A Silver Lining

by T. R. McClure

  “Bummer.”

  Linda chuckled. “Lucky for Austin he has no desire to go into the acting business. His heart is set on engineering, thank goodness.”

  Mitch watched as Linda tore her gaze from the horizon to the trees overhead to their joined hands and then finally to his face.

  The rustling in the leaves continued.

  “You know I have the urge to kiss you right now.” Mitch raised his hand and smoothed a strand of hair away from Linda’s face, uncertain what her reaction would be.

  “Why do you think I haven’t moved?”

  “Is that you or the pain pill talking?”

  Linda threw back her head and laughed. “I think it just kicked in. I’m feeling pretty mellow right now.”

  “Why do you have heavy-duty medication in your purse anyway, Ms. Lafferty?” Mitch brushed his finger across her lips.

  Linda leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. “I hurt my back moving furniture a couple weeks ago.”

  “By yourself?”

  “Yep.”

  “Why am I not surprised? You need to learn to ask for help.” Mitch shook his head, as much at the woman and her fierce independent streak as the man who had let her down. He stared into the trees.

  “Well?” Her head on his shoulder, Linda’s breath tickled his neck.

  He glanced down, trying to see her face. In the darkness and at that angle, he couldn’t determine her expression. “Well, what?”

  “Whatever happened to that kiss?”

  Surprised at her response, Mitch didn’t wait for her to change her mind. He leaned forward and touched her lips with his. They were warm, and soft—glad he hadn’t thrown out the lip balm—and yielding. Who would have thought that first day they would be locking lips in the middle of the Sierra Mountains? He pulled back and waited for her blue eyes to open. “Nice.”

  “Um hmm.” Her lips curved in a smile.

  “I’m taking advantage of you while you’re under the influence.”

  Linda shifted around and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I may be on pain medicine but trust me, professor, I know exactly what I’m doing.” This time she leaned forward, her hands cupping his face, as they explored each other’s mouths.

  Mitch caught a sparkling of red through his half-opened eyes, then explosions of white and yellow and blue. “I don’t believe this,” he whispered against Linda’s soft lips.

  She pulled away and followed his gaze to the horizon. Together, they watched the distant fireworks explode high in the night sky. Trailing streaks of green, vivid explosions of white, and bursts of red illuminated the night sky.

  As the last streak of white faded from the sky, Linda fixed her gaze on Mitch. “Wow, we’re good.”

  Mitch wrapped his arms around her and lowered her to the soft bed of pine needles. “We sure are,” and pressed his lips to hers. No more interruptions—bear or no bear.

  ****

  Surrounded by the fresh, clean scent of pine, Linda woke with her cheek against Mitch’s broad chest and his arms tight around her. Though the sun had not yet risen above the mountains to the east, through half-open eyes Linda detected a pink glow from the meadow. She pulled out of his embrace, entranced by the sight of the open blooms of hundreds of tiny, pink wildflowers lit by the early morning light. When she glanced at Mitch, she met his gaze. “Look,” she whispered and pointed to the meadow. “They’re lovely.”

  Mitch leaned forward and draped an arm around her shoulders. Together, they took in the sight of the delicate pink wildflower. “Clarkia,” Mitch murmured.

  “What?” Linda tore her gaze from the pink carpet to read Mitch’s lips, inches from hers as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

  “The flowers. They’re members of the primrose family, named for William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame.” He shifted and brushed her cheek with his lips. “Good morning, darling.”

  Linda smiled at Mitch and wriggled closer, all gooey inside at the unexpected endearment. Gooey was a new and unexpected sensation. Unfamiliar, too.

  “You like flowers?” Mitch wrapped his arms around her. “The first day, when you saw the flower garden outside our building, you had the same look on your face, somewhere between awe and excitement.”

  Linda leaned back against his chest, her gaze fastened on the sun-drenched meadow of pink flowers, and sighed as Mitch’s arms tightened around her. “My mother always had a beautiful garden. When I was a little girl, we spent summer mornings working in her flower beds. People actually traveled from nearby towns just to see her gardens.”

  “I suppose you’ve carried on the tradition?”

  His question troubled her as she realized in the twenty years since she’d married Roger, she had never so much as cared for a potted plant. “I never had the time. Or maybe I never made the time. I was always busy, first with Roger, then with Austin…” She pushed the epiphany to the back of her mind to deal with at a later date and focused on the meadow, the glow fading as the sun rose above the surrounding trees. “I could stay here forever.”

  “What about your ankle?”

  “I’ll lean against this tree and allow you to wait on me hand and foot.” She leaned back her head and caught his gaze. “What do you have to say about that?”

  Mitch grinned and kissed her lightly. “Not a bad idea for a woman who’s not into leisure.”

  Linda returned his kiss, her lips on his remaining slightly longer. “I suppose there’s a place in the world for leisure. I could certainly be persuaded.”

  Kissing her, Mitch pressed her onto the bed of soft pine needles.

  Her hand caressing his face, her heart beat faster, a feeling she thought was long gone. The first few years with Roger had been full of fun and passion as they pursued his dream of being a star. Only after Austin was born, when Roger continued to pursue his goals at their little family’s expense, did she realize she was being used. Roger had no intention of caring for anyone but himself.

  But Mitch…Mitch was different. “I thought—”

  Mitch pulled away, his eyes searching her face. “You thought what?”

  Linda’s eyes surveyed his face, the broad laugh lines in his cheeks, the crinkles at the corner of his eyes, and debated confessing the unfamiliar feelings stirring deep inside. This was Mitch Collins and even though he wasn’t really a hippy, he was still a man who valued his independence. Otherwise, he would’ve had a family by now. She smoothed her hand over his morning whiskers. “Nothing, Mitch.” Cupping his neck, she pulled down his head until his lips once again caressed hers.

  Time stood still. Surrounded with the heady scent of pine needles, they kissed for several minutes, Linda silencing the warning voice in her head with enjoying the singing of birds going about their day. The tweets and whistles and rustling in the trees were replaced with a rhythmic sound, out of place in nature. Linda put her hand on Mitch’s chest and pushed him away.

  “Hey, why—”

  “Sh-h.” Linda peered down the trail. “Listen.”

  Mitch followed her gaze and waited. “Morning hikers.” He gazed into Linda’s face, ran a finger across her lips, and grinned. “Darn.”

  Linda smiled back. “Darn is right.” She pushed him up and then held out her hands to be pulled into a sitting position. They waited under the tree as the two hikers approached.

  The larger of the two leaned his hands on his knees and peered under the branches of the pine. “Doctor Collins, what are you doing here?”

  Linda peered up at the burly hiker in jeans, denim shirt, and backpack, holding a pink water bottle identical to the one she had misplaced. With the sun at his back, she couldn’t make out his features but she knew that voice anywhere.

  The hiker gazing at her in wide-eyed shock was her son. Austin had been found.

  Chapter Six

  Linda sat at her desk, her wrapped foot elevated on a low, cushioned hassock, and stared out the window at the students rushing to Monday morning classes. A brilliant summer
blue sky glimmered through the leaves of the massive oaks near the building.

  After a three-hour visit at the emergency room the previous day, the four of them had finally returned to the condo by midafternoon on Sunday. Since Mitch and Austin were both famished, they went for takeout while Sydney settled Linda on the couch. The competence with which the young woman cared for her left Linda feeling a tad guilty after her assertions Austin wasn’t safe with Sydney. She smiled, thinking of the concern the three had shown for what turned out to be only a sprained ankle.

  Behind her the phone rang, causing Linda to jerk. Pain shot through her ankle. Anna was down the hall making copies so Linda picked up. “Hello, this is Ms. Lafferty.”

  “Hello, Ms. Lafferty, have you recovered from your adventure yet?”

  Linda leaned back in her chair and focused on the healthy fern above her. The intimate sound of his deep voice brought back memories of passionate kisses on a bed of soft pine needles. “Hello, Leroy.” She twirled the phone cord in her fingers. “I’m still under the effects of heavy medication so I probably shouldn’t say. The question is, have you recovered?” She was rewarded with a deep chuckle.

  “I must say, I’ve never before had an adventure quite like ours.”

  “I can’t believe my first hiking experience ended with me being carried out on a stretcher.” Austin, Sydney, and Mitch had created a stretcher from a blanket and two saplings.

  “Because of that experience, I’ve added a postscript to my class discussion on hiking.” He chuckled. “How’s your ankle?”

  “The swelling is going down. The doctor wants me to stay on crutches for two more weeks.”

  “Good. Now maybe you’ll delegate more of your work.”

  “I delegate.” She glanced at the stack of data Anna had offered to input into the system. She had resisted, not sure if she could trust Anna to be accurate.

  “Anna says otherwise.”

  “We-ell, maybe I could delegate more.” She picked up her son’s high school graduation picture from the windowsill. “Austin informs me he’s given up soda. It seems Sydney told him he should drink water. That explains why he had my water bottle and why the soda in the fridge wasn’t touched.”

  “We Leisure Studies types can have a positive influence after all.” Mitch’s voice held a suggestive tone.

  Linda shook her head, more at Mitch’s insistence of the need for Leisure Studies than anything. She still wasn’t entirely convinced. “I don’t know about that, but you’ve certainly slowed me down.”

  “Hey, I told you not to run from the bear.”

  Her fingers tightened on the arm of her chair. “You also told me…”

  “Before we get into an argument I have a question.”

  “If you’re planning on asking me to the lookout tower anytime soon, I’ll pass.” Linda wiggled her toes and winced at the burst of pain in her ankle.

  “I had a more sedentary activity in mind. Almendra holds concerts in the park Friday evenings. The next two Fridays are oldies. Our kind of music. Care to go?”

  Linda visualized the high clearance vehicle they drove to the mountains. “I don’t think I can get into that vehicle of yours without a forklift.”

  “I could lift you but for this occasion, I’ll bring a more comfortable vehicle.”

  Linda stared out the window, her thoughts scrambling. An outdoor concert sounded nice. She was so tired of sitting at home in the evenings. But with Mitch? The music won out. “Okay. What time?”

  “The music starts at eight. Why don’t I pick you up at six and we’ll grab a bite to eat?”

  Grab a bite to eat. That sounded pretty informal. “Okay. See you Friday.”

  “Then we have a date. See you Friday, Linda.”

  Hanging up the phone, Linda leaned back in the chair and stared at the fern fronds. An evening with Professor Collins in the company of other people…as his date. The phone rang and again, she jumped, causing another spasm in her foot. She lifted the phone receiver. “Don’t tell me. You’re picking me up in the jeep.”

  “Who’s picking you up in a jeep?”

  Her ex-husband’s familiar honey-toned voice came from the phone. Linda sat forward, jerking her leg on the stool and sending a shot of pain through her ankle. “Roger? How did you get my number?”

  “Austin texted me. You never know when I need to get in touch with my wife. Since when do you ride around in jeeps? Is there something you want to tell me, babe?”

  Linda sighed and with one hand, adjusted her foot more comfortably on the hassock, then leaned back in her chair. “Ex-wife, Roger. What do you want?”

  “I wanted to share some news with my best girl. Have you seen the daytime soap, Young and Rich in LA? Well, guess who just got the part for the matriarch’s love interest? Yours truly.”

  Linda’s eyebrows arched. The role did sound promising. Could Roger finally be succeeding at his craft? “Congratulations, Roger. I’m happy for you.”

  “Why don’t you come down for the weekend? Bring Austin. Lots of parties going on this weekend. I’d love to have my family here.”

  Linda sighed. Roger’s idea of family only worked when it suited him. Now, when he was flying high, he wanted family. But that ship had sailed. “Your son probably has plans. He’s, uh, spread his wings a little since he started college.” Roger was silent long enough for a minute Linda thought he had hung up.

  “I’ll bet that’s hard for you, watching him grow up. Harder for you than me.”

  At the unexpected insight, tears sprang to Linda’s eyes. “A little bit. But he’s a good boy, Roger, and so handsome. He gets his looks from you.”

  “I don’t know about that. You’ve always been the most beautiful woman I know.”

  Linda bit her lower lip. “I’ve got to go, Roger. I’m glad you called. Good luck with the role.” She set down the phone and closed her eyes, her stomach in knots. What was she thinking? Roger and Mitch were more alike than she cared to admit. Both were fun-loving, attractive men. Was she setting herself up for another fall? Why was she dating at her age?

  But she didn’t cancel. Friday night when Mitch came to the door, she was ready. Wearing a pair of khakis and a light blue, short-sleeve sweater, she hobbled down the sidewalk and found a vintage sports car purring at the curb. Nodding approvingly, she flashed Mitch a smile as he helped her into the car. “Nice ride, Leroy.”

  “We aim to please.”

  The first Friday night concert led to a second and a third. When Mitch discovered they shared a weakness for Mexican food, he took Linda to a restaurant close to her condo for Wednesday dollar margarita night. They would share a plate of nachos grande, Linda would drink two lime margaritas, while Mitch drank a beer. Then they would go for a ride in the convertible while Mitch showed her the local sights.

  When he brought her home, Mitch helped her to the couch. She didn’t intend for him to stay, but one goodnight kiss turned into two, then three. Linda didn’t possess the willpower to send Mitch and his kisses away. So, he stayed.

  ****

  The second Friday of August, Mitch peered at the computer screen and saved the final grades for his classes. Leaning back in his chair, he plucked a dart from the can on his desk. The usual Friday night concert had been replaced by the end of summer semester faculty dinner. Students in the culinary department would serve the faculty in the dining room. He tossed the dart toward the board on the wall. Six weeks they’d been dating. If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes…

  He thought back to the Monday class after their adventure in the Sierras. He had rounded the podium and grinned at his students. “Anybody have anything to share about their weekend recreation?”

  One hand shot up in the back. “I almost got arrested.”

  The students broke into laughter as Mitch shook his head and wagged a finger at the tall, skinny redhead. “Mea culpa. I should have added the adjective legal when I recommended you find an activity you enjoy. Thank you, Mister Brown, I will be c
ertain to make an adjustment in my future lectures.” He strolled across the front of the room, arms crossed, as he waited for the laughter to die down. He scanned the crowd. “Anyone else?”

  A pretty blonde raised her hand. “I went surfing for the first time and I loved it. Once I figure out how to make money at the sport, I can do it all the time.”

  Mitch nodded. “Possible, difficult, but possible.” When he turned he noticed Austin’s hand. “Mister Rockwell?”

  “But if you the same thing all the time, the activity becomes work, and then where is the relaxation?”

  “Does the activity become work?”

  “Well, yeah, I think so. I think the ideal combination is work you enjoy but is difficult enough so your brain is challenged, and leisure activity that allows your brain to relax and enjoy the activity.”

  A finger pressed against his lips, Mitch stopped in front of Austin and studied him. Did this eighteen-year-old have life figured out better than he, a tenured professor? Had he ricocheted so far from his father’s tendency to work twenty-four seven that his entire life was one big leisure activity?

  A muscular boy with a buzz cut kicked the back of Austin’s chair. “You dissed the prof, Rocky. There goes your easy A.”

  Quiet laughter rippled across the room. Mitch realized they were waiting for his reaction. He turned and went back to the podium, where he picked up a glass of water and took a long drink, organizing his thoughts. Setting down the glass with a thump, he shot Austin a look. “Excellent point, Rockwell.” He surveyed the sea of young, expectant faces. “Life doesn’t come with an owner’s manual. You glean as much information as you can from your parents, right or wrong, listen to your teachers, watch your friends, but when the rubber meets the road, your life is your own. My recommendation, after over twenty years of teaching, is to find balance in your life, in work, recreation—” he took a deep breath, “—and family.”

  He had been impressed with Austin Rockwell the Monday after their adventure in the forest. The boy probably wasn’t yet aware, but Austin’s mother had impressed him as well. He couldn’t seem to get the cantankerous woman out of his mind. Since he and Donna broke up five years ago, he hadn’t dated a woman over age thirty-five. Now here he was, going to concerts and sharing nachos.