Conflicts of the Heart

by Julie Michele Gettys

  “Only you would find humor in divorce. I guess you've had your fill of marriage?”

  “Nope. I'll do it until I get it right. That's why I took this job with two eight one. I decided I was going to have to look out for moi. You're divorced too. Going for a second?”

  She shook her head. “Once is enough.”

  A picture of handsome Joel Claiborne flashed across Teal's mind. What she wouldn’t do to get her hands on him. She changed for the better. He might find her more fascinating than he had in her ugly duckling days. Joel made sure he surrounded himself with the pretty ones. “Another woman?” She showed more interest than she should have.

  “No! Our son is autistic. Joel wanted Michael in an institution and I wanted to keep him. You know the old saying, `Never the twain shall meet.'”

  Teal leaned in. “You poor baby. You must have gone through hell.”

  “I'm okay now. Joel made sure I'd be broke for the next few years, but other than that, I'm doing just fine.”

  This tale of woe got more fascinating by the minute. So dear old Joel stuck it to her. “That's why the pitiful digs?”

  “Teal!” Then Dana laughed. “You never were one to mince words. Guess that’s one of the things I missed most about you.”

  “Sorry. You know I calls ‘em as I sees ‘em. Lack of funds brought you back to Ashton?”

  “I wanted to return home, see you, some of my other friends.” She paused. “See if I can patch things up with Mom.”

  “Where’s your son?”

  Affection warmed Dana’s smile. “In his room, learning how to use his iPad.”

  “May I meet him?”

  “After we have some snacks and a glass of that wine you brought.” Dana got up and headed for the kitchen. “Come help me.”

  She followed. “Do you always leave him alone like that?”

  “He’s quite content with his new toy. They say the new apps are great for kids with autism. He has a little trouble with strangers. We’ll check on him in a while.”

  Moments later, they were back in the living room, on the couch, laughing over old times. For a moment, she forgot how jealous she was of Dana. The woman had many qualities about her that she loved. She needed to get a grip on her feelings and forget the past. After all, Dana had tried to help her, and now she felt on equal footing. “Too us.” She lifted her glass.

  “To us.”

  Teal sipped the silvery liquid. A warm glow spread through her. If she played her cards right, maybe she had a new chance at Templeton. “Listen, girlfriend, the unions are giving a picnic for management day after tomorrow. It's a kind of get-to-know-each-other-outside-the-work-place thing. We’ll have a lot of fun. Patrick and I would like you to come.”

  Dana set her glass down on the blemished coffee table. “What a nice thing to do. In the Bay Area, you couldn’t fraternize with the union. That's one of the things that I like about being back in a small town. I'd love to come. Can I bring anything?”

  “Just your beautiful self.”

  “You seem to know Patrick well. What's he like?”

  She tilted her head, pursed her lips. “He's what you call a dedicated union man, and I'd love to get him and PNA out of Templeton.” She wanted to ask Dana for her help. She needed to find a way, but the timing had to be right. “The only way I'll see Patrick out is if he bungles this contract. I’m counting on you, girl.”

  “Does Patrick have family here?” Dana changed the subject.

  “No. He's divorced, has a daughter in New York. His dad was a hard-nosed union man. Killed by strike busters back in the ‘bad old days.’ I think Patrick wants to be just like him.”

  “So I'm going to have my hands full with him?”

  Teal gave out a throaty laugh. “I've never sat across from him at the negotiating table, but I've heard he's kept Templeton on its knees. Last year they almost had a strike. If he's shoved against the wall again this year, he just might do the unimaginable and call for that strike. Do you now how horrible that is for a hospital? Makes me shudder just thinking of it. Show me the rest of your apartment and introduce me to your son.” She finished her wine and jumped to her feet.

  At the end of the dark, narrow hallway, Dana opened a bedroom door. Teal peeked in over Dana’s shoulder. Michael sat with his iPad on his lap, rapidly sliding his fingers over the screen.

  “My boss bought the iPad for Michael after seeing a story on 60 Minutes. This is Teal, Michael.” He didn't look up. Dana glanced over her shoulder at Teal and shrugged. “His communication skills are limited, but when he gets to know you, he’ll respond.”

  Why hadn’t Dana put this boy in a home? An uncomfortable feeling swept through her. Her only exposure to autism came from stories on TV. She could have saved her marriage and had a life. Bet old, weird Margaret wouldn’t put up with this grandson. “Why are you doing this?”

  “He’s my son. I have no other option. Besides, Michael has a chance. If he’s treated properly, he can have a life.”

  To cover her discomfort, Teal said, “Let's see the rest of the place.”

  “There's not much to see. My bedroom and it's a mess. I haven't unpacked everything yet.” She opened the door, flicked on the light. Unpacked boxes were everywhere.

  ”Let's have a moving-in party. Teal clapped her hands together. “I'll get the rest of the wine, and we can put this stuff away. Then when your next guest arrives, you won't have to make excuses.”

  “Oh no.” Dana groaned. “I'll do it later.”

  “Like hell you will. Come on. What's a sister for if she can't help. You start.” She headed out to the living room to retrieve the wine and glasses. Hey, this is okay. I’m having a pretty good time, after all. Dana has mellowed, and, look at this place. The dregs. I just love it. She almost felt sorry for her. Knowing how proud Dana used to be. No staff parties in this dump.

  An hour later, she sat on the floor, surrounded by shoeboxes and feeling a little tipsy from the second bottle of wine Dana had produced. “Want me to line these up on the closet floor?”

  “Great,” she said over her shoulder. “I'll be finished with these books in a few minutes and then I'll help you.”

  “How do you like working for Hargrove?”

  Dana stopped and turned. Her face lit up. “He’s great.” She paused. “Promise you'll keep a secret?”

  With a finger, she made a zipping motion across her lips. “Like old times, girl.”

  “Gil's retiring in two years.” Dana broke into a childlike giggle. “He's grooming me for administrator. Can you believe it?” Dana knelt beside her and hugged her.

  She shrank inside. Jealousy shot through her like a speeding bullet. Another Dana success story. Just when she was having fun. Get a grip. She sucked in a deep breath and counted to five to get the jolt under control. Then, like always, she buried her feelings and smiled. “I'm so excited for you. You'll be able to put all this behind you and never have to worry financially again.”

  “My worries will be greater with all that responsibility.”

  Again, she fell into a sudden depression. She wanted to leave before she said something she'd be sorry for later. Dana, the Golden Girl. Always got her man. Always got the job. Whatever she went after, she got without a struggle, while Teal wasted away in her shadow. Why’d Dana have to come back to Ashton? Teal finally clawed her way up the ladder and made something of herself on her own. Now this--competing again. Damn her! “You deserve this, honey.” She sounded syrupy, overdoing it. She hated herself when she felt jealous, then kissed up like that, but no matter how hard she tried, she had no way of controlling those feelings. “Well… Let's finish this job and then we can celebrate your new success.”

  She forced herself to finish lining the beautiful shoes side by side on the closet floor. She wanted to take Dana's damn shoes and smash them. The last box had tape around it. She took the utility knife from the nightstand and cut it open. Inside were stacks of paper. “What do you want with these?”

/>   “Strange.” Dana moved over next to her. “I thought I just packed shoes in these boxes.” As she leafed through the contents, her face paled. She picked up the box and put the lid back on.

  “What’s going on?” Teal had uncovered something important that made Dana blanch.

  “It’s nothing,” she stammered. “They’re just some old canceled checks and receipts.”

  Dana clutched the box to her breast, holding onto it like a gold brick. Teal could barely contain herself. She had to know the importance of that shoebox. “You sure you don’t want to talk about this?”

  “Believe me. It’s nothing you’d be interested in.”

  The woman lied through her teeth. Every vessel in her neck puffed out. Teal used a loving and comforting tone. “Dana, dear. Did you forget all the years that we told each other everything there was to know? Don’t you remember how good it felt to have someone to confide in?”

  Dana nodded. Her eyes filled. “God, I do need to talk to someone.”

  She took the shoebox from Dana, set it on the floor, and laid an arm around her shoulder. “Tell me.”

  With a swipe of her hand, Dana wiped the tears from her eyes. She hesitated a moment. “You have no idea what Joel’s put us through. He lied to the judge during the divorce hearings. Made sure I had to pay most of the bills since I had the steady income. The worst part was his giving up on Michael. I swore our last day in court, some day, somehow, I’d make sure the world knows what kind of bastard he is.”

  This time Teal felt her eyes widen in disbelief. “Joel Claiborne did that to you? He doesn’t sound like the same man I knew.”

  “He’s no good.” She patted the shoebox. “I have enough ammunition in here to take him back to court and get my life straightened out.”

  “Looked like just a bunch of old papers to me.”

  “They’re canceled checks, invoices, and receipts he omitted from his previous year's tax return. You want to see what’s inside?” She took the top off and leafed through the papers.

  “The movers took everything from my closet. This shoebox was stored along with all my other things. I’ll bet Joel forgot, just as I did, I had even kept them. I didn’t take any of the furnishings or other valuables he loved so much. I just wanted out with Michael and our personal belongings. After all, I was starting over, and for real. From the ground up.”

  She sat in utter disbelief. This little tale of woe got better by the minute.

  Dana shuffled through the papers again, as if double-checking her findings were actually true. Salty tears streaked her cheeks. “After all we’d been through, how could he have cheated us like this? I suspected Joel had camouflaged his earnings the year we separated, but not to this extent.”

  To comfort Dana, Teal reached over and patted her arm. “Maybe I should leave you alone.”

  “No. Don't go. We’re going to celebrate.”

  “You don't seem to be in the mood to celebrate anything right now.” She got up and walked to the door, turned to Dana who remained on the floor still teary eyed. “I'll call you tomorrow with directions to the park.”

  Dana nodded. “I wish you wouldn't leave.”

  “Too much wine. I have a lot to do to get ready for the picnic.” She had to get out before she blew it. For a few moments tonight she’d felt she and Dana were on equal footing. Now Dana had a chance to stick it to Joel, be back on top financially, and leave her in the dust again. The future administrator of Templeton. Oh, God. That was just too much to swallow.

  In the living room, she stopped, picked up a cracker and a piece of cheese, and stuffed it into her mouth. “Bitch,” she mumbled.

  Now she had to start thinking rationally. What could she do to help things along? Those receipts were something Joel should know about. Maybe she needed to pay him a little visit.

  For old time’s sake.

  Four

  At three o'clock Sunday afternoon, Dana drove up to the weather-stained wooden ticket booth at Woodward Park. A wisp of a breeze took the edge off the high temperature. It was a perfect day for a picnic.

  A new zest for life surged through Dana. She opened up to Gil and explained her situation. He told her about an attorney he knew from San Jose who specialized in divorce cases. He could help appeal her divorce settlement and possibly file charges against Joel for tax evasion.

  Teal waved frantically from the gate and yelled, “Follow me.”

  She decided to have fun at her first social gathering in four months. Teal volunteered to show her around and introduce her to the union reps from the area. Teal and Patrick were the only reps she knew at this shindig. She hadn’t met any of the other local human resources directors yet either. She wondered how many participated in this kind of affair.

  Teal led the way down a winding one way street, past raised knolls with sheltered picnic areas. The overhanging oak and ash trees provided a shady haven for bikers and joggers exercising their way through this oasis bordering the barren foothills of North Ashton.

  Teal motioned Dana into the space next to her and jumped out of her car. She wore flaming red hot pants and a white blouse knotted under her large breasts, exposing a pencil thin midriff. Her hair hung loose and curly on her shoulders. Dana still couldn’t believe that this was the same mousy girl that she had gone to school with.

  She emerged from her car. Teal raced toward her. “I'm so glad you came. We're going to have a ball. Dana locked her car.

  “You should have brought Michael with you. It’s a family thing, you know.”

  “He's at the day care center. He wouldn't do well in a large group like this.”

  An expression of sympathy crossed Teal's face. That was the last thing Dana wanted now. She looped her arm through Teal's. “Show me the way.”

  Seventy-five to a hundred people hovered around the canopied tables. Lazy jazz from a trio provided perfect background music for the milling crowd and the tantalizing aroma of grilled chicken and burgers added to the festivities. Young girls played lawn dice. A group of boys that were Michael's age played with a beach ball a few hundred yards out on the manicured lawns. Sadness swept through her when she pictured Michael being normal and playing games with the rest of the children.

  She and Teal continued to climb the grassy knoll. Drawing closer to the crowd of strangers, Dana felt a twinge of nervousness at meeting all these new people. She never did fancy being the stranger in a big crowd, and to top it off, most of these were the folks on the other side of the fence. She did meet the director from the county hospital and one from the Catholic hospital also. They had reps from other unions. She couldn’t tell how many other union reps were here. Everyone had been encouraged to bring their families and friends. It was a rare and new experience to watch peers and adversaries play, eat, and drink at the same watering hole.

  Teal opened with a round of introductions. Dana shook wet hands, dry hands, black hands, brown hands. Their faces blended, and her small talk sounded mundane by the time Teal worked her through the crowd. Exhausted, she sat on the edge of a vacant picnic table and let out a long, slow breath.

  At the far side near the barbeque, a man with his back to them, wearing a tight fitting yellow, short-sleeved shirt, jeans and a worn pair of Birkenstock turned to face Dana. Patrick wore his hair in a shaggier style than she'd seen on him before. She caught her breath.

  “You finally made it.”

  “I've been here a while already.” She gestured. “Met almost everyone.”

  “I know.” He grinned and held up a can of soda. “Want one?”

  “Thanks.” Her perception of him as a union rep faded into the background. They were on equal turf as man and woman. He left a powerful imprint on her mind. His magnetism overpowered her. She had to admit she now saw him as a damn sexy man.

  “Be right back.” He gave Teal a quick hug and left her, shouting over his shoulder, “Ya look great.”

  As Patrick walked away, Dana felt an inexplicable emptiness. She wanted to spend time
with him today, get to know him better and develop a solid working friendship. After all, that's why they started these picnics in the first place. She slid off the table and excused herself from the men who were spending more time competing with each other than talking to her. Patrick said he’d be right back but had disappeared into the crowd. She dismissed her dissatisfaction.

  Teal emerged from the crowd. “Want to take a walk over to the lake and feed the geese?”

  “Sure.” Dana couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice. Moments later, they sat on the cool grass under a fruiting Japanese plum tree sipping sodas and watching gaggles of geese and ducks parading before the picnickers, searching for food. A few swimming ducks ignoring the crowd rippled the lake's mirror finish.

  Dana felt a sharp stab when she saw Patrick just feet away at the lake's edge, standing next to a blue-eyed blonde-haired woman, at least ten years younger than she was, feeding a mother duck and her chicks. No wonder he dashed off. Why should she care anyway?

  Brad, a man that Dana had met earlier, yelled from several yards away, “Teal, come over here.”

  “Oh, Dana,” Teal whispered. “I've been after that man for a month now.”

  “So go to him. I can take care of myself.”

  She patted Dana on the arm. “Sure you don't mind?”

  Dana nodded. She watched her friend greet Brad with a hug and felt even more alone.

  She turned and saw Patrick heading her way. Their eyes met. She blinked, embarrassed about thoughts of him as anything but another union rep.

  A soft breeze ruffled her skirt when she stood up to pick a plum. “Better not eat that,” he warned. “You'll get sick.”

  “Why?”

  “Not ripe yet. So what do you think of fraternizing with the enemies?”

  “We're not enemies. We're opponents. Players on different teams. We all want the same thing.”

  “Hey, I was just kidding.”

  She knew differently. A union rep never thought of management as an ally. So why ogle his enemy?

  “Let's save this conversation for work.” Patrick took her hand and squeezed gently.