Stay with Me

by Sheryl Wright

  Lori stopped when she heard Megan behind her. “Sorry, I got on a rant there. So here,” she said, pulling the closest door open, “is the laundry room. And that door over there goes to my dad’s apartment.” She led them into a darkened hall flanked by bedrooms. “That’s the master and this, this is the guest room, which is mostly used by Zoe and Skip these days, but lucky for us not that often.”

  “Where is your father?”

  “Oh, he lives out at the Big House. Most of the family lives there.”

  “You should see it, Aydan,” Megan enthused. “It’s out at Eighteen Mile Creek just across the river from the Frank Lloyd Wright house and it’s way better! Wait till you see it and you’ll love Henry. He is so cool! He knows everything about everything, but he doesn’t talk to you like you’re stupid or anything. He’s totally a blast!”

  Lori shook her head, grinning at the running gush of admiration for her father. She wrapped her arm around Megan’s shoulders for a sisterly side-hug. “Hey dude, he thinks you rock too.”

  Beaming from the compliment, Megan suggested, “Let’s show her the piano. Come on, Aydan, you have to see this. It’s a real baby grand!”

  Watching as Megan sped down the hall, Aydan in tow, Lori realized she was grateful for the kid. Her enthusiasm was contagious, so much so, she was sure she had glimpsed a bit of a smile from the reserved Ms. Ferdowsi. It was easy to want to see Aydan doing better, but Lori felt a pull she didn’t quite understand. Maybe it was simple responsibility, whether misplaced or well-earned. The woman had been hiding from trouble in her very own yard.

  She often thought of herself as the unofficial Mayor of Cattaraugus Creek. Since building her house out at the beach, her neighbors and tenants had come to depend on her and her resources, like the yard security officer, to solve problems when the police or fire/rescue were too far away. She had used the boatyard tractor to pull cars out of snowbanks, the yard crane to move storage containers on and off the beach each season for the local sports association, and the yard plow to clear driveways for area seniors after each snowstorm. It only made sense that they would turn to her to arbitrate their disputes. It was why she paid attention in the tightknit community. It paid to be vigilant. If I was so vigilant how did I miss Aydan hiding in her car in the boatyard lot every night? Before she could take the thought any further, she heard music coming from the living room.

  She made her way quietly down the hall to find Megan standing at the piano and Aydan playing a piece she didn’t recognize. It was beautiful and haunting, and drew a warmth from the woman she had not yet seen. Long slender fingers stroked keys in combinations evoking heartache and hope. Was it melancholy in sunshine or clear skies in winter? Stepping a little closer, she was curious to see what music she was playing. Since her mother’s death the only people who played the baby grand were professional musicians Marnie hired for special events. None of the children ever took an interest in piano lessons. For years the extravagant instrument had sat in the big house collecting dust. It was Georgie who insisted on moving it here for Henry. While everyone objected, assuming it would bother him, or because they didn’t want to be bothered, Lori had taken Georgie’s side, hoping having it around would provide some solace for her long-widowed dad. It had been the right move. The piano became an item of pride, and he was pleased to show it off to visitors. For him it was a solid connection to his lost wife and the mother of his kids.

  Stepping up behind Aydan, she realized she was playing without music. Had she memorized this piece? Maybe she had a memory like Georgie, photographic. Aydan stopped, immediately starting to apologize. “Hell no, you don’t. You sit back down and finish whatever you were playing. It’s…I don’t think I know the right words to describe it.”

  “Me neither, boss,” Megan said. “How do you remember all the notes without the music?”

  “I wrote it,” she said quietly.

  Megan let out some indecipherable encouragement, and Lori asked, smiling, “Please play it for us?” While Aydan obliged without comment, Lori carried over two nearby stools for her and the kid.

  They sat transfixed by the melody. Aydan too was transformed as if the trauma of the last dozen years were washed away. One could almost imagine the ghost of her dad standing at her side. It was ethereal and enchanting and in this moment, for Lori, the woman was beyond beautiful too.

  Uh-oh, I think I’m in trouble!

  Chapter Nine

  Aydan looked up from her breakfast preparations to watch Tyler make her way down the circular stairs. She was dressed as she always was at this time of day, in a fluffy white bathrobe and fresh from the shower, her hair wrapped in a towel. Her eyes were fixed on her tablet.

  “Morning,” she offered absently with a smile.

  There was no denying the woman’s charm. She could certainly understand her boss’s attraction to her. Besides that, Tyler did just about everything for Georgie. She wasn’t sure what that meant or why a woman with her education and experience would want to play nursemaid. She watched as she brewed her coffee from the single cup dispenser, adding cream before taking a tentative sip. Obviously pleased, she smiled over the rim of her mug. “I can’t tell you what a lifesaver this machine is. Before we got this, I was drinking instant coffee every morning. Now we can enjoy a decent cuppa joe.”

  “I guess it didn’t make sense to brew a whole pot just for one.”

  “Actually, I would have happily brewed a big pot every morning but the smell upsets Georgie’s stomach.”

  She had been accumulating a long list of things prohibited in Georgie’s world. The coffee in their office was brewed in the restaurant and delivered in carafes. “Is that why our coffee is made downstairs?”

  Tyler nodded absently as she started setting out ingredients. She had her partner on a strict menu. Georgie started her day with scrambled eggs and chopped spinach which Tyler always made for her. It wasn’t that Georgie wouldn’t cook, but she was Tyler’s first priority.

  Dropping bread into the toaster, and taking out fresh tomatoes, she began slicing one. “I have no idea where Leslie found these, but they look amazing. Would you like some?”

  Aydan requested two slices, before asking, “Does Leslie buy the groceries?”

  Tyler nodded, checking the time on her tablet before wandering over to the nearest window. “This has been the weirdest spring. Last year we barely got shoveled out from one snowstorm before the next hit. This year it’s below freezing one week and in the sixties the next. And this rain…” She shook her head at the sight of cold drizzle and the sound of bracing winds.

  “You worry about her. You all do.”

  Tyler turned to Aydan, arms tightly wrapped across her chest.

  “I mean, that’s good.”

  “But?” There was no rancor in her voice, just a look of interest.

  She respected that. “There’s no but, it just…”

  “You wonder what we get in return? Or are you asking what I get from my relationship with her?” When Aydan colored, Tyler smiled, returning to the kitchen island to butter her toast. She sat on a barstool with her toast and tomatoes, still smiling at Aydan. “Few people see just how much she does for others. For her family, it’s about supporting her now out of respect for all the support she provided them over the years. For me, well…let me ask you this. Have you ever been in love? No, don’t answer that. Think about it this way: how would you feel to know someone loved you so unconditionally, you could count on them for everything and anything, and just so you know, Georgie puts my wishes first in, well, everything. Can you imagine how that would feel if that person was someone to whom you were deeply attracted?”

  “I…no.”

  Tyler’s head tilted as if she were seeing Aydan from a different perspective. “I know things have been excruciatingly difficult for you since your father’s death, but what about before that? Any boyfriends in high school? What about your first semester at UB?”

  “I…there was someone but…it was
n’t, it didn’t work out.” She blushed to remember the heartache of betrayal, something she had barred from her mind for so long she had erased that singular painful brush with longing. How had she forgotten that long night crying in her father’s arms, his patience with her and his complete understanding and support? She had been ashamed then. She was ashamed she hadn’t been completely honest, ashamed she hadn’t told him everything. More than that, she was ashamed that her personal prejudices had tainted her last cherished time with him. It had haunted her, compounding her ever-present heartache at his death.

  Seeming to understand, Tyler offered a sympathetic “Ouch,” before noting in a consoling tone, “You’re free now, Aydan. You can do and see anyone you like.” She held up her hand, adding, “I’m not saying you have to run right out and fill up your dance card. Just know the decision is now yours and yours alone.”

  Aydan nodded, appreciating the effort everyone was making. In the weeks she had been in residence, they, and all the women of their families, had made an effort to include her in their plans and camaraderie. At first she imagined it was all just part and parcel of her added duties as Georgie’s executive assistant, but by the end of her first weekend, she had to accept it was much more. She was welcome here, even wanted. The experience bordered on the fantastic. “I can’t imagine someone caring for me the way you do her. I don’t mean that in a bad way…”

  Tyler took her breakfast plate to the dishwasher, then loaded another K-cup to brew her second coffee. “It’s hard to explain,” she said, adding cream. “I like taking care of the little things for her. She is much more self-sufficient than people realize. What she can’t do herself she can certainly afford to have done for her. For me,” she added, leaning against the counter, “taking care of the little things lets her know how much I love her.”

  “And what exactly does she do to show you…I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”

  “Aydan, Georgie and I want you to feel free to ask anything. I know our life, so much of what we are is new territory for you, but don’t think we’re not willing to answer questions. So let me try to explain…For me, the reward comes in just seeing how much I mean to her. Surely you remember that feeling?” When Aydan didn’t answer, Tyler frowned. “Boy, he really did a number on you. Well, don’t you worry, once you get your footing, I’m sure there will be no end in sight when it comes to men asking you out.”

  Before Aydan could even contemplate what that meant or decide if she should explain, Tyler turned at the sound of the upstairs door and the clicking of Maggie’s paws as she ran down the stairs and straight to Tyler’s side. Aydan missed whatever that signaled, watching as Tyler leaped to her feet and raced from the kitchen and up the stairs at breakneck speed. Not knowing what she should do, Aydan followed, curious and concerned, to watch as Tyler ripped the towel off her hair to drape it around Georgie’s shoulders. “You’re soaked to the skin baby, what happened?”

  “Erie…truck…did not see…us.”

  “Oh my God!”

  Aydan watched as she began examining her partner with the thoughtfulness of a trauma surgeon. “Baby, your ear is bleeding. Are you hurt anywhere else?”

  “Cold,” she said as violent shivers wracked her body. Her clothing, soaking wet, was hampering Tyler’s investigation.

  “I need to get you in a hot shower then we can take you to the hospital.”

  “I…no,” Georgie began to argue until the moment Tyler took her arm to lead her to their bedroom. Without making a sound, the pain from just that tentative touch sent her to her knees.

  Tyler was right there. “You didn’t just fall, did you? That asshole hit you! Oh baby, I think your arm’s broken. Aydan, help me get her into the bathroom. I have to get her warmed up, and then we need to get to the hospital.”

  Immediately, Aydan took the uninjured side, helping get her back on her feet. With Tyler’s arm around her waist, and guarding the injured arm, they managed to get her to the bathroom. Not sure what to do next, she turned her back as Tyler began stripping her silent employer of her wet sweats. Embarrassed to overhear Tyler’s tender coaxing and gentle reassurances, she turned for the door intending to return to the kitchen until called.

  “Aydan, I need you to grab my phone from the other room. Quickly please.”

  When she returned, Tyler was standing in the large open shower, still in the bathrobe, and stripping the last of Georgie’s running clothing. Even from where she was standing, Aydan could make out fresh bruising all down her left side. Her right hand hung from above the wrist at an unnatural angle.

  As Tyler began pulling her wet tights down, she let out an involuntary cry, “Oh baby, that bastard! Why didn’t you call us? Did he even stop? I can’t believe you made it home without help.”

  Aydan was so transfixed it didn’t occur to her that she was standing there watching her naked boss until she felt a pressure against her leg. Looking down, she wondered why the dog had taken an interest in her then remembered how she had communicated the urgency of the situation so easily with Tyler. “What can I do?”

  “Send Sanjit a text,” Tyler ordered. “Have him pull the truck up in front of the side door and keep it running. Then send Marnie a text. Tell her I’ll call from the hospital.”

  Aydan sent the building security guard the urgent note then reconsidered the order to text the CEO. As much as Marnie Pulaski intimidated the hell out of her, it would be better if she called. She checked the time on Tyler’s phone first, realizing the woman would be in her car and halfway there. Perhaps it was better to send the text, at least until she was out of her vehicle and could carry on a conversation safely.

  Maybe I should call Lori. She said I could call for anything. This is probably one of those things she would want to know and she probably won’t be in her car at seven twenty in the morning. Didn’t she tell me she walks to work?

  She grabbed her new smartphone from her room, fumbling through the GUI, hunting for her new contact list, then listening to the ringing on the other end as she kicked off her office shoes and began pulling on her boots.

  “Hey there princess! To what do I owe the—”

  “She’s hurt!” Aydan blurted. “Georgie!”

  “What’s happened?”

  “She was out walking her dog. A truck hit her. She’s badly bruised all up and down her left side and her arm looks broken, and maybe her wrist.”

  “Where is she now?”

  “Tyler’s taken her into a hot shower and I’ve got Sanjit pulling her truck out so she can take her to the hospital.”

  “Okay…Well, if it’s just a broken arm we may have gotten off easy. Who else have you called, other than the Sandman?”

  “Nobody. Tyler told me to text Mrs. P…Marnie, but she’s probably in her car right now so I called you first.”

  “Good. You did good, princess. Don’t call or text Marnie. Let me handle that for you. Now here’s what you’re gonna do.”

  Off the phone she tucked it in a pocket before retrieving her winter coat. She went down to the library as ordered and began collecting the documents Lori believed the doctors would need to see. Relieved to see everything in order, she recognized Tyler’s hand in the organization, including a cover sheet detailing the steps to follow in an emergency just like this. She made her way back up to the master suite, sending Sanjit another text and was relieved by his instantaneous ‘Affirmative, Ready’ reply.

  At the bedroom door she stopped dead in her tracks. Georgie was sitting on the edge of the bed in her underwear, her body racked with violent waves of vomiting, her head braced against Tyler, who was holding a wastepaper basket for her.

  Aydan saw what she had missed before, what they had both missed. Something was wrong with her left shoulder. That arm looked unharmed yet it hung as uselessly as the other did, but different somehow. Tyler handed her the basket. “Sorry…can you bring some fresh towels?” she asked, before mouthing, “Call 911!”

  Scurrying into the bathroom, s
he closed the door, dialing 911. The emergency operator was well trained, quickly asking all the pertinent questions. She sent Lori and Sanjit a short text, grabbed towels and more towels.

  In the bedroom, Tyler had lifted and was examining Georgie’s face. Her complexion was like chalk. Sweat poured down her brow and temples.

  “Help me get her dressed. In the walk-in…she has a blue zip up sweatshirt. It’s with her Air Force PT gear. It’s sleeveless.”

  They were able to slip it over each arm then zip it up. Getting her track pants on was relatively simple after that. The 911 operator had told Aydan the ambulance was six minutes away. That meant they would be there any minute now. “Tyler, please get dressed. Everything’s ready except you. I can hold her. Just show me were to put my hands.”

  “Here,” Tyler said, carefully stepping back and holding Georgie’s head steady.

  Aydan cautiously placed one hand on each side of her brow, holding her head like an unexploded bomb. She kept her focus as she sensed more than saw Tyler flitting about. In what seemed like seconds she had donned jeans, a sweater, her boots and finger combed and braided her wet hair. She was back at Georgie’s side and about to resume her care when they heard Sanjit calling from the foyer.

  “We’re in here!” she yelled.

  Two paramedics, pushing a stretcher laden with medical kits and bags, pushed ahead of Sanjit and immediately got to work. Aydan relinquished her hold, moving back to give them room, and listening while Tyler answered questions and provided the details Georgie could not.

  Tapping her shoulder, Aydan turned to see Sanjit’s worried face. “Lori called me.”