FLIGHT FROM OBSESSION CHAPTER SIX

She woke early Saturday morning with a slight headache after a restless night. Abby knew what was troubling her. Cliff was avoiding her phone calls and she wanted the whole thing settled and over. The phone jarred her back to reality. 

“Good morning, Abby,” Tess’s cheerful voice sang over the wire. 

“Have you looked out the window?  It’s a bloody awful day,” Abby snapped. 

“Whatever happened to that nice, Susie Sunshine, who used to live at this telephone number,” Tess asked?

“Did you discover that there really is no Santa Claus or did you have a date with Cliff last night?” 

“Not funny, Tess, and no more dates with Cliff.  I’ll tell you all about it when I see you.” 

“Just think, now you can concentrate on the boy next door,” Tess responded.

Abby groaned. 

“Cheer up Abby; it’s going to be a great day as soon as the fog burns off.  Anyway, thanks for the flowers, they’re beautiful,” Tess rang off.

After her conversation with Tess Abby felt like a grump.  Darn, it's Tess' big day and I'm a nothing but a 'party pooper'. She took two aspirin, a hot shower and trudged downstairs to check the baked beans that had been cooking all night. They smell great she thought to herself.

The front doorbell rang and she went to answer the door and found a delivery boy standing there.

"Abby Cavanaugh," he asked, squinting at the scrawled handwriting?"

"Yes," she said taking the small package, "let me get you something."

"It's been taken care of," he responded brightly.

"Thanks," she said closing the door.

Hungry she scrambled two eggs and made toast to go with her mug of tea.  As she sat at the table eating she noticed the sun was breaking up the fog.  Tess was right; it was going to be a beautiful day.

She looked at the package again and decided it wasn't going to bite her. She tore it open.

"Oh, they're so beautiful," she exclaimed.

Inside, nestled in tissue lay a pair of dainty, grey gloves with a tiny button at the wrist.  The card said, "For next time. Blackie."

What’s wrong with me, getting into such a blue funk, she asked herself?  The summer’s all stretched out in front of me, I have a warm cozy home, and I’m spending the day with great friends.

She stopped and thanked God for all of her blessings and picked Waif up and gave her a good petting, “What a thankless creature, I am.”

She washed her hands and took the potatoes and eggs boiled the previous day out of the refrigerator and began assembling the potato salad. Let’s see potatoes, eggs, pickles, pimento, celery, onions fresh parsley, did I forget anything she asked herself?

It all went into a huge plastic bowl, and then she made the dressing, mixed, and popped the lid on the bowl. Licking her fingers she put the covered pan of baked beans into a cozy.

She ran upstairs and pulled on a pair of faded jeans, tennis shoes and an old tee shirt from her alma mater. She was all set for a fun day of softball and food with her friends.  

The sunny ride through green rolling hills with Julie London singing Camelot raised her spirits even more and by the time she reached the Tanaka’s mailbox she was her usual, bubbly self.

She turned into the driveway and her tires crunched on gravel as she drove between neatly planted fields.  She passed the original farmhouse where the older Tanaka’s lived with the younger children and then drove on to the house Ken and Sherri built when they married.        

Their home was a modern version of the original farmhouse surrounded by colorful flower beds and rich black fields of thriving crops all framed by the green hills.

The land had sustained this growing Tanaka clan since the older Tanaka’s had been released from a WWII detention camp.  They were decent, honest, hard working people who lived frugally so their family and business had grown and thrived.

As Abby parked under a grove of trees behind the house Tom sprinted from the porch.  He was dressed in faded cutoffs and a Save the Whales tee shirt.

“Hey, Professor, need any help carrying things?” he asked.

She handed him the baked beans and then climbed out of the camper.

“Thanks, I could use a hand,” she grinned up at him.

“Are you ready to do battle on the playing field?” he asked.

She laughed, “It’s been a long time since I handled a mitt and bat but I was pretty good at one time.”

They laughed and chatted together as she carried the potato salad and he carried the baked beans to the house. She went into the kitchen and helped Sherri while the men set out the bases and readied the barbecue.

Sherri was a veterinarian with an office near the campus so she and Abby often had lunch together in town.  Sherri was a career woman, a promising artist, a mother and a wife.  Abby often wondered how she fulfilled all of those roles and still appeared so serene.

“I don’t know how you do it Sherri; I wear myself out just taking care of career and home. Where do you get all of your energy?” Abby asked.

I get lots of help. Ken, his parents, his little sister, Dani, we manage.”

“Besides, you do a lot more than teach a subject, Abby, you take your students under your wing,” Sherri said.

“Just part of the job,” Abby said, “And they’re great kids, I love them all.”

“Don’t you want some of your own, Abby?” Tom asked from the backdoor.

“Hey, eavesdropper, don’t you have anything better do than snoop around?” Sherri asked.

“I was just coming in the door,” he excused himself.

“Right, Tom, Fred Gurney had you pegged as a snoop before you even got moved in,” Abby teased.

They all laughed and Sherri said, “We’re almost finished.”

“Do you have more coffee,” Tom asked, flopping into a chair, “Then Abby can answer my question”.

“That’s up to her,” Sherri said, handing Tom the coffee, ready to defend her friend.

“Sure I want kids,” Abby said, “I was an only child and I want my kids to have brothers and sisters. How about you?” she asked Tom.

“I know what you mean about brothers and sisters.  This town is perfect for raising kids.  I don’t think I’d try it in a city,” Tom said.

Josie, the family toddler, sat on Abby’s lap while Sherri and Abby talked; but Josie had her eyes on Tom, playing peek a boo with him.

“I’d steal this one in a flash but I know I couldn’t get away with it,” Tom said and made a funny face at Josie.

“She’s already a shameless flirt,” Sherri giggled.

“You must be talking about my youngest,” Ken said as he walked into the kitchen, putting his arms around Sherri’s waist from behind her.

While the group sat in the kitchen and chatted they heard cars arriving and doors slamming as more people arrived.

“Let’s get the game started,” Ken said on his way to the backdoor, “I want to see if this old man can still hustle,” he said gripping Tom’s shoulder.

They all walked outside and greeted the new arrivals.  As soon as things settled down Ken divided the assorted group into two teams, while trying to achieve some kind of competitive balance.  Tom and Ken led the two teams.  Abby ended up on Ken’s team playing center field, her old high school position.

She was stiff and awkward at first because it had been so long but she soon loosened up and began to get a feel for the game again.  She joined the others in ribbing chatter, shouting insults at the batter and encouraging her teammates.

They were tied and decided to play one more inning before the barbecue and food.

At the bottom of the last inning Abby stood in the hot, dusty outfield shading her eyes from the sun.  Tom was at bat and Ken was pitching when a high fly ball sailed out toward her. She faded back trying to keep her eyes on the ball in the sun and punching her mitt with her fist.  Back and back she faded and then she tripped on the rough field just as the ball reached her, but she recovered her balance and came up with the ball.  Joy filled her because it was the last out and she had the game ball.  She was so happy she was jumping up and down with excitement.

Her teammates rushed out and surrounded her in a cheering victorious mass carrying her on their shoulders from the outfield.  Tom ran out and lifted her up in a bear hug, “Hey, you caught my homerun, professor, but I forgive you as long as you promise us a rematch.”

His body felt hard and warm against hers and she gloried in the comfortable fit.  He put her down but grabbed her hand and raised it in victory.  He held it up all the way to the house. 

It was a boisterous, happy crowd around the picnic tables that afternoon with much razzing for the losers and planning for a rematch.

Abby couldn’t believe her appetite, two helpings of everything.  Hamburgers, beans, salads, chips, relishes, several desserts all washed down with icy cold ice tea.

Ken, Sherri, Tom, and Abby sat there after the others left; stuffed and lethargic as the sun began its descent in the west.  They talked about everything from politics to their careers and the latest books they read.

Ken persuaded Tom to help out with the Little League team he coached.

“I’d love to help, Ken, that sort of thing is why I came back to the Cove.” He stretched and said, “You lose touch with the important things in life in the big city.  Writing checks and attending charity events just doesn’t cut it,” he said.

Ken patted his back with affection.  They had been friends since grammar school and Ken was going to enjoy having him back in town. 

“Ken, just give me a couple of weeks to get settled in and we’ll work out a schedule.”

Tom and Abby finally roused themselves and gathered their things and loaded their cars. 

Abby put her jacket on and gave Sherri and Ken big hugs, “I’m so glad I came,” she said, “It was a great day and thanks for everything.”

“Thank you Abby, you brought some pretty tasty stuff yourself,” Ken said and Sherri seconded.

“Yeah, and she brought a pretty good catch to the game too,” Ken said.

Tom laughed with humor, “I’ll be hearing about that the rest of my life, I bet.  You should get Abby to coach, Ken.”

“Oh no, you don’t, that’s man’s work, I only do it for fun,” Abby said, picking up the ball she caught and put it into her jacket pocket.

They all laughed and Tom followed Abby to her car, “I know we’re not dressed for it but let’s make a quick stop at the Inn and see how Tess’s opening is going,” he said to Abby.  “I ran into her in town the other day and she was really excited,” he said.

“You’re right, we’re not dressed for it,” she hesitated.

“Aw, come on we’ll sneak into the bar for one quick drink and see how things are going.  Aren’t you curious?” he asked.

“Yes, actually I am, but let’s not stay for too long,” she said.

“Good, I’ll follow you,” he said.

After Tom and Abby got into their cars and drove off, Ken and Sherri sat talking and enjoying one other’s company. 

“They make a nice couple, don’t they Ken?” she asked.

“Yeah, I guess they do.  I’ve always liked Tom and Abby sure deserves better than Mr. Fish and Game,” he answered.

“Do you think Tom is interested in her,” Sherri asked, “He seemed pretty attentive.”

“Time will tell, honey. Meantime, let’s go get our crew to bed so I can show you that I’m still pretty interested in you,” he said grinning at her.

They walked arm and arm to the house, cozy in their familiarity.

Abby watched Tom’s headlights in her rearview mirror as she drove toward the coast. She had more fun today than she had in a long time.  Funny, how Cliff came across so much more driven and ambitious than Tom. Cliff was more like Mark, she realized.

Mark turned out to be a mediocre anthropologist who married Abby because of her father’s influence in the field.  He was using both of them to try and further his career.  Mark liked working in a suit in a temperature controlled, carpeted office building.  He’d never get grubby in the field and without fieldwork an anthropology career was dead in the water.

Between his trying to use the two of them instead of his own work to get ahead plus his string of casual affairs Abby had ordered him out of the house.

Tom rapped on the window and she realized she had been sitting there for several minutes.

“Still awake, professor?” he asked.

She got out and smiled up at him shaking off the gloom that had engulfed her for the moment.

“I’m just so full, I couldn’t move,” she answered.

Tom put his arm around her shoulders and they walked toward the Inn.

Her earlier mood returned and she giggled as they entered the small bar adjacent to the dining room.

“I feel like a little kid sneaking into a grownup party,” she said.

“Do you suppose we’ll get served,” he asked, light hearted with her nearness.  He thought he lost her there for a minute but she was back. 

“You might have to borrow a tie,” she said mischievously.

They found one empty stool in the bar and Tom stood behind her, “What would you like, Abby?”

“Make it two,” Tom said to the local behind the bar.

“Heard you were back in town, Tom, welcome,” the bartender said.

“Hi Mitch, give up your fishing boat for a shore job?” Tom asked as they shook hands.

“Oldest boy runs the “Mollie” now, just earning a little extra pocket money here on weekends,” Mitch answered.

Abby hadn’t been in the small bar which was here for the convenience of dining room customers waiting for tables.  The bar seated six to eight in a pinch and there were two armless settees with an armchair at each end and an arched doorway to the dining room at the end of the room.  The color scheme from the dining room carried into the bar and instead of a mirror behind the bar there were several large photographs celebrating the history of the cove, ships lanterns and a couple of brass portholes were mounted on the wall and vases of flowers were scattered around the room.

Tom looked around and said, “This is great, Tess really caught the cove didn’t she, Abby?”

The room was full but everyone was relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings.

“Yes, she did, she’s very creative and it doesn’t look at all touristy.”

Abby smiled at several people she knew, completely forgetting her attire.

“How are you, Abby, showing Tom all the new sights in town?” Mitch asked.

She grinned at him, “We just snuck in to see how the opening is going. The dining room looks packed,” she said.

“Has been all evening and we’re booked until closing,” Mitch offered.

Just then Tess popped her head into the bar.  She worked her way toward them greeting everyone with a touch, a smile, and a word or two.

“Hey, did you two come just to dress the place up?” she asked.

“Sorry, Tess,” Abby said, “But we just had to see how you were doing on your big night.”

Several customers had been ushered into the dining room so Tess said, “Let’s sit for a minute,” and Abby and Tom moved to the settee.

Tess slipped off one of her shoes, “Everything’s wonderful. I can’t believe how smoothly everything is going, Abby, those kids you sent me are doing a great job.  I trained them hard but they’re smart and dependable.”

“I’m glad they worked out, Tess. We’re just on our way home from the Tanaka’s and we had to stop and see how you were doing.”

Tess patted Tom on the shoulder, “Did you hit a homerun, pal?” she asked.

Tom groaned and dropped his head in mock humility.

“Yeah, he did,” Abby said, “But I caught it,” she said pulling the ball from her jacket pocket and holding it aloft.

Tess couldn’t stop laughing and gave Abby a ‘thumbs up’ and went back into the dining room.

“You don’t seem bothered by the teasing,” Abby said.

“It’s all good natured,” he said, “So it doesn’t bother me. He sipped his coffee, “That’s another thing I like about small towns, not as much one ups man ship. Everything is more relaxed and kind of family.”

“You’re right, it is.”  Abby thought about Mark and Cliff, neither one of them would have understood that.  He drive from the Tanaka’s had cleared up a few things in her mind.  She was no longer depressed about either man now that she understood where she had gone wrong in evaluating them. 

“Wool gathering?” he asked, borrowing one of her expressions.

“Just a little, it was a nice day,” she said, “I enjoyed it.”

“Mind a personal question, Abby?” he asked.

She turned to him and smiled, “I won’t promise to answer,” she said.

“O.K., here goes,” he said, taking a deep breath, “You told me that you’re divorced,” he said, “but I can’t seem to get to get a straight answer about whether you’re involved with someone or even dating.  No one gossips about Abby Cavanaugh,” he said.

She was surprised about his question and even a little speechless.  She took a sip of coffee.

Finally, she said, “Last week I would have told you, yes, I’m dating someone.  But now I’m not so sure,” she said.

Mitch brought them more coffee as people kept filtering through the bar to the dining room from outside.  She was sitting in one of the arm chairs and he was seated on the end of the settee, turned toward her.

“I’m sorry to be so vague but he’s out of town right now and we haven’t had a chance to talk.  Things have been kind of riding for a while,” she paused and looked at him.  “Do you know what I mean?” she asked.

He brushed a curl from her check, “Actually, I do know what you mean,” he said, “I was dating someone in L.A. like that.  We knew each other for quite a while and I hadn’t met anyone I was really attracted to so I guess I stayed where I was comfortable.  You don’t know how daunting the dating scene is in L.A. Well,” he laughed, “It was fun when I was young but now it’s a headache.”

She was getting sleepy when he said, “Listen, I’m driving back down south tomorrow to pick up my dog and get the rest of my stuff packed and shipped. Will you have dinner with me next Thursday?” 

She started to object and he said, “Look, if you decide you’re committed it’ll be just a friendly dinner to make up for the dinner you fixed for me.  If you’re not committed,” he shrugged, “we’ll go from there.”

The pressure off, she said, “Sounds fair enough, Tom, but I really should be getting home. I’m falling asleep right here,” she admitted.

“Me too,” he said, “I have a long drive tomorrow.”

Abby watched his headlights in her rearview mirror again as they made the short drive home.  Tom walked back to her garage and then walked her to her backdoor. 

He kissed her cheek and told her to be sure and lockup as he walked quickly over to his dark empty house.

(C) Karen MacEanruig