He wished they’d put a little more distance between themselves and the concert. He had a bad feeling about this part of town.
Eli was waiting for an answer.
“I went in your room to check on you before I went to bed.”
“You did?” Eli sounded surprised.
“I always do when you spend the night.”
“I didn’t know that.”
More silence.
Eli cleared his throat, ending the uncomfortable quiet. “How’d you know what I was doing?”
“Trying to buy pot, you mean? Kelsey told us. She was scared because you didn’t come back.”
“I shouldn’t have left her.”
Blake said nothing. No need to agree to the obvious.
“You’re sure they weren’t going to sell it to me?” All of a sudden Eli sounded young and insecure.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“I guess you’d know more about that stuff than I would.”
“Honestly, I wasn’t involved in…that kind of transaction very often.”
“No? How did you—?”
“I had suppliers. I never thought about what they went through—or the kind of people they had to deal with—to get me the drugs. I didn’t think about much except myself in those days.”
“But you’ve quit…completely?”
“Yes.”
“Was it hard?”
There were no words to describe those first few weeks in rehab. The only consolation was that it was now little more than a blurred memory. He wasn’t sure if that was a result of coming off the drugs or part of God’s gift of grace. “You don’t want to know.”
“Right.” Eli dropped his coffee cup and stomped on it. “God forbid we should talk about it.”
“I’ll talk about anything you want.”
“Sure you will. You never tell me anything. You never…” His voice trailed off.
“It’s hard to have a conversation with someone who’s scowling at you. You haven’t dropped your guard long enough since I moved here to talk about anything.”
“So this is my fault?”
“No, son, it’s my fault. But…you have to give me something. You can’t be angry with me all the time and then expect me to bare my soul to you.”
“Why should I? Why should I trust you?”
“Maybe because I’m your father and I love you.”
“Right.”
Blake downed the last sip of his now-cold coffee. After nine months living in New Hampshire, this was the longest and deepest conversation he and his son had had. He shouldn’t be surprised it ended on an angry note. At least it had taken a few minutes to reach angry. That was something.
The tow truck arrived a few minutes later and backed into place in front of the car.
Blake pulled out his wallet and slipped a couple of bills into his shirt pocket.
Two men emerged from the cab of the truck and approached.
“Hey. I’m Jimmy. This is Stan.”
“Blake Carmichael.” He extended his hand. “Thanks for getting here so quickly.”
Jimmy shook his hand, clearly surprised.
Stan shook too, muttered a quick, “Hey,” and shoved his hand in his pocket.
The two men stood there awkwardly.
Blake smiled.
“Is this,” Jimmy indicated the dilapidated car, ”yours?”
“No. It’s not. We’re just rescuing a couple of damsels in distress.”
“OK, I guess we’ll just get started.” They returned to their truck and began the process of hooking the car to the tow.
A few minutes later, Jimmy returned to where Blake and Eli were standing on the curb. “All set.”
“You know where you’re taking it?”
“A house up in New Hampshire, right?”
“Yes, in Dover.”
Jimmy lifted his green cap and scratched his head. “Long drive.”
Blake extended his hand to shake again. “Thanks a lot for getting here so fast and for taking care of this for me.”
Jimmy started as he felt the bill in his hand.
Blake extended his hand to Stan, slipping him a fifty as well. “Thank you. I know you two will take good care of this for me.”
“Of course, sir,” Stan mumbled.
Blake reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out two business cards, handing one to each. “You guys like movies?”
Jimmy’s eyes, already wide, sparkled in the dim street light. “Sure.”
“My email address is on the card. If you send me a message, I’ll send you a little gift.”
Jimmy’s expression lit like he’d won the lottery. “Thanks!”
“Don’t forget to include your addresses.”
“Definitely,” Jimmy said. “My wife’ll be so excited. Thanks!”
The two men went back to the truck and took off.
Eli eyed him suspiciously. “You always use your fame like that?”
Blake checked his watch. They’d been waiting less than thirty minutes. “It worked. I guarantee your friend’s car will arrive safe and sound. And I’ve made a couple of solid fans.”
“I guess that’s all that matters.”
Blake offered a humorless laugh. “If that was all that mattered, I’d be in Hollywood right now, not hanging out in a parking lot at four o’clock in the morning.”
“Oh, well, be sure to tell your…your publicity people, or whatever. We wouldn’t want them to miss this great act of kindness by the magnificent Blake Carmichael.”
“What publicity people?” Blake was stunned by his accusations. “What’s your problem?”
“You’re my problem. You and your fame, and your stupid career, and all your stupid money. Why don’t you just go back to Hollywood and leave me alone.”
Blake stood dumbfounded as his son stomped across the street.
8
Tallia stepped outside. Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the sudden darkness.
She and Kelsey had been watching from the bright interior as the tow truck lifted the car and drove away. Finally, they could leave.
Eli was walking towards Blake’s car. Even in the dim light she could see he was fuming, his shoulders hunched forward; his feet punishing the asphalt with every step.
Blake stood in the middle of the road, arms hanging by his side, staring after his son. His face was cast in darkness. They’d obviously had words.
She remembered Blake’s hurt look when she’d yanked her hand away from him before. Guilt pushed at her conscience.
Fear and worry for Kelsey had mixed with fatigue and led her to doubt him earlier. Yet, even when she’d told him she didn’t need his help, he’d insisted on accompanying them home. Was it an act? Confusion swirled around her brain, and as she stepped out onto the asphalt to go to the SUV, she was mulling over Blake Carmichael’s kindness.
A dark shadow approached.
She stopped.
The figure halted and she saw an army-green canvas coat. She looked up into the bearded, leering face of the man from the park.
Kelsey gasped.
The other man was in front of her niece.
Trying to back up, Kelsey bumped into the short concrete step and stumbled.
Tallia grabbed her arm.
At the same time the man with the red parka gripped Kelsey’s other arm.
They both pulled the girl upright.
Kelsey tried to yank her arm away from the man, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“Well, look what we have here,” said the man in front of Tallia. His breath stank of liquor and as he spoke, tiny droplets of spittle hit her face. “I thought we lost you two, but here you are, just waiting for us.”
Tallia could hear footsteps approaching.
The two men were oblivious. Drunk.
“Why don’t you two give the ladies some space?” Blake’s voice, soothing and tempered, sounded just beyond the offensive men.
The man’s face twisted in anger. His retort was
sprinkled with swear words.
His partner laughed.
Tallia noticed Kelsey leaned her head away, probably not liking the liquor smell coming from the man’s open mouth.
The larger man grabbed Tallia’s free arm and squeezed hard. “Looks like your Superman’s back.”
“Let me go!” She tried to yank away, but she was no match for his strength. He squeezed harder and tears filled her eyes.
“I’ve already called the cops,” Blake said. “They’ll be here any second. Back off.”
“We were just talking, weren’t we?” Green coat shook her arm. His mouth formed an ugly smile.
Blake’s voice was firm and solid and she thanked God he was there. “From where I stand, it looks like the ladies don’t want to talk to you. I wonder what the police will say about you grabbing them. I think they’d call it assault. What do you think?”
“Assault. Definitely.” Eli answered. His voice sounded confident.
Tallia wished she could see their faces. Maybe she could feel confident, too.
The man’s expression darkened. He pulled her so close she could see crumbs in his beard and food in his teeth. She wanted to scream. No sound came.
“You don’t strike me as the kind of guy to hide behind a woman,” Blake said. “Let them go and we’ll deal with this like men.”
The man dropped her arm and wheeled around.
The other one released Kelsey.
Tallia pulled on Kelsey’s hand and they sidestepped behind the men.
Eli tossed the keys to her.
She caught them and they ran to the car. As they were climbing inside, Tallia heard Blake.
“Get in the car, son.”
“No.”
Kelsey climbed in the backseat.
Tallia hopped into the driver’s seat and cracked the window so she could hear.
“Eli, please get in the car.”
She remembered the feel of Blake’s arm when she’d grabbed him earlier.
He was strong. But if he had to defend himself and protect Eli? She was thankful he’d called the police.
Oh, dear God, please let Eli listen to him. Please protect them!
Eli took a step closer to the men. He stopped, his feet spread, his fists clenched. “No.”
The larger man swung his right fist towards Blake’s head.
Blake blocked with his left forearm and punched with his right fist, landing a blow on the man’s cheek.
The man staggered backwards, but didn’t fall.
As the other man took a step towards Eli, Blake pivoted and planted his foot squarely in the guy’s stomach. He bent over, clutching his middle, and sat on the asphalt.
The first man took another swing.
Blake blocked him again, punched him in the stomach, and then hit him with a roundhouse kick.
The big man staggered and collapsed; the fight in him obviously gone.
The smaller man tried to stand.
Blake pointed at him. “Stay on the ground!”
The man fell onto his backside and dropped his head.
“Let’s go.” Blake said.
Tallia clambered over the center console and into the passenger’s seat.
Blake yanked the door open and climbed in.
As soon as Eli was settled in the back, Blake started the car and slid the transmission into drive.
“Should we wait for the police?” Tallia asked.
“I didn’t call the police.” His words were stilted, angry. He exited the parking lot.
“Oh. But…you said—”
“There was no time.” Blake stretched his hands and took a deep breath. When he spoke again, his voice had softened. “Sorry. Those guys aren’t seriously hurt, and I really don’t want to be in the news tomorrow.”
“Oh. I didn’t think of that.”
As Blake turned at the corner, a light drizzle began to fall.
Blake switched on the windshield wipers, their intermittent whine offering a rhythm to the silence.
Tallia stared at Blake’s hands, which were gripping the wheel so tightly that, even in the darkness of the car, she could see his pulse pounding through the bulging veins. Blood trickled from one of his knuckles.
The blood forced her out of her shocked silence. “Hey, are you OK?”
His eyes flickered to his right hand. He wiped the blood on his jeans and returned his hand to the wheel. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? That looks—”
“It’s fine.”
Blake turned onto Mass Ave.
Tallia breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a sign for the interstate.
Blake stretched his hands, squeezed his right one into a fist, and returned it to the wheel. “Sorry. That was…man, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in a fight.” He glanced at Tallia. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“Did he hurt you? I was afraid to touch him until he let you go. I didn’t want you two to get hurt. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Tallia rubbed the store spot on her arm. “It hurts, but it could’ve been…” She paused. She couldn’t think of a word to describe what it could have been. Tears filled her eyes, and she swallowed a sob. “Thank you.”
His gaze flickered from the road to where her hand rubbed her arm. He blew out a breath and looked in the rearview mirror. “Kelsey, are you all right?”
“Yeah. I’m not hurt. Just scared.”
“Eli?”
“That was awesome!” The boy’s voice bubbled with a barely-stifled laugh, as though he’d been bursting to speak since he got in the car. “I had no idea you could fight like that. I was ready to punch the guy, but you were so fast!”
“That impressed you! That…? The fact that I beat up two drunks impressed you?”
“Well…” Eli cleared his throat. “It was cool.”
“Those guys were plastered.” His gaze shifted to Tallia. “Not that they couldn’t have hurt you two, but…really, Eli? Of all things…” He raked his hand through his hair, covered his mouth, and shook his head.
“Where’d you learn to fight like that?”
Blake steered the car onto the interstate. “I took Tae Kwon Do when I was a kid. I was a black belt by the time I graduated. And then a few years ago I took kickboxing lessons to prepare for a role, and it was fun. Great workout. I kept at it.”
“Can you teach me?” Eli asked.
“Sure.”
Tallia relaxed. At least they were talking again.
Nothing like getting into a fight to strengthen the bond of brotherhood.
She shook her head, amused.
Men!
9
Blake’s hand was throbbing. And still bleeding. He must’ve cut it on the guy’s belt, though he didn’t feel it at the time. His left ankle was killing him, too. He’d twisted it when he pivoted for the roundhouse kick. It was all he could do to walk back to the car without limping. Some tough guy. He wanted an ice pack and a warm bed.
The car was quiet as the smooth road slid beneath the wheels. A quick check of the rearview mirror told him Eli and Kelsey had fallen asleep.
Kelsey had her head on Eli’s shoulder, and they each had an earphone plugged into one ear, sharing the same music. At least Eli would get some rest tonight…this morning.
Tallia was quiet, too.
Blake resisted the urge to look at her.
She’d probably drifted off to sleep.
He could picture her sleeping, sweet and innocent; it was a beautiful picture. He had to force it from his mind. He thought back over the events of the previous few hours and smiled. How in the world had he gone from watching late night talk shows to…that?
“What?” Tallia asked.
“What…what?”
“You were smiling.”
“Just thinking about the strange night we’ve had.”
She giggled.
Despite everything tonight, he loved the sound.
She cleared her throat. “I owe you an apology.”
His hands tightened on the wheel, reminding him of the pain in his knuckles. “OK.”
“I was wrong to accuse you of doing drugs around your son. Even Kelsey doubts the story was true. She said she thinks Eli was just guessing about that. I don’t know why she said it like it was a fact when we were on the phone.”
“Because she knew they were in trouble and she wanted to deflect it onto somebody else. Me, of course, the easiest target.”
“That makes sense. I was just worried and not thinking straight, but I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”
“OK.” The tightness in his chest loosened—a tightness he hadn’t realized was there. With a slight smile, he glanced in her direction. “Apology accepted.”
She said nothing in response.
The rhythmic bumps in the road punctuated the silence.
He raised one eyebrow and said, “So…Millie?”
Tallia dropped her face into her hands. She groaned loudly.
He couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Everyone in my family calls me that.” Her face was still pressed into her hands.
He could hardly make out the muffled words. “Nickname?”
“Yeah. My great-grandmother died a few months before I was born. Mom named me after her. Her name was Mildred Talliant.”
“Mildred?”
“Yeah. It’s awful, isn’t it? I mean, I’m sure my great-grandmother was a nice lady and all that, but Mildred?”
“It’s not so bad.”
“Liar. I always hated it. So when I went to college, I started going by Tallia.”
“From Talliant.”
“Yes. Even that’s weird, but—”
“No. It suits you.”
“Better than Mildred?”
Blake chuckled again. “A little, yeah.”
“Thank you.” Tallia glanced behind her. “They’re sleeping back there. I’ve told her a million times to call me Tallia, but I guess tonight she forgot.”
“She had a lot on her mind.”
“Definitely.” Tallia sighed. “What am I going to tell her parents?”
Blake merged onto I-95. “They already know about the car, right? What did she tell them?”
“Just that she sneaked out, went for a drive, and her car broke down.”
One Christmas Eve Page 6
