Come Back to Me

by Chris Paynter

  “You mean to tell me that Zach England doesn’t own a private jet?”

  Angie slid the shower door open enough to poke her head out. “Quit being a shit and find me a flight.”

  “And what about little ol’ me? I just got here.”

  “Oh, crap. I didn’t even think about that. You’re welcome to stay. I’ll even give you my spare key.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Go on. Leave me alone.”

  “But—”

  Jan grinned as she stood up. “I’m just joshing with you. Matters of the heart come first. I’ll find a flight for you. Go to her, Angie.”

  * * *

  Meryl sat next to her mother at the gravesite. They held hands as the minister spoke.

  “Channing McClain was many things to this community. Of course, he was a successful businessman. He guided McClain Steel through difficult times after taking over the reins following his father’s death. But he succeeded where others failed. He had the foresight to invest in the future. Seeing the impact that stainless steel and titanium would have on the industry, he transformed his company, allowing thousands of employees to keep their jobs. And he gave to those in need, starting many charities in his name. He donated millions to the children’s hospital that later shared his name.”

  Meryl stared straight ahead as the minister continued to sing her father’s praises.

  The minister looked at her and her mother. “But above all things, he was a good father and a loving husband to Meryl and Candace.”

  Candace tightened her grip of Meryl’s hand. Meryl shot a glance over to her mother to find her clenching her jaws. She placed her other hand on top of her mother’s. Candace turned to her, acknowledging Meryl’s touch.

  Neither had shed tears at the viewing, nor the funeral. And now they both sat expressionless in front of her father’s casket. Meryl blocked out the rest of the minister’s words. They stood at the appropriate time when he read the Lord’s Prayer. Meryl intoned the words as if someone had flipped a switch in her brain.

  “And this concludes our service. Mrs. McClain and Meryl have asked that you join them at the family home for refreshments and to share your remembrances of Channing.”

  They sat down again. The minister came over, took their hands, and said a few more words of comfort. They watched as friends and loved ones passed by the spray of roses in front of the casket, each taking one and laying it on top. The mourners offered their condolences as they walked by.

  It was over. Meryl and Candace stood alone, staring at the casket. Minutes passed. Then, they each reached for the other’s hand and carefully walked the uneven ground to the limousine.

  Edward opened the door and helped Candace into the backseat. Meryl glanced across the roof of the limo before joining her mother. Someone stood at a distance near the gravestones across the road.

  Meryl gasped.

  “Meryl? Are you all right?” Candace peered up at her.

  The dark-haired woman across the road turned and walked to a car parked nearby.

  “Ye-yes. I think so.”

  Meryl watched as the car followed behind the others on their way out of the cemetery. She slid into the backseat next to her mother.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Candace asked her. “You’re very pale. These have been a difficult few days for you. Perhaps you should rest when we get home.”

  “I’m fine. I thought I saw someone…”

  “Someone you knew?”

  “I’m not sure.” She turned to her mother and smiled. “Really, I’m okay.”

  Candace nodded. “Edward, take us home.”

  * * *

  “Meryl, Mrs. McClain, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

  Gertrude Billingsley, her father’s long-time aide, shook their hands. She’d retired years ago but still had made the funeral despite failing health.

  “Thank you, Gertrude. Channing always spoke so highly of you. He wouldn’t have made it without your assistance—especially with the stains on his ties. You saved him, I don’t know how many times, with your endless supply.”

  Meryl was only half-listening to her mother. She heard murmuring behind her. Her mother looked over Meryl’s shoulder. Her expression softened with what she saw there. Meryl felt a hand on her shoulder and shivered at the touch. She turned around.

  Angie. It had been her at the cemetery.

  “Meryl, I came to offer you my sympathy,” Angie said. “I know this is difficult for you.” Her dark eyes shifted to Meryl’s mother. “And for you, Mrs. McClain. You’re both in my prayers.”

  Candace moved forward. “Meryl, I don’t believe you’ve ever introduced us.”

  Meryl realized others in the room had turned toward them. A few had their heads together, talking in low tones. Maybe they recognized Angie from the news about her.

  “Honey?” her mother said.

  “I’m sorry. Mother, this is Angie Cantinnini. Angie, my mother, Candace McClain.”

  “Mrs. McClain.” Angie took Candace’s hand in both of hers. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you, dear.” Candace glanced at her daughter and back to Angie. “Thank you, too, for coming to offer your condolences, Ms. Cantinnini,” her mother added.

  “It’s Angie.”

  Her mother smiled. “Angie it is then. Please. Stay with us and eat.”

  Angie looked at Meryl as if for her approval, but Meryl said nothing. “I think it best I not stay.”

  “You’re sure?” her mother asked.

  “I can catch an afternoon flight to Miami. I should be leaving.” Angie stepped forward, searching Meryl’s face. Then she embraced her. She brought her lips to Meryl’s ear. “I still love you, and I always will,” she whispered and kissed her on the cheek.

  Before Meryl could react, Angie was maneuvering her way through the mourners toward the door and out of the house.

  As if on cue, everyone in the room began speaking again.

  Meryl felt her mother move to her side.

  “So, that was Angie.”

  “Yes.” Meryl stroked her cheek where Angie had kissed her.

  “Striking woman.”

  Meryl turned to her mother to respond, but Candace had left to greet mourners who had just arrived.

  Meryl did her best to be cordial to everyone. She smiled at the appropriate time. She listened and nodded when someone cornered her to say what a wonderful man her father had been. She kept up appearances for her mother’s sake and for the family name, replying with hollow words she didn’t mean.

  And on occasion, a dark-haired woman Meryl saw in the periphery made her heart skip a beat. But she knew before getting a closer look that she’d be disappointed. Angie was gone.

  * * *

  Angie stood under the flight information display at the airport and scanned it for her flight to Miami. “Damn it.”

  “Delayed” flashed beside the flight number. She inquired at the desk. The attendant told her it would be at least another hour before the plane arrived in Pittsburgh.

  Angie pulled off her suit jacket and loosened the top button of her blouse. She’d hoped to leave without a hitch and put as much distance as possible between herself and heartbreak.

  If she walked down to her gate, she’d have to sit there with the other passengers. She wanted to be alone—hard to do in a busy airport. Maybe she’d have to settle for a four-dollar coffee and a seat on the end of one of the rows of molded plastic chairs.

  Angie opted for the coffee and the uncomfortable chair. She hoped no one would sit next to her. No such luck. A woman and two toddlers took seats nearby, close enough for the woman to strike up a conversation. The woman was pleasant enough and the kids were cute, but they didn’t help Angie’s mood.

  She just wanted to go home.

  * * *

  Meryl sat in a chaise lounge in the spacious backyard. She wiped at her eyes. She hadn’t stopped crying since she’d come outside after the last guest departed at seven-thirty, which was over an ho
ur ago. Her mother had left her alone.

  The French doors opened behind her. Meryl faced forward, waiting for her mother’s voice.

  “You’ve been out here for quite some time. And you’re crying.” Candace pulled out a handkerchief from her jacket pocket and handed it to Meryl.

  “Thank you.” Why was it mothers always carried handkerchiefs? Meryl dabbed at her eyes.

  “Come into the house, and I’ll fix us some hot tea.”

  Meryl followed her inside and sat down at the dining room table while her mother continued into the kitchen. The kettle whistled several minutes later.

  Candace walked in with two cups, setting one in front of Meryl. “Drink some of that. It always made you feel better when you were young.”

  Meryl blew into the cup and took a tentative sip.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Candace asked.

  “There’s not much to say.”

  “Sometimes it’s better that way. Tell me what you’re feeling.”

  Meryl set her cup down. “It’s Angie.”

  Candace smiled. “That I knew.”

  “What am I going to do?”

  “What does your heart tell you?”

  Meryl twisted the handkerchief in her hand. “That I love her. But it’s not that simple.”

  Candace leaned her elbow onto the table and put her chin in her hand. She observed Meryl for a long moment. “I can see why you fell in love with her. She’s a beautiful woman, and she obviously still loves you. Did something happen between the two of you that’s causing you to doubt what you feel?”

  “Yes,” Meryl said, but didn’t offer more.

  “You don’t have to tell me what it is. I was of course as shocked as everyone else when I read your interview, but especially because I knew what Angie meant to you.” She caressed Meryl’s face. “And what she still means to you.”

  “Mother, I’m not sure.”

  “Meryl McClain, you’ve been like this only one other time in your life and that was when you were at Lehigh. When you’d come home for visits that junior year, you wore this same love-struck look. Nothing’s changed.” Her mother tilted her chin up. “Yes, a few slight lines of aging, but you’re still that same young woman who lost her heart all those years ago.”

  “What if it’s all an illusion?” Meryl fought to keep her voice steady.

  Candace shook her head slightly. “I think I know what’s real, honey. And what I saw today between the two of you is as real as it gets. I didn’t stand up for you in this house twelve years ago, but God’s given me another chance to right a wrong. Go after her. And when you reach her, hold onto her with everything you have.”

  Meryl stood up and gave her mother a hug. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too, sweetie.” Candace then turned Meryl to face the doorway that led to the stairs. She gave her a gentle push. “Now get packed and go to her.”

  * * *

  “Hey, Jan,” Angie hollered from the kitchen. She drank the rest of her juice. “I’m taking off on my run. I can stop by the donut shop when I’m done and pick you up something, if you want.”

  Jan emerged from the hallway, still clothed in her pajama shorts and tank top. Her dark hair stuck out in all directions. “Who are you and what have you done with my sister? Are you one of those pod people sent here to replace her? Is my sister on the mothership?”

  Angie laughed. “I told you. I started running a few years ago. Now what about a donut?”

  “And I suppose you’re abstaining because it’s unhealthy.” Jan moved past her to switch on the coffeemaker.

  “If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll get some sugar donuts for myself.”

  “Don’t make it sound like such a sacrifice.” Jan leaned onto the counter and stared at the water dripping into the container. “Does this go any faster?”

  “Jan. Hello. Donuts?”

  “Pick me up one of those pecan chewy thingies.”

  Angie turned to leave.

  “Angie?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You were pretty down when you got in. You said maybe two words to me last night. I’m sorry about Meryl. You okay?”

  “I’m surviving.” Angie hurried for the door to avoid any further conversation. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

  Jan mumbled something about the obscenity of her little sister’s health habits.

  Angie jogged out into the bright sunshine. She tried to avoid thinking of Meryl, but it was a lost cause. No more wishful thinking about a glorious reunion. Meryl had made her choice, and Angie had to move on.

  To clear her mind, she paid attention to the people out in the early morning heat. She resisted the urge to yell at a couple walking by, hand-in-hand, “Hey! What about my broken heart?”

  Angie ran the rest of the way to the lighthouse and made her turn. She was about halfway back to her starting point. She kept her head down, measuring the cadence of each step.

  Then, a shudder ran through her body, and she felt compelled to look up. Angie’s heart leapt to her throat.

  Meryl was running toward her. Jan stood in the distance, wiping at her eyes.

  Meryl’s pace slowed as she drew closer.

  Angie ran to her and stopped, gasping for air. “Meryl, I—”

  Meryl moved within inches of Angie and put her fingers to Angie’s lips. “Just don’t ever lie to me again, okay?” Meryl searched her eyes.

  “Never.”

  “Good.” Meryl’s smile was playful. “Because I’ve done a lot of soul-searching, and I’ve come to a conclusion.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “That I couldn’t live without a certain Italian’s cooking.”

  Angie pulled Meryl close. “Yeah?”

  “Yes. But even more than that”—Meryl brought her lips to Angie’s—“I couldn’t live without a certain Italian.”

  Epilogue

  “You owe me on this one, little sis.” Jan plopped down on Angie’s bed.

  “Why?” Angie stood in front of her full-length mirror and looked at her sister’s reflection while she spoke.

  “Let’s say having Dad grip my hand until all feeling left my fingers on the flight from Cleveland to Miami wasn’t a picnic.”

  “I don’t imagine it would be.”

  “Oh, but there’s more. He didn’t want to take the puddle jumper here from Miami, right? Try driving the two hours from Miami to Key West with him saying every half mile or so on that seven-mile bridge down here, ‘Just how long is this thing?’”

  Angie laughed. Over the past several weeks, she and her father had made amends. Her mother? Her mother was another matter. But Angie wouldn’t let it spoil this special day.

  “I’m glad you find this amusing,” Jan said.

  “Come here and be useful. I can’t get this tie right.”

  Jan spun Angie around to face her. She undid the sloppy knot in the tie and started a new one. She patted it when she’d finished. “There.”

  Angie turned toward the mirror again. “Wow, how’d you learn to do that?” Angie fiddled with the tie some more to make it perfect.

  “Hey, my husband has worn a tux from time to time. We’re not totally uncouth, you know.”

  Angie, dressed in a white tuxedo, white bow tie, and white boots, faced Jan again. “What do you think?”

  Jan looked like she was about to cry. “I think you’re a gorgeous groomette on her wedding day.” She brushed her fingers over the lapels on Angie’s jacket. “I only wish Mom had come around.”

  Angie hugged Jan. “It’s okay. The people who love me are here, and that’s what matters.”

  “I think it’s so cool Meryl wants Daddy to give her away,” Jan said.

  Angie tried not to choke up thinking about it, but she didn’t have much success. “It means a lot to me and to Meryl.”

  Jan smiled. “Me, too.” She smoothed out her peach-colored dress that stopped right below her knees. She linked her arm in Angie’s. “Come on. It’s a
lmost time. You have a wedding to make.”

  Meryl and Angie had their ceremony under a canopy near the beach. They planned it for sundown. Since it was a Key West tradition to celebrate each sunset, they embraced it as a symbol of good luck.

  The gathering was small. Ev and her family, Sage, and the other employees from the Cozy Conch were there, as well as Jan and her family, Rhonda, and of course Meryl’s mother and Angie’s father. Sally had even made the trip. The guests sat in folding chairs lined beside the aisle.

  Angie shifted in place, waiting for the music to begin. Jan, who was serving as her “best man” poked her lightly in the side. Jan’s smile reassured her.

  The music started. Everyone stood as Angie’s father walked Meryl down the aisle. Angie’s tears began to flow the moment she saw Meryl. She wore a white strapless gown adorned with pearls and lace. She’d pulled her hair back into a barrette. Her eyes never left Angie’s as she took each slow step with Angie’s father.

  When her father placed Meryl’s hand in hers, he met Angie’s gaze. She saw what she’d always longed for there. Acceptance. He took a seat beside Meryl’s mother.

  For the rest of the ceremony, Angie was in a daze. The minister’s words were forgettable, but she knew the love emanating from Meryl’s face would stay with her for a lifetime.

  The service ended. Angie and Meryl giggled as they removed their shoes and ran toward the beach. Angie didn’t bother rolling up her pant legs. She took Meryl’s hand and led her into the shallow waters. The guests watched as the newlyweds celebrated.

  Angie pulled Meryl close and removed the barrette from Meryl’s hair. “We’ve said our vows, but I wanted to save this special moment just for us.” The water lapped at their feet. “You captured me with your eyes that first day we met.” She ran her fingers through the soft strands falling around Meryl’s face. “Without you, I’ve been lost. But you’ve come back to me, and I’ve found my anchor in the harbor.”

  Meryl caressed Angie’s cheek. “I know with your love, I’m safe. Always.”

  And Meryl kissed her. A kiss that held the answers to every question of their future.

  Author Chris Paynter Photo Credit: Phyllis Manfredi