Chapter 2

 

At The Broken Egg, a local restaurant, the hostess seated Joe and Seth outside on a patio that overlooked a street. As it was early Saturday morning, the downtown sported only a few cars and pedestrians. They sipped coffees and enjoyed the warm September air.

His dad said, “You got in late last night.” He and Lacey had already retired to their room to watch a movie, so Joe hadn’t disturbed them. “Basketball ended at eight, didn’t it?”

“Yeah. We went out for ice cream with a new friend Brady made and her mother. You know her—Juliet Mason.”

“Ah, one of my best teachers. She’s knowledgeable and astute, but even more important, she has ‘the touch’ with kids.”

Joe had heard the term before—the ability to relate to students in a very special way.

“You’ve got it, too.”

“I hope so. We had fun. Brady has quite a crush on her daughter Hannah.”

“That’s cute. I knew Brady would make friends quickly after his best friend moved away.” He arched a brow. “How about you? Do you like Juliet?”

Trying not to blush, Joe nodded. In truth, he was embarrassed because he’d been unable to stop himself from noticing how snugly her jeans fit her and how her hair glowed under the fluorescent lights in the gym. Hell, he was only human. And he’d been celibate far too long. “Very much. She seems smart and sweet.”

“That sums her up.” His dad frowned. “Which is more than I can say for her husband.”

“You don’t like him?”

Seth frowned. “I remember one time he came to see her at school. He walked into the faculty lounge and peered down at us as if we were cockroaches. He hurried her out before she even finished her lunch.”

“Poor Juliet.”

“He’s a big shot in Washington. He was recently appointed to a select committee to interrogate the Secretary of Defense over some drone strikes that killed civilians.”

“An accomplished man.”

“It’s more important to be a good person.” Seth shook himself. “I shouldn’t be talking about a friend’s husband like that.”

Joe laughed. “Dad, you can gossip with me. It won’t go any further.”

“No, I don’t feel comfortable. But one more thing, since you asked. Juliet seemed to get sadder and sadder as the years went on. I heard she was trying to get pregnant and couldn’t. But it seemed to me her somberness went deeper.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Just a feeling I got.”

“Hello, Mr. Taylors.” A waitress had approached their table. “I see the hostess brought you coffee.”

“Hey, Chelsea.” A former student of Joe’s, Chelsea Roberts was a star in everything she did. “We’re set with that. How long have you worked here?”

“Two years. It’s one of the few jobs I can do and still be a cheerleader.”

“Hi, Chelsea,” Seth said. “I think I retired before you came to the high school.”

“Teachers still talk about you, Mr. T.” She used the moniker Cassie had given his dad.

After she took their order and left, Joe watched her. “She’s an overachiever, that one. Sounds to me like she’s got too much on her plate, though, with cheerleading, class president, co-editor of the literary magazine. And she takes two advanced English classes.”

“Lacey was that kind of student.” A brilliant smile claimed his father’s face. “I wish I’d known her then.”

“I’ll bet.” Joe sighed wistfully. “You have a perfect life together.”

Seth took a bead on his son. “One you’ll have again someday, Joey.”

“I hope so. I’m…ready to move on.”

“Nothing could make me happier.”

“You won’t have to take care of me and Brady, Dad.”

“Ha! We’ll always take care of you two.”

“Yeah. I suppose I’ll be that way with Brady, no matter how grown he is.”

The conversation made Joe more determined to enjoy his life, the little things, like today with his father out on a beautiful fall day, and the big ones like teaching his classes and spending time with his son.

oOo

Juliet glided through the water. Between smooth strokes, she turned her face to the side and took rhythmic breaths, then submerged it again. The long lanes in the pool at Bayview Heights Country Club were perfect for lap after lap after lap. The best thing about swimming was her mind blanked.

After forty-five minutes, she slowed down. A bit later, she climbed out of the main pool, grabbed her towel and crossed to kiddie area.

“How many did you do, Mommy?” Hannah asked from waist-high water. Craig’s country club provided a lifeguard to supervise children for the express purpose of allowing parents to swim.

“One hundred.”

“Wow.”

The older girl looked up at her. “You have a great stroke, Mrs. Mason.”

“Thanks. I was a member of my college swim team.” She’d gone to Vassar, where she’d met Craig, who attended law school nearby.

“I can see why. Not many people can swim that long without a break.”

She thanked the girl who watched Hannah every Saturday and Sunday morning and reminded herself to leave a tip at the desk for her service. Dropping down to the edge the pool, Juliet stuck her feet in. “Want to show me how you can swim?”

“Uh-huh.” Hannah took a kickboard from the slate surface and held it out in front of her. Then she pushed off and kicked her feet for several yards.

“That’s it, honey.”

“I can do more.” Hannah let go of the board and floated, hands stretched out in front of her. Then she began to flutter her feet. She went a distance, then stopped. “See, Mommy?”

“You’ve made progress quickly, Hannah. Pretty soon you’ll be doing your own laps.”

“I’m gonna be just like you.”

The thought came unbidden. No, Hannah, please, don’t be like me. With a brave face, she said, “You’ll be your own person. And that’s the way it should be.”

Juliet played with Hannah in the water, then they both showered and changed into street clothes. With Hannah in the backseat, Juliet slid inside her Lexus.

In the car, they were singing a song about female lumberjacks when her phone rang. Juliet’s heartbeat escalated as the caller ID popped up on the screen. “It’s your father,” she said and clicked on.

“Hi. It’s me.”

“Hi, Craig. How are your meetings going?”

“These asshole Democrats on the committee are giving me grief.”

“Craig, you’re on speaker phone and Hannah’s in the car.”

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Hi, Hannah. How was school this week?”

“I made a new friend.”

“I’m going to talk to Mommy privately now.”

In the rearview mirror, Juliet saw Hannah frown. Still, she hit private mode.

“Where are you if you’re in the car?”

“Doing what I’ve done every weekend since we married, Craig.”

“You went to the club?”

“Yes.”

“Did you socialize with any women there?”

“No, I swam laps.”

“You should have left Hannah home and had breakfast with the ladies. There’s always a group of them there.”

A long silence.

“Juliet?”

“Hannah’s learning to swim. Besides, I missed being with her this week.”

“I’d rather have you making contacts in Bayview.”

“You got reelected last year, Craig.”

“Never too early to campaign.”

I’d rather eat ground glass.

She asked, “What are you doing this weekend?”

“I have meetings today. You should have remembered that.”

“I was hoping you could get some air, walk around the mall.”

“I can never do those things. I’m too busy.”

“I’m sorry.” She chided herself. She’d vowed never to say those two words to him again.

“I have to go. Why don’t you call Gerald’s wife and ask her for lunch tomorrow at the club?”

“Maybe I will.” Not! She was spending every minute she could with Hannah this weekend.

She flipped on the speaker. “Say good-bye to Daddy, love.”

“Bye, Daddy.” Hannah’s tone was flat.

“Good-bye, Hannah. Juliet, we’ll talk soon.”

Before she could respond, he disconnected.

Silence. Juliet wished…

“Are you sad, Mommy?”

“What do you mean?”

“You always are, after Daddy calls.”

“I’m fine. So, did you decide what you want to do tomorrow?”

“I wanna play with Brady.”

“Brady from last night?”

In the rearview mirror, Juliet could see Hannah nod her head vigorously.

“Oh, dear. He’ll probably want to be with his dad. Mr. Taylor went back to work this week like I did.”

Hannah’s bottom lip came out.

Still stinging from Craig’s neglect, as she expected her daughter was, too, Juliet made a quick decision.

“But maybe you can see him for a little while tomorrow. I’ll call his father.”

“I liked Mr. Taylor. He read the menu to me and asked me a lot of questions.” Her face brightened. “He likes me, too.”

“He’s a nice guy.”

“I love you, Mommy.”

“I love you, too, Hannah.”

When they got home, Hannah played outside for a while and Juliet walked around the house, hesitant to intrude on the Taylors’ weekend. But they were wonderful people, and even though she’d known Joe for only four days, she sensed he was a good man.

And tomorrow would be the first Sunday before the first full week of school. Anyone who wasn’t in the profession didn’t know that Sunday afternoons and evenings were anxious times for teachers.

Through the back windows, she caught sight of Hannah on the outdoor swing set, digging her feet into the dirt and propelling herself upward. For a moment, she wished so much her dad was out there with her, having fun, playing.

Mr. Taylor likes me.

She slid her cell out of her pocket and punched in a number.

“Lansing residence.”

“Hello. This is Juliet Mason. I’m calling for Cassie.”

“Juliet, Mitch here. How are you?”

Juliet’s heart clutched in her chest. Mitch Lansing was the perfect husband, devoted to his wife. It shamed Juliet that she was jealous of what they had together.

“I went back to work this year.”

“Cassie told me. Did you cry every day?”

“A bit.”

“Cass, did, too. Oh, here she is. Take care.”

“Juliet, hi.”

Something in the background, then Cassie laughed. Oh, no! “I’m sorry if I interrupted you two.”

“You didn’t, at least not in the way your flustered voice indicates. The four of us are cooking this morning. We try to get a head start on meals for during the week when we’re busier.”

“That must be fun.”

“Yeah? You should see my kitchen. It’s a disaster.”

“Mom!” The girls must be right there with her.

“Don’t say that!”

“I’ll let you get back to them. I was wondering if you’d mind giving me Joe Taylor’s phone number. Hannah met Brady at an activity last night and she wants a playdate tomorrow.”

“How sweet. But all of us are going out to Seaview Park tomorrow. It’s kind of a family tradition for the first weekend after school starts.

“Sounds like a great family day.”

“The park will be closing soon, too. You and Hannah should come with us.”

“No, I’d never intrude like that.”

“We’d love to have you. I heard from Lacey that Hannah and Brady hit it off.”

“They did.”

Her daughter appeared in the doorway. “Mommy, is that Brady? Can he come?”

“Now, Juliet.” Cassie’s tone was scolding. “You don’t want to disappoint that little girl of yours, do you? I’ll bet she loves amusement parks.”

She rarely gets to go to one.

“Besides, she’ll be company for Brady. Usually his family goes with him on the rides, but it’s not the same as having another kid along.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Hannah’s hopeful expression. “Maybe we’ll come for a bit.”

“One o’clock. You remember how to get there or should we pick you up?”

“No, I’ll drive. Should I call and ask Joe’s permission?”

“I’m sure that’s not necessary. I’ll tell him this afternoon. I’m looking through the window and see they’re out in their backyard.”

Juliet felt a slice of longing so acute it almost hurt. What would it be like to have your best friends within viewing distance when you walked out your door?

“Juliet?”

“Thanks, Cassie. See you tomorrow.”

When she disconnected, Hannah practically jumped up and down. “Is Brady’s coming to our house?”

“Not exactly. They’re going to Seaview Park.”

Her face fell.

“But they asked us to come along. Would you like that?”

“Yay!” She rushed over and hugged Juliet around the waist. “You’re the best mommy in the world.”

For that little gem from her daughter, Juliet guessed she could ignore her embarrassment at practically inviting herself to an outing.

oOo

Seaview Park sprawled on the outskirts of Bayview Heights and was a child’s wonderland. As they walked through the gate, Joe took in the panorama of kiddie rides up ahead, the huge roller coaster looming over the entire area and the carnival-like games set up around the perimeter. The back of the grounds sported a water park. The day had dawned with the bluest of skies and warm air.

“You came here when you were little, didn’t you, Dad?”

Seth walked ahead with Joe’s half brothers, thirteen-year-olds Casey and Cory, and Philip who was sixteen “He did. The park was one of his favorite places.”

A lump formed in Joe’s throat. His mother, Connie, had been a fan of amusement parks, and Joe missed her at times like these. Also, Lacey’s grandfather, Philip, who Joe had adored, had taken him and his brothers here when they were little and Joe a teenager. Phillip had died four years ago, and the family still mourned his loss.

“When do Hannah and Mrs. Mason get here?”

“We’re meeting them at one of the picnic areas. We’re going to settle there, with an adult taking turns at sitting with our belongings. Stop a minute, Brade.” He dropped down to eye level with his boy. “Remember what I said about the picnic area?”

“I go there if I get lost. Or if you do.”

“What if you can’t find us?”

“I ask one of those people and tell them I got your phone number in my pocket.”

He pointed to a worker who wore the security uniform: yellow shirt, blue cap, a visible badge and walkie-talkie. One of the reasons the park was so popular with parents was its attention to safety.

As they walked down the blacktopped path, Joe wondered why Juliet hadn’t called him. Cassie said Juliet had contacted her to get his number, but she’d never phoned him. Cassie had probably taken the whole matter into her own hands, as usual.

Joe found himself looking forward to seeing Juliet again. He pushed aside the fact that she was attractive, that he’d noticed, and concentrated on having a new person, new people in his and Brady’s life.

“Han-nah!” Brady called out when the picnic area came into sight. He broke away from Joe and bounded to the girl. When he reached her, they hugged like long-lost friends.

“Bra-dy,” she squealed.

Juliet laughed and met Joe’s gaze when he reached them. Her sleeveless yellow top, worn with beige shorts, highlighted her hair, which fell in soft waves around her cheeks. She seemed younger. More carefree. “Hi, Joe. You’d never guess they only met two days ago.”

“Sometimes, it doesn’t take long to know you’re going to care about a person. I’m happy you’re both here.”

“I hope so.”

“Brady and Hannah can go on the rides together. Can’t say I’m going to miss the whirling teacups and what they do to my stomach.”

That made her smile. “I planned to call you and set up a playdate for our kids, but Cassie kind of took over.”

“That’s Cassie. Even when she was in college, she was bossing me around.”

“It must be nice to have a close family.”

“Do you—?”

The arrival of the rest of the group interrupted his question. The two families greeted Juliet and Hannah warmly. After setting their things down, Lacey agreed to stay back and read—a respite from her usual busy day. Cassie said, “Meet back here in ninety minutes.”

“Dad, come on.” Brady tugged on his hand. “Hannah and I wanna go on the train.”

“Wait a sec.” Juliet squatted down to be eye level with her daughter. “Tell me what I told you to do if you get lost.”

Hannah repeated the same information he’d given Brady. Then Juliet and Joe led the way.

“I was going to ask if you have family nearby, Juliet.”

“My parents died when I was in high school. I had a guardian until I went to college, then I was pretty much on my own.”

“Wow, at eighteen? How did you live?”

“We had money. Financially, it was easy to take care of myself.”

“But lonely, right?”

“Terribly.”

“What about your husband’s family?”

“He grew up in the Bronx. Very poor. His single mother didn’t treat the kids well before she died of an overdose. He clawed his way out of that and got scholarships for school. When I met him my freshman year, we were both in the same position, though he was older and in law school then.”

“I’m sad for both of you.”

“There it is,” Brady yelled and, holding Hannah’s hand, he raced to the line forming for the next train ride.

Juliet frowned. “I always go on these things with her.”

“I’ve done the same with Brady, but he’s done it with a friend before, so I think it’s safe for just the two of them to go together.”

Taking in a deep breath, she let it out slowly. “I’m overprotective.”

“Yeah, well, life can turn on a dime at any time, so overprotectiveness is underrated.”

They dropped down on a slatted bench and kept a weather eye on the children. Juliet peered over at him, and the sun sparkled off the lighter strands in her hair. “Were you talking about your wife when you mentioned overprotectiveness?”

“Her, and my mother. She died young, too.”

“Oh, Joe.”

“Then I lost Lacey’s grandfather, which was a blow. But I’ll tell you what nearly leveled me. My best friend in the world got seriously hurt last summer. Honestly, Juliet, I don’t know if I could have handled something happening to him.”

“We find strength when we have to. Was he ill?”

Now Joe laughed out loud. “No, he got knifed in a gang fight.”

“He did?”

“Johnny’s a heart surgeon now, but he used to belong to a gang. Long story how he ended up in a fight at thirty-six, but thank the Lord, he’s okay.”

“Johnny Battaglia is your best friend?”

“Yes. Do you know him?”

“No, but Cassie told me about him. He graduated before I started teaching at Bayview.” She glanced away. “Oh, look, they’re boarding.”

“Hannah doesn’t seem worried that you’re not with her.”

“She’s probably been waiting for an opportunity to break away from me.”

“No more dark thoughts about parenting today. Let’s have fun.”

oOo

After the kids rode several more attractions, played games and fed the ducks in a pond in the center of the park, they regrouped at the centrally located picnic area. The teens joked and jostled each other and teased the adults about their success or lack of it at the carnival games. What would it be like to live this way, Juliet wondered again, with love in every action of the people you grew up with?

“So,” Cassie said, slathering more sunscreen on her face and arms. “Who’s up for The Giant?”

The three Taylor teens, of course, but Juliet saw Mitch and Seth exchange glances.

Cassie rolled her eyes. “You guys gonna wimp out again?”

“Of course not,” Mitch told her. “I plan to play ring toss with Brady and Hannah while the rest of you foolishly surrender your safety to that death trap.”

Juliet offered, “I’ll stay back with Hannah and Brady.”

“No,” Seth said. “I will.”

Cassie smirked. “He’s scared, too.” She arched a brow. “Another example of female superiority. You in, Juliet?”

“I should go with Hannah and Mitch.”

“No, Mommy. Stay with your friends.”

“Huh, my last hope dashed.”

“You afraid?” Joe asked.

She laughed. Today, he seemed young and healthy and happy in khaki shorts, a green golf shirt and sneakers. “Not on your life. What about you?”

“Please. I’m not a scaredy-cat like my dad.”

“You wound me, son.”

“Come on, let’s go.” This from Cassie. “Then we’ll eat.”

Juliet pulled a tie out of her purse. “Can I leave my bag?”

“I’ll guard it with my life,” Seth told her. “Have fun, Juliet.”

They headed to The Giant. Juliet breathed in the warm air and let the sun beat down on her. Suddenly, she felt lighthearted.

“All right, who’s sitting with who?”

“With whom, Cass,” Joe teased.

“Not in an amusement park, kiddo. Besides, you’re starting to sound like Marcus Thomas.”

Joe ignored her remark. “You and Lacey always go together. It’s tradition.” He bumped shoulders with Juliet. “Want to be my partner? I’ll warn you, I scream.”

“I like to let go of the rail.”

“Then it’s you and me.”

Lifting her arms, she twisted her hair into a ponytail and secured it. Joe’s gaze locked on her and she wondered why. As they waited in line, they made small talk. Finally, it was their turn to climb onto the blue-padded seats. Every car sported several rows. Of course, Lacey and Cassie grabbed the front one. He and Juliet snagged the second.

The car chugged up slowly, creating anticipation. Her heart pounded when they reached the top. She lifted her hands up and so did Joe. The car flew through the air. Then it dipped and circled, turning them upside down. For this they held on. The second incline was steeper. On a larger double loop, the four of them screamed. For the last elevation—the highest—Juliet gasped at the height and the next loop, which was bigger and faster. But she’d be damned if she’d let Joe know she had a moment of panic. Most of her competitiveness and joy in a challenge had been drained out of her in her fifteen years of marriage and it was delightful to feel it again.

When they reached the bottom and slowed to a stop, she stuck her fist in the air. “Yes!”

Joe slid an arm around her and hugged her. “You did good, girl.”

Spontaneously, she leaned into his shoulder. Right at this moment, she was happier than she’d been in a long time.