Vegas Sunrise (5 page)

“I knew I loved you then, too. Just think, Marcus, if I hadn't been in the Harem Lounge that night, if my feet hadn't been hurting, we might never have met. We wouldn't be lying here right now.”

“Don't think that, and don't say it,” Marcus said.

“I like it that we're going to grow old together. We need a purpose, though. We should both start to think about doing something meaningful, something we can do together. It's important to give back, to contribute.”

“I agree. When the people across the street engaged my services it was impossible to get them to understand that little adage. They were so locked into the old ways they refused to open their eyes. They were eaten with jealousy over you and couldn't understand how you, a mere woman, could be so successful. In some ways it was quite comical. That was one of the reasons I made up my mind to meet you. I heard just last week that your colleagues across the street donated three million dollars to add an extension on to the main library. It was done anonymously. You're responsible for their generosity. They all look out for you and your family. You are aware of that, aren't you?”

“Yes. I know in my heart you had something to do with that.”

“They listened. This town, these people, they take care of their own, Fanny. They watched Sallie for years. She never asked for anything. She was fair, and she gave back. Then you came along and did the same thing. It doesn't matter that you're on one side of the fence and they're on the other.”

“It sounds so nice when you explain it like that. They helped me, Marcus, more than once. I hope they know they can count on me.”

“Trust me, they know that.”

“Marcus, I would trust you with my life. I know my kids feel the same way about you.”

Marcus leaned back into his pillow. “Until I met you, Fanny, my life was like a page in a notebook with a few scribbles on each page. After I met you there were more words on the pages and then, when I had the good sense to marry you, the pages became full and made sense. I think I have a whole book now.”

“Do you think we should get it published?” Fanny teased.

“No. However, I do think we should make meaningful entries from time to time. Like now. I'd like it very much, Mrs. Reed, if you'd make love to me.”

“Would you now, Mr. Reed?”

“Oh, yes, Mrs. Reed, I would.”

“If I make love to you, will you make love to me?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then I think we should get on it right away so we don't waste any more time.”

A long time later, Fanny stirred. “Shhh, Marcus, there is no reason for you to get up. I have just enough time to shower and meet Birch. Later, let's go on a picnic.”

“Hmmmnn.”

“You look like a satisfied man. I like that, Mr. Reed.”

Marcus rolled over and opened one eye. “Wait till you see what I can do on a picnic.”

Fanny giggled. “Promises, promises. I'm going to hold you to that promise, Mr. Reed.” Marcus's light snores followed her into the bathroom. “Thank you, God, for blessing me with this wonderful man.”

 

Birch took a moment to watch his mother at a table set far back in a corner. She must have chosen it for privacy. She was pretty, as pretty as he remembered. He felt sad when he noticed the fine wrinkles on her face and the gray in her hair. His mother was getting old. Had he expected her to be forever young? Yes, yes, yes. She noticed him then and smiled, her gentle loving smile he had thought about thousands of times over the years. Suddenly his world was bright, warm, and wonderful. He smiled in return as he strode toward the table.

“You look wonderful, Mom.”

“I was going to say the same thing to you. You look so much like your father it's downright spooky. It's not a bad thing,” Fanny added hastily.

“You look happy, Mom. I don't think I ever saw your eyes sparkle until now.”

“I am deliriously happy. My family is doing well. Sunny has exceeded mine and the doctor's expectations. Jake, Polly, and Lexie are super little kids. Jake is so good with his mother. Sometimes I want to cry at the way he loves her. Your dad did a wonderful job with him. He talks about Ash all the time. Sage and Billie run Sunny's Togs and Rainbow Babies like the pros they are. We're on the Big Board now. The Colemans are doing well. I guess I should say the Kingsleys. Billie really doesn't like the fishbowl life in Washington, though. I'm meeting later today with the other branch of the family. Last night you barely got to say hello. Marcus is a wonderful man. I want you to get to know him. He makes my life complete. Someday, I don't know when, we'll talk about your uncle Simon. Please don't be bitter where your father is concerned. He did what he felt he had to do. That doesn't make it right. It was his choice. In the end, when it counted, he came through for all of us. That's what we have to remember. We made our peace, Birch.”

“I guess I have a lot of catching up to do. One minute I feel like I've never been away, and the next minute I'm sorry I came back. Life was simple back then. I hope you don't feel like I let you down.”

“I never thought that, Birch, even for a minute. You did what you had to do. Life is too short for recriminations. I wish you had let me know you were coming back. Because I didn't know what to do when Bess and John announced their retirement, I offered the job to Jeff Lassiter. He has a three-year contract. He knows the business since he worked at the casino summers and holidays when he was in college. You'll be working under him, Birch. When Jeff's contract is up, we'll discuss our options. I can't and won't go back on my word. Your salary will be $100,000 plus the penthouse. Do you have a problem with any of this?”

Hell yes he did, but he wasn't going to admit it. “Since it's a done deal, I guess not. How are we going to, you know, divvy up the workload?”

“Jeff's waiting for your input. I don't think he'll step on your toes, and I don't expect you to step on his. I want you to work in harmony. The others like him. He's got a good head on his shoulders. I'm sorry, honey, if this isn't what you expected.”

Birch forced a lightness into his voice he didn't feel. “You know me, Mom, go with the flow. I can handle it.”

“If things go awry, or they aren't working, I expect you to come to me. We'll work it out. I want your promise, Birch.”

“Okay, Mom.”

“I scheduled a meeting for you and Jeff for two o'clock in the office. This place is now yours, Birch.”

Mine, but my half brother is calling the shots
. How the hell was he going to tell Celia he was second banana?

“So, what else is on your agenda today, Birch?” Fanny asked when she finished her coffee.

“Actually, Mom, I'm going out to the center to see Sunny. Celia will probably sleep the day away. I'll be back in time for the meeting. I missed you, Mom.”

“And I missed you. Give Sunny a hug for me.”

“Will do.”

 

Birch stared at the rehab center where Sunny now lived. As pretty and picturesque as it was, it was still an institution. He felt a lump form in his throat. Why Sunny? Of them all, Sunny had always been the most vibrant, the most daring, the most courageous. As a youngster and then as a teen and young woman she'd been fearless. Her athletic prowess was beyond measure. She'd bragged last night about winning a wheelchair race here on the grounds. The lump in his throat seemed to be getting bigger as he roll-called memories of Sunny besting him and Sage in every sport—their father, too. How had it come to this for his sister?

Eyes burning, Birch climbed from the car. He loved Sunny almost as much as he loved Sage and Billie, maybe more. Sunny was special. She was always in his face telling him like it was, sparing nothing. He should have been here for her. Caught up in his own misery, he'd left her to flounder.

Birch's sneakers slapped at the flagstones as he loped his way to the reception area inside the center. He waited patiently until the young doctor finished working on a chart. He held out his hand, a smile on his face when he introduced himself and asked to see Sunny.

“Sorry. Visiting hours are Sundays only unless arrangements are made earlier.”

“Are you saying I can't see my sister?”

The doctor nodded, his pen poised in midair.

Birch's mind raced. What would his father have done? Would he have used charm or bluster? Charm on a woman doctor, brash bluster and intimidation on a male doctor. Well, hell, if it was good enough for the old man, it was good enough for him.

“Then I guess you better start filling out your resume because I'm going to cut off your funding in about three minutes flat. Do you care to rethink that negative nod?”

“Why don't I get Dr. Samuels for you?”

“That's not necessary. Point me in the direction of my sister.”

The pen in the doctor's hand trembled as he pointed to a colorful, flower-bordered path outside the reception area.

“Write this down, Doctor. I will come here as often as I please and when I please. I won't interfere with any of Sunny's schedules. Write that down, too.”

The dog saw Birch before Sunny did. He was a whirlwind of motion, circling Birch's feet, his tail between his legs. Birch froze in his tracks.

“Birch! What are you doing here? Did you sneak in? Oh, I'm so glad to see you. We hardly got to say hello last night. Come here, give me a big hug? Easy, Fred, he's okay.”

The shepherd's tail swished back and forth as he escorted Birch to Sunny's chair.

“Good boy, Fred. What brings you out here today, Birch?”

“I wanted to see you. I didn't want to wait till Sunday. What the hell kind of place is this that limits visits? I thought friends and family helped situations like yours. I didn't sneak in, I bulldozed my way in with a threat.”

“The rules are why this place works, Birch. You didn't know that, so it's okay this time. I have free time in the morning at eleven and again at four. A half hour each time. When you want to come out, use that time. I'm surprised they didn't boot your ass out of here. What did you say?”

“I said I'd cut off their funding in three minutes.”

Sunny frowned. “Birch, I don't trade on the Thornton name here. Sometimes I want to, but I don't. I'm just like everyone else. That's another reason it works. Harry wouldn't be able to stay here otherwise. I had a real hard time with the rules at first. There were days I would have killed to see Jake and Polly. I got over that real quick because I had no other options. Now, I'm the welcoming committee for new patients. I pep-talk them, the whole nine yards. When there's a problem they call me. Enough, already, why are you here? What's wrong? Don't tell me nothing because I can see it in your face.”

“I hit Celia. Three times. She really pissed me off. It's no excuse, and I promised I'd never do it again. She stayed downstairs till five-thirty this morning, and she was drunk when she came up. I think, Sunny, I might have made a mistake in coming back here.”

“Oh, Birch, no, it wasn't a mistake to come back. It was a hell of a mistake, though, to hit your wife. Listen to me. I started hitting Jake, and Dad let me have it. I was out of control. Tyler had just left, I was getting worse, Dad was sick, Mom and I weren't speaking. I couldn't handle it. I took it out on Jake. That little boy didn't deserve what I did to him. No one in this family will tolerate that kind of battering. You come and talk to me. I want your promise.”

Birch nodded. “You really got a handle on all of this?” Birch asked, waving his arms about. “Are you and Harry an item?”

“Yes and yes. If your next question is, do we have sex the answer is yes. It isn't easy but we manage. His family tossed him out. They didn't want the responsibility of caring for him. He's a dear, sweet man. We watch out for each other. We have teams here. The dogs look out for both of us. I see your eyes filling up. Don't be sad for me. I've come to terms with my life. It's what it is. Fortunately for me I have a wonderful family. We're Harry's family now, too. Remember how we used to talk about family where Dad was concerned? He just didn't get it till the end, and then it was too late.”

“I want you and Celia to be friends, Sunny.”

“Birch, I don't think that's going to happen. For starters, I don't think I like your wife. I know that hurts your feelings, and I'm sorry about that. You see, we learn here that we have to say things just the way they are. We don't sugarcoat anything. Everything has to be out in the open. We can't hide behind doors, words, or people. Celia looked at Harry and me with revulsion. We're both used to that, but we shouldn't see it from our families. Sure, I smear myself sometimes if my hand goes someplace else instead of my mouth. I spill and dribble and drop things. Sometimes I want to cry. Sometimes I do cry. Fred licks my tears or Harry wipes them away. I'd kill to be able to hold a chicken leg or pop a lid from a yogurt cup. The big word here is tolerance. They have signs posted everywhere. I've learned to live by that word. Please don't say anything to Celia. It will just make things worse. Some people can't handle other people's handicaps.”

“Sunny, I'm so sorry. I want to do something for you. I'm sorry I wasn't here for you. For whatever consolation it is to you, I did think of you every single day I was away. I wondered what you were doing, what kind of mess you got yourself into with that mouth of yours. I used to talk about you so much Celia would tell me to shut up.”

“You did write five whole letters, so I forgive you. Now it's my turn. Are you okay with Jeff? He's all right, Birch, but . . . there's something off-key about him. I have to be honest and say no one agrees with me. It's just a feeling. Mom's back was to the wall. She really didn't have a choice, Birch. She's done her best to do things the way Dad would have wanted her to, and his first rule was that only family should be involved. When you own your own business you don't let strangers or outsiders run it for you.”