"I saw Erik,” Aaron mumbled through a big bite of pizza.
Leigh, Dawn and Mark looked at him. They all spoke at once. “When?"
"After lunch. He came in, looking awful. Like a drowned rat. He asked for you, Mom, and I told him you and Dad were upstairs taking a nap.” He gave a sly snicker. “He went back out into the rain. Didn't say where he was going."
Alarm bells clanged in Leigh's brain. Once again, she saw Erik's face as she told him to leave her alone. He'd seemed resigned, as if he'd finally accepted there was no future for them. Could he have left for Norway? But surely not. Most of his belongings were still back at the house in Virginia. But maybe he'd gone back there to get everything? Maybe he was hitch-hiking ... how else could he get back to Washington? No! She wouldn't believe he could leave without saying goodbye. He had to be around Rehoboth somewhere.
"I'm sure you just missed him,” she said. “Did you check all the shops ... or what about the arcade? I know he likes to play that shooting game."
"We checked everywhere, Mom,” said Mark. “This is weird. It's not like Erik at all. We'd made plans to take the girls out to that seafood place in Dewey Beach tonight."
An hour later, after a second search of the beach town brought no results, Leigh pleaded with Bob to call the police. He vetoed that idea.
"Jesus!” Bob slammed his briefcase shut with a black scowl. “What is it with you women? He's a grown man! Maybe he wants to be off on his own for a while."
Dawn glared at him. “He knew I was coming today. Something has happened to him, or he would be here!” Again, her Scarlet O'Hara accent was gone.
Bob gave her a cynical grin. “He's probably shacked up with some blonde beach bunny."
Dawn threw him a murderous look and opened her mouth to reply. The telephone rang. Leigh reached for it, an ominous feeling rising in her, but Bob was closer. He picked it up and barked, “Fallon residence.” He listened for a moment and murmured a few words. Leigh drew closer. Was it Erik?
"Yes. Thank you for calling. Someone will be right there."
"What is it?” she asked as soon as he hung up. “Where is he?"
He turned to her. “That was the Bethany Beach Emergency Service. Erik was found unconscious behind the Atlantic Sands Hotel. Appears to have a head injury."
"Oh, my God!” Dawn gasped.
Leigh felt her body turn to ice. She grabbed her purse from the kitchen table, fumbling for her car keys. When she found them, she raced to the hallway closet for her raincoat.
"I'm going with you,” Dawn said. She'd already pulled on a weather-proof jacket.
Leigh stopped at the front door and turned to face Dawn. “No, you're not.” And without giving her a chance to argue, she strode out the door, closing it decisively in Dawn's face.
* * * *
Leigh ran up the steps to the entrance of the Bethany Beach Emergency Service. In her haste to leave the house, she'd forgotten her umbrella, and her hair and coat were drenched by the driving rain that had started to fall again.
The electonic double doors whooshed open. She rushed up to a counter where a large uniformed nurse stood, a telephone to her ear. Impatiently, Leigh waited for her to get off the phone, nervously chewing on the nail of her little finger. She shoved her hand into the pocket of her raincoat and leaned onto the counter, her eyes pleading with the receptionist to acknowledge her. Finally, the woman hung up. “Yes?"
"I received a call about Erik Haukeland. He was brought in with a head injury."
"Oh, you'll want to talk to Dr. Leighton. Just have a seat, Ma'am, and the doctor will be with you in a moment."
"But can't I see Erik? What is it? God, he isn't...” Her heart lurched at the awful thought.
"Oh, here's Dr. Leighton now. This lady is here to see the young man with the head injury."
Leigh turned to a tall young woman dressed in green scrubs, a stethoscope draped casually around her neck..
"Are you a relative of Mr. Haukeland?” she asked.
Leigh was almost frantic. “We're his host family. He's a Norwegian national going to school here in the states. Doctor, is he all right?"
"He's going to be fine,” she said. “He's conscious now and asking for someone called Kayleigh. Is that you?"
"Yes. Please, can I see him?"
"Of course. But I do want to transfer him to a hospital in Ocean City for the night. He's suffered a concussion from a blow to the head, and I'd just feel better if he's kept in overnight for observation. But I don't expect any problems. It's more than likely he can go home tomorrow."
"I don't understand ... a blow to the head? But how ... you mean he was attacked?"
"According to the police, a wallet with his identification was found near him, but there was no money in it. It looks like a mugging. Also, he was found in the parking lot behind a hotel. Not a real safe place to be at night. He was probably jumped by a couple of punks. Out-of-towners, of course.” Dr. Leighton shook her head. “It happens every summer. People think because they're in a small beach town there's no such thing as crime. Come on, I'll take you to him."
Erik was lying on a cot in a tiny room off the corridor, his face turned toward the wall. Leigh's eyes fastened upon the bandage wrapped around his head. Was his injury worse than the doctor had admitted? But when he heard her footsteps, he turned toward her, his blue eyes alert.
"Kayleigh...” He smiled. “Kristus! I'm so glad to see you."
Leigh couldn't speak because of the lump in her throat. She walked toward him and sat gingerly on the edge of the cot. “Oh, Erik...” She leaned against him gently, her cheek resting on his shoulder.
His hands caressed her back. “Promise me one thing,” he whispered, a wry smile on his lips. “If you ever meet my family, don't tell them I was jumped by two little punks and didn't manage to get one punch in."
"How can you joke about it?” Leigh felt very close to tears. “You could have been killed ... and it would've been my fault. I've treated you so terribly ... said so many awful things to you..."
"Look at me, Kayleigh..."
Leigh lifted her head so she could look into his eyes. His face was solemn. “I'm the one who should be begging your forgiveness. And that is the only thing I want before I go home. I've accepted that you cannot give up your family for me. I was wrong to ask you to do it. I was being selfish, as usual. You see, Kayleigh, I've rarely had to accept defeat in my life. Things have always come too easily for me.” His hand tightened on hers. “You are the one thing I want that I cannot have."
Her eyes blurred. “I love you, Erik. You've got to believe that. But it's better for both of us if you go home and pick up your life. We'll never forget what we had together."
An orderly entered the room and announced they would be taking him out to the waiting ambulance in a few moments.
Leigh stood up. “I want to go with him."
"Against the rules, Ma'am. But there's nothing to stop you from following behind in your car."
Suppressing an exasperated sigh, Leigh turned back to Erik. “I'll meet you at the hospital, darling.” She leaned down to him. Their lips clung together for a long moment.
She straightened, turned to leave the room—and froze. Bob stood in the doorway, staring at her. She felt herself blanch. His face was gray with shock, his mouth agape in silent disbelief. For an endless moment, they stared at each other, locked in the mocking embrace of truth. Finally, Bob turned away, his broad shoulders slumped. Even after he was gone, Leigh stared at the empty doorway, unable to comprehend that finally, the entire world she knew was crumbling around her. Slowly, she turned back to Erik and saw he'd also seen Bob. Their eyes met in silent communication.
"Okay, let's get you on this gurney,” said the burly ambulance attendant. A moment later, the gurney rolled past her.
"It will be okay,” Erik called out to her. “We'll face him together tomorrow."
But Leigh knew it wasn't going to be that easy. She walked out of the room, her f
eet leaden, and moved mechanically down the short corridor leading to the lobby. As she'd known he would, Bob was waiting for her, pacing back and forth, his hands thrust into the pockets of his raincoat. He saw her approaching and stopped. The look in his eyes hurt the most. So betrayed. Leigh had never guessed her husband could look so vulnerable. Rebecca, she reminded herself. Remember Rebecca. Remember all the nights you wanted him to make love to you, and he turned away. But still, she felt like a piece of shit. She stopped in front of him and waited for him to speak. Oh, God ... surely he wasn't going to cry. She simply could not bear that.
He blinked and cleared his throat. “I just couldn't accept what Dawn told us ... I couldn't believe it of you.” His voice was low and husky. “Why, Leigh?"
Leigh shook her head, unable to speak. The lump in her throat threatened to choke her. Her eyes burned from all the tears she'd shed in the last two days. Finally, she knew she couldn't bear another moment of looking at Bob's bereft face. Without a word, she turned and walked away.
"Leigh."
She stopped, but didn't turn around.
"Don't go to him. I'll arrange for him to go back to Norway. Don't see him again and I'll try and forget what you did to me. We'll go on as if it didn't happen."
Leigh stood shock-still. She could feel his eyes boring into her back, and she knew he was willing her to turn around. It would be so easy to do the right thing. To turn to him and say “Okay. I'm sorry I hurt you. I promise I'll be a good girl from now on.” With those simple words, life would go on as it had for the last twenty-one years.
She stared through the double doors ahead of her. It was dark and rainy outside. Nothing waited out there but insecurity and question marks. And possibly, somewhere in the future ... Erik. She took a deep breath and began to walk. The electronic doors opened for her. She went through and stepped out into the rainy night.
Chapter 13
Erik was released from the hospital the next morning. The night had been a long one for Leigh. They'd refused to let her stay with him in his room, so she'd chosen to sit it out in the third floor lounge. There was no way she could go home. Not after that moment with Bob in the emergency room lobby. She'd made her choice, and for once in her life, it hadn't been the easy way out. Now, she'd have to live with the consequences of that decision. But what would be the next step?
Throughout the endless night, her mind had run a frantic rat-race, accepting one wild idea and rejecting another. The coffee she drank from a machine in the room only exacerbated the situation. Of course, there would be a divorce. If Bob didn't file, she would. But what then? Go to Norway with Erik? For a crazy moment, she'd made up her mind to do just that. But then reality set in. She knew she couldn't rush into such a decision. It wouldn't be fair to Erik to leave with him now just because her marriage had ended. Better to let him go home alone. Then perhaps in a few months, after she'd pieced her life back together, if she still felt the same about him, if he felt the same about her ... maybe then, Norway.
Oh, God! It was all so crazy, so complicated. Had she really done it? Had she really walked out on Bob? Oh, yes. No confusion about that. She'd done exactly that, and there was no going back now.
Early in the morning as the first pinkish light rose in the east, Leigh reached her decision. She would call Deanna, explain the situation. Perhaps she could stay at her penthouse while she looked for an apartment in New York. She had the money in her account from the cover fee of Diana's book. It hadn't been touched. Of coursel, she'd still have to look for a job, but there again, Deanna could be of help. Her connections in New York were unlimited. What about the children? Aaron and Mel. Would they even want to live with her? She'd just have to wait and see.
At nine o'clock, Erik was examined and discharged. Moving gingerly, he walked with Leigh to the Volvo. Grimacing, he slid into the passenger front seat and touched a hand to the white gauze bandage on his head.
Leigh noticed. “Still hurts, doesn't it?"
"Ja, a bit. Nothing I cannot handle."
She covered his hand with her own. “I'm so glad you're okay.” She leaned toward him to kiss him. His hands tightened on her shoulders as their lips clung for a long moment. Reluctantly, she pulled away and switched on the ignition. “You ready? This isn't going to be easy."
He nodded. “I know. We'll get through it."
On the short drive back to Rehoboth, he spoke only once more. “Does this change anything with us? I mean, Bob finding out? Will it make you change your mind about Norway?"
She pulled her eyes from the ocean-front road to glance at his solemn profile. “No,” she said softly. It was better not to give him any false hope.
He stared out at the silvery blue ocean on his right. “I didn't think so."
* * * *
Bob sat at the kitchen table, staring down at his hands folded in front of him. A crumpled pack of Marlboro Lights lay near an ashtray brimming over with butts. Leigh hadn't seen him smoke for over two years. They walked into the room, Leigh in front of Erik.
"I was wondering when you'd show up,” Bob spoke in an oddly flat voice, still staring down. Finally, he looked up. His eyes were bloodshot as if he hadn't slept at all ... or had been crying. It didn't matter. Either way, Leigh felt racked with guilt. Desperately, she tried to think of something to say, but she knew it would be meaningless. There was nothing to do but wait for him to make the first move.
He stood up abruptly and strode to the counter to pour himself a cup of coffee. Leigh could've used a cup herself, but she didn't dare ask, and he didn't offer. Funny, how she suddenly felt like an interloper in her own house. He turned around and leaned against the counter, his eyes glued to her, not veering once toward Erik who waited silently behind her. He took a sip of coffee.
"I realize you were upset last night,” he said quietly. “Not in your right mind. That's why I'm giving you a second chance.” He flicked a baleful glance at Erik. “He goes back to Norway immediately.” His eyes returned to her. “You come home with me, and we'll forget this ever happened."
Leigh was so astonished, she couldn't speak. He was willing to forgive and forget? Just like that?
His face was implacable. “A divorce wouldn't be in my best interests. You know that. Just think what the liberal press would do to me if your shoddy little affair with this ... foreigner ... gets out?"
Of course. How stupid she was to have thought, for even a moment, his motives could be anything but selfish. And what a hypocrite! Throwing her “shoddy little affair” in her face, and yet, he'd been screwing Rebecca for God knew how long. For a moment, she wanted to hurl the accusation right back at him. But no. There was only one thing she intended to say to him right now.
She took a deep breath and lifted her chin. Until this moment, she hadn't been sure what she'd really do, but now, looking into Bob's smug brown eyes, she knew she'd reached a fork in the road. And only one of the paths led to freedom.
"I want a divorce, Bob.” Her voice was quiet but firm.
Astonishment flickered in his eyes. There was complete silence in the room. Just the rattle of the dilapidated clock over the stove and the gentle hum of the refrigerator.
"And if you won't file for it, I will,” Leigh added.
Bob tossed the remains of his coffee down the sink. “Well, it sounds like you've made up your mind. I don't suppose you've given a thought to the kids, have you?” He gave a short harsh laugh. “Of course not. Too preoccupied with yourself and your lover. But just so you know, Melissa and Aaron don't want to see you. I don't know about Mark. He's pretty upset."
Leigh's heart constricted; she felt nauseous. Her voice rose. “You told them?"
"Your concern is touching. As a matter-of-fact, I didn't have to tell Aaron and Mark. They were here when Dawn dropped her little bombshell last night. And when Mel got in from her date, she could see something had happened, so Mark told her. Okay, Leigh, you want a divorce? You've got it. I'm not stupid enough to fight it, and bring more publicity
down on me. I'll give you a quiet divorce so you can be with your lover. But don't think for a minute you'll get the kids. I won't have them living with someone like you."
Erik made a sudden move behind her and Leigh turned to place a restraining hand on his arm. Imploringly, she looked up at him, mentally begging him to be cool. She turned back to her husband. “Mark is old enough to choose..."
"But he won't choose you,” Bob went on quietly. “None of them will. They don't want anything to do with you."
"I don't believe you."
"Believe it.” He moved toward her, stopping a foot away. His brown eyes studied her. The hurt look was gone, replaced by disgust. “You know, I always thought you were a little boring ... but I never dreamed you'd turn out to be a common whore."
This time, she couldn't stop Erik. He stepped around her and grabbed Bob by the shirt front. His upper lip curled, revealing straight white teeth as he snarled, “You son-of-a-bitch, you'd better mind your mouth or I will cram your teeth down your sanctimonious throat! It is something I've been wanting to do for a long time now."
Bob sneered, defiantly glaring up at the taller man. “Take your hands off my shirt, you fucking communist. She's still my goddamn wife and I'll say whatever the fuck I want to her."
"Go ahead ... but I promise you will pay for it."
Leigh touched his arm. “Erik, please let him go. It's not worth it."
Erik's eyes blazed into Bob's for an endless moment. Finally, he released him and pushed him away with a grunt of contempt. “You're right, Kayleigh. He's not worth it.” His voice lowered, his eyes skewering Bob. “How she put up with you for so many years, I'll never understand."
Bob smoothed out his shirt and without a backward glance at Leigh, walked out of the kitchen. Too late, Leigh remembered Rebecca. Why hadn't she thrown his cheap little affair in his face during his attack on her? But she knew why. This wasn't about Bob. The truth was, even if he had been true to her, she still might have turned to Erik. The knowledge of Bob's affair had only made it easier for her. Leigh felt Erik's hands on her shoulders, and she turned in his arms, resting her head against his solid chest.
East of the Sun, West of the Moon Page 13
