Okay. And?
Someone I really care about wants me to take a few weeks out of my life and go home. I think Id rather have my show canceled.
Alana winced. That awful?
Hard to say. Ive managed to avoid finding out for the past four years and was tipsy for part of my last long weekend there. Her behavior had fuelled the fires of gossip.
While she wasnt proud that shed had too much to drink at Charitys wedding, she didnt feel she should have to apologize, either. The person with the real right to be annoyed was the bride, who had been so starry-eyed over Bill anyway, she wouldnt have noticed if Treble had set herself on fire at the rehearsal dinner. In fact, one of the underaged bridesmaids had downed four glasses of champagne at the reception and thrown up in a topiary, garnering nothing but an off-color joke and some pitying Guess she learned the hard way comments. Treble, on the other hand, had been a legally drinking adult who neither table-danced nor drove anywhere while under the influence. Couldnt a girl nurse a broken heart with a few festive libations without, the next day, her stepfather acting as though an intervention was in order? It was as if he held her to a high standard of behavior, then watched her, waiting for her to screw up.
Harrison had financed the open bar in the first place! Why was it no one minded when weathered, old farmhand Bobby Charles Picoult got buzzed on draft beer and started loudly guffawing at the same anecdotes hed been telling since Treble first moved to Joyous as a girl? Because Bobby Charles is local color. Youre an outsider. Even though Treble had moved to Joyous right before kindergarten, by the time shed left, shed felt completely out of place. She doubted anyone besides her sister had been sorry to see her go. Even poor Charity had probably been relieved at the decrease in tension at home.
A few weeks is a long time, Alana pointed out loyally. Do you have that much vacation? Whoever asked should completely understand if you say no.
Charity would understand. Its not in her to whine or hold a grudge. The thought made denying the request even more difficult somehow.
Well, Alanas right, a few weeks is a substantial chunk of time. Werent first babies often overdue? Thered been a woman at the station whod seemed pregnant for, like, a year; by the end of it, shed been miserable, the size of a house and threatening violent death to anyone stupid enough to ask, Still havent had that kid? Treble couldnt imagine sitting around her sisters house waiting for an unknown date.
I know what you mean about not wanting to go back, Alana said. I skipped my five-year reunion. I told myself it was because I was busy that weekend and most of the people I cared to keep in touch with, I already was. But that was just rationalizing. At the time, Id been interning for a company, making less than minimum wage and sharing a closet-sized apartment with three other girls, but that job was supposed to lead to a great full-time position. Until the corporation declared bankruptcy and cut their losses, me included.
Treble shot her friend a sympathetic look. Interning had been crucial to getting Trebles foot in the door at the station, and she would have been devastated if no job had materialized. She loved having her own show, loved her listeners and the relative freedom of sharing her opinion over the airwaves.
In high school, Alana continued, I was one of those socially acceptable nerds. Chubby and awkward, never with an actual date to a dance, but smart enough that I had my own niche with the other straight-A geeks. So when the reunion rolled around and I was minus a job and plus the college freshman fifteen I never lostIts frustrating how the least healthy food is usually the cheapest. I felt like a total failure.
Youre not! Corporate America has many problems, none of them a reflection on your abilities. Also, youre gorgeous.
Now, maybe. And its sickening how much I want other people to see that. Ive asked myself a dozen times why I even care what they think.
Ever come up with an answer? Trebles comparatively small graduating class held an annual reunion in conjunction with the towns July festival. Shed never once been tempted to attend.
I dont know. Alana shifted on her lounger. I think for most of us, adolescence is when we were the most insecure and vulnerable. Maybe when were around the people who knew us then, we think they can see those insecurities. Or maybe their presence brings back all our vulnerabilities the way catching an old song on the radio can lead to visceral déjà vu.
Tell me about it. When Treble had helped deejay parties in college, there were one or two songs with such negative personal connotations that she tried never to play them. Then there was music that to this day made her feel good all over. Particularly the U2 song that had been on the radio her junior year at university when Brady McCall had
Something funny? Alana asked. You sure are grinning.
Um, its nothing.
Liar.
Ask me about it next time you invite me over for peach daiquiris.
Its a date. Alana scowled. Im going to hate it when you finally find your dream home and move out of the complex.
Hey, Im looking in the metro area! Arent you spending half your time at Gregs place anyway?
More like three quarters. So I guess Im being a tad hypocritical about hating to see you leave. How is the house hunt going?
Its on hiatus until Ive saved up more. Nothing I saw was quite right anyway. Even the ones that didnt need so many repairs feltoff. During a walk-through, I told the agent its like the perfect pair of shoesoccasionally I see some that are adorable, match an outfit I have exactly, but when I slide them on, theyre not comfortable. Theyre just not me.
Maybe homes are something you have to break in, like boots?
Maybe. But when its worth the blisters, you know. No sense in my shelling out my life savings for something thats wrong. I want a place thats mine, one where I belong. Although the only place where shed truly felt that sense of belonging was at the station, her employers would frown on her sleeping in the studio, but, at least there, they liked Trouble.
Some of the people in her past would never like her, never approve of her, but avoiding them wouldnt change that. What if visiting Joyous was not only a chance to help Charity but an opportunity for Treble to return on her own terms? She wasnt expecting citizens to be thrilled to see her or her stepfather to applaud her job as a titillating radio host, but perhaps once she looked them all in the eyes and knew for sure that their opinion didnt matter, memories of the past would lose their mythical power over her. Shed be free to visit her bouncing baby niece without dreading the homecoming.
On her next birthday, Treble would be thirty. Wasnt that grown up enough to stop letting Joyous be some geographical boogeyman in her life? Maybe once shed slayed the demons of her one-time home, she could return to Atlanta and start building a home that was truly hers.
Chapter Two
Trusty, you move your chassis now, Treble instructed the car, or I swear Im renaming you! Traitorous Pile of Junk had a nice ring to it.
As warnings went, hers lacked oomph, but she didnt want to threaten dismantling in case that invited even worse vehicular karma. The air conditioner had sputtered and died before she cleared north Georgia, blowing only warm air until she gave up and rolled down the windows. Then the fuel light had come on, alarming her. She should have had a full tank of gasunless there was a leak? Not even wanting to contemplate that, shed been thrilled when the light turned off by itself. Maybe the gas had just been sloshing around as she drove through mountainous territory and temporarily confused the monitoring mechanism.
As warnings went, hers lacked oomph, but she didnt want to threaten dismantling in case that invited even worse vehicular karma. The air conditioner had sputtered and died before she cleared north Georgia, blowing only warm air until she gave up and rolled down the windows. Then the fuel light had come on, alarming her. She should have had a full tank of gasunless there was a leak? Not even wanting to contemplate that, shed been thrilled when the light turned off by itself. Maybe the gas had just been sloshing around as she drove through mountainous territory and temporarily confused the monitoring mechanism.
Most recently, the check engine light had begun flashing. Concerned, shed pulled onto a wide shoulder alongside fenced meadows to give Trusty a chance to cool down. After all, Treble rarely drove for this long at a stretch; the car might simply be overworked. Trebles sensible plan had backfired, however, now that the hatchback wouldnt start again. Turning the key only produced a grating sound that made Treble want to get out and kick something.
This is the thanks I get for assuring Charity youre roadworthy? she asked the vehicle in exasperation.
Her sister had been ecstatic when Treble called Monday afternoon to say she was making the trip to Joyous. Treble had accumulated some vacation time at the station and almost never called in sick. All shed had to do was explain to her manager that her pregnant younger sister was experiencing complications, and the father of four had been happy to help her schedule some replacement talent.
Its a nice way for up-and-comers to get experience and start building a name, hed reminded her. We can also do a week of best of clips where we replay interviews of favorite guests or phone segments. You go take care of your sisterjust dont get too down-home on us. We need you full of sass and attitude when you get back.
Dont worry, shed assured him. I am all attitude.
I cant believe youre really coming! Charity had squealed when she heard the news.
Neither can I, Treble had thought. I should be in Wednesday afternoon. Or evening. Im not what you call an early riser.
Well be watching for you. What are you driving these days?
Same car as always.
There had been a brief pause before Charity said, Maybe you should look into flights.
Ridiculous. The nearest airport to Joyous was in Chattanooga. By the time Treble drove to Hartsfieldtwo hours early to allow for security and long check-in linescaught her plane in Atlanta, deboarded in Chattanooga and met Charitys husband for the ride to Joyous, it would have been just as quick to drive straight there. Besides, while Treble had talked herself into making this journey, keeping a getaway car at her disposal was mandatory.
So much for being a reliable escape plan, she growled at her motionless hatchback. She hadnt expected a triumphant return, but she would have preferred something less embarrassing than being dragged into town limits by a tow truck.
Picking up her cell phone, she said a quick prayer that she could get a decent signal out here. She exhaled a whoosh of relief when the call to her sisters house went through.
Hello?
Hey, Charity. Its Treble. I dont suppose Bills there? Bill worked in the office of a milk plant for Breckfield Dairy Farms and Creamery, but hed been keeping sporadic hours to look after his wife. One of the perks of the CEO being your father-in-law. I have a car question for him.
He and Dad went to look at some heifers one county over, but theyll be back by dinner. Just how urgent is this question?
Treble wondered how long it would be before any other drivers came down the two-lane road. Ohfairly urgent.
I knew it! Charitys voice took on a breathless, panicked rhythm. That darn car. Its crapped out on you, hasnt it?
As much as she would have liked to assure her sister otherwise, there was no escaping the reality of the situation. Pretty much. But maybe we can save the I-told-you-sos until after weve rounded up a mechanic?
Well, that would be Ronnie over at Carter and Sons, but Carter closes for a late lunch every day from two to three. How far away are you? Charity listened, did some mental calculations, then decided, I could have Doc Caldwell come get you. Ronnie can go back with the tow truck later, but theres no sense in you just waiting on the side of the road.
Who is Doc Caldwell, and what makes you think hes available smack-dab in the middle of the day on Wednesday?
A friend and sometimes fishing buddy of Dads. Hes Doc Monaghans replacement, moved to town right after Bill and I found out I was pregnant.
Doc Monaghan had been the general practitioner in Joyous whod told Trebles mom that she was pregnant with Charity and later diagnosed Trebles tonsillitis. He had to have been nearing seventy by the time Charity got married, so it was about time the town brought in someone else. Hopefully this Doc Caldwell still had a few good years left in him before retirement.
As far as his schedule, Charity continued, he told Bill he didnt have many appointments and could check in on me. I keep promising these men I wont do anything more strenuous than get up to pee, but apparently they dont believe me. Id just as soon sic the doctor on you as have company show up when Id rather be napping. Afternoons hit me hardest.
Treble laughed. If asking him to come get me will gain you a little peace, I suppose you should do it.
Ten minutes later, Charity called back to say the man was on his way.
Sorry I didnt have any distinctive landmarks to give him, Treble said, looking around at a whole lot of nothing. Wildflowers dotted the roadside, and bales of hay had been spaced across the meadow for unseen cows. Some people might find the pastoral scene beneath the blue sky and cotton-ball clouds soothing, but the charm had worn off, leaving Treble antsy for air-conditioning and antihistamine.
Dont worry, Charity said. He knows that if he sees Peggys Pancake House hes gone too far. How many brunettes stranded inside old hatchbacks do you think hes going to pass between here and there?
Good point. So Treble settled into her car, which she was thinking of having compressed into a doorstop, and waited. She considered turning on the radio to help kill time, but taxing the battery was probably a bad idea.
To keep from screaming in boredom or thinking much about the inevitable moment she saw her stepfather tonight, she pulled out her omnipresent Sudoku book, but she couldnt concentrate. Instead, she grabbed a small manicure kit from her duffel bag. Her fingernails were looking ragged and could use some attention.
Shed finished applying a second coat of metallic blue polish when a pickup truck rounded a bend up ahead and came toward her in the opposite lane. The scuffed white Chevy veered onto the grassy shoulder across the road and parked. From her position, Treble could tell it was a man driving, but between distance, dusty windows and the billed cap he wore, any other details were obscured.
Wondering if this was her stepfathers buddy or just a random soul stopping to offer assistance, Treble watched with unabashed curiosity. The truck door opened and a pair of long, denim-encased legs unfolded. In addition to the jeans, the stranger wore a green polo shirt, the short sleeves loosely molding nice shoulders and revealing equally nice forearms. She climbed out of her car, experiencing a tingle of prurient appreciation over the mans chiseled profile as he looked both ways for nonexistent traffic. The cautious habit made her grin, and she was still smiling as he reached her. As he got closer, she realized he was taller than her five foot ten by at least three inches.