Collision Course

by C. P. Rowlands

  “Thank God for helpful people. My department chair has been wonderful, but I think this is the last year I’ll be able to get away with this light schedule, and I don’t even have to tell you about my publisher. They’ve been very understanding, but I have to get things going again so I don’t use up all that goodwill. My friends, our friends…” She frowned and went quiet.

  “Your friends?”

  “Absent.” She looked at him. “I’m finally missing them, so I guess I’ll just have to go find them. I’m going out in a couple of weeks.”

  “Will you still volunteer at Omni after classes begin?”

  “It makes me feel like I’m doing something worthwhile and it’s helping me deal with this mess.” What Brie didn’t say was that it also was a great insight into how others dealt with horrific events. “I’ve been thinking of moving out of state, teaching somewhere else, maybe sell the house or rent it out.”

  “Move?” he said. He gave her a sharp look. “Where?”

  “Two universities on the West Coast have made offers,” she said. “I’ve talked to the family. Also, we’re going to be taking bids for Niki’s foundation’s next project. The sports complex is done. I enjoyed the parts I was able to do. I think we did what Niki would have wanted.” Brie picked up her purse. “I have to be at school in a little while. Evening classes begin tonight.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “Thanks. I’ll make an appointment and see you next month. Have a good September.”

  *

  After a quick shower, Jordan hurried over to her mother’s side of the house, tucking a yellow blouse into her tan slacks as she walked down the hallway. She could smell something on the grill and her stomach grumbled. “Show time,” she said, rounding the corner into her mother’s kitchen. She fully expected to find a new man, ready for action—but totally uninteresting.

  “Mommy,” Jenna said, jumping up. “We saw you come home.”

  Jordan gave her a hug and a kiss. “Thanks for watching out for me.” Tyler grinned at her around a big hamburger and she tousled his hair. A gray-haired man walked in from the patio with a platter of hamburgers and grilled vegetables. His face was ruddy from the barbeque, and warm September air followed him inside. Her mother was positively glowing as she did the introductions. Speechless, Jordan simply stood and almost forgot to return his handshake. This wasn’t about her. It was her mother’s date.

  “I thought you should meet the man I’m going to Ireland with,” her mother said with a twinkle in her eye.

  “Mom, this is great,” Jordan said. She’d been wrong. This was interesting.

  Jordan cleaned up after the meal, listening to everyone else laugh outside. It made her smile as she turned the dishwasher on. “Wait till I tell Brie about Richard.” She chuckled.

  Her mother stepped back into the kitchen. “When the kids are asleep, will you come back for a while? We’d like to give you the trip’s itinerary, where we can be reached.”

  Jordan came back for coffee and took the opportunity to get to know Richard a bit better. He was a retired businessman, active in her mother’s church, and had adult children and grandchildren. She liked him and liked watching them together, enjoying their conversation and comfort together.

  “How did your dinner go last night?” her mother asked.

  “Good,” Jordan said and set her coffee cup in the sink. “Brie’s a professor at Sparta University.”

  “I liked her, Jordan. Did she mention anything about writing books?”

  Jordan nodded. “I picked up one of her textbooks, the day we collided in the park”

  “Perhaps,” her mother said, “but I believe she also writes fiction.” She got up and left the room, returning with two books. “Isn’t this her photo?”

  Jordan took the books and looked at the photograph on the flyleaf. It was Brie. “I didn’t know,” she said, surprised. “Did you read these?”

  “They’re excellent. Great historical mysteries. Here, take them. I guarantee you’ll enjoy them.”

  The minute Jordan got back to her side of the house she stopped at her office and turned on her computer. She looked at the Sparta University site and found Brie’s faculty information. It was long, but at the very end there was a paragraph about her fiction. Jordan checked the titles. The second one had been a best seller. Jordan frowned at her computer. Brie had also published quite a bit of academic work and there was a column of awards. Why hadn’t Brie mentioned this?

  She rapped the desktop with her knuckles, thinking. That answer was easy. Brie was just beginning to fumble her way back. She’d probably simply forgotten. Books had to be the last thing on her mind. She’d bet the most Brie could manage were everyday things. Her house was orderly, which meant she was paying attention on some level. Some things Jordan could help her with. The basic things like eating, getting out now and then, or just laughing.

  She closed the house up and got ready for bed. It was after nine thirty. Good. She wanted to tell Brie about Richard. She picked up the phone.

  “Is this Richard?” she said in a low voice, sliding over the words when Brie answered. Brie laughed and Jordan smiled. Brie’s laugh was special.

  “Just walked in the door, but I’ll be anything you want,” Brie said.

  “Well, guess what? Richard was my mother’s date. He’s the man who’s going to Ireland with her.”

  Brie laughed again. “So, it’s not all about you?”

  “Guess not, and I wanted to share that with you.” Jordan laughed too. “How was your class?”

  “I always enjoy this one. All the new ideas and new people. It was a good night.”

  “I wanted to tell you about Richard, but I also wanted to remind you about our dinner at Patrick’s tomorrow night.”

  “I hadn’t forgotten. Do you want to meet there?”

  “That would be a good idea, if you don’t mind. I have to stop at school, talk to Tyler’s teacher, and then give the kids a ride home. Uncle John’s wife, Nancy, is having them over for dinner before Mom leaves.”

  “You’re not going to dinner with your mother and children?”

  “No, I have to go back to work and meet my foreman. We’re going into the next phase on the house and I want to make sure we’re on the same page. I’ll make it to Patrick’s in plenty of time.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you out there about six. I have an appointment with my therapist at four thirty, so if I’m a little late, be patient.” She gave a little giggle. “Richard is probably never late, but Brie sometimes is.”

  *

  When Jordan walked into Patrick’s the next night, something happened. Her eyes connected with Brie’s and she felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time, like an old song you hadn’t heard in years that reminded you of a very good feeling. A warmth collected inside her as they smiled at each other and Jordan almost stumbled. George was standing by the booth and reached out to steady her.

  “Would you like to try my special tonight?” he asked. “It’s chicken and has a special drizzle that I put over it.”

  Jordan nodded but looked at Brie. “Do you mind eating chicken so soon, after dinner at my place?” Her words sounded a little breathless to herself.

  Brie shook her head. “This is an old recipe of George’s that I really like. I’ve eaten it as he’s experimented with it over the years. It’s always delicious but also always slightly different.” She made a face at George. “He’s kind of an experimental cook.”

  “If you recommend it, I’ll give it a shot,” Jordan said, sitting across from Brie and noticed she was drinking coffee. “Coffee?” she asked.

  “I probably should have made it whiskey. Rough night at the therapist’s.” Jordan took a closer look at Brie’s eyes. Had she been crying?

  “I’m sorry,” Jordan said. “Let me see what you’re wearing. Nifty blazer.” It was blue with gold buttons with a white shell underneath. Jordan peeked under the table top. Blue jeans and half boots. “You look nice.” She’d look nice in a cardbo
ard box, Jordan thought and smiled across the table.

  “Thanks,” Brie said but her smile was weak. “Look at these.” She put on gold-rimmed glasses.

  “Glasses? Since when?” Jordan tilted her head at Brie. The glasses made Brie look serious, focused, a little brainy. What am I saying? She is.

  “Since yesterday. I wanted you to see them, get used to seeing me wear them. I can hardly believe how much better I can see.” She smiled and Jordan was happy to see that it was a stronger smile. “How’d your day go? Why were you seeing Tyler’s teacher?”

  “It’s been rough for him since Pete was killed. Jenna was too young, but Tyler adored Pete. We have good times, and then we have bad times. It’s day by day. He’s been bullying several boys at school and the teacher called me.”

  Brie frowned a little. “This has to be rough. I was thinking about Jenna and Tyler today. In fact, I talked about all of you to my therapist.”

  “Did you tell her that you have a new name? Richard?” Jordan teased.

  “No, of course not.” Brie laughed for the first time.

  There was a glow on Brie’s face. Jordan couldn’t remember anyone with that same bloom when they laughed. “Before I forget, were you serious about camping?”

  Brie nodded. “You bet. My family has a cabin on a nice little lake not too far from here.”

  “Why don’t you follow me home and we’ll look at what equipment I’ve got? Do you have time tonight?”

  “Of course. I have more time than anyone I know.” Brie lost the smile.

  “Was the session that bad?”

  “Just about,” Brie said as George brought their food. They continued talking about Tyler over the meal. “He has months when he’s easygoing, just normal boy stuff. Then he sinks into anger and takes it out on his classmates.” She pushed her empty plate away. “It’s still…grieving, the five steps. You probably know those by heart. I certainly do.”

  Brie nodded and propped her head in her hands. “My anger seems to be turned inward.”

  Jordan wanted to be very careful here and remembered the paper in Brie’s office. It should have been me, not her! “What went on with your therapist?”

  “Oh, the usual suspects. I think I see Niki in a crowd or hear her voice. I dream of her and, of course, I talk to her.”

  “And,” Jordan said, trying to coax it out of Brie but gently.

  “Emma kind of jumped on top of me the other day, the day she saved my life.” Brie’s smile was sad. “She said I was becoming part of the walls in my house, that I should get out. Then she—” Brie stopped.

  “She…what?”

  “Asked me what I would want for Niki. If I had died and she had lived.” Brie’s voice trembled slightly and Jordan reached for Brie’s hand. Brie lifted her eyes to Jordan. “I don’t know. That’s the hard part.” She cleared her throat. “How did you do, after Pete was killed?”

  “Terrible.” Jordan took a drink of water. “I’ll tell you about it sometime.” She folded her napkin into little squares as they both were quiet. “I’m going to change the subject. Why didn’t you tell me you wrote fiction?”

  Brie gave a small laugh. “Do you realize that it’s going to take us months to catch up with each other at this rate?” she said. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think of it. In fact, I hadn’t looked at my third book in over two years until recently.” She told her about Niki finding the old letters and the stories that had come from them. “I really enjoyed writing those books. After all the academic work I’ve done, it was just pure fun. And Niki had fun with it as well. She was always my first reader, then Mom.”

  “You have a third book that you’re writing?”

  “Trying is more accurate. I’m way behind. I have to see my editor soon and hopefully, I can find my story again before then.”

  “Niki helped?”

  Brie broke out in a laugh. “Well, help? Niki loved to debate. However, she was always honest and when you’re writing, that’s worth its weight in gold.”

  “What else did Niki do? Besides art, I mean.”

  “A lot of work with her family’s foundation. She also managed her father’s business.” Brie gave a little shrug. “A fabulous athlete.”

  “Any sports in particular?”

  “You name it, she did it. We ran together and skied whenever possible, but I could whip her rear in tennis. I truly suck at softball, but she didn’t. Like you, Miss Shortstop MVP.”

  Jordan shook her head. “Stop. What leagues did Niki play in?”

  “The South Shore.”

  “What position?”

  Brie grinned. “Shortstop, for the Ravens.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Remember, I said she was only about five foot five, small for an athlete, and that just made her try harder.”

  “I might have played against her at some time, but I don’t remember.”

  “Didn’t you ever go to any of the banquets? She won the MVP three times.”

  “No, we were just so busy. I was only there when we played. No socializing.” She concentrated, remembering something. “Wait, seven years ago, the city championship. The Ravens beat my team in the semis and went on to win. Lord, I remember that game and I remember Niki. Eleven innings without a score. One of the best defensive games I’ve ever played in. How about that? I actually played against her.”

  “I was at a university conference in Boston that week and missed that game. Otherwise, we probably would have seen each other,” Brie said. “When I got home, it was the first thing Niki talked about.”

  *

  Brie followed Jordan home from Patrick’s and parked her car to the side of the garage as Jordan turned the lights on. Brie took a good look at the T-shirt, khaki shorts, and construction boots ahead of her. Those legs. She pulled in a steadying breath.

  Jordan moved boxes away from the wall in the garage. Everything looked good, surprising Jordan. “This hasn’t been used since the last time we camped. Tyler was four and I didn’t know I was pregnant with Jenna.” Hands on hips, she looked at the blue tent. “Sleeps six,” she said.

  “We have a cabin, so I thought we’d sleep inside. Unless the tent experience would be more fun for all of you,” Brie said. It was warm and she took her blazer off, hanging it on the lawnmower handle. She bent to look in a box. “Let’s take my car, more room. You guys and your sporty cars.” She pointed at Jordan’s tricked-out two-door Camry. “Is that one of those street cars?”

  Jordan laughed. “No. I bought it off one of the guys at work. He was getting married and his wife wanted a minivan. But I have to warn you, I love speed.”

  “Why does that not surprise me?” Brie said, grinning, checking out a hatchet. “Wait, I’ll make a list.” She reached into her back pocket and brought out a pen.

  “A pen?”

  “Always, just in case an actual thought crosses my mind. I have my cards too.” She pulled out a few note cards and laid them on the counter, beginning to write.

  Jordan looked at the tools hanging on the wall and reached for an adjustable wrench. She put a hand on Brie’s shoulder and leaned fully against Brie’s back, stretching for the tools. “For the propane,” she explained, stepping away and holding up the wrench.

  Brie froze, feeling firm breasts pressed into her back, and closed her eyes. It had been so long.

  Jordan held up a note card. “Always prepared, huh?” she joked.

  Brie shook her head, still looking at her list. “Not recently.”

  Chapter Eleven

  The O’Malley family cabin on Half Moon Lake was only a couple of hours north and west of Milwaukee. Brie coasted to a stop beside the wooden building and pointed out the large beach. Both kids behind her yelled at the top of their lungs. Startled, she put her hand on her chest and laughed. “You can’t go into the water until your mom says it’s time.”

  “Unpack first,” Jordan said.

  “Mom,” Ty complained.

  “I’ll need
your help, Ty. Then we can all go in.”

  Brie rummaged around in the car’s glove compartment, finding the keys. This was a childhood memory she looked forward to sharing. “They only said ‘are we there yet’ ten times,” she said with a grin at Jordan.

  “You got lucky,” Jordan tossed over her shoulder as she got out. The cabin hadn’t been used since June and a hot, stale, musty scent assailed Brie’s nose when she unlocked the door. “Whew,” she muttered. Everything was just as it was when she was a child: Bunk beds and big fireplace on one wall. Sink, refrigerator, and stove across the room. A full-sized bed nestled in the southwest corner and an ample table in the middle. Her sister Val and brother-in-law usually brought the kids up here, but their oldest boy had broken a leg so it had been months since anyone had been here, and the cabin felt neglected. Brie began to open windows to let the place air out.

  “Where do you want the food?” Jordan called.

  “Come inside and help me open this.” Brie pointed at a stubborn window.

  “You’re such a girl, O’Malley.” Jordan grunted, opening the window.

  “Just because your black eye is gone doesn’t mean my side is ready. I’m just cleared for duty.”

  “Whiner,” Jordan said, opening the final window. “Besides, your side looks great.” She snagged Brie’s T-shirt and traced a finger across her soft skin. “See? Just a faint mark left.” Goose bumps rose immediately on Brie’s skin and she stepped back, blushing.

  “Who built this place?” Jordan looked at her finger and then at Brie.

  “My grandfather. I’ll check the electricity before we use it,” Brie said, thinking that the electricity between them was just fine. “My brother-in-law rewired it two years ago when he added the shower, toilet, and new stove.” She engaged the switch for the water. “Let’s put things on the porch until it cools off in here.” She came back into the main room to find Jordan standing in the middle.

  “Look at this. The kids are going to love those bunk beds.”