Home at Last

by Judith Keim

  “And then what?”

  “Once a pattern is established, we can hopefully anticipate when her meds need to be upped for that period of time. We should eventually be able to tell when the next swing is going to happen and catch it early. That’s our hope, anyway. My mother has always been able to talk to you honestly, which Dr. Cleveland feels will be very helpful in our oversight of her meds and mood swings.”

  “I can take care of the hours during the day,” said Melba. “But you’ll have to speak to the night nurse you’re hiring. It should be a matter of routine for her to note those things and to maintain control over the medications. You’ll be there to help us when we need you to do that. Right?”

  “Yes, I’ll stay here through Thanksgiving for certain,” said Lulu, wishing things were different. “But if everyone, including my mother, Dr. Cleveland, and you, are okay with it, I’d like to go back to Chandler Hill at the beginning of the new year or before.”

  Melba eyes lit with excitement. “It’s going well between you and your newly found sister? She’s such a pretty little thing.”

  “Cami is a wonderful person. And so is her grandfather, Rafe Lopez. I’ve never felt more welcomed, more accepted for who I am. I can’t let that relationship dissolve.”

  “Of course not,” said Melba. “We’ll get through the next several weeks, and then we’ll get you back there. In the meantime, what are you going to do while you’re here?”

  “I’m going to see if I can work with a professional photographer or at least take some online courses. There’s so much more I want to learn. I started taking candid shots for wedding parties at the inn, and I’ve discovered I have a good eye for it.”

  “I imagine you are expert at reading others,” Melba said. “You’ve been involved with your father’s activities and all kinds of people since you were little.”

  “It’s helped me discover the special little differences in them.” Lulu smiled. “Everyone at Chandler Hill is excited about what I’m doing with the camera and the marketing program. I am too.”

  “It’s good for you to keep busy while you’re here. And a certain gentleman will be happy you’re home.”

  Lulu cocked an eyebrow at Melba. “Are you talking about Wilson Chambers?” Melba had always liked him.

  Melba’s smile reached her eyes. “Yes. I promised to let him know when you were coming back to L.A. I haven’t called him yet. I figured you’d want to do that yourself. You know, your father always thought he was the perfect match for you.”

  “I’m not ready to settle down with anyone,” Lulu said, uncertain how she felt about Wilson. Will, as he preferred to be called, was a good-looking, smart man with a lot of ambition. Life with him would be a whirlwind adventure, just like her life with her father had been.

  “You’re still very young, but it wouldn’t hurt for you to go out with him, have the chance to get to know him better,” said Melba. “My point is for you to go on living and not be tied down by your mother’s illness.”

  “Maybe you’re right.” Her thoughts turned to Miguel. She had received another, polite text from him saying he was sorry about her mother and telling her he was there if she needed him. And since then, no word from him at all.

  ###

  A couple of days later, Lulu sat with Dr. Cleveland in her mother’s private room at the rehabilitation clinic. A nurse had helped Rosalie get dressed to come home. Even with her body too thin and her expression guarded, Lulu’s mother was a beautiful, but frail-looking woman. It was her eyes, Lulu decided, that seemed the most damaged of all. They were as lifeless, as empty as the woman who sat in the chair clutching a sheaf of papers as if they could tell her how to go on living.

  “The key to setting up the schedule will be honesty and trust,” said Dr. Cleveland. “We need Lulu and Melba to make note of everything, and we need you, Rosalie, to be totally honest about how you’re feeling. You’ll soon find it’s easier to be open about your emotions than hiding and trying to fight your demons alone.”

  “I want you to feel better, Mom. For my sake, too. We’ve missed out on so many things.”

  Rosalie sighed. “I’ve failed you, Lulu.”

  “No,” Lulu said, taking her mother’s thin hand in her own. “Let’s not think that way. Let’s decide it’s a new beginning, for the two of us.”

  Dr. Cleveland gave Lulu a smile. “Good idea. What do you say, Rosalie? Are you willing to give it a try?”

  Rosalie glanced at him and Lulu. “Melba will be there with me too. Right?”

  Disappointment stabbed Lulu. Once more she felt she wasn’t enough for her mother. She forced the hurt from her voice. “Yes, Melba will be there for both of us.”

  “Good,” said Rosalie. “She knows what I like to eat.”

  “Eating will be good for you,” said Dr. Cleveland. “But no medicine other than what I’ve prescribed and no alcohol. Understand?”

  Rosalie’s shoulders drooped with defeat. “Yes,” she answered quietly.

  ###

  Rosalie seemed more comfortable at home. She sat in the kitchen with Lulu and watched as Melba stirred the homemade chicken soup Rosalie loved.

  “We’ll start slowly with easily digested foods,” Melba said. “Once we get your strength back we’ll go on to other things. I know you like your sweets, Rosalie, and I’ve got a new recipe for a chocolate cake I’m sure you’re going to like.”

  “You always know best, Melba.”

  Lulu listened to their conversation and understood how much these two must have gone through together. She remembered the nights Melba slept over following the death of her brother, comforting her mother. Lulu got up out of her chair, went to Melba, and gave her a hug. As she turned away, Lulu noticed the look of surprise on her mother’s face and realized why. She and her mother almost never hugged.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Sometime later in her stay, while her mother was napping, Lulu, bored and restless, decided she needed a distraction. She scrolled through her contacts and called Will.

  The sound of Will’s deep “hello” seemed so familiar and comforting. He was a nice guy who’d been devoted to her father. From a wealthy family, he’d always had his eye on a political office.

  “Will, this is Lulu. I’m back in town for a while. Melba suggested I call you; she had promised to let you know when I was here.”

  He chuckled. “I had to be sure I wouldn’t miss you. You took off under everyone’s radar. How is your sister and life at Chandler Hill?”

  “Cami is wonderful. I’m very lucky. She and her grandfather, Rafe Lopez, have treated me as part of their family. I feel more at home there than I do here. How are you? Still working for the county prosecutor?”

  “Yes, but I’m ready to move on. I’ve arranged to work with underprivileged clients at my father’s law office. It’s discouraging to see how many people aren’t able to get good and fair representation on either side—defense or prosecution. I’m taking on clients who need a better chance for fairness.”

  “I’ve always admired your outlook, just as my father did.”

  Will’s sigh was full of regret. “If only we’d known his heart was in such bad shape. I’m sure he and I could have done a lot of good things for the country. That’s why I’ve vowed to carry on his message.”

  “Not all of it, I hope,” Lulu said with a bitterness she sometimes felt.

  “No, no. None of that.”

  In the silence that followed, Lulu said, “It’s been nice talking to you. I hear Melba calling me. I’d better go.”

  “Wait! May I call you?”

  “Sure. It seems as if I’m going to be here for a while.”

  “Your mother?”

  “Yes. She needs me.” Lulu didn’t say more, didn’t need to.

  “I’ll call you soon. Good to know you’re back.”

  Lulu hung up, pleased she’d made the connection. Will knew more about her family than most and still accepted her. After being ripped apart in the press, tha
t meant a lot to her.

  She set her phone down and hurried into the living room to find Melba.

  “What is it?” Lulu asked.

  “Your mother is hungry for ice cream. Will you go to the store for her? She wants coffee ice cream and chocolate ice cream bars.” Melba winked at her. “I thought you might enjoy getting out of the house.”

  “Thanks. I’ll use Mom’s car.”

  Lulu grabbed the car keys and went to the garage where her mother’s silver Mercedes convertible sat. She climbed into it, wondering how often her mother used this vehicle. She’d become such a recluse after the first of the bad news about her father broke. Lulu paired her phone to the car’s bluetooth system. If she was going to be here for some time, she might as well make things easy for herself. She felt so isolated here.

  As she headed for the Whole Foods Market on San Vicente Boulevard, Lulu passed by many beautiful homes. She’d always loved living in this neighborhood, but after staying with Cami, a much simpler lifestyle appealed to her. She couldn’t wait to get back to it.

  Her cell rang and the name of the caller appeared on the screen on the dashboard. She pushed the button to accept the call and said, “Hi, Cami! How are you?”

  “Concerned about you. How are things going in L.A.?”

  “As well as can be expected. I’m in my mom’s car on my way to pick up some ice cream for her. Melba is doing her best to make sure my mother is eating. The new medicines seem to be working, but I’ve been there with her before and can’t be sure how long it will last.”

  “It was Melba who found her, right?”

  “Yes, after all my mother and our family have gone through for the past twenty years or so, she and my mother are extremely close. In many ways, Melba is the person who’s kept our family together.”

  “She sounds lovely. When do you think you’ll be able to return to Chandler Hill?”

  “Probably not until after the holidays. Then, if she’s doing well, I’d like to return and stay with you until I figure things out for myself. I want so much to be a part of the Chandler Hill Inn and Winery.”

  “You can be, Lulu. If not now, later. I’ll always have a place for you here.”

  Tears blurred Lulu’s vision. She blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. “Thanks. I’m glad to hear that. No matter what happens to my mother, I have no reason to want to stay in L.A.”

  “What about Will, that guy you once told me about?”

  “Oh, that’s different. I talked to him, and we’re going to get together sometime.”

  “Hmmm,” said Cami, and Lulu could envision her raised eyebrows and sassy smile.

  Lulu laughed. “We’ll see what happens.”

  “Good talking to you,” said Cami. “I’ve got to run, but you know you can call and ask for help anytime.”

  “Thanks. I’ll pick up my car after the holidays. Okay, if I keep it there?”

  “Absolutely. Can’t wait to see you again! I’ve missed you!”

  After Cami ended the call, Lulu sat in the car feeling so alone she wanted to cry.

  ###

  A few nights later, Lulu stood in front of the mirror studying the simple, long-sleeved black dress she wore. If offset her dark hair and dark eyes nicely. She wore her hair long and straight, and though she wore diamond earrings, she didn’t want attention brought to them because she, like Cami, had misshapen ear lobes. It was one of the characteristics that tied them together through their father.

  She wrapped a green-silk scarf around her neck, slipped silver bangles onto her wrist, and decided the black, ankle-high boots worn with black tights were a nice addition. She enjoyed getting dressed for the evening, something she hadn’t done much of recently.

  At the sound of the doorbell, she hurried to answer it. Melba had gone for the day. Her mother was resting in her bedroom, and the night nurse was with her.

  She opened the door and felt a smile cross her face. Wilson “Will” Chambers was a decidedly handsome man. Tall and well-built, he had sun-streaked brown hair he’d brushed away from facial features that contained a Roman nose, a strong chin, and an intriguing, wide smile that showed straight, white teeth. Sparkling green eyes shone through horn-rimmed glasses. At thirty-two, and with his well-to-do background and ambition for the future, he was considered a very eligible bachelor.

  “Lulu, so good to see you,” he said, and swept her up into his arms.

  Laughing with sheer pleasure, she hugged him back.

  He set her down before him. “You look terrific. I can’t wait to show you off.”

  “We’re just having dinner, right?”

  “As a fresh beginning. Though I’ve respected your wish to have some time on your own, I’ve missed you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “You resemble your father.”

  “Cami does as well, if you ever meet her,” said Lulu. “Aside from our coloring, we do look a lot alike.”

  “I hope to meet her someday.” He drew her close for a warm kiss and then said, “Are you ready to go?”

  “I will be in a moment. I have to let my mother and her nurse know I’m leaving.”

  The expression on Will’s face became somber. “How’s she doing?”

  Lulu shrugged. “She seems much better, a lot happier. But I’m afraid to get my hopes up.”

  “Maybe this time will work,” Will commented. “I’ll wait for you here.”

  “Thanks.” Lulu hurried up to her mother’s bedroom. She knocked on the door and opened it. Her mother was lying on top of a chaise lounge upholstered in an off-white fabric.

  “Yes? What is it?” Her mother’s voice held a hint of irritation that Lulu ignored. Some of the medications could sometimes make her difficult.

  “I’m leaving to go out for the evening. See you tomorrow. Have a pleasant night.”

  “Such as it is,” her mother sighed. “But thank you. Have fun.”

  Lulu quietly shut the door and hurried down the stairs. She couldn’t wait to get out of the house.

  “All set?” Will asked.

  She let out a long breath. “Yes. I’m ready for a little fun.”

  Will led her to his black BMW and helped her into the passenger seat. Lulu rested against the leather seat and emitted a sigh of pleasure. She needed this evening to relax.

  As they drove toward Rodeo Drive, anticipation filled her. She was with a man she admired, and Cosima was one of her favorite restaurants. Their food was fantastic.

  “You look beautiful, Lulu. All that fresh air in Oregon must have been wonderful.”

  “Thanks. I’ve grown to love Chandler Hill and the entire Willamette Valley.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I hope you’re happy to be back. We have so much work to do together. Remember how we talked about that with your father?”

  She frowned. “I didn’t realize you were serious. I thought that idea was just talk over dinner one night.”

  Will pulled over to the curb so fast, she had to grab hold of the armrest beside her.

  His look was almost stern. “Lulu, I was serious about you, our plans, everything. Now, more than ever. While we were going through all the fallout from your father’s accusers and then his death, I knew you were too upset to deal with a relationship between us, but I need you to understand how sincere I was and still am about all of it.”

  Caught off guard, she said, “But you and I ... we never really dated.”

  He shook his head. “Only because I never had the chance. By the time I decided I wanted to make a serious play for you, everything fell apart. I’m not going to let other things stop me now. I want you for my partner now and in the future.”

  Lulu’s pulse sprinted. “Whoa! Are you asking me to marry you?”

  “Not yet. Oh, hell, I might as well tell you here rather than over dinner. I’m going to run for Congress next year, and I want you to work with me on my campaign. More than that, I want to see if we can build a future together. We’ve been friends, and we’ve dated casually. But I want more th
an that.” His green-eyed gaze settled on her. “Will you at least give it, give us a try?”

  A flush of adrenalin flooded her body. She’d always liked Will, had once even fantasized about having a closer relationship with him. But this was different. This was between just the two of them without her father beside them encouraging such an idea. “I need time to think about it,” she answered honestly.

  “Fair enough,” said Will. “And even if a deeper relationship between the two of us doesn’t work out, maybe you’d consider taking on the job of my campaign manager.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding! What do I know about it?”

  Will’s lopsided grin turned into soft laughter. “You’re one of the savviest politicians I know. And with all the experience with your father’s work, you’re a perfect one to do it.”

  Lulu’s senses came alive. She suddenly remembered what it was like to see a crowd of people react to one of her father’s ideas. He may have sometimes behaved in a foolhardy manner, but he had creative ideas on how to help others in a meaningful way.

  Sensing her feelings, Will shot her a satisfied smile, checked for traffic, and pulled away from the curb. “I really blew how I wanted this evening to be, but I hope you’ll relax and enjoy it. Like I said, I want to see where our relationship can go. We’ve already started as friends ...” His voice trailed off.

  She studied him, seeing him in a different light. There was so much to admire. The idea of his genuine interest in a future with her made her feel good. She was well aware of how women used to flock around him at various political gatherings. He, like her father, had a certain charisma about him. She’d always considered him as her father’s employee, but she was intrigued by the idea that he’d been truly interested in her all along.

  ###

  Will led her inside the restaurant. Following the maître d’ to a coveted corner table, Lulu heard hushed murmurs and observed the attention that was being given to them. Her stomach twisted. In recent months, she’d become uncomfortable at being noticed. Tonight, was no different.