Kindergarten Baby: A Novel Page 13

  A sideways grin from Laura. “You’ll see.”

  Feeling rather smug, Lindsey settled back, certain she’d figured out her friend’s surprise. Her confidence faded as Laura drove the little blue Miata right past the entrance to the museum.

  “But now we’re heading to…‌to the middle of nowhere,” Lindsey cried, perplexed.

  Laura threw up her hands. “Damn! You guessed it! My big surprise is no longer a mystery. Yes, I am taking you to the middle of nowhere for your birthday. A real get-away-from-it-all experience.”

  Lindsey was a little baffled, and she tried not to let her disappointment show. “Well, that’s a surprise all right.”

  They veered down a dusty dirt road‌—‌a road that could have been better navigated in a high clearance vehicle‌—‌and Laura did the best she could in her little sports car by jogging around the deepest ruts and largest rocks, giggling and shouting, “Hold on!” Eventually she pulled over by an abandoned, rundown picnic area and turned off the engine.

  “Here we are,” she declared. From the tiny trunk of her car she produced a bottle of pinot noir, some red and green grapes, a container of spreadable Gourmandise with walnut cheese, a pre-sliced baguette, and a blanket to sit on. Then she handed Lindsey a small boom box and said, “Let’s go!”

  They walked up a primitive path to higher ground, spread the blanket, opened the wine, and sat down to enjoy the approaching sunset. Lindsey surveyed the picturesque scene, thankful it wasn’t rattlesnake season. All rattlers should still be tucked snugly away for the winter. That’s what she told her students, anyway. As much as she loved nature and the outdoors, this place was a little wild and wooly for her tastes. It was also, curiously, not typical of a celebration masterminded by her dear friend. Regardless, she was determined to enjoy it.

  The Tucson sky transformed into a breathtaking light show. Even the clouds added to the splendor by letting strands of blue, pink, tangerine, and purple pierce through. Good wine with a good friend…‌a relaxing birthday for a change, thought Lindsey, trying hard to convince herself that this first birthday without Anthony would be okay.

  Laura reached over and pressed Play on the boom box, then grinned at Lindsey as the music started.

  “You say it’s your birthday! It’s my birthday too, yeah,” bellowed the Beatles.

  “Dance with me!” Laura cried, and Lindsey’s eyes lit up.

  The women jumped to their feet, singing along with the CD, dancing like kids. As the song played again, a male voice came from the south side of the small hill, adding to the sing-a-long. Laura glanced at Lindsey and nearly laughed out loud at the confusion in her friend’s eyes‌—‌a confusion that only increased when more singing from another voice‌—‌approached from the north.

  A bulky shape bounded through the dusky evening light, all legs and wagging tail, and Lindsey shrieked with joy. “Wendell!” She hugged the dog, then leaned back and looked in his big eyes. “What are you doing here?”

  Laura tugged her back to her feet. “Lindsey, I’d like you to officially meet the new love of my life!” she bragged, grinning madly. She held out a hand for the man on her right, and he stepped out of the shadows.

  “Jake?” Lindsey asked. She frowned with disbelief.

  “Lindsey?” he stammered, sounding equally baffled.

  Laura put her hands on her hips and glanced between the two of them, looking just as lost as Lindsey felt. “You guys know each other?” she asked.

  “Yes,” they both said, and then gave Laura their best what the hell is going on? look.

  “What? Why are you so shocked, Lindsey? I’ve been talking about my bartender friend at the Coyote Café for weeks.”

  Lindsey turned to Jake. “You work at the Coyote Café?”

  “Well, yes, now and then.” He appeared as shocked as Lindsey. “I can always use a few extra bucks to help out with college expenses and things. Hey, I knew I was attending a very cleverly planned birthday party for one of Laura’s best friends,” he said, glaring at Laura, “but I had no idea that friend was you, Lindsey. And that’s the truth.”

  Turning back toward Laura, he mouthed, Love of your life?

  “But you…‌you deliver Chinese food. That’s your job,” Lindsey said, trying to regroup.

  “Hold on, everybody. Let me get this straight. He’s your Chinese food guy?” Lindsey nodded, still frowning. “Well, that explains why Wendell is here, anyway. The dog is one guest even I wasn’t expecting. I just wanted you to meet my new boyfriend, and when he offered to supply dinner, it seemed like a good idea and—”

  “You never told me his name was Jake,” Lindsey said.

  Laura put her hands on her hips. “Well, I tried to, but you were hurrying off to get ready for your dinner date with Emmett.” She blinked through the confusion. The awkward silence was broken by the forgotten voice coming from the north. “You both know me, right?”

  “Emmett!”

  He chuckled. “And only one of you is claiming to have a relationship with me?”

  A low, growling sound rumbled from Wendell’s throat.

  “Cool it, dog,” snapped Emmett.

  Jake and Emmett exchanged inquiring, territorial glances, like two more dogs.

  “Just how do you fit into this picture?” Jake asked Emmett.

  “Oh, Jake, this is Emmett, who I met at the Grand Canyon. I guess I haven’t had the chance to tell you about him. We’ve both been so busy since the holidays‌—‌well, especially you, with two jobs and all, besides going to college and dog sitting, and bird sitting—” She froze. “Oh my gosh,” she whispered, hand over her mouth. “Malcolm. I completely forgot about Malcolm. I am so sorry! You’re still bird sitting for me? Why didn’t you call?”

  Jake’s expression held more than a hint of annoyance. “Why didn’t you call? Oh wait. Stupid question. Now that you have a boyfriend, you can suddenly forget about the others you used to care about, whether they were humans, canines, or birds,” he replied hotly.

  The air grew thick with tension, and Lindsey stared at Laura. Laura looked panicked and confused. Jake glanced nervously between the ladies, and Wendell continued to growl at Emmett.

  The night sky was almost black now. The curve of the full moon silently edging over the surrounding hilltops would soon shed some light.

  Emmett walked away from the confusion and lit a fire he’d obviously set up earlier, while the others gazed uncomfortably at each other, not knowing what to do next.

  “It’s Lindsey’s birthday,” he said, “and no matter what else is or isn’t going on here, her birthday is the most important thing right now. Laura, you’ve planned a unique experience for your friend, and I suggest we let it continue. We have music, presents, bags of food‌—‌Chinese, I presume, Jake?—an interesting location, a fine full moon, a friendly fire…‌And hey folks, I didn’t lug all these bottles of wine up this hill for nothing. So let’s party! What do you say?”

  With the help of a little Wild Horse Merlot, they made it through the evening for Lindsey’s sake, though conversations were now being restricted to safe topics like the weather and the southwest desert. Everyone knew there would be more questions and‌—‌hopefully‌—‌explanations forthcoming in the next few days.

  ***

  Shawna’s use of the silent treatment was almost more than Anthony could bear. The air was so thick with stress and strain, he found it difficult to breathe. Something had to give. Something had to change. Today the disturbing silence was abruptly broken when a vase crashed to the floor, shattering into countless pieces.

  “I’ve given you everything you said you wanted. I’ve done everything little Miss Goody-Goody never would,” Shawna shouted.

  “True, but I want love,” insisted Anthony.

  “You think I don’t? Do you really think I don’t?”

  “That’s exactly what I think. All you wanted was a boy-toy,” Anthony said. “Well, I can’t play that role if that’s my only role. I need more. I nee
d a real relationship that includes love, companionship, friendship, and, yes, the great physical pleasure you give me.

  Her eyes were angry slits. “When did you become Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes?” she hissed. “You never seemed to mind my lifestyle until recently. In fact, you craved it!”

  “Shawna,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s too weird. You won’t go anywhere with me unless it’s at night. You won’t make love‌—‌let me rephrase that‌—‌you won’t have kinky sex with me unless we are in a dark place and you completely run the show. The only place I really get to see your body is at The Office, and even there, parts of you are covered up and the lighting is as dim as it is here at home. What’s with you?”

  “I had a strange childhood, okay?” She crossed her arms and glared at Anthony, saying no more. She reminded him of a stubborn, pouting child.

  “That’s it? That’s all you are going to say?”

  He was not about to let it go, but the only thing she’d say in response to his badgering was, “Shut up, you bastard!”

  Wendell looked first to Anthony then to Shawna, his tail low. The shouting got louder and angrier until Shawna exploded, slamming Anthony’s jaw with a powerful left hook. He stood back a moment, in shock not only from the physical contact, but also by the fact that a girl could throw such a punch. He was still dazed when, seconds later, Wendell lunged at Shawna. She backhanded the dog, who yelped in pain, then stood his ground between the two angry people, growling at Shawna.

  “Get the fuck out of my way, dog!” she shouted, moving toward Wendell.

  Anthony felt a twinge of concern for the dog’s safety. He held out a hand. “Wendell, come on boy. Let’s go!”

  Anthony ushered him quickly outside, away from this volatile situation, and Wendell seemed more than happy to go. Shawna followed, as enraged as ever, and when Anthony saw her in pursuit of him, he jumped in his car and took off. He wasn’t thinking about anything but escape as he screeched away. Deafened by emotion, he didn’t hear the “thud” against his car.

  ***

  Jake cursed, wishing he were anywhere but here. But she’d called, and she’d sounded desperate. When he burst through the door, Shawna stood in her fur coat, sharply pointed heels, and powder blue chiffon scarf, her eyes hidden behind large, dark sunglasses. She looked like a redheaded Jackie O gone wild.

  “What took you so long?” she demanded, her voice uncharacteristically low.

  “Hey, back off. I did the best I could. Besides, half the time you call me it’s for no reason whatsoever. This time, you called me while I was in class. You should have given me a bit more information, you know. You left out a key component: location. I went to three other 24-hour clinics before I found this one. So how did it happen?”

  She flapped her hands, trying to quiet him. “Look, Jake. The details don’t matter. What matters is that I need to hire you to do a few more things for me. Here’s the deal. I don’t care if he lives or dies, but I can’t let Anthony know that I screwed up. Oh, he’s definitely earned a portion of the villain status this time, but he’s already upset with me. This inconvenience could be the end of us. You know, that straw and the camel thing? And I need him in my life. He must stay with me. If the truth were ever discovered‌—‌which it never will be, Jake, never will be‌—‌he’ll know this accident was kind of my fault.”

  Jake was seeing another side of Shawna, though this didn’t particularly surprise him. She was the strangest woman he’d ever encountered. Tonight she wasn’t using any of her feminine wiles to get what she wanted. She was nervous, calculating, and almost threatening. He wanted no part of this‌—‌whatever this was.

  “You can come in now,” said a sympathetic voice coming from the doorway of the harshly lit surgical suite.

  Shawna was visibly upset by the man’s words. Agitated, she signed and gave Jake a blank personal check. She instructed him to “just handle it,” then call her on her cell phone in a few days. With that, she hurried out the door into the darkness, still wearing her sunglasses. She turned back with one last, chilling order.

  “No one is to know about this.”

  Jake ventured beyond the swinging doors and was welcomed in by a kind, old doctor. It was obvious the gentleman truly cared for his patients, and he seemed especially fond of this one with the sad brown eyes, lying helpless and attached to an IV.

  “Hey, Wendell,” Jake said softly, stroking the broad neck. “You’re gonna be all right. Hang in there, big buddy. What happened, Doc?”

  “He’s been here a couple of days. Looks like he got hit by a car‌—‌more than once, I think. Some of his injuries look older than others. Lucky someone found him and brought him in. He lost a lot of blood.”

  “Who found him?”

  “Nice guy. Didn’t give me a name. Just said he found him laying near a bush over by 4th and Oak.”

  That wasn’t far from Lindsey’s place, Jake thought, struggling to unravel what had really happened.

  “The prognosis?”

  “Too soon to know.”

  “Can you at least estimate when he might be able to go home?”

  The doctor regarded him somberly. “Well now, that depends on what kind of care awaits him at home. Who does this dog belong to? Surely not that fancy lady that arrived before you tonight.” He peered critically over the tops of his half-glasses. “Those two are not a good match. A dog and owner need to be a good match for both their sakes.”

  Jake nodded. He stayed by Wendell’s side till midnight, talking in a calm, soothing voice, patting the suffering dog’s head. Every now and then Wendell opened one eye and gave a small whimper, letting Jake know he was glad he had come.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “Ms. Lindsey?” came the call over the intercom.

  “Yes?”

  “Please send Bobby to the office. He has a visitor.”

  “He’ll be right there.”

  Lindsey used her cell phone to call Laura’s office and see if she could walk with Bobby. Fortunately, he was having a good day, but he was a kid with whom she never took chances. He was too unpredictable.

  “Hey, Linds,” Laura said. “Glad you called. Let’s get together after school today.”

  “Let’s make it lunch break. I have an important meeting at the bank after school. Can you swing by and walk Bobby to the office?”

  As it turned out, an investigator from Child Protective Services was there to interview Bobby. Both Laura and Lindsey had had numerous discussions about the little boy, and while they sensed something was wrong, they’d never had specific information that would warrant a formal call to CPS. They knew that without seeing a suspicious injury on the child or without the child stating that someone had hurt him, CPS would merely make note of the call, but no action would be taken. Apparently someone had finally made the call.

  “Ms. Lindsey,” came another intercom call from the office just moments after Bobby returned.

  “Can you take a call? I’m so sorry to bother you again. I offered to take a message, but he says it’s urgent. I could put it through to the classroom.”

  All sorts of thoughts raced through Lindsey’s mind. It could be about Bobby. Or Anthony…‌or Emmett…‌or…? “Yes, please put it through.”

  “Hello?”

  “Ah, finally. If you had a cell phone I could text you. That would be so much more efficient.”

  “I have a cell phone. Who is this?”

  “Not important,” said the caller. “But I did leave my name with your new boyfriend. He and I had a nice chat. Didn’t he tell you? Oh, well. We men are not great at taking or delivering messages. Just to keep you informed, here’s the latest of Anthony’s dastardly deeds. He hit your big dog with his sleek car. How could you ever care about a man like that? You were wise to break your ties with him. Such a shame about the dog. Hope he lives.”

  “What? When? Where? Who are you?”

  The phone went dead, and Lindsey turned to face twenty-five curious kindergarten st
udents. They knew something was wrong.

  “Who was it, Ms. Lindsey?” asked Emma.

  Armando had another idea. “Can we see your cell phone?”

  “Does your phone have the Talking Cat or the Angry Birds?” asked Joseph.

  Lindsey took a quick breath to compose herself, but her heart was racing. Wendell? Anthony had hit Wendell?

  “Let’s finish up our Art Journals,” she said.

  Why had this person called her at school? Why had he called her at all? And he’d already spoken with Emmett? Emmett hadn’t said anything about that. Nothing made sense, and she wanted answers.

  A little while later, Laura appeared. “Hey, Teach. Get off the phone. I’ve brought lunch and we’ve only got twenty minutes to gobble it down,” she said, sporting an unusually happy face.

  Lindsey did hang up, but only because neither Anthony nor Jake answered their phones. “Yum,” she said, distracted. “Leftover pizza. One of my favorites. What’s the occasion?”

  “Oh, nothing really. I just wanted a chance to talk about our Jake.”

  That got Lindsey’s attention. “Our Jake?”

  “Yes. Our Jake. He’s been delivering food to you for quite some time, he takes care of your dog and your bird, and I thought I detected a hint of jealousy at your birthday celebration. You seem to like him a lot.”

  “Jealousy?” replied Lindsey defensively. “Well, I do like him. He’s a nice guy, and he’s been a big help to me, but I don’t like him like a boyfriend. He’s way too young for me. And besides, I now have the perfect person to spend time with, and to get me over the hump—”

  “The hump being Anthony?”

  She shrugged. “More like the lack thereof.”

  “And this perfect person wouldn’t happen to be your Grand Canyon squeeze, would it?”

  “You know it is. Emmett has been wonderful. He’s just what I need right now: sensible and mature.”

  Laura cocked her head to one side. “Then you’re okay with me moving forward in developing a relationship with Jake? And I do mean the part about me moving forward, because if the truth be known, Jake has never even asked me to go out with him. Perhaps he’s playing hard to get. One thing I know for certain about him is that he’s selfless‌—‌unlike most men‌—‌and he seems very interested in me, my life, my hopes and dreams, always asking how I feel about just about anything and everything. What a breath of fresh air‌—‌pardon the cliché.”