Finding Me (33 page)

“I thought you weren’t coming back until Monday.”

“Stopped by the doc’s office and convinced him I was ready.” He paused at the checkout counter. “Actually, I went to his office and told him I wasn’t leaving until he put it in writing that I was good to go.”

Kelli burst out laughing, having no doubt that’s exactly what he’d done. “Well, good for you. How are you feeling?”

“Honestly, I feel better now—even still sore from the incision and all—than I did for a couple of years before the surgery. I wish I’d done it sooner.” He made a show of looking around. “Don’t you dare tell my son I said that.”

She leaned forward and whispered, “Your secret is safe with me.”

“Speaking of my son, I gather he has made quite a pest of himself since I’ve been away.”

“Let’s just say Shane has your back in a major way.” She rolled her eyes, but then grew serious. “Actually, I think you should be glad to have that.”

“Something you wish you had more of?”

Kelli shrugged. She couldn’t bring herself to make any sort of reply, serious or joking. It hit too close to home.

“I know I’ve asked you this before, but are you really not planning on telling them?” His expression was completely neutral, not accusing, not questioning, just as matter-of-fact as if he’d asked her if she’d swept the floor yet.

Kelli stared at the counter in front of her. It was beige, but there were a couple of places that had worn white over the years. They really needed to think about replacing it soon. She rubbed at an ink spot with her thumb; it didn’t rub out. When she looked up, Kenmore was still watching her, head tilted slightly to the side, waiting for an answer.

“I don’t think I can.”

The front door flew open, and a group of teenagers entered the store and headed for the sodas and candy. Kenmore nodded at Kelli. “Any time you want to talk about it, you know where to find me. You’ll make the right choice, I’m sure of it.”

Later that night, as they were closing up, Kenmore asked her, “Why don’t you plan to make an early evening of it tomorrow? I’ll be back all day, and you’ve more than earned it. We’ll be plenty busy the day after, so you’ll need the rest.”

“Busy on the Fourth of July?”

“Mostly ice and last-minute sodas and such—things that people don’t want to drive back into town for.”

“Makes sense.”

“Speaking of the Fourth of July”—Shane emerged from the
back room—“how about I take you both to the high school to watch the fireworks after you close up? It’s supposed to be a really good show this year.”

“Not me,” Kenmore said. “I’m too old for the crowds.”

“How about it, Kelli? It’ll be like Thursday Night Lights times ten.” He paused for just a moment. “Besides, rumor has it that I might need a little protection.”

Kelli looked at him, questioning, for just a second. Then she realized what he meant. “Amy is going to be there?”

Shane shrugged. “A man can’t be too careful these days.”

Kelli giggled like a teenager. “Sounds good.” And it did sound good—and more than a little reckless.

Kenmore sat on his back porch swing, thinking through the events that had happened twenty-four years ago. Should he have stepped in when he saw the trouble brewing? Could he have stopped it? It had never entered his mind that David would dream of doing what he did—not until it was too late.

He thought back to one day in particular. It had been a long day at the office. They had just received a warning that the Fairfield Fund was about to be downgraded to “highly risky.” David had made the comment, “Now, that’s a shame. Fairfield has one of the best-paying commissions in the industry. I just signed up Mrs. Gish for a block of it.”

“Why would you put her in that, anyway? Even before it was downgraded, it was far too aggressive an investment for a seventy-year-old.”

“She’s got more money than she’ll spend in three lifetimes. If she goes aggressive with some of it and she loses, no real harm has been done. If she wins, that just makes it all that much better.”

Kenmore looked over at David, hoping to see some sign on his
face that he was joking. He didn’t see any. It seemed that more and more lately he was speaking with a David he didn’t really know. Gone was the best man at his wedding, the most stand-up guy around. In his place was a shifty kind of guy, who didn’t trust anyone anymore and didn’t seem particularly trustworthy himself. He’d made enough remarks about Alison that Kenmore knew he wasn’t happy at home. Fool. Alison was the kind of woman any man should be glad to have as a wife.

“Did you explain the risk to Mrs. Gish? About Fairfield?”

“Of course I did. You know that all of our clients sign a paper that they are aware that investments are not secure.”

“I mean, did you tell her there was even more risk with this particular investment right now?”

David simply looked at Kenmore for a minute, then leaned forward and put his elbows on his desk. “I did everything I needed to do. All right?”

Just then his direct line rang. “David Waters.” He looked up at Kenmore. “Do you mind? This is personal.”

Kenmore walked from the room, but not before he overheard David say, “I can’t wait to see you tonight.”

That evening Kenmore had called his parents and told them he thought it was time for him to think about returning to work at the store.

39

S
ince it was only three blocks away, Shane and Kelli decided to walk from her duplex to the high school stadium. Each carried a portable chair looped across the shoulder. The track was lined with all sorts of booths selling snacks, drinks, glow sticks, and glow necklaces galore. It was still hot and humid at almost eight, but it didn’t seem to slow anyone down. “This is really nice,” Kelli said, and she meant it. The small-town carnival atmosphere made her wonder anew about the life she had been meant to live.

“Here comes Amy. Come on, I’ll secure your undying devotion with some fine jewelry, and then I’m counting on your protection.” He stopped and purchased a braided blue, yellow, and green glow necklace, then slipped it over Kelli’s head, grinning. “Fabulous.” He glanced over her shoulder, then leaned forward and whispered, “Now earn your keep.”

“I’ll do what I can.” Kelli reached out and took Shane’s extended arm, thinking even as she did so that it was a mistake.

Amy bounded over. “Happy Fourth of July!” Her face was overly bright when she said it, especially when she turned to smile
sweetly at Kelli. “Remind me of your name again. I’m simply terrible with names and faces.”

“Kelli.”

“Right, Kelli. You’re the new cash register girl at the store, isn’t that what I remember?”

“That’s me.” Kelli knew the question was meant to be demeaning, but she had no plans to take the bait. The sooner the conversation ended, the sooner Amy would move on to speak with someone else.

“That is hard work. I can remember back when I was in high school, I worked a cash register at Leitha’s dress shop—as well as doing some merchandising, of course. That is one of the things that motivated me to keep my grades up and get into a good college so I could get a decent job.” She paused then and put her hand over her mouth. “I mean . . . I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything by that.”

Of course she did, but once again Kelli didn’t want to say anything that would prolong this conversation. “I’m sure you didn’t. No offense taken.” She squeezed Shane’s arm. “Shane and I were just about to go set up our chairs on the field. It was nice to see you again.”

“Oh, you’ve simply got to come sit with us. We’ve got the very best seats in the house all staked out. Come on, you two, I’ll show you.” She pulled at the chair strap across Shane’s shoulder, as if to lead him with it.

He shook his head. “That’s okay. We were—”

“I insist. Come on now.” She tugged with enough force that Shane started walking with her. He tightened his arm against his side, ensuring that Kelli couldn’t let go. “Amy, we really were planning—”

“We want Kelsey to get the best possible view of her first Tennessee fireworks show, don’t we?”

“I think the end zone is just fine.” Shane planted his feet. “Thanks anyway.” He pulled his arm away from her grip and took a step backward.

“Shane-dog, I didn’t know you were back here.” A male voice boomed over the drone of the crowd.

Shane’s face broke into a huge grin. “Bear-man, so good to see you. What are you doing here?”

A tall, thin, rather scruffy-looking young man came to stand beside them, smiling every bit as big as Shane. “Visiting the folks for the weekend, and I thought I’d catch up with the old gang. Did Amy tell you we’ve got a big section out in the middle for the class of 2006?” He looked at Kelli. “Hello there, pretty lady. The name’s Barry, and I’m looking forward to hearing all about you.”

“Paws off, Bear-man.” Shane bumped his arm “You think I’d bring Kelli into the middle of you piranhas?”

“Of course you will. Here, I’ll take that.” He reached over and took the chair off Kelli’s shoulder. “Right this way, you two.”

Before either of them had a choice, they were seated right in the middle of Shane’s old high school crowd, which was a friendly but somewhat boisterous group. Barry plopped down right beside Kelli and remained there. Although he flirted with most everyone who came by, his nearness seemed to have the effect of keeping Shane a little extra close—or was it simply because Amy was also nearby? Kelli couldn’t be sure.

When it finally grew dark, the fireworks started, accompanied by patriotic music blaring from loudspeakers throughout the stadium. Kelli couldn’t help but believe it was the best fireworks show she’d ever been to—in spite of the fact that there were sometimes long pauses between explosions, and that none of it synced quite right to the music. The homey, small-town feel of it made everything so much more meaningful. Had her parents once sat in this very stadium, watching a similar show?

“Are you all right?” Shane leaned a little closer.

Only when he’d asked the question did she realize a tear was rolling down her cheek. She reached up and wiped it away. “Fine. I’m just really enjoying myself.”

He looked at her, deep into her eyes, for the space of several heartbeats. He leaned a little closer, paused, then slowly brought his lips to hers. The kiss was soft, and gentle, and wonderful. When he pulled away, he still kept his face very close to hers and reached out and rubbed her cheek where the tear had been.

“Okay, you two, break it up, break it up.” Barry leaned over and shoved Shane’s shoulder. “You’re getting way too mushy over here. Fireworks are in the sky, not
in each other’s eyes.
” He said the last few words in a high-pitched, joking voice.

Shane continued to look at Kelli for another couple of seconds before he turned to his friend. “You sure know how to kill a moment.”

“Why, thank you. Thank you very much.” The guys laughed, and that was the end of it.

Kelli realized later she truly owed Barry a round of thanks. The last thing she needed was to get into one more emotional entanglement that would have to be severed at the end of the summer.

On Sunday morning, Kelli combed out her just-washed hair, reliving scenes from the night before. The atmosphere, the fireworks, the kiss. What was she going to do? She couldn’t continue on the path she was on—there were danger signs flashing everywhere. Denice had been right. Utterly and completely.