Sitting in the cabin’s living room, sipping decaf coffee, Sylvia gazed in sympathy at Lina. No wonder Lina’s being so quiet. Kendra’s been ignoring her all evening. Thought my daughter-in-law was raised better than that!
“Lina dear, help yourself to more food. There’s enough for the entire county,” Sylvia said, motioning toward the oak dining table temporarily set against one wall. Decorated by a fall tablecloth, it contained china bowls and platters of various sizes filled with traditional Thanksgiving fare.
“Thank you, Ma’am,” Lina said timidly.
“Dear, don’t be so formal. Call me Sylvia. We want you to feel at home, like you’re part of the family.”
“Yes, Ma’am—Sylvia,” the girl replied, practically glowing with an intense look of pleasure.
“I thought you might bring your boyfriend tonight. I was hoping to meet him.”
“He’s at Papa’s watching JD. They’s both sort’a shy.”
“Sounds like Warner when he was younger,” Sylvia said nodding toward where her son was adding more wood to the stove.
After building up the fire to a crackling blaze, Warner closed the door and took a seat beside Kendra. The Thanksgiving party had drawn up in the chairs and upon the couch around the warmth of the stove. There was ample room for everyone, including Lina and two of Warner’s close friends from Seattle, Karl and Sophi.
“Warner says you’ll be in Anchorage over Christmas,” Sylvia said with a disappointed look at Kendra, “Sure you can’t postpone the trip?”
“I wouldn’t think of it,” Kendra replied. “If I make this project successful, my boss said he would let me work from home part-time, which means we could move to the cabin.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Sylvia said. “You have to tell Troy and the family when you see them at Christmas; they’ll be so excited. The dream’s finally coming true!”
“Unfortunately my flight leaves the same day they arrive,” Kendra sounded guiltily. “But I get back early on the first and plan to drive out for a late New Year’s Day celebration with you and Warner.”
“You’ll be here New Year’s Day?” Lina interrupted.
“That’s what I said,” Kendra replied curtly to Lina, before turning back to Sylvia. “I want to begin the new year at the cabin. Warner is even buying us a bottle of Veuve Clicquot since it will be our first New Year’s here—sort of marks the beginning of our new life.” Kendra smiled and reached out to clasp Warner’s hand.
Lina suddenly rose, and Sylvia watched as the girl set her plate on the kitchen counter and then headed down the hall toward the restroom. She reminds me of when I was her age—gawky and uncertain. I’m amazed at how young she seems, almost childish, despite having her own little boy. I should be kinder, it wasn’t ‘til I married Bob and had two boys that I finally grew up. Now look at me—independent all over again. Smiling, she turned her attention back to the party, enjoying her family and friends… including her newest.
It’s going to be a wonderful life out here.
-- : --
Staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, Lina’s cheeks were sallow as she pulled her limp auburn hair into a ponytail. I look like Mama with my hair up. Maybe I should wear it up for Luke this New Year’s.
Letting the strands fall loose to settle over her shoulders, she turned off the bathroom light. Cracking open the door, she listened to the silence in the kitchen, and the murmurs of conversation with the occasional laugh from the living room. No one was near when she hurried across the hall and entered Sylvia’s bedroom. The dim light filtering in from the kitchen was difficult to navigate by and she reached out to avoid stumbling. The unfinished bedroom was sparse. Beneath a small window on the side wall sat a full-sized wrought iron bed covered by a dark red-and-white flowery quilt. Beside it sat a small side table supporting a frosted-glass pedestal lamp with a simple white, cloth shade. Completing the furnishings against the opposite wall stood a second-hand dresser beneath a four-foot-square picture window covered by red sheer curtains. To the right of the large window, a private door led outside. How can she sleep, when someone could just walk right into her bedroom? I couldn’t, less of course I’s with Luke. No one’d walk in on him.
As if having gone too long without food, Lina felt light-headed. This’ll be Luke’s room again soon enough. The outline of the room seemed to fade and she became disoriented. Reaching out to steady herself, she leaned forward and grabbed the bed’s iron-foot rail. Where is everyone? Where’s Luke? And Mama? No, Luke’s with Holly… Mama? Nooo!
A flush of anger mixed with a warm pleasure that spread outward from the pit of her stomach. Becoming aroused, she gripped the rail tighter. When her fingernails dug uncomfortably into the palm of her hands, she was forced to return to the present. She jerked her hands back with a jolt of disappointment and looked around the room.
It ain’t our time… yet.
She glanced over her shoulder, and then approached the dresser against the far wall. Picking up Sylvia’s black-and-brown leather purse, she unsnapped the flap.
Like Mrs. Renshaw say, best grab my second chance and hold tight. But first, I gotta do my part to get our cabin back.
-- : --
“Don’t forget we still have dessert,” Kendra said to the guests in the living room. “Pumpkin pie and Sylvia’s chocolate delight. If you haven’t had it, you’ll love it.”
While everyone groaned and made joking comments about finding room in their stomachs, Kendra looked around at them. I can’t believe I feel… almost… safe again. A warm feeling filled her chest. This is my family—except for that stray in the back… Lina doesn’t belong here. She gazed at her husband. Warner’s right, I can feel the life and love in this cabin that I didn’t feel in Seattle. I never thought I’d agree, but the place needs children—while I’m young enough and there’s time enough. But they better be well-behaved kids. She smiled to herself. That’s Warner’s job. Hmm. If I can manage it by then, how would Warner like news I’m pregnant for Christmas? Her smile broadened, and then she settled her face before anyone noticed.
“Why don’t I fix more coffee?” Warner stood and looked around the room at his family and guests. Kendra shook her head.
“Sure, I could use some,” Karl said, rising from the seat beside Sophi.
“Sit. I’ll get it,” Warner said, taking his friend’s cup. “Entertain my mom. Better yet, see if you can convince her to move out here.”
Karl sat back down and faced Sylvia. He smiled and tossed his hands wide. “Make my task easy and just say yes.”
“What a smooth talker,” Sylvia replied. “Okay. Yes.” They both shared a friendly laugh.
Kendra smiled before standing and leaving them to their conversation as she strolled toward the kitchen. Where is that girl?
“I’ve changed my mind. I’ll have another cup if you make it stronger,” she said, leaning against the opposite side of the kitchen bar and sliding her mug across to Warner.
“As you wish,” Warner said leaning in and giving her a kiss. She did not allow his lips to linger and pulled back with a serious expression on her face.
“I don’t want you thinking I’m being paranoid, but I don’t feel right….”
“Are you getting sick?”
“No, no. It’s just the last time I felt like this was when…,” she caught herself before saying aloud… I got assaulted.
“Was when? What’s up, sweetie?” Warner asked in a more serious tone.
“I thought the holidays were just going to be family and close friends. Guess I was disappointed to see Lina here. There’s just something about her that makes me uncomfortable. Besides, I don’t like having strangers in the house, not after—” Kendra stopped. Let it go. Nothing ‘really’ happened and things have turned out fine ever since. Warner’s here and ‘he’ hasn’t been back. Focus on building our family.
“After what?”
“Nothing.”
He gave her a searching look before continuing, “Mom was the one that insisted, but I agree. When we heard Lina wasn’t going to her family’s for Thanksgiving, we didn’t think it right for her to spend Thanksgiving alone in that cold trailer. Her family’s been in the Suiattle valley a long time. We thought it was a neighborly gesture.”
“You think a squatter’s the same thing as a neighbor? Do you know why her family kicked her out? Maybe she deserved it.”
“That’s a little harsh.”
“But you don’t really know her. And that little Podunk girl is getting awfully close to your mother. Have you seen the way she looks at Sylvia? It gives me the willies.”
“Nothing wrong with her admiring my mother. She’s a good role-model for the girl. Besides, Mom thinks of her as a friend. What’re you afraid of? Dad wasn’t the only one who can take care of this family.”
“Why would you say that? It’s not just a ‘bear’ out there.” Is he still going to pretend about that?
“I knew you’d bring that up.” Then he paused, briefly closing his eyes. “Please, let’s not fight. Relax and enjoy the party. You should be in there laughing with Mom instead of getting paranoid like you did….” Warner turned and busied himself with making coffee.
“Like I did over the break-in?” Her breathing became heavy. “That wasn’t paranoia. I… I could’ve been hurt.”
“I’m sorry.” He put down the bag of ground coffee and walked around the counter to wrap his arms around her. “Thank God you weren’t. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. Come on—let’s not talk about this now.”
“Of course,” she said, flattening her palms on the cool counter to break his embrace. “Just like your father, always avoiding a real conversation.” She felt her shame rising again at the stricken look on his face. Don’t get mad at him, you’re the one hiding the truth. You’re the one that didn’t stop things when you could have. Her voice quivered when she added, “I’m going to the bathroom.”
Nothing happened for nine months… maybe I truly am being paranoid this time.
Turning the corner to the hallway, she noticed a bluish light coming from Sylvia’s bedroom. From the open doorway of the dark room, Kendra saw Lina standing by her mother-in-law’s dresser, a pale light from a cell phone illuminating her face. What’s she doing with the phone? She can’t be calling someone, there’s no signal out here. Is she after money? Geez, she’s probably a tweaker hooked on meth.
Showing no signs of being watched, Lina stared in concentration at the small screen before retrieving a ballpoint pen from Sylvia’s purse and scribbling something across the palm of her hand.
When the overhead light clicked on and scattered the cover of darkness, Lina whirled to face the doorway. Kendra stood in the entry with arms folded across her chest and a look of contempt on her face. I knew it—paranoia hell!
“What—are—you—doing?” Kendra demanded, pronouncing each word.
Snapping the phone shut, Lina tossed it onto the dresser beside Sylvia’s purse as Kendra took a threatening step into the room.
“I… I needed a tissue,” Lina stammered.
“Calling someone to bring you one?”
“Nooo,” Lina said, exasperated. “I couldn’t find the light.”
“This what you’re looking for?” Kendra pointed to the obvious switch near the entry and, with an exaggerated motion, flipped it off and then on again, plunging the room into dark and then back into light. “Cockroaches usually scatter when the light comes on, or do you not have electricity where you grew up?”
Glowering, Lina glanced behind Kendra before a blush undermined the girl’s expression.
“You should be embarrassed,” Kendra taunted, watching the girl’s eyes water and a single tear roll down the girl’s cheek. Please! She’s not the only one who can make the water run when she needs it.
“What did you write—” Kendra heard movement and turned to look over her shoulder; Warner stood in the hallway behind her.
“Hey, babe, what’s going on?” he asked, stepping up behind his wife and placing his hands on her shoulders.
“I… I thought I saw something at the window,” Lina sniffled, first to reply. Putting her hand over her heart, she hurried forward. “I told you she hates me.” Flinching when she skirted Kendra, Lina looked up at Warner with tears running from the corners of her eyes. “I best leave.”
When the girl passed Warner, he reached out and touched her on the shoulder. “Wait. I’m sure this is a mix-up. Go chat with my mom and we’ll be out in a minute.”
Hanging her head, Lina nodded and shuffled out of the bedroom.
Warner turned to Kendra. “What’s going on, babe?”
“I caught her red-handed stealing Sylvia’s cell phone.”
A confused look crossed Warner’s face as he walked over to the dresser and picked up the phone.
“It’s right here,” he said, holding it out for her to see.