Conflicts of the Heart (5 page)

Time, once again, to start playing the
nicey-nicey crap. Thank God, Dana never knew how she felt. I should have been an actress. She chuckled. Move over Julia Roberts.

She grabbed her purse and the bottle of wine and headed up to the second floor, knocked and waited, planting a great big smile on her bronzed face.

The door opened and she nearly fell through the floor. Simply put, Dana was beautiful. She had aged well, better actually than most women. The least she could have done was gain a few pounds, or sprout a couple of wrinkles, but no, she was stunning, not even a laugh line. Cripes.

“You're blond
e,” Dana squealed.

“You've cut your hair.
”

“You're so thin.”

“You too. May I come in, or are you just going to ogle me?”

Dana hugged her, accepted the bottle of wine, and dragged her into the living room.

“I can't believe it's you.” Dana stepped back, looking her up and down. “I never would have recognized you on the street. A blonde Italian.”

“Let's just say I'm hiding my roots.”

They laughed as they used to in their younger days when almost anything could send them into gales of laughter. “Got fed up with the mousy look and mustered the nerve to do what you'd always told me to do. I got tired of living in someone else's shadow.” She poked Dana in the ribs with her elbow and winked. “Like you, for one.”

Dana raised an eyebrow.

“Just kidding.” She smiled, but she wasn't kidding. “You look sensational. I've never seen you with your hair short. I never liked short hair, but it looks great on you.” She sculpted the tips of Dana's brown hair with the palm of her hand. “Beautiful.”

“How’d you find out I was back in town?” Dana led her to a worn floral, overstuffed couch.

“Patrick Mitchell told me over drinks more than three weeks ago.”

“So, you know Patrick?”

She chuckled. “Cute, isn't he?”

Dana didn't answer, merely gestured her to sit. For the longest time, Dana just stared, making her a bit uncomfortable.

“You’ve metamorphosed, like a moth from a chrysalis. Maybe it’s your turn to get me into the social whirl.”

She glanced around, studying Dana's apartment.
These digs aren’t a bit flashy. With this new high-powered position at Templeton, this place should have put her more elegant condo to shame.
Teal intended to find out Dana’s story.

“I just can’t get used to your new style.” Dana clasped Teal’s hands.

“I changed it years ago.”

“I understand you're working for a union too. Something else you said you’d never do. Here, I expected to find you married with a house full of kids.”

“I'm twice divorced. Now I'm a career girl.”

“Twice?”

“That's right. Both beautiful, both bastards, both useless and no kids from either one.”

“Only you would find humor in divorce. I guess you've had your fill of marriage?”

“Nope. I'll do it until I get it right. That's why I took this job with two eight one. I decided I was going to have to look out for
moi.
You're divorced too. Going for a second?”

She shook her head. “Once is enough.”

A picture of handsome Joel Claiborne flashed across Teal's mind. What she wouldn’t do to get her hands on him. She changed for the better. He might find her more fascinating than he had in her ugly duckling days. Joel made sure he surrounded himself with the pretty ones. “Another woman?” She showed more interest than she should have.

“No! Our son is autistic. Joel wanted Michael in an institution and I wanted to keep him. You know the old saying, `Never the twain shall meet.'”

Teal leaned in. “You poor baby. You must have gone through hell.”

“I'm okay now. Joel made sure I'd be broke for the next few years,
but other than that, I'm doing just fine.”

This tale of woe got more fascinating by the minute.
So dear old Joel stuck it to her. “That's why the pitiful digs?”

“Teal!”
Then Dana laughed. “You never were one to mince words. Guess that’s one of the things I missed most about you.”

“Sorry. You know I
calls ‘em as I sees ‘em. Lack of funds brought you back to Ashton?”

“I wanted to return home, see you, some of my other friends.” She paused. “See if I can patch things up with Mom.”

“Where’s your son?”

Affection warmed Dana’s smile.
“In his room, learning how to use his iPad.”

“May I meet him?”

“After we have some snacks and a glass of that wine you brought.” Dana got up and headed for the kitchen. “Come help me.”

She followed. “Do you always leave him alone like that?”

“He’s quite content with his new toy. They say the new apps are great for kids with autism. He has a little trouble with strangers. We’ll check on him in a while.”

Moments later, they were back in the living room, on the couch, laughing over old times. For a moment, she forgot how jealous she was of Dana. The woman had many qualities about her that she loved. She needed to get a grip on her feelings and forget the past. After all, Dana had tried to help her, and now she felt on equal footing.
“Too us.” She lifted her glass.

“To us.”

Teal sipped the silvery liquid. A warm glow spread through her. If she played her cards right, maybe she had a new chance at Templeton. “Listen, girlfriend, the unions are giving a picnic for management day after tomorrow. It's a kind of get-to-know-each-other-outside-the-work-place thing. We’ll have a lot of fun. Patrick and I would like you to come.”

Dana set her glass down on the blemished coffee table. “What a nice thing to do. In the Bay Area, you couldn’t fraternize with the union. That's one of the things that I like about being back in a small town. I'd love to come. Can I bring anything?”

“Just your beautiful self.”

“You seem to know Patrick well. What's he like?”

She tilted her head, pursed her lips. “He's what you call a dedicated union man, and I'd love to get him and PNA out of Templeton.” She wanted to ask Dana for her help. She needed to find a way, but the timing had to be right. “The only way I'll see Patrick out is if he bungles this contract. I’m counting on you, girl.”

“Does Patrick have family here?” Dana changed the subject.

“No. He's divorced, has a daughter in New York. His dad was a hard-nosed union man. Killed by strike busters back in the ‘bad old days.’ I think Patrick wants to be just like him.”

“So I'm going to have my hands full with him?”

Teal gave out a throaty laugh. “I've never sat across from him at the negotiating table, but I've heard he's kept Templeton on its knees. Last year they almost had a strike. If he's shoved against the wall again this year, he just might do the unimaginable and call for that strike. Do you now how horrible that is for a hospital? Makes me shudder just thinking of it. Show me the rest of your apartment and introduce me to your son.” She finished her wine and jumped to her feet.

At the end of the dark, narrow hallway, Dana opened a bedroom door. Teal peeked in over Dana’s shoulder. Michael sat with his
iPad on his lap, rapidly sliding his fingers over the screen.

“My boss bought the
iPad for Michael after seeing a story on 60 Minutes. This is Teal, Michael.” He didn't look up. Dana glanced over her shoulder at Teal and shrugged. “His communication skills are limited, but when he gets to know you, he’ll respond.”

Why hadn’t Dana put this boy in a home? An uncomfortable feeling swept through her. Her only exposure to autism came from stories on TV. She could have saved her marriage and had a life. Bet old, weird Margaret wouldn’t put up with this grandson. “Why are you doing this?”

“He’s my son. I have no other option. Besides, Michael has a chance. If he’s treated properly, he can have a life.”

To cover her discomfort, Teal said, “Let's see the rest of the place.”

“There's not much to see. My bedroom and it's a mess. I haven't unpacked everything yet.” She opened the door, flicked on the light. Unpacked boxes were everywhere.

”Let's have a moving-in party.
Teal clapped her hands together. “I'll get the rest of the wine, and we can put this stuff away. Then when your next guest arrives, you won't have to make excuses.”

“Oh no.”
Dana groaned. “I'll do it later.”

“Like hell you will. Come on. What's a sister for if she can't help. You start.” She headed out to the living room to retrieve the wine and glasses.
Hey, this is okay. I’m having a pretty good time, after all. Dana has mellowed, and, look at this place. The dregs. I just love it.
She almost felt sorry for her. Knowing how proud Dana used to be. No staff parties in this dump.

An hour later, she sat on the floor, surrounded by shoeboxes and feeling a little tipsy from the second bottle of wine Dana had produced. “Want me to line these up on the closet floor?”

“Great,” she said over her shoulder. “I'll be finished with these books in a few minutes and then I'll help you.”

“How do you like working for Hargrove?”

Dana stopped and turned. Her face lit up. “He’s great.” She paused. “Promise you'll keep a secret?”

With a finger, she made a zipping motion across her lips. “Like old times, girl.”

“Gil's retiring in two years.” Dana broke into a childlike giggle. “He's grooming me for administrator. Can you believe it?” Dana knelt beside her and hugged her.

She shrank inside. Jealousy shot through her like a speeding bullet.
Another Dana success story. Just when she was having fun. Get a grip. She sucked in a deep breath and counted to five to get the jolt under control. Then, like always, she buried her feelings and smiled. “I'm so excited for you. You'll be able to put all this behind you and never have to worry financially again.”

“My worries will be greater with all that responsibility.”

Again, she fell into a sudden depression. She wanted to leave before she said something she'd be sorry for later. Dana, the Golden Girl. Always got her man. Always got the job. Whatever she went after, she got without a struggle, while Teal wasted away in her shadow. Why’d Dana have to come back to Ashton? Teal finally clawed her way up the ladder and made something of herself on her own. Now this--competing again. Damn her! “You deserve this, honey.” She sounded syrupy, overdoing it. She hated herself when she felt jealous, then kissed up like that, but no matter how hard she tried, she had no way of controlling those feelings. “Well… Let's finish this job and then we can celebrate your new success.”

She forced herself to finish lining the beautiful shoes side by side on the closet floor. She wanted to take Dana's damn shoes and smash them.
The last box had tape around it. She took the utility knife from the nightstand and cut it open. Inside were stacks of paper. “What do you want with these?”

“Strange.” Dana moved over next to her. “I thought I just packed shoes in these boxes.” As she leafed through the contents, her face paled. She picked up the box and put the lid back on.

“What’s going on?” Teal had uncovered something important that made Dana blanch.

“It’s nothing,” she stammered. “They’re just some old canceled checks and receipts.”

Dana clutched the box to her breast, holding onto it like a gold brick. Teal could barely contain herself. She had to know the importance of that shoebox. “You sure you don’t want to talk about this?”

“Believe me. It’s nothing you’d be interested in.”

The woman lied through her teeth. Every vessel in her neck puffed out. Teal used a loving and comforting tone. “Dana, dear. Did you forget all the years that we told each other everything there was to know? Don’t you remember how good it felt to have someone to confide in?”

Dana nodded. Her eyes filled. “God, I do need to talk to someone.”

She took the shoebox from Dana, set it on the floor, and laid an arm around her shoulder. “Tell me.”

With a swipe of her hand, Dana wiped the tears from her eyes. She hesitated a moment. “You have no idea what Joel’s put us through. He lied to the judge during the divorce hearings.
Made sure I had to pay most of the bills since I had the steady income. The worst part was his giving up on Michael. I swore our last day in court, some day, somehow, I’d make sure the world knows what kind of bastard he is.”

This time Teal felt her eyes widen in disbelief. “Joel Claiborne did that to you? He doesn’t sound like the same man I knew.”

“He’s no good.” She patted the shoebox. “I have enough ammunition in here to take him back to court and get my life straightened out.”

“Looked like just a bunch of old papers to me.”

“They’re canceled checks, invoices, and receipts he omitted from his previous year's tax return. You want to see what’s inside?” She took the top off and leafed through the papers.

“The movers took everything from my closet. This shoebox was stored along with all my other things. I’ll bet Joel forgot, just as I did, I had even kept them. I didn’t take any of the furnishings or other valuables he loved so much. I just wanted out with Michael and our personal belongings. After all, I was starting over, and for real.
From the ground up.”