Fairplay, Denver Cereal Volume 6

by Claudia Hall Christian

  “No,” Jill smiled at his worried face. “Because she’s due for a growth spurt. Mom told me I sprouted up at five and seventeen.”

  “Paddie’s already about a foot taller than she is,” Jacob said.

  “His Dad is six-five!” Jill laughed. “Julie’s at least two inches taller than me. Paddie is always going to be taller than Katy.”

  Jill kissed Katy’s forehead. Katy’s hand swatted at her and she smiled.

  “I’m kind of glad she’s still little,” Jill said.

  “What did you think of today?” Jacob asked.

  The elevator stopped at the ground floor and they stepped out. They walked across the lobby to the parking lot.

  “I’m not sure what to say about today,” Jill said. “I was glad they explained the DNA and tissue typing thing.”

  “They used DNA to separate Katy and Paddie’s samples,” Jacob said. “They determined who Paddie was when his DNA was posted to CODIS after he was almost kidnapped.”

  “But they looked at their sample because it was a tissue match.”

  “Right,” Jacob said. “Tissue first, genetics second.”

  “Right,” Jill said.

  They walked in silence to the Lexus SUV. He opened Jill’s side and took Katy from her. He settled Katy in her car seat and went to the driver’s seat. Putting on his seat belt, he started the SUV.

  “So, what did you think?” Jacob asked.

  “What’s to think?” Jill asked. “They retook our samples. They explained how a transplant would work. They gave us the upside and the downside. We’ll see if we’re a match.”

  They drove out of the parking lot and started down Colfax toward their home. Stopping at the light at Peoria, Jill turned to look at him.

  “Any psychic impressions?” Jill asked.

  “None,” Jacob said. “You?”

  “None,” Jill said. “I guess we wait.”

  “I guess we wait.”

  ~~~~~~~~

  Saturday afternoon—4:51 P.M. PDT

  Ava slipped into the back of the auditorium where Seth was working. He’d called around lunch time and asked her if she wanted to ‘go out’ tonight. Not sure of what he meant, but not wanting to miss anything, she’d said yes.

  She wore a casual summer dress that matched the suit he was wearing and some cute flip flops. Entering the back of the auditorium, she felt immediately under dressed. The men and women in the orchestra were dressed to the nines. Intimidated by the grandeur of the auditorium, the orchestra, and the music, she was sorry Schmidty hadn’t come with her. But Schmidty was working on Andy’s estate. The poor man was up to his eyeballs in lawyers. He would meet them later.

  Ava looked at her dress and the door. Maybe she should go change. She was looking in her purse to see if she had her credit card, when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

  “You can sit over there,” a young man said to her. About her age, he smiled at her.

  “Thanks,” Ava said.

  She found a seat in a row and the man sat next to her.

  “Waiting for someone?” he asked.

  Ava gave him a slight nod. Her mind drifted to her worry about what she was wearing.

  “Me too,” he said. “My Mom plays in the orchestra here. We’re going to see Harry Connick tonight.”

  “Harry Connick?” Ava asked. “That sounds fun.”

  “He’s playing at the Hollywood Bowl,” the young man said. “I guess that guy O’Malley knows Connick. Got everyone tickets. Maybe if you ask you could go too.”

  “Maybe so,” Ava smiled.

  She felt a wave of relief that they might be going to such an informal setting. Out of habit more than anything, she reached in her bag to call Beth to tell her the cool news. She had already pressed send when she remembered that Beth was dead. Ava could feel the blood drain from her face. She hit end before she got the disconnect recording. Seth had figured out a way to transfer her contacts to her new phone. She didn’t have the heart to remove Beth from her speed dial. Ava bit her lip to keep from crying.

  Seth glanced up at her. His face showed his concern. She mouthed that she was all right. He smiled and held up a hand. Five more minutes and he’d be done.

  “O’Malley has quite a reputation,” the young man said.

  “Oh yea?” Ava asked. “What kind of a reputation?”

  “Let’s just say, he’s always with the hottest girl in the room,” the young man said.

  Ava blushed.

  “He comes out here every year or so,” the young man said. “Mom tries to get in his orchestras because she says he invents the most interesting music. She says it’s her chance to work with a master. Of course, it’s great money. But I know it’s because she likes him.”

  “Your Mom dates O’Malley?” Ava asked.

  “She did,” the young man said. “When she was a hot young thing. Or so she says. Personally, I can’t imagine her being a hot anything but she’s my mom.”

  Ava felt the young man look her up and down. She glanced at him and turned her attention back to Seth. He was talking to a female clarinet player. She could tell by the way he was talking to her that they must have dated at some point. Watching them chat, Ava realized she and Seth had never had the ‘Who have you dated conversation.’

  Ava thought for a moment. She started tallying the women she knew he’d dated: the Coroner for sure, that girl in Traffic, maybe her Commander, and… Her mind went blank. Ava sighed. She didn’t care enough to hang on to the thought. In fact, she couldn’t think of one reason why she cared who Seth had dated. She smiled.

  “What’s funny?” the young man asked.

  “Nothing,” Ava said. “I was laughing at myself.”

  “When I sit up here, I wonder who O’Malley nailed last night,” the young man said.

  “Who do you think?”

  “I picked the buxom trumpet player,” the young man said. “I bet she has some skills he’d like.”

  “Like what?” Ava tried to think of what Seth liked.

  “You know trumpet?” the young man wiggled his tongue. Surprised, Ava snorted. He seemed pleased to make her smile. “Anyway, Mom said he looked like hell this morning. He told the orchestra that someone he cared about died yesterday. He apologized for being out of sorts.”

  “Andy Mendy,” Ava said.

  “That’s what Mom said. But you’ve got to hand it to the old guy. What a great way to get into a woman’s beds! On top of it all, he’s sick with some thing he caught from a serial killer who killed kids. Women love that crap. I bet he’ll nail all of them before the month is out.”

  “Has that worked for you?” Ava asked.

  Uncomfortable, the young man cleared his throat.

  “So are you waiting for your Mom too?” the young man asked.

  “Nope,” Ava said.

  The orchestra was breaking up. The conductor was giving them instructions for tomorrow. Everyone seemed excited to be going to the concert. For people who’d worked all Saturday, they vibrated with a kind of musical energy. Using his canes, Seth made his way to her.

  “Who are you waiting for?” the young man asked.

  “Him,” Ava pointed at Seth. “Oh, and don’t worry about who he’ll nail tonight. That will be me. Last night too.”

  Ava got up and ran down the stairs to Seth. He hugged her tight and kissed her neck.

  “Are we going to see Harry Connick?” Ava asked.

  “You’re going to see him,” Seth said. “I’m going to play.”

  “Wherever Seth is, musicians come out of the woodwork to play with him. We maybe going to see Connick, but before the nights out we’re bound see just about every musician in the city,” the conductor said. He shook her hand. “You must be Ava. Thanks for saving our Seth.”

  Ava beamed.

  “You don’t mind going?” Seth asked Ava.

  “Sounds fun,” Ava said. Leaning close, she whispered in his ear, “You have to eat and take your meds.”

  “Yes
, let’s get some dinner,” Seth said. “If you’ll excuse us?”

  The conductor nodded. Seth led her to the elevator where he kissed her.

  “Thank you for helping me with what’s best for me,” Seth said. “But you don’t have to play nursemaid for the old man.”

  “Don’t worry,” Ava said. “I’m not making sure you feel good for your benefit.”

  Laughing, Seth followed her to the limousine.

  CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and SEVENTY-TWO

  Cuddles

  Sunday early morning—2:41 A.M. MDT

  Sandy and Rachel stirred at the same moment. Before Rachel could cry, Sandy lifted her from the bedside bassinette to her breast. They settled into their nightly ritual of love and food. Sandy was drifting when she heard the soft sound of someone weeping. She sat up in bed.

  Was someone crying?

  She didn’t hear anything. Had someone been crying? She was about to lie back when she heard the sound again. With Rachel on her breast, she slipped out of bed. She grabbed her robe to cover herself and Rachel. Somewhere deep within the Castle, the boiler kicked on and the radiators began the tap dance of warming.

  Sandy went to Charlie’s closet. Face down, he was sound asleep. She pressed her head against Sissy and Noelle’s door. Nothing. She went to Nash and Teddy’s door and peeked in. Nash was sound asleep on the bed near the wall. As if hiding from his own sorrow, Teddy was invisible under his covers. Sandy sat down on his bed.

  She didn’t move to touch him. She just sat with him while he cried. Rachel made a sound and Teddy pulled off the covers.

  His face was red and wet with tears. Sandy gave him a soft smile. She raised Rachel’s tiny form and he scooted over so his head was on Sandy’s lap. She stroked his hair.

  “What’s wrong?” Sandy whispered

  “I hate my mom,” Teddy whispered. “Hate her. Hate her. Hate her. Why do I have to go?”

  Sandy caressed his head and let him cry. She was no stranger to the desperate pain of not wanting to go to a parent’s house. She had never had a choice. Teddy didn’t either.

  Teddy’s tears eased about the time Rachel finished feeding. Sandy shifted to burp her and Teddy sat up.

  “Can I do it?” Teddy asked.

  “Sure.”

  Sandy set Rachel in Teddy’s hands. In the dim light, Teddy held Rachel in front of his face. Rachel giggled at the sight of him and Teddy smiled.

  “She has the best laugh,” Teddy said.

  Smiling, Sandy put a cloth diaper over his shoulder and he held her to burp her. Rachel seemed so excited to see Teddy that she just wanted to giggle at him.

  “Seems like you’ve charmed her completely,” Sandy said.

  “Don’t tell Noelle,” Teddy said.

  Sandy gave a soft chuckle.

  “Not that I’d… “Teddy flushed bright red. “I mean…”

  “Don’t worry,” Sandy said. “I knew what you meant.”

  Teddy nodded.

  “How about some hot chocolate?” Sandy asked.

  Teddy nodded again. Holding onto Rachel, he followed Sandy out of Nash’s room. He sat a bar stool at the kitchen counter and played with Rachel. Rachel blew bubbles for him. He laughed. Watching him with Rachel, Sandy smiled.

  “I used to play with my little brother and sister,” Teddy’s eyes filled with tears. “They were the best days. Mom was… gone doing whatever and we’d play together.”

  “I did that with Charlie and Sissy,” Sandy said. “It feels so awesome and so awful at the same time.”

  “I used to get so mad at Mom,” Teddy said. “I never really got to be like other kids but… It was also really great.”

  Sandy smiled at him.

  “Do you want kids?” Sandy asked.

  “When I’m older,” Teddy said. “I want to be able to afford them, take care of them. You and Aden do a great job, but man it’s hard.”

  “What’s hard?” Sandy asked.

  “Working and taking care of everyone,” Teddy said.

  “Hmm,” Sandy squinted at him. “Hard?”

  Teddy laughed. Sandy smiled.

  “Yeah, I guess it’s not,” Teddy said.

  “Helping people makes life worth all the trouble,” Sandy said. “I don’t think I take care of everyone as much as I try to help them achieve what they can do. It’s very satisfying to see Noelle paint or Nash do nice little things for Melinda or you get that award at work for coming up with a great solution. Rachel is such a fighter. I just give her a tiny bit and she’s off. Gosh, sometimes I think if I blink too long, she’ll be running the country or something. When Charlie opens his mouth these days, I tear up. He’s really… yeah. And have you seen Sissy dance?”

  “She’s incredible,” Teddy said.

  “Aden makes me smile,” Sandy smiled. “If you had met him seven years ago when I did, you’d never believe he’d become the amazing man he is today. We’ve had some hard, hard times, but… It’s been worth it.”

  Sandy poured the milk into a mug with chocolate powder in it and gave the mug to Teddy. She poured another mug for herself and came around the counter.

  “Trade you,” Sandy said.

  Teddy took her hot chocolate and gave her Rachel. She carried Rachel to the couch and Teddy met her there.

  “Do you mind if I breast feed?” Sandy asked. “Rachel’s been growing so much I…”

  “Go ahead,” Teddy said. “I’m kind of encroaching on Rachel’s time.”

  “I don’t think you’re encroaching on anything,” Sandy said. She pulled the bathrobe over her and let Rachel feed. “Thanks. She needs to feed as much as she can.”

  “Can I ask you a question?” Teddy asked.

  “Sure,” Sandy said.

  “Did you have an affair with my Dad?” Teddy asked. “That’s what Mom says. She says Dad left us because of you. She says that I’m a traitor for staying here. ‘No real son of mine would want to…’”

  Teddy began to cry. Sandy held her free arm out and Teddy pressed himself against her shoulder. The boy cried his heart out. Sandy looked up to see Aden looking in on them. She gave him a smile and a nod that she was okay. Using her chin, she gestured for him to go back to bed. He went into their room but left their door open so he could hear if she needed him.

  “Do you need an answer to your question?” Sandy asked.

  Teddy shook his head.

  “I have no secrets, Teddy,” Sandy said. “If you need…”

  “I talked to Dad about it already,” Teddy shook his head. “It’s just that…”

  “I think it’s really tough,” Sandy said. “I know you like living with us. You love your job and hanging out with Noelle. I think I have a billion videos of you and Nash doing Karaoke and laughing your asses off to… What was that song?”

  “This Too Shall Pass,” Teddy started signing in his weird falsetto.

  “Oh God,” Sandy laughed. “Please. It’s early and… uh… Rachel’s ears…”

  “You don’t like Ok-Go?”

  Sandy smiled and Teddy laughed.

  “It’s been a really fun summer,” Sandy said. “I think we’re all a little devastated that you’re leaving.”

  Teddy looked so crushed that she held him to her.

  “If you want, you can come back to live with us next summer,” Sandy said. “We’ll have to see how the school year goes, of course. But you’re always welcome. We’ve even talked about stealing you for a ski trip at fall break.”

  “Ski trip?” Teddy looked up. “I’m not a good skier.”

  “No one is really,” Sandy said. “We’re going with Jacob and Jill. Jacob’s going to teach us and we’ll take lessons. But it’s a secret. You won’t tell will you?”

  Teddy shook his head.

  “Can you sleep some?” Sandy asked.

  “I can try,” Teddy said.

  Teddy got up. He was halfway across the room before he turned and ran back to hug her.

  “Thanks,” Teddy said.

&nb
sp; “You bet.”

  Sandy nudged him and nodded toward the hall. Sleepy but very much awake, Noelle stood in the doorway.

  “What’s going on?” Noelle asked.

  Teddy ran across the room to her. He wrapped himself around her. She hugged him back. Sandy watched the children and their sweet feelings for each other. Teddy began to cry and Noelle was really great. Charlie heard Teddy crying and came out. Within a few minutes, everyone was awake and trying to help. Rachel gave a cry and Sandy brought her out from under the robe.

  “Let’s get some breakfast,” Aden said.

  “It’s three in the morning!” Sandy said.

  “Pete’s is always open,” Charlie said.

  “I could eat,” Nash said.

  “When is that not true?” Sissy laughed.

  “We’ll nap this afternoon,” Aden said.

  “It’s fine with me,” Sandy said. “Get dressed.”

  The kids scattered to their rooms to get dressed leaving Noelle and Teddy. Aden put a hand on each of their shoulders and they looked up at him. Letting go of each other, they went to change.

  “Ah, young love,” Aden took Rachel from Sandy.

  “I don’t know, Aden,” Sandy said. “I’m not sure that’s not honest to goodness real love.”

  “And?”

  “It couldn’t make me happier.”

  Aden smiled and they went to get dressed.

  ~~~~~~~~

  Sunday morning—5:41 A.M. MDT

  “What is it?” Tanesha asked when she came out of the bedroom.

  Jeraine was sitting at the end of his table with his laptop open, his Bluetooth ear piece was in his ear, and a spreadsheet lay in front of him. She put her hand on his chair and looked over his shoulder. Smiling, he looked up at her.

  “What is all of this?” Tanesha asked.

  “This is me,” Jeraine said. “This is everything I have.”

  “Everything?” Tanesha raised her eyebrows and went into his kitchen.

  “Not everything,” Jeraine said. “Why you have to be like that?”

  “Why do you have to talk like a gangster?” Shaking her head, she went to make some of the tea she’d bought when she’d dragged him to the grocery store. She came out with a cup of tea in her hands.