by Lynn Cahoon
“I wonder why Rebecca told us she didn’t have kids. I mean, she didn’t have to name Kyle, we’re strangers, but to totally ignore his existence? That’s cold.” My mind kept going back to our conversation. “She doesn’t seem the type to be rude on purpose.”
“Maybe she thought it was none of our business.” Greg paused to let a kid on a bike go flying past them, pulling me aside so I didn’t get clipped by the bike handles. “Sidewalks are for pedestrians.”
“Bite me,” the kid called back, speeding up even more.
Greg sighed. “Not my circus, not my monkey. But if it was, that kid would be sitting in my office waiting for his folks to come and get him. Sometimes people need to know that respect is an important part of building a community.”
As we walked farther down the street, I pointed across the way. There a police car sat with the kid now off the bike and getting a lecture from the officer. “Apparently, they feel the same way here.”
We paused in front of the first artist studio, looking at the seascapes in the window. They all had price tags that made me swallow hard. Greg seemed to be thinking the same thing. “Hopefully, they have something a little smaller. My wallet can’t afford those prices.”
“Let’s go browse. I need to get Aunt Jackie something too and a seascape would look amazing in her apartment.”
We browsed through a few shops and finally found gifts for both of our relatives. Walking back to the bed and breakfast, Greg paused at the diner. “You want to grab some lunch? It’s after one.”
“I don’t think I can eat now.” I nodded to the small grocery store up the street. “Let’s pop in there and get some sodas. We can take these back to the car, then head down to the beach. Is it walkable?”
“I believe so.” He looked toward the west and tried to judge distance. “We can rent bikes if you want.”
“I just want to sit on the beach and read for an hour or two before dinner.” I needed to change into my bathing suit too. “I put beach chairs in the back of your truck. Let’s get changed and you can drive us down. We’ll buy a few drinks now and see if we can get ice from Mrs. Price at the bed and breakfast.”
“And you can grab your book,” Greg added.
I shrugged. “We have to put these away in the room anyway. Might as well be comfortable while we relax.”
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach. After I’d finished the book, we drove back to the bed and breakfast, then showered and got dressed for dinner. We walked to the restaurant. After we’d finished, Greg paused as we passed by a bar that had live music. “Do you want to grab a drink?”
“Sure. The band sounds great.” I followed him inside and the dusky evening turned into a dark, neon lit room. We found a table near the pool table that currently sat empty. A lone dartboard stood on the wall near the bathroom.
“Sit here, I’ll go grab us some beers.” He paused. “The regular?”
I nodded then slipped into the chair by the wall. This way, I could watch everything going on. The band was on the other side of the room and the singer was crooning a seventies ballad that I knew by heart. I touched the table, wondering if it would be sticky, but it felt clean. Greg set a bottle in front of me, then arranged his chair so he too was sitting with his back against the wall. Cop habit. He always had to be watching what was going on.
He pointed toward a booth where a woman sat, alone. “I guess the workday’s over.”
“What are you talking about?” I turned my head so I could see where he was looking and my gaze met Rebecca’s. I casually waved my hand and then turned back to Greg. Like I’d already dismissed the waitress who’d served us that morning. “I still don’t have a plan on how to get her to talk.”
“I’m not sure that’s going to be a problem.” Greg sipped his beer, then smiled broadly. “Well, hello. I guess this is a small town. It’s Rachel, right?”
“Small as they come. And it’s Rebecca. Becky.” She pulled up a chair from another table. “So did you ride today?”
I shook my head. “Tomorrow. Today we had some shopping to finish up and then we went and relaxed on the beach. For being so far north, we had a lovely day.”
“I haven’t been yet. Seems strange, living here for five years and I’ve not once gone to the beach, but I stay so busy. I’m trying to finish my degree. Nursing. It’s really hard. Some days I’m afraid I’ll have to waitress for the rest of my life.” She sipped the beer she’d brought over. “You said you were north from home. Where’s home?”
“Little town on the California coast. I’m pretty sure you’ve never heard of it.” I paused, waiting for her to ask.
“I know a few places. I was planning a vacation in California one of these days.” She gestured at me with her bottle. “Try me, maybe I’ve seen it on a map.”
“South Cove.”
Rebecca’s eyes widened for just a second. Then she stood. “You’re right. I’ve never heard of it.”
“Now then, that’s a lie. I’m sure Kyle told you all about his adopted hometown.” I stood so we were on a level playing ground. “So why are you ditching him? You know the only thing he ever wanted as a kid was for you to keep one of your promises and come home.”
“You don’t understand.” Rebecca lowered her voice, then sat again, waving me back into my chair. “Did he send you?”
“He doesn’t know we’re here. Kyle’s a great kid. He’s got a good life. He’s building a future. Kind of like you. But he wants to bring in more family to his life. Instead of ignoring them.”
She seemed to shrink as she finished off her beer and set her bottle on the table with a clunk. “I don’t want to disappoint him. He’s been through so much.”
Now that was the truest statement the woman had made since we’d started talking. I could see the pain on her face. “He’s willing to take a shot. It won’t be easy. But if he’s willing, why aren’t you?”
“It’s a long story.” She sat in silence for a while. “I’m not the mother he remembers.”
“I think right now, he needs a real mother more than his memories.” I pushed my card across the table toward her. “Just say you’ll think about it. If you want to talk, you can call me anytime. My cell’s on there.”
She smiled, then picked up the card like it might bite her. “Kyle’s lucky to have friends like you.”
A man came up behind her and pushed her shoulder gently with the pool cue. “You done jawing? I’ve only got enough money for one more beer. I was hoping I’d win one off of you.”
When the woman didn’t respond, he walked closer. “Jodi, did you hear what I said?”
With that, Rebecca turned on him and stalked out of the bar, only stopping long enough to grab her purse out of the booth where she’d been sitting.
“What’s got her goat tonight?” The man peered at me and Greg. “You two up for a quick game where I school you for the price of a beer?”
“We’ve actually got to go too.” Greg stood and grabbed my hand.
Before he could pull me away, I planted my feet. “Why did you call her Jodi?”
He snorted, “Because that’s her name. Where did you go to school?”
“Not here.” Greg took a stronger grip on my arm and pulled me out to the sidewalk.
I turned and stared at the large wooden door that was slowly moving shut. “What the heck just happened?”
“I don’t know. I think there’s more going on here than just a mother who doesn’t want to be reunited with her kid.” Greg nodded in the direction of the bed and breakfast. “You ready to head in for the night? I’d like to check my email and see if Esmeralda found anything. It’s early so she probably didn’t, but you never know.”
“I want to curl up on the bed with a book and forget about everything.” I took his hand as we made our way back up the street. “I just feel bad for Kyle.”
“You and me both.”
CHAPTER 6
We spent Saturday on the dunes. We didn’t see Rebecca, nor did either of us bring up the subject of her or Kyle. Greg had given me the non-report report from Esmeralda last night. No one knew anything, but she was still looking. Or she would be as soon as Monday morning came around. Esmeralda was busy on Saturdays with her other career, fortunetelling. The sun and sand were fun and relaxing, but I knew we both had other things running through our minds.
As we were walking to dinner, we passed the bar. I’d put on a short, red sundress that I knew Greg liked and had my hair pulled up into a messy bun. As we walked, Greg squeezed my hand. “You know, maybe Kyle is better off not knowing this woman. If she’s always been flaky, maybe this is just one of her many tricks. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’ll be fine.”
“He’ll always wonder. But after yesterday, I’m in your camp. The woman is crazy. And Kyle needs someone who isn’t going to bail on him because she wants to have some ‘me’ time.” I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. “I guess I shouldn’t have tried.”
“That’s why I love you. You jump in feet first, not worrying about the consequences.” He leaned down and kissed me, right on the lips and right on Fifth Street. Greg wasn’t big on public shows of affection, but I guess this was an extreme case.
“You’re amazing.” I stared up at him. I knew he wanted me to say more. But as I struggled, the moment passed and he started walking again. He knew I had a problem saying the words, but I hoped he knew I loved him. I just couldn’t utter the words yet.
When we got back to our room, he kicked his shoes off and turned on the television to the sports network. I got into my yoga capris and a South Cove Police Department tee shirt and joined him. I wasn’t watching the sports channel. I’d tried once and they just kept saying the same thing, over and over. If I’d said something that many times, I’d be accused of being a nag.
Since he was still watching television, before I fell asleep, I gave him a hug. “Thanks for letting me play detective. Even if my results weren’t very impressive.”
“You can’t solve all of them all the time. That’s one lesson you need to remember. And if you care, it doesn’t matter who solves the issue. As long as it gets solved.” Greg’s voice seemed so far away. I was going to respond, but I couldn’t speak.
The next morning, we grabbed some food to go, filled our travel cups, and got on the road. I was missing my Emma. Tomorrow, I’d open the shop first thing and my life would go back to normal. Well, except for getting ready for Mother’s Day lunch.
* * * *
I woke to Greg gently rubbing my arm. Blinking, I realized the sun was still up but the truck had stopped. “Where are we?”
“In your driveway. With you asleep, I didn’t have to make as many pitstops. I didn’t realize you were so tired.” He turned toward me and gently pushed my hair back behind my ear. “Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?”
“Definitely. I think being out on the dunes yesterday drained me. It was fun, but I’m not used to being in the sun for so long.” I yawned and opened the door. “Sorry I was a bad co-pilot.”
He laughed as he grabbed my duffel out of the back of the truck. “Seriously? I got control of the stereo and the temperature gauges. It was heaven.”
“Funny man.” I took out the framed art I’d purchased for Aunt Jackie. “I’m going to give this to her before lunch. That way I can just take it to the shop that morning. I’ve got the morning shift and I’ll bring clothes to change into so I’ll just ride with Aunt Jackie and Harrold to the restaurant.”
“Did she ever answer your email?” He walked with me to the house and took my key when I pulled it out of my purse. When I opened the door, Emma sat in the living room, watching us.
“She will. Or Harrold will. I’m not worried about that.” I set the picture on the entry table out of the reach of my dog, then leaned down to give her hugs. “What are you doing in the house? I thought you were watching Toby this weekend?”
“She is.” Toby stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room. “Welcome home, guys. I expected you a little later, but dinner’s almost done.”
“You made us dinner?” Greg put my duffel in the laundry room, then followed Toby into the kitchen. “It smells great.”
“Fish stew and one of those buy and bake breads. Not much, but I figured you’d probably drive through on your way back.” He went over and stirred the soup. “The bread has about fifteen more minutes, then we’ll be ready.”
“Great. You can tell us all about your backpacking trip. I’ve always wanted to go to Yosemite.” Greg went to the fridge and grabbed a soda. “Jill, do you want one?”
“Actually, I’m running upstairs and taking a quick shower to wake up. Then I’ll be down. Don’t start talking about Toby’s trip until I’m back.”
Emma followed me upstairs and after a cold shower, I felt more human. She watched me dress from her favorite spot on my bed. “Hey girl, I sure missed you.”
From her expression, she wasn’t convinced of the sentiment, but she was glad to have me back. She followed me back downstairs and laid near my feet as we ate dinner and talked.
Later that night after everyone had left, I sat on my porch swing, thinking about Kyle and the woman he thought was his mother. From my perspective, it was a dead end. The woman didn’t want a relationship. Which was going to break the kid’s heart one more time. Maybe this time might be the last.
I had set my alarm for an early wake up so after Emma and I ran on the beach the next morning, I still made it into town in time to open the shop for my first coffee sale. Two hours later, the shop was quiet and I was reading the book Sasha had given me last week. My cell rang exactly at nine.
“Hey Sasha, what’s going on?” I steadied myself. Sasha didn’t call in often and when she did, it was more likely that Olivia was sick.
“Jill, sorry to bother you, are you busy?”
I glanced at the book. I had fewer than five chapters to finish, but it could wait. I put in a bookmark and set it aside. “Not at all. Reading. Your instincts are right on about choosing this book. It might cover controversial topics, but they were handled in such a caring way, I could defend this book to any angry parent with one question: ‘Have you read it?’”
“Oh, I’m glad you liked it.”
From her answer, that hadn’t been what she wanted to talk about. “Anyway, you have something else on your mind.”
“I left you an envelope under the cash register. Did you find it yet?” Excitement filled her voice as she chattered on. “I can’t believe how easy it was.”
“Wait, hold on.” I got up from the couch and went to the coffee bar. There, slipped under the cash register, was an envelope. I opened it up and read Sasha’s note. “Wait, you found a Rebecca Nabors in Santa Maria?”
“Yep, and I friended her and asked if she had a son.” Sasha paused. “I probably should have waited and talked to you first, but she messaged me back. She did put a son up for adoption. The dates are off from what Kyle said, but he didn’t say he was adopted either. Maybe she just assumed her mother would put him into the system.”
I glanced at the details she’d outlined. “So she’s saying she might be Kyle’s mom? Did she mention being in jail?”
“Not directly, but she said she was going through some problems at the time and needed to make sure her child had a good life.” Sasha paused. “Look her up on Facebook. Her profile is really interesting. And she wants to come and meet him this weekend.”
“Don’t answer her yet. You don’t even know if this is Kyle’s mom.” Of course, the other Rebecca—or Jodi—had said she wasn’t his mother, so maybe this woman actually was. I was getting the players confused in my head. “Let me send this to Greg. He’ll run a check on her.”
“Greg
’s helping?” The shock in Sasha’s voice made me laugh.
“Look, I’ll explain when you get here. You are still working today, right?” Sasha had the mid-day shift and then Jackie would close early. Mondays were slow, at least until the tour buses started their summer schedule.
“I’m just getting Olivia ready for a fun day with Granny. The daycare is closed this week for teacher education classes. I’ll see you at eleven.”
I took the note back to my computer and started researching the other Rebecca that Sasha had found. She didn’t look much like the woman I’d met this weekend. Her hair was deep bottle red and she was about ten years older. But still, there was a possibility.
I called Greg. When he picked up, I jumped into the favor, knowing his morning was probably filled with stuff that had built up when he was gone for our vacation. For me, my work just got passed to someone else. When he took off days, he paid for them in email when he returned.
Greg listened, or at least I hoped he was listening, and then responded with a summary. “Sasha found a second Rebecca Nabors and you’d like me to run a check on the woman.”
“Handsome, smart, and to the point. Yes, please.”
“Give me some time. Esmeralda’s out on a coffee run. I think she’s heading to Diamond Lille’s since we bought from you last week. Gotta be fair.” He sighed as I heard a knock on his door. “Come on in. Look, Jill, I’ve got to go. Bill just came in and he doesn’t look cheerful.”
“Call me when you find something.” I hung up. Bill Sullivan was my contact with the city council for the Business-to-Business meetings and I’d seen that look on his face when he had to give me bad news. Like the mayor was coming to speak at the meeting. I made a note to finish the planning for June’s meeting, then returned to virtually stalking the second Rebecca.
By the time Sasha came in for her shift, I was almost positive that this woman wasn’t Kyle’s mom.
