Soulmates (21 page)

“Why aren’t we having sex?”

Dan looked up from his phone, then around the area, other diners eating and having their own intriguing conversations. “You want to address that here in the diner?” he asked leaning forward.

“Yes, actually. I do. It will prevent me from beating the shit out of you while you’re driving.” Without meaning to, Dan snorted, laughing.

“Sorry.” Thinking through what she was asking of him, he decided to be straight with her, sort of. “Between four kids, your mother-in-law practically sleeping next to our bedroom, I guess we haven’t given it the attention it needs.”

“Leave it to you to give some pat answer that sounds like it’s straight from a family law book.

“Well what excuse do
you
have?” She wanted to throw something in his face, the smug look just inviting a splash of hot, black coffee.

“Let’s see,” she said, cocking her head to the side, putting her finger up to her face and looking off into space. “I come to bed bathed and dressed to kill every night. Last night I even swallowed my pride after the last two rejections and snuggled up next to you, going for your dick…”

“Keep it down, please.”

“And you rolled over. What the hell, Dan? Why are we even together?”

“You love me, right?” Lisa supposed she did love him, but her anger at him concealed it.

“I’m not going there. We can assume we love each other. But if we aren’t acting out in love, forget it. My mom loves me and I can live with her, too. And she won’t piss me off.” Dan couldn’t help it, he snorted again, grabbing her hand.

“You sure are cute when you’re mad,” he said, smiling. Lisa didn’t find it amusing however.

“Yes, well that’s great you think I’m cute. Let’s try to make some progress here.
You
making fun of
me
when I am trying to express myself is part of the problem.”

“Lisa, loosen up for God’s sake. I’m just teasing you.”

“Your sarcasm is another issue but we won’t go into that now. Not everything is a joke.” Dan started to fidget.

“Remind me to take you to dinner next time.”

“Hey buddy, it’s no sweat off my ass. You could have eaten Gladys’ cooking again tonight.” Unable to help himself, Dan roared with laughter.

“Okay, point taken. I’m sorry.”

Lisa had to hand it to him, his outburst made her smile. The diners surrounding them smiled at the gorgeous couple, seeming to have such a great meal and enjoying each other’s company.

“They’ll probably go to a hotel and have intense sex,” an onlooker said, her companion nodding in agreement.

The truth was that as soon as they got into the car, Gladys texted
Marcus has diarrhea. Can you pick up some Imodium on the way home?

Chapter 18

Spending the weekend at a hotel near the hospital where Jason was a patient turned out to be the beginning of the worst time in Jeff and Ted’s marriage.

“You can stay in while I run over to see how he’s doing today,” Jeff said. He was preparing to visit Jason Sunday morning after spending a horrible night at what Ted referred to as Roach Haven. Leaving their overnight bags in the car trunk, only bringing what was absolutely needed into the rooms, they hoped to avoid bringing any pests home to Babylon.

“Could you have picked a worse hotel? Why would I want to stay in? I’d rather wait in the hospital waiting room.”

“Suit yourself. I have no idea if they’ll even allow me in to see him.”

“This has been a wild goose chase. We should have called first,” Ted whined. Jeff didn’t answer, beyond speech. Stress certainly brought out the worst in Ted. They walked the two blocks to the hotel together, avoiding any contact.

“You wait here,” Jeff said, pointing to the waiting room door. “I’ll text you if I get in to see Jason.”

“Wait, Jeff. Isn’t that your niece?” Jeff came back and glanced in the door. It was Jane.

“Jane,” he said, reaching to hug her. Reluctantly embracing him, it took her a few seconds to figure out who he was.

“Oh, Uncle Jeff. Thank you for coming.”

“We’ve been here since yesterday,” he said. “I wasn’t allowed in to see him.”

“Me neither. Something to do with his breathing. We might not be allowed in until later this afternoon.”

“That’s ridiculous. Let me go see if I can’t pull any strings.” Jeff marched off while Jane and Ted looked on.

“What good will that do?” Jane said acerbically. Ted looked at her, a pinched, wan woman, approaching her thirties. If she didn’t watch it, she’d be an old hag before her time.

“Oh, don’t underestimate your uncle,” he said. “He was a flamboyant courtroom arguer in his time. He might pull the lawsuit card.”

“He’d do that for Dad?” she asked. Ted frowned.

“We’re here, aren’t we? That trip from Long Island isn’t exactly a carnival ride.”

“I’m sorry,” Jane sighed. And then she started to cry. “I can’t believe my brother is gone. The Coast Guard said it was Dad’s fault. He turned into an oncoming boat. Aaron was killed instantly.” Hearing the facts made Ted sick to his stomach. He’d excuse himself as soon as he could to call Natalie and make sure Deborah was okay. He pointed to an empty place on the couch.

“Mind if I sit down?” she shook her head, wiping her eyes. “I’m so sorry about Aaron. It must be brutal, what you’re going through.” She nodded, sniffing.

“I feel guilty because I was mean to him last week. After Dad had canceled the wedding, Aaron gave him a rough time, telling him he was weak and then the worst, saying he and Mom were responsible for him being an asshole. You know he’s a drug addict, right? He
was
a drug addict.”

“He didn’t know what he was saying,” Ted replied. “All kids lash out when they are struggling.” Ted had no idea what he was talking about.

“I yelled at him and told him he was a loser.” Jane bowed her head and gave out a cry. “Now I feel like crap because he’s dead. Nothing I said to him made a bit of difference. It was mean and hateful.”

“I’m sure at the time you thought you were helping him.”

“It was selfish. I should have told him how much I loved him. Now it’s too late.” Ted put his arm around her shoulders, but she backed off.

“Don’t do that. Don’t touch me,” she snapped.

“Jesus, you are a bitch,” Ted mumbled, moving away. He walked out into the hallway and could hear her crying again. He looked at his watch; Jeff had been gone ten minutes. Pulling his phone out, he dialed Natalie’s number and she answered just as a page for a Code Blue came on loudly over the intercom.

“Where are you?” she shouted.

“Just a minute, let this friggin thing end.” He waited for the phrase to repeat three times, not registering that it was the ICU, where Jason was. “Okay, sorry about that. I’m at the hospital while Jeff visits with Jason. You heard, right?”

“Pam called right after she found out. Appalling! Is he paralyzed?”

“Who knows,” Ted answered. “They won’t know any of that for a while. He’s still out of it. Did Pam tell you the son was killed?”

“Oh no, how awful. She must not have known when she got in touch with me. I’m sure she’d have mentioned it.” They chatted about the accident and then Ted complained about Jeff and Natalie told him about Ben.

“How’s Deb?” Ted asked, fresh concern for his child after Aaron’s death rising to the surface.

“She’s fine. Don’t start worrying about her now.”

“Easier said than done,” he replied. “I guess I better hang up. It just occurred to me that code was for the ICU. I hope Jason is alright.”

“Oh my God, you better go find out,” she urged. They said goodbye and Ted went back to the waiting room, just as a team of hospital staff arrived.
Oh no
, Ted thought, glancing at Jane, who looked petrified.

“Are you family to Jason Bridges?” Jane swooned, but she pulled it together as Ted went to her.

“We are,” Ted answered.

“Do you know his visitor Jeff Babcock?” Ted’s heart banged in his chest.

“Oh my God, he’s my husband,” Ted said. An older man in a white coat put his hand on Ted’s arm.

“I’m so sorry to inform you that he passed away a few minutes ago.”

Stretching for her glasses, Pam reached for the clock on Sunday morning. Ocean air heavy with moisture skimmed her arms and legs. It was after seven; the sun should have been casting golden spears of light between the window casing and the drapery tops. Getting out of bed, she went to the window, pulled the drapes aside, and discovered it was gray and raining, just as she hoped. The clouds were so low they obscured the water line, and all she could see was the surf coming up close to the house, gray foam on gray sand. Almost jumping up and down at the prospect of a lazy day inside watching TV with John, she remembered she had company.
What was she going to do with Sandra all day if it was crappy out?

While dressing, she remembered baby Brent was just a few steps away, ready for kissing. It energized her. Taking off the dangling earrings that may be too much of a temptation for a baby she put a final touch on her lipstick, longing to hold him.

In the kitchen, she pushed construction debris aside to reach the coffee pot. No sounds came from upstairs yet. Later, she’d call to ask Lisa if she’d like to see the baby if Sandra didn’t take her up on the offer to babysit. Putting up with Dan for her grandson’s sake would be the least Pam could do.

It was during her second cup of coffee that Natalie called. “Are you sitting down?”

“Don’t kid around this early,” Pam said, sitting up straight. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel awful telling you this over the phone. Ted just called.” She hesitated. “Jeff had a massive MI and died, right at Jason’s bedside.” Pam sat back, stunned. Putting her coffee on the table, she watched at the rain streaming down the veranda doors. Across the dunes, was Jeff’s house. Until the recent past, she had no one else but him.

“Can I call you back?”

“Sure. Call me later.” Pam pressed the end button without saying goodbye. Pulling her feet onto the couch, she grabbed an afghan, pulling it over her. Thankful she’d had that conversation with him accepting his apology, she knew at the time they’d never have the same relationship they once had. Just beginning to grieve the loss of his friendship, Pam now had his death to face, as well. No more surprise breakfast baskets with fresh fruit and homemade muffins. No late night dinners on the veranda, or sneaking over with champagne after Ted and Jason had gone to sleep. No one to bounce off decorating ideas or new dresses, he was a brother and sister, boyfriend and girlfriend all rolled into one.

At the best of their relationship, he’d nurse her through sickness, the only one to whom she’d allow admittance. He even did her make up when she was so weak she couldn’t lift her hand. Guilt tried to sneak in;
was it really that bad, what he did? Yes,
she answered.
It was really that bad. He betrayed my secrets.
But now he was dead and what he’d done no longer mattered.

Jason, however was still alive. She sat up quickly. Feeling worse about Jeff than she did about Jason was dreadful, not giving him a thought that morning.
Poor Ted
. She grabbed her phone to call Natalie back. What would it mean to her to have Ted available again?

“I’m so sorry,” Pam said when she answered. “I think I’m in shock. But what about poor Ted? What about
you?
”

“He already asked if he could move back in with me. It’ll be tight because Deborah’s here. We might have to do something else. Move uptown into Ashton’s old place. Something.”

“What about the beach house? I won’t know what to do with strangers living over there.”

“I don’t think it was ever going to be Ted’s. His ex-wife and kids get it.” Pam’s heart sunk thinking about Marybeth Babcock living next door.
God help us
. “And that house in Rhinebeck; you’ve heard about it, I’m sure.”

“Marie went there for a weekend after Jack died. She said it was a little odd.”

“Marie? Why’d she go?” Natalie asked confused.

“Well, don’t tell Ted, but it was a date. You know, he wasn’t
living the life
yet.”

“A
date
? Were you guys blind? Good lord, the guy was a walking model for Gay Times. There was a lot about Jeff that reminded me of Ashton.” Pam sighed, wishing she’d known Ashton better just so she could pick his brains about Jack.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Of course, you know that anything you tell me is safe.”

“One of my regrets is not engaging Ashton. When I found out he’d known Jack longer than I did, I thought of the all he could have shared about Jack. I know he wanted to share because he came to see me after Jack died. There was chemistry between us. I think that’s why the confrontation at Costco hurt so much.” Natalie thought of the boxes and boxes of ephemera they’d found in Ashton’s apartment, stuff no one wanted around but that no one was able to throw away. Even his mother, Mrs. Hageman said it belonged to Pam. Natalie debated telling her and decided against it, for now. She’d confer with Ted first. But she had to get him home.

“Look love, I have to figure out how to get Ted home. Zach might have to take the train to Delaware so he can drive him back. Ted’s a terrible driver in the best of times.”

“Okay, I love you Natalie,” Pam said, the words slipping out before she knew it, shocked at her own feelings for her.

“I love you, too. I’ll call you later.” They hung up and Pam sat with the phone on her lap, listing to the wind and the rain and the first crack of thunder.

“Hello,” a voice called from the kitchen. It was Valarie with baby Brent on her hip. Pam got up and went to him right away.

“Oh, you cutie, can I hold him?”

“Of course. I have his cereal to fix.” Little chubby arms reached for Pam when she put her hands out to take him.

“Come to grannie,” she said, kissing his cheek. She wondered where Sandra was, but didn’t ask, it was obvious she was still in bed and Valarie was doing the nanny thing.

“Don’t you get a day off?” Pam asked, curious.

“Thank you misses. You met my cousin last time I was here; she will work for me a few days this week so I can rest. We switch around like that,” she laughed. “So baby gets used to both women.”