Snapshot (39 page)

She sighed against his dampened shirt. He tucked her head under his chin. “What am I going to do? I mean really? Where am I going to stay tonight?”

“You’ll stay with me. I don’t know where yet, but I’m sure there’s a hotel I can get us into.”

She smiled at the implication of being alone with Adam in a hotel room. “Okay, that’s fine, but what about when you leave? I can’t go back to Wisconsin. I should be starting school next week, but I no longer have a home. I don’t even have a school anymore. Do I not go? Do I drop out?”

He leaned back against her pillow. “No, you don’t drop out! Slow down. You don’t need to have answers to everything all at once. One thing at a time.”

“Easy for you to say.” She rested her head on his shoulder. Safe for the moment, but what hell storm would start next?

“I know what will help!”
 

“What?” She didn’t have the energy to feign curiosity.

“Let’s go see your dad. If nothing else, he’s good for a few laughs.” Adam squeezed her shoulder and kissed her temple.

She couldn’t hold back the reluctant smile. Her dad was a character, never a dull moment with that man.
 

“Okay.”

*
 
*
 
*

“Martini! Baby, come on in! Hey, Adam, wuz up!” Her dad welcomed them.

“Hi Steven, you’re looking good today,” Adam said.

“Couldn’t be happier. I’m alive, Martini’s alive, what else could a person want?”

Adam grinned at Marti with a sideways glance.

“Hi Dad. How are you feeling?” She approached his bed. His legs were wrapped in fresh gauze. She noticed the TV tuned to a news channel.

“I’m high as a kite!”
 

Marti laughed and pulled a chair up next to his bed. “I’m glad you’re so happy.”
 

A soft knock sounded on the door.
 

“It’s been a revolving door through here all morning. Come in,” her dad called.

An attractive, middle-aged woman with stylish shoulder-length brown hair entered. She wore beige slacks, a crisp blazer and blouse, along with a friendly smile. A Coach bag hung from her shoulder.

“Mom!” Adam looked surprised as his mother entered. “Wow, I didn’t expect to see you until tonight.” He went to greet her. “How’d you know we’d be in here?”

“Never underestimate the power of a mother.” She hugged him tight.
 

His mother!
He never mentioned she was coming. Marti wished she’d known and had worn some makeup.
Oh crap
. Even her makeup had burned in the fire.

“Is anyone else with you?” Adam asked, checking the door. Marti assumed he feared his dad might walk in next.

“Just me. Were you hoping for more?” His mother raised an eyebrow and a smile curled at the edge of her mouth, reminding Marti of Adam’s sly smiles.

“God no!” He turned to Marti. “Marti, I’d like you to meet my mom. Mom, this is Marti.”

Marti stood and smoothed down her robe and hospital issued pajamas. “Hello Mrs. Jamieson.” Suddenly shy, she hoped his mom didn’t hate her because Adam had come to LA to see her.
 

“Hello, Marti. I heard about the terrible fire. I’m so sorry that happened to you. How are you feeling?”

“I’m much better, thank you. This is my dad, Steven Hunter.”

Adam grinned, obviously enjoying the sight of their parents meeting.
 

His mother approached the bed with a hand out.

“Nice to meet you, Steven. I’m Karen Jamieson. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances. My sons are big fans of your music.”

Her dad shook Mrs. Jamieson’s hand. Marti prayed he wouldn’t stare at her breasts or say something inappropriate.

“My pleasure. I met Adam last night. He seems like a nice kid.” He winked at Marti, having clearly read her mind about behaving.

“Adam called last night to tell me about the devastating fire. I’m so thankful everyone got out. I hope you’re not seriously injured?”

“No, just some burns. They want me to hang around for a few days, and I’ve got nowhere else to go. So why not?”

An image of the mansion on fire popped onto the TV screen. “Dad, I think that’s the fire!” Marti pointed to the TV.

“I’ve been waiting for this.” He turned the volume up. Adam and his mom took a seat on the couch and they all watched, riveted, as video of the fire played.

“Holy mother of God! Look at that place burn! It’s like the fires of hell struck from the sky!” her dad said, fascinated as the flames shot a hundred feet into the air and engulfed his home.

Marti stared in horror as the roof collapsed. She replayed the events of the fire in her head, experiencing the fear all over again. She shook it off and looked away.
 

The newswoman spoke live before the charred ruins. “While the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, the Los Angeles Fire Department suspects arson. Officials are questioning Courtney Colburn, former girlfriend of Steven Hunter.”
 

“Yes!” Steven shouted, waving a fist in the air.

“Courtney started the fire?” Marti asked.

“Sure did, the little bitch.” He glanced at Adam’s mom. “Oops, sorry about that. A couple people spotted her sneaking around. The investigators came earlier asking questions. They’re gonna nail her a… to the wall. She’ll do jail time! Couldn’t happen to a nicer person.”
 

“I can’t believe it.” Marti let the reality sink in that Courtney knowingly set fire to a house filled with people. “What happens now? I mean, everything is gone. All your guitars and awards.”

He pushed a hand through his hair. “That sucks, big time. I’m not gonna lie, it pisses me off, but at the end of the day, everyone got out safe.” He looked at Marti. “I’d happily trade all my worldly possessions for knowing my kid is okay.” He took her hand and squeezed it.

Marti smiled, so thankful to have her dad. “So now what?” The overwhelming feeling of loss and no direction returned. She longed for answers and to know she had a place where she fit.

“I don’t know. My manager is finally gonna earn his pay. He’ll figure out the insurance processing, and he’s gonna set me up in a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It’ll be nice to have a change of venue for a while. The band will be rehearsing for the tour. I don’t think this has to set us back too much. That’ll take up most of my time. I don’t need a house for that.”

Marti hadn’t heard her name mentioned once. Was she supposed to stay at the hotel? Where would she go while he was on tour? Her heart sank. She didn’t need much, but she did need a place to live.

“You know, kids, it’s a beautiful day, and I hear there is a lovely patio on the rooftop. Adam, why don’t you and Marti go find it. Get some fresh air for a while. I’ll meet you up there in a little bit. I just want to talk to Marti’s dad for a minute.”

“Okay,” Adam said.
 

With no other choice, Marti stood. “I’ll see you later, Dad.”

“Sounds good.” He stared at the TV again.

They left and wandered down the long corridor.

“Mom’s up to something,” Adam said.

“Why do you say that?”

“Call it a sixth sense.” He slid his arm around Marti’s waist, hooking his thumb in the loop on her robe.

“Is that good or bad?” she asked.

“Hard to say.”

*
 
*
 
*

A half hour later, Adam’s mom joined them on the landscaped patio. She brought three bottles of water. He could see she was in “Mom” business mode.

“This sure is a pretty spot.” She handed them each a water bottle and sat on a floral, cushioned deck chair next to Adam.

“Thank you,” Marti smiled.

Large potted trees and flowering plants decorated the area. A small pond and waterfall highlighted the corner of the elegant patio.

“So what’s up?” Adam asked.

“Why do you always think something’s up?” She answered his question with a question.

“Mom! I know you. I can tell when you’re up to something.”

His mother ignored him. “First things first. I understand that the two of you had unprotected sex.”

Marti’s smile disappeared, and her face went pale. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh my god, Mom! Stop talking! Now!”
 

“I’m your mother, and when there are concerns with my son, I will ask whatever questions need asking.”

“She’s not pregnant!” Adam blurted before his mother could say another embarrassing word.

“Oh thank goodness!” She sighed and Adam could see her relax. “That’s a blessing. Then, next on the list is birth control.”

Adam wanted to make her stop but knew she wouldn’t. He sank lower in his seat and covered his eyes.
 

“I wish I could send you two kids back to preschool where life was simple and it was easy to monitor your behavior, but I can’t. You are young adults, and I know that no matter what I or anyone else says, you’re going to do what you please. That said, before you leave the hospital, I’d like to make sure you have a prescription for birth control.”

Adam fought the urge to crawl under his chair. “Mom, please. You don’t have to worry.”

“Oh yes I do. I’m your mother, and this is exactly the type of thing a mother worries about. If Marti’s grandmother were here, I’m sure she’d agree. And since your mother is not in the picture, and your father is otherwise occupied, I’m happy to make sure the two of you protect yourselves from future scares. Of course, I prefer that you abstain, but I’m not foolish enough to assume that will happen.” She eyed them both.

Marti turned scarlet. Adam shook his head and covered his eyes.
Unbelievable
.
 

“Adam, stop behaving like that. If you’re old enough to have intercourse, you’re old enough to have this discussion.”

He was pretty sure that Marti wanted to evaporate on the spot. He knew he did.

“Are we agreed?” She looked at each of them. They both nodded. “Good.” She turned to Marti. “I just finished speaking to your father.”

Twisting the cap of her water bottle back and forth, Marti nodded. Adam figured she was waiting to see what horrible thing his mom brought up next.

“He is a lovely man, but he clearly has his hands full. He’s going to be in the hospital for a while longer and with the loss of the house and many of his legal records, as well as preparing for a tour, he’s going to be very distracted for an extended time. In fact, he admitted that he doesn’t have a plan for you right now.”

Marti spoke up, her face brave, yet resigned. “It’s okay. I understand. You’re trying to say that he doesn’t want me any more.”

His mom’s eyes filled with concern. “No, Marti, I’m not. Your father and I talked about this at length. He loves you very much. He ran into a burning building to save you, but as a caregiver, he has a less-than-stellar record. What I’m trying to say is that he doesn’t always focus well, and caring for you isn’t always his top priority. The next ten months are going to be very chaotic for his band. He agreed you’d be better off in a more stable environment.”

Adam saw Marti’s face turn to heartbreak. Her shoulders drooped. Adam wanted to yell at his mother for hurting Marti when she’d already taken so many hits.

“Oh dear, I’m not handling this very well. What I’ve been trying to say is that your father agreed you should come stay with our family until better arrangements can be made.”

Adam sat up. He couldn’t believe his ears. Not in a million years did he imagine his mom would suggest Marti live with them! Marti seemed surprised and guarded, unsure what to think. He had to ask. “Mom. Are you serious?”
 

“Absolutely. Marti, from what I’ve learned, you’ve been facing some very hard times with the death of your grandmother, the challenges with your mother and now the fire. I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all of this at such a young age. But you aren’t all alone, and I want to help.”
 

She looked at Marti with such kindness and affection that Adam wanted to hug her. “Your father has signed your release papers and agreed this would be a good idea, but it’s up to you. I certainly would never force you.”

Marti looked at his mother, to him, and back. “Are you sure? It’s such an imposition. I don’t want to intrude.”
 

“Not at all. It would be lovely to have a girl around for a change.” His mother reached out and patted her hand.

“That’s the nicest thing I could ever imagine.” A look of hope shone in Marti’s eyes.

Marti would be with him! They’d be together. “Mom, you are so awesome! I can’t believe it!” He hugged her.
 

“This is only temporary, while we work out a more permanent solution for Marti, where she’ll be able to live in a stable, secure home. We’re going to fly out tonight to Boston. The rest of the family is already there. Adam, I know you don’t like the idea of living in Boston, but it’s the way it’s going to be.”