by Maria Geraci
Allie felt her stomach roil over. “And…was it?”
“No! That’s the thing. Our marriage was the mistake, not the divorce.”
Allie let go of the breath she didn’t know she’d been holding in. Not until now, anyway. “All right. But I still don’t get it. Why the phony ghost email?”
Lauren’s face scrunched up. “That was initially Mimi’s idea. Like I said, we’ve become good friends and I told her about the music thing. How it seemed too weird of a coincidence that it began with the salvaging of your grandmother’s record player. Don’t you see? The song wasn’t about me and Tom. It was about you and Tom. It’s like the universe is trying to get you and Tom back together. With some help from your grandmother, of course.”
Allie laid her mug down on the desk. “Sorry. You’ve totally lost me here.”
“Mimi and I knew that if we tried to fix you up with Tom you’d never go for it. Not with your history. But she thought you wouldn’t be able to pass up on a ghost story. And what with Tom in charge of that building, well, it seemed like it would be inevitable that it would throw the two of you together. I had no idea you’d prove so stubborn. Mimi wanted to give up when you never responded, but I just couldn’t, so I sent it on your editor hoping you’d eventually get it.”
“I get why Mimi wants me and Tom together, but, sorry, I don’t understand why you’d go to such lengths.”
Lauren’s cheeks pinked up. “Would you believe me if I told you the song was driving me crazy? And that it didn’t stop until I sent that email? It’s like someone was compelling me to write it.”
Allie blinked. “Um, yeah, I guess I could believe that.”
“Look, I know we don’t know each other well, but this is what I do know. Tom is the best guy I’ve ever known. The absolute best. We got married because I was too afraid of being a single parent, and because I couldn’t stand letting my parents down. It was a dumb reason, but twelve years ago it was the best decision we could come up with. I knew Tom was into you. Way more than he ever was into me. But he gave up everything to try to make our marriage work. And I love him for that. And because he’s the best dad ever. When Tom takes something on, you get one hundred percent of him.”
Allie cleared her throat. “So what happened? If Tom is such a saint why didn’t the marriage work?”
“I know this sounds like a big cliché, but one day I looked at the calendar and realized that in a year I’d be turning thirty. And I knew that if I didn’t do something, I’d be forty, and then fifty, and I would have spent half my life with someone I shouldn’t be with. So I put on my big girl pants and asked Tom for a divorce.”
“I bet that was one interesting conversation,” Allie said.
“Yeah.” Lauren grinned. “When Tom makes up his mind it’s like moving a two ton boulder uphill. But eventually, he caved in. And I moved back home to be near my parents.”
“Mimi told me your daddy’s been having some health problems.”
Lauren nodded sadly. “Tom was terrific about it. According to our divorce settlement he didn’t have to agree to the move. Taking Henry out of state was a no-no. But you know what? He helped me pack up and settle in, and then for nearly a year straight he drove down almost every weekend to see Henry. Because that’s the kind of guy he is. Tom doesn’t go around telling you he loves you. He proves it with his actions.”
Allie swallowed hard. “Can I ask you a question? What do you think is making us hear the music? I mean, do you think maybe…”
“Do I think your grandmother is using her old records to communicate with us? I don’t know. I just think there’s too many unexplained things in the universe to rule anything out. It’s like the idea of an afterlife. I don’t have to have proof to know one exists.” Lauren smiled. “Maybe there’s just some things we aren’t meant to figure out.”
For a long moment, neither of them said anything. Then Lauren glanced down at her watch. “I should open the store back up. In case any customers decide to show up.”
Allie jumped from her seat. “Oh, yeah, of course.”
“Look, Allie, for what’s it worth, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to mess with your professional life. It’s just, Mimi was convinced that you still had feelings for Tom. And I’m convinced he still has feelings for you. And all I know is that any woman lucky enough to be on Tom Donalan’s radar would be an idiot to not give him a shot.”
It was perfect weather for a football game. Cool, crisp, and blessedly dry for a change. The air was heavy with excitement and the smell of hot boiled peanuts. Toss in a packed stadium and life didn’t get much better in small town Florida.
The Whispering Bay Wolverines were facing their cross state rival, the Old Explorer’s Bay Conquistadors. Old Explorers Bay was a small town south of St. Augustine located on Florida’s east coast. Both schools had won the state’s 2A football championship in the past and both desperately wanted to beat each other tonight. Small town pride was at stake, along with a chance to get into the playoffs.
Thirteen years ago, the Wolverines beat the Conquistadors 28-3. Tom had thrown a near flawless game. Afterward, Lauren had given him his first blow job. It had been the perfect end to a perfect night. Tonight, he sat next to her with Henry on his other side. His parents were here, too, along with half the town. He stared down at the top of her blonde head. A lot had changed in thirteen years. He wasn’t the same guy who’d gotten her pregnant. And she wasn’t the same girl who’d come to him in tears worried about how her parents would react to the news. They were both on a different course now, each of them trying to eke out a new life.
Are you happy? A week ago he thought he was. But tonight he knew different.
He wondered how Lauren would answer that question.
Then he wondered how Allie would answer it. He hoped the answer would be yes. Even if it meant being happy without him. Which definitely seemed to be the case.
“Want something to drink?” he asked Lauren, nodding toward the concession stand where Mimi Grant and Kitty Pappas were selling cold cokes and hot nachos.
“Sure. I’ll take a coke. And a hot dog. You know how I like it.” She turned to their son. “Henry, go help your dad.”
Henry stood and waved to someone on the far right side of the bleachers. “Can Cameron spend the night?” he asked.
Tom followed his gaze. It was hard not to spot Zeke Grant. Harder even to ignore his sister, sitting next to him. Allie wore jeans and a maroon and gold Wolverines sweatshirt. Her long brown hair hung loose and straight down her back. Tom couldn’t tell from this angle, but he’d bet she had on those blue cowboy boots, too. He’d like to see her in those again. In just those and nothing else. It was unlikely that would ever happen. But a guy could dream.
Man, he had it bad.
In that instant Zeke Grant turned and caught Tom staring at his sister. Grant’s eyes hardened. Yeah, asshole, good thing you can’t read my mind.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Lauren said. “As long as it’s okay with Cameron’s parents.”
“Mimi’s working concessions. We’ll ask her.” He led his son to the bottom of the bleachers. Within seconds, Cameron joined them. Both boys seemed happy to see one another.
Mimi smiled at him. “What can I get you?”
Tom placed his order and Kitty began filling the cardboard cups with ice.
“Henry wants to know if Cameron can spend the night,” Tom said. “He’s with Lauren tonight.”
Cameron turned to his mother. “Can I, Mom?”
“Well, I don’t know. Don’t forget you have that science project to turn in on Monday.”
“I’ll spend all day tomorrow working on it. Promise,” Cameron said.
“O-kay, you talked me into it,” Mimi said, clearly having a little a fun at her son’s expense. She handed Tom his order. “And just so you know, part of the proceeds from tonight’s concession are going to my mayoral campaign.”
“Finally, this town is going to get a mayor who r
eally cares about what’s going on,” Kitty added proudly.
“So you’re giving Bruce Baily a run for his money, huh? Good for you,” Tom said.
“Does that mean I have your vote?”
“Depends on how you feel about commercial zoning,” Tom halfway joked.
“Actually, I’m working up a platform on that. Kitty has agreed to be my campaign manager and Lauren is going to help with my first official fundraiser.”
“Oh, yeah? Good for her, too.” Lauren hadn’t told him her plans but Tom nevertheless felt a twinge of pride. They might not be married anymore, but he was happy to see her spread her wings. It would be a lot of work, and she already had the shop and an ailing father to help look after, but it was good for her to become civically involved. It set a good example for Henry, too.
He glanced back up in the stands and caught Allie staring at him. Their gazes held for a few long seconds before she looked away. She didn’t look happy, that was for sure, not that Tom derived any satisfaction from that.
Now that he was back home they’d probably run into each other from time and time. And no matter what he was certain he saw or didn’t see in her eyes, he’d play along. He’d do whatever it took to make her feel at ease. And if that meant he had to smile and make nice and pretend they were nothing more than an old fling, then so be it.
*~*~*
Allie watched as Tom made his way back up the bleachers. He distributed the assorted drinks and snacks out to his family, then sat down next to his son. It was a cozy picture. One Allie vowed to imprint on her brain.
Once again, Tom caught her staring at him. Allie placed her hand up in a weak wave, then turned in her seat before she could see if Tom waved back or not.
They’d already said their goodbyes. No need to draw anything out. Every few years they’d run into one another. They’d smile politely. Make some chitchat. Tom would eventually get a girlfriend. Maybe he’d even remarry. Heck, maybe he and Lauren would get back together. Despite the ex-Mrs. Donalan’s protests to the contrary, it could happen. And it might be the best thing for everyone. Especially Henry. Maybe Allie would find someone, too. Get married. Pop out a few kids. She tried her hardest to envision it. But nothing came to her. It was definitely time to change up that Chunky Monkey fantasy.
The game went by quickly, but Allie was too focused on watching Claire to pay much attention to the score. She seemed so happy tonight in her maroon and gold cheerleader’s uniform, all smiles and long legs (and those boobs!). She was growing up so fast. Her little Claire Bear. Drinking (or not drinking as she’d claimed) beer at a party with a boy that Allie was certain neither Mimi nor Zeke knew of.
She had to admit Claire’s back flip was impressive. She could see how hard the team worked. It was almost more gymnastics than straight cheerleading. She hoped Zeke would take Claire’s confession well, because Allie hated to think that this could be Claire’s last game.
In the end, the Whispering Bay Wolverines beat the Conquistadors 14-7 in an exciting finish that had the entire stadium rocking. The players ran off the field, with the cheerleaders and the band following them into the gym, playing the school fight song.
*~*~*
Allie and Zeke made their way down to the concession stand, where Mimi and Kitty were finishing clean up duty.
“I told Cameron he could spend the night with Henry,” Mimi told Zeke. “They’ll be at Lauren’s house.”
“Sure,” Zeke said politely. Too politely as far as Allie was concerned. It was like the two of them were skating around each other, afraid to get too close for fear of crashing. Maybe a crash would be good. At least then they could pick themselves up and start over.
“See you in the morning?” Cameron asked Allie.
“I’ll probably leave pretty early,” Allie said. “How about you give your old aunt a hug till next time.” Cameron hugged her and then ran off into the stands to find Henry.
Kitty locked the concession stand door. She handed Mimi an envelope and the two of them made plans for next week’s Bunco game. Allie was tempted to ask how much money they’d raised for the mayoral campaign but, considering Zeke’s feelings on that particular subject, she decided to keep her mouth shut. She’d ask Mimi later.
Gail from the Blue Monkey had called this afternoon asking what shifts she wanted to work next week. Soon, she’d back to her old routine. Waiting tables at the restaurant, dodging Jen and Sean at the apartment, and trying to find time to write. Same old, same old world. Funny. She’d been back in Whispering Bay less than a week, but her regular life seemed like it belonged to someone else.
She glanced around the near empty stadium. Just five nights ago she’d told Jen Whispering Bay was home. And in a way it was. She thought about what her life would be like if Mimi got her way and Allie were to move back permanently. Despite Allie’s objections to the contrary, it was shockingly easy to envision. She could write anywhere. She could wait tables anywhere, too. What she couldn’t do from just anywhere was help Mimi with the mayoral campaign. Or help her brother with his shaky marriage. Or get close to her niece and nephew again. Those were only things she could do if she lived right here.
“Well, that was a good one.” Zeke stretched his arms above his head and yawned. “Get Claire and let’s head on home,” he said to Mimi.
“There’s a party tonight. I said she could go, as long as she’s home before midnight.”
Allie froze. Claire was supposed to tell her parents about the Grayton Beach fiasco after the game. Not run off to some party.
Zeke frowned. “Where’s the party and who’s driving her home?”
“One of the other cheerleaders. I think,” Mimi said.
“You think? You don’t know for sure?”
Mimi turned to Zeke, eyes blazing. “What’s your problem?”
“I don’t have any problems. At least that’s what you told that quack you’re making me see.”
Oh no. Maybe crashing into one another was a bad idea. Best to keep them still skating around. “Um, guys, do you want me to find Claire and tell her she can’t go to the party?” Allie offered.
“That would be great,” Mimi said, snapping back into polite mode. Zeke stood there, his lips drawn tightly like he was having trouble keeping his mouth shut.
A little bit of Allie felt like dying. If Zeke and Mimi got a divorce it would be like…it would be like losing Buela all over again. Her little family would disintegrate. She didn’t want to think about that happening ever. Best to concentrate on finding Claire and diverting any possible disaster.
“I’ll search for her in the gym,” Allie said.
The Whispering Bay High gym was packed with excited teenagers and their parents. Claire could be a few feet away from her and it would be too crowded to spot her, so Allie tried Claire on her cell, but it went directly to voicemail.
Talk about déjà vu! She suppressed a shudder. Surely, Mimi had heard wrong. Claire had learned her lesson. She wouldn’t be stupid enough to lie to Allie. Would she? Not when she’d promised Allie she’d come clean with her parents tonight.
No, everything was fine. She’d just wait till the crowd thinned. Then she’d spot Claire and they’d rendezvous with Mimi and Zeke.
Football players high off tonight’s victory strutted out of the locker room, freshly showered. Families made their way out the exit doors and there was still no sign of Claire.
The overhead gym lights blinked twice. It had been twelve years but Allie still remembered what those flashing lights meant. The gym was about to close up.
She scanned the dwindling crowd and spotted a few girls in cheerleading uniforms. “Excuse me,” Allie said to one of the girls. “Have you seen Claire Grant?”
“Sorry,” the girl said with a shrug, “I’m not sure where she went to.”
“Well, can you tell me whose house the party is at tonight?”
The girl looked confused. “Tonight?” The cheerleader standing next to her tried to discreetly elbow the gir
l, but Allie still caught the not-so-subtle movement. Did they think she was an idiot? “Oh! You mean the after game party? Um, I think it’s at the house of one of the football players. Sorry,” she mumbled, “but I can’t remember the exact details.” Both girls scurried away before Allie could question them further.
A sour fuzzy feeling crawled its way into Allie’s stomach and settled itself straight down to her toes.
“That was some game, huh?”
Allie turned to find Tom standing behind her. He wore jeans and a T-shirt and a brown leather jacket and he smelled like…Friday Night Lights meets tuxedo at the Met. Familiar, yet exciting and somehow foreign at the same time. The overwhelming urge to bury her nose against that jacket was so strong she had to concentrate on keeping her feet planted firmly to the gym floor.
“Yeah, it was great.”
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
No use asking how he knew there was something wrong. “I’m waiting for Claire to come out of the locker room. Um, you haven’t seen her, have you?”
“Not since the game ended.” He glanced around the gym, then lowered his voice. “She hasn’t gone MIA again, has she?”
“Of course not,” Allie said.
“You sure about that?”
She thought about putting him off, but there was genuine concern in his voice and Allie had to admit to herself that Claire had once again duped her. She couldn’t even feel stupid about it. Or even mad. She tried to tell herself it wasn’t personal. This wasn’t Claire against Allie. But it felt as if Claire had turned into some alien creature that Allie couldn’t begin to understand.
“You’re right. I think Claire has gone off to parts unknown again.”
“Is she suicidal?” Tom asked.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
