The Amber Stone (12 page)

“I’m fine. Besides, she doesn’t go to the bay anymore…” he said, letting his words trail off, knowing he’d revealed too much.

“No, but she’s staying with Louisa. When’s the last time you visited them?”

Teresa didn’t expect a warm welcome when she arrived at her aunt and uncle’s place. Twice her sister Michelle had tried to talk her out of moving out, but the news her Uncle Darren gave her was still a shock.

“Margaret’s gone,” Uncle Darren said to Teresa as he opened the door. “Went to stay with a sister of hers for a while. So it’s just us,” he said, tugging on his Valley Ray T-shirt in an uncharacteristically nervous gesture. He turned to Louisa. “Show her where to put her things.”

Teresa followed Louisa to the small room she’d use. It had a bed that looked no better than a cot that was set up in the corner for her and an old pink blanket was neatly folded at the foot of the bed. Fortunately, there was a window, although it was so filthy no light was allowed through. Teresa looked at her blanket, it had holes that she knew wouldn’t keep the winter chill out, she’d have to get a replacement. She put it back on the bed.

Louisa sat on the bed. “Bet you wish you didn’t come, huh?”

“No,” Teresa said with a smile. She opened a dresser drawer that looked as if they’d picked it up off the side of the road, hoping nothing would come crawling out.

“I heard your sister Jessie got married,” Louisa said, crossing her legs. “Heard it was beautiful.”

“Yes, it was.”

“Sorry we couldn’t make it.”

“Yes.” Teresa didn’t admit that with the crowd of people in attendance nobody noticed their absence.

“I really didn’t think you’d come back.”

Teresa began to unpack. “I said I would.”

She sniffed. “People always say things they don’t mean.” She watched Teresa put an expensive nightgown into one of the drawers. “So your boyfriend won’t mind you being here?”

“You don’t have to pretend, you think I have one.”

“I’m not pretending, I’m curious. Isn’t there a special someone out there?”

“What do you really want to know?”

“Why someone like you would want to end up in a dump like this. We both know you don’t belong here. Growing up, all I’d hear about the Cliftons was how ‘special’ they were, but I never could figure it out. We got the looks and you got the money. I bet you went to the prom in some fancy limousine and—”

“I never dated.”

Louisa stared surprised. “Not once?”

“Nope.”

Louisa looked her up and down. “Even at your age? Not one man?”

Teresa grinned at Louisa’s horrified expression. “Nope. Not once.”

“That means you’ve never been with a man?”

“Nope.”

“I can’t believe you’ve lasted so long. I had needs that had to be met. Is it some religious—”

“I just haven’t met the right guy. “

“No wonder! You can’t wait around for that or you’ll be a virgin forever.” Louisa patted her cousin’s knee in reassurance. “Stop thinking that way and you’ll get your chance.”

Teresa toyed with her bracelet, choosing her words carefully. “I know that this may sound strange, but I’ve given up on that.”

Louisa tilted her head to the side. “You’re right. It does sound strange. Why give up? You’re not even thirty yet.”

“It’s just not in the cards for me. I fell in love with a man who doesn’t care I exist.”

Louisa felt her pity subside and a feeling of understanding took over that surprised her. She’d wanted to hate Teresa, but her sincerity reluctantly drew her in, even though they had little in common. By age seven, she knew what boys were best for and liked getting their attention. She knew the power of her looks. Plain girls like Teresa stayed home writing poetry on Friday nights and lived boring lives. She never thought they could feel the same way she did. “It’s better than him rejecting you,” Louisa said.

“Give him time,” Teresa said, hearing the words Louisa didn’t say. “He might come around.”

Louisa absently rubbed her stomach. “I know I’ll get him back somehow.”

“And if you don’t, I’m here.”

Louisa shrugged, feeling sorry for her. Teresa was too simple to understand that she was a poor substitution for a man. But since she’d never had one, she wouldn’t know. Louisa still didn’t understand why Teresa felt the need to move in to help her. Although they were family, they were still strangers.

“Hungry?” Teresa asked.

“Starving.” And she was, but by the time dinner was ready, she wasn’t sure she could get near it. Curry spiced the air and the sight of black beans on a bed of rice, a meal that used to be one of her favorites, made her stomach lurch. Louisa took a deep breath, grabbing the back of the chair hoping her stomach would settle. This baby was supposed to be the start of a new life for her, but all it did was take. It was taking her figure, it had taken her job away, the man she loved and now her appetite. She turned and stormed out of the house, wanting to scream at the sky. It wasn’t fair. She didn’t want her life to be like this. She didn’t want to work in her cousin’s shop, let alone share her place with her. She didn’t want to be in this ugly house. She wanted to escape. She wanted to be with him. In his arms, hear his voice.

“Louisa, are you okay?”

She turned and saw Teresa’s concerned expression. She couldn’t understand. She had so many things she wanted to say, but only one she could give voice to. “I hate this.”

“This?”

“Being pregnant. I hate feeling sick nearly all the time.”

“I have something that can help. It’s a special ginger mix that will make the rest of your pregnancy feel like a breeze.”

“Really?”

“I helped you before, right? You’ll be eating curry in no time.”

Louisa felt her hopes lift, if she could go a day without bending over a toilet she’d be grateful. “Thanks,” she said and for the first time in a long while, meant it.

***

You wouldn’t last a day.
Teresa lay in bed and stared up at the ceiling knowing her Aunt’s words were right. She wanted to go home. She wanted to be in her own bed again. She missed the grey country-style house she shared with her sister Michelle. The beautiful house she’d grown up in. But she was determined she would stay a while so that she could help them. But she couldn’t stay with things this filthy. She had to do something.

“Uncle Darren, do you mind if I make a few changes?” she asked her uncle one morning as he headed out to work.

“Sure. I don’t care.”

His words were music to her ears and she immediately went to work. She cleaned all the windows and mopped the floors, then painted. Painting filled up three days. With Darren’s help and four of his friends, they painted Louisa’s room a soft pink, Teresa’s a warm blue, Darren’s master bedroom and the living room an off white. She shopped at Hartland’s Warehouse, a place that had been turned into a large thrift store where many vendors showed up on weekends to sell a variety of items. She purchased new beds, a couch and tables and chairs and had them delivered.

“I can’t believe I’m in the same house,” Darren said one evening as he sat on his new burgundy couch and watched Teresa place a plant on a windowsill.

“I’m glad you like it.”

“Must have cost you more than the rent.”

“Oh, I had some paints and things leftover from renovating the shop so it wasn’t much.” That was only partly true. She didn’t want to tell him that she would have spent a lot more if she’d had to because she couldn’t have stayed there as it was.

But now the house felt fresher and happier. She’d gotten her second chance and so had the house.

The following day, Teresa spent time at the store. But it was a slow day, so she let Louisa go home early since she didn’t have much for her to do. Once again the store manager, whose toupee lay low on his forehead today, asked her to consider carrying Valley Ray supplements, but she sidestepped the issue, telling him she had something else in mind.

That evening she returned home and saw Louisa raiding the cupboards, a bag of chips and a half eaten cookie in her mouth.

“Someone’s gotten their appetite back,” Teresa said with a smile, glad that her remedy had worked.

“You don’t know how hungry I am,” Louisa said. “Now that I can eat without feeling sick, I feel like I can’t stop.”

“I’ll make dinner soon.”

“There’s not much here.”

When Teresa checked what was in the kitchen, she announced she would make red beans and rice and ginger spiced chicken, Uncle Darren sat back with a sigh. “I haven’t had that in years.”

“Just a few more minutes and you’ll be in heaven,” Teresa promised.

“How are things at the shop?”

“Early days yet, but I’m seeing progress.” She saw Louisa grab another cookie. “Leave room for dinner.”

“I have plenty,” Louisa said. “I used to worry about my weight all the time. Now I say ‘screw it’.”

“You still want to be healthy.”

Louisa lifted a brow. “If I start looking like you, I’ll stop.”

“Louisa,” Darren said in warning.

“Mom’s gone. I don’t need another one,” Louisa said then left the room.

“Ignore her.”

“I know she’s just angry about a lot of things and wants to take it out on me,” Teresa said, determined not to take offense.

“Do you still play the piano?” Darren asked. “I remember Margaret said you could play.”

“Yes, would you like me to play something?”

He nodded.

She took the cover off the piano and sat down, hoping the piano was in tune. She hit a few keys and ascertained that it was.

“Do you have a request?” she asked, flexing her fingers.

“Something fun.”

“I’m afraid I only know classics.”

“That’s okay.”

She chose a song by Chopin, running her fingers lightly over the keys like a humming bird. The dull little house filled with a melodious sound, changing the atmosphere to one of enchantment. This was what Teresa loved most about music, that it belonged to all people. Teresa could imagine people dancing at a ball as their expensive jewelry glittered in the light or campers out on a mountain, watching a sunset. Her uncle began to hum along. He stopped when he heard a knock on the door. “I wonder who that could be?” he said then opened the front door, welcoming a cold March wind. A tall stranger, with bags underneath his arms, stood in the entrance like a dark messenger.

“There’s nothing that warms a man’s heart more than to be greeted by the soothing voice of music,” the man said.

Darren jumped back, eager to welcome his friend. “Oh, Sean. Come in, come in.” He took one of the bags from him and pushed him in a chair. “You have to meet my niece who’s staying with us for a while, Teresa. She’s the new owner of the store down the street.”

“We’ve already met,” Teresa said coolly, measuring Sean with her eyes. She began to play a more somber piece.

“Good God, what’s happened to this place?” Sean said, looking around.

“Teresa’s magic touch,” Darren said.

Sean looked over at her. “I thought you said you weren’t a witch.”

“So what did you bring us?” Louisa asked, coming into the room before Teresa could reply.

He kept his gaze on Teresa a second longer, then turned to Louisa. “Nothing much, see for yourself.” He stood and placed the other bag on the couch. She delved in and pulled out oranges, bread, matches, ham and a blanket. Louisa turned from the items she’d set on the table. “Sean Casey,” she said in a low purr, running her hand through his hair before giving him a sound kiss on the mouth. “You’re the best.”

Darren grinned, waving his package of cigars. “Very wonderful. You and Teresa are the best things to happen to us.” He put the food back in the bag. “You’re just in time for dinner.” He headed for the kitchen. “Let me put these away.”

Sean sat down on the piano bench next to Teresa. “Next time I’ll bring something for you,” he said, his voice deepening to an intimate level.

“Don’t waste your time.” She wished he wasn’t so big, he took up most of the seat and smelled like a cold night, wood and fresh soap.