Chapter 20
Erica sat on the hard bleachers, watching her daughter’s team annihilate their opponents. In the last inning, they were ahead by a comfortable eight runs, with the visitors at bat. One more out and they were done.
The weather had become a little more springlike with blue skies and temperatures flirting with sixty. Practically tank-top-and-shorts weather for the Pacific Northwest.
The teen at bat fouled the ball for the second time. Erica watched the third base player run to catch it, but she missed, so the at bat continued.
So strange about last night, she thought. Killion’s story about how they met. She hadn’t had a chance to talk to him in private so wasn’t sure he’d been telling the truth or exaggerating a little for the sake of entertainment. Not that he usually did that, but honestly she couldn’t imagine him arranging to sit next to her so he could get to know her. She simply wasn’t that interesting.
The sound of a bat hitting a ball drew her attention back to the game. The ball went up and over the head of the pitcher. Summer, at second base, called that she had it. The ball dropped right into the center of her glove as if that had been the plan all along. The team and most of the people watching cheered.
Erica stood with the other parents and began to climb down. She would congratulate her daughter before going back to work. But halfway across the field, she saw a tall, lanky boy get to Summer first. He stood close, his head bent toward her, his expression intense. Summer spoke, then nodded. Erica wished she was closer so she could hear what they were saying.
As far as she knew, Summer wasn’t dating. She rarely mentioned guys or going out, except in the big groups her generation favored. Had she finally found someone who interested her? Was there a way to find out without getting an eye roll?
“Erica!”
She turned and saw Crystal approaching. Erica froze, not sure if the other mother wanted to gossip about Peter or hit her up for the spa day thing. She wasn’t in the mood for either.
“Hi,” she said, keeping her voice and her expression neutral. “Great game.”
“Yes, it was. So we were talking about our spa day and we’d like to get it scheduled. The school year will be over before we know it and summer is always so busy with vacations and that sort of thing.” She named a date, then paused hopefully.
Spa day it was, she thought. A more annoying but safer topic than Peter’s current situation.
“Did you all figure out what treatments you want?” she asked. “Once you know that, call scheduling and they’ll get it set up. Use my name. If there’s a problem, you can text me, but I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Is the, ah, lunch included?” Crystal asked. “We were picturing ourselves on the terrace, overlooking the lake.”
“I’ll make sure it happens.” Then she would charge them for every bite.
“That’s so great.” Crystal beamed at her. “We’re excited. This is going to be our year-end party. You know, just moms.” She paused, her smile becoming a little more forced. “Did you want to, ah, join us? I mean you’re a mom, too. Right?”
Erica wondered about Crystal’s internal battle—her need to do the right thing by asking contrasted with her obvious desire to have Erica refuse the invitation.
“I’ll be working that day,” Erica told her. She gave a brief wave. “Call scheduling.”
“I will.”
Erica moved toward Summer. As she approached, the guy walked away. Her daughter started toward her.
“Great catch!” Erica hugged her. “That ball had your name on it or whatever the phrase is.”
Summer laughed. “Oh, Mom. It’s funny when you try to say jock stuff.”
“I live to amuse.” She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was too close. “I saw you talking to a boy.”
“Don’t even think about it. Donovan’s a friend, nothing more.”
“It’s fine. I was just asking.”
“You don’t ask, you emotionally lurk and try to find out about my personal life.”
“I’m interested. I can’t help it.”
Summer stopped walking and faced her. “He’s just a friend,” she repeated. “I mean that. He broke up with his girlfriend and he’s been asking me what to do.”
“If he wants real advice, he should talk to your grandmother. Between you and me, she’s the one with the most actual experience in the dating world.”
As she’d hoped, Summer laughed. “You’re right, but I don’t think he’d be that comfortable talking about his love life with a woman who just turned seventy.”
“I’m more worried that her stories would scar him.”
“That, too. I’m going to Avery’s for dinner. I’ll be home by nine.” Summer frowned. “Is that okay? Should I be home for dinner so it’s not awkward with you and Allison?”
“We’re fine. Go be with your friend.”
At this point, Erica was practically comfortable having Allison around and if they ran out of conversation, they could always talk about Jackson.
They took another couple of steps, then Erica stopped. “Why do you almost always go to their houses for dinner? Why don’t you bring your friends home more?”
Summer blinked a couple of times. “I don’t know. It’s what I’ve always done. I guess when we were younger, you were gone working and the other moms wanted us supervised. So I went there and it became a pattern. Why do you ask?”
“I was just curious. You’re all older now. Less supervision is required. I want to make sure you know your friends are always welcome.”
“I know, Mom. Thanks.”
Summer kissed her on the cheek, then ran back to join her team. Erica made her way to her SUV. The other mothers had already left. She was practically the last one in the parking lot.
The mothers came and went in a group. Summer had her friends. Mara had her boyfriends. Sometimes it seemed that she was the only one going through life alone. Oh, she had her family, and Killion could be counted on but there weren’t any friends. She knew why it had happened and even had some thoughts on how to fix it. What she didn’t know was why it suddenly bothered her. Something had changed and she wasn’t sure if it was her or circumstances.
Allison sat on the hard plastic chair in the overly lit room. Around her dozens of other women, some with children, waited to see their loved ones. It was barely eight in the morning and she hadn’t slept the night before. Her back hurt from being so pregnant and from the long walk from the light rail station where she had to park.
Somewhere in the distance a loud buzzer went off, followed by the sound of a gate closing. A few minutes later, inmates trickled into the room. One or two at first, then more. Allison scanned their faces until she saw Peter. She instinctively rose and started toward him, only to remember that wasn’t allowed. She forced herself to stay where she was as her husband got close.
“Peter,” she breathed, leaning in for the brief but precious hug that was all they were allowed.
Her hands touched his sides and she immediately felt how thin he was.
“You’ve lost weight,” she said as she sank into the chair. “Are you eating? Are you sick?”
He gave her a weary smile. “You’re so beautiful. I know you are, but every time I see you, I’m reminded of that. I love you so much. You look good. How do you feel?”
She wanted to brush away the question. What did she matter? She was on the outside, able to come and go as she wanted. He was the one trapped in here with no way out.
But of course he would want to know how she was. She was his wife and he worried about her as much as she worried about him.
“I’m doing well. I got a good report from the doctor last week. My weight is up and my blood pressure is back to normal.”
He beamed at her. “That makes me happy. How’s Jackson?”
“Thriving. He has a drum now and he’s catching on about rhythm.” She leaned toward him. “I couldn’t bring him. I’m too far along to carry him all that way.”
“I understand.” His gaze searched her face. “I just want to look at you.”
She smiled, taking in the new lines around his eyes and mouth. He looked older. She could see gray in his hair—gray that hadn’t been there before he’d been arrested. What must his days be like? She couldn’t begin to imagine what he was going through. Now she didn’t have to panic every second, she could worry more about him.
He glanced around, then slowly took her hand and squeezed. “I have a lawyer,” he said happily. “He’s the right guy.” He released her hand, waved to the closest guard, then pulled a business card out of his pocket. “I’m allowed to give you this because it’s for legal representation.”
“You have a lawyer?” She wanted to ask how that had happened, but this wasn’t the place or time. “That’s great.”
“It is. He’s going to make all the difference. He’ll start negotiating on my behalf. I’m hoping he’ll get some of our money released. Life can get back to normal.”
She stared at him, not sure what he meant by that. Normal? He was in jail, facing felony charges, including threatening the police with a gun. They had no home, she was due in less than a month. She couldn’t begin to imagine what normal would be like.
He smiled at her. “It’s a new beginning.”
“If you say so.” She hesitated. “You know I’m living with Erica.”
“You told me you moved in with her.” His expression tightened. “How’s that going? I know she can be difficult, but Summer’s there to run interference.”
“Summer’s sixteen. That’s not her job.”
The words came out more harshly than she’d intended. She deliberately softened her tone. “I mean I’ve already depended on her too much as it is. She’s dealing with things, too. She’s still a kid.”
His gaze settled on her face. “Are you all right? Is Erica being a bitch?”
“No. She’s been—” Allison searched for the right word “—amazing. Peter, she’s opened her home to Jackson and me. She’s generous and thoughtful. I’m not saying she’s warm and fluffy, but she’s been incredibly kind when she didn’t have to be.”
She looked at her husband. “She’s nothing like you described.” She thought about asking about his claim that Erica had kept his half of the house even though Erica had bought it on her own, but didn’t know how without risking a fight.
Peter dismissed her comments with a wave of his hand. “I’m glad she’s treating you well, but don’t buy into the act. At her core, she’s coldhearted and calculating.”
Allison wasn’t convinced but nodded to keep the peace. She tucked the business card into her pocket. “I’m really happy about the lawyer.”
“Me, too. I need you to call him as soon as you get back to your car and arrange to see him.”
“Why?”
“He’s insisting you pay the retainer.” His expression hardened. “Given the charges, he doesn’t trust me to pay him later.”
Allison stared at him. “Pay his retainer? With what?”
“The money Cappy gave you.” He glanced around, then lowered his voice. “You said he gave you cash.”
“He did. Ten thousand dollars. I used some of it to pay for my medical insurance. Is the lawyer going to be more than that?”
Peter’s face went white then red. “That bastard!” he shouted loud enough to cause everyone around them to turn and stare. “That fucking bastard. It was supposed to be fifty. I gave him fifty thousand. When I get out of here I’m—”
Guards hurried up and grabbed him.
“You know better,” one of them told Peter. “You were warned.”
Peter tried to shake off their hold. “I’m fine. I’ll be quiet.”
He continued to pull against their hold. Allison wanted to tell him to stop. It was obvious they were getting annoyed, but she didn’t want to make trouble for him.
One of the guards looked at her. “You’re done here, ma’am.”
Peter glared at her. “Don’t you dare leave. This is our visit and I didn’t do anything wrong.”
The guards half dragged, half carried Peter from the visitors’ room. He shouted at them the entire way. Allison stood and quickly made her way to the exit. Her heart was pounding and she felt oddly vulnerable. Telling herself there was no reason to be afraid didn’t help at all.
Once she was outside, she breathed in the cool, damp air and walked to her car. She went as fast as she could, then got inside and locked the doors. Her breathing was ragged, her body damp with sweat. Baby Bethany kicked and turned as if she sensed her mother’s unease.
Allison pulled the business card from her pocket and stared at it before pulling out her phone. She would call the lawyer and find out what...
“He said it was supposed to be fifty thousand dollars,” she whispered to herself. “He gave some guy fifty thousand dollars to hold for him.”
Why would Peter do that? Didn’t he trust her? All of this could have been so much easier if she’d had access to that kind of money. She could have actually slept at night instead of worrying. She could have made plans. But he hadn’t said a word about it so there was no way to know his associate had stolen from him.
Maybe he’d been afraid the police would get a warrant for the house, she thought. If the cash had been on the property, it would have been seized.
It was the best explanation she could come up with. Anything else meant she didn’t know her husband at all and she just couldn’t go there right now.
She dialed the number.
“Collins, Greenwall and Smith,” a female voice said.
“Raymond Collins, please. This is Allison Jenkins.”
“One moment, Ms. Jenkins. I’ll see if he’s available.”
About forty seconds later she heard a click followed by “Collins here. You’re Peter’s wife?”
“I am. He asked me to call you to talk about representation and pay the retainer.”
“Yes. We should do that in person. I have some time this morning if you can drop by.”
She glanced at the address on the card. It was in downtown Bellevue, in one of the high rises.
“It’ll take me about forty-five minutes to get there. Does that work?”
“I’ll be here.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”
She hung up then started the car and drove out of the parking lot. Her visit with Peter was supposed to be two hours, but she’d been there less than thirty minutes. The law offices weren’t that far from Erica’s house, so she should have enough time to speak with Mr. Collins and be back around when she’d told Mara she would be.
Traffic was kind so less than forty minutes later she was being shown into a large west-facing conference room with a view of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline. The polite receptionist offered her an assortment of beverages, but Allison refused them. She just wanted to get on with the meeting.
About a minute later, Raymond Collins entered. He was in his fifties with gray hair and blue eyes. His face was nondescript. He looked more like a high school teacher or a grocery store supervisor than a sought-after lawyer.
“Allison?” he said with an easy smile. “Nice to meet you.”
They shook hands and he took a seat across from hers.
“You’ve obviously talked to your husband.”
She nodded. “Earlier this morning. He said you were willing to represent him.” She paused, not sure what to ask. “Is he in a lot of trouble?”
“It’s not great. He’s been charged with several felonies and there could be more to come. They want Peter to cooperate and he wasn’t willing to do so until he had a good lawyer. That annoyed them, so now they’re going to let him cool his heels in jail a little longer until they talk to him.”
She nodded, not sure what to do with the information. “There’s no way we can make bail. It’s a million dollars.” They didn’t have anywhere near that much in collateral.
“Peter said the same thing. I’ll work on getting it reduced, but I’m not sure that will help. We need to get Peter and the feds talking. Which is what I’m going to do. He told you about the retainer.”
“That you’d need one? Yes. He said that.” She swallowed hard. “How much is that?”
“Thirty thousand dollars.”
If she’d been a fainter, she would have collapsed for sure. “That much?” she asked in a whisper.
“Helping Peter is going to take a lot of hours. Do you have the money?”
“I’ll get it.”
She had to. There was still nine thousand from the cash plus the few dollars she had on hand. She thought of the money Erica had given her. While she knew it was probably wrong to use that, she wasn’t sure she had a choice. But even that wasn’t enough.
She twisted her hands together. The movement caused her diamond engagement ring to catch the light. She could sell that and maybe her car. Combined it might be enough.
“I’ll get it,” she repeated.
“When you do, I’ll get started.”
She wanted to ask if he could start now, but already knew his answer. He didn’t trust Peter and by association, her. She had to find thirty thousand dollars. If she didn’t, Peter was never getting out of jail.
Allison told herself to be grateful. Being pregnant and having Jackson with her had probably influenced the jeweler who had bought her wedding set. She had forty-four hundred more dollars than she’d had two hours ago. She could take out six thousand in cash on the credit card. If she sold her car, she would have enough to pay the lawyer. She wouldn’t have transportation but that was a problem for another day.
She ignored her bare left hand and weird sense of being naked. It was just a couple of rings. Given everything else happening, did they really matter? They were just things.
Next to her Jackson played with his puzzle. The large zoo animal pieces were scattered around him. He picked up the elephant and tried to fit it into the lion cutout. When it didn’t fit, he looked at her.
“Help.”
“I’m happy to,” she said with a smile. “That’s an elephant.” She pointed to the piece. “An elephant has a trunk and a tail. Try fitting it into another spot.”
He frowned in concentration then slid the piece across the board. It slipped into place. His eyes widened and he clapped his hands together.
“Me!”
“You did do it. Good for you. What’s next?”
She heard footsteps on the basement stairs. Jackson looked up. When Summer came into view, he shrieked and got to his feet, then hurried toward her. The teen dropped her backpack and held out her arms.
“Hi, Jackson.”
They met in the middle of the big family room. Summer picked him up and swung him around. He yelled in delight, hanging on tight. After a couple more turns, they staggered over to her and collapsed on the ground. Jackson was giggling and Summer grinned.
“Hi,” she said, sitting up. “How was your day?”
Allison thought about selling her wedding ring and how much she’d cried, but she couldn’t talk about that. Erica had been right to chide her about depending on the teen too much.
“We’re good. Jackson’s kicking butt on the puzzle front. How was school?”
“Good. It’s nice not to have a game today.” Summer shifted Jackson onto her lap. “I love to play, but my mom’s right. The season is really busy. I can’t wait for it to start, then about halfway through I’m ready for it to be over.”
She pulled the puzzle close and handed Jackson the zebra. “I’m not sure I’m going to try out for next year’s team.”
“Why not? You’ll be a senior. Isn’t it a big deal?”
“I’m not interested in continuing into college,” Summer admitted. “I’m okay but I’m not super talented like some of the players. This was never my dream. I do it because it’s fun and most of my friends are players. But Avery’s going to focus on her grades next year and there are a couple of sophomores who are really gifted. Maybe I should step back and give one of them my spot.”
“That’s a lot to think about. Have you talked to your mom?”
Summer pointed to the spot where the zebra fit. Jackson squealed and slid it into place. They both clapped their hands.
“I was going to wait until after the season. I know she’ll support me either way.” Summer grinned. “She’ll try really hard to be neutral but she would be so happy not to have to go to all the games.”
“It’s a lot,” Allison said. If Summer didn’t want to play softball anymore, then she shouldn’t. The teen had always been thoughtful in her decisions. She was smart, funny and sweet.
Allison glanced at her. “Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”
Summer handed the monkey to Jackson. “There’s a shift in topic.”
“I’m curious. You seem like the kind of girl the guys would be all over.”
Summer wrinkled her nose. “Less than you’d think.”
There was something in the way she said the words. “What does that mean?”
Summer glanced toward the stairs, then back at Allison. When she spoke, her voice was low. “I dated someone last year. Mom said I was too young to go on boy-girl dates. She wanted me to stay in groups, so I never told her.”
“Or me,” Allison said lightly, a little surprised Summer had kept secrets.
Her expression turned sheepish. “I thought you might side with my mom. I was only fifteen.”
Allison decided not to point out Summer wasn’t that much older now. “What happened?” She mentally crossed her fingers that it wasn’t anything awful.
“Nothing much.” Summer looked away. “We went out for six weeks, then he dumped me for a cheerleader. He said he really liked me but I wasn’t girlie enough for him. I didn’t wear makeup or care about my appearance.”
“He’s a jerk,” Allison said flatly. “It’s who you are that matters.”
“Maybe. It’s confusing. My dad’s always telling me not to worry about what the other girls are doing with their hair and clothes and stuff, and sometimes I think Mom’s business is so superficial. But when she talks about making people feel better about themselves, it sounds really good. You know?”
Allison always thought Peter’s views were healthy and would keep Summer grounded, but now that she knew Erica better, she wondered if he was, in fact, trying to sabotage Erica’s relationship with her daughter. A thought that made her uncomfortable.
“Are you making the right decision for you or are you rebelling against your mom for no particular reason?” she asked.
Summer smiled. “Rebel? Why would I do that?”
“Your mom works really hard. She’s the most successful woman I know.” In truth Erica was more successful than Peter had ever been. “You should be proud of her. You don’t have to dress like her or want to do what she does, but she’s someone to be admired.”
Summer sighed. “You sound like my grandmother.”
“Mara’s a smart woman. So’s your mom. She loves you, Summer. You should trust her with the truth. She needs to know about the guy.”
“I don’t want to tell her now.”
Jackson slid the monkey piece into place and clapped his hands. Allison reached out to pat his shoulder.
“Good job,” she told him. “You’re so—”
“Oh my God! Where’s your wedding ring?”
Summer’s voice was loud enough to make Jackson spin toward her. Summer stared at Allison. “It’s gone. Did you lose it?”
Allison stared down at her bare hand. The indentation from the ring was clearly visible.
Her mind went completely blank as she tried to think of what to say. Not the truth—she wasn’t going to burden the teen with that, but what other excuse was there?
“I, ah, I... Oh, my hands are swollen. It happens in pregnancy. I had to take the ring off.”
Summer stared at her. “You’re lying. I can see you’re lying. What’s going on? Is it something with Dad?” Tears filled her eyes. “Are you getting a divorce?”
“What? No. Of course not. I love your father. We’re fine.” She held in a sigh. “I’ll tell you what happened, but you can’t tell your mother. I don’t want her to think...well, I don’t know what, but don’t tell her.”
“I won’t.” Summer held Jackson. “What is it?”
Allison quickly explained about the lawyer and the retainer. “I have some money but not enough. I sold my rings for cash. I’m going to sell my car. That’s all it is. Your dad and I are totally fine. Don’t worry about that.”
Summer’s relief was visible. “I’m glad you’re not leaving him.”
Allison eyed her warily. “That’s it? You’re okay with what I said?”
“I’m not happy, but I understand. I won’t say anything to Mom.”
Something was going on, Allison thought. The problem was she had no idea what, nor what to ask. She supposed given the circumstances, Summer’s acceptance was the best she could expect.