Syncopated Rhythm

by Erik Schubach

  I kept stealing quick glances at her as we continued our journey. The silence was threatening to swallow me whole... hmmm... I wonder if this is how Amber feels in the silence. So I started babbling about stuff. I pointed at downtown Spokane looming up at us as we traveled down into the city. “Spokane doesn't look very large from here but it is really a sprawling city. It is the second largest city in Washington, second only to Seattle. The city proper has just a couple hundred thousand people, but the metropolitan area has over a half million. I know that's small compared to Seattle and the like but when you come from a town of twenty thousand, it is downright huge.”

  She was tilting her head at me in concern as I babbled at warp speed. Then her hand was in mine, calming me. “Ky. You never have to be nervous around me. You can slow down and breathe.”

  I glanced over and nodded. I swallowed and turned back to the road. She said in a thoughtful tone, “I actually didn't know that about Spokane. And I played here once like four years back. I heard about a park I wanted to see but didn't get a chance since we were on a tight schedule. Seven cities in seven days.”

  I chanced speaking again and found I could control myself now with her hand in mine. “Riverfront Park or Manito Park? Both of them are gems in the city.”

  She shrugged. “I don't know. It was supposedly a few blocks from the hotel.”

  I grinned at her. “That would be Riverfront Park then. Cool story there. It used to be a super industrialized train yard until Spokane won its bid to host the World's Fair, Expo '74. The city had cleared out the train yard and all of the support structure and buildings except the clock tower. Then they built a spectacular park to host the World's Fair in. After the Expo, they kept the park and revitalized the downtown area using the gem of the park as a centerpiece.”

  She was grinning at me and listening intently. I felt like an idiot, like I was giving a lecture. I blushed a little then nudged my glasses farther up on my nose and continued. “They even have one of the oldest carousels in the country there, the Looff Carousel. All hand carved horses.”

  I shrugged. “Sorry. All stuff my mom once told me. I have visited that park hundreds of times during my life.”

  She shook her head. “Don't apologize. I think it is amazing how much you know about things that most people wouldn't bother learning. I can also see your mom's love for you each time you bring these things up.”

  I took a deep breath. She looked alarmed. “Umm... so this other park... Manito? You have 'A Dummie's guide to Washington' facts on that one too?”

  I grinned then stuck my tongue out at her. “Yes. I just happen to. It is possibly more beautiful than Riverfront Park. It used to house a small zoo. But now it has sunken rose gardens, rock arch bridges, duck ponds and one of the most spectacular Japanese Gardens you will ever see. It is in one of the richest and oldest areas of town, the South Hill. Most people that drive past it aren't even aware of how old the park is or that they pass historical things right by the road like the oldest water trough for horses in the city.”

  We smiled at each other as we passed through the city. I was about to break the silence when she blurted, “V! Valley!” as we passed a sign announcing we were leaving Spokane and entering Spokane Valley.

  I started laughing to suppress the giggle that was threatening. She waggled her eyebrows and started up some music. “How much longer?”

  I smiled. “Well we are almost to the State Line, about twenty minutes to Post Falls.”

  She smiled back and mouthed “Hi.” way to cutely then asked, “So are there waterfalls and stuff there? I mean your town has Falls in the name.”

  I shook my head, I couldn't get the smile off my face. “Not so much. A long time ago they figured that it was a good place to build a dam. So, no falls anymore. But we have a spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains on the horizon if that helps.”

  She nodded staunchly. “Yes it does. I mean waterfalls and mountains are basically the same thing right?” She rolled her eyes.

  I shook my head with a grin. “Ok, Miss Sarcastic.”

  She squeezed my hand and started singing with the music. What the heck, why not? I joined in sounding like a wounded seal on the beach.

  A few minutes later we were exiting the freeway and down into my home. Hmmm... that doesn't sound right anymore. Seattle is my home now. The only thing left for me here is that wonderful woman who raised me. I smiled fondly at the thought of seeing mom again. Last week seems like a lifetime ago.

  I glanced over at the pink haired beauty. “Lunch first, or visit first?”

  She said cutely, “Visit. It is why we are here after all.”

  I grinned the imp beside me and said, “Let's go see mom.”

  She looked genuinely eager and a little... nervous? “Yes, by all means!”

  Chapter 8 – Mrs. Nelson

  Ky navigated the roads and up to the Terrace Ridge Nursing Home. I kept glancing over at her as she drove, gawd her neck was so graceful... I just wanted to leave a trail of kisses along it. I reveled in the heat coming from our clasped hands. How is it we have known each other for such a short time when it feels so natural to do this?

  We pulled into a parking spot and she turned off the car. Though Baltar didn't agree with that line of action as he sputtered, trying to cling to life. He died in a backfire. God help me but it caused me to burst out in a fit of giggles... again. I simply LOVE her car!

  She shot me one of her lopsided grins with a squinted eye then broke out into a genuine smile as she grabbed her bag, making sure her iPad was in it. Then she made a show of zipping up her jacket and exited.

  I opened the door thinking, how cold could it possibly... Jesus! I quickly zipped up my coat and watched my breath fog in the air. I guess that answered that question. “You didn't tell me you lived in the Arctic Ky!”

  She grinned and made some odd reference. “Suck it up, Buttercup.” I rolled my eyes then looked around, it was gorgeous. We were surrounded by an evergreen forest and towering mountains off to the east. The nursing home looked to be a large one story four wing building. There looked to be about fifteen rooms per wing if the number of window air conditioning units on this wing was any indication. It was well kept and looked almost inviting. I bumped hips with the read headed pixie as we went into the building.

  She waved at the silver haired woman in a pretty plum blouse and matching professional skirt as we unzipped our coats. The woman grinned and said, “Hello Kylee, she's in the rec-room watching her stories. We miss seeing you around here the past few months. But I'm glad you still make the weekend visits. It means the world to her on her lucid days.”

  Kylee's face looked both grateful and sad as she nodded and pushed her glasses up farther in that adorable habit. “Thanks Wanda. Oh, and this is my friend, Amber Lee.”

  The woman shook my hand and I saw a glint of recognition in them but she just smiled and stayed professional. “Pleased to meet you Amber Lee.”

  I smiled back. “Likewise Wanda.”

  She turned back to her desk and grabbed some paperwork off the desk and walked off, giving us another smile.

  I was watching her depart when I was suddenly jerked down the hall with Kylee's voice full of mirth as she dragged me with her. “Come along, Cornfed.”

  I had to suppress a laugh. I took a page out of her book and squinted an eye and waggled my other hand in a fist at her as I mimicked her voice. “Watch it Potato!” Gawd I loved to watch her blush. I think I'll make a habit of it. Settle down Amber Lee!

  She navigated the halls with ease and brought us into a large recreation room. There were various people sitting about in the mega clean but inviting space. I think they tried to make it feel like a giant living room. I liked that. I'd hate to feel like I was spending my last days in a clinical, hospital environment.

  There were some old men playing chess near the entrance that looked up and gave us a smile. The bald one waved at Kylee and the silver haired, liver spotted man just went back to t
he game. A nurse was standing with a woman using a walker by one of the huge bay windows looking out to the forest. She looked to be reading a note written on pink paper to her. The woman was just smiling off into the distance as she listened. Others looked to be visiting with family.

  Ky stopped and seemed to shake for a second. Then she inhaled deeply and stood up straighter and took a deep breath in resolve. Her patented 'Kylee' smile came up on her face though her eyes looked haunted as she dragged me to a woman who was watching television on a couch.

  Two things struck me instantly about the woman. One, that she wasn't as old as most of the people in the room, and two, her dark red hair with it's heavy silver streaks looked so much like Kylee's and two, her iceberg blue eyes were almost identical to Ky's. There was absolutely no mistaking that this beautiful older woman with the faraway look in her eyes was Kylee's mother.

  She only looked to be sixty or so. I hated Alzheimer’s before I had even met someone with it, but I was hating it with a seething passion now... seeing the pained, scared but hopeful look in Kylee's eyes as she stood in front of the woman on the overstuffed couch. “Mom?”

  The woman looked up and the fog seemed to lift from her eyes as she answered, “Kylee? Why are you so... old?”

  A tear ran down Kylee's cheek as she bent and engulfed her mother in a hug. “Never mind that mom. I dropped by for a visit. And this is my friend Amber Lee. Amber this is my mom, Marilyn.” She motioned to me. The woman smiled at me then looked afraid for a second and looked back and forth between me and Kylee, who was quick to add, “This is her first visit to Post Falls. She wanted to meet you.”

  There was a look of strained relief on her face. God! It must be terrifying not knowing if you should know someone or not. She smiled as I offered my hand but she pulled me down into a quick hug. “Kylee is such a loner, she never brings people by the house.” Then she looked around and added, “Or... ummm... here?”

  I looked over at my friend as she avoided the confused question and sat down beside her mother. She reached up and grabbed my hand with a smile and pulled me down beside her onto the couch.

  Then they started chatting about all sorts of things. Just from listening to their fun banter back and forth, I could tell that Kylee steered clear of anything that had to do with the past unless Marilyn brought it up. You could see her mother get confused sometimes when she couldn't remember details about things or lost track of what she was saying altogether. I could see the fear in her eyes and the pain in Kylee's. I was on the verge of tears, but kept a smile on my face and joined in whenever either woman prompted me.

  One thing that was unmistakeable was that these two loved each other. Their secret language of sarcasm and fun punctuated the conversation. I could see where my imp gets it from now. We spoke for a couple hours and Marilyn seemed to be getting a little tired.

  Then things started to go wrong. Marilyn seemed to drift and get confused in mid sentence a couple times. Then she mentioned to us, “I have the most adorable baby girl, Kylee. I think you girls would like her.”

  Kylee's eyes were misting up but her smile stayed plastered on her face. “I'm sure we would.” My heart was breaking. Her pain was obvious to anyone looking.

  One of the orderlies or nurses that patrolled the room noticed Marilyn's mild aphasia and stepped in with a smile for us all. “I'm sorry ladies but it is time for Marilyn to take her medication.” She helped Mrs. Nelson gently up and started moving her toward the rooms down the hall. The woman turned back as they went. “I'm glad you got her on a good day Kylee. We'll see you tomorrow?”

  Ky was nodding and Marilyn said to us, “Kylee? That's my daughter's name too. She wants to be a filmmaker one day. She is so full of wonderful dreams.” Then she seemed to get confused and the nurse led her off, offering an apologetic smile. Something in that sad smile set off my antenna. I really don't think it was time for Marilyn's medication. I think this is something the staff does to keep family members from hurting too much, saving them some pain. I think I really like this place.

  As soon as they were out of sight Kylee was dragging me down the hall away from the recreation room and then broke down. I pulled her head onto my shoulder and stroked her hair. A few seconds later she pulled away and looked embarrassed. She gave a weak smile as she wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “Sorry. It is just hard sometimes.”

  I returned the smile. “Never apologize to me Ky. I really like your mom. She's funny. I can see where you get your humor from.”

  This brought back the patent pending proud Kylee smile I loved so much. She zipped up her coat and bumped our hips and started for the door. Calling back to me she asked, “You coming?”

  I zipped up my jacket and hurried past her, giggling. “On your left! Too slow, Potato.” As I passed her and out into the cold outside.

  She caught up laughing and predictably warned me. “Watch it, Cornfed.” Why the hell do I find that so damn funny?

  Chapter 9 – Syncopated Rhythm

  We got into Baltar and once she got the beast running we had to sit for a couple minutes to wait for the windows to defrost a bit. I turned to her thoughtfully. “Why didn't you show her the memories you compiled? You've been working on it for years.”

  She shook her head. “It isn't finished, it never will be. It isn't good enough.”

  I decided shock therapy was required here. I blurted loudly. “Bullshit!”

  Her eyes snapped to me and I continued. “It is spectacular and it would bring a smile to her face. You put too much on yourself. You carry way too much weight on your mind. Share it with her. It will do both of you so much good.”

  She was shaking her head with a scared look on her face. Then she just put the car in gear and started us back down the road. “Lunch. I gotta get you fed before you get cranky.”

  I rolled my eyes then slapped her shoulder lightly before I grabbed her hand. “Fine... but you didn't win.”

  With perfect comical timing after an awkward silence, she mumbled, “Yes I did.” She was grinning slyly as she watched the road. She pushed her glasses back then she spoke up, “So, whatcha wanna eat? It is kind of almost dinner time now. I'm sorry it is so late.”

  I shrugged. “This is your trip, I'm just the plus one. What do you usually do?”

  She blushed and kept staring at the road. “Ummm... fast food. It's all my budget can handle on these trips. Over half my income goes into gas and food on the weekends, visiting here.”

  I tilted my head, half her income? How little are they paying the interns there? Peanuts? I shrugged at her as I cued up some music with my free hand. No way in heck am I letting go of her hand with my other. I loved the warm tingly feeling I got from our contact. “That sounds good to me. Lead on Macbeth.”

  Her playful eye roll was followed by a shy glance at me. She seemed to be recovering from the emotional visit with her mom. I'll just keep her mind off of it. I started singing with the music, squeezing her hand to get her to join in with that sinfully delicious imperfect voice of hers.

  We reached the main drag in the little town and hit the drive thru at a burger joint. I tilted my head at her and she just drove silently. We drove for ten minutes, up into the forest to a great view of a river below. “That's the Spokane River.” She prompted and we ate silently. Both of us shooting glances at each other. Gawd she was sexy.

  When we finished, I tilted my head. “Well, shall we go relax? Where's your house? I can't wait to see where Babette Stevenson grew up.”

  She suddenly froze and uttered under her breath. “Frack!”

  I glanced at her in alarm. “What is it Ky?”

  She looked extremely embarrassed when she replied, “I didn't even think of it until just now. I had to sell the house to help pay for my mother's care. I have a couple blankets in the back, I just usually sleep in Baltar whenever I visit.”

  I chuckled playfully. “Well, you know THAT'S not gonna happen. Just get us to the nearest hotel or motel Potato.”

&nb
sp; “I can't let you...”

  I interrupted her, “You, shush... now drive woman.” Then I winked at her with a huge smile on my face.

  She sighed then started driving back toward the town again. I gave a toothy grin. “I win.” She squinted an eye and released my hand and waggled a fist at me. I slapped her shoulder and retrieved what was rightfully mine... her hand.

  Minutes later it was starting to get dark as we were pulling into the Post Falls Resort Motel. Ummm? Where's the resort? This place is like a parking lot and a building. I pointed at the sign in confusion. She grinned like the Cheshire cat and explained, “I think it is because they have an outdoor pool to swim in in the summer.”

  I nodded and pretended to understand. I mumbled, “Livin' in the sticks.”

  She nodded satisfactorily and stole my thunder away. “Precisely.” Dang, she's fun!

  We grabbed our bags, once Baltar finally had the decency to die, and we went to check in at the office. James, his name tag read, was going all bug eyed looking at me. Damn I forgot I was in my Amber LaLanie persona. I really should have wore the black wig today. I sighed in resignation and said, “James we will be needing...”

  I turned to Kylee, “One room or two?”

  She shrugged and I said, a room with two beds please. He couldn't keep his eyes off me as he charged my card and gave us a key. I turned back as we were exiting, “And James. I'd appreciate it if you kept this just between us. You can be a good man and do that for us can't you?”

  He nodded and I gave him what I hoped was a winning smile and we made our way outside and up the outside steps to room 2B. As soon as we got into the room Kylee burst into laughter. “Oh my gawd he was about to explode! But I understand. I feel that way every time you are next to me.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “I'll take that as a compliment.”

  She chuckled. “As well you should.”

  She hopped up on a bed and smiled at me as I got on the other and turned on the television to catch the news. She laid back on a pillow and pulled out her iPad and started working again. Doesn't she know how to relax?