Flight of Fancie

by Linda Rettstatt

  “I hate to tell you this. Graham has been seen out with Marianne Babbitt.”

  “Marianne Babbitt? Oh, that’s not odd. She’s on the hospital board. Besides, she’s at least ten years older than Graham.”

  “She’s also recently widowed and richer than Bitsy’s Mississippi Mud cake. And you know she always did work too hard at looking younger. Her husband, rest his soul, was five years her junior.”

  Fancie swallowed hard. “I’m not sure what to say. It’s really not my business any longer what Graham does.”

  “You should know that no one is talking badly about you, Fancie. The people here love you. If anything, they’ve been openly hostile to Graham. I hear most of his patients have been searching for a new doctor.”

  “That’s a shame. While I think Graham’s behavior was reprehensible, I feel bad about that. He is a good doctor. People should do what they need to do and not get involved. It’s over. Done with.” She was fairly sure her heart would catch up with her head soon enough to make that statement true.

  “You know the folks around here. They choose sides and most of them choose your side.”

  Fancie huffed out a breath. “I don’t have a side.” She knew this argument was useless, so she let it drop. “Tell Daddy I called and that I’m fine. I’ll call again when we’re heading back home. I love you.”

  “Love you, too, sweetie. This will pass and the right man will show up at the right time. I promise you. You girls stay safe, now.”

  “We will, Mama. Bye.”

  She punched in her brother’s number but the call went to voicemail. “Hey, little brother. Or should I call you The Champ? I appreciate you defending my honor, but don’t go getting yourself arrested. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”

  She sat stunned by the news about Graham and Marianne Babbitt. The woman had more money than the Denver Mint. The woman also had more Botox than half of Hollywood and twice as much silicone. But Fancie had a hard time believing Graham would be interested in someone so much older. He was ambitious, though. There had been times she was sure he only remained at the small local hospital because he was looked upon there as something of a god. But Marianne Babbitt?

  Fancie sighed. It really wasn’t her business any longer. She needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other and move on with her life. And she’d start by spending this glorious afternoon on Tybee Island on the beach. She seriously needed to work on a tan.

  Her four friends had spread a couple of old bedspreads on the beach and lay in a splash of color in barely-there bikinis. Fancie dropped her bag and plopped down next to Ashley, adding her own turquoise to the rainbow mix of cherry red, sunshine yellow, lime green, and hot pink.

  “How’s everything back home?” Ashley asked without opening her eyes.

  Fancie hesitated and then plunged ahead. “Tripp is fine. Not a scratch. Mama says ‘hi.’ Graham is seeing Marianne Babbitt.”

  All four women bolted upright. “What?”

  “You heard me. He’s taken up with the rich Widow Babbitt.”

  Chastity removed her sunglasses and stared at Fancie. “Are you serious?”

  “I am. You tell me, does that happen overnight? He had to be seeing her while we were still together.”

  “That makes me sick,” Mikayla muttered.

  “Yeah, well, I’m better off in the long run.” She picked up a tube of sunblock from the blanket. “Ash, do my back please?”

  Ashley smoothed the lotion on her back. “You had no idea of this?”

  “Of course not. He was busier the last month or so, but I figured he was just tying up loose ends before taking off for our honeymoon. And I chalked up his irritability to wedding jitters.”

  “That low-life son-of-a-bitch,” Charity said. “Now I wish Tripp had hit him with his pickup instead of a fist.”

  Fancie turned to face them. “Look, I can spend my energy asking all these questions and wracking my brain as to how I could have been so blind and stupid. Or I can leave it all behind and get on with my life. I need you all to be with me on this. Okay? From this moment forward I am not giving Graham Wellington any more space in my head.” She squeezed out lotion and massaged it onto her arms, then her legs. “I’m working on my tan and then I’ll figure out what’s next.” She turned onto her stomach and closed her eyes, tuning into the sounds of the ocean and the occasional laughter of children playing farther down the beach.

  She was wakened by Charity. “Hey, Fancie, turn over. You’re done on that side.”

  Fancie blinked and looked up. “What?”

  “You’re getting red. Turn over.”

  She sat up and squinted around. “Where is everyone?”

  “They went up to the house. I stayed to make sure you didn’t turn into jerky.”

  “Thanks. What’s on for this evening?”

  “The other three said they’d get take-out from the barbecue place in town. We figured a leisurely evening might be nice.”

  “Sounds good.” She rubbed lotion on her front, rolled a towel under her neck and lay down. “Are you going back to the house?”

  “You plan to fall asleep here?”

  “Nah. I’ll be fine. Half an hour, tops.” She tuned out the sounds of shrieking children and admonishing parents, and tuned into the wind and the waves.

  A scurrying sound and the spray of sand on her belly woke Fancie. Charity. “I swear I’m going to kill you.”

  “Barney, sit.”

  Fancie opened her eyes and stared up, sun blind. “I’m sorry. I thought you were Charity.”

  “You…um…been out here long?” Luke asked.

  She blinked and sat up, immediately regretting that decision. Her mid-section was on fire and felt as if it had been drawn tight. “Ouch.”

  Luke reached down and offered her a hand, pulling her to her feet. “That’s gotta hurt.”

  “I used sun block. I’m sure I’ll be fine.” But she hissed as she tried to straighten. “I should go in now.”

  “Need some help?”

  “No, I’ve got it.” She gathered up her towel and beach bag. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. Come on, Barney. Let’s walk.”

  She turned and danced across the hot sand, headed for the walk-way and the house, praying the plumber had arrived and a cool shower awaited her. The house was quiet when she returned. A glance at the clock told her she’d been on the beach for over two hours. She tried the water at the kitchen sink. Nothing. Every bend of her knees as she climbed the stairs sent a shudder of pain through her. When she stood before the full-length mirror in the bedroom, she understood why. She looked like a boiled crawfish. With the exception of the area around her eyes, where she’d forgotten to remove her sunglasses. A white mask wrapped around her face.

  Each of the open bedroom doors revealed comfortably snoozing bodies. Which explained why no one had come to look for her. Cool water. She desperately needed to cool off. Then she remembered the Jacuzzi tub next door. She could be out of there before Luke returned from his walk.

  It only took her a few minutes to figure out the Pure Air massage feature of the tub. She filled it and gingerly sank into the bubbling pool. She expected steam to rise from her overheated body.

  She had wrapped her iPhone in a plastic sandwich bag, leaving only a narrow opening for the earbuds which she plugged into her ears. Settling back to the sounds of light jazz, she closed her eyes and let the cool water caress her flaming skin.

  A sound found its way through music. A shadow caught her attention and she saw Luke standing in the doorway. She yelped and pulled the towel from under her neck, covering herself.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were in here. I knocked.”

  She sank further into the tub. “Could you at least turn around?”

  “I can’t see anything but your face, which is interesting with the white mask. If you sink any lower, you’ll drown.”

  “If you’d just step out for a moment, I’ll get out and get dressed.
”

  “Don’t bother. I’ll go downstairs and make tea.”

  “Tea?”

  He pointed. “The sunburn. The tannins in black tea help soothe the burn. You just dab it all over with a cloth.”

  “You’re not dabbing me with anything.”

  He shrugged. “Suit yourself. But that’s only going to get more painful.”

  She shifted uncomfortably. “I doubt that’s possible.”

  “I’ll make the tea and bring it up for you. I’m sure you can handle it from there. Trust me, it helps. I’d suggest you also apply some aloe vera lotion if you have it.”

  “I think one of the girls has some at home.”

  “Good. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  By the time he returned to the bathroom, she had dressed in shorts and a tank top and sat on the edge of the tub that was draining. He set down the stock pot filled with dark tea that he had cooled with ice. He grabbed a clean washcloth from the linen cupboard and dipped it into the brew, then dabbed at her right thigh.

  Fancie moaned. “It’s amazing how something can hurt and feel good at the same time.”

  He pulled the bath mat over to catch the dripping amber liquid and soaked the cloth again before applying it to the other thigh. She sniffled and he looked up. “Sorry. Does this hurt?”

  She shook her head. “It’s not that. It’s…. You’re being so kind and gentle.”

  “It’s the decent thing to do.”

  “Not every guy got that memo.”

  He nodded and continued his ministrations down her legs and the tops of her feet. “Some guys can be jerks.” He cradled her foot in his palm and squeezed the tea over it. She shivered, but didn’t draw back. Her body began to shake.

  “Hey, you okay? You’re not going into shock, are you?”

  She bit her lip and then let out a sob as her shoulders shook. “No. I’m sorry.”

  He dropped the cloth and looked up at her. “What can I do?” He reached for her hands.

  “Fancie?” Footsteps sounded in the hallway. Ashley came around the corner, her face creased with concern. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m fine. Just had a little meltdown.” Fancie grabbed a fistful of toilet tissue and wiped her face, then blew her nose.

  “She got a pretty nasty sunburn,” Luke said as he stood. “Maybe you could get the rest of her with the tea. The tannins help with the burn.”

  “My auntie used that remedy when I was little girl.” Ashley knelt in front of Fancie. “Oh, my. You look like a lobster.”

  “I’ll be okay.” Fancie looked up at Luke. “Thank you. We’ll clean up this mess.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  Ashley called after him, “The plumber can’t come until tomorrow. I hope we’re not too much of an inconvenience.”

  “None at all. I’ll leave the door unlocked.”

  “Would you like to join us for dinner later?” Ashley asked. “As a way of showing our gratitude?”

  He hesitated. “I’m sorry, but I have work to do tonight. Perhaps another time.”

  “Open invitation.” Ashley returned to Fancie.

  “Thanks.” He looked past Ashley to Fancie. “Take care. I’m just going to go now.” He nodded toward the door before turning.

  Ashley looked after him and then back to Fancie. “What is going on with you two?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Wanna bet?”

  Fancie stood and sucked in a deep breath. Her taut skin felt as if it would rupture with the slightest movement. “Not now, Ash. Do you have any aloe?”

  “If we don’t, I’ll run out to the pharmacy.”

  The brief thought she’d had of Luke joining her in that Jacuzzi sent another warm rush through her. Followed by total confusion. How could she possibly be thinking of a strange man sharing her bath just a week after her fiancé called off their wedding? The thing was, she knew it wasn’t about sex. It was about intimacy and being wanted. That realization left her feeling completely undone.

  Chapter Five

  Fancie gritted her teeth and sat up. Her heated skin felt too small for her body. She slipped out of bed and into the bathroom where she applied another coating of the spray the pharmacist assured would help. It was not helping.

  Not wanting to waken Chastity, she picked up her tablet and headed downstairs and out onto the front porch. Perhaps reading would distract her from her discomfort. The porch swing creaked softly as she kicked off and then settled back, enjoying the caress of a cooling breeze on her burned skin. She read only a few chapters before the print began to blur. Setting the device aside, she stretched out on the cushioned swing and closed her eyes.

  She startled when something warm and wet slid across the back of her hand. The little black dog stood there, tongue lolling and backside wagging. “Barney, did you escape again?”

  “He didn’t. We were headed out for a walk.” Luke stood in the yard, peering over the porch railing. “I’m sorry if he bothered you. He nosed the screen door open before I could catch him.”

  “Not at all.” She scratched the dog’s ears. “Little late for a walk, isn’t it?”

  “Nah. It’s a beautiful night. Full moon.” He leaned against the post at the top of the porch steps. “Can’t sleep, huh?”

  She struggled to sit up and turn around. “Feels like my skin shrunk a size.”

  “Wait until the itching starts.”

  “Thanks. I needed to know that.”

  Luke snapped his fingers and called to the dog. “Come on Barney, let’s go. Stop bothering the neighbors.”

  Fancie stood and glanced toward the beach where the moon cast a broad stream of silver white light. “Were you going to walk the beach?”

  “We are.”

  “You want company?”

  “I don’t know. What do you think, Barney? Can Fancie join us?”

  As if understanding the question, the dog yipped and then raced toward the beach access.

  “I’ll take that as a yes. Let me get my beach shoes.”

  “You don’t need shoes to walk on the beach.”

  “No, but I need shoes to get to the beach. And I don’t want to chance stepping on glass or a broken shell. I’ll be right back.” She’d left her water shoes on a mat inside the front door earlier. She tugged them on, grabbed up the denim shirt she’d hung inside and pulled the door closed as she joined Luke. “All set.”

  Luke looked her over. “Nice shirt.”

  “It was a gift.”

  “Someone has good taste.”

  She stared down at the shirt, then up at Luke. “This is yours, isn’t it?”

  “You can keep it. It looks good on you.”

  “Thank you.” Luke was so different from Graham that it threw her off balance. He seemed to be genuine, but his kindness and selflessness were so foreign to her, she wanted not to trust him. Something kept telling her it was okay.

  They walked down the expanse of beach, their path lit by the moon. Fancie laughed at Barney as he raced into the lapping surf, then danced away and ran circles around them. Maybe she should get a dog—a companion to make her smile. “He has a lot of energy.”

  “He does. I finally figured out if I walk him before I turn in, he lets me sleep to a decent hour. Otherwise, he’s waking me at six or earlier. Which is fine when school is in session. But I’m on vacation, sort of.”

  “Where do you teach?”

  “New England College in New Hampshire. Undergrad American history.”

  “Is it nice?”

  “History? It can be.”

  She laughed. “I meant New Hampshire. I’ve only ever been as far north as Indiana.”

  “New England is wonderful. Usually mild summers, not the humidity you get down here. And fall is spectacular, like some mad artist attacked a canvas with reds, oranges, yellows. Winter—well, that’s unpredictable. I start out enjoying the snow and, by the time April rolls around, I don’t care if I ever see another flake. Spring is proba
bly much like everywhere else, plants coming back to life, that earthy smell.”

  “It sounds wonderful. We have two seasons in Mississippi—green and brown.”

  He laughed. “Have you lived in Mississippi your entire life?”

  “Yup. Still in the house my great-granddaddy built.” She slid a glance sideways to gauge his reaction. “Yes, I still live with my parents.”

  “Nothing wrong with that. What do you do?”

  “I teach. That is, I taught Creative Writing.”

  He stopped and faced her. “Really? Where?”

  “At the W.”

  “The W?”

  “Mississippi University for Women in Columbus.”

  “We have something in common then.” He frowned. “You said ‘taught.’ Aren’t you a little young for retirement?”

  “I recently resigned to…to pursue something else. But it fell through.”

  “What will you do now?”

  She swallowed hard and shrugged. “I don’t know.” Fancie resumed walking and he fell into step beside her. “What about you? You said this is a vacation ‘of sorts’.”

  “I’m on sabbatical researching the Civil War from the southern perspective.”

  She laughed. “Good luck with that. Some of us still believe we have a chance of winning that war.”

  “I’m getting the picture. Columbus is on my list of places to visit because of its role in the Civil War. I understand quite a few antebellum homes still stand there.”

  “Sure do. Waverly is a must see. And then there’s the home of Tennessee Williams. Quail Hill is small by comparison, but it’s been in my family for five generations.”

  “I love the sense of history in the south. People can trace their families back that far. Did you have anyone who fought in the Civil War?”

  “Of course. My great-great-great grandfather.”

  He stopped walking again. “Can we talk sometime? I want to pick your brain, so to speak.”

  “We’re talking now, aren’t we?”

  “Yes, but I want to take notes. It would be a huge help. If you have time, that is. I don’t want to intrude on your vacation.”

  “It’s not exactly a vacation. I’m supposed to be on my honeymoon.”

  He stared at her for moment. “With four other women?”