12. Confrontation and Confusion
Claire woke up the next morning with a pounding headache.
She groaned as she rolled over, dropping her arms out to the sides.
She sat up in bed, pulling her legs to her chest. Resting her head on her knees, she took some deep breaths. She hadn’t slept well at all.
A few times she’d woken up sweating, which was unlike her. When she’d gone through the change, she’d experienced them some, but that had been years ago. A few times during the night, she’d woken tangled up in the sheets like she’d been fighting and kicking in her sleep.
After the second time of waking, she got up. This didn’t seem like anything to do with her teeth, but it could have been delayed. She went to the bathroom, washing her face and neck with a cold washcloth. Her hand felt the heat radiating from her skin. Did she have a fever?
Her thoughts went back to Alice. Oh no, had she passed on her cold?
Claire went back and grabbed some water from the fridge. She set a grain of Celtic gray salt on her tongue. The minerals should help the water’s hydration. Claire didn’t tend to become dehydrated, but that was the only thing she could figure was causing the headache. She hadn’t sneezed or done any coughing. Maybe it was some after-effects of the sedation.
The light was flowing over the windowsill, but she had no desire to get up or get dressed. Pushing the pillows behind her, she reached over to grab her water glass. She drank some before setting it down again. Rubbing her temples, she tried the practice of acupressure between her thumb and forefinger. Before she laid back against the pillows, her phone beeped.
Claire opened her phone to see a text from Janie. It was in response to the text Claire had sent last night.
‘Hey, let’s go to the thermal pools over in Riberias. Want to go today?’
‘Would love to. Unfortunately, woke up with a terrible headache. Raincheck?’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘If I feel better, sure.’
‘Need anything?’
Claire typed, then deleted it. She’d written that Pat would take care of her if she needed anything. But would he? Even more, why should he?
There was that niggling again. Claire realized she hadn’t responded to Janie. Just as she went to respond, her phone rang.
“Hi. Wasn’t sure you’d be up. I prefer to talk versus text.”
“Me too. I’ve always been a pretty early riser after so many years of working. I’ve probably slept in more here than I have in years. It’s nice. Except for last night. Could be from the procedures, but don’t think so.”
“Yes, this place spoils you for taking it easy. Too much wine last night?” Janie chuckled.
Claire shifted her position. “No. All good. Thanks for asking. I must not have drunk enough water yesterday.”
“Well, something’s going around. Hopefully, you haven’t got that.”
Claire remembered Alice again. “Oh, yes, I came in contact with a lady who had an awful cold. Sneezing like crazy. I guess I better take something to strengthen my immunity.”
“Wouldn’t hurt. I’ll check in tonight to see if we’re good for tomorrow. I can pick you up. If you’re up to it, we can do breakfast before heading over.”
“Sure. What should I wear or bring?”
“You can wear your swimsuit under a dress if you have that. I’d bring a hat too and cash. If you’re feeling a bit under the weather, then this may be the perfect antidote. Each pool has various additions to it.”
“That sounds interesting. Like what?”
Janie replied, “Nope, come and find out. Gotta run for now. Chat later.”
The call ended, and Claire sat the phone down on the bedside table. With her head still pounding, she decided to take some aspirin. She’d seen a few things in the bathroom cabinet when she’d arrived.
Plodding back to the bathroom, she swallowed two aspirin with a gulp of water. Taking her used washcloth, she wet it with hot water before putting it on her face. The warmth radiated against her skin. She took it and set it against her neck. Grabbing another washcloth, she doused it with hot water as well. Then, heading back to her bed, she wrapped her feet in the hot cloths. She didn’t have a cold pack for her head, but maybe the heat on her feet would help her headache.
She leaned back against the bed, her eyes drooping. Claire pulled a blanket up and within minutes, she’d fallen asleep.
Knocking on the door woke her with a start. The time read eleven o’clock. She must have needed the sleep. She rose from her bed and shuffled to the door. Cracking it open, she saw the housekeeper outside. She remembered that her name was Rosa.
Shoot. She’d forgotten today was cleaning day.
Claire stuttered in bad Spanish, “Lo siento, Rosa. No, um, no me siento bien.” She sought for the next words as the young woman waited. “No se preocupe, um, no limpiar hoy.” She made a face, sticking out her tongue and putting her hand to her neck.
Rosa smiled and nodded. Claire hoped it meant that what she’d said had made sense. She needed to learn more Spanish if she meant to stay there longer.
Rosa replied, “?Que te mejores pronto!”
“Gracias.” Claire waved as Rosa picked up her tools and walked back toward the downstairs utility room.
Claire shut the door and leaned against it. She felt a bit better. The pounding headache had gone away. Though she still didn’t feel herself. Maybe it was because of the aftereffects from the procedure or dehydration. Going over to the refrigerator, she took out the juice she’d gotten yesterday from the street vendor.
She smiled. Good thing I didn’t drink this yesterday.
The sweet orange juice was exactly what she needed. She sat on the edge of the chair, sipping at the drink. As she did, her eyes landed on the envelope Pat had given her.
Grabbing her notebook, she stared at the name.
She wrote with her pen, Patrick Norby. Pat Norby. Rick Norby.
Her eyes squinted as she wrote Nor Be.
She gasped. Be Nor. Benor.
Rick Benor.
She crumpled the paper in her hand before throwing it across the room.
All this time.
Not once had he ever alluded to the fact that he was a best-selling author. No wonder he’d bristled when she’d first met him.
She recalled their first meeting when she’d said the last book hadn’t been as good as the others. Had she seen something in his demeanor that should have given her a clue he was the author?
She grabbed up the book, opening it to the back jacket. No picture. Pulling her computer to her, she booted it up and typed in Rick Benor. Apart from a few earlier pictures, few were without a side view or accessories like a hat or sunglasses. His hair was short, and he didn’t sport a beard or mustache. Compare that to now, you would be hard-pressed to think it was the same person. Coupled with the long hair and facial hair kept him incognito from others.
For whatever reason, he’d been hiding in plain sight.
Maybe he didn’t want to reveal who he was down here. Still, it was no excuse for him not saying something to her.
Claire threw on some clothes, grabbing the book she’d borrowed from the library. She sprinted across the yard and up the steps.
“Pat!” she called out.
No answer. Of course. He’d probably already left so Rosa could clean. Sure enough, Rosa came from the bedroom carrying a basketload of sheets. “Senora?”
“Pardon.” Claire picked up the book and retreated down the stairs. As her shoes flapped against the steps, anger grew in her chest.
All this time, he never said he was the author of these books or that he’d even been published. Striding back inside the casita, she threw the book onto the bed. How stupid she’d been.
If he’d kept this from her, what else was he keeping to himself?
Wait. Hadn’t he also said he’d never been married? Wait. No. He said his wife had died. Now she was really confused. No, he hadn’t said that. It had been that he didn’t see the point of marriage. So what did that mean for them?
She slumped onto the bed, tears gathering. Whether because of the news or because of her feeling off-kilter, sobs rose in her chest. She let go, flopping onto the bed and clutching at a pillow. Claire buried her face into it as tears fell. Finally, drained of the raw emotion, she sat up and wiped her eyes. She’d promised to help him with the latest book and kept her promise. All this time, she’d believed she’d assisted him to finish this book. He probably hadn’t even considered her ideas. Maybe he’d just said her ideas were good to placate her.
She should go home and return to her life.
My life. What life?
Retirement had become boring, and it had only begun. Joining the book club helped. It had made her fall in love with words all over again. Plus, the women had become good friends. Of course, truth be told, one reason she was here now was because of their suggestion.
She rose and paced back and forth. It was probably better that she’d calmed down before she spoke to Pat. For now, she needed to work off some of the excess energy. She dressed quickly before grabbing her purse. A walk down to the lake and along the Malecon would give her time to think and release this pent-up energy. It would help her clear her head and decide how to address the situation going forward.
The only thing she knew for sure was Pat had no idea what she had in store for him.
Claire spent the rest of her day going over scenarios in her mind. As she prepared for battle, a text dinged on her phone.
‘Will be out of town for the next few days. Didn’t know if you saw my note.’
When had Pat given her a note? And why hadn’t he called her if nothing else? This wasn’t like him. She went outside and found the recorder on the chair with an envelope beneath it. She tore it open and read.
Had to go to Mexico City for a few days. Janie said she’d keep an eye on you. That you’re going to be doing ‘girly’ things. I’m sure you’ll enjoy having a bit of space for a bit.
Shoot. Now she’d have to wait to confront him. She bristled at the thought he’d spoken to Janie and not to her. Though they’d most likely been friends and have known each other longer.
Claire always wondered about men and women being friends. How easy was it to cross that line to more? Had that been the case with Janie and Pat? She wanted to find out.
Oh well. For now, it was beyond her control.
But Claire had always been in control. Now that control had been snatched from her. Pat knew she would be leaving soon. The work on the book had reached an end. Only a few minor things left. Was he starting to distance himself from her?
No. Unless he was a great actor, he was as smitten as she was. Which made her more upset that she couldn’t have her head override her heart.
She may have been in control before. But now all she knew was confusion.