Perfectly Honest

by O'Connor, Linda

  Mikaela waded up the stairs of the shallow end and wrapped herself in a warm, plush towel. Snow gathered on the ground, even as waves crashed on the shore. Sounds of summer and scenes of winter, nature made it work.

  With all the exercise, she’d built up an appetite and enjoyed a roasted vegetable sandwich on thick ciabatta bread for lunch. She had just finished wiping the kitchen table, when she heard a noise at the front door. There was a brisk knock, and before she could make a move to answer, the locks disengaged.

  Mikaela froze. She could hear her father’s voice echoing in her head, and instinct kicked in. She grabbed a knife off the counter and ducked down. Heart pounding, she inched her way along the counter until she couldn’t go any further.

  “Yoo-hoo. Sam. Are you home?” a cheerful voice shouted into the quiet.

  Mikaela’s shoulders sagged in relief. Mrs. Davy? But now what?

  Stand up and scare the poor woman? Or get up and act naturally? Like she regularly spent time squatting behind the counter branding a kitchen knife. She grimaced.

  Mikaela stood up quickly and laid the knife on the counter just as the woman entered the kitchen.

  The woman jumped and gave a little scream. “Oh,” she said. “I beg your pardon. I didn’t think anyone was home.”

  “Sorry,” Mikaela replied, trying to reassure her. “Mrs. Davy? I’m Mikaela Finn,” she said as she extended her hand to shake hello.

  “Oh,” said the woman, looking confused. “I’m pleased to meet you. But I’m not Mrs. Davy.”

  “Oh,” said Mikaela, tensing again and itching to pick up the knife. “Who are you?”

  Before the woman could answer, a tall man with gray hair at the temples, deep blue eyes, and a welcoming smile walked into the room. Mikaela took a step back. The man standing in front of her was the handsome spitting image of Sam, twenty years into the future.

  “You must be Sam’s parents,” Mikaela said.

  “We’re Sam’s parents,” the woman said at the same time. “Sorry to barge in like this. We expected Sam to be at the clinic. I’m Marla and this is Walt.”

  “Hi,” said Mikaela hesitantly. “I’m Mikaela.” Her mind raced. What had Sam told them? Silently she cursed Sam for not warning her about their visit. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

  As Mikaela leaned over to shake Walt’s hand, Marla gasped. “Oh my goodness! The ring.” Marla exclaimed, her eyes wide. “Are you engaged to Sam?”

  Shit, Mikaela thought. Yes. No. Yes. What would she like to hear? Yikes.

  “That ring,” Marla said, “was my mother’s. She gave it to Sam. And he’s given it to you,” she ended tearfully.

  Mikaela handed her a tissue. “I take it Sam didn’t tell you.”

  “No, he didn’t. But that’s just like him. He wouldn’t like the fuss,” she said wiping her eyes. “But I’m delighted. We’ve been nudging Sam to settle down for ages now. We’d almost lost hope. And here he’s been busy behind the scenes, and not mentioned a word. That would be so like him. That’s why we make it a point to drop in and visit. I don’t think we’d know what’s going on with him otherwise. Oh, I know he’s busy and all that, but really you’d think he could keep his mother up-to-date.” She frowned and shook her head. “But never mind. It was worth the wait. Welcome to the family.” She walked around the counter to give Mikaela a hug.

  Walt followed Marla and gave Mikaela a hug as well. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said with a smile.

  Mikaela closed her eyes and wondered if this would be a good time to be honest.

  “I want to hear all about you and the wedding plans,” Marla insisted. “But just let us get settled first. Did Sam mention that we would be visiting?”

  “No, he didn’t,” Mikaela admitted.

  “Silly boy,” Marla chastised. “Well, to give him credit, we actually intended to arrive this weekend, but with the weather closing in, we decided to come a bit early. We’re on our way to Arizona. We take the Winnebago every year for the worst part of winter. Get away from all the shoveling and cold, you know. We usually get away earlier, but with Olivia, that’s our daughter, having a baby we stayed. She had her about a month ago, but you probably know that. Cutest little pumpkin, she is. Arielle, they named her. So adorable. It’s hard to leave, but we have a spot reserved in Arizona and we don’t want to lose it. We always stop when we’re passing through and stay a few days. I hope that’s okay with you?”

  “Oh, of course,” Mikaela said quickly, trying to keep up. “You’re more than welcome. You’ll want the guest room. I’ve just stored a few things there, but if you give me a moment, I’ll get it cleared out for you.”

  “Well, normally we’d say not to bother. We usually sleep in the Winnebago. But with the weather so cold, maybe we will take you up on the offer.”

  “Not a problem. It’ll just take a minute to clear some space and put some fresh sheets on the bed. Do you need help carrying your things in?”

  “Oh Walt has that covered. Thank you, dear. I’ll freshen up in the powder room.”

  Shit, Mikaela thought. She gathered up the clothes in the closet, hangers and all, and dumped them on the bed in Sam’s room. No time to figure out where to put everything now. She raced back and swept the makeup scattered on the bathroom counter into a bag. She pulled a suitcase from under the bed and emptied the dresser drawers into it. Zipping it up, she carried it to Sam’s room and grabbed fresh sheets from the hall closet on her way back to the guest room.

  She stripped the bed and made it again. She found new pillows in the closet and straightening the duvet, looked around the room. No trace of her. It was that easy. Focus on the positive, she chided herself. His parents needed a room. This way she could focus all her worrying on the new sleeping arrangements. And how much lying she would need to do to get through the visit.

  Mikaela gathered up the dirty linens, carried them to Sam’s room, and threw them in a hamper. She pulled out her cell phone and fired off a text to Sam.

  Your parents are here.

  After a moment, her phone lit up with Sam’s reply.

  What? My parents?

  Yes. Your parents. What have you told them about us?

  Shit. I’m sorry. I completely forgot they were coming. I actually haven’t told them anything about us.

  Nothing? Ouch. Before she could text back, he sent another.

  I thought it would be too complicated.

  Well it just got complicated. How long will they stay?

  I don’t know. Usually it’s just a couple of days.

  How much do you want them to know?

  We don’t have to tell them we’re engaged.

  Mikaela grimaced. Too late. Your mom noticed the ring.

  Oh. Well let’s just play along right now. We can discuss it when I get home.

  Fine. Get here as soon as you can.

  Just finishing the clinic. Shouldn’t be more than an hour.

  Mikaela’s heart sank. So much for her relaxing day. It didn’t look like she’d be reading that novel by the fire, any time soon. How much trouble could she get into in an hour? How many questions would she have to lie through? Maybe she could feign a delivery. Have an urgent call. Mikaela sat down on the bed and looked out the window. The snow was falling heavily and the roads would probably be slick. She wasn’t going to go anywhere.

  And really, now she worried about lying to someone about their engagement? Let’s see, she’s lied to her old department head, the board of directors at Emerson, the new chief of surgery, all the staff, her patients, her peers, and her parents. After all that, should she really be nervous about adding Sam’s parents to the list? Mikaela wiped damp palms on her thighs. Yes, yes she should. She knew she risked being hurt by this deception. But at the end of the day, she didn’t want to hurt anyone else. And Sam’s mom had looked so touched about the ring. Mikaela twisted it nervously around her finger. It obviously meant a lot. Why would Sam give it to her? Why not some cheap make-believe rin
g to go with their make-believe story? Questions for another day, she sighed. Right now she needed to go and continue this charade and deceive Sam’s parents. Convincingly.

  But someday, she vowed, setting the cell phone on the dresser before heading back to the kitchen, things would have to change.

  Chapter 16

  Zodiac Zach—Don’t leave home without him.

  ARIES (March 21-April 19) Love is in the stars. Gather more information and be ready to counter opposition that arises. Now is not the time to be perfectly honest.

  Marla looked comfortable in the kitchen, emptying a cooler of food into the refrigerator. “I brought some fried chicken and potato salad for dinner.” Her gaze swept over Mikaela. “I hope you’re not one of those skinny girls who’s afraid to eat.”

  “No, not at all,” Mikaela responded. She eyed the rapidly dwindling cookie jar. “I’m happy to eat anything someone else makes.”

  “That’s good. I always try to bring something with me when we visit Sam. He’s a great one for heading out to restaurants, but he appreciates a home-cooked meal. You probably already know that,” she said with a smile. “I’ll just finish putting these things away, and then you and I can sit and get to know each other. I put the kettle on for a cup of tea. Would you like one, too?”

  “Sure, that’d be great. Thanks. I’ll get the teapot out. Will Walt join us?” Mikaela stood for a moment trying to remember where it was stored.

  “He’s already out having a swim. He loves the pool, especially after that long drive. He worried you might think it rude, but I assured him we would have a nice little chat, and he could join us later. You don’t mind, do you?”

  “No, not at all.” Mikaela set out cups and found the sugar and cream. When the kettle whistled, she poured the water into the teapot and added the teabags. Marla set cookies out on a plate and carried them over to the table in the nook.

  As they stirred their tea, Marla leaned forward with excited eyes. “I want to know all the details. What’s your sign?”

  Mikaela blinked. “My sign?”

  “Yes. You know, Sam is a Scorpio. I hope you’re not a Virgo. All the Virgos are a little … zealous. Too much energy, if you ask me. And I don’t know that Pisces would be a good fit either. They tend to daydream the day away, don’t you think? I think Sam needs someone a little more grounded. Taurus would be okay, but they do tend to be a bit stubborn. And Leo, well, I think a Leo would be a bit too boisterous, maybe a bit too bossy for Sam. I wouldn’t like to see another Scorpio. Can you imagine? That would be the worst kind of clash. Don’t you think? Now, last year, I would have said Sagittarius. It was a good year for Sagittarius. This year, I’m thinking a Libra or Aquarius would be good. I could see that working. I’ve given this a lot of thought. I’ve told Sam. I told him he has to watch the sign, but I never know if he really listens.”

  Mikaela’s head spun. “I’m an Aries.”

  “Oh perfect.” Marla clapped her hands. “That’s a good match, especially this year. The moon cycle is perfect for an Aries-Scorpio match. I’ve always thought Aries was best at thinking things through before they do something irreversible. That will be the perfect balance to Sam’s Scorpio impulsiveness,” she announced confidently.

  Mikaela almost burst out laughing. Yup, that’s her all right. Thinking things through. Planning change. Avoiding the irreversible. Marla’s nailed it, she thought. Sam really should have paid more attention to the sign.

  “What is your Chinese zodiac?”

  “Pardon?”

  “You know. Your heavenly stem, your earthly branch, your animal, your element?”

  “I’m not really sure.”

  “Hmmm. We’ll have to figure that out. Sam is a Tiger. At least he’s born a Tiger. Personally, internally I think he’s a dragon. Truly there is a bit of ox and secretively, I suspect a little goat. But then I’m his mother.” She patted Mikaela’s hand. “So if you were a horse, dog, or dragon, that would be wonderful. Oh dear, I do hope you’re not a monkey. That would not be good.”

  “I’m pretty sure I’m not a monkey,” Mikaela assured her.

  “That’s a relief. There are so many things to think about when you choose a mate. Are you a yin or yang?”

  “Yin?” Mikaela guessed, hoping to make Marla happy.

  “Perfect,” Marla beamed. “Sam’s a yang. The perfect match. You know Olivia and Ron are yang-yang so I do worry. But they produced the most beautiful daughter. Just goes to show there’s something good there somewhere.

  “And what is your favorite color?” Marla asked earnestly.

  Seriously? She was engaged to her son and that’s what she thought was important? She was beginning to understand why Walt went for a swim. “Ah, aquamarine?”

  “Oh, aquamarine,” Marla repeated, nodding her head. “Now would that be more blue or more green?”

  Mikaela just stared. “Blue?” she guessed.

  “Oh lovely. I love blue, too.”

  “That’s important to finding someone compatible?” Mikaela asked skeptically.

  Marla laughed. “No, now that would be silly, dear. No, I just asked because I enjoy quilting in my spare time, and I’ve decided to make a quilt for each of the kids as a wedding present. So yours shall be blue. And I’ll get started on that right away.” She munched on a cookie. “Have you picked a date for the wedding?”

  “Ah, no, not really. We want to take our time and do it right,” Mikaela said vaguely.

  “Yes, that’s the best way. That’s the Aries in you. You’re the planner. In the end, I’m sure it will be beautiful and exactly what you want.”

  Exactly what I want? Mikaela thought and sighed. “I hope so.”

  Marla was about to ask another question, but the sight of Walt coming into the kitchen interrupted her. He had changed into jeans and a warm sweater. Dark hair brushing his shoulders was still damp. “Now Marla, I hope you’re not bombarding Mikaela with questions,” he said, squeezing Marla’s shoulder.

  Marla reached up and covered his hand with her own. “Not at all,” Marla replied. “We’re just getting to know one another.”

  “I should apologize for heading out for a swim, but the pool is irresistible. Jonathan and Sam did a good job there.”

  “No need to apologize,” Mikaela said with a smile. “I know what you mean. I enjoy it, too. Would you like a drink? Coffee, tea or something cold?”

  “If you’re having tea, I’ll join you. Thank you.”

  Mikaela rose to find another mug and poured fresh water into the teapot. As she fixed the cup, she asked, “How far did you drive today?”

  “Just from Cannebury to here. It usually takes about five hours, but the weather turned just outside of Pemton so we took it slowly. It looks like it’s really coming down now.”

  Mikaela looked out the window to watch the snow falling steadily and the wind picking up to blow it around. “It’s the first snowfall of the season. I thought it would melt, but it looks like it’s staying.”

  “I think it’ll be up over those chairs by the time it’s all said and done,” Walt agreed. “When is Sam due home?”

  Mikaela looked at the clock. “Soon. He operated today so he shouldn’t be too late.”

  Walt nodded. “They haven’t started operating around the clock at this hospital?”

  Mikaela shook her heard. “Not yet. They’re talking about it, but so far they haven’t had the volume to warrant it. Maybe as the population grows? I know Sam would appreciate it. He’s always looking for more OR time.”

  “That’s probably the only thing he doesn’t like about this new job,” his mother agreed.

  “Well, it’s the bread and butter that pays the bills,” Walt said. “It’s hard to do your job as an eye surgeon without the surgery.”

  “So Mikaela, Sam tells us you’re a painter.”

  Mikaela’s heart sank. Really? Was that before he knew the whole truth or was that what he wanted his parents to know? She hesitate
d for a moment, and waged an internal debate. Truth or perpetuating a lie that would be complicated to continue? The truth won. She cleared her throat. “Well actually, I do paint, but it was a business I started with a friend to put myself through university.”

  “You’re an artist?” Marla asked.

  “No. It was house painting. It kept us pretty busy in the day.”

  “What did you take at university?” Walt asked.

  “Sciences in undergrad and then medicine. I’m an obstetrician-gynecologist.”

  Both Marla and Walt did a double take.

  “An obstetrician-gynecologist?” Marla asked, stiffening and leaning back in her chair.

  Mikaela was taken aback. “S … Sam didn’t tell you?”

  “No, he didn’t,” Marla said firmly. “I do hope that your profession hasn’t turned you away from having children.”

  “N—No,” Mikaela stammered.

  “Well, that’s a relief,” Marla said. “I’m looking forward to having more grandbabies.”

  Sam’s dad sat in stony silence. “Are you any good?”

  Mikaela looked at him. That wasn’t a question she heard every day. “I think so.”

  “Humph,” Walt grunted. “Not all of them are.”

  There’s a story there, Mikaela thought. “No, not all.”

  Walt’s eyes widened slightly and a glimmer of respect swept his features.

  “Well,” said Marla with forced cheerfulness, “if you think Sam will be home soon, maybe I’ll get dinner ready. That is, if you don’t mind eating early.”

  “No, not at all. That’d be great. I can help. Should I text Sam to see where he is?”

  “Well, I don’t like to bother him, but it would be helpful. And I suppose if he’s busy, he’ll just answer when he’s free.”

  Mikaela nodded. “The benefit of texting. I’ll go grab my phone.”

  Without glancing at Walt and uncomfortable with the tension in the air, Mikaela left the room. She could hear Marla speak in a soothing voice and shut the bedroom door to respect their privacy.