Spring Fever (Lesbian Love Series Book 3)

by Barbara Winkes

  “Stay here with me for a bit. Please.”

  Rebecca didn’t need any more convincing. In spite of everything weighing on her at the moment, Callie found it a little easier to breathe. Maybe in the end, she’d be able to stay, not let herself be chased by her fears, because she—they—had something much stronger.

  The three girls sitting and chatting at the dinner table would never know about the events of the day. Callie felt like she was recovering from sickness, starting to see clearly as the fog of doubts lifted.

  There were decisions she’d have to make in the long run, but to have someone’s unwavering support—maybe for the first time in her life—made all the difference. There was a time when she had thought an ill-fated affair was all they could ever have, if at all. She had feared Rebecca would stay with her because of pity over the events of Halloween, or that she could be swayed by the manipulative skills of Father Reynolds or Nicole.

  The reality was that Rebecca made a commitment she thought was worth it, even with all the obstacles thrown in her way. If she could do it, so could Callie.

  “I never realized that, with Nicole and the time after, I was only half-living,” she told Rebecca, much later, after she’d made good on this morning’s promise.

  “I love you too,” Rebecca whispered. It was no longer a fact she struggled to deal with, but certainty. From here, everything was possible.

  Chapter Seven

  Maggie had dragged her feet all morning, making Rebecca glad the appointment wasn’t before ten. The two of them had breakfast together in an otherwise silent house.

  “You’re not scared, right?” she asked her brooding daughter. “You know Doctor Hanson. She’s nice…” …and she can ask some questions in a much sneakier way than any of us.

  Maggie made a non-committal sound as she ate her cereal. “How many more times do I have to go?”

  “We’ll talk about that with Doctor Hanson. A few more times, maybe? She’ll give you some more exercises.” For when the nightmares come. Rebecca didn’t say that out loud. She didn’t have to. “You’ve been sleeping better.”

  “I guess.” Maggie stirred the milk in her bowl, the resulting sound jarring.

  “Do you want to go back to your book club this week?”

  “No. I didn’t read the book.”

  That was another first. Ironic, when she thought back to the time Dina had given her so much reason to worry, hiding her friend’s pregnancy test, then her romance with the Italian exchange student that seemed to progress far too quickly for Rebecca’s comfort. Maggie quietly resolved things with herself, which was a scary thought at the moment.

  “Okay, but tomorrow, we’re all going to see Roz. That’s going to be fun.”

  If you say so. It was easy for Rebecca to read Maggie’s sullen expression.

  Doctor Hanson’s office was halfway between Autumn Leaves and Marin County. On the outside, the house fit nicely into the suburban neighborhood. On the inside, the first floor was all dedicated to young visitors. It had taken Rebecca some time to accept that coming here didn’t mean parental failure. Seeking help from a professional when it benefited your child was the right thing to do. While it wasn’t Maggie’s favorite place to come to at the moment, she did enjoy the relaxation exercises and fantasy journeys Doctor Hanson practiced with her.

  She just didn’t want to answer any hard questions.

  “Hey, Maggie!” The counselor greeted them with a bright smile. “How have you been?”

  “Good,” Maggie said hesitantly.

  “That’s great. Let’s see if you can remember those exercises we did the last time, and I’d really like to hear what you’ve been doing on Spring Break so far. Why don’t you go inside and choose something from the play corner? I’ll be with you in a few minutes.”

  “You flinched a little when she said ‘good’,” Doctor Hanson remarked quietly. “Did anything happen?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe it has to do with the kidnapping, but we believe there’s another reason for the more recent nightmares.” As always, when approaching the subject with someone, Rebecca felt herself tense up. Anger, disbelief, the fear that Maggie could still think somebody would come to take her away, because there was something inherently wrong with her family. “We don’t know, but we think the nightmares might be related. Someone—we don’t know who—told her she might have to go to a foster home, because…because of me.”

  Doctor Hanson’s eyes widened. “Irresponsible would be putting it mildly. You have a suspicion though? Do you think your ex-brother-in-law is the one?”

  “I thought so, but he denies it. I don’t know anymore. I was hoping you could help. Maggie is…different. She doesn’t want to go to her book club, and she’s abrupt with strangers. I hope this is just a phase, but that person seems to have triggered something.”

  “That’s likely,” Doctor Hanson agreed. “I don’t want to keep her waiting any longer. I’ll talk to you after?”

  “I’ll be here.”

  Rebecca settled into the waiting area with her laptop and a latte from the vending machine. Fortunately, the place also catered to worried parents.

  When the door opened, and Doctor Hanson came out, Rebecca could tell from her expression that the session hadn’t been as fruitful as she hoped. She closed her laptop and disposed of the paper cup, waiting anxiously. She wasn’t yet ready to accept that they might never find out.

  “Maggie is still coming to terms with everything, but she claims she isn’t scared anymore, which I believe is mostly true. The behavior you described is a way of creating distance, and from what she tells me, she needs that space right now.”

  “I didn’t want to put any pressure on her, but I want to know who told her those lies.”

  “I can understand. According to Maggie, the person was a mother of someone in her class. That might narrow it down for you. Planting ideas like that in a child’s mind is…low, to say the least. It’s very confusing when an adult does or says bad things under the pretense that they care about you, but Maggie understands, and she’s about ready to let it go. Maybe, you should too.”

  “I don’t know if I can. I don’t know why that person should get away with this. What if they try to plant more lies in her head?”

  “There is that,” Doctor Hanson acknowledged. “I think Maggie understands it’s okay for her to take care of herself now, and that she doesn’t need to protect anyone—not even you. I’m sure she will tell you in time.”

  That time couldn’t come soon enough, but when Maggie exited the room with a smile on her face, Rebecca was more than willing to give her a break.

  Maybe Miss Romano, Maggie’s favorite teacher, would be able to narrow the list down even more. Like everyone else Rebecca knew, she’d be at Roz’s Cupcake Delights the next day.

  * * * *

  “Damn it,” Callie swore as the zipper of her dress got stuck again. There was a reason for her to be nervous. She could do the small town life in reasonable doses—brunch, church, the occasional restaurant visit. Today, almost everyone in town would be present. Roz was born and raised in Autumn Leaves, and her new business would attract lots of attention—hopefully buying customers too.

  Rebecca stepped in to solve the zipper problem, laughing softly. “Don’t worry. I swear, this time, neither of us is going to be the center of attention.”

  Callie smiled at their reflection in the mirror—the warm touch going a long way to calm her nerves. It was true. They had walked in each other’s world—Callie, when she’d sat in church, witnessing Rebecca telling the truth to the whole congregation. Rebecca had accompanied Callie to a book gala earlier this year—a beautiful time unfortunately overshadowed by Nicole’s return.

  The separation didn’t exist anymore. There weren’t any two worlds, just the one they shared. The realization made her tear up.

  “Yeah, I know,” Rebecca said. “That’s a lot of progress we made. Today is Roz’s day though. She really earned it.”

>   “You had a part in it too. You gave her great promotion materials.”

  “It was fun to do, but now, I think we should get the girls and actually go?”

  Callie cast a rueful look at the immaculately made bed.

  “It will be fine,” Rebecca assured her. “Just think of ways to work off all that cake and champagne we’re going to have.”

  “You think Miss Romano will be there?” Callie asked, her cheeks burning. The change of topic was on purpose. Otherwise, there was a chance they’d never leave this room.

  “I hope so. I want to know which parent in Maggie’s class is harassing my child, and once I do, I’d like to have a private chat with them.”

  “Yes, me too. Okay. Let’s go meet the townspeople.”

  Rebecca was right. There would be no more talk behind their backs than usual. It had gotten a lot less in the past few months, and eventually, no one would care.

  * * * *

  Callie’s worries were unfounded. The place was packed, and most of the people sitting or standing in line for a special treat were strangers. Dina had found her longtime friend, Anna, and went to introduce Sara to her. Maggie stayed close, even though there were children from her book club and her school.

  “There you are!” Roz wound her way through the crowd and hugged Rebecca tightly. “This is happening!”

  “It definitely is. Congratulations.” A few minutes ago, Rebecca hadn’t expected this moment to become so emotional, but for the four of them—Betty, Maria, Roz, and her. It was a long time of sharing the dreams and frustrations of their daily lives, and some secrets too. They dreaded and wished alike for big changes. Rebecca had hers. This was Roz’s.

  “Mrs. Lowman. Miss Bryan. It’s so good to see you.”

  “You too,” Rebecca and Callie said, almost in unison.

  There was a moment of awkward silence when everyone realized the last time they’d talked to Roz’s mother, Sonia, it was under less pleasant circumstances. Rebecca hesitated. Exchanging a glance with Callie, she stepped aside to continue her conversation with Roz, keeping Maggie close to her.

  “Look at all those people,” she said. “This is amazing.”

  “It is,” Roz agreed. “Thanks so much for being here. I have to get back to work. If you can make it, come inside to the girls’ table. Betty, Francine, and Delia are there.” She leaned close to whisper, “Champagne’s on the house for brunch ladies. I’ll see you later.”

  “It’s already a great day.” A few feet away, Callie and Sonia hugged, and then Callie joined them again, a relieved smile on her face.

  “Everything okay?” Rebecca asked. She imagined Callie’s conversation with Sonia was a reminder of last Halloween’s traumatic events—short, but Rebecca imagined it wasn’t easy. The memory of Halloween night was traumatic for Callie. It could have been much worse if Sonia hadn’t chosen that night to walk her dog and intervene when she witnessed a crime about to happen.

  “I’m fine. I should have talked to her long ago. This feels better.” Reassured by Callie’s resolve, Rebecca directed her attention back to her younger daughter. Maggie looked apprehensive at the sight of the crowd, and Rebecca gripped her hand tighter. “Let’s try this. Callie is going to find the table, and we’ll see if we can make it to the counter.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Callie agreed. “Good luck.”

  Rebecca assumed they’d spend a while, since there were many adults with children in the line. Everything on display looked delicious, making it hard to choose not only for the younger customers.

  “Hi, Rebecca, Maggie!”

  Jenny and her daughter, Stella, settled in for the wait as well. Maggie looked even more uncomfortable now, knowing she had skipped the book club a couple of times. Predictably, Jenny mentioned her absence. “We missed you, Maggie. I kind of understand though,” she continued, more to Rebecca. “It was…trying…to say the least.”

  “Really? What happened?”

  “She did,” Jenny said darkly, nodding in the direction of the corner table. At first, Rebecca didn’t understand, until she recognized Andy standing next to Betty at the brunch table, clutching her glass of champagne. Rebecca decided that if anyone claimed she was Andy’s friend, she’d leave the place immediately. The rumors had to stop.

  “What did she do?”

  Jenny sighed. “Remember, we read one of Callie’s books a few weeks ago? She’d brought her son for the first time, and already made a scene about the lesbian parents of one of the girls who wasn’t even the main character! Not that it matters,” she added quickly. “She’s just one of those people who likes to stir up trouble.” Rebecca looked at Maggie, who studied her feet intently.

  “Yeah, I noticed that about her.”

  She didn’t want to make unfounded accusations, much less on her friend’s big day, but the evidence against Andy was piling up. Nicole would have no qualms about scaring a child, Rebecca assumed, but she had moved on. Her blackmail attempt had been one way to mess with Callie. She probably never intended to go through with it. Father Reynolds had kept his part of the cease-fire bargain.

  Andy caught her gaze and smiled at her across the room.

  The book club was one place where she could have an opportunity to talk to Maggie, but not for longer than a few minutes. What if that was enough?

  Andy kept spreading the idea that she and Rebecca were friends. Maggie had heard it too, according to Callie. Where? She was so lost in thought that the girl behind the counter had to address her twice for her order.

  “I’m sorry. Maggie? Would you prefer a chocolate or strawberry cream cupcake?”

  On their way back to the table, they saw more familiar faces. Amber and Cathy had just arrived, waving. Roz was talking to Father Langdon. Father Reynolds had come too, sitting at a corner table with another man whom Rebecca recognized as Francine’s father, their interim mayor. Neither of them looked happy.

  Outside, she could easily distinguish Sara by her usual black gear. She was having a good time with Dina and her friends.

  Rebecca wanted the nightmare to end for Maggie, and she believed an example had to be set with an adult who used children to serve their own, questionable agenda. She’d try to catch Andy alone at some point and make hers clear.

  “Rebecca, it’s so nice to see you! I’m glad your friend’s business is such a success.”

  Rebecca took a deliberate step backward to escape the hug Andy obviously intended. Andy took the rejection in her stride, smiling brightly. “—and little Maggie. Will your dad be here too?” Maggie didn’t give her an answer but went to sit next to Callie in the booth. Rebecca thought, after that last conversation they’d had, it was unlikely that David would come.

  “I don’t think so,” she said. “If there’s something you need to tell him, you should call.”

  Andy kept the smile in place, but she made a show of looking surprised. “Why would I call him?”

  “I don’t know. You two seem to have a lot to talk about lately.”

  “Oh…that.” She laughed. “Don’t worry. You know I have a husband, right? I told you this already, but I’m really sorry. My biggest mistake is I want everyone to be as happy as I am.”

  “Unless you don’t like the way they live. I get that, Andy.” Not here, not now, she repeated in her mind. It was too damn tempting.

  “Let’s not fight. It’s such a beautiful day.”

  “I agree. Let’s pick a rainy day for talking about what exactly it was you said to my daughter.”

  She saw Callie whisper something to Maggie and then get up.

  “Forget about it. You’re right. This is not the moment, but you can be sure I won’t let this go.”

  “Maggie is such a bright little girl,” Andy said, her features set in a stubborn expression. “I could see that right away, and I don’t want her to be harmed.”

  “What were you thinking?” Callie asked. “The only person who harmed her is you! You have nothing to show for it, really. You’re n
ot a teenager under peer pressure. You found an easy prey and went with it.”

  “I’m not talking to you. I did nothing wrong. I’m not the one who’s condemning my child, and I don’t want my family exposed to any of this—” She broke off in the middle of the sentence, spinning around to leave, glass still in hand.

  “Do I want to know?” Betty asked, not having overheard the conversation.

  “Probably not.” With a sigh, Rebecca sat in the booth next to her daughter before giving Callie a thank you and a quick, defiant kiss. Nobody noticed or cared.

  “I want to go to book club again next time,” Maggie said.

  That was, at least, a victory. They might not be able to avoid bullies completely—the younger and the adult ones—but they had no reason to hide.

  The aborted confrontation felt anti-climactic. An exchange of heated words and Andy’s self-righteousness were nowhere near in proportion to the sleepless nights Rebecca and Callie—not to mention Maggie—had behind them. She remembered Maggie clinging to her, trying to escape the terror of those dreams, all because of some person who opposed same-sex parents in children’s books or reality. “That’s great. I think you can easily catch up with the others.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to be sad.” Maggie had her eyes fixed on her plate, where the cupcake still sat untouched.

  “Why would I be sad?”

  “Andy said I mustn’t tell you, because you’d be sad if I was gone, and you wouldn’t try to get better. What did she mean?”

  “Honey, I wish I knew, but I promise you that I will find out.”

  At this moment, Rebecca would have liked a few relaxation exercises herself. Andy wasn’t the first who had tried to make her feel guilty. David had taken a lawyer before to look into custody issues and put her under a lot of pressure that way. Father Reynolds had expressed his unsolicited opinion, but he hadn’t gone further than that. What Andy had done was insane, and Rebecca wanted to tell her right now; however, she had to make it through a day filled with smiles and sweet cakes first. When Roz came by and filled their glasses once more, the relief must have shown on her face, judging from Callie’s affectionate smile.