She put the meatloaf in the oven and they went back into the living room. She turned on the gas fireplace and the flames sprang up.
“Nice and cozy, Dad, right?”
“Yes, Cassie. It is.” He sat down in his chair again. Cassie took a newspaper out of her briefcase and handed it to him. He took it eagerly and began reading.
Cassie leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes. If she pretended the present was the past, she could believe Mom and Dad were both sitting here and she was a young girl on the couch with her eyes closed. Everything was just the way it had been. A chiming clock struck the hour. It was so peaceful, like the days she, Mom and Dad had sat in this room, Mom knitting and Dad doing a crossword puzzle. She could almost feel both of them there. Hearing a rustle, she opened her eyes again. Her father had put down the paper and was staring into space.
“What are you thinking, Dad?” she asked.
He looked at her blankly. “Nothing, really, Cassie. When did you get here?”
“Just a little while ago,” she answered. She thought that it was time to talk about the future.
“Dad, do you remember we talked about Golden Lifestyles?”
Her father screwed up his face but shook his head. “Nope, it’s not coming to me. Tell me about it, Tink.”
Cassie’s heart contracted. Tink was the nickname her father had given her when she was very small. Short for Tinkerbelle.
“Well, Dad, it’s a residence for people of your age. Where they can be with friends and get any help they need.”
“Why would I need help? This is my house so I don’t need to go anywhere. You’re all I need, Tink.”
“Dad, I love coming to see you, but maybe I won’t be able to do enough for you. I think Rob is coming tomorrow. He’ll talk to you about it, too. Golden Lifestyles, I mean.”
“Rob is coming! Super! We can have a game of chess! That meatloaf smells good. When do we eat?”
Cassie thought they would have to have a few more talks and Rob would help, too. She was too nervous at the thought of her father alone here all day. His disease had progressed to a point at which something would have to be done. He had been prescribed medication and a visiting nurse was coming to supervise. But it just wasn’t enough any more, she thought. And there was a lot to do. She went into the kitchen to serve her father dinner. The rest of the evening, they played checkers, watched television and finally Cassie kissed her Dad, made sure the fire was out and the stove burners were off. She saw him climbing the stairs for bed. Her heart hurt to see how slowly he moved. She put on her coat and tried the door, making sure it was locked. She felt more like the parent, now. She got into her cold car and headed for home.
The following day, Cassie received a call from Rob at work.
“Hi, Cass. I went to see your father this morning and we had that talk again about going to Golden Lifestyles.”
“How did he take it?”
“Well, of course, he keeps saying why would he have to go? But I talked about some of the people who are there and so forth and so on. Then I told him that you worried about him and would feel safer if he was with friends all day instead of being alone.”
“What did he say to that?”
“He responded better to that. He doesn’t want you to worry, Cass. So he said he’d think about it. I hope he remembers the next time we mention it.”
“All we can do is try. Thanks so much, Rob. You’re a big help.”
“Don’t even say it. You’re like family to me. Why don’t we have lunch and we can talk some more?”
Cassie agreed as she saw out of the corner of her eye, the librarian looking her way again. It was only an hour to lunch and she went outside when the clock showed 12:30. Rob pulled up and they drove to a nearby chain restaurant that specialized in charcoal burgers.
“So you’ve got a lot on your mind right now, Cass,” Rob said looking at her.
She smiled. “Ya think?”
“You’ve got that look on your face, the anxious look.”
She picked up her hamburger and took a bite. “I do worry about Dad. I think it’s time something changed, though. I can’t go on any more wondering if he’s all right and not knowing. And it’s a pretty far trip for me to go there so much. I’m willing to do it, but it may not be enough any more.”
“Yes, I agree. So what did you want to do next?”
“I already have all the information from Golden Lifestyles so it’s just a matter of deciding when and how. In some ways, that’s the hardest part.”
“Yes, I’m sure it is. I’ll be with you all the way, though. Don’t worry, Cass. We’ll get through it.”
Cassie put down her burger and smiled at him tearfully. “Thanks, Rob. You’re the brother I never had.”
“You better believe it, sister! OK, now, tell me more about this trip you took to Boston.”
“Well, as I told you, it’s starting to seem like a dream. We spent a couple of days there, saw the lawyer and left. I sort of said I’d take the challenge.”
“So what is this challenge?” Rob bent forward towards her, watching her.
“It’s kind of weird. And right now, I’m wondering if I was crazy to say I’d get involved. We were supposed to tell this lawyer what our most important goal is and then what we were doing to do to achieve it. If we do this, and meet their requirements, we get rewarded some way. Money, I think.”
Ron chuckled. “Pardon me, but it sounds bananas.” He looked serious again. “Are you absolutely sure this is not a scam? A lot of them start out sounding plausible.”
“Yes, I agree completely. But they gave me a check for $10,000.”
“Now that sounds better. But what strings are attached to the money?”
“Again, that’s what I asked. But apparently, it’s mine to keep. I did check out the lawyer’s name. I’m not a complete fool. And as you had said before, he has a sterling reputation. And we did have a grandfather by that name. It all seems legitimate, if crazy. So I agreed to at least try to challenge myself.”
“To do what?”
“I thought about what I really wanted to do, and I didn’t have to think very hard! I’d really like to get an MLA. That would qualify me to apply for a job as a librarian, not an aide. It would mean more money and a real career.”
“And is that what you want?”
“Yes, I think it is. I’d love to get on a career path and make something of myself. I really like working in the library and I want to learn more.”
Rob reached across the table and gripped her hand.
“Cass, let me tell you, you are something right now. Don’t you forget it.”
Cassie looked into his brown eyes and enjoyed their warmth. Then she pulled her hand away. Rob was her substitute brother and doing a great job of it. She said, “Thanks, but I want to be really independent. Get an apartment without a roommate. Maybe buy a house.”
“Good for you.” Rob took a drink of his milkshake. “Tell me more about what this lawyer you were talking about had to say.” His eyes were sharp.
He’s supposed to be executing my grandfather’s will. I never knew my grandfather so it is kind of strange. He must have been an odd man to have made a will like that. But, if he had some money and wanted to spend it that way, maybe I should take advantage of it. The lawyer said any schooling we needed would be paid for, so that’s actually a wonderful extra bonus. The thing I worry about is my Dad. There’s a lot to do right now. He’s my priority.”
“Well, I’ll help you, as I said. What’s the first step?”
“Get Dad into Golden Lifestyles. Then think about the sale of the house, because we’ll need that to pay for the Assisted Living. We can tap into Dad’s savings to start, but soon the house will have to be sold. At the same time, then, I’ll have to enroll in school to go nights for the MLA. If I let myself think too much about it, I get scared, really.”
“Take it a step at a time. You can do it. That $10,000 will help you get started so that’s
good.” Rob looked at the clock. “Looks like it’s time to drive you back to work.”
Cassie smiled. “Well, we accomplished a lot in a short time at this meeting. Maybe I should recommend coming here to my boss. She hates long meetings.”
“Who doesn’t?” Rob pulled down his mouth in distaste.
Chapter 8
Lee hugged Stevie and went around to help him out of his car seat. She walked him into the daycare, gave him a big hug and kiss and waved goodbye. She’d decided to take a couple more days off. Nice to have the $10,000 to enable her to do that. She regretted spending the money that way, but she also wanted time to think. That’s why she was taking Stevie to daycare again today. She could spend just a little time with him but she needed to have the time to decide what to do. It was so strange, what had happened. She’d grown up never knowing grandparents except on her Dad’s side and then, kaboom, out of the blue, someone says, pass GO, collect $10,000 from your grandfather. And maybe more. The thing she could hardly believe was, her tuition would be paid if she decided to go to school. She could go. Now. To school. The sun, already shining down mildly, seemed to get brighter and the colors of the Fall trees burned like fires around her. Today she was going to go pick up whatever paperwork she had to fill out to apply to attend school, and she’d ask if she could speak to a counselor. She might be a nurse someday! It would all begin with the start of class. Actually, classes had just begun but maybe she could get into something. She really didn’t want to wait at all. She’d been longing for this for such a long, long time. If she never got another cent from dear old Grandfather, he had already given her her heart’s desire. She might win this crazy contest if she didn’t wash out of school.
As she drove to the school campus, her cell phone rang. She looked at it. It was Jay again. What did he want now? She let it go to voice mail. When she had parked in the big school lot, she took out her cell and dialed home. That’s where Jay was, of course. Not out looking for a job.
He answered right away. “Lee! Where the hell are you? I was going to borrow your car today to look for a job.”
“Jay, you’re going to have to make your own arrangements. I told you I’m going to be real busy.” She hardened her voice, “We’re splitting up anyway.”
Jay’s voice turned silky. “Now babe, what are you getting upset about? I know we’ve gone through a bad time but now that you’ve got that extra money we can relax. I’ll get a job, don’t worry. Then we’ll be in clover. By the way, didn’t you say there was more money where that came from?”
“Damn,” Lee thought. He must have listened in to her phone conversations. She thought he was asleep. She never intended for him to know about the money.
“Jay, I have to go.” She hung up.
I hope Jay isn’t going to be a problem, she thought as she walked into the school. But he’s not going to rain on my parade.
She was able to talk to an admissions counselor who gave her a pile of papers and information. She was excited at her options. The two year program would enable her to work in her chosen field and then continue on for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the RN. It was going to be even better than she thought.
She was walking on air when she arrived back at her apartment. The joy ended when she put her key in the lock and opened the door. Jay met her with a thunderous look. He put out an arm and shoved her. “Don’t ever hang up on me again.”
She staggered in shock. “What are you doing?”
“I’m telling you how to behave, bitch. I’ve been too soft on you so far.” He backhanded her on the side of the head and she fell down, scattering the papers everywhere. “Now pick up that mess and start making some food. Then you’ll go to the bank and get out that $10,000.”
Lee dragged herself up and staggered into the kitchen. She made a hamburger and served it to Jay in silence. He glared at her as he ate but never took his eyes off her. She went into the bathroom and wiped the blood off her face where his ring had cut it.
When he’d eaten, he shoved her towards the door. “I’ll come with you. Get the money now.”
They walked to the bank and Lee requested the $10,000 in cash. Jay stood in the background. Lee knew the teller but didn’t make conversation. The girl looked at her, at her distraught expression and the cut on the side of her face.
“Are you OK?”
Lee mumbled, “Not really, but I can’t talk now.”
The girl didn’t look directly at Jay but Lee knew she was aware of him. She’d remember him, if necessary.
“Listen, hon,” the teller said, raising her voice a little. “ I’d like to help you, but I can only give you $2,000 cash. Your check isn’t cleared yet. Will that do?”
“OK, I’ll take it,” Lee said. She gave silent thanks that the teller had her wits about her.
When she walked out, Jay followed and when they were around the corner, he grabbed the envelope from her hand.
She said, shrinking away from him. “They would only give me $2,000. My check hasn’t cleared.”
He looked around. There were people walking towards them so he held back from any physical reaction. Instead he growled, “I’ll be back.” He walked away quickly down the street. Lee was limp with relief. What could she do now, though? She didn’t dare go back to her apartment. She decided to go to Andrea’s. She approached her car with worry. Fortunately, it was parked in the next block as she hadn’t been able to find a spot near her apartment. Jay was not in sight. She drove to Andrea’s, her hands shaking. Andrea opened the door and said immediately, “What’s wrong? What happened to you?”
Lee saw her own strained white face in the mirror. Her hair didn’t cover the mark on the side of her face.
“I might need to take you up on that offer of a place to stay,” she said.
Over a cup of coffee into which Andrea had poured a shot of whiskey, Lee told her what had happened.
“Poor girl,” Andrea said. “You were so happy this morning. “But don’t worry. You’re safe here. I have good locks on my house. Not to mention Mowgli.”
Mowgli was her dog, a friendly but frightening-looking mastiff. “And I’m calling my friend Detective Sergeant Whiton. You’ve got to report this. It’s theft, assault and battery, isn’t it?”
Lee took a sip of coffee and coughed from the kick of the whiskey going down. “OK, I guess I’ll have to.” She was too drained of energy to make a decision. She just wanted to sit here for a while. It was fortunate she had taken a couple of days off work. Her savings were now drained, so she hoped the $10,000 would come in soon. All she had was a few hundred in her checking account.
Andrea had turned into a mother hen. She bustled around, calling her detective friend, getting dinner preparations under way, checking the time when Stevie had to be picked up. She told Lee to just take it easy. Lee leaned back on Andrea’s couch and shut her eyes and tried to calm down. She didn’t want Stevie to pick up on any of her distress. Mowgli ambled into the room and pressed his nose into her hand as though to say, don’t worry, I’m here now.
Andrea came back into the room. Lee opened her eyes. “I’ll just run out and pick up Stevie and then we’ll eat. Don’t worry, hon.”
After dinner, Lee was starting to feel somewhat better. Stevie was upstairs playing quietly in the room they were going to share now. At 7 PM, the doorbell rang and Andrea ushered in a man with dark hair, wearing a gray tweed sport coat. She introduced him to Lee. “My friend, Bill Whiton.”
Lee smiled and received a small smile in return. Then the detective’s face became serious, falling into stern lines. He was examining the marks on her face. “So Andrea’s been telling me you have boyfriend trouble? She didn’t give many details. Basically, I’m stopping here as a favor to her. If I think it’s a police matter, you’ll have to come in and report it.”
Lee explained what had happened. “I just want him to go away. I’d even let him have the $2,000. It might be worth it to get rid of him.”
Bill Whiton
shook his head. “We could charge him and arrest him for battery and theft, if you want. You gave him the money but it was under duress, I take it. You’d have to press charges.”
Lee shuddered. “I thought he was a nice guy, at least at first. I really never want to see him again. I don’t think I want to press charges if somehow he’d just go away.”
Bill shook his head. “I wish it was that easy. These guys prey on women. What I’ll do is give him a warning. Let’s hope he’ll find it easier to let it go. Although we’ll look out for him in the future. I’ll also check to see if he has a record. You should come down and make a report.”
Lee sighed. “All right. I will if you think it will help. But I may not want to press charges.”
Andrea came in with a tray of coffee. “Bill, have something to drink before you go.”
“Just a quick cup. I have to go see my daughter in the school play tonight.” For the first time, he gave a real smile. Lee thought it was a very nice smile. He had white teeth and his skin was lightly tanned. She thought his eyes were hazel.
“How old is she?” she asked.
“My daughter? She’s 10 going on 30. My wife says she’s a real drama queen. She loves the school activities.”
“Well, wish her good luck from us,” Andrea said. “Or maybe we should say, “break a leg.”
“OK, well, it’s time I should go, ladies. I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked Lee.
“Yes, I’ll be there,” she said.
When he had gone, Andrea poked her. “He’s single again, honeybun. Divorced. Isn’t he cute?”
CHAPTER 9
Derek opened his eyes. As usual, they were bleary due to being up late and drinking and his throat was a little scratchy from singing in a smoke filled room. Last night, he found an Irish Pub not too far from the house. It was filled with real Irishmen with genuine Irish accents. They all raucously cheered on a soccer game on television. Of course, they called it football. Then when that was over, an Irish musician came in and played songs to which they all sang loudly along, including Derek. He didn’t know the words but soon picked them up as they were repeated a few times. They closed down the place and walked Derek home. He debated asking them in but thought better of it. He didn’t want to lose this place just yet. It was a quiet neighborhood and he’d noticed a light going on down the block. “Thanks for the fun, guys. I’ll see you around.” The group good-naturedly wished him well and continued on their way. He had found out they worked for a resort nearby and would be going back to Ireland soon. One tall red headed guy had told him they were from Dublin and had come over to visit friends and relatives in Boston. A job on the Cape had helped fund their “vacation.” The summer resort season had ended but an equally busy Fall season had kept them busy. Golfers and retirees and “leaf peepers” on their way north all were visiting, especially on weekends.
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