by Susan Schild
“You can’t do that to me. Neal is my world.” Vera cried harder, a feminine, tragic weeping that for all of her life had probably caused people to rush around trying to fix things for her.
Linny frowned and chomped on a big cheese puff, willing Jack to be strong and not go into appeasing mode.
“If he’s your world you need to get hold of yourself and start acting like a normal mother. If you can’t or won’t you’re leaving me no choice,” Jack went on calmly, seemingly unaffected by the waterworks. “You can’t put your own needs and problems before Neal’s.”
“I would never do that,” she said indignantly. She sniffled and said in that breathy, little-girl voice that probably caused men to fall all over themselves, “But things with Chaz have been so . . . complicated.”
“So uncomplicate them. You need to fish or cut bait,” Jack said bluntly. “Are you in counseling?”
“You know how I feel about counselors . . .” she trailed off, as wispy-voiced as a consumptive.
He said gruffly, “Your feelings about counselors aren’t important. You just need to find one and go. Our son’s happiness is at stake.”
“It helps when I can talk to you and my friends about it . . .” she began in a beseeching tone.
But he wasn’t having any of it. “I don’t want to talk to you about your marriage problems again, ever. You’re a grown woman. You need to fix this problem with a professional counselor.” He paused for a moment. “Linny mentioned that a friend of a friend is an attorney who runs a Save Your Marriage Boot Camp. May be worth checking out.”
Vera said, “I really don’t think . . .”
He cut her off. “I’ll take you to court unless you get your act together.”
She started to cry again, now in earnest.
His voice softened. “You’ve been an excellent mother to Neal up until this mess with Chaz. You need to get back to that kind of mothering and not let your marriage problems get in the way of giving Neal a loving and stable home.”
Vera murmured something Linny couldn’t quite make out, but she had heard enough to know that Jack was handling himself beautifully, perfectly, manfully. Grinning, Linny punched the air and did a quiet happy dance with her feet. Thank goodness the cards were on the table, everybody knew what the stakes were, and Jack had finally put the kibosh on their cozy TV preacher phone sessions.
She heard a little yip from Lucas and checked the monitor. He was awake and waving his arms at the World War II airplanes flying around in the mobile above his head. He was probably ready for his bottle. She rose, stashed the cheese puffs, rinsed the orange Cheeto dust from her fingers, and went to feed her young man.
When Jack walked in the door she launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and murmuring, “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” as she kissed him.
CHAPTER 15
The Jig Is Up
The next day Linny tried to be quiet as she peeled shrimp and chopped vegetables for a salad. Tonight she was determined to cook a healthy meal that didn’t come with directions about pulling back the corner to vent. Roy trotted into the kitchen, his toenails clicking on the wood floor, and gave a loud groan as he stretched. Linny whispered, “Shhh, buddy.” Studiously ignoring her, he curled around twice on his bed in the corner and lay down with a sigh.
Jerry had dropped off Ivy and driven Kate to a follow-up appointment with her orthopedic doctor. Linny glanced at the monitor on the counter. Both babies were sleeping quietly as lambs and she wanted to keep it that way.
But Jack and Neal clattered in the door at almost the same time, bumping shoulders and guffawing about something. Linny hushed them, pointing to the babies’ room.
Looking apologetic, they began an exaggerated tiptoe, straight from the reruns of the old Bugs Bunny cartoons they sometimes watched together on Saturday morning. She couldn’t help but smile at them.
Jack leaned over and kissed her cheek, eyeing the monitor. “Hey there,” he whispered. “How long have they been sleeping?”
She held up crossed fingers. “Forty-five minutes. It’s been heavenly,” she said quietly and shot a smile at Neal. “Mama and her friends are supposed to FaceTime me in just a few minutes. Remember, she doesn’t know about Lucas, or about Kate’s fall.”
Neal nodded solemnly and touched the side of his nose with his forefinger, a move he’d picked up in an old Humphrey Bogart movie Linny had dragged him to at the library.
Linny hid her smile and scraped the carrots she’d sliced into the bowl of lettuce. The FaceTime ringtone sounded. She shot the two men a panicky glance. Grabbing the monitor, she scurried away, calling softly over her shoulder, “Will you try to keep the babies quiet?”
Jack nodded and Neal looked cheerful as they walked softly into the living room.
In the little home office she slid into her chair in front of the laptop and took the call. “Hey, everybody.” She smiled cheerfully and waved at the three women gathered around the screen.
“Hey, honey bun,” Dottie called.
“Are you all staying out of trouble?” Linny asked, grinning.
“Hey, Linny.” Mack’s head bobbed up behind the girls and smiled. “Perry and I are keeping them on the straight and narrow.” He gave a two-finger salute and disappeared.
Dessie leaned in, grinning. “Those men claim they love sleeping under the stars on their air mattresses, but in the morning both of them walk crooked and smell like Bengay.”
“Tonight they’re staying at a hotel right down the road that’s shaped like a wigwam,” Ruby added.
“How was Mount Rushmore?” Linny asked.
“Inspiring and majestic. They do a ceremony and light it up at night,” Dottie said.
“It makes you proud to be an American,” Dessie added. “Yesterday we piled in the boys’ SUV and drove the Loop Road all through the Badlands.”
“We saw prairie dogs and rock outcroppings out the kazoo,” Ruby said, and then spoke in a confidential tone. “You’ll never guess who’s been texting me like crazy. Hal.”
“What about Letty?” Linny asked, hoping Ruby wasn’t setting herself up for heartache.
Ruby bounced in her chair, looking elated. “She’s his sister. She’s got some mental health–type issues, and he and his two sisters take turns having her stay with them. Five years ago his wife left him for her podiatrist. Isn’t that fabulous?”
Well, not exactly fabulous, Linny thought but edited, “So he’s single and you’re keeping in touch. That’s great. I thought he seemed like a steady, good guy.”
“He is,” Ruby said, beaming and giving a quiet hand clap.
“Guess what else?” Dessie asked. “Ruby and I have promising new clues on the ring heist. I can’t say much now, but let’s just say we have a person of interest.” She gave Linny a professional PI-type nod and pulled on Ruby’s arm. “Come on, honey girl. Let’s take a walk and let Linny and her mama talk without us hogging the screen.” Both women waved and strolled off.
“How is every little thing, sugar?” Dottie asked, peering at her. “You have circles under your eyes and you look worn out.”
“Oh, I’m fine,” Linny said and sat up straighter, trying to look peppy. “Things are fine. Jack and Neal are doing great. Work is fine. The dogs are great.” Did she know words other than great or fine?
But Mama moved closer to the screen to examine her better. “Are you sure you aren’t getting worn out? Is Jack helping around the house? Sometimes men need to be encouraged in that department.”
“Jack does more than his share. Everything is fine. Just quiet and calm around here,” Linny assured her.
As soon as the words left her mouth, earsplitting wails erupted from the baby monitor she’d put on the desk. Why had she brought it? Sheer habit. But now she hurriedly turned it off and smiled brightly. “Just keeping Ivy for Kate. She went . . . to get her nails done.”
Her mother arched a brow and looked skeptical. “Sister hates getting her nails done and
that was two babies crying, not one. Why do you have two babies there?” her mother demanded. “And where’s your sister?”
Linny glanced over her shoulder as Jack and Neal hurried by the open door to the office, bobbling screaming babies in their arms and looking helpless. Trying to duck out of camera range and only lining up better with the camera, they slipped out the back door.
“I saw that,” Mama said loudly.
From the other open door Jerry bellowed out, “Hello, hell-o-oh?” as he pushed a transport chair containing the beaming Kate into the house and toward the office. Despite her boot and her blue sling, her sister looked thrilled to be out and about. “How’s that new baby boy?” she called as Jerry maneuvered her chair right into view of the screen.
The jig was officially up. Linny glanced at the screen. Her mother’s eyebrows had shot up and her mouth was a perfect O. “Well, Mama, we didn’t want you to worry, but there have been a few new developments here. . . .”
So Jerry rolled Kate up to the laptop and the sisters told the tale of the fall, the found baby, and Neal’s coming to stay. Linny brushed away brimming tears as Mama clucked and fussed and said, Oh my goodness, Bless your heart, and You poor little things about twenty times.
Mama shook her head and looked at Kate. “I was wondering why every time I FaceTimed you Jerry claimed you were running an errand. You seemed to have a lot of errands all of a sudden.”
Jack and Neal came back in the house with the now-quiet babies. Holding Lucas up to the screen, Jack said, “Hey, Dottie. Meet the new guy.”
Mama cooed at him, “Hello, sweet baby.”
Jerry picked up Ivy’s hand and waved it at Dottie and Kate showed off her hurt arm and boot.
“May I talk with Neal a minute?” Dottie asked.
The boy ducked his head, causing his glasses to droop down his nose, but he smiled at the screen. “Hey, Gramma.”
“Neal, honey, Linny says you’ve been real helpful with the baby. I’m so proud of you.” Dottie shook her head, looking impressed.
“Thanks,” Neal said quietly.
Kate was getting emotional. “We sure have missed you, Mama.”
“Well, it’s plain to see you all need a mama around. Why didn’t you call me?” Dottie asked.
“We didn’t want to have you miss one minute of your trip,” Linny said and glanced over at Kate, who was nodding her agreement.
“You still should have called. This is what mamas are for—to help out when their kids need them.” Dottie gave them a stern look. “I love all of you so much. I can’t wait to see every single one of you.” She swallowed hard and seemed to be collecting herself. “Now can you all pull up the websites for the airlines and help me figure out the best way to fly home pronto?”
“I’ve got it,” Neal said, stepped up with his iPad in hand and clicked a few screens. “The closest major airport to the Badlands region is Rapid City.” He rattled off flight options, but Linny stared over his shoulder at the calendar on the website, looked at the dates, and felt the blood drain from her face. She stopped listening and started doing the math in her head.
* * *
After the call with Mama ended and Jerry, Kate, and Ivy rolled off toward home, Linny muttered something about needing more diapers, slung her purse on her shoulder, and scurried to the car.
In the drugstore she approached the family planning aisle and, heart thundering, hurriedly rerouted herself. She dropped a jumbo-size bag of Peanut M&M’s in her basket, tossed in bottles of instant tanner and nail polish remover, and added a pair of sparkly flip-flops. Edging back toward the aisle where she’d find what she needed, her thoughts careened around. How in the world could she and Jack manage a new baby with everything else they had going on in their lives? Though her legs and arms turned to water, she made herself grab the box and put it in the basket.
* * *
Jack took both boys to work on Thursday morning. In the reception area of Green Sage Linny shifted nervously in her seat as she waited to go into what she hoped was her final meeting with Chanel. In the car on the drive over Linny had thought about it, feeling wistful. She’d helped the young woman identify the problems in her company, but last night after she’d seen the pink line, she’d made the decision to hand off all the rest of the training to a trusted colleague.
Her palms were clammy as she walked beside Chanel toward her office. Linny felt a thrum of anxiety in the pit of her stomach. She was nervous about bowing out.
After she patted Sage and told him how handsome he was Linny settled into the guest rocking chair. “How are you?” she asked.
“Married.” Chanel gave her a one-sided grin and held up her hand. “I listened to you and decided to finally get a life.”
“Congratulations.” Linny grinned, delighted. She stood and leaned over to examine the slim braided gold band nestled beside the ring with the small square-cut yellow stone. “Just beautiful,” she said and felt a pang of longing for her old rings. Once things settled down they’d find replacements.
“We went to the courthouse Friday.” Chanel shook her head, looking bemused. “Can’t believe it myself, but we’re official now.”
“Good for you.” Linny remembered almost floating with a quiet euphoria as she and Jack said their I dos just a few short months ago. “I’m thrilled for you.”
“It makes work so much easier when I’ve got someone to come home to,” Chanel said and flushed, looking embarrassed at revealing such a personal thought. “Anyhow, the staff got wind of it and called in the food trucks. We had a big old celebration after work.”
“Great,” Linny said, leaning forward. “How is work? How did things go with the employees after the meeting?”
Chanel shook her head, looking amazed. “It’s starting to turn into a new place—a place where grown-ups work.”
“Tell me,” Linny said, noticing the hunched shoulders and tense look Chanel often wore were gone.
“We still have work to do,” Chanel said cautiously. “I had to pull aside a few employees who were still stuck in the past and say something like, The train’s pulling away from the station and everybody’s on board. Are you coming with us or not?“
“That was a great thing to say,” Linny said admiringly.
“I read it in a leadership book,” Chanel admitted, looking sheepish. A troubled look flitted across her face. “I may need to let one or two folks go; the ones who don’t pull their weight and seem to be trying to undermine all the changes I want us to make.”
“You might wait until after the training to size that up,” Linny suggested.
“Good,” Chanel said, looking relieved. “I’m holding regular meetings and trying to be more of a leader.” She gave Linny a baffled look. “Can you believe I had to tell someone they needed to bathe more regularly and use deodorant?”
“I can,” Linny said, nodding.
Chanel grinned ruefully and leaned back in her chair. “We’re looking forward to you coming in and starting the customer service training at the end of the month.” She paused for a moment. “Well, most of us are. I still have a few employees I need to talk with you about.”
Linny paused for a moment, gathering her courage. “Chanel, I’ve got some news. I’ve had big changes in my family circumstances and I’m going to need to scale way back on work for a while.”
Chanel’s face fell. “Oh snap,” she said, frowning. “I liked working with you.”
“I’ve liked working with you, too,” Linny said, feeling a wave of guilt as she saw how crestfallen the young woman looked. “I’ve got a colleague I’m going to suggest take over, with your approval of course.”
Chanel looked doubtful, but then nodded slowly. “At least you aren’t going to leave me out there alone, twisting in the wind.”
“Never,” Linny said. “The woman I’m referring you to is named Amy Sanders. She’s smart, participants love her, and she knows the IT industry inside and out.” Linny looked away for a moment, tapping a finge
r on her chin. “I would describe her as . . . crusty.”
Chanel burst out laughing. “Crusty might be perfect for my folks.”
Afterwards, Linny walked to the car feeling lighter. She thought about it. Chanel was a dream client: incredibly bright, courageous, and willing to learn. Even with trickier clients, Linny had loved her work. If someone had asked her a year ago if she’d ever give up working even on a temporary basis, she would have said they were crazy. But she thought about all her men, her sister and her brood, and Mama. She smiled and knew she was making the right decision.
As she pulled into their driveway, Linny drew in her breath sharply. Jack’s parents’ tan Tahoe with the red NC State Go Wolfpack plate on the front was parked in the driveway. They weren’t due back from their trip for days, maybe weeks. Her heart began to race and she hurried toward the front door. Was someone sick?
As she pushed open the door, her father-in-law, Rush, beamed at her and put down the silver cocktail shaker he’d been vigorously jiggling. “Hello, Miss Linny,” he boomed, collecting her into a hearty hug.
“Everybody okay?” she asked anxiously.
“Right as rain,” he said.
Linny breathed out a sigh and let herself relax for a moment on the big man’s shoulder. He felt safe and reminded her of her own father.
Releasing her, he ran his hand across his bald pate. “Your mama called Ceecee, though, and spilled the beans about the baby and Neal being here full-time. Dottie said we needed to hightail it home.” He gave her a sly grin. “I was getting bored anyhow. One Galapagos turtle started to look like the next, and then all that ocean with not a golf course in sight.” He shook his head, feigning disbelief.
Linny grinned at him.
He shoved his hands into the pockets of his baggy khakis and rocked back and forth on his heels, his boat shoes squeaking. “How are you, sugar?” He gave her a concerned glance. “Things have picked up steam around here since we left. Y’all doing okay?”
“It’s been hectic,” Linny admitted, her eyes prickling because she knew he genuinely cared about her. “Lucas was a big surprise, but we’re all enjoying him. He’s a sunny-natured guy and we’ve all pitched in.”
