When the Wind Blows - James Patterson [64]
By the time I got to her house in the hills, I was more hyper and anxious than I thought I’d be. One tricky thing: Kit had sworn me to secrecy about the girl. Although I felt he was right to keep Max a secret for now, it was going to be a challenge to see Gillian, and not talk, not tell her about the extraordinary girl. Not telling almost seemed like lying.
Actually, I wanted to see if I could get some information from her. Gillian is “good people,” very down-to-earth, but she has a medical degree from UCLA and a Ph.D. in biology from Stanford.
She’s an encyclopedia, not just on science topics, but also economics, astronomy, the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Rockies, you name it, Gillian knows it.
She’s also a terrific mom, and that’s probably what I like best about her.
I could see her now. She was safe and sound. I could also see her little boy, Michael, splashing in the pool as I climbed out of my car. I felt better already.
Breathe. In with the good, out with the bad, I told myself, but it was easier said than done.
“Did you bring a bathing suit?” Gillian asked. She was wearing a blue-and-black-striped Speedo, and she was in terrific shape for fifty-one. She runs five miles a day, and has for the past thirty years. When she was in her forties, she ran in the New York City Marathon.
“As a matter of fact, I did bring a suit,” I said, and stripped off my blouse and shorts to prove it. I had on a red-and-white-striped one-piece that I liked well enough.
Gillian whistled and clapped her hands. She’s a terrific cheerleader. “Look at you! Frannie, you look great.”
I rolled my head around loosely on my shoulders, and did my best Jimmy Stewart—heck, b’gum, b’gosh. “Been hiking and stuff, ya know. Busy at the critter hospital. Guess I lost a few pounds somewhere.” B’golly.
“Listen to you. Something else is different,” Gillian said and laughed. She has a big, toothy smile that I find quite wonderful. “Did you color your hair, Dr. O’Neill? If you did it looks great. There’s definitely something going on.”
There certainly is, Gil. I’m just sorryIcan’t tell you what it is.
A blond boy of four emerged from the pool, looking all slick and silly. He ran to his mom, interrupting our talk, but doing it so innocently it was charming and sweet. Michael was only two when his father had died of a coronary in his office at Boulder Community. He was growing up beautifully, anyway.
“What, Doodlebug?” she said. “Say hello to Aunt Frannie.”
“Hi, Aunt Frannie!” Michael beamed. I bent down and he kissed me. He is a beautiful little doodlebug.
“I’m playing seal,” Michael announced. “My seal name is Black Nose. This,” he said, pointing to an inflatable raft, “is Iceland. Cool, huh?”
“Iceland is very cool,” I said and grinned.
We watched as Michael dived from the low board and slipped perfectly into the water without a splash. “He’s so cute,” I told her.
Gillian looked at me again. She stared into my eyes and something clicked. I could see her mind working. “You’re in love,” she said, accusingly. “Yes you are. I’m sure of it.”
“Nope. No way. Get out of here,” I said and made a face.
“You are too. Now you tell me this instan—what, Michael? Okay, I’ll time you. Don’t you go anywhere,” she said to me. “I’m on to your game.”
Gillian marched to the deep end of the pool. She really was in excellent shape. She held a watch out in front of her. “On your mark, get set, go for it.”
Black Nose the Seal did another dive. He swam nearly half the length of the pool underwater, right under Iceland. He finally surfaced.
I was feeling a little giddy. God, did I have news. I wanted to shout out to my friend—Want to hear about another great kid? An amazing little girl! I’ll tell you aboutagirl who’s sweet and funny—and who can skim the treetops without breathing hard.
“So, Frannie, tell all. You’d better tell me what’s going on with you,” Gillian said, as she returned to the deck chair beside me. “ ’Cause I’m going to find out. You know I will. Talk to me. Confess.”
“Well,” I said, “in that case, I’ll spare myself.