Moonstone (17 page)

“Okay, sure.” Joy knew she should have been paying better attention. She’d missed half of what Kelsey had said.

“And let me know how soon you want to get this going. I can have everything installed as soon as this weekend if you’d like. Or we could wait a few weeks…”

“This weekend sounds great.” She hoped Kelsey would think her eagerness was only about getting Alpine installed and not about seeing Kelsey again.

Closing time was five thirty but Chloe often left early to make it to her night classes and Helen always left as soon as she’d checked out the last patient. Nearly every night Denise and Joy stayed until six to finish up on paperwork. Joy imagined that her father had kept a similar routine and she wondered how well he’d come to know Denise because of this last half hour.

Since Kelsey’s call that morning, Joy had been alternately distracted with questions to ask Denise and with thoughts of Kelsey. She finished up the last of her patient notes and went to find Denise. She was in her office, which was little more than a hallway between the lounge and the restroom. As small as it was, she’d made the space meticulously her own. Chloe had joked that Denise would likely go postal if someone set a blue pen in her black ballpoint pen jar. Denise didn’t disagree.

Joy waited until Denise looked up. “Is Kelsey West gay?”

Denise grinned. “Yes. She is. And if I can guess your next question, yes, she’s single.” Denise powered down her computer and leaned back in her chair. “She asked about you too. Sometimes I think we should all wear lapel pins. Or bring back pinky rings.”

“She asked about me?”

Denise smiled. “She didn’t ask if you were gay. Only if you were single. I think she guessed you weren’t straight.”

“Only my dad couldn’t guess that.” Joy cleared her throat. She wanted to keep some degree of professionalism with Denise and didn’t need her guessing at her feelings toward Kelsey. But maybe she’d understand. Denise probably had a lot of practice hiding her own feelings at work. “Did my dad know about you?”

“He knew. He didn’t like it, but he knew.” Denise sighed. “So, we never talked about it. That was how Sam dealt with anything he didn’t like.”

“If you don’t talk about it, it doesn’t really exist,” Joy added. She thought about all the comments her dad had made over the years about Denise—everything from her not being the marrying type, to her not being concerned with what people thought, to not being likely to quit because she’d suddenly met a man and had to settle down to have children. He’d even defended the fact that she didn’t wear makeup by saying she clearly had enough self-esteem to not need it. Joy only remembered thinking that her father’s comments about Denise often sounded vaguely sexist, especially when he mentioned her frumpy appearance. Then he’d go on to say how happy he was to have Denise working for him and how he knew he was lucky that Denise was content at Moonstone when she could get better pay if she went to a bigger clinic.

“You know what he really didn’t like? One time I mentioned that I thought you were like me,” Denise admitted.

“When did you tell him that?”

“You were thirteen or fourteen. He was worried about you being the chaperone with your brother and a couple of his friends—all boys—to a movie. But he thought you were getting old enough that he’d need to worry about boys. I told him he had nothing to worry about with you and boys. If you were going to a movie alone with a girl, well…” Denise laughed. “He wouldn’t talk to me for a week after that comment.”

“I never came out to him,” Joy admitted. She felt a rush saying the words aloud. “Mom always seemed to know. She talked to me about my girlfriends and it was no big deal. But with my dad, well, we never talked about anything that wasn’t about school or work…”

“He knew.”

Joy leaned against the wall. “I always guessed that he did. But I couldn’t face up to him. About anything.”

“I never stood up to my parents either. They wouldn’t listen no matter how many times I told them about the women in my life so I finally gave up. I’d smile when they’d say I needed to find a man to marry.” Denise sighed. “They were old-fashioned. And I hated them for it.”

“I never hated my dad. But I never really knew him—and he never knew me.”

Denise shook her head. “I think, in time, you’ll probably give him more credit. But I don’t blame you for being mad. Even now.” Denise spread her hands. “He could have left you some of his stock portfolio like Terrence. Instead he made you come back here. He wanted you back in Raceda and Sam Henderson could be a very stubborn man when he wanted something.”

“Think he’ll roll over in his grave if I decide to sell the place?”

Denise laughed. “Yes. If I say that twice, will it make you decide not to sell?”

“It won’t be the first time I disappointed him.” Joy sighed. “Kelsey’s coming this Friday to get Alpine installed.”

“That soon? Great.” Denise stood up and stretched. She reached for her jacket and hit the lights, cloaking the office in shadows. “I think you’re going to like working with Kelsey. She’s certainly excited about this job.”

Joy was relieved that the lights were off. Denise couldn’t see the expression on her face. Yes, she was looking forward to working with Kelsey West. Maybe a little too much.

“Denise sent the computer gal up to your office. She showed up a little early. I’ve turned off my computer as she instructed,” Helen said. “Anything else I need to do?”

“I don’t think so.” Joy tossed the dregs of coffee and rinsed the pot. The lights were already off in the lounge and Denise’s desk was cleared. Apparently she’d known that the last patient of the day wouldn’t need glasses. Mrs. Rathman seemed to only be in for a social visit. “Thank you for your help with Mrs. Rathman. I think she would have stayed for another hour if I’d let her.”

“She’s one of my favorites. She used to bring us these amazing homemade pies. But she’ll talk your ear off.” Helen smiled. “Comes in every year exactly on time for an exam even though all these years she’s never worn anything but drugstore reading glasses. I think she’s lonely. Dr. Sam would always schedule her for the last appointment of the day knowing how she’d talk and talk.” Helen reached for her purse and keys. “She said she liked you even more than Dr. Sam. Apparently, you’re more thorough.”

“Does that mean I get a pie?” Joy joked.

“She asked if you’d like apple or pecan,” Helen said. “I told her they were both your favorites.”

“Good answer.”

As soon as Helen had left, Joy headed upstairs. She’d had a hard time concentrating on the afternoon appointments knowing Kelsey was coming that evening and she couldn’t ignore the butterflies in her stomach now. Kelsey’s head poked through the doorway before she reached the landing.

“Denise swore up and down that it was fine I started in here but…”

“It’s completely fine,” Joy said. “I was only coming up to see if you needed anything.”

“No, but you can keep me company.” Kelsey stepped back into the office when Joy reached the top of the stairs. The entryway was narrow and they were suddenly standing toe to toe. Kelsey moved around the desk. “I mean, if you’d like to keep me company, it’s fine. But I’ll be fine in here alone, so don’t feel like you have to babysit.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t feel like I need to babysit you up here,” Joy said. “But I was thinking that it’s too bad you’re stuck working. It’d be a nice evening for a walk on the waterfront.”

Kelsey clicked a few buttons on the keyboard. “If you’re into that. Walking, ocean views…” She continued typing. “Me, I like tight office spaces and computer screens.”

Joy smiled at her sarcasm. “Should I close the blinds?”

Kelsey stopped typing and glanced up at the window. “I love your view.” She paused and looked right at Joy. “And I’d love a walk. Rain check?” She clicked a few more buttons. “Unfortunately, at the rate I’m going, this could take all night.”

Kelsey leaned under the desk to reach for a cord and then hit her head when she straightened up. She cursed under her breath and rubbed the sore spot.

Joy grinned.

Kelsey eyed her from behind the monitor. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“Nothing…I like being on this side.”

“This side of what?”

Joy shook her head. She could tell that Kelsey was nervous with her watching. “I thought you had a tech guy who was supposed to come and help. Running late?”

“I wish. He called in sick. Anyway, I’ve watched him enough times that I don’t think I need him. I’ve got some numbers to call if I get stuck.”

“Maybe I can help.”

Kelsey shook her head. “You’re the client. You get to sit back and relax.”

“That’s a change.” Joy reached for a stack of mail that she hadn’t looked through that morning. Kelsey had pushed the leather chair against the wall, presumably so she had room to work under the desk. Joy sat down and tried to focus on the mail. Her eyes kept wandering over to Kelsey. After a few minutes, Kelsey leaned across the desk to reach for her cell phone.

“Yes, I’m already calling for help.”

Joy shrugged. “I’m not judging.”

Ten minutes passed and Joy realized that she’d done little more than open all of the envelopes and then stare at each bill or notice she’d received. Kelsey had gotten off the phone and was making little comments under her breath about Randy, the tech guy.

“Can I ask you something?”

Kelsey nodded.

“How long have your mom and Denise been together?”

Kelsey didn’t make eye contact when she answered, “They’re not together.”

“Oh.” Joy paused. “You said they were close and I assumed…since Denise is…”

“I actually think they would be great together. Not that I’m any expert.” Kelsey continued, “My mom and my dad broke up when I was in high school and my mom’s been single ever since. Sometimes I wish she’d met Denise ten years ago. They’re perfect for each other.”

“But not quite, apparently.”

“Mom says she’s straight.” Kelsey continued, still not looking at Joy, “I have no idea if she’s fooling herself or me but she doesn’t act straight when she’s with Denise.” Kelsey cursed under her breath. “Sometimes I hate computers. This isn’t working. I’m going to have to call my tech guy again.”

“I’m going to order Chinese food. What do you like?”

“You don’t have to buy me food. Again.”

“I know I don’t,” Joy countered. “But if I’m going to hang out here making sure nothing goes wrong and making you uncomfortable, the least I can do is feed you.”

“You’re not making me uncomfortable.” Kelsey didn’t meet Joy’s gaze. She kept her focus on the computer screen.

“Okay. How about this—I want to keep you company and dinner is a good excuse.”

Kelsey looked up from the screen. Joy felt her cheeks warm. She was as pliable as ever under Kelsey’s gaze. All she could hope for was that Kelsey didn’t realize the effect she had on her.

“I like chow mein but I’ll try whatever else you want to get so long as it isn’t too spicy,” Kelsey said. “But I want to split the bill.”

Joy watched Kelsey type on her keyboard as she called in the order to Uncle Yu’s. She didn’t want Kelsey to think she was staring so she turned to stare out the window. A thick fog bank was approaching shore. Still, it would be a nice evening for a walk. She recognized the voice of the waitress at Uncle Yu’s and smiled when the woman recognized her as well. She’d clearly ordered too much Chinese food in the past month.

“Want anything else while I’m out?”

“I might need you to pick up coffee.” Kelsey reached for her pen and scribbled something onto the pad of paper she had next to the keyboard.

“I’ll start a pot.”

Kelsey glanced at her watch and sighed. It was almost seven. “You really don’t have to keep me company.”

“Do you mind?”

Kelsey shook her head. She seemed about to say something when the phone rang. She answered and sank down in the chair that Joy had left. “Yes, I’ve tried that. Okay, one more time.”

“That smells good,” Kelsey said, glancing up from the computer screen as Joy returned. She stood up and stretched. “I think I might need a break from this office. Is it warm enough to eat outside? This upload is going to take at least another half hour anyway.”

“The wind’s picked up some but it’s not bad. Do you have a coat?”

“In my car.” Kelsey sighed. “It was seventy when I got here.”

“There’s a bench behind the building. It isn’t that comfortable, but we’ll have a good view of the bay without much wind.” Joy found a polka-dot scarf that she’d left on the coatrack and handed this to Kelsey. The scarf was her mother’s and she’d only grabbed it out of sheer need when she’d left her jacket at work the week before.

Kelsey hesitated but finally looped the scarf around her neck. She motioned to the scarf and then stepped back and grinned. “Fashion statement?”

“Definitely. If anyone can pull off a rainbow polka-dot scarf and still look good, it’s you.” Joy started down the stairs without glancing back to see if Kelsey was following.
So much for keeping it professional
, she thought.

Joy unlocked the back door and stepped out onto the patio. She deliberately didn’t look over at Kelsey. There was one bench facing the water. It was set back in an alcove between the back side of Moonstone Optometry and the hair salon. Her father had set up the bench so he’d have a place to sit when he smoked his cigars after work. The cigar smell seemed to still linger in the wood planks.

Joy set the food down in the middle of the bench and then sat down on one end. She picked out the container of chow mein and held it out for Kelsey.

“Thank you.” Kelsey sat down and reached for a fork. “For this. But I don’t know about your taste in scarves.”

Joy laughed. “I’ve always hated that one.”

“It is keeping me warm. But…”

“A little too gay?”

Kelsey cocked her head. “No, that’s not what I meant.”

“I told Mom her scarf belongs in a Pride parade. So she gave it to me.” Joy bit her lip. “But it’s ugly.”

Kelsey smiled. “Good. We’re on the same page.” She opened the container of chow mein and pushed the contents around with her fork. “I have to admit, it is a little weird to be installing software for you.”