Lorraine only hoped they couldn’t see her staring so adoringly at them.
Missus B. stepped into the living room from her little bedroom down the hall. “Excuse me, Mr. Phoenix,” she said, very timid and sweet. “May we three have a moment…in private?”
Griffin and Lorraine glanced at one another before Griffin said, “Why not take your laptop into your room, Ashe? I’ll have a look in a few minutes.” Ashe looked at him, then at both Mrs. B. and Lorraine. He sensed what Lorraine did, that something was wrong, that something very bad was going to happen.
Ashe scooped up his laptop, pausing to give Lorraine an additional little glance, hope and sadness competing for control of his expression. But she offered him a reassuring smile, brushing his hair back and whispering, “Go on, we’ll see you soon.”
Ashe slumped off with the laptop under his arm, the three adults watching him go.
Griffin turned to Mrs. B. “What can we do for you?”
“Well, Mr. Phoenix, it’s…it’s my broach, it’s gone missing. You know the one, the ruby. It was a gift from you, Mr. Phoenix.”
“I remember it,” Griffin said, “your birthstone.”
“That’s right, Mr. Phoenix. You’re so kind and considerate to remember me that way.”
“All right, well, have you looked through your bedroom?”
“I have, sir, yes, all my luggage too. And it had a safety latch, sir, you remember? It wouldn’t have just fallen off.”
Lorraine’s eyes shifted from Mrs. B. to Griffin. It was quickly becoming clear what was unfolding in that room, but Lorraine was taken completely off-guard and she had no idea what to do other than stand there and let it happen.
Griffin seemed to be coming to the same ugly conclusions. “What are you saying, Mrs. B.?”
“Well, sir, I-I recall how our lovely Miss Devonshire here admired it. And unlike us, she… Well, we’re not all so fortunate as I am, or as successful as you are, sir.”
Taken aback, Lorraine said in shock, “You’re saying what, that I took your broach?”
Griffin said, “Missus B., Lorraine and I are going to be married. She’d hardly have need to steal your broach.”
“With all due respect, sir, things have happened quickly this week. Maybe earlier on she felt it wise to ensure that she’d…come out ahead, sir.”
Lorraine repeated, “Come out ahead? How dare you? I’m not here to profit in any way; I never was! This whole thing was Griffin’s idea!”
“Just as everyone is saying, dear.”
Griffin took a step forward, creating a wall between Lorraine and Mrs. B. “Okay, look, this is pointless. I’ll get you a new broach, Mrs. B.”
“It’s not just about that,” Mrs. B. said. “Shouldn’t we know for certain what kind of person is coming back to New York with us…if she is?”
“You don’t like me,” Lorraine stated, “you never have, you probably never will. What on Earth could I say or do—?”
“It could still be in your purse.” Lorraine stood stunned, Griffin watching quietly as Mrs. B. reasoned aloud, “You’ve been with us several days straight, it seems to me.”
“I’ve been in and out, Mrs. B. I could have dropped your stolen booty at my apartment, somewhere in the library—”
“Just let me take a look in your purse,” Mrs. B. said. “If it’s not there, I’ll drop the entire matter.”
But Lorraine could already guess what they’d find in her purse. But she had little choice; at that point Mrs. B. was getting into that purse one way or the other. The stronger Lorraine fought against it, the more guilty she would seem and the sooner the contents of that purse would get spread out over the coffee table.
“All right, fine.” Lorraine crossed the living room to where her purse sat near the chair. She’d been in and out of it several times over the previous few days and was confident about what was in it.
She handed Mrs. B. the purse. The old woman took the purse to the coffee table. One by one, she pulled items out of the purse: Lorraine’s wallet, keys, a compact, some lipstick and eyeliner, her smartphone.
Lorraine turned to Griffin. “See? Griffin, I never would have done such a thing.”
“I know that, Lorraine.”
But Mrs. B. dug deeper. “Wait, there’s a pocket on the side.” With a sad little smile, she pulled out a white handkerchief folded neatly in a square. Lorraine’s stomach sank as Mrs. B. unfolded the handkerchief to reveal her ruby broach. Her gray eyebrows arched up into her furrowed old brow. “Oh, dear…”
Lorraine stammered, “I… Griffin, I didn’t do it! She must have put it there, framing me. She’s hated me from the start, Griffin! This is an obvious setup!”
Missus B. just shook her head. “I’m so sorry, dear.” But Lorraine could see through her bittersweet facade to the true malice of her unspoken gloating. With every shake of her little graying head, Mrs. B. was really saying, I win, you lose. Now go to hell, bitch!
“Let’s check it for prints,” Lorraine said quickly, noting the desperation in her own voice. “You won’t find mine, not on the broach, the napkin, none of it.”
Griffin let out a long disappointed sigh and turned to Mrs. B. “How could you stoop to such a thing, Mrs. B.?”
“I… No, I didn’t, sir. She’s the one you can’t trust. I’ve been with you for two years—”
“And that’s what makes this all the more troubling. I let you look after my son, and this is the kind of thing you’re willing to stoop to?”
“Mister Phoenix, please!”
“I’m sorry, Marion Beemish—”
“No, sir, please—”
“But your services will no longer be required.”
Missus B. looked at him, then at Lorraine. Lorraine took no joy in it, but she couldn’t deny the relief that was coursing through her. Missus B. said, “I-I’m alone here, we took the private jet out from New York.”
“There’ll be a first class ticket for you with United, and a generous severance…considering the circumstances, of course.” Missus B. slumped, setting down the purse and shuffling back toward her room. “We’ll have your luggage sent down to the lobby,” Griffin added, “and have a car take you to the airport.”
Missus B. stopped and turned, nodding as she crossed slowly to the suite’s front door, pulled it open, and walked out, letting it close slowly behind her.
Lorraine slipped into Griffin’s embrace. He said, “I’m sorry, Lorraine. That shouldn’t have happened.”
She sighed. “Thank you, Griffin, for believing me…and for believing in me.” He smiled and pulled her closer. But Griffin could obviously discern a deep sense of trouble stirring within Lorraine. Lorraine wasn’t sure if it was her lingering sense of insecurity, so deeply engrained in her that even Griffin’s influence wasn’t having much effect, despite even the amazing evolution she’d enjoyed.
“Hey, what’s wrong? Don’t worry about Mrs. B.; she’ll be all right.”
Lorraine leaned her head against Griffin’s chest. “It’s not that, Griffin, it’s just, I dunno, the rally’s tomorrow; it’s a big deal. I guess I’m just nervous about it, a little intimidated maybe.”
He gave her a little kiss on the forehead. “That’s perfectly natural. But you’ve got nothing to worry about. We’ll be there together, side by side, as a family.”
“You really think it’ll be all right?”
“No,” Lorraine turned surprised, but Griffin simply smiled and said, “it’ll be amazing.”
Chapter 15
The intersection was packed with traffic as drivers slowed down to honk at the protestors and gawk at the crowd. There wasn’t a single parking space anywhere within four blocks, parked police patrol cars blocking the side streets on each side of the library, further slowing the cars’ pace.
A news copter buzzed overhead, rotors clapping, a video camera pointing out the sliding door on the side. Its counterparts on the ground walked through the crowd, no fewer than three separate camera crews
featuring interviewers and camera operators.
Lorraine, Griffin, and Ashe stood near the center of the crowd, glancing around at the frothing success of the rally. Lorraine glanced over to see Albert Jenkins being approached by a pretty Asian woman with a long black microphone, a videographer following behind her.
Albert said, “Well it’s…it’s amazing, of course. I think what we’re seeing here is the beginning of a whole new era for the public library school system.”
“They’re saying that, as the supervisor of this branch, where the whole thing began, that it’s really your doing.”
Albert chuckled and glanced around. “I wouldn’t say that, no, not at all. I was happy to do my part, of course. But I’m only a public servant, and I’m gratified that our community will continue to be able to enjoy the many services that a pubic library has to offer.”
“They say you’re being considered for a run at public office. Is there any truth to that?”
Albert seemed to give that question some thought. And it was then that Lorraine noticed Carmen watching the interview from just a few feet away, melancholy in her expression. Albert said, “My wife, Mrs. Jenkins, and I have given that some thought. Of course it’s a decision we’d have to make together. She’s a good woman, loyal, forgiving…” Lorraine watched Carmen turn sadly away and disappear into the crowd. “But we’re not ready to make any announcement on that just yet.”
Lorraine turned to Griffin. “I guess Albert and Carmen broke up.”
Griffin shrugged. “He’s married anyway, isn’t he?”
Lorraine nodded. “And I guess he’s gonna stay that way. Still, I think Carmen really liked him. She looks miserable. I should go talk to her.”
“Maybe,” Griffin said. “Or maybe you should just leave well enough alone. Let’s enjoy the day.”
More than five thousand smiling children and their corresponding adults mingled among the food carts and other attractions. The buttery, salty smell of popcorn was heavy in Lorraine’s nostrils, but it could hardly complete with the rich smell from the barbeque cart dishing out pulled-pork sandwiches, peppery and juicy on delicious potato rolls.
The music of folk singer Sheryl Crowe wafted over the crowd from the bandstand, near the bouncy house and face-painters, sending out countless cat girls and little boy pirates with painted scars.
But even Sheryl Crowe couldn’t drown out the chanting protestors lining up in front of the library. Jeremy was leading the chanting, a bullhorn lifted to his face, changing the slogan every couple of minutes: Save our li-brar-ies, save our li-brar-ies! Dig deep, read more! Dig deep, read more! Books have spines—do you? Books have spines—do you?
Jeremy shook his fist and walked up and down the front of the line as they circled up and down in front of the library. But others nearby, many of them local teenagers, held signs reading, Free popcorn! Library carnival! All are welcome!
Larry and Sally Devonshire approached Lorraine and the Phoenix men. “Hey, sweetheart! We found you.”
“Hi, Daddy, Mom.”
Sally looked around, brows forever hovering on her forehead. “I have to admit, you’ve really pulled something off here.”
Griffin asked, “You have to admit it? Is there some reason you wouldn’t want to?”
Sally shrugged in her perfect innocence. “Of course not. I’ve always been very supportive of my daughter, Griffin. But this is a big thing, and I’m proud of her, that’s all I’m saying.”
Lorraine smiled warmly, slipping her arm into his.
The Denver Post’s Dorian Gale and his photographer, Stu Jeffers, crew came up to Lorraine, Griffin, and Ashe. “Here’s America’s new sweetheart and her Prince Charming. How do you think it’s going today?”
“I’m amazed by the turnout,” Lorraine said. “It’s obvious how much the library means to the good people.”
“Not to mention a free Sheryl Crowe concert,” Dorian said.
“Sheryl’s a personal friend,” Griffin said.
Lorraine turned to him. “Not too personal, I hope.” They all shared a chuckle, except for Ashe, who didn’t seem to know what they were referring to.
Griffin said, “We just hope that the other rallies are as successful as this one.”
Dorian said, “There are reports of fifteen thousand people at the New York rally. Springsteen apparently shut down half of Manhattan.”
“He is the boss,” Lorraine said. “What an honor it is to be associated with such talent—people with that kind of strength of character and dedication to their neighbors.”
Griffin looked at Lorraine even as he spoke to Dorian. “It most certainly is. Maybe we’ll tap him to play at the wedding.”
“Griffin, really?”
“It’ll be a special occasion.”
Dorian said, “Sure sounds like it.”
Stu Jeffers lowered his camera and asked, “Need a photographer?”
On the stage, Sheryl Crowe finished her song and waved at the cheering crowd.
Griffin said to Lorraine, “I think that’s our cue. Are you ready?” Lorraine nodded. Griffin turned to Ashe. “How about you, son?” Ashe nodded with a very serious expression. “All right then, let’s do this.”
The three pushed through the crowd, and so did Albert Jenkins from the other side of the crowd. Griffin helped big Albert onto the stage as the crowd gathered around. Albert approached the microphone, feedback bleeding out of the speakers pointing at the crowd from each side of the stage.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Albert Jenkins, from the Library Commission of the Denver Public Library System.” The crowd applauded politely. Albert went on, “Please also give a big round of applause to our head librarian at this branch, Carmen Mendez; she’s out in the crowd somewhere, feeling a little under the weather today, I guess. But we couldn’t have done this without her.” The crowd clapped and Albert smiled nervously, glancing around and clearing his throat. “As you know, rallies like this one are being staged all over the nation, and will go on to be every year on this day, ensuring that our public libraries remain vital, up-to-date, and, frankly, open.”
The crowd laughed and clapped.
“Now I’d like to introduce the two people responsible for the rally, for the rescue of this particular branch, the reason we’re all here today and, as I understand it, engaged to be married! Lorraine Devonshire and Griffin Phoenix, with Griffin’s young son, Ashe. Mister Phoenix?”
Albert stepped back from the stage and Griffin stepped forward, Lorraine standing with Ashe just behind Griffin and to the side.
“Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. I’d also like to thank my friends, Sheryl Crowe, Graham Nash, and David Crosby, of course the incomparable Penn and Teller.”
Lorraine looked out over the crowd, thousands of faces looking up at her. Parents Larry and Sally peered up from the front of the stage. Larry was typically enthusiastic, and even Sally seemed impressed, eyes fixed on Griffin, a natural smile on her face.
“As a free society,” Griffin said, his voice reverberating over the library parking lot, “we must look out for one another, to give back with everything we can, everything we have. The Bible asks, ‘What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?’ And the library is the very soul of a community, where mind and heart converge.”
Lorraine glanced down at Ashe, who watched his father speak the words he’d written. The boy was smiling, proud, and Lorraine was so glad for that small amount of joy the boy could finally find.
Griffin said, “What we’re seeing here today is a beautiful, blessed thing. It’s about more than the services a library provides; it’s about more than the values a library can instill, values like honesty, reliability, courtesy. Those are values I want to instill in my son, and I know that I have.”
Lorraine spotted a familiar figure in the crowd, pushing her way toward the stage. Missus B. was small and people were more than courteous about getting out of her way.
But…she left t
own, she reasoned. Griffin put her in a car; the driver reported that he dropped her off at the airport last night. I guess she could have turned around and come back. But why would she?
“No,” Griffin went on, “for me, it’s about enjoying each other’s company; it’s about coming together, finding each other. Strangers become friends, friends become family. It’s not always easy to remember that; despite the things that are out there trying to keep us apart, we can still come together and stay together. We can…and we must.”
Lorraine watched Mrs. B. pushing her way through the crowd, slowly approaching the stage. She probably feels bad about what happened, couldn’t leave things the way they were. Don’t give in to that old fear, Lorraine! Everything’s different now.
But that chill of fear returned, something Lorraine could neither explain nor deny. She scanned the crowd for that terrible and familiar face, a broken arm in a sling, the man who escaped justice and could be waiting to take his revenge on her, on Griffin, maybe even on Ashe.
Tony Gardner.
Chapter 16
“So we join together as a family,” Griffin went on, “and that’s only worth anything if we stay together as a family, if we hang together. We can only be a family if we can stay a family.”
Lorraine didn’t see the face of her former attacker, but she did see the familiar face of Mrs. B., pushing toward the stage. She also thought she saw Donal Roland also standing nearby, and Carmen was roughly in the center of the crowd.
Carmen’s snarl was clear enough for Lorraine to see even at that distance, even with so many people between them. But that amount was fast decreasing as Carmen approached the stage from the front, her hand dug deep into her purse.
“But I’ve said about all I can say,” Griffin said, “except that I would never have known about this crisis in the library system if it hadn’t been for a very brave and very beautiful young woman, my fiancée, your own hometown girl, Lorraine Devonshire.”
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