Heart of Gold (6 page)

She sighed heavily, “Yeah. I'm on with Zoey and Devon.”

“Then there you go.”

Crystal looked over at Mal, who'd been watching silently, but seeing no support there, she offered a departing nod and slowly climbed the stairs.

Bernadine met Mal's eyes. “Was I supposed to lie to her about my feelings?”

“No. The truth's always the way to go.” He walked over and gave her another strong hug. “You go on upstairs, too. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks for being you.”

“Told you when we met we'd be a good pair.”

“Yes, you did, and you were right.”

“Love you, girl.”

She leaned up and gave him a kiss. “Love you too.” After walking him out to his truck, she came back inside, turned out the lights in her rearranged front room, and climbed the stairs.

When the hired driver pulled the car up to the Garland home, it was almost two
A
.
M
. Roni saw lights shining from behind the drapes in the living room windows and from the bedroom window upstairs. She hoped that meant Reg was up and waiting to welcome her home. The driver helped her bring in the luggage and, after receiving his tip, drove off.

The interior of the house was hushed. Even though she was anxious to see Reg, the urge to see her daughter was stronger. By the soft glow of the race car night-lights that had recently replaced the ones featuring Barbie, Roni stood beside the open door and watched her daughter sleep. It was good to see her. The West Coast gig had been only five days, but she felt as if she'd been away much longer. Who'd've ever thought she'd be mother to such an awesomely bright and inquisitive child? Zoey was also a child of incredible strength, and it was that strength that had taken Roni by the hand and led her back to singing, and to life, something Roni would always be grateful for. And in exchange Roni promised to keep her safe and love her unconditionally for as long as she drew breath.

Zoey continued to sleep with Tiger Tamar and the night-lights, but Roni didn't care. Had she been overrun by rats the way Zoey had been, she'd sleep with every light in the house turned on. At least her nightmares from the attack seemed to have subsided. It had been almost a year since the last time Zoey woke up screaming and crying. Roni liked to think that the love of her new parents was helping the healing process along.

As if sensing Roni's presence, Zoey's eyes opened. As they focused, she shot out of bed and ran for her hug. “Mama! You're back!”

Roni bent low and held her close. “I am. Missed you so much. How are you, Miss Lady?”

“I'm good.”

They grinned at each other in the shadows. “I see the NASCAR pj's I sent you fit.” The shirt and pants were covered with cars and sponsor decals.

“Yeah, but they're boys'. They have a hole in the front of the pants. See?”

Roni chuckled. “I know, babe. They didn't have any for girls.”

“Well, that's messed up.”

Roni loved her southern accent. “I thought so too, but I figured you'd still want them.”

“I did. Do you think if I sent Danica Patrick an e-mail, she'd make girl pajamas?”

“No idea, but an e-mail sounds like a good idea.” Roni shook her head at her tweenage force of nature. “Let's get you back in bed.”

Hand in hand they walked the short distance, and Zoey climbed in. Roni covered her up and sat down on the edge of the mattress.

“Did you hear about Crystal running away?” Zoey asked.

“Yes, Ms. Bernadine sent me a text. That was really sad.”

When Zoey looked away as if something was bothering her, Roni asked, “What do you need to tell me, Zoey?”

So Zoey told her all that had happened, from the promise she'd made to Crystal to being encouraged by Amari and Preston to spill the beans.

“I wanted to talk to you about it, but I didn't know if you were in rehearsal or sleeping or at the airport, so I talked to them.”

“And sounds like they gave you some straight-up good advice.”

“I felt bad about not saying anything last night.”

“And next time what will you do?”

She shrugged. “I don't know. Tell, maybe.”

“Either way it's water under the bridge. I got a text from Ms. Bernadine, saying Crystal was home.”

“Dad told me. Do you think she'll be mad at me?”

Roni shrugged. “No telling, but if she is, I doubt it will be for very long. You did the right thing by coming forward, Zoey. The truth will always set you free.”

Her answering smile warmed Roni's insides. “Now, you and Tiger Tamar need to get back to sleep. We have church in the morning.”

“One more hug, please.”

Roni obliged her and let the feel of her thin little arms fill her with even more joy. Zoey scooted back beneath the bedding, and Roni placed a light kiss on her cheek. “Night, baby girl. Love you.”

“Love you, too. I'm glad you're back.”

“So am I.”

Buoyed by the visit, Roni entered the bedroom she shared with her husband and found him asleep as well. “Reggie,” she called softly. “Wake up, your baby's home.”

He didn't move. He'd left the light on in the bathroom so she could see her way around, and she was thankful for the small act of kindness. Moving quietly, she eased open a dresser drawer to extract a nightgown. Leaving her discarded clothes on a chair and wishing he'd turn over and say hi, she made use of the bathroom and turned off the light. She crawled into bed. She waited for him to pull her close. Nothing. The measured cadence of his breathing never changed, so she whispered, “Night, baby,” and hoped sleep would take away the pain.

C H A P T E R

5

A
t church on Sunday morning, while the congregation raised their voices in the processional hymn, Crystal held the large cross aloft. Acolytes Zoey and Devon, carrying their lit torches, walked solemnly at her side down the center aisle. Zoey was pretty sure Crystal was mad at her because she hadn't said a word while they were in the basement putting on their vestments. Usually Crystal would straighten the necks of their white cottas to make sure they weren't all crooked, but this morning she and Devon had been on their own. Now, as she and Devon reached the altar and stuck their torches in the wall holders and took their seats, Crystal sat too, but never made eye contact.

When the hymn ended and Reverend Paula began to recite the opening prayer, Zoey took a discreet look out at the sea of faces spread out over the sanctuary. Nearly every eye was on Crystal. Some faces wore smiles, others appeared relieved. She couldn't tell how Tamar felt, but something about her expression made Zoey think their collective great-grandmother was none too happy with the town's oldest teen. But no matter the congregation's mood, Zoey was glad she was home; she just hoped Crys didn't stay mad at her forever.

It was good having Mama Roni home too, and as always she was dressed up for church. She had on a pretty green suit and one of her big matching hats. Zoey had expected Daddy Reg to be happy about her being home too, and that breakfast would be filled with smiles and them making google eyes at each other as they always did. Instead the kitchen was silent, and they acted like strangers at the table. She wanted them to act like they used to, but being a kid, she couldn't say anything, so she finished her bacon and eggs and went up to her room and waited until they called her to leave for church. All the kids had been told that if something was bothering them they were to go see Reverend Paula and talk to her about it. Zoey wondered if the adults had been given the same advice, because although her parents were sitting next to each other, Momma Roni was staring straight ahead, and so was Daddy Reg. She loved them both, and it made her sad to see them so unhappy.

After the service Zoey followed Devon and Crystal down into the basement to take off their vestments and hang them up in the acolyte's closet. So far, Crystal still hadn't said a word to either of them, and she looked kind of down. Zoey put her black cassock on the hanger and placed the cotta on top. Because she wasn't tall enough, she handed the hanger to Crystal, hoping she wouldn't yell at her. She took it without a word and did the same for Devon. Zoey mustered up her courage to ask if she was mad, but changed her mind when Tamar walked in. Zoey and Devon shared a quick look. Neither had any idea why she was there, but the way her eyes were focused on Crystal made them take a small step backward to get out of the way.

“Hi, Tamar,” Crystal said.

“Hello, Crystal. Everyone's glad to have you home, and so am I.”

“Thank you,” Crystal replied softly.

“So, how do you feel?”

“Dumb, stupid. All of the above.”

Tamar nodded as if she understood, but with Tamar one couldn't be too sure. She walked closer to Crystal and, to Zoey's utter surprise, opened her arms, and Crystal, eyes filled with tears, stepped into the embrace and let herself be enfolded. She and Devon shared another look. Zoey couldn't ever remember seeing Crystal cry.

Tamar placed a kiss on her forehead and asked quietly, “No place like home, right?”

“Right.”

Tamar gently released her hold. “One day you're going to fly away and soar so high you'll make this whole town proud. It just isn't time yet.”

Crystal nodded and grabbed a couple of tissues from the box that always sat on the table next to the closet. She wiped her eyes and nose.

“You and Bernadine make your peace?” Tamar asked.

“Not yet.”

“She loves you a lot.”

“I know, and I feel awful worrying her like I did.”

“That's why the Spirit gives us youth, so we can do dumb stuff, learn from it, and move on.”

Crystal offered up a watery smile. “I guess.”

“Anyway. I just came down to say welcome home.”

“Thanks,” Crystal whispered.

Tamar's eyes swept over Zoey and Devon, and Zoey's heart froze in her chest, but Tamar didn't say anything. With a swirl of her hems, she was gone.

Devon exhaled a sigh of relief, and Zoey released the breath she'd been holding in, too.

Crystal turned to her. “Sure wasn't expecting that.”

“Me neither.”

Devon crossed his arms and said self-importantly, “She's probably going to make you paint the fence anyway.”

Zoey glared. “Shut up.”

“Bet you ten dollars.”

An exasperated Crystal pointed at the open door. “Go!”

“You can't make me,” he threw back.

Crystal did her best imitation of Tamar and walked up real close. “Sure I can. Want me to show you?”

That was all it took.

After his exit, Crystal asked, “What is wrong with him these days?”

“He is such a pain in the behind. Been crazy ever since he went down south.”

“Never thought I'd want him back in his suits and those stupid ties again.”

“I know.” She regathered her courage to ask, “Are you mad at me?”

Crystal shook her head. “Mad at myself for being so stupid, but not at you.”

“I memorized the license plate when you left and told Sheriff Will. I'm sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for. I was the one who screwed up.” She stared off and was quiet for a moment before confessing softly, “Nothing turned out like I thought it would.”

Zoey wanted to ask what that meant, but having already used her daily allotment of courage, she kept the question to herself. “I'm glad you're back.”

“Me, too. Give me a hug.”

Zoey went gladly, and when the hug was over, they both smiled.

Zoey said, “Rocky's giving me free dessert. You want to go to the Dog later and split a sundae?”

“No, I need to go home and talk to my mom.”

“Oh. Okay. Then I'll see you at school tomorrow.”

“Yep.”

Zoey gave her a wave and left to find her parents for the ride home.

Bernadine couldn't remember ever seeing Crystal so solemn. As they drove home from church, she didn't press her for details about the two-day adventure in Dallas, even though she dearly wanted the full story. As requested, she'd had her purloined phone turned off, and whoever had it was now was free to do whatever thieves did. Diane had not accompanied them to church. In fact, she hadn't even shown her face that morning. Once again, Bernadine fantasized about her sister running away, and a smile curved her lips.

“What's funny?” Crystal asked.

“Just imagining my sister climbing out of a window and disappearing before we get back.”

“You don't like her?”

“Let's just say we don't see eye to eye.”

“Why not?”

“Because she's selfish, mean, and a first-class witch.”

“Oh. She older or younger?”

“She's the baby.”

Crystal nodded understandingly. “I don't know if I have any brothers or sisters. I mean, the kids here are sorta that, but no clue whether I have any real sibs.”

“We could get in touch with your aunt, if you'd like, and ask. Might be nice to get a definitive answer if it's something you've been wondering about.” Crystal's aunt had been instrumental in exposing the true identity of Crystal's no-good father, Ray Chambers, who'd come to town masquerading as a handyman.

“Maybe.”

By then they'd reached the house. Bernadine pulled Baby into the garage, and after the door lowered behind them, they sat in the shadowy silence. When Crystal didn't make a move to get out, Bernadine turned off the engine and waited, watching her child staring out the window at something only she could see.

“Diego was right,” she finally said.

“About what?”

“About me being a princess now, not knowing how to be on the streets anymore.”

Bernadine thought back on Crys's meeting with the twenty-one-year-old, motorcycle-riding bad boy Diego July that past summer. She'd convinced herself that Diego was in love with her. She'd been wrong.