FLIGHT FROM OBSESSION - CHAPTER SEVEN

Abby woke slowly the next morning, stretching and yawning in the warmth of the quilt covered brass bed.  Waif sauntered up to her from a splash of lemony yellow sunshine on the foot of the California king.  “Good morning, roomy,” she said to the cat tousling her fur.  Waif flopped on her side seeming to stretch the full width of the bed and purred loudly, enjoying leisurely morning with her human.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               morning                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Abby She knew the glow she felt this morning was a result of yesterday’s camaraderie, exercise, and high spirits.  She glanced at the clock radio beside the bed and said, “Good grief, it’s ten o’clock.  I haven’t slept in this late for ages.  It was Sunday, the Sabbath, so her schedule was clear for the day, except for a Bible study at Aunt Bessie’s this afternoon . This was a no preacher, no potluck Sunday at the church. 

She put on her terrycloth robe and padded downstairs and set the kettle on to boil.  She fed Waif and opened all the curtains to let in the view and sunshine.  Tom’s jeep was gone so he must have gotten an early start.  She stood with arms crossed leaning against the wall, slender in her robe.  Her mouth twitched as she remembered catching Tom’s home run.  She also remembered the bear hug from Tom afterwards, definitely no insecure male there, he’d been happy for her.

The whistling tea kettle brought her back to the present and she poured water over tea leaves, “Mmmm, that smells, good,” she said aloud. 

She read her morning devotional and wrote in her prayer journal.  Aunt Bessie had given it to her as a Christmas gift last year and she used it faithfully.  It had been helpful to Abby in pointing out how much unnecessary worrying she did.  Let go and let God, she thought to herself, not that she was cured but she was better about leaning and trusting and praying than she had been. 

These pages were kind of her letters to God and she flipped through noticing how much time she spent worrying about her relationship with Cliff.  She asked in today’s entry for guidance in all areas of her life but especially in the romance area.  If God wanted her to marry and have children, as she wanted, she was sure he already had a plan.  Give me patience, Lord, please give me patience. 

She watered the plants on the sun porch and took some pumpkin bread out of the freezer to take by Aunt Bessie’s this afternoon and sent a thank you note to Sherri and Ken for yesterday’ barbecue and softball game. 

The phone rang and she answered, “Hello.”

“Hello, Abby, just calling to see how you’re doing?”  Blackie asked.

“I’m fine, I just wish Cliff would answer my calls so I could make things clear to him,” she said.

“Want me to corral him and bring him to you?” Blackie asked.

She laughed and then said, “That’s probably a little extreme,” she said.

“Well, if I see him, I’ll say something,” Blackie said.

“Thanks, Blackie, but my life goes on.  I had fun yesterday at the Tanaka’s,” she said.

“Don’t forget next Sunday,” he said, “I’m really looking forward to spending the day with you, Abby.”

“And I’m looking forward to the day too.  I even bought a new dress,” she said, “And Blackie, thanks for the gift, I love the gloves.”

“You’re very welcome, little flower, see you Sunday at eight,” he said.

“Bye, Blackie,” she said.

There was a slight hesitation and then he hung up.

What did he almost say, she asked herself? 

What was it about Blackie that kept her interested even though he hadn’t returned that her social attention since the first few months of their meeting?  Actually, since she started dating Cliff, Abby thought.  Was that why he had backed off, she wondered?

It’s probably just a daydream about a handsome man but I really need to sort out my feelings for Blackie before I encourage anyone else, she thought.  She’d been fascinated by him since they met despite his playboy reputation. He always made her feel totally female and for some reason she trusted him, felt he was dependable, reliable, and loyal.  She never wrote about him in her prayer book and wondered why?  Superstition, she wondered?  Should she talk about Blackie with God, she questioned?

Abby showered and dressed and then drove to Aunt Bessie’s with the pumpkin bread and her Bible.

Fred answered the door, “Where’s that young man of yours?” he asked.

She grinned at Fred, “Not mine Fred, but he’s down south picking up his dog,” she answered.

“Fred, don’t keep her at the door, invite Abby in.”

He made a courtly bow and opened the door wider for her. 

 Abby hugged Fred and then Aunt Bessie and gave her the pumpkin bread. 

“I have tea for you, Abby,” Bessie said, “And look Fred some pumpkin bread for us. I can tell from the smell.”

“It is, Aunt Bessie, are we the only ones here for Bible study?” Abby asked.

 “Afraid so, I need to get on my soap box some and get more people out on Sunday’s when we don’t have a preacher in church.  Can’t stop worship just cause there’s no one official here,” Aunt Bessie said.

        “Don’t forget, Tom, when you’re calling around, Aunt Bessie.  Tell him you heard from a little bird that he was mixing and mangling parables and testaments,” Abby laughed.

Aunt Bessie patted Abby on the shoulder, “Good for you, girl.”

They sat and discussed which book of the Bible they would take up next.

“What do you think, Abby?” Aunt Bessie asked.

“Well, there might be too many women in the book but I’d like to go thought Ruth,” she said.

“It’s a darn good book, full of lessons,” Fred said.

“Well, thanks, Fred,” Abby said.

“It lets a soul know that God’s already figured everything out so no need to worry,” Fred said.

“A good lesson for you, Fred,” Bessie said.

“Why you think I’m agreeing about it?” Fred said indignantly.

“Goes into the Lord’s ancestry too,” Fred said.

Bessie agreed and said, “Well, then, as executive committee we agree that Ruth should be our next study project,” Aunt Bessie said, “Abby, why don’t you start with an short introduction and then we’ll go straight to chapter and verse,” Bessie said.

“Me, Aunt Bessie, you always do the teaching?” Abby said.

“My dear, Abby,” she said, patting Abby’s hand, “ I’m getting up there, and the Lord’s let me know that some of you need to be prepared to take over one day.” 

“But, Aunt Bessie . . .,” Abby said.

“Hush child, I’ve chosen you and Tom to start teaching some,” she said with finality.

Abby fell silent; Aunt Bessie was the breath of the church in Trinity Cove, and if that was her decision, then she would do the best job she could to fulfill Aunt Bessie’s plan, with God’s help, she thought to herself.

That night she reviewed the introduction to Ruth in her Bible to get started.  There were so many facets to the story trying to keep it coherent and in order was going to be difficult.  She prayed about it before and after her study time. She also prayed for Tom to have a safe trip and hoped Aunt Bessie was feeling well and that she and Tom could take some of the weight off of her shoulders. 

The next morning Abby threw on old clothes and went out to the garage for her gardening tools.  This yard’s a disgrace she thought as she put pruning shears, weeding tools, gloves and garbage bags in her small wheelbarrow and started nearest the house in the flower beds.  She kept up a pretty good pace for several hours and then stopped in the warm sun and smelled the pungent organic odors on the clean fresh sea air.  Hummingbirds, robins and other song birds bustled about their spring tasks and the low steady hum of bees followed her around the yard.  She was sweaty, dirty and tired as she gathered all of the debris in garbage bags and set them at the curb. 

She connected her long gardening hose and washed down all of the walkways and the patio then dragged the patio furniture out and washed it down and arranged it on the shady patio.  She put her tools away and weary and dirt streaked she flopped into one of the patio chairs in the sun. Abby’s mind was a million miles away where sea met sky.  She started and then stretched, realizing she had taken a mini-nap there in the sun.  She smiled to herself and hummed a bit from Gershwin’s “Summer Time.”

After a long, hot shower she sat at her kitchen table surrounded by laptop, file boxes and folders trying to enforce some order on all the notes she had accumulated for the new course she planned in the fall.  Her mind kept going to Blackie and Tom.  She decided that she was a lucky woman having both men wanting to spend time with her. 

She jumped when the front door bell rang, could it be Cliff, she wondered?  When she opened the door it was a delivery boy with a beautiful arrangement of flowers.  She tipped the freckle faced teenager and took the flowers to the kitchen.  The arrangement was absolutely beautiful and if she was right it was Dani Tanaka’s work.  She took the envelope from the holder and she was right it was the florist where Dani worked.  She hesitated to open it and take out the card because she guessed the flowers were from Cliff.  Who else would be sending her flowers?  If they were from him she would toss them she vowed to herself.

Abby was surprised when she opened the envelope, the note read, “Miss you professor.  Cassandra can hardly wait to meet you.  Reservations confirmed for Thursday, 8 PM at the Seagull, Tom.”

A smile lighted her face as big tears rolled down her cheeks, happy tears, she thought. What a wonderful surprise and just when I needed it.  What a nice thing for Tom to do, she put the flowers in water and set them on the oak dining table where she would see them while the blooms lasted.

 The following Thursday, just before lunch Abby was jogging on the beach when a boisterous, barking dog joined her.  The Irish setter ran at her side and then made mad dashes at the retreating waves and reversed course as each new breaker came crashing towards her.  Abby stopped and watched the dog’s madcap antics and when the exhausted animal finally collapsed at her feet and looked up expectantly at Abby.  Abby squatted down and gave the overgrown, wet mutt a big hug. 

“You must be Cassandra, you goofy dog.”  Looking up the beach Abby could see Tom lopping toward them and knew her guess was right.

When Tom reached them he said, “Cassie your manners are terrible.  Sorry about that Abby, she’s been cooped up in my jeep for the better part of two days and she’s bursting with energy.”  All of this came out in fits and starts because Tom was still out of breath from chasing his dog.

Abby gave the pooch another pat and stood up, “You must be exhausted if you’ve been driving for two days.”

Tom finally had his breath back, “We stayed with friends in Palo Alto last night so I’m well rested but Cassie’s manic. I figured a run on the beach would be the best thing for her.”

Cassie stood, looking back and forth between them as they talked.

Tom looked down, “Cassie sit!  Now, shakes hands with Abby, girl.”

With great dignity Cassandra sat and raised her paw for the more formal introduction.  Abby shook the paw and Tom said, “Good girl, now go run off some of that energy,” Tom said as he swung his arm out in a silent signal.  With a yip she was off playing chicken with the breakers again.

Tom took Abby’s hand as they watched Cassie play and then headed back toward the trail up the bluff. 

Abby was still laughing at Cassie’s antics, “Dinner still on?” Tom asked Abby.

“Yes, dinner is still on,” Abby said, “And hello and welcome back,” she said.

Tom laughed and said, “Hello to you too,” his brown eyes seemed to engulf her in warmth saying more than hello.

Abby smiled at his bemused expression and wondered what was distracting him.  “Did you get everything packed and moved out?” she asked.

“Yes, even some stuff that was at the old girlfriend’s place,” he said, “And we had a long talk and parted on friendly terms,” he told Abby.

“I didn’t get to talk to Cliff, he’s avoiding me, but at least there aren’t any personal items to exchange,” she said grateful for that.

They walked slowly up the beach keeping Cassie in sight.  When they reached the little switch back trail Tom whistled Cassie in and they walked single file up to the top of the bluff.

Tom looked at his watch, “Why don’t I pick you up at seven thirty?” he asked.  “I have a trailer to unpack and a dog to settle in,” he said.

“That would be perfect,” she said as she walked to her back door. 

They hadn’t said much but Tom’s eyes had telegraphed plenty and Abby thought she needed to slow things down.  She wasn’t ready to go from one relationship right into another.  She needed time to sort things out and think about it.  But they could talk after he finished unpacking when they could sit down together.

Tom put Cassie in her new yard to explore and whistled happily as he unloaded the trailer and jeep.  He heaved a fifty pound bag of dog food onto his shoulder and dumped it on the back porch and filled Cassie’s food and water dish.  His last trip was to bring Cassie into her new home and show her her bed and food and water bowls.   

When he finished unpacking Tom explored the house to see what had been accomplished while he was away.  Cassie tagged along at his heels.  He could see evidence of Aunt Bessie everywhere.  Food in the new refrigerator and cupboards, clean sheets on the new bed and boxes of clothes unpacked and put in drawers and closets.  It was really starting to feel like home he thought to himself, glad he had sorted and trashed before he packed.  Aunt Bessie’s organization prompted him to unpack his bags and put things away just to keep it neat.  He’d take his luggage up to the attic tomorrow.      

Next door Abby took a long leisurely bubble bath, wishing Cliff had returned her calls over the last couple of days.  Tonight was a new beginning and she wanted everything to be clearly stated between her and Cliff, finished and over, but things weren’t always that clean cut, she thought to herself.

Stepping from the warm tub she wrapped herself in a huge towel and sat at the dressing table applying makeup and styling her hair into a more sophisticated look than usual.  Makeup was usually a hit or miss proposition in her daily routine but tonight she took special care.  She hummed to Andrea Bocelli as she took her new dress from the closet.  She hoped the new dress wasn’t too striking for her to carry off.  She moved to the full length mirror and slipped into the clingy, deep rose cocktail dress that ended just at the knees and hugged her slender body.  Not bad, she thought with relief, ‘I am woman, hear me roar,’ she giggled.

She heard Tom’s knock at the backdoor and called for him to come in, “I’ll be right down, Tom,” she called.

She slipped into her heels, added earrings, necklace and a small evening bag and then stepped out on the landing.

Tom looked up and executed a long, low wolf whistle as Abby’s long legs carried her down the stairs to him.  She was every bit as beautiful as any of the women he knew in Los Angeles.  He reached out and took her hand as she neared him and lifted it to his lips kissing the back of her hand softly.  I was going to propose but I guess I’d better wait for a couple of more dates to let you get used to the idea.

“Come on, Galahad, I’m starving,” she grabbed her wrap on the way to the backdoor.  “By the way,” she said looking back over her shoulder, “You clean up pretty good yourself.” 

“I’ll take that as an, “I’m thinking about it,” He said as he hurried behind her to the jeep and helped her in.

His thick chestnut hair was brushed back and still wet around the edges.  She knew that before the night was over it would tumble down over his forehead.  Someday she would reach up and brush her fingers through the unruly thatch, she thought to herself.

Tom lightened up on the way to the Inn and entertained Abby with tales of Cassie’s exploration of her new house and backyard. 

“Will she be O.K?” Abby asked, “Everything’s so new to her.”

She’ll be fine, she has access to the yard and the porch through the pet door I installed and she’s already been eating and napping so she’s comfortable.”

Tom glanced over at Abby then back at the road, “Aunt Bessie’s been busy over at my place shopping, unpacking, and organizing.  Help me think of something nice I can do for her to say thanks,” he asked.

“Time,” Abby said, “Spending time with her is the best gift you can give her, Tom.”  Don’t forget to go out to the cemetery with her every month and make time for the church.  It’s the most important thing in the world to her.

“Very good advice, Abby, time is the most precious of things isn’t it?”  And something I’ll have to remember in my relationship with Abby he thought.

“Very precious,” she said, “And even more valuable to our elders because they have less of it left.”

He looked at her with growing respect, “And that’s why we spend it so foolishly when we’re young,” he concluded.

“And time is one of the biggest differences in perspective between the generations,” she said.

“You’re a pretty wise lady, professor,” Tom said as he pulled up to the door of the Inn to drop her off and then went and parked the jeep.

He took her hand when he came back from parking and led her into the Inn, “I think we’re a little more appropriately dressed tonight then we were last Saturday,” he said.

Abby giggled, as she remembered her jeans and tee shirt from the baseball game.

Mitch greeted them from behind the bar as they entered, “I see you have reservations this time,” he said.

Tom shook Mitch’s hand over the bar, “We sure do, is there a wait?” Tom asked.

“Come in you two,” Tess said from the archway to the dining room.  She was dressed in a full length, red velvet hostess gown slit to the knee to reveal well shaped legs with dainty chains at the ankle.  Egyptian jewelry and dramatic eye makeup along with her dark beauty gave her a mysterious, exotic look.  Her fashion sense was a bit flamboyant while staying well within the boundaries of good taste her manner was quiet, cultured, and sophisticated.

“You look terrific, Tess,” Abby said with open admiration.  They were total opposites in appearance: the one dark and exotic, the other tall, slender, and blond.  There had never been anything but open affection and friendship between the two of them.

“You look dazzling yourself, Abby, that dress makes you all legs and gorgeous complexion.  You should wear that color more often.  You’re glowing.”

“You two aren’t anything like the women in Los Angeles,” Tom said, “By now the claws would be out.”

“Then what would I do for a best friend,” Tess asked and laughed.

“Can you join us for a minute,” Tom and Abby chorused.

Tess signaled the waiter, who brought a bottle of chilled champagne with glasses, “Compliments of the house,” Tess said.

“Now you have to join us and share a glass,” Tom said.

“I could use a break,” Tess said, “I’ve been going since six this morning.” The waiter brought another chair and seated Tess at the table with Tom and Abby.

Tom raised his glass, “To the two most beautiful women in the room.”  He studied the dining room and told Tess, “This room is wonderful.  More beautiful than anything in Los Angeles,” he said. 

“And wait until you taste the food Tom,” Abby said, “Tess is a wonderful gourmet chef.”

“I’m glad you like the room, Tom, and I hope the food lives up to it,” Tess laughed at Abby’s glowing support.

Abby touched Tess’ hand, “If you’ve been up since six your days are too long.  Why don’t you hire more help?” Abby asked.

Tess sipped the champagne and leaned back.  “The kind of help I need isn’t so easy to come by.  I don’t need more waiters or kitchen help, what I really need is an assistant.  Someone to do flower arrangements, reservations, seating charts, assign the waiters and everything else I don’t have time for with a kitchen to run,” Tess sighed.

Abby’s eyes lit up mischievously, “I may know just the person, Tessie.  She already has a job but I just happen to know that she’s underpaid and unhappy – by the way, you didn’t hear that from me,” Abby warned.

“Just a name and number,” Tess said, “I’ll be very discrete and your name will never come up.”

Abby took a pen from her evening bag and wrote down a name and number on a slip of paper, handing it to Tess.

Tess took the paper and smiled when she saw the name, “She would be a gift from heaven, and it would be no secret why I thought of her.  The whole town knows her character and talent.”

“Well, by gosh and begorrah,” a man’s voice broke into their quiet conversation, “If it isn’t the two most beautiful women in the world and both in the same place at the same time.”

Abby looked up to see Jack Brannon in evening attire standing over their table, his eyes riveted on Tess.  Abby grinned up at him impishly, “Jack this is my best friend and the owner of this establishment, Tess Danelli, and this,” she said, gesturing at Tom, “is Tom Wyatt Yancy, an attorney by trade and my next door neighbor.

Jack bowed over Tess’ hand, debonair and courtly, “Me mother was right, I should get out and socialize more.”  He dropped Tess’ hand with reluctance and turned to shake hands with Tom. 

“How do you do, Mr. Yancy, I’ve heard tell of you,” Jack said, “I have need of an attorney who doesn’t consider himself a wheeler dealer,” Brannon said, “I’ll be calling you.”

“I’m just back in town after a long absence,” Tom said, “but I will be picking up some local work.  Give me a call and we’ll discuss it,” Tom said.

He turned back to Tess, “Tess Danelli, I’ve been noticing you all evening and I’m glad I’ve had the chance to meet you formally.  I’ll be seeing you again soon and that’s a promise.” Jack turned and said good night to Abby and Tom and then left the dining room.

“And who is that rough and tumble Irishman?” Tess asked with a grin, “He looks like an ex pug.”

Abby laughed and explained who Jack Brannon was and how she knew him.  She told them about the tribal council meeting and the meeting in Jack’s office.  She couldn’t help a passing reference to a traitor in their midst but she slipped by it without a pause. 

When Abby finished, Tess got up saying she had tarried longer then she dare and hurried to her beloved kitchen.

“May I take your order,” the waiter arrived at their table just as Tess left.

“Hi Timmy,” Abby said, “How do you like your job here?”

“It’s terrific, Ms. Cavanaugh, and it doesn’t interfere with summer classes either,” the young man said enthusiastically.

“Ms. Danelli, says you’re all doing well, Tim, I proud of you.”

Tom asked, “Would you like wine with dinner, Abby?”

“No thanks, Tom, the champagne was more than I’m used to.  I’ll just have ice water,” she said.

Abby ordered the stuffed artichoke appetizer and the fish broth with fresh summer vegetables to start.

“Hummm, the artichoke sounds great but I think I’ll have the white bean soup,” Tom said, “We’ll order our entrée when we finish our appetizers, Tim, thank you.”

When they finished ordering, Tom reached over and took Abby’s hand, “I have the feeling that a certain unnamed person in that story is my competition,” Tom said.

Abby blinked, “How did you figure that out?” she asked.

“A glance between best friends can be very revealing,” Tom said, “He betrayed you and your friends didn’t he?”

“His name is Cliff and he’s the Fish and Game biologist,” she said with her usual honesty, “And he’s no longer competition for anyone,” she said.  “He’s been avoiding my calls but it’s all over, Tom.”

He squeezed her hand, “I just want you to know that I’ll never betray you like that.  There’s just nothing worth betraying a friend over.  The man’s a fool who lost a hell of a lot more than he gained,” Tom said.

 The waiter arrived with their wine, garlic artichokes and Tom released Abby’s hand. Hungry, they both dug in.

“Mmmm,” Tom said, “this sauce and stuffing is out of the world.  I’d just like to know how she cooked the artichoke its special just on its own,” he said.

“She’s a terrific chef,” Abby said.

“Do you like lamb?” Tom asked.

“Ahh, yes roasted with new potatoes, is that what you’d like?” Tom.

“Well, it’s for two,” he said.

“I’d love it,” Abby said.

He grinned and when the waiter came with their soup he ordered the lamb. 

They chatted through the soup and enjoyed another glass of champagne while the lamb was being prepared and then dug into the main course.

Tom leaned back in his chair stuffed with one of the most amazing dinners he had ever eaten.  “You weren’t exaggerating, Tess is a truly a great chef.”

Abby smiled at the praise for her friend. 

They sipped coffee and watched as long, languorous swells roll in across the sea in a sensuous rhythm as the moon cast a silver swath across the water making a path to the sky. 

“Does it get any better than this?” he asked Abby.

Tess was drifting through the dining room checking to make sure everyone was well cared for and satisfied.  She exchanged a few words here and there with those who wanted to talk.  Most of the Inn’s guests were repeat clients who visited several times a year and they enjoyed the individual recognition from Tess.  Tess kept a rolodex of clients and remembered anniversaries and birthdays with her repeat customers.

She stopped at their table, “I hope everything was satisfactory?” she asked.

“I am truly impressed, Tess.  If I mention this place to friends in L.A. the word would get out and you’d be the biggest thing on this coast. 

Tess laughed in appreciation, “Thanks Tom, but for now I’ll settle for the north coast.  I’m already working hard enough.”

“Seriously, Tess, you’re a five star chef, no question,” Tom said.

She grinned happily, “Thank you, Tom.”

“We’re both so full we can’t move, besides the view is spectacular, tonight,” Abby said.

“Dessert?” Tess asked, “I have your favorite sorbet, Abby.”

“Oh, Tessie, you know I can’t refuse your lime sorbet,” Abby said.

“I don’t know if I can find room,” Tom said.

“Sure you can,” Abby said, ”because if you don’t you’ll want a taste of mine and then you’ll want more and more, and I’m not sharing Tess’s lime sorbet,” Abby warned.

“Well, I guess I’d better get my own,” Tom chuckled, “And guard it while I’m eating,” he said.

Tess left them again to check the bar area.

Their dessert arrived within five minutes.

Abby closed her eyes and savored each bite.

Tom could only agree with Abby’s assessment, it was to die for.

“She could package this commercially and sell it and retire,” Tom said. 

“Retire? Tess couldn’t retire, she gets nervous if there’s no work to do,” Abby said quite seriously.

Tom laughed, “You two know each other pretty well, don’t you?”

“Last Christmas, along with my regular gift, Tess gave me a half gallon of her lime sorbet and I saved it all the way till New Year’s Day and then, over the course of the day, I ate the whole thing,” Abby laughed at herself.  “It was the best gift I’ve ever gotten; I felt rich the whole time it was in the freezer.”

Tom roared at the story.  He could picture her eating the whole thing just like a little girl.

They had more coffee and lingered talking quietly about everything under the sun, not wanting to part.

“I want you to know that I’ll be courting you, Abby,” Tom said.

“That sounds a little too serious, Tom, remember that I’m coming from a bad marriage and a relationship where I made a serious misjudgment.  I’m a little gun shy at this point and we hardly know each other,” Abby said.

“We’ll get to know each other better,” he said, “Just promise me you won’t let the behavior of other men ruin our chances, professor.  Don’t hold me responsible for their shortcomings,” Tom asked.

“Your right, Tom, that wouldn’t be fair but there’s time for us to get to know each other.”

“We’ll make time,” Tom said.

 He pulled into the driveway and walked her to her backdoor.  He tipped her chin up and kissed her softly on the lips and said, “Sleep tight, Abby.”

She was almost asleep before she could undress.