by I Beacham
“This isn’t my daughter.”
Ann’s voice cracked, and Sam didn’t know what to say or do.
“Please try and be calm, my dear. This isn’t doing you any good.” Len pulled his wife into a hug, and she stayed there for a while. When she pushed away from him, she returned to pacing the kitchen floor. She eventually stopped and turned to Sam, resolve on her face.
“Sam, I might as well tell you because Joey isn’t going to.”
An unpleasant sensation ran through Sam. Something disagreeable was about to be said, something that Sam had a feeling she didn’t want to hear.
“Joey has taken the job at Stallion,” Ann said.
“What job?”
“They offered her a permanent contract a few months ago. She told us about it when she was last out here. Didn’t she tell you?”
“No.” Joey had said nothing to her about any job offer with Stallion. Why not? It hurt that Joey hadn’t told her.
“Well, she’s taken it,” Ann added.
“What’s she doing over here then?”
“She’s in between contracts and here to sort things out,” Ann said.
“She’s got a townhouse down near the harbor,” Len explained. “She’s been renting to buddies for a few years on an unofficial basis. She was thinking of selling it, but now she’s decided to hang on to it and rent it but through an agent. She also needed to see RSB. She’s had to clear everything with them regarding termination of her contract.”
Sam could tell Len wasn’t enamored with them.
“They couldn’t drop her contract quick enough when she went to pieces in front of the public on a live broadcast. Nothing has pleased me more to know she’s free of the bastards.”
Ann reacted uncomfortably to his language, but Len dismissed her.
“No, Ann, I speak as I find. They are bastards. If they’d protected and given her time…helped her instead of setting her up for a fall, a lot of this could have been avoided. All they’re interested in is their profit margin and increasing viewing numbers. They’re a bunch of fuckers.” He looked to Sam. “Sorry.”
“She hasn’t told me any of this,” Sam said. A nasty taste rose in her mouth. Why hadn’t Joey told her when she returned to England before Christmas, and why the shit hadn’t she told her now? She felt betrayed. Worse, she felt betrayed by someone she was in love with and who she thought loved her. A chill settled in her.
“I’m not standing for this,” Ann said. “I’m going to get her over here and we’re going to sit down over dinner in a civilized fashion and talk things through. I will not let her get away with this behavior even if she is unwell. She needs to know we love her.” Ann looked at Sam. “All of us.”
Sam could see Ann was barely holding it together.
“My daughter is going to live in England, and I’ll be damned if she’s going back there with this between us all.”
Len didn’t look like this was a good idea. Sam wasn’t sure either, but she kept her counsel.
“I’ll phone her tomorrow and make the arrangements,” Ann said. “I’m not in a good mood right now.” She walked out of the kitchen.
“This is my fault, Len. I’m sorry.” Sam waited until Ann was out of earshot.
“No, it isn’t. It’s no one’s fault except the rebels and what they did. They’ve messed with my daughter’s mind and now she’s got PTSD. There are a lot of families out there having to cope with this. We’re not unique. We’ll get through. I don’t know how, but we will.” He moved to leave the room too but stopped. “I think I’m going down to the shed to work on the Kawasaki. Want to help?”
Sam rose from the breakfast table. The polite response would have been to say yes, but she needed time alone. She was hurting. Joey had kept news from her, and not just recently. This wasn’t good.
“Would you be upset if I declined? I could do with a bit of time to think.”
Len understood. “Sure.”
“I might take the bike out for a spin.”
The roads were clear of snow and dry for the moment. It probably wasn’t going to stay like that for long. Snow was expected later in the day. It was her last chance.
“Dress up warm, Sam. There’s a cutting wind out there.”
“I will.”
“And keep her out of snow.”
“I’ll do that too.” Sam smiled.
*
Joey left the recording studio.
When the NPR courtesy vehicle reunited her with her car, she drove straight home to the Baltimore apartment.
She usually liked driving. She’d get out onto the interstate, put the pedal to the metal, and chill out, maybe listen to the radio. But this journey didn’t have its usual calming effect. She was upset, and it seemed every minute her emotions altered between anger, shame, and distress. She was angry because Sam had turned up at NPR. She was ashamed because of how she’d treated Sam. She was devastated because she’d left her there.
She kept seeing Sam’s face as the courtesy vehicle drove off from the front of the building. She’d looked wounded, lost, and vulnerable. Joey couldn’t believe she was acting this way toward the woman she loved more than her own life. But it was for Sam’s own good, and the sooner she went home to England the better. But damn it, Sam was showing no sign of doing that.
Joey blamed her mother.
She was making everything worse by encouraging Sam to stay. But for her, Sam might have gone by now. Maybe.
Joey was still smoldering with anger the next day when her mother called her. Ann didn’t waste time in getting straight to the point. She did at least have the decency to tread gingerly.
“Darling, please listen. I know you think I’m interfering. I’ve never done it before and I’m trying not to now, but sometimes you can’t ignore what’s going on. I know what happened between you and Sam yesterday in DC. Sam is being very stiff upper lip about it all, but I can tell she’s hurting. I know this is not what you intended to do, but…”
Ann paused and Joey stiffened. Instinct told her that her mother was about to tell her something she wouldn’t like.
“I want you to come over to dinner tomorrow. It’ll just be your father, you and me, and Sam. We can sit down like civilized human beings, have something to eat, and then you and Sam can have a chat…a real chat. You can try to sort everything out. You can’t expect her to understand when you won’t even talk to her. Telling her to go home isn’t enough. She’s in love with you. You’ve got to stop hiding.”
Joey was right; this wasn’t what she wanted to hear, and it made her angry. Her mother was nervous. Joey heard the telltale little cough she had when her mouth got dry. She knew her mother was trying to help, but she wasn’t, and Joey needed to tell her a few hard truths.
“If you didn’t meddle, none of this would have happened. Sam would have gone—”
“No, darling, she wouldn’t,” her mother interrupted. “She’s not one to be pushed away, not without reason. It’s no good blaming me for Sam’s persistence.”
“You told Sam about the NPR appointment. Of course I blame you. And how dare you invite her to stay with you—”
“Your father and I have every right to invite who we like into our house—”
“Don’t drag Dad into this. He just does what you want.”
Joey heard the sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. Her mother went quiet.
“Mom, your interfering is making everything worse.”
“Darling, please—”
“Don’t darling me. You’re doing the wrong thing. You don’t understand.”
“Then come to dinner and make me understand. Enlighten us all.”
“There’s no way I’m coming over tomorrow. I’ve said all I’m going to say to Sam.”
“Please, darling.”
“Stop this meddling. I’m not in the mood. I want you to stop.” Joey heard herself shout. There was venom in it.
The line went quiet again.
“Are
you listening to me, Mother? Are you hearing what I’m saying?”
“I’m finishing this, Joey. You’re not listening to me, and I don’t feel well.”
“Yes, put the phone down on me. You always do this when you know you’re in the wrong.”
“Please…come to dinner.”
“No.”
The phone line went dead.
Joey cursed. This was so typical of her mom. Whenever they argued, albeit infrequently, it always ended up with neither of them giving in. Her father said it was because they were too alike—hardnosed, inflexible, and uncompromising. They would walk away from each other for a while, cool down, and realize what they were arguing about was unimportant. They would then demonstrate their unfaltering love in quiet little ways. It drove her father crazy.
But this was different. This was because what they were arguing about was important. It upset Joey. It was true that her mother never interfered in her life. But she was doing it now, and she was siding with Sam. Even her father was. Why would they do that?
Joey shivered. She had shouted at her mom. In all their spats, she never did that. But she had today, and her angry words had sounded mean and vicious.
Are Mom and Dad doing this because I really am ill?
Joey dropped onto the couch. Staying away from Sam was supposed to be helping.
Why wasn’t it then?
Chapter Eighteen
It was late afternoon and getting dusk as Sam rode back up the driveway of Ann and Len’s home.
She was tired and getting cold, but the bike ride had improved her disposition. The expectation of snow hadn’t yet delivered, and with the exception of a coffee stop at a roadside café, she’d ridden for hours around the different Baltimore districts and then way out into the farthermost parts of the city before turning back.
As she got parallel to the house, the bike’s lights lit up the side entrance to it. Something made her stop.
A side door that led off the kitchen and onto the driveway was wide open, and it struck Sam as odd. It was cold and getting colder. Ann was a hothouse flower. She wasn’t the type to let cold air into the house.
Sam stopped the engine and had just stepped away from the bike when Len came to the door as white as it was possible to be without being dead. She knew instantly that something was wrong.
“I’m waiting for the ambulance. Ann’s not well…she’s in the kitchen.”
Sam rushed inside and saw Ann sitting on the floor, semi propped up against the cupboards. Len was flustered as he went over to her. He knelt at her side and kept brushing Ann’s usually immaculate hair off her face.
“I came up from the shed and found her unconscious on the floor. She’s come around but can’t stand.”
Ann gazed up at Len. “It’s all right, dear. I’ll be fine.” She was trying to reassure but failing. Her voice was weak, and Sam saw how she struggled to breathe. She was sweating and pale.
“She suffers from angina,” Len said.
Sam knew a few people back home who had the heart disorder. They sometimes suffered attacks, would take their prescription, and often the pain went away shortly after. Maybe it would now.
“What about her medication, Len?”
Len revealed a small spray in his pocket. “I put some under her tongue as soon as she came around. It usually calms any attacks, but it hasn’t worked, and she’s never passed out before. That’s why I’ve called the ambulance.”
Sam would have done the same. Right now she could only think how uncomfortable Ann looked. “Would it help if we moved you, Ann? Got you to a chair?”
Ann looked grateful. “Yes…I’m cold here…but I can’t stand.”
Len and Sam carefully raised her up and onto a chair at the kitchen table.
“Better?” Sam asked.
Ann didn’t answer, only managing to nod. The minimal movement had exhausted her.
“Len, can you find her a blanket or something? Let’s get her warmer.”
He disappeared.
Sam took Ann’s hands in hers and rubbed them. They were frozen. “What happened, Ann?”
“I was on the phone. I’d been talking to Joey,” she said. “We argued.”
A part of Sam went cold. She could imagine what they’d argued over.
“I wanted her to come to dinner—”
“I thought you were going to call her tomorrow when you felt calmer.” Len was back with a throw and was wrapping it around Ann’s shoulders and back. Ann’s news annoyed him. Sam didn’t know if it was to do with Ann making the call or Joey’s behavior. Sam wished she’d kept her mouth shut and not told them what had happened in DC. She could have lied and said she’d arrived late and missed Joey. All this upset could have been avoided. Sam cursed.
“I couldn’t wait, Len. I was unhappy. I knew I wouldn’t sleep tonight, and I thought I could make things better.” Ann stopped talking as she groaned and held her chest. “Oh, Len…”
“Shush, honey. Don’t talk anymore. Later.” He stoked her forehead again.
Sam and Len shared a look. His face spoke volumes. He was in control, but there was no hiding how distraught he was.
Sam heard a vehicle approaching. It was the ambulance.
Len went with Ann, and Sam followed after she’d secured the house.
*
Joey entered the hospital and ran along the corridors to where she knew her father was.
His phone call had shocked and frightened her. Her mother had been taken to the hospital in an ambulance. How could this have happened? If she worried about either of her parents, it was always her dad. He was older and had slowed down over the last few years. He’d also dropped some weight. But her mom? She was fit and healthy. Joey couldn’t recall the last time she’d been ill. Now all Joey could think about was their stupid argument on the phone earlier.
When she entered the waiting room, she saw her father and Sam. He was pacing the room. Sam was sitting quietly.
Joey went straight up to her dad and they warmly embraced.
“How’s Mom? Is she okay?”
“The doctors are with her. We’re waiting to see how she is.”
Joey glanced at Sam. She was part of the “we,” but it didn’t upset her. She was glad Sam was here. It felt right. It made Joey feel safer and somehow protected. She wanted to let Sam see that, but Sam wasn’t looking at her. Joey turned back to her father. “Why didn’t you tell me Mom has angina?”
“We didn’t want to worry you. You have enough to cope with.”
“How long has she had it?”
“It started a few years ago.”
“You should have told me, Dad.”
He shrugged. “She’s been on medication, and until now, she’s been fine.”
A doctor walked into the room.
He raised his hands in anticipation. “It’s okay, Mr. Barry. The attack has passed, and she’s stable now. We’ve increased her medication, and she’s much calmer and more comfortable.”
Her father deflated like a balloon, and Joey clung onto his arm. She wasn’t sure who was supporting who.
“What brought it on so bad?” her father asked.
“We’ll run some tests and see what they indicate. Is Mrs. Barry under any stress?”
Joey closed her eyes. She’d done nothing but put her mother under stress ever since she’d got back from the Middle East. Her behavior lately had been atrocious too.
“Some,” her father answered diplomatically.
“You need to try to reduce that if you can,” the doctor said.
“We can,” Joey said. Her father gave her a weak smile.
“What happens now?” he asked.
“We’ll keep her in for a while. Medication and rest. The tests will show us what we’re dealing with.”
“Like what?” Joey asked.
“Well, she’s been stable till now. It looks like something is aggravating the condition.”
“Like?” Joey wanted answers. Though her father feigned p
atience, she knew he wanted those answers too.
The doctor seemed used to “twenty questions.” He smiled sympathetically.
“That’s what the tests will show us, but her unstable condition could be poor blood flow.”
“You mean like blocked or narrowed arteries,” Joey stated.
“I’m sure Mrs. Barry’s doctor will have spoken to her about this,” the doctor calmly said. “Without those results, we could be looking at anything from increased medication to surgery.”
“Surgery?” Joey asked.
“Can we hold back? Let’s just say as soon as we know what we’re dealing with, we can look at all the options. Second-guessing at this stage isn’t going to do anyone any good.”
“Back off, Tiger.” Her father put his arm around Joey’s shoulder in support. “Can I see Ann?”
The doctor nodded. “I don’t see why not, but just you for this evening. I don’t want her getting overly tired. She can see others tomorrow. I’ll send a nurse to tell you when she’s ready.”
The doctor left.
Joey waited until he was out of earshot. “Dad, this is my fault. Mom and I argued on the phone a few hours ago. I’m the one who has put her under all this stress. She told me she didn’t feel well, and I didn’t believe her. I thought she was being her usual theatrical self. If only I’d come over when she put the phone down.”
Her father put a finger to her lips. “Joey, I know you had an argument, but this isn’t your fault. Your mother has a coronary heart condition. You didn’t give her that.”
“But—”
“But nothing. She does put the phone down on us when she doesn’t want to hear.” He forced a smile as he pulled her into his arms and held her tight.
