Just as Pastor Cooper left the hall, the phone rang and Beth picked it up distractedly. It was someone wanting to book a room. Beth went into her courteous refusal, attempting to end the conversation when she really wanted to scream “Go ’way!” as Adam might. The caller persisted, and Beth recommended a couple of other places he might call. Then she had a legitimate excuse for ending the call.
“I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful, but I have another call waiting.”
What is Adam saying to the social worker? Is he saying anything at all? Does the social worker think he should be someplace else? The low murmur of voices came from the bed-sitter.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s me.” Doug’s beloved voice came to her. “You sound stressed. What’s up?”
“Nothing I can’t handle. What’s up with Kayla? Where are you?”
“Just outside the courtroom. I came out to make this call. This is going to take a while. Kayla wasn’t with the first group they brought in. Daryl Taylor’s a nice guy, very helpful. He knows a lot of people in the justice system. He’s making some calls. I may not be back for lunch. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Fine. Don’t worry. Just do the best you can for Kayla. I love you.”
“I love you, too. See you later—as soon as I can.” He rang off, but he had sounded worried, harried.
Beth hung up the phone, listening to the sudden silence from the bed-sitter.
Bracing herself, she went in. Miss Holloway and Adam were seated side by side on the window seat. Miss Holloway had just finished reading a line from one of Adam’s big, flat books. She closed it with a smile and handed it to Adam.
“I see Adam likes being read to,” she commented unnecessarily to Beth, with a quick glance at her watch. “I’m going to have to be going. I’ve got a caseload you wouldn’t believe.” She got up, turning back to Adam. “Thanks for the story, Adam.”
“Okay,” Adam said, and put the book aside. Then, turning around, he got on his knees, pushed aside the curtain and looked out front. It had become his custom, when he knew someone was leaving, to watch them go as if he might be thinking “Good riddance.” Beth and Doug had laughed about it.
Beth braced herself as she took the social worker out into the front hallway. “Adam’s all right for now, isn’t he?” She couldn’t help asking.
“I think so,” the social worker said. “But I’m not sure about this bed-and-breakfast situation. True, the child is with relatives. That part’s fine. A lot of grandparents are taking care of their children’s children these days. But with strangers coming and going—that I need to check out with my supervisor. I’ll have to let you know about that. I’ll be in touch.”
Beth shut the door behind her and went back into the bed-sitter. Adam was safe, at least for today. Back in the bed-sitter, she paused at the doorway to watch him watching. He was always a little tense and wary, it seemed. Well, why shouldn’t he be?
“Has the lady gone?” she asked Adam’s stiff back.
“Yep. In her car. Now.” That was rather detailed for Adam, and Beth went to stand behind him. Adam, you dear little person. He was talking better these days; at least he was saying more. Now he turned around and gave her his sunniest smile.
“Lady read a story,” he offered.
“Why did she do that?” Beth asked, sitting down beside him.
“I told her she could.”
“Why?”
“Is my book,” Adam said decisively, as if that explained everything. Beth had to stifle a sudden impulse to laugh. He was such a sweet kid.
“Where’d you go?” he asked, almost accusingly.
“I was answering the phone, remember?” Beth said. “Did anything else happen? What did the lady say to you?” Adam, remember—and please talk—I need to know.
Adam thought about her question, then he said, “She didden take it.”
“Take what?”
“My library card. I said she could look at it if she didden take it. And she didden. And then—” He paused, frowning slightly. “I tole her.” This was a lot of talk for Adam.
“You told her what?”
“I tole her she could read me a story. If she wanted. And she did.” There was a note of finality in his tone, as if that was all he was going to say about that.
He had certainly done his best. Adam, I love you. You handled that beautifully. I couldn’t have done better myself.
“Well, Pastor Cooper is here, Adam. I have to go talk to him. Can you play here awhile?”
“Okay.” He slid down from his window seat and went to the toy box.
Beth found Pastor Cooper pacing in the living room.
“What’s going on, Beth? It sounded bad,” he said, rising from his chair.
“It is bad. Come and sit here,” Beth said, going to one of the couches. Then she told him fully what had happened. He seemed to wince slightly at the idea of Kayla in jail.
“I’ve heard of Daryl Taylor,” he commented. “He’s a good lawyer.”
“Doug seems satisfied with him, but the real problem is Kayla. What can we do now? Have we done everything we can?” Despite her best effort Beth’s voice wavered. Pastor Cooper reached out and touched her hands, which were clenched in her lap. She tried to relax.
“And I haven’t been much help,” he said. “I’m so sorry. I was thinking on the way over. Let me run this past you. Do you think we all might forget I’m the family pastor?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” Beth said, sensing what might be coming. Oh, no.
“I’ve thought…about Kayla a lot. In fact, it’s hard to keep her out of my mind. Do you think there is any chance I might…just become a sort of friend of the family? With the idea that it might eventually be more?” He looked so earnest and intent that it touched her heart. “Do you know what Doug thinks about it?” he added.
“He would be in favor of it,” Beth said steadily. Nothing but the truth would do here. “But I’m not,” she added.
“May I ask why?”
“Of course. Your work. If Kayla were part of your life, how could you focus on your own work?”
“Kayla seems to be at loose ends. She doesn’t seem to have any…anchor.”
“My point exactly. She doesn’t seem to have any real reason for living. I can’t understand her—her continual need to…”
“To escape? That’s what addicted people are doing, Beth. They find life too difficult, for various reasons, so they find ways to avoid their problems. In doing it, of course, they create even bigger problems. I think of it as a kind of mental treadmill. It must be a terrible way to live. Is she actually back on the downward spiral?”
“I’m afraid so. She’s drinking again, and this sudden arrest… I don’t know what’s going to happen now, or how Kayla will respond to this. Doug and I are going to pay the money she owes.”
“That’s very generous of you.”
“Not really. She is Doug’s daughter—” Then she heard Doug’s car in the drive. “Oh, that’s Doug. Maybe he has Kayla with him. Excuse me.” She got up and hurried to the back door.
“Wait!” Pastor Cooper said suddenly. “I don’t think I should be here if Kayla’s with him. It would embarrass her.”
But it was too late. They heard Doug and Kayla coming in, sounding angry and obviously in the middle of an argument. Kayla came rushing in ahead of Doug.
“Well, I’m going to take a long, hot shower first! I feel dirty! I can’t stand being dirty!” She stopped in dismay when she saw Pastor Cooper there with Beth. Doug was right behind her.
“Try to calm down, Kayla!” Doug was shouting. Then he, too, stopped. They obviously hadn’t expected an audience.
For the first time in her life Beth couldn’t think of a single thing to say to smooth over an uncomfortable situation. Pastor Cooper came to the rescue.
“It’s the nuisance of a preacher again,” he said easily. “Just pretend I’m not here, but keep in mind that this isn’t the first family argument I’ve been in on, so I’m an old hand, you might say.”
Doug suddenly laughed, half in embarrassment, half in relief. He turned to Kayla. “Go take your shower. You’re entitled.”
“Terrific! Great! Just what I needed!” Kayla said furiously, and dashed through the room heading for the downstairs bath.
“Mommy!” Adam had heard her voice. He came running out of the bed-sitter, but Kayla brushed past him. They heard the bathroom door slam, and Adam in the hallway banging on the door. “Mommy! Mommy!”
“I’ll get Adam,” Beth said desperately. She was deeply shaken. She had seen the anger, but also the panic in Kayla’s wide, frantic eyes. What a horrible situation for someone to be trapped in. It took a while to quiet Adam down and ease his hurt feelings. It was fully fifteen minutes later when she felt she could leave him to return to the living room.
Doug and Pastor Cooper were still there, talking intermittently. Doug looked up as she came in. “I was just telling Pastor Cooper about it. Who would you guess that Kayla used her one phone call in the jail to call? Keep in mind that I’d already told her I’d get a lawyer.”
“I have no idea,” Beth said, sitting down. Nothing Kayla did would surprise her.
“Her dear friend, this Wanda person.”
“But why?” Then, without speaking it, Beth knew why. Kayla was feeling guilty, frightened and surrounded by her father’s new family. This new family who didn’t seem to have any problems they couldn’t handle. People who might seem in Kayla’s eyes to be perfectly in control of their lives. Surely it must have been too much, more than she could cope with. What had she said? “I’ve messed up two men’s lives.” And here with her father’s perfect new family was the man to whom she felt attracted but with whom she was afraid to become involved. Kayla, Kayla, where is this going to end?
“Of course she would call Wanda,” Beth said in quick understanding. “Wanda—flawed, selfish, demanding—is probably the only person Kayla’s met since she came here that she doesn’t feel inferior to. Feeling inferior can be a pretty devastating thing, Doug.”
“I think Beth’s put her finger on it,” Pastor Cooper said softly.
“I suppose so.” Doug’s voice was tired. “What do you think?” He was speaking to Pastor Cooper.
“Do you know what she asked of, or said to, Wanda when she made her call?”
“More or less. She must have told her about the arrest, her present dilemma. Apparently Wanda asked her to come over when she was released. If Beth’s right—that maybe Kayla sees Wanda as someone who really understands her particular problem—I guess it’s only natural that she’d run to her for…comfort? For reassurance?”
The pastor was nodding. “Wanda probably looks like a safe haven. She’s not going to criticize or pass judgement on Kayla. She’s probably very understanding of Kayla’s particular demons, probably has some of her own.”
“And in the meantime, while my daughter struggles with her demons, guess who’s caught in the middle?”
“Adam, of course,” Pastor Cooper answered, and Beth felt a new respect for him. “That’s the real tragedy here,” he continued, his expressive eyes revealing more than he realized about his own feelings. “Adam has no idea what’s happening, or why. He’s getting a very skewed idea of the world he has to somehow live in for the rest of his life. He will try to figure out how he can best cope. And how much will his immature decisions, as he goes, damage his life? Kayla—like anyone suffering an addiction—has no idea the price she is making everybody else pay. You both do realize this?”
“Yes, we’ve started to realize it,” Doug said, and Beth nodded grimly.
She didn’t trust herself to speak for the moment. She ached to reach out to touch Doug, to comfort him, to comfort Pastor Cooper, but at the same time she wanted to smack them both.
Kayla isn’t worth all this!
Half an hour later, when Kayla came back into the bed-sitter, they could hear her. There were slammings and thumpings and a couple of shouted protests at Adam. There was the opening and banging shut of the bed-sitter door, and Adam was thrust out into the hallway. They could see him from the living room, a heavy scowl on his face.
“Mommy mad,” he said, coming straight to Beth.
She took him up onto her lap. He would say nothing more; he was sulking.
When Kayla came back into the living room she looked lovely. “Well, folks, your bad penny is taking off for the evening. I’m invited out.”
Both men had stood up.
“Do you have any money?” Doug asked, sounding uneasy.
“Enough,” Kayla said shortly.
“I’m just leaving,” Pastor Cooper said. “Can’t I drop you someplace?”
Kayla studied him, then gave a sudden, brittle laugh. “Why not? You all realize, of course, that I’m going on a binge. Why shouldn’t Preacher-man take me there?” She seemed to think this was very funny.
“Why not, indeed?” the pastor said good-humoredly. “It’s a kick and a half, isn’t it? My car, such as it is, is right out front.”
Beth and Doug saw them off, Kayla still laughing as if everything were all some big joke. Somewhere Beth had heard about laughing to keep from crying. It seemed to fit Kayla’s mood.
Beth was still holding Adam. Did he feel heavier? Had he possibly gained just a little more weight? She hoped so. Adam’s world might be topsy-turvy, but at least he was getting enough to eat here.
As they shut the big front door, the phone started ringing.
“Oh, no.” Beth sighed. “Will you hold Adam?” And as Doug took the little boy, she picked up the receiver. She wasn’t going to take any reservations. Period. Things were too confused. She answered the last ring pleasantly—and then all thought of their own problems flew from her mind.
“Mom. It’s Jill. Ian’s taken Kate to the hospital. Can you come?” Composed, take-charge, in-control Jill was crying.
“Yes! Of course! Where? Where?” Beth demanded.
“Swedish Hospital. Ian called from his cell phone. They were just getting Kate into the ambulance. She went into early labor. They think she’s going to miscarry.” Then Jill was crying in earnest.
“Come on,” Doug said. “I could hear enough. We’re headed for the hospital, right?”
“Yes, will you—”
“Yes. To everything. Don’t worry. I’ll handle things here. My car’s still in the drive.”
Doug let her off in front of the huge hospital. She wished fervently that he could come up with her. But someone had to take care of Adam. Someone had to welcome incoming guests later. In a few minutes she was in the maternity ward. Ian, bless him, was there. Both her daughters were so fortunate to have good husbands.
“Beth.” Ian came to her quickly. “They’ve taken her into the delivery room. The baby’s coming and it’s too early.” He looked desperate.
“She’ll be fine,” Beth said, hoping and praying silently that she was right. “All we can do is wait. She’s with the experts. Have you made arrangements for the other children?”
“Yes, one of the church women was going over to help out when Kate’s labor started. It’s too early—” His voice broke. “Mrs…. I can’t think of her name. Mrs. Olsen called me right after she called the ambulance. I don’t know how late she can stay. I should have asked. I couldn’t think.”
“Give me your phone. I’ll call and find out.” Beth knew she sounded calmer than she felt. Mrs. Olsen could stay until four, but the children would be home from school then. Their oldest, Raymond, would handle things until his father came home. Beth forced the Kayla issue to the back of her mind.
Then they settled in to wait an interminable amount of hours. When the doctor, still in his rumpled green cottons with the green cloth cap still on his head, came in, both Beth and Ian stood up. Ian reached over to clasp Beth’s hand. They had both been sick with worry.
“She’s okay,” the doctor said, smiling. “And Ian, you have a lovely new daughter. And she’s okay, too. That one’s a bit scrawny yet, but give her time, she’s a little toughy. She’ll be ready to see in a few minutes. But Kate’s resting for a while. You can’t see her until later.”
Ian sat down very suddenly in the nearest chair and Beth couldn’t hold back the tears. She wasn’t in the least embarrassed, because Ian was crying, too. They hung on to each other until a smiling nurse came and took them to the big glass wall so they could look in at the babies.
“That’s yours,” she said, pointing to one. “That’s the new Beth.”
The new Beth was indeed rather red and scrawny, but Ian said she was beautiful. In a little while they were allowed to look in on the sleeping Kate.
“You couldn’t hear me,” Ian said, driving Beth home, “but I never prayed harder or longer in my life.” He looked like Beth felt: exhausted. He didn’t even come in, but elected to go straight home to tell the other children the great news.
“I’ll stop and pick up some fried chicken for dinner,” he said. “The kids like that.”
“Everything’s okay here,” Doug reported when Beth got into the house. “The two new guests arrived. And Adam’s decided to behave himself for a while. What do you want for dinner? I’m in a cooking mood. And no, Kayla hasn’t come back yet. She and her friend Wanda are probably out for the night.”
“We’ll set the child monitor again,” Beth said. She was so relieved that Kate and the new baby were all right that she couldn’t be upset even about Kayla, but she felt awfully tired.
“You look wilted,” Doug said.
“I am. The stress, I guess.” She felt depleted. She hadn’t realized how long she had worried about Kate and this pregnancy. It had been there for ages in the back of her mind. Now it was gone and she felt somehow empty. What was it Ralph had said to her long ago, at a time when she had been desperate with worry about one of their daughters? His kindly voice echoed in her mind. “Motherhood is not for sissies, Beth.” She felt an odd need to cry, her relief was so great. Maybe she was just too tired for that, too.
“I think it’s best if we have an early night.” Doug’s voice came into her dreamlike state. They were at the kitchen table, just finishing their meal. “I’ll see to Adam and clear things up here. Why don’t you just go up to bed? Kayla will come in when she comes in. I’ll set the monitor.”
“Good.” She didn’t protest. “I’ll go on up.” She kissed Doug, then Adam’s upturned face, and started up the long stairway. It had never seemed so long before.
Well, at least darling Katie’s problems were solved. She had her new baby girl, and when she woke up, she would be full of plans. Kate was such an active person, involved in so many things with her family and her church. And now Kate could fix up her little gray rental house next door where she and her first husband, Claude, had lived before his death.
Beth paused a moment on the long stairway. The idea darted into her tired mind from out of nowhere. Such a nice little house. Compact. Snug. Only two bedrooms. No long stairways. Then it was crowded out by another thought. What am I going to do about Kayla? About Adam? I’ll have to think about it. But not now. Later.
Wearily, she continued upward.
During the night she was vaguely aware of two interruptions from the monitor, but Doug attended to both. Morning would come too soon.
And it did. The next day, getting this group of guests off with a delicious breakfast in them lightened her spirits considerably. She was humming about midmorning when Kayla came slowly into the kitchen. She heard Adam before she heard Kayla.
“Mommy, see my books?” Once again he was in the middle of the kitchen floor and, as always, he tried to get his mother’s attention. Beth felt a rush of affection for him. For the first time in his short life he was experiencing some security.
“Hi, Beth.” Kayla’s voice was tired.
“Sit down, Kayla. I’ll get you some coffee. Did Doug tell you the news? About Kate and the new baby?” She had already talked with Kate briefly on the phone and was delighted with the world in general. It was going to be a beautiful day, and Doug was off painting a picture of it.
“Yeah. Great. I’m glad things were okay for her.” It was evident that Kayla was trying to sound enthusiastic. “I’m sorry about last night,” she added in a low tone.
“What about last night?” Beth asked. At the moment nothing would make her unhappy.
“Oh, I thought Dad would have told you. He got so mad. I do that. I go through life disgusting people. I guess that’s my mission. And I seem to have a real talent for it.” Her voice had become hard.
For the first time Beth turned and looked at Kayla. Kayla was really angry, as angry as she had been yesterday when Doug brought her home. There was almost a snarl in her voice. And why should that be so surprising? Just because she herself was so happy, it didn’t follow that everybody else would be happy, too.
Instinctively, Beth tried to smooth it over. “Kayla, please don’t feel like that. You’ve got a problem. We all know that. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” She wanted Kayla out of this negative mood. Maybe Kayla would take care of Adam. For a change.
“Dad says if I’m to stay on here I’ve got to shape up and help. Okay. I’ll help. I admit I haven’t been too much help to you so far—”
Beth felt a sudden flare of anger. What had Doug said to Kayla? It would have been nice if Doug had bothered to mention it. Had he told Kayla she could live here? Permanently? It’s my house. Kayla’s eyes filled with tears and she brushed at them angrily. Self-pity. Beth thought in contempt.
“Sit down,” Beth said, knowing she sounded grim. Well, she felt grim. “I’ll get you some coffee. What else would you like? Cereal? Toast?”
“Whatever,” Kayla said, sitting down at the kitchen table. “But think of something—some work—I can do today.” Kayla’s voice was tight. “I told him I’d help. And I’ll help!”
Beth felt like swearing, which she never did. Actually, she wished Kayla hadn’t come home. She had plans for today, and Kayla was not part of them. But Kayla was drinking again. She couldn’t leave her here on her own. What if Kayla got drunk? What if somebody came to the door? What if that CPS woman came back? Or called?
“All right,” Beth said. “I’m going over to Kate’s house as soon as I finish here. This all happened so fast that Kate wasn’t able to finish arranging the new baby’s nursery. I told her I’d get it ready. You can help me with that, if you want to.”
“Okay. Good. And before that I’ll help with the beds here. And when Dad gets home you tell him everything I’ve done! Okay?”
“Yes, if that’s what you want,” Beth answered. Maybe she would tell him a good deal more than that.
Adam was so delighted to be returned to the house with the swings that he didn’t make a row when he was told that story time wasn’t going to happen today because there was too much else to do. They really must get him something to play with here in their own backyard, Beth thought. A swing of his own, maybe even a slide. He’d love that, and he needed to be outside more. She would talk to Doug about that, among other things.
Kate and Ian’s three children would be at school, so Kate’s house would be empty. Beth was glad nobody else would see Kayla in this angry mood.
Beth stopped the car in front of Kate’s house, wondering how she was going to get through the next couple of hours. Kayla had sat sullenly silent next to her on the drive over. As Beth turned off the engine and set the brake, Kayla spoke for the first time.
“So, that’s where Kate lives. It’s pretty grand, isn’t it?” There was clear resentment in her tone.
Beth felt she was near boiling point herself. They’d be lucky if they got through this without open warfare.
“Kate hasn’t always lived here,” she said quietly. She was remembering Katie’s difficult widowhood years, and her courage living through them with her two children. “Kate has had some rough times. That little house next to this one—the gray frame house—that was Kate and Claude’s. She had been a widow for several years before she and Ian married. This house—the big one—was Ian’s. They were next-door neighbors.”
“Oh, really. I didn’t know,” Kayla said, glancing back at the small gray house. “It’s…kind of shabby, isn’t it?” There was just a hint of satisfaction now in Kayla’s tone.
“It’s empty now,” Beth said. After she and Ian married, Kate had rented the little house to a nice elderly couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hyslop. Mr. Hyslop had Alzheimer’s and Mrs. Hyslop took care of him. He was a gentle, confused old soul. Finally he passed away, and she went to live with their daughter—this was a few weeks ago. Kate was going to fix it up a bit before she rented it again, but she hadn’t got to it yet when she started having difficulties with her pregnancy.
“I guess we’d better get started,” Beth said. She was feeling a little calmer. She wanted to be busy, not talking with Kayla when she was in this mood.
“Swing!” Adam reminded them from the back seat.
“Yes, yes. We’re going in right now,” Beth said, getting out to take Adam from his car seat. She didn’t fail to note Kayla made no move to help. “Ian fenced in the back,” she added to Kayla, “so Adam will be safe there while we’re inside.” Not that Kayla would care, of course.
“Oh, we don’t need to worry about Adam,” Kayla said. “He won’t go anywhere. He knows better.” She got out of the car and stood looking up at the house. Then she followed Beth around to the back. Adam was rushing in ahead because he knew where they were going.
Maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea to bring Kayla here, Beth thought. It all probably looked very opulent to her, and she obviously resented Kate apparently having so much when she had so little. And whose fault was that?
Beth opened the back gate and they went into the rear area. There was the well-kept sweep of lawn, the flower beds here and there. Then there was the excellent collection of children’s play equipment, plus the barbecue area on the flagstone terrace in back of the house. Yes, it would all seem very grand to Kayla.
“We’ll go in the back way,” Beth said, “after we get Adam settled.”
Adam rushed for the first swing and got into it, trying to pump up some motion. Kayla stood silently, looking around, making no move to help him get started. Beth went over and gave him a push and was pleased to hear him laugh. It was so good to hear Adam laughing. She wished Doug could hear.
“Okay, let’s get going,” Beth said, hoping she sounded more cheerful than she felt, but her heart sank. She’d have to take Kayla through Kate’s beautiful kitchen with all the polished wood, stainless steel and copper. It was really a House Beautiful kitchen. Then, of course, the lovely dining room with its elegant china cupboard filled with expensive china. If only she hadn’t had to bring Kayla along. She must try not to be so judgmental of Kayla, but it was hard not to, when comparing her with Jill and Kate. On the other hand, they had had a completely different life. She should try to be more understanding, but, with Kayla’s personality, it would be hard going.
“Wow,” Kayla said when they entered the kitchen.
“Everything’s so neat. I guess someone came over from the Ladies’ Guild to clean away the breakfast things. The kids certainly didn’t, in their rush to get to school.”
Kayla gave a sudden harsh laugh. “Speaking of your church people, guess what? Preacher-man was working up to asking me for a date yesterday. You know, when he so kindly offered to drive me over to Wanda’s.”
Beth’s heart sank. So poor Pastor Cooper was trying to follow through on his feeble friend-of-the-family idea. “Well, you could do a lot worse,” she said somewhat tartly. She still didn’t think it would be a good match for Pastor Cooper, and she felt defensive. “Are you going out with him?” She couldn’t help but ask it, hoping that Kayla hadn’t agreed.
“Not on your life,” Kayla snapped. “I don’t need that kind of trouble—although I have to admit I was tempted. He’s quite a hunk. But I’ve got more sense than to get involved with a man of the cloth. Can you imagine such a thing?”
Actually, no, Beth thought. Not in a million years, but she didn’t say it, reminding herself again that this was Doug’s daughter.
“He’s a nice person,” Beth said finally.
“Of course he’s a nice person. And I wish him well,” Kayla said drily. “I wish him a long happy life with somebody sometime. But not with me.”
They were progressing down the hall and had come to the living room. “Oh,” Beth said to change the subject, “let me show you a picture your father painted. Kate has it over the fireplace. In here.” She led the way into Kate’s living room. Kayla went to the fireplace and stood looking at the picture.
“It’s your back garden. He’s good. I have to admit it.”
“It is good, isn’t it?” Beth came to stand beside her. If they could just get through the tasks here and get back home, maybe Kayla would go and sulk in the bed-sitter.
“Okay, where’s all this work I’m supposed to do?” Kayla turned suddenly from the picture.
“Upstairs,” Beth said in a businesslike tone. “Right out here.” She led the way through the hallway and up the stairs. She hoped all the bedroom doors were closed. Kayla had seen enough fine furniture for the moment. But apparently Kayla’s mind was no longer on Kate’s possessions.
“I had a great talk with Wanda last night. She’s a terrific person. Real hardheaded, good sense.” There was an undertone of satisfaction in Kayla’s voice now.
“Good. It’s nice that you’re making some friends,” Beth agreed. Anything to keep Kayla placated until she cooled off. “Right in here. This is going to be the nursery.” Beth opened the door and they went in.
The baby furniture had been delivered. There was the crib, the bassinet, stacks of baby blankets and comforters, still in their plastic wrappings. All sorts of colorful baby paraphernalia were stacked here and there from the several baby showers.
“What a mess. First, of course, we’ll need to wash this stuff the baby’s going to use. Kayla, do you think you can work that washer and dryer downstairs? I can show you,” Beth offered. “Would you like to do that or something else?”
“Please, Beth, I can work any washer or dryer on the planet, since any washing I do has to be in Laundromats. I don’t have a lot of fancy equipment. Let me do the washing, and you work in here.”
“Good,” Beth said in relief. “Let’s get started.”
Kayla worked doggedly for the next two and a half hours, until the new Beth’s nursery was perfect for her arrival home.
“Well, are we finally finished?” Beth asked as she got the last clean stack of baby clothes into a drawer and shut it.
“Almost done,” Kayla answered. She was standing just inside the door, looking slowly around the new nursery. “Looks good,” she commented. “We did a real job of work here. Be sure you tell Dad.”
“Yes, we did,” Beth answered.
“You know, in case you ever wonder,” Kayla said, “I do appreciate all you’ve tried to do for me, Beth. You’ve been real great with Adam. He’s not an easy kid to get along with.” There seemed to be no anger in her tone now.
“Why, thank you,” Beth said uncertainly. She was going to say something else, but she heard in the distance the slamming of a door. “Can that be Adam?”
“Yeah, probably. Last time I was down in the service porch he was griping about being hungry. That kid’s a bottomless pit.”
The peaceful moment was gone. “Of course. Why don’t we stop someplace and get something on the way home?” Beth suggested.
“A burger maybe. Adam likes burgers,” Kayla agreed.
Although her anger seemed to be gone, on the way home Kayla was almost as silent as she had been before. She only made one comment. “Looks like Adam gave up. He’s asleep in the car seat, now that he’s full of burger.”
“Well, his lunch was late and it’s well past his nap time,” Beth answered. She was already thinking of the rest of her day. Was Doug home yet? Two new guests wre coming in for the night. She’d need to think of something for dinner; then there were the breakfast preparations to deal with. Maybe she shouldn’t have worked so hard in the nursery. She could have left some for another day—the new baby wasn’t going to be released from the hospital just yet. She wanted to simply lie down and fall asleep, as Adam had.
As she turned into the drive she saw with relief that Doug’s car was there, and her heart lifted. Somehow she would get through the day.
“I’ll take Adam,” Kayla said, pulling him, still asleep, from his car seat. As soon as they were inside she disappeared into the bed-sitter and shut the door.
Beth breathed a sigh of relief.
At eleven o’clock that evening, when all the chores were finally finished, the four-poster in their bedroom had never looked so good. Almost as soon as her head touched the pillow Beth was engulfed in sleep. Then, an instant later, or a long time later, there was a haunting sound that came and went. Somewhere in the distance, Adam was calling. It faded in and out, wavering.
“Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?”
Beth moaned and tried to push the sound aside but it continued forlornly.
“Mommy? Mommy?”
“Doug?” Only half awake, she reached over to touch him.
“I heard it. It’s the monitor. He’s awake. I’ll go down.” He was getting up. She heard him struggling into his robe, then reached up and snapped on the light.
“I’ll come with you,” she said, forcing herself toward full wakefulness.
She followed him down the stairs, holding on to the banister because she still felt half asleep. They reached the bed-sitter door almost at the same time. It was open, and one of the lights inside was on. Only Adam was there, sitting up in the wide sofa bed. He was weaving a bit groggily. He was holding a piece of folded paper out to them.
“Take iss,” he said sleepily. Then, “Mommy gone.” There was a pause during which he swayed slightly. “Mommy come back?” Then he toppled over into sleep again.
Doug went over and plucked the paper from Adam’s lax fingers. He flipped it open and read. Then he handed it to Beth.
“She’s gone. For good.” He stooped over and scooped up the sleeping child, holding the limp body close to his broad chest. Beth looked down at the note. It was in Kayla’s large, scrawly writing.
Dad and Beth,
I give up. Sorry things didn’t work out. Wanda’s fed up, too. We’re taking off. Don’t worry about me. In case you would. I’ve got a line on a job for the summer. Take care of Adam. He’s better off with you two than with me.
Kayla
Beth looked up at Doug. His face was gray with shock as he cradled the sleeping child.
Beth felt stupid. Kayla had left her child, How could a mother leave her child? Then, Kayla’s gone. She’s not coming back.
Doug spoke first, his voice sounding far away.
“I’m sorry, Beth,” he was saying. “I’m so sorry I got you into this.”