Fancy Dancer

by Fern Michaels

  Jake thought he could see the wheels spinning inside the little boy’s head as he contemplated how best to answer the question. Finally he said, “Miss Fancy said to be sure to tell you I like your meat loaf.”

  Jake roared with laughter as he tousled Charlie’s blond curls. “You only have to tell me that if you mean it. I’m not a very good cook, but I’m learning. I can use all the help I can get.”

  “Do you know how to make raisin cookies?”

  “I can’t say that I do, Charlie.”

  “You can go on the computer and ask it. That’s what Miss Fancy does. She sees it, then writes it down. Miss Alice, who cooks, said she makes a big mess when she makes cookies.”

  “Does she now?”

  “They’re good, too. Miss Fancy used to dance. Did you know that, Mr. Jake? She showed me pictures of her in her costume and her special shoes. Miss Angel was a dancer, too, a long time ago. You have to have good feet to dance. Did you know that, Mr. Jake?”

  “Well, yes and no. Aren’t you lucky that Miss Fancy is taking care of you now and not dancing?”

  “Oh no. Miss Fancy said she wanted to dance more than anything in the whole world. She said God had other plans for her. She cries, Mr. Jake. When no one is around. I seen her with my own eyes crying.”

  “Saw her, Jake. Not seen.”

  “Saw. Okay, I can remember I saw her and not seen her. It’s sad when ladies cry, isn’t it, Mr. Jake?”

  “Very sad,” Jake said. “But we aren’t going to worry about that right now, Charlie. Right now we are at the vet’s office, and I bet old Jethroe is already picking up your scent.”

  “Can he do that, Mr. Jake?”

  Jake didn’t know if he could or not, but he said yes anyway. “Okay, buddy, take off your seat belt and let’s hit it!”

  Charlie was out of the truck and headed for the door at breakneck speed, shouting Jethroe’s name at the top of his lungs. As Jake and Charlie entered the office, the technicians came running, Donny Gamble right behind them. “Quick, before that dog kills himself trying to get out here,” the vet said, running down the hall, Charlie right behind him.

  “Oh, Jethroe!” Charlie said, throwing himself at the big dog, who was trying to lick him to death. “I’m so glad you didn’t turn into an angel. I missed you, big boy!”

  Donny poked Jake in the ribs. “See, this is what makes it all worthwhile. He’s going to be fine. Three weeks in the harness, and he should be good to go. Cute kid.”

  “Yeah, he is,” Jake said, his eyes burning at all the love he was seeing right in front of him.

  “Be sure to feed him when you get him home. He’s barely eaten a thing the whole time he’s been here. Lots of water, too, and give him some supplements. I have everything in a bag out at the desk. You’re good to go, Jake. Call me if you need me.”

  “You bet.”

  Thirty minutes later, Jake pulled into his driveway just as Alex and Zeke turned the corner and came to a stop at the curb in front of the house. “Ah, we have guests and in the nick of time,” Jake said as he pondered the best way to get Jethroe out of the backseat of his truck. As Jake pondered, Zeke reached in, picked up the dog, and cradled him in his arms. “Open the door, son, and tell me where to put this load of love.”

  Alex had the door open before Jake could get to it. Lucy Red was barking her head off at the unexpected goings-on. Jethroe let loose with a deep growl, then did some rather fancy yipping that Jake took to mean he’d get to Lucy Red when he was darn good and ready.

  “I have everything set up in the family room. Charlie, you stay there with Jethroe until I can get everything ready.”

  “He needs to eat, Mr. Jake. I can feed him. He likes me to feed him, and he doesn’t make a mess, either.”

  Zeke and Alex watched as Jake bustled around the kitchen, testing his meat loaves to see if they were too warm or too cool. He fixed plates, got out water bowls, then looked for the special bacon treats he kept in good supply for Lucy Red, who was whining at his feet and sticking to him like glue. He bent down, gave her a big hug, and whispered in her ear. She woofed softly and trotted out of the room. “She loves me.” Jake grinned at the stupid looks he was seeing on Alex’s and Zeke’s faces. “You guys wait here; we don’t want to traumatize Jethroe. I’m doing this by the book because I know Fancy is going to grade me on my performance.”

  “Aha,” Zeke and Alex said in unison.

  “I need to talk to you guys about something, so don’t go away,” Jake called over his shoulder.

  “You giving the dog that whole meat loaf?” Alex asked.

  “Well, yeah. The vet said Jethroe didn’t eat the whole time he was there. He’s starving.”

  “That’s gotta be three pounds at least, wouldn’t you say, Zeke?” Alex commented.

  “At least.” Zeke laughed.

  Jake took the food to the dogs in the family room, then returned to the kitchen and dusted his hands dramatically. “I think that all went rather well. Jethroe is allowing Lucy Red to eat with him. A match made in heaven.”

  “What do you want to talk to us about, Jake?” Zeke asked.

  “Alex, do you have a grandmother? I never asked.”

  “I wish. Both my mother’s parents died when I was thirteen. Why?”

  Jake explained. “I have to find that kid a grandmother. A real one, if he has one on his father’s side.”

  “Hire some private detectives. My partners and I have a couple we use when needed. They’re good, and their rates are reasonable,” Alex said.

  “Okay, okay, get me their names. I never had a grandmother. At least not that I remember. Fancy said Charlie is obsessed with finding his. You guys want something to drink? Coffee or soda?”

  “I’ll take some coffee,” Zeke said. Alex nodded. Jake made coffee.

  “Anything going on I should know about?”

  “You been watching the local news, son?”

  “I haven’t had time, to be honest. Why, did something happen I should know about?”

  Zeke looked at Alex, who shrugged.

  “What? Damn, don’t tell me something else is wrong out on the rig.”

  “No. That’s not it. Clement Trousoux passed away in his sleep two nights ago. The funeral—private, family only—was at ten o’clock this morning. There is no family, just the latest trophy wife. The news played it up pretty good, with all his old pals from the senate who are still around. Like the man or not, he did a hell of a lot for this state. I don’t know this for sure, but I’m thinking there’s one happy man walking around. Meaning, of course, Jonah St. Cloud,” Zeke said.

  “I don’t feel anything. I should feel something, don’t you think?” Jake said sadly.

  “It wasn’t like you knew him, Jake. It’s like me and my sperm donor. I’m sure if it was him that passed in his sleep, I’d be feeling just the way you are,” Alex said.

  “Private service? I wonder why?” Jake mused.

  “This is just a wild guess on my part, son, but I’d wager it has something to do with Jonah’s maybe showing up and making a scene or something along those lines. Private means private, and Jonah can’t do anything to tarnish his name.”

  “Where’s he going to be buried?”

  “St. Patrick’s, where your mother’s family rests. They showed a picture of the family crypt on the news this morning. Black marble, really fancy for a final resting place. They made a point of saying on the news that the vault will have some kind of special locking mechanism. That was one of Senator Trousoux’s last wishes. Makes me kind of think that even in death, the man was still afraid of Jonah.”

  “Guess that’s the end of that,” Jake said, his eyes burning with unshed tears. “It’s not right that there is no one to mourn the man except... well, maybe his wife is mourning him, but not the way most people would mourn the passing of a man who tried to atone for his mistake.”

  “I like that attitude, Jake. I really do,” Zeke said, clapping Jake on the back. “So, if we’re n
ot needed here, I’m going to head on out. Just so you two galoots know—I’m in love.”

  Alex laughed. “Can you believe that? My mother told me last night that she fell in love with this guy the minute she set eyes on him. She loves his bald head. Go figure.”

  Jake smiled because he knew both men sensed he’d slipped a little and was teetering once again at the edge of his own personal black hole.

  Charlie saved the day when he barreled into the kitchen to say that Jethroe needed to poop.

  “Okay, then, let’s get him outside. See ya, guys. Duty calls.”

  The black hole closed over, and Jake was safe.

  Chapter 13

  As the days wore on for Jake, Charlie, and the dogs, Jake realized he was not only content, he was actually happy. He had a strict routine, and Charlie thrived on it. Both of them liked mealtimes, when they talked and talked, and each one learned more and more about the other.

  Charlie was a bright little boy with a thirst for knowledge. He knew his letters, his numbers, and could read as long as Jake helped out with the hard words. He liked to draw, mostly pictures of the dogs and his memories of the Dancer home. He laughed and giggled like any little boy. Three days into his visit, he had two skinned knees and a shiner, which he wore like a badge of honor, from running into a prickly bush. He refused to sleep in his bed on the second floor, preferring to cuddle with both dogs on a mound of blankets and quilts.

  A week into Charlie’s visit, Jake also realized that he had probably laughed more in a week than he had all his life. When the little boy would throw his arms around him and hug him, it was all he could do not to swoon in delight.

  If there was a sticking point, it was that after school lessons and a few simple chores, Charlie would inevitably get down to life’s questions, and woe unto him who tried to slough off on the answers. It didn’t take long for Jake to figure out that Charlie was a need-to-know kid.

  It was that time again—late afternoon, right before dinner. Lessons were done and the dogs walked and played with.

  “Are all mothers beautiful, Jake?” That was another thing: after a few days of calling him Mr. Jake, as he had been taught, Charlie dropped the Mr., saying it was an extra word, and he was just Jake.

  “I think so. Why do you ask, Charlie?”

  “I don’t have a mother, so I don’t know if she was beautiful. Miss Fancy said she was. She said all mothers are beautiful.”

  “Didn’t you believe her, Charlie?”

  “I do, but I saw mothers that don’t look like the mothers on television. What does that mean, Jake?”

  “Mothers come in all shapes and sizes. I think every child thinks their mother is beautiful.”

  “Was your mother beautiful, Jake?”

  “She was. When I was little like you, I thought she was pretty like an angel.”

  Charlie nodded. “What did your dad look like?”

  Oh boy. Lie or not to lie? Gild the lily? Opt for the truth. The truth will set you free, his mother used to say. Then again, she didn’t know Charlie. “He just looked like a dad. Do you miss not having a mom and dad?”

  Charlie thought about it. “No. I want a grandmother. Tell me about your grandmother, Jake.”

  “I can’t, Charlie. I never had one. Well, I guess I did, but I never met her. I never had a grandpa, either, if that’s your next question.”

  “Did that make you sad? Didn’t you try to find one?”

  “It doesn’t work like that, Charlie. You have a grandma and a grandpa because they were your mom and dad’s mom and dad. Do you understand that?”

  “I guess so, but I still want a grandmother. Miss Fancy said you’re really smart, Jake. If you’re so smart, can you find me one? I pray every night for a grandmother, but I still don’t have one. Do you think my grandmother is looking for me? How will she know I’m here at your house? What if she goes to Miss Fancy’s today to find me, and I’m not there?”

  Oh boy. “Well, then Miss Fancy would just send her here. I’d open the door, and there she would be.”

  “That’s a pipe dream, right, Jake? Teddy said that wasn’t going to happen. He thinks that because he’s a year older than me and in first grade, he knows everything.”

  Oh boy. “No, that’s not a pipe dream. It’s hope, and it’s wishful. It could happen. But, Charlie, you also have to be realistic that it might not happen.”

  “Well, I’m not giving up, Jake. I know I’m going to find her, or she’s going to find me. I know it,” Charlie said, his chin jutting out. Stubborn little guy.

  “That’s a good thing. Not to give up. Tell me what you think a grandmother should look like.”

  “She has white hair. It’s all in a ball on her head. She wears round glasses that sparkle in the sun—you know, Jake, when the sun gets in your eyes. She always smiles. And she wears one of those... I forget what you call them. Grandmothers wear them so their dresses don’t get messed up.”

  “An apron?”

  “That’s what Miss Fancy called it. Grandmothers make everything better, and they love their kids. They always hug them and pinch their cheeks. They do that because they love them so much. You know what, Jake? Grandmothers always smell good. You know, like the food they cook. I don’t mean like flowers. I wish you had a grandmother.”

  “You know what, Charlie? I wish I did, too.”

  “Oh well, when I find mine, I’ll share her with you. Will you like that?”

  “I will like that a lot, Charlie.” Jake looked at the kitchen clock. “It’s time for your one hour of television.”

  Charlie slid off the kitchen chair. “You know what I noticed, Jake?”

  Here it comes. “I think Lucy Red is Jethroe’s girlfriend. He likes her a lot. I can tell. Can you tell, Jake?”

  “I think you’re right, Charlie. It’s a good thing.”

  “I think so, too. But I don’t want Jethroe to like her more than he likes me. He won’t, will he, Jake?”

  Oh boy. “Lucy Red is a dog, so they’re dog friends. You’re Jethroe’s special-little-boy friend. You give him his food and his treats, and you walk him. He lets you and Lucy Red sleep next to him. That means you’re special.”

  Charlie laughed. He was off and running to the family room, where his favorite cartoon show was about to come on.

  Emotionally drained, Jake sat down as he contemplated his newfound wisdom. Being a parent to a kid, or a stand-in parent, had to be the hardest, the toughest job in the world. How did parents manage when they had two, three, or even four or more kids? Just doing what he was doing was kicking his ass, and he wasn’t even out of the gate yet.

  Jake sipped at his coffee, which he never seemed to be without these days. He needed to get it in gear because tonight was another date with Fancy Dancer. He had to get Charlie’s dinner ready, as well as the dogs’, so that when Zeke arrived, he wouldn’t have anything to do except pay attention to Charlie and the two dogs. He still had to shower, shave, and “pretty up,” as Charlie put it. But before he did any of that, he had to call the detectives to see if they were making any progress on locating Charlie’s grandparents.

  What the hell was taking so long in this high-tech age? Just the thought of his not being able to come through with a grandmother for Charlie made his blood run cold. He had to find her, that’s all there was to it. And if that turned out to be impossible, then he was going to have to find a stand-in who would fit the bill for the little guy.

  Jake struggled to come to terms with his own dark thoughts in regard to his own parents or lack thereof. How the hell could he expect a little boy to come to terms with something like this when he couldn’t do it himself?

  The back door opened, and Zeke sailed in like a mini windstorm. He took one look at Jake’s face and said, “Talk to me, son.”

  Jake explained about Charlie’s Q&A that followed at the end of each day’s lessons. “Look, Zeke, I can’t even handle my own parentage issues, so how can I help this little boy? What if I say the wrong thin
g, steer him down the wrong road? The kid believes everything I tell him. I have to tell you, he is so hung up on finding a grandmother, it’s going to be hell if it doesn’t work out. I was just about to call the private dicks to see if they’ve made any progress. By the way, thanks for agreeing to sit with Charlie and the dogs.”

  “You looking forward to this date, eh? What’s this, the fourth or fifth date?”

  “Four if you’re counting, and I’m counting. Hell, Zeke, I haven’t even kissed her yet.”

  “All in good time, son. It’s not wise to rush into things of such a serious nature,” Zeke said, tongue in cheek.

  “This coming from a man who set eyes on a woman for the first time just days ago and is head over heels in love. Meaning you, Zeke.”

  “See, son, the difference is, I’ve been around the romantic block way too many times, so I was just ripe for the right lady at the right time. And smart enough to distinguish love from attraction and lust.”

  Jake burst out laughing.

  Zeke grinned from ear to ear. “Is this where you now tell me if my intentions are less than honorable where Sophia Rosario goes, Alex will kick my sorry ass all the way to the Canadian border?”

  “Yep,” Jake said, still laughing.

  “Well, my intentions are honorable, so let’s put that aside now and figure out what we’re going to do about young Charlie.”

  “You ponder it, Zeke. I have to get them all fed and get myself ready for my big date. We’re dining at the bistro this evening, just the way we did the first three times. Fancy likes their lobster-stuffed ravioli. I’m kind of partial to it myself. By the way, I thought Alex was sitting tonight. Why the switch?”

  Zeke shrugged. “All Sophia said was Alex does something mysterious on Thursday nights. She doesn’t know what it is, though. She said everyone deserves to keep at least one secret, and whatever he does on Thursday nights is Alex’s secret.”

  “Hmm. I didn’t know he had a secret. Well, that’s his business now, isn’t it. At least he got you to cover for him; otherwise, I’d be sitting home sucking my thumb right along with Charlie. He is the sweetest kid, Zeke.”