Something True

by Malia Mallory

  Though intellectually she told herself he was clearly not the right guy for her, emotionally her heart still felt bruised. She’d moved from beating herself up over the breakup to berating herself for still caring about it. Next time her mother called wanting to set her up, maybe Shelley would let her.

  Chapter 2

  Shelley licked the last envelope and relaxed back into her seat. As her back protested, she promised herself that a new chair was on the list if any of the grants came through.

  Gathering her things, Shelley made her way out of the office. Her steps were heavy, and she rolled her head, cracking her neck. Eerie silence greeted her in the hallway. All the other volunteers had left hours ago. She grimaced as she spied the open storeroom door. It wasn’t a big deal, really. All the doors needed to be checked before she left. As she reached for the doorknob, she realized the storeroom wasn’t empty.

  Shelley stepped inside. “Liam?”

  He turned. “Yeah?”

  “Wow, you’re still here?” Shelley glanced at the boxes and bins. Everything appeared much neater than it had been earlier.

  He shrugged. “I guess I lost track.”

  “I’m going to lock up now.” Shelley figured Liam had left hours ago. She felt bad for not checking on him earlier.

  “Cool. I was almost done here, anyway.” Liam crisscrossed the flaps on a box.

  Shelley stepped into the hall, jangling her keys. Being nervous was silly. Liam stayed late. So what? What did she think he was going to do, kiss her? On the heels of that thought, Shelley wondered, do I want him to? Attraction was a funny thing. Even though she knew what kind of person he was, a part of her was drawn to him—as were millions of fans. Some people just had that magnetism, and Liam was one of them.

  Liam flipped off the light and pulled the door shut. He gestured down the hall. “Shall we?”

  Shelley nodded. “I’m ready. It’s been a long day.”

  Liam matched his stride to hers. “So, what is it you’ve been doing? I thought KC’s Kidz was mostly about the music.”

  “That’s the main thrust, but we raise funds for our own operating costs, toy drives, and for programs at the hospital. One of our projects was repainting the MRI rooms to make them fun instead of scary.”

  “I guess tests can be scary for kids.”

  Shelley looked Liam’s way and blinked twice as she realized he was studying her. “Scary and noisy. Now, it is more like an adventure, and it cuts down on kids having to be sedated.”

  “They have to knock them out?”

  “Yeah. It’s hard to be still when you’re scared.” Shelley stopped to flip off the lights in the lobby. Liam was close behind her—too close. His breath brushed her skin, leaving a tingle in its wake.

  They exited through the glass door onto the sidewalk, and Shelley turned to lock it.

  “There he is!” Several men sprinted across the street toward them.

  “Make sure you get the sign!”

  Shelley raised her arm to block the sudden flashes of light.

  Liam grabbed her hand and pulled her down the sidewalk as he raised his palm toward the flashing cameras. He opened the passenger door of a bright yellow sports car. “Get in.”

  “I have my own car,” Shelley protested.

  “Do you want to get away from these guys?” Liam urged her toward the car.

  “Of course I do.” The photographers continued snapping pictures and Shelley hid her face.

  “Then get in. We’ll drive around a few minutes and I’ll bring you back here. They’ll be gone.”

  Shelley eyed the low-slung car. Was she supposed to crawl into it? She placed one foot on the floorboard and grabbed onto the seat with one hand and the door handle with the other as she awkwardly stumbled inside. She shifted her hips toward the center console, and Liam closed the door. The men hovered by the side of the car.

  Within a moment, Liam and Shelley roared away leaving the photographers behind.

  Shelley swallowed. “What on earth was that about?”

  “Paparazzi.” Liam spat the word, his disgust clear.

  “Now? Today? How would they even know you were there?” Confusion and a sense of violation warred within her.

  “Oh, they know. They know everything. However, in this instance, they might have had a little help.” Irritation marred his features.

  “What do you mean?” Shelley asked.

  Liam sighed. “I suspect my agent might have tipped them off. He probably thought it would be good for my image.”

  “I knew it. I knew this was all a farce.” Disappointment filled her voice.

  “Hey, I spent all afternoon with those toys. No one was watching then.” Liam pulled his foot off the gas as the light in front of them turned red.

  “I’ll give you that.” Shelley’s hands fluttered before settling in her lap. “I’m sorry, that unnerved me. I’ve never experienced something like that.”

  “Well, I have. All too often. It’s not something I enjoy. Sometimes I can ditch them, but at times they trail me relentlessly.” Liam’s eyes darted from mirror to mirror, settling on the rear view.

  “Do you ever have a private moment?” Even though he’d chosen a public life, Shelley didn’t imagine he’d bargained for such a loss of privacy.

  “Yes, but I have to make them. Or wear a disguise.” Liam turned the air-conditioning to high.

  “You wear disguises?” Images of fake noses and wigs appeared in Shelley’s head.

  “Sure, sometimes. You’d be surprised what a hat and sunglasses can do.” Liam pointed to the dark glasses on the visor.

  “I don’t think a hat and sunglasses would be enough in your case.” Sunglasses wouldn’t hide his chiseled jawline and a hat wouldn’t cover his glossy black hair.

  Liam smiled and looked at her. “Is that so?”

  Shelley didn’t meet his gaze. “Eyes on the road, please.”

  He laughed and took a right turn at speed.

  Shelley swallowed her gasp. She didn’t want to reward him with a reaction. “I don’t think this car is inconspicuous.”

  “Would you believe yellow is my favorite color?” He patted the dashboard affectionately.

  “That may well be, but I don’t think anyone would have trouble following you in this.” Sports cars were common enough in California, but a yellow Ferrari caught the eye.

  “Oh, I beg to differ.” Liam tapped the accelerator and the car jumped, eager to show its power.

  “Just take me back to my car, please.” Her back was still protesting. Shelley wanted nothing more than to go home and soak in the tub.

  “Sure. Do you want to get dinner first?” Liam asked.

  “What?” His offhand invitation disconcerted her.

  “Dinner. Supper. You’ve been working all day. You must be hungry, right?” Liam rolled to a stop a behind a blue sedan. The driver in the next car gave him an approving thumbs-up and Liam waved.

  Shelley was starving and hoped her stomach wouldn’t give her away with a rumble. “I have food at home.”

  Liam waved her reasoning away. “Sure you do. That doesn’t mean you can’t eat out, does it?”

  “Liam, what is this about?” He wasn’t asking her for a real date, was he? That would be ridiculous.

  “Food. It’s about food,” Liam said in a dry tone.

  “Liam, I don’t want to go to dinner with you. It’s been a long day.” Shelley could almost feel the hot bath water enveloping her.

  “All the more reason not to cook,” he responded.

  “You’re persistent. I’ll give you that.” Her relaxing vision evaporated as he touched her arm.

  Liam pulled his hand back. “You’re making too much of a friendly meal. We are friends, aren’t we?”

  “We just met, Liam.”

  “Well, I’m feeling quite friendly.” He winked.

  Shelley laughed. His playfulness was charming.

  “Seriously, I can tell you don’t want to spend another moment
with me, but how about letting me treat you at the In-N-Out drive-thru? I know the secret menu,” he added enticingly.

  Shelley rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows the secret menu.”

  “Fine. It’s not so secret,” Liam admitted.

  “Yes. Okay. That sounds good.” Her stomach agreed heartily.

  “That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Liam gunned the engine and headed for the nearest location.

  “You’re such a show off.”

  “I know! Isn’t it great? It’s kind of a prerequisite for being a rock star, don’t you think?” He pulled behind a car in the drive-thru lane.

  “Just get me a single,” Shelley said.

  “Fries?”

  Shelley hesitated.

  “What is a burger without fries? You can’t not have fries. It’s burger and fries.” Liam wagged his finger at her.

  She wanted the fries, but she’d been trying to eat light today. As a consequence, she was ravenous and even less able to resist the siren call of the fries.

  Liam turned to the speaker. “I’m getting you fries. Drink?”

  “Diet soda.”

  Liam shook his head. “What? How about a chocolate shake?”

  “Absolutely not. No shake.” Tomorrow was already looking like a salad day.

  “Come on. You can dip your fries.”

  Shelley bit her lip. She wasn’t trying to impress Liam, so why not be honest? “I want to be able to button my pants in the morning.”

  Without missing a beat he said, “Oh, good point. Maybe I should skip the shake, too.”

  Shelley was warmed by his humorous deflection of an uncomfortable moment.

  Liam turned back to the speaker and placed their order. The car rumbled as he eased it toward the pick-up window.

  The teenage boy at the window goggled at the car. “Wow, dude! Awesome ride!”

  “Thank you.” Liam passed the money over, took the bags and sodas, and pulled away.

  Shelley’s mouth began to water as the smell of burgers and fries filled the car.

  “Go ahead and have a fry. I know you want to.”

  “I don’t want to eat in your car.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Crumbs vacuum.”

  Shelley’s lips twitched and she reached in the bag. She bit into a long, golden fry and almost sighed.

  “Ha! You’re eating. We’re having dinner together.” Liam grabbed a fry and popped it into his mouth.

  “Liam, you are incorrigible.”

  “Absolutely. And don’t you forget it.” He winked.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  Shelley hoisted her guitar case out of the trunk and slammed the trunk shut. As she walked toward the entrance of the hospital, she mentally girded herself. She loved children, but seeing them sick or in pain was excruciating. She needed to strike the right balance, friendly and empathetic without letting her emotions overwhelm her. She was there to lighten things up, not add to the burden.

  Often after she left, Shelley cried until the ache in her heart eased. She figured it was the price she paid. Making the children forget for a little while was worth the heartbreak. Their laughter and smiles lingered with her long after the pain.

  The security guard waved as Shelley walked through the lobby. She was a familiar visitor. Sometimes she brought other musicians with her, but not everyone was up to the challenge of a hospital concert. Her skin tingled in anticipation. She enjoyed performing and children were a loyal and giving audience.

  She tapped her foot as the elevator ascended, going over her playlist in her mind. The more mobile children would be gathering in the playroom, and she’d give a performance there first. After, she’d visit other children in their rooms one-on-one.

  The elevator doors opened and she spared a glance for the giant fish tank. The children loved to watch the colorful blue and yellow tangs swim and hide among the plants. She couldn’t blame them. The flowing fish were mesmerizing.

  The happy laughter of children greeted her as she stepped into the playroom. She never ceased to be amazed how normal the kids were. Even dragging IV poles or rolling around in wheelchairs, they were still children—wanting to laugh, play and have fun.

  “Shelley! Shelley!” Many of the little faces were familiar, but a few new ones peered her way with dubious expressions.

  “Sing Dixie Dog! I wanna hear that one.” A small girl with dark curly hair waved her arms.

  “Not that one silly. She should play The Treehouse. That one’s the best.” The boy’s know-it-all tone did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the curly-haired girl, who continued to bounce up and down.

  Shelley laughed. “Don’t worry, guys. I’ll play them both.”

  A little girl gently tugged on her sleeve and whispered, “I had bananas for breakfast today, Shelley. Just like the song.”

  Shelley smiled. “That’s terrific. I hope they were tasty.” The girl nodded before slipping away to sit with the bubbling group of children.

  Shelley decided she’d open with the rousing song about bananas. It usually helped to warm the kids up. She’d save the slower songs for the end, when the children needed to wind down. As she surveyed the room, her spirits lifted. It looked like today would be a good day. She took her guitar out of the case and sat down cross-legged on the carpet. The kids crowded in around her. A volunteer helped position a few children in wheelchairs closer to the action.

  Shelley plucked a few strings and adjusted the keys to tune her instrument. She strummed a few random chords before she transitioned into Bananas for Breakfast.

  I like bananas for breakfast

  I like to eat them every day

  I like bananas for breakfast

  My mommy makes them eight different ways

  I like bananas on toast

  I like them with peanut butter too

  I like bananas with yogurt

  Don’t you wish you had some too?

  Several children shouted “Yes” together. Shelley sang the chorus again and the children clapped along. She encouraged the kids to participate.

  “How do you like bananas, Britney?” Shelley singled out a girl she’d spent time with before, knowing she’d provide a fun answer.

  “On cupcakes!” Britney’s hair sparkled with glittered clips.

  Shelley dutifully sang, “I like bananas on cupcakes.”

  Shelley turned to a boy on the edge of the carpet who didn’t look too shy. “What’s your name?”

  “Jared.” He sat up straighter, proud to be singled out.

  “Jared, how do you like your bananas?” Shelley asked.

  “Fried.” Jared clapped for emphasis.

  “Oh, that’s a good one.” Shelley sang the next line and repeated the chorus again. A half-dozen kids chimed in with their suggestions and then Shelley moved on to the next song. She made sure to sing The Treehouse and Dixie Dog, her latest release.

  All too quickly, she bid goodbye to the children and she made her way to the nurses’ station. This was the toughest part of the visit, seeing children who were so ill or incapacitated they couldn’t make it to the playroom.

  “Who do we have on deck today?” Shelley asked the duty nurse.

  “There’s a boy, Aiden, in 304, who had surgery on his stomach. He can’t eat, the poor thing.” The nurse’s bright pink scrubs glowed under the lights.

  “That sounds rough.” Not being able to eat was the pits.

  “Yeah, but he should recover. It’s tough explaining to a little boy why he can’t have anything. I bet his mom would love a break. She’s been here round the clock since he was admitted.” She tossed a paper in the trash. “And, of course, there’s Maddie,” the nurse said in a voice mixed with empathy and frustration.

  Shelley sighed. Maddie had been at the hospital for months with one complication after another. Shelley had visited the little girl at least a dozen times and made little headway. Maddie didn’t seem to respond to her. She wasn’t interested in music. She didn’t seem to be interested in anythi
ng. Shelley wished she could reach her.

  “I’ll stop in and see Maddie.” Shelley was determined to keep trying.

  “There are two others, but they are in isolation for now.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Shelley walked down the hall, trying to determine who she should see first. Maddie, she decided, while her energy was still high from the performance in the playroom.

  Shelley poked her head into Maddie’s room. The curtain hid the bed from view. Shelley knocked on the door frame and stepped inside. She parted the curtain. No visitor sat in the side chair, which was unfortunately the usual situation for Maddie.

  Maddie’s eyes met Shelley’s and there was no sign of welcome.

  “Hey, Maddie. How are you today?” Without waiting for a reply, Shelley took a seat. “Can I play for you?”

  Maddie shrugged, her face expressionless.

  “If you feel like joining in, you go ahead, okay?”

  Maddie’s eyes darted away, staring blankly out the window. Sadness pulled down the corners of her mouth.

  Shelley pasted a smile on her face, showing none of her inner turmoil. If ever a little girl needed a friend, Maddie did. Shelley positioned her guitar and plucked out the notes of a familiar children’s song. She sang, her voice sweet and even, occasionally glancing at Maddie to see if there was any response.

  Frustration rose inside her, but Shelley didn’t let it show. “Do you have any requests?”

  Maddie shook her head.

  “Would you like me to keep playing? Or we could play a game if you want.”

  Maddie picked at the blanket with her fingertips.

  “I’ll play a few more songs. How does that sound?” Without waiting for an answer, she began to play The Treehouse. For a moment, she thought she saw a spark of interest in Maddie, but it was gone before she could be sure.

  A few songs later, Shelley put her guitar aside. “I hope you enjoyed the music, Maddie. Maybe next time, you can come and listen in the playroom.”

  Shelley tried to muster new energy as she walked to Aiden’s room. As she entered, she knew this visit would be different. Aiden played with toys on his bed, while his mother sat close by.

  “Hi, Aiden. I’m Shelley.” It was hard to banish Maddie’s image from her mind and focus.