Behind the Pine Curtain (4 page)

“You look fine. You were always such a skinny little kid.”

“Oh I was, but I ate that person several years ago,” she said with a laugh.

“Let me get Mama. She’ll want to say hello.”

Before Jacqueline could protest, Mrs. Garland hurried out of the kitchen, a delighted smile on her face.

“Jackie Keys, as I live and breathe! Give me a hug.”

Jacqueline stood obediently and was enveloped by the larger woman.

“My goodness, you’ve grown up.” Mrs. Garland held her at arms length, studying her. “A beautiful young lady you’ve become, Jackie. Your father would have been so proud.”

Jacqueline’s smile faltered. “I doubt that. I haven’t changed
that
much, Mrs. Garland.”

“Oh, pooh. That was all your mother’s doing. As if we would have thought less of you or your family. It’s not like we’re living in the fifties, Jacqueline.”

At that, Jacqueline laughed. Yes, Pine Springs was definitely caught somewhere between 1950 and 1970, she was certain. But she was pleased at her reception here in Garland’s Café. She should have known better than to think that these kind people who had loved her as one of their own would have turned her away.

“How long will you stay?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t actually gone to see my mother yet. I’m sure that will be entertaining.”

“I’d love to tag along and watch,” Mrs. Garland said with a twinkle in her eye. “Or be a fly on the wall. Forgive my bluntness, but I never understood that woman, sending her only child away like she did. Why, I’ve hardly spoken to her in the last fifteen years.”

“Mama, it’s not like you frequent the country club, you know,” Rose reminded her. “Or that she would ever set foot in here.”

“Well, still. It wasn’t the Christian thing to do, but she never missed a Sunday service. Let’s hope she was silently begging for forgiveness.”

Jacqueline smiled, knowing the thought would have never crossed her mother’s mind. Madeline Keys had done nothing wrong, as far as she was concerned.

“Enough of that. I’m so glad you’re back. You’ve got to look up Kay.

She’ll be thrilled to learn you’re here.”

“Yeah, I hate that I didn’t get to say good-bye to her,” Jacqueline admitted.

“Well, I won’t say that she’s forgiven you, Jackie. Yo u were best friends. She took the whole thing pretty hard.”

“Hard? That’s putting it lightly, Mama. How many nights did I have to listen to her tirades?”

“I’m really sorry, but I didn’t have a whole lot of choice. One morning I think I’m getting ready for school and instead I’m on a bus to Dallas.”

Mrs. Garland shook her head sadly. “Crying shame, I tell you.”

“It’s okay. It was probably for the best. Who knows what would have happened if I’d stayed here. I’ve done all right.”

“Yes, you have. And don’t think it doesn’t eat at your mother knowing you’ve made a success of yourself. I’m surprised she didn’t have a coronary when your book made the bestseller list, not to mention a movie.”

Jacqueline shrugged. Yes, professionally, she’d done quite well, much to her own surprise. She had Ingrid to thank for that. But personally, no.

She lived a lonely life. Not much had changed in that regard. Oh, she had friends. Lots of them. Being a successful writer who had two novels turned into movies did that. Acquaintances suddenly became the best of friends. And it also brought never-ending offers for sexual favors. She thought that would be enough. But each time she brought another woman to her bed, the lonelier she became.

Jacqueline took a sip of her coffee that was now long cold. She grimaced, shoving the cup away, and both Rose and Mrs. Garland laughed.

“Let me get you a refill,” Rose offered.

“How about some breakfast? I’ll make you up a batch of those buttermilk pancakes you used to love,” Mrs. Garland added.

“Thanks, but I had breakfast with Mary earlier.”

“Mary? Mary Lawrence?”

“Yes. I’m staying with them.”

“Well, that was kind of them,” Mrs. Garland said. “I always thought they were good people.”

“I should get going anyway and let you two get back to work.”

“Would you join us for dinner, Jackie? Ralph would love to see you.

We’ll have the girls over, and it’ll be just like old times.”

Jacqueline considered the offer, remembering the numerous times she’d shared dinner with the Garland family. All eight of them. Yes, it would be nice.

“Okay. I accept.”

“Great! I can’t wait to show off my kids,” Rose said. “And the hubby.

He’s a really nice guy. You might remember him. Greg Kubiac?”

“Geez, Rose. The little nerdy guy we all called ‘four-eyes’?” Jacqueline teased.

“Yes. But he now wears contacts, and we’ve fattened him up nicely, haven’t we, Mama?”

“Yes we have. He works out at the mill, Jackie. Graduated college with some computer degree and works in the office out there.”

Jacqueline nodded. Yes, the lumber mill probably employed half the town, if not more. The mill. Soon to be her mill. Damn.

“Well, it will be nice to see him again.”

“Now, you run along. Go see Kay. Did Rose tell you where she worked?”

“Strip center. Hallmark.”

“Great. And come early. I only wish we’d thought to send someone to the county line for refreshments.”

“Refreshments?”

“Beer and the like,” Mrs. Garland whispered.

“County line?”

“Well, you know you can’t buy alcohol in town. Not with all the Baptists still in control,” she said with a laugh. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten this is a dry county?”

Jacqueline nodded. “Yes. Forgot prohibition still existed in these parts.”

Jacqueline was surprised at the nervousness she felt as she pulled the Lexus into a parking space in front of the Hallmark store. She’d thought of Kay a lot over the years, especially at the beginning. In fact, she’d gone so far as to seriously consider contacting her when she’d graduated college, just to share her news. But, she’d convinced herself that Kay would want nothing to do with her, and she let the idea fade.

Now here she was, fifteen years later, a grown woman about to see the first girl who had stirred feelings in her, feelings she had no idea what to do with at the time. The picture she had of Kay in her mind was as she’d been at seventeen. She wondered how much she’d changed. Had she grown like Rose? Jacqueline hadn’t even bothered to ask who she’d married or if she had kids. Probably. She’d come from a large family.

No doubt she tried to duplicate that, much as Rose had done.

“Come on, come on,” she whispered, lightly tapping the steering wheel.

“Can’t hide in here all day.”

She finally opened the car door and stepped into the sunshine, her eyes looking through the glass into the store, trying to find Kay. A few customers were milling about, but none looked familiar to her. She brushed at the hair over her ears, then nervously pulled at the collar of her shirt before walking purposefully to the door, hesitating only a fraction of a second before entering. An electronic tone announced her arrival, and she moved inside, pretending to look at a display near the door. She finally raised her eyes and surveyed the store, looking for Kay.

“Good Lord,” she murmured quietly. Kay was at the register in the back of the store, talking to a customer, laughing at something she said. Her light brown hair was much shorter than she wore it in high school. It was styled nicely, barely touching the collar of her blouse now.

Jacqueline remembered it as being long and straight. The easy smile that Jacqueline remembered was still there, but laugh lines now showed around the smooth skin of her eyes. She was as lovely as ever. And the sight of her caused Jacqueline’s heart to beat just a little faster.

She waited until the customer left, then moved closer, standing with her hands shoved nervously in the pockets of her jeans. She watched as Kay straightened the pens in the jar next to the cash register, waiting for her to look up. Kay finally did, her light blue eyes moving slowly over Jacqueline, stopping when they reached her face. A slight frown as her eyebrows drew together, then a widening of her eyes as recognition set in. Jacqueline smiled.

“Oh my God. Is it you?”

Jacqueline shrugged. “You . . . who?”

“Jackie,” she whispered.

Then Kay was walking slowly around the counter, moving toward her.

Her steps increased, and before Jacqueline knew what was happening, the other woman flung her arms around her, squeezing her tight.

“My God. It’s really you.”

Jacqueline hugged her back, surprised at the familiarity of that simple embrace.

“In the flesh.”

Kay finally stepped away, grasping her hands. Their eyes locked together as identical smiles touched their faces.

“I am
so
mad at you,” Kay finally said.

“Oh yeah? What’d I do this time?”

A hard fist slugged her arm and Jacqueline stepped back, rubbing the spot where Kay had hit her.

“What’s that for?”

“You know perfectly well what that’s for. Not one word! Not a letter.

Nothing
. I didn’t know if you were dead or alive!”

Jacqueline lowered her eyes. This, she was expecting. She’d expected it from Rose and Mrs. Garland, as well.

“I didn’t have a chance to say good-bye, Kay. Later, well, it was too late. Besides, I wasn’t certain you’d even want to hear from me.”

“You were always so stubborn. I should have known.”

“Stubborn? I was kicked out of town,” Jacqueline reminded her.

“Bullshit. It wasn’t like they had a gun to your head. You could have stayed with us. You know Mama would have welcomed you.”

“I knew no such thing. I was scared. I didn’t think you’d even talk to me, much less want to see me.”

“Why? You were my best friend.”

Jacqueline shrugged.

“Jesus. Stubborn. I swear.”

They stared at each other, finally breaking down into laughter.

“I’m sorry. I haven’t seen you in . . . in fifteen years and I’m fussing at you.”

“It’s okay. I deserve it.”

“No, you don’t. It wasn’t like you ran away or anything. I’m sorry, Jackie.” Kay again wrapped her arms around Jacqueline, pulling her into another hug. “It’s just such a shock to see you. Couldn’t call first, huh?”

“I wasn’t certain I would even look you up. But Rose and your mother insisted.”

Kay’s eyes widened. “You’ve seen them?”

“Stopped by the café for coffee. In fact, your mother invited me for dinner tonight.”

Kay laughed. “She would. She always loved you. Did she tell you she told your mother off?”

Jacqueline’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re kidding. When?”

“When we found out she’d sent you away. Mama drove right over to your parents’ house, rang the bell and let her have it, right there on the front step.”

“All this time, I imagined everyone hating me, glad I was out of their lives. I didn’t think anyone would care,” Jacqueline admitted.

“Oh, Jackie, you’re not serious? We loved you, no matter what. Yo u shouldn’t have been alone.” Kay paused. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought you would hate me.”

“Hate you? I loved you.”

Jacqueline shrugged. “I was a kid. I hardly knew what was going on myself, Kay. I certainly didn’t think you would understand. And I was scared to tell you.”

Kay sighed. “You’re probably right. I freaked out when I heard. I was angry with you for not telling me, but I was confused, too. And . . .”

“And all those times we slept together,” Jacqueline supplied.

Kay blushed. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant.”

“Don’t be sorry. I don’t blame you for thinking that.”

The phone rang, and Kay grabbed Jacqueline’s arm. “Don’t you dare go away.” She hurried to the counter, picking up the phone in a smooth motion. “Kay’s Hallmark.” A smile. “Yes, she’s here now.”

Jacqueline grinned, then turned away to give Kay privacy. And herself.

This wasn’t anything like she’d imagined their reunion being. She expected anger, yes, but she was surprised that they’d picked up their bickering as if they’d not been apart for fifteen years. Oh, they could get into some arguments in the old days. But through it all, they were the best of friends. Until they got older, until Jacqueline started feeling things. God, it was all she could do to be around Kay then. And when they started dating boys, when Kay would go out alone with Billy Ray Renfro, it was all Jacqueline could do to not follow them to make sure that Kay was all right. Her eyes widened, wondering if Billy Ray was the one Kay had married. God, she hoped not. Billy Ray was a loser.

“Well, I’m officially invited to dinner. Mama is so excited you’re back.

She’s got a cookout planned. I hope you’re ready for that.”

“That’ll be great. It’ll be good to see everyone again. Rose’s got four kids, huh?”

“Oh yeah. And I spoil them rotten.”

“Yeah? What about you? Any little Kays running around?”

Kay shook her head. “No kids.”

“I’d have thought you’d have a house full by now. Why not?” Kay shrugged. “Just didn’t happen.”

Jacqueline nodded. Wrong subject. Well, perhaps later she’d ask more.

“I should let you get back to work. And I should check in with Mary.

She’s probably wondering what trouble I’ve gotten into.”

“Mary? You brought . . . you brought someone with you?”

Jacqueline laughed. “No. Mary Lawrence. I’m staying with them.”

“Oh. I see. I guess staying at your folk’s place is out of the question, huh?”

“I haven’t seen my mother yet. She doesn’t know I’m here.”

Kay lowered her head. “I’m sorry. I completely forgot the reason you’re here.”

“It’s okay. It’s not like I . . . I feel anything, you know. He was my father, but I lost my family a long time ago. Any grieving I did is well in the past.”

Kay nodded sadly. “I understand.”

“I knew if anyone welcomed you with open arms, it would be the Garlands,” Mary said. “I’m glad you’re going to see them. Such kind people.”

“Yes, they are. They were my second family.”

“Have you . . . have you thought about seeing your mother?” Mary asked hesitantly.