Family Pieces (16 page)

“Pay Adie?” Emily tried to get her head around the thought of not only her two-year-old daughter earning an income, but an income larger than her own as she was now a stay-at-home mommy. What would Greg think?

“Yes, I’m sure you can put the money in a trust fund or education account, right? Or, Adie could throw one big shindig for her third birthday party. Ice cream and cake for all the toddlers in Manhattan.”

“Up! Up!” Adie held both arms toward Addison. Addy leaned over, grabbed her up under her armpits and propped her naturally against her hip.

“You want to model, don’t you Adie?”

“No!” Adie replied.

“She says ‘no’ to everything,” Addison said, shaking her head. The word had to be the most common one among Adie’s age group. No meant “no,” no meant “yes,” and no meant “maybe,” or simply “I don’t know any other word to say.”

Addison grabbed Adie’s hand as the little girl giggled and tugged on her necklace. “Don’t pull that, sweetie.”

“Is that new?” Emily asked. The necklace didn’t look typical of something her friend would wear. The simple silver chain and charm looked almost rustic. There was no gold, diamonds or other precious gems adorning the piece.

“No,” replied Addison, nonchalantly stuffing it back into her blouse.

“Oh, I just never noticed it before.”

“So what about the shoot?” Addison asked again.

“I don’t know. I’ll talk to Greg and let you know. If he’s okay with it, well then, I guess I will be, too.” Emily smiled and lifted Adie out of Addison’s arms and into her own. “Thank you again for today. It was just what I needed.”

“Ready to go?”

Hanna jogged up to Karsen. Her hair was looped into a loose ponytail and her pink shoelaces were tied in double knots. “How about the five-mile loop today? I almost ate an entire pan of brownies by myself last night.”

“Stewing over anything in particular?” Karsen asked.

“Not really. Well. Maybe? That schmuck you call a brother hasn’t called me.”

Karsen laughed. “It’s been like one day, Hanna. You crack me up. Since when are you insecure about a guy? Sheesh!”

“I know. I know.” She covered her face with both hands. “I don’t know what my deal is lately. I’m so used to the guy pursuing me. What’s with your brother?”

“Hanna, he likes you. He’s probably just in shock that you like him. Give it time.” Karsen placed her hands against the wall and pushed back to stretch her Achilles, first one leg and then the other. She kneeled down and tightened her shoelaces, reset the timer on her watch and was ready to go. Their loop headed up Mill Avenue to University then weaved through campus, ending back where they began.

Not five minutes into their run, Karsen tentatively broached the topic of her necklace with Hanna again. She was not sure what she was seeking. Perhaps she was hoping for confirmation that she should let it all go, or perhaps reassurance that she should not. “So…I asked my dad about the necklace pieces last night.”

“And?”

“And nothing. He was unconcerned or at least uninterested. He implied maybe the jeweler that made ours never matched my mom’s in the first place.”

“And do you buy that?”

Karsen reflected momentarily as she looked both ways before stepping off the curb to cross the street. “I guess. I mean my parents were happy. It wasn’t like they hid anything from each other.”

They ran a few more minutes without chatting. “What if he doesn’t know?” Hanna suggested.

“Know what?”

“Or, what if he knows something and doesn’t want to tell you?” Hanna took a sip from her water bottle and checked her watch. The conversation slowed them off their usual pace, but since she was feeling on the sluggish side, she didn’t mind.

“He wouldn’t lie to me.”

“I didn’t say lie. More like fib or withhold information is what I was implying.”

Karsen shook her head. “I still don’t think so.” She paused. “Why can’t I just let this go? I feel like I’m torturing myself over something trivial. Brad’s probably right. They probably never fit.”

“Does it really matter anyway?”

“Who knows? Maybe I’m just trying to get back at my dad for the fight we had. I still have no idea why he blew up that night.”

“I wish I was more help.” Hanna racked her brain trying to think of something to help her friend find some rhyme or reason. “You said a jeweler made yours, right?”

“Yeah. My grandpa made the original three, but he passed away. My mom had ours made at a jewelry shop in town.” She paused. “Why? What are you thinking?”

“Call around and find the jewelry store,” Hanna said.

“Why?” The thought hadn’t occurred to Karsen.

“It’s a long shot, but maybe the store would know if they fit. There have to be some kind of sales records for a custom piece, don’t you think?”

Karsen pondered the suggestion. Hanna might be right. She contemplated the logistics of tracking down the store. There were several possibilities.

“So, has James called any more?” Hanna redirected the conversation. She was hoping the answer was no. She didn’t want to see Karsen hurt any more.

“Just once. He left another voice mail, late at night as usual. He really needs to give up on the make-up booty call. Fat chance.”

“Are you sure you’re still doing okay?” Hanna knew Karsen put on a strong front, but she continued to worry about her.

“Up and down, I guess. The busier I keep, the better. One thing is for certain. You don’t have to worry about me going back down that path. Once a cheater, always a cheater, right?”

Hanna smiled. “My thought exactly.”

Rounding the corner, Karsen slowed and began walking a few steps before they reached their usual finishing mark.

“Slacker!” Hanna jabbed.

“Whoaa!” Karsen blinked, trying to adjust her eyes. Her hands reached out to balance herself as she staggered. Her sight blurred into a sheet of black, spotted by an array of flashing stars.

“Are you okay, K?” Hanna instinctively grabbed Karsen’s arm to steady her.

“Just dizzy. Overdid it, maybe?” She blinked as her vision cleared. “I think I’m okay.”

“It seemed like our usual pace. Weird. Maybe you just need to eat?”

“Maybe. My appetite has been a bit out of whack lately…instant diet. I’m even fitting into my skinny jeans.” Karsen tried to run down her food intake over the past several weeks. All the stress she’d been under had taken its toll, and she had all but lost her taste for food. Hardly anything sounded appetizing and what she did eat rarely settled in her stomach.

“Why don’t we grab a bite at the student center? Maybe getting something into your system will help.”

Karsen nodded in agreement and they headed toward the food court.

12

R
ussell called Addison persistently from the moment they ended their initial date. She secretly enjoyed his attention, but still didn’t want to let her emotions take control. She’d pursue dating him as long as she commanded the ship.

Both of their schedules were tight, yet their relationship bloomed via text messages and voice mails. Other than a few brief late night conversations, they’d had little time to connect without the aid of electronic devices. With the swing of emotions she’d experienced recently, Addison was looking forward to relaxing Sunday when they’d arranged a second date.

Russell arrived at Addison’s loft promptly, his arms adorned with an elaborate bouquet. The flowers were not your typical flower arrangement but a spray of orchids direct from the Big Island. The birds of paradise gleamed in hues of red, yellow and orange, accented by sprigs of lavender dendrobrium throughout.

“These flowers are unbelievable, Russell! Where did you find them?” Addison exclaimed.

He grinned, content that he pleased her. “Sorry, I can’t divulge my secrets. Gives other men a fighting chance.” He kissed her cheek. “May I come in?”

“Yes, of course. Let me find a vase for these.” She led him into the kitchen. As she searched for the right sized vase, he gently laid the flowers across the black granite countertop. Her spacious 4,000 square-foot condominium lacked no creative restraint. The décor could easily adorn the cover of
Modern Living
magazine. The walls were a soft shade of taupe, with one deep eggplant accent wall drawing interest to a series of three large sepia tone photos. The photos were abstract, artistic photos, nothing like your traditional family portraits.

“Nice place, Ms. Reynolds,” he said, using her surname to both emphasize his sincerity and amuse her with formality. Although he lacked nothing in the financial arena himself, her voguish perfection impressed him.

“Thanks. I have a secret calling to be an interior designer,” Addison smiled as she continued to arrange the flowers. “What will it take for you to give up this florist?” She realized she was being uncharacteristically flirtatious.

“Hhhhmmmm. Well, let’s see… We’re only on the second date. If I told you my thoughts on that, you’d probably kick me out.” He walked up behind her. His hands gently landed on the curve of her waist while his lips lightly brushed her neck. He inhaled subtly, absorbing a sweet, delicate scent. “You smell wonderful.”

Her body welcomed his touch. “Cucumber melon body spray. It’s my favorite. It has that crisp, clean but still sweet scent, not flowery like an old lady.” She wondered if he thought her explanation ridiculous. She turned slightly, moving away from him. She certainly wasn’t a prude. She’d even had the occasional one-night stand, but she held back from him. “There. That may be the most beautiful bouquet anyone has ever given me.”

She stepped back, admiring her handiwork. “Shall we get going?” she suggested, knowing that if they lingered much longer they may not make it to dinner at all.

“Sure. I made reservations at the new sushi place just across the street from the park. I hope that’s okay?”

“Sushi sounds great.” She grabbed her long black, wool coat from the hall closet and wrapped a shaggy, multi-colored scarf around her neck for an accent more than warmth. As she locked the door behind them, she felt a giddy, girlish excitement for what the evening might bring.