Show Me the Danger: The Past Life - Book 2 Read online

  “Hello, George,” Isabel says as she reaches up to hug my neck. “Thanks for inviting me to your party.”

  A warm rush moves over me and a flash of a naked Isabel Madera in bed with me and Ali crosses my mind. I quickly tell myself to stop it, then I politely hug Isabel at the shoulders in the most platonic way possible as I welcome her to the party.

  Liam is here tonight without a significant other. Maybe he and Isabel can hang around together some. I don’t know what’s happening with Liam and Estella, but as far as women go, Isabel and Estella are the same general type. Both are olive-skinned with keen intelligence, quick wits, and flawless bodies. They’re even the same age. If Liam and Estella are in fact separating, he and Isabel might just be interested in getting to know each other. I’d approve. I think Isabel would be a good match for my uncle.

  “You’re welcome,” I reply. “It’s great to have you. I know Ali will be glad to see you.”

  Another flash of the bed scene moves through my mind. Damn it. The scene is so vivid. It feels so natural. It’s awfully hard to stop myself and push it out of my head.

  “That’s sweet,” Isabel says. “I love Ali. I’ll be glad to see her, too.”

  “And Liam,” I add awkwardly. “He’s here without a date. I mean… I don’t mean that you two should…”

  I feel like a dumb teenager who can’t find the right words to say to a pretty girl. I’m puzzled as to why I’m floundering like this. I’m a grown man. And a happily married one.

  “It’s okay, George,” Isabel assures, her rich, brown eyes peering intently at me. “No problem.”

  “I just mean, well, I think he and his wife Estella may be separating.” I blurt out. I immediately wonder if I should have said anything. “He might like a little friendly company tonight. That’s all.”

  Isabel smiles. Here I am trying to push Liam on her when Ali and I may want her for ourselves. The thoughts are tumbling out of my mind faster than I can stuff them back in. Ali and I have never discussed a threesome. We’ve never even thought about anything like that. Well, other than the night in the hospital bathroom, that is. But it doesn’t sound like us. Something about Isabel’s magnetism is impossible to deny though. I swear I feel like we’ve known her for a long time. Our attraction to her the night Will was born was undeniable. Ali and I didn’t talk about it afterward, but we know we were both incredibly turned on.

  Before I get too lost in my own racy and confusing thoughts, Jen and Duke arrive. I’m grateful for an excuse to move on and away from Isabel for the time being. Isabel is probably glad for a chance to end our awkward conversation.

  “Make yourself at home inside,” I say to Isabel, gesturing to the front of the house. “Ali and the boys are inside, along with Ali’s parents, Marjorie and Roddy. I think you met them at the hospital when we were all there for John Wendell.”

  “I did,” she confirms.

  “Ali’s friend from college, Taye, is inside also with his twelve-year-old son, Malcolm. And Mom should be here before too long,” I add.

  “Great, thank you,” Isabel says as she turns and walks up our long driveway. I find my gaze drawn to her hourglass figure and muscular legs, but I again tell myself to hold it together. I don’t want Duke and Jen to see me staring at Isabel like this. They’d surely wonder what the hell was wrong with me. I wonder what the hell is wrong with me, for fuck’s sake. I turn to face Jen’s Subaru and try my best to focus.

  Duke steps out of the driver’s seat looking every bit as good as Taye and Malcolm.

  “George!” he shouts excitedly. “What’s good, brother?”

  Duke is wearing what now looks like the standard party dress code for us guys: a blazer and a crisp button-down shirt. Duke’s jacket is a dark charcoal color and his shirt underneath is a muted yellow.

  “It’s all good,” I say with a smile as I walk up to Duke and lean in for a bro hug. “Glad you’re here, man.”

  “Me, too,” Duke replies. “I’ve been looking forward to parties like this ever since the day you moved into this place and Jen and I came over to check it out.”

  “Yeah, I remember you pointing out the entertainment options,” I say with a laugh. “I hope we don’t disappoint.”

  “No way,” Duke replies. Then he leans closer and lowers his voice. “I don’t want to bring up anything uncomfortable, but I’d like to say how glad I am to see you and the family making happy memories here. After, you know.”

  “I do know,” I confirm. “It hasn’t been easy, but we’re determined to focus on the positive. I think we have the security situation under control at this point. That’s the important thing. As long as we’re safe, we can heal.”

  “I admire you for your attitude, man,” Duke affirms. “Unfortunately, my work on the force shows me people who don’t recover so well. It can get ugly. Like you wouldn’t believe.”

  “I get that,” I say. “I’ll bet you see a lot.”

  “Some people are really thrown by a traumatic event like you experienced,” he continues. “And they don’t always recover. Ever.”

  “Well, we’re doing our best,” I affirm. “We have each other. And top-notch friends and extended family like you and Jen. I’m sure that tips the odds in our favor.”

  “Exactly,” Duke says.

  Jen steps out of the passenger seat looking lovely in a baby blue chiffon dress with layered sections cascading all the way down to her knees. The color is nice against her pale skin and dark hair, which is tied neatly into a bun. Small diamond studs peek out from the lobe of each ear. She doesn’t seem like she feels well though. Maybe she’s coming down with something.

  “Hey, Jen,” I say as I walk around the car to give her a hug.

  I’ve known Jen Wright for the entire time I’ve known Ali and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look ill like this. Maybe she has a stomach bug. I take care to lean my head the other way when I hug her to minimize my exposure to airborne germs if that’s what’s happening here. I make a mental note to keep the boys at a bit of a distance.

  “Hey, George,” she says, almost hesitantly.

  “You okay, Jen?” I ask. “You look a little under the weather.”

  Jen glances at Duke and smiles as she uses the propped open car door to steady herself. Then the realization dawns on me.

  Jen and Duke are pregnant! Ali will be over the moon excited about this news. I can’t wait for her to find out. She and Jen have been best friends ever since they were kids in Manhattan. They’ve always dreamed of living near each other and having kids around the same age who would grow up playing together. Back when Ali and I were first pregnant with Ethan, Jen wasn’t even dating anyone. It looked like their shared childhood vision would not happen. But now, with little Will being just six months old and Jen expecting, it can all become reality. A huge smile spreads across my face as I think about it.

  “She’s good,” Duke says, winking at me as he grins.

  He has the look of a man about to become a proud father. I knew the moment I met him he’d be a good one. And every time I’ve seen him interact with my boys, my impression has been reinforced. Duke is amazing with kids.

  “I’m so happy for you two,” I say, hugging Jen again, then Duke.

  “Thanks, George,” Jen says. “We’re going to make an announcement to the group at dinner tonight. Please keep the news to yourself until then, alright?”

  “Sure thing,” I confirm. “Although it will be difficult to keep it from Ali for that long. Won’t she be able to tell? She knows you so well.”

  “I had lunch with her a few days ago and I don’t think she noticed anything,” Jen says. “Although I was feeling much better that day than I am today. It’s early. Still hit and miss as to how I’ll feel at any given moment.”

  “Awe, I remember Ali going through the same thing. I’ll do my best to keep her occupied until your announcement,” I promise. “They are plenty of other people here for her to chat with, so hopefully, we can keep her distract
ed.”

  “That will be great,” Jen says.

  “I am so happy for you both,” I say again, pumping my fist in the air for emphasis.

  This truly is fantastic news. I’m glad for my wife, who will be elated about this news. Happiness all around. I knew this would be a night to remember, for more reasons than one. Several of us have big announcements to make.

  As if on cue, Ali’s brother Nicky, his husband Luis, and their daughter Sara pull up just as Jen and Duke turn to head inside. Sara has her window rolled down and is waving from the back seat as Nicky pulls up to the curb and shifts their black sedan into park. I’m functioning as a regular greeter out here. It works.

  I chat with my brother-in-law and his family for a while. All three of them seem to be in good spirits. They plan to put their party clothes on inside once they take their luggage to their bedrooms. I hope Sara will have a good time. She smiles shyly and tells me about the dress she plans to wear and how it has a purple flower on the front. I tell her I know she’ll look beautiful and that I can’t wait to see her all dolled up. When they turn to head into the house, I stay put.

  Mom’s the only one left who isn’t here yet. I’m curious about this mystery guest she says she’s bringing. I’ve had a feeling for some time now that there’s something she isn’t telling me. The day I went to her house when John Wendell was sick, I had a suspicion that someone else was there with them. Or maybe someone else had been there with them. Something was off. And now she says she has an announcement to make. I wonder if she is dating someone. The thought seems almost ludicrous. It’s been nearly twenty-five years since Dad died and, as far as I know, Mom hasn’t dated anybody. I’m not sure what would make her decide to venture out after all these years.

  Maybe John Wendell’s passing left space for something new. After all, she spent a lot of time with her dad. And as he aged and needed more of her care, the combination of those duties and her nursing job at the hospital didn’t leave much extra time. It will be interesting to learn what’s happening with her. I wish her all the love and happiness in the world. She deserves it. She’s spent most of her adult life focusing on everyone but herself. Maybe her time has finally come. I’d love to see her lighten up and have some fun.

  I stand in the sun for a few extra minutes and eye the south end of East Shore Drive expectantly, hoping Mom and her mystery guest will roll up. I’d love to meet her guest out here privately rather than having to do so amongst the crowd. If she is dating someone, that seems like the respectful way to handle our first introduction to each other.

  I wonder why she’s been so cagey. Does she feel like she has to hide her love life from me? Maybe she thinks I won’t approve, or that I don’t want to see her with anyone other than my father. Perhaps I should make my position clear so she doesn’t have to worry about it. Don’t get me wrong. I’d love nothing more than to have Dad here and to see my parents together again. But the reality of our mortal existence dictates that such a scenario isn’t going to happen. Mom might as well find a new love if she can. Dad would want her to enjoy whatever life she has left on this Earth this time around. She’s grieved and suffered long enough. Mom is a good person. She never deserved to suffer in the first place.

  I check my smartwatch and wipe the perspiration from my brow. It’s warm out here. Once I’ve been standing alone for a full ten minutes, I decide to stop waiting and I turn to join the others inside.

  As I near the front courtyard, thoughts of Mom and her mystery guest fade as I’m welcomed by the happy energy emanating from my house. I won’t let Mom’s angst spoil the good things in my life. The live music sounds festive and the smell of delicious food wafting out through the open front door is amazing. I can hear laughter and pleasant voices, along with clinking glasses and plates. The crowd is already digging into the wine and hors d’oeuvres.

  Lady trots out to greet me and even she appears to be positively glowing with happiness and excitement. She stands beside me and bumps the side of my thigh with her snout as if to say all is well in our world. I tousle the fur on the top of her head and tell her she’s a very good girl. She’s glad to hear it.

  I walk inside and am overwhelmed, in a good way, by how much I love seeing my people like this. Ali wanted a seafood theme for the party since it’s the middle of summer. I’d say she made a good call. I pick up a plate and fill it with crab stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped scallops, and bang bang shrimp. The variety of options is nice. There are fried calamari and mini salmon cakes, too. I save room to make sure I at least taste one of everything. Our guests seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and we’re just getting started.

  The musicians are playing feel-good summer, beach, and water-themed songs per Ali’s request. The entire ambiance is very charming, that’s for sure. They’re in the middle of a rendition of Rod Stewart’s Sailing when I see Marjorie step up to the mic, ready to make her announcement. She isn’t wasting any time. Roddy’s standing behind her and they look like a couple of giddy kids at Christmas. I have no idea what they will say, but apparently, it’s good news. Their lives are already great, so I can’t imagine what would make them so excited. It must be something about a new creative endeavor. Maybe Roddy has finished writing a new play. Or maybe Marjorie won a viola solo with the New York Philharmonic. I’m sure they missed her when she took time off to stay with us last winter. I can easily imagine the conductor celebrating her return with a sweet feature.

  Before the song is finished, Marjorie begins to speak as the ensemble plays softly behind her.

  “Hello, everyone!” Marjorie says into the mic, her glass of Seneca Lake red wine sloshing cheerfully in one hand.

  “Yes, hello there,” Roddy says as Marjorie moves over a little and nudges her husband to share the spotlight. They’re both very comfortable in that position.

  The crowd of us gathers around to listen. Even the kids are closely tuned in. Liam holds Will on his shoulders like he’s a little monkey. Leo and Ethan stop their dancing and twirling long enough to lean on either side of Ali’s legs as they wait to hear what Mama Marjorie and Papa Roddy have to say. The warm summer breeze swims through the air around us, wrapping us in its simple goodness.

  “I think most everyone is here now, right, sweetheart?” Marjorie asks her daughter as the rest of us look on.

  “Yes, I believe everyone but Linette is here,” Ali answers.

  “Go on anyway,” I say loudly. “We’ll catch Mom up when she gets here.”

  “Alright then,” Roddy says as Marjorie bobs up and down beside him excitedly. “I don’t think my wife could wait much longer if she had to. She’s been dying to tell you folks the news.”

  “So tell it,” Ali says. “You have us intrigued!”

  “Yeah,” several of us say in unison. “Tell us.”

  “Okay,” Marjorie begins, trying to keep her enthusiasm contained long enough to get the news out. “I’m just going to come right out and say it.”

  “What in the world is it, Mom?” Ali asks, exasperated.

  Marjorie looks at Roddy again, smiling up at him just like she’s done for so many years. He smiles back down at her lovingly and places one arm tightly around her waist from the side.

  “We’re moving to Ithaca!” Marjorie exclaims.

  “You’re what?” I ask, as the room claps and cheers. “I mean, that’s incredible. We’re thrilled!”

  “But what about your careers in the city?” Ali asks, finishing my thought for me.

  Roddy explains further. “We’re opening a music and theater program right here in town,” he says. “I’ll write and produce mostly original works, and Marjorie will serve as musical director. Between the two of us, we’re well suited to bring some big city fun over here to the Ithaca community.”

  “That’s right,” Marjorie adds. “We’ll produce plays, and we’ll also have classes and camps for kids, plus concerts from a new philharmonic orchestra I intend to start up. And our facilities will be nice enough to
host concerts and plays performed by touring groups. We’re building from the ground up!”

  “Oh, Mom and Dad,” Ali says as she steps up to hug her parents’ necks. “This is a dream come true. But better, because I couldn’t have dreamed up anything this good if I tried.”

  “I’m so glad you’re happy,” Marjorie says through tears as Roddy leans over and kisses his daughter on the forehead.

  “We’ll stay loosely involved with things back in the city,” Roddy says. “We’ll keep our townhouse and will spend time there periodically. I’ll still write new material for Broadway and I’ll maintain a presence. But I’ll let someone else do the directing there.”

  “And I’ll stay involved with the New York Philharmonic, too,” Marjorie says. “They promise to let me fill in from time to time and to play a guest solo every once in a while.”

  “Do you have a spot picked out for the new facility?” Ali asks.

  “Nothing firm yet,” Marjorie answers. “We’ll look closely when we get back from Tahoe. We plan to purchase both land for the business and a lakefront home for us to live in before we return to the City.”

  “We want to be moved in and spending most of our time here in Ithaca by the first of the year,” Roddy explains.

  “That’s amazing,” I say.

  The rest of our guests have stayed mostly quiet waiting for our reaction, but they’re loosening up now and beginning to chat amongst themselves. Liam jostles Will up and down in the air as he tells him how his grandma and grandpa will be here to play as he grows up. I’m not sure Ethan and Leo completely understand what’s going on, so I squat down and scoop them up in my arms to make sure.

  “Boys, do you understand what Mama Marjorie and Papa Roddy are saying?” I ask.

  “They’re moving to Ithaca so we can all be together, Daddy,” Ethan says matter-of-factly. “We should be together. Because we’re all here now. We should make sure we stay together and have fun.” This kid never ceases to amaze me with his wisdom. Simply put. And he sums the situation up beautifully.

  “That’s exactly right,” I say to Ethan. “Good job, son.” Then, “do you understand, too, Leo?”