Chapter 15 #2
Jessica stifled a yawn. “Sorry. Long day. Two actually. And full of surprises.” She placed her hand on Kathleen’s shoulder. “Are you sure you’re okay sleeping on the sofa?”
“Like I said, been doing it for years.” Kathleen reached in and hugged her new friend. “I cannot thank you enough for raising my baby.” Kathleen caught herself. “That didn’t come out the way I meant it.”
Jessica tilted her head and simply replied with a soft smile, “It has been a pleasure. Now you and I can double the fun. Ha. No pun intended.”
“Oh I do believe you did,” Kathleen said with a wide grin. She turned toward the antique dresser and pulled out a pair of pajamas. “I’ll snatch you some clean towels.”
Jessica lay back on the bed, her legs dangling off one side.
As she stared upward the events of the past thirty-something hours danced and played along the ceiling, like a PowerPoint presentation—from their encounter with a cordial young man on a bicycle, to sleeping in her adopted daughter’s birth mother’s bed—as they waited to learn the fate of her adopted daughter’s birth father. It was quite remarkable.
Kathleen returned with a freshly scrubbed face, her hair pulled back with a stretchy headband, and wearing a pair of fruit-printed pajamas. Jessica sat up. “You look adorable,” she remarked.
“Ah, thanks, but sometimes I feel quite haggard.”
“Emotions can do that to you. I have to say, I’ve been rather lucky.
When we realized we couldn’t have our own children, Todd and I decided to adopt.
We were blessed with Ashley. I taught school for twenty years, went back to school to get my PhD, and became an elementary school principal.
” She let out a short snort. “Sometimes I think the children are better behaved than their parents.”
Kathleen laughed. “I know exactly what you mean. I still teach!”
“Curiouser and curiouser.” Jessica recalled the phrase from Lewis Carroll’s 1865 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
“Ah. A literary classic,” Kathleen interjected.
“Henry loved to read.” Her voice trailed off as she thought about the evenings when he would get home from work.
“Our lives were rather routine. I’d stop at the market on my way home and get dinner started.
When Henry arrived an hour or so after me, he’d remove his jacket and tie, wash up, and help with dinner.
We’d have a chinwag and then clear the table and do the dishes.
” Kathleen paused as if she were watching the images play through her mind.
“Then Henry would put on his slippers, pour a short whiskey, and read in a big comfy chair in the corner of our living room. In Manchester. I moved here after, well, during the fallout of the crime.” She shrugged.
“For over sixteen years, life was predictable. Ordinary. But good.”
“It will be ordinary again. But with an extended family.” Jessica was compelled to believe all would be well.
“From your mouth to God’s ears,” Kathleen replied softly and looked up toward the heavens. She turned to Jessica. “I have to admit, I haven’t stopped believing he’d come home one day. We were a good pair.”
Jessica corrected her. “Are a good pair. You just hold on to those wishes. We’re getting closer every day.” She went on to remind her, “Oliver sent the information to Blair and Professor Kirkland. Our only job right now is to be positive.”
“And get thee to Warwick Castle and afternoon tea.” Kathleen’s face brightened. There was a lot to be thankful for, and she was going to cling to that positive energy.
Jessica stood to prepare for bed. She gave Kathleen a hug and whispered, “We will find him, and we will bring him home, and we will have a glorious day tomorrow.”
Kathleen worried it was emotionally dangerous to hope. To trust. But she felt the warmth and courage emanating from Jessica and she allowed herself to let the feelings of dread go and replaced them with feelings of gratitude. Nothing but gratitude.
They said their goodnights and Kathleen descended the stairs. She blew a kiss at their wedding photo. The one that was taken at the courthouse when she was nineteen.
Ashley and Emily’s chatter continued in the dark.
With each sentence they discovered something about each other and themselves.
They had the same insecurities, even though they tried to suppress them.
They had similar interests in music, food, art, and literature.
The only difference was their outward appearance.
Emily’s was more utilitarian, while Ashley’s was slightly fashion forward, or rather fashion neutral.
Ashley favored pantsuits while Emily usually sported cargo pants, a utility jacket, and a scarf.
Emily wore high-top sneakers. Ashley wore flats.
Emily wore minimal makeup, just lip gloss and blush.
Ashley wore concealer, blush, lipstick, and sometimes eyeshadow.
Emily’s hair was wavy and shoulder length, often pulled back with a bandana or headband. Ashley’s was a bob.
As if they were thinking the same thing, each of them began to create scenarios where they would pull the twin-swapping ruse. “Should we go to the party dressed in similar outfits?” Emily asked.
“Yes, with just a slight difference. Like one of those brain teasers, what’s different about these two photos?”
“Brilliant! But you’re going to have to do my hair and makeup.”
“Bloody brilliant!” Ashley exclaimed in return.
It was well after midnight when they were finally spent. Emily called from the bottom bed, “Night, sister.”
Ashley draped her hand over the side of her bed and stroked Emily’s hair. “Night, sister.”
The following morning Jessica woke early.
For a moment she had to remind herself where she was.
“Right. Birmingham. Kathleen’s house. Wow.
” She stretched her arms and slid her legs over the side of the bed.
Once she stood up she bent over to touch her toes, something she’d been doing for ages.
Gotta be flexible she’d remind herself. The smell of fresh coffee wafted up the stairs.
As much as the Brits loved their tea, they also loved a good cup of coffee.
She plucked her robe from the foot of the bed and padded toward the steps.
The door to Emily’s room was still shut.
She imagined the girls were up to all hours of the night.
Jessica made her way into the kitchen, where Kathleen was busy baking. “Mornin’, love,” she called from a crouching position in front of the oven. White flour tipped the end of her nose.
“Good morning. Something smells delicious.” Jessica took a huge inhale.
“Me mum’s recipe for scones. Coffee is freshly brewed. Grab a cuppa and have a seat. Did you sleep alright?” Kathleen removed a pan of hot, buttery, cranberry delights.
“Like a log. When I woke up I had to remind myself where I was.” Jessica walked over to the counter where a French press pot sat, coffee waiting to be consumed.
“It’s been a bit of an experience, wouldn’t ya say?” Kathleen fanned the scones with her towel. “Should be ready to eat in a few.”
“Experience is an understatement. Considering I’m not a fan of amusement park rides, it’s been one heck of a roller-coaster. And we just got here.” She poured a cup and looked out the kitchen window. “Lovely garden.”
“Thanks. The folks next door share the responsibility. Whenever we get a bumper crop of something we bring it to the local pantry kitchen. Lots of people not getting enough nourishment these days.”
“It’s a global issue.” Jessica sighed. “You’d think with all of the underdeveloped land in the world, and all the unemployed people, someone would figure out a way to feed the planet.”
Kathleen cackled. “That would mean us women would have to take control.”
Jessica raised her mug. “Here’s to that!
” Kathleen pulled out a few plates and napkins.
“Just a few more minutes to let these cool.” She gestured toward the aroma-laden bakery bites.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I don’t want to pry.
Do you mind if I ask you about Ashley’s dad?
You haven’t spoken about him. Is everything alright?
You can tell me to mind my own beeswax.”
Jessica chuckled. “No worries. Todd and I are divorced.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’re actually good chums. After he retired, he wanted to stretch his legs, so he said. He had been working behind a desk for almost twenty years and wanted to travel.”
Kathleen cocked her head and remarked, “Excuse me for sayin’, but that doesn’t sound like a reason for a divorce.”
“Well, considering his idea of travel, I wasn’t going to have any part in it.” Jessica paused. “He bought an RV and is living in it now.”
“A recreational vehicle?” Kathleen was looking for clarity.
“Exactly. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a lovely piece of motor home, but the key word there is ‘motor.’ I told him it was a very hard no, but don’t let me stop you. And he didn’t.”
Kathleen hooted. “And yer still friends?”
“Probably more so, compared to the last three years of our official marriage. He was restless and I wasn’t keeping him tied down. He visits during the summer and over the holidays. He and Ashley have a very good relationship.”
“Impressive. But odd, if you don’t mind me sayin’ so.”
“Don’t mind at all. Even I think it’s strange, but in a good way.”
The sound of footsteps and soft voices echoed from the stairs. “Here’s our girls,” Kathleen said happily.
“Mornin’, Mum. Morning, Jessica.” Emily kissed her mother on the cheek and followed with one for Jessica.
Ashley followed suit. “Good morning, family!” She liked the ring of that. “Speaking of family, did you call Dad?” she asked her mother.
Jessica almost spit out her coffee. “No. Oops.” Then she chuckled. “Kathleen and I were just having a conversation about your father. For some reason I thought you might have.”
Ashley laughed. “I guess we’ve been caught up in the moment. Moments.”