Coulson's Secret

by McIntyre, Anna J

  “Do you even care that she is dead?”

  “Of course.” He looked up. “I’m sorry, this is all very awkward for me. I’m not sure what to say.”

  “Well, you can begin by telling me why you left my mother and me.”

  “She never told you?” Franklin asked, once again looking up into Kim’s eyes.

  “No, not really. And why, why did you call me Carol when you first opened the door?”

  Franklin thought about the question for a moment and then smiled. It was a sad smile.

  “You look exactly like I remember her. I must confess, it’s a bit difficult sitting here with you when you look so much like the young woman I married.”

  Kim was confused. She and her mother looked nothing alike. Yet, it was possible, Kim thought, that they might look alike if her mother hadn’t been obese. Kim assumed her mother had been heavy for her entire life. She wondered if her mother had gained all the weight after getting pregnant with Kim. Is that why he left her? Is that why she resented me?

  “Did you leave my mother because she gained weight during her pregnancy?” Kim asked in a bitter voice.

  “Certainly not.” He looked insulted. “Carol was never overweight when we were married.”

  “So, the divorce was just another cliché? A man has an affair while his wife is pregnant and gets that woman pregnant? I know my half-brother was born less than nine months after my birth.”

  “Nick has nothing to do with this.”

  “And me?” Kim asked bitterly.

  “Kim, I want you to know I did love your mother. I think I still do. The marriage didn’t end for the reasons you assume. None of it was Carol’s fault. I truly didn’t understand that until years after our divorce, but by then it was too late. Carol was the victim in all this, and it’s a guilt I must live with.”

  “I don’t understand.” Kim’s head was spinning. The conversation was not going in the direction she intended. Finally, she blurted out, “Did you ever think about me? About the daughter you abandoned? Good lord, you lived less than an hour away from me for the first eighteen years of my life and never once did you try to contact me.” Kim was on the verge of tears. Her distress seemed to make Franklin uncomfortable. He didn’t answer immediately.

  “I know now I should have stayed with your mother. I should have been a father to you. But I didn’t. I made a mistake, but there is nothing I can do about it now. I can’t go back and fix it.”

  Kim stared into the eyes of the father who abandoned her. He was still handsome, an older version of the man in the photograph, with white hair and creases around his eyes. He appeared sincerely regretful for the past, yet showed no desire to establish some kind of a relationship with his daughter.

  “What about me now?” Kim sounded like a little girl, begging for love. Franklin looked embarrassed and once again glanced down to the floor.

  “I’m sorry, Kim. Truly. You need to move on with your life. You seem like a lovely young woman, and I hope you find happiness. But I think it would be best if you go now.”

  “Are we going to talk about it?” Adam asked thirty minutes later as he drove down the highway with Kim. When she had returned to the car fifteen minutes earlier, she simply got in, put on her seatbelt, and asked Adam to take her home. She sat quietly, looking out the side window, her head turned away from Adam as she held in the tears.

  “He doesn’t want anything to do with me. I don’t know why that should surprise me,” she said in a quiet voice, still looking out the side window.

  “He said that?” Adam asked, incensed at the man’s callousness, especially considering Kim just lost her mother.

  “In so many words. He wasn’t mean or rude. Actually, he seemed uncomfortable.”

  Adam seethed at her words. She almost sounded as if she was defending him. Once again, Adam wanted to punch her father.

  “Is he coming to her funeral?” Adam asked.

  “Odd…” Kim turned to look at Adam. “We never discussed her funeral. But I doubt it.”

  “Did the visit help at all? Do you know anything now you didn’t before?”

  “Well…” Kim pondered the question for a moment. “He did tell me something I found peculiar. Apparently, I look just like my mother when they were married. According to him, she was not overweight back then.”

  “That surprised you?”

  “For some reason, I assumed Mom was always heavy. Maybe, and this is awful to admit, I hoped that was the case.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Well, if my mother was thin when she was my age, will I look like her someday?”

  “I suppose I somewhat understand what you’re saying. I often worry I’m going to lose my hair in my thirties, like my dad did.”

  “Your hair isn’t thinning at all.”

  “Thank God for that. But I doubt your mother’s weight issues were a genetic thing, like my dad’s hair loss. Your mom had—well, issues. I don’t know what they were. But, Kimmy, she was not a happy person, and I don’t think it was all about her weight. Something was going on there. Do you know anything about her family?”

  “Not much. Her parents died before I was born. I think she was close to them. I do recall Mom telling me once that her life would have been different had they not died so young. I got the feeling she missed the support they provided, which I can understand now that I don’t have any family to fall back on.”

  “Kimmy, I’ll always be here for you. I promise.”

  Chapter 7

  When Kim returned that afternoon from her trip to Clement Falls, her mother’s next-door neighbor greeted her. A few minutes after Adam pulled up into the driveway, the woman rushed over, carrying a casserole dish.

  “Hello, hello!” The woman called out. Kim stood in the driveway, saying goodbye to Adam, thanking him for taking her to Clement Falls. She watched him back the car out of the driveway and drive down the street as the neighbor approached.

  “You must be Kim,” the woman greeted, slightly out of breath. She looked to be about Carol’s age, perhaps a few years younger. A plump woman, she wore a bright pink jogging suit and matching sneakers; the outfit looked brand new. She wore her platinum blond hair in short, frizzy curls.

  “Hi. Yes, I am,” Kim greeted with a smile. The woman handed her the casserole, which Kim accepted without pause, while glancing down at it. The dish was cold, but she couldn’t tell what it contained. A sheet of aluminum foil, crinkled in place around the rim of the dish, covered its.

  “I’m Sissy Harper. I live next door,” the woman introduced herself. “You don’t know how sorry I am about your mother. She was such a lovely woman. I’m going to miss her.” Sissy looked as if she were about to cry. “I’m sorry, I promised I was not going to do that!” Sissy apologized, smiling through her tears.

  “That’s okay, I understand,” Kim told her, then glanced at the casserole and asked with a smile, “What do we have here?”

  “Oh my, I have a dozen more at my house! They’ve been arriving all day,” Sissy explained. Kim didn’t understand.

  “Excuse me?”

  “For your mother’s wake, dear. You weren’t home, so naturally they dropped them at my house.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Your mother’s friends and neighbors have been dropping by with casseroles all day for you to serve after your mother’s service tomorrow.”

  It suddenly made sense. While Kim had participated in the custom of taking a casserole to a friend’s house after a death, she hadn’t expected anyone to bring her food. Until that moment, she hadn’t considered people might expect to return to Carol’s house after the service.

  Kim spent the next fifteen minutes transporting casseroles from Sissy’s house to her own. She found room for most of the dishes in the refrigerator but ended up sending a few back with Sissy to keep until after the service the following day.

  When they finished organizing the casseroles, Kim invited Sissy to join her for a cup o
f tea. The neighbor immediately took to Jake, who made himself comfortable in Sissy’s lap. Sissy sat on Carol’s oak rocker in the living room, rocking back and forth, as she stroked the top of Jake’s head. Kim set Sissy’s tea on the table next to the rocker. Sissy didn’t seem in a hurry to drink the tea and was more interested in chatting with her neighbor’s daughter while petting Jake.

  “You can push him down if he gets too heavy,” Kim suggested, worrying about all the hair Jake was leaving on the woman’s pink outfit.

  “No, no, dear. I love cats. I wondered where he belonged. I noticed him climbing in the tree yesterday.”

  “Jake is really a house cat,” Kim explained as she sat on the couch with her cup of tea. “I don’t want to alarm you, but someone broke in here yesterday and let Jake out.”

  “Oh my, no! Did they take anything of value? I see your mother’s television is still there.” Sissy nodded to the television set.

  “I’m not really sure what they took. I know they took some papers. But since I just got here, I really didn’t have a chance to take an inventory of mother’s things. I’ve had the locks changed.”

  “I did see the police car and the locksmith van here yesterday and wondered what was going on. I’m so sorry. I’ve heard about thieves looking through obituaries for targets.”

  “That’s pretty much what the police officer suggested,” Kim said, sipping her tea.

  “Do they have any idea who is responsible for your mother’s death? There hasn’t been anything new in the newspaper, nothing on the radio or TV. It’s all so tragic. I just loved your mother. I’m going to miss her.”

  “No, nothing. Did you know her well?” Kim was a little surprised that Sissy seemed so fond of Carol. According to Kim’s memory, her mother had few friends.

  “She and I hit it off right after I moved in two years ago,” Sissy explained. “I moved next door the year after my husband died. We used to play cribbage once a week, your mother and I.”

  “Really?” Kim was surprise.

  “She spoke of you often. I’m sure you already know how proud your mother was of you. Although, it always bothered her the way you showed houses to strangers and all. But of course, I’m sure you already knew that.”

  Kim had forgotten how her mother disliked the idea of her showing houses to strangers or doing open houses alone. Carol had frequently mentioned it when Kim had first gotten into real estate, but over time had stopped badgering her daughter about the potential dangers. Kim assumed it was just Carol’s way of showing her displeasure at Kim’s choice of career. Carol had always wanted Kim to go to college. As Kim listened to Sissy reminisce about Carol and the conversations they had shared regarding Carol’s relationship with her daughter, Kim began to wonder if Sissy was talking about someone else, not her mother. It was quite startling to discover her mother was proud of her, at least according to the neighbor.

  It was a little before five when Sissy said her goodbyes and started out the door to head home. When Kim opened the front door to see Sissy out, she discovered two new visitors. To her surprise, Alexandra and Kate Coulson stood on the front porch.

  A few minutes later, after saying goodbye to Sissy, Kim sat in her mother’s living room with the two women. Both sisters wore designer denims and heeled boots, although Alex wore a classic, tailored silk blouse with hers while Kate wore a brightly colored, fringed poncho over a turtleneck sweater. Kim wondered if Kate was hot in the outfit, yet the younger sister did not appear to be uncomfortable.

  “I’m sorry we didn’t call first,” Alex told her. “I guess you’ve had a pretty big day. I spoke to Adam this afternoon.”

  At the police station the day before, Kim had not had an opportunity to look closely at Alex. She was amazed at how well Adam’s mother aged. While both she and Kate obviously looked older than they had sixteen years earlier, they were still attractive. Both women were trim, which probably had something to do with their youthful appearance, Kim told herself. She recalled how aged Carol had looked the last time they were together. Carol had looked at least twenty years older than Alex did, when in reality, she was probably only a few years older than Adam’s mother.

  “He told you where he took me today?” Kim asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

  “I hope you aren’t mad at him, but he was rather upset when he stopped by our house. He was worried about you,” Alex explained.

  “Kimmy, we wanted to know how we can help you tomorrow for your mom’s service,” Kate offered, not waiting for Kim to respond to Alex.

  “I’m sure your family is already busy making arrangements for your brother-in-law,” Kim responded politely.

  “Arrangements have already been made for Harrison,” Alex explained. “We don’t want to make you uncomfortable or impose ourselves on you, but we want you to understand we’re here for you if you need us. And we mean that sincerely.”

  Kim now regretted not getting to know Alex better when she had dated Adam.

  “I do appreciate your offer. I made the arrangements with the funeral home yesterday. Frankly, I hadn’t really considered those attending would probably expect to return here after the service,” Kim admitted. “But, Mom’s neighbor just brought over enough food to feed an army.”

  “Well, you don’t have to have people here after the service. They won’t expect it if it isn’t announced at the service. But if you want to do it, Kate and I would be more than happy to help get things organized for you. I know how overwhelming all this can be, especially if you’re trying to do everything alone.”

  “Thank you, Alex. I think, maybe, I would like to have something here after the service. Fortunately, the house just needs minor tidying, and I have a ton of food—thanks to Mom’s friends and neighbors.”

  “Well, you will also need plates, napkins, cups, something to drink.” Alex said.

  “Oh, I hadn’t even thought about that stuff.” Kim felt like a kid again.

  “Don’t worry about it. You forget I was in the restaurant business for years.” Alex leaned over and patted Kim’s knee.

  “We also wanted to invite you over for Thanksgiving dinner. According to Adam, you won’t be heading home immediately. I hate to think of you spending the day alone,” Alex offered.

  “Oh, I hate to intrude on your family,” Kim started to protest. She hadn’t even thought about Thanksgiving dinner. Before Carol’s murder, Kim had intended to return to Coulson and spend Thanksgiving with her mother.

  “Oh pooh, just say you’ll come. After all, if I have to suffer through Thanksgiving with Shelly at the big house, I figure everyone should suffer along with me.” Kate laughed.

  “Kate!” Alex scolded halfheartedly. “That is a horrible thing to say about Shelly, especially considering Harrison.” Alex’s reprimand didn’t sound heartfelt.

  “Alex, please. You are no more looking forward to spending the holiday with that woman than I am.”

  Kim glanced from sister to sister, trying to figure out what they were talking about. “Who is Shelly, and what is the big house?”

  “The big house is what Kate and I refer to as our father-in-law’s home. Our mother-in-law passed away years ago, and Garret’s father is still alive, although he’s confined to a wheelchair. Harrison never moved out of the house. He and his wife, Shelly, live… lived… there with his father.”

  “To be fair to Harrison,” Kate chimed in, “the house in question is a mansion. I suppose we could all live there and go days without seeing each other.”

  “What about Harrison’s children?” Kim asked.

  “He and Shelly never had any. Not really sure if it was a choice or if one of them couldn’t have kids. I’ve never been close to our brother and sister-in-law,” Alexandra explained.

  “Does this mean your sister-in-law will continue living with her father-in-law?” Kim wondered if the father-in-law shared Kate and Alex’s opinion of the woman. Kim couldn’t help feeling sorry for Shelly, now a widow, and thought Kate was being a bit harsh
, considering the murder.

  “That will definitely get interesting,” Kate speculated, sounding as if she knew some juicy secret.

  “Kate,” Alex warned, not wanting to drag out Coulson drama.

  “Oh, no biggie, Alex. Kim, the thing is, Shelly and our father-in-law can’t stand each other. We’ve always wondered how they all managed to live under the same roof for all these years. It wasn’t as if Harrison couldn’t buy his own mansion. I suspect Shelly figured the old man would go before her husband, which meant the house would go to Harrison and indirectly to Shelly. But the way the will is written, the house does not go to Shelly after Harrison Senior dies, but to his oldest surviving child. Which means Garret will inherit the mansion. Now, had Shelly and Harrison had children, the house would go to that child. Alex is so looking forward to inheriting.”

  Kim suddenly knew what house they were talking about. It had fascinated her for years.

  “Yeah, right,” Alex said dryly. The last thing she wanted was to move into the mausoleum on the end of town.

  “Wow, it sounds rather old-fashioned. I mean, leaving it to the oldest child, instead of dividing it among the heirs,” Kim said.

  “Oh, the house is just a minor part of the estate. It was built by Garret’s grandfather, Randal,” Alex explained. “While I’m all for keeping it in the family, I’m not crazy about living in the old place. You can see it if you agree to have Thanksgiving with us. We don’t normally spend Thanksgiving there, but considering Harrison’s recent death, Garret and Russell felt it would be better for their father if the family pulled together and spent the holiday at the family home. Adam and Angela will be there and, of course, our girls.” With a chuckle, she added, “Not sure how Shelly feels about it all.”

  “I don’t think we’re making this invitation sound very attractive.” Kate laughed. “In all seriousness, I think it would be really nice if you came. We hate thinking of you here alone. Please come.”

  Kim remembered driving by the old Coulson mansion when she was a teenager and had often wondered what it looked like inside. One of the things she loved about being a real estate agent was having the opportunity to look through interesting homes. While initially reluctant to accept the Thanksgiving invitation, especially since Adam would be there with his fiancée, Kim decided to accept. Having a peek inside the mansion was too tempting to pass up.