Hearts of Emerald Bay

by D G Barnes

  “I’m so relieved Monica is okay,” Mac said. “Ellie was pretty sick last night too, but nothing like what you described.”

  Barb looked at her with kind eyes which put her at ease. “Well, Monica weighs like 45 kilos. It wouldn’t take much to get her drunk.” She paused, smiling at the way Ellie fussed over Monica. “You ever watch those two together? They act like an old married couple sometimes.”

  Mac glanced at the girls and had to hold back a laugh. She wondered if Barb had any idea how close the girls had become. Monica rested in a seated position on the bed, smiling as she talked with Ellie. She wore a standard hospital gown and sported an IV tube that snaked from her left arm to the bag of saline that hung on a rack nearby. Ellie busied herself adjusting the blankets and pillows anytime Monica moved, always wary of her IV tube.

  “I was beside myself with worry last night,” Barb continued. “But things are a lot better today. Monica told me they only drank water last night. However, Doris would have me believe something else.”

  “Barb, anything Doris says can’t be trusted. I assure you that Ellie—”

  “No need to explain. I’ve known Ellie and her parents since she was in diapers. I trust her, and I trust you. If the girls say they didn’t drink anything, then they didn’t. I’ve known Doris about as long too. Wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her.” She took a sip from the coffee cup in her hand and stared out the window as if contemplating something. “However, that doesn’t explain how they got drunk.”

  “I have a theory about that. Have you ever heard of Electric Jell-O?”

  ***

  When Dana arrived at the beach house, she looked questioningly at the SUV parked beside Jenny’s car. It was Jason’s but why would he drive all the way out here? They had spoken on the phone just the other day. Not that she wasn’t thrilled to get a surprise visit from her brother; it just seemed odd. She parked behind Jenny’s car and shut off the motor. As she exited her vehicle, she could have sworn she saw a small figure dart out of sight at the back of the house where the steps led to the deck. If Jason was here, then it was a safe bet her nieces were also here. They were probably hiding around the corner of the house waiting to scare her.

  She crept to the side of the house and ninjaed her way to the corner. Pausing for a second, she leaped out, arms in the air, roaring like the complete idiot she felt like. The deck and the walkway leading to it were empty. She glanced around, relieved no one saw. Composing herself, she made her way to the deck and stepped inside the house.

  “Surprise!” A chorus of voices called out, then broke into a boisterous rendition of Happy Birthday.

  Startled, Dana froze and took in the sight before her. A Happy Birthday, Dana sign hung above the kitchen counter. Colorful balloons filled with helium skidded across the ceiling, pushed along by the breeze from the open windows and door. Was that today? She knew it was coming up, but she hadn’t given it much thought. She was on vacation, so the calendar was something she ignored. The date on her phone was irrelevant these days as well. Familiar faces were happy to see her, and as the song ended, they clapped.

  Her nieces, the ones who she thought had been lying in wait to scare her, rushed over and wrapped their arms around her.

  “Auntie Dana!”

  She pulled them both into a big hug and kissed each on their forehead. Both girls had long brown hair and deep blue eyes and looked strikingly similar. Though there was a year between them, Kelsey 13 and Meghan 14, people often mistook them for twins.

  “Girls!” Dana said, overjoyed. It had been far too long since she had last seen them. “It’s so good to see you. How have you been?” She put an arm around each girl and walked them toward the rest of the group of well-wishers.

  “We’re good,” Kelsey replied. “Meghan’s got a boyfriend,” she added mockingly because that’s what little sisters did.

  “Do not!” Meghan protested.

  “Do to!”

  “Okay, girls knock it off. Your aunt doesn’t what to listen to you two bicker,” Jason said as they approached. The girls moved off, and he pulled Dana into a bear hug. “Happy birthday, Punk.”

  “Jason, is this your doing?” she asked in mock annoyance, punching him in the shoulder when he released her.

  “Guilty and ow!” he replied and feigned injury.

  “Big baby.” His wife, Susan, rubbed his lower back. “Happy Birthday, Dana.” She gave her a hug and a peck on the check. There was no doubt Susan was Kelsey and Meghan’s mother; she was an older, taller version of the girls.

  “Thanks, Susan,” she replied. “It’s great to see you guys.”

  She talked with them for a few more moments before moving to where her mother sat in an armchair, sipping a cup of tea, and chatting with Jenny. It had been longer since she had seen her, and she felt guilty for not trying to visit more often. They regularly spoke on the phone, but she knew it wasn’t the same.

  “Hi, Mom.” She bent at the waist to give her a warm hug and a kiss.

  “Happy Birthday, sweetheart. Now stand up and let me look at you.”

  Dana obeyed, and her mother’s lips pursed and her brow furrowed. “You look like something the cat dragged in,” she said matter of factly. “What’s going on?”

  She chuckled, not at all surprised by her mother’s remark. She never had an issue with telling things how they were, regardless of the company she was in. “It was long night.”

  “Oh?” Jason said from behind her. “Should I send the girls out of the room?”

  Dana gave him a dirty look and would have punched him again had he been standing near. “Nothing like that, you sicko,” she said. “My friend Mac’s daughter, Ellie, was sick last night. I stayed up with Mac most of the night watching over Ellie. At some point, I fell asleep on her sofa.”

  “I see, and is Ellie okay?” her mother asked, her concern shifting from Dana’s ruffled appearance to Ellie’s wellbeing.

  “Yes, mom; she just needed rest.”

  “Good,” she said and looked up at her daughter. “Now go change those clothes and freshen up. I made you a cake, and I know my granddaughters are champing at the bit to get some.”

  Dana laughed, and Jenny stood to give her a hug and to wish her a happy birthday. She took Dana’s arm and walked with her toward the bedroom, stopping once they were out of earshot of the others.

  “So, you and Mac? Everything okay?” Jenny asked.

  “Yeah, we’re good.” She gave Jenny’s hand a squeeze and continued to her bedroom.

  Later they all gathered around the table where, after making a wish, Dana blew out the candles. She swore there were too many of them on the large chocolate cake with white icing and sprinkles, a favorite of hers since she was a kid. She cut the first two slices and handed them to the girls and let the rest fend for themselves.

  As everyone enjoyed their cake, some had scooped vanilla ice-cream on theirs, Jason approached her. “Hey, Punk,” he said. “Are you sure you’re okay? You did look rather out of sorts earlier.”

  Dana nodded. “I just need some sleep. But, last night was interesting, to say the least.” She took his elbow and steered him out of earshot of the others. “Ellie wasn’t just sick; she was drunk.”

  His eyebrows raised. “Drunk? Didn’t you say she was 14?”

  Nodding, she glanced around the room. “Let’s go out on the deck.” A minute later they were sitting on the swing where Dana explained everything that had happened the night before. She also told him about what Doris and her sleazy lawyer of a son had tried after Jack and Melissa’s death.

  “Unbelievable,” Jason said, shaking his head.

  “I know. Right?”

  “Does this so-called lawyer have a name?” He took the empty plate from her and placed it with his own on the table.

  “I don’t know his first name, but his last name is Pennington.”

  His eyebrows pinched together. “Clayton Pennington.” He said the words as if they left a bad taste in
his mouth.

  “You know him?”

  He shook his head. “No, not personally. But his reputation precedes him. He’s a weasel. Seriously, look up weasel in the dictionary, and you’ll see his picture. The man has no scruples to speak of.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised. Do you think they will try and drag Mac back to court to get custody of Ellie?” Doris’s threat replayed in her mind.

  “I doubt it. From what you’ve told me, they have nothing to build a case on,” Jason replied. “Don’t sweat it, Dana, this too shall pass.”

  “Says, my all-knowing brother.” She smirked, feeling much better.

  “Exactly. It’s about time you figured that out,” he said, nudging her shoulder with his. “Speaking of Mac, where is she? She should have been here ages ago.”

  “Why would you think Mac would be coming? She doesn’t know you are here.” Dana thought about it for a moment. The phone call from Jenny, then Mac practically pushing her out the door to meet some unexpected guest. “Unless she was in on it!”

  He grinned. “Yeah. I called her a couple of days ago. She was going to find a way to get your key to me and get you out of the house for a while. Turned out that Jenny was here with her own key, and you were already out for the night.”

  “I see. Oh, what a tangled web we weave.” She laughed.

  “Of course, we figured you would have had a different reason for being tired this morning.” He waggled his eyebrows, and she swatted him.

  “And speaking of the devil,” Dana said as Mac and Ellie rounded the corner of the house. She met them at the top of the steps, and Mac pulled her into an embrace and kissed her.

  “Happy Birthday, baby.” Mac gave her the smile she loved.

  “Thanks. I’m glad you made it. Your co-conspirator over there was wondering what happened to you.” She nodded toward her brother.

  Mac laughed and turned to Jason as he approached. “Nice to be able to put a face to the voice on the phone,” she said, holding out a hand.

  “Likewise.” He shook her hand before turning to the teen. “And you must be Ellie. I’m Jason, Dana’s brother.”

  Ellie gave him a little wave. “Hi, Jason.”

  “So, what kept you?” he asked. “If you don’t mind me asking.”

  Concern spread across Mac’s face as she glanced at Dana. “Um, we had to stop off at the hospital. Ellie’s friend Monica took sick last night and was admitted.”

  Dana gasped. A heavy feeling filled her stomach. “Oh, my god. Is she okay?” Ellie nodded, relieving her fears. “Jason, why don’t you take Ellie in to meet the girls?”

  “Come on, Ellie.” He motioned toward the door. “My girls are about your age and would love to meet you, I’m sure.” The suggestion brightened Ellie’s mood and she followed him inside.

  Dana took Mac’s hand and led her to the swing where they sat facing each other. “Okay, spill. What happened with Monica?” She rubbed her thumb over the knuckles of Mac’s hand and listened intently as Mac retold the conversation she had had with Barb in Monica’s hospital room, including her suspicion about the Jell-O.

  “So, you think they may have eaten spiked Jell-O?”

  “Makes sense. Jell-O shots are a thing. I’ve served them at the tavern a few times, and if done right, you can’t taste the alcohol. Both girls said they ate a lot of Jell-O cubes last night.”

  “Sorry to interrupt, ladies,” Jason said from the doorway. “But Mom is asking for you, Dana. Says she wants to meet your girlfriend.”

  She gave him a nod and shrugged. “Only fair. I’ve met your folks. Now it’s your turn.” She stood and offered her an elbow.

  “I’d be delighted to meet your mother.” Mac linked arms with Dana as they headed inside.

  “Word of warning though, she likes to speak her mind. Calls a spade a spade.”

  Mac laughed. “Duly noted.”

  Moving deeper into the house, they noticed Ellie and the girls sitting at the table chattering away, Ellie with the remains of a slice of cake in front of her. Susan, Jason, and Jenny sat on the sofa, and her mother was still in the armchair.

  “Mom,” Dana said as they neared the older woman. “I would like you to meet Mac Mackenzie. Mac, this is my mom.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Lawson.”

  Her mother pursed her lips and looked Mac up and down. “Mac Mackenzie,” she said, mulling over the name. “Surely your mother didn’t name you Mac?”

  Dana groaned. “Mom!”

  Mac squeezed her hand. “It’s okay,” she reassured Dana. “No, ma’am, she didn’t. My name is Taylor. I prefer Mac.”

  Mrs. Lawson pondered this for a moment, not taking her eyes from Mac. “I see,” she said. “She’s lovely, Dana. And she’s a redhead. I bet she’s a fiery one where it counts.”

  Dana wanted to crawl under a rock and never come out. “Oh, god, Mom! She’s standing right here.” Her mother ignored her. She felt the blush moving up her face as she glanced at Mac not knowing what to expect, but to her surprise, Mac wore an amused expression, and her shoulders shook from silent laughter.

  “Well, Mac, now that I have thoroughly embarrassed my daughter, my job is done. Please, call me Ruth.” Her eyes sparkled with mischievous.

  “Thank you, Ruth.” Mac nodded. “She is a lovely shade of pink, isn’t she?”

  “Don’t you start.” Dana bumped her shoulder against Mac.

  Jason had grabbed a couple of chairs from the dining room for Dana and Mac, and the adults sat and talked about anything and everything well into the afternoon while the girls busied themselves elsewhere. Sometime around 3:00 PM, they said their goodbyes. Jason, Susan, Ruth, and the girls piled into the SUV and Jenny into her own car. Dana, Mac, and Ellie waved from the driveway as both vehicles and their occupants headed back to the city.

  “So, what shall we do now?” Mac slipped an arm around Dana’s waist.

  “I think I should take you and Ellie out for supper, then we can stop at the hospital and visit Monica for a bit.”

  “Sounds good to me!” Ellie agreed, assuredly more excited about seeing Monica than going out to eat.

  “Me too, but I think I should be the one buying since you’re the birthday girl and all,” Mac said as they headed back inside.

  “Nope. I insist, and I get my way because I am the birthday girl.”

  They chose a quiet little family restaurant one town over and a couple blocks from the hospital where Monica was. The eatery was a simple yet pleasant spot that was popular with the locals and tourists alike.

  Monica lit up when Ellie entered her hospital room. Ellie went straight to the bed and sat on the edge where she initiated an animated conversation. Barb was sitting in a chair and looked pleased to see the visitors.

  “Hi, Barb,” Mac said. “How is Monica doing?”

  “She’s feeling great. The doctor says all her tests are normal and that she can go home in the morning.” Barb glanced at Dana, giving her a polite nod.

  “That’s wonderful news. Barb, this is my girlfriend, Dana Lawson. Dana this is Monica’s mom, Barb.”

  “A pleasure to meet you, Barb. I’m so happy Monica is okay.”

  “Thanks. Monica has told me all about you. You have quite a fan in her,” Barb said. “It was very kind of you to give her an autographed copy of your book. You don’t know how happy you made her.”

  “It was my pleasure. She’s a wonderful girl.”

  They sat with Barb and chatted while Ellie and Monica did the same, only with a lot more giggles. When the nurse entered the room to inform them visiting hours were over, Dana looked at her watch, surprised they had been there for over an hour.

  “Well, thank you for coming to visit. It means a lot,” Barb said as they all stood.

  “We were more than happy to. Monica is like a second niece to me,” Mac said as she and Barb hugged.

  “Barb, I was thinking,” Dana said as they were turning to leave. “Next week I’m going to an awards ceremon
y in the city, and I have invited Mac and Ellie. Maybe Monica would like to come along too?”

  “Can I, mama? Can I?” Monica released an excited squeal and opened her eyes wide.

  Ellie, who looked equally excited at the proposition, matched Monica’s squeal.

  “We’ll if Dana is sure she wants you underfoot, then it’s fine with me.”

  “I would love to have Monica there,” said Dana.

  The girls cheered and gave each other a hug as they said their goodbyes. Mac and Dana said goodnight to Barb and Monica, then left the hospital for home.

  Later that evening, Dana snuggled with Mac on her sofa, a shared bowl of popcorn between them. Ellie lay claim to the oversized armchair and curled up with a bowl of her own as they watched a movie and relaxed. Dana breathed a contented sigh. She liked being here like this, in Mac’s embrace. She felt safe as if this was where she was meant to be.

  She glanced at Ellie and her thoughts wandered. She had often thought about what it would be like to have a child of her own, but Gail had never shown any interest in starting a family. If she was honest with herself, she was, or at least had been, so focused on her writing that there really hadn’t been any room in her life for a child. She had her nieces, and she spoiled them whenever she could, much to her brother’s dismay, and that seemed to be enough for her. But she was getting older and time wasn’t on her side. If this relationship with Mac was meant to be, then perhaps Ellie could fill the role of the child she never had. Hell, maybe Mac would want to have a baby with her.

  Whoa! Back up the bus. Where had that come from? She gave herself a shake. A baby! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The corners of her mouth climbed her face at the thought, and she wondered what Mac would think about it. But, it would have to be a discussion for a much later date. It was apparent that Mac liked her; how much was the question. Dana wasn’t exactly sure how deep her feelings went for Mac. No, that wasn’t true. Not at all.

  She peeked up at Mac who was munching leisurely on a handful of popcorn, her gaze fixed on the TV. Dana enjoyed the familiar warmth that washed over her. Being with Mac made her feel whole, and she felt her absence when they were apart. She looked forward to the morning texts she received, and waking up beside her was a new favorite thing. It was true; she adored this woman, and she could easily see herself falling in love with her. Stopping herself, she pondered that last thought. She peeked up again and this time kissed the underside of her jaw. Correction, she was already falling.