Sweet Carolina Morning

by Susan Schild

  Vera frowned. “We’re so worried that this will affect him getting into a good college.”

  Linny was afraid to look at Jack because he knew what she was thinking. The twelve-year-old’s chances of getting into Duke or UVA weren’t their biggest worry right now.

  After asking questions about Neal’s progress in his other studies, homework habits, and how he managed his time, Ms. Courtland tapped a pen on her desk blotter and looked thoughtful. “First things first is what I always say. Let’s start by finding out why his behavior is changing.” She looked at each of them. “Any ideas from you parents? Any changes in the household routines? Any clues that you might have about why he’s not doing well in his studies?”

  “We’ve tried to talk with him about the low grades, but he just shuts down. And there’s not a thing new in our household,” Vera said, patting Chaz’s arm and dimpling up at him.

  Was it Linny’s imagination or did Chaz stiffen when Vera touched him? She remembered the tension between them she’d seen in the wine aisle at Earth and Sky.

  “He won’t tell me a thing,” Jack said. He pointed to Linny and to himself. “We’re getting married soon. That’s a big change. I know kids can have trouble with mixed-up loyalties and letting go of the idea that their parents will get back together.”

  Linny looked at him, admiring his candor and feeling a wave of love, realizing he’d read every article she’d sent him on the subject of how to manage kids’ reactions to remarriages.

  Vera held out her hands palms up. “That’s what’s causing the problem.”

  Linny simmered. When had Vera gotten her degree in child psychology? Bristling, she stared at her boots for a moment and felt her internal biker chic. Time to speak up. Quietly, she asked, “How much trouble did Neal have when you two married?”

  Vera looked puzzled. “Why, none. He was delighted to have Chaz be a part of his life, and for me be so happy.” She sent her husband a sweet smile, but he didn’t seem to catch it.

  Jack rubbed his chin and said mildly, “I remember him being pretty torn up about the breakup and you remarrying.”

  Her mouth tight, Vera smoothed out a wrinkle in her skirt. “Should we get him a tutor?”

  Ms. Courtland shook her head. “That may be premature. We know he’s capable of the work. We can’t come up with a course of action until we know the root of the trouble.”

  “Well, it’s clear what’s bothering him,” Vera said huffily. “The remarriage, having to let Linny in his life, having to share his daddy with some other woman.”

  Linny bristled but took a breath and collected herself. “Neal and I are doing pretty well. We have our moments, but we’re building a relationship.” She gazed at Vera and Chaz and said, “I really like him, and I’m growing to love him.”

  Vera had a speck in her eye that seemed to need her full attention, but Chaz looked directly at her and gave a nod.

  “It’s wonderful that you’re trying and that you know it will take time,” Ms. Courtland said, looking at Linny and then Jack. “Let’s remember, though: we’re only guessing about what’s bothering him. Frankly, my bigger concern is that he bottles up feelings instead of talking about them. I’d like us to schedule a few sessions with the guidance counselor to see if she can get Neal to open up.”

  They all nodded except Vera, who gasped. “A counselor? Surely you’re not saying he has mental health issues?”

  “No, I’m not,” Ms. Courtland said in a measured tone. “Clearly, though, the young man has something on his mind.”

  Vera frowned, looking unconvinced. “Will that be on his permanent record? Will he have to carry around the stigma of having seen a counselor?”

  “We’re very pro counseling here at Parkland Middle School. We believe it’s healthy to talk through feelings,” Ms. Courtland said serenely. “All the students here are required to meet with the counselor to talk about academics and to begin to form ideas about career paths. Neal’s visit to the counselor won’t be anything out of the ordinary and won’t appear on his permanent academic record.”

  “It’s a good plan,” Chaz said brusquely.

  Startled at hearing his voice, Linny glanced at him, starting to understand why he was so good in the courtroom. At six foot four, with his jet-black hair, burly build, and penetrating black eyes, he had a commanding presence. How did he and strong-willed, high-maintenance Vera not kill each other?

  Vera looked at Chaz and nodded reluctantly. “It seems unnecessary, but as long as it won’t go on his record.”

  Ms. Courtland glanced at the clock. “I’m afraid we’re out of time. I’ve got another family waiting for me.” Rising to her full height of four feet eleven inches, she walked with them to the door. “Nice to see you all. Let’s meet again after Neal has talked with the counselor to see if we can get your young man to talk with us about what’s bothering him.”

  * * *

  The four were silent as they walked down the long hallway. Linny felt a pang of sympathy for Neal, the honor student quietly flailing around and isolated by not being able to talk about what was bothering him so. For his sake, Linny knew she and Jack had to try hard to work as a team with Vera and Chaz. Trying to put a positive spin on things, Linny said, “I think that was a productive meeting.”

  Looking unconvinced, Vera sniffed. “We’ll see.”

  “It was fine,” Chaz said firmly.

  Linny glanced at Jack, and he gave a little leave-it-for-now shake of his head.

  Though they’d parked in the back, Vera and Chaz followed them out of the building and turned in the same direction. In the parking lot, the only two cars left were a glistening black Lexus sedan and the cherry-red convertible.

  Jack pulled the keys from his pocket and Chaz gazed at the Camaro and then at Jack. He whistled. “Cool ride.”

  “Thanks,” Jack said. “Linny bought it for me.”

  Linny loved the little O on Vera’s mouth as she tried to compute how Ms. Trailer-Trash-Marrying-Jack-For-His-Money had bought a muscle car for him. Jack held open the door and she slipped in.

  * * *

  At the restaurant, Marnie greeted them. “Good evening, lovebirds. So good to see you.” She gave them each a kiss on the cheek and ushered them to a table tucked in a corner. “Our new chef is working on jazzing up our traditional Southern fare. We’ve got two specials tonight,” she said as she handed them menus. “We have pulled pork served with smashed potatoes, fresh collard greens, a cabbage and carrot slaw, and jalapeño hush puppies. Also, we have crispy fried oysters served with roasted baby spinach, sweet potato casserole with sorghum, and black pepper cornbread.”

  “It all sounds so delicious.” Linny’s mouth watered. “Your chef sounds brilliant.”

  “He’s stellar. Other restaurant owners keep trying to steal him. I’m going to start carrying a pellet gun to run ’em off,” Marnie said, grinning as she lit the candles on the table. “Your server will be over directly. Have a lovely evening.” She strode away.

  After the waiter took their drink order, they settled in. Jack was quiet, and he looked pensive. “What are you thinking?” Linny asked.

  He looked away for a moment. “I feel bad for Neal. He’s been through a lot and he didn’t ask for any of it.”

  “I know,” Linny said and shook her head sympathetically.

  He exhaled and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “And now he’s got more changes to manage with us getting married. Am I being selfish to drag him into . . .” He trailed off, shaking his head.

  What was he saying? Was he changing his mind about marrying her? Linny searched his face, her heart racing at the doubts he was voicing. Reaching across the table, she took his hands. “Jack, Neal probably is having trouble adjusting to these changes, but our becoming a family is good for him. Together we add even more love and stability to his life.”

  He was quiet for a moment. Then, looking lighter, he gave her a slow smile. “You’re right.”

  Her heartbeat slowing, s
he added, “Plus, Ms. Courtland said not to assume his school problems are all because he’s upset about our marrying.”

  Jack brightened. “That little teacher has backbone. She didn’t let us get railroaded when Vera was trying to put all the blame on us.”

  Relieved they were back on solid ground, Linny leaned her elbow on the table and put her chin in her hand. “Funny; Vera didn’t mention the part about her stirring things up by breaking dishes or talking trash about me to Neal.”

  Jack smirked. “Must have slipped her mind.”

  The waiter appeared with their drinks and they ordered, sticking with the specials Marnie had described.

  Sipping her Chardonnay, Linny thought more about the meeting. “I was surprised Vera agreed Neal could see the school counselor.”

  “I was, too,” Jack said, sipping his beer. “When Ms. Courtland said Neal needed to learn to talk about his feelings, I kept thinking about last fall.”

  Linny winced, remembering that scary time when Neal ran away. After he came home safely, Jack had pushed Vera hard for Neal to see a therapist, but she’d balked at the idea. Chaz must have talked sense into her because she’d finally agreed. But the therapist she brought Neal to see was a family friend with a divinity degree and a part-time marriage counseling practice. Though the man was kindly, Linny doubted Neal did much sorting of his feelings. After four sessions, the counselor pronounced Neal cured.

  Jack shook his head. “At least she’s OK’d the counseling this time.”

  Twirling the wine around in her glass, she tilted her head. “What’s Chaz like?”

  Jack looked away for a moment. “He’s real smart; not one for small talk, a tough litigator. He may have political aspirations. On the side, he runs an investment fund for his buddies. He’s done real well at it, made a lot of money for all of them.”

  Linny gave his fingers another squeeze and was quiet for a moment. She thought about how strong-willed Vera was despite her soft voice and ethereal white-blond loveliness. “So they’re both big personalities, but does Vera run that show?”

  Jack gave a one-sided smile. “Nobody runs Chaz’s show. He lets Vera run the house and spend his money, but he’s no pushover.”

  “Do you miss him?” she asked quietly. The two men had been best friends.

  He shrugged, his mouth tight. “He was a good guy.”

  Noting the past tense, Linny touched his hand again.

  “Linny, my poodle!” cooed a woman with a towering haystack hairdo as she swept over and leaned in to kiss Linny.

  “Diamond! How are you?” Linny gave a delighted laugh and eyed her affectionately. “Let me take in the wild outfit du jour.”

  Diamond batted her unnaturally long eyelashes and gave a twirl to show off the sparkly earrings that brushed her shoulders, the clingy animal print blouse, and the postage stamp–sized skirt.

  Linny grinned. Diamond’s appearance invited others to underestimate her, but that would be a mistake. The woman was a brain and a wildly successful attorney. Clients just needed to get used to her Hollywood housewives getups and her phone calls from polo matches at Palm Beach or mud baths in the Mojave Desert. Linny turned to Jack. “Jack, this is my friend Diamond—the one who found where my thieving late husband stashed the money he took from me.” Diamond had traced Linny’s missing money to a bank account in the Caymans, and harassed, threatened, and browbeat the management until they’d coughed up the cash.

  “Amazing story,” Jack said, smiling. “Thanks for taking such good care of Linny,” he added solemnly.

  Diamond gave a swooning sigh and gazed at Linny. “He’s just a love lamb chop. I want one just like him.”

  Jack looked befuddled, probably having never been called that before.

  Linny sipped her water to hide her smile. Now he was trying not to stare at Diamond’s shoes, glittering gladiator numbers with rows of gold spikes up the front. “What have you been up to?”

  Diamond shook her head dolefully, her plumped lips in a pretty pout. “Just working like a dog. Work, work, work.”

  “I see.” Linny grinned, eyeing the number of shopping bags emblazoned with the names of exclusive stores that were looped up her arms.

  “Well, I have been shopping. It’s just exhausting. I had to pop in here for a restorative,” she explained. “Mama said the furnishings at their getaway places were ‘tired.’ I had to buy stuff for Figure Eight Island, for the Highlands house, and for Daddy’s latest purchase, a houseboat on Lake Constance. So I bought . . .”

  Linny stopped listening and daydreamed. Figure Eight and Highlands were Southern privileged-class beautiful but predictable, but a houseboat . . . Just like in Sleepless in Seattle. She pictured a darling miniature home, going to sleep to gentle rocking and the sound of waves lapping on the floor or deck or whatever Tom Hanks would have called it.

  Diamond rolled her eyes as she finished her story. “. . . but of course they hardly spend time at any of the houses. Too busy with their eco travel trips to the Galápagos Islands and Vietnam. They’re both wearing those shoes now where the heel is lower than the front.” She demonstrated with her hand, her palm lower than the fingers, and wrinkled her nose.

  Jack nodded solemnly. Diamond was a lot to take in.

  Diamond went on. “Anytime you all could use a getaway, just call me. Houses need to be lived in and loved.”

  A waiter appeared with a martini glass on a tray, smiled, and proffered it to Diamond. “Thank goodness. I was parched,” she said. With her little finger daintily crooked up, Diamond drained the drink. She flashed a smile and gave a finger wave. “Ta-ta, lovies. See you soon.” She whirled away.

  They were silent for a moment, both of their eyes following Diamond out the door. “Feels like a delightful hurricane just blew through,” Jack said. “Somehow I feel refreshed.”

  “I know. She’s a kick,” Linny said, nodding. “But there’s depth under all that meringue. Last weekend Diamond hosted a fund-raiser for the Autism Society. Her nephew has Asperger’s. Anyhow, she invited all her deep-pocketed friends and raised two hundred thousand dollars in one night. Mary Catherine told me.”

  Jack gave a low whistle.

  The waiter appeared and slid two artfully laid-out plates on the table.

  Linny forked in a bite of the spicy pulled pork. “Mmmm.”

  Jack popped a crispy oyster into his mouth and closed his eyes as he chewed. “I’m a happy man.”

  Linny grinned. “So tell me more about our lunch tomorrow.”

  “My folks will meet us at my place at eleven-thirty, and I’ve got to be back at work by one. I know you’re busy with work. Can you just pick up some sandwiches on the way over?” Jack asked.

  “Sure. I’ll go to Earth and Sky. Just tell me what they like.” She tilted her head. “Is this a getting-to-know-you-better lunch, or are we going to negotiate about the engagement party?”

  “Both,” Jack said and speared one of her hush puppies. “They like you already, I know.”

  Linny nodded but had her doubts.

  He swallowed and went on. “But Mama’s probably going to try to convince us to let her throw a swanky engagement party.” He grimaced. “I told her we wanted things simple, but she only hears what she wants to hear.”

  Linny took a bite of the slaw and chewed slowly, savoring it. She pointed her fork at him. “Did you tell her our plans for an odd backyard wedding?”

  “I did, but it may have gone in one ear and out the other.” He looked chagrined. “Mama’s got a knack for screening out news she thinks is unpleasant.”

  She nodded, recalling the time her own mama had canceled her News and Clarion subscription because they needed to start printing happier stories. “My mother has that same knack.”

  In a matter-of-fact tone, Jack said, “I did finally tell her you’d been widowed.”

  Linny put down her fork and leaned forward, not sure if she wanted to know the answer to the question she needed to ask. “How did she take it?” />
  Jack patted her hand reassuringly. “She got a frozen look on her face for a second and then started going on about an orchestra that played big band music that a friend of hers had perform at her daughter’s wedding.”

  “So at least the truth is out,” she said softly and cocked her head. “Did you tell her I was widowed twice?”

  “I did.” He gazed at her. “Lin, it’s not a big deal.”

  Linny would bet money it was a big deal for Ceecee. Remembering Kate’s words about befriending mothers-in-law, Linny shivered inwardly. With one or two big black marks against her already, she’d have to work extra hard to win Ceecee over. “She talked about an orchestra at the wedding? She’s not thinking about that for us, is she?”

  “Probably,” Jack said with a rueful smile.

  “We can handle it,” Linny said, her eyes catching his and holding them. But despite her show of confidence, inwardly she was still shaken by the earlier part of their conversation. Jack was still weighed down by guilt about Neal and seemed to have questions about marrying her. It was one thing that she was jittery about marrying again, but calm, centered, strong Jack being jittery . . . well, that was downright scary.

  CHAPTER 12

  Just Like Positano

  Saturday at 11:00, Linny swung by Earth and Sky to pick up their food, her stomach in knots. She was all nerves about the lunch. The other meetings with Jack’s parents had been so off kilter. She really, really wanted them to like her, and she needed to get on better footing with Ceecee. Rush was an old sweetie, but under her sweet smile and good manners, Ceecee was prickly, unpredictable. Linny gave a determined nod as she locked her car. She’d make Ceecee like her.