All this would hopefully lead to two things. One, he didn’t think his biological father was really dead. Charlie wasn’t sure of his name. Just asking would get Lin Su a little riled up. She said his name was Jake, that there was no family, that it was unimportant to discuss and it had been such a hard time for her. Charlie bought the hard time, but not the rest. You don’t love a good man and not even keep a picture!
The second thing, Lin Su said his grandmother had been in such ill health, she gave Lin Su into adoption, but that didn’t mean she had died. Lin Su never knew for sure what became of her. She had that one picture—his grandmother as a little girl, sitting on an American serviceman’s lap. It was taken in the sixties. Lin Su had no other pictures of her mother, just her name—Nhuong Ng. She would only be around fifty if she were alive.
Charlie wanted to find his roots.
Seven
It took Lin Su only a couple of days to get herself organized and comfortable in her new small space, working on laundry and sorting in the evenings and early mornings. She felt the need to make a run back to her trailer to look around in case there was something she forgot. She asked Mikhail if he’d be around the house while Winnie napped so she could do that and Winnie said, “Take Mikhail. Or Blake. But please don’t go alone.”
“I’ll be perfectly all right in the light of day, Winnie. After all, I lived there for nine months without any issues.”
“And now there have been issues. Don’t fight me on this. I don’t need a keeper at naptime—I’m going to rest for two hours. I won’t even be answering the phone.”
“I’ll go,” Mikhail said, standing up. “Is good to be safe.”
When they were in the car Lin Su tried pleading one more time. “Mikhail, I mean no offense, but I don’t think you could protect me if we had a problem. And I don’t want you to even see the awful mess left behind—you’ll think I lived like a dirty peasant.”
“I am dirty peasant,” he shot back. “I had no bed till I was eleven and then I shared with two brothers. Her Majesty calls me ‘scrappy little Russian.’” He pointed forward. “Drive. I hope little bastards give me trouble. I’ll bite their noses off.”
Just what I need, she thought. But she drove.
As if to hammer home the point that her time in the little trailer was at an end, she pulled up to see the padlock had been broken. The premises had been invaded again, except now that there was nothing of value left it seemed to have been taken up by squatters. There were only a couple of things that had come to mind to fetch— Charlie’s nebulizer machine for his breathing treatments, a couple of pans, her old Crock-Pot, the teakettle, miscellaneous junk, stuff she really didn’t need to get by or that she could replace cheaply. She stood just inside the door and looked around. There were beer cans here and there. A beanbag she didn’t recognize had appeared in the little living room. Beside it on the floor, a syringe.
“Touch nothing,” Mikhail said. “We are finished here. We start over. When you think on that it will fill you with a glorious renewal.”
She sighed. “It filled me with a feeling of renewal the first ten times I had to start over...”
He looked at her with tired eyes. She didn’t know Mikhail’s history except that he emigrated from Russia when that was not easily done. And now his best friend, Winnie, was dying, though very slowly and without much suffering. With deep sincerity he said to her, “I know this to be true.”
Mr. Chester was standing by her car when they left the trailer just a minute later. He was holding his rake, his weapon. She suddenly realized she had rarely seen him without it. “This place wasn’t always like this,” he said sadly. “The wife and I put our new mobile home here twenty years ago right before my retirement. It was a pretty decent place. Clean. Safe. Everyone had flowers bordering their patios and the laundry was scrubbed clean. There were good people, friendly like us, but all the good people left. I don’t know what happened to it.”
“Was the same property manager here then?” she asked.
He shook his head. “We been through a few of them, each one worse than the one before. Do you have a place to go?”
“I do, a nice place.”
“Go there, then. Tell that boy of yours I’ll miss him.”
She gave the old man a hug. “I’ll miss you, too, Mr. Chester. Take care of yourself.”
She drove away, Mikhail silent beside her. She left the graffiti-filled park, passed the motel, stores, run-down homes and apartments, the fenced-in industrial parks. She was very glad to leave all that behind. Is it true that you can be poor anywhere? she wondered. And she decided not to think about that place again.
That was the day her life began to really change. Rather than driving to Winnie’s house, working and then driving home, she was now part of the town because she was seen there several times a day. She’d met lovely people before moving above the flower shop but now she was in the mainstream and not a nurse escorting Winnie here and there. People stopped her on the street if they saw her, asking about Winnie, asking about herself and Charlie. Now she had coffee and a pastry at the diner before walking across the beach to her job, and more often than not someone from town would sit beside her—maybe Seth, sometimes Carrie or Peyton or even Grace with her two cell phones, one for work and one personal. She started many days chatting with Gina, who had been working in that diner for almost twenty years. It was Gina who could give her the oral history of the people she knew, starting with how Cooper came to Thunder Point to find out how his longtime friend, Ben, had died so unexpectedly. Cooper stayed on, turning Ben’s old bait shop into a nice establishment on the beach, thus the name Ben & Cooper’s.
One of the things that surprised Lin Su was learning that she wasn’t the only person in town, nor the only newcomer, who had fallen on hard times. It seemed even Gina hadn’t had the good life handed to her. “Me?” Gina had said. “Girl, I got pregnant in high school, only sixteen, had to drop out of school to have and take care of Ashley. We lived with my mother until Ashley was sixteen and that’s when I married Mac and we combined single-parent households. As for Mac, he had his own struggles—married young, had three kids right away and then his wife left him with the kids, the youngest still a baby. His aunt Lou lived with him and helped raise those kids. That’s really how we became friends—we had daughters who have been best friends since they were twelve. We joined forces to get them around and share chaperoning responsibilities.”
Then she learned about Devon, the office manager in the clinic. She had been homeless and without family when she was drawn into a cult. A few years later, penniless and terrified, she escaped with her three-year-old daughter, and Rawley found her and brought her to Thunder Point. She had been working to get on her feet and in a position to raise her daughter alone when she met Spencer.
There was really nothing to compare to learning that all those things Lin Su kept quiet—the fact that she was a single mother who had never been married, that she was now without family—were in no way unique. It felt remarkably like a real fresh start. So when Mikhail asked her, “How does my little nurse do these days?” she was happy to answer, “Renewed.”
As Blake’s lumps and bruises faded over the week it gave Lin Su peace of mind. It seemed to not hamper his training schedule. She saw him all the time, taking to the ocean for his swim, riding out on his bike, stretching and then running down the beach road and back hours later.
Charlie was certainly capable of going to the new loft after school. Lin Su always left a snack for him and it would have given him quiet time to finish his homework. But he didn’t do that. Instead, he walked to Winnie’s where an after-school gathering seemed to become swiftly established. Winnie was refreshed after her nap, Mikhail had returned from his daily meanderings and Blake was done with his workout and wanted to hear about Charlie’s daily experiences with the new school and studen
t body. The next to arrive was always Troy and finally Grace. Sometimes Spencer or Cooper would wander down to Winnie’s to get an update on the school day. It was like happy hour. The cooking was traded off between Lin Su in the kitchen or Grace bringing home something from the deli. Sometimes Troy or Mikhail planned and executed a meal. Her days were long but fulfilling.
Charlie was getting to his homework at about eight o’clock at home. And he was as happy as she’d ever known him. For Charlie that was saying something as he had always been a very congenial child. She’d often thought that kid, even with all his problems, would be happy no matter what. Yet he was now even happier.
* * *
Iris tapped on the back door to the flower shop on Saturday morning and Grace let her in. “There’s been a big event in the Sileski home.”
“Bigger than that?” Grace asked, pointing at Iris’s growing belly.
“Maybe not quite that big, but momentous. Yesterday was my mother-in-law’s birthday and last night we had a nice birthday dinner with the whole family. I helped Gwen make some of her own birthday dinner but my sister-in-law also brought her contributions and it was lovely. Her sons brought flowers and stuff. And my turd of a father-in-law gave her a card. A card? He showed up at the table as usual in his mechanic’s shirt with his name monogrammed on the pocket, sat like a bump, complained the potatoes were lumpy. I was ready to kill him. Everyone bought her such nice gifts. Carrie baked her a beautiful cake and of course Gwen would never complain that her husband of over forty years gives her a stinking card. Then Norm says, ‘Aren’t you going to open the card?’ So finally she does and what do you suppose was in it?”
“I’m breathless,” Grace said, still arranging her flowers.
“You aren’t going to believe it. A cruise. Norm is taking her on a cruise. A long cruise to Vancouver and Alaska. In three weeks. My father-in-law, Norm Sileski, is actually going to spend quality time with his wife.”
For a moment Grace just stared widemouthed. “Do you think he’ll wear the mechanic’s shirt?”
“He wears it to Christmas dinner some years, so why not?” Iris asked with a shrug.
Iris had grown up next door to the Sileski family and last year married the love of her life, Seth, the youngest of three boys. Norm had owned the gas station in town, sold it a couple of years ago, but he still went to work every day. He said Eric, the new owner, needed him. Whether or not that was true was questionable. The more likely truth was he wasn’t going to waste his time and talent on bingo and cruises with his wife. He didn’t play golf, there wasn’t anywhere he particularly wanted to go and he liked his routine. He had seen the merit of selling the station while he could get a good price, however.
“I hope Gwen doesn’t live to regret it,” Grace said.
“Try to imagine being held captive on a ship with Norm for over a week! I think Gwen should have been more careful what she prayed for. But for just a moment last night, when Gwen opened her card and got happy tears in her eyes, Norm’s expression was downright sweet.” Then she shook her head. “But he recovered quickly.”
Iris pulled out a chair across from where Grace was working. “How are you feeling?”
“Great. You?”
“All right. But I wanted to ride my bike to school and Seth had a fit so I’m driving. I guess he has a point—if I fell, it wouldn’t be good. I was always awkward to start with. Now I’m a total tripper.”
“Well, now that you mention it, my ankles are already getting fat. And I have a backache. But what should I expect when I’m standing all day.”
“Grace, what are you going to do without Ginger?”
“I ran a couple of ads but have only had one call so far and she didn’t sound qualified. Ginger spoiled me—she stepped into this shop and ran it. So this time instead of advertising for an assistant, I’m looking for a manager. I suppose that means I’ll be giving her most of the income from the shop but at least I can take time off to have the baby and get days off here and there.” She sighed. “The hours are going to have to change. No more of this all-day-all-week jazz. Now all I have to do is find someone half as decent as Ginger.”
“With Winnie, a baby and your own business...”
“I know. Things will have to change somewhere...”
“I thought Ginger would be here at least another six months,” Iris said.
“It’s that loft. It’s a love nest. First me, then Ginger and Matt.”
“Have you warned Lin Su?” Iris asked.
“Warned me of what?” Lin Su asked, just coming in the front door.
Iris and Grace exchanged looks, then burst into laughter. “The loft—someone cast a spell on it,” Grace said. “Once a man and woman are alone together up there they tend to fall in love. So if you have plans that don’t include love and all its hassles, be careful who you invite upstairs to spend a little time.”
“Oh, thanks for the warning!”
“Um, was that a genuine thank-you or do you have someone in mind for the spell?”
“Me? Oh, hell, no! But I’ll be sure Charlie isn’t alone with a girl up there!”
“Come on,” Grace said. “What about your love life? Or at least your fantasies!”
Lin Su shook her head. “Not on your life. I’ve not only been too busy for a love life, I don’t even have time for fantasies. It’s me and Charlie.”
“Aw, that seems kind of lonely,” Grace said.
“It might be lonely for Charlie, but not for me. I’m afraid he’s the only guy I’m willing to take a chance on.”
“You know what the problem is,” Iris said to Grace. “We’re off wine, that’s the problem.”
“We used to meet here once in a while just to catch up. I kept a nice white wine chilled in the cooler, a couple of glasses in my office. It was usually the two of us but if someone else wandered in for a chat with wine, they never left here without telling the whole story.”
Iris leaned her head on her hand. “I miss those days...”
Lin Su laughed. “They’ll be back, ladies. I have to run upstairs to get something. I have a meeting with Scott.”
“Is it about Mother?” Grace asked.
“No, no—I wouldn’t meet with him about your mother and not tell you, you know that. Charlie had a couple of breathing tests and the results are in. I want to get my folder of his medical records.”
* * *
Lin Su usually carried the briefcase of records around with her as if it was a baby. There were always copies of records somewhere, but she feared losing her own file. And thank God she was so protective—she might’ve lost them in that madness of the destruction of her trailer.
But with the loft, she had no fear of such calamity and kept her briefcase next to the desk in the bedroom.
Lin Su had told a little white lie. There was always time for a fantasy or two. She’d had an attraction here and there over the years but not so much as a date. When the man you love and believe in offers you enough money to terminate your pregnancy, it’s a slap in the face that doesn’t go away quickly. Plus, Lin Su often worked two jobs or was between jobs. And there was always Charlie—there was very little time for socializing. When the opportunity did present itself, she often found herself with people who had children close to the same age or with nurses she worked with.
She’d had a brief fantasy about Dr. Grant, as a matter of fact. She was working in the Bandon hospital, he was on call and Charlie had a bad cold. Scott was always so encouraging, so positive, and there was the small matter that he was handsome and fun. With her usual great timing, she recognized her little crush just shortly before Scott announced he’d found a great new physician’s assistant. When Lin Su saw the way Scott looked at Peyton, she knew he was off the market.
She was actually relieved. There was no room in her life for a man
, not even a man as wonderful as Scott. But she was deeply grateful for his friendship.
It being Saturday morning, there wasn’t anyone there, just Scott. When she walked in he was waiting and of course Scott asked where Charlie was. “He’s more interested in a game of chess with Mikhail than another doctor’s appointment. Especially just for test results.”
“Can’t say I blame him,” Scott said. “Well, the results are good. Not excellent but improved. We gave him a lung capacity breathing test before discharging him and another a week later and there was marked improvement once he was fully recovered from his asthma episode. Of course, Charlie will never have the capacity of a healthy fourteen-year-old who has never suffered asthma and bouts of pneumonia. But he’s in pretty good shape. His problem is—he isn’t going to fare well if he’s thrust into the need for a burst of physical stress like he was. It’s time for him to change that as much as possible, Lin Su. Charlie has to train. A steady buildup of physical exertion to strengthen his circulation, muscles and breathing endurance. It’s important he grow stronger.”
“Oh... I don’t know... We live in a better place right now.”
“Don’t think in terms of keeping him safe from bullies and a doctor’s pass from PE—think of other situations he could find himself in that can create the same disastrous results. What if he comes across a person in peril and has to run for help? Or what if he’s chased by a dog? Or what if he wants to test into a police academy? If he improves his stamina he can be ready for anything.”
“You mean, no more medication or inhaler?”
Scott shook his head. “Charlie will probably be on medication at least into adulthood and might be reliant on an inhaler forever, at least as necessary. But he can get much better than he is. More independent.”
“He already romps around the beach! He plays volleyball, he hikes.”
“He needs more training in controlling and understanding his asthma. I have a booklet for you—it’s really just an average overview for the typical asthma sufferer and...”