Broken Heart Attack

by James J Cudney

  Feeling generally satisfied with my decision not to return to LA, I knew I'd made Emma the priority in the whole sordid affair. Unfortunately, it would also make things much harder for me. Even if I found a way to forget how much I loved Francesca, we'd always be married in the eyes of the law. There could never be another woman in my life as long as she was still out there somewhere. It was an impossible decision to force someone to make. I finished the last mile of the trail and pulled up outside of the library. Emma rushed from the lobby entrance when she saw me.

  After hugging me, Emma said, “You smell like the dirty laundry basket, Daddy. I think you need to shower for a very long time tonight.”

  I took a quick sniff, then made a fake gagging sound for effect. “Oh, I'm worse than a wet dog who rolled around in the mud,” I teased. Then I realized it was the wrong thing to say as Emma would never let me forget it.

  “When are we getting a puppy, Daddy? I think since you're making me sit in this car when you're so stinky, you owe me big time!” Emma buckled her belt in the back seat and grinned so widely I feared she'd split in half.

  I tugged on the seatbelt to be sure it was properly connected, then waved my dirty towel in her direction. “You think I stink? Wait until you have to clean up after the puppy, baby girl!” As I started the engine and looked in the rearview mirror, I caught Emma rolling her eyes in exactly the same way I did.

  “Nu uh! That's your job. I'm there to entertain the puppy. You have to keep it clean!”

  If she were a little older, I might have said touché, but she needed a few more years before I could let her mimic my sarcasm.

  Chapter 13

  I woke up the following morning and decided to continue my cozy time with Emma by shopping. Fighting traffic to get to the mall on a Saturday morning was never an issue in Wharton County. Emma and I parked the car—she insisted on choosing the exact spot and helping navigate from the back seat—and skipped all the way to the north entrance. We played a few games of Frogger and Pac-Man, both of which Emma said had very poor graphics—evidence of the downside to a child being brought up on iPads and other digital technology. She giggled as the ghosts captured me in a few corners and told me I must be getting old if I couldn't run away from a ghost floating as slow as molasses. Since children hardly know enough to sugarcoat anything related to an adult's age, I tousled her hair and told her she was precious.

  “Maybe Nana D can teach you how to play better. She beat me at Candy Crush this week!” Emma cooed as we left the arcade and headed to pick out a new puzzle for the upcoming week. When I noticed the floor tiles were randomly covered with pastel-colored stickers for spring, I challenged her to only walk on ones with blue or pink, and I took orange and green. She was so excited I almost felt bad when she got stuck too far away from the toy store entrance without any tiles to step on. I waved to her from inside the store. “I guess I'll have to choose the puzzle by myself, huh?” I teased.

  Emma squinted at me, then gave me an evil eye that made her look so much like Nana D, I caught myself choking. I'd been so shocked I also hadn't heard someone call my name from further inside the store. Once I told Emma she'd won the game, she bee-lined it for the entrance. I caught her midair as she jumped in my arms. As I turned around, Jennifer Paddington walked toward me. After introductions, Emma asked if she could check out the puzzles in the back of the store. I let her go knowing I could see her in the reflection of the giant mirror on the side wall.

  “She looks like such a happy girl, you should be proud,” Jennifer noted while tossing two baby blankets over her left shoulder and kneeling on the ground near the shelf. “I didn't realize you had children. How long have you been back home?”

  “Just Emma. We only moved back to Braxton a few weeks ago,” I replied remembering what Eustacia had told me about Jennifer's previous miscarriages. What'd brought her to the toy store?

  “Children are a blessing. We've not had any babies in the family for a long time.” A cloudy gaze descended upon Jennifer's spirit as she spoke. I couldn't imagine desperately longing for a child only to lose the pregnancy.

  “Shopping for a gift?” I asked hoping to keep her from growing too distant or sad.

  “Oh, sort of. I stop in the store every so often. I… I don't have any children of my own, but I'm hoping someday soon,” Jennifer said in a faint almost-whisper. She folded up one of the blankets and placed it back on the shelf next to the entrance.

  “I hope it works out for you. My sister mentioned seeing you at a doctor's office the other day,” I said praying it wasn't perceived as an invasion of privacy. If Jennifer had mentioned wanting to have a baby, it felt acceptable to bring up what Eleanor had seen at the gynecologist.

  “Hmmm… I didn't see her. When was this?”

  “A couple of days ago, I don't remember exactly. I think she was there for a check-up.” After verifying Emma was still combing through the puzzles, I turned back to Jennifer. “I could be wrong.”

  “Well, I have been to the doctor's a lot, but the only one in the last few weeks was the in-vitro fertilization clinic. It wasn't my regular doctor,” she explained. “It's not impossible to conceive on my own, but I need all the help I can get when fifty is much closer than forty these days.” She tried to make light of the situation, but I could tell it was painful for her to discuss.

  I nodded feeling uncomfortable about asking too many personal questions. “That must be tough. Maybe something unexpected will work out soon for you.”

  “It's not looking too positive. All the procedures are expensive. I've got to put them on hold until I can find more money,” Jennifer said as her eyes began to swell and redden.

  “I don't mean to pry, but couldn't your family help with the financial aspect? The Paddingtons seem to have more than enough to go around,” I said feeling my heart reach out to the woman. I was curious how much her family knew about her current predicament.

  “No, it's not like that in our family. My mother wasn't supportive of me trying to have a child on my own. I'm not very close with Timothy or Ophelia either. We just sort of tolerate one another the last few years.” Jennifer folded the other blanket and put it on the lower shelf.

  “Again, I'm sorry to hear that.” Could Jennifer have been desperate enough to push her mother into an early grave knowing she'd inherit enough money to pay for the procedures? “Maybe things will be different now. Have you spoken to your Aunt Eustacia about your mother's estate?”

  “No,” she said tersely. “Aunt Eustacia said we needed to hold the funeral service tomorrow, then we'd meet with the lawyers next week. Something about it taking time to verify the final version of the will.” Jennifer retrieved her cell phone from her purse, then noted she needed to get going.

  Eustacia was savvy in keeping the family on hold while Finnigan tried to track down the supposedly new will Gwendolyn might have finalized the night before she was killed. “Have you spoken to anyone about the specific cause of your mother's death?”

  Jennifer pulled away. “She was old and had a heart condition. I assumed it was the heart attack that finally did her in. Why do you ask?”

  Hmm… I didn't want to be the one to tell her the truth. She looked genuinely surprised at my question, but I couldn't be sure if she was a good actress. “Just curious. Sometimes it helps the grieving process to know what happened to a loved one in the end,” I said remembering some of the questions I wanted to ask but never did when Francesca died. Or supposedly died.

  Jennifer thanked me for the suggestion, and I wished her success in finding the money to schedule another in-vitro fertilization procedure. As she left, a huge lump appeared in my throat. If Jennifer wasn't at her regular doctor when she saw Eleanor, it meant Eleanor had also been visiting the in-vitro fertilization clinic. Was she trying to have a baby on her own? I knew how important it was for my sister to have children, but she hadn't ever said she'd look to alternative methods. Could I ask her? Or was it just an initial conversation to understand
her options? I'd have to think about the best way to approach the topic ensuring I didn't alienate or upset Eleanor.

  Emma returned to the front of the store with two puzzle options. I went with the Frozen theme knowing she was obsessed with Disney as much as she was with getting a puppy. We paid for our purchase and took off for Grey Sports Field to attend Braxton's baseball game. After a quick tour of the campus, we bought hotdogs and French fries at the concession stand, then skipped to the center condiment stand to stock up on napkins and catsup. As we finished loading our trays, Emma waved at Nana D who stood a few feet from the restroom entrance talking to Marcus.

  “Nana D looks a little busy, honey. Let's give her a minute to finish her discussion.” Emma shoved a few fries into her mouth while I innocently listened to their conversation.

  Nana D said, “No, I'm not ready to have our next debate on Tuesday. We agreed to all these dates in advance. You're not moving it up, Stanton!”

  “Come on, Seraphina. I'm only asking to change it by three days. When we agreed, I had forgotten about my family's vacation beginning next week. I can't cancel it so close to the trip,” Marcus replied. “Besides, I've already got the staff setting up the hall for us to discuss the campaign issues.”

  “What? We also agreed to hold the next debate at Wellington Park. Can't you keep any promises you make? That explains why the homeless shelter lost its funding this year,” Nana D argued.

  “That's baloney! They lost the money because the state reduced its contribution. I had nothing to do with it,” Marcus challenged in a louder voice.

  A few people stopped and listened to them fight. Nana D threw one hand to her hip and poked Marcus in his chest with the other. “You're a liar and a thief. We're having the debate on Friday as we previously agreed, and if you try to change it, I'll tell everyone what a fraud you are.” Nana D continued to poke him extra times. She was a smart woman. By focusing on his attempt to change something they'd agreed to, it made him look far worse. At least fifteen people had begun to crowd around.

  I grabbed Emma's hand and walked in their direction hoping to temper their argument. “Hello, Councilman, Nana D. It's gonna be an exciting game today. Why don't we go take our seats and watch the pitchers warm up?”

  “Yeah, Nana D. I need to tell you all about how bad Daddy lost at Packer-Man,” Emma teased while leading her great-grandmother toward the stands. Nana D winked at me as she walked away deeply engaged in conversation with Emma.

  I turned to Marcus. “Diffusing that situation seemed ideal.”

  “Hmmm, probably a good plan. That grandmother of yours is one ornery gal. She's determined to hold me accountable for every little thing we discuss. Sometimes changes are necessary,” he said trying to rationalize his behavior and pretending I wouldn't automatically support family before him.

  “You two have been at each other's throat for years. What started it all?” I asked always having been curious about the past. Nana D would never reveal what'd happened between them which made me even more determined to discover their secrets.

  “Nothing I'm going to discuss!” Marcus tightened both fists and shook them with gusto. “You'd do best to mind your business when it comes to the past, Kellan.”

  “Well, if that's how you feel, I'll give it some consideration,” I consented knowing it wouldn't be the only way I could find out the truth. “I see Striker is pitching in today's game.” Striker was his stepson and he'd effectively raised the kid for most of his life when Striker's mother passed away.

  Marcus had stopped paying attention to me and instead focused on a pair of twenty-something girls walking by us. I'd only caught them from behind, but I saw more of one girl's legs than I had of the strippers at my bachelor party. Although I'd tried to stop my colleagues from throwing me a posh shindig at a LA-based gentlemen's club, I'd eventually caved and behaved myself! Whoever the girl was that had sashayed by the town councilman and I clearly thought dental floss was appropriate attire at a baseball game. Okay, it was more than dental floss, but Emma would never be allowed to dress like that!

  “Excuse me, Kellan. I need to discuss something with Miss Taft,” he said waving me off.

  I realized it was Lilly and her sister, Dana, who'd trotted by. Dana wore the risqué outfit while Lilly was much more conservative and pretentious in dress. “Wait, councilman. Lilly Taft? What do you have to discuss with her?” I asked.

  “What business is that of yours?” Marcus cocked his head in my direction and held a sour expression with one raised eye.

  “None, really. I've been getting to know the family. Now that I live in Braxton, it's important for me to connect with my roots, that's all.” I hoped it was enough not to raise any suspicion, but I was curious about anything that had to do with the Paddingtons these days.

  “Lilly graduated with my youngest daughter. I know her family well. She's been looking for investors for some new business she wants to open.”

  Interesting. What could she be trying to do? “Are you lending her money?”

  “It seems I no longer have to,” Marcus replied taking a step away from me.

  “Wait, how did she get the money?” I asked despite having no reason to interject myself into their business transaction. If she didn't need the money anymore, why was he trying to track her down?

  “I haven't a clue. I told her I'd think about it the last time we discussed the opportunity, but then Lilly told my daughter this week she no longer needed my help.” Marcus began walking away, then stopped and turned toward me. “Perhaps your time would be better spent if you'd focus on controlling that flaky grandmother of yours rather than obsessing over the daily activities of the Stantons and the Paddingtons. We're a little out of your family's league, Kellan,” Marcus quipped as he rushed off in pursuit of Lilly.

  I couldn't follow them without being noticed, nor did I have any idea where they were going. I ignored his derogatory remarks about my social status and pondered the information I'd learned. Lilly had either found an investor or thought she'd be coming into money. I needed to bring it up to Eustacia. Hopefully she had knowledge of Lilly's entrepreneurial undertakings.

  The announcer asked everyone to stand for the national anthem being sung by the college's choir. After its dazzling finish, I made my way to our seats and watched the game with Nana D and Emma. At the end of the game, Emma was so excited the Braxton Bears had won, she begged to go home with Nana D for a sleepover. When Nana D agreed, I accepted knowing it meant I could get a majority of the work done for my classes on Monday since Spring Break would be over. As Emma left with Nana D, I walked to the parking lot and turned down the row where I'd left the SUV. I noticed Sam Taft waving at someone who'd pulled out of the parking spot next to him.

  “Hey, Sam. Showing some school spirit today?” I said.

  “Kellan, oh… hi… did you just see… um… never mind. Yeah, I volunteer at the hospital.” Sam looked alarmed and confused. He again refused to look directly at me.

  “For what?” I imagined him conversing with various senior citizens for some reason.

  “What do you mean?” he said tossing his hands into his pockets and swallowing noisily.

  “You said you volunteer. I was asking what you volunteered for,” I explained. People had always felt relaxed around me. I'd never been known to worry someone so much in the past. Sam was either easily frightened, or he had something to hide from me.

  “Right. I bring sick children from the Wharton County General Hospital to some of Braxton's sporting events. Helps get them out for a few hours so they can maybe forget how ill they are,” he said perking up a little.

  “That's such a thoughtful thing to do,” I replied. “It's good to see how generous you are with your time.” Sam didn't behave like the rest of the Paddingtons or Tafts. There was a genuine down-to-earth quality about him. “I saw your sister, Lilly, a little earlier. She was meeting with Councilman Stanton.”

  Sam bit his lip. “Oh, really? Yeah, she's friends with
his daughter.” He started walking toward the driver's side door.

  “The councilman mentioned something about investing in a business opportunity with your sister. Do you know anything about that?” I asked hoping he'd share whatever he knew.

  “Oh, that… yeah, she's trying to start up a digital advertising agency. Lilly's all about social media and marketing partnerships. I think it's going well, but we don't talk that much.” When Sam pulled his hand from his pocket to open the door, something fell to the ground.

  I walked closer to him and bent down to pick it up at the same time as him. “I'll get it,” I said.

  “No, leave it.” Sam reached for it first, then shoved it back in his pocket before I could figure out what it was.

  “Um, is everything okay, Sam? You seem rattled.” I noticed his face begin to fluster and redden.

  “Yes, I gotta go.”

  As Sam pulled away, I shook my head. He was private and closed-off from everyone, including me. I barely knew him, but it was easy to see even in the three or four times we'd crossed paths. Whether it was lack of confidence from being surrounded by the vultures in his family, or a potentially dangerous secret he was hiding based on Dana's theory, the kid was close to exploding soon. I needed to find out whom he trusted in the hopes that person might be able to clue me in as to what made Sam tick. As I drove home, I called Eustacia to see what she might know.

  “I've no clue how Lilly could've come up with the money to open her business. I only know she was trying to find investors because Brad mentioned it,” Eustacia said after I told her what I'd discussed with Marcus.

  “I wasn't aware Lilly and Brad knew each other well,” I countered. Lilly lived at the Paddington estate, but she didn't seem to be the type of girl who'd hang around with the help. “What can you tell me about that relationship?”