Sweet Carolina Girls Part 7

Julie motioned for Harper to follow her into the kitchen. In a whisper, Julie asked Harper to tell her everything that happened, after they left the bar. Harper relayed the events of the evening in great detail, but left out the kiss. Julie looked skeptical.

"You're not having an affair with Lauren, are you?"

Harper tried to sound offended, "No, she's been a great friend. That is all. Look, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Lauren and Shelby's relations.h.i.+p is in trouble. I've only known them three days and I figured it out. You don't have to worry. I won't be the reason they split up."

"Who said they are splitting up?" Julie was relentless.

"Well, where is she? Where is Shelby? I called her cell. I left a message on the home phone. She has made no attempt to contact her."

"I'm sure there is a rational explanation for Shelby's actions." Julie whispered through clinched teeth.

It was like one of those great s.h.i.+rley McClain scenes, only Harper was the object of her wrath.

Harper would not give her the satisfaction of backing down. "Well, if she was mine, I would sure the h.e.l.l know where she was."

Julie pounced, "She's not yours. You need to remember that. In fact, it would probably be best if you kept your contact with Lauren to team functions only."

Harper was really offended now, "What the f.u.c.k? Lauren's a grown woman and for that matter so am I. I'll see who I want, when I want and so will Lauren. She'll decide if she sees me or not, not you."

Julie backed off and tried a different approach, "Harper, I like you, but you have no idea how much damage you will do if you get in the middle of this. Lauren's looking for a way out. Do you want to be her excuse? That's all you'll be. You know that in your heart, but it's your p.u.s.s.y that's doing most of the thinking lately. I'm just trying to save you heartache. Let her heal. Take the temptation away. She needs to be strong and find her own path. There's still a chance that she and Shelby will work things out. Let her be."

Harper stood there, absorbing what Julie was saying. She looked toward the couch, but she couldn't see Lauren. She brushed by Julie, heading for the couch. Julie followed close behind. When Harper came around to the front of the couch she saw Lauren in the fetal position with her head in Abby's lap. Abby was gently brus.h.i.+ng the hair from Lauren's forehead with her fingers and softly humming. Harper picked up the blanket and covered Lauren. She stood looking at Lauren sleeping for a few seconds then mouthed to the two other women that she was going to take a shower. She left her cell phone with them, in case Shelby called.

Upstairs she found Jasper on the bed. "Too much drama for you, huh boy." He rolled over for a belly rub. "Not now, I have to get dressed. Later when everyone is gone, I promise I will love on you."

Jasper c.o.c.ked his head from side to side listening to her every word. Harper was sure he understood more than he let on. Harper showered and dressed fairly quickly. She was sitting on the bed, tying her shoes, when she heard Abby's voice floating up the stairway. With not much furniture and no rugs, the sound reverberated off the walls and traveled all over the house.

Abby was saying, "I don't care if the f.u.c.king President of the United States wants to have a meeting with you. If you give one d.a.m.n about this girl, you will walk out of that lab right now and get your a.s.s over here."

There was a pause, while Abby listened to Shelby.

"Yes, at Harper's house... I'll explain it all when you get here.... Okay, twenty minutes. Don't speed. Just get here... I love you, Shel."

Harper finished tying her shoes. She heard Abby coming up the stairs. Abby appeared in the doorway. She stopped and leaned on the frame.

"I'm sorry she chose to fall apart at your house. You don't deserve this. I'll make sure Shelby knows this has nothing to do with you. You just happened to be here to catch her when she fell."

"Abby, what's happening to Lauren. She was so happy just a few hours ago." Harper was fighting back unexpected tears.

Abby came into the room, sitting beside Harper on the bed, she thought carefully before she spoke, "I think it's precisely because she was so happy that it hit her so hard. You showed her part of the life she gave up when she committed to her relations.h.i.+p with Shelby. Lauren is a romantic, she's an artist, and she can't help it. She is finding out that Shelby is not the perfect romantic lover and happily ever after may not be true, in this case. Then you show up. Her attraction to you has just proven to her that she can have feelings for someone else. Everything she has believed in for the last six years is falling down around her. "

"Julie told me to stay away from Lauren. She said I should only see her during team events. What do you think?"

"I think you and Lauren are both women with great character. I know you'll do the right thing." Abby hugged her, "Welcome to the family, Harper Lynch."

They went downstairs to await Shelby's arrival. Harper could swear she could hear the ticking of a clock, but all her clocks were digital. Time crept by, as the three women watched Lauren sleep. Harper turned on the gas logs, in the fireplace, to take the chill out of the air. She paced from the kitchen to the dining room windows, to look out front, and back again. Finally the little silver Lexus, Lauren had taken her home, in that first night, pulled into the driveway.

Harper opened the front door before Shelby hit the first step up to the front porch. Shelby pa.s.sed by her without a word, her face hard with worry. As she pa.s.sed she said, "Where is she?"

Harper followed her up the hallway. "On the couch," she said, but Shelby really wasn't listening.

Shelby knelt down beside the couch. She rubbed Lauren's back and smoothed the hair from her face. She said so sweetly, so softly, "Baby... Baby, it's Shel honey, wake up. Lauren, honey, wake up."

Julie spoke up, "She's had two Zanex. She might be out."

Shelby stood up, "You gave her Zanex?"

Abby stepped in, "Look, Shelby, you didn't see her. I gave her the Zanex. She needed it. It certainly won't hurt her."

Lauren stirred on the couch, "Shel?"

Shelby went to her immediately. "Baby, are you alright? What happened?"

Lauren was out of it. She reached for Shelby, "Shel, where have you been? I've been looking for you."

"I'm right here honey. Come on, let's go home. Do you want to go home?" Shelby had tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.

"Yes, take me home. I want to get in our bed. Will you hold me while I sleep?" Lauren was slowly rising from the couch as she talked.

"Anything you want, baby. Come on let's get you home." Shelby helped Lauren stand.

It was all too much for Harper. She had to leave so she went out onto the deck. She stayed outside until Abby came to tell her Lauren was gone. Tears streaked Harper's face.

"Jesus, that was heartbreaking," Harper managed to say.

"Yes it was," Abby said quietly. She gave Harper a hug. "Remember, this isn't about you. Now, I have to leave. Julie drove the Tahoe home for Shelby. She'll be p.i.s.sed if she has to wait long, for me to pick her up."

After Abby left, Harper locked the house up tight. She needed to feel safe. Jasper joined her on the couch. She found a Thin Man Movie on the TV. She laid her head down on the pillow and covered up with the blanket. She was on her side so Jasper could lie in the crook of her legs, his preferred nap position. She burrowed her face in the pillow and could smell Lauren's scent. The scene between Shelby and Lauren played out in her head.

Shelby really loved Lauren. It was so sweet the way she treated Lauren so delicately. Harper genuinely hoped they worked things out. Harper was convinced her crush on Lauren would pa.s.s, that's all it was really. It was a mad crush to be sure, but like a straight girl crush, it would go nowhere. G.o.d she hoped Lauren was alright. Harper wanted so desperately to see Lauren smile at her with the crooked smile and dimples. Images of Lauren smiling, laughing, singing on the table flashed through her mind. She was so happy.

Two hours later Harper woke herself up screaming Lauren's name. She had been dreaming. They were driving, laughing, and then out of nowhere, a car came flying through the air at them. Somehow, Harper survived the accident intact, but she was walking through the wreckage screaming Lauren's name. It terrified her. It took a few minutes for Harper to gather her thoughts.

She was standing in front of the refrigerator, with the door open, trying to decide if she would cook pancakes for lunch or go to the grocery store, when her cell phone rang. She picked it up, checking the caller ID. The readout read Shelby West. Oh s.h.i.+t, what was this going to be about?

"h.e.l.lo," Harper said cautiously.

"Harper, this is Shelby. I didn't get a chance to tell you thank you for taking care of Lauren. I'm so sorry that I didn't check my messages. I slept at the lab. I called and left a message on Lauren's cell, but of course you would not have known that."

"How is she?" Harper wanted to know.

"She's sleeping now. I haven't really had a chance to talk to her. You wouldn't happen to know what set her off. Did something happen at the bar?"

"No, nothing, in fact she had a great time," Harper said with pride.

"Well, I guess I'll find out when she wakes up. Thanks again. I don't know how to repay you."

"Consider us even," Harper replied. "Tell her I asked about her when she wakes up, will you?"

"Oh, by the way, I will have to put our luncheon off tomorrow. I've taken the day off. I think Lauren and I need to spend some time together."

Harper was secretly relieved, "I understand, we'll have to reschedule. Hey, listen I need to go. Take care."

She hung up. The last thing she wanted to listen to was how Shelby was going to rescue her relations.h.i.+p with Lauren. Harper wished them well, but she didn't want to know the details. She ran upstairs put on her jogging clothes and grabbed Jasper. She was in desperate need of a run. It would clear her head. When Harper returned to the house, she had a plan. She decided to go to the grocery store, stock up on food and hibernate in her house, for the next three days.

Chapter Nine.

Wednesday came and went without incident. Harper worked inside the house until mid-morning. Later she and Jasper found the dog park, nearest to the house, and spent the afternoon playing and running until they were both exhausted. Sleep came easily for them and Harper was glad for it. She hadn't slept well the night before.

On Thursday morning, the furniture man called to report her order would be delivered that afternoon. Harper was pleased when the men left and her furniture was all in place. It was beginning to feel much more like a home. She placed her grandfather's tools around and put away all the remaining things she had collected over the years. She made lists of things she still needed. She remembered seeing some deck furniture at the flea market last weekend. Maybe she would go back Sat.u.r.day morning and check it out.

She spent the evening paying bills and answering long overdue emails. Jackie loved the pictures Harper emailed of the new house. She couldn't wait to come for a visit. Harper did not intend to, but she ended up writing to Jackie everything that had happened with Lauren. Harper didn't ask for advice, she just needed someone to listen to her. She hesitated before pus.h.i.+ng send, but in the end she sent it anyway.

J.R., her baseball player, checked in and was excited she would be in Chapman's Mill. He had just found out he would be in Durham with the Bulls, at least at the beginning of the season. He was doing rehab, from shoulder surgery, on his way back up to the big leagues. He didn't know how long he would be in Durham, but he was excited about seeing Harper. Harper wrote back that she couldn't wait and gave him her new contact information.

Her grandmother, whom Harper had set up with a wireless notebook and trained to search the internet and send email, wrote that she loved the a.s.sisted living center. She didn't remember being so busy in her life. Grandma said the only problems were the old men on v.i.a.g.r.a sniffing around every widow in the place. Harper sent back pictures of the new house and furniture and promised to come and get her for the weekend, as soon as she had the guest room set up.

There were a couple of emails from old teammates, checking in and tons of junk mail to delete. An email from Dr. Bell, the head of her research project was basically a welcome to Chapman's Mill with some information about the grant program she was working on and orientation information concerning parking, nametags, etc. She saw Dr. Shelby West's information in the administration section of the facility guide. Shelby had impeccable credentials and her meteoric shot up the ladder of academia was impressive. Still Harper knew the price Shelby was paying for all that work.

Harper had not heard from Lauren. She didn't know why she expected to. Lauren owed her no explanations. Harper had known these women less than a week. She was a bit player in the drama that played out here, Tuesday morning. Harper had no great stake involved. She actually hoped the whole thing would blow over, she could play ball, start her new job and get on with her life. At least, that's what she kept trying to tell herself. She and Jasper fell asleep watching TV on the couch. Sometime in the night she turned off the lights and went upstairs to bed.

Harper awoke on Friday feeling refreshed for the first time in a week. She put on her jogging clothes, which greatly excited Jasper. While she ate a power bar on the back deck, Jasper made another desperate attempt to pee on every tree in the back yard. He returned to the deck defeated again.

"Maybe tomorrow big guy," Harper said, patting his big head.

Jasper was old enough now to run at pace with Harper more than the few miles she had taken him, so far. She decided to go for it today and take him on his first ten-mile run. She wanted to finish the run in less than ninety minutes. She found Jasper's backpack in the garage. It had reflector tape for safety and a pocket on each side for water bottles. She dressed him and loaded his backpack with a water bottle for each of them.

Harper had run some without Jasper and found a post road, a dirt road running through the woods, exactly one mile from her house. She hated running on tracks. If she ran down to the other state road and back, the circuit was three miles. Today they would run it three times, with a mile to cool down on the way back to the house; it would be a really good run. The longest run Harper had done, in at least two weeks. Harper stretched and warmed up, in the back yard, and then off they went.

After the first mile, she stopped wondering, if Jasper could hang, and started wondering, if she would. The weather was beautiful and it had warmed up considerably from the last two days of frigid temperatures. It felt good to push and by the end of the last circuit she picked it up and finished in good time. She slowed to a light jog and cruised back toward the house. Jasper it seems had been ready for the run and did really well staying focused.

They rounded back on to Mountain Valley Drive, just in time to fall in step with another runner. She smiled with bright white teeth through a face obviously artificially tanned. She wore her blonde hair in a ponytail. She was smaller than Harper, and extremely fit. Her tight pink running suit left nothing to the imagination. If her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were not augmented, Harper would have been surprised. She sported an enormous diamond wedding ring on her finger and several diamond tennis bracelets on her wrists.

Jogging with her, Harper learned her name was Jen. She was a newlywed and didn't know anybody in the neighborhood. Jen was glad to find Harper ran here too. They talked about the weather and Harper being from Oklahoma. Jen loved Jasper and wanted to get a puppy to keep her company. Her lawyer husband was trying to make partner and spent a lot of time at work. When they reached Harper's house, Jen stopped at the end of the driveway to program Harper's phone number into her cell. Harper did not carry a phone when she ran.

"Call me," Harper said. "We'll run sometime."

"I'd like that. It was nice to meet you, Harper Lynch." Jen shook Harper's hand. She looked past Harper up the driveway. "I think you have company."

Harper turned around in time to see the brake lights on Lauren's Tahoe flash, as the vehicle began to move slowly forward and out of sight, circling out to the other end of the driveway.

"It was nice to meet you Jen, but I need to get this," Harper said, already in mid-stride toward Lauren's car, now peeking out the other end of the driveway.

"Okay, sure," she heard Jen say, as she ran to stop Lauren.

Harper didn't turn around to see where Jen went. She was totally trained on the woman sitting in the Tahoe staring back at her. She had tried so hard not to think about Lauren. Emotions rushed at her from all angles. A knot formed in her throat. She slowed her pace to get control. When she reached the vehicle, Lauren remained behind the rolled up gla.s.s. She would not make eye contact with Harper. Harper finally tapped on the gla.s.s. The window game down slowly and Lauren finally looked at her.

"Hey," was all Harper could manage.

"Hey," Lauren replied weakly.

"We've been running."

"I saw. Looks like you made a new friend."

"What?" Harper had forgotten all about Jen. "Oh, her, no, we just ran into her, so to speak."

"She's pretty."

"Yeah, I guess." Harper said, kicking at the rocks on the ground.

It was quiet for a moment and then they both tried to speak at once.

"Look, I just...," Lauren started.

"You wanna come in?" Harper interrupted.

Lauran continued, "I just came by to drop off a fruit basket and tell you how sorry I am for melting down on you like that."

"You don't need to apologize."

Lauren sighed. "Yes, I do."

Harper ached for her. She asked again, "Come in. We'll have some coffee and talk."

Lauren agreed cautiously, as if she wasn't sure it was the right thing to do. Harper got her keys out of Jasper's bag and waited at the door, while Lauren parked the car. When she entered carrying a large fruit basket, Lauren paused to take in all the new furniture and the work Harper had done, in the last two days. She walked around touching things and looking at pictures while Harper got Jasper out of his harness and put it away. She fed and watered him, then started the coffee.

She realized how sweaty she was and excused herself to freshen up. Once up stairs Harper stripped down in the bathroom and hopped in the shower just long enough to wash the sweat away. She toweled off quickly and threw on a sweats.h.i.+rt and jeans. Back downstairs she found Lauren sitting at the new artist table that had taken the place of the old Wally World set. Lauren had already poured the coffee. The fruit basket sat in the middle of the table.

Lauren looked back to normal. There were no traces of the dark circles and tear streaked cheeks Harper had last seen. She was once again the picture of radiance, only her stars weren't s.h.i.+ning quite as bright. There was an air of seriousness not present before. She smiled when Harper entered the room.

"This table is gorgeous. The pictures didn't do it justice. I know you have to be pleased," she said wiping her hand across the cherry wood stain.

"I really like it. Thanks again for helping me pick it out." Harper sat down across from Lauren.

"I didn't do much. You knew what you wanted. Everything looks like it's been here all along, like it belongs. Even the old things blend in so well. You have a good eye, Harper."

Harper sipped her coffee, which Lauren had made perfectly, and looked around the room. When the silence lasted long enough to become awkward, Lauren cleared her throat. Harper s.h.i.+fted her focus to Lauren.

"Harper, I think I owe you an explanation."