Phantom of Riverside Park

by Peggy Webb

  “Sure.” Nicky held up four fingers before he took her hand. “I’m this many.” He leaned over to whisper, “Nex’ birfday I’ll be this many an’ I like parties.”

  McKenzie beamed at Elizabeth. “He’s adorable.”

  “Thank you. I think so, too.”

  “Are you coming with us on this grand animal tour, Elizabeth?”

  “If you don’t mind I’d like to sit in that wonderful rocker on the front porch for a while.”

  “Great. We won’t be long.” Elizabeth didn’t know who started it first, McKenzie or Nicky, but they stood there with identical grins, swinging hands. “Are you coming, Peter?”

  “You bet.” He winked at Nicky. “I like animals.”

  Elizabeth sat in the rocker nearest the steps and set it in motion. Here she was, Elizabeth Jennings, going to live in a house bigger than the Belliveau mansion, a house that needed no invention whatsoever. She wouldn’t have to make excuses for cracked linoleum and call chipped furniture rakish. She wouldn’t have to wait for a bath because the hot water heater was too small and Papa had used all the hot water washing dishes, a ritual she’d named Bohemian. She wouldn’t have to put extra blankets on the bed and call the wind whistling through the windows romantic.

  This house was hers--at least temporarily--and she wasn’t going to let herself think beyond the moment. For a little while she was going to sit back and breathe. If she still remembered how.

  o0o

  It was nearly eleven when David’s cell phone rang, and when he saw McKenzie’s name and number pop up, he panicked. Peter had called earlier in the day to report that they’d all arrived safely and that Elizabeth and her family seemed very happy there. A late night call could only mean one thing: something bad had happened.

  As he reached for the receiver he pictured Thomas Jennings blacked out again, or even worse, dead. He saw Nicky cut and bleeding from a fall. Or Elizabeth... dear God, his wife lying at the foot of the staircase, her neck broken.

  “David.” It was McKenzie, sounding calm. He breathed easier. Peter would have been the one to deliver bad news. Or would he? He’d mentioned something about coming down with a bug.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Good grief? Why are you shouting? Nothing’s wrong.”

  “Do you know what time it is, McKenzie?”

  “What does it matter when you have the world’s most wonderful sister who has a bone to pick with you.”

  “What’s so all-fired important it couldn’t wait till morning?”

  “You’re getting to be crotchety in addition to being reclusive. That’s a lethal combination, David.”

  “For who? Whom?”

  “You, that’s who.”

  David groaned. “Is this pep talk number one where you say, David, get your butt to a plastic surgeon, or is it number two where you order me to get a life?”

  “Neither. It’s a brand new pep talk, and I would have called you sooner, but I’ve had so much fun with Elizabeth and her family time got away from us. They’re all just now tucked in bed.”

  McKenzie’s voice sparkled with excitement. He loved seeing his sister this happy. More than that, he felt puffed up with pride that Elizabeth was the source.

  “You should have seen that dear old man this afternoon. He cried when he saw the cows, David, and then that adorable little child put his hands on Mr. Jenning’s face and asked why his papa was sad, and do you know what that sweet old man said?”

  “No, but I have a feeling you’re going to tell me in spite of the fact that I’m dog tired and have a meeting at eight o’clock in the morning.”

  His protest was token and McKenzie knew it. Far from being tired, David felt more alive than he had in years.

  “He said happiness sometimes makes us cry. Isn’t that beautiful, David? He’s so wise and gentle. He reminds me of Grandpa Snead.”

  “I’m glad you like him, McKenzie.” What about Elizabeth? Did she like my house? Did she love the farm as I do? Would she be happy living there?

  “Oh, I do like him. And you know what? Elizabeth let me read bedtime stories to Nicky, then stay and listen to his prayers. God, David, a little child’s faith is enough to make us all ashamed.”

  “He’s a great kid.”

  “How do you know?”

  Caught. Almost. “I’ve seen him from my window, down in the park.”

  “Well, you’re going to see him in the flesh.”

  “Now, McKenzie. We’ve been through all this.”

  “I don’t give a rat’s butt what we’ve been through. That little boy is going to turn five and you’re going to get yourself down here for the party or I’m not speaking to you again as long as you live.”

  “Those are strong words, McKenzie.”

  “David, I mean it. It was bad enough that you sent Elizabeth down here all by herself...”

  “She’s not by herself. She has you ... and Peter.”

  “She needs you.”

  “I’m doing everything in my power to help her.”

  “When are you going to stop being a long-distance hero, David? When are you going to realize that people will love you for who you are if you will only give them a chance? Give Elizabeth and her family a chance.”

  Could it be true? There is a hopeful part in all of us that never dies, no matter what happens. A tiny fragile seed of hope popped up through the mire of his soul and checked to see if it could find the sun.

  “When is the party?”

  “This weekend. As it turns out, he’s not going to be five for another six months, but this little kid has been through hell, David. He needs a party. We’re calling it the unbirthday party.”

  David smiled. McKenzie was having the time of her life, and so, he suspected, were Thomas and Nicky.

  What about Elizabeth?

  “You’re coming, then?”

  “I’m not making any promises.”

  “I’ve told you how I feel, and I meant every word I said.”

  “I’ll think about it, McKenzie.”

  “I’ll see you this weekend, David.” She hung up before he had a chance to say anything else.

  As David climbed into his bed he noticed he’d only turned back the covers on his half. The other pillow was still plumped up with the bedspread tucked underneath, waiting, it seemed, for someone with the scent of honeysuckle caught in her hair to claim it as her own. It occurred to David that he’d never turned back that side of the bed, that since he’d come back from Iraq his night-time ritual had been an exact reflection of his life. He was living a half life.

  He stared at the other side of his bed and the tucked-up pillow mocked him. All of a sudden he reached over and jerked the covers off. Then he punched the pillow so hard it left an indention in the middle.

  “There now,” he said, as if he’d settled some long-term argument with himself.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  The first thing Elizabeth thought when she woke up in the big four-poster bed with the silk canopies was yes, here I am at last. Then she wrapped her arms around herself so she could tell she was real, so she would know that she wasn’t still in her little rental house in Vine Street in the middle of a good dream. Or back in Tunica, startled out of a night-time fantasy by the sound of the train whistling through the night.

  It was early. She could tell by the gray tinge of the sky that the sun wasn’t even up yet, much less her family, and all at once she wanted to see the sun rise over her new home. Elizabeth flung back the covers and raced through the French doors, then stood on the balcony with her heart in her mouth while the residual darkness scattered like a covey of quail, flushed out by a great golden ball that rose up out of nowhere. Or so it seemed. Elizabeth knew better, of course, but standing in her nightgown in the middle of sudden splendor she saw the sunrise as a miracle... and a promise.

  She leaned her arms on the railing and tipped her face up, thinking shine on me. And then she stuck her tongue out to see if she could taste the sun. S
he’d seen Nicky do that, and always, afterward he’d have this look on his face as if he’d just been sprinkled with holy water.

  She went back into her bedroom--sprinkled--with the intention of getting dressed and going down to the kitchen to make coffee. Seized by impulse she raced through the house instead, her gown flying out behind her like the wings of some skinny-legged white bird, her bare feet absorbing the mysterious generations of people who had lived and loved in that house. It wasn’t the portraits of David’s ancestors on the wall who spoke to her, but the ghosts who lounged in the leather chairs and reclined on the satin covered sofas and stood beside the massive fireplace, winking at her. Mae Mae would feel right at home here.

  The house was enormous. McKenzie had given her a tour, and Elizabeth remembered enough of the layout not to go barging into occupied bedrooms. There were good spirits in the house. She heard them singing and whistling and whispering, laughing and loving. The whole history of the house presented itself to her, covered her like a warm mantle, and she was glad she’d given in to impulse.

  The kitchen was just around the corner, if she remembered right. That’s where she headed, and that’s where she met the woman in jeans and crisp white shirt. It was no ghost, but McKenzie making coffee.

  “I didn’t think anybody would be up. I’d have dressed. I’m not even wearing shoes.”

  “Welcome to the club.” McKenzie held up one long skinny bare foot, then did a little jig in place. “I love feeling these ancient wooden floors on my bare feet. There’s something so homey and inviting about it.”

  “I think so, too.” It’s easy to love a woman who can be at ease in her bare feet. They are warm, approachable. Elizabeth felt an immediate affection for McKenzie, as if they’d been friends since grade school and had been in the habit of sharing secrets for years. “That coffee smells good.”

  “Cream and sugar?”

  “Both.”

  McKenzie nodded. “Just what I thought.”

  “How come, as Nicky would say?”

  “When I saw your face at the wedding I said to myself, McKenzie, here’s a woman who lives life wide open, no holds barred. That means forget the calories and pass the cream and sugar.”

  “The real kind, too. None of that artificial sweetener for me.”

  They laughed, and Elizabeth pictured a string of sunny mornings in the kitchen, just the two of them, talking about everything from socks to Socrates and giving both equal importance.

  “Have you talked to your brother lately?” Elizabeth didn’t even pretend to act casual as she inquired about David. The friendship she and McKenzie had didn’t need a long settling-in period. They didn’t have to test the waters with each other, but could dive right in naked as an egg and just as vulnerable, all the while knowing they’d found a safe place.

  “Last night.”

  “How is he?”

  “In his current mood he’d be good company for the grizzlies.” McKenzie beamed at her. “I really like this you know.”

  “What?”

  “You, inquiring about David. Why don’t you inquire in person?”

  “You mean call him?”

  “Why not? You’re his wife. Or ask him in person. He’ll be here this weekend.”

  Elizabeth’s pleasure was all out of proportion to the event.

  “You think so?”

  “Oh, I’m positive. He has these hang-ups about his prosthetic leg and his scars, but any man who gets that hot and bothered over a woman is bound to show up sooner or later.”

  Is that the way David felt about her? Elizabeth certainly hoped so. The fervor of her wishing caught her by surprise. No, actually if she was going to be completely honest with herself; it didn’t surprise her, not when she thought back, not when she remembered how the feel of being held in his arms had lingered with her for days.

  McKenzie was studying her in a wise and knowing way.

  “I don’t think any of that matters,” Elizabeth said.

  “You don’t?” McKenzie’s smile was triumphant.

  And all of a sudden Elizabeth was desperate to change the subject. She was ready to jump buck naked into other people’s troubled waters, but she preferred to have her own all to herself for a while till she could think it all through and come to some conclusion.

  “Well, no, not really,” she said, and then added, “I have an idea. Why don’t we make something delicious for this weekend? A pound cake, maybe. Just in case David comes.”

  “I was thinking you might fix something a little different for him.”

  “What?”

  “Pound cake decorated with condoms. Or do you think that’s too subtle?”

  They laughed till they had to hang onto each other to stay upright. Then McKenzie pulled her shirttail out and wiped her eyes, while Elizabeth mopped her face with the sleeve of her gown.

  “It’s so good to have another woman around here,” McKenzie said. “There’s Lora Bea, of course, but she’s as old as God and only comes over when she needs to feel needed. She’s been with the family for years, and still thinks of David and me as children.” McKenzie topped off their coffee cups, then added extra cream and sugar to Elizabeth’s without asking how much?

  “I guess you know how happy I am to be here, and for more reasons than I can count. Nicky and Papa, too. I hadn’t realized how much he’d missed the farm until I saw him yesterday.”

  McKenzie put her hand over Elizabeth’s. “I hope you won’t think I’m pushy...” She stopped to laugh at herself. “Heck, I am pushy. I never thought I’d see the day when David would bring a woman here.” She held up her hand as if warding off evil spirits. “I know the circumstances and all that, but still... My brother’s a good man, Elizabeth, one of the finest men I’ve ever known. I’d do anything in the world for him, and have, actually. I’ve gone and meddled and manipulated, all in the name of love, mind you, and I hope you won’t be upset.”

  “I haven’t heard anything so far to be upset about, but then you haven’t told me much, McKenzie, except that David’s a wonderful man. I couldn’t agree more.”

  “See. I knew it. I told David that people would love him if he’d just give them a chance.” McKenzie put a hand over Elizabeth’s. “I hope you don’t mind that I meddled. I mean, there’s hardly any way David can be in this house without meeting your grandfather and Nicky. And I didn’t even ask how you’d feel about that before I put my two bits in.”

  There would be no problem with Papa. He would view David as a hero. Already did, as a matter of fact. Nicky was the one who concerned her. Events had moved so fast Elizabeth hadn’t given the subject any consideration, which was a failure on her part.

  It wasn’t David’s scars that worried her, but the fact that he was only a temporary fixture in their lives. She didn’t want her son to fall in love with him only to be jerked up by the roots later and replanted like a little dogwood tree.

  On the other hand, how would he ever know joy if he didn’t risk loss? How could she? How could anybody?

  The thing was, David was already a major factor in Nicky’s life. A true hero. A kind and compassionate friend. A protector. A rescuer. He deserved to be thanked in person. By Nicky.

  People come and go. That’s life. Nicky would always be faced with losing a friend, a teacher, a relative.

  A breeze stirred the curtain at the window. You have to live your life in the present, not in the future. If you don’t you’ll be scared to get out of bed.

  “I will be proud for my son to meet David.” Elizabeth spoke with absolute conviction. “Papa, too. They’ll both want a chance to thank him for all he’s done for us.”

  McKenzie wiped her eyes with her shirttail once more, but not tears of laughter.

  “Happiness sometimes makes us cry,” McKenzie said. “Do you know who told me that?”

  “Papa. He’s told me the same thing many times.”

  McKenzie wrapped her arms around Elizabeth. “I’m turning into a sentimental fool,” she
said.

  Elizabeth and McKenzie were still in the kitchen when Nicky came bounding down the stairs with Papa right behind him, dressed in overalls again and looking perkier than she’d seen in years.

  “‘Morning, Papa. ‘Morning, angel.” She kissed them both. “Did you sleep well?”

  “Like a rock,” Papa said.

  Nicky giggled. “Rocks don’t sleep, Papa.”

  “How do you know so much?”

  “‘Cause Bear tole me. He waked up and got scared las’ yesterday but I singed him back to sleep.”

  “What did you sing?” Elizabeth asked.

  Instead of answering, Nicky burst into song. “I found my pill on Blueberry Hill.”

  As she listened Elizabeth decided she wasn’t going to wait to find out about David’s weekend plans before she prepared Nicky and Papa. She had already made up her mind: whether or not David came to the party, she was going to make certain he met her family. It was the right thing to do... for all of them.

  She’d wrestled with what to say, how much to tell Nicky about the way David looked, and in the end she decided that to say anything at all would fix an image in Nicky’s mind that David would not be able to overcome. And that wouldn’t be fair to David or to Nicky.

  “Papa, I’ve decided that you and Nicky should meet David.”

  “That’s the right thing to do. I’ve been wantin’ to tell you. Lola Mae must have beat me to it.”

  “Who’s Lola Mae?” This from McKenzie who made no bones about following every word of their conversation.

  “She’s a angel,” Nicky said.

  Elizabeth confirmed with a quick nod, then squatted beside her son.

  “You remember what I told you about David Lassiter, don’t you?”

  “He’s a nice man who he’ped us.”

  “Yes, he is. He’s a really good man, one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and I want you to be very nice to him. Can you do that?”

  “Sure. I’m a good boy.”

  “Yes, you are a good boy, and I want you to remember to tell David...Mr. Lassiter, thank you for being so good to us.”

  He nodded so vigorously his cowlick bobbed up and down.