The Carolyn Chronicles, Volume 1

by Derek Ciccone

  “We get the point—what’s his name going to be?”

  “I’m getting to that,” she sighed. “I’m going to name him Nails, because he’s as tough as,” you guessed it, “Nails.”

  The party started, but Carolyn and Nails were in their own little world, and barely noticed. Dana brought out the cake, and they celebrated her graduation from kindergarten. They gave her a few gifts, but they all paled in comparison to the four-legged one.

  They took a group photo, which turned out much better than last time. Some folks were shooting off fireworks over the lake, and Carolyn pleaded to light sparklers.

  As she ran with the lighted sparkler, Nails by her side, Billy thought again of Hemingway. He was always big on symbolism. And the small torch she held in her hand was full of symbols. It represented the fiery past they experienced here at the cabin. And how their present had found its way out of darkness, the light returning to their lives.

  It symbolized a light of the future, which Carolyn held in her hands. Showing the way to better days.

  Billy also saw the danger she held. Danger she often ran toward, or in this case, ran with. But he knew that in a blink of the eye, a beautiful light could turn to fire, or worse yet, be extinguished.

  Fourth of July

  Chapter 27

  Billy just stared and watched. It was something he often did these days, when it came to his daughters. And he found himself in one of those fleeting moments that would be captured in his mind forever.

  The twins, now eight, and always reminding him that they will be turning nine later this summer, were taking turns diving into the pool, along with Carolyn. The cannonball seemed to be the dive of choice. Their smiles were as bright as the hot July sun, and their laughs echoed in his heart.

  This was their second summer together, as part of the deal he hammered out with his ex-wife, Kelly, and her current husband, the former senator, Oliver LaRoche. What they got out of it was Billy agreeing to keep his mouth shut about their role in stealing his children away in the first place, along with the details of that morning in Clarksville. But he’d come to realize that keeping one’s mouth shut sure left a bad taste.

  But moments like this made it all worth it. His eyes went to Maddie. She was the instigator, always plotting mischief. And she’d found Carolyn to be her perfect wing-girl, as she’d never met an adventure she wasn’t willing to jump into head first. But to do so, they had to avoid Maddie’s twin-sister, Anna, who was the voice of reason. Their contrast is what made them such interesting characters, who became the basis of his Peanut Butter & Jelly books.

  His attention returned to Carolyn, and he held his breath. She was running full speed along the slick pool deck with intent to perform a “belly flop.” He knew this because Maddie was chanting, “Bell-y-flop! Bell-y-flop!”

  Billy’s instinct was to shout out for her to slow down, warn her, reprimand, but he’d learned that it was no use. Once the engine started revving, there was no stopping her. Without the accountability of pain, she’d been conditioned to live fearlessly, and all they could do was hope for a safe landing.

  The ironic thing was that Dana had funded this pool on the Whitcomb’s property in New Canaan, for her safety. To help save Carolyn’s joints, as swimming was much easier on them than other physical activities, where she wouldn’t even know she was harming herself. But now the pool had become the epicenter of danger.

  The good news was that Carolyn seemed to be in a much better place since the trip to the lake over Memorial Day weekend, and the presence of Anna and Maddie was adding to it.

  Billy wanted to look away, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her as she launched herself into the pool like a small plane crash-landing on the water, her stomach hitting with a ferocious thud. Water splashed everywhere. That had to hurt, Billy thought … most people, anyway.

  When Carolyn came up for air, Billy took note that her joy was not just in the act itself, but that she’d impressed Maddie and Anna. While fears of physical pain would never be part of her mindset, her internal fears had grown this past year, especially after losing her mother. She was scared of losing people and held on tightly to them. She sought their approval more than when he’d first met her, as if that would somehow keep them connected.

  Billy felt a hand on his shoulder, and the smell of lilacs told him that it was Dana. “So is this one of those perfect moments you’re always talking about?” she asked.

  He looked to her, somehow making an outfit of khaki shorts and sandals, with a simple tank-top, look glamorous. “Now that you’re here it is.”

  She smiled brilliantly, and pulled out her phone. “I think I should capture the moment on Twitter … actually you’ll tweet about it.”

  This was Dana’s new kick—to get him more involved with social media. As his agent, she’d constantly remind him that he was an author now, not just a writer, and there were a lot more duties involved in that than just putting pen to paper, such as marketing.

  “If you’re the one that twitters or tweets, or whatever you call it, why don’t you just say it’s you?”

  “Because your readers want to hear from you, and make a personal connection with you. And nothing is less personal than an agent putting out messages for their client.”

  And then she did just that. She typed: The calm before the fireworks! Perfect Day!! #HappyBirthdayAmerica #IndependenceDayEve. And she attached a photo of the sun reflecting off the pool.

  Billy shrugged. “I’m pretty sure the only thing anyone wants to read from me is another Peanut Butter & Jelly story … not my musings on the weather … but you’re the expert.”

  “You can thank me later,” she said as they both looked at the pool in the distance, the laughs of the girls bouncing off the cloudless blue sky. “And perhaps I should be in charge other decisions in your life.”

  He was about to question what she meant, but her laser focus told him.

  “That’s really who you hired to babysit them?”

  He smiled, even though this wasn’t going to end well for him. “Two for the price of one, can’t beat it … especially since we need to save our money for the wedding.”

  Kaylee and Cassidy Scroggins were the college-age daughters of the famed music producer, Kat Scroggins. The Whitcombs were surrounded by the wealthy and celebrity in this swanky New Canaan neighborhood. And not surprisingly, Chuck and Billy stood out like a couple of sore thumbs.

  “And why do you need a babysitter anyway when you’re here to watch them?” Dana hammered like a prosecutor seeking a confession.

  “I said to my self, WWBD.”

  “Is that the radio station that Hawk works for?”

  “No, it stands for what would Beth do? Carolyn taught me it; something about instincts. And since I can’t watch them every minute, especially with having to set up for tomorrow’s party, I thought Beth would have thought ‘better safe than sorry,’ and hired backup. They were available last minute, and they’re certified lifeguards. I thought it was a home run hire.”

  “For the record, this is so not what Beth would do. And what lifeguards wear thong bikinis?”

  Billy waited. There was more to come.

  “If you’re waiting for me to make a comment about them coming cheap, I’m not … it’s too easy … sort of like Kaylee.”

  That sounded like a comment to Billy. And he was actually enjoying this. The last few months had become so stifling with wedding talk, and stress over house-hunting, that he’d missed their free-flowing banter, even if it wasn’t trending in his favor. His initial fears about repeating the past hadn’t dissipated over the last couple months, but moments like this gave him hope, reminding him who Dana was. And that she was much different from Kelly Klein, even if the eerie parallels had started to pile up.

  “You’re just jealous,” he tried to extend the moment.

  She made a sound of disgust. “Why would it bother me that you hired your former girlfriend, who’s prancing her perfect twenty-year-
old body around in a bikini made from dental floss? That’s obviously crazy talk. I’d totally be like the unhinged, clingy girlfriend to even think that.”

  “I wouldn’t exactly say she was my girlfriend.”

  “Okay, some hussy who had a one night stand with. Sorry not to make the distinction.”

  Kaylee, now entering her senior year at Duke, was Billy’s last venture to the dark side, before Dana entered the picture. It was one of the best night’s of his life, but not for the reason one might think. It led to his rock bottom, and the next morning, after Beth stood by him, he gave up alcohol, and started a new life. So it was a night to be celebrated, even if he doubted that Dana would see it that way.

  “And just so you know,” she continued. “This is how every Lifetime movie begins.”

  “I’ll take note, but I don’t see this being any different.”

  “Different than what?”

  “You invited the amazing and talented Dr. Soos to the party tomorrow.”

  “I didn’t invite him, Carolyn did.”

  “Oh, I’m sure he’s coming to see her.”

  “First of all, Donovan and I don’t know each other the same way that you and Kaylee do. As in, we’ve always had a firm ‘clothes on’ policy in our relationship.”

  “My point exactly—I barely know Kaylee. But you and the good doctor have a long history together. Childhood memories, inside jokes, similar backgrounds.”

  The latter was the thing truly eating at Billy.

  “I have good news for you—there won’t be time for us to rekindle our intimate childhood memories, since he’ll be here, while you and I will be attending the annual Boulanger Fourth of July bash in Greenwich.”

  This was news to Billy. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t act like I didn’t tell you. And when you uh-hum’d me like you do when you’re not listening, I asked again just to be sure.”

  Billy didn’t doubt her. During the constant wedding preparations, or viewing another potential house, he often tuned everything out and went into his own little world.

  “But I like the Whitcomb party—I go every year.”

  “You’ve been once.”

  “Maybe so, but it was fun, and there were people I could actually relate to.”

  She sighed. “Listen, Billy—if it was up to me, after the way they treated Beth, I would never go back there. But that just means they win. And if I’m not involved, then the money will go to line my brother’s pockets, and not to build wings in children’s hospitals. And my mother wouldn’t have been cool with that.”

  A fair point, but, “Can’t you do that without me?”

  She smiled. “I guess I could, but I don’t want to. I need you by my side tomorrow—you give me my strength, Billy Harper. And it’s not like there’s nothing in it for you.”

  “Now I’m intrigued.”

  “There’s going to be a lot of movers and shakers in the publishing world there, so it will be a good chance for them to get to know, Billy Harper thriller writer, as opposed to the children’s author of the same name. And I’ll have plenty of copies of your manuscript waiting to put in their hands.”

  He nodded his approval. “I like the way you think.”

  Her smile dimmed. “Speaking of manuscripts, I have something you might not like.” She handed him a copy of what looked like a typical bound document, but when he skimmed the cover page his eyes burned.

  “That son of a bitch. Where did you get this?”

  “I do work in the industry, if you haven’t forgotten. He’s been shopping it around—found its way into the hands of a fellow agent, a friend of mine.”

  Billy read the title once again and couldn’t believe it. “Redeeming Qualities” a book about the rise and fall, and eventual comeback of Senator Oliver LaRoche. He doubted that it mentioned anything about how Oliver and Kelly plotted to steal his daughters, while attempting to ruin him in the process. And he was sure it would shift any blame for what happened at the plantation, which played a role in losing his senate seat later that year … a rare good thing to come out of that day.

  “Why did you give this to me?” Billy asked.

  “I just wanted you to know that I’m always going to be on your side, even if you don’t think so some times. He’s obviously trying to do an image-makeover, and I’ve learned that when powerful people do that, you better be prepared, because they’re planning something. You should be on guard.”

  “Thanks,” he said, and handed the manuscript back to Dana like it was radioactive.

  “I guess I’ll let you return to your perfect moment,” she said, and began to stroll away. But Billy didn’t want it to end.

  “Wow—did we just have an entire conversation without discussing wedding plans or house hunting? Somebody alert the media.”

  Dana looked disappointed by the comment, but smiled through it. “You make me out to be some bridezilla, but our experience is no different than any of my friends’ weddings … and I should know, I was a bridesmaid eight times.”

  Her friends—people like her. From her world. He wished he hadn’t brought it up.

  Same with the house search. “I told Fern that we’d make a decision on whether to put in an offer on the Fairfield house by tomorrow night—she’ll be at the party,” Dana informed.

  Fern was their realtor, who Billy got the idea was as frustrated with the pace of the process as Billy was. “I just need to talk it over with the kids. I’m going to use the same system as the PB&J books—Anna gets the last word.”

  Dana smiled again. “If she says yes, then that will really be a perfect moment.”

  Chapter 28

  Billy called the kids. They jumped at his orders, and rushed out of the pool. He would have liked to think it was the result of deep-seeded parental respect, but he knew the rare moment of obedience was in regards to their next activity.

  The “lifeguards” were now off duty, and had taken up floating around the pool on blow-up rafts, while sipping drinks. They smiled and waved at Billy, who looked away before the beautiful but dangerous sirens lured the sailor to his doom, as often happened in Greek mythology. In Billy’s case, doom would be if Dana spotted him waving back at them.

  Carolyn approached him. Her brown hair had lightened in the summer sun, and the freckles around her nose were more pronounced.

  “Cassidy is really nice, can she come to the party tomorrow?” she asked.

  Maddie and Anna, now draped in towels, seconded.

  For the first time Billy was glad he wasn’t going to be there. “You’ll have to ask your dad, I’m not going to be there.”

  There was a time, not so long ago, when this would have sent Carolyn into a tantrum, reminding Billy that he promised they’d “stick together.” But when the twins were around, she barely noticed him.

  Billy looked at his watch. “You guys better hurry—we don’t want to miss the first competition.”

  All three literally hopped with excitement—they’d been talking about this since the twins arrived back in June.

  New Canaan Dog Days was a festival of sorts, a celebration of dogs, which included everything from contests to exhibitors to pet portraits, and so on. Professional trainers were there for tips on behavioral issues, and vets for medical advice. All proceeds went to a local pet rescue organization.

  It didn’t take the girls long. They returned momentarily, having changed out of their swimwear and into casual summer dresses, but proper footwear for hiking around hilly New Canaan Center. Their excitement hadn’t waned, and actually might have increased. In Carolyn’s case, perhaps she was too excited.

  Dana noticed it too. She walked to her, holding a glass of lemonade, then pretended as if she tripped. She spilled the drink all over Carolyn.

  “I’m so sorry, sweetie—are you okay?”

  “It hurt really bad,” Carolyn replied. The “can’t feel pain” jokes never got old … at least for Carolyn.

  Dana crouched down and i
nspected the damage she’d inflicted—a wet stain that stretched from chest to hips. “Can you just towel it off—we’re kind of in a hurry,” Billy played along.

  “No—she should change. Who wants sticky lemonade all over them on a hot day? It’ll just take us a minute.”

  Billy looked at his watch and blew out a frustrated breath. “Fine—just make it quick.”

  Pain is often a warning signal. And anyone who has ever been on a long distance ride without a bathroom in sight, could tell you about the pain involved when one’s bladder feels like it’s about to explode. But Carolyn doesn’t feel that sensation. And when she gets overly excited, like when she’s doing things with the twins, she forgets to go the bathroom, and she doesn’t have that “now or never” pain to serve as a final reminder. So she peed in her pants, just as she’d done when they took her to the American Girl Doll store in New York last fall. Today, Dana spotted it and saved her from any embarrassment.

  Carolyn soon returned in dry clothes, Nails by her side. She joined the twins and their dogs.

  Anna and Maddie bring their dogs with them for the summer, and seeing them last summer is what probably sparked Carolyn’s obsession with getting one of her own.

  Anna and Maddie had matching bulldogs, which were once mascots for Georgetown University, but they had a problem with stagefright during large crowds at basketball games and had to be replaced. Luckily, they were taken in by a former senator for his daughters—which made a really good photo-op—and renamed them in honor of his favorite former president, Ronald and Reagan. Billy was sure there’d be an entire chapter on it in LaRoche’s new book.

  Both Ronald and Reagan enjoyed running around the vast property this summer, and had made a new friend in Nails. They also had gotten over their stagefright, and now craved attention as much as the other kids and pets.