IT WAS A COLD DAY IN OCTOBER

 By Atonia Walpole

Chapter 6:

Bee woke in John’s arms, his hair falling over his face and his lips slightly parted. This is why she was here, wherever 'here' was. She watched him sleeping for a moment until she had to touch him. His eyes came open slowly and a smile spread across his face. “G’morning” he said and pulled her beneath him.

Breakfast was served by Leatha, a local woman who came every day to see to John Sr.’s needs. She wore jeans and a denim shirt, her hair in a long gray braid. Her weather-beaten truck was parked out back. This morning was a treat, having all the boys there and she served up a nice meal. She kept smiling at Bee, glad to see one of them at least had a woman. Bee offered to help clean up and was pooh poohed out of the kitchen. She wandered outside to have a look around. Today she had decided she was going to get some answers from John. She had been on the run with him half way around the world and wanted to know if it would ever end. The little tidbits of information he had imparted only served to fuel her imagination. She wanted to know who he was and what he was. She wanted to know what kind of life she had to look forward to. If it was to be one spent on the road living out of a duffle bag that was okay. She just wanted to know so she didn’t start thinking about white picket fences and flower gardens.

John and his father had spent the morning together discussing his situation. His father had become extremely angry at the way he had been treated by so-called allies. He knew people with the FBI and he would be making some god damn phone calls. As for the micro-chip, he wasn’t worried about that right now. Once they got everything sorted out it would be neutralized. The people who'd had him in Europe better watch their manners. He had Daniel on the phone and after a rather loud and profane conversation, hung up. He ranted and raved for some time, banging his wheel chair around the room. Curt and Foley, who had been privy to all this, exchanged a look. This was territory they knew they weren’t supposed to be in but they would keep their mouths shut. They got up to leave but John Sr. stopped them. They might as well listen to the rest as it might come in handy should they find themselves someday on foreign soil.

Bee was on the front porch when John found her later in the day. He apologized for leaving her on her own all day. It was his father, he explained. Bee said she wanted to talk with him and he settled down beside her on the bench. “John, how long are we going to be here, how long before they find us?”

“We’ll be here until Daniel gets things sorted. We’re safe here, I hope. If anybody tried to firebomb this place or anything several places would go up in flames around the world. Let’s just say it’s an unspoken truth.”

“John, I need to know. I need to know when this will end, how are we to live and where? What are you and who are you? I’m sorry but I have to have something to think about. It doesn’t matter, any of it, I just want to know what tomorrow is.”

John was quiet for a while and when he turned to her the look was opaque. “I haven’t told you a lot of things, Bee, for your own protection. The less you know the better should we be separated or something happen to me. I can’t tell you what tomorrow is, luv, because I don’t know myself. When this thing is over, and I do believe it will be over one day, I’ll tell you more. I never wanted to bring you into my world, Bee. I didn’t count on falling in love with you. I’ll do anything to keep you safe, just know that. Now as for who I am, you already know that, what I am is a different matter. I’m sorry, luv.” He reached out and held her to him.

Bee looked up into his eyes. “Do I need to keep my duffle bag packed?”

John smiled and said, "Yeah."

“A rather touching scene out here,” remarked John Sr. in the doorway. “Come away, Bee. I’d like to talk with you a minute if that’s okay with John.” John smiled and stepped off the porch. Bee followed John Sr. back inside.

“Have a seat, Bee. I heard most of what was said outside. Hope you don’t mind. My, but you are a pretty Sheila. I know you aren’t married or anything but I also know being with, or married to a man like John Jr. it's going to be hard. I know because I was once a man like him. There will be secrets ,there will be unexplained absences. That’s just how it is. He won’t be coming home at the end of his day telling you all about it. Now…now this running around living out of a suitcase will end for you. He’ll put you up somewhere, maybe even in Sydney. He has an apartment there. You’ll go out to dinner, to the theatre, take a holiday, whatever the two of you want...when he’s home. When he packs a bag you can’t ask him where he’s going or how long he will be away. Hah, sometimes he won’t even know that! He’ll get in touch with you however and whenever he can. I just wanted you to know this because I heard you have questions that he can’t answer.” He sat back in his wheelchair and lit a cigar. “I’m depending on my worthless shit of a brother to get this mess cleaned up as soon as possible.”

“I think you’ve answered a lot of things for me, Mr. Smith. We’ve had a wild time.”

“Hah, I expect you have, luv. Tell me about the FBI coming to see you.” He puffed away on his cigar.

Bee told him about Jim Beason and the way John was brought to her house and the check. John Sr. smiled broadly when she told him about the money. He wanted to know what happened to the money and she told him that’s what financed their flight and brought them to Australia. He smiled broadly again. He told her he thought she had a lot of guts to take off like she did with John and he was glad she was here. Bee told him about John staying with her and how much she had grown to love him. He smiled with a twinkle in his eye. He told her he didn’t need to hear all that.

John had been out walking around the house and looking out for his cousins. They drove off earlier and hadn’t returned. He was beginning to get concerned; dinner had come and gone. He finally decided to mention it to his father and found him in his back room where he had several computers and a lot of high tech equipment. John Sr. looked up. “There’s been some trouble but they’re on their way.”

Indeed, there had been trouble. Curt and Foley had driven over to a crossroads, visiting a local pub. When they got in their vehicle to leave, shots had been fired. A silencer was used and no one inside knew what was going on outside. Foley had been shot in the hand and Curt had barely missed a bullet that lodged in the seat cushion. Curt took off after the assailant on foot and after much thrashing about the assailant ended up with a bullet in his head. Curt threw him in the back of the Rover and took Foley to get his hand attended to.

John Sr. had just gotten off the phone with Daniel when they returned, Foley with a bandaged left hand and Curt with a bandage above his eye and some bruising on his cheek. “Where is the fucker?” John Sr. wanted to know.

“In the back of the Rover,” answered Curt.

John ran out the door and opened the back of the Rover. He didn’t recognize the gunman. Foley brought a camera out to take a picture to send to Daniel. “Here give me that,” said John. “How’s your hand?”

“Feels like it’s been shot to hell. Have you ever seen this guy?” he asked.

“No, does Curt know him? He’s not local. You and Curt are not to leave this place again, understood?” John looked out over the horizon. They’re here, he thought.

Bee went to the bedroom and packed her duffle bag. She didn’t know what was going to happen tonight but she would be ready. She threw John’s things in his bag and set them by the bed. Then she went to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee. The men were still back in John’s room talking, rather loudly it seemed. Foley came in the kitchen looking for something for pain. Bee checked all the cupboards until she found some of John Sr.’s pain pills. Foley took two and grinned at Bee’s raised eyebrows.

“That will put you out, Foley,” she commented.

“Ah, that’s what I’m hoping for,” he winced.

The helicopter landed in the front yard several hours later. John and Curt were on the porch when Daniel stepped down, accompanied by two other men. John opened the back of the Rover and Daniel had a look at the dead man. He stood silently for a moment then told his men to load him up. He followed John and Curt back inside, had a look at Curt’s face and at his younger son asleep on the sofa. Daniel looked as though he might explode.

Bee watched him from her perch on the arm of John’s chair. Daniel was a large man, both in height and girth. His hair was white and curled around his forehead; he was clean-shaven and wore glasses. There was an energy suppressed in Daniel and right now it was rage. He walked back to John Sr.’s room to talk with him.

Curt glanced at John and said, “Tit for tat, I should think.” John nodded in agreement.

After another profane conversation the two men emerged from John Sr.’s room. John Sr. wheeled over to his table and lit a cigar, peering over his glasses at his younger brother who now had the floor.

“This, of course, is unacceptable,” he began. “John, I want you and Curt to come back with me. I’d take Foley but…well, he’s out of it. So I’m leaving him here with John and Bee. I’m sorry, Bee, this is how it’s going to be. You should be safe here. Just don’t leave. I expect by sometime tomorrow we’ll all be safe...or else we’ll have World War III. John will be back soon, so don’t worry. He turned to his brother, "Foley will be armed.”

“I should God damn hope so,” John Sr. growled. “Won’t do him much good tonight, will it?”

“You want another man, John? I can leave one behind but the other one is the pilot.”

John Sr. examined his cigar. “No, I’d hate for you to have to fly that thing yourself should the pilot take ill.”

“Right then, get your things! We’re gone.” Daniel turned and walked out the door. Bee brought John’s bag out to him and he took her in his arms and kissed her goodbye. She watched him leave, biting her lip.

“Don’t worry, Bee. John will be fine. What’s wrong with Foley?” asked John Sr.

Bee turned from the door and looked at Foley. “I’m afraid I gave him one of your pain pills and he helped himself to another.”

John Sr. laughed, “He’ll sleep good tonight. Find him a blanket. And, Bee, I hope you can cook. I’ve cancelled Leatha for awhile.”

Chapter 7:

Bee had a restless night. She kept going over the evening, what could happen, what had happened. She was afraid for all of them. She fought the tears as long as she could then gave in to them. The next morning she awoke to birdsong. The tree outside the bedroom was full of some kind of birds making a lot of noise. She found John Sr. in the kitchen making a pot of tea and joined him with a cup. Bee liked John Sr. He made her feel at ease. Foley joined them a little later, still feeling groggy. Bee suggested he have a cup of coffee and made it for him. Watching them as she sipped her tea, she was amazed at the family resemblance of all the Smith men. John asked Foley if he knew how to shoot a gun and Foley just gave him a look. John told him there was a stash in his bedroom Daniel had left for him. John knew Foley was a marksman. He just liked to tease him.

“How’s your hand this morning?” asked Bee.

“It’s sore, hurts when I move it, “replied Foley. John Sr. told him not to move it.

Bee prepared breakfast and wondered what she would do here without John. She wandered around and found some books to read. Foley and John Sr. spent the morning in John’s back room. I should tell you here that John Sr.’s property was wired; anyone entering or leaving was monitored. You’d expect that, wouldn’t you, from a former intelligence officer? He spent a lot of time in his room counting kangaroos but this morning he was watching something else. He sent a message to Daniel. The reply came back immediately. Foley had seen it and left the room. He sent Bee back with John Sr., picked a high powered rifle and quietly left the house.

Bee sat down in Foley’s chair, her eyes widened in fright. John Sr. reached over and took her hand and indicated she could watch if she wanted to. She shook her head no and he squeezed her hand. John Sr. watched as Foley made his way through the brush and trees and sighted his gun. Four rapid shots were heard in the distance then Foley turned and walked back to the house.

“Damn, the boy is good,” John Sr. commented under his breath. He sent a message to Daniel. Bee made a sound and John Sr. looked over at her. “Foley’s okay. Come on now, just another day out here in the bush.”

“He’s not going anywhere shot in both knees and arms. He’s alive unless he bleeds to death. Either way he’s down and I’m not dragging his carcass to the house. For all I know he’s loaded,” a breathless Foley gasped.

“You did the right thing, Foley. Daniel’s got people on the way. Now let’s see if he’s got friends. John turned back to the screen. Uh oh! You see him Foley? What the hell? GET DOWN!!!!!” John Sr. turned his wheel chair over and Foley pulled Bee to the floor. The rocket hit the garage behind the house. John grabbed his phone and called Daniel. “They’re coming after us with fucking rockets now! Just blew up my God damned garage! Foley? Fuck no! We’re a little outnumbered here. Well, do it now!” John Sr. was breathing hard, looking at Foley who had sat up. “Don’t you even think about it,” he growled. “Get me up.”

Foley righted his chair and John Sr. was typing away. “You look after Bee, Foley, he ordered over his shoulder. Foley sat against the wall holding Bee in his arms. She was shaking and crying. Another blast took the barn. “I reckon the house is next,” John Sr. growled. But it was not to be, the next blast came from overhead and took the field and the following one took the trees. The sound of helicopters overhead was welcomed. John Sr. turned around, “I guess this little war is over.” It was over for now; two different homes in two different countries went up in flames, the condition of the occupants unknown.

Foley helped Bee to the living room sofa. He was still holding her, trying to get her to calm down. John Sr. wheeled himself into the room. “Alright, Bee, it’s all over now. Foley, get her a drink! Hell, I’ll do it!” He wheeled over to the table where he kept his liquor, poured her a glass and handed it to Foley. She took a sip and kept it down. Foley told her to drink the whole thing and she did. John Sr. wheeled himself to the porch and waited for his profanely described brother, still holding the liquor bottle, which he turned up.

Bee held her glass out for more. Foley grinned and opened another bottle. She was coming around. He filled her glass, touched the bottle to it and drank from the bottle. It had been quite a morning.

When the helicopter arrived carrying Daniel and John, John Sr. was primed and ready. He told John Bee was inside and his son rushed into the living room. He stopped and laughed when he saw her. Bee and Foley were sitting on the floor in front of the sofa, singing songs to each other, an empty liquor bottle between them.

After a rousing welcome for Daniel, the two brothers sorted themselves out and came inside. Daniel fixed himself a drink, sat down and tilted his head. “Foley?”

“Now lay off Foley, Daniel. He’s worked his hours today,” John Sr. said as he lit a cigar. “Bee, are you alright now?” he asked with a twinkle.

Bee had the giggles. “I must be. John’s here.” John had her leaning against his chest.

“If we can get her sobered up today, I’d like to take her back, take her back to Sydney,” John stated.

“There’s no reason not to, John,” Daniel agreed. “Take her to a hotel tonight. We’ll get some people over there to clean your apartment. It’s been sitting empty and I’m sure it needs a look over before you move back in.” He wasn’t just talking about dust. Although he had cleared up John’s little problem, there was still the unknown. He didn’t think this would be the last of it. John still knew what he knew.

Curt came in after making sure the fires were out and the operation was winding down. “What the hell is going on in here?” He was staring at the three on the floor.

John Sr. told him to fix himself a drink if there was anything left and join them. Curt made his drink and sat on the sofa with his feet propped on the arm, there being no room on the floor. Daniel and John Sr. discussed the operation and his new garage and barn that would be forthcoming. John finally lifted Bee and walked her to the kitchen. He made her a cup of coffee and sat across from her while she drank it. He was so thankful she was okay. When the message came from his father about the intruder, he was frantic to get back. When the rocket hit the garage, he lost it and Daniel took him by the arm and called the helicopter. Daniel talked to him during the flight, keeping him informed as to what was going on and trying to help him keep it together. Daniel had made a mistake in leaving Bee at the house. It bothered him greatly.

Daniel’s problem now was to get his sons and John and Bee back to Sydney tonight. Foley needed attention.His bandage had come loose and was bloody and he was drunk. Curt got him up and into the kitchen. He began opening drawers, looking for something to bandage Foley’s hand. John Jr. told him where to look and he brought out the first aid kit. Bee, now in possession of some of her senses, offered to clean it up. Foley had a big grin on his face while she bandaged his hand. Curt made him drink a cup of coffee. Daniel announced they had twenty minutes before they were leaving.

Bee slept off and on during the flight back to Sydney. John sat with Daniel and they quietly talked. Curt and Foley were in the back, Foley sleeping and Curt contemplating his future, something Daniel had said to him earlier in the day about assignments. He wasn’t sure he wanted it. Looking at the back of John’s head in front of him, he knew he never wanted to be in John’s shoes. Except for Bee. His eyes wandered over to the tousled blonde head asleep in the uncomfortable seat beside him. He would do it for Bee…

As Bee slept most of the morning away John had received a disturbing phone call from Daniel. His apartment had been rigged to explode. He was standing looking out the big window at the cityscape below him. Daniel said he didn’t think this was done recently, most likely when he had left Australia. Still it would mean John and Bee would need to be relocated once again. Daniel was making arrangements and would contact him later in the day. They were to be ready to move when he called. John turned to the bed and decided to wake Bee to let her know. John was becoming weary of this constant flight and could only imagine Bee’s state of mind. Next door Curt and Foley had also received a phone call from Daniel. They were awaiting a runner who had been sent to their apartment to pack their clothes and close it out.

It had been a long flight. John reached across Bee and opened the shade a bit. Land was coming into view. He sat back in the seat and took Bee’s hand. She had been sleeping a lot lately, the stress of living with him he figured. Daniel with the help of John Sr. had secured a safe haven. The host country was aware of their presence and an agreement had been reached for their occupancy. They were to be left alone. They had new identities once again and these I cannot reveal to you.

The leased SUV pulled into the driveway and the occupants stepped down on to the lawn of their new home. It was a large two story house tucked away on a bluff overlooking the ocean. Bee ran out to the edge of the bluff, taking in the view. It was breathtaking. She pulled her jacket close around her body. A cold wind was blowing in from the ocean. John came up behind her and put his arms around her waist, hugging her to him. Behind them Curt and Foley unloaded the luggage and walked up the steps. They had the door opened and ventured inside.

Bee explored their new home, claiming the largest bedroom for her and John. There were five bedrooms, four up and one down. Curt claimed the one downstairs. A large living room and dining area dominated the first floor. Bee found the kitchen to be fully stocked with food and made a pot of coffee. Foley brought his medical kit in for Bee to change the bandage. His hand was healing thanks to Bee’s attention. Her training had come in handy. John came in and said he was going out to look around the property. Foley asked him to wait a minute and he’d come with him. Bee, finishing up the taping of his hand, noticed the bulge under his vest. She met his eyes but said nothing. Foley patted her shoulder as he rose to join John.

Curt wandered into the kitchen and sat down at the breakfast table. He lit a cigarette, looking around for something to use as an ashtray. Bee handed him a saucer and asked if he’d like some coffee then brought two cups to the table.

“You’re looking a little pale, Bee, are you feeling alright?” observed Curt.

“Sure, I’m just tired, I guess.” She met his eyes and turned away. “I’m about ready to settle down for awhile. I lose track of days, it seems.” She sipped her coffee. “A lot has happened in a short period of time,” she smiled at him, “but I’m okay.”

“Yeah, you’ll be fine, Bee.There should be plenty of time for you to rest up here. Things should settle down now.” He looked down into his coffee cup. “If you need anything or need to go anywhere, let me know.”

Bee sat back in her chair looking across at Curt. “Are you my body guard, Curt? Is that the way we’re going to live now? Foley goes with John and you go with me?”

“I’m at your disposal, Bee. I’ll try not to get in your way but, yeah, that’s how we have to live.” He smiled at Bee. “I think I got the better end of the deal.”

Bee ran her hands through her hair and rose from the table. If that’s the way they had to live in order to live, then she would just have to get used to it but she valued her privacy with John. “I should see about a meal, I guess. Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m always hungry,” laughed Curt.

Chapter 8:

It had been a little over a week since they first arrived at their new home. The weather had turned dark and stormy with a little respite in the mornings. John and Bee took long walks, enjoying the scenery and the freedom to be out. They were accompanied by Curt and Foley, but they kept a discreet distance. They spent their evenings playing cards or board games that someone had stacked on the shelves and kept up with the news on TV, reading the papers that started arriving a few days after they settled in.

One day they decided to venture into the small town a few miles inland. John and Foley spotted a tavern and Bee said she had a little shopping to do. Curt accompanied her across the street into the drugstore. As he followed her down the aisle, she turned to him. “Do you mind?” she said with a cocked eyebrow. Curt looked around the shelves and excused himself from the feminine products department. He wandered back to the magazines but kept a sharp eye on her.

They met for lunch at a café and spent the afternoon walking around the town and out to the headlands. Bee loved watching the waves crash against the rocks and seeing the different colors of plant life clinging to the tops. John held her hand as they walked back to their vehicle. Warmer clothing would have to be purchased for all of them, he thought, as Bee pulled the hood up on her fleece pullover.

A special courier had left a package for them when they returned. Curt picked it up and struggled in the door. There were no worries about this package exploding. It was a computer sent by Daniel. Inside the box were cell phones and a couple of MP3 players. Foley was especially happy to receive one of those. He stuck the ear phone in his ear, turned it on and frowned. Daniel had loaded some music on it for him. John and Curt spent the evening hooking up the computer and playing with their new toys.

Bee received a phone and wondered who in the world she would call. That question was answered later when she received a call from John Sr. He asked if she had everything she needed and if she was alright. Bee thought he was very thoughtful and sweet. He told her to save his number should she ever want to call him.

John noticed Bee had been gone for sometime. He wandered upstairs to make sure she was alright and found her crying in the bathroom. He went down on his knees, taking her hands. “Bee, what is it, darling?”

Bee looked him in the eyes. “John, I’m pregnant.” A new rush of tears ran down her face.

“Dear God in heaven!” John gasped and held her to his chest. “That’s okay, Bee. It’s okay.”

“No, John, it’s not okay! I know it isn’t, not now, not like this. Oh God, what are we going to do?”

John sat back on his heels and wiped her tears with his thumbs. “We’re going to have a baby, that’s what we’re going to do, Bee. The timing might be off, but that wasn’t our doing. The pill just failed.”

“What pill? Did you ever ask me if I was on the pill? No, you didn’t. If you’ll remember I was a virgin the first time we made love. I didn’t need to be on the pill, did I?” Bee was beginning to get angry with herself and with John. “I just didn’t think about it at the time. I could have gotten them from the pharmacy. Everything has just been a disaster.” She began crying again.

“It’s not your fault, Bee. It’s mine. I’m sorry. I’ve been selfish with you. I never should have brought you into my world. The disaster is mine.”

“Oh, now you’re saying you wish I wasn’t here? You would have just left me in the Town and gone without me?”

“No, I’m saying I love you, Bee. I’m sorry for what you’ve been through for me, and I’m not sorry you’re here, luv. I want you with me. We’ll make it, you and I and the little one. I’ll make sure of that.” He pulled her to him and held her, his eyes making tears of their own. “Now do we want to make an announcement downstairs?”

“No, I just want to lie on the bed and feel sorry for myself for a while. Do you mind?”

John stayed with her for awhile but feeling she really did not want him there, he went back downstairs and walked outside. Foley followed him out onto the porch.

“Is everything alright, John?”

“No, Foley, it isn’t but there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. Bee’s pregnant.”

Foley sat back in his chair. “Crikey!”

The full realization of what Bee had told him was beginning to dawn. It was bad enough he had exposed Bee to the dangers of his world, now a child? His child…he didn’t think he was fit to be a father. Knowing what he was how could he hold a child with the same hands that…he held his head in his hands. He thought of his father, how he had loved him as a child and missed him when he was away. He’d been a good father and a good husband. He was totally devoted to him when he was home, interested in his school, his games, his life. He didn’t find out about his father until he joined the military. It had come as a shock and he had recoiled from him. Curt and Foley had been as close to him as brothers growing up together in the same neighborhood.

When John told them about his father, they already knew. They had known about Daniel for a long time but it was never discussed. He had felt cheated, like his father was a sham and everything was a lie. His father had set him down and explained a few things to him in the calm and reassuring way he had. It took a while but he had come to terms with his father and understood him. Now he was facing the same thing his father had, but his father hadn’t been on the run.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” John whispered.

“Bee’s a beautiful woman, John. She’s strong when it counts. I would hope you’d match her strength. I don’t think it will change things much.”

“You ever had a baby? Well, then shut the fuck up.” John had doubts about matching Bee’s strength just now.

Curt, hearing John’s raised voice walked out on the porch and wanted to know what was going on. Foley told him Bee was pregnant. He watched Curt’s face as he told him, watching the emotions come and go.

“Why did you go and do that, John?” he asked softly. “Why the fuck didn’t you consider your situation?”

“Because I’m fucking stupid, okay! I love the woman. It just never occurred to me we would be making a baby. I can’t put them in danger, Curt. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to them.”

“You don’t have to worry about them, John.” Curt turned and walked back inside.He needed a drink.

Bee woke cuddled next to John. He had been tender and loving with her last night. Pregnancy was not something either of them welcomed at the moment but it was a fact. Bee had faced that and was ready. She brushed the hair from his eyes, hoping it would look like John. She would, of course, have to find an obstetrician, create a nursery. She smiled…a baby.

I will tell you about Curt, who is now awake downstairs staring at the ceiling, letting the painful memories wash over him. Curt was married and in the second year of their marriage his wife became pregnant. He had been overjoyed, helping to pick out colors for the nursery, watching his wife’s belly grow with their child. John’s mother had come over one day to take her shopping for baby clothes. They never knew what hit them. The lorry rolled over John’s mother’s car and exploded. Curt had been devastated and wandered about for some time until Daniel had taken him in hand and put him to work. It had been six years, but the memories would last a lifetime.

Curt ran his hand over his face then got up and into the shower. He thought he might cook breakfast this morning. He needed something to do.

Foley, showered and dressed, came into the kitchen and helped himself to coffee. He had been thinking about Curt and Curt’s assignment. “Curt, do you want to switch? I mean you take John. I’d be happy to look after Bee.”

“Thanks but I’m okay with it, really I am. Hey, at least I know what to expect for the next few months. John’s an ass. You know that.”

“I don’t know about that. He’s just been knocked off his feet. He’ll right himself shortly. Our John’s alright. Bloody hell, what’s that smell?”

Curt was making scrambled eggs in the pan and out.

While it had taken John by surprise, he seemed to have come to terms with the baby. Bee had located a doctor and went for a visit. She felt rather awkward in the waiting room with three men escorting her in. Bee was already two months pregnant and doing well. She had located a place online where she could order some maternity clothes and warmer wear for the rest of her ‘family’ as she had begun to think of them. Morning sickness came and went. She bought some books on childbirth and pregnancy, spent her days walking and reading. She loved to cook but had given up on breakfast. The smell would send her running to the bathroom so Curt had become the breakfast cook. She and John would stretch out on the sofa and read the papers to each other. They went through the baby names book trying out names. She was happy and not prepared for John’s news on that rainy Monday morning.

John had an email from Daniel to call and took his phone out on the porch. When he came in the dark clouds followed him. He paced around for awhile then went to find Curt loading the dishwasher. He told him about the call and Curt patted him on the shoulder. He then went upstairs to tell Bee he had a job to do. She began to cry and cling to him then the words John Sr. had said to her surfaced and she backed away.

This is how it was so she dried her tears. John spent every moment he could with her for the next 24 hours then he packed his bag. They drove to a small airstrip where a plane waited. Bee and John kissed and held each other for as long as they could before he and Foley boarded. Curt took Bee’s arm and guided her back to the vehicle.

“Bee, are you okay now?” asked Curt

Bee turned to him, bit her lip and nodded her head. No, she wasn’t okay but it didn’t matter, did it? She sat back in the seat and watched the rain drizzle down the window. She was quiet on the way back to the house and ran up the steps to her bedroom and shut the door. Only then did she give way to the tears she had held back for the last 24 hours. She slept for a while after that and did not know Curt had quietly opened her door and stood by the bed for a minute to make sure she was just sleeping.

Later, after getting herself up and washing her face, she came down into the kitchen. Curt was on the sofa reading and listening to music Foley had downloaded on the computer. Bee started pulling out beef and vegetables for a stew. She had the meat browning and was chopping an onion when Curt came to the doorway. “I hope those are onion tears,” he smiled.

Bee looked up from the chopping block. “Yeah, they are. The bed upstairs is awash but I’ve gotten past that now. Do you like beef stew?”

“I do. You’re a good cook, Bee.” He walked over and looked out the back door. “Be nice to see a bit of sunshine once in awhile.”

“Do you miss your home, Curt?”

“I wouldn’t really call sharing a flat with Foley home, but Australia, yeah, I miss it. I’d like to get down the bluff here and see the beach. There’s a little strip of sand down there. Maybe when the weather clears.”

Bee looked over at him standing in the doorway looking out. He looked so much like John it gave her a little shiver. “I’d like to see it if I can climb down.”

He turned and smiled, “Well then, we’ll get you down, won’t we?”

Chapter 9:

Fog had claimed the house on the bluff for three days. It was an eerie sight as though they were suspended in a cloud. Daniel had sent some work for Curt and he was busy on the computer. Bee found a movie channel and watched movie after movie. It kept her mind off John. There had been no word from him and Curt told her not to expect anything for a while. She baked cookies, read through all the books on the shelves and walked the floor. Curt finally took her to town where they found a book store and bought a stack. Bee bought a journal to write the things she had no one to talk to about. Weeks passed by and still no word came from John. Then finally the mail man left her a postcard with an Australian post mark. The handwritten message was brief, saying only that he was well and missed her, love J.

“Curt, he’s in Australia, look!” She handed Curt the postcard.

“No, luv, it’s only been forwarded.” Curt watched her eyes change and felt for her. “He won’t send anything direct. He can’t. Everything goes through Daniel. Sorry.”

“Curt, do you know where he is? Why won’t you tell me? It’s not like there is anybody else to tell, is there?”

“I don’t know where he is, Bee, and I don’t want to know. Neither do you. He’s on a business trip, that’s all. Just think of it that way.” He watched her turn, walk over to the sofa and sit down, starring into the fire he had built for her that morning. Curt got up and put another log on the fire then came and sat beside her. “I know it’s hard for you, especially now. It’s a shame he had to go to work so soon. I thought maybe Daniel would have given him a holiday.”

Bee had been trying to work some things out in her mind. “Curt, why do you call your father Daniel?”

“I started calling him that when I went to work for him. Sounded funny calling Dad down the hall.”

“Do you do the same kind of work John does?”

“I could never be John, and don’t ask me anything else, Bee, okay?

“Does Foley, is he John?”

“Now I told you not to ask me anything else, didn’t I?” he reached over and tousled her hair.” Find me a book to read, I’ll read to you, okay?” Bee looked up at him and pursed her lips. She found a book and handed it to him. “Poetry? You want me to read poetry?” She nodded and smiled.

Curt was in unfamiliar territory. “Does it matter where I start? I can’t read this…Bee, okay you asked for it.”

Bee lay back on the sofa and closed her eyes. Once Curt got the rhythm he did quite well. She liked listening to his voice, deep and smoky. She began to drift and finally went to sleep. Curt stopped after a bit and watched her sleep, some of the words still in his mind. He ran his hand through his hair and quietly raised himself from the sofa, taking the quilted throw and covering her. Willing his mind not to think, he only hoped John would come home soon. He had become quite good at willing himself not to think after his wife and unborn child were killed. He picked up the half-worked crossword puzzle on the coffee table and walked into the kitchen.

The weather was beginning to change. The air was a little warmer but the fog was thicker. Bee had enough of the fog and asked if they couldn’t go somewhere away from the fog for awhile. Curt got the okay from Daniel and they packed bags and left. John had been gone now for six weeks. An entry in her journal told of her state of mind:

J. has been gone for six weeks. I’ve stopped counting the days now. I can’t remember the feel of him next to me any longer. The baby moved today, a fluttering to let me know he’s there. J. should be here for this. I’m sorry for feeling this way. I know I should accept things as they are, as they have to be, but I struggle against a mounting anger. I need him so.

Curt drove south until they found the sun and checked them into a hotel suite near the beach. It was a nice suite, two bedrooms and a living area with kitchenette. Bee walked out on the balcony to look at the ocean. It didn’t look quite so angry here and there were beaches. Curt joined her on the balcony. “Nice to see a bit of water under the sun.”

“Yes it is…I feel better already. Let’s go walk on the beach.”

They walked down the block to the sea.Once across the dunes Curt took her hand. It just seemed a natural thing to do and neither of them thought anything of it. He steadied her when she faltered walking through the deep sand. Once she fell up against him and felt the hard bulge under his jacket. She stopped and looked up at him. “Do you always carry that thing?”

“Yeah, I do, Bee. Don’t think about i,t okay?”

“But why, Curt? It’s only me, nobody even knows me.”

“You’d be surprised what people know…you’re John’s woman.” The last came out very quietly.

Bee turned her face toward the ocean, unwanted tears springing to her eyes. It made her angry that someone would wish her harm because she was ‘John’s woman’. She was Bee Canton from the Town. Curt turned her around and saw her wet eyes. “Hey, I thought you were feeling better in the sun. Come, let’s walk.” He took her hand and led her down to the water’s edge.

Bee took off her shoes, put her feet in the cold water and watched the sand disappearing from beneath her toes as the water washed in and out.

Curt took her out to dinner and to a club where they listened to live music. He had a couple of drinks and she had a glass of wine. She had laughed with Curt and danced with him. She couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed out loud. Bee told Curt this and he gave her a long and strange look. It embarrassed her then he smiled and told her she had a lovely laugh. It was a nice evening and they walked back to the hotel. When they reached the door to their room Bee told him she felt like she had been out on a date.

Curt opened the door and locked it behind him. “Well then, you should give me a kiss goodnight.” Bee moved to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. His arms went around her and he found her mouth. It was a deep and hungry kiss that followed and left Bee breathless. Her arms went around his neck and he held her closely. The baby kicked him and he backed away and smiled. “He didn’t like that, little bugger.”

“No, he didn’t,” said Bee as she met his eyes. John’s baby didn’t like that at all. “But I did, Curt, and that scares me. This can’t happen, it can’t.” She turned and went to her bedroom shutting the door. She was trembling and sat down on the bed. She had to get herself together. No, this cannot happen. She wouldn’t let it. She loved John. She wanted him, she needed him, he wasn’t there. She fell across the bed and began to cry. Her door opened and she grabbed a pillow, burying her face in it.

“I’m sorry, luv. I know I shouldn’t have done that. Throw something at me.” She threw the pillow at him and sat up. “You want some cocoa? I found some in the kitchen.”

She nodded her head, afraid to speak. He had a way of diffusing a situation that reminded her of John Sr. She slid off the bed and followed him into the little kitchen.

They sat on the sofa sipping their cocoa and talked and laughed about the band they heard and the people in the club. Nothing else was said about the kissing and they went to their separate bedrooms to sleep. They spent a week in the seaside town, walking the beach, checking out the shops, eating out and dancing in the clubs. Curt did not kiss her again. They left on a breezy morning for the long drive north.

I’ve just spent the most wonderful week at the beach. I cannot say more not even to myself. I have an appointment with the doctor in the morning, C. will take me. There was no mail. The fog has lifted here but the rain has begun. I’m going to make C. a shepherd's pie today.He will show me how.

Two more weeks went by until Curt got a phone call from Daniel. John and Foley were on their way home. He sat back in his chair, running his hand through his hair. He was glad they were coming. He needed them there. He rose to go and tell Bee the good news. She ran and threw her arms around him so he eased her away and smiled down at her. “I thought you’d like to hear that.”

ON TO PART 10

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