Driving onto the Whinding House campus elicited a quiver in her stomach. Even though there hadn’t been any incidents lately, she couldn’t help but keep her guard up. They could apologize and feel bad all they wanted, but it wouldn’t happen again, not without repercussions. The only reason Rose was able to let go of Pearl was her promised safety. At least at home, Rose would always keep an eye on her mother. She wasn’t going to allow accidents to get in the way of that.
Tina wasn’t at the front desk, and Rose didn’t recognize the young woman sitting in her place. She couldn’t have been more than twenty-five, and her flawlessly made-up face stood out among the other staff. Rose guessed this was Tina’s temporary seasonal help. At least her friend could enjoy her summer.
‘Good morning,’ the girl said, fluttering her long eyelashes. ‘Please, sign in. Who are you visiting today?’
‘Pearl Barros,’ Rose said, signing her name on the sheet. The page was almost full, which made her insides soar. Her curiosity about the residents’ relatives was piqued. Maybe the summer would bring more visitors to The Cottage, and Rose wouldn’t be so alone there.
‘The new code is 4-8-7-9,’ the girl said.
‘New code?’
‘Yes, it was changed this morning. A part of the new protocol.’
In the time Pearl had been there, not once had they changed the code. ‘I see. Might I ask why?’
She shrugged. ‘I’m new here. I do what they tell me.’
‘Well, it was nice to meet you.’
‘You too,’ she said without offering her name and returned to her computer screen.
Her fingers moved on autopilot, and she stumbled over the code twice before she got it right. Once she entered the closed-off part of The Cottage, she went into the recreation room where a cacophony of voices greeted her. The summer months brought more visitors into the place. She spotted Pearl in the corner of the room by the window with another woman: Mrs. Gillette, her new roommate.
Mrs. Gillette spoke about her son while Pearl stared at the woman. Her eyes were blank and almost sad. Did she remember her kids? Did Mom feel anything for those around her?
Jessie went over to Pearl’s table and helped Mrs. Gillette out of her chair. She was a heavy woman. Her legs barely held her up.
‘Hello, Rose,’ Jessie said as her gaze shifted over to Pearl.
‘How’s she doing?’ Rose asked.
‘Good. Aren’t you, Pearl?’
Mom didn’t flinch.
Jessie gave Rose a closed-lipped smile. She led Mrs. Gillette away and left Rose and her mother alone. Sunlight streaked across Mom’s face from the open window. A light breeze moved through her hair. Several strands were hanging off the table. If Mom remembered how much she’d cherished her hair, she wouldn’t be too happy about losing it.
‘It’s a beautiful day outside,’ Rose said, pushing through the small talk.
Pearl nodded her head twice.
Rose sat up straighter. At least Mom was paying attention, even if she had no idea who Rose was. ‘Do you like warm weather?’
Pearl lazily closed her eyes and opened them. She mumbled something incoherent.
‘What was that?’
‘Wuuutuur,’ she said.
Rose turned in her seat. ‘Water. Do you need water?’
Mom grunted and motioned outside. A shaky smile crossed her lips.
‘You like the beach,’ Rose said, glancing over her shoulder. While she didn’t want to bring up the incident, the beach was Mom’s favorite place. Was that the reminder she needed? There was a distinct possibility that Pearl had escaped on her own. Though, how did the fence break without anyone noticing? Goose bumps formed on her arms, and Rose tried to rub them away, furiously moving her hands up and down her skin. It had been an accident, one with a happy ending, but she needed to let it go.
Pearl sighed. ‘Syreeeen.’
Rose nodded at Mom, desperate to keep her expression neutral. ‘Your daughter.’
‘Visit,’ Pearl said with a hard T-sound on the end of the word.
Rose sat up straighter. ‘She’ll visit soon.’ It was a lie, of course, but Rose counted on Pearl not remembering her request. If she called Reen and mentioned it, it would keep her away even longer. She didn’t like anyone telling her what to do.
Then, Pearl started to run her fingers through her hair, humming a song, deep in her throat. A song from her past, a melody that Mom had used to soothe nightmares or any other ailments that Rose or Reen had. Tears pricked at Rose’s eyes.
All of Rose’s questions flew out of her mind as she melted into her chair, allowing the song to wrap her in its warm embrace. Memories from the past flew to the surface, flashing before her eyes like a worn-out projection; the edges worn and ripped.
She repeated the song several times, like a broken record. She’d stop at the same place and start again as if she couldn’t quite remember where it ended. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep, holding the last note a little longer than necessary before its abrupt end.
‘How is everything going here?’ Katrina asked, sidling up to the table.
‘Good,’ Rose said, trying to hide the emotion in her voice.
‘That’s great to hear.’
Rose wasn’t ready to leave, but she wanted Mom to be comfortable while she slept. At least she wasn’t going to be the one who risked waking her in transit. She knew better than to wake that sleeping bear.
‘I should get going,’ she said, standing up.
‘I’ll help Pearl to bed,’ Katrina said. ‘She hasn’t been up for much lately.’
‘Why was the code changed?’ Rose asked abruptly.
Katrina pursed her lips and turned, scanning the room. ‘I’m not supposed to say anything to the families.’
‘Why not? I have a right to know if something is going on here. I’ll talk to the doctors myself –’
‘No, you don’t have to.’ Katrina scanned the room and then leaned closer, lowering her voice. ‘It’s a precaution. But I think you should know since you’re somewhat involved.’
Rose leaned in. ‘I am?’
‘Well, Pearl is. There was an investigation into the damage with the fence. They found the security tape and saw someone wandering close to the campus last week. A woman was spotted breaking the fence with some tool and walking through.’
‘Did she get into the buildings?’
‘None of the staff saw anyone out of the ordinary.’
‘Who was the woman?’
‘No idea,’ Katrina said. ‘The police are investigating, but since then, management has taken measures to ensure our residents’ safety. All the codes were changed and several more cameras installed.’
Who’d want to break into a nursing home? Rose’s mind turned over this information. Last week a strange woman tried to break into the nursing home, and a teenage girl jumped off the pier into the ocean. Could it have been the same person?
Rose sucked in a long breath, enough to make her lungs burn. ‘What did she look like?’
Katrina shook her head. ‘I didn’t see the recording. But don’t you worry about it now. The police will handle it.’
Rose barely heard the rest of Katrina’s explanation as her heartbeat thrashed in her ears. Was it a coincidence or did the girl stop at the nursing home before catapulting into the water?
‘Thanks for letting me know.’ The room closed in around her, and she needed space. Mom was peacefully asleep, so there was no need to stay. She kissed the top of Pearl’s head and said goodbye to Katrina before leaving the room. The sterile air caught in her throat as she walked down the hallway toward the doors.
More questions flooded her mind as she approached her car. She kept a sharp eye on her surroundings, expecting to see the long-haired girl at any moment. Was there any hope of finding out more about the girl or was her truth hidden for good?
If at any moment Shane wanted to share more information about the case, he hadn’t made it clear at all. By the time Wednesday rolled around, Rose was tired of waiting, but there was no way she could march into Patrick’s office and demand information.
Besides, every day that week Shane had come into The Siren for lunch and made small talk with her. Demanding anything might derail their growing friendship. Smiles came easier for him, and once it left his face, she eagerly waited for the next, unable to hide her own in the process.
It was a good thing that the previous weekend kicked off the tourist season, keeping her even busier and her mind away from thinking about the girl too much. She still appeared in Rose’s waking nightmares randomly throughout the day. She navigated around the pier, so she wouldn’t be reminded more than necessary.
On her way to work, Rose couldn’t get her mind off the girl.
That was until Shane walked into the restaurant around noon. His limp was less pronounced, or maybe she was used to it. She had some idea that the injury had brought him to their small town but hadn’t dared touched that subject. She wanted him to like her, not shut her out again for prying into his life.
His eyes found hers, and he nodded his head. The ‘man nod’ as Missy called it.
‘Can I do this one?’ Heather asked. ‘I need more practice.’ She was a mathematics major and needed more than one customer for practice. But her aunt taught Calculus at the high school and was the only reason Rose had passed the class all those years ago. She owed her.
‘Sure,’ Rose said, hoping that Shane would be gentle with the poor girl.
Since the party, Shane’s gruff exterior had melted slightly. Even those around town who’d been hesitant to accept him as Patrick’s replacement spoke about him with more positivity. At least from what she’d heard.
Rose followed the blonde, socially awkward 20-year-old over to his table.
‘Hi, I’m Heather,’ she said, shifting on her feet. ‘I’ll be your waitress.’
Shane looked at Rose before the girl. ‘Hi.’
As she fumbled to pull her pad out of her pocket, it fell on the table instead. ‘Whoops.’
Shane handed it over, which elicited a fit of giggles from the girl.
Rose bit her cheeks to keep her expression tight. High-pitched laughter followed every single mistake Heather made, and there were a lot. She seemed to be the only one not to notice. Rose cleared her throat, nudging the girl along.
Heather tapped the tip of her pen against the pad. ‘Do you want some water for the table? I mean, you, not the table. The table doesn’t want a drink…’ Another giggle.
‘Sure,’ Shane said, suppressing a smile.
Heather sighed and turned on her heel, walking over to the drinks area.
Rose turned to Shane, crossing her arms. ‘She’s getting better. I promise.’
‘I’m sure,’ he said, suppressing a smile.
‘How’s your day going?’
He sat back against the booth. ‘Good. We got a little headway into the case.’
Rose slid into the booth and leaned against the edge of the table. ‘You did?’ This was what she’d been waiting for.
‘I thought that would get your attention.’
‘What does that mean?’
Shane leaned closer to the table, placing his hands on top. Rose had the urge to move her hands from her lap to the table, but she didn’t.
‘It means, I think that’s all you want to talk to me about.’
She scoffed. ‘It’s not.’ Once they found out who the girl was and informed her family, Rose wanted to keep seeing Shane at The Siren. She wanted to get to know him. More than she wanted to admit.
‘Good,’ he said. ‘I’m confident we can close this case soon.’
‘How?’ Rose asked. ‘I mean, only if you can share. I know it’s top secret and all that.’
‘And I know you’re curious. I would be too.’
‘You would?’
‘Of course. It’s a small community here. I get that. Plus, someone breaking into your old place. Taking your stuff…’
‘Did you find fingerprints or anything to identify her?’ Rose asked.
Heather found the most inopportune time to return. She placed the glass of water in front of Shane. Rose clenched her fists under the table.
‘Oh shoot, I didn’t give you a menu,’ she said, turning around.
‘Burger, medium, extra tomato,’ Rose said.
Both Shane and Heather looked at her.
Rose blinked. ‘What? Is that wrong? It’s what you’ve ordered all week.’
The corners of Shane’s mouth turned upward. ‘Not wrong at all.’
Heather scribbled the order on her pad. ‘Fries or salad?’
Shane looked at Rose.
‘What?’ she asked then rolled her eyes. ‘Fries.’
Heather’s gaze darted between them before leaving to deliver the order to Missy.
‘I’m pretty predictable, aren’t I?’ Shane asked.
‘Everyone here is,’ she said.
‘You aren’t,’ he said.
She pressed her back against the booth. ‘Really? Why would you say that?’
‘For some reason, I’m having a tough time pinning you down.’ He sipped from his glass.
‘What else is there?’
‘I’ll let you know when I find out.’
A slow smile curved her lips. He intended to find out more? She didn’t have anything against that.
‘Anyway,’ he said, glancing around the room. ‘No fingerprints. But it makes sense that most of the prints would be mine since I live there.’
‘You don’t think she broke in?’
‘I don’t want to say anything without evidence to back it up. But the shoes at the scene of the crime and a witness confirming ownership lead me to believe that it was the girl who broke into the house.’
Cops went the long way to figure out the obvious. Though, she supposed it was their job to look at a case from all angles.
‘Why do you think she broke in?’ It wasn’t as if those shoes were in high demand anywhere. They were one of a kind and hideous.
‘Considering nothing of value went missing, I’m under the impression that she might have been after shelter and clothing.’
Rose’s hand flitted to her mouth. ‘Do you think she was homeless? My house was right on the water. It would have been easy enough to break into. It wouldn’t be the first time.’
‘It wouldn’t?’
Rose shook her head. ‘Well, technically it’s only been broken into once since I remember.’ It had been an accident with a drunk couple thinking they were at their own place. ‘During the tourist season, people venture out onto the private beaches, even when they’re not supposed to.’
Shane rubbed a hand across his chin. ‘Patrick could have told me.’
‘Well, it doesn’t happen often. I suppose if something was taken, then he might have mentioned it.’ It seemed as if the girl needed a place to stay or something on her feet during whatever trek she made through town. Though, none of it made sense. At what point would she have not had shoes that she needed to burgle a house to get some? Had she gotten into trouble? Rose knew the girl was troubled – anyone who would randomly jump off a pier had to be – but the questions started to trickle into her mind again. And the need for more answers intensified.
‘Are there homeless shelters in the area? Youth programs for the less fortunate?’ he asked.
‘There is a homeless shelter about a half hour from here,’ Rose said. ‘Not sure about youth programs. I can look some up for you.’
‘That won’t be necessary.’
Rose opened her mouth but said nothing before she pushed him. He already knew she wanted to help. Slow and steady wins the race. She’d get there. Though she hoped the case wasn’t cold by then.
Heather brought Shane’s burger to the table. ‘Can I get you anything else?’
‘No,’ he said, grabbing his phone. He pulled up the Internet browser, and Rose knew her time was up. She slid out of the booth to give him some privacy. ‘Enjoy.’
Shane nodded at her and then returned to his phone.
She tried to busy herself with showing the trainees how to roll utensils in napkins and disinfecting the menus, remaining nearby in case Shane had changed his mind. She wasn’t sure how many times she looked at Shane, but his eyes never turned in her direction.
The many ways in which she could help him fluttered through her mind. Her need to overstep boundaries pinched at her chest. She could help with the case if Shane allowed it. But Shane wasn’t in charge. Not yet.
Chewing on her lip, she excused herself and went into the kitchen. Missy was busy inside the fridge and didn’t see Rose slip into the back office and into her purse to find her phone.
Rose intended to check out some local homeless shelters to help Shane, but when she turned on her phone, there was a missed call from Reen. A million scenarios flurried through her mind as she pressed the number to call her back.
‘Hello?’ Reen said. Voices erupted on the other end of the line.
‘Reen, it’s Rose. Is everything okay?’
‘I need to talk to you,’ Reen said. There was a loud sound, and then the background noise disappeared.
‘What’s going on?’ She willed her racing pulse to calm down before her heart beat out of her chest.
‘Did you tell the nursing home to call me?’
‘No. Why?’
‘Someone left two messages today.’
Rose pulled her phone away from her face and checked her missed calls. There weren’t any from the Whinding House. ‘I didn’t tell them to.’
‘She said something to the effect of Mom missing me. She calls out in her sleep for Syrene. Did you know about this?’
‘No, they hadn’t mentioned it.’ Why hadn’t they mentioned it? Was that why Mom said Reen’s name to her?
‘Don’t you go there?’
Here we go. ‘Yes, of course I do. Every day. But they only call me for emergencies.’
‘It sounded like it was something you’d make them do.’
‘What are you talking about?’
Reen raised her voice. ‘To make me feel guilty. You know I don’t want to come back there. And if Mom doesn’t remember me, then it shouldn’t matter.’
Rose had a hefty bag of names she wanted to call her sister at that moment, but she kept her cool. ‘She’s still our mother.’
‘The mother who checked out once Dad died,’ Reen said, her voice fading into the background. ‘I don’t have time for this. I wanted to make sure you weren’t forcing them to call me.’
‘I’d never want to interrupt your busy life,’ Rose said.
‘You were never good at sarcasm.’
A click echoed in Rose’s ears. She pulled the phone away from her face and glared at it. Reen always had a way of pissing her off with just a few words. So, what if the nurse called her? What was she doing that was more important than family?
She pressed her thumbs against the corners of her eyes, trying to shove back her forming tears. Reen’s acidic words about Dad pressed against Rose’s chest. It was all true, but that didn’t mean it hurt any less.
‘How are you doing in there?’ Missy called from the kitchen.
‘Fine,’ Rose called back. She shoved her phone into her purse and stalked out of the office.
‘Why are you all hot and bothered? Is it because Shane’s here again?’ Missy asked with a smirk.
‘That was Reen,’ Rose said.
Missy’s face fell. ‘I’m assuming from the scowl on your face that it wasn’t a pleasant conversation?’
‘Those don’t exist anymore. She doesn’t have a care in the world. While I’m here busting my ass to take care of Mom.’
‘Do you need a minute?’ She checked the clock on the wall. ‘I think it’s about time for your lunch.’
Rose nodded. She rarely took more than a few minutes for a break, scarfing down whatever food she could grab, but fresh air would do her good.
‘I’ll see you in thirty,’ she said.
‘I’ll be back in –’
‘Thirty,’ Missy repeated. ‘The kids can handle it. Get your head together, okay?’
‘Thank you,’ Rose said and patted Missy’s arm.
Missy reached over and pulled her close. ‘Love you.’
‘You too.’
Rose grabbed her purse and headed out the back door to the parking lot. She sat in her car and turned the radio on, sinking into her seat as country music filtered out of the speakers. She thought of all the retorts she should have said to Reen instead of allowing her little sister to say those things about her mother.
Reen had always been the selfish one, vying for everyone’s attention. The second someone paid attention to anyone else but her, she ran off to find it somewhere else.
Of course, Mom mourned their father. She’d said so many times that he’d saved her from her past –one that she rarely spoke about. Half of Mom’s soul was buried six feet under, and Reen couldn’t handle it.
A relationship like her parents had was something that Rose wanted for herself but she wondered if that was a fool’s errand.
With Reen and Mom attached at the hip when they were kids, the devastation of Dad’s death crumbled their bond within weeks of the funeral. Mom’s refusal to be a member of society or the family had pressed hard on Reen, who was already grieving. Instead of supporting the family, she’d cut ties completely. It was a month after Reen’s high school graduation with a full scholarship for swimming at the University of Florida before she made her choice to turn down the money and leave The Burrow for good.
The worst thing was that Mom barely noticed that Reen had left. Consumed with Dad’s death, even years later, Mom didn’t realize the damage she’d done. When she finally did, it was too late to fix the bonds after she’d cut them so severely.
A cruiser drove by, and Shane waved to Rose. With a shake of her head, Rose came out of her memories. While she hated to dwell on them, they were vivid and easy to recall. Ever since Mom was diagnosed with dementia, she worried for herself often. Today, it wasn’t getting her.
After the half hour, she turned the car off and headed inside, a little less angry than before.