“Good. I’m glad he’s all right.” Tears formed in her eyes and she looked down. “Please say hello to him for me.” Her voice shook.
When she turned to go into the house Johnny put his hand on her arm.
“I lied. He’s terrible. I asked you not to hurt him but you did. You’ve destroyed him. You don’t look like you’re doing any better than he is. Why don’t you marry him?”
“Didn’t he tell you?” Marcia leaned against the door jamb for support.
Johnny shook his head but his gaze didn’t meet hers. She knew he was lying.
“Then I can’t break confidence.”
“Great! Two stubborn people in love and too dumb to find a compromise.”
“Why do you care? You must be thrilled your father isn’t hanging around with ‘that whore’ anymore.” She flung the words at him with her last bit of strength.
Color spread into Johnny’s cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I guess I…misjudged you. I didn’t think you could really love my father. I was wrong. You say you love him but you won’t marry him?”
“I love him. But I want…I need to have a baby. He doesn’t want to have another child. He wouldn’t bend.” Marcia closed her eyes at the recollection of their fight.
“You want to have a baby with a fifty-year-old man? You’re crazy.”
“Exactly what he said.”
“A baby is a big responsibility.”
“I’m thirty-eight years old…not a child. I can’t control this need. It’s primal, it’s basic…and even more so when you love someone. Jay and I never got around to having children because by the time we were ready, he was sick. He was sick for five years. And I’ve always felt…always felt…why am I wasting your time? You don’t understand and probably couldn’t care less.” She turned toward the house, ending their conversation.
* * * *
When he got home, Johnny went up to the apartment over the garage.
“Hi, Dad.” Jakub was cleaning up his breakfast dishes.
Jakub raised his hand in greeting. He looked tired.
“I saw Marcia today.”
“You did? Why? How does she look? Is she okay?” Jakub sprang to life.
“To collect the rent. She looks pretty terrible. She’s skinny and tired-looking. I don’t imagine you’d want to jump into bed with her now.”
“What’s wrong? She sick?” He put down the dishtowel he was holding.
“She’s heartsick. She misses you, Dad. Why don’t you go back to her?”
“You want me to go back?” Jakub cocked an eyebrow at his son.
“You’re miserable, she’s miserable. Your reason for splitting up is stupid.”
“Why stupid?” Jakub put the dishes back in the cabinet, one by one.
“Look, if she’s crazy enough to want to have a baby with a fifty-year-old man, let her! Look how well I turned out. You’re a good father and grandfather. You’d be good to her baby. Every woman has the right to want a baby, Dad.”
“You want me to go back to Marcia? You sure?”
“Yeah, I’m sure.
“I think about it.”
But two weeks later Jakub was still living over the garage and still thinking about Marcia…too stubborn to make the first move.
* * * *
Rehearsals for the talent show were in the Amphitheater, where all theatrical productions and concerts took place; it seated two thousand people in tiers with orchestra, mezzanine and balcony sections. Built using stainless steel, glass and wood, the imposing structure was the newest building on campus. Lara practiced there every afternoon for an hour before Andres showed up. Peter accompanied them on the piano.
The Tuesday before the show, Carter Wills showed up at the administration building at four o’clock. Of medium height and build, he was nondescript. He met Jonesy who looked him up and down before she called Callie. Callie met with him in her office. He sat tapping his foot and avoiding Callie’s gaze.
“You didn’t bring any equipment, Mr. Wills?” Callie cast a questioning look at him.
“Call me Carter. I leave it in the car until I know where we’re taking the shots. Hate to carry that heavy stuff all over campus, know what I mean?” Carter started to sweat.
“Which way to the theater?” His pulse jumped, sweat collected on his forehead.
“You can’t miss the Amphitheater, Carter. Take the path on the right from here, past the library, it’s the biggest building there.”
“Is Ms. Stewart expecting me?” A few beads of sweat broke out on his upper lip.
What if she remembers me?
“I don’t recall if I told her about you. She’s very sweet. I’m sure she’ll be happy to talk to you.” Callie pushed to her feet.
“Thank you.” He shook Callie’s hand then moved toward the door.
He mopped his brow with a handkerchief.
Callie walked out with Carter, stopping at Jonesy’s desk.
“Call Ballet News, Jonesy. Check on this guy. Something doesn’t feel right.”
”I’m already on it.”
* * * *
On his way to meet Lara for rehearsal, Peter was stopped by Carter Wills.
“Say, could you direct me to the Amphitheater?”
“There’s nothing happening there now…”
“I’m going to interview Lara Stewart for Ballet News magazine.”
“Lara Stewart is my fiancée.”
Carter looked at him, fear coiling in his stomach. Then he calmed down, realizing Peter didn’t know him and he had nothing to worry about.
“Congratulations,” Carter said, almost feeling jealous Lara was with this guy. If she hadn’t gotten pregnant, she’d probably still be sleeping with him.
“Why don’t you come with me? I’m on my way to meet her there now.”
Damn! This asshole is in the way. Gotta look like an accident. This is my last chance and I can’t let this jerk mess it up.
“Hey…great. You don’t mind?” Sweat beaded on Carter’s forehead again even though it was winter.
“Not at all. You’re doing a story on Lara?” Peter walked along next to Carter.
“She’s the star, right? Known her long?” Carter ran his hand through his hair.
“Almost a year.”
“Not before she came to Willow Falls last May?”
“How did you know when she came to Willow Falls?” Peter stopped walking.
“Uh…research…research. Been reading up on her.” His hand fiddled with the zipper of his jacket.
Peter cocked an eyebrow at Carter but resumed walking. The police had been careful not to divulge the town where she relocated or when she arrived. Carter read a look of suspicion growing in Peter’s eyes.
“What made you decide to write about Lara?”
“A nice fat check from Ballet News. I couldn’t afford to turn it down.”
Carter’s smile faded. Arts publications never pay a big fee for a story, any story, they don’t have a lot of money. Crap, why did I say that? Did he pick up on it?
Carter entered the Amphitheater and bolted for the men’s room.
“Thanks for your help.”
Carter rinsed his face off at the bathroom sink and applied some Canoe, his favorite cologne to cover up the smell of his sweat. He took a deep breath then stood with his ear to the door. He cracked the door open and spied no one in the vestibule. He walked slowly and quietly to the door of the auditorium and cracked it open.
Inside he saw Peter sit down at the piano and Lara warming up on the stage. He saw Peter say something to her then kiss her. Carter couldn’t hear what he said but Lara smiled at him and, after the kiss, bounced down the stairs, grinning, heading for the door.
Carter noticed Peter call after Lara but she didn’t turn around. He returned to the men’s room, pretending to be leaving.
When she got to the vestibule, Carter stepped forward in her path. His voice squeaked then he cleared his throat.
“Hi, Lara.
I’m Carter Wills, from Ballet News.” He moved toward her.
Lara stood still, her nostrils working. The strong, sweet smell of his cologne wafted across to her. She closed her eyes, sniffed the air again, then opened them wide and stared at Carter.
“You…you…you’re…him…” she stammered, backing up.
He saw the terror in her eyes and realized at once she remembered him. He panicked.
“Lara! Come here. Let’s talk, okay?” He reached for her arm.
She turned and ran across the vestibule, up the stairs as fast as she could.
“Shit!” he uttered, dropping his briefcase and sprinting after her.
* * * *
On the stage, Peter stood watching her leave the auditorium, absently running his hand over his stubbly face. His cell phone rang. Jonesy’s name lit up on the screen. He answered it.
“Peter! That guy on his way to interview Lara isn’t from Ballet News. They never heard of him! I’m sending the police.” She hung up.
Peter looked up and saw Lara enter the balcony. Panic rose in his throat and he struggled to push it down.
“Get away from me! Get away!” Lara screamed. “Peter, help! Help me!”
Peter ran up the ramp, flung open the door and took the stairs two at a time, heading for the balcony. Carter was not far behind Lara.
“Wait, Lara! Wait!” Carter called, desperation in his voice.
She turned to face him. As he got closer, she ducked into an aisle and side-stepped to the middle seats. He turned into a nearby aisle and followed her to the middle.
“You bitch! You’re going to ruin everything!”
Trying to run through the narrow rows was difficult for Lara even though she was thin. Carter stayed parallel to her, across from her barely out of arm’s reach, two rows away. His face twisted with rage as he saw her slipping through his fingers.
Lara was in about the middle of the first row in the balcony, which had a little more room, when Carter lunged at her. She dodged and he missed, swearing as the wooden seat back made contact with his thigh. She bolted for the aisle with Carter a half-step behind. Lara screamed and ran back to the temporary safety of the middle. Carter slowed down, bobbing and weaving through the seats after her. He kept a steady pace, hoping to wear her out. If he was too fast and she changed direction, she’d give him the slip.
Slowly he approached her, his gaze steady on hers. She backed away, but he was closing in on her. He stood on tiptoe and looked over the railing. Lara knew the fall was far enough to kill her. An evil smile curled his lips as he continued to inch closer to her.
“Get back, Carter. I know who you are.” Lara took tiny steps back, her arms out to keep her balance.
“I know you do, Lara. I need to fix that.”
“Get away from me,” she warned.
The door to the balcony opened and Peter entered then stopped short. Lara glimpsed him out of the corner of her eye, afraid to take her gaze off Carter. Carter stopped briefly and looked up at Peter.
“He can’t help you. It’s too late. You’re going down.”
“Don’t believe him, Lara.” Peter came down the stairs as fast as he could.
Carter moved closer to Lara. Sweat broke out on Peter’s forehead.
Carter gave a false lunge and Lara started, then teetered a little closer to the low balcony railing.
“Hah! You almost went over and I wasn’t even trying!” He taunted her.
Lara took off her jacket and darted back and forth, trying to throw Carter off. Peter continued down the stairs, getting closer to Carter, but not close enough. Carter lifted his leg in an attempt to climb over the seats.
“Won’t work, dumbass. She’s too fast for you,” Peter yelled. Lara knew he was lying. If Carter could vault over the seats, he’d surely catch her.
When Carter turned to look at Peter, Lara tossed her jacket over his head and sped away. The jacket covered his face, confusing him for a moment. He ripped the jacket off and raced after her closing the gap between them to only a few steps. Peter was on the other side of the mezzanine, too far away to grab Carter. He ran through the first row, his long legs bringing him closer to Carter. Peter was closing in. Lara got to the aisle seconds before Carter and raced up with Carter right behind her.
“The row, Lara, go into the row,” Peter yelled through cupped hands.
Lara ducked into row R and Carter followed her. Peter climbed over the rows, getting to row R before Carter reached out to grab Lara. Peter reached for Carter, but Carter swerved to the right, avoiding his grasp. Peter diverted Carter’s attention long enough to allow Lara to escape. She scurried down to the third row and cut in quickly to elude Carter who was gaining on her. Lara couldn’t watch behind and run forward at the same time. Lara got to the end of the row and went down toward the front, turning her back to him. He saw his chance when she rounded the first row, up close against the railing. Carter took a running leap and launched himself at Lara to push her over.
“Duck, Lara! Duck!” Peter called to her.
Lara glimpsed Carter flying at her out of the corner of her eye. She dropped flat on the ground barely below his grasp. Suddenly there was only air where Lara had been a split second before. Carter scrambled, his hands pawing the air but momentum carried him straight over the brass railing, head first. He emitted a blood-curdling scream as he fell to the floor with a loud thud.
Police had entered the building just before Carter went over the railing. Hearing the voices coming from the balcony, Dave Williams raced up the two flights of stairs in time to see Carter lunge at Lara and fall. He radioed immediately for an ambulance.
Peter reached Lara who was flat on the floor, shaking. He helped her up, sat in an aisle seat and set her on his lap, folding his arms around her. She buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed.
“Nice work.” Dave Williams complimented the pair.
Peter nodded, handed Lara his handkerchief and tightened his arms around her.
“Can’t wait to call New York and tell ’em we’ve got their attacker,” Dave said.
Carter was still alive, but unconscious and in police custody when the ambulance whisked him away. Lara and Peter went home. All she wanted to do was to lie in Peter’s arms and try to forget but her memory was back and everything was now crystal clear.
Chapter Twenty-two
On the first weekend in February, Pat called the neat house on James Street to invite Sam to a concert at the university. Peter answered the phone. After a few pleasantries, she asked to speak to Sam.
She sat back on her sofa and took a sip from her coffee mug.
“Dad’s not here. He’s gone. Didn’t he tell you?”
Pat got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach and put her mug down.
“He didn’t tell me. Where is he?”
“He’s teaching, lecturing, at the University of Florida and a couple of other colleges in Florida. He’s gone for a few weeks. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”
Pat was speechless. Sam was gone. She fought down the panic rising in her gut.
“Pat? Are you still there?”
“I’m here,” she said, her voice barely audible.
“He really didn’t tell you?”
“No. I’m…I’m…”
“I’m sorry. He should have told you. Should I tell him you called?”
“Please tell him I called. Is there a number where I can reach him?”
“Only his cell phone, but he doesn’t pick it up. He hates cell phones.”
Pat fought the tears behind her eyes but lost. They spilled over and ran down her cheeks. Hang up, fool! She took a big breath to steady her voice, but it shook anyway.
“I’ve got to go,” she said, covering the mouthpiece with her hand.
“I’m so sorry, Pat.”
After hanging up the phone, Pat put her head in her hands and cried. Why didn’t I tell him how much I love him? Sam was willing to commit to her, why couldn’t she commit to him and
put her foot down with Jack? Now Sam was hurt, angry and gone.
Pat mixed herself a strong drink, took a swig and dialed Jack’s number.
“Jack…dear…I’m making some changes in my life and I wanted to let you know…”
Her next phone call was to Jonesy in administration at the university.
“Hi, Jonesy, Pat. I need a favor from you. Could you please call Dr. Gilbert for me? See if he’s busy now, I need him to cover for me. I have some personal business. Wonderful. Thank you so much.”
* * * *
Sam arrived at the lecture hall at his alma mater, Austen Mansfield University, early to set up his slides and CDs. This was his second lecture to this group and his favorite one as it involved using bird calls. He was a good speaker, managing to keep students awake and attentive. His lectures were well attended.
After this lecture, he’d go birding for two days in the Everglades, then move on to Florida Conservation Institute. He was glad to be out of the cold, biting weather in Willow Falls, but he missed his family…and Patsy.
It seemed to him as if he had gone to the phone to call her a dozen times, but each time he stopped. She wouldn’t commit to him, wouldn’t tell him she loved him. He felt like a temporary diversion, not someone she might want to spend the rest of her life with.
He knew he disappeared on her. Probably hurt her a little bit too. Hell, she hurt him plenty so maybe it was okay to hurt her a little. She’ll get over it. He needed to get away, but he missed her…her soft skin, her intelligence, her sense of humor and her passionate response when they made love. He missed her French toast, her listening skills, her warm laughter…everything about her.
The room got quiet as the students waited for Sam to speak. The silence brought his attention back to his lecture. He put up his first slide, then played the first bird call and started speaking, until the door in the back of the room opened. He looked up as Pat walked in. She stopped and their eyes locked.
“Dr. Caldwell, I apologize for being late and disrupting your class.” She announced in a clear voice.
Now & Forever 3 - Blind love Page 25