by Linda Wisdom
“He’s always saying things to Mom, talking about her as if they … ” He stopped, unwilling to go on.
Tess sighed, recognizing his distress. “Tim, all of us have known for years what a crass jerk Albert is, and we generally ignore him when he’s out pretending to be the town stud. You’ll hate me for saying this, but you’re still young, and you have a lot to learn about the adult male of the species. I only hope this episode will teach you how not to be.”
“Tess” Jess stood before them. “Tim, how is your mother doing?” he asked, looking every inch the town preacher in his dark blue suit, white shirt and conservative tie.
Tim shrugged, still feeling remnants of anger at the man who had pulled him away from Albert before he could inflict too much damage. “The doctor’s looking at her now,” he mumbled sullenly, then yelped, turning to glare at Tess who had pinched him hard.
“She still has a headache, but her color’s good, and she’s beginning to sound more like herself,” she explained, fully prepared to pinch Tim again if he said or did anything rude. That Jess spent a few hours in Sara’s room last night had been kept from Tim, because Tess and Jackson knew he wouldn’t have understood why the town’s new minister would spend so much time with one of his flock. “I have an idea she’ll be kept here for another day or so, and even then she’s going to have to take it easy for a while.”
“I’ll try to stop in and see her before I leave,” Jess said smoothly. “Mrs. Lassiter fell and broke her hip a few days ago, and I thought I’d come by and see her now that she’s beginning to feel well enough to accept visitors.” He looked at Tim. “I see your face doesn’t look as frightening today.”
“I bet Albert doesn’t look so great either.” He stood up. “I’m gonna get something to eat.” He left them without saying another word.
“What happened?” Tess demanded, once Tim was out of earshot. “Is Albert definitely going to drop the charges?”
Jess nodded. “Deep down the man is a coward when it comes to his wife’s temper. Jackson and I assured him the story for public consumption will be that Sara slipped and hit her head and Albert banged up his face while trying to catch her before she fell. I’m sure not everyone will believe the story.” He grinned. “Jackson thought it up.”
“No wonder. It’s full of enough holes,” Tess said drily.
“I better get on to Mrs. Lassiter’s room.” Jess appeared reluctant to move. “Please tell Sara I’ll try to stop by and see her later.”
Tess stared closely at the dark-haired man finding it difficult to equate this sober creature with the wild and free lover Sara had mentioned. Tess swore she could see traces of that old devilment in his eyes and the cocky stance he must have once exhibited to the world when he had been younger and not so wise.
“Damn, you must have been something sixteen years ago,” she murmured, a wry smile touching her lips.
He grinned back with a touch of his old wickedness. “Careful, Mrs. Howard, you’re going to ruin my reputation.”
“Give me a break. In case you haven’t noticed, church attendance has risen sharply in the past few weeks, and most of them are women.”
“They’ll get the message-one way or another.”
Tess shook her head as she stood up. “Then why do I have the feeling things will get worse before they get better?”
Jess laid his hand on her shoulder for a brief moment. “Have faith, Tess,” he advised. “It’s done me a lot of good in the past.”
“DOCTOR, I CAN’T STAY HERE two more days!” Sara protested after listening to the man drone on that he was worried about more than her lingering headache.
“You have no choice, Sara,” the soft-spoken man countered. “You’re anemic, a good seven pounds underweight, and you’re on the point of exhaustion.”
By then she had tuned out his rambling discourse. When he finished, she requested two aspirin and told him she would stay one extra day and he would have to be happy with that. She didn’t brighten until Tim arrived.
“I’ll come see you every day,” he promised with the fervency of youth after handing her the vase of flowers Tess had given him the money to buy.
“You have school to attend,” Sara reminded him gently.
He snorted. “They won’t miss me.”
“Yes, they will, and with the semester over soon you can’t afford to miss too many days. Do this for me, please?”
Tim stared down at the floor, the tips of his ears a bright red. “Come on, Mom. You almost sound too mushy,” he muttered, quickly changing the subject.
Jackson also dropped by to see Sara that evening, but that didn’t stop her from looking for another visitor. One she both desired and dreaded to see.
When the hospital quieted down after all the visitors left, Sara felt ready for a long sleep. When she awoke the next morning, she was surprised to find a large caramel-colored teddy bear ensconced in the chair beside her bed.
“I see you met your new roommate.” The nurse smiled when she entered the room carrying Sara’s breakfast tray.
“Who sent him?” Sara asked.
The woman shrugged. “I just came on duty, but there’s a card attached.” She withdrew a white envelope attached to the large, red bow circling the bear’s neck and handed it to Sara, who tore it open, eager to read the name of the sender. She was not disappointed.
I know you’re only going to be there one night more, but I thought you might like the company. Jess
“Enjoy your breakfast.” The nurse set the tray down and left the room.
“Oh, I will.” She smiled to herself, tucking the note away.
If Sara was disappointed that she didn’t hear from Jess again, she didn’t admit it, even to herself. She told herself it was for the best. She was still telling herself that when Sunday arrived and she and Tim attended church. Despite what had happened at the hospital and whatever Sara had mumbled from her hazy half sleep, Jess acted toward her as he would with any member of his congregation. Or so she thought, until Tim challenged that thinking.
“I don’t like the way the preacher looks at you,” Tim complained as they drove out of the church parking lot. “What do you mean the way he looks at me?” Sara was surprised by his remark. “He doesn’t treat me any differently than he does anyone else.”
“Want to bet? The guy is old.”
Sara bit her lip to keep from bursting out laughing. She doubted Jess would appreciate being called old when he was only three years older than she was.
“The man is close to my own age,” she pointed out.
“Yeah, but you don’t act old. Neither does Tess. Now Mrs. Morgan, she acts old.”
Sara sighed. “Carolyn Morgan is four years younger than I am. I suggest we change the subject before you put both feet in your big mouth and I feel ready for a wheelchair,” she said mock sweetly.
Tim frowned, not understanding at first what she meant. Then his brow cleared. “Oh, yeah. Hey, Mom, I told you I don’t think you’re old. Oh, your hair may be a little gray–” He halted at the set expression on his mother’s face. “I should shut up, huh?”
“Bingo,” she sang out, then burst out laughing. “Poor Tim, no matter what you say you’re going to lose the battle.”
“Does this have something to do with what people call the battle of the sexes?”
Sara thought about it. “Yes, I guess in a way it does.” My little boy is growing up so fast, she thought to herself. So why can’t I handle it? She thought about Jess and realized she hadn’t thanked him for the bear who now rested majestically on her bed. She promised herself to take care of a thank-you when she got home.
Dear Jess,
Thank you so much for thinking of me while I was in the hospital. Even after my flowers have gone it’s nice to know my bear will still be here to keep me company.
Sara
He crumpled the note in his hand.
“Oh, Sara, would it have hurt so much to call?” he muttered under his breath.
He thought about that when he had sat up with her in the hospital and she had awakened thinking they were back in school. He knew it was the bump on the head that had muddled her thinking and even played along with it so she wouldn’t become too agitated. And for a brief time he had even wished they could have gone back to those times. Then he sternly reminded himself that would have been a mistake in many ways. Perhaps someday he would tell Sara what happened back then after she left him. It wasn’t a pretty story, but one he knew had to be told.
On the spur of the moment he searched through the telephone directory and found Sara’s home number. He dialed it, silently praying she would be the one to answer.
“Hello?” His prayer was answered.
“Sara, it’s Jess.” For a moment he was afraid she had hung up until he heard the soft sounds of her breathing over the phone.
“You shouldn’t have called here.” Her voice was so soft it was barely a whisper.
“As neither one of us has a party line I don’t think there’s anything for you to worry about,” he told her.
“Why are you calling me?”
“I got your note.”
“Don’t tell me. You’re calling to thank me for the thank-you note.” Her tone was sardonic.
“That would be novel, wouldn’t it?” Jess said lightly, then rushed on before she could form an excuse to hang up. “Sara, I’m driving into Charlotte Friday on business. I’d like it if you could meet me for lunch or dinner:
He could practically hear her feelings of panic race cross the line.
“No,” she replied without hesitation.
“Why not?”
“You know very well why not.”
“Then humor me.”
Sara exhaled a tiny breath. This was the Jess she once knew. “You have an image to maintain in this town. Being seen with me would ruin it.”
“Don’t you think that should be my worry?” Jess asked gently. “There’s no harm in two old friends getting together and talking over old times, is there?”
“There is when the two people are us.” Sara fought hard not to give in to him. “Please, Jess, there isn’t any reason for us to see each other on a social basis.”
“Not even if I want to see you?”
“It wouldn’t be a good idea. Jess, I have to go.”
“I’ll be at the Lamplighter Inn at eleven-thirty and again at seven,” he said hastily. “Sara, please come.” He hung up before she could offer any further arguments.
Jess leaned back in his chair, wondering why he had pressed Sara so hard. His suggestion that they meet had been made on pure impulse. He hadn’t meant to do that. His reason for calling her had been the desire to hear her voice. But after hearing it he wanted more, he wanted to see her without the sharp eyes of the town upon them. He didn’t want to see her hurt more than she had been in the past. He had told her the truth; he did have business in Charlotte on Friday. He honestly didn’t know if Sara would meet him, but he could always hope.
“WOMAN, I ASKED YOU for that wrench five minutes ago!” Jackson shouted across the garage. “Where is your brain this morning?”
Sara snapped to attention as she guiltily tore her eyes from the round-faced clock hanging on the wall. Eleven-fifteen, Friday morning. She had determinedly ignored that same clock all morning until Jackson had asked her the time forty minutes ago. After that she glanced up almost every five minutes, wen aware Jess would soon arrive at the restaurant and would wait for someone who would never appear.
“Bout time you heard me,” Jackson grumbled when Sara finally handed him the wrench. “I, ah, I thought maybe I’d drive into Charlotte this afternoon and do some window-shopping,” she said with what she thought was the right casual touch after they had finished their lunch. He shot her a narrow-eyed glance. “That might be a good idea,” he said finally. “Your brain sure ain’t been here all morning.”
“Tim will be here after school,” she reminded him, now feeling guilty at the idea of taking an afternoon off, although she couldn’t remember the last time she had ever taken time off just for herself.
“Go,” he ordered. “You don’t get out all that much, and it will do you good.”
Sara left for the house. In record time she showered and changed into an off-white and blue-striped chambray blouse and blue full skirt with a lace edge around the hem. She pulled her hair back in a French braid and hurriedly used eye shadow, mascara and lipstick.
She looked at herself in the mirror and felt an insane urge to giggle. After spraying on a light floral cologne, she ran out of the house to her car. She would have time to do the window-shopping she’d said she was doing before arriving at the Lamplighter Inn that evening.
TIM WATCHED LORA with what could only be called the hungry eyes of youth as she piled her books together when the bell rang signifying the end of class. He couldn’t imagine a more beautiful girl. He rose hurriedly from his chair so he would leave the room the same time as she did.
“Hi, Lora.” He affected a cocky grin he’d seen Stallone use in one of his movies, and it worked for him.
“Hi, Tim.” She flashed the smile that had won her the position of head cheerleader for the junior varsity. She stopped just outside the classroom and looked up with a coy smile. “I’m having some friends over tonight. Maybe I’ll see you there.”
It took every ounce of self-control for Tim not to break out in a rebel yell. Instead he looked as if the most popular girl in school invited him over to her house all the time.
“Yeah, maybe.”
Lora continued to smile as she walked away, joined by several of her friends. “I smell trouble, man,” Syd told him, coming up from behind.
“You’re just jealous, because she didn’t ask you,” Tim jeered, spinning the knob of his combination lock and opening his locker door.
“Give me a break. Tim, she likes guys who have status, and yours is a complete zero.”
Tim grabbed him by the shoulders and slammed him against the lockers.
“You’re not funny,” he said between gritted teeth, releasing him. Slamming his locker door, he walked away ignoring his friend’s entreaties to wait up. In the end Syd walked away in disgust, muttering that Tim would learn the hard way about girls like Lora.
Chapter Six
Sara discovered how to have fun playing hooky for the afternoon. She checked out the new fashions in the stores, bought Tim some jeans and shirts and tobacco for Jackson. As for herself, she indulged in a double scoop of chocolate-chocolate-chip ice cream. As the time grew closer to seven o’clock, she grew more nervous.
How did one act on a date with a minister? She tried to remind herself that this was Jess, the man she had once loved so deeply, the father of her son, except it didn’t work. Try as she might she couldn’t reconcile the two.
She parked in the restaurant’s parking lot a few minutes after seven. The first thing she saw was Jess’s Bronco, parked near the entrance. She took the time to freshen her cologne and apply fresh lipstick before getting out of her car and walking slowly to the door.
She spied Jess the moment she stepped inside. As if sensing her presence he stood up, turned around and flashed a broad smile.
“You did come.” There was no smug conquest in his voice or in his expression, only pure pleasure at seeing her as he took her hands in his. Without allowing her to say a word he led her toward the hostess, and they were immediately seated in a corner booth.
“I almost didn’t come,” Sara blurted out once they were left alone.
“But you did.” His dark eyes twinkled. He made no move to touch her again, but she experienced the strangest feeling, as if his warmth surrounded her. “And I’m very glad you accepted my invitation.” He looked up when the waitress stopped by their table asking if they wanted a drink. He glanced
at Sara, who shook her head, then told the waitress the same.
To hide her nervousness, Sara opened the menu and studied the contents. “Everything looks so good.” Was her voice more high-pitched than normal? She silently ordered herself to relax, but it was easier said than done.
“Then you’ve never been here before?”
“No, I haven’t.” She continued scanning the menu. “I think I’ll have the prawns and a salad.”
Jess ordered their meal before turning his attention back to her. “You don’t have to be nervous, you know,” he teased. “I don’t bite.”
She lowered her face. “Jess, why are we here?” she asked in a soft voice.
“To have dinner.” He looked up and smiled at the waitress as she deposited their appetizers, potato skins and fried zucchini and glasses of iced tea on the table.
“Don’t play games with me, Jess,” she said in a harsh whisper, “I’m long past that stage with you.”
He smiled, a sad sweet smile. “Yes, I guess we are. When I called you, I hadn’t intended to ask you out; it just sort of popped out.”
His admission surprised her. The Jess she remembered wouldn’t have admitted to any kind of vulnerability.
And I didn’t intend to come, so I guess we’re even.” All her earlier uneasiness had vanished, and her smile was now natural and relaxed as she helped herself to two potato skins and zucchini. “So, what have you been doing the past fifteen years?”
“Straightening out my life, going back to school and preaching,” he said glibly.
“Why the ministry?” Sara asked curiously. “Of all the occupations I could picture you in, that isn’t one of them.”
He looked pensive. “Yes, I’m sure this is quite a switch from the old Jess you knew. It’s a very long and complicated story and not something to be told over a nice dinner. Why don’t we leave it for another day? Instead I’ll tell you how lovely you look tonight.”