Unraveling the Pieces

by Terri DuLong

  All of a sudden I knew exactly what he was saying, and I felt dread in the pit of my stomach. We had not used a rubber. In the ecstasy of the moment—we hadn’t even given it a thought.

  I reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll be okay,” I whispered. “We’ll be okay.”

  Chapter 12

  I had been raised to know that it was good manners to bring a gift of some sort to the hostess when invited for dinner. It didn’t have to be elaborate. Flowers, chocolate, or a bottle of wine. However, when I thought of bringing any of these things to Ben Wellington, I felt it might be another faux pas.

  Flowers might be misconstrued as snarky because of the flowers Ben had not sent to me. For all I knew, he could be a diabetic—so chocolate was out. And even wine. How did I know he might not be a recovering alcoholic? Which all proved to me that I knew absolutely nothing about Ben Wellington—except that he was a vet and had a really sweet son.

  This made me decide to go to Barnes and Noble and get the hostess gift for Jonah rather than his father. It was probably at Jonah’s request I was being invited. I found three age-appropriate books that all had dog stories. I knew Jonah adored dogs, so I hoped he might enjoy them.

  I followed the directions that Ben had given me—north on Nova and west into the development. I drove past a few homes that were Tudor style; some were ranch style or colonials and looked like they had been built in the late sixties. All of them were well maintained with landscaping and sweeping front lawns that led to circular driveways or brick walks. I found Ben’s house at the end overlooking the river, a two-story brick that looked cozy and welcoming.

  I pulled into the driveway, and as I got out of the car two things struck me: The house seemed a bit spacious for just a man and his son, and there appeared to be a large yard in the back, which would be ideal for a dog. Or two. Reaching into the backseat, I lifted Lotte into my arms.

  “Here we are,” I told her.

  I walked to the front door and rang the bell. I wasn’t surprised that it was Jonah who swung the door wide open, a huge smile on his face.

  “Hey, Petra,” he said, extending his hand for Lotte to smell. “Hi, Lotte. Come on in.”

  Ben appeared from the back of the house. “You found us okay. Yes, come on in. It’s nice to see both of you.”

  I had Lotte still on her leash and put her down on the tile floor as I passed the tote bag to Jonah. “This is for you. I hope you’ll like it.”

  He peeked inside and removed one of the books. “Oh, thank you. Yes. I love to read. Especially dog books.”

  “That was nice of you,” Ben said. “How about a glass of wine?”

  I nodded. “Yes. Sounds good.”

  I followed the two of them through the foyer to a family room that opened to a large screened pool area.

  “You have a very pretty spot here,” I said, noticing the river to my left. The large yard with mature oak trees was enclosed by a black wrought-iron fence.

  “Thanks,” Ben said as he uncorked a bottle of red wine.

  “Could I take Lotte to play in the yard?” Jonah asked.

  “Sure,” I said, bending over to unclip her leash. “I think she’d like that.”

  Jonah opened the screen door and they both ran out to the yard.

  Ben passed me a wineglass. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks,” I said and nodded. I took a sip and said, “Have you lived here very long?”

  “Two years. My wife passed away, and I knew that staying in New York wasn’t good for Jonah or me. My brother and his family live in Jacksonville so I thought it might be good to live closer to them. He has a boy Jonah’s age.”

  “That’s nice. Do you get to see them often?”

  “Well, probably not as much as we should. Between my work schedule and Zak’s, we try to get together about once every month or so.” He took a sip of wine. “How about you? Do you have family here?”

  I saw Jonah tossing a ball to Lotte and smiled. “No. I’m an only child, and my mother passed away a few years ago. I grew up in Pennsylvania but after college and some traveling, I settled in the Jacksonville area before coming to Ormond Beach about a month ago.”

  “What brought you to this area?”

  “Friends. I had been coming here last year to visit my best friend, Isabelle. Actually, her daughter and mother come to you for their dogs. Iris and Haley, and their dogs are Fred and Ginger.”

  Ben nodded and laughed. “Yes, I know who they are. I always got a kick out of the dogs’ names. So after visiting here, you decided to relocate?”

  “Well, I’m not sure it’s permanent. I still own my home in Jacksonville, but I thought it might be a nice change. I came for Isabelle’s wedding in September and decided to stay on a trial basis. So I’m living at Koi House on Beach Avenue. Mavis Anne Overby owns the house. I met her through Isabelle.”

  “Sounds good. Are you working in the area?”

  “I’m fortunate to work from home. I do work for a software company. So that made my decision to come here easy. It wasn’t like I had to give up my job.”

  Ben nodded and was silent for a few moments, then said, “Before Jonah comes back inside, I just want to tell you again I’m sorry for what I said to you at Petco. That was rude of me.”

  “Apology accepted, but it was also presumptuous of me to interfere. So I’m also sorry.”

  I saw a slight smile cross his face and realized it was the first time I had seen him smile. His gaze met mine, and behind his black-framed glasses, I saw sadness in his eyes.

  As if sensing my understanding, he said, “It’s been a difficult couple of years. Losing Emily turned my life upside down.” He took a sip of wine. “It was a car accident.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I couldn’t begin to understand such a loss.

  He nodded. “A drunk driver hit us. We were on our way home from having dinner at a local restaurant. The one thing I’m so very grateful for is that Jonah wasn’t with us in the car. He was home with the sitter.” He took another sip of wine. “But I was driving the car.”

  I glanced at the faint scar along the side of his face and wondered if it was a result of the car accident. And I also wondered if he felt guilty for not being able to avoid the accident that had taken his wife’s life.

  He shook his head and gave me the hint of a smile. “Listen to me. Rambling on. I’m sorry. I very seldom discuss this with anyone,” he said, standing up. “You do like burgers and hot dogs, right?”

  “Absolutely. Can I help with something?”

  “Maybe set the table? Betsy, Noah’s nanny, prepared macaroni salad. It’s in the fridge. So you can take that out to the table.”

  I followed him through a set of French doors to the kitchen. I was surprised. Though he was a man living alone with his son, the area looked spotless.

  Ben pointed to the plates and silverware that had been set out on the counter. “Betsy got things ready for us. She’s gone out for the evening but lives here with Jonah and me. Having a live-in nanny makes it nice for Jonah, and Betsy has no family, so it works for both of us.”

  “Oh, that is nice. You were fortunate to find her.”

  Ben nodded as he removed hot dogs and hamburger patties from the fridge. “Yeah, I was. Actually, she’s my brother’s wife’s aunt. Betsy’s husband passed away quite a few years ago and she had no children. She lived in the Jacksonville area also. When I made the decision to move here, Sue suggested I consider hiring her aunt as a nanny and housekeeper for me and Jonah. This house was ideal because Betsy has her own bedroom and sitting area upstairs so she has her privacy, yet she’s here for Jonah. She takes him to school and picks him up. Cooks our meals and looks after the house. She’s a real godsend.”

  “She certainly is,” I agreed.

  I took the plates and began setting the table as Jonah ran back inside with Lotte.

  “She’s so much fun,” he said. “I really like her.”

  I laughed. “I think she likes you
too.”

  “I’m starved,” he said. “Is supper ready?”

  “Go wash your hands,” Ben told him. “Not much longer.”

  After we finished eating, I helped Ben to clear the table and clean up the kitchen.

  “How about some coffee?” he asked.

  “Definitely.”

  “Mugs are in the cabinet at the end,” he said, pointing.

  I got them out as he removed the cover from a cake plate on the counter. “Courtesy of Betsy. She makes the best carrot cake.”

  “That does look good,” I said. As I reached into the drawer for forks and spoons, I realized how comfortable I felt in Ben’s kitchen.

  “Oh, Betsy’s carrot cake,” Jonah said as we came back outside.

  Without being asked, I sliced three pieces and passed plates to Ben and Jonah.

  Taking a bite of mine, I nodded. “You’re right. This is exceptional.”

  “Do you bake?” Jonah asked.

  “Ah . . . well . . . I know how to bake, but I guess I don’t very often.”

  “Why?” Jonah questioned.

  I laughed. “Well . . . it’s not so much fun to bake just for me.”

  “Oh, you can bake for me anytime. I love dessert,” Jonah informed me, causing me to laugh again.

  I saw Ben shake his head and a grin covered his face. It struck me that he was a very serious sort of guy. He didn’t laugh or smile easily. If not for Jonah, I wondered if he’d ever smile at all. Uptight was the word that came to mind.

  After we finished the cake, Ben said, “More coffee?”

  “Yes, please.”

  He refilled our mugs from the French press on the table.

  “Can Lotte and I go back in the yard to play?” Jonah asked.

  “Well . . . actually,” Ben said, “I have something to tell you. Both of you.”

  “What? What is it?” Jonah rocked from side to side in his chair. “A surprise?”

  Ben nodded. “Yes. A surprise. I’ve given some thought to those two dogs. Lucy and Ethel. And . . .”

  Before he could finish his sentence, Jonah had jumped up and run to his father. “Can I have them? Can I have Lucy and Ethel?”

  This time Ben’s laugh was loud and genuine as he nodded. “Yes. We’re going to adopt them.”

  I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

  Jonah began jumping up and down and threw his arms around his father’s neck. “Really, Dad? Really? When? When can we get them?”

  “Okay, calm down,” Ben said, returning his son’s hug. “I called the shelter and we’re going to bring them home tomorrow. So they’ll have a home for Christmas.”

  “Oh, wow,” I said.

  “I’m so excited.” Jonah leaned down and scooped Lotte into his arms. “Did you hear that? Lucy and Ethel will be coming to live with me.”

  Ben laughed again and I felt moisture stinging my eyes. Not only were those two lovely dogs going to get a wonderful home but one little boy was filled with joy.

  “That is so great,” I said.

  “Well, I think we can thank you, Petra. For suggesting that Jonah give Lucy and Ethel a home.”

  This was certainly proof that Ben Wellington had forgiven me for interfering.

  “What time can we go?” Jonah questioned. “Can I skip school tomorrow?”

  Ben shook his head and laughed. “Ah, no, you can’t. And I have office visits in the morning, so I told the shelter we’d be there to get them around three. We’ll go shopping first at Petco for food and some toys. And I want to get a crate. It’s good to have them crated when we’re not home and that will give them a sense of security until they settle in.”

  “Wow,” Jonah said, still clearly excited. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever. Even if we are alone. At least now we’ll have Lucy and Ethel.”

  I picked up on what he’d said and looked at Ben. “Oh, you’re not going to your brother’s for Christmas?”

  “Not this year. They’re taking the kids and going to visit Sue’s parents in Georgia.”

  “Betsy won’t be here either,” Jonah said. “She’s going to visit a friend in Tampa.”

  A father and his ten-year-old son alone on Christmas? That was just plain sad.

  “Oh, gosh,” I said. “Nobody should be alone on Christmas. We’re having a gathering at Koi House. Nothing fancy. Just a buffet dinner, but it will be festive.” Before I gave it a second’s thought, the words were out. “Why don’t you and Jonah come too?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Ben began to say.

  But Jonah cut in. “Could we, Dad? Could we go? Please?”

  Ben looked at me and shrugged. “Are you sure?”

  For the first time in a long time, I knew I had never been so sure about something.

  Rhonda April 1969

  Over the next couple of weeks Peter and I continued to see each other for dinners, movies, and a couple of times we went out on his boat. The boat afforded us complete privacy and when we made love in the cabin, he was adamant about using protection.

  However, by mid-April I had no idea where our relationship might be going. If anywhere at all. We acknowledged our love for each other. And I truly believed Peter loved me. But I wasn’t at all certain that I saw a future for the two of us as a couple. We came from very different worlds and although Peter tried to assure me this didn’t matter, I knew that it did.

  And that was proved to me when I reported to the hotel for my dinner shift.

  “Hey,” Sally said when I walked in. “It’s getting warmer out there, isn’t it?”

  I nodded. “It doesn’t feel like April in Pennsylvania, that’s for sure.”

  “Are you going back home for the summer?” she asked.

  “I don’t know. I might have enough money to stay here and take a secretarial course.”

  “That would be great. I think I’m going back, though. I miss being home.”

  I was ashamed to admit that I didn’t miss Pennsylvania. I wrote to my mother faithfully and according to her letters, nothing at all had changed in the three months I had been gone. As much as she missed me, she agreed that I had many more opportunities here.

  “Well, my first table has arrived,” she said, heading toward the dining room.

  I served my early diners and just before seven I was totaling a check when Sally nudged me as she giggled and said, “Looks like the son brought his girlfriend tonight.”

  I looked up from tallying the check. “What?”

  She nodded in the direction of the dining room. “The Maxwells. They have an extra person with them tonight. Looks like she could be the son’s girlfriend.”

  A wave of dizziness came over me, and I gripped the counter as I turned around. Peter was pulling out a chair for an extremely beautiful woman who seemed to be about his age. Her blond hair was styled in the popular French twist. I saw the sparkle of a jeweled necklace around her neck, and she was wearing a fashionable black dress. Who was this person?

  I went to the reservation book and sure enough—rather than the usual four, five people had been booked for this evening.

  I inhaled a deep breath and knew that I had no choice but to walk to the table and take the newcomer’s drink order.

  “Good evening,” I said, avoiding eye contact with Peter and focusing on the woman beside him. I noticed her makeup was flawless. “What may I get you to drink?”

  “Oh.” She waved a manicured hand in the air. “A daiquiri would be nice.”

  The drink that Peter had suggested to me. I glanced at him and saw a very uncomfortable man. If this woman was his date, he didn’t look happy.

  “Ah, Rhonda,” Mr. Maxwell said. “Yes, this is Marion . . . Peter’s girlfriend. We thought it would be nice if she joined us for dinner this evening.”

  “Dad,” I heard Peter say, annoyance tingeing the word. “Marion and I are just friends.”

  “Yes . . . well . . . I believe I just said that. Now . . . may we have our drinks, please?”

>   Without another word, I headed to the bar and realized that my hands were trembling. Girlfriend? Peter had a girlfriend? How stupid could I have been? But, no. Peter did love me. I was certain of that. But was love enough?

  Somehow I managed to get through the next couple of hours. I brought out the appetizers, entrees, and then dessert and coffee. Each time I glanced at Peter, he looked extremely uneasy.

  I brought their check and passed it to Mr. Maxwell. I normally got a thank you, but this evening he remained silent and continued talking across the table to Peter.

  I headed to the ladies’ room, and when I returned to the dining room I was surprised to see the Maxwells had left. So until I heard from Peter I would have no idea who Marion was or why she was with them at dinner.

  * * *

  I reported for my lunch shift the following day and was surprised to see Mr. Maxwell sitting at the bar having a Bloody Mary. He very seldom frequented the restaurant for lunch, and when he did it was with other businessmen. I had not heard from Peter, but that wasn’t unusual. We had plans to see each other that evening for dinner.

  I walked past the bar and heard my name called. I knew it was Mr. Maxwell and turned around.

  “Yes?”

  He motioned me closer.

  “Rhonda, I was wondering if we might have a word before you begin working.”

  “Oh. Well . . . yes. I guess so.”

  He stood up, threw some bills on the bar and said, “Good. Let’s go outside for a few minutes.”

  I followed him out to the parking lot.

  “Is something wrong?” I asked, having no idea why he would want to speak with me.

  He shook his head. “No. No. Not at all. I just wanted to discuss something with you.” When I remained silent, he continued. “I know you like Peter and he has a fondness for you. But . . . in all honesty, I just don’t think something like that would ever work out. If you know what I mean.”

  A combination of fear and anger surged through me. “No. I don’t think I do.”

  “Well, honey, let’s be honest. You and Peter are very different. Those kinds of flings never work out. And besides, Marion has been in Peter’s life since they were born. Her father and I have been friends since college. It’s always been assumed that Peter and Marion would end up together.”