“I wouldn’t need to. Any girl of mine would be beautiful naturally, just like her mama.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Wait until you see Charlie. He looks like a little, old man with his suspenders and bow tie.”
“You know our boy will steal the limelight of every scene,” Sue said with confidence.
The house lights went on and off, signaling the show was about to begin. Sue stood up and looked about the audience. “Where the hell is Dean?”
“I hope he gets here soon. They won’t let him in once the show starts.”
Just then, Dean came running down the aisle and plopped down on the other side of Kate. “Just in time.”
The show began with the entire cast performing the title song. Madeline was in a flapper outfit, up front, dancing next to the character of Millie. Charlie was several rows back, doing his own version of the choreographed dance. Kate felt joy for the first time since leaving Jack’s office the week before.
Dean leaned into Kate and Sue. “Which one do we hate?”
Kate shushed him and gave him a condescending look.
Sue answered, “The one in the red dress.”
Dean leaned in again. “Why do hate her?”
“Dean!” Kate pushed him away.
Without any concern for protocol, Sue responded, “Because she got the lead, and Madeline deserved it. And she’s been mean to our girl every day of camp.” She started to settle back in her chair, but then added, “Hell, look at her. She’s built like a twenty-year-old. The director is probably some perv.”
Kate squeezed Sue’s knee until she winced, and then smiled at the director’s wife who was sitting one row up.
They enjoyed the rest of the show in peace. Kate’s face hurt from smiling. There was nothing better than watching her kids having fun and showing their talents. Charlie’s was definitely comedy. When Charlie added a few robot moves to the musical numbers, the entire audience laughed, which just encouraged him more. Eventually the reaction subsided, and Charlie went back to his version of the Charleston.
When the show ended, the company received a standing ovation. Kate was pleased that when the actors took their bows, Madeline received more applause than the girl playing the lead did. The director might be clueless, but the audience knew real talent. Charlie was bursting with pride. Kate grieved that Jack wasn’t there to see the kids. She’d told them he was on a business trip. He would’ve been so proud. The ache that had been in her chest all week kicked in stronger than usual.
When the house lights came up, Kate broke down the tripod as Sue went on about Madeline and how her talent was years beyond the lead’s. The fact that the girl had made a few mistakes was fodder for Sue’s argument. Never get on Sue’s bad side.
Soon the cast returned to the auditorium for the hugs and flowers of friends and family. Madeline arrived first, and Kate hugged her then presented her with pink roses.
“I’m so proud of you. You were wonderful.”
Sue jumped in. “You were the best one up there.” Madeline rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. I’ll be watching you in the movies one day.”
“For the lovely star,” Dean said, handing her a single rose. Madeline blushed. It was obvious to all that her daughter had a crush on him.
When Charlie ran out from behind stage, Kate headed toward him, ready for a hug. He ran right past her.
“Jack!” he yelled, rushing to the back of the auditorium.
Kate’s heart stopped. She turned and found Jack heading toward her son. She hadn’t seen him since she’d walked out of his office. She thought the pain couldn’t get any worse, but the sight of him, his face full of love for Charlie, took her breath away.
Jack grabbed Charlie and swung him in a circle.
“You’re here!” Charlie hugged his neck. “Mom said you had to go to on a business trip.” Her boy turned to her. “Mom, look! Jack’s here.”
Jack nodded at Kate, his eyes flashed a look of love, but then he turned back to Charlie with his best smile. “I couldn’t miss your show.”
“Did you like it? Did you see me pretending to be asleep? Did you see me do the robot?”
Jack nodded his head and laughed. “Yes, I saw it all. You were great. I’m proud of you.”
They could’ve seen Charlie’s pride from Mars. Her heart ached, knowing she was ending her son’s relationship with the man he loved. It would be hard for Charlie. He didn’t deserve to lose another man in his life. But she couldn’t stay in a false relationship for him alone. It would eventually end, and the pain would be worse then.
She headed to them, a forced smile frozen in place. How could they be so close, yet so distant? How could this man who had claimed to love her have perpetuated a lie? To her?
“Hi, Kate.”
“Jack.”
“I didn’t expect . . . I thought . . . It was good of you to come.” Kate had to force the words, the pain was so crushing.
“I promised the kids I’d be here. If they don’t remember anything else about me, I want them to know I keep my word.”
His words cut through her, causing tears to burn the back of her eyes. She looked back at the stage before he could see.
“Hey, Jack!” Madeline ran up the stairs and hugged him. He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. Kate marveled at how far they’d come. It made it all that more tragic.
When Madeline pulled back, she had a warm smile that few were very fortunate to receive.
“Did you like the show?” Kate knew her daughter really wanted to know what he thought about her performance.
Jack held her chin. “Madeline, you shined up there. I had no idea you were so talented.”
He bent down so that they were face to face. “Promise me you’ll pursue that talent. Don’t waste it. You’ve got a gift.”
Madeline blushed and turned her head.
“I almost forgot.” Jack stood up and ran back to his seat¸ gathering a bouquet of at least two dozen roses and a box of candy that could serve an entire theater.
“For the stars,” he said, presenting the gifts to the kids respectively. “I’m so proud of you guys.” His smile was full, and it remained in place when he looked back at Kate. She swallowed, but the lump in her throat wouldn’t go away.
“Company, please report backstage for cast photos. Parents, if we can get everyone’s cooperation, we’ll have your kids out in a jiffy.” The announcement gave Kate a chance to regain her bearings.
She patted Charlie’s head. “You’d better get back there. And no silly pictures. Hands down and a normal smile, okay?”
“Okay.” He smiled, and Kate knew she’d see his tongue when she got the photo.
“Do what your mom says, buddy,” Jack said, roughing up the boy’s hair.
“Will you be here when we’re done?” Madeline’s voice sounded calm, but Kate could see the eagerness in her eyes.
Jack looked at Kate and hesitated. She wondered if he knew how much she wanted him to say, “Yes.” How much she wanted him to take them out for ice cream and then take them home and tell her he’d never lied. But that was just a dream.
“I’m sorry, kiddo, but I’ve got to get going. I . . . I’m leaving on a business trip tomorrow, but I had to see your show.”
“How long will you be gone?” Charlie asked, so full of innocence.
“It’ll be a while.” Jack looked at Kate. “I’m heading to Singapore. They need my help on a project.”
Kate held back a sob when she saw her kids’ faces. Tears swelled in Charlie’s eyes, and Madeline looked down, but not before Kate saw her disappointment.
“Come here.” Jack grabbed both kids in his arms. No one said a word, just held on. Kate heard some sniffles and wanted to join them, but she wouldn’t allow herself to touch Jack. She would comfort her kids later.
“Company, report back stage. Now.”
Jack pulled back but squatted down, keeping his arms around both kids. “You be good for your mom, okay?” They nodded,
and Madeline wiped a tear off her cheek.
“When will you come back?” Charlie asked, his voice breaking.
“It might be a few months.” Jack looked up at Kate, and she shook her head. He turned back to Charlie. “It might be a while, but I’ll send you postcards, okay?”
Charlie nodded.
Jack hugged them one more time and kissed them on the tops of their heads. “Now get going.”
“Good-bye, Jack.” Madeline looked so stoic, but then turned and ran backstage.
Charlie grabbed Jack around the waist. “I love you, Jack.”
Jack cleared his throat and whispered, “I love you, too.”
“Go on, hon’.” Kate wasn’t sure if she was trying to spare Charlie or herself any more pain.
Charlie left for the pictures but turned right before he went behind the curtains and waved at Jack.
“So you haven’t told them.” Jack’s voice was strained. The pain in his eyes was palpable.
“Not yet. I wanted to wait until after they completed their rehearsals and the show.” She took a deep breath. “It’s going to be hard for them.”
“You don’t have to tell them anything. Just give me a second chance, Kate.” His eyes were pleading. “We can work through this.”
Kate had to look away and wipe away the tears that were starting to fall. She swallowed the sobs that were about to erupt.
After an eternity of silence, Jack finally spoke. “Good-bye, Kate. I hope one day you can forgive me.” With that, he kissed her forehead and headed down the stairs.
“Jack, wait!” He stopped and turned back to her. She couldn’t let him go. How could she live without him?
“Don’t . . .” A look of hope appeared on his face, and for a moment, she considered running down and telling him she’d never stop loving him. But then the voice that guided her and kept her safe reminded her that there would never be security in such a life, that she would always wonder if he was keeping some part of his life from her. She couldn’t live like that. Not again.
She took a ragged breath. “Thank you for coming tonight.”
He stared at her, his facing changing with each second, eventually a blank slate. He nodded and then walked away. Jack was gone.
Jack sat in his car, not ready to drive, his mind far too occupied to focus on the road. He thought he’d been fucked up before, but that was kid’s stuff. To say good-bye to Madeline and Charlie had been far worse than he’d imagined. They were upset just thinking he’d be back in a couple of months. What would they do when they found out the truth? The thought of hurting them made him sick. He loved those kids. Madeline, with her protective heart, just like her mother’s, made him want to give her all the security a young lady deserved. And Charlie. Funny, intelligent Charlie. The boy wanted a dad so bad, and Jack was ready to do his best to be there for him.
Watching them in the show had been an amazing experience. God, they were so talented, each in their own way. A euphoric feeling had filled his heart during their performance, and he realized now it was pride.
He’d studied Kate as well. Her face had captivated him. The joy and laughter. He remembered when she’d looked at him that way. When he’d made her look that way. Now there was just the pain he’d caused.
He’d wondered what her reaction would be when she saw him tonight. He’d looked for any sign that there might be something there that would make her reconsider. At one point, he would’ve sworn he saw longing in her eyes, that she wanted to be with him. But it was just in his imagination. She was still distant. Still unwilling to forgive him.
He started the car and pulled out of his parking space, almost backing into another car. The driver blared his horn at him, and Jack cursed at him, happy to have a channel for his anger. The driver went on, flipping Jack the bird as he drove past. He considered following the man and ramming into the back of his car, but he knew that wouldn’t serve any purpose. What he was feeling couldn’t be annihilated with the crushing of metal. Hopefully, time and half a globe’s distance would help.
Chapter 41
Kate picked at the enchilada on her platter. The red sauce and greasy cheese made her stomach turn. She took a sip of her Mexican martini. Nothing like booze to settle an upset stomach. At least it calmed her nerves. Nerves that had been frayed since she’d said good-bye to Jack a little over a week ago. It felt like he’d been gone a year.
“Quit playing with your food. You need to eat.” Sue was in full lecture mode. Kate knew she should’ve turned down the dinner invitation. She wasn’t ready for Sue’s “You Have to Take Care of Yourself” intervention.
“How much weight have you lost?”
Kate let out a deep breath. “I don’t know. I’m not in high school. I don’t weigh in every night.”
“Well, I can tell you—too damn much.” She pointed to Kate’s chest. “Look, your boobs are disappearing.” Sue took a sip of her margarita. “So, have you heard from Jack?”
“Do we have to talk about this?” Kate shook her martini shaker and poured more of the elixir into her glass. “This is the first night in two weeks that both kids are busy, and I’m here to have some fun with my best friend.”
“You are so full of shit. You’re about as fun as Sophie when she had to make her choice. Now just answer the question: Have you heard from Jack?”
Kate ran her fingers around the rim of her glass. “He’s sent some postcards to the kids. They’re upbeat, but harmless. No promises for returns, just notes about Singapore and telling them he misses them.”
Sue leaned into the table. “You still haven’t told the kids?”
“No.” Kate couldn’t look at her.
“Kate, you have to—”
“I know. I know. It’s just hard enough on them with him being gone.” She looked over at the table next to them. A man and woman were smiling and talking quietly while their kids colored on their dinner menus. If life were only that simple.
“I think I’ll wait until they’re used to his absence. Then it won’t hurt so much.”
“Great idea, that’s working so well for you.”
Kate threw her head back and sighed before facing Sue. “Please, let’s change the subject.”
“What about you? Has he written you?”
“He sent me one letter.”
“And?”
“It said everything he’s said before—he’s sorry, he loves me, he wants us to be a family. Tells me his deception had nothing to do with us.”
“What an asshole.”
For just a second, Kate was tempted to defend Jack, but when she looked up, she could see that Sue was being sarcastic. She couldn’t believe Sue could be so nonchalant. “So you think it’s no big deal? That I shouldn’t be upset that he lied and kept it from me? Hell, you worked on that project. It doesn’t bother you that he was playing us the whole time?”
“Gridion’s here now. Why should I care about his previous plans? And besides, he’s not the first to hedge the truth. Companies do it all the time—play one state against the other to get the best package. I don’t like it, but it’s part of the game, not the end of the world.”
Kate pushed her plate to the side. “That’s easy for you to say. You weren’t in a relationship with him. I told him about . . . he knew how important honesty was to me, but he kept lying.”
Sue motioned for the waitress to bring another round of drinks.
“So he isn’t perfect. He lied, but it wasn’t about his feelings for you.”
“That’s what he says, but how can I believe that? A liar’s a liar. Think about it. If the boy who cried wolf warned you about a wolf attack, would you believe him? No. But you’re saying if he promised me a lifetime supply of magic beans, I should believe that. Not hardly. With Jack, how would I ever know what’s the truth and what’s a lie?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Chicken Little, so forget the damn analogies. I just know if you live by the ‘a liar is a liar’ theory, you’d better
not trust anyone.”
Sue studied her manicure. “We’ve all lied at some point or another, even if it’s the omission of the truth.” She looked up at Kate. “You don’t know everything about me, but you trust me, right?”
“Of course.”
“There are things I’ve never told you. Not to deceive you, but because I’m not ready—”
“Here you go.” The server delivered their drinks, interrupting Sue’s serious tone. Sue took a large gulp and the sparkle immediately returned to her eyes. Kate took a sip of her second drink. She didn’t need another one, but the kids were both staying with friends, and she could use a little liquid amnesia.
“So let’s talk about me,” Sue said, sitting up straight.
Yes. A break from the inquisition. “How’s Wes doing? I can’t believe your boy’s been gone for so long. How do you do it?”
Sue shook her head. “I miss him like crazy, but we touch base every day through email. Granted, sometimes I just get a quick sentence. He’s having so much fun; I can’t begrudge him. I’d have loved to explore Europe when I was his age.” She twirled her glass. “I was having a baby instead. Do you realize this is the first time I’ve been alone as an adult? Figure this is preparing me for when he heads off to college.”
Kate couldn’t imagine her kids leaving for college. She’d truly be alone then. Dark day depression much? “How are things going with Kirk?”
“Ooooh, Lord.” Sue licked the salt on the rim of her margarita. “So we’ve been going out for a little over a month.”
“Yeah.” Kate leaned in, happy for the distraction.
“Well, on Wednesday, we finally did the deed.” Sue wasn’t smiling.
“It wasn’t good?”
“Oh, honey, it was fantastic. A few times I think I left my body, but then I’d rush back because it felt so good. Afterwards, he asked if I knew any other expression besides, ‘Oh God, yes!’”
“Show off.” Kate caught herself smiling. It felt good.
Sue shrugged. “Just stating the facts.”
“That’s great. So why do you look unhappy?”
Then He Showed Up Page 27
