On our way out to the rental car agency, we decided to go to the restroom. Upon entering the large bathroom, there was a floor to ceiling mirror. Glancing up from my pondering, I came across a hideous site. No wonder everyone we passed in the airport was looking at me strangely. The view that presented itself to me in the mirror was a bedraggled mess of a woman. Standing in at five foot six inches tall and weighing a whopping one hundred and twenty pounds was this puffy faced urchin with blonde hair and blue eyes. Makeup was not something I regularly wore but I could’ve used some right then. My eyes had dark circles under them and were puffy and red from crying so much. Unfortunately, my face was a little gaunt from lack of sleep and not eating. Disheveled and wrinkled clothing hung loosely around my slight frame. Half of my long hair had escaped the bun it was in and there were hair pins sticking out of my head. No wonder he ran away. Yikes!
Kelsey finished using the restroom and after washing her hands, she stopped in front of the mirror. Looking up at my image, she shook her head and said, “You're a mess, Auntie.”
As I glanced down at her solemn face, I smiled in resignation and said, “Yes, it appears I am.”
We both laughed hysterically. Making an effort to fix my hair, I also straightened my clothes as best I could and we headed out to pick up our rental car.
Chapter Two
Walking out into the brilliant morning sun, I wished I’d arranged for a car to pick us up at the airport rather than having to drive a rental. Oh, well! Too late for that. Besides, it would distract me from feeling for a bit. Driving always kept me focused on the task at hand and helped me to forget my worries, especially in Denver. The traffic just got worse and worse every time I came back. Just then, my stomach rumbled loudly, and I wondered how my miniature companion felt. "Well, Kelsey, after we get the rental car and let Peanut out, what do you say we get some grub?"
Keeping pace beside me and lost in thought with a sullen expression on her face, she seemed to perk up a bit. "That sounds awesome! I'm starving! I could eat everything on the whole planet right now!" she exclaimed exuberantly, rubbing her tummy.
"Okey, dokey, then," I added exuberantly, trying to sound happier than I was as we walked across the four lanes of traffic to the rental agency pickup spot. Peanut whimpered in her kennel. "I know, baby. Not much longer and you can empty your bladder." Peanut was a great travel companion, she did remarkably well on all the trips I’d taken in the past. If she hadn't, I would’ve found someone to watch her. Maybe I should’ve left her with my best friend, Sherri, back in Allyn. Her and her three grandbabies loved Peanut. I felt like I was being selfish by wanting everyone and everything that was dear to me to be close.
The discount rental car transporter pulled up with an elderly, kind-faced gentleman behind the wheel. The guy exited the bus. Looking pointedly at me and Kelsey, he asked, "Margaret St. James?"
"Yes, that's me,” I said, feeling a little tired still from the trip. I stepped up and held out my phone with the e-ticket on it for the rental car reservation.
He nodded as he looked us over and stated, "Truth is, you're it." Bending at the waist to make eye contact with Kelsey, solemnly he asked, “Princess, can I please take your bag for you?”
Kelsey giggled and stepped back saying regally in her best princess voice, “Yes, sir. You may.” She waved her hand toward her bag. This was followed by another little chuckle as she glanced at him sideways suddenly shy.
Smiling softly, he bowed as he took the small bag and said, “If you’d like to follow me, I’ll just place your bags on the bus for you.” Turning and waving toward the open doors of the transporter, he continued, “The softest seats are close to the front.” Taking my bag from me, he continued, “Let me take that for you, M’lady.”
“Thank you, kind sir,” I responded, playing along as I followed him onto the bus.
Kelsey was seated in the front and wiggling around, she giggled, “Auntie, this seat really is the softest.” She hopped up and down, “I know, I tried them.”
The bus driver chuckled as he scooted past me to settle in the driver’s seat. “See, I told you. Fit for a princess.”
She giggled again as I sat next to her, placing Peanut on the floor in front of me. My eyes wide, I looked at her with mock excitement, “Geez, I think we should ask them to put these in every plane. What do you think?”
She nodded her head. “Oh, yes. Those seats were very hard.” We laughed for a bit and then sat quiet staring out the windows toward the sweeping views in front of us.
I couldn't help noticing how bright and sunny it was. Denver never ceased to amaze me. It could be seventy-five and sunny in the middle of winter, and the very next day, it would be sub-zero and snowing.
The ride to the rental agency was short. We took Peanut out to do her queenly duties.
"Hey, Kelsey, what do you think about going to The Breakfast Palace in Greenwood Village on our way to the house?"
"Oh, that sounds so yummy," she said jumping around in a circle. "I can't wait. Do you think they’ll be open?"
Glancing down at my phone to see what time it was, I recalled that they were open around the clock. "Yes, definitely."
Kelsey did another jig, and Peanut, seeming to sense her mood, started yipping and spinning in a circle as well. Kelsey laughed at her and kneeling to pat her on the head, asked, "Did you hear that, Peanut?" She paused briefly as if she expected an answer. "We're going to have pancakes!" She jumped up and clapped her hands excitedly. Peanut echoed her excitement by barking and jumping on her hind legs in response. We both laughed.
"It's settled then." Placing Peanut back into her crate, we were soon on our way. The traffic was mild given it was a weekday, but there were always those wonderful drivers out there that made me wish that I couldn't drive so I wouldn't have to deal with them. You know, the ones who cut you off at the last minute diving across four lanes of traffic and then giving you the sign language that depicts that they are unhappy that you were in their way? Yeah, those ones.
Arriving at The Breakfast Palace, I was flooded with memories of the many times we had all gone out to eat there. The food was always good, down home type breakfast and it was one of our favorite places to go when I’d visit. Kelsey grabbed Peanut's kennel and we took her inside. Once we were seated in a booth and Peanut was safely stowed under the table, we began discussing what we would eat for breakfast. As Kelsey sort of bounced up and down in her seat, she pointed to the many pictures in the menu, saying things like, "Mmmm, that looks good" and "Does this have sausage or bacon?"
The waitress approached, smiling widely at Kelsey's animated behavior. The tag on her pocket front read, LIZ. Looking to me, she said, "She must be about five. I have a niece her age." At my nod, she continued, "They're so cute at this age." She smiled again as Kelsey started to speak.
In her most grown-up voice, she said, "I'll have the waffle with strawberries and whip cream." Looking up at the waitress, she firmly stated, "No sausage, only bacon."
"Okay. Is there anything else for you, your highness?" Liz smiled and poised her pen to write more on her pad. Kelsey grinned broadly.
"Do you have the large glasses of orange juice because I really like orange juice." She looked down at the menu briefly and then back up at Liz.
"Oh, yes, miss! That’s a great choice." She giggled and then looked at me for my order.
"I'll have the short stack of buttermilk pancakes with sausage. I need a lot of coffee with cream and I'll also have orange juice." Giving her a brief nod, I handed her mine and Kelsey's menus.
She returned the nod as she took the menus and tucked them under her arm. "I'll be right back with those drinks."
Liz returned quickly, as promised, and set the drinks on the table, a small twinkle lit her eyes as she glanced down at Kelsey. As we waited for our meal, Kelsey pensively drew pictures on her paper kid's menu that had come with crayons. Watching her, I giggled with her when she’d magically make a discovery. The altitude was already
getting to me though and I waived Liz over to the table.
"What can I do for you?" she looked at me expectantly with a gentle kindness in her eyes.
"Can I get a large glass of water please?"
"Sure thing!" Looking over Kelsey's picture, she exclaimed, "Wow! That’s a pretty awesome drawing. What are those things?" she pointed at some scribbles on the paper.
Kelsey pointed to them and said, "I don't know, but they’re funny animals that I dreamed about. I think they’re called Santa." She shrugged her shoulders and went back to her coloring.
Liz laughed, “Kids have the best imaginations." She walked away saying, "I'll be right back with that water." She returned, stating, "Your food will be up soon."
"Thank you." Rummaging through my purse, I finally located the ibuprofen bottle and promptly swallowed three of the little pills. Our food arrived and I found it hard to finish my meal as the weight of the upcoming meeting, the pain of losing my only sister, and exhaustion, forced my appetite into hibernation. Kelsey, having finished her meal in record time, noticed that I was sitting quietly looking out the window with my meal unfinished and asked, “If you’re done with those, can I have them?”
Trying to sound happy, I replied, "Absolutely," While lifting the plate to push the pancakes off onto hers. She noticed the sausage link and stopped me.
"Ewe! No sausage please." She made the funniest face. Nodding in agreement, I finished pushing the pancakes off while keeping the sausage contained to my plate. Sighing heavily, she asked, "Can you please pass me the syrup?"
"So sorry, is there not enough on there?" A slight smirk crossed my lips as she took the syrup and poured a generous amount onto the remaining pancakes. She was soon quick at work eating the pile of syrup with pancakes swimming in the middle. It was amazing that she could eat so much for such a tiny creature. It seemed that she may have a hidden pouch that went from her stomach down to her left leg to hold extra food.
Liz soon approached, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" Shaking my head slightly I could feel the grimace make my lips purse. She cocked her head to the side slightly as she watched me, "Here you go then." As she laid the bill on the table, she said, "Joe will ring you up at the counter when you're ready." She looked over at Kelsey, "Thank you for coming in today. It was a pleasure to serve you, your highness." She smiled broadly and bowed to Kelsey.
Kelsey giggled, "Thank you."
Gathering the check, Kelsey, and Peanut, we paid the bill on our way out.
Once again, we stood outside in the brilliant sunshine. As we walked across the parking lot, I thought about the impact it would have on Kelsey to go to her home with her parents being gone. Considering her carefully, I wondered if she’d be okay with going to the house with me or if I should spare her the emotional trauma and leave her with Andrea's best friend, Carolynn, instead. Deciding to just ask her if she would rather go there, I plucked up the courage, and asked cautiously, "Hey there, Kells?"
"Yeah?" She looked at me sideways, curiosity etched on her brow.
"Would you rather go to Carolyn's place and wait for me?" The minute the words left my mouth, I regretted it. Instantly, panic flew across her face and she looked like a doe in headlights trying to figure out whether she should stay or run. The fight or flight response was truly never more visible than in that moment, as it was embedded in every feature of her expression and her lower lip trembled as tears started to form in her brilliant blue eyes.
"No!" she emphatically exclaimed. Squaring her shoulders and turning to face me full on, Kelsey was almost hysterical when she continued. Her little hands clenched at her sides, her breathing raggedly moving through her clenched teeth and her eyes blinked rapidly as she swallowed hard to keep from crying. Suddenly she blurted out, “Don’t leave me, please!” Tears were forming in her beautiful eyes and I wished I’d kept my mouth shut for once instead of speaking my mind before blurting out things.
“Kelsey, Sweetie! I’d never leave you. Not ever! Do you hear me?” Nodding her head yes with tears in her eyes, I reached over and hugged her tightly to me. Stroking her hair, I pulled away and placing my hand under her chin, I raised her face to look her in the eyes, “Kelsey, I was only asking because I want to make sure you’re okay with going to the house, but if you want to, then we can go together and I won’t leave you. Alright?” She began to relax a little.
Her little lips were pursed together in the most perfect pout and she nodded her head vigorously while trying to smile away her tears. “Alright then,” I said, “jump in back with Peanut and buckle up.” We hugged again, and I got her situated in the back seat. It was almost noon by the time we rolled up into the circular driveway on Cherry Hills Lane. The house was one of those built to look like a grand estate with pillars in the front and a large entryway. There was already a silver Mercedes in the driveway. Just as I turned off the engine, the front doors flew open and Jody, the maid and part-time nanny, came running as fast as her chubby little legs would carry her.
Andrea was a terrible housekeeper and even worse at cooking. They’d hired Jody when Kelsey was only two weeks old to help Andrea out for a couple months. She was so amazing that they just kept her on full-time after the couple months were up. Jody was a sweet, older lady, with a round cherub-like face. She was very outgoing and exuberant. Never afraid to speak her mind, but mindful of what she said. Big brown eyes that were framed with red lashes surrounded by strawberry blonde hair streaked with silver lit up at the sight of Kelsey stepping out of the car. Jody’s laugh sounded like a wind chime, soft and melodic, and her slightly high pitched but soft voice was so soothing to hear. She wrapped her plump arms around Kelsey and then turned to give me a hug. She was kind of short. Standing at just about the height of my shoulder, I couldn’t help but have to scrunch down to give her a hug.
Trying to look happy, it was also easy to see that she had been crying and there was a shadow of sorrow in her eyes. Leaning down toward Kelsey and smiling widely, “How was your flight, sweetie?”
It was like a flood gate opened and Kelsey just poured out the information. Looking at me sideways and squinting her eyes together in mischief she started explaining, “Aunt Maggie fell asleep on this strange man on the plane.”
Jody looked at me skeptically, but seeing my blush, replied, “I bet she did. She looks exhausted.” Looking back at Kelsey, she asked, “Was he cute at least?”
Laughing loudly, Kelsey blurted out, “She snored on him! Isn’t that funny?”
Jody smiled begrudgingly and winking in my direction, she started laughing as well. “Ah, Maggie, you do know how to impress them, don’t you?”
As I slapped her on the arm, I beseeched, “Quit encouraging her. You’re such a bad influence”. Giggling slightly, I leaned over conspiratorially, whispering, “And, Yes, he was very nice to look at.”
Jody’s broad grin could be seen from space. It was so radiant and filled with silent approval as if she sensed something when I spoke of him.
Letting her down gently, I snickered, “Don’t worry, we won’t be seeing him again, he left rather abruptly.” Jody seemed sad by this news but looked back to Kelsey with a jubilant smile on her face as Kelsey continued with her explanations.
“And he was a good pillow, huh, Aunt Maggie?” This, of course, was followed by the most raucous peels of joy, but it felt so good to laugh. We continued to chit chat about the complexities of sleeping on strange men as we made our way to the front door.
For a moment, we almost forgot. Just then, we entered the foyer of the large estate. I could smell the aroma of Jody's cooking as it wafted through the house to the doorway. Looking around expectantly, the gravity of the reality we faced suddenly struck us mute as we all suddenly became quite silent as if we were entering a tomb. The happiness from moments ago was quickly replaced with a solemn sadness that was so thick, it was almost as tangible and visible as a wall that we walked through upon entering. Kelsey’s shoulders drooped and she looked around expectan
tly. Then, she glanced up at the stairs with a look of longing in her eyes as if she were willing her parents to descend the long staircase to greet her.
Clearing her throat softley, Jody whispered, “I got your rooms ready.” Realizing she had barely spoken, she took a shaky breath and quickly followed in a normal, but reverent tone, “Maggie, Mr. Jacobs is in the study waiting for you.”
Making eye contact with Jody, “That explains the Mercedes in the driveway.” Turning and leaning down, I placed a hand on Kelsey’s shoulder to get her to look at me. “Kelsey, why don’t you take Peanut out back and then go up to your room with Jody while I go talk to Mr. Jacobs.”
It was like a light switch had been flicked. “Okay.” She leaned over and unzipped the soft kennel that contained Peanut and skipped toward the back door calling Peanut out with her. Jody mouthed the words, “she’ll be ok” to me as I longingly watched Kelsey go out to the backyard with my little dog in tow. I’d much rather be playing in the backyard than talking about wills and the final arrangements with Jaxon’s attorney, Clinton Jacobs.
Smiling at Jody and giving her a half hug, “Thanks for everything. You truly are a gift.” Jody blushed profusely which contrasted sharply with her strawberry hair. She turned and followed Kelsey out the back door.
Walking into the study, my stomach dropped as I looked above the fireplace opposite the desk to see the most recent family portrait. It showed Andrea dressed in a black turtleneck and her stomach painted to look like a pumpkin. Jaxon was sitting next to her dressed like a Chef, holding a pot below Andrea’s swollen belly. On the other side of Andrea, Kelsey stood in a princess outfit holding a plate in one hand, a fork in the other, with a crazed expression. She managed to pull off a manaicle look that was accentuated by a hungry stare at the baby bump and pot. It was so them. They were always having fun and making jokes. A tear slipped out.
The Tree and the Tablet (The St. James Chronicles Book 1) Page 2
