Call of the Canyon

by Nancy Pennick

  “Ty, I love Drew. We’re a couple.”

  “We were a couple first.” Ty took her by the shoulders. He pulled her closer and Kate’s heart began beating faster. She was alone in the house so she couldn’t call out to anyone. How did Tyson manage to know that?

  “Ty...”

  “Shhh, don’t talk. I know you want me and wish we were back together.” Ty tried to kiss her.

  She slapped him in the face, amazed she found the strength. “You need to leave.”

  He took her by both arms. She struggled to get away, but Tyson was too strong. She felt his lips press on hers, hungrily searching for her to kiss him back. Finally Kate was able to slip her hands onto his chest and push him away.

  “Ty, enough! We can’t be friends because of the way you behave. You have Erin for that kind of thing!”

  “Erin’s too easy, you’re a challenge. You were always a challenge, Katie. Ever since we were kids, you tried to beat me at everything. You never gave in. You loved it when you won. I like that. You and I were a team...us against the world. Don’t you remember? You belong to me. If you just give in this once, I think you’ll like it.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  Tyson took her by the shoulders again and gently lowered her onto the bed. “Just kiss me, that’s all.”

  Kate wanted to scream but nothing came out. She felt Ty’s hands all over her body, groping her while he tried to kiss her. His one hand found the buttons on her blouse, expertly undoing one at a time. She tried to fight him, but all his body weight was on top of her. Tyson’s breathing seemed to grow faster and shorter as he clutched her closer and closer. Suddenly out of nowhere his body was lifted off of her. Kate heard a voice say, “Get off my wife.” She opened her eyes to see Drew holding Tyson around the neck and chest.

  “Wife? Do you hear that, Katie? He thinks he owns you.” Ty struggled to get free from the chokehold he was in. “Is that what you want?”

  Then Kate’s mother appeared in the doorway, her eyes opened wide. “What’s going on in here?”

  “A misunderstanding, Mrs. Roberts, that’s all.” Tyson flew across the room as Drew let go and pushed him in the back toward the open door.

  “Tyson, I think you’d better leave.” Her mom said stonily as she stepped aside. She turned to Kate. “Are you alright, did he hurt you?”

  “Mom, I’m fine. Tyson, you’re not welcome here...ever again! Get out of my house.” Kate held back the tears. She quickly buttoned the two buttons he managed to undo.

  Everyone went downstairs and Drew slammed the door behind Tyson. “Joanna, if I hadn’t come over here, he would have...”

  “No, Drew, I don’t think he would have.” Kate interrupted. She didn’t want to believe Tyson was capable of forcing himself on her. He would have eventually realized what he was doing. She couldn’t bring herself to think of the other possibility. The old Tyson would have never done that to her. He would have been the hero pulling the attacker off her. Her heart ached as she thought of the little boy, her friend. He wasn’t that boy anymore. She had to admit it...Tyson was a stalker. Nausea overwhelmed her.

  “I don’t know.” Her mother was shaking now. “I’m sorry I defended that boy for as long as I did. I’m going to call his mother and tell her he’s not welcome here anymore.”

  “Mom, don’t. I think Tyson will stay away. Everyone knows now. This is the first time anyone came home while he was here.” Kate put her head on her mother’s shoulder. “Can I help you with dinner?”

  “Kate, stop being so naïve! I still don’t trust him!” Drew paced the family room.

  “I’m not, really,” Kate assured him. “I agree with everyone, but I also don’t control him. I didn’t invite him over. He let himself in.” She felt like her world was spinning out of control and there was nothing she could do to stop it. “Come on and help us. Let’s get this family back to normal.”

  The three headed into the kitchen and Kate saw her mother trembling. She wanted it to be over and if she could get everyone back to normal maybe she would feel that way too. “Please, Mom, I want us to just get back to a routine. We all need that after Carl and now this. Can you at least try?”

  Her mom nodded and wrapped her arms around both Kate and Drew. She began to cry. “Thank you, Drew, thank you for loving my Katie. I’m proud to call you son.”

  “No need to thank me. I would protect Kate with my life.”

  Kate’s dad walked into the house at that moment and was taken aback by what he heard. “What’s going on?”

  “Jackson!” Kate’s mom ran to him and fell into his arms. “Tyson was here when Kate was alone and tried to force himself on her...on our daughter. I’m still in shock...trying to calm down for her sake.”

  “Dad, I’m alright, really. I’m fine. It’s been handled. He’s not allowed over here again. Please, let’s make dinner and be together.” She looked at her father with pleading eyes. For some reason, she knew that wasn’t the end of the chaos but just the beginning.

  “If Kate says she’s okay, then it’s over but that boy better not show his face on this street for a long while.” He wanted to do as Kate asked but it was difficult.

  “Amen to that.” Drew pounded his fist on the counter.

  “Drew!” Kate took his hand. “I love you all, thank you. As you can see, I’m fine.” Kate turned to the refrigerator, wiped the tear that trickled down her cheek and said, “Now, what’s for dinner?”

  * * * *

  Kate finally got what she wanted...peace and quiet, a normal routine. The weeks leading up to Christmas were filled with decorating the house and shopping for presents. She wanted this to be the best Christmas yet for Drew. Last year everything was new and exciting and that helped get him through the holidays. This year Kate knew he felt bad about missing Christmas with his own family.

  There’s no way he could ever go back for a visit this time of year because his family thinks he’s dead. Oh, that’s a morbid thought for the holidays, Kate sighed. She mentally filled the days of Winter Break with plans to keep Drew busy.

  Kate hummed Christmas carols as she straightened the house and turned on the tree lights. She sat on the floor in front of the tree and adjusted ornaments. After finishing up, Kate planned on calling Lindsey to confirm their schedule for the holidays. Charlie was coming for a visit. They could double date like two normal teenage couples which seemed almost surreal to her. Doing something normal sounded so foreign, her life was that mixed up.

  “Hey, baby girl!” Her dad came into the house in a festive mood. “Looks good in here. You’ve done a great job making this house feel warm and welcoming for Andrew. He appreciates it, I know. I can’t believe in about a week it will be Christmas and you know what that means. I need to get back to the canyon and wait for a telegram from my mother. I’ll leave tonight and hopefully will be back in the next day or so.”

  “I hope it all works out, Dad. Your brother’s so different from you. You would never do this to the family.”

  “No, I wouldn’t and thank you for saying that.” He kissed her on the top of her head. “I’ll probably come back with the same news I get every year. ‘Albert will not be coming for Christmas. Enjoy your holiday and tell everyone that I love them. Mother’.”

  “Dad, it will be different this time. I have a feeling.”

  “I hope you’re right, pumpkin.”

  Drew and Lindsey entered the house together. “Hey! I was just going to call you.” Kate took Lindsey’s hand and pulled her down on the floor next to her. “We need to make plans for the next couple weeks. What day does Charlie get here?”

  “He’s coming the day after Christmas and staying through New Year’s! We can do New Year’s Eve together!”

  They continued talking, but Kate caught the serious conversation Drew and her father were having. The two men shook hands and then joined them.

  “Lindsey, will you join us for dinner?”

  “I’d love to, Uncle Jackson, I d
on’t see Kate enough these days. Drew hogs all her time.”

  “Hey!” Drew laughed as he put a Santa hat on Lindsey.

  “It is so on, bro!” Lindsey pulled the hat off, got up and started chasing him around the house.

  Kate’s mom came in, set her briefcase down, and noticed the jovial mood of the house. “Well, it’s about time.” She put her arm around Kate’s dad. “We haven’t had kids run around the house in ages. It’s good to have us all here.”

  “Not for long. Tonight’s my night to go back to the canyon.” He gave her kiss on the cheek.

  “Pour me a large glass of wine then!”

  “Me, too!” Kate called out.

  “Dream on!” Her father shot back.

  Everyone continued to enjoy the evening. Since Lindsey knew about the canyon and Jackson’s past, they were able to discuss it freely.

  “As always, I have mixed feelings about the trip. I think I’ll retire for the night. Goodnight, everyone.” Kate’s dad retreated to his room.

  The three friends decided to keep Kate’s mom company for the rest of the evening.

  “It could be more than a day. Jackson never quite knows when the telegram will arrive.” Her mom sighed. “This year could be quite different, but I’m hoping it remains the same. Is that selfish?”

  “Not at all, Mom. It’s a little scary thinking of Dad traveling to New York City instead of being here for Christmas.”

  “Thanks for understanding. You may not like this, but I feel the canyon’s always getting in the way of my life. It always pulls him back...maybe back to where he really belongs.” She put her head in her hands.

  “Mom.” Kate took her mother’s hands away from her face. “You have every right to have doubts. This is a big part of your life. It’s not any easier for Dad.”

  “It should be routine by now but it’s always a struggle to see him go. I’m sorry I dumped this on you. Thanks for staying up with me, kids, but I think I’ll turn in.”

  “Goodnight, Mom, I’ll be up in a minute. I just want to say good-bye to Drew and Lindsey.” Kate thought her mother still looked sad.

  “Call us as soon as you know anything.” Drew said to Kate. “Jack could be back here tomorrow, you never know.”

  “I will.” Kate saw them out and flipped off the lights. She sat alone in the family room staring at the glowing lights on the tree. She gazed at the small pink ballerina that slowly spun on a bottom branch. Her father had brought it home when she was just a little girl and wanted to be a ballerina. It was attached to a special cord plugged into the lights that made it spin. Kate always made sure it had a place of honor on the tree, right in front. The white lights bounced off the ballerina’s sparkling skirt as she continued to turn. Kate was mesmerized by it all, almost hypnotized, until she noticed the ballerina slowing down. It finally came to a complete stop. It was as if she died right in front of her.

  No! Dad isn’t here to fix it. I need my daddy. Kate felt a lump in her throat and tears fell from her eyes. All the fears she’d kept bottled up from the past year came out...Drew’s almost death...Carl trying to take Drew’s place on the river...Tyson’s lost friendship and his obsession with her. Standing in front of the Christmas tree, she sobbed and sobbed until she could cry no more. Exhausted, she crumbled in a ball on the sofa, never making it up to her bed.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  When Kate woke, it was daylight. She’d slept on the couch in the family room all night. A soft blanket covered her that she didn’t remember having before. Sitting up, she looked right into the eyes of her parents. They were both across from her, watching her sleep and drinking their morning coffee.

  “Dad, what happened? And my ballerina stopped spinning! You have to fix it.” Kate sounded like a whiny little girl. “Sorry...what happened at the canyon? Did you hear from Grandma Lilly?”

  He walked over to the tree and looked at the ornament. “I’ll take a look at this when I can. Sorry to hear she stopped spinning.”

  “Dad...”

  “I got a telegram. Albert’s coming for Christmas. I’m sorry I’ll miss Christmas here with the family and Drew. I’ll only have to do this one year. Can you forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. This is important. It’s your family.” Kate rubbed her eyes, trying to focus. “When will you leave for New York?”

  “Tomorrow night. I’m going back tonight to arrange everything, but will come back for one more day. I’d like to see everyone before I leave.”

  “You have to be back by New Year’s Eve Day.”

  “I’m sure I’ll make it in plenty of time. Right now, I just want to enjoy being with my girls. What if we invite the Campbells over for dinner tonight? I can explain to them I’ll be missing Christmas so we’ll change our get-together to New Year’s Eve.”

  “What excuse are you going to use for missing Christmas with the family? It had better be good.” Kate couldn’t think of one to help her father.

  “I considered using Andrew’s fictitious parents as an excuse. You know the ones that are somewhere in the unknown doing good works. Then I realized it was not a good idea because he should be coming with me. I might have to say I have a sick aunt or something.” Her father chuckled.

  “Dad, it’s not funny. Don’t joke about it.” Kate didn’t like that her father had to leave. She wasn’t seeing the humor in anything.

  “Actually, Kate, I was thinking the more bizarre the story, the more likely they’ll accept it, no questions asked.” He drummed his fingers on the table. “How about this? My Uncle Rodney is dying and requested to see me. He lives in London, England so I’ll be gone for a while. I regret missing the holidays with everyone, but how can I turn down a dying man’s request?”

  “That’s a little far-fetched.”

  “Not really, I do have an Uncle Rodney. He was my father’s brother, Robert and Rodney Woods. He did move to London, England. We crossed the Atlantic on the SS Leviathan once for a visit.”

  “Okay, I guess that’s better than nothing.” Kate jumped up. “I’ll go call the fam and invite them for dinner.”

  Her mom and dad spent the day cooking and getting ready for company. Kate used the time to wrap presents, do homework, and write in her journal. She finally took her newest journal out of the drawer and began to write again. Kate always liked writing and decided it was something she’d like to do in the future, hoping she inherited her father’s writing gene. When the doorbell rang, she quickly cleaned up and ran downstairs.

  It was a great evening. Beth and David seemed surprised Kate’s dad wouldn’t be with the family for Christmas. Lindsey was able to manipulate the conversation because she knew what was really going on. “Uncle Jackson, you go and do what you need to do. We’ll have the best New Year’s Eve party ever. Maybe you’ll inherit some money or be given some family heirloom or secrets.”

  That opened the conversation to all the possibilities of why Uncle Rodney wanted to see him. Kate sent a ‘thank you’ look to Lindsey. The two families meshed so well you’d never know they just found out they were family last year. Kate felt better about the trip. Her father would come home with answers and could finally enjoy living his life in the present.

  “Then you must spend the holidays with us.” Beth told Kate’s mom. “I don’t want you two sitting here alone on Christmas Day.”

  “We’ll be fine, Beth, really.” Kate knew her mom preferred to stay home. She was in no mood to celebrate. “We usually go to my mom’s, but I don’t think I can go without Jackson. I might just tell her a little white lie and say I’m taking Kate to New York City while he’s away.”

  “Okay, I understand but if you change your mind, I can keep a secret.”

  The house took on an eerie silence once everyone left. Kate’s dad went up to bed. She sat with her mom in the darkened house. The only light came from flickering candles. Mother and daughter couldn’t speak to each other. There was a possibility his trip could be a disaster, but neither said a
word. So much could go wrong. The biggest fear was that her dad wouldn’t make it back to the canyon in time to come home. He could be stuck in the past forever. Kate looked at her mother and saw not just her mom, but a woman who was afraid she could lose her partner in life, the man she loved. Kate reached over and took her mother’s hand, pulling her from the sofa. They both silently went upstairs to their empty bedrooms.

  The days before Christmas dragged and Drew tried to distract Kate by making her guess her Christmas gift. He prayed for snow each day as a joke to keep her smiling because he said he wanted to build her an igloo. They wrapped presents together and went shopping.

  Kate had other plans for the week, but she seemed to have forgotten them all. She felt like she was just going through the motions.

  “You know your dad instructed me to make the best possible decisions in his absence. He wouldn’t want his girls moping around. We’re going to have a wonderful holiday together.” Drew took Kate’s chin in his hand. He lifted her face up and brought his lips to hers. “Trust me?”

  “I’ll try. It’s hard when my mom’s so upset.”

  “Then, let’s do something to change that. Find all the things she likes about Christmas and make sure they’re ready for our celebration.”

  Christmas Eve was almost somber although there was cheerful music, lots of festive lights and candles glowing just like Drew requested. Nothing they did cheered Kate’s mom up. She left them alone toward the end of the night so they could exchange gifts. Kate bought a new lens for Drew’s camera and she received a delicate open star diamond pendant. They sat staring at the lights on the tree for the rest of the night. Her mom never came back to join them.

  Christmas Day still had the same feel although Kate and her mom tried to act cheery and in the holiday spirit. They exchanged presents in the morning and made a holiday brunch like always. Dressing in festive colors, they headed for the Campbells for the rest of the day.

  Kate hung out in Lindsey’s bedroom, trying to make small talk with her and Drew. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore and broke into tears. “Sorry, guys, I’m not the best company. I should just get Mom and go home.”