Soul Mates (20 page)

The time dragged as Jace checked his watch every few minutes. He wished he had arranged to meet Sophie at one of the venues rather than on a street corner. The idea of her waiting in the hot sun distressed him. He got up to check again. “I’ve been here over an hour, and now I’m late for a meeting,” he explained politely, hoping they might be willing to rush if they saw him as a busy young professional. “Can you check to see if my car is ready?”

“It’s almost done, sir,” the young girl replied. “I’ll get the paperwork for you.” She typed something into her computer. “How would you like to pay for that today?”

“Pay?” Jace felt the familiar panic that often accompanied an unexpected bill or expense. “I thought it was covered under warranty.”

“Let me check.” After typing some more, she apologized. “You’re right; it’s covered. I’ll just need your signature.” She handed him the paperwork.

After ten minutes he was on the road, but it was nearly forty minutes past the time he’d agreed to pick Sophie up, and he felt really bad. With nothing to do but get there as quickly as the speed limit would allow, he tried to downplay the guilt he was feeling.
Hopefully she got tired of waiting and went to find shade or a place to sit down. I’m sure she won’t be upset. She knows I can go and look for her.

He’d become accustomed to analyzing his feelings, so he questioned the panic that had arisen when asked to pay for the work done on Sophie’s car.
What was that all about? Why the panic? It wasn’t a big deal. I have room on my credit card, and Sophie would have reimbursed me right away.
Having believed he’d made progress in that area, Jace felt discouragement creep in.
Obviously I’ve still got some work to do.

What he longed for was solid evidence to show that his change in thinking was paying off.
How long does this process take?
he wondered.
How long will it be until I see proof?
He decided to ask Sophie about it when he picked her up. He decided, too, that he’d offer to take her somewhere for lunch to make up for being late; it was the least he could do.

When Jace arrived at the spot he’d dropped her off, Sophie was nowhere in sight. He was relieved, hoping it meant she’d gone back to one of the venues. He found a place to park and walked toward the tents set up near the waterfront. After checking several, he found her sitting inside the opening of a security tent. He immediately offered an apology.

“It’s all right, Jace.” She responded in her familiar, sweet voice, but her face looked pale. “These things happen. I’m fine.”

“But I feel bad for making you wait,” he insisted. “Can I take you out for lunch or something?”

“Oh, that would be lovely, Jace,” she said. “Maybe another time, though. I’m feeling a little tired now. I’d like to go home and have a rest.”

“Okay.” He could see how tired she was and didn’t try to convince her otherwise. The advice he sought would have to wait as well. As he drove her home, she lay back against the headrest, her eyes closed. By the time they arrived at the apartment her color had returned, and she looked a little better. He walked her to her door. “Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked. “I could pick you up some lunch, or make you something. Have you eaten?”

“Jace.” She put her hand on his arm and gripped it firmly. “I want you to stop worrying. I’m fine. I had a corn dog down at the fair.” She shook her head as a far-off look appeared in her eyes. “I haven’t had one of those in years. Phillip used to say that I’d live to be a hundred if I’d just stop eating those wretched things.” She laughed at the memory, then turned to go into her apartment.

Jace knew he should leave so that she could rest, but he couldn’t resist the impulse. “Just a minute.” He pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Don’t move; I want a picture of you.”

She smiled lovingly at him, not at all daunted by his impulsiveness.

As he turned to leave, she said his name. “You’re doing fine. Don’t take stock too soon. Just keep focusing on what you want. You’ll know you’re on the right track by how you feel. Remember, every coin has two sides.”

Deciding to acknowledge rather than ignore the odd timing of her advice, he gave her a kiss on the cheek and a promise. “I will, Sophie. Thanks.”

Jace had plans with Chad that afternoon, but his gut told him he should stay home. He was concerned about Sophie. She’d probably be all right after a rest, but he wanted to be close by if she did need anything.

IT WAS EASY to persuade Trevor to travel back to Port Hayden with her. He was returning to Europe in a couple of days, and Cassandra wanted to spend as much time with him as she could. She was truly glad he’d made the effort to visit. Not much had changed in their mother’s attitude or behavior. However, Cassandra had noticed Trevor and their father sitting down together on several occasions. She was thrilled to see that a change in focus was already producing positive results. “I saw you and Daddy talking,” she acknowledged. “That’s progress.”

“Yeah,” he laughed. “It was awkward, but he took the initiative, and I appreciated that. He can’t seem to bring himself to ask about my relationship with Maurice, though. I decided not to make him more uncomfortable by offering details.”

“That’s probably best. This is going to take some time, Trev,” Cassandra advised. “What else did you talk about?”

“I told him about the screenplay Maurice wrote, told him I’m planning to produce it. He offered to put up the financing.”

“Really? That’s wonderful.”

“I may have to use a false name, though,” he added.

“Did Daddy say that?”

“No, not at all. It’s just…you know what Mother said about not bringing shame to the family.”

“Trevor, I’d be proud to see your name on a film! And I’d tell all my friends about it, too.”

“It’s just that the subject matter is…well…it portrays a gay man. It’s really well written, though, doodlebug. Not like recent films and TV shows that stereotype homosexuals. This depicts the main character as human with struggles and issues that anybody could relate to.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

“You don’t know how much that means to me…to hear you say that, to feel your support.”

“I know,” she smiled.

“And what you’re learning,” he remarked, turning the attention away from himself. “The stuff Sophia’s teaching you. I think that’s terrific. This could be bigger than you realize.”

The word
bigger
caused the hairs on Cassandra’s neck to do their dance. “What do you mean?”

“The teaching is clear, and the way you understand it and apply it…maybe you could write a book or teach it or something.”

She told Trevor about her undeniable sense that there was something bigger in store for her. “That could be part of it,” she concurred. “I don’t know…it feels like there’s more. I’m curious, but I guess I’ll have to let it unfold naturally. Aunt Sophia hasn’t finished giving me all the principles. She mentioned five, but I’ve only gotten three. I’m hoping that once I have them all, I’ll know what I’m supposed to do with them.”

“You will, doodlebug. Don’t worry.”

The time went by quickly, and they arrived in Port Hayden by lunchtime. After a meal at their favorite restaurant, they stopped by the Town House to drop off their luggage before heading to their aunt’s place.

“Let’s take the Rolls,” Trevor suggested playfully. “I’ll be your chauffeur.”

Cassandra felt some reluctance when she realized her brother was serious. She hoped to see Jace and felt that arriving in that manner would not only emphasize the difference in their situations, the stately car might remind him of their first two unpleasant encounters. She understood the power of a first impression and would give anything if she could erase those altogether. “I guess,” she agreed reluctantly. He’d already opened the overhead door of the garage, and was admiring the vintage car. She didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm.

As Jace came to mind, her tension began to grow. She wished they’d at least made tentative plans to see each other again. Simply showing up at his door could be awkward. She acknowledged her qualms as they drove through town. “I can’t believe how nervous I am. It’s even worse than last weekend,” she laughed uneasily. “And then I had good reason to believe he hated me.”

“I guess that means there’s more at stake now.”

“Yeah…I guess.” Cassandra hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on it, but her brother was right.
There is a lot more at stake. Last weekend, I would have been disappointed if he’d walked away and never wanted to see me again, but now…
She decided not to go there. She was certain that once they saw each other again and had a chance to talk, everything would be okay.
It’ll work out,
she breathed,
somehow.

They arrived at the apartment building and parked behind the black Honda. “He’s here,” she told Trevor, not sure whether it was good news or bad as her anxiety increased dramatically. Entering the building, she turned to him. “This is killing me. Do you mind if I stop by Jace’s before I go up to Aunt Sophia’s? I’m hoping we can make a date for later.”

“No problem, doodlebug.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll go and surprise the old girl, see if she remembers me.”

As Trevor went up the stairs, Cassandra stood looking at Jace’s door. She took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in.”

It sounded as if he were expecting someone. She hesitated, quite sure that someone wasn’t her. Opening the door slowly, she called out his name. It was a few long seconds before he appeared from the kitchen. “Trevor and I…” She paused, wanting to make herself perfectly clear. “My brother, Trevor, and I came by to see Aunt Sophia. I saw your car…the Honda, I mean, and…”

JACE STARED AT the familiar face as Cassandra offered an awkward explanation for being in his apartment. He felt the overwhelming urge to run, just as he did when he first saw her at the beach. With her standing in his doorway, that wasn’t possible, yet he had to act quickly. If he kept staring at her, he’d be in danger of losing all power of reason. He steeled himself to say what needed to be said. “Cassandra, I…” Before he could continue, a man appeared behind her.

“Hi.” The man reached past Cassandra and offered his hand. “I’m Trevor. You must be Jace.”

Jace nodded mechanically and shook his hand.

Trevor addressed his sister. “There’s no answer at Sophia’s. She must be out.”

“She’s home,” Jace countered, suddenly regaining his senses. “I dropped her off about an hour and a half ago. She’s probably sleeping. She was pretty tired after going to the Harbor Fair this morning.”

Cassandra looked at Jace and then her brother. “Maybe we should come back later.”

“Why don’t I try phoning her?” Jace replied, recalling how pale she’d looked when he’d picked her up. He dialed her number, and they all stood in silence as it rang repeatedly. “Something’s wrong,” he declared, aware of the panic rising in his chest. “I think we should check on her.”

“Do you have a key?” Cassandra asked, looking concerned for her aunt.

“Yeah.” He grabbed it off the table by the door and moved past Cassandra and her brother without another word. He was up the stairs in several long strides, stopping to give a couple of loud knocks before he unlocked the door. He called her name as he entered the apartment with Cassandra and Trevor close behind him. There was no sign of her, so Jace went to the bedroom. The door was slightly ajar and again he knocked, hoping to hear a reply. When there was no response, he entered the room and stopped short. “Sophie?” She was lying on her bed, eyes closed.

“Aunt Sophia?” Cassandra ran to her and quickly diagnosed her condition. “Call an ambulance!” she instructed.