Never Forgotten (Never Forgotten Series) (18 page)

When they called us in, I was amazed at the amount and variety of food. Growing up, it had been only Mom and me celebrating Thanksgiving together. We always had the staples—turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie— but nowhere near the feast that lay before me now. Evan squeezed my arm and whispered in my ear, “You okay? You look like you’re in shock.”

“This is amazing.”

“This is what happens when my mom and Grandma Mary get together and cook.” He pulled back a chair for me. “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Kim sat next to me, and Katie sat on the other side of Kim. Katie asked Kim a million questions about what I was like when I was younger. Kim seemed amused by her. She told her a few funny stories. Being my best friend, she left out all the embarrassing ones. I’d thank her later.

I ate so much I thought I was going to explode. The conversation flowed comfortably. At times, everyone chimed in on one topic, at other points of the meal, several smaller conversations erupted.

After dinner, Kim, Katie, Evan and I stayed in the kitchen to clean up. The adults retired to the living room, after some coaxing from us. Once we were alone, Kim and I brought up the car ride today and told Evan and Katie what my grandfather said.

Evan shrugged. “It’s kind of interesting, but I don’t see that it tells you anything.”

Katie looked thoughtful. “You know, I could always ask my mom about that summer. She might have more information, or at least a different perspective.”

“Could you?” What did Lydia know? Would she share?

“Sure,” she said. “Don’t get too excited, though. I’m not sure that my mom will tell me much, if anything.”

“It’s worth a shot, anyway,” Kim added.

We were almost done with the dishes when my grandma and Lydia came back into the kitchen for the desserts—pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and chocolate torte.

“Do we get to do this again next month for the American Thanksgiving?” I asked.

Lydia laughed. “I don’t know about that, Meara.”

“Maybe on a smaller scale.” Grandma Mary winked at me.

Evan rolled his eyes. “Do you always think about food?”

“Almost always,” I said.

“I can vouch for that,” Kim said, grinning at me.

“Speaking of food,” Grandma Mary added. “These desserts aren’t serving themselves.”

We helped plate the desserts and took them and coffee into the living room. It was so nice to sit around with everyone and just relax. I imagined that this was what life would have been like if I had grown up here. It made me think about how different things might have been, how different I might have been, had my mom stayed. Then I looked at Kim, and I realized that I never would have known her. She was such a wonderful friend—I couldn’t imagine my life without her. It just proved that everything happened for a reason. As my grandma would say, there was no use thinking about the might-have-beens.

Mom sat in the chair closest to the fireplace. Her eyelids were heavy, and her head lulled to the side. I hadn’t considered what a long day this must be after her last two days. My grandparents were deep in conversation with Darren, but I caught my grandfather’s eye and nodded toward Mom. He nodded back, and quickly wrapped up his conversation.

I was leaning against Evan, warm and comfortable. Turning my head, I kissed his cheek. I felt the slightest bit of stubble. “I think we’re going to get going. Mom is exhausted.”

He tightened his arms around my shoulder before I could stand and whispered, “I’ll walk you out.”

I shivered slightly. When I caught Kim’s eye, she smiled knowingly and mouthed, “Go.” She went to help my mom. Evan stood and pulled me up, walking me to the door and holding out my coat. Throwing on his own jacket, he stepped out behind me. Once the door was closed, he pulled me close for a kiss. I felt a quick thrill course through my body. It had been too long since Evan and I were alone. He pulled away and left me wanting more.

He smiled wickedly. “Pleasant dreams, Meara.”

***

Kim and I stayed up most of the night talking. I was sad that she was leaving tomorrow. While I managed to make it this long without her, I forgot how much I enjoyed having her around. Her cheerfulness and high energy always managed to lift me, too. She brought a fresh perspective to my life, since she was the only person, besides my mom, who knew me before.

When I asked her what she thought, she said. “I’ll miss you, Meara, but this was the best thing your mom ever did for you.”

“How can you say that?”

“You are thriving here. You have family, you have a seriously gorgeous and wonderful boyfriend, and you have friends who love you.”

“But I miss you.”

“I miss you, too, and you’ll always be my best friend. I’d love for us to live closer.” She took a deep breath. “That said, this is where you need to be right now.”

She was right, of course. I knew it. We hugged each other, crying a bit. We talked about love, about the future—next summer, college and beyond. Kim planned to apply to the University of Wisconsin—Madison. She wanted to be a veterinarian. I admitted that I hadn’t been giving much thought to college and would probably start at a community college nearby to be close to my mom. It was past midnight when we fell asleep, and we were both disoriented when the alarm went off.

This time, I drove Kim to the airport by myself. I watched as she went through security. She turned and waved. I waved back until she was swallowed by the crowd of fellow travelers. My heart ached. I would miss her. I thought back to that day in first grade, when she had insisted I use her red crayon after I broke mine. We’d been inseparable ever since.

In many ways, Kim was a sister to me. I didn’t know when I would see her again.

I
hurried home. Mom had an appointment at the clinic, and I offered to take her.

“You don’t have to do this,” Mom said once again. “I can drive myself.”

“Mom,” I said. “Why do you argue with me every time I drive you?”

“You’re out of school today, Kim just left, don’t you want to do something other than drive your mom?”

“All the more reason for me to drive you,” I said as I opened her door. Once I walked around and got in, Mom sighed.

“You already miss her, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“I’m sorry, Meara.”

Mom looked like she was going to cry. I wanted to cry, too, but instead I gave her a wide smile. “I’m okay, Mom. I like it here.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

This time when I looked at her, she was biting her lip. Never a good sign. “What now, Mom?”

“Have you seen your father lately?”

“You mean dreamed about him?” I hadn’t told her about seeing David in Katie’s room or seeing the two of them talking together.

She caught herself, and her checks grew red. “That’s what I meant. Have you dreamed about him?”

“Not lately.”

“Oh.” She looked out the window so I couldn’t see her face. “That’s good.”

Why did it sound like she didn’t think it was good at all?

***

“Meara!”

Ula was in the waiting area at the clinic, reading what looked like a science book. I waved at her, and Mom raised her eyebrow at me. “Is that your friend? I forgot her name.”

“Yes,” I said. “That’s Ula. We usually hang out while you’re in treatment.”

“Is she here often?”

“When her mom has an appointment,” I said.

“Oh.” Mom gave me a quick hug. “Why don’t you go and catch up with your friend while I check in.”

“Hi, Ula,” I said. She looked up from her book. Her hair looked especially red against the bright turquoise sweater that she wore. The tattered leather backpack sat on chair next to her. She moved it so I could sit down.

“Don’t you have school today?” she asked.

“No. My mom called me in,” I said. “I just dropped my best friend off at the airport.”

“That’s rough. You okay?”

“Yeah, except my mom was in the hospital over the weekend.”

“Oh no.” Ula glanced over at my mom, who was now reading a magazine and waiting to be called. “She looks good today.”

“Yes,” I said. “I think she’s better.”

When the same grumpy nurse as usual called Mom back, Ula gave me an expectant look. “So what should we do today? It’s a bit cold to go to the ocean.”

“I don’t know. You come here more than I do. Is there any cool place in the clinic?”

Ula wrinkled her nose. “Not likely, although there is a coffee shop around the corner.”

“That’ll work. I can always get hot chocolate.”

“Don’t like coffee?”

“Uh, no.”

Ula laughed. “Me neither.”

We bundled up and walked outside. I wasn’t worried about leaving the building. I knew Mom would call if she got done early.

It didn’t take us long to walk there. The warm and delicious smells inside were welcoming. October was colder here than Wisconsin, because the wind had more bite. My cheeks froze, and my eyes welled up. I was about to comment on the weather to Ula, but one look at her and I knew the cold didn’t bother her. Her cheeks were a lovely pink, and her smile was wide.

“Don’t you love that fresh air?” She bounced a little on her toes.

“Um, yeah. It’s great.”

“So, can I get you a hot chocolate?” She walked to the register. “Do you want anything else?”

“You don’t have to get it, Ula.” I didn’t expect her to pay for me.

She waved me off. “It’s my treat. You’re having a rough couple of days. It’s the least I can do.”

When our drinks were ready, we settled into two plush chairs near an electric fireplace. The heat felt wonderful against my chilled skin. Ula turned her chair so the heat wasn’t blowing directly on her.

“I don’t like to get too warm,” she said. “So, how was your visit with your friend? And, what is her name anyway? I can’t keep calling her ‘friend’.”

“Kim,” I said. “It was great. I told her about my dad, and she was trying to help me figure out what it meant.”

Ula leaned forward, the smile vanishing from her face. “What about your dad?”

I felt my face grow hot. No wonder Ula was confused. I hadn’t told her about David’s visits yet.

“Remember when I told you that I’d never met my dad?” Ula nodded, but didn’t say anything. “Well, I’ve met him now. At first, I thought it was just dreams, but now…”

“Now?” She leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving my face.

“Now I know that he’s real, and that he’s here.”

“So, you’ve talked to him?”

“Yes, several times.” I couldn’t figure out Ula’s expression. She looked leery. Why would my meeting my father bother her? Maybe she had a bad relationship with her dad. “Is this bothering you? We can talk about something else…”

“No,” Ula said quickly. “You just surprised me.”

“Tell me about it,” I said. “He surprised me. Popping in and telling me I’m not…” Crap! I almost told her that he told me I wasn’t human. She would think I was crazy. What was I doing?

“You’re not…” Ula prompted me to continue. When I remained silent, taking a drink of my hot chocolate instead, she continued. “What is it, Meara? You can tell me. I promise not to laugh or anything.”

I searched her face. She looked earnest. I trusted Ula. She was there for me when no one else was, and she understood what I was going through. I took a deep breath and then told her.

“He told you that?” Her eyes had gone wide, but her face betrayed no other emotions.

“Yes, weird, huh?”

Ula didn’t say anything. She was staring into the fire. When she turned to me, her eyes were teary. “Meara, I have something to tell you…”

My phone rang. It was my mom. It was a quick appointment, and she was ready to leave. When I hung up, Ula was already standing and zipping her coat. “I’ll walk you back.”

“What were you going to tell me?” I asked.

“It’s nothing,” she said. “I can tell you next time when we have more time to talk.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Absolutely.” She smiled at me, but her eyes looked incredibly sad.

***

October passed in a blurry rush. Between mid-term tests and research papers, texting Kim theories of what David could be, and seeing Evan’s hockey games, I had little free time. When I did have a few minutes, Katie and I spent it planning a surprise birthday party for my mom. Her birthday was October 31, and Mom loved Halloween as much as I did. It had always been our favorite holiday. In past years, we spent weeks planning our costumes and decorating the house. The trick-or-treaters used to flock to our door, the most decorated house in the neighborhood. It helped that we always gave out the best candy, too.

“Does your mom know?” Katie asked. Again. She was paranoid that my mom would find out early.

“She doesn’t have a clue,” I said. I wasn’t worried. Since Katie was my closest friend here, and Evan was my boyfriend, my mom had no reason to question why I was spending time at their house. Plus, I made a point of being home for dinner, and spending at least an hour with her every night to keep her informed of things—friends, school, and stuff. I enjoyed that time with her. I was amazed at how much better she seemed to be feeling. I guess the visit to the hospital helped her.

The party was tomorrow, and we were almost ready. Grandma Mary and Lydia had made most of the food. Katie designed the invitations and sent them out. She even sent one to Mom and me, inviting us to a costume party at the Mitchell residence. For all Mom knew, we were just going to Lydia’s annual party.

We were just putting the last touches on the decorations in the common room.

“Hand me another bat?” I asked. Katie gave me a rubber bat, and I threaded the fishing line and suspended it from the ceiling. “How does it look?”

She smiled. “Creepy.”

I came down the ladder and stood next to her, eyeing the room critically. Then I smiled, too. It looked amazing. Giant spiderwebs draped in the corner, a flock of bats flew along the ceiling, and black rats with glowing red eyes crouched under the table.

“We do awesome work,” I said.

“We do,” Katie agreed. “But the real question is—what are you and Evan going as?”

“I’m not telling,” I said. “Unless you tell me what you and Brian are wearing.”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Well, then ditto.”

Katie pouted. “You’re no fun.”

I laughed. This party was going to be great.

***

“Bride of Frankenstein!”

Katie stood in the doorway, watching me put the final touches on my makeup.

“Good guess,” I smiled at her from the mirror.

“I love your green skin, and how in the world did you get your hair like that?” My hair was standing straight up in the air—about two feet tall.

“Don’t ask,” I muttered, concentrating on attaching a false eyelash. Man, these things were trickier than they looked. I looked at Katie again and noticed that she was in her jeans and sweatshirt. The party was starting in fifteen minutes. “Are you planning on changing any time soon?”

“When Brian gets here.”

“Why the big secret?”

She smirked at me. “You’ll see.”

The doorbell rang. Neither of us jumped. People had been coming and going all morning. This was turning out to be the biggest party that Peggy’s Cove had seen in a long time; it seemed like everyone was contributing something.

Brian’s voice rang in the hallway. “Has anyone seen the love of my life?”

Katie grinned at me. “It’s showtime. See you soon, Meara!”

I had no idea what their costumes were going to be, but with all this secrecy, I was dying to find out.

“How’s my bride?”

Evan stood in the doorway. His hair and eyebrows were darkened to jet-black, and his skin tinted green like mine. He had thimbles on the sides of his neck to mimic bolts. He wore a gray suit and big, black shoes.

“Glad I don’t wear false eyelashes every day,” I said. “How’s my monster?”

He came and stood behind me, so I looked at him through the mirror.

“Wow, Meara, you look stunning…and frightening all at once. I’m impressed.” He eyed my hair skeptically. “Where’s your white stripe?”

“That’s where you come in,” I said, handing him the can of white hair paint. “I can’t spray my hair and cover my eyes.”

“True,” he said, holding up the can in his right hand and shielding my face with his left. “Hold your breath.”

When he finished, I looked in the mirror. Perfect. The two of us looked like we stepped right off a movie set. I grinned at his reflection. “I think this is my best costume ever.”

“Mine, too.”

“What time is it?”

“Ten minutes until party time. Does that mean I get to kiss you?”

I laughed and stepped back away from him. “Not on your life. You’ll ruin my makeup. This took me twenty minutes.”

He sighed. “Ah, the joys of dating a high-maintenance monster.”

As we headed down the stairs, I took in the view. The Inn was transformed. It was like stepping into a haunted house. Decorations draped every corner and available space.

The buffet featured green punch, steaming with dry ice, “eyeball” meatballs, monster fingers, broomsticks, “bat-wing” buffalo chicken wings, and every other kind of spooky or gross-looking food item Grandma Mary and Lydia could create. The cake looked like a witch’s cauldron, with gummy worms and bugs floating inside.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party this lavish.”

Evan laughed. “It’s something else all right. I hope your mom likes it.”

“She’ll love it.”

“You guys look great!” Brian called from behind us.