by R. T. Wolfe
"I am. Brie's so different. She seems... lighter somehow." He ran his fingers through his hair. "It just seems off."
"Oh, no, you don't. Where is this coming from, man?" Dave leaned forward and placed his elbows on his desk. "Nearly seven years of this shit. Be happy."
Nathan took a deep breath. "But how do you go from an evidence-clean arson to a shoddy brush fire set downwind of Brie's house? With a fingerprinted lighter left at the scene?" He shook his head side to side. "Shit. It's just me. That's not really why I'm here anyway."
"How so?"
"I want to know where you got Amanda's ring."
"No kidding? I'll be damned." Dave rubbed his plate-sized hands over yesterday's shave. "Congratulations, man. Mincemoyer's. I'll get the address."
"No, shit? I know where it is."
* * *
Nathan and Brie drove to Rochester for the afternoon. They ate salmon steaks with Chardonnay at a sidewalk café before stopping at the jewelers.
"You're quiet. Are you nervous?" He pulled up to the jeweler's to drop Brie off at the door.
"Just a little. I'm a pick-out-an-engagement-ring virgin. You don't need to drop me off. I'd rather walk."
He put the Saab back into gear and parked away from the door. "We could go into the city if this doesn't work out."
"All right." She pulled on her ear and smiled warmly.
"Mr. Reed, we've been expecting you." The man in black slacks and crisp, white shirt held the door for the two of them. "I'll take you to the back room. Mr. Mincemoyer would like to assist you himself." The man turned to Brie. "And this must be the lovely Brianna." He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Such a pleasure to meet you. Please, follow me."
Now she was nervous. They sat in ridiculously ordained, velvet chairs at a table covered in glass. They didn't wait long for the owner.
"No, no. Please don't get up." Mr. Mincemoyer gestured to her. "How are you, Nathan, my boy?" She lifted her brows at their embrace. "When will we see that project of yours? You've gotten my furniture requests, have you? Are the offers up to your standards?"
"I'm not sure about a showing, George. And are you going to charge me more if I tell you I'm still not in business?"
They laughed like old cigar-smoking friends before turning to her.
"So this is her. What price range are we talking, son?" he asked as he pulled out some boxes from under the table.
Brie looked over at Nathan with wide, puzzled eyes.
He took her hands and kissed her knuckles as he shrugged his shoulder at George. "Sky's the limit."
She leaned over to Nathan and whispered, "What if I don't really want the sky?"
"I figured," he said.
She turned to Mr. Mincemoyer, or George, not knowing how to address him. "Sir, I'd really like something I can wear. Actually, all the time."
Nathan saved her. "She works with her hands. I suppose a raised solitaire wouldn't work. Yes?" He looked over at her.
She nodded, relieved.
"She teaches first grade and owns her own landscaping business. What do you recommend?"
"An entrepreneur. A woman of my own heart."
George drew his hands dramatically to his heart before dipping back under the table. He pulled out an assortment of sparkling ring sets with imbedded diamonds. She sat patiently and listened as the jeweler explained golds and platinums, clarity and color. But, her eyes locked almost immediately on one toward the side.
Nathan followed her gaze and nodded his head to his friend.
She slipped on a slightly raised round diamond circled with smaller ones encased in a band of white gold. It fit. She couldn't remember the last time words had escaped her. She decided the jeweler must have thought she was a little slow.
"That's an exquisite choice. Nearly FI with a shallow cut that should meet your needs. What else can I get out for you today, Miss Brianna?"
She glanced over at Nathan once more.
He lifted one corner of his mouth. "George, I think we're done here."
"Well, my boy, you are an easy customer. Shall I wrap that up for you?"
She spoke up this time. "That won't be necessary. Thank you. I'd like to wear it if that's okay with you. It doesn't seem to need to be sized."
"Of course, my dear. It looks beautiful on you." George turned to Nathan waving his hand at his wallet. "Just put this toward my sleigh bed."
"That's bartering, George." Nathan smiled.
"That's bartering plus bribery, boy. I'm in no hurry." George held out a hand. "You come back any time, and I expect an invitation to a showing soon." He winked at her and led them out.
* * *
They drove with the windows down. "Showing?" Brie asked.
"Ah." He took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her ring. "There is rumor of a showing of the house when it's finished. I didn't start it."
"Wow. Are you going to do it?"
He took a deep breath. "I left a lot of people hanging when I made the move to Northridge. People who got me where I am. I feel like I owe them, but I also want our house to be a home, not a museum."
Her heart sunk at the sound of our home. "I see." She looked down at their joined hands and the ring between them. "Have you thought about what we'll do with my house?"
"Sure. We could build a huge sky walk from one to the other." He lifted her hand and kissed her ring finger.
"I'm serious. I can't sell it. It's been in my family for three generations."
"I've thought about it, yes. It would make a perfect guesthouse. Your brothers would have a place to stay when they visit. We could even put in another bathroom... if you want."
"A guesthouse. Why didn't I think of that?" she responded sarcastically.
She watched his eyes humbly tilt with his head as he shrugged a shoulder.
"I'll never get used to having money." She smiled from ear to ear. "But I'll try."
"The kids fly in tomorrow." He moved his hand to underneath the wisps of hair flying in the wind.
She bit her bottom lip. "Last night alone?"
"Mmm."
"At least I won't be grounded to the guestroom anymore. I might even sleep on my couch. I've hardly even sat on it."
"We need to make a stop at Lucy's before we go home. She'll have my head if she hears about our news from someone else."
They pulled the car into Brie's drive and walked next door.
She found herself uncomfortable at the very platonic scene of Ethel leading them back to Clifford and Lucy. They were sitting in her four seasons room laughing like children.
"Brianna, dear. Come. And Nathan, what a lovely surprise."
Lucy stood with Clifford to greet them. Kisses were exchanged and small talk passed before Lucy asked what brought them to visit.
"Brianna, it's about time."
Brie was caught off guard with the first hug she could ever remember from Lucy. "I may get some grandchildren, yet. Nathan, your mother will share, won't she?"
Lucy led her to the kitchen to fill a plate with an assortment of congratulatory cookies and helped Ethel with the coffee as she addressed her. "Don't think I didn't see you running with those dogs the other morning, Miss Brianna."
She put her hands up in surrender and forced back a smile.
"We are two grown, single people and can live with whomever we please."
Oh jeez, they're living together. Brie stifled a choking fit. She wondered if Amanda knew. If Molly knew. If anyone knew. Oh, dear. "I... I... Yes. That is your business."
Ethel stood at the kitchen sink. "Are you kidding? Do you know how old they are? My mama, rest her soul, would roll over in her grave if she knew how these two are carrying on."
* * *
Brie sat with Nathan on the porch, waiting for his folks and the boys. Brie pulled on her ear and looked at her watch. He doodled a sketch of the beams and railings for the porch. The rocks from the creek would build up half-posts, and he planned to finish the tops with custom twelve-by beams. He
didn't want anything too showy at the top, but big and bold enough to blend with the look of the house and Brie's work there.
When the Bonneville turned the corner, they walked down to meet them, the dogs at their heels.
Andy bounded out of the car first. "Hey, guys." He rubbed the dogs' heads. "Did you miss us? Huh?"
Nathan turned to his mother. "Why do the dogs always get first greetings?"
"Because they give the most dramatic welcome." She reached up on her toes and kissed him on both cheeks, then held his chin in her hand and looked at him.
Duncan stretched and meandered over.
"We climbed Pike's Peak. It's fourteen-thousand feet in the air." Andy spoke even faster than usual. "And we had on shorts but there was snow. And the plane was loud and made my tummy sink and do we still have to call you Miss Chapman, 'cause you're not my teacher anymore?" Andy stopped talking long enough to notice that everyone was quiet and looking at Brie's hand. "I know what that is. You got married while we were gone! We don't have to call you Miss Chapman anymore." He jumped up and down in circles. "We get to call you mom!"
Nathan put an arm around Brie and pulled her next to him. "I guess he approves."
Duncan knocked the side of his little brother's head with one hand while using his sleeve to wipe away a tear with the other. "They're not married, stupid. They're engaged. That means they're gonna be married."
"Don't mind me." His mother wiped away her own tears. "We're just so happy to have you in the family. This has been a big week for you."
* * *
The rains eventually came. The herons stood at the spillway and caught their fill as the fish washed over in the rush of the water into the creek. The floodplains came alive with the color of the mature wildflowers on one side of the creek and the tender greens on the side that had been burned.
Teenagers carried the pieces for croquet and badminton across the log over the rush of the water. Baked potatoes, burgers and brats cooked on the grill. The smell was mouthwatering and blew throughout the yard.
Brie and Liz wrestled with the badminton net while the rest of the ladies hammered the croquet wickets into the ground. Inadvertently, Liz held her hand beneath the lower part of her stomach while reaching up to untangle the net. This didn't go unnoticed.
The groups seemed to change places as most of the children went to the back to tie water balloons and fill squirt guns. Clifford and Sylvester stayed to man the grill. Adults went inside to start the massive hauling of food out to the tables on the deck and patio. Chairs were scattered around the yard and nets for the plates were set out, ready to place over the fruits and salads.
"The kitchen is amazing, Brianna dear." Lucy lined her basket for her homemade croissants with a red and white checkered towel.
"Thank you. I'm still finding all of the hidden drawers and compartments."
They piled their arms with chips and veggies for another trip out. Brie stepped in front of Liz before she got out the door, trapping the two of them and Amanda, who was stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time. "You're pregnant."
Liz folded her hands in front of her and tilted her head up at her.
"Whoa." Amanda's head bobbed between the two of them before she stopped at Liz. "She does that, Liz. It's creepy. So, are you really?"
"How can you tell? I've barely found out myself." Liz shrugged her shoulders. "Oops."
"Oh, wow. Does Tim know?"
Liz shook her head. "Wait 'til he finds out the little guy needs a sibling close to his age."
The three of them circled and hugged before regaining their composure and heading for the picnic. Food was eaten, games were played and s'mores cooked over the wrought iron and ceramic fire pit. Eventually, Andy and Rose crashed together in the hammock that lay under the deck.
Chapter 32
Molly was right, Lucy thought, she had been spending most of her time with Clifford and hadn't been out to see her condo in weeks. She relished the feeling of being in love again and could have argued that Molly was out of town most of the time, but didn't.
She felt like a teenager as she watched Clifford walk over to kiss her goodbye. "I won't be too long. I can't help but worry about her. She's still my daughter." She looked through her purse for her keys and felt that familiar chill when Clifford placed his hand on her arm.
"Take all the time you need. I'm going to beat Ethel in cards."
"She doesn't answer her phone, and I did tell her I would stop by." They walked together to the front door. "Let's have lunch in the four season's room when I get back. We'll invite Ethel." She smiled. "Unless she beats you in cards. Then, she'll be unbearable." Clifford kissed her gently, and they parted.
* * *
"Is Rose meeting us at the lake?" Duncan asked as Brie went over her mental list of supplies. He took the tub of earthworms from the fridge and set it in his tackle box.
"She's too young to walk there by herself. We'll walk over to get her before her mom leaves for work."
"Do you know how to put worms on a hook? I can show you if you don't know how," Duncan offered.
"Anytime I can get out of stringing a worm on a hook, I'll take it."
Andy came in from the garage carrying an extra bucket. "This is for crawfish. You know Rose will want to catch crawfish."
"You know you want to catch crawfish," Duncan said under his breath.
The boys wore their swim trunks and worn-out sneakers. They smelled of sunblock and carried their chairs, buckets and tackle boxes over their shoulders. Brie carried a cooler with drinks and snacks. She couldn't figure how they packed so much stuff for an adventure that was just seventy-five yards from the house.
They walked down the shallow hill in back to the creek. The boys chattered while she analyzed the charred field on the other side. Indeed, nature survives. Lush, bright green plants sprouted from the fertile ash and soot. Rains washed away much of the black and refilled the lake and creek.
The day would have been perfect if it weren't the anniversary of the fire. She wondered if she should have told Nathan but convinced herself there was no need. She would spend a beautiful day outdoors with three of her favorite kids and her two favorite dogs. They ran without leashes and took it as a pass to run the fields and through the water.
Walking around the side of her house, she pulled her keys from her pocket with her only free hand. "The timer to the lights isn't working again."
"I know where it is." Duncan set his tackle box and chair down.
So mature, she thought.
Tossing the keys to him, she and Andy headed toward the Piper's house. Walking hand-in-hand she decided to prevent any bloody noses. "Now, listen. Don't tease Rose about her fair skin... or her freckles... or her red hair. You two could try—"
Brie's feet stopped before the rest of her. The smoke detector screamed. Her heart ripped into shreds. She whipped around and saw her blinds drawn. She never closed her blinds. Fear gripped her from the bottom of her feet to the top of her head.
She spun back to Andy. "Go, now. Tell Cliff—tell Mr. Piper to call for help. Go, Andy. Run."
He nodded quickly and took off down the street.
Fear gripped her lungs, her legs. She could hear the dogs splashing madly across the creek. Fighting the urge to drop to the ground and curl into a fetal position, Brie forced her legs to inch along the concrete and through the door.
"Stop," Molly yelled.
Under the piercing sound of the smoke detectors, all Brie could see was the gun digging into the temple of Duncan's trembling head.
* * *
As Lucy drove, she felt guilty that she hadn't visited more often. Molly really didn't live that far away. Just a short fifteen-minute drive through town. The drive was actually very pleasant. She made a silent vow to make this a habit. They wouldn't be able to set a day each week to chat, of course, with Molly's job taking her off who knew when.
She pulled in the drive of the tidy condo and locked her car doors. As she climbed th
e steps, she noticed the front door was cracked. Ah, she thought, she is home. "MollyAnne? It's me, dear." Lucy walked in and shut the door behind her. She made her way to the back thoroughly disgusted with the way her daughter kept house. The door was open to the basement and the light was on.
"MollyAnne, honey, it's your mother. Are you down here?" The silence created a mix of annoyance and worry.
Light came from a room she didn't remember. She pushed open the door to the tiny space and clutched her shirt in the middle of her chest. In it were dozens, no hundreds of pictures of Brianna. Years of pictures, some of them personal. She felt light-headed and set her hand on the short counter for balance. Her hand tapped a wooden bat, and it rolled. Lucy gasped at the sight of the blood splatter on one side.
Panicked, she slammed back against the wall and inadvertently turned out the light with her back. She screamed and cried and ran back up the stairs. Putting together the pieces of what she'd seen, she fumbled with her keys, dropping them on the ground by her car. "Why," she mumbled as she put the shaking key in the lock. "Why, why, why." She drove straight to the police station.
* * *
"Lock the door."
Brie couldn't move. Please. She pleaded with her body to move and help Duncan.
"Lock the door, or I swear I'll blow his fucking brains all over your precious house."
Brie obeyed, walking backward while focusing on the floor. She shut the door behind her and turned the lock. The dogs hit the door just as it clicked. They barked wildly, then ran at the windows.
Molly stood at the top of the stairs next to her old bedroom door. She sounded different, she thought. Crazed. Her hair was uncharacteristically tattered and her shirt untucked. Lines of black makeup smeared under her eyes.
"All these years." Molly's hand shook the gun against Duncan's face. "All these fucking long years and look at you, standing here in your perfect house with your perfect life. You think you can do whatever you want. Dowhoever you want."
Brie inched closer to the stairs as she watched, terrified at the yellow smoke that blew under the door next to them. A nearly empty bottle of whiskey lay on its side on the floor. When she allowed her gaze to turn on Duncan, she blinked. His face was twisted in a petrified grimace, and he was shaking, sweat starting to bead along his brow.