by Terri DuLong
I gave her a smile and nodded. “I’m doing okay. Really. Just trying to sort everything out in my head.”
“Of course you are. Well, we’re all thinking of you, and if there’s anything you need, you let one of us know, okay? Oh, these are for you.”
“Thank you so much. I’ll see you soon at the yarn shop. I promise.”
I carried the vase into the living room and removed the envelope. Thinking they were from the yarn shop group, I was quite surprised to see they were from Ben. Not Ben and Jonah. Just Ben.
Thinking of you during a difficult time and missing you, the card read. He had signed it, With affection, Ben.
I felt the smile that crossed my face. He was a very special man. I recalled how he had kissed me six days before, when we returned from Jacksonville. I had invited him in the house for coffee and when he was leaving, we automatically hugged each other but instead of pulling away, he bent his head and kissed me. I didn’t find it odd in the least. Probably because throughout the day, at my house in Jacksonville and then later at his brother’s home, there had been an element of sexual tension between us. So the kiss felt natural. And right.
I bent to inhale the wonderful fragrance of the flowers when the phone rang. I saw it was Elaine.
“I hope you don’t think me a pest,” she said when I answered.
I laughed. “Not at all.” Actually, I found it endearing that I suddenly had an aunt who seemed genuinely concerned about me.
“I was just wondering if you had contacted Sebine yet.”
“No. Not yet. I’m going to, but I just don’t feel ready.”
“That’s understandable. How are you doing?”
I paused a second before saying, “I feel like I’ve had a death in the family.”
“That’s also understandable. You had a lot of information thrown at you in a short time. And you have had a loss, Petra. Don’t diminish that fact. Allow yourself the time to grieve.”
“That’s what it feels like I’m doing. I only wish I’d had the chance to meet him.”
“So do I,” she said. “So do I. As I said, he would have adored you. Isn’t it sad the choices people make in life? They make them for all the right reasons, but sometimes it’s to the detriment of others. But of course, when one makes a choice there’s no way of knowing if, years later, a different choice might have been the better one.”
“I guess this just proves to me that life truly is a risk. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up learning from my mother’s missed chance.”
“And that would make everything come full circle, Petra. I’ve always believed things happen in life as they’re supposed to. Even though it might not seem it at the time. Well, if you don’t think me a nuisance, then I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
I smiled and said, “I look forward to it.”
* * *
By the middle of the following week, I was ready to emerge from my cocoon back into the world of the living. The day before, another flower arrangement had arrived from Ben, but I still hadn’t called him. Today was the day to do that. I didn’t want to interrupt him during office hours, so I planned to call him that evening.
It was time to shower, put makeup on, fix my hair, and pay a visit to the yarn shop.
I walked in to find Mavis Anne, Chloe, Iris, and Louise sitting at the table knitting. All four jumped up to give me hugs.
“How are you doing?” Mavis Anne asked, touching my face.
I smiled and nodded. “Good. I’m doing okay now. I just needed some time to be alone.”
“Well, that was quite the surprise, wasn’t it?” Iris said.
“Come and join us.” Chloe returned to the table.
“Imagine,” Louise said. “You’re Elaine Talbot’s niece. She’s such a nice person. I’m not surprised you two are related.”
I laughed as I sat down. “Yeah, it’s been quite an interesting week.”
I proceeded to give them details about what Elaine had told me.
When I finished, Mavis Anne put a hand to her heart and shook her head. “Love isn’t always easy. It’s really a shame it couldn’t have worked out differently for your mother and Peter Maxwell.”
I let out a sigh. “Yeah, it’s pretty sad. When I think of the lengths my mother went to in order to protect this secret all of her life, it makes the situation even sadder.”
“And do you think it was all because they came from different backgrounds?” Chloe asked.
“According to Elaine, my father told her that when my mother broke up with him before she left for Jacksonville, that was what she indicated. He tried to convince her otherwise. That they could make it work, they could move away, but none of it was enough to convince my mother to stay.”
“And of course her being pregnant must have compounded the situation,” Iris said. “Did you learn anything about what she did when she lived in Jacksonville? How she met the fellow in the photo on the beach?”
“No, but I was very happy to learn that Sebine LeBlanc, the artist of the paintings and the woman my mother lived with, is still alive and living there.”
“Oh, my goodness! Really?” Louise said. “Are you going to meet her?”
“I have her phone number. That was how my father acquired the paintings. He attended one of her gallery shows about ten years ago and bought them. He also got her business card. She was very careful to protect my mother, though, and refused to admit any more than the fact that my mother had lived with her for a few years. She never told him about me.”
“What a shame,” Mavis Anne said. “All of this might have been cleared up before they both passed away.”
I nodded. “That’s true. But I can’t fault Sebine. It sounds like she was extremely loyal to my mother and was simply honoring her wishes.”
“So when are you calling her?” Louise asked.
“Soon,” I said. “I just need a little more time.”
“I don’t know Elaine well,” Mavis Anne said. “But she’s lived in this area for many years and I’ve met her at various fund-raisers. I actually remember when Peter passed away. Because he was a prominent businessman in the area, there was quite a write-up in the newspaper. Wasn’t there another sister?”
I nodded. “Elaine told me about her the other day on the phone. Her name was Sheila and she was the youngest. It seems she was only twenty when she died. It was tragic. She ran away from home at age seventeen and got caught up in the drug culture of the day. She was found dead in Chicago from a drug overdose.”
Louise’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, my goodness. That is tragic. What a shame. So Elaine is the only one left in the family.”
“Right. Elaine Maxwell Talbot . . . and me.”
Everyone nodded and remained silent.
“Okay,” Chloe said, jumping up. “I have a surprise for you.” She ran to remove something from the armoire and held up the finished shrug. “I finished it. This is for you. Try it on.”
I took the soft knitted piece and slipped my arms into the sleeves. “Oh, Chloe, this is gorgeous. You did a beautiful job.”
“Thank you. I was hoping you would like it.”
I spun around in a circle so everyone could see it. “I love it, but don’t you want to keep it here in the shop?”
“No. This one is yours. I’m already making another one for the shop sample.”
“And the yarn for the knit-along has arrived,” Mavis Anne said. “We were just waiting for Chloe to show you the shrug. You can now sign up for the knit-along and purchase your yarn.”
“It’s about time,” Louise said, and we all laughed.
“I think everyone will enjoy working on Petra’s Past.”
When I heard the name of the shrug again, I smiled. My past was turning out to validate my present.
* * *
I called Ben later that evening. I could hear the happiness in his voice.
“Oh, Petra. I’ve been worried about you, but I understood your need to have some time to yourself. How are
you doing now?”
“Actually, very well. I think I’m in a good place. I feel bad that my mother had to resort to the decisions she did, but I also understand that she did it out of love. For me and for Peter.”
“I think you’re right,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about your story all week. What she did was pretty brave. It had to be scary being alone, knowing she was pregnant and going to live with strangers. You can be very proud of her.”
I felt tears stinging my eyes. “Yes, I feel the same way. Growing up, I never gave much thought to my mother having courage. But she did. I’m sure it wasn’t always easy being a single parent.”
“So where do you go from here?”
“Well, Elaine and I are looking forward to building a relationship and getting to know each other better. I still have a million questions about my father’s side of the family.”
I went on to tell him about Sebine LeBlanc.
“Oh, wow,” Ben said when I finished. “This is really great news. She could be the one to finish unraveling the pieces for you.”
“That’s what I’m hoping. I plan to call her in the next few days. And if it goes well, I’m thinking of driving up to Jacksonville to meet her. Is there any chance . . . you might like to go with me?”
“Absolutely,” he said immediately. “I’m glad you’d like me to go. You just let me know when. And by the way, Jonah misses you.”
This really touched me. I had never been part of a child’s life before, and to know that he thought of me meant a lot. “Aww, I miss him too. You tell him I hope to see him soon.”
“Well, actually, we were wondering if you could come to dinner on Saturday. We’d both like to see you.”
“That sounds great. Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Good. We’ll see you around six.”
I hung up the phone and smiled. I had been in Ormond Beach for two months and so much had happened. My entire life was turning around. It was going both backward and forward. And that was a very good thing.
Chapter 20
On Saturday morning I decided the time had come to call Sebine LeBlanc. I got out the business card and dialed the number. An elderly woman answered.
“Yes. Is this Sebine LeBlanc?” I asked.
“It is. How can I help you?”
“Well . . . my name is Petra and I was wondering—”
“Petra Garfield?” I heard across the line. “Rhonda’s daughter?”
There was no doubt that I had the right person. “Yes. I’m Rhonda’s daughter. I’m sorry to bother you, but—”
“It’s no bother at all,” she said, interrupting me again. “Oh, my God! I always wondered if I’d ever hear from you. How did you find me? Your father?”
“Well, yes. Indirectly. I recently met his sister, Elaine, here in Daytona Beach. Actually, it was her paintings that brought all of this together. I was at her home and saw that she had one very similar to one that my mother had.”
“Ah, yes. Probably the one of the back of my house and the patio. Peter purchased that one and a portrait of Rhonda on the beach when he was here about ten years ago. How is he?”
“I’m afraid he passed away three years ago.”
There was a brief pause before she said, “I’m so terribly sorry. So very sorry. Did you have the chance to meet him?”
“No. I’m afraid not. I only found his sister last week.”
Another pause. “I never should have listened to your mother ten years ago when I told her he had been here and purchased the paintings.”
“You were still in touch with my mother?”
“Oh, yes. We stayed in touch right up until a few months before she died.”
And yet I’d had no idea. “I never knew.”
“No. Unfortunately, she never wanted you to know anything about her life here in Florida. Petra, I’m now ninety years old and though I’m in very good health, I would love to meet you or, I should say, see you again, before I die. Did you say you’re in Daytona Beach?”
“I’m in Ormond Beach, and I would love to see you, Sebine. Would it be possible for you to fill in all the missing pieces of my puzzle?”
“Honey, that information has been hidden for way too long. I will tell you anything you need to know. Is there any chance you could visit me here in Jacksonville?”
“Yes. That wouldn’t be a problem at all. When would be convenient for you?”
“Let me just check my calendar here,” she said, and there was a slight pause. “I still give some painting lessons and I have a few other commitments coming up next week. Would next Saturday work for you? A week from today?”
“That would be fine. Yes. I just need directions.”
I jotted down what she told me. “Thank you so much, Sebine. I really appreciate your meeting with me.”
I heard a dry chuckle come across the line. “Oh, Petra. It’s my pleasure. I always hoped that we would meet again. I’ll see you next Saturday about noon. I want you to come for lunch. Are you married now? Because I want you to bring your husband too.”
“No. Never married. Still single, but I do have a good friend, Ben. Would it be okay if he comes with me?”
“Of course it is. I look forward to seeing both of you. And Petra . . . thank you for getting in touch.”
I hung up the phone with a smile on my face. Although I didn’t really remember Sebine, I knew that I had been named for one very special woman.
* * *
I pulled up in Ben’s driveway just before six. I looked in the rearview mirror to make sure I looked okay. I was wearing my new shrug, a pale yellow blouse, and tan capris. I had taken extra time with my hair and makeup, making me realize that Ben Wellington and his son were coming to mean a lot to me.
I rang the bell, and the door was pulled open by Jonah, who surprised me with a tight hug.
“Petra,” he said, clearly excited. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I said and laughed as Lucy and Ethel came sliding across the tile floor to greet me.
Ben walked toward me laughing, and he also surprised me by leaning forward and placing a kiss on my cheek, allowing Jonah to see the affection between us. “You look great,” he said. “It’s so nice to see you.”
Jonah grabbed my hand and pulled me forward, his excitement notching up another level. “Come on. Come on,” he said. “Come out to the lanai and see our surprise.”
I walked out to the screened area and gasped as my hand flew to my face. Banners saying “Happy Birthday” were strung across the top of the screen. Brightly colored helium balloons floated over the pool. I saw gaily wrapped gifts on the end table, and the patio table had been beautifully set with white tablecloth, china, crystal, and a huge vase of red roses in the center.
My birthday. Today was January thirtieth. With everything that had transpired over the past week, I had lost track of time. But Ben had not.
I felt my eyes blurring with moisture as I said, “I can’t believe you remembered my birthday. Because I forgot it was today. Thank you so much.”
Jonah came to hug me again. “Did you really forget your birthday? Wow! I never forget my birthday.”
I laughed and nodded as Ben gave me a hug. “Happy Birthday, Petra.”
“How on earth did you know it was today?”
“Oh, I pay attention. When we were at Zak’s house, we were talking about age and birthdays and you said yours was coming up on January thirtieth.”
This man did pay attention. Another wonderful trait.
“Well, you guys have certainly surprised me.”
Ben laughed. “Good. That’s what we hoped. How about a glass of champagne?”
“Sounds wonderful,” I said, sitting on the patio sofa, where Jonah promptly sat down beside me.
“Dad said I could have one sip, because it’s your birthday,” he proudly informed me.
“Really? Then this must be a very special day,” I kidded him.
I realized that I had no clue whe
n Jonah’s birthday was. Or Ben’s.
“When is your birthday?” I asked him.
“Mine is May ninth. I turn eleven. And Dad’s birthday is October twenty-fourth. He says he’ll be turning the big five oh.”
I laughed and filed away that information.
“Here we go,” Ben said, passing me a champagne flute and a small juice glass to Jonah.
The three of us lifted our glasses as Ben said, “Happy birthday, Petra. May this be your best year ever.”
I certainly was beginning to think it might be.
I took a sip and heard Jonah say, “Yuk. I don’t like this. Can I have a soda instead?”
Ben and I both laughed. “Absolutely,” he said, sending me a wink. “Go get one from the fridge.”
“It’s really delicious,” I whispered as Ben sat down next to me. “But I’m glad he didn’t like it.”
“Me too. He’s growing up too fast as it is.”
Jonah returned with a can of soda. “When can Petra open her gifts, Dad?”
“After we’ve had dinner.”
“Okay. Can I go play with the dogs in the yard?”
“Yup, that’s fine. We’ll be eating in about a half hour.”
When Jonah walked outside with the dogs, Ben reached for my hand and gave it a squeeze.
“I really have missed you. A lot.”
“I’ve missed you too,” I said, feeling a warm glow forming around my heart.
“I think I have to thank Jonah for going over to the dogs at Petco.”
I laughed. “Well, we didn’t have the best beginning, but yes, Jonah is the one who made the effort. I still can’t believe that he took it upon himself to bring me those flowers and say they were from you.”
A grin covered Ben’s face. “Yeah, I never knew my son was such a matchmaker.” He took a sip of champagne. “I think he’s been lonely without a woman in his life.”
“Well, having grown up with a single parent, I can say it’s difficult for both the child and the parent. Many people do it and do it well. My mother did and you are too. But that doesn’t diminish the fact that it’s a little harder.”
Ben nodded, and I wondered what he was thinking about.
“Oh,” I said. “I called Sebine this morning.”
