Her Mother's Daughter (25 page)

Ashley spent the summer as a camp counsellor in Mira. It kept her busy, and being busy was vitally important, because then she could stop thinking. She'd had it with thinking. If she never had another thought in her head for the rest of her life she'd be okay with that.

All her friends were busy with their summer jobs, so no one got together as often. Thank God Maribeth went out of her way to go shopping with her from time to time. When they hung out in each other's bedrooms, Ashley almost felt normal. But the few parties that she did go to were awkward affairs. Some girls only wanted to talk about what it was like to be pregnant, and others didn't say anything, just gave her pitying looks. The guys steered well clear of her.

The first time she waved her hand to get rid of the cigarette smoke around her, she could tell the smokers were annoyed, and when she said no to a beer, she felt like a freak. It was more than obvious that she wasn't much fun to be with. Matt wasn't available all that often either. He worked every hour he could to make money for them both, and while she appreciated his efforts, she still missed him a lot.

And then it was September and everyone was going away. Maribeth came over to say goodbye. She was leaving for St. Mary's in the morning. Ashley sat on the bed and tried not to cry at the thought of her best friend leaving her. Maribeth handed her a small gift wrapped with ribbon.

“What's this for?”

Maribeth shrugged. “Something I want you to have.”

Ashley smiled. “You didn't have to do that.”

“I know.”

She tore off the wrapping paper and opened the little box. Inside was a baby-buggy charm for her charm bracelet.

Maribeth reached over and hugged Ashley. “Remember when we bought our bracelets? How happy we were? I always want you to be that happy.”

They held onto one another for a few moments before Ashley pulled away. “It's so
cute.
Thank you, I love it.”

“Good.”

Ashley put the charm to one side and leaned back on her pillows. “I can't believe you're leaving tomorrow. I'm already lonely.”

“You have Matt.”

“What if he leaves me? What if he finds some skinny girl and dumps me?”

Maribeth got up from the bed and wandered over to Ashley's makeup table. She sat down and started opening eye shadow containers and then clicking them shut. Because she didn't say anything, Ashley got worried. “You think he will?”

She shrugged. “I don't know. He might.”

“You said you wanted me to be happy and now you're telling me that Matt might break up with me?”

Her friend came back and sat on the bed. “I'm worried that you're going to wrap yourself around Matt and whatever he does is going to determine your destiny.”

“Huh?”

“Stop thinking in terms of what Matt is going to do. In all likelihood you two are not going to stay together. So you need to think about what
you're
going to do and how
you're
going to raise your baby in spite of him.”

“Did my mother send you up here? She said the same damn thing to me yesterday.”

“No, of course not. I just don't want you to stop being you. Remember how we were going to go on a road trip to Vancouver, and travel in Europe and surf in Costa Rica? I don't want that girl to disappear when this baby comes.”

“I'm always going to be me, aren't I?”

Maribeth lay back on the bed. “Remember Pam whatshername, who graduated two years ago? She's barely nineteen and she's got two kids. I saw her the other day and for a minute I thought she was her mother. She looked trapped.”

“You worry too much.”

“All right, lecture over. Mom wanted to know if you'd like to have dinner with us tonight. She's invited a ton of relatives over. You'd think I was going to the other side of the moon. It's only Halifax, for heaven's sake.”

“It'll feel like a million miles away tomorrow.”

Maribeth gave her a quick shove. “Let's go.” They scrambled from the bed and went out the door.

Dermot put out feelers among his colleagues in the auto industry to see if anyone would be interested in buying Tansy's Porsche privately. It didn't take long to get results. A man called him at home one evening wondering if it would be possible to take the car out for a test drive. Dermot said that could be arranged and he'd get back to him.

Dermot made the call. Whoever picked up the phone would be the one he'd talk to. It turned out it was Bay.

“Hi, Dermot, nice to hear from you. Are you calling to take me out for coffee?”

“Well…”

“Oh sorry, I shouldn't have assumed that.”

“No, not at all. I'd love to take you for coffee. How about tonight?”

“Okay. I can be ready in ten minutes.”

“Great. I'll be right over.”

After he hung up, he stood there. He was going out with Bay. How did that happen? And he forgot to mention the car. He reached up to feel his face. A shave was the first order of business, so he bounded up the stairs.

About twenty minutes later he knocked on Bay's back door.

“Come in.”

Dermot entered the kitchen. Tansy was at the sink, with her sleeves rolled up, an apron around her waist. When she looked up and saw him, the first thing she did was brush her hair away from her forehead, which left a small deposit of soap bubbles by her right ear. “What are you doing here?”

He stared at the small exotic flower bubbles caught in her hair.

“Dermot?”

He pointed and came towards her. “Sorry, you have some bubbles…” Reaching out, he brushed them away with his thumb. She didn't say anything as his hand lingered against her cheek. He was aware of the scent of her and couldn't take his eyes off that perfect mouth. He needed to get away from her as fast as possible.

“You haven't answered my question.”

Dermot backed up and stood near the kitchen table. “I'm here to tell you that I have someone interested in your car.”

“That's great.”

“He wants to take it for a test drive.”

“Okay. How do I arrange that?”

“I can do it for you.”

“All right. Let me know when he wants to do it and I can take it to your garage.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

There were quick footsteps on the stairs and Bay appeared in the doorway. “Hi, Dermot. I'm ready to go.”

“Go where?” Tansy asked.

Bay smiled at Dermot. “We're going out. We won't be late.”

Tansy looked taken aback. “Oh.” She continued to wash the dishes. “Have fun.”

Bay put on her jacket and started for the door. “See you later.”

Dermot looked at Tansy. “I'll call you.”

She didn't look at him. “You do that.”

Dermot walked to the truck and held the door open for Bay. “Where would you like to go?”

“Let's go into Sydney. I need to get out of this town every once in a while.”

They had a pleasant evening. They chatted about everything and nothing. Dermot had to admit it was nice to talk to her again and see that great smile. He'd missed her.

All too soon they realized it was after ten and time to head home. They didn't say much on the ride back to Louisbourg, content to be in each other's company. When Dermot drove up to her door, Bay turned to him.

“I've missed you, you know.”

“Me too.”

“I'm sorry I raked you over the coals about Tansy. You had no idea who she was and now that I'm thinking clearly, I can see I was wrong. Do you forgive me?”

“Of course. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't.”

Bay looked down at her hands. “I think I want to be more than friends.”

Dermot watched her. “Are you sure? It might be difficult…”

She shrugged. “Life is difficult. We can't get around that, but Tansy and I have come to an agreement. She's been a big help these past months and I believe her when she says she wants me to be happy.”

Bay reached for him then and kissed him. She was soft and sweet. At this moment it was easy for him to forget everything else.

Bay pulled away. “Why don't we have dinner at your place one night? It's a little crowded here.”

“How about next Friday? I'll cook.”

“I'll be there. Goodnight.”

He watched her go back in the house. As he pulled out of the driveway, he noticed the darkened living room window. Tansy sat in a chair, her face silhouetted by the television light. Why wouldn't she go? It would be much easier if she left town without a word. Then he and Bay could get on with things. This mess was Tansy's fault. He shoved the truck into gear and backed out of the driveway.

Just his luck, Dermot had to call the house the next night and ask Tansy to bring the Porsche to his garage by seven. The prospective buyer wanted to meet them there for the test drive. Tansy made sure she told Bay what she was doing.

“Fine by me,” Bay said nonchalantly. “You don't have to tell me where you're going every second of the day.”

“I feel I do where Dermot is concerned.”

Bay put down the newspaper she was reading. “That was a stupid episode that won't be repeated.”

“Good. I'll be back in a little while.”

Tansy started for the door when Bay said, “Tell Dermot I'll be over on Friday around six.”

Her sister turned around. “You're going to his place?”

“He's making me dinner.”

“Oh.”

Bay smiled. “This is déjà vu. It wasn't long ago you were asking me if I was going on a date. Speaking of that, it's not like you to stay home night after night.”

“I'm too tired at the end of the day to go anywhere.”

The way she said it bothered Bay. “Are you okay?”

“Fine. See you later.” Tansy hurried out to the car and tried not to think that this might be one of the last times she'd drive it. She loved this car, and now it was one more thing to give up.

When she arrived at the garage, Dermot stood with two men. She pulled up beside them and got out of the car. Dermot made the introductions.

“Tansy Gillis, this is Bob Morrison and his brother Joe.”

Tansy shook their hands. “How are you? Which one is interested in the car?”

“Guilty as charged,” laughed Bob. “My, it is a beauty.”

“Like its owner,” Joe smiled.

Tansy wasn't in the mood for flattery. “It's a '99 Porsche 911 with only fifty-four thousand miles on it.”

“How much are you asking?” Bob wanted to know.

Tansy looked to Dermot and he took over. “Sixty-nine thousand. Considering the pristine condition it's in, that's a bargain.”

Bob whistled. “That's a lot of money.”

“It's a lot of car,” Dermot countered.