Page 40 of Clashing Moon
We walked out to her car, and I reached down to open her door, but she put her hand on my arm to stop me. “What’s going on with you and Arabella? I thought you two were enemies?” She raised one saucy eyebrow.
“Well, spending a night snowed in changed things a little.”
“So, it seems.”
“Truth is—I’ve got all kinds of feelings for her. It’s weird, Mama. But maybe I’ve always had strong reactions to her because she evokes so much passion in me.”
“Interesting.”
Typical Mama, waiting for me to tell her everything, which she knew I would. She’d done this when we were young, waiting us out until we confessed to whatever it was we had done or not done.
“We’ve shared a few intimate moments,” I said.
“How intimate?” Again, with a raised eyebrow.
“A few kisses. But this morning, when I found her like that, surrounded by all those birthday cards, a part of my heart broke for her. I wish I could do something to help.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea that she reach out to her mother?”
“I don’t think she’ll be able to keep herself from doing so. Do you remember her at all?”
“Sally? Sure. But she was about four or five years younger than me, so I didn’t know her well. If I recall correctly, her mother was deeply involved in the church. I always got the feeling they were very strict with Sally. She had that look about her.”
“What look is that?”
“Kind of beaten down. Careful. Skittish. One time, I saw her in a play at the high school, and she really blossomed under the lights. It’s such a shame what happened to her. I had no idea what Collins did to her.” She shook her head sadly. “I know what it’s like to be kept down, treated as if you don’t matter. They all let her down, maybe most especially her mother. She should have been paying attention. Forbidden her to see a man ten years older.”
“She might not have known.”
“It’s possible. Teenagers can be sneaky. Regardless, what happened to her in this town where we’re supposed to look after one another is unforgivable. And pushing her downstairs and breaking her leg like that? He’s the one who should have been in jail.”
My cell phone went off, startling both of us.
“It’s Caspian,” I said. “I bet it’s baby time.”
I answered and didn’t even have time to say hello.
“Raff, the baby’s coming. We’ve been timing contractions, and they’re one minute apart. Can you come?” His voice wasshaking, and he sounded as if he’d just run up the side of a mountain.
“Mama’s with me. Should I bring her too?” Caspian and Elliot had asked for a home birth, which I’d reluctantly agreed to. I didn’t love the idea, but it was their choice.
“Yes, that would be great. I’m a wreck. Please hurry.”
“We’re on our way.”
When Mamaand I arrived at Caspian and Elliot’s house, we let ourselves in through the back door. We found Caspian and Elliot in the guest bedroom, where they’d planned to have the birth. I’d expected to see the doula they’d hired, but it was only the two of them. Elliot was sitting on an exercise ball, clearly between contractions. Caspian was pacing around the room muttering to himself.
Mama rushed over to Elliot. “What can I do to help?”
“Keep him calm?” Elliot gestured toward her husband.
“What happened to the doula?” I asked. They’d convinced me they’d rather have her than my nurse, which I hadn’t been thrilled about either, but again, I wanted to honor their wishes.
“She’s sick.” Caspian ran a hand through his hair. By the way, it stuck up on both sides of his head. I guessed this wasn’t the first time. “So, it’s just me, and apparently, I’m falling apart. No one told me she was going to be in this much pain.”
As if prompted, Elliot groaned and started panting. She fell to her knees, draping her arms around the ball. Mama dropped down beside her, rubbing her lower back. “You’re doing good,” Mama said. “Just keep breathing.”
Caspian gestured helplessly toward his wife, clearly at a loss. “Can you do something? This isn’t normal, is it? I mean, look at her.”