Finding Carrie (28 page)

He lay down beside her, kissing her again while his hands did an exploration of her body, the body that he loved. He pushed her shirt up so he could feel her soft breast. She shivered when he rubbed her nipple through the material of her bra. He kissed down her cheek to her chin and down her neck. She turned her head to the side, and her breath came out in a slow, heavy sigh. He kissed her back up her neck and almost made it back to her mouth when both of their cell phones went off.

They both almost jumped out of their skin. “Who is that?” she asked as Isaac leaped off the bed to get the phones that were on the dresser.

“Sam is calling my phone, and Lee Lee is calling you. I bet it has something to do with my mother.” Carrie jumped off the bed, one hand pulling down her shirt and the other reaching out for her phone. Simultaneously, they said hello.

“Calm down, Lee Lee, I don’t understand a word you’re saying,” Carrie said into the phone. Lee Lee was so upset that she was speaking really fast. Carrie was sure she wasn’t even speaking in English.

“I see, Sam. We will be on the next flight tomorrow morning,” Isaac said then he hung up the phone. He looked up at Carrie, who was trying to understand Lee Lee.

“Lee Lee, you’re going to have to take a deep breath. Breathe for me, please,” Carrie said, tilting her head to the side and with one finger, held her ear closed. She looked up at Isaac, who had his hand out for the phone. “I don’t understand a word she is saying, Isaac.” She put the phone in his hand, and he put it up to his ear.

“Lee Lee,” he said into the phone. He started to speak in a language that was familiar, but she didn’t understand a word. He must have said good-bye, because he hung up the phone.

“What is wrong?” she asked, staring in shock at his sad face. She wanted to run to him and put her arms around him, and she did just that. “Tell me what’s wrong,” she demanded.

“They found my mother,” he said. She winced, pulling herself out of his arms. She gasped, and her heart began to pound. She put her hand on her mouth, and her knees went out. Isaac caught her before she hit the floor, and then he sat her on the bed. “They found her just a few yards from where they found her hospital bracelet. They had been calling us most of the day. That is why she was upset,” he said, sitting next to her and putting his arm around her.

“Oh my God, is she all right?” She already felt guilty and didn’t know why. He buried his head next to her neck. She immediately embraced him, knowing exactly what he was going to say.

“She’s dead,” he said. They sat and cried for a long while just holding one another.

They were lying down on the bed with Isaac’s head on her belly. “We need to make arrangements to get to California,” he said, getting up and wiping off his face.

“I know,” she said, following him out of the bedroom. It happened so fast. One minute they were laughing, having a good time, and the next, they were crying for the loss of a mother who was worth everything to them both.

Chapter 24

T
he plane landed at the airport, and the captain switched off the seatbelt sign. Carrie unfastened her seatbelt and started to get up. Isaac stopped her from moving. Sasha got out of his seat and turn to look at them both. “Stay here. I’m going check out the gate. I had Seth and Chuck meet us here, and I want to make sure we can get through. Don’t go anywhere without me,” he said then went down the aisle. Carrie turned to Isaac.

“Who are Seth and Chuck?” she asked as the flight attendant came over to them.

“Can I be of any assistance?” she asked, looking at them both.

“No, Miss Shay’s bodyguard is just making sure that everything is clear. He will be back soon,” Isaac said. The flight attendant nodded and went to the back of the plane to help out in coach. Carrie turned to Isaac again.

“Why did you call me Miss Shay and not Mrs. Walsh? I’m so confused,” Carrie said, leaning onto Isaac’s shoulder.

“Because that is what everyone knows you by, except for the people closest to you. Seth and Chuck are your other bodyguards, by the way,” Isaac explained. Carrie looked up, and when she realized that he was only answering her question from before, she laid her head back down. Sasha was back; they both heard him coming.

“We can go now, but be forewarned, it is a madhouse out there. Chuck and Seth are waiting to escort you out of here. Isaac, there are people everywhere waiting for her.” He said the last part directed only to Isaac. Isaac nodded.

“We have been through this before. I know what to do,” Isaac confirmed. Sasha handed Carrie a pair of huge, black sunglasses.

“Here, put these on and stay close to Isaac. The others and I will guard you from the sides,” Sasha said. Carrie put the glasses on her nose. Carrie turned around to look for Isaac. She needed reassurance, and she wanted it from her husband. He kissed her on her cheek.

“Is this normal?” she asked.

“For you it is,” he said.

“For a writer I mean?” she asked.

“No, not for a writer, but for you it is,” Isaac explained.

“Why?” she asked, turning to follow Sasha to the gate. “Why is it for me?”

“You do a lot of charity work, and you often speak out for things like children’s rights and stuff like that.” He was holding something back that she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know, but she asked anyway.

“You’re not telling me something, aren’t you?” she asked, stopping just in front of the door.

“Let’s go, you two. We have to make this fast,” Sasha said, looking back to make sure they were coming.

“You made a movie,” Isaac said.

“What? I did what?” Carrie said, turning to follow Sasha again.

“A movie, Carrie. One of your books was made into a movie, and you played your heroine,” Isaac said. She turned her head and smiled. No wonder everyone wanted to talk to her and have her autograph. For some reason, she felt proud of herself. Isaac watched her smile. It wasn’t shame in her eyes. It was love and acceptance. He thought she would be upset that he didn’t tell her before, but she seemed happy that she understood why a writer would have this much attention. Carrie could see the end of the tunnel. There were people everywhere. She could see two men peering in at them as they walked closer.

“Now, stay close to Isaac. Carrie, I mean it. Don’t stop to talk to anyone. We have to get out of here fast. The car is waiting,” Sasha said as he shifted to walk directly in front of her. Isaac took her hand and put in the crook of his elbow. She looked around at the stern looks on Isaac’s and Sasha’s faces, and then she walked with confidence.

“Obviously we have been through this before?” she asked.

“But of course,” Isaac said. The closer they got to the entrance; she could hear the roar of her name being called out. She ducked her head closer to Isaac as they walked through. The two men took up positions on either side of Isaac and her. She smiled to herself. The feeling was overwhelming. She loved it for some reason. She lifted her head and lifted her hand. She waved to everyone and smiled a greeting. The crowd got restless, and Sasha looked back and shook his head. She put her hand down and just smiled as they walked to the exit.

Their walk seemed like an eternity, but they made it. Carrie searched the crowd, and just ahead of them, Sasha had shifted to the right so Carrie could see in front of her. She saw a woman standing in her path. She knew exactly who it was. The black long hair was shining in the dim light. As she got closer, the woman lifted her head. The woman looked up, and a smile formed on her face. Carrie eyes hooked in with hers. Carrie pulled away from Isaac and ran to embrace the woman. The woman’s arms came up as she got closer.

“Lee Lee,” Carrie said as she leaned in close.

“Carrie.” Lee Lee was stunned. Lee Lee held Carrie out at arm’s length so she could look at her. “Carrie, do you remember me?”

“No, but I do know you,” Carrie said, shaking her head.

“Lee Lee, what are you doing here? We need to get out fast,” Isaac said, taking both women by their arms and leading them out of the airport to the waiting car at the curb. The bodyguards were still positioned on either side of Carrie until she slipped into the car, and they got in on both sides. Sasha was in the front seat.

“I’m sorry, Isaac. I needed to come. The girls got here an hour ago, and Sam and Dad took them home. I wanted to see Carrie,” Lee Lee explained, still holding Carrie in her arms. “I miss you so much, Carrie.”

“I know.” Carrie kissed her on the cheek. Carrie looked around at the faces staring at her. “I know that I’m supposed to know you, but I don’t remember. I’m Carrie.” She reached with her hand to the man by the right passenger door. He looked stunned, but he shook her hand.

“I’m Seth. I have been with you for a while now,” Seth said.

“I see,” she said then turned to the other man. “I’m Carrie.” He too looked confused but he took her hand just like Seth had.

“I’m Chuck. I have only been with you for a few years now, but your safety is my top concern,” Chuck said. Carrie took her hand back and shook her head.

“Please don’t feel that you have to work on my account,” she said. Everyone in the car started to laugh. Carrie looked around at all the faces with smiles, including Lee Lee’s. “What is it?” she asked as she found Isaac.

“Nothing, it is just that you always say that. You never want anyone to work,” Isaac said between laughing.

“I’m beginning to think that you all think I’m a comedian. I’m not sure if I like this,” Carrie said. Everyone quickly stopped laughing, coughed, and then looked out the window. Carrie sighed and leaned into Isaac for comfort.

“I want to go with you, please?” Carrie asked Isaac. The girls were running around outside with Lee Lee. They were pretending to be fairies. They had wings on their backs and blew bubbles with sticks while they ran. They were trying to distract themselves from thinking of their grandmother. So they were playing with their aunt.

“I understand that you don’t want me out of your sight, but I can’t have you come with me. My dad, Sam, and I have to identify mom’s body. I don’t even want to go,” Isaac said as he kissed her on the forehead.

“What would happen if he finds me here?” Carrie was talking about the man with the scar.

“Sasha and the others will be here with you. They won’t let anything happen while I’m gone,” Isaac said, looking around at the men who were standing in the backyard watching the girls play. Sasha was the closest to them, standing about five or so feet behind Carrie. Chuck was in the far left corner, watching from his angle. Seth was to the right.

“Okay, but I want to hear everything that goes on. You tell me; I’m not going to wither away from the knowledge of what happened, no matter what,” Carrie said, putting her fist on his chest right where his heart was.

“Okay, I will as soon as I get back. Watch Lee Lee for me. She doesn’t handle stress very well,” Isaac said. They both looked at Lee Lee who was dancing with her twelve-year-old twin step-nieces.

“It looks like she handling it okay,” Carrie said, looking up at Isaac.

“It is only an act, my dear.” He kissed her, and the world around them seemed to drop away, just like it always had. If it wasn’t for Sasha, who cleared his throat, they might have stood there all day just kissing one another. “Stay safe,” he said, meaning it. He looked toward Sasha, and he nodded. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” Carrie kissed him again on the cheek, and he went to where his father and brother were waiting for him. Carrie turned and decided to join in with the fun, waving her arms up and down like she was flying.

Isaac sat in the back of his father’s car, chewing on his finger as he stared out the window. The car pulled into the parking lot of the hospital. He didn’t know what he was going to see. He didn’t have the details of what had happened. He didn’t want to remember his mother laying on a gurney, dead. He wanted to remember her smile and her carefree ways. He remembered her dancing with his sister in the backyard, much like Lee Lee was doing with his daughters. He wanted to remember her smiling at him at his high school graduation, and later as he told her he wanted to marry Carrie. She was very happy when he told her. She loved Carrie like she was her own daughter, and Carrie loved her like she was her own mother. Isaac’s heart warmed when he thought of the first time Carrie called her “Mother.” She secretly told him one day that his mother was her soul-mother.