The Girl He Left Behind

by Patricia Kay

  Adam took a generous helping of cabbage rolls and mashed potatoes and immediately dug in. “This is wonderful stuff,” he said after a couple of mouthfuls. “I haven’t had them since I was a kid.”

  Anna beamed. Nothing made her happier than feeding people.

  Eve knew her mother was dying to ask questions, but she tried to forestall her by saying, “Did you read the article I wrote about Adam in Thursday’s paper, Mom?”

  “I did. It was really good.”

  “I thought so,” Adam said. “Your daughter made me sound a lot nicer than I am.”

  “Oh, I’m sure that’s not true,” Anna said. “She tells me you two were in the same high school graduating class?”

  “Yes, we were.” Adam’s eyes met Eve’s across the table. “What else did she tell you?”

  Anna frowned a little. She looked at Eve.

  Eve hated the way she blushed. Now she really wanted to kick Adam. What was he doing?

  “Was there something else to tell?” Anna said, turning her blue-eyed gaze back to Adam.

  “You know how it is with teenagers, Mrs. Cermak,” Adam said, chuckling. “They never tell their parents everything.”

  I’ll kill him, Eve thought. I will cheerfully kill him. “He’s teasing you, Mom. We, uh, hung out together our senior year. It was kind of...group dating. You know.”

  “Group dating? Really? You never said.”

  Eve knew she was really in for it when her mother got her alone again, because both her parents had always believed she’d been totally honest with them. She could see even more questions in her mother’s eyes, the dawning awareness that maybe her daughter had hidden more than one thing from her.

  “She probably knew you wouldn’t approve of me,” Adam said. “I was kind of a wild kid.”

  “Were you?”

  “Yeah. My dad took off when I was pretty young, and I acted out a lot.”

  “That must have been hard on you.” Anna’s voice had softened in sympathy.

  Adam shrugged. “I survived. It made me tough.”

  “I don’t think you’re tough. I think you just pretend to be tough.” Her mother smiled. “Anyway, you’ve certainly made something of your life now.”

  “I’ve been lucky.”

  “It takes more than luck to accomplish what you have.”

  How did he do it? Eve wondered. Every female who came within ten feet of him fell under his spell. She knew darned well her mother would have had a stroke if Eve had told her about him during their high school days, but here she was now, completely charmed by him.

  Soon her mother was asking him all kinds of questions about his family and his career.

  “Your mother must be so proud of you,” she finally said.

  “I hope so,” he said. “I’ve tried to be a good son.”

  “From what I hear, you’ve been a wonderful son.”

  “Thank you.”

  “And you’ve never married?”

  “No. I only came close once.” His gaze sought Eve’s. “But she got away,” he added softly.

  Eve’s heart skipped and she looked down at her plate.

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t have any problem finding someone now,” Anna said.

  Adam laughed. “I’m picky. I want somebody who can cook like you do! This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”

  “You’re welcome to come and eat here anytime you like. That hospital food is horrible. I’m sure you’re sick of it.”

  “My mother’s actually out of the hospital and in rehab now.”

  “Even so. I’m sure she won’t be cooking anytime soon.” Anna turned to Eve. “Bring him to lunch on Wednesday. I’m making pierogies.”

  “Pierogies!” Adam said. “You don’t have to ask me twice! I’ll be here.”

  Eve knew her mother had no idea what she was doing to Eve or to her resolve to stay away from Adam. If Anna only knew the Pandora’s box she was flirting with.

  Eve had to wait before she could gracefully find a reason to leave, but fifteen minutes later she figured it was okay to say, “Mom, I’ve got to get back to the paper. I still have a ton of stuff to do this weekend before the twins get home again.”

  At the door, Anna embraced Adam. “I’m so glad you came.”

  “I am, too.” He kissed her cheek, saying softly, “I wish I’d known you when I was young.”

  “I wish that, too.” Anna gave Eve another reproachful look.

  Eve squirmed, her guilty feelings almost overwhelming her. Had she misjudged her parents? Would they have accepted Adam years ago?

  As she and Adam walked outside, Adam said, “Thanks for letting me come. I really enjoyed myself.”

  “I’m sure you did,” Eve said drily. “Another notch in your belt.”

  Adam gave her a sidelong look. “Think so?”

  Eve shook her head. “Don’t play dumb. You’ve won my mother over and you know it.”

  He chuckled softly and opened the passenger door of the Porsche to help her in. “Now all I have to do is win you over.”

  * * *

  Eve half expected Adam to try to talk her into spending more time with him that weekend, but surprisingly, he didn’t. He dropped her back at the paper, thanked her again, said he’d call her before Wednesday and took off. She knew she should be grateful—wasn’t that what she wanted? Yet perversely, she was disappointed.

  She didn’t hear from him on Sunday, either. She told herself that was good. She did manage to get a lot of work done, just as she’d planned. So maybe she would ask Joan for Thursday and Friday off and take the twins somewhere for a really long weekend.

  As promised, Bill brought Natalie and Nathan home at six. “They’ve already eaten,” he said. “We stopped for hamburgers on the way.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So how was your weekend?”

  “Good. I got lots of work done.”

  “You gonna be at the office tomorrow?”

  “Yes. The twins are spending the day with Olivia.” Her cousin had Monday and Tuesday off this week.

  “Can we have lunch? There’s something I need to discuss with you.”

  “Sure. Noon?”

  “How about one? I have an appointment at eleven thirty. Can we meet at Tony’s?” Tony’s was a favorite Italian restaurant near the paper’s office.

  “Okay.”

  After Bill left, Eve wondered what it was he wanted to talk about that he couldn’t discuss in front of the twins. She hoped he wasn’t going to throw another curveball at her about next weekend. If he did, she would just have to be firm about not letting him disrupt her plans again.

  She was too busy Monday morning to spend much time thinking about what he might say, and before she knew it, it was twelve forty-five and time to head to Tony’s to meet him.

  Bill was already seated at a window table when she walked in. After greeting Rose, Tony’s wife, who served as the hostess, Eve joined Bill. “So what’s up?” she said.

  “Let’s wait and talk after we order.”

  Eve didn’t like his solemn tone. It made her think his news wasn’t going to be something she’d be happy about.

  After placing their orders, he leaned forward. “On Wednesday, I’m leaving for California. I’ll be on assignment out there for at least six weeks.”

  Eve blinked. “You’re kidding.”

  “No, I’m not. It’s sudden, I know.”

  “I guess.” Eve’s thoughts were beginning to whirl. Bill being gone for six weeks was going to throw the entire summer schedule into chaos. Part of her was thrilled she’d have the twins all to herself for the bulk of the summer. The other part of her worried how she’d manage. Would her mother help her out? But hadn’t her mother said something
about going to a bridge tournament next month?

  “The whole family’s going,” Bill continued, “and I want to take the twins with us.”

  Eve’s mouth fell open and she shook her head reflexively.

  “Eve, before you say no, at least listen to me. The company has rented a house for us that’s only a block from the beach. The twins will love it out there. And you won’t have to worry about finding things for them to do this summer. They’ll be safe and having fun, and you’ll be free to work.”

  “But—”

  “You can even come out and join us one weekend. Missy said to invite you.” He smiled at her. “I know this is a shock, and you haven’t had any time to think about it, but it’s a terrific opportunity for the twins. They’ll have a wonderful summer if you let them.”

  Although Eve hated to admit it, she knew Bill was right. She gave a few more halfhearted objections, but in the end, she agreed. And before lunch was over, she also agreed to pack everything the twins would need the next day. They would spend Tuesday night with Bill because their flight to California was leaving early Wednesday morning.

  As she headed back to the office, she realized fate had handed her a gift. With the twins gone, if she wanted to see Adam, she could. He wouldn’t see them, so there’d be no danger he’d ever put two and two together. This was an opportunity for her to get him out of her system. Then, by the time the twins returned from California, he would be long gone.

  And Eve’s secret would still be safe.

  * * *

  That night, as Eve was helping Natalie pack—she’d already gotten Nathan’s things ready and he was happily playing an online game—Natalie said, “Janie Logan’s mom told me that you know Adam Crenshaw. Is that true, Mom?”

  Eve gave an inward sigh. Looked down into her daughter’s eyes—eyes that would never allow Eve to forget how and when her children had been conceived—and said in as casual a tone as she could manage, “Yes, honey, that’s true.”

  “Janie said he’s here, in Crandall Lake.”

  “Yes. His mother’s been sick, so he came home.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Eve pretended to be amused by forcing a chuckle. “Tell you? It wasn’t that important.”

  “Not important! Mom! Adam Crenshaw? He’s the lead singer in Version II! I love him! And you know him! I can’t believe we’re going to California and I won’t get to meet him!”

  “Natalie, it’s not a big d—”

  “Can you call him up? Maybe ask him to come over tonight? So I can meet him before I leave?”

  “No. I can’t just—”

  “Please? All the kids are talking about him. Janie even saw him at the store the other day. And they all know that you know him. It’s not fair! I didn’t even know you’d written a story about him until Janie told me. I felt so stupid.”

  Now Eve did sigh. “Look, honey, I’m sorry I didn’t say anything about him, but really, I—I just didn’t think it was important.”

  “You said that already. And it is important. He’s one of the biggest stars ever. And he’s from here. And you know him.” Natalie’s voice had gone from a wail punctuated with exclamation points to injured disbelief at her mother’s ignorance.

  “I’m sorry, Natalie. I guess I’m out of it.” Eve realized she should have known the twins were bound to hear about Adam. After all, the whole town was buzzing about him.

  “So will you call him? Please, Mom, please? I just want to be able to tell my friends I’ve met him. If I could get a selfie with him my friends would die!”

  “I can’t do that, honey. He spends most of his time at the rehab center with his mother. Besides, it’s late.”

  Natalie looked at Eve as if she had two heads. “It’s only nine o’clock.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not calling him.”

  “Mom!”

  “Please don’t argue, Natalie. It won’t change anything.”

  Natalie’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at Eve. “This is so not fair!”

  Eve thought about resorting to that old standby, “Who told you life was going to be fair?” but thought better of it when she saw how upset her daughter was. “Sweetheart, I can’t call him tonight, but I’ll tell you what. If he’s still in town when you get back from California, I’ll invite him over so you can meet him.”

  Natalie glared at her. “He’ll probably be gone by then.”

  That was what Eve was counting on. “Maybe not.”

  Natalie swiped her tears away and heaved an exaggerated sigh. But to Eve’s relief, she didn’t argue further.

  Eve knew she’d managed to dodge a bullet—a huge one—and one she should have seen coming. She should be happy. And yet, some perverse part of her wanted Adam to meet the twins. She guessed she would always wonder what he would think about them. If he would have any idea they were his. When she looked at them, she always saw Adam in them. Yet no one else had ever guessed. Not even her mother, and her mother adored them and spent as much time with them as she could. Even Saturday, when her mother had seen Adam up close and personal, she hadn’t seemed overly suspicious or concerned. Sure, she’d been surprised to find Eve had hidden her “group dating” from her, but Eve knew her mother was smart enough to realize most kids were secretive about anything they thought their parents would disapprove of. Anna hadn’t seemed to attach too much significance to the revelation. If she had, she wouldn’t have hesitated to question Eve.

  Later, after the twins were in bed and, hopefully, asleep, Eve poured herself a glass of iced tea and went out to the front porch to unwind and think about everything.

  Was she doing the right thing contemplating seeing more of Adam? Wouldn’t it be smarter—and safer—to stay as far away from him as possible, whether the twins were around or not? But these weeks while they were in California might be the only time she’d ever be able to have with Adam. Didn’t she deserve at least that much? She knew they could never have any kind of ongoing relationship, but surely there could be no harm in grabbing this little bit of happiness.

  She bit her lip. Is this too much to ask?

  She guessed, in the end, the real question was: if she did continue to see him, if what there was between them continued to grow, would she be strong enough to walk away from him again?

  * * *

  Because Adam’s mother was doing really well and Austin had assured him it was okay to go back to Nashville and take care of the things hanging fire, Adam booked a flight for Thursday. He would stay a couple of days—have the interview with Rolling Stone, meet with his agent and his producer, talk to his bandmates and have his overdue discussion with Bethany. Then he’d be free to come home. “Why not go tomorrow?” Austin asked. The two brothers were in Austin’s condo, having a beer after sharing some take-out Italian.

  “I have a lunch date tomorrow.”

  “Can’t you reschedule?”

  Adam heard the curiosity in Austin’s voice. “I’ve been invited to the home of an old friend, and I don’t want to disappoint her.” He grinned. “She’s making pierogies.”

  Austin chuckled. “I’m guessing that invitation was irresistible. So is she pretty?”

  “She looks darned good for a seventy-year-old woman.”

  Austin frowned. “Who is she?”

  “The mother of an old friend.”

  “Is that old friend by any chance a hot blonde reporter?”

  Adam just smiled.

  “What’s the story there?”

  “Eve and I dated in high school.”

  “Eve?” Austin laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Adam...and Eve. You don’t think that’s funny?”

  Adam rolled his eyes.

  “So I’m guessing you sti
ll like her?”

  “Never stopped,” Adam admitted. “Just didn’t know she was available.”

  “And now you do.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Is it serious?”

  “Don’t know yet.”

  “But you’d like it to be?”

  “Don’t know that yet, either.”

  “What about Bethany?”

  Adam sighed. Took a swallow of his beer. “I’m gonna take care of that this week.”

  Austin made a face. “She’s not gonna be happy.”

  “I know.”

  “My guess is she’s been thinking wedding bells.”

  “I know.”

  “You gonna keep her on as your publicist?”

  “We’ll see. Depends how she takes the news. Whether she wants to stay on or not.”

  “Well, good luck, bro.”

  “Thanks. I’m gonna need it.”

  * * *

  Anna had worked all day Tuesday making the pierogies, frying up the onions in butter that she would serve with them, and topping off all her efforts with the nut kolache she always prepared for holidays and special occasions. She figured this lunch today, with Adam Crenshaw as her guest, was a very special occasion.

  Anna couldn’t believe how blind she’d been. She’d always known the marriage between Eve and Bill wasn’t the perfect match both she and Bill’s mother had pretended it to be. Had wanted it to be.

  First of all, there was the shock of the twins being born too early. And even though none of them—not Anna’s beloved Joe nor Bill’s father, William—and certainly not Anna or Ellen Ruth—had ever spoken their doubts aloud, Anna knew all four parents had seen the ripples in the surface of their children’s marriage.

  In the beginning, after Anna had gotten over the shock that her dutiful and obedient Eve—a child who had never given her one moment’s worry—had hidden something so important from her, she had been happy about their marriage. She and Joe had been disappointed that college for Eve would have to be postponed, but after all, she was now married to Bill. And hadn’t Anna and Ellen Ruth always hoped and prayed for this outcome? Anna loved Bill like a son, and now her daughter loved him, too.