Rebecca’s Cove

Chapter 10

Fatigue caught up with BJ, and as luck would have it, she was close to the bakery. She remembered Mack’s offer of a ride and glanced at her watch. Another twenty minutes and he would drive by. The tantalizing odors from the bakery drew BJ inside and she purchased a couple of pieces of fudge. Once outside, she spied the bench and made her way across the street.

She never thought twice about waiting for the light, even though there was absolutely no traffic on Main Street. If she was aware at all that this was a change in her normal behavior, she gave no outward sign.

BJ arrived at the bench to find a boy occupying one end. “Mind if I grab some lumber, kid?”

The spiky blond-haired boy looked up from the coloring book. He wore round, wire-framed glasses that he frequently pushed up with one finger. Holding a small nub of crayon aloft, he looked her up and down with a wary eye. “My mom says I shouldn’t talk to strangers.”

BJ grinned. The boy had an almost indiscernible lisp that made him adorable, not that BJ was partial to children in any way. “Fair enough. I won’t talk to you then, but I’ll take a seat right here. Okay, kid?”

“My mom says learnin’ to share is good. S’okay.”

BJ stretched out her legs and rested her arms along the back of the bench. The youngster went back to coloring a map of the United States. “Hot out, huh, kid?”

“My mom says it’s not polite to call someone ‘kid.’”

BJ popped a piece of fudge into her mouth. The Florida heat had quickly turned the treat into warm brown goop. She held out the other piece in one hand. “Wan thum?” she mumbled.

“My mom says it’s not polite to talk with your mouth full.” BJ rolled her eyes, yet continued to hold the treat aloft. She knew he wanted it.

“Mom says I should never take candy from a stranger.” “Your mom’s got a lot of rules, doesn’t she?”

“Kinda.” He pushed at his glasses, then smiled at BJ. The grin was the kind that showed off two even rows of perfectly white baby teeth. His smile fairly glowed and BJ knew this was one of them—a kid who was truly happy.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“What’s it to ya?” BJ answered with a wink.

The boy shrugged, smiled again, and resumed his coloring. His feet swung in the air and he appeared perfectly content.

“What’s your name?” BJ asked a moment later. “What’s it to ya?” he said without missing a beat. “Oh, a smart aleck, eh?”

The youngster giggled.

BJ didn’t understand the bond she had with children. The last time Juliana had physically dragged her home for Thanksgiving, she’d received the shock of her life. Searching the house for BJ, she eventually found her in the basement lying on her stomach, circled by a half-dozen children, playing Candy Land. BJ wasn’t more comfortable with the children than with adults; the children merely accepted her biting honesty and open criticism.

“My name’s BJ.”

“Noah.” The youngster held out his hand. BJ smiled and shook it.

“See, now we’re not strangers.” She held out the fudge and the boy quickly popped the gooey mess into his mouth.

“Whatcha up to this afternoon, Bubba?”

“My name’s Noah,” he said and BJ chuckled. “I’m waitin’for my mom. She’s in the drugstore.”

“Ah, Mom, the one with all the rules. How was that fudge?” “Real good, thanks! Mom says sugar’s not really bad, ’less you eat too much. Mom says—”

BJ held up a hand. “You sure your mom’s not the great and powerful wizard from Oz?”

“No.” Noah giggled in reaction. “There she is! Hi, Mom.” Noah stood on the bench and jumped up and down as his mother came into view. BJ could only watch in stunned amazement as she came closer and, finally, Noah wrapped his arms around her neck.

“Hi, sweetheart.” Hobie kissed her son’s cheek and returned his fierce hug. “I see you have a new friend.” She gave a smirk in BJ’s direction.

“I should have known,” BJ said with a wry smile. “So this is your mom, huh?”

“Yep.”

“I see you two have been sharing some chocolate,” Hobie said.

“How did you know that?” BJ asked. “Oh,” she said upon seeing Noah’s chocolate-covered chin.

Hobie wiped her son’s face with a Kleenex. “Well, him and then there’s...uh...” She handed a clean piece of tissue to BJ.

BJ frowned and wiped her mouth. “Thanks,” she muttered. She suddenly realized that the boy looked exactly like Hobie when he scrunched his turned-up nose and pushed his glasses up.

Hobie sat and Noah jumped in her lap. The bond was easily readable. Hobie wore a million-dollar smile while listening to him talk about his day.

BJ felt a little disappointed by this turn of events. First, for some reason, she had assumed Hobie was unattached. The more time they spent together, the more she thought Hobie was gay. Hobie didn’t wear a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean anything, did it? The second reason was that BJ felt in the way. She watched, almost with envy, as Hobie and Noah laughed and hugged. For the first time, she realized that something was missing in her life, something important.

“You never said you had a kid,” she said.

“You never asked,” Hobie said. “Thanks for lunch, by the way. That was awfully sweet of you.” Noah settled in her lap and leaned back against her chest.

BJ arched one eyebrow. “Somehow I figured you’d be the last person on this island to call me sweet.”

Hobie chuckled. “Okay, it was very nice. How’s that?” “Much better, thanks. I do have a reputation to uphold, you know.”

“Oh, that’s right. The association might ask for their broom back.”

“You’re probably the one that dropped that house on my sister, aren’t you?”

Noah’s head swung back and forth as he watched them take turns talking. He didn’t think it sounded like joking, but he felt much better when the two women looked at each other and started laughing.

“What are you doing out here anyway?” Hobie asked.

“I’m waiting for Mack. He happened to mention he’d give me a ride if I needed one.”

“Oh, us too.” Hobie shifted Noah in her lap. “I loaned the truck to my friend Laura.”

Both women looked up as Mack’s patrol car braked sharply in front of them. The passenger side window opened and Mack appeared, leaning across the seat.

“Baylor, I’ve been looking for you. I need you to get in the car right now.”

Hobie knew that tone to her brother’s voice. It never meant good news. “Mack, is everything okay?”

“Sorry, Hob, I forgot about you and Noah. Come on, everyone, get in,” Mack said. “Baylor, your grandmother’s taken a turn for the worse.”

“What’s going on?” BJ demanded once they were settled. “All I know is what the nurse told me. She said something

about Evelyn developing a high fever. I guess they called in a doctor from the mainland and he said to contact her family. That’s really all I know.”

“Christ, that’s all they said?”

“Mom, she said a bad word,” Noah said.

“Shh, honey.” Hobie pulled Noah into her lap and kissed the top of his head. “She’s just very worried.”

BJ reached out and ruffled Noah’s hair. “Sorry, Bubba, don’t listen to me, okay? I may say a few more before the day’s over.”

Noah clamped his hands over his ears, and BJ smiled at him. “’Kay. I can’t hear you.”

Hobie pulled her son more tightly to her and watched BJ, who chewed on her thumbnail as she looked out the window. She looked worried and nervous, but Hobie saw something more. Hobie had seen that haunted expression numerous times. She’d seen it every time she walked into a waiting room to talk with a family member. Family who felt the truth long before the physicians would acknowledge it. That expression, a combination of hurt and fear, was one of the reasons she had left full-time medicine. She was used to that look but found that she didn’t like seeing it on BJ’s face. She laid her hand on BJ’s forearm.

BJ looked up in alarm, not used to people breaking that barrier, the personal space that she carefully maintained.

Hobie had no idea what to say to the woman who was still more a stranger than anything. She squeezed the strong arm and smiled, meeting the anxious gray eyes. Much to her surprise, BJ didn’t pull away. Even more surprising to Hobie was that she left her own hand resting there for the duration of the trip. Neither woman seemed inclined to pull away.

“Look, if I don’t see this doctor pretty goddamn soon—” BJ’s voice rose with every word as she shouted at the nurse. She quieted when she saw Noah clap his hands over his ears.

“Ms. Warren,” the nurse began, “I know exactly how you feel, believe me, but if Dr. Trenton stops to talk to you now, then your grandmother goes without his care. He’s at her bedside as we speak, and as soon as he can, he’ll come out and talk with you.”

The genuine look of concern on the nurse’s face, coupled with the calming tone of her voice, caused BJ to take a step back. She took a deep breath, reluctantly nodded, and sat beside Hobie and Noah.

“Sarah, is that Steve Trenton seeing Evelyn?” Hobie asked the nurse.

“Yes, it is.”

“Hey,” Hobie said, turning to face BJ. “The good news is that Steve Trenton is a complete alarmist. If he says she’s doing terrible, it means she’s not that bad.”

BJ offered Hobie a halfhearted smile. “You sound like you know him.”

“Sort of. I did my residency under him in Tampa.”

BJ couldn’t believe that at a time like this, she actually felt a little twinge of pain over the idea that Hobie could have possibly had a past before they met. “Did you...um, know him well?”

“I guess I did. As well as one can get to know a self-centered sexist jerk.” Hobie smiled. “As much as I dislike his ego, I know he’s good at what he does.”

“Ms. Warren?”

BJ and Hobie looked up to see the topic of their conversation standing before them. Steve Trenton was probably fifty years old, but he could have passed for forty. He was slim and tan, with a small sprinkling of gray at his temples. BJ disliked him immediately; he reminded her of the slick salesman who had talked her into buying her Jaguar.

“Hobie?”

“Hello, Steve. Good to see you.”

“Uh, yes...same here. Are you a member of the family?” “No, I’m here with...” Hobie paused. There was that same

predicament again. Who was Baylor Warren to Hobie? “I’m with my...friend,” she said at last.

If Hobie’s words made any impact on BJ, she gave no indication. “That would be me.” BJ felt like waving her fingers in front of the man’s face. “How is my grandmother and what the hell happened to her?”

“The short version is that she developed pneumonia,” Dr. Trenton said. “Mycoplasma pneumonia, to be specific.”

“But I just saw her yesterday. She was fine.”

“That’s the thing with old folks. They’re so used to being stoic and ignoring aches and pains that when you need them to tell you what’s going on, they don’t.”

“I still don’t see how—”

“Pneumonia can creep up on older patients quickly, especially hospitalized patients,” he said. “The staff first thought infection, which is common. Post-op patients like Mrs. Warren receive spirometry care to combat the effects of being prone for long periods of time, but sometimes there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

“What are you doing for her now?”

“She’s on intravenous medication, and we’re working to keep her fever down. We’ve gotten her back to a more normal temp. She should do just fine from here on in, but I think we may want to rethink her leaving the hospital. There are a great many things that can go wrong with elderly patients. I doubt Medicare or her insurance will approve it, but if you can afford it, I think the hospital here on Ana Lia is a much safer way to go.”

“Money isn’t a problem,” BJ said. “I just want my grandmother to get the best care possible.”

“I understand.”

“Is there a set course of treatment? Will she heal fully from it?”

“Yes, it’s pretty standard. There’s good and bad to pneumonias. Chances of a fast recovery are greatest under certain conditions. In Mrs. Warren’s case, she has a few strikes against her, but that doesn’t mean she won’t have a one hundred percent recovery. We caught it before it had a chance to get to the coughing stage, which is about as good as it gets.”

“Will antibiotics help?”

“Absolutely. She needs a proper diet and access to O2 to increase oxygen in the blood. She may need medication to ease chest pain and to provide relief from a violent cough if that becomes an issue, which I doubt. Those are the most important reasons to see that she has around-the-clock care.”

“Enough said. Can I see her?”

“Yes, of course. She’s feeling a bit social right now, but that’s because she feels better. Not too long, though. Rest is the best thing for her.”

“I understand. Oh, thanks, Doctor,” she added as an afterthought.

She walked down the short hall to her grandmother’s room. “Tanti.” BJ smiled at the eyes that met her as soon as she walked into the room.

“Baylor,” Evelyn rasped. She looked tired but in relatively fair condition. The rosy tinge to her cheeks was more from the fever than robust health. “I hope I’m not ruining your plans, dear heart.”

“Tanti, don’t be ridiculous. I’m always here for anything you need, you know that.”

“But I know you wanted to go back to your own home and—” “Don’t give that a second thought, okay? Besides, you’re my family. Wherever you are is home. You just concentrate all your strength on getting well. I don’t have that much on my plate that I

can’t spend the summer on Ana Lia.” “Are you sure?”

“I can write here just as well as I can in Chicago.” “Thank you, dear heart. What would I do without you?”

“I guess I’m not gonna let you find that out.” BJ patted her grandmother’s hand. “I’m just really glad you’re going to be okay, Tanti. I was pretty worried for a while there.”

“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

There was a timid knock on the door and Hobie’s head popped into view.

“Hello, dear. Come right in,” Evelyn said.

“I don’t want to intrude, but I wanted to make sure you were doing all right, Evelyn.”

The nurse walked into the room right after Hobie. “I’m sorry, Ms. Warren, but I wonder if I could get you to sign some paperwork for your grandmother’s stay.”

“Sure. Tanti, will you be all right?” “Oh, yes, go, go.”

“I’ll just be out at the desk.”

“Hobie Lynn will stay with me, won’t you, dear?” “Of course,” Hobie said.

“I want to thank you, dear, for looking after Baylor,” Evelyn said once her granddaughter had left the room.

“I’m the last person in the world you should be thanking right about now. I feel responsible for all of this.”

“What? Oh, that. Don’t give it another thought. I’m concerned that Baylor may be very down tonight. She spends so much time alone. She doesn’t think I know, but I do. Her life consists of her writing, drinking, and carousing.”

Hobie tried not to smile, but she was sure she failed. Evelyn’s portrayal of her granddaughter was uncannily accurate. “I’m sure there’s more to it than that. She seems to have a very full life.”

“She thinks that going out to a party every night of the week and sleeping with a dozen women a month is socializing. It’s not, and you know it. The kind of people she spends her time with in Chicago—well, she might as well be alone. I worry about her, Hobie Lynn.”

“I know, Evelyn, I know. I tell you what, why don’t I ask her to come back to Mother’s house and we’ll all have dinner together? Do you think she’d be okay with that?”

“Oh, thank you, dear. Knowing that you’re keeping an eye on Baylor eases my mind a great deal.”

“Don’t get too excited. I’m not sure she’ll agree. I don’t know if you’ve been keeping up on current events around town, but Baylor and I don’t exactly get along one hundred percent of the time.”

“I know that Baylor can be...difficult.”

“Saying Baylor is difficult is to give a whole new meaning to the word.” Hobie chuckled. “I just don’t think she cares to have me around much.”

“Why, don’t be silly, dear. My granddaughter is completely enamored with you.”

Hobie laughed. Then seeing that Evelyn was serious, she froze. “We’re talking about Baylor Warren, right? I mean, you don’t have any other granddaughters, do you?”

“No.” Evelyn smiled kindly at Hobie’s dazed expression. “Just one, and Baylor is it. She may seem full of piss and vinegar right now, but she doesn’t know what life is all about yet. She doesn’t know what the key is.” Evelyn whispered this last part and Hobie smiled.

“So what are you girls talking about?” BJ teased as she came through the door. Hobie and Evelyn wore guilty expressions. Hobie blushed and turned redder upon BJ’s examination. “Oh, please, Tanti, you’re not telling embarrassing stories of when I was a baby, are you?”

“Now, Baylor, would I do such a thing?” “In a heartbeat” came BJ’s dry response.

“All right, ladies, I hate to interrupt, but this patient needs her rest,” Dr. Trenton said as he strode into the room.

“Tanti, you have them call me for anything you want or need, you understand? Anything.”

“I understand and I will, dear heart. Now where will you eat dinner?”

BJ laughed. “What in the world does that have to do with the price of tea in China?”

“If I know you’re not eating properly, I’ll just sit here and worry. I’m sure that can’t be good for my health. I think you should eat dinner with Hobie Lynn.”

“Tanti!”

“Um, actually,” Hobie touched her fingers to BJ’s elbow, “I did tell her I might ask you anyway. I mean, just so you wouldn’t have to be alone tonight,” she stammered. “My mom’s cooking dinner for me and Mack anyway.”

“Oh, I appreciate it, but I really—”

“If I have to worry about you, Baylor Joan, I’ll be awake all night,” Evelyn interrupted.

BJ raised an eyebrow. The comment sounded more like a threat than an old woman’s worried rambling. She had a fleeting thought that perhaps her grandmother was up to something, but the sincere expression on her face convinced her otherwise.

“Sure. Sure, that would be great.” BJ offered Hobie a lopsided smile. “I have to stop by and feed Arturo first, though.”

“No problem,” Hobie said.

“Uh, Hobie, I wonder if I could ask you a question.” Dr. Trenton sidled up to Hobie. He was trying to be inconspicuous, but he wasn’t subtle enough for BJ.

He tried to move in between the two women, but Hobie stood her ground beside BJ. “Yes, what is it, Steve?”

“Well, I...” He looked up at BJ’s somewhat intimidating presence. “I thought, actually wondered if maybe you wanted to...”

His eyes once again met with BJ’s cold gaze. Her lips had pulled back into a sneer. The message was loud and clear to the would-be suitor. “Um...never mind. Nice to see you again.”

“You too, Steve,” Hobie said distractedly.

They left the hospital with Mack, who had surprised BJ by sitting in the waiting room the whole time. They piled into the patrol car once more and Noah scooted over to BJ.

She smiled at the youngster. “She’s not all better yet, but she will be soon.”

“Good, I’m glad.” He nodded emphatically to punctuate the remark.

“Thanks, Bubba.”

The boy surprised BJ by moving into her lap and looking out the window as they drove along.

“Here, let me...” Hobie reached for the boy, but BJ’s hand stopped her.

“Nah, he’s okay.”

They rode that way in silence until BJ spoke. “Do you and Noah...uh, live alone?” She knew of no other way to ask the inevitable question.

Hobie seemed to miss the question’s intent. “We live with my mom. Actually, it’s a pretty big place. Noah and I live in a guesthouse on her property. It has its ups and downs. There’s always a baby-sitter for Noah, and I get home-cooked meals when I’m too tired to make them.”

“And the downs?” BJ thought about what would have happened had she and her mother tried to live together as adults. It would have been World War III.

“Well...it is living with your mother. Need I say more?” BJ chuckled and nodded.

“You better tell her about Mom before she gets surprised.” Mack’s voice sounded from the front of the car.

“Surprised?” BJ got a strange feeling along her spine. “She doesn’t see pink elephants or anything, does she? Wait, is there a hamster I should know about?”

Hobie smiled. “Very funny. No, I just need to give you an advance warning before you meet my mother.”

“Dear God, what does she see that’s not there?”

“My father.” Hobie quickly continued when she saw BJ’s eyes grow large. “No, it’s not like she sees him. My father died when I was a teenager. Mom, well,” Hobie gave a tired smile, “she’ll act like she doesn’t know my father’s dead.”

“She doesn’t know he’s dead?” BJ’s voice rose an octave. “It’s not that she doesn’t know...it’s just that she...well, she...”

BJ saw the tension in Hobie’s ramrod straight posture and knew then what she was trying to say. Knew all too well. “She doesn’t want to know.”

Hobie looked over at BJ with relief written across her features. “Yeah. She just didn’t accept it at first, so everyone kind of went along with her charade. It seemed harmless enough. It’s rough now. It’s getting harder to explain things to Noah.”

“Someone should have a talk with her,” BJ said. “You need to be honest with her.”

Hobie vigorously shook her head. “No. I lost my father, but she lost her husband. I don’t know how it feels to lose the other half of your whole life. I’m not qualified to sit in judgment and tell her what she’s doing is wrong.”

BJ shrugged. “It’s your call.”