting at windmills was the phrase that came to mind. It seemed that when it came to affairs of the heart that was all he was ever doing. “Then why are you leaving?”

  “Kel, yesterday a man was killed and another injured trying to take a photograph of me. Evan and Casey were hurt and we could have all been killed. If we try to stay together, it will never stop. I can’t live the rest of my life running away from the media. It has to end. I guess I always knew it wasn’t going to last.”

  “And I always thought it was meant to be.”

  “I know. And I’d give anything if that was true.”

  “All my life I wanted to be President of the United States. Now I would throw it all away, if I thought it would mean you would stay.”

  “It’s too late for that and I would never ask it of you.”

  “The door is always open if you decide you made the wron
g choice,” he said finally.

  “The door to the oval office?” she asked.

  “That, and the door to my heart. It will never be closed to you.”

  Tears spilled over. “To the end you are the most romantic man in the world.”

  “I love you,” he said.

  “I love you too.” He did take her in his arms then and kissed her slowly and passionately and she wanted nothing more than to be able to kiss him like this every day of her life.

  She broke the kiss and said quietly, “I have to go.”

  “I wish you wouldn’t.”

  She didn’t think she could stand the tears in his eyes. “But I have to.” And she swept out of the room and he heard her tell the others goodbye and the front door close. He turned toward the window and wept with the kind of deep emotion that only someone whose heart is broken can feel.

  Evan woke and found Ross sitting near the bed and Mary Katherine asleep on the sofa. “Ross? What time is it?”

  “Don’t even think about going for a run,” Ross said.

  “When did you get here?” He wasn’t even sure what day it was.

  “Very late last night. I talked to you at about one and again at three. You don’t remember?”

  “Sorry, but no.” He looked back at Mary Katherine. “How long has she been asleep?”

  “Not long. It took some talking to convince her I could look after you. I swear both Mary Katherine and the dog counted every breath you took last night.”

  Evan laughed, even though it hurt. “What can I say? The dog worships the ground I walk on.”

  “I don’t think he’s the only one. How bad is the pain?”

  “Bad enough that I’m going to start asking you to forgo the twenty-four hour rule.”

  “I think you’re lucid enough to take the risk. Hang on.” Ross came back with a glass of water and some pain killers. Evan tried to sit up but with his head throbbing and the pain in his chest he couldn’t manage it. Ross lifted him and handed him the pills and the water and then helped him lay back down.