by Kristy Tate
“He’s really cute, but that’s a jerk-move,” the brunette said to the blonde and redhead.
The other girls nodded in agreement.
“But I’d forgive him,” the redhead said.
“Would you forgive him if he started dating your sister?” Darby demanded.
“I don’t have a sister,” the redhead said.
“I do,” the blonde said, “but she’s twelve, so no, I couldn’t forgive him.”
“This isn’t about me and him,” Darby told the girls. “He doesn’t like me!”
“But I did,” Benjamin said. “Until you were too busy to see me.”
“This is not what happened,” Darby insisted. “It’s like an alternate reality, some fairytale that you’ve come up with to make you feel better about your jerk-i-tude. This has nothing to do with my work.”
He cocked an eyebrow and held out his hand. “Prove it. Dance with me.”
“I’ll dance wif you!” the redhead said, and she pulled off her apron.
“I’m next,” the blonde said.
“I’m not getting left out,” the brunette said.
Benjamin laughed and held out his arms and the girls looped their arms around his. The four of them left the room, laughing, and leaving Darby with a sink full of dirty dishes.
Darby stuck her hands back into the water and scrubbed at the dishes, trying to remove the sting of Benjamin’s words. Was it true? Did she hide behind her work? Had Benjamin been more interesting when an ocean separated them? Had she been interested in Chad because he was safe? Not only had he had a girlfriend when she first met him, but he’d lived three hours away—too far for any sort of real relationship to ever develop. As she threw herself into cleaning the kitchen, these thoughts itched like a tickle between her shoulder blades demanding a scratch.
#
With the music playing and dozens of conversations floating through the air, Chad couldn’t overhear Benji and Darby’s conversation, but he could see them in the kitchen. Benji seemed to be imploring her for something. Good, they deserved each other. He stood, jammed his hands into his pockets, and sauntered closer to the wide-open kitchen door. He strained to listen but overheard another sort of argument, this one coming from the other side of the bougainvillea.
“Barry!” Nora’s voice bordered on panic. “I said stop!”
“Come on,” Barry slurred, “what’s a little kiss among friends.”
Chad strode around the hedge and quickly assessed the situation. Before Barry could plant his puckered lips on Nora’s distressed face, Chad gripped his shoulders and spun him around.
Barry whirled away from him, stumbled, but then caught himself before he fell on his butt. He narrowed his eyes at Chad and pulled himself upright. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing.” Chad’s lips curled when the scent of wine rolled off of Barry.
Cole appeared, took one look at Nora’s face, and took her in his arms.
“Are you alright?” Cole asked.
Nora muttered a reply.
“This will not happen again,” Cole said in a steely voice.
“Nothing happened!” Barry pointed a shaky finger at Chad’s chest. “Or nothing was happening until this baboon pounced me!”
“Nora?” Cole pulled away from her, stared into her eyes, and used his thumb to wipe a tear from her cheek.
Nora sniffed.
“Come on, Barry,” Chad said, clasping his hand around Barry’s bicep. “I want you to show me something.”
“I don’t have to show you anything!” Barry shook himself free, bobbled on the dew-soaked grass, and fell to one knee with a stunned expression.
“Yeah, I think you do.” Chad retook possession of Barry’s arm, hauled him to his feet, and propelled him toward the locker room. He shot Cole a questioning glance over his shoulder, but Cole only had eyes for Nora. “Especially if you want to keep your job.”
“My job? Screw this job!” Barry said.
“You might feel differently in the morning—or on Monday. Or when you find yourself without a job or a place to live.”
Barry stumbled alongside Chad, looking dejected and yet defiant. “Where we going?”
“I want you to show me what’s in your locker.”
Barry’s eyes narrowed and cut away from Chad. “I don’t have a locker.”
“There’s just one locker in the boys’ room with a combination lock on it. I believe it’s yours. I want to see inside.”
“Why? What’s it to you?” Barry shuffled his feet.
Chad shook Barry’s arm. “You have a problem.”
Barry laughed. “You think I have just one? I got lots of problems.”
“And not one of them can be solved by over-drinking.”
“I’m not over-drinking.” Barry gave an ugly laugh. “I don’t even have a drink in my head.”
“I think you mean hand,” Chad said. Their feet shuffled across the concrete until they reached the locker room door. Chad pulled it open and pushed Barry inside and toward the locker he’d spotted earlier. “Unlock it!” he demanded.
“Why should I?” Barry’s shoulder bounced against the bank of lockers, his knees buckled, and he sank onto the bench.
“Because if you don’t, I’ll make sure you’re suspended.”
Barry didn’t move but kept his eyes focused on Chad’s knees.
“And if you do, and if it’s full of booze—like I think it is—I’ll make sure you not only keep your job but get the help you need.”
Barry lifted his tortured eyes to meet Chad’s. “How do you know what kind of help I need?”
“I don’t, but I know we can find someone who will. There’s no shame in asking for help.”
#
“Thank you so much,” Irena said, drawing Darby into a hug. “I think this has to be our most successful fundraiser weekend ever and you pulled it all off on such short notice!”
Darby, despite her cramped toes and achy legs, flushed with the praise. She felt strong, good, and empowered by the weekend’s success. But as she caught a glimpse of Chad striding across the patio with Barry Sprog in tow. Benjamin’s words floated back to her: Tonight it’s the dinner and dishes, but tomorrow it might be a stack of tax returns. Either way, it’s the same thing—you’re too busy to enjoy your life. Was he right? Was she successful in the outward things, but not so much in the intimate details?
Irena grabbed Darby’s hands and leaned away from her. “Have you thought about becoming a professional event planner? You are a natural.”
Irena’s words caught her off guard. “Oh no, I couldn’t…”
“Why not?”
“It’s not steady work, is it? It’s a boom or bust business—totally unreliable. That’s the beauty of numbers. They’re concrete.”
Irena’s expression looked doubtful. “Well, it’s just an idea.”
“Today has been fun,” Darby admitted.
“More fun than crunching numbers?”
“Of course, but work isn’t supposed to be just about having fun,” Darby said.
“It isn’t?” Irena laughed. “I love my job. I’m excited to go to school every single day.”
“Yes, but…”
“Can you say that about your job?”
Darby blew out a sigh. She did not want to have another conversation about her job!
Irena must have picked up on her frustration, because she said, “I guess I’m just being selfish. Of course you don’t want to ditch your job just so I can hire you to organize our fundraisers!”
The tension in Darby’s shoulders relaxed as Irena dropped her hands.
“As soon as all the monies have been tallied up, I’ll send your check. It should be in a day or two,” Irena said.
“No hurries.”
Benjamin sauntered across the patio. He had managed to ditch the girls that had surrounded him all night and he flipped his keys when he caught her eye. “You about ready to go?”
; Irena drew Darby in for a final hug before saying goodbye.
Darby bit her lower lip. Her earlier conversation with Benjamin had made her think about her relationship with Chad. She wasn’t ready to give up on it. Sure, he’d acted stiff and strange earlier, but he—and she—deserved another go. Besides, she was tired.
“You know, the thought of driving home tonight just about kills me,” Darby said. “I think I’ll stay the night with Nora if you don’t mind driving home on your own.”
“You sure?” Benjamin asked. “How will you get home?”
“Nora can drop me off at the train tomorrow. We’ve done it before.”
Benjamin didn’t look happy, but he didn’t argue. “Do you need me to take you to Nora’s?”
“No. She just lives over there.” Darby pointed at the copse of trees.
“In the woods?” Benjamin asked.
“No, a handful of the teachers live in cottages on the campus. Nora’s one of them.”
Benjamin frowned. “Let me walk you back.”
“Really, it’s not a big deal.”
“It’s dark, it’s late—let me be the man, for once.”
Darby grinned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to cheapen your manhood.”
Benjamin matched her smile and pace as she strode down the path that led to the cottages.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said earlier,” she told him. “That I hide behind my work. You may be right.”
“There’s no shame in loving your job.”
“But that’s the thing, I don’t love my job.” Darby pulled her sweater closer and fought the chill the swept through her. “I like helping people. And there’s a rush when I feel like my work has saved a failing company, but mostly…it’s boring. And so much of it is motivated by greed.” She slid him a glance. “How do you feel about your work?”
“The modeling—it pays the bills, but when I have an acting gig and I can really lose myself in my character—I lose myself. Does that make sense? For a short spurt of time, all my own problems and concerns flit away because I’m no longer me. I’m my character.”
When Darby shivered in the cold, Benjamin draped his arm around her. She leaned into his warmth.
“And as cool as that is,” he told her, “it can in no way compare to the high I get when I’m onstage in front of a live audience. I can’t even describe how it feels when a crowd of people laugh, or cry, or applaud because of something I said or did. And to get a standing ovation…it’s like a drug. I’m addicted to it.”
“I wish I felt like that about my job.”
“You should find something you love.”
They walked down the moonlit path, side by side, their shoes crunching on the gravel. “I don’t hate my job, it’s just…there aren’t standing ovations.”
“And you deserve standing ovations. Especially after what you pulled off today.”
“Thanks,” she said, flushing again from the praise. “It was fun.”
“More fun than accounting?”
“Yes, but a job isn’t about having fun,” she said for the second time that night. “I guess there’s a part of me that still believes that if something doesn’t hurt then it can’t be work.”
“That’s a grim philosophy,” Benjamin said as they drew near the cottage.
“Maybe, but it pays my bills.”
“Is this Nora’s?” He nodded at the dark cottage before them.
“No. This one actually belongs to a man called Barry Sprog.” She motioned at the cottage a little farther down the path. “That’s Nora’s.”
“Well, then my chivalrous duty is done. Good night.” He drew her in for a tight hug.
“Thanks, Benjamin, for everything.” Darby kissed him on the cheek and hurried for the warmth of Nora’s cottage.
#
“Canoodlers,” Barry growled.
“What?” Chad asked.
Barry pointed a finger at the pair standing in front of the cottage’s front window. “Canoodlers.”
Chad froze when he recognized Darby and Benji standing in the moonlight, locked in an embrace. “Damn it, Barry, where’re the lights in this place?”
“Lights?” Barry flopped onto the sofa. “Don’t need lights. I’m going to crash.”
Chad stared at Barry. The man had already closed his eyes and tipped back his head. He would probably be more comfortable in his bed, but Chad had no desire to take him there.
“I’ll just let myself out,” he told the inert Barry.
Barry snorted a response that didn’t sound like a thank you—which would have been in order since Chad had pretty much carried him home. Chad let himself out the same way they’d come in—through the back door. He paused on the porch because he didn’t want to run into Darby or Benjamin. He didn’t want either of them to see how much their embrace had hurt him.
Ninety years without slumbering
(tick, tock, tick, tock)
CHAPTER 14
Darby woke when Nora yipped in surprise.
“Sorry,” Darby mumbled, sitting up and pushing her curls off her face. “I guess I should have warned you. Do you mind?”
“That you’re sleeping my bed?” Nora laughed and sat down beside Darby. “No, I’m happy to not be alone.”
Darby peered at Nora in the semi-darkness and noticed the tell-tale signs of smeared mascara and red-rimmed eyes. “Oh, sweetie, what happened?”
Nora sniffed. “It was Barry Sprog. Again. I know I shouldn’t let him bother me, but…”
Darby draped her arm over Nora’s shoulder and drew her close. “You can’t work and live here with him.”
“I know. That’s what I told Cole. I just don’t feel safe.” She snuggled into Darby. “That’s just one of the reasons I’m glad you’re here.”
“What did Cole say?”
“That Barry needs help, blah, blah, blah. Can they find a new science teacher this late in the year, blah, blah, blah.”
“Ah, so Mr. Perfect isn’t quite so perfect anymore?”
“No, he is, but…I mean, I can see his hesitation, but I’m an adult and look how upset I am? What if Barry tried anything inappropriate with the girls?”
Darby nodded. “He needs help.”
“He shouldn’t be teaching if he can’t control his drinking.” Nora punched her pillow and flopped back onto it.
“What happened?” Darby settled onto the pillow beside her.
“He tried to kiss me. It wasn’t a big deal.”
Darby kicked her. “Don’t say that! It is too a big deal!”
“Yeah, I guess it is.” She shivered. “He’s creepy. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
Nora rolled onto her side so she could look into Darby’s face. “But why are you here?”
“I was tired.”
“Oh, and I’m keeping you awake.” Nora closed her eyes like she was going to go to sleep, but then asked, “Are you sure Chad doesn’t have anything to with your staying?”
“He absolutely does.”
Nora’s eyes flew open. “So, were you able to talk to him? Did you get things worked out?”
“We talked, but it was stilted and weird.”
Nora scrunched her lips together but closed her eyes again. “Maybe tomorrow will be better.”
“I hope so.” Darby stared at the ceiling and thought about Chad until she drifted off to sleep.
#
When Chad didn’t respond to her text the next day, Darby bucked up her courage and went to his house. She paused at the large metal gates. Of course, she should have remembered she couldn’t just walk up to the ranch. Someone would need to let her in. Her finger hovered with uncertainty over the intercom button. Bern would welcome her in, as would Cecelia, but what about Bernie or Elaine? Neither would be happy to see her.
She glanced over at the gatehouse and noticed Sally working in the yard. Their eyes met and Darby waved. Sally smiled back and came to lean over the fence.
“
Want me to let you in?” Sally asked.
Did she? Yes, that was why she was here, wasn’t it?
“Although, if you’ve come to see Chad, he’s not here.”
“Oh,” Darby said, wondering if she sounded as lame as she felt.
“He said he had to deliver some trash.” Sally giggled. “But then he had some guy in his car when he drove past.”
Some guy?
“I think it was the science teacher, Mr. Barry. My mom said something about his going to rehab. I guess Chad took him.”
#
The day before Thanksgiving, Chad got a call from Cecelia while he brushed Tyron. “Where are you?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “It’s Grandpa!” She hung up the phone.
Chad put down the brush and ran into the house. He found his sister leaning against their grandfather’s bedroom door.
“Dr. Jenkins is coming,” she said. “Grandpa thinks he had a heart attack.”
Chad moved to open the door, but Cecelia stopped him. “He doesn’t want to be disturbed. He said he wants to rest until the doctor gets here.”
Chad thought about picking his sister up and moving her out of the way but gave up with a resigned sigh. “Then why did you call me?”
“I thought you’d want to know,” she said.
“Of course I want to know,” Chad said through clenched teeth, but now that he knew, he didn’t know what to do about it. “I don’t feel right about leaving him alone. Did you call Dad?”
Cecelia shook her head. “He asked me not to.”
“Why not”
“He said he’ll see Dad and Elaine soon enough.”
Hopefully, that’s true. His grandfather was a fighter, but he was aging.
“Did you get everything we need for tomorrow?” Cecelia asked.
Chad nodded. He was to prepare the turkey in the smoker. His sister was preparing the potatoes, dressing, yams, and Paco and Maria were bringing pies. Chad’s parents wouldn’t be attending because they were cruising somewhere on the Pacific. At times like these, Chad missed his mom and grandmother with a painful ache. The thought of losing his grandfather so close to the holidays made him ill.