by Joan Kilby
“Fine. Thank you.” She took his hand briefly and dropped it again quickly. She didn’t ask him to call her by her first name, as Max had.
Randall lowered his gaze, discreetly checking to see if his fly was done up and that he had no stains on his shirt. Everything seemed to be in order. Max frowned slightly at his wife, and her lips curved in a frozen smile that made Randall feel even worse.
His mom and dad didn’t seem to notice anything wrong, possibly because they were nervous themselves. His mom had gotten embarrassed when the men had had to lift her wheelchair over the steps into the house. Randall walked behind her as they moved through the spacious, light-filled rooms, keeping a hand on her shoulder. Whether it was for her comfort or his, he couldn’t have said.
“Nice house,” Marcus remarked to Max as they were shown the living room. “Did you design it yourself?”
“Yes,” Max replied. “I also worked on it from the ground up, helping the carpenters, plumbers and electricians wherever I could. Too many architects don’t know the practicalities of the building trades and it shows in their designs. Plus, we couldn’t have afforded the place otherwise. Kelly decorated. She’s got a great eye for color.”
“I agree,” Audrey said, swiveling her chair for a better look at an arrangement of dried flowers and grasses on a side table.
Randall touched a fingertip to the delicate rigging on one of three model ships lined up along the mantelpiece.
“My grandfather, who was a fisherman, made those,” Max told him. “He carved the pieces by hand during winter when the salmon weren’t running.”
“They’re really good,” Randall said, admiring the workmanship and the patience required to build such ships. It occurred to him as they moved on that Max’s grandfather was his great-grandfather and that gave him a funny feeling in his chest. At the doorway he paused to glance back at the model ships.
Max rested a hand lightly on his shoulder. “Coming? I want you to meet your half sisters.”
The family room overflowed with girls. Two small ones were laughing and racing around the coffee table, a pair of large dogs at their heels. A girl with bushy light brown hair grinned at him from the depths of an armchair and an older one who looked about his age stood with her arms crossed and gave him an icy stare that reminded him of Mrs. Walker. Randall felt his face heat and dug his fingers into his mother’s shoulder. She placed her cool, dry, comforting hand over his.
“Tina, Tammy, stop running around and say hello to the Tiptons,” Max said. The twins halted abruptly, stared at Randall and giggled their hellos. “And these are our elder daughters, Robyn and Beth. Girls, maybe you’d like to take Randall outside and show him around.”
The eldest girl gave her father a furious look. The middle girl, who looked friendly, asked, “Do you want to play catch?”
“Uh…” Randall had never owned a baseball mitt. He’d had to play the sport in school, but he’d never been good at it. The backyard was fully visible through huge windows. If he went out there with Beth and tried to throw the ball around he’d look like an idiot in front of Max and everybody.
“Randall has asthma,” Audrey interjected. “He can’t run around. Did you bring your ventilator, Randall?”
He flushed and sent his mom an agonized glance. “I grew out of asthma two years ago.”
Cripes. Sometimes she treated him as if he were breakable. She’d fretted all the way here about whether “these people” would be suitable temporary guardians for him. “That’s what we’re going to find out, Audrey,” his father had said. “If we don’t feel comfortable with the situation, we’ll make some excuse and take Randall home.” Those words had sent Randall into a cold sweat.
The golden dog trotted over and snuffled at his ankles. Grateful for the distraction, Randall dropped to his knees to scratch behind its ears. “Hey, boy, what’s your name?”
“Billy,” one of the little girls said.
“The black doggie is Flora,” the other twin added. “She’s a girl.”
Marcus sneezed, as if on cue. Sneezed again and again. “Sorry, it’s my…achoo!…allergies.”
“Tammy, Tina, take the dogs outside, please,” Max said, and the little girls ran through the sliding doors onto the lawn, the dogs bounding after them. Randall watched them go regretfully.
With the removal of the dogs and younger girls, an awkward silence fell over the group. Audrey searched her handbag for Marcus’s allergy medication.
“I could use a cup of coffee,” Max’s wife said. “How about you folks?”
Automatically polite, Randall asked, “Would you like some help, Mrs. Walker?”
She gave him an odd glance, as if not quite sure whether he was sucking up or just a weirdo. “No, thanks,” she said, moving over to the island bench, where cups and a plunger pot were already laid out. “I just have to put on the kettle.”
“Robyn, now might be a good time to show Randall his room. You and Beth could help him bring in his things.”
Sullen-faced, the older girl turned on her heel without a word and left the room. Randall hesitated. The last thing on earth he wanted to do was follow her, but he guessed he had no choice.
“Come on, Randy,” Beth said cheerily. “Let’s go.”
It took him a second to realize she was talking to him; no one had ever called him Randy before, not even the kids at school. He decided he kind of liked it.
“Don’t worry about Robyn,” Beth added as she led him down the hall and out the front door. “She’s just mad because she has to share with me while you’re here.”
So that was why she was being such a pain. But Beth was nice, really nice. How could her sister mind sharing? If he had a brother, he’d like nothing better than to share a room with him. They could stay up late, talking….
“You don’t say much, do you?” Beth chatted on. “Dad says sometimes I talk too much, mostly when he’s trying to concentrate on the news on TV. But Mom always listens—when she’s home, that is. Oops. Um, I mean… Hey, cool car.”
“It’s just a Lincoln Continental. Dad trades it in every two years for a new one.” Then he noticed their older-model station wagon and even older sedan sitting in the driveway. He shrugged. “It’s no big deal.”
Robyn had the trunk open and was struggling with a large cardboard box.
“I’ll get that.” Randall hurried over. “It’s my computer. You could take that suitcase. If you don’t mind, that is.” She rolled her eyes, and he started to sweat. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
Robyn dragged the black suitcase from the car, bumping it over the driveway and back into the house. Randall grimaced. His mom had bought the suitcase especially for this trip; she wasn’t going to like seeing it come home battered.
“You’ve got your own computer?” Beth asked, clearly in awe. “That is so cool. Do you have any good games?”
“Oh, yes,” he replied, pleased to find a fellow aficionado. “I’m in the middle of a very exciting chess tournament on the Internet.”
Beth wrinkled her nose. “I mean fun games, like Monkey Island and Lords of Magic.” She picked up a narrow box. “What’s in here?”
“That’s the printer. It’s got to stay upright.”
They took their load back into the house and down a corridor that led off the hallway to a bedroom that overlooked the side yard and rows and rows of flowers.
The room was painted lavender and held a single bed with a ruffled floral coverlet and a pink-painted dresser. Ruffled curtains matched the coverlet, and on the wall was a poster of the New York City Ballet and a framed print of a Degas ballerina. A pair of bronzed ballet shoes hung from a hook beside the mirror over the white dresser. Randall hadn’t felt so uncomfortable since he’d accidentally stumbled into the girl’s bathroom in grade two.
He set the computer down on the desk. “Thanks for letting me use your room,” he said to Robyn.
“It’s not like I had a choice.” She flicked her straight brown hair behind her ear
. “The right-hand drawers on the dresser are empty. You can put your stuff in there, and you can use the top drawer of the desk. Don’t open any other drawers or look through my things in the closet. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Thanks. You can use my computer if you want.”
Robyn sniffed. “I doubt I’ll want to do that.”
“I would,” Beth piped up.
“Sure.” Randall smiled at her. “Anytime.”
“Don’t be so stupid, Beth,” Robyn hissed at her. “He may be our half brother, but he’s not our friend.” She transferred her attention to Randall, and he was so startled by the ferocity of her gaze he stepped backward. “I’m not even going to pretend I like you. I don’t want you here, and the sooner you go back where you belong, the better.”
“Robyn!” Beth gasped.
“Well, gosh,” Randall said, bewildered and hurt and finally stung into anger by her meanness. “If your room is so important to you, I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“It’s not the room,” she said scornfully. “Although I’m not happy about that, either.”
“What is it, then? Our father?” She winced, and he wished he’d chosen different words. “I’m not trying to move in permanently.”
She sent him a final scathing glance. “You don’t know anything. My mom moved out when she heard you were coming. You are the reason my mother and father are separated. If they get divorced, that will be all your fault, too!”
As Randall gaped at her, her brown eyes went liquid and she spun on her heel to run from the room. He turned to Beth. “Is that true?”
She looked miserable and shrugged. “Mom’s been staying at Great-Gran’s house for over a month. We don’t know when she’s coming back.”
Oh, man. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“It’s not your fault.”
But Robyn wouldn’t hate him that much unless it was his fault. That settled it. He would go back with his parents. Dad would wonder, but Mom would be too pleased to make a fuss, or care why he’d changed his mind.
Randall left the computer in its box for the moment and went back to the family room, determined to get his dad alone and tell him he didn’t want to stay after all. Marcus could make whatever explanation he thought best.
But then Max glanced up and smiled at him and his resolve wavered. There were so many things he wanted to know that only Max could tell him. If he left now, he probably wouldn’t get a second chance.
“Randall,” Max said, “I was just saying to your parents that I’d like you to work for me this summer.”
“W-work for you? Doing architecture stuff?” He’d never dreamed of having such an opportunity.
“Mostly gofer tasks, I’m afraid, but I can show you how to use AutoCAD software if you’re interested. You could be a big help and you’ll make some spending money. Since Kelly started working I’ve been in dire need of an assistant, even more so now that my business is expanding. What do you think?”
“I’d love to!” Randall blurted without considering. “That would be so cool.”
“Your eldest daughter doesn’t help you?” Marcus asked.
“Oh, she would if I insisted, but she’s got so much going on with ballet and piano and friends. I thought Randall might like something to occupy him.” Max smiled easily. “Don’t worry, though, I’m not a slave driver. He’ll have plenty of time for himself. We’ll take him to the beach and out on the river. There’s fishing and miles of trails to explore in the woods with the dogs. And if I know my Beth, she’ll have him playing ball before the summer’s out.”
“You paint a very welcoming picture,” Audrey said, then turned to Kelly. “Another child in the house will mean a lot of extra work. Are you sure you don’t mind Randall being here?”
Randall’s breath caught and his blood began to race. Now. Now was the time to speak. Before she said it. But his throat seemed paralyzed and he couldn’t get a sound past his lips.
Kelly Walker was sitting on the same couch as Max, but there was a good foot of charcoal-colored upholstery between them. Now she reached across and took his hand, and smiled at Audrey. “Of course not,” she replied warmly. “One more child is no bother. I’m just so pleased for Max that he’s able to get to know his son. We’ll all enjoy having Randall.”
She looked sincere. She sounded sincere. Max was gazing at her with something close to adoration. Randall was confused. He glanced around to gauge Beth’s reaction, then saw her, outside on the lawn, throwing a stick for the dogs.
“Well,” Marcus said, glancing at his wife. “We should probably be going if we’re going to make it to your sister’s in Seattle by dinner. Are you ready, dear?”
Audrey gazed at Randall with a tremulous smile. “Ready as I’ll ever be. This is the first time Randall’s been away from home except for a week at summer camp.”
“I’ll be fine, Mom.” He hoped. For weeks he’d been looking forward to this vacation with unadulterated pleasure. Now he felt unsure of himself and his place in this house.
“He’s welcome to call home anytime,” Max assured them. “And should he get homesick and want to leave…well, we’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.”
Max and Randall walked his parents out. Randall swallowed the lump in his throat as he said goodbye to his parents and hugged them. He’d set this train of events in motion and now he wasn’t so sure he wanted to ride it to the end. Too late. They were pulling out of the driveway, his mom waving through the window. Waving, waving, and then…gone.
“So…” Max turned to him. “I guess you’ll want to finish setting up your room.”
“Yeah, sure.”
As they were going inside, Kelly came out carrying an overnight bag. Frowning, Max caught her arm and she stopped, strained lines etching her mouth.
“Go on, Randall,” Max said to him, and Randall moved into the house, a bad feeling in his stomach.
At the corridor that led to the bedrooms he paused and peeked around the corner. Max and Kelly were visible through the open door, and although they were speaking in low tones, Randall could hear every word.
“Are you taking your entire wardrobe over there?” Max said. “How long are you planning on staying away?”
“As long as necessary,” she replied stiffly.
“None of this is necessary.” Max touched her cheek and she moved her head. She looked impatient to leave; Max seemed just as reluctant to let her go. “Thanks for coming today,” he added. “Randall’s a nice kid, isn’t he?”
“He’s certainly polite.” Kelly paused. Then, clearly distressed, she spoke her next words in a rush. “Max, I can’t discuss him as though he were a neighbor kid or one of the girls’ friends. You’re just going to have to accept that. I did what you asked. Don’t expect any more of me.”
“Okay, Kel,” Max said, pain evident in every quiet syllable. “Okay.”
Randall melted back around the corner, too upset to listen to any more. This was too awful. He was responsible for the trouble between Max and Kelly. Maybe they would even get divorced, as Robyn feared.
CHAPTER SEVEN
KELLY WALKED IN TO WORK from Gran’s house on Monday morning. Orville Johannson waved to her from the door of his barbershop and Rosa’s cheery face beamed at her from between the hanging salamis in the display window of her delicatessen. Mayor Gribble and banker Jonah Haines stood on the corner of Main and Elm, debating the finer points of fly-fishing. Birds sang, children laughed and all of Hainesville seemed to glow in the summer sun.
Kelly wasn’t glowing. She’d risen late after a sleepless night and was tired and irritable. She shed her sweater at the door of the real estate office and wiped a faint sheen of perspiration from her hairline. The temperature must be in the eighties already. Her flowers were going to wilt.
Ray hurried out of his office, his patience as thin as his cheap blue suit. “Where’ve you been?” he demanded, pointedly gazing at a flashy gold-colored watch. “It’s nine-twenty.” She sta
rted to speak, but he waved her apology away. “Never mind. We’ve got a couple interested in the Harper house—Hal and Marjorie Woolridge. They’ll be here in ten minutes.” He pointed a stubby finger at her. “You mention the leaky roof again and—”
“If you don’t like the way I work with clients, why don’t you show them the house yourself?” She’d loved this job at first, but in the past year had found Ray increasingly hard to take. Not that she could ever admit as much to Max after she’d fought so hard at first to get the job and then to keep it. Whatever else she was, Kelly was not a quitter. And she hated to hear the words I told you so.
“I’ve got another appointment,” Ray said. “I’m going to be late myself if I don’t get moving.” He gave her an oily smile as he adjusted his tie. “Word around town says you left Max.”
“I’m looking after my grandmother, who has a sprained ankle,” Kelly said firmly. Ever since his divorce Ray had been hitting on anything with two X chromosomes. He’d been annoying enough when she and Max were together; she shuddered to think how he’d behave if he thought she was free.
His eyes narrowed, Ray seemed to be assessing whether or not she was being completely truthful, and if not, what his chances were. “If you’d like some company some night…”
“Goodbye, Ray.” Ray shrugged and went out the door. Kelly turned to Annette, the pretty blond receptionist typing a letter at the front desk. “Hi, Annette. Any messages?”
“I put them on your desk.” Taking her gaze off the computer to look at Kelly, Annette added, “How are you?”
“So-so.” Kelly leaned on the counter. “Tell me, Annette, why doesn’t Ray ever make a pass at you?”
“He was very persistent when I first started working here,” Annette admitted. “Finally I said yes, just to get him off my back. When he asked me where I wanted to go for dinner, I told him the name of the most expensive restaurant in Seattle.” She smiled at the memory. “It was a wonderful meal. Poor Ray paid the bill without a peep, but that was the last time he asked me out.”
