Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold (13 page)

That was when the technician called for Prudence. Henry held her hand and her water bottle as they made their way down the sterile corridor into the even more sterile, cold, and darkened room.

“It’s creepy in here,” Henry said, leaning over like the Hunchback. “Where do they keep the brains, I wonder?”

“Okay,” the technician said, “Prudence, why don’t you hop up on the table?”

Henry helped Prudence onto the table.

“Just lie back,” the technician said. “My name is Jennifer.”

She had a nice, soothing voice, Henry thought. She was average height, not too skinny, not at all fat, wearing a flowered medical smock thing or whatever they called them and green scrub pants.

“Okay, lie back and just roll up your shirt. I’m going to squirt some of this gel on. It’s cold.”

Prudence wiggled. “It is cold.”

Henry sat down at her head with what he thought was a pretty good view of the monitor as Jennifer moved a benign-looking wand around on Prudence’s belly. There was something on the screen, but Henry didn’t know what. It looked like a fuzzy map of Asia to him.

“I guess it’s like hunting for a submarine off the coast of Russia.”

No one laughed.

“I understand your doctor said she’d be down to take a look.”

“She did?” Henry said. “Is she worried about something? What’s wrong? Is that normal procedure?”

Jennifer adjusted some knobs. “Not exactly. But we’ll just wait until she gets here.”

The door opened and in walked a tall, trim woman. She wore a doctor’s coat.

“Hi,” she said. “Sorry I’m late.”

“What is it, Kate?” Prudence asked. “Is something wrong?”

“No, no,” Kate said. “I just wanted to be here.”

Jennifer continued to move the wand around Prudence’s belly as she adjusted knobs on the machine. “Now listen,” she said.

“What’s that?” Henry asked. He heard a distinct rushing sound.

“That is your baby’s heartbeat,” Jennifer said. She moved the wand around. “Good and strong but … hold on, oh …”

“There?” Kate asked, pointing to the screen.

“Yes,” Jennifer said. She adjusted the knobs.

“It sounds different,” Prudence said.

“That’s because it’s two. Two heartbeats,” Kate said.

“My baby has two hearts?” Henry said.

Kate laughed. “No, it’s twins.”

“Wait, what did you just say? Twins? Two babies?” Prudence said. “Are you kidding?”

“Two what?” Henry said, looking at the screen but understanding none of it.

“Two babies,” Jennifer said.

“Whaaaat?” Henry said. “Are you sure? Where? All I see are black blobs and gray squiggles.”

“This right here is squiggle A,” Jennifer said.

“And that must be squiggle B,” Prudence said, pointing at the screen. Except by now she was sobbing so hard she could hardly speak.

“That’s right. Two babies. They’re not identical, but there are definitely two,” Kate said.

“Is that why I’m getting big so soon?” Prudence asked.

“Yes, I thought this might be why when you mentioned that to me, but I didn’t want to say until I was sure.”

Henry said nothing. He just stood there looking at the screen until he couldn’t stand it another second, and he started to cry. “Two babies. We’re having two babies? I don’t believe it.”

“They look great,” Jennifer said.

“But we don’t have twins in our family,” Henry said. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” Jennifer said.

“Congratulations,” Kate said. “I want to see you in the office next week.”

“Thanks, doc,” Henry said.

“You do nice work,” Kate said. “I need to get back.”

Henry put his hand on Prudence’s forehead because he didn’t know where else to put it. “Twins, honey. We’re having twins.” He
looked at Jennifer, who was busy making adjustments. “That’s all, right? Just two?”

“Just two.”

Henry watched tears stream down Prudence’s face. “Twins. I can’t believe it.”

“Can you tell if we’re having boys or girls or one of each?” Prudence asked.

“Not with any accuracy. It’s a little early. But definitely at your next one. That is, if you want to know.”

H
ARRIET NOW HAD A FULL CASE OF MONKEY NERVES
. Where in the world could Martha be?

She checked her phone just in case she hadn’t heard it ring. Still nothing. Nervousness turned to panic. Maybe it was her. Maybe she had the wrong day? Maybe she was losing her mind. Maybe she was … old. “Please, dear God,” she said, “help me find Martha.”

Harriet started the car. “I’ll have to park and go into the terminal.” Even though Harriet knew they would never tell her if Martha was on the flight or not, she could at least look around. Maybe Martha was lost. By why wouldn’t she call?

Then she thought about Wyatt, Martha’s son. She had his number. Surely he took her to the airport. She tapped his number. Nothing. No answer. Just a message saying the number was not in service.

“This is getting ridiculous.”

She drove to one of the short-term lots, parked the car, and then headed into Terminal A. She wished she had left her tote bag in the car as she wandered through a sea of people, not knowing where she was going. She wanted to call out, “Martha,” but didn’t.
She headed straight for baggage claim, hoping Martha was still waiting for her bags. No Martha. Just a group of Boy Scouts and other miscellaneous people.

Next she went to the first official looking person she saw, and there were plenty to choose from. But she thought the tall woman standing near one of the monitor stations looked kind.

“Excuse me,” Harriet said. “I hope you can help me. My friend Martha was supposed to get off that plane over there, flight 1060, and I can’t find her, and she doesn’t answer her phone. I’m really worried.”

“Did you try to call her? Maybe she missed her flight.”

“I just said I tried. She doesn’t answer.”

“What about family?”

“I tried. No one is there.”

“Let’s go to the security office,” the woman said. “I don’t know what they can do, but maybe we can figure something out. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait to hear from her.”

A few minutes later, Harriet entered the office and there, sitting like a lost child, was Martha. A large purple tote bag at her feet and one large, black suitcase were nearby.

“Martha!” Harriet cried. “Is that you?”

Martha stood. “Oh Harriet, I was beginning to think you’d never come.”

“What happened? I was so worried.”

Martha puckered her lips. And then she said, “I am so embarrassed. I lost my phone. I mean, I didn’t lose it, not exactly. Well, I was at Midway Airport, you know we had to make a stop to change planes, and I had to go to the bathroom, and I had my phone in my pocket.” Martha showed Harriet her pocket. It was kind of wide and kind of loose on the baggy pants she was wearing. “Anyway, it fell in the toilet.”

Harriet laughed. The security people laughed. Martha cried.
“I didn’t know what to do. The phone was dead. I didn’t have time to buy a new one before my flight into Sacramento and then, well, here I am.”

“Why didn’t you call me from another phone?”

“I didn’t know your cell phone number off the top of my head. I just tap your name. Never bother with numbers anymore.”

“I know,” Harriet said. “Modern technology.”

“We tried to call the house. This nice security man helped me get Henry’s number. No answer.”

“No one’s home. They’re getting the ultrasound right now, today.”

“Really,” Martha said. “That’s great.” Then she sprang to her feet and threw her arms around Harriet. “I’m so glad to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you,” Harriet said. “And I’m glad you’re safe. I’m glad you’re here. I was so worried. I thought you were kidnapped or in a hospital or you changed your mind. Or the plane crashed, but I figured they would have told us if that happened.”

Martha put out her arms and they hugged again. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Harriet said again.

“Me too,” Martha cried.

“Let’s go home,” Harriet said.

Henry waited for Prudence in the waiting room while she got cleaned up and mercifully visited the bathroom. He couldn’t keep from telling everyone his news.

“Twins,” he kept saying. “Twins.”

The people in the room applauded. Henry had never experienced anything that came close to what he was feeling at that moment. Marrying Prudence was a close second. His first book contract was pretty exciting. But this. This was extraordinary.

Henry could not stop grinning. And why not? He was going to
be the father of twins. When he saw Prudence he announced it to his new friends. “Here she is, the best mother-to-be in the whole world.”

“Henry,” Prudence said, “don’t embarrass me.”

“Congratulations,” said one woman sitting next to a big, burly guy. “Twins. That’s awesome.”

“Thank you,” Prudence said.

Henry took her hand. He kissed her. “Are you hungry?” That was when someone laughed and said, “Of course she is. She has two babies to feed.”

“That’s right,” Prudence said. “Now I really need those donuts.”

“All you have is that one suitcase?” Harriet asked Martha as they made their way through the terminal to the car after having some lunch at the airport restaurant Prudence had recommended.

“Yep. Two weeks isn’t that long, and I thought maybe I could do laundry at your house.”

“Of course you can. And maybe you’ll stay longer.”

“No, my return ticket is for two weeks from now.”

Harriet thought at first that she had forgotten where she parked the car. “Oh dear. I was in such a rush and so upset I didn’t take notice of my spot.”

“Oh no,” Martha said. “Losing me was one thing, but we need the car.”

“I know. And Humphrey is in the backseat. I’m sure he’s worried sick.”

“Oh no,” Martha said again. “Let’s just start looking. But stick together.”

“Right.” Harriet reached into her tote bag to retrieve the keys and that was when it struck her. “Wait. The key. When I unlock the door with this thingamabob it beeps and the lights flash.”

“Oh good. Start pressing the button.”

Harriet did, but unfortunately there were other people doing the same thing and so they saw lights and heard cars beeping all over the place, until finally, “Wait,” Harriet said. “I hear Humphrey yowling.”

“It’s coming from over there,” Martha said.

They walked a few more paces until Harriet said, “There it is, right where I left it. I remember now.”

Harriet opened the tailgate. Humphrey was quite pleased to see her and Martha.

“It’s okay, boy,” Harriet said. “We’re back.”

Martha patted his back and sides. “Hello there, Humphrey. How’ve you been?” Humphrey’s tongue lolled out as he grinned from ear to ear. His ears even perked, although only a trained Basset lover could tell for sure.

“He’s so glad to see us,” Harriet said.

Martha pushed her bag into the back. “Don’t worry, boy, just the one. Still plenty of room for you.”

The ride home was enjoyable. Harriet loved being with Martha again. “I fixed up the room,” Harriet said. “Brand new curtains and sheets.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to fuss,” Martha said.

“Sure I did. You are my best friend.”

Martha smiled and was just about to say something when Harriet’s phone jingled. This time she had Martha to find it. Which she did.

“Win?” Martha said looking at the screen.

“Oh dear. Now what does he want? Would you put it on speaker, dear?”

“Who is Win?” Martha asked as she pushed the right button.

Harriet pointed her index finger up. “Hello,” Harriet said.

“Hello there, darlin’.”

Harriet glanced at Martha. She hadn’t told her about the gold mine yet. And wasn’t sure this was the best time.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I really need to schedule our appointment for tomorrow. Can we meet at the café say around ten-thirty in the morning?”

“I … I suppose so. Will you still have pictures?”

“Sure, sure,” Win said. “But I need you to go to the bank first and meet me at the café after.”

“Okay. I guess I can do that. How much more do you need?”

“Another fifteen.”

“Hundred?” Harriet said.

“Yep.”

“Okay,” Harriet said with a deep breath. “I’ll be there. And can you bring the copies of the papers I signed too?”

But Win had already hung up. She had Martha tap off the phone.

“What was that all about?” Harriet would have to tell her now.

“So what do you think?” Henry asked as they stood in line at the bakery. “Should we tell her?”

“Who?” Prudence was perusing the tasty assortment of bakery delights. “Your mother? About the twins?”

“Yeah.” Henry pulled the number thirty-eight. They were serving twenty-two. “This could take a while. Maybe we can find another bakery.”

“No,” Prudence said. “This is the best one. Certainly we should. I mean, do you think you could keep the secret that long? I mean, we have a ways to go.”

“Probably not,” Henry said.

“Okay. So we’ll tell her I’m expecting twins.”

“She will die,” Henry said.

“Oh, don’t say that. I’m going to need her help for sure.”

Henry looked around the small shop. “So we should definitely tell Mom that we just found out that we’re having twins.” His
voice was a little louder than necessary. The bakery customers applauded and congratulated them.

“Way to go,” one man said with a slap on Henry’s back.

Henry could feel that he was beaming, even if it wasn’t such a manly thing. He couldn’t help it. Prudence, on the other hand, looked a little pale.

“You haven’t eaten anything since oatmeal this morning?” Henry asked.

Prudence shook her head. “All I want is a donut. Glazed and warm.”

That was when a small, older woman wearing a baggy coat and pointy glasses moved to the front. “I’m next,” she said, “but take them first. She needs a donut more than me.”

“Thank you,” Henry said. “That is so kind of you.”

“I had seven babies,” she said. “Never enough donuts.”

Henry swapped numbers with the lady. But he didn’t have to. Everyone agreed to let the lady go right after Henry.

“Now see,” Prudence said. “And people say it’s a terrible world. I think it’s a lovely place to raise children.”

Henry ordered a dozen glazed donuts. Warmed.

Prudence didn’t make it out of the store before eating one. She ate the second in the car.

“I hope Mom made it okay,” Henry said. “She hasn’t called since she made it to the cell lot. I’m choosing to believe that means all is well.”

“Sure it is,” Prudence said. “We would have heard from her if something went wrong. She’s probably home or close to home by now with Martha next to her and Humphrey in the back.”

Martha dropped the phone into Harriet’s tote bag. “Come on, you know you’ll tell me eventually.”

“Okay, but it’s top secret.”

“Is it something for the baby?”

Harriet shrugged. “In a way. I leased a gold mine.”

Martha was silent for several long seconds until she laughed and said, “You are such a card. You did
not
lease a gold mine.”

“Yes, I did. It’s what they call a placer gold mine, right here in Grass Valley. Well, in Downieville, but it’s not very far away.”

Martha was silent again, but Harriet actually felt good that she finally let the cat out of the bag. She had been dying to tell someone besides Florence. And Humphrey. And it was nice that her best friend knew now too.

“Really?” Martha said. “A gold mine? How in the world do you lease a gold mine?”

“I leased a gold mine from a man named Old Man Crickets. That was his associate who called. Winslow Jump. Win.”

Martha snorted air out of her nose like a bull. She snorted so hard her glasses popped off and landed on the dashboard, and Harriet swerved so hard she nearly ran the SUV onto a rough shoulder. “Crickets? Are you serious? Old Man Crickets?”

“I know, I know. But, yes, that’s his name.”

“How much did that cost? Harriet, I know you got a small fortune when you sold the house and from when Henry sold the business, but you are far from being a millionaire.”

“My initial investment was five thousand for the leasing claim. And I’ve been paying for equipment so Win’s men can work.”

Martha didn’t say a word. Instead, she stared out the window.

“Say something, Martha, please.”

“Five thousand dollars is a lot of money. I could have used that kind of—”

“What?” Harriet said. “Money? You need money? Is that why you sounded strange the last few times we talked?”

“No. Never mind. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Harriet felt the elation of the day deflate. “I wish you would have told me.”

“It’s over now. I only hope the claim is on the up and up. You know, there are lots of scams out there.”

Harriet’s spirits sank even lower. She knew that very well, but she was certain Win and Lily were not scam artists and, as usual, changed the subject. Harriet had gotten quite adept at adjusting the fan when the manure threatened to hit. “Hey, there’s something else I wanted to tell you.”

“There’s more? Don’t tell me. You bought the Brooklyn Bridge?”

“No, no. It’s just a small thing so far, but, well, maybe it’s pretty big, bigger than we know. Prudence and I have been trying to get along better, and I’m learning so much about her. She’s not as fancy dancy as I thought.” Then she laughed. “It is kind of hard to be fancy dancy with your head in the toilet.”

“Morning sickness?”

“I’ll say. Morning, afternoon, and evening. And she’s not even in her second trimester yet.”

“Oh, that’s rough. Are you sure they’ll want me there with all that going on? I mean, I’m glad you and Prudence are getting along. I don’t want to interfere.”

“Yep, because I think they kind of like it when I’m keeping busy. Henry’s worried I’ll …” She almost told her about the addition before she was ready. “Well, he’s been trying to get me to make friends, like I’m seven years old.”

Harriet turned onto Butterfly Drive. “This is their street.”

“Very nice,” Martha said. “In fact, I was meaning to say on the drive just how pretty it is out here.”

“It’s okay. I still miss back east sometimes. There’s just something about all those old, stately houses. These ranchers and split-levels are so modern or something.”