Rebecca opened her eyes to sunlight streaming through the window. It had to be later than she usually got up. Automatically, she turned over and reached for Vernon. He wasn’t there. She pushed herself into a sitting position and looked at the clock. She’d slept until eight-thirty.
A little frightened, she sat on the side of the bed and pushed the buzzer on the phone.
“Yes, ma’am.” Wilma’s voice came on the other end of the line.
“I overslept, Wilma. Is Mr. Armfield still here?”
“He left at his usual time, ma’am. Said you were sleeping so well he didn’t want to wake you.”
“Thank you, Wilma.”
“May I bring you some coffee, Ms. Rebecca?”
“That would be nice. And maybe a piece of toast.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Rebecca smiled. Vernon was nice to let her rest. And it had felt good, though it was unlike her to sleep so late. In fact, she hadn’t slept a whole night in a long time. On the other hand, she hadn’t slept all of last night, either. She didn’t have a baby dream, but she must have dreamed something she didn’t remember. At one time, she had jumped and sat up in bed, wide awake.
Her movements had awakened Vernon. She couldn’t help smiling when she thought of how sweet he’d been when he put his arm around her and talked to her gently. That had happened just after midnight. She knew the time because he’d gotten up and warmed some milk for her. Then he’d held her in his arms until they both went to sleep again.
When they were first married, they had shared a lot of tender moments, but they now seemed so scarce. Since losing the baby, Rebecca had often wondered if Vernon had lost interest in her. She always pushed those thoughts away and rationalized that he was frequently tired, and she was not often the aggressive one. Especially when he kept telling her how hectic business had been lately.
The three years Rebecca had spent with Vernon had been mostly happy. She’d always been a serious person, and no one had expected her to ever marry. She was eight years older than Mindy, but at times the years between them seemed more. Mindy was carefree and daring, while Rebecca was studious and cautious. Mindy was also pretty and sexy, and Rebecca, merely neat and attractive. Many men had pursued Mindy, while Rebecca had had only a few suitors.
Vernon Armfield had changed her life. When he first came to work at Davidson Industries as the assistant general manager, Mindy decided she would show him the town. They did go out a few times, but soon Vernon spent more time in the accounting office where Rebecca worked than on the tennis courts with Mindy. At first Rebecca thought Mindy had tired of him and he had come to her for comfort, but she soon realized that wasn’t the case. He wanted to spend time with her. He took her to concerts, to plays, and even on picnics. Her father was pleased. Vernon was a good catch, and Walter Davidson was happy to see the ambitious young man pursue his eldest daughter.
“Reminds me of myself when I was his age,” her father often said.
When they caught the general manager of the company using company supplies to start a small business of his own, Walter promoted Vernon into the position, and he excelled at the job. In a short period of time, company sales increased by almost twenty-five percent. Walter was delighted and made no secret of the fact that when he retired, he wanted Vernon to take his place.
The next six months brought two events Rebecca would never forget. On a Saturday night in February, Vernon asked her to marry him. She said yes to the delight of her father, and to her surprise, her sister seemed happy about the news, too. But her elation subsided when a week later, Walter Davidson had a massive heart attack and could no longer run the business.
Rebecca quit her job to stay home with him, and Vernon stepped into his shoes. The company continued to grow and prosper. Playing off the opening of the Dickens book, A Tale of Two Cites, Rebecca often told people that was both the best and the worst year of her life.
She and Vernon married in May, and in July, her father died. She never did return to a full shift at work after his death, because Vernon insisted she stay home and concentrate on being his wife. She worked enough to keep her hand in the business, but both of them were happy with her at home.
The present year had turned into another bad one for Rebecca. Two months after their second anniversary, she lost the child she’d prayed for. All of her doctors told her she would’ve never carried the child to term, even if she hadn’t fallen. Rebecca believed them. She also believed them when they told her that at thirty-six, she should give up the idea of becoming a mother and allow them to perform a total hysterectomy. The endometriosis she’d suffered had been terrible, and it wasn’t getting any better.
Knowing she would never have a child was hard for Rebecca to accept, and even with Vernon’s approval and support, she became depressed. A small breakdown, her doctor called it, and he recommended Vernon check her into a hospital. He refused. Instead, he hired nurses and doctors to be at their home around the clock. Mindy also spent a lot of time with Rebecca.
The only leftover fringes of that event now were the nights she couldn’t sleep because of her dreams about babies. She kept waiting for them to completely subside.
Wilma came into the room with a tray laden with breakfast foods, bringing Rebecca back to the present. She slipped into her pink and white silk robe and moved to the small table in the alcove by the window.
“I brought you some fresh fruit and took the liberty of making you French toast, Ms. Rebecca. I know how much you like it,” the maid said.
“That’s nice, Wilma.”
“How are you feeling this morning, ma’am?”
“Surprisingly well.”
“That’s good. I was afraid you were sleeping in because you didn’t sleep last night.”
“I slept almost all night, Wilma. I don’t know why I slept so late this morning. Maybe I needed the extra rest because I didn’t sleep much the night before. I feel really good this morning.” Rebecca almost added, Please don’t be so careful with me. So I had a little breakdown six months ago... I feel fine now. Instead she said, “The French toast is tasty, Wilma.”
The telephone rang. The maid answered it and then turned to Rebecca. “It’s a Nick Quimbley. Do you want to talk to him?”
“Oh, yes. I do.” Rebecca put her fork down on the breakfast tray and took the phone from Wilma. “Good morning, Nick.”
“Good morning, Rebecca. I hope I’m not calling too early.”
“Not at all.”
“I wanted to see if you would accompany me to your sister’s condo this morning.”
“Of course. I want to find out where she is as soon as I can. Will you give me time to shower and get dressed?”
“Sure. Will an hour be long enough? “
“Perfect.”
“Good. I’ll be there in an hour. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak to Mr. Armfield.”
“You’ll have to call him at the office.” Rebecca gave him the number.
“Thank you, Rebecca. See you in an hour.” Nick hung up.
Rebecca turned to Wilma. “I went to school with Nick. I engaged his company to look into Mindy’s disappearance. I have a feeling he’ll find her soon.”
“I’m sure he will.” Wilma smiled at her employer. “I know you won’t rest until Miss Mindy is found.”
“You’re right. I want to know that she’s all right.” On impulse, she reached out and took Wilma’s hand. “Thank you so much for all you do for me.”
Wilma smiled and blushed. “It’s easy to be good to someone as nice as you, Ms. Rebecca.” She dropped Rebecca’s hand and headed for the door. “If you want anything else, you just ring me.”
“I will, Wilma.”