She looked at the dark circles under her eyes, "I look like a raccoon. She reached for the consealer and carefully applied the shading under one eye. Much better - now she looked more like a pirate with an eye patch. A loud rap at her back door interrupted her makeup routine.
"Did I catch you at a bad time?" Jack asked with an amused half-smile on his face as he eyed her face.
"No, I was just getting ready for school. Come on in." Cynthia replied adding, "Did you need something?"
"Well, mm, I need a favor." he hated imposing on his neighbor but he was in a bind.
"You need to borrow a cup of sugar?" she joked.
"No," he answered, "I have a family emergency and need to make a trip to Nashville. I was wondering if you could take Halley for a couple of days? My brother is having surgery day after tomorrow and I'd rather not have Halley at the hospital all day."
"Sure, no problem. I'd love to have her spend time with me," Cynthia assured Jack.
"The thing is, could you come and stay next door? All her things are there but I hate to put you out," he hesitated, quickly adding, "Mary Beth is watching her tomorrow. I knew you'd be tied up with parent-teacher meetings all day."
"Well, my last appointment is for 4:30 so I should be home before 6," Cynthia assured him. Would that work?"
"You are a lifesaver!" he replied as he reached over and squeezed her arm. That tingly-feeling shot up her arm. "Halley loves to spend time with you. She won't even know I'm gone."
"I don't believe that for one minute, but we do get along fine. But, wouldn't Kate want Halley to spend the time with her?"
"The less Kate knows about my life and schedule the better. She gave me quite a tongue lashing last night. She was pissed that I took Halley shopping and we didn't get back in time for the play. She refused to believe it slipped my mind."
"I know Halley had fun. She loves going and doing things with you. You are her idol."
Jack's face turned a bright red as he mumbled, "I just wish Kate thought that way."
"Don't worry so much. I don't think Kate has accepted her daughter's death and you're the only one she can vent her frustrations on," Cynthia attempted to reassure him.
"Maybe but she never approved of me before Judith's accident and that was the final straw," he said. "If only she didn't blame me for it. She acts like she's the only one that misses Judith."
Cynthia didn't respond to that. "I've got to finish up and get to school."
"Yea, I guess you'd better get that other eye done," he said smiling as he closed the door behind him.
She leaned against the door mulling over what Jack had said about Kate and Halley and his late wife's accident. Poor guy. He really has it rough.
Chapter 6
Cynthia sighed as she closed the last file folder and put it on top of the growing stack. The conferences had gone smoother than she'd expected. After the weekend she had with her unpleasant encounter with Kate on Saturday morning and David's call on Saturday night she was amazed at how energized she felt.
"Did your conferences go well, Cynthia?" one of the other teachers inquired as she leaned against the classroom door.
"Very well, and how did yours go Ms. Mangrum?" Cynthia asked.
"Great, I always enjoy meeting the parents. I've found after twenty-five years of teaching the best way to understand how a child's mind works is to get acquainted with their parents. I've met a lot of them since I've had most of my student's siblings and even a couple of their parents."
Ms. Mangrum had been a real helpmate to Cynthia. She had immediately taken her under her wing and showed her the ropes. Although she was well over fifty she was vibrant and seemed much younger than her years. She had been quick to assure Cynthia it was due to being around her young students all these past years. That was the secret to her youth. She had never married and only recently lost her mother. She had invited Cynthia over for supper several times in the past few months and they had formed a bond of friendship.
"Is your fiancé coming for the holidays, dear?" Ms. Mangrum smiled up at her young friend.
"Not sure yet." Cynthia hated to lie to her after the effort she'd put into being her friend. "Probably not though. He's just gotten several new clients and I'm sure he is very busy."
"That's too bad, dear. Perhaps we could spend some time together over the holidays. I've got some baking to do for the churches Christmas Eve candlelight service. They always serve cookies and coffee after service and without mother to help me this year I could use your help," her voice quivered slightly. "Do you enjoy baking?"
"I'm not much good in the kitchen but I could help you clean up and maybe you could give me some cooking lessons." Cynthia knew the woman was lonely since her mother's death and she dreaded Christmas without her friends and family, too. Maybe the two women could help each other. Cynthia's parents were going to NY for Christmas and Becca would be lucky to get over for New Years weekend. "Yes, let's plan on getting together."
"Wonderful. I love to bake and with no one but me to sample the goodies I'll probably gain ten pounds this year," she said as she patted her ample hips.
Glancing at her watch Cynthia said, "I've got to run. I'm caring for Halley tonight. Jack is going out of town for a couple of days."
"I didn't mean to keep you, dear," her thoughtful friend said, "Have a good evening."
Pulling her car in front of Jack's garage seemed awkward; maybe she should have parked in her driveway and walked over. It would be more convenient to park in his driveway since her overnight items were in the backseat of her vehicle. Hopefully, none of the neighbors would get the wrong idea and think she was spending the night with Jack. One thing about living in a small town was everyone knew everyone else's business. She ran next door and got Bella and her food for the evening.
"Mary Beth," Cynthia called out as she entered the foyer and hung her jacket on the coat rack sitting beside Jack's front door. "I'm here." She opened Bella's crate and gave her run of the house. Bella headed down the hallway toward the chatter emitting from the den. "Girls, I'm here," she repeated as she entered the den. The two girls were sitting cross- legged on the floor playing a card game. "What have you two been up to?" Cynthia questioned.
"We're playing Go Fish and I'm winning," Halley beamed up at Cynthia.
Mary Beth was already getting up from the floor, "She's beat me every game. I've got to get home Ms. Bowling, I have a term paper to finish before tomorrow." She quickly added, "My mom will skin me if I'm much later."
"Go girl," Cynthia patted the teenager on the back. "I hope you won't get in trouble."
"No problem, it's all cool," Mary Beth said as she grabbed up her stack of books and jacket and smiled down at Halley, "see you two later."
"I don't know about you Halley but I'm starved," Cynthia told the child taking her small hand and leading her down the hall toward the kitchen. Cynthia flipped on the light in the dark room disturbing Bella who was scrounging for supper.
"It looks like Bella is hungry. Would you like to feed her Halley?"
"Yes," she smiled. Cynthia poured dry kibbles into a tiny bowl and gave it to Halley. "Here it is." Halley stooped down sitting the bowl in front of the tiny dog. She stuck her head in the bowl and started eating.
"How about helping me fix supper?" Cynthia asked the little girl who was patiently watching Bella eat.
"Grandmother says I'm too little to cook," Halley's lower lip pouted and crunched her nose.
"I've got just the job for you. Let's have a picnic," Cynthia suggested.
"Can we? I love picnics," the child exclaimed, "but it's cold outside."
"We'll have it inside. Go get that blanket off the couch. We can spread it on the kitchen floor and have an indoor picnic."
"I love picnics and grilled cheese is my favorite."
"Mine, too," Cynthia told the little girl. Sometimes it was fun playing mommy.
Chapter 7
Cynthia soon learned one of the biggest differences in location was the weather. Searcy was having an unusually wet, cold winter and with Christmas holidays so near Cynthia wasn't used to a cold holiday. In Florida she'd done Christmas shopping and tree decorating in shorts and tank tops. The dramatic difference in weather was exciting but did pose challenges; the biggest being at the moment the leak that had developed in Maddy's roof. Cynthia had checked Maddy's address book and phoned the repairman she had listed only to be informed by his wife that he was sick in bed with the flu. She had promised to send him over when he had recovered but Cynthia didn't think the leak could wait.
She dug the ladder out of the utility shed and grabbed Maddy's little tool box with a firm resolve that the time had arrived when she should flex her newfound independence and repair the roof herself. It couldn't be too hard - could it?
Fortunately by Saturday the constant rain had abruptly stopped and she had googled simple roof repair and printed out some step-by-step instruction designed for the do-it-yourselfer. Staring at the hole in Maddy's roof suddenly made the repair appear harder than it had googled.
"Hey, what are you doing up there?" Jack shouted from his back porch.
"Repairing a leak," Cynthia shot back as she shaded her eyes with her hand.
"Come down. Let me fix that for you," he shouted back. He was already slowly inching his way across the roof towards her.
Cynthia frowned, "I can do it!"
He stared at her. "Do you know what you are doing?"
"No, well, yes. I do have these directions," she clutched a crumpled sheet of paper.
"Go inside, Cynthia. I'll do it for you," Jack insisted. "This rain is making the roof slippery. Anyway, I thought Maddy had a repairman she always called for stuff like this."
"He has the flu," Cynthia maintained her footing on the roof, refusing to give up on the job.
"We're both going to have the flu up here in this rain. You shouldn't be up here. I shouldn't either," he mumbled to himself.
"Then get down. I can do this," Cynthia continued to insist. "I am quite capable of fixing a little leak."
"I've no doubt you can but really Cynthia be reasonable - let it go. I can look at the leak inside and I'm sure we can come up with a temporary fix until the repairman is well enough to do it right."
While they argued, the rain turned from sprinkles to a steady downpour forcing Cynthia to reconsider and finally give in. "Men!" she exclaimed. "Alright, I'll go inside, but when the rain stops I am going to fix that leak," her tone amused Jack.
Jack followed her into Maddy's bedroom and they surveyed the damage together. "Not too bad yet. I can get a bucket and you can collect the rain in it and then when it stops raining, you can go back up on that roof and break your neck - if your hell bent on doing it yourself. Don't ever accuse Jack Dawson of standing in the way of a determined woman." His charming but annoying grin had returned.
"Jack, one of the main reasons I agreed to this teacher exchange program was to end my habit of thinking the first handsome man I met could solve all my problems. Don't you get it?"
"So, are you telling me you think I'm handsome?" His grin revealed straight white teeth and it made Cynthia wished she had kept her mouth shut.
"You are too much!" Her face felt hot and she was sure she was blushing. Why did he have that effect on her?
"Check with me first the next time you decide to climb the roof or perform some other do-it-yourself household repair. I've been known to be a rather handy man," he grinned.
She shook her head. She had a little less than three months until she went home and she was more determined then ever to keep her promise to herself. Beca would be more than happy to remind her of how silly she'd been to move 1,000 miles from home to get away from men and then move next door to Jack. The last email she received from Beca had reminded her 'you can move but you take your problems along.' Maybe Beca was right; maybe Cynthia's idea was a crock. No, deep down, she knew this move had been right for her.
*******
Christmas Eve at Ms. Mangrums had been just what Cynthia needed. Mary had baked sugar cookies and then the two women had decorated them with colored sprinkles and bits of chocolate pieces and coconut flakes. Mary had baked a ham and assembled the best casserole Cynthia could remember since her mother cooked dinner last Christmas for the whole family. After dinner the two women had gone into the den and sat in front of the fireplace and listened to Mary's collection of old Christmas records. The only touchy time was when Mary had inquired about David's absence.
"Did you hear from David today, dear?" Mary asked, her eyes twinkling.
"Oh, yes, he called first thing this morning. In fact, he woke me up to wish me a Merry Christmas." She hated having to lie to her friend. "He is so sorry he can't make it over for the holidays."
"I am, too. I was looking forward to meeting him. Why, by next Christmas you will be an old married couple. Didn't you say you were having a June wedding?"
"Yes, I've always dreamed of being a June bride," Cynthia was truthful about that point, but the rest of the lies were getting to her. She had to come clean with Mary soon, but not tonight; not on Christmas Eve.
The day after Christmas Beca called to say she had made her reservations and would be arriving the Friday afternoon before New Year's Eve.
"I can only stay three days, but it'll be worth it. I fly into Little Rock on Friday and leave on Sunday evening."
"I'll be there with bells on," Cynthia assured her friend.
****
Cynthia pulled into the airport parking garage and headed toward the terminal. Holiday passengers blocked the walkways; some leaving, some arriving. Beca's flight was #115 out of Miami and it was scheduled to touch down at 3:57 Friday December 30th. Cynthia checked the arrival board to ensure it was arriving on time. It was.
The plane landed on time, taxied up to the terminal, and inflated the steps to allow passengers to depart into the waiting area. Cynthia stood by the door waiting for her friend.
"You look absolutely wonderful," Beca hurried toward her and flung her arms around her friend's neck.
"You, too. Let's get out of here. We've got some major catching up to do." Cynthia didn't attempt to contain her excitement. "I've got a batch of brownies waiting for us back home."
"You baked?" Beca looked surprised.
"Well, not exactly. Jack bought them over this morning. A sort of payback for taking care of Halley a couple of weeks ago."
"Jack, mmm. Is that the old retired man who lives next door?" Beca kidded her.
"Nooo," Cynthia smiled and rolled her eyes. "You know he isn't old and definitely not retired."
"Oh, that Jack? Yes, I'm anxious to meet him. Hey, what's happened to your sense of humor girlfriend?"
"You will meet him. He's having us over on New Year's Eve for dinner and nothing has happened to my humor."
"Sounds like fun!" Beca continued, "How is the resolution going? Have you been tempted?"
"Not at all, well, maybe a time or two."
"What about this neighbor? He sounds nice."
"He is and his daughter is precious but he's off limits."
"So all and all you'd rate this move as successful as far as your no-men resolution goes anyway?"
"Yes, there are a lot of handsome guys in this town but with me being engaged and all…. it's out of the question."
"Are you still spreading that lie around?" Beca frowned and then winked at Cynthia. "I am surprised at you."
"I know, I know. Be sure and play along if Jack asks you about David. I've only got a little over 2 months to go and then I'll be back in Miami."
*******
Cynthia and her guest were up at 7 o'clock on New Year's Eve and heading toward Little Rock to shop. Traffic was horrendous.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Cynthia asked her friend.
"Like a log. I must have been mor
e tired than I thought. Staying up late was like old times. I felt like we had some major catching up to do. So, what are you wearing this evening?"
"I'm splurging on a new outfit. I've been in pants and sweat shirts for the past four months. Tonight I'm dressing like a girl," Cynthia replied.
The Little Rock mall parking lot was packed. Circling around for fifteen minutes for a parking spot didn't add to their trip. It was almost 11 o'clock before they stepped into the first shop. It was already filled with shoppers searching for the perfect party dress for their upcoming New Year's Eve celebrations.
"I think this red dress would be perfect on you," a young sales clerk spoke to Cynthia. "With your blond hair it would look lovely."
"I agree, the red one looks like it was made just for you," Beca assured her friend.
"Beca, I remember why I miss you so much. It's so much more fun shopping with you then when I come by myself. You absolutely know how to make a girl's ego soar."
After two hours of non-stop browsing and shopping both girls were starved.
"Let's go to the food court and get something to eat," Cynthia suggested to her girl friend.
The food court was full of hungry shoppers. The decorations from Christmas and the music added to the festivity of the day. Finding an empty table was a task but when a corner one opened up the girls grabbed it and settled back to eat and watch the crowd.
"I love to watch holiday shoppers. It's almost as much fun as shopping," Cynthia told Beca.
"When I was ……." her voice trailed off as she stared across the court at a woman and child.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" Beca asked her friend.
"No, I'm fine," she stared down at her sandwich trying to hide her face from view.
Beca scanned the crowd, "Is there someone here you don't want to see?"
"Kate, Jack's mother-in-law and Halley are over at the Chinese buffet," Cynthia answered, a frown clouding her face.
"I thought they were on vacation."
"That's what Jack said," Cynthia answered, a puzzled look covering her face.
"Odd."
Cynthia watched as an older man in a business suit approached Kate. She smiled and took Halley's hand following him to a nearby table. The man removed papers from his briefcase and placed the stack in front of Kate. While she was thumbing through the stack he spoke to Halley.