The Crossing

by Serita Ann Jakes

  “Emmy’s at Darla’s for the night and I didn’t feel like cooking. We’ll probably either order pizza or open a can of soup.”

  Mother’s hesitation gave her a tiny sense of satisfaction. She hated it when Emily spent time with her other grandmother, “Mimi,” as Emmy called her.

  She heard footsteps on the stairs. “I have to go. I’ll discuss the job with Vic and let you know in a day or two.”

  She disconnected the call without saying good-bye. Passive-aggression might be childish, but it helped her cope where her mother was concerned and when she had been raised to honor her parents. She was an obedient daughter, perhaps because she’d learned long ago that she couldn’t confront her mother in any way that was meaningful. Their relationship just wasn’t conducive to that sort of honesty.

  “Claude?” The soft sound of Vic’s voice preceded him into the room.

  She glanced up to the sight of roses. “Beautiful,” she breathed as he set them in her lap. “Thank you.”

  “Izzy said you’d rather have orchids.” He sat next to her on the edge of the mattress and leaned over, dropping a quick kiss on her lips.

  She smiled. “I like roses best. Did she tell you to get me flowers?” Disappointed, she looked down.

  “After you called the office looking for me? Of course she did.” He grinned, stealing her heart. “But I was already at the flower shop, on the phone with her when she mentioned it. The flowers were because I love you, not because my assistant was trying to manipulate you into forgiving me.”

  Ashamed of herself, Claudia pressed her nose to the soft red petals. “Mmm. I’m glad.”

  “I’m sorry I got busy this afternoon and didn’t get back to you.” His soft brown eyes searched hers. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Her face warmed. “Oh, I’m in bed. I’m fine, I just decided to take a short nap after I got back from dropping Emmy at your mom’s.”

  “Why did you need me? Izzy said you sounded upset.”

  Glancing at the letter on the bed, Claudia froze. She wasn’t ready to share her discovery with anyone, not even Vic. And as much as she wanted to ask him about reopening BJ’s case, she didn’t want to take a chance that he might see the letter and start asking questions.

  His gaze followed her and her heart skipped a beat. “Honey,” she said quickly, “why don’t you get your shower and we can go out to dinner? It’s been a long time since we had a date night without Emmy.”

  Loosening his tie, he stood. “That sounds like a great idea. Olive Garden?”

  She sighed. “I got suckered into having lunch there tomorrow with Georgie Newman. How about Mexican?”

  “Had that with Casio Hightower today.”

  “Casio?” Claudia realized that could only mean that Tara had been right. Vic had reopened the case. He must have been interviewing the officer because he was on the bus that night. Although if Casio were with him while he interviewed Blake, it probably meant Casio was helping out with the investigation.

  Vic nodded, sliding his tie from his collar and beginning the process of undressing. Claudia watched, trying not to overreact and ruin the moment, but just the thought of what Vic was attempting numbed her hands and sent a tingle to her jaw—both quick signs she was beginning to hyperventilate.

  “I’m going to shower,” Vic said. “I’ll be quick about it so we can get going. Since you’re having Italian tomorrow and I had Mexican at lunch, how about a nice seafood and steak place?”

  Nodding, Claudia fought to keep from showing Vic her situation. “Sounds good,” she said, her voice strained.

  Thankfully, Vic seemed not to notice as he padded into the bathroom. “You could join me, you know,” he called.

  “Nice try. I’m not getting my hair wet.”

  She heard him laugh, and relief flooded over her that he didn’t push to get her in there. She heard the shower turn on and set the flowers aside. Reaching over with numbed fingers, she took a bag from her nightstand drawer and began to breathe deeply.

  She would confront him later about it. Dread filled her at the very thought. They had to move on. She had to move on. And dredging up the case would make everything real again.

  With a weary push, she sat up, breathing deeply into the bag until thankfully, the episode passed quicker than usual. On the dresser, Vic’s phone rang. The caller ID said MOM, so she answered.

  “Darla?” she said. “Everything okay with Emmy?

  “Mommy?” Her heart lurched at the sound of Emily’s tiny voice.

  “Honey? What’s wrong?”

  “Mimi won’t wake up.”

  “What do you mean? Did she fall? Where is she?”

  “On the floor in the kitchen.” Her voice caught. “She has blood, Mommy.”

  Oh, dear God. “Okay, Emmy, listen to Mommy. I want you to go sit in the living room and get ready to open the door when the ambulance comes, okay? Stay on the phone with me.”

  She rushed to where she’d dropped her purse on the floor next to the bed. Rummaging inside, she found her phone. “I’m going to call 911 from my phone, so you might hear Mommy talking to someone, okay?”

  “Okay, Mommy.”

  She dialed 911 while rushing across the room and into the bathroom. She flung open the shower door. Vic spun around, surprise flashing in his face, then a grin. “Change your mind?”

  “Get out. Your mom collapsed.”

  Victor

  Vic and Claudia rushed into the ER. The nurse behind the counter seemed to recognize Claudia. “Hi!” she said. “What are you doing here?” She frowned. “Everything okay?”

  “Georgie,” Claudia said, her words coming out around deep gulps. “Thank God it’s someone we know. Vic’s mother was brought in. Darla Campbell. The paramedics brought my daughter with them.”

  “Oh, Emily is your little girl.” The nurse turned. “Bring Emily out, would you? Her parents are here.”

  Another nurse came through the door, holding Emily’s hand. The little girl broke free and ran to Claudia, who scooped her up, holding tightly. “You were so brave. I am very proud of you.”

  “What’s wrong with Mimi?” she asked.

  “We don’t know yet,” Claudia said. “The doctors are very smart and they’re doing everything they can to make her better.”

  Relieved that one worry was over, Vic took over the questioning. “What’s going on with my mother?”

  “Why don’t you two have a seat?” the nurse at the counter said. “I’ll see what I can find out and whether or not you can come back and be with her.”

  “Thank you, Georgie,” Claudia said.

  “A friend of yours?” Vic asked, more to have something to say than curiosity.

  “Not really. We went to school together. She’s the principal’s daughter.”

  “Newman?” There was nothing about a daughter in the case files. He couldn’t help but wonder if she were another lead.

  Claudia nodded. “She was a little younger than we were.”

  By the past tense reference, he wondered if she were going back to high school in her mind. He filed the information about the nurse in his memory, where the investigation never seemed far from pushing its way to the foreground.

  Before they had time to find a seat, the door opened and Georgie came out. Her smile eased the tension some even before she spoke. “Your mom is awake and lucid. She’s getting oxygen and they’ve taken her to get some tests run. A heart attack is suspected but we won’t know for sure until after the EKG and chest x-ray.”

  “When can we see her?” Vic asked.

  “As soon as she gets back to her room from the tests. We’re a little backed up, so it could take awhile.”

  “You’re working long hours,” Claudia said. “Weren’t you on lunch break when we saw each other at the coffee shop earlier?”

  Georgie’s face lit up as though she were happy Claudia remembered. “One of the girls got sick, so I took her shift.” She shrugged. “It’s no
t like I have a life outside of this place anyway.”

  “I’m glad you were here,” Claudia said warmly. This was the side of Claudia that had drawn Vic. Competent, kind, able to make people feel valued in the midst of crises. It came out on occasion. Those times when she had others to concentrate on. “Will you keep us posted on my mother-in-law’s progress?”

  “Of course. I best get back to my patients. You two have a seat. There’s fresh coffee over there in the corner. Or there are vending machines around the corner if your daughter is hungry.”

  Vic turned to Claudia as Georgie left them. “Do you want to call your mom to get Emily? We could be here awhile.”

  Claudia stiffened her shoulders at the mention of her mother.

  “Everything okay?”

  “Is everything ever okay between her and me?”

  “Good point.” He placed his hand on the small of her back and led her to the chairs in the packed waiting room.

  A soft sigh escaped Claudia’s lips. “I suppose I’d better call them.” She shifted Emily to Vic’s lap and pulled out her phone. Her side of the conversation was tense, extremely polite, and even more strained than normal. She hung up without saying good-bye.

  “Mama is sending Daddy over so he can go back and pray with your mom.”

  “I appreciate it. If God hears anyone’s prayers, it’s his.”

  She gave a short laugh. “Definitely not my mother’s, that’s for sure.”

  Vic frowned. This was more than the usual disdain she had for her mother. “Did you and your mom fight?”

  Claudia shook her head. “I’m just so sick of her hypocrisy.”

  “That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” Vic knew he was risking Claudia’s anger. Anything that smacked of taking Mrs. King’s side was seen as betrayal, but hypocrite wasn’t a fitting description for his mother-in-law. And he didn’t like when Claudia forgot Emmy was within listening range.

  She opened her mouth, then glanced at the little girl in his lap and clamped her lips tightly. She shrugged instead.

  Pastor King showed up thirty minutes later, absent Mrs. King. Vic was relieved. At least they wouldn’t have to endure the tension between the two women. They sat for another hour before Georgie returned to the waiting room and said they could go back and sit with his mother. Vic and Pastor King stood.

  “Follow me,” she said.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Vic asked, following the nurse.

  “The test results are still pending. The doctor will come and speak with you as soon as they’re ready.”

  She opened a curtain and escorted them into a tiny room where his mother lay looking frail and old in the bed. She smiled as soon as she saw him.

  Vic frowned at a bandage across her forehead. “Did you hit your head when you fell?”

  She waved her hands in dismissal. “Yes. And I’m embarrassed as all get-out. All this fuss about nothing.”

  “I don’t think your fainting is nothing, Mom.”

  “I’m sorry it was in front of Emmy. How is she?”

  “Claudia kept her in the waiting room until Pastor King finishes praying with you.”

  Darla smiled weakly at the pastor. “Thank you for coming.”

  He took her hands. “It’s my pleasure, Darla. May I pray for you?”

  “Yes, Pastor, thank you.”

  His simple prayer of petition for healing and many more years brought a mist to Vic’s eyes. He wasn’t ready to say good-bye to his mother.

  When they opened their eyes, Georgie was standing at the edge of the room, her head down reverently. Another woman stood with her. “I don’t mean to interrupt. But this is Dr. Bakker.”

  Pastor King patted Vic’s shoulder. “I’ll go so I can get Emmy home. Call me if you need me for anything.”

  When he left, the doctor stepped forward. “Mrs. Campbell, I’m Dr. Bakker and I studied your test results. I don’t find anything of real concern at this time.”

  “Then why did she pass out?” Vic said, ready to have his mother moved to a Dallas hospital and get more tests run.

  “I don’t believe she did.” The doctor glanced down at Darla again. “Can you tell us what happened?”

  Darla looked up at Vic. “She’s right, hon. I was getting Emmy a cookie and just stumbled a little. I lost my balance and hit my head.”

  The doctor nodded. “Which is likely what knocked you out. We did a CT of her head and found no damage other than the cut that we had to stitch up.”

  “So she’s good to go?”

  “I’d like to admit her overnight just to keep an eye on her. But I don’t really think there’s much cause for alarm.” She smiled at his mother. “I’ll be in to check on you in the morning.”

  And just like that she was gone. Assembly-line medicine.

  Georgie Newman appeared a few minutes later. “They’ll be coming to take her to a room in just a couple of minutes. They just called down that they’re on their way. She’ll be on the fifth floor if you want to go out and get Claudia and head on up.” She smiled, a kind, competent smile. “Unless you don’t want to leave her alone. In which case, I’ll go get Claudia and you can go up with your mom.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Darla said. “Let me get settled into my bed and then you can come and kiss me goodnight and be on your way. I don’t want you baby-sitting me all night.”

  “Too bad. I’m not leaving you.”

  “She’s probably right, Mr. Campbell,” Georgie said. “We gave her some pain medication for her head and she’ll probably be asleep soon.”

  When the nurse’s assistant arrived to take his mother upstairs, he walked back into the lobby. Claudia looked up from the magazine on her lap. “How is she?”

  “They’re taking her upstairs. We can meet her up there.”

  Setting the magazine aside, Claudia stood just as the doors to the ER swished open. A woman doubled over and alone shuffled to the nurse’s station. She held her stomach. The nurse at the desk picked up her phone and called for a wheelchair. “Hold my hand,” the nurse said. “Someone will be here in just a minute.”

  The poor woman’s face was bruised, but it didn’t look fresh. Her cheeks were damp with tears. “I think I’m having a miscarriage.”

  Claudia drew a sharp breath. Vic turned and saw her gaze resting on the new patient, pain flooding her eyes. “You okay, sweetheart?” he whispered.

  She nodded, but her face had drained of color. Vic slipped his arm around her waist and drew her close. This was the first time Claudia had been in the hospital since her father’s heart attack. One of the nurses hurried around with a wheelchair. Georgie followed with a clipboard. “What’s your name, honey?”

  “Harper Abbott.”

  Ten

  In Mary Oliver’s poem, “When Death Comes,” the narrator first sees death as a doorway of wonder.

  I once did as well. It’s like that when you see it far off. Now I see it as that iceberg between the shoulder blades she so deftly described. I’m dying, and here I am without a legacy of hope. Escaping from a world of lies, knowing darned well that nothing dark stays hidden from light. So while I may have carried my secrets in life, death will eventually reveal all of my truth. I am dying, and I’ve been nothing more than an unwelcome visitor to this world.

  I hear someone entering the bus. Pastor King is leaving my side and someone else kneels beside me. I know by the way my hand is suddenly brought to a warm chest that my mother has learned that I am on the bus. I don’t know where Daddy is, but as my mother whispers words of love and comfort, I wish I could speak to her. If I could, I would tell her this:

  I understand now why you loved Daddy so much that you stayed with him even after he did what he did. After his affair with Mrs. King. Because sometimes love is stronger than betrayal, Mama.

  I was going to give you a grandbaby finally. I suppose you’ll find out. They’ll do an autopsy and the knowledge that your daughter’s killer was also your grandchild’s killer will bri
ng you more pain than I can even bear to think about.

  Death is ever so much like an iceberg between my shoulder blades.

  FRIDAY

  Claudia

  Claudia sat across from Georgie Newman, feeling ridiculous and awkward. She was grateful that Georgie had been at the hospital last night, but still, she barely knew the woman. And while she had to admit maybe Georgie wasn’t as bad as Claudia had originally believed, lunch with a semi-stranger was just uncomfortable.

  “Vic wanted me to thank you for being so great with his mom last night,” she said, scanning the menu for the cheapest meal she could find. Georgie had insisted upon the lunch being “her treat,” which also made Claudia uncomfortable. She’d rather eat a seafood alfredo, but didn’t want to appear nervy.

  Looking up from her menu, Georgie waved away the gratitude. “Oh, listen. I’m glad I was there. The ER can get crazy, but of all the places I’ve worked, I have to say I love it most.”

  Claudia took a sip of her water. “I—um. I noticed a young woman come in just as we were going upstairs. I’ve been worried about her ever since.” That was something of an understatement. She had wanted to stay and check on the woman, but knew Vic would worry if she attempted it.

  Georgie frowned. “There are so many. Can you be more specific?”

  “She thought she might be having a miscarriage.” She drew a breath and rushed on. “I hope I don’t sound nosy. It’s just that I had a miscarriage two years ago and that sort of thing touches my heart.” After seeing the woman, Claudia had struggled to keep from hyperventilating again. Thankfully, Vic had comforted her and refocused her attention on his mother.

  Vic had also let her sleep in this morning since her mother had Emmy. She hadn’t spoken with him all day, but Claudia’s first order of business was to tell Vic just what she thought about reopening BJ’s case.

  Georgie nodded. “I remember who you mean. She looked beat-up too.”

  “Did she lose the baby?” Claudia held her breath.

  Georgie shook her head, a smile curving her mouth. “She probably just ate something spicy that didn’t agree with her, which felt like cramps, and she was spotting, which happens a lot in early pregnancy. We did an ultrasound. She’s two months pregnant and scared to death.”