Glassford Girl: Boxed Set (Complete Series) (Time Jumper Series)

by Jay J. Falconer

  “It’s what I’m here for, sweetheart,” Nora said, pausing for a few seconds before she spoke again. “Emily, can I ask you something? Now you don’t have answer if you don’t want to. But as a nurse, I need to be sure of a few things. Is that okay?”

  “Sure, I guess. What do you wanna know?”

  “Did you use a home pregnancy test or did you go to a doctor?”

  “Well, I could never afford to see a doctor. Plus they ask way too many questions.”

  “So, a home test, I take it.”

  “Yep.”

  “What kind was it? Do you remember the brand?”

  “Not really. I just grabbed one from the shelf when the clerk wasn’t looking.”

  “You lifted it?”

  “Didn’t really have a choice. I don’t exactly have a job. Besides, they have lots of them. I’m sure they’ll never miss the one I took.”

  “I see,” Nora said, her face turning a little sour. “Do you remember the packaging?”

  “No. But it’s the one where you pee on the white stick thing, and there are two windows on the plastic handle end where you look for the blue lines—the blue plus sign. I think the label on the box had three letters on it. I just don’t remember which ones.”

  “Was it HPT?” Nora said in a somber tone.

  “I don’t know, maybe.”

  Emily saw a look of pity come from Nora when the kind woman looked at her.

  Nora reached over and rubbed Emily’s back and shoulder. “Were you alone when you took it?”

  “Yeah. I couldn’t breathe or think. I was terrified. I almost couldn’t look.”

  “I’m sorry you were alone, hon. If it was HPT, that’s the same test I took when I found out I was pregnant with DJ. But Duane was right there with me when I found out. I know that was hard for you by yourself.”

  “I’m used to being alone,” she said, bursting into tears. “That’s all my life is anymore. I miss my mom so much.”

  Nora waited a bit, then spoke. “Does Derek know?”

  “No. I haven’t seen him since the night we were together. You know, in bed. Then I just vanished. He probably hates me right now.”

  “It’s going to be all right, I promise. But enough talk for now. Let’s get you back to the house so you can rest. I’ll get you in tomorrow to a doctor. We need to confirm that test.”

  “We don’t have to confirm it,” Emily said, thinking about her communications with the baby. “I’m sure. A hundred percent sure.”

  “Okay, honey, okay. But I’m a nurse, remember? That’s what you do after you take a home test—you double check with a real lab test.”

  “So, what? You don’t believe me?”

  “Yes, I believe you. But sometimes those home tests are wrong. Trust me. I see it all the time at the hospital and at the clinic. But you rest now. We’ll deal with all this later. Okay?”

  Emily nodded. “All right, but I guarantee you I’m pregnant. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my entire life.”

  Nora didn’t answer.

  Emily was tired of the debate, so she decided to let it go. She didn’t want to upset Nora, not after the woman had dropped everything and come across town to rescue her.

  She put her head back against the headrest, slid her butt away from the seat a few inches, and crossed her legs to get comfortable. Her shoulders softened as she relaxed and thought about the baby, deciding right then to give him a name.

  But which one?

  There were millions to choose from, but she wanted his name to mean something. She scrolled through the possibilities, thinking of the men in her life who’d had the most impact on her.

  A name came to her right away: Julius. Grandpa Julius—her mom’s dad. He’d died in a horrible car accident somewhere in east Texas when she was ten years old, but her memories of him were special and powerful, some of the best memories she had.

  He used to pick her up on the first Saturday of every month at 8:30 a.m. sharp. Each time he had a special adventure planned for her, but she never knew what it was. She’d wake up extra early and get herself ready, then sit by the front window until he showed up, just waiting to find out.

  Sometimes they spent all day at the theater, seeing five movies in a row, all the while stuffing their faces with popcorn, candy, and sodas. They’d play ‘seafood’ with their mouths full, and then play ‘bomb the old ladies’ who usually took up the entire front row. Kernels would start flying once the lights dimmed and previews started. She could still hear Grandpa’s silly giggles if she concentrated really hard when she was somewhere extra quiet.

  Other times they went to the zoo to watch the gorillas throw their poop at people, or to the circus when Ringling Brothers was in town. They’d been on nature hikes in the mountains of Northern Arizona together, visited a few remote monuments and state parks, and had even gone ice skating a few times at Tower Plaza.

  She smiled, thinking about Grandpa’s ankles. They were so weak he’d skate around the ice like a total, uncoordinated goof. It was funny to watch and he really played it up just to make her laugh. He was a big silly with a heart of gold and she loved him dearly.

  When Grandpa Julius dropped her off back home, he always gave her a gift. Something she’d never tell anyone about, not even her mom. Sometimes it was a stuffed animal. Sometimes it was a doll. Sometimes it was a trinket or memento from whatever place they’d just visited together.

  But her favorite gift of all was the five dollar bill he’d given her the last time she’d seen him. It was the Saturday right before he died. He’d folded it carefully into a tiny paper swan and held it out in the palm of his hand. He told her it was a magic five dollar bill and would always bring her luck if she kept it on the bookshelf above her bed. But she could never spend it or unfold it. Otherwise, the luck would run out.

  Yes, the baby’s name would be Julius. The name was perfect. A strong, proud name. A name of distinction. Baby Julius.

  She knew Grandpa would be pleased, wherever he was. Hopefully standing next to her mother in heaven somewhere.

  Emily didn’t know why, but she suddenly felt compelled to unbuckle the seatbelt and lean over toward Nora.

  Nora must have felt it too because she lifted her right arm without hesitating and allowed Emily to lay her left cheek on her lap. Nora stroked her hair softly as they drove together down the road, heading to the future. Her finger touches across her head and neck sent warm tingles into Emily’s spine.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

  Nora looked down at Emily, her head nestled in her lap. Emily’s eyelids fluttered for a moment, then closed. A minute later, the girl’s breathing became deep and even. Nora knew she was asleep.

  She drove the rest of the way at a slow, even pace, careful not to disturb Emily with sudden turns or sharp braking. It made her think of the first time she’d driven with little DJ in his safety seat when he was only a month old. She remembered being terrified at the time of what might happen with all the idiots on the road. She drove that day like a nearsighted grandma, making all right turns and checking her mirrors a dozen times a minute.

  She’d driven the same way when DJ was a growing toddler. It was the only way he would fall asleep—riding in the car on the way to nowhere. One time, it took over an hour for him to fall asleep, but she didn’t mind. Moms do whatever they need to do when it comes to their children.

  It’s how she felt about Emily right now—like a mother protecting her child. She couldn’t explain it, but there was a connection between the two of them and it was strong.

  When they arrived at the house, Emily let out a soft moan, still asleep in Nora’s lap. Nora eased the Impala into the driveway, slowed to a gentle stop, then turned the engine off.

  It was time to get out of the car, but she couldn’t bring herself to wake the dear child. Nora decided to remain in the seat, stroking Emily’s hair instead. Her long, red locks had spilled across her cheek and shoulder, cascading down her back like a waterfall.
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  Nora didn’t dare move—if Emily was pregnant like she insisted, moments of tranquility would be hard to find in the coming months. It was hard to fathom why Life seemed to go out of its way to dump all of its rubbish onto this precious child, constantly heaping on more trouble than any one person should ever have to endure.

  Volunteering at the free clinic had made Nora cynical and suspicious, especially when dealing with the young girls who graced the examination tables regularly. Most of them were their own worst enemy, inviting chaos and disaster into their lives on a daily basis.

  “Bad choices yield bad results,” she’d tell those same girls, trying to get through to them about their choices in young men. Then she’d usually follow her diatribe with something along the lines of, “If you shake the asshole tree every day, don’t be surprised when a jerk falls out.”

  Life had taught her a great many things over her forty-plus years, one of which was that sometimes, albeit very rarely, a black cloud finds a person on its own. It’s not invited. It’s not deserved. It just comes for you. All you can do is chalk it up to bad luck.

  But all those other times, it seemed as though the person went out of their way to seek the black cloud. Then that same person would act surprised as they sat back and complained to the heavens that life was so unfair.

  But Miss Emily was different.

  She had a good soul and a kind heart. All Emily needed was a break from the insanity that was her life. A chance to find her center and get a leg up, Nora figured. Then, just maybe, this child’s life would turn around for the better.

  Since Emily’s disappearance, she and Duane had talked about Emily many times until deep into the night, trying to decide what they might be able to do for her, if given the chance. And now was that chance. She was back and in clearly in trouble.

  Emily’s eyelids started darting from side to side, indicating a deep REM cycle. Probably dreaming about her mother and days long past, Nora decided. Days when life was simple.

  This poor girl, Nora thought. She can’t do this alone. She needs a support group. She needs a family.

  Nora put her head against the headrest and let her eyes close. She didn’t realize how tired she was until right then.

  Her thoughts drifted to her own kids—the same two teenagers who’d probably remain asleep in their beds until the sun reached its apex in the sky later today. They were sheltered and had no clue what other kids went through on a daily basis. Especially street kids who never seemed to catch a break.

  Nora knew her children were a touch spoiled, and that was her fault. She wanted them to have everything, but it still didn’t change the fact that they hadn’t let her be a real mom in a really long time.

  She missed the closeness and tenderness that comes with little ones, those wonderful little moments filled with sudden baby kisses that erupted without warning. Kisses that would find their way from her lips to her children’s cheeks and foreheads, bringing about a quick smile or a thank you hug.

  But of course, with each year that had ticked by since their births, the tender snuggles had grown fewer and farther between, having been replaced by the constant reminder-turned-scream that she’d have to send into the other room at dinner time, just so they’d put down their video games and come to the table.

  Nora had forgotten how wonderful it felt to be a mother. To offer the kind of comfort and love young Emily needed right now.

  A moment later, Nora’s breath fell into rhythm with Emily’s, and before two minutes had passed, she fell asleep in the car, too.

  ***

  Derek was out of breath when he arrived at the mailbox across the street from Duane and Nora’s house. He’d tried to take a shortcut through a park, hoping to see Emily sooner, but the idea backfired. He gotten turned around and come out on the other side of the park in a neighborhood he didn’t recognize. Getting lost in the park was a first for him, probably due to his preoccupation with thoughts of seeing Emily again.

  Once he’d found his bearings and shook off the frustration, he decided to run the rest of the way. Walking probably would’ve been fine, but there was something nagging at him, like he was late for something.

  He bent over and put his hands on his knees, letting his lungs recharge with air. He stood up once his chest stopped heaving and studied the front of their home. It was quiet and dark. Two cars were in the driveway—Duane’s Impala and Nora’s 4Runner.

  A slight motion caught his eye from inside Duane’s car. He looked and noticed someone sitting in the driver’s seat of the Impala. After he swung around and moved closer, he was able to make out the bumpy pattern of Nora’s tight dreadlocks.

  He went to the driver’s side and peered through the window. He saw Nora with her head resting against the headrest and lolling to the side. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was hanging open a touch. He could see her chest moving, so she wasn’t dead. She must have been sleeping.

  He leaned forward and looked inside the rest of the vehicle, looking for Emily. There she was, lying with her head in Nora’s lap, turned forward to face the bottom of the steering wheel. She appeared to be sleeping, too, with Nora’s left hand holding the crown of her head.

  From what he could see, Emily looked peaceful. Beautiful. Her red hair looked like a cascading meadow, sprawling across Nora’s legs in messy, random patterns. Her face was serene, almost like a newborn child’s, with the corner of her mouth turned up in the hint of a smile. Derek wondered what she was dreaming about.

  He was about to knock on the window, but stopped when he heard a noise behind him. He turned.

  Duane was coming out of the front door of the house. His lips moved as if he were about to say something, but Derek held a finger to his lips, then motioned with his thumb at the car. He placed his palms together and leaned his head to the side, resting his face on the back of his top hand.

  Duane nodded and stopped moving.

  Derek went to Duane and whispered, “They’re sleeping.”

  “Gotcha,” Duane whispered back, pulling Derek away toward the side of the house. “What are you doing here?”

  “Jim told me about Nora going to get Em. I just—”

  “Couldn’t stay away, huh?”

  “Nope.”

  “Pretty much what I expected. It’s hard to ignore your heart.”

  Derek nodded.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

  Emily woke with a start, but chose to keep her eyes closed for a few seconds longer. She’d just been dreaming of the week-long trip she’d taken to the Grand Canyon with her Grandfather Julius when she was six years old, and wanted to hang on to the wonderful memory for as long as she could.

  They’d been visiting a nearby Hopi Indian village in Arizona where they’d witnessed a masked Kachina dance. It was a mesmerizing ceremony where all the tribesmen wore elaborate costumes and traditional skin paint while commemorating the event with rhythmic chants and song.

  When it was over, Grandpa arranged for Emily to meet privately with the tribe’s high priestess. The old woman with weathered skin and homemade jewelry took Emily’s hands into hers and performed a reading on her.

  The woman told her a great many things that day, but what Emily remembered the most was the last thing the priestess had said to her—that she was going to live a very special life. A life like no one else’s.

  Later, when they were back at the Grand Canyon and getting ice cream from one of the vendor stands, she told Grandpa Julius all about what had happened with the priestess.

  He didn’t seem surprised, nor did he miss a heartbeat, reinforcing the prediction by telling Emily the old woman was a hundred percent right. She was destined for greatness. He knew it in his bones. Emily remembered him telling her those words while he fixed her hair with a brush of his hand.

  She hadn’t given that day’s profound experience a second thought until now.

  A special life? Seriously?

  Surely the priestess couldn’t have foreseen what her life woul
d be like right now and thought it was special? Nobody in their right mind would. Not a pregnant, time-jumping homeless girl’s life. It wasn’t exactly the definition of greatness, either.

  Emily opened her eyes, shaking off the disturbing revelations of the dream. It was still dark outside and she was disoriented, not able to make sense of what she was seeing right in front of her. Leather? Wrapped around the bottom of a steering wheel?

  Then the warm softness under her head began to stir, making her turn her gaze upward. She saw Nora, who was just waking up, too, blinking her eyes rapidly under the glow of the dashboard lights.

  A second later, Nora looked down at Emily and smiled. “Sorry. Did I wake you?”

  “No, not exactly,” Emily answered with dry lips and a slow, tired voice.

  “Hungry. Me. Please. More food,” came the baby’s thoughts from deep inside. He was awake now, too. “Hungry. Me. Hungry. Me. Hungry. Me.”

  “Okay, Baby Julius,” Emily said, mumbling out loud without thinking.

  Nora opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted when a shadow crossed her face. She turned her head just as a sudden knocking hit the car window.

  Emily sat up quickly and looked across the driver’s seat to see who was outside the window. It was Derek and he was smiling and waving at her, making motions to roll down the window.

  The sight of him hit her like an electric shock. Inside her, Baby Julius stirred emotionally. The shock must have hit him, too—suddenly he was a ball of emotional energy, bouncing around in her mind like a super ball.

  She wasn’t entirely sure, but it seemed as though he was trying to grab hold of her vocal cords to say something to Derek. Emily quelled the sensation, realizing Julius must have sensed who Derek was—his daddy, standing less than five feet away from him.

  Derek walked around the front of the car to her side of the Impala. Emily threw the door open and was on her feet before she realized she’d even moved. They came together near the front tire, stopping a foot away from one another and...stared.