Almost Perfect

by Susan Mallery

  His jaw tightened and his eyes darkened. “You’re leaving? When?”

  “I’m not sure. I want to fix up the house. I’m hiring a contractor to do the work. Then we’re leaving.” She turned back to him and pulled off her sunglasses. “This isn’t about keeping you from Tyler, I swear. We’ll do alternating weekends, share holidays.”

  “I don’t want you to leave.”

  “That’s not an option. I can’t live here. I have a life I need to get back to. A job.”

  “You can write anywhere.”

  “You speak from experience?” she asked, her voice sharp with annoyance. “I hate it here. Everyone is very comfortable getting in my face about my past and they don’t know what they’re talking about. I don’t see anyone blaming you. I want you to know your son. I want you to be a part of things, but whatever plan we come up with isn’t going to include me staying here. When the house is finished, we’re all leaving.”

  Ethan stared at her for a long time. She tried to read his expression but couldn’t tell what he was thinking. He wasn’t happy, but it hardly took insight to figure that out.

  Finally he stood. “Thanks for the update,” he said at last.

  “You’re pissed.”

  “You’re stealing him from me. Again.”

  “What do I have to do to convince you that’s not what I’m doing? You keep forgetting I’m the one who tried to get you into his life five years ago. I want this to work. But it’s going to have to happen with him living in San Francisco.”

  He nodded once and left. Liz checked on all three kids, then leaned against the tree and drew in a breath.

  There would be consequences, she thought grimly. With Ethan there were always consequences. He would probably try to convince her to stay. Which was fine. Let him try. But there was nothing he could say or do to keep her in town. And the sooner he figured that out, the better for all of them.

  LIZ STILL WASN’T SLEEPING, SO morning came early. With the kids out of school, she didn’t have to worry about getting them up and ready, but there were other considerations. Mostly that today the construction team would arrive to start the remodeling. Jeff, the burly fifty-something contractor she’d hired, had promised his team would be at her place no later than seven. The fact that they would be done by four each day was minimal comfort.

  She had set her travel alarm for six, showered, dressed and made coffee. She was on her second cup when someone knocked on her front door.

  She crossed the living room to open it and smiled at the three women and one guy she saw on her porch.

  “Right on time,” she began, then blinked several times when she noticed the identical beige T-shirts they wore.

  Instead of the ladder and truck logo she’d seen in the phone book, the name “Hendrix Construction” was spelled out in a sturdy font.

  “You’re not Jeff’s crew, are you?” she asked already knowing the answer.

  The woman closest to the door handed her a cell phone. “Boss said you’d want to talk to him.”

  She did her best not to shriek. “How thoughtful of him. If you’ll excuse me?”

  She closed the front door, looked at the number already punched into the cell phone, and pushed the send button. He answered on the first ring.

  “Don’t take it out on the team,” Ethan said.

  “Take what out on the charming construction crew on my front porch?”

  “You know. And it’s not Jeff’s fault, either. He owed me.”

  “You seem very determined to make sure I blame you,” she countered, her voice low, but still thick with anger. “Don’t worry. I have every intention of making sure you pay for this.”

  “Look, you wanted your house fixed up. My team will do a great job.”

  She stepped away from the door and clutched the phone tighter. Outrage churned the coffee in her stomach. “Dammit, Ethan. What is wrong with you?”

  “I bought out Jeff’s contract. At a premium.”

  “I hope he totally screwed you.”

  “He made a profit.”

  “At least one of us is happy.” She glanced around the run-down house and knew fixing it up wasn’t optional. “Why are you doing this? Is it the thrill of constantly bugging me?”

  “I want to know what you’re doing. You’re taking my kid away from me, Liz. I don’t want any surprises.”

  “How is any of this a surprise? I told you my plan and made it very clear I want to work things out. I want you to have a relationship with Tyler. Why can’t you believe that?”

  “I do. I’m covering my bases. You ran once. You can do it again.”

  The unfairness of the accusation made her catch her breath. “I ran after you told all your friends I was some cheap whore you’d never bother with. The night before you’d promised to love me forever.” She grabbed the back of the sofa. “Never mind, Ethan. I totally get it. You can’t be trusted and you assume the world is just like you. Watch me all you want, if it gives you a thrill. I don’t care. I’ve got nothing to hide. But here’s the thing. Some of us do the right thing because it’s what we’ve been taught, while others do it because it’s who they are. I know which side I’m on in that discussion. If you’re worried about how someone is playing this game while hiding his true character, you should look in the mirror.”

  She hung up, then crossed to the front door and pulled it open. After handing back the cell phone, she motioned for the crew to come in.

  “You might as well get started,” she told them.

  It didn’t matter who did the work, she thought as she walked upstairs. The sooner everything was finished, the sooner she could get the hell out of Fool’s Gold.

  But the morning surprises weren’t quite over. As she walked into the master bedroom where Tyler was sleeping, she found Melissa standing by her dresser. The teen had Liz’s wallet in her left hand and three twenties in her right.

  Their eyes met. Liz had a feeling she looked shocked and more than a little stupid. The mystery of the lost pizza money and the missing bills from her wallet the previous week was suddenly solved. A sense of betrayal battled with the realization that the few months of abandonment had affected Melissa more than she’d let on.

  The teen dropped the wallet back into Liz’s purse, let the twenties flutter to the floor as she pushed past Liz and raced out of the room. Liz followed, reaching Melissa’s bedroom door just before the girl could push it closed.

  Melissa sat on her bed, her arms folded across her chest, her gaze locked on the floor. Liz pulled over the chair at the desk, then sat down.

  “I guess we should talk about this,” she said slowly. “I’m sorry. I should have thought the situation through. You were left with nothing, forced to steal to feed yourself and your sister. I can tell you that you’re safe over and over again, but why should you believe me? You don’t know me from a rock, I’m threatening to take you from your home and your friends. What if I leave like Bettina did? You’d have nothing. Nowhere to go. And there’s Abby. You love her, but she’s a big responsibility. You’re only fourteen. It’s way too much.”

  Melissa didn’t speak. Her hair covered most of her face, but Liz saw the tears dropping onto her folded hands.

  Liz ached for her. While she knew there had to be consequences for stealing, these were extraordinary circumstances. She wanted to be fair but also supportive.

  “How much do you have?” she asked, trying to remember exactly how much was missing.

  Melissa swallowed and raised her head. There were tears in her eyes, and a look of both defiance and shame. “One hundred and twenty dollars.”

  “Did you have a goal in mind? An amount that would make you feel safe?”

  The girl shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe two hundred dollars.”

  From a fourteen-year-old’s perspective, that probably was enough. Reality was very different.

  “I should be giving you and Abby an allowance,” Liz told her. “I didn’t even think of it. Let’s talk later, whe
n your sister is up. You’ll get it weekly. That will be for spending money.” She hesitated, not sure how to handle the stealing, but determined to do what felt right.

  “I’ll give you the rest of the money you need so that you have two hundred dollars. We’ll put it in a safe place that only you and I know about. It will be there to make you feel safe. In return, you’ll stop stealing from me. Agreed?”

  The defiance faded. “You’re not mad?”

  “I’m disappointed, which is different. I understand why you took the money, but that doesn’t make it right.”

  “So I’m still going to be punished.”

  Liz hid a smile. “I think it’s important to be consistent.”

  “There are always consequences,” Melissa grumbled with a sigh. Her gaze drifted to her nightstand. “Probably my cell phone would be the worst. For…” She sucked in a breath. “A week.”

  Her voice was barely a whisper and more tears filled her eyes. Liz felt relief at the words. From what she could tell, Melissa was going to grow up to be an amazing person. She would try to remember that the next time her niece went off on her about the whole moving thing.

  “I think two days is plenty,” Liz said. “On one condition.”

  “Which is?” Melissa sounded relieved and a little wary.

  “We’re going to be staying in town for a few weeks while the work is done on the house. I’ve signed up all three of you for the new day camp. End Zone for Kids. I want you to help me convince Abby and Tyler this will be fun for them.”

  Defiance won over relief. “I’m too old for camp. I’m practically in high school.”

  “I know,” Liz agreed. “When I called to register Abby and Tyler, I learned they have a program for older kids. It’s sponsored by the university film school. Students are supposed to be in high school to get in, but I convinced them you were mature and more than ready for the experience. I don’t know exactly what’s involved. I think you learn about making movies. Everything from writing scripts to acting. Unless you think that would be too boring.”

  Melissa jumped to her feet, her face bright with excitement. “Really? I get to do that? Learn all about it and maybe be in a movie?”

  “That’s what they said.”

  “I would love that.”

  “Good. Then you’ll help with convincing Abby and Tyler?”

  “Sure.” Melissa picked up her cell. “I have to call Tiffany and…” The light faded. “I guess I’ll tell them in a couple of days,” she corrected as she handed over the phone.

  Liz took it and put it in her pocket. “Thanks. Want to wake up your sister while I tackle Tyler?”

  Melissa nodded. “What time do we leave?”

  “Eight-thirty. Abby and Tyler are in a computer animation class. I hope they like it.”

  “They’ll love it.”

  Melissa turned to leave, then came back and hugged Liz. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “About taking the money.”

  “Me, too, but I understand why you did it.” She put her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “I’m not going to walk away from you and Abby. I know it’s going to take time, but it would nice if you started to believe me.”

  Melissa nodded. “Okay.” Then she left.

  Liz watched her go, appreciating the temporary truce. It was just a matter of time until they were fighting about the move. Melissa wasn’t going to give in on that easily. Regardless, it wasn’t a battle the teen was going to win. There was absolutely nothing anyone could say or do to convince Liz that she was staying in Fool’s Gold. She might have to return for the signing and to deliver Tyler to his father every other weekend, but she would do everything in her power to never again call this place home.

  LIZ PICKED OUT HER CHOICE FOR lunch in a matter of minutes. The barbecue chicken salad looked great. It was what to have with it that had her stumped.

  “You look determined,” Pia noted from across the table. “Should I be worried?”

  Liz forced a smile. With everything going on in her life these days, the last thing she’d wanted to do was have lunch with Pia. But the other woman had insisted and Liz hadn’t been able to say no.

  “I’m fine,” she replied, trying to unclench her teeth. “Just a little stressed.”

  “How’s it going with Roy’s daughters? Are they having trouble adjusting to you?”

  “Among other things.”

  Pia looked sympathetic. “I can’t believe you’re going to be taking care of them. They’re young girls. You don’t even know them.”

  “They’re family.”

  Pia’s blue eyes darkened with an emotion Liz couldn’t read. “Yes, that is important, isn’t it? The whole family connection. I hope they know they’re lucky to have you.”

  “I’m planning on moving them to San Francisco. They’re not happy about it—especially Melissa. Right now things are fine, but we’ll be fighting again later.”

  The waitress appeared to take their drink orders.

  “White wine,” Liz decided firmly. “Chardonnay.”

  “Me, too,” Pia said, then grinned when their server left. “I don’t usually indulge in the middle of the day.”

  “Me, either. But I’m walking home from here, the kids are taking the bus and I’ve earned it.”

  “They’re up at the new camp?”

  “Yes. Even Melissa was excited.” Liz told her about the film class.

  “Sounds like fun,” Pia commented as their wine was delivered. “Keeps them from getting bored.”

  Liz sipped her wine gratefully. “There’s going to be construction in the house. My brother was great at starting projects, but didn’t feel enthused about finishing them. The house needs to be fixed up so we can sell it or rent it out. I haven’t decided.”

  “You haven’t been back in years and now you’re dealing with all this,” Pia described, sounding sympathetic. “That can’t be easy.”

  “It’s not,” Liz admitted. “Between the unexpected responsibility of my nieces, Tyler getting to know his dad, me having to deal with Ethan and being back in Fool’s Gold, it’s been an active couple of weeks.” She took another sip. “Ethan’s mother hates me.”

  “Denise? I doubt that. She likes everyone.”

  If only that were true, Liz thought. “She doesn’t like me. She’s angry about me keeping Tyler from Ethan and the family.”

  “Well, sure.”

  Liz looked at the woman sitting across from her. “Let me pause and bask in your sympathy.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. But from her point of view, she’s lost time. Nothing can make up for that.” Pia held up her hand. “And before you go off on me about sleeping with Ethan right after you left—first, I didn’t know you were actually dating him. Second, nothing happened. He was too drunk that night and we didn’t make a second attempt.”

  “You’re saying lack of penetration means it doesn’t count?”

  “Something like that.”

  Liz was too tired to fight, even with Pia. “I’ll accept the blame for the first six years that were lost, but not after that. I came back again.”

  She briefly told Pia about her meeting with Rayanne and the subsequent letter.

  Pia’s blue eyes widened. “I can’t believe she did that. I know Rayanne had her problems, but to keep Tyler from Ethan? And then she died without telling him.”

  “Why are you surprised? She was never very nice. To me the question is more about why Ethan ever got involved with her.”

  “She was pregnant when they got married,” Pia informed, then paused as their salads were delivered.

  Pregnant as in they had to get married? Liz waited until the server had left to lean forward. “That’s why they got married?”

  “Uh-huh. I think Rayanne had picked out Ethan a while before, but he wasn’t that interested. Then she got pregnant and he wasn’t the kind of guy to walk away.”

  Liz ignored the stab of pain at hearing that and refused to wonder if he wou
ld have been willing to marry her if he’d found out about Tyler. She knew the answer. After all, Ethan was a Hendrix.

  “Then I showed up,” Liz said. “Threatening her happy world.”

  “She must have been terrified. Especially if she knew that you and Ethan had been involved before. She would have thought she could lose everything.” Pia looked at her. “You probably think she deserved it. She wasn’t exactly nice to you in high school.”

  Neither were you. Liz thought the words, but didn’t say them. Pia was different. Not the same mean girl she’d been back then.

  “No one deserves to lose everything,” Liz said at last.

  “But it happens.” Pia sipped her wine. “It did to me.”

  “What are you talking about.”

  “You don’t know? Oh, right. You were gone by then.” Pia shrugged. “My senior year of high school it all fell apart. My dad lost his job.”

  “He owned the company, didn’t he?”

  “He was president, which isn’t exactly the same thing. It seems sales weren’t as good as he had led the board of directors to believe. He’d also been stealing money for years. Not telling the employees was one thing, but not telling the IRS is another. He was charged with tax evasion, fraud, theft. I can’t remember everything. My mom took off for Florida. I wanted to stay here and finish high school. She agreed. When I graduated, she said, after what she’d been through, it would be better if I learned to stand on my own.”

  Liz didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry.” Her own mother hadn’t been a prize, but at least she’d grown up used to it. Pia’s mother had done an about-face at the worst time in a young girl’s life. That made things worse. “What about your dad?”

  “He killed himself the day before the trial started.”

  Liz dropped her fork onto the table. “Pia. I’m so sorry.”

  “It was a long time ago.”

  “That can’t make it any easier to deal with.”

  The other woman looked at her and smiled slightly. “It makes it easier to forget. Besides, I was a real bitch in high school. Maybe I earned it.”

  “No. You didn’t. I really am sorry.”