Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford [32]
“We’ll work this through, Mo. It may take some time, time away to heal.” She gripped Maureen’s arm so tightly that Maureen nearly flinched. Vanessa glanced down, then back up into her friend’s intent face. “But we’ll find each other again, I know we will.”
“Sure.” Maureen nodded, went through the motions of hugging Vanessa. And then drove home—though when she walked into the kitchen, she barely remembered how she actually got there. The ticking of the family room clock and Bobo’s pattering feet on the tile were the only sounds that greeted her. Until she heard a fairly loud thump. Curious about the source, Maureen picked up the dog and went to investigate where the sound might have come from.
Stepping out into the hot sunshine, she put Bobo down. Glanced around the yard. Totally out of character, Bobo immediately raced off to the left and then halted, tail wagging furiously. Walking toward him, Maureen froze when she spotted a patch of blue.
That blue. Lying in the grass, and absolutely still.
“Bobo, no.” Frantically, she ran the short distance toward the object that, incongruously, she dreaded reaching. Pushed Bobo away. Knew now the thump was the sound of the mama bluebird’s hitting the window, suffering a fatal blow—against the window of her house. She was the cause of its death. Maureen immediately felt hot tears overflow and spill down her cheeks. There was not the slightest movement from the little body, the tiny head hanging at an awkward angle. Picking up the bluebird to gently cradle it in her hands, Maureen fell to her knees. And slumped there, sobbing.
Maureen had no idea how long she’d been there, miserable, weeping. But when she finally looked up, she spied the brighter male, sitting atop the bluebird house. The sight of the female’s mate, now alone, sent another stab of pain to her heart.
Eventually she got up and buried the tiny bird under a tree in the backyard. The male bluebird continued to hover, causing Maureen a fresh jab every time she saw him. And then she made a decision. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out her cell phone and hit Bill’s number. Expecting his recording, she was surprised when Bill picked up.
“Hey, honey. Whew. Been a circus here, but you caught me at a good time.” She could hear the sounds of his leaning back in his squeaky chair, putting feet up onto his desk. “What’s up?”
“I’ve had …” Maureen realized she hadn’t prepared herself well, hadn’t given herself enough time. She swallowed, took a deep breath, seeking composure. “It’s been a rough day, Bill. Any chance at all you could get off early and pick up the girls?”
“You okay?”
The instant concern in his voice brought the threat of fresh tears. She blinked them back and swallowed again, feeling the uncomfortable lump in her throat like a pill was stuck there. “Um, sure. I was just hoping to take the afternoon to get some things done.”
“Well, ironically, I was going to call you and offer just that. I’ve had so many late nights lately that … well, I miss my girls. Thought I’d better make it up to them.” Maureen could hear his moving around in the chair again, pushing it away from his desk so he could open a drawer. “I’ll get Aubrey from my folks’ and then pick up Colleen. Maybe we’ll grab dinner out? Want me to get something for you, too?”
“No. Thanks.” Clipped words, hiding emotion. “I’ll be fine. And Bill. Thank you.”
“Glad to when it works out, honey. Like I said, I was planning to anyway. Guess we’re on the same page today, eh? Isn’t that nice for a change?”
Maureen pictured the smile she knew had eased onto his face, the familiar crinkling at the corners of his eyes, the slight dimple that would appear in his right cheek. She closed her eyes at the wave of feeling that threatened to erupt.
“Sure. Love you.”
“Love you, too. And have a good afternoon, okay?”
Maureen hurriedly clicked off the phone. Taking a deep breath, she picked up Bobo, depositing him in his bed. After changing into casual clothes and