Cassidy Lane

by Murnane, Maria

  Would he want me to call him? Would he want me to go see him?

  It stung a bit to realize she didn’t know him well enough to answer those basic questions, but she tried not to think about that. She had more important things to think about.

  Her mom squeezed her shoulder. “I would call. You can never go wrong by reaching out to someone who’s having a rough time.”

  Cassidy strummed her fingers against the table. Brandon hadn’t talked about his parents much, but she knew they were divorced, and that his dad now lived down in Carmel with his second wife. His mother hadn’t remarried and still lived in the house he grew up in.

  “I think I’m going to run to the supermarket. Can I get you anything?”

  “I’m good, thanks, Mom.” She doubted her mother really needed anything at the store and was grateful to her for giving her space.

  Her mom reached for her purse and car keys. “I’ll pick up some marshmallows, just in case.”

  As her mom slipped out the door, Cassidy dialed Brandon’s number. It went straight to voice mail, so she left a message.

  “Brandon, it’s Cassidy. I just got your text. I’m so sorry. Are you OK? Is your mom going to be OK? Is there anything I can do? I feel terrible for you. Please let me know if you need anything at all, and of course don’t worry about tonight. Sending you lots of good thoughts and a big hug.”

  She hung up the phone, then sat at the kitchen table in silence.

  Two hours later she hadn’t heard back from Brandon, so she called Patti.

  “What’s up, hot potato?”

  “Hi, Patti.”

  “Oh no, what’s wrong?” Patti was crazy perceptive.

  “Brandon’s mother’s had a stroke.”

  “Oh Jesus, is she OK?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him. He just sent me a brief text this afternoon saying he was at the hospital. I left him a voice mail a couple of hours ago, but I haven’t heard back.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “I know, I feel terrible for him, but I don’t know what to do.”

  “I guess that means no date for you tonight.”

  “I guess not. I feel like a horrible person for being a little disappointed about it, but I am.”

  “Do you want me to replace him? Roy’s still at work, but I’m expecting him any minute. He can watch the kids.”

  “You’d really do that for me?”

  “Stop it. Of course I would. Plus God knows I could use a night out.”

  “You’re the best, Patti. I mean that.”

  “Tell that to my offspring. When I picked them up at school today, Travis asked if he could go live at his little friend Timmy’s house. Apparently little Timmy’s mommy is a much better cook than I am. Ungrateful little punk. ”

  Cassidy laughed. “Call me when you’re ready to meet.”

  “OK, so tell me what you know.” Patti dipped a fry in ketchup.

  Cassidy spread spicy mustard on her chicken sandwich. “I don’t know anything. I still haven’t heard back from him.”

  “Did he say how serious it was?”

  “He said major, and I know that’s no joke. Danielle’s dad had a major stroke when we were in college. He was never the same after that. Actually, she was never quite the same after that either.”

  “Not quite the same how?”

  “It really messed her up for a while after it happened. If she weren’t so crazy smart, she might have flunked out of school. Maybe that’s why she lives such a carefree lifestyle now. I mean, she works hard at her job, but she rarely lets anything bother her. I’ve always admired that about her.”

  “I’d like to meet her someday. After all these years of hearing you talk about her, I sort of feel as if I already know her.”

  “She’d like to meet you too. I think you’d get along really well, even though you’re leading completely opposite lives.”

  “Not entirely opposite. Maybe if my family and I were living on a farm in Nebraska.” Patti looked around the crowded restaurant. “I haven’t been to Gordon Biersch in ages. Given the rapid-fire turnover in downtown Palo Alto, I’m surprised this place is still here.”

  Cassidy dipped her knife into the mustard jar. “I bet Gordon Biersch will outlive all of us. No matter what happens in the world, there will always be demand for beer and french fries.”

  “I wonder if we’ll run into anyone from Paly here.” They were seated at a high table in the bar area.

  “Maybe we’ll run into that Trent guy from the reunion. Think we can score some weed off him?”

  Patti held up her palms. “Oh my God, if he shows up, I will leave. I swear on my children’s lives, I will just up and walk right out of the restaurant without saying a word.”

  Cassidy laughed and spread more mustard on her sandwich. “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”

  Patti set her hands back on the table. “I’m officially changing the subject. Have you thought about calling Brandon again?”

  “You think I should? I don’t want to push.”

  Patti picked up her beer and took a sip. “It’s hardly pushing to let a guy you care about know you’re thinking about him.”

  “OK, maybe I’ll call him again after dinner.”

  “Patti Bramble, is that you?”

  Cassidy and Patti turned their heads to see a much older woman approaching their table.

  “Mrs. Stephens?” Patti set down her beer and stood up.

  “Hello, dear, how wonderful to see you.” The woman gave her a warm embrace.

  Patti hugged her back, then gestured to Cassidy. This is my best friend, Cassidy Lane. We went to high school together. Actually, junior high too.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Cassidy said.

  “You two probably met at some point,” Patti said to Cassidy. “The Stephens family lived right across the street from us growing up. Their sons were several years ahead of us in school.”

  Mrs. Stephens put her hand on Patti’s shoulder and gave her a knowing squeeze. “How are your parents?”

  “My mom’s remarried and lives up in Marin. My dad moved to Florida a few years ago.” Cassidy couldn’t help but notice that Patti kept it brief and didn’t mention that she hadn’t spoken to either of her parents in ages. She couldn’t imagine what that would feel like.

  “I’m glad to hear they’re doing well. What about you, dear? What have you been up to since I last saw you?”

  “Not much since I got out of jail.”

  Mrs. Stephens put a hand over her heart. “You always did make me laugh.”

  “Actually, my life’s been pretty vanilla since college, to be honest. I worked in software sales for a few years, then got married, and now I’m a full-time mom to three kids who never listen to me. I’m Patti Baker now. My husband, Roy, and I live in San Carlos.”

  Mrs. Stephens smiled. “I’m so glad to hear you have a family of your own. Is Roy a good man?”

  Patti sat back down with a shrug. “I think I’ll keep him. Maybe.”

  Cassidy reached across the table and gently pushed Patti’s shoulder. “Give me a break. Don’t listen to her, Mrs. Stephens. Roy’s a great man.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.” Mrs. Stephens looked at Cassidy. “What about you, dear? Are you married?”

  “Me? No, not yet. Maybe someday.”

  “Do you have a special someone?”

  “Oh, um, not really.”

  Mrs. Stephens patted her on the arm. “That’s too bad. But you’re still young. You’ll find him if you look hard enough.”

  “Cassidy’s too busy to date,” Patti said. “She’s an author, and I’m the proud president of her fan club.”

  Mrs. Stephens clasped her hands in front of her. “Is that so? Have you written anything I might know?”r />
  Cassidy gave Patti a grateful glance before listing her novels: Gretel Court, Nisqually Drive, Montague Terrace, Cambridge Avenue, and Hanover Square.

  Mrs. Stephens shook her head. “I’m afraid none of them ring a bell, though I do like those titles. Are they all street names?”

  Cassidy nodded. “I’m not sure why I started that, but now it’s become a bit of a tradition.”

  Mrs. Stephens pointed toward the far side of the restaurant. “I’ll be sure to look them up. I see Harry just parked the car. Patti, it was delightful running into you. Cassidy, it was lovely to meet you, and don’t give up on finding love yet. I’m sure the right man will come along soon.” She gave Patti a quick hug, and then she was gone.

  Cassidy picked up her beer. “Did you see her face when she found out I’m not married? Sheer pity.”

  “Stop it. She’s just from a different generation.”

  “I know, but as you mentioned only a few minutes ago, this is Silicon Valley, not Nebraska. Women are supposed to be different here. It shouldn’t be such a big deal to be single at our age.”

  Patti shrugged. “She’s old-school. Always has been, always will be. But she’s a great lady. I remember running across the street to her house many times when my parents were fighting, or drinking, or both. I’m sure it was inconvenient for her when I’d just show up out of the blue at dinnertime—which happened way too often—but she always invited me in with a smile. I think she just wants everyone to have a happy family, but she doesn’t realize that you don’t have to have a family to be happy. Besides, the family you have right now is pretty damn cool.”

  Cassidy smiled. “OK, now I feel better. Thanks.”

  “Just doing my job as president of your fan club.” She pointed to Cassidy’s plate. “Now can you please get a move on with that sandwich? I need to get going soon.”

  After dinner they parted ways at the restaurant entrance. As Cassidy walked toward her car, she dug her phone out of her purse to call Brandon again. There was a new text message from him.

  My mom’s not doing well. I’m still at the hospital.

  She stopped walking and decided to call him right there from the sidewalk. She didn’t expect to reach him, but she wanted him to know how much she was thinking about him.

  Surprisingly, he answered on the third ring

  “Hey.” He sounded tired.

  “Oh my gosh, Brandon, how are you?”

  “I’ve been better. I just got home from the hospital, but I plan to head back after I take a shower.”

  “How is she?”

  “The same. Pretty unresponsive.”

  “I…I don’t know what to say, Brandon. I’m so sorry.”

  “Thank you. My brother’s with her now; he flew down from Portland this afternoon.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She reached for something to say other than I’m sorry. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “No, but thanks for asking.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “OK.” She stared at a crack in the sidewalk and felt a tiny one forming somewhere else.

  “Listen, I’ll probably be at the hospital all day tomorrow, but maybe we could meet up for coffee at some point? I’d really like to see you,” he said.

  “You would?” She felt the corners of her mouth turn up.

  “Of course I would. Why wouldn’t I? Listen, that’s my brother calling on the other line. I’ll be in touch tomorrow, OK?”

  “OK. Hang in there. If you need anything at all, just let me know.”

  “I will, thanks.”

  “I wish…I wish I could give you a hug right now.”

  “I’d love that. I’m sorry, but I’ve really got to go now. Good night, Cassidy.”

  “Good night.” She hung up the phone and stared at it for a moment, then was struck by an idea. She did a quick Internet search and dialed the number of a local business she’d read about that offered what it called Emergency Care Packages to be delivered around the clock. It was designed with college students in mind, but who said she couldn’t give it a try?

  She put in an order for a small cooler of rocky road ice cream to be delivered ASAP to Mrs. Forrester’s room at the hospital.

  Chapter Twelve

  THE NEXT AFTERNOON Cassidy ordered a large coffee and took a seat at a table by the window, watching the cars drive by on Ramona Street. She glanced at the clock on the wall to check the time, then looked around the bustling café. She’d spent several days there over the summer, working on the earliest pages of her current novel, drinking coffee and debating whether to set the story in San Francisco or New York. That had only been a few months ago, but it seemed like much longer, given how much had happened since then—in both the novel and her personal life. She found it interesting how some Palo Alto locations triggered memories of her adult life, while others brought her back to her teenage years, or even earlier. She peered out the window again. Coupa Café inevitably took her for a stroll down the adult version of memory lane, but the Stanford Theatre, barely a block away, brought her all the way back to age sixteen.

  “Hi there, pretty girl. I made it.”

  She turned and saw Brandon standing there, looking a bit haggard yet still undeniably handsome. His stubble from the other night was much thicker now, and there were crinkles at the corners of his eyes that she hadn’t previously noticed. He’d texted her earlier, suggesting they get together for coffee, but hadn’t been sure he’d be able to swing it.

  Before she realized what she was doing, she jumped up and threw her arms around him. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered into his chest. “I’m so, so sorry.”

  He held her tight, then released the embrace and pointed toward the counter with a weary smile. “I’m going to grab a cappuccino. Can I get you anything?”

  She picked up her coffee. “I’m good, thanks.”

  “OK, I’ll be right back. And hey, thanks for the ice cream last night. That was really thoughtful of you.”

  She gave him a sympathetic smile. “You’re welcome. Fitting that your favorite flavor is rocky road, don’t you think?”

  “You’re not kidding. My life is anything but smooth right now.”

  As he turned and walked toward the counter to place his order, she tried to imagine how she would feel if her mother were lying comatose in a hospital bed right now. Her sweet, kind mother, who was always there for her, who believed in her more than she believed in herself, who had never shown her anything but love.

  Just the thought made her want to cry.

  “What happens now?” Cassidy asked.

  Brandon took a sip of his cappuccino. “We just wait and hope she wakes up.”

  “Do they know if there’s been any brain damage?”

  “They’re hopeful that there hasn’t been, but it’s too early to tell right now.”

  “Have you talked to your dad?”

  “I called him yesterday. He and my mom aren’t too close, though. They split up a long time ago.”

  She reached across the table for his hand. “This must be so hard on you, and on your brother too.”

  He gave her hand a squeeze, then began to rub his thumb over her fingers. “He hasn’t slept a wink since he got here.”

  “Have you slept a wink?”

  “Barely. Can’t you tell by the bags under my eyes?”

  She smiled. “I think they’re handsome.”

  They sat there in silence for a few moments, holding hands across the table.

  Finally, Brandon pulled his hand away. “I’d better get moving. I don’t want to be away for too long.”

  Cassidy nodded and reached for her purse. “Of course. I’m glad you were able to come by at all.”

  As they walked toward the exit, Brandon put his arm around her. “Pretty horrible
timing for your visit.”

  She leaned her head against him and sighed. “Ya think?”

  He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll be in touch about rescheduling our dinner before you head back to New York. I wish I could tell you more than that, but I just have no idea what’s going to happen. Plus I’ve got to coordinate the boys’ schedule with Juliette, which now includes speech therapy twice a week for Jack’s lisp…” She could see the strain on his face as his thoughts began to drift.

  She adjusted her purse strap over her free shoulder and turned to face him as they stood on the sidewalk. “I understand, really. Don’t worry.”

  “When do you leave town again?”

  “Tuesday afternoon. My keynote is Monday morning.”

  “I’m sure you’ll crush it.” He smiled, but she could tell he wasn’t thinking about her speech. Or about their date. Or about the two of them at all. In a way it was as if he weren’t even there anymore.

  He was already back at the hospital.

  Or making arrangements with his ex-wife.

  Or being Daddy.

  No matter how predestined their encounter at the reunion may have seemed, how magical their long-distance communication had been, at that moment it became crystal clear to Cassidy that dating a grown-up was nothing like high school. In adulthood, romance had to fight for time with real concerns and responsibilities: work and exes and caring for children—and sick parents.

  He gave her a quick kiss on the lips before heading to his car. She watched him for a few moments, then turned and looked across the street at the Old Pro sports bar. Through the window she could see the mechanical bull in a back corner, the one he’d ridden the night of the tequila shots. She remembered how much he’d made her laugh while recounting the drunken evening over the phone, not to mention the flirtatious text messages he’d sent her while still under the influence. Just thinking about those texts still made her feel warm inside.

  She glanced back at him, his broad shoulders slumping slightly as he walked along the sidewalk.

  He was like a different person now, and her heart hurt for him.