Mitch laughed. “You sound like the poor little woman.”
“Poor little woman?” Caroline repeated. “Is that how you see me?”
Mitch pointed to Adam. “I was talking about him.”
Adam stepped closer to Mitch now. “You calling me a woman?”
“Hey, guys.” Suddenly feeling worried, Caroline stepped between them. “Let’s not get carried away here.”
“So what is it then?” Adam demanded of her. “Him or me?”
Mitch just scowled.
“I’m not sure I have a choice,” Caroline confessed. “But, Adam, the truth is that I never wanted to get into a serious relationship with you. I thought I made that clear right from the start.”
He shook his head. “Not from the way I saw it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Well, I can tell when I’m not wanted.” He started walking toward the gate, and Caroline’s mom called out again.
“I’m sorry, Mitch,” she said. “I’d like to explain, but Mom needs me.”
“Looks like everyone does.”
Her mom called again, and Caroline knew it was pointless to try to figure this out right now. So she went inside and saw to her mother, but when she came back out, only Chuck remained in the backyard.
“Come on into the house, old boy,” she told Chuck. “Mom and I are in need of your canine company.”
* * *
“So what is it then?” Mitch asked Caroline later that evening. She’d finally gotten her mom to bed, and now she and Mitch were sitting outside, wrapped in blankets and sipping cocoa she’d heated in the microwave.
“What do you mean?” Caroline studied his expression in the dim light.
“I mean are you stringing me along or not?”
Caroline suppressed the urge to laugh. “Me? Stringing you along?” She leaned over to take a slow sip of cocoa, trying to wrap her mind around this unexpected attitude. Was Mitch just being jealous, or was something else going on here? Maybe she didn’t know Mitch as well as she’d assumed.
“Well, I fly up here, thinking you’ll be so happy to see me, and then I find you here with two other guys.”
Caroline shook her head. “I tried to explain all that to you already.”
“Yes, and I apologize for overreacting. It was rude for me to take off like that. But I felt like I’d been tricked.”
“Tricked?” She frowned.
“It’s just that every email I got from you sounded so down and out, like you were so lonely. I imagined you out here pining away, caring for your ailing mother night and day, being depressed and on the brink of totally losing it, Caroline.”
She nodded eagerly. “Yes. That’s almost exactly how it’s been.”
“Sure could’ve fooled me.”
Caroline felt a rush of irritation now. “Are you suggesting I was lying to you?”
He ran his hand through his hair. “No … no … I just feel confused.”
Caroline knew the morning’s circumstances had looked odd. “I already told you that I didn’t invite any of you guys to visit,” she told him. “And I really don’t appreciate the attitude you’re taking with this whole thing, acting like I’m running a brothel or something.”
He actually laughed. “Is that what you think I’m saying?”
“Well, your tone is pretty accusatory. Excuse me for being offended.”
“Okay, Caroline.” His voice softened. “Let’s back up the truck. What if the roles between us were reversed? What if you were the one worried about me, and you made a special trip down to California to surprise me, and you found me hanging out by my pool with a couple of gorgeous girls?”
Caroline looked around her yard and frowned. “You have a pool?”
He smiled, then nodded. “But you’re missing my point. How would you feel if you were in my shoes?”
She set down her cocoa cup. “Well … I can see how things may have appeared. But are you willing to hear the whole story?”
“Yes. I’m actually rather curious.”
And so Caroline started by explaining how the Lindas had surprised her on Friday with their amazing backyard transformation. “It was a fabulous pick-me-up. I was so encouraged.” Then she told him about how she’d called about the dog and really wanted it but had no one to help with her mom. “So I’d emailed Brent last night. Because he’s in my support group, he’d offered to help me.”
“Weren’t you aware that Brent was nurturing a small crush on you? Or that he assumed you were his age?”
Caroline felt her cheeks grow warm. “I honestly didn’t think he had a crush on me, but, yes, I suspected he was under the wrong impression about my age.”
“You obviously didn’t see Brent’s face when Adam announced that he’d been your high school sweetheart and that you and he were involved in a serious relationship.”
“First of all, Adam was never my high school sweetheart. Not even close. And as for a relationship, we’ve never been anything more than telephone buddies. We’ve both been lonely and depressed, but I swear to you that I had no intention of getting involved with him beyond that. I didn’t expect him to pop in here like that either.” Caroline thought for a moment. “So Brent seemed really surprised that I’d gone to school with Adam?”
“Well, you have to admit Adam could pass for sixty-five.”
She laughed. “I guess so. But poor Brent.”
“Poor Brent?”
“Well, you know it wasn’t his fault. But … I’m sorry. I should be saying poor Mitch.”
His brow creased. “I’m not looking for pity, Caroline. Just honesty.”
“That’s all I’ve ever been with you. I know it looked like Crazyville here this morning, but it was all just a fluke.” She started to giggle now. “A great big silly fluke.” She patted Chuck’s head, rubbing his ear. “In fact, a couple of hours ago, I thought I might quit men altogether. It could be just me and Chuck from here on out.”
“Is that how you really feel?”
Caroline thought for a long moment. “You know, I’m not even sure how I feel. Despite what you think my life is like, these past few weeks have been really, really difficult. There’ve been times when I’ve questioned my own sanity. Not to mention my mom’s. It’s like I don’t know what I’m doing or why, and then I question whether it’s right or wrong. Seriously, caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Harder than my broken marriage, going through cancer treatments, never having children. I honestly thought I’d already experienced the worst parts of my life, but compared to this, well.… If it hadn’t been for my friends—the other Lindas I mean—I just don’t know if I could go on.”
“Maybe it’s time to stop, Caroline.”
“Stop?” She peered at him. “You mean quit caring for my mom?”
He looked uncertain. “It seems like you should be asking yourself if it’s really for the best. For you as well as her.”
She studied him. Was he about to tell her what she should or should not do, how she should live her life? If he did, would she want to listen? “I honestly don’t know the answer to that, Mitch.”
“I respect that.”
She blinked. “You do?”
“I know that the answers to life’s questions aren’t always crystal clear. It’s not always black and white.”
“That’s right.” She nodded. “There are moments when I think I can’t do this for another minute … when I think Mom doesn’t care anyway … that she’s not in her right mind … and that it’s killing both of us.”
He just nodded.
“And then there are times—like this morning when Mom smiled and patted Chuck and fed him a piece of her toast—and I think, okay, I can do this a while longer. I think, yeah, maybe my caring f
or her does make a difference.” Caroline was crying. “I guess it’s just, you know, a day-by-day thing.”
Mitch wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight as she let the tears flow. “Thanks for telling me what’s really going on. I’m sorry I doubted you, Caroline.” He stroked her hair, and she let out a long sigh, just resting against his shoulder and wishing that she could feel this protected forever.
“I just wish you weren’t so far away,” she said quietly.
“It’s just the nature of my work.”
“I know.” She pulled away from him and looked at his face. “And I know I need to be strong and keep figuring out my own life. I don’t expect some brave knight to arrive on a big white horse to rescue me.”
He chuckled. “I’ll have to admit that I thought I was doing that. Oh, not rescuing you, but maybe helping you just a little. But then I get here and discover that you have all kinds of people—guys, a dog, the Lindas—and maybe you don’t even need to be rescued.”
She laughed. “Are you kidding? I’d love to be rescued, even if it’s only briefly.”
“Unfortunately, it is going to be briefly,” he said sadly. “I have to fly down to LA tomorrow for a big meeting.”
“It figures. And then I suppose you’ll be off doing some more globe-trotting.”
He made a half smile. “Just Italy.”
“Italy.” She groaned. “You don’t have to rub it in.”
He grabbed her hand. “Hey, why don’t you come with me? I leave the end of October, and I’ve heard Italy is enchanting in the autumn.”
As tempting as Italy in the autumn sounded, Caroline knew it was impossible. There was no way she could get in-home care for her mom that quickly. Even if she found a good nursing home, which was unlikely, she wasn’t sure that her mom was really ready for that. “You know I can’t go,” she said quietly. “I can’t leave my mom yet.”
“I know. I admire your loyalty to her, Caroline.”
“Thanks … I guess.”
“I just don’t want to see your loyalty crush the life out of you.”
“I don’t either.”
“And I wish I were around to help you. One of the reasons I keep my emails so brief is because I feel guilty. You need someone by your side … like maybe I should encourage you to give up on me and move on.” He sadly shook his head. “That’s probably why I got so upset when those guys were here today. I thought maybe that’s exactly what you were doing.”
“No. Not at all. You understand that now.”
“I do.” He touched her cheek. “But I still wish I were around more so you could lean on me. I’d like to take care of you.”
She put her hand on his. “Thanks. I appreciate that. If it makes you feel better, my friends—the Lindas—not the guys, are taking really good care of me.” She nodded toward the yard. “Like the way they pulled this off … well, it was just so amazing. I don’t know when I’d ever felt so totally loved.”
“Well, I hope you’ll share my appreciation with them. Maybe I should send them all chocolates.”
“Or something from Italy.” She grinned. “Like shoes.”
He laughed. And then they talked and talked until they both realized they were starving. “Do you think you could sneak out with me to get a bite to eat?” he asked.
“I wish I could. But it’s weird. It’s like my mom has radar or something. I just can’t risk having her waking up and getting into trouble.”
“Then I’ll go out and bring back something.”
While he was gone, she set the patio table and lit the tiki torches and turned on some music, and when he returned with pizza (since that was all that was open) they ate and talked until Caroline could hardly keep her eyes open. Then they kissed good night, and he promised to call her from LA.
As Caroline went to bed, she felt a strange sense of satisfaction. As great as it had been having Mitch there, and as much as she’d imagined she’d wanted him to show up and rescue her, it was almost a relief that he wasn’t able to do that. Although she might think differently about this tomorrow, tonight she liked the idea of standing on her own two feet … with her trusted friends nearby, and her dog. It felt good not to be obsessed with the need for a man to fix her life. With or without Mitch, she was going to be just fine.
Chapter 25
Marley
Marley was glad the fog rolled in this afternoon. It was hard enough forcing herself to stay indoors to paint, but having sunshine and blue sky outside made it even worse. No, this fog suited her just fine. Her goal was to have this piece finished by the end of the weekend, which was now only hours away. She was just squirting out some more cobalt blue paint when her phone rang. To her surprise, it was Jack.
“I’m sorry to bother you,” he began. “I know you’re in the midst of painting, but I have a bit of an emergency.”
“An emergency?” She set down the tube of paint.
“Not a life-or-death emergency, exactly. But it’s Jasmine.”
Marley knew Jasmine was Jack’s only daughter and not entirely predictable. She worked for him at the One-Legged Seagull, and Marley had met her on occasion. “Has she been hurt?”
“No. She’s just missing.”
“Missing?”
“Yes. She was out with an old boyfriend last night, and she left Hunter with a babysitter. The sitter just called to say that Jasmine never came home last night or today. And now the babysitter has to go to work, and she doesn’t like to leave Hunter alone. Naturally, I’m stuck at the gallery or I’d go get—”
“Do you think Jasmine’s okay?”
“I hope so.” He let out a low groan. “I’m sure she’s fine, maybe a little hungover. It’s actually Hunter I’m worried about. I don’t like her being alone.”
“No, of course, not. Do you want me to go and get her?”
“Or come mind the shop while I get her?” he said hopefully.
“Whichever is best for you.”
“Well, you’re closer to Jasmine’s place than I am. Maybe, if you didn’t mind, you could go pick up Hunter. I know how she’s scared to be by herself. She’s only seven.”
“Should I bring her to the gallery?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Or, if you like I can bring her back here until you close.”
“Whichever is easiest for you, Marley. I really do appreciate it.”
“Hey, that’s what friends are for.” Then he gave her the address, and she headed over to some rather rundown apartments off of Beach Road. She’d never actually met Hunter before but had heard Jack mention his granddaughter a number of times. It was obvious that Jack really loved the little girl.
A dog barked as she walked up the rickety metal stairs. Then, wondering how she would introduce herself, she knocked on the door of apartment 11, and when no one answered, she called out. “Hunter? This is your grandpa Jack’s friend Marley. He’s working at the gallery and asked me to come get you.” Still no answer, but Marley could hear a shuffling sound inside.
“Hey,” Marley called even louder now. “I’ll bet you’re not supposed to let anyone in when your mom’s not home. And that’s a good thing. So can you call your grandpa, Hunter? Do you know his number?”
She heard a muffled, “Yeah.”
“Tell him that Marley is here to get you and see if he says it’s okay.” Marley waited, trying to listen through the door to see if the girl was calling or not. Finally, after what seemed a very long time, Hunter called out to her.
“What’s your whole name?” she asked.
Marley thought for a moment, unsure of what the girl meant. “Linda Marlene Phelps,” she said tentatively. “But my friends call me Marley.”
There was a pause, then the door slowly opened, and a little girl with red curly ha
ir stood looking at her with big brown eyes. She still had the phone to her ear. “Grandpa says you can come in.”
“Thanks.” Marley stepped in, closed the door behind her, and looked around. The small apartment was messy and smelled a bit rank.
“She’s here,” Hunter said into the phone. “Okay.” Then she hung up. “Grandpa says I can go with you.”
“Good.” Marley smiled. “Do you have some shoes and a jacket?”
“Uh-huh.” Hunter disappeared into another room.
“And anything else you’d like to bring with you,” Marley called out, “like a backpack or pajamas or whatever.” Marley could hear the girl rustling around in the room. Meanwhile, Marley did some quick sleuthing, or perhaps it was snooping. While it appeared that Jasmine’s housekeeping skills were lacking, her artistic talent was not. There were a number of unfinished drawings on the dining room table, and some were actually quite good. But the sink and counters were heaped with dirty dishes, and the garbage, which was overflowing, seemed to be the source of the smelly aroma.
“I’m ready,” Hunter announced. She had on shoes and a jacket. Her backpack hung over one shoulder in a slightly dejected fashion.
“Okay.” Marley nodded. “Let’s go.”
Once they were outside, Marley wondered about locking the door. “Do you have a key?” she asked Hunter.
Hunter just shrugged. “I used to have one, but I don’t know where it is anymore.”
So Marley just locked the doorknob. She’d let Jasmine figure it out later. She considered leaving a note, but then decided that it might not hurt this MIA mom to get a little worried. Besides, Jack would handle it.
“Here’s my car,” Marley said as she opened the door for Hunter.
Once they were inside and Hunter was securely buckled in, Marley asked if she wanted to go to the gallery until closing time, but Hunter let out a low moan. “I always have to wait there,” she complained. “It’s sooo boring.”
Marley nodded. “Yes, I suppose it is.”
“Do you have a TV?” Hunter asked hopefully.
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