by Janet Cooper
Taylor dashed for the phone. “Yes?” For the next few moments, she stood completely still. No one else in the room spoke, they all listened. Martin walked over to her and placed his arm around her waist. Jeff ached to comfort her.
“Oh, no,” cried Taylor. “Oh, no”
Martin grabbed the phone from his daughter’s hand. “Martin Harris speaking. What did you find?” His face blanched and he grabbed the chair that stood in front of the old telephone table. “I’ll be right there. Yes, he’s our doctor.”
Jeff and everyone else in the room looked from Taylor to the father.
“Mom’s had a car accident. After Miss Mary dropped her off, she must have decided to come back. She hit a young girl on a bike, just before she crashed into that huge oak at Pinckney and Ferry Road. Dad and I have to go to the hospital. Can you please stay here until Miss Mary arrives and keep manning the telephones?” Taylor’s gaze moved quickly around, touching each person, but not lingering. “Someone must be here.”
Emily replied, “Go, we’ll take care of ourselves and if there are any new developments, we’ll call.”
“If you all have questions,” Martin said, “ask Jeff. He’s local and knows most the people.”
* ~ *
Jeff viewed father and daughter almost running out the front door. Instead of following his heart and going with them, he must coordinate the search for Rod, who’d inadvertently caused all today’s problems. With night falling, the search would soon be called off until tomorrow. He’d wait for the officials to notify him before he contacted the guests.
The bridesmaids, all of whom had change into shorts and tops, tried to include him in their conversation, but of the six he had only met Sara, the maid-of-honor, before and then only briefly. He excused himself and went out onto the patio. If the house phone rang, he’d hear it. Right now he craved quiet. Settling himself on the cushioned, wrought-iron furniture, he stared at the star-filled sky. Attempting to clear his head, he concentrated on the number of constellations beginning to fill the sky. How could he have forgotten? Nights so clear shadows formed on the land from the trees, bushes, and buildings; air, at times heavy with humidity that wrapped itself around him like a warm blanket. The breezes filled with the smell of the marsh and the salt. He had missed the Lowcountry, but even more he’d ached for Taylor. Damn, he thought, being here with her so close and yet unable to share his feelings was Hell.
Jeff had stayed away or come to see his parents briefly over the past 10 years, preferring to have them visit him. After his mother passed away, he continued this policy. As much as possible, he had avoided Harmony Plantation until five years ago. Taylor and Rod had broken up, yet again. She had called him, desperate. Jeff thought they’d finally split. He’d flown down from Philadelphia, where he was completing his PhD in Finance and Investments, thinking he could comfort her and that he might have a chance with her. Things hadn’t worked out. He pushed the memory aside.
Now at thirty, he had returned, reluctantly. Being an only child, like Taylor, he had obligations to his father. When his dad recovered, would he stay or flee? Flee, what a strange word, yet the word suited this situation. Jeff honestly had no idea what he would do.
Childhood memories of Rod and Taylor filled his mind. Jeff fumed at his ex-friend. When Taylor asked why he and Rod had grown apart, Jeff struggled not to say ‘Because the bastard has an inconsiderate ego and doesn’t care whom he hurts as long as he gets what he wants.’
The house phone rang breaking his concentration. He rushed inside to answer. “Jeff Benjamin, here.” He listened for a moment. “Dr. Harris is at the hospital with his wife. I’m taking all the messages.” Again, he listened. The bridesmaids had come into the hallway and stood around the desk that held the phone. “As soon as the doctor calls, I’ll let him know.” He nodded his head. “You’ll continue the search in the morning. Thank you.”
The women waited anxiously for him to speak.
“The DNR …”
A few blank faces stared back at him.
“The Department of Natural Resources is leading the investigation. The team, Coast Guard, Harmony Search and Rescue, and Fire Department, report to the DNR. They’ve called off the search because of the dark. They will resume at sunrise tomorrow. Let’s divide the cell phone list and update our own searchers.”
Tim immediately grabbed the list, began counting then tearing the sheet into smaller sections and handing them to the helpers.
“Are you going to call Taylor?” a short, blonde asked.
Searching for a name, he drew a blank. “I’ll call Doc’s cell, but since he’s at the hospital, he may have his mobile turned off. I’ll text him.”
He glanced around at the women and wondered, possibly for the first time, “Where are the groomsmen?”
“Most went in the boats,” Sara answered. “Except Tim.
“I get sea-sick,” Tim said, his face reddening as if embarrassed by his problem.
“You’ve done a great job dividing the list, so everyone take a section and let’s call,” Jeff said.
Sara added, “We should keep the main phone free, encase something turns up. I think we should tell the searchers about Mrs. Harris’ accident, too.”
Jeff nodded. A short time later, each person held a sheet of paper with names to call, then chose a section within the living room, and started calling. Jeff took his cell out to the patio. He phoned, but just as he expected, the doctor’s voice mail picked-up, after leaving a message, Jeff texted one, too. Sitting back in the chair, trying to plan the next move, he heard the front screen door open. A moment later, a woman’s voice called, “Anybody home?”
Miss Mary. He would recognize that Southern accent anywhere. Jeff had glimpsed her earlier, but hadn’t been close enough to talk to her. Standing, he walked to the house. Although it had been several years since he’d last seen her, she remained unchanged, her slender shape matched her short, blonde hair. Energy flowed from her. He observed Mary glancing briefly into the living room then turned toward him.
“I declare, Jeffrey Benjamin.” She hastened to him and gave him a hug. “Knew I’d see you today.” She stepped back and stared up at him. “You look just like your mother. She would be so… What’s wrong?” Mary took his hands, “Bad news about Rod?”
“Nothing new about Rod. Mrs. Harris had an accident. She’s in the hospital. Doc and Taylor headed to town.” He led her to the patio, seated her at the table, and took a matching chair.
“Impossible,” she said. “I drove Julia Ann home and saw her to her house.”
“Evidently, Mrs. Harris didn’t stay home. She hit a huge live oak on one of the back roads.”
Placing her right hand over her mouth, she stared. “Dear heaven, poor Taylor and Martin.” She shook her head. “Another problem for them. What terrible timing.”
“There’s more.”
“More?” she said with disbelief.
“She hit a cyclist. We don’t know how serious either person is. As for the search, DNR has called it off until sunrise. I called Doc and left a message on his voice mail and texted him. Taylor’s bridesmaids, plus Tim are calling all the volunteer searchers and updating them.”
“Are they’re telling them about Julia Ann as well?”
“We decided to.”
Even the evening light couldn’t conceal the worry lines showing on her face. Jeff shared a portion of her pain, but Miss Mary had taken care of the Harris family since Julia Ann had moved out twenty years ago. She had been a mother to Taylor and to every other kid who stopped by the Harris’ home.
Mary leaned back in her chair as Jeff filled her in on what he and Taylor had discovered. When he’d finished neither spoke for a few minutes. Giving herself a visible shake, she said, “Time to be practical. Things need to be done.” She rose from her chair. “What about dinner? Did anyone eat? I saw the girls and Tim, but where are the other boys?”
Jeff smiled at the ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ and at her concern.
“You never change, always wanting to feed people and worry about them.” He thought she might have blushed, but in the limited light, he couldn’t read her expression nor see the color of her face. “They’ve probably returned from searching for Rod or will be back soon. Regarding food, I don’t have a clue.”
“I’ll find out.” She headed toward the door.
“Miss Mary,” Jeff said.
Turning, she said, “Mary, please.”
“After so many years, that’s hard to do, but I’ll try. Mary, you’re a psychic.” He stopped and waited.
“Sometimes the universe allows me to see. Why do you ask?” She focused closely on him.
“Is Rod dead or alive?” he asked, quietly.
“Just because the Search and Rescue people didn’t find him this afternoon, doesn’t mean he’s dead. He might have drifted with the tide quite a distance from his original location.”
“I appreciate that, but Taylor seemed so sure the cooler was Rod’s.” He stopped, picturing the swarm of ‘gators. He’d heard Doc’s opinion and knew the theory about alligators, but he couldn’t help wondering if it was true.
“You didn’t find a boat.”
“Humor me?”
“To be honest, I’ve asked myself that all evening. Usually, when a soul passes, I can tell. I sense that Rod is here, still on this plane, still alive in the flesh, yet not here.” She gestured to the area. “Don’t ask me to explain that because I can’t.
“If my sight is correct, this is good news for Taylor, which she definitely needs.”
“Will you tell Taylor what you “see”?”
“Unless she approaches me and asks, I won’t.”
“Why not?”
Mary stood quietly for a few moments. “We never discuss psychic matters. She’s afraid, I believe, of what I might say. Any other questions?”
“What you’ve “seen” is good news. Thank you for telling me.”
She kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Please tell your father I was asking for him.”
He nodded.
“If you’ll excuse me, Jeff, I’m going to feed these dear people.”
She pushed open the back screen door, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
His cell rang. “Jeff Benjamin.”
“Jeff, Taylor. Mother’s in a coma. The doctors aren’t sure if she’ll make it.” Her voice cracked.
He swallowed, wishing he could be with her, even if only to hold her hand. “How’s your dad holding up?”
“Surprisingly well, better than I am. Mother’s in intensive care, but her doctors have allowed him to visit with her.” She paused.
Jeff waited for her to continue.
“If I hadn’t insisted that she go home, this won’t have happened.”
“You can’t know that.”
“She probably grabbed a drink or two which affected her reactions. Who knows how many she had?” Her voice dwindled off.
“How’s the cyclist?” Jeff asked, anxious to change the subject.
“She broke her ankle in several places, but beside that, she’s fine. I’m going to spend the night here with Dad. I’ll be back early tomorrow.”
“No, you stay there. Your parents need you.”
“Oh, did the DNR mention anything about the cooler?”
“They managed to snag it and are bringing it back. They told me someone would come by around eight tomorrow, bring the cooler to see if we can identify it, and give us all the details and their plans for the search. I’ll handle the authorities. If they tell me anything of importance, I’ll call.”
“But, Rod …”
“There’s nothing you can do here for Rod. Everything that can be done is being done or will be done. As I said, if any news comes in, I’ll call and leave a message. Trust me.”
She sighed. “I’ve always trusted you. You’ve always been there for me, regardless of what I did or didn’t do.”
He wanted to say, ‘that’s because I love you’, but instead said, “That’s because we grew up together and I’m your best male friend,” he managed in as light a tone as possible.
“You’re my best friend, period. I have to go.”
“Tell your dad, I send my best,” he said.
“No, we’re in the South. I’ll tell him you’ll say a prayer for us.”
He chuckled quietly. “That too.” He was definitely back in the Lowcountry. “Before you or your dad call back asking about your guests, Miss Mary arrived and is taking care of them. Now, hang up and get back to your dad.”
“Yes, sir.” Her voice sounded lighter to him.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night,” she said.
“Night.”
She disconnected. He stood for a few moments holding the silent phone in his hand wishing that he could be holding her in his arms.
Chapter Three
“Are you Taylor Harris?” the round, unpleasant, looking woman demanded as she marched into the empty hospital waiting room.
Taylor, who had finally managed to nod off, sat up and tried to clear her mind. “Yes.” Who was this woman? The woman didn’t dress like a nurse. An inch of dark roots showing through her streaked blonde hair plus a thick layer of bright make-up, including dark eyeliner that had run, clearly announced she wasn’t.
“I’m Ms. Ella Mae Lee. Your mother destroyed my daughter’s life!” the woman said harshly. “Your daughter’s dead?” Taylor jumped up still trying to chase the mush from her brain.
“No, but she might just as well be. Her life is over thanks to your mother,” Ella Mae Lee asserted.
“I’m sorry.” Taylor rubbed her gritty eyes. “Could you please start over?” she said in an apologizing tone, “I’m not quite awake.”
“How can you sleep while my daughter’s body lies broken?”
Taylor shook her head, hoping this would clean her mind. “Your daughter is the cyclist that my mother hit?”
“Of course, she is. That ‘accident’ has destroyed my fifteen-year-old daughter’s life! You and your family will pay for this!” With that, she turned on her heel, the flip-flops clicking against the linoleum floor as she marched out.
Gathering her wits about her, Taylor started toward the nurses’ station just down the hall, but before she reached it, she saw a nurse she recognized coming in her direction. “Excuse me Rose, but a woman by the name of Ella Mae Lee just approached me about her daughter. She told me that her daughter’s life is over. I asked if the girl had died. She replied that she might as well be dead.”
The older woman, who had taken care of Taylor’s mother during one of her ‘episodes’, stopped and glanced around quickly. “I probably shouldn’t tell you, but I’ve known your family and especially your father for years. He’s a good man and doesn’t deserve all this trouble.” She viewed the area one more time. “According to Ms. Lee, her daughter’s gymnastic career is over because of the accident.”
Taylor looked horrified. “Is it?”
“Only her doctor knows for sure. The breaks in her foot will heal, but …” Rose stopped.
“Oh, my gosh!” Taylor stood rooted to the floor. Her drunken mother had destroyed another person’s life.
Rose’s face reddened as if she realized what she’d said. “Please don’t quote me. I spoke from friendship and I shouldn’t have.”
“Of course, I won’t. I’m sorry I put you in this position. I won’t even mention it to my dad.” Taylor surveyed the area looking for him. “Have you seen my father or do you know where he might be?”
“He’s just gone in to see your mother,” the nurse’s professional voice replied.
“Is there any change with my mother?” Taylor pushed all other thoughts aside.
“Unfortunately, that’s why I came to find you. The doctor says you might go in and see her to say your good-byes.”
Taylor swallowed hard. With a very heavy heart, she walked toward the ICU room. She stared in through the glass window. Her father stood
next to the bed holding her mother’s hand, directing all his attention on his dying wife. His expression showed the love that he constantly gave to his wife, even though she often didn’t deserve it, filling his face. Stop that, your mother’s dying.
Gathering her strength and forcing her negative thoughts aside, Taylor walked in and joined her dad. He put one arm around her. She rested her head against his shoulder, each trying to comfort the other, and each trying to fortify the other.
“I’ll move to the other side so that you can hold her hand,” he offered, before kissing the side of her brow.
“No, I’ll go. You stay.”
With weighted legs, Taylor moved to the opposite side, took her mother’s hand in hers and squeezed; no response. She tried to shut out all the equipment and the noises they made. Looking at her father, she asked, “What did the doctor say?”
“She probably won’t last until morning.” Martin’s eyes filled with tears. They fell on his arm unnoticed.
Giving her mother’s hand another squeeze, Taylor slid around the bed, joined her father, placed her arm around his waist, and hugged him tight. A second or two later, the heart monitor beeped. The line flattened. Staff came running and immediately started to work. Taylor and her father move out of the way.
The medical team checked all her mother’s vital’ signs, and then the doctor said, “She’s gone.” The medical team began removing the lifesaving equipment.
Martin bent down and kissed his wife’s hand. When the nurse removed the tube from her mouth, he placed another kiss gently on her lips.
Taylor could only stare at her mother. Anger raged inside of her. Memories of the embarrassing situations her mother had caused during Taylor’s lifetime came rushing back. She fought against them until she remembered the teenager, whose life her mother had just ruined. Even in death, you continue hurting us and others.
* ~ *
Somehow Taylor managed to drive herself and her dad home. By the time they arrived at the house, the sun stood slightly above the horizon, casting a pinkish glow on the sky. As they mounted the steps, sounds of people talking and even a little laugh or two hit her. She recoiled, wishing she could sneak up the back stairs and hide in her room. One peek at her father told her he shared her desire. With her mother dead and her fiancé missing, her nightmare rolled on. When would it end? She squared her shoulders and mentally tried to prepare herself to face her friends. The door stood open, with only the screen preventing them from walking inside. Before she could turn the knob, Jeff opened the door and held it wide. She eyed him. He shook his head no news. Her father edged passed her, shook hands with Jeff and proceeded to the dining room where the sounds originated.
