Whispers in the Wind

by Veronica Giolli

  Victor had started to take a bite of hamburger but stopped with it in midair. “No shit. How’d you figure it out?”

  “Well, I always knew my real father’s name was Jerry. We went over to Frank Allen’s house ’cause my mom wants to know about the party, and what they knew about Gina. Gerald works with Frank and he came over for lunch. He and my mother went steady when they were young and she lived here in Reno. But they broke up before I was born. She married Barry, and he adopted me when I was little. He’s a great dad and I love him. He has my heart.”

  “So, how’d you find out?” he repeated.

  “I saw the birthmark on his neck. It’s identical to mine, and in the same place.”

  “Wow. You got all that?”

  “Yeah, just because of my neck.”

  “Oh, I saw your birthmark the other day when you had your hair pushed behind your ear. It’s different, a perfect triangle. I like it. It’s weird, both of you having the same one.”

  “Yeah. So when I asked my mom if he’s my dad, she got all upset but admitted it. Listen to this, then he came over to my house and confronted her. Turns out, he didn’t know either.”

  “Wow! That’s some heavy shit. What did your mom say?”

  “She had a lot to say. Suppressed anger, I guess. When I was young all she ever told me was his name was Jerry, and she didn’t know where he lived. So the story goes. When she thought she might be pregnant, she told him and he threw a fit. Said he didn’t want any kids, ever. They broke up and he took off for parts unknown, and later, when she found out for sure she was pregnant she never told him.”

  “It put your mom in a hard place.”

  “Yeah, I guess. I’ve never seen her so upset. She read him the riot act.”

  “Sounds like you should call and see how she is. Talk to her. She did what she could, you know, and you already have a great dad. You’re lucky; you have two dads. I didn’t even have one. Mine cut out when I was born. He didn’t want my mom or me.”

  “Like Jerry, I guess. I’m sorry. Was it hard on you?” she asked.

  “I’m fine. As a kid I didn’t notice. It was hard on my mom, though. In a way, I understand your mom’s decision. He said he never wanted children, so she was protecting you.”

  Rita thought about that. “Will you excuse me? I’m going to look for a pay phone.”

  Victor smiled at her. “Good.” He went to work on his hamburger.

  Rita hurried down the hall to find a pay phone. She spotted it outside the restrooms, pulled some change from her purse, and dropped it in the coin slot. She dialed her home number, but hung up on the first ring. Mom’s used to hang-ups. She won’t think anything of it. “I don’t know if I want to call her right now,” she whispered. When the coins clinked into the coin drop she slid them out with two fingers and pushed them into her jeans pocket.

  Victor had paid the check and was waiting by the door. “Everything all right?”

  “Yeah, fine.”

  He drove Rita back to the salon. As she started to get out, he touched her arm. “Thank you for today. I had a good time. Hope you’ll feel better. And … uh … take it easy on your mom, okay?”

  “It was nice. Thanks. And I do feel better.” But she was still ticked off at her mom.

  He got out of the truck and came round to open her door. They studied each other a moment and then, as he took her hand to help her out, she blushed and dropped her eyes.

  At her car they hugged before saying goodbye.

  On her drive home, she thought about her situation with her mother and what she should do. She couldn’t change the past but she could get to know Jerry—Gerald. She didn’t even know what to call him … Dad? … No, she didn’t think she could do that. Barry was Dad. What would she say to Sunny?

  THURSDAY EVENING

  Sunny called Barry, both at work and at home, but he didn’t answer. She was on the couch petting Floyd when Rita walked in. Sunny watched her daughter pass by en route to her room without speaking.

  Sunny laid her head in her arms on the table and let the tears run down her cheeks. Her body shook as she sobbed.

  A few minutes later Rita touched her shoulder. “Mom? I don’t know what to say or how I feel toward you right now. I’m still mixed up. I feel a little betrayed. Well, a lot betrayed. I don’t like seeing you hurt, but we’re all hurt.”

  Sunny reached for the tissues. “I knew in my heart that Gerald wouldn’t be there for us.”

  “I thought about what you said. Gerald told you he never wanted kids. You protected me from being hurt and gave me nothing but love. You’re a great mom and my best friend. This is going to take some time. I’m in a hard place right now.”

  Rita helped her mom up and gave her a rigid hug.

  “I guess I’ll have dinner with Jerry—Gerald—tomorrow and see what happens. I love you, Mom, and I don’t want this to come between us. You’ll have to give me some time.”

  Sunny was surprised. “The way you talked to Gerald showed me a mature side of you. I’m sorry too, and I love you. I promise I won’t interfere.” I hope Barry forgives me.

  The phone rang and Sunny snatched it. Maybe it was Barry. All she heard was the buzz of the dial tone. She tossed it down. “Damn it, I’m sick of this.”

  It rang right away again. This time Rita answered it. “What!” she yelled in frustration. This time it was Victor.

  “Oh. Sorry. Did you just call?”

  “No, this is my first time. I wanted to see how you’re doing and thank you for today. I guess I caught you at a bad time.”

  “I’m much better. Thanks. It was just what I needed. It’s the hang-ups we keep getting. It’s been too much.”

  “I’m sorry; that’s a pain.”

  “Didn’t mean to holler at you.”

  “How about going again on Saturday? We can drive to Hidden Valley and hike up the mountain that overlooks the city.”

  “Well, I don’t know. Saturday is my busiest day. I also have to make sure my employees have all their supplies for the following week. I’ll have to let you know.” She ended the call.

  Rita whirled around and faced her mother. Her voice was excited, her face all smiles. “Do I have something to tell you!”

  Again, another ring, and Sunny started for it, but Rita grabbed it. Sunny waited, watching, hoping it was Barry.

  “Hello? Hi, Gerald,” Rita looked at Sunny. “Good, tomorrow night at Harrah’s Steak House.” Rita rubbed the back of her neck. “Okay, I’ll meet you there. Six-thirty … All right, see you then.”

  “I guess I can tell what that was about. You’re going to dinner with Gerald.”

  “Yes, but more important, I want to tell you about today.” The tea kettle whistled on the stove. Rita reached for two mugs and poured the boiling water. She put in two tea bags and continued. “Victor called me at work. He wants me to go hiking with him again. We went to Windy Lake today and hiked for a few hours. Listen to this; I kept falling down a hill.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “We had a conversation about Gina and how she wouldn’t move in with him. He wanted to help her get away from Jesse. She decided not to, though. To live with just the boys. I slipped, and he made a grab for me. I felt like such a klutz, not only once, but twice.”

  Sunny leaned in close. “Wha … what did he say?”

  “He kept trying to grab me. It was my own clumsiness. Plus, I was still upset from this afternoon.”

  “He kept trying to grab you? Sounds like a teenager.” She laughed, then turned serious. “Be careful, you could hurt yourself in those hills.”

  “Listen, right after I fell the first time, I slipped again and he caught me and we both fell.”

  “What’s going on with you two?”

  “When he’s close I feel nervous.”

  Sunny shrugged and sipped her tea. “Sounds like attraction to me.”

  “Mom! No, we’re getting to know each other. We have Gina in common. That’s all.”<
br />
  “Sure. And those drop-dead good looks of his don’t hurt.” Sunny half smiled.

  So did Rita. “By the way, they weren’t lovers; just good friends.” Her mother’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh?”

  “Yeah. He just wanted to help her get out of her bad marriage. He felt bad for her and her boys.” Rita finished her tea and stood. “I’m worn out. ’Night.” She hugged her mother and went to her room.

  Sunny rose and picked up the receiver to call Barry again, but still there was no answer. She felt numb.

  CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

  At six o’clock, after a long day of paperwork and that disturbing call from Sunny, Barry locked his office door. On his way out of the building, he spotted his friend Ed. “Hey, how about a beer at The Corner?”

  “Sure, but I can’t stay too late. My ole lady is putting the screws to me. I don’t want to deal with her when she’s pissed off.”

  They shared a knowing chuckle and walked along the marble floors that echoed their footsteps in the Hall of Justice. Barry pushed the gold-plated double glass doors open and they took the stairs two at a time. The Corner Bar was what the name implied: a small, semidark place at the corner, where lawyers, judges, and courthouse and social services employees hung out.

  Initially, Barry and Ed ordered their usual—Coors. Then Barry changed his to a gin and tonic, double lime.

  Ed turned and looked at him. “Whoa, buddy, what’s been eating you today? I heard you barking at your assistant. You’ve been grumpy as an ole alley cat.”

  “Sorry. Just personal, I have to work out something.”

  “Well, if I can help …”

  “Thanks.”

  Each had a couple more. Then Ed stood. “I better go before the ole lady sends out the troops.” He patted Barry’s shoulder and left.

  While Barry sat nursing his third gin and tonic he noticed the woman a couple of stools down staring at him. He raised his glass in acknowledgment.

  She picked up hers and scooted down to the stool vacated by Ed. “Hi. I know this sounds like a pick-up line, but you look familiar.”

  “I come here a lot.”

  “No, I don’t come here often. I usually go to the Bar Grand at Market and Van Ness, with the gals from work. Do you know it?”

  “Yeah. Sure,” he said.

  “My name’s Lisa. You?”

  “Barry. You work around here?”

  “I’m a fraud investigator with Social Services.”

  “Really? So is my wife. Do you know Sunny Davis?”

  “Sure.” Lisa snapped her fingers. “That’s where I’ve seen you. Your picture is on her desk.”

  Barry smirked. “Small world.”

  “I heard what happened to her friend. What was her name?”

  “Gina.”

  “Sorry. Is Sunny home yet?”

  “No. When we got there, things didn’t seem right.”

  “You went too?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Is that why you look so sad and distracted?”

  He held up his glass. “Another?”

  “Sure, if you’re having one.”

  After a couple more gin and tonics things started to loosen up between them.

  She put her hand on his arm, slurring her words. “You have somm … hard bi … ceps. You work out a lot?”

  Barry pulled away and ordered another round. He smiled. “Nahh,” he lied. “Not really. Jus’ natural.”

  “You must be lone … ly by now. I can fix that. How about we go somm … where else?”

  Barry watched her and lit a cigarette. “You live around here?”

  “Surr … Taxi can take us there in a hot minute. Come on. What do ya say?”

  “Let’s go.”

  He knew he shouldn’t, but he was so mad at Sunny. If she lied about Gerald, what else was she lying about? He put on his blue parka, the one Sunny hated, and asked the bartender, whose frown telegraphed disapproval, to call them a taxi. He helped Lisa with her coat and held her arm. They staggered out to the curb as the taxi pulled up. Lisa got in and Barry reached in his pocket and pulled out a twenty.

  He held the door open and looked at the seat next to her. Shaking his head, he took a step back and mumbled, “Sorry, I can’t.”

  She reached for his arm. “What? We’re going to my place. What’s wrong?”

  “I’m already in the doghouse. I need to fix the problem, not make it worse. Here’s money for the taxi.”

  “Shove it. I don’t want your damn money.” She tapped the taxi driver on the shoulder. “Get the hell away from me.”

  Barry went back into the bar and ordered a beer.

  The bartender pressed his lips tight and shook his head. “This is your last one. I’m cuttin’ you off.”

  “Okay.” He thought again about how angry he was at Sunny, and how he’d never lost control before. He’d almost gone home with that woman. That scared the crap out of him. It would destroy his marriage.

  Shit, I’m drunk.

  He wasn’t too drunk to know they needed to talk this thing out, but should he tell Sunny about tonight? If Lisa blabs I’m screwed.

  He put his half-full beer on the bar with a tip and walked out into the night.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  LATE THURSDAY NIGHT

  Sunny sat at the table trying to put the shredded papers together. Once again she was going to try to get a hold of Barry. To her surprise, he answered immediately.

  “Hello-o.”

  Sunny knew all too well, by the slurred greeting, where he’d been, and decided to delay a heavy conversation. “Can we talk tomorrow?”

  “Grrr … eat. Now’s not a good time.”

  “I see that. All right. Call you tomorrow.”

  Barry slurred. “I was a good boy. Ha ha.”

  “Barry? What the hell does that mean?”

  No response.

  “He’s passed out. I gave him a reason to drink. But that doesn’t make it okay.” Disappointed and pissed, she placed the receiver in its cradle.

  She’d been sure he’d go out drinking. Every time they had a problem he went straight for the bottle. She doodled on her tablet. Maybe a separation or a divorce would be the right thing. But she loved him. Maybe this time she really had hurt him, but she refused to take all the blame.

  FRIDAY MORNING

  Sunny was in the kitchen, fixing bacon and French toast when Rita came in and hugged her mother. It felt to Sunny like things were back to normal. She wasn’t used to Rita being mad at her.

  Rita poured herself a coffee. “Bacon and coffee; a good way to wake up.” She picked up Floyd, got his dish, and fed him.

  Sunny smiled and couldn’t help asking, “Are you excited about your dinner tonight with Gerald?” She placed Rita’s breakfast in front of her.

  “Not excited. More nervous and curious. I want to call Dad and talk to him first.”

  Me too, thought Sunny.

  “You know, remember I told you Victor and Gina weren’t in love, more like friends and confidants. He was trying to help her. I keep thinking about that.” Finished with her breakfast Rita put her dishes in the dishwasher.

  “Mmm … What does that mean to you?” She looked at Rita.

  Rita grabbed her purse and blew a kiss at her mom. She smiled, shook her head, and left.

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Sunny was busy getting together everything she needed to once again go over what had happened at Jesse and Gina’s party: her notebook and the piece of cardboard with bits of paper attached. She pondered over her notebook first. Everything she could think of was already there: Jesse’s story; Victor’s explanation; and Patty’s, Frank’s, and Helen’s versions.

  The papers wrapped in the tissue caught her eye. It didn’t make sense to her why these would be torn up and tossed in a wastebasket where anyone could find them. Of course, they wouldn’t have caught her eye if she hadn’t bumped it with her knee, knocking them out.

  She also noted the hang-ups, the
car-ramming, Rita’s tire-slashing, the dead roses. She felt sure Eva was responsible, but needed solid evidence. What else had Eva done? So many things had happened in the past few days that they’d forgotten to go to the police station to file a harassment report. She’d have to remind Rita.

  The phone rang, startling Sunny. “Hello.” It was Rita. “Hi, I was just thinking of you. We never filled out the police report.”

  Rita’s voice sounded rushed to Sunny. “Mom—I had a break in.”

  Sunny took a breath, then plopped down in the chair. “What? When? Are you all right?”

  “Yes. They came in through the bathroom window. I guess it was left unlocked.”

  “I thought it was mandatory every night to check all the windows. What was vandalized? Was anything taken?”

  “They made a mess, no money taken. They spilled two bottles of hair color and tipped over chairs and knocked brushes and combs on the floor. Nothing damaged, just messy.”

  Sunny dug in her purse for a cigarette but came up empty. “Good. Easy cleanup. Can I come down and help you?”

  “No. The police are almost done.”

  “That was quick. Make sure you fill out a report and tell them about all the other things.”

  “I will,” said Rita.

  “Okay, honey. Call if you need me, and please be careful.”

  She hung up, thinking about Madam Carmen’s warning. They’d been lucky, so far. No one had been hurt.

  Sunny went and showered. Then out to the kitchen table, to write and finish with the papers. She thought she knew what she had. But the evidence had to be clear-cut. Her findings had to be correct and convincing She kept busy as the hours dwindled away.

  Rita came in and threw her purse and coat on the chair, then plopped down with her legs stretched out. “Wow, what a day.”

  She proceeded to tell her mom about what had happened at the salon, including the tipped-over chairs. “Even the brushes and combs were thrown on the floor. There’s a tiny crack in the display case. We got it all cleaned up but it took us over an hour. I’m bushed.”

  “Sounds like someone had a temper tantrum.”

  Rita shrugged and forced a grin.

  “You look exhausted. Are you going to be able to go to dinner with Gerald?”