Mirror Image

by Curry, Edna

  Still worried, he watched her rub the scar on her face and asked, “Was it about the accident?”

  “No.” She frowned. “Someone was hurting Susie. Jass,” she said, starting to get out of bed. “I’ve got to go upstairs and make sure Susie’s all right.”

  “LaRae,” he protested. “It was only a dream. She’s fine.”

  Laurie shook her head. Realizing she was still naked, she reached for her nightgown and struggled into it. “I have to know, Jass, or I’ll never get back to sleep.”

  He reached out to help her slide the nightgown over her cast. “I’ll go with you, then.”

  “All right.”

  They walked upstairs and found Susie sound asleep as he’d expected.

  "See? She's fine," he whispered.

  She nodded, straightened the covers around Susie, and they went quietly back downstairs.

  Was this fear another after-effect of LaRae’s accident? Or something else? He’d better make her an appointment with Dr. Henry in the morning. She was overdue for a check-up on her arm, anyway.

  She got into bed, but sat propped up against her pillow, apparently not ready to go back to sleep.

  He got in beside her and asked, “Want to tell me about the dream?”

  “It was just a typical nightmare,” she said, shrugging.

  “Have you had them before?”

  She nodded. “I’ve been having them since the accident.”

  “But they’re not about the accident?”

  “No. They’re always the same. They started in the hospital in San Francisco.”

  He took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “What happens in the dream?”

  She shrugged and looked away.

  He waited.

  Finally, she said, “Some big burly man is carrying Susie off. I scream and scream at him, but he won’t put her down. Then I usually wake up. Tonight you woke me up.”

  A cold shiver slid through him at the idea of someone hurting his daughter. He fought to keep his voice calm. “Is this man someone you know?”

  She hesitated. “Not really. I mean, I think he looked vaguely like the man who killed Emy, but I couldn’t see his face.”

  “Emy. The little girl whose grave you visited tonight at the cemetery?”

  “Yes. Emy. My best friend in kindergarten.”

  What secrets had she been hiding from him over the years? Why had she never mentioned this before, for instance, when her parents died several years ago? Why now?

  “Do you want to tell me about Emy? You’ve never mentioned her before.”

  Shrugging, she told him about that awful day when they’d found her playmate dead, adding, “It was all so long ago. Maybe I’m only remembering it all now, because of my sister’s death. You know, because Emy’s death was my first experience with death, I’d naturally remember it now, don’t you think?”

  She eyed him anxiously, as though it were important for him to agree. “That’s probably the reason.” He took her hand and turned the diamond engagement and wedding rings on her third finger, rubbing the soft skin of her palm. She shivered, and he added, “But, just to be sure you’re not having more after-effects of the accident, I’ll take you to see Dr. Henry in the morning, okay?”

  “Okay,” she said, her voice reluctant.

  Jass reached up and turned off the lamp. “So, let’s get some sleep. I love you, LaRae.” He pulled her down beside him and snuggled her close, his heart pounding.

  This nightmare was scaring him. Had the car accident caused this? He knew the trauma of an accident could leave lasting damage. He’d find a way to talk to Dr. Henry alone in the morning. He had to know if she were really all right.

  Their toilet the next morning was more like Laurie had imagined married life to be before she came back to Minnesota. Jass helped her get her clothes over her cast, and even put her sports socks on for her. She reveled in his loving gestures, hoping they meant life was going to go smoothly now. She enjoyed breakfast with him and Susie, wishing with all her heart this could be an everyday occurrence, that she could truly be the wife and mother she was pretending to be.

  “Do you feel up to going back to California, tomorrow?”

  “Yes, I’m fine, Jass.”

  “Rest this morning then, LaRae, and I’ll get some errands done and get our tickets. Then we’ll take a morning flight. Agnes can help you pack.”

  “I really won’t need anything, Jass. Laurie and I were the same size and most of her things looked much the same as mine. I can just wear those clothes.”

  He stared at her. “Sure you won’t mind?”

  Mind? Why should she mind? They were her own clothes! “No, I’d rather travel light. We’ll have enough stuff to bring back as it is.”

  “Good. Then we’ll just take carry-ons. For once, we won’t have to check luggage.”

  He left, taking Susie with him to drop her off at school. Laurie went back to her room and studied their photo albums.

  Agnes entered and had just begun dusting when the phone rang.

  Since Agnes was closer to the phone, she answered it, then passed it to Laurie saying, “It’s Jass.”

  “I lucked out and got you an appointment with Dr. Henry in 30 minutes, LaRae,” Jass said. “He had a cancellation. I’ll pick you up. Can you be ready?”

  She’d forgotten he’d said she needed a check-up last night, and wished he’d forgotten, too. Could she get out of it? Would LaRae have objected? She doubted it. “All right, Jass. I’ll be ready.”

  She hung up and looked at Agnes, who stood unabashedly listening. “Jass thinks I need a check-up with Dr. Henry. The doctor has an opening right now, so Jass is coming to pick me up.”

  Laurie looked at the jumble of photo albums scattered about. “I’ll put those away when I get back.”

  “Nonsense,” Agnes said. “I can take care of it. Don’t worry about it.”

  Jass picked her up, and they drove into the nearby town. On a tree-lined street, he stopped at a large brick building whose sign read, “Canton Clinic.”

  “Here we are,” he said, helping her out of the car and keeping her elbow in his grasp as they walked up the sidewalk.

  “I’ll be fine. Will you wait here, or shall I call you to pick me back up?”

  “Oh, no, you’re not getting rid of me that easily,” Jass said, frowning. “I’m coming with you to ask Dr. Henry a few questions.”

  She stared at him. He meant to come into the doctor’s examining room with her? Had LaRae allowed him to do that?

  She swallowed and sent him an incredulous look, but he seemed not to notice. True, he was supposed to be her husband, but this was a bit too much togetherness. On the other hand, she reasoned, this wasn’t an ob-gyn exam or anything. Only a broken arm, and maybe some x-rays.

  Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad. She nodded agreement, not daring to object and stepped up to the receptionist’s counter to give LaRae’s name.

  They sat down to wait, and Laurie looked around her. The office apparently had several doctors. The waiting room had a long counter along one wall, and at each end, opened to hallways to the nurses' stations and examining rooms.

  Various nurses and assistants hurried about, carrying clipboards and calling out patients' names as it became their turn.

  After only a few minutes, they were ushered into an examining room. A nurse stuck a thermometer in Laurie’s mouth, took her blood pressure and pulse, then began asking questions about her latest injuries and writing them on LaRae’s chart. Since her mouth had a thermometer in it, Jass answered most of the nurse’s questions, with only an occasional nod or shake of the head from Laurie. The nurse retrieved the thermometer, read it and left.

  Then the doctor walked in. He was a tall, gray-haired man, with a long nose and receding hairline. He and Jass exchanged greetings, apparently on friendly terms.

  For a moment, Laurie felt panic, wondering if Dr. Henry would know somehow she wasn’t LaRae. She forced herself to relax as he conce
ntrated on her chart and asked a few more questions about her accident and recovery, making notations on her chart.

  Finally he said, “Let’s take some x-rays, since I don’t have any, and put on a fresh cast today. The nurse will take off that one and I’ll see you after we get some pictures,” he said with a nod to his waiting helper.

  The nurse led her down the hall. Laurie glanced back, frowning to see Jass and Dr. Henry deep in conversation. She had the distinct feeling they were discussing her, and she didn’t like it one bit.

  Dr. Henry had little to say except, “It’s healing nicely,” as he put on her fresh cast. The odor of antiseptic permeated the starkly clean room.

  Laurie kept her eyes on the doctor’s white gloved hands smoothing the wet cast. She felt all too aware of Jass’s watchful brown eyes as he sat on a stool across the small room. Was he afraid she would be harmed here in the clinic? Or that she would misbehave in some way?

  She stole a glance at Jass, trying to figure him out. His face held a pleasant, approving look that puzzled, yet pleased her. She felt as though she had passed some test with flying colors. If only she knew what the test had been.

  “Come back in two weeks,” Dr. Henry said. His wet gloves made a slapping sound as he pulled them off. The finality in his voice said the visit was over. His assistant quickly came forward and began clearing up.

  Dr. Henry rose and washed his hands in the sink. Then he shook hands with Jass, gave her a quick smile and nod, and strode out, leaving them to find their own way out.

  “So what else did he say?” LaRae asked as she and Jass got back into his car.

  He tossed her a surprised glance.

  She frowned, irritated. Damn these men. A conspiracy of silence. I suppose they think they’re protecting me by keeping me in the dark. “Don’t pretend you didn’t talk to him behind my back.”

  His lips curled in a grin, and he started the motor. “Didn’t fool you, eh? Actually, he pretty much agrees with what you said last night. The nightmares about Emy’s murder are probably just brought on by your sister’s death. Maybe your subconscious mind is connecting the two events.”

  She felt a wave of relief. She’d been reluctant to ask about the nightmares when she’d realized Jass was going to accompany her. But he’d remembered and had done it for her. “And?”

  Shrugging, he turned onto a side street. “And they’ll probably go away. It’ll take some time, though. He says you must get plenty of rest.”

  Her mouth twisted. “Did he tell you to pat my head and take extra good care of me, too?”

  His dark head snapped around, and his brown eyes met hers searchingly. “Since when do you mind?”

  She saw her mistake, bit her tongue and grinned. “I don’t, really, Jass. Sorry. He just seemed so patronizing, today. It got on my nerves, I guess.”

  “We only discussed you because we both care about you.”

  “Yes, of course.” She glanced around at the unfamiliar tree-lined street. “Where are we going?”

  “To pick up the kids from kindergarten, of course. Harold brought them home yesterday, so it’s our turn today. I told Agnes we’d do it, since we’re already out. It’ll save her or George the trip. It’s past twelve o’clock so they should be waiting.”

  She swallowed and looked for the street signs, trying to remember where he had turned off the highway after leaving the clinic. Why hadn’t she been paying attention? After driving a few more blocks, Jass pulled up in front of a new brick school.

  As they stopped, Susie, Cindy and Davie came running out to their car, laughing and pushing as they piled into the back seat. The children chatted unceasingly all the way home. Jass drove past their house and pulled into the driveway of a small white house three doors farther down the lake shore. Laurie assumed the tall, slim man mowing the lawn was Davie’s father.

  As they drove in, Harold paused and lifted a hand and called a greeting, then took off his cap and wiped his brow with his shirt sleeve. The temperature had risen to the eighties, unusual for May in Minnesota.

  The odor of freshly cut grass filled the car as Jass opened his window to return his greeting.

  Laurie smiled and waved at Harold. She noted the house where her new daughter’s friend lived, filing that piece of important information away in her head. Davie jumped out. Calling his thanks for the ride, he ran up his driveway to his father.

  They drove on around the lake and she saw the house with the burned out garage where they dropped off Cindy. A tall, dark-haired young woman opened the door to let Cindy in. She smiled and waved to them as Jass began to back out.

  So, that’s Cathy, she thought, returning the friendly gesture. Since Cindy was Cathy’s daughter, now she knew where LaRae’s friend lived. Little by little she was filling in the pieces of LaRae’s life, like putting together a gig-saw puzzle.

  When they arrived home, Agnes had soup and sandwiches ready for them. They ate, then Jass kissed Laurie good-bye, saying, “I’ll see you tonight, Hon. I may be a little late. I have to make up for missing work all morning.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’ll be all right with Susie? Diane should be here about four or so.”

  “Of course,” she said puzzled. “Agnes is here, too.” She glanced at the woman who was already doing dishes at the sink.

  “Have you forgotten? It’s Agnes’ afternoon off. I’ll bring home something for dinner, since you can’t cook with your arm in a cast, okay?”

  “Let’s have pizza, Daddy! With pepperoni on it,” Susie put in loudly.

  Jass looked at Laurie. When she made no objection, he asked carefully, “Is pizza okay with you?”

  “Sure.”

  He hugged Susie, then looked sternly at her. “Don’t forget to feed Trixie and give her fresh water. And take her for a walk when Diane gets home this afternoon.”

  “Sure, Daddy.”

  Laurie stood and kissed him good-bye, reveling in the feel of his strong arms around her as he returned her kiss. She watched him stride out the side door to his car and heard the roar of the powerful car’s motor as he drove away.

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  She turned back to see Susie’s beaming face. “For what, Sweetheart?”

  “For letting Daddy bring home pizza. I know you don’t like it much.”

  “You’re welcome. Come on, let’s get out of Agnes’ hair so she can finish up and leave. Let's play a game of checkers, then you can nap on my bed, okay?” They said good-bye to Agnes and headed down the hall to Laurie’s bedroom.

  What did it matter what she ate, when Susie was so happy? But having pizza tonight didn’t solve her much bigger problem. LaRae had loved to cook, and had obviously fed her family on Agnes’ days off. If Laurie cooked, the usual disaster would result, and Jass would know in a minute that something was wrong.

  There was no way around it. She was going to have to learn to cook. But how? She was supposed to be LaRae, who already was an expert cook. She could hardly ask someone to teach her the basics. Could she learn fast enough from cookbooks?

  If only she’d taken some home economics courses in high school or college. That was it; she’d sign up for a class at the college. She’d just seen a catalog somewhere, hadn’t she? oh, yes. Diane had been reading one in the family room, since she was taking classes at the U. Maybe she could find a cooking class in that.

  But how could she go to a class without Jass finding out?

  Chapter 8

  Laurie read the university catalog while Susie napped and, before she could change her mind, called for more information and the registration form.

  That evening Laurie went over Susie’s schedule with Diane, making sure she would know where Susie was and who she would be with at all times during the days they would be in California. Diane assured her either she or Agnes would be in charge and Susie would never be alone.

  Jass stopped watching TV and frowned at her questions. “You don’t have to worry, LaRae. They’ve been doing this tog
ether for years. They are very responsible, and always work out their own schedule.”

  Laurie flushed at the implied criticism of her questions. She raised her chin. “I’m sorry, Jass, but I’m feeling uneasy about it this time. I need to be sure someone will be watching Susie all the time while we’re gone.”

  Jass ran a hand through his hair. “Suit yourself, LaRae.” With a sigh, he went back to his paper, and said no more as Diane explained the schedule she and Agnes followed.

  Susie watched an hour of television curled up on the sofa next to Jass, while Diane read a college textbook. When the show was over, Diane insisted it was past Susie’s bedtime. Susie went to kiss her father good-bye.

  Jass told her, “We’ll have to leave for the airport very early, Sweetheart. We’ll be back in a few days. I’ll call you.”

  Susie hugged him tightly. “Bye, Daddy.”

  Laurie went upstairs with them. When Susie demanded Mommy read her bedtime story, Diane, looking a bit peeved, said good-night, then left to go to her own apartment for the night.

  Laurie sat on the edge of Susie’s bed and chided her gently, “You hurt Diane’s feelings, Susie.”

  Susie pouted. “I don’t care.”

  “Don’t you like Diane?”

  “’Course I do. We have fun together. But you’re my Mommy. I want you to read my story. Besides, I won’t see you for days. I’ll miss you.”

  Pleasure swelled in Laurie’s breast. “I’ll miss you too, Sweetheart. But you will be a good girl for Diane and Agnes while I’m gone, won’t you?”

  “Yes, Mommy.”