by E L Bossert
“Yes, I think he did. For me, it doesn’t really matter. It’s a part of my life. I touch someone in public, it’s online in a matter of seconds.”
“Yea, but this wasn’t in public. It would look like just a hug between friends, right?” Boo’s expression indicated that she was trying to avoid the truth about the moment in question.
“I have a plan for a little distraction—it’s called Fred. No one can resist a great dog story.” Jamie grabbed her cell phone to call Dani’s number. “Dani, it’s Jamie Jordan. How would you like to come out to the office and take a few pictures of Fred? Plus, I have a tip for you about the Crestwood Gallery opening Thursday night.” Jamie winked at Boo. She counted on Dani not being able to resist the invitation and she trusted Dani to follow some basic rules in exchange for the exclusive.
“Is four-thirty okay?...Good. Fred and I will see you at the office then.”
AT EXACTLY FOUR-THIRTY, Jamie and Fred arrived to greet the waiting reporter. Dani took pictures inside the office of Fred staring at her fan mail on the computer screen. Jamie then offered to take Dani to the cliff where the girls were found.
“Is there a catch?” Dani’s voice was respectful but suspicious given how assiduously Jamie guarded her privacy.
“Yes and no. No pictures until we get to the spot. If you see anyone along the way, you don’t mention it. I have a couple of friends staying with me and I want to respect their privacy.”
“I won’t play dumb. There are rumors the person who saved Max is staying with you and that’s who really found Gee.” Dani preferred to put all the cards on the table.
“I don’t mean to treat you...I know you’re not dumb. Quite the opposite. And you have always been extremely kind to me and my family. I hope you realize how much I appreciate that.” Jamie led the way down the path toward the creek. “You should check the morning report at the Sheriff’s office. They caught a paparazzi guy out at the lake this morning. We think he took pictures of...my friend. He’s in jail right now for assaulting Chief. Mostly likely he will not have the chance to sell anything.”
“I heard something from one of the other reporters right before I left the office. I didn’t know it had anything to do with you.”
“Can we go off the record please?”
“Yes, I will respect that.”
“Good. I have heard there is some gossip going around town about a mystery person staying with me. The paparazzi are starting to sniff around. I need to put an end to this. The family will be attending the gallery opening for the new local art show.”
“Sure, I know about the opening.”
“The friend of the family who is staying here with me will be attending with us. We have invited a couple of reporters from Fairfield with the usual press release. I would like for you to come, take pictures of the family, including my friend, and post them. That’s all.”
“Okay, but this doesn’t sound like much of an exclusive. What’s the deal?” Dani was intrigued.
Arriving at the rock where the girls were found, Dani took a short video of Fred running along the trail. Fred barked as she hit her mark on top of the cliff. Dani snapped additional pictures of Fred, head held proudly high in the air. It would make the perfect feel-good story.
“Do you know what they call her, my houseguest?” Jamie asked Dani as they began their hike back to the office.
“Boo Charming is the name I hear.”
“Yes, that’s the deal. We don’t know her real name. She can’t remember it. She lost her memory when she hit her head saving Max. We need to figure out who she is and locate her family. We hope someone will see her picture and contact us. We don’t want to make it known she has amnesia because that would bring the crazies out. I hope you can respect this. If you will please label her a friend of the family and not mention she can’t remember her name, I would really appreciate it.”
Dani thought for a brief moment about whether complying with the request would compromise her journalistic integrity. She had a wife and young child, and would want someone to be similarly kind to her family, if, goddess-forbid, anything ever happened to one of them.
“Deal. I hope it works. And, maybe, after you find out her name, you can put a word in for me for an exclusive?”
“Deal.”
The remainder of the walk to Dani’s car was filled with small town gossip and friendly chatter.
Chapter Seventeen
DESPITE THE RECENT drama, dinner at Sarah and Bryan’s was a relaxed family gathering. Sarah gave in and allowed Gee to send Dani a picture of her broken ankle in the pneumatic boot to include with the story about Fred. Gee added a statement expressing her remorse for causing trouble and cautioned other children to not make her mistake. Always tell your parents where you are going. It might not be such a great idea. There was hope that the public service announcement would persuade Sarah to lessen Gee’s sentence from lifetime grounding to twenty years with the chance of parole. Gee also made a great show of apologizing to and thanking Boo, complete with a decorated cake featuring a tall woman standing next to a big black dog.
It did not take long for Dani’s story about Fred to be reposted tens of thousands of times. Oblivious to her fame, Fred lay outside on the porch as if nothing concerned her. As dinner ended, the adults took turns reading out loud online comments about Fred’s adventure. They ignored the trolling posts of people accusing the family of animal and child abuse, focusing instead on the laudatory and cute.
Gabriela could barely keep her eyes off of Chief during dinner, though she repeatedly reminded herself this was Jamie’s world and she was just visiting. She liked her life in the city with its the faster pace and the buzz of millions of people. But that did not stop her from lusting after another hookup with Chief.
Lessa and Patrick told the family about their recent work at the shelter house and a new initiative to provide bicycles to children who otherwise would not have access. They wanted to plan a summer party and hoped a couple of bicycle shops from Fairfield would help fix up donated bikes for the kids. Everyone volunteered to help with the cause, including Boo, who, in the excitement, failed to remember she might not be around much longer.
Boo consulted with Shon about clothes for the gallery opening. The two decided on a sporty look, casual but neat. A lightweight ensemble would be consistent with the summer weather and relaxed tone of the opening. Shon was planning their own outfit, too, but declined to give any hints.
Jamie sat back in her chair, watching the gathering of all the people she loved. Even though the invasion of her privacy earlier that day had left her shaken, at this moment a feeling of contentment settled over her. Jamie hated to call an end to the evening, but it was Max’s bedtime.
Max was treated to three bedtime stories—one each from Gabriela, Boo, and Jamie. For Max, it was a trifecta of sweet dreams.
Boo retired to her room shortly after completing her bedtime story duty, while Gabriela joined Jamie in her bedroom to process the events of the day.
“That was a fun evening. I’m glad you’re here. Will you be spending more time with Chief?” Jamie was as curious as she was concerned.
“Maybe...no...well, maybe.” Gabriela was more certain about what she wanted than how she felt. She deflected by lobbing a question back at Jamie, “What are you going to do about Boo?”
“We must find this María Garcia and find out if they are still married. We need to find out Boo’s real name, where she’s from, her job. She has a life somewhere.” Jamie pondered for a long time before continuing, “I just don’t know how or if I’ll fit.”
Gabriela slipped her arm around her friend and pulled her close.
“Be careful with your heart.”
“It might be too late for that.” Jamie laid her head on Gabriela’s shoulder and closed her eyes.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Boo woke early. Wandering into the kitchen, she was surprised to not find Jamie making breakfast. Looking out the window, she spotted Jamie sitting o
n the patio, alone in her thoughts. Boo made two cups of tea.
“Would you prefer to be alone?” Boo inquired as she offered Jamie a cup.
“Please join me. There’s something I want to talk about.” Jamie waited for Boo to settle into the chair next to her. “Tomorrow evening, I don’t want to give any impression that you and I are...together. If you have a wife, I don’t want to do anything to disrespect or jeopardize your relationship. So, if I stand a little farther away than usual, it’s because the press will be there taking pictures. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? The plan is for me to be in a picture, right? Hopefully this will help me find my family. We have to assume that María will be understanding, given the circumstances.”
“Good. The other thing is someone from the press might ask you for your name. When I talked to Dani, I asked her not to, but the others might. My suggestion is to say you are a friend of the family here for vacation. If you smile and walk away, they should leave you alone. Shon will keep an eye out and rescue you if you’re cornered. They are particularly good at running interference.”
“I’m sure it will all be fine. Although seeing Shon in action could be a real treat.”
“There was one time at a theater,” Jamie reminisced, “when a couple of stalker-fans followed me into the restroom. Shon saw them and came in right behind. When those women saw Shon standing there, all six-feet of their wonderful self, they screamed, you’re in the women’s restroom. Shon just glared at them and said in their deepest voice, everyone’s gotta pee somewhere. They were not enlightened enough to see the humor and fled. I appreciate my fans, but this was hysterical. I wish I had it on video.” Jamie was deeply appreciative of how fierce her loyal assistant could be.
Boo and Jamie leaned back in their chairs, settling into silence until Jamie heard Gabriela making noise in the kitchen.
“Shall we join her?” Jamie asked.
“Jamie, thank you for sharing all of this with me. For making me part of your family.” Boo stopped for a moment to look into Jamie’s eyes. “I don’t know what’s about to happen, but this, I will never forget.” Boo took Jamie’s hand, lifting it to her lips. They both closed their eyes to savor the moment.
CHIEF JOINED THE FAMILY for a picnic at the lake around noon. While the kids played in the water, Chief updated Jamie on the detained paparazzi.
“Pops was released on bail this morning. He promised to appear in court next week for a preliminary hearing, but most likely he’ll waive it to the Grand Jury so he doesn’t have to come back. We’re keeping his camera and phone as evidence until the hearing. My hope is we will never see him again.”
“Shon told me this morning they have not seen any new pictures online. I guess we’ll find out if Pops has anything after he leaves town. Hopefully he’ll just write this one off.”
Chief left Jamie to wander out to the end of the fishing pier and join Boo.
“Chief, mind if I ask you something?” Boo stared off into the lake.
“Go right ahead.”
“Did you and Jamie ever date?”
“Oh gosh no. That would be like dating your sister. We’ve been friends since high school. Besides, she’s not my type.”
“Gabriela is your type?”
“Gabriela might be my type, but I’m pretty sure that’s not going anywhere. She has her life in the city and I have mine here. I believe they call it star-crossed lovers.” Chief sighed.
“Star-crossed lovers...sounds sad. I just can’t help but wonder why no one seems to be looking for me, especially if I’m married. What do you think I’ve done that no one wants to find me?”
“People may be looking for you. They may just not be looking in the right place yet. You’re a good person, Boo. We’ll find your family, soon.”
“How do you know I’m good?”
“I’ve been at this job for a while now. I like to think I can sense things from watching people. I see how you are with Max and with Jamie. You treat everyone with kindness, even though, given your situation, other people would probably just wallow in self-pity or something worse.”
“Thanks, Chief.” Boo looked over at Jamie talking with Sarah and Gabriela. “Do you think there would ever be a chance, if someone like me asked out someone like Jamie...”
“Well, I don’t think it would offend someone exactly like her if someone exactly like you asked her out.” Chief laughed at the innocent transparency of Boo’s question, but added, “If that someone was not married, of course.”
Embarrassment flushed across Boo’s face.
“Yea, I really need to find out who I am. Soon.”
“And one more thing, while we’re talking,” Chief leveled her eyes on Boo, “if you ever do anything to hurt Jamie—”
”I’m quite certain they’ll never find my body,” Boo finished Chief’s thought with appropriate finality.
“Exactly.” Chief turned back to her fishing pole.
As the water lapped against sand and pebbles at the shoreside, Gabriela, Sarah, and Jamie sat at a picnic table watching the kids play.
“What will you do when Boo leaves?”
Gabriela asked the question, but it was Sarah who closely watched her sister’s face.
“I will be grateful for my family and friends. Spend time with Max. He’s growing up fast. Get back to work. Make a movie. Miss her.” The final thought was the truest.
“Don’t,” Sarah reached for her sister’s hand. “We will find a way to keep Boo in the family. She can’t just disappear. Finders keepers.” Sarah turned her attention to Gabriela, “When are you going to settle down?”
“Probably never. I don’t think I’m the settling type.” Gabriela glanced over at Chief. “Although occasionally there is someone who makes me question that.”
THE REST OF THE DAY was a blur of activity. Shon came to the house with a pile of clothes for Boo to try on. It took five different ensembles before Jamie and Gabriela finally gave their approval to a short sleeve, dusty dark purple button down shirt over lightly faded blue jeans. A black tie and black ankle boots would complete the outfit. Shon evened up Boo’s hair with clippers.
“Oh my, you are looking quite fine,” Shon admired their handwork.
The finished product was not lost on Jamie or Gabriela either, who both nodded in agreement.
After dinner and a walk in the cool evening air, everyone turned in for bed early. Tomorrow would be a busy day, concluding with Boo’s big debut.
THURSDAY MORNING, CHIEF picked up Gabriela after breakfast to drive her to the airport in Fairfield. Max went with Sarah and Marco to soccer practice, leaving Jamie and Boo alone in the house for the first time since early Monday morning.
“Are you ready for this evening?” Jamie asked as they returned to the house from a late morning walk.
“As ready as I can be, I guess. It’s what happens after this evening...it’s a little scary to think about what my forgotten life might be like. At the same time, I’m scared this won’t work.”
Jamie reached for Boo’s hand, but this time she pulled Boo to her and softly kissed her cheek. When Jamie realized Boo was not pulling away, she kissed the side of Boo’s forehead and rubbed her cheek against the side of Boo’s soft face. Jamie stopped herself.
“I’m sorry. I...I’m scared too. I’m scared of losing you. I just want to hold onto this moment.”
Jamie and Boo looked into each other’s eyes. They had each become more certain about how they felt. That was not the unknown.
Boo took a step back, drew a deep breath, and composed herself. She could still feel the moist heat of Jamie’s lips on her face. All of her body and soul wanted to lean into a kiss right now.
“I think I’ll go take a shower.” Boo resisted adding the obvious, a very cold shower. This would be a long day of waiting and wondering.
For her part, Jamie resisted the even more obvious reply, I’ll join you. Instead she headed to the office to take care of various items of busine
ss. This would be a very long day indeed.
Chapter Eighteen
JAMIE EMERGED FROM her bedroom dressed for the gallery opening. She wore a modest navy blue, button up shirt with small white polka dots, over white slacks. Jamie’s hair was blown dry and swept back from her face. The slightest hint of make-up was a concession to the uneven lighting in galleries and flash photography. Her sandals revealed freshly painted purple toenails matching the color of Boo’s shirt.
The understated elegance of Jamie’s appearance took Boo’s breath away. On seeing the stunning woman standing before her, Boo felt inadequate as an escort for the evening.
“Wow! Are you sure you want to be seen with me?”
“You look absolutely wonderful. I would be seen with you anywhere.” Jamie eyes conveyed her appreciation of the woman standing before her and she truly meant the compliment and statement.
Max bounded out of his room in his usual summer shorts and T-shirt. Jamie’s family had donated money for a room at the library to be staffed for childcare during the gallery opening. Max’s night out would be more casual.
Shon showed up in a bright fuschia jacket over a sapphire blue shirt and aquamarine pants with white deck shoes. Their freshly scrubbed and beaming face completed the ensemble, and attitude.
“I think you just stole my thunder,” Boo teased her would-be sibling.
BOO’S NERVOUS ENERGY calmed as the family gathered outside the gallery’s side door. The Jordan family entered the gallery as a group but immediately dispersed to greet friends and admire the art. Boo looked at the people already milling around the space, recognizing a few as staff from the hospital. Patient privacy rules prevented them from acknowledging Boo until she approached them. When she did finally make her way close enough to say hello, she received a warm welcome as if she were a long-lost friend.
Dani spotted the Jordan family as they arrived. Everyone was familiar except the tall handsome woman walking beside Shon. Finally, the elusive Boo Charming had emerged. Dani greeted the family and asked for a brief statement, giving Jamie the opportunity to talk about the importance of supporting the arts in every community. Dani then approached Philip, asking questions about the new Bikes-for-Kids program. Finally, Dani made her way toward Boo and Shon.
