Calmer Secrets: Calmer Girls 2 (Calmer Girls Series) Read online

  “Honey, come sit down for a minute.” She motioned to the empty chair at the table.

  Veronica ignored the gesture and remained standing. “Is Henry here or not? Mandy or Gina already picked him up? What is it you're not telling me?”

  “Henry isn't here. He went with Ben for a few hours.”

  For the rarest of moments, Veronica stood there, struck speechless. She gaped at her mother, wide eyes ablaze and cheeks blanched. Bruce moved closer, putting his arm around her shoulders.

  “No, you never! Tell me you're lying!”

  “Calm down, Ronnie,” Cash said.

  “Mind your own business,” Veronica hissed at him.

  “Watch your tone, young lady,” Darlene warned. “Ben merely wanted to spend some time with his son, which was long overdue, I might add, and to acquaint him with Mr. Swift and his family. What could be wrong with that?”

  “Plenty, when you go behind my back to do it! It was my decision to make, and nobody else's!”

  “Stop freaking out, will you? They should be returning soon.”

  “Screw this. You realize I can't trust you anymore now.” She jerked herself free of Bruce’s arm and sat down, dropping her skates to the floor with a clatter.

  “Leave it alone, Veronica. I have to go to work with Cash, so calm yourself down before Henry gets here and wonders what the devil’s got into you.” She and Cash got ready to leave.

  Samantha sat down at the table with Veronica, who still seethed with barely controlled rage after Darlene left. She hadn’t even bothered to introduce Samantha to her new guy.

  “Bruce, go on home,” she said, her chin in her hands. “I won't be going anywhere until my son comes back. Momma can screw up a nation.”

  “You got it,” Bruce mumbled. Coat back on and car keys in hand, he made a lightning-quick exit.

  “I suppose you agree with Momma.” Veronica gave her the evil eye, her hands folded together on the table in front of her, white knuckles pronounced.

  Her accusing tone got under Samantha's skin. “No, I would have gotten your permission before letting Henry go with him. But you should let Ben take part in his life, Ron. It’s in Henry's best interest, if for no other reason.”

  “Of course, you would think so.” Veronica swore under her breath, pushed herself away from the table and marched out to the living room. When Samantha followed, she found her staring through the picture window into the street. “He could be kidnapping him as we speak, for all we know.”

  “I know you don't really believe such a thing!”

  “Why not?” She whirled around, spite glinting in her eyes. “It's his M.O., isn't it? Running away, like he did with you? That's his style!”

  “Shut up.”

  “My baby could be lying in a ditch on the side of the road right now, like when Ben crashed you into one!”

  Samantha clapped her hand to her mouth. “You shouldn’t joke about such a thing.”

  “Who’s joking?”

  Hearing the slam of a car door outside, they turned back to the window. Henry was home.

  Chapter Ten

  “…This is his boy – his son. He would be as like his father as it’s possible to be, if he was not so like his mother too.”

  – Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

  Veronica stood on the front step, holding the door open wide. “Good thing you showed up when you did. I almost called the police.” She scooped up the boy when he ran into her arms, carrying him into the house. Ben followed, looking downcast.

  “Go get whatever toys you're bringing to Gina's, Henry,” she urged him.

  Without hesitation, he left to do as he was told.

  “Veronica, please,” Ben said. “We need to settle this. If you can’t be reasonable long enough for us to figure this out together, you leave me no choice but to take the matter to Family Court and let a judge decide for us.”

  Samantha fidgeted with her hair as she witnessed their exchange. Horrified, she saw tears spring to her sister's eyes.

  “Why are you backing me into this corner? Why can't you leave us alone? We were doing fine without you!” Veronica clenched her fists as she shot a look toward the bedroom where Henry had gone.

  Ben threw up his hands. “This isn't over. Far from it. Samantha, say goodbye to my son for me.” He tossed a disappointed frown at Veronica before he stormed from the house.

  Samantha watched him through the window as he got into a car, slammed the door and drove off. “I'm pretty sure he means what he says, Ron,” she warned.

  Veronica didn't answer her right away. Still sobbing, she wiped the tears from her cheeks with a tissue and let out a long, shaky sigh. Samantha wondered why she let herself get worked into such a state.

  “My dear Samantha,” she said, her puffy, reddened face drawing close. “Don't go making the same mistakes I've made. Don't depend on a man. Any man. They use you, get whatever they want from you, and then they throw you away like a piece of garbage. Daddy did it, Ben Swift did it, and the list goes on.” She wagged her finger at Samantha. “You think Kalen is going to be any different? Don't make the mistake of trusting him either. And for the love of God, don't dare say you weren't warned.”

  Bewildered, Samantha paced the living room while her sister made a phone call and got Henry ready to go. Regardless of their differences, she ached for Veronica, for whatever she was going through and for what she thought she needed to caution her about. Daddy had left them, yes. But lots of families broke up like theirs; divorce had become much more common these days. And yes, Veronica and Ben’s relationship had ended, but their romance had been a minuscule blip of time in ancient history. Ben had been Samantha’s own boyfriend since then, and even they had parted ways.

  What reason did she have for such deep resentment? The more she mulled over what Veronica had said yesterday and today, the more it baffled her, as if a vital piece or two were missing from this puzzle. As if there was something her sister didn't want to disclose. Samantha wondered if she might be the one who could figure out what the missing pieces were.

  ***

  “Hi, honey!” Darlene said, the pleasure in her voice genuine as Samantha walked into Bambury’s Tavern. The acoustics of the near-empty, darkened pub with its high ceiling amplified her cheerful greeting. With vigor, she wiped down the burnished wood finish of the bar with a fluffy, white cloth. “Everything okay?”

  Samantha approached the bar and parked herself on a stool, leaning her elbows on the brass rail. “I wish it was. I need to bend your ear for a bit if I could.”

  “Okay. We aren't busy yet. What can I getcha?” She washed her hands at a low sink on the wall before turning back to her daughter.

  “A Canadian Light is good.” Within seconds, a tall glass stood before her, a foaming head atop the cold amber liquid. She took a sip and dabbed away the white moustache on her sleeve. It had grown milder this evening, so she'd worn only a denim vest over her favourite cable knit pullover for the walk downtown. She swiveled around to see Cash playing darts with an older man and woman at the far end of the club. He raised his hand in greeting when he saw her. A soft blues tune emanated from the sound system, giving the establishment a homey, comfortable atmosphere.

  “What's troubling you?” Darlene asked, leaning forward. “Oh, my gracious! Ben did bring Henry home, right?”

  “Yes, but I'm worried about Ronnie.”

  “The way she's treating Ben is awful, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, that's part of it. But I think there's more to it than what we see on the surface.”

  “How do you mean?”

  Samantha stared down into the glass. “How she talks about people and stuff; her whole attitude is bitter. Especially when it comes to men. All men.”

  “I've noticed,” Darlene said. “She doesn’t keep a boyfriend longer than five minutes these days either. Not since the Andrew fellow, anyway. For a spell, I thought he might be the one. See how long this new Bruce character lasts.”

&
nbsp; “She said she thought Ben might’ve kidnapped Henry, and when he showed up, she started bawling. She rejected any arrangement with him to see his son. His threat of taking court action didn’t even make her see reason.”

  “You'd think she would have buried that old hatchet ages ago.”

  “Totally! Then when he left, she warned me about men, and how they only use you. She had the audacity to drag Kalen into it, saying he couldn’t be trusted either. Poor, sweet Kalen. I mean, does it kill her to see someone else happy?”

  Leaning in, Darlene crossed her arms on the bar and shook her head. “She's rude to Cash too, even though he loves her like she’s his daughter and Henry, his grandson. Some folks don't have flesh and blood relatives that treat them as fine as Cash treats her. You suppose she's bitter because of the way her life turned out?”

  “That’s possible, although there isn’t a doubt in my mind she worships her little boy. If she keeps up with this hostility, though, he's going to pick up on all her distrust and become as unbearable as she is. By the way, ever find out why she broke it off with Andy?”

  “All she would say was that the relationship lost its spark. She did tell me he’s dating Crystal again. You remember, his girlfriend from high school? I’m amazed she’d take him back after Ronnie stole him away.”

  “And after all that time? Have to admit, I thought she only wanted to take him away from snobby Crystal to spite her. She held top spot on Veronica’s list of most-despised people for years. I can vouch for that.” She thought of the run-ins she’d had with Crystal in the past; the girl had acted needlessly cruel to them both, the new kids from Calmer Cove, on several occasions back then.

  “Anyhow, I'm going to have to sit that daughter of mine down and find out what's eating her,” her mother said, before she went to serve the two new customers who had walked in.

  Darlene made animated small talk with the middle-aged couple. Samantha thought her mother hadn't looked this cool and composed in a long time. Her hair was swept up in a casual bun, her makeup spare but perfect, and large silver hoops adorned her ears. The flattering black pencil skirt paired with a crisp tailored blouse gave her a professional, pulled-together appearance. With quickness and efficiency, she mixed their drinks, made change from the twenty they laid on the counter, then with a warm smile, welcomed another patron as he walked in the door.

  This was a side of her mother Samantha seldom witnessed. Since Cash had entered her life, she’d quit her call center job and started working here at Bambury’s with him. Clearly, the change agreed with her; she’d regained some of her long-lost vitality. She still drank too often, Samantha thought, but at least she seemed to like her life now, a far cry from the world they lived in when they’d first moved to St. John’s from Calmer.

  Cash joined them to serve the new arrival while the dart players sat down on the bar stools next to Samantha. She realized all the present clientele were at least twice her age. A few minutes later, a much younger couple walked in.

  She would recognize the girl’s beautiful head of flaming red hair anywhere.

  “Allison!”

  “Sam!” The girl closed the distance between them and ran into Samantha's arms the second she hopped off her stool. “I hoped I'd find you here. You look fantastic, girl!”

  Samantha caught her in a tight hug. “Great to see you, Al. How did you know where to find me?”

  “Aunt Rita told me your mom worked here, so I thought to drop in and ask her about you. She’s looking lovely too, by the way,” she said, waving at a beaming Darlene who waved back a greeting from the cash register.

  “You're home for midterm break too?” Samantha grinned at her best friend from high school, then peered with interest at the man by her side.

  “Oh sugar, I'm sorry! Where are my manners? Sam, this is Rex, my fiancé. And Rex, at last you get to meet Samantha, the wonderful gal who made my last year of high school at Bishop's bearable.”

  “Allie, please. Pay no mind to her, Rex.” Samantha shook his hand. “She was only the biggest brain in our class, and the valedictorian. Congrats on the engagement, you two! When's the big day?”

  “No wedding bells for a long while yet,” Allison said. “We both have to finish our degrees and get working before we ever consider setting a date.”

  “That's right,” Rex said. “Setting up our careers comes first. Samantha, I understand you're dating Allie's cousin Kalen?”

  “I am indeed. Unfortunately, he left me high and dry tonight for a jam session with his band. Want to join me for a drink?”

  Darlene moved around from behind the bar, her arms open wide. “Marvelous to see you again, Allison,” she cooed, embracing her daughter’s old friend. “Don’t be such a stranger from now on, alright?”

  Allison introduced her fiancé to Darlene. “I’m sorry, you guys, my bad,” she said. “I promise I’ll stay in touch more from here on in. Wonderful to see you, Mrs. Cross.”

  “You too, darling, but who’s Mrs. Cross?” Darlene asked, laughing. “For your information, I go by Ms. Rose nowadays.”

  “Ah, you use your maiden name now! Good on you. It suits you to a tee.”

  Darlene preened for a moment and returned to the bar to serve another new arrival.

  “Have you eaten?” Allison asked Samantha. “We were going to grab a bite somewhere nearby. Come with us.”

  “You wouldn't mind?”

  “Don’t be silly; come on,” her friend said, waving at Darlene and Cash at the other end of the bar. “Let's find out who can take three hungry souls without a reservation.”

  Samantha checked her watch. It was still only ten past nine when she, Allison and Rex finished their huge seafood platters at a popular downtown eatery. They’d caught up on each other's news, shared the latest tidbits of gossip, and Samantha and Rex had gotten better acquainted. She could see what Allison loved about him: he was handsome, worldly and seemed perfectly suited for her friend's high standards.

  “Remember when you had a crazy-mad crush on Mr. Bartlett? Rex, he was our English teacher, fresh out of university and hot enough to steal Allie’s heart.” Samantha knew Allie would never forget such a thing. “And what about those braces? Too bad your fiancé missed out on all of that.”

  Allison giggled, showing off her perfect, straightened teeth. “I'm so relieved he didn't know me in those days. Oh, Sam, remember when you painted that gigantic technicolour poster for our grad night, and Miss Lambert loved it so much she wanted to keep it for the next year?” She turned to Rex. “But then I spilled root beer over it by accident when we took down the decorations! It darn near crushed her.”

  Samantha nodded. “I spent an entire day painting a new one for her.”

  “We stayed up all night for our Safe Grad, remember? Lordy, who the heck needs alcohol when you’re having that much fun? Playing floor hockey at four in the morning!”

  “Yeah, and stuffing each other in the shower was a scream!” Samantha clutched her stomach, laughing. “Oh! Remember when the boys sprayed each other with the fire extinguisher?”

  “I thought Bartlett would wig out for sure, but when he started laughing, too, we lost it!”

  “You two are a hoot,” Rex said, leaning over to give Allison a chaste kiss on the cheek.

  She smiled at him before returning to Samantha. “Want to go someplace else for that drink now?”

  They decided to try the small pub, O'Connor's, across the street from where Rex had parked his father's New Yorker, rather than drive elsewhere and have trouble finding a parking spot. The night had cooled and a drizzle fell, but in a flash, the downtown had filled up with the usual Saturday night crowd.

  Rex held open the door to the club for the girls to enter. Inky blackness enveloped them as they moved inside through a narrow entryway that smelled of perfume, stale booze and cigarette smoke, until they found the interior. It was difficult at first to make out their surroundings. Samantha, unaccustomed to the dimness, blinked and looked around for a
place to sit.

  “Right here is good.” Allison motioned toward a round bar table with a pair of high pub chairs. The girls climbed up, perching on the chairs while Rex found a third one and brought it over.

  They were figuring out what they were in the mood for when a barmaid approached. After they gave their drink order, Samantha's gaze traveled around the room, her vision now adapted to the subdued lighting. Fifteen or twenty people occupied the pub, counting themselves. The sound system churned out a catchy Bob Marley song, one of her favourites. She saw a tall, curly-haired young woman in long leather boots and a body-hugging navy blue dress take two open beers from the bartender. As she strutted to a table at the rear of the room, several male heads turned in her direction as she walked by. She sat down alone, fluffing her dark waves with the tips of her fingers before she picked up her beer and took a sip. Samantha wondered briefly if she was waiting for someone, or if she intended to drink both beers herself.

  “Here we are,” said the smiling barmaid, balancing a tray of drinks in one hand as she approached their table. They all threw their bills on her tray and told her to keep the change.

  Samantha sipped her cocktail, a weak version of the margarita she’d expected when she ordered. Allison grimaced after a mouthful of her drink, a murky-looking gin and tonic. Samantha mentioned they should have stuck with good old beer like Rex had.

  “Ah, what odds?” Allison said. “I'm still so stuffed from that enormous meal we just inhaled, I’m finding it hard to drink anything.” She pushed the gin and tonic away from her. “I bet you I've already gained five pounds since I came home. Mom will cook up a delicious storm every day while I’m here, and these good old, downhome suppers and cocktails don’t help. And Rex here? He'll have his one beer and that'll be it. Not because he's the designated driver or a buzz kill either. Are you, my snookums?”

  Samantha barely heard her. She stared at the young man who had exited the rest room at the far end of the pub. She noticed the way the soft yellow light shining out from the rest room hall picked up the highlights in his dark blond hair.