Soulmates (23 page)

“In addition, Dan’s looking into the problem with the repossession of you house; since it was bank owned, he might be able to work out a deal for you.” Cara gasped.

“Oh, is that right! My adversary, as you have referred to him in the past, is going to do something about the problem you claimed was out of your jurisdiction.”

“Miss Ellison, I did not impregnate you. Therefore, I felt no obligation to save your house from foreclosure.”

“And let me remind you sir that it wouldn’t happen in this lifetime, so keep dreaming,” Cara stated proudly.

“If I may continue,” he said. “He was unable to reverse the supervisory child visitation which would begin the following Friday because CPS is already involved.

“You realize this is unprecedented,” Clifton Johnson said. “You’re being given a second chance by these people. I hope you’ll abide by his guidelines. And I hope you appreciate what I’ve done for you.” Cara knew it had everything to do with running into Lisa Chua at the grocery store and nothing at all with Clifton Johnson.

“Cliff you sound like friggin preacher. I’m not an animal, okay? I had a mishap and it landed me in jail. Evidently, the Chua’s don’t think I’m such an evil person after all. And I need my computer back.”

“I thought I put it in the apartment,” he said. “It must be in the storage unit.”

“Well, I’m not a mind reader, so either tell me where or get it out for me, please.”

“It’ll be at my hourly rate,” he said.

“Whatever, Cliff, just get my computer for me, please.” She was losing her patience with him but trying for nice, didn’t hang up without first saying goodbye. “And have a great weekend!”

Cara was so excited, she knew Lisa advocated for her. With something to work toward now, the weekend no longer loomed ahead of her without purpose. Getting breakfast, she sat at the table and pushed the curtain aside to look out the window. The dreary day and uninspired view didn’t faze her because there were no bars to look through. She was free.

***

Driving back to Smithtown from Pam’s Sunday afternoon, Lisa watched the scenery zoom by, listening to Dan talk on his phone to Cara’s attorney. He’d called to let them know Cara’s reaction to their offer.

All four children and Daniela were sleeping, buckled in, safe. The few minutes it would take to get home would be Lisa’s chance to unwind before the chaos of late afternoon. Secretly, she knew she would become Cara’s champion because taking care of Dan Junior was becoming too much for her. It was one thing when he was an infant and did little more than eat and sleep. Now that he was crawling, there was a competition between Dan and Marcus for her attention. She didn’t want it to turn into rivalry. The possibility of hiring and training another nanny was an option, but she thought it might be easier to embrace Cara, who wanted the baby. Before getting involved with Dan, Cara was a decent person and there was no reason not to involve her in Dan Junior’s care.

Tired, Lisa knew the stress she was under, and that much of it originated with Dan. “What did he have to say?” Lisa asked, fighting the urge to fantasize about divorcing him.

“Cara is very grateful. Shocked, he said. Clifton Johnson needs to retire.”

“Why’s that?”

“Oh, a bunch of stuff; letting her house go into foreclosure, not helping her engage an employment agency, the sort of thing that goes along with paroling a client.”

“Let’s let her see the baby,” Lisa said.

“CPS would throw the book at us,” Dan said. “No, please don’t contact her. Friday will come soon enough, you’ll see.” He glanced at her, noticing how thin and unhappy she looked. “What’s the urgency?”

“I need her help with the baby. It’s time Dan. I’m beat.”

“I guess I thought we were in it for the long haul,” he said softly, selfish. “Not just fostering him until his mother could pull it together.” It was at this juncture that Lisa decided to be honest with Dan about her feelings for Cara.

“What did she do that was so wrong? She hit you over the head because you betrayed her. You used her,” Lisa whispered. “So is that a reason to deny a woman her child?”

“You’ve done a one-eighty,” he said challengingly.

“Dan, I was pissed!” Then she relaxed and laughed. “You are so completely clueless. What did you expect from me?”

He nodded in understanding. “I get it. I’m sorry. It’s just I’m confused because I’m not sure I want her involved with him or with us.”

“Well, too bad. You should have thought about it before you…” and here she leaned in close so only Dan could hear… “Screwed her.
You
take care of him then and stop loading your responsibilities on me. The nursery is closed.” They drove the rest of the way in silence. Dan was stewing over what he knew to be the truth, and Lisa felt vindicated because she was finally honest with him. In the same token, she felt horrible, because the reality of what he had done would always play a role in their marriage.

Once again, she was making choices that would benefit everyone else. It was the only unselfish thing to do.

***

Zach’s taxi pulled up under the portico of Ted’s hotel and he sent Ted a text to let him know he’d arrived. Minutes later, Ted met him in the lobby, exhausted, carrying his overnight bag. He grabbed Zach and they embraced, two men who were fond of each other, like a father and soon to be son-in-law. But then Ted started to cry. Zach led him to a secluded area, a small uncomfortable couch and chair in the corner. Zach pushed him down into a chair and hovered close by.

“We need to get on the road,” he sobbed.

“Just relax,” Zach replied. “Where’s Jeff’s car?” Ted pointed to the back of the hotel.

“Do you want me to bring it around the front or do you feel up to walking back there?”

“I can walk,” he said, standing up again. “I’ll be okay. Sorry.” Zach took his bag and Ted didn’t protest. He didn’t want to think or feel anything. As the hours passed waiting for Zach, Ted became more despondent. He’d barely gotten over Ashton, still sorting through the debris of the man’s life, and now he had to do it all over again.

They approached the car and Zach whistled. “The Bentley? No friggin way.”

“Why?” Ted asked, confused. “Are they difficult to drive?”

Zach laughed. “Sorry, Pop, but I’ve never lived in a house that cost as much as this car. It’s a little intimidating.”

“We’re well insured,” Ted answered. “Remember, the man was a lawyer. Everything’s insured, in trust and insane. No, insane’ the wrong word. What’s the rest of the phrase?”

“I have no idea,” Zach replied. “Keys?” Ted dug through is pants pocket for the keys.

“How long will it take to get to the city?” he asked. “I’m homesick for Natalie’s house.”

“Is that where you’re going?” Zach asked, frowning. “Not to Babylon?”

“No, to the Village for tonight.”

“What’re we doing with the car? This isn’t the kind of car you put in an overnight garage.” Ted thought for a second.

“I’ll get Natalie on it,” he said. Zach skillfully drove to the highway and they didn’t say much the rest of the way. Natalie found a private garage that would take the car for a week, or until Ted figured out which of Jeff’s relatives would get it in the will.

Natalie and Deborah were waiting at the door of the apartment for them, and the minute Ted made eye contact with Deborah he started to cry again. Zach had a grim expression as they got everything in the apartment and shut the door.

“I think this is more about Ashton than Jeff,” he whispered to Natalie. “He keeps getting the two dead men mixed up.”

“Oh, wonderful,” she replied. “I hope he’s not losing it.” She went to Ted and led him to her room.

“Ted, you’re staying in my room tonight and I’ll sleep out here on the couch.”

“I can’t force you out of your room,” he whined. “I’ll sleep out here.”

“Nope, I’ve got everything ready for you. You need privacy and when you want company, we’ll be right out here. I have a little supper prepared for you. Nothing fancy.” After his belongings had been organized, they followed Natalie into the tiny kitchen. There was just enough room for them if Natalie sat on a bar stool at the counter.

“There’s roast chicken and different salads, all from the deli. Dig in.” The sound of chairs scraping on the floor and china and cutlery filled the room.

“What now?” Ted asked. “What the hell do I do now?”

“One day at a time, Pop,” Zach said.

“Zach’s right, Dad. Just let’s get through today. Tomorrow we’ll figure out what the most pressing thing is which must be done and then we’ll do it.”

“I’ve got to get to the beach house. All of his papers are there, the will, the car titles. I can’t even remember the name of his attorney.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Deborah said. “We’ll go to Babylon tomorrow and I’m sure everything you need will be right at your fingertips.”

“Deb’s right, Ted. I’ve seen Jeff’s office. It’s immaculate.”

The family finished eating and Deborah and Zach said goodnight soon after and retired to her room to watch TV. Ted stood in the doorway of Natalie’s bedroom, watching her make up the couch. “Sleep with me tonight,” he said softly. “I don’t want to be alone.” Natalie straightened up and turned to him.

“Ted, I want to be here for you, but you can’t use me. It’s not fair. You know how I feel about you and then when you’re done with me, I have to try to come back from the heartache.” He walked to her, looking over his back at Deborah’s bedroom door. Grabbing her by her arm, he pulled her over.

“I won’t do anything. I just want you next to me. Please?” Natalie knew she was a fool that Ted would come to his senses soon as he usually did, and she’d be left with a void as big as a canyon to fill. No amount of ice cream would be enough.

“Okay, I want to be next to you, too.” He helped her fold up the sheets that were on the couch and they went into her room together and shut the door. Later, Deborah would come out to get a glass of water and see the empty couch, remembering her father’s words earlier that day.

“Oh lord,” she said, avoiding looking at her mother’s bedroom door.

But Ted kept his word, only spooning Natalie, and they feel asleep.

Chapter 21

Before everyone knew it, Monday had arrived. The sun was back out and the puddles dried up in the street. The splashing fountain on Sea View caught the eye of every neighbor and transient beachgoer. Summer was back after a brief departure.

The night before, John stayed at Pam’s until long after midnight, a Monopoly board the culprit. “You can stay here if you’d like,” she said softly after the last game was over, hoping he’d agree.

“I would love to, and you know it,” he replied, holding her hands and looking into her eyes. “But the men will be here by seven to work on the kitchen. I don’t want them to think you’re someone who’d have a guy spend the night after a week. Does that make sense? It doesn’t have anything to do with wanting to be with you because I do.”

“But I
am
someone who would have a guy spend the night after a week! I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I really do,” she answered. They laughed together, John hugging her tightly, acknowledging that he appreciated her candor. Pam wished it was a year from now so they could be together without guilt and told him so.

“Let’s not wish our life away. The kitchen will soon be finished and we won’t have Babylon’s biggest gossips to contend with.”

“Those little men?” she asked, surprised.

“They are the worst,” he answered.

John didn’t say it, but he also had to deal with Violet. Although she claimed she wanted John to start dating, she didn’t want him to date Pam. Violet knew Pam’s secrets. Otherwise, Violet was going to be a problem.

His neighborhood was entirely different from Pam’s street. Although he was on a canal, the houses in this part of town were close together and without the beach. He had a short lawn in back and dock, a place to tie up a boat. After Cassandra left him , he got rid of the boat. She was the boater anyway not him. She loved the water and wanted to be out in the sun, putting the anchor down by other partying boaters. It was the last thing he wanted to do on a Sunday afternoon.

Letting himself in through the garage, he prayed Violet was in bed. Dreading a third-degree interrogation, John felt like a prisoner in his own home. The eerie light from the TV came through the kitchen from the den as he carefully hung his keys up on a rack by the door, trying not to make a peep.

“Dad is that you?”

Discovered, John sighed. “Yep, it’s me,” he said, walking through to the den. Violet was wearing a voluminous nightgown with a bowl of popcorn on her lap watching something in black and white.

“Betty Davis,” she said, nodding toward the TV. “Popcorn?”

“I’d love some,” John said, sitting down beside her. “What’d you do after lunch?”

“Nothing much, came home and vegged. I was mad at you for leaving me here alone, but I guess now that
Pam
is in the picture I’d better get used to it.”

“I thought you had an important paper due this week,” John said, reaching for more popcorn.

“I’ll get around to it. I can get an extension if I need to.”

“Vi, I thought your goal was to get school over with as soon as possible so you can job hunt again.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me? Boy, things sure do change when another woman is involved. We just had the conversation less than a week ago and you were in no hurry for me to move out, and now
Pam
comes on the scene and I feel pressured.”

“I’m not going to deny it. I haven’t felt ready to move on and now I do. I’m sorry.” Violet stayed silent, stewing. What would this mean for her if John and Pam were serious?

“Well, it’s your life,” she said. “But of all the women you could have gotten involved with, why you chose someone with her history makes me think you’re trying to get revenge for Mom getting married again.”

John got off the couch. “That’s low, Vi.” Leaving the room, he wished he’d dealt with her a long time ago, insisting that she get a life. Violet was just odd.