Book of Days_ A Novel - James L. Rubart [79]
"Who are you? What's your name?"
"Good day, Ms. Banister. I wish much life on you."
Great. Another creeper to add to her collection.
CHAPTER 28
It's a Wonderful Life played though Cameron's head as he drove toward Taylor Stone's house late Friday morning. "I want to live! Clarence, I want to live!" Cameron smiled at his abysmal imitation of Jimmy Stewart.
What was that overused line from Dead Poets Society? Carpe diem. "Seize the day." He wanted to carpe liber. "Seize the book."
The climb yesterday had made him want to live and, at the same time, freed him from worrying about the future. Death could come in any moment, why not live it to the full in the moment he was in? His brain could short out tomorrow, so why not rip the envelope into pieces while he still had the chance? That meant planting his feet in front of Taylor Stone and finding a way to get him to reveal his secrets about the Book of Days.
Cameron pulled up to the curb in front of Taylor's house and tried to formulate a plan. After five minutes he still didn't have one. It didn't matter. He'd know what to say when he got there.
After ringing the doorbell three times and getting no response, he eased around the side of the house into the backyard.
In the southeast corner, Tricia set paving stones in an undulating pattern as she worked toward a wishing well that looked brand new.
"Hi, Tricia."
She turned and stood. "Hello, Cameron." She shook off her gardening gloves and grasped his hand tightly. "You're looking for him?"
He looked back at the house and nodded.
"He's fishing."
"I should have known."
"But I'll answer any question I can." Tricia did a faux curtsy.
Not a bad idea. He might learn something new.
She led Cameron over to a well-worn maple bench framed by a trellis covered with lavender wisteria. She brushed the bench with the tips of her fingers. "My thinking, talking, and kibitzing bench. All ready for you."
"Thanks." Cameron sat. "Is Taylor acting differently these days?"
She smiled. "Video directors are observers, aren't they? He's been acting strange ever since you showed up. But it was nothing compared to the reaction when Ann Banister stepped onstage."
"No kidding. That, I'll remember. Any idea what that was all about?"
"I don't know. Yet."
"You're on a mission to find out?"
Resolve shone in her eyes. "Most definitely. Ann's coming over for dinner tonight."
"My Ann? I mean, Ann Banister?"
"No, Anne Frank." She flicked his leg. "Of course Ann Banister."
Cameron smiled.
"Her visit should be interesting. I'll give you a full report."
"I'd appreciate that."
"I like her." Tricia took off her shoes and knocked them together to get rid of the dirt that clung to them. "I can see you like her too."
"Hmm."
She turned on the bench toward Cameron. "Are you going to do anything about it?"
He'd come to ask the questions but ended up with the Three Peaks version of Barbara Walters sitting next to him. "No."
"Why?"
"I wouldn't do that to Jessie."
"If you knew you were dying and Jessie would live many years beyond you, would you want her to live her life alone, hanging on to the cloud of your death and your memory? Or would you want her to be happy?"
"Point taken."
Tricia tossed her shoes onto the lawn. "I need to stop shoving myself into areas that are none of my concern. I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
She patted Cameron's leg. "Good man."
Time to bring the subject back to Taylor. "So Ann's appearance at Jason's—"
"I doubt Taylor would've been any more shocked if Elvis had stepped up to that microphone. He tried to tell me it was a sudden bout of stomach cramps, but of course I didn't believe him. He hasn't had a stomach cramp since, well, I don't know if he's ever had one since we were married."
"Five years ago."
Tricia nodded. "Yes."
"You haven't been married that long."
"Well, I didn't want to be a widow the rest of my