Unchained Memories (10 page)

“Just like Romeo and Juliet.” Renee’s smile quickly faded. “Sorry. That didn’t work out so well for them. Bad comparison.” She rose and put her mug in the sink. “Why did you decide to become a medical malpractice attorney?”

Charlotte shrugged. She hadn’t told Renee, or anyone else about her motivation in choosing the type of law she practiced. There’d been no point. “It’s hard to say.” At least that was the truth. “I want to help people who’ve been injured. And I love being a trial lawyer. Med mal covers the bases. And when I started practicing in San Francisco, I found I was good at it. It just worked out.”

“Is it weird working at Mom and Dad’s firm?”

“It’s...good. Some of the lawyers there were our parents’ friends and it’s nice to hear stories about them. The older guys seem to want to take care of me as if I’m their daughter. It’s very sweet. Some of the others make me feel like I have to prove myself, to live up to Mom and Dad’s reputations. And, of course, I accept the challenge.”

“You would. You were always so driven. So competitive. You’ll succeed no matter what you do.”

Was there a note of resentment in Renee’s voice? Or was she proud of her? In light of their newfound camaraderie, Charlotte opted to believe the latter. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I hope you’re right.”

“So how do you plan to deal with Clay?”

“I don’t have a plan. I’m just sitting back waiting to see if something happens. Or not. I don’t know. It’s odd. Usually I’m in control, but in this case...” She shrugged. “I’m not good at relationships anyway.” There. She admitted it.

“What do you mean? You were with Eric for a while.”

The operative word being were. Charlotte chided herself for dropping that last sentence out there. While it was great connecting with her sister after so many years, she wasn’t sure she was ready to bare her soul. Some things were private. Like the unilateral decision to leave her life behind in San Francisco, without even consulting Eric. At her sister’s request, Charlotte had readily agreed to fly off to New Jersey for an extended period of time. Eric had been flabbergasted, even questioning whether Renee would have done the same for her.

Eric had known Charlotte a little too well. He knew it was her way of breaking up, even though she’d denied it, vowing to call every day and come back as soon as Renee had regained some semblance of a normal life. Of course it only took a matter of weeks for Charlotte to confirm his suspicions. It was all for the best.

The odd thing was, she desperately wanted a relationship like her parents had, not only romantic but a true friendship. Unfortunately, she resisted it at every turn.

Yes, she’d gone to therapy, for years, hoping to heal the hole in her heart. It had been useless. While she understood why she couldn’t fully commit to anyone, she couldn’t seem to get past it. The fear was there. Deep within. And no one, not even her therapist, could drag it out of her.

So, here she was, admitting she wasn’t good at relationships. What an understatement. “Yes, I was with Eric for a few years. But it wasn’t meant to be. I’m fine alone.”

“Are you kidding me? You mean to tell me you’re never going to get married? That you’re going to spend your life at the office, working on your medical malpractice cases?”

Renee looked so appalled, Charlotte had to laugh. “No. I thought I’d go to a movie or a museum once in a while.” Charlotte glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. “I have to go. I have a lot of work to do tonight.” She brought her mug to the sink and rinsed it. “I had a great day with Eva and Jake. They’re so precious.”

“I agree. Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner? We’re having chicken fingers.”

Charlotte smiled. “You always have chicken fingers. And as much as I count them in as one of the major food groups, I really do have to go.” She moved into the living room and picked up her brief case. “I’m glad you had a good day. Call me Monday night after work and let me know how it goes.” She gave her sister another hug. “Good luck.”

Renee nodded, her newly highlighted hair shining in the fading afternoon light. “Thanks. I’ll need it.”

Chapter Nine

Clay pushed open the familiar glass door embellished with black lettering; J&J Accounting Services, 152 Nassau Street. The bright sunshine of the unseasonably warm April afternoon followed him into the small lobby decorated in sleek business furniture and modern art.

The twenty-something secretary looked up from her computer and gave Clay a brilliant smile. “Hi, Doctor Montgomery. I was wondering when you were finally going to come by.”

Clay shifted his manila folder from one hand to the other and smiled back. “No need to be so formal, Lisa. Call me Clay.” A pretty blush moved up her face. “Are either of my brothers in?” He used a conspiratorial whisper, cluing her into his plan not to alert them. Lest they feign their unavailability.

She whispered back, “Jim has a client, but John’s free.”

Clay winked at her and put his finger to his lips. “No need to announce me.”

He moved down the hall to the last office on the right, inviting himself in as if he worked there. “Hey, John. Do you have a minute?”

John glanced up from is computer and groaned. “It’s April 11
th
. We don’t take clients after the 10
th
.” His voice lacked its usual friendliness and there were dark circles under his eyes.

“I’m not a client. I’m family.” Seeing his joke fall on closed ears, Clay tried for a little compassion. “Sorry to be so late. But I haven’t had a day off in a while. I managed to leave a little early today.” He took in four neat piles of folders on his brother’s desk, all about a foot high. “By the looks of it, you’re swamped. But my return is simple. It will only take a few minutes with your high-tech computer program.” He sat in the chair across John’s desk, indicating his disregard for that silly April 10
th
rule. It couldn’t possibly apply to him.

“If it’s so simple, why don’t you do it yourself? Just go on the IRS website and follow the directions. You’re a smart guy.” None of John’s usual humor punctuated his words.

“Why so crabby? You’ve been doing this for over six years now. You have to be used to the crazy weeks leading up to the deadline.”

“It was never this bad before kids.” He rubbed his eyes as he sat back in his chair. “With Diana and Dylan, the little sleep I get is interrupted at least three times a night. No one ever told me I’d be a walking zombie for the first six months of their lives.” John’s eyes darted to the double frame on his desk carrying two of the cutest twins Clay had ever seen. And John’s face softened.

“That’s because none of your siblings have been foolish enough to get married yet, much less have kids,” Clay offered with a smirk.

Ignoring his brotherly jab, John tapped the end of a pencil against the desk. “It’s worse for poor Tara. She’s with them day and night with no time to herself. We’re both on the verge of breakdowns.”

“Only four more days and you can relax, take a few days off. Maybe Mom could watch the kids and you and Tara can take a little vacation.”

Finally, a smile.

“Do you think she would? Twins are so hard.”

“She raised five of us. Two will be a piece of cake. And Dad will be around. Maybe I’ll even stop by after work to help them out.”

“Yeah, right. Like you ever stop by Mom and Dad’s. I can’t remember the last time you made it for dinner on a Wednesday night. I’m sure you wouldn’t interrupt your weekend to help with two babies.”

Clay wanted to deny John’s criticism, but couldn’t in good conscience. Their mom had an open invitation to all five kids for dinner on any Wednesday they were available. Clay rarely made it, given his schedule at the hospital. And if he did have the night off, he either went out on a date or joined the guys in a pick-up game of basketball. He gave enough of himself through funding his siblings’ education. He didn’t feel the need to give all his free time as well.

John and Jim felt differently and rarely missed the weekly event, while his sisters only joined in when they were on a break from school. That might all change once they graduated next month. Maybe they’d both end up back in the Princeton area. His parents would be ecstatic.

While Jim and John were amusing enough at the few Wednesday dinners he did make, the girls added a whole other dimension, especially Colleen, who surrounded herself in drama and managed to pull Julie right into it with her. They were the perfect targets for teasing brothers, yet they proved even better strategists when it came to embarrassing their brothers in front of their dates, or in John’s case, his wife. Even though they all ended up scathed, the laughter rarely stopped and Clay felt a guilty twinge at missing these family get-togethers so often.

“So, here’s my tax stuff.” He held out the manila folder. “Everything’s organized and documented. If you have any questions, just give me a call.” Since John didn’t reach out to take it, Clay pushed the folder toward him on the desk.

“You’re worse than every one of my clients,” complained John, finally taking the folder. “All your colleagues from the hospital got me their information at least a month ago. Around the same time I hounded you for yours.”

Duly chastised, Clay hung his head. “Sorry. I promise to be better in the future.”

John threw a balled up piece of paper that missed Clay by a few feet, but at least he had lightened up a little. “You’re lucky I still feel indebted to you, since I’m not falling for your false apology.”

Clay raised his head, trying to keep his smile at bay. “Indebted for what?”

“For helping to pay for college.”

“You paid me back years ago.”

“I know. But I won’t ever forget it. You could have kept your money, invested it. You’d have a lot more now if you’d done that.”

Clay felt an unfamiliar pull on his heart. He’d helped all his siblings, but they rarely talked about it. Both John and Jim had paid him back over time, and that was that. Now the three of them did the same for Colleen and Julie. They were family. And they all worked hard to succeed. No slackers. No spongers.

“I did invest it. And I got a great return in the undying gratitude of my baby brother, who happens to be a great accountant. It was worth it.”

John swallowed and gave him a lopsided grin. “I must be tired. I’m getting all sentimental on you.”

“Maybe it’s the babies playing with your emotions. So how are my niece and nephew, other than insomniacs?”

“They’re great.” John’s eyes sparked, and the energy that had been missing magically appeared. “Always smiling, cooing. I swear they know what each other is thinking, even though we don’t. When one is happy, the other’s happy. When one is crying, the other chimes in.” He shook his head, obviously contemplating the wonder of twin telepathy.

“Can’t wait to see them. I’ll try to make this Wednesday’s dinner.”

“You said that last week. Where were you? I thought you got off around seven and planned to come late.”

A pleasurable current soared through Clay at the thought of his impromptu evening with Charlotte. “I ended up having a bite with an old friend. A last minute thing.”

“What’s with the mouse-eating grin?” John lasered in on Clay’s inability to camouflage untempered glee. It must be catchy, because even John had a grin playing at the corners of his mouth. “Spill it. Who’s the woman?”

“What makes you think it’s a woman?” Clay could feel a full-blown smile taking over.

“Because no male friend would cause that reaction.”

“You think you know me so well.”

“Now I’m even more convinced over your failure to answer a direct question.” John put his hands behind his head and crossed his foot over his knee, signaling he’d wait all day if that’s what it took, to get a straight answer.

And Clay was actually dying to tell someone about the serendipitous events that had brought Charley Taylor back into his life. “Are you sure you want to hear it now? The story starts about ten years ago.” Clay shouldn’t be taking precious time out of John’s hectic schedule to beam about a bewitching infatuation, when John could hardly afford it. “We could have lunch next week when you’re over the hump.”

“And keep me guessing for the next few days? No way. I’m all ears.”

So Clay settled in, thrilled to relive in the telling of the story of Charlotte.

****

After leaving Renee’s, Charlotte decided to walk the mile or so to her office for some much needed air before working for a few hours. With the early spring came a few unseasonably warm days and daffodils and tulips were popping up all over town. She passed the Roman Catholic Church, her old parish, and an unexpected joy permeated her being as she recalled the many happy occasions she sang with their choir. Interestingly, the memories didn’t inundate her with sadness.

Maybe because they weren’t closely associated with the accident. Could it be that finally, after all these years, she might be able to smile over recollections from her life before that fateful day? She’d always thought she needed to stay away from her hometown, away from any of those memories in order to move on. Perhaps coming back to Princeton would prove to be good for her.

Her steps felt lighter, the breeze on her face invigorating as she strolled down Nassau Street taking in the throngs of people making the most of a beautiful Saturday late-afternoon. No one seemed to be in a rush, including her.

She passed an office building with the name of an accounting firm before retracing her steps. J & J Accounting Services. Wasn’t that the name of Clay’s brothers’ firm? A receptionist at the front desk glanced at her through the glass door and smiled, motioning for her to come in. She must have thought Charlotte had an appointment since it was a few days before April 15th. Charlotte shook her head and lifted her hands, showing the woman she had no documents for any imagined meeting.

Just then Clay appeared in the doorway. She blinked to make sure she hadn’t conjured up an illusory spirit. He pushed open the door and stood before her on the sidewalk.

“Were you looking for me?” His arched eyebrow and the smile playing around his lips did funny things to her stomach.