Circle of Secrets

by Lauren Tisdale

  “I feel so out of practice. From the middle of the night feedings, to diaper changing. I think we got spoiled with Jaxon.” Grace snickered and Helen patted Abby’s hand with a reassuring smile.

  “You’re doing just fine.”

  “Thanks, Helen.” Both Grace and Abby had a wonderful relationship with their mother-in-law. Joseph interrupted everyone’s conversations as he called out for someone.

  “Anne! Annie!” Helen stood and looked around as she walked towards her father, shushing him.

  “Dad, Dad. It’s me, Helen. How about we go outside for a moment?” All gazes were on them as she and Tyson helped him to stand. Joseph pulled his arm away from Tyson and glared at him.

  “I don’t need your help, Tommy. Why are you here?” Helen felt her heart sink to her toes as she looked at Tyson with such pain. He knew about Tommy, he understood. Ignoring Joseph’s rambling, they helped him to the porch where they sat him on the rocker. He shook his head and blinked a few times.

  “Oh, Helen. Would you get me a glass of water, please?” he said in his normal tone. She nodded and went into the kitchen for water. All of her children were looking at her as she reassured them that everything was fine and Grandpa was okay before continuing on her way with the glass of water for him. They needed to get him to the doctor and soon. She would tell Tyson to make an appointment as soon as possible to see what was going on. There had to be something wrong, possibly caused by the accident. The night ended sooner than they’d anticipated as they needed to get her father home to rest. He’d been on his bad leg most of the day, being active, and it was starting to bother him.

  They hugged everyone goodbye and wished each other a Happy Fourth of July. Kissing Olivia’s head as she slept in her father’s arms, she smiled and patted Brent’s shoulder.

  “Goodnight, Mom. Thank you for coming,” Tyson II said as he hugged her.

  Once all their goodbyes were said, Tyson drove them home. She couldn’t help but worry about her father as he sat, silent, in the backseat. Something had changed in him; they needed answers.

  Tyson called the following business day and spoke to the neurologist who agreed to give him a letter of referral to be evaluated for a possible brain injury. It helped to have a husband who was a doctor. Joseph seemed well most days, others he was just a different or confused person. His leg continued to heal and they had an appointment with his regular physician soon to hear an update on his leg. His cast had been removed after seven weeks of healing and now he had therapy to gain full use of his leg again. His bones were old and didn’t heal quite as fast as others’. Therapy had gone well the first time although he felt like stopping early. It took a lot out of a man his age. Tyson called her from the office to let her know the date and time for her father’s appointment.

  “Thank you so much. He needs this. I’ll make sure to bring him myself,” she said before hanging up and leaning against the sink, thinking. All she wanted was her father to be well, being a nurse she’d seen many patients with his symptoms and it was never a good thing. Only the neurologist could diagnose him for sure. Her faith relied on him being able to diagnose the problem, and she said a prayer for everything to be okay.

  Joseph entered the room slowly, using his crutches as he looked around for Helen. “There you are,” he said as he made his way to the small table in the kitchen and sat down across from her.

  “What is it, Dad? Are you okay? Can I get you something?”

  “No, no. I’m fine. I wanted to talk to you about going home. Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for you and Tyson opening your home to me and helping me to recover. But I’m ready to get home, to my own bed, my own things.”

  She took his hand into hers. “Dad, I understand. But you can’t drive just yet. Your leg is still healing even though it’s out of the cast. I’ll let you go home as long as you promise not to drive, and call me if you need to go somewhere, just until you can drive again. You’ve been getting around better, but you have to promise me you’ll be careful. I’ll bring you to your appointments and check in on you every day.”

  “No need to treat me as a child, I understand your concern. But really, cupcake, I’m fine and I can manage. I’m a grown man. You can take me anywhere you want and I won’t drive, just let me have my own bed back,” he said chuckling.

  She shook her head and smiled. “Done. But the first time something bad happens you’re coming back here or I’m going to stay with you. Deal?”

  “Deal, I guess. There’s no arguing with you now, is there?”

  She shook her head no and they both laughed. She agreed to let him go home, but hoped he was well enough to be alone. If he had a brain injury he’d need someone with him. He couldn’t be alone by himself in case something happened. Maybe the neurologist would have the answers she needed.

  Chapter Eight

  Marissa and Carlos had talked constantly over the phone over the past few weeks. They’d had lunch together one day with Sophia while they were out shopping. Sophia was enjoying her summer vacation. Most nights she was at a friend’s house for a sleepover, and Marissa’s mother had called yesterday to ask when Sophia was going to stay with them. Every summer Sophia spent two weeks at her grandparents’ house and was allowed to bring one friend, who was usually Samantha.

  “Gramma called yesterday. She wants to know when you’re going there this summer.”

  “I almost forgot about that. You think Sam’s mom will let her come again?”

  “I’m sure she will but you need to call and ask her. And call Gramma and tell her when you want to go, make sure they don’t have plans.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Sophia said before going back into the living room to call her grandparents. “They said I can come whenever. Can I call Mrs. Lyndsay and see when Sam can come?”

  “They’re coming over today so you can ask her then.”

  “Sam, too?” Marissa nodded and Sophia got excited.

  “Nanny will be here, too.” Sophia really got excited and said ‘yesss’ while pumping her fist in a mock victory.

  The heat was rising as the summer continued. Lyndsay and Chantelle had been over the moon after hearing of her date with Carlos. They both had urged her to take the second date and she considered it. In the weeks that had passed they’d continued to talk over the phone and occasionally meet up for coffee. He was great company and they were getting to know one another.

  “It’s just friends getting to know one another, Lyn,” Marissa said as she smiled ear-to-ear.

  “Sure, if you say so. I called it, before we know it you’ll be telling us you two are official. Did you kiss him yet?” They both laughed as she shook her head.

  “He kissed my cheek that one night, but that’s all.”

  “Oh my God, Mars Bar! I am so happy for you, I can tell he likes you. This one is a good catch.” Chantelle chimed in.

  Sophia and Samantha were in her room playing, while the women were in the kitchen drinking coffee. Sophia had been thrilled to see her godmother again, and she’d spent a whole thirty minutes updating Chantelle on the latest summer news and happenings. Sophia promised she’d spend a weekend over before school started again, before running off with her friend.

  “I know, isn’t he? But I’m taking it slow. We are just friends. If more comes of it, then fine, but I’m not pushing it. He’s really great, and he’s so nice to Soph.” She felt herself begin to blush thinking about him, which of course, they noticed and teased her about. Since she had felt her feelings growing for him, she knew she would need to start seeing his partner in the same office. It was unethical for doctors to date their patients. She did not want him to lose his license because of her, so she planned on making the switch soon. It pained her to do that, she loved him as her doctor but knew it would be even nicer to have him as more. Fearing she was reading the signals wrong, she decided to wait and talk to him about where they were and where it was actually going. She just didn’t know when would be the best time to bring that up
.

  After getting the okay from Lyndsay, she headed to pick up Samantha the next morning to bring her and Sophia to her mother’s house for a two week stay.

  “Of course, girl, take her!” Lyndsay had said playfully to Marissa after Sophia asked permission for Sam to go with her to her grandmother’s. Samantha and Sophia were as close friends as their mothers were with one another. They loved going to stay with Susanne, Marissa’s mother. There was a small guest beach house on their property where Sam and Soph would camp out sometimes. They spent ninety percent of the time on the beach and Sophia always came home a different shade of tan. It was always a break for Marissa to relax and have adult time without worrying about her daughter. She waved as she pulled out of Lyndsay’s driveway with the girls in the backseat.

  “Excited?”

  “Yes! I can’t wait to get in the water. We’re gonna sleep on the beach!”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t think that’s a good idea. Little crabs will crawl in your ears.” Marissa teased.

  “Ewwwww,” they both said in unison. Marissa laughed and shook her head. She listened to them chat back and forth about the things they would do over the two weeks, and how her grandpa was always generous when it came to ice cream trips. After a twenty-two minute drive to the next town over, a small beachside town with only few residents, she pulled into the drive that took her to her parents’ home. Her mother and father were sitting outside on the porch swing and waved as she drove up.

  “Hey, Mom, Dad,” she greeted them as she exited the car, the girls jumping out and running over to her parents.

  “Gramma, Grampa! I brought Samantha again! You remember her from last summer, right?” Marissa’s mother chuckled and nodded.

  “Of course we do, dear. Samantha, we are glad to have you.”

  Samantha smiled sweetly and answered. “Thank you Mrs. Hayes. I’m glad I got to come again.”

  “Go on and put your things inside,” Marissa said as she sat in the chair cater-corner to the swing.

  “Good drive?” her father asked and she nodded.

  “Yeah, pretty good with two excited girls. Are you both sure you want to keep them both for two weeks? They can get rambunctious.”

  “Aww, of course. They aren’t any trouble. They keep me occupied sometimes, but most the time they entertain themselves. They really are fabulous girls. Take a break, you need it, and we miss Soph so much,” Susanne said in her loving, caring tone that she always had.

  “Yeah, don’t worry ’bout a thing. They’ll be fine,” her father said with a smile.

  “Thank you both so much. Sophia loves coming to stay with you both.”

  “So, what are you going to do while she’s gone? Any plans?” her mother asked with a smile. Marissa had told her about Carlos and her mother had suggested that she switch doctors if it was getting serious. Susanne was overjoyed for her daughter.

  “Not at the moment. I might spend some time with Carlos, after I switch my records to Dr. McKeon. She’s in the same office as he is, and she knows my case fairly well. I haven’t told him yet, I don’t know how to bring it up. What if I’m wrong and he just wants to be friends? I’ll be humiliated.”

  “Honey, if he calls you this much and you constantly go to lunch, or coffee, I’d say it’s more than friends. Trust me.”

  “You really think so?” Her mother nodded as her father teased her.

  “A doctor for a son-in-law. I could get used to that.”

  “Oh, Dad. We haven’t got that far yet.” They all shared a laugh. She did often wonder what to make of their relationship. They’d been talking for almost a month now, over the phone or over the occasional coffee. Two dinners and one unexpected lunch. He had been at the same hamburger stand as she was, one day when she was running errands in town. She found herself engaged in conversation with him way past the lunch hour. Luckily, he had no appointments that afternoon because they both lost track of time.

  Were they a couple? Were they just friends getting to know one another to date? His invitation for a walk on the beach still stood, but she’d been avoiding it as she was letting her fear get in the way. Maybe while Sophia was with her parents she would call him and take him up on his offer.

  She smiled as she remembered their second dinner date. It had been a week or so after their first, when he called and asked if she liked Italian. He’d gotten off early and wanted to take them out, both her and Sophia. She was actually shocked by the invitation, but the minute Sophia heard Italian, since she loved pasta, all things pasta, she would not let her mother say no. In fact, she eagerly accepted before Marissa could decline. They had gone out to the Olive Garden in town and he had treated them to their meals. Marissa watched the interaction between him and Sophia and was amazed at how easily they got along. He was great with her, he even listened to her talk non-stop about school and her friends. A couple of times, she caught herself imagining him as her boyfriend, maybe more. Her future looked pretty nice with him in it, but still she worried about taking that next step. What if it wasn’t like that for him? What if he didn’t want anything more than a friendship?

  “You just follow your heart, baby girl. That’s all you can do,” her father said as he patted her knee.

  “Thanks Dad, I will. Well, I promised Lyndsay I’d call her so we can go have a girls’ night tomorrow night. I’d better head home to get ready. You know Lyndsay, who knows where we’re going?” Her mother nodded. Sophia and Samantha came from inside the house, already in their swimsuits. Marissa held her arms out and they both gave her a goodbye hug.

  “Call me if you need anything, okay? Sam, my mom has your mom’s number in case you need it or want to call her, okay?” Sam nodded and went over to the porch steps with Sophia who held a hermit crab in her hands. Marissa hugged her parents and thanked them again, reminding them to call if they needed anything. As she went down the porch steps she bent down to kiss Sophia’s forehead.

  “Bye, Momma, I love you!” her daughter said as she looked up at her mother.

  “Love you, too, baby. Behave yourselves, girls.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” they both said in unison. Marissa waved again as she got into her car and began her drive home.

  As she drove home, she ran through many possibilities in her head. A future with Carlos? What if things went wrong? Would it be awkward to see him in the same office? Was this a wise decision? Could he get in trouble with the medical board? Did he like her in that way? She knew she had to talk to him soon and put it all out on the table. Lyndsay had been urging her to just talk to him and ask him if they were a couple or not. Marissa refused, feeling like that was too high-schoolish.

  “You’re never gonna know then unless you ask, crazy woman!” Lyndsay had teased her.

  She’d call him today, she’d call him and set up a date. A date where they would talk about serious issues and their relationship status. Yesterday had been the Fourth of July and they’d spent the day with Lyndsay and her family. Lyndsay was thrilled to be off work until Monday. That gave her the rest of Friday, Saturday and Sunday all to herself. Saturday night was ladies’ night. Chantelle had actually said she was free and they teased her that it would snow. So she decided it was a perfect time to call Carlos because if Lyndsay was off, he had to be, too.

  Once she was home she hung her keys up, knowing that if she lost them she’d be in a predicament. She had a bad habit of misplacing and losing things. Setting her purse down by the door and placing her sunglasses inside her bag as she made her way to the sofa and plopped down, she swung her feet up and lay back, relaxing. The house was so quiet and peaceful. Grabbing the phone from the cradle, she called Lyndsay to see what she wanted to do for their girls’ night. After having an hour-long discussion on a three-way call with Lyndsay and Chantelle they decided to go watch a chick flick and have dinner at Outback Steakhouse. It was going to be a steak and seafood kind of night. She hung up from them and went into the kitchen to make something for lunch. While her meal heated, she settled i
n for a Lifetime movie. The phone rang and before she looked at the caller ID she answered.

  “Think of something else to do? Chippendales?” She let out a laugh as she expected Lyndsay to give her some smart comment about her suggestion. Instead she heard a deep chuckle.

  “Chippendales, hmm? I didn’t think you were that kind of girl,” Carlos said as she blushed profusely and kicked herself for not reading the caller ID. Covering her eyes, she felt like she would die right then and there.

  “I, uh, sorry. I thought you were Lyndsay. We’re having a girls’ night tomorrow night and I was teasing her, well at least I thought I was. So sorry.” They both chuckled.

  “Oh no, don’t worry, I’d love to go to a Chippendales show,” he teased her. “No, really, I was calling to see if you wanted to get together soon? If you’re not busy, that is.”

  “I was actually going to be calling you today. Sophia will be at her grandparents’ house for the next two weeks. I was going to suggest Sunday? Maybe that walk on the beach you offered? And I thought we could…talk?” she asked as she closed her eyes and held her breath.

  “Sure, that sounds nice, actually. A picnic on the beach. Talk? Is that a bad talk or a good talk?”

  “Yes, that’s a great idea. And of course it isn’t bad, silly. Should I bring anything?”

  “Just your appetite. I happen to be a great cook, you know.”

  “So I’ve heard. Sounds great, what time?”

  “How about three? I’ll have the food ready by five, you can help me and I may teach you a few things.”

  “Is that so? We’ll see about that. Three it is. I’ll see you then?”

  “Sure. See you then. Bye.” They hung up as she covered her face and groaned at how embarrassing that had been at first. Now a date had been set. Sunday she’d watch the sun go down and hope their talk went in the right direction. She really liked him and hoped it was a mutual feeling. Her health and love life seemed to be improving, and she couldn’t help but feel on top of the world at that fact. Lyndsay said she seemed much more relaxed and happy since she and Carlos had started talking. And the medicine was still helping with the inflammation. Every once in a while she’d hurt a bit but it was manageable. Maybe she would be able to keep it in check the rest of her life. She could only hope.