I couldnt help but overhear your...friend suggesting you see a...psychic? Mother Taylor said, leaving no doubt that they had been listening. Surely she meant a psychiatrist, which indicates that you are still having those hallucinations. She quirked an eyebrow, waiting for an answer.
Belinda was only joking. Im feeling much better, thank you.
Mildreds expression said she wasnt buying a minute of it. Sarah, I left my sweater in the car.
Ill get it, Mother. Sarah turned and headed for their vehicle parked out front.
How is this...job of yours going? Mildred asked. Ive never understood what wedding planners do.
Allie had actually told her once, listing about fifty things she did but Mildred clearly hadnt been listening.
Ill have to tell you sometime, she said now. But I need to get back to it. Come on, Natalie.
You should let me have her for the rest of the day, Mildred said. In fact, she can spend the night at my house.
Im sorry, but Natalie is getting horseback riding lessons this afternoon, Allie lied. Shes having a wonderful time with Danas children.
Well, she can still
Not only that, I also prefer to have Nat with me right now. Its hard enough without Nick. Another lie followed by the biggest truth of all, I need my daughter right now.
Mildred looked surprised. Thats the first time Ive heard you mention my Nicky in months. She seemed about to cry. Sarah returned with her sweater, slipping it around her shoulders without even a thank-you from Mildred.
Nearby, Belinda was finishing up their bill.
I really should get back to work. Allie tried to step past her mother-in-law, but the older woman grabbed her arm. I worry that you are ill-equipped to take care of yourself, let alone a child. I need Natalie more than you do. I
Allie jerked her arm free. Natalie would be heartbroken if she was late to her horseback riding lesson. She hurried to her daughter, picked up her purse off the table and, taking Nats hand, left the restaurant, trying hard not to run.
She told herself to calm down. Any sign of her being upset and her in-laws would view it as her being unable to take care of Nat. But all she wanted was to get away and as quickly as possible.
But as she and Nat reached her van and she dug in her purse for her keys, she realized they werent there. Her heart began to pound. Since Nicks death, she was constantly losing her keys, her purse, her sunglasses...her mind.
Forgetfulness is very common after a traumatic event, the doctor had told her when shed gotten an appointment at her in-laws insistence.
It scares me. I try to remind myself where I put things so this doesnt happen, but when I go back to get whatever it was...Im always so positive thats where I left it. Instead, I find it in some...strange place I could never imagine.
The doctor had chuckled and pulled out his prescription pad. How are you sleeping? He didnt even wait for her to answer. I think once you start sleeping through the night, youre going to find that these instances of forgetfulness will go away.
The pills had only made it worse, though, she thought now as she frantically searched for her van keys. She could feel Nat watching her, looking worried. Sometimes it felt as if her five-year-old was taking care of her instead of the other way around.
Its okay, sweetheart. Mama just misplaced her keys. Im sure theyre in here....
Looking for these? The young waitress from the café came out the door, holding up her keys.
Where did you find them? Allie asked, thinking they must have fallen out of her purse at the table and ended up on the floor. That could happen to anyone.
In the bathroom sink.
Allie stared at her.
You must have dropped them while you were washing your hands,
the young woman said with a shrug as she handed them over.
As if that was likely. She hadnt even taken her purse to the restroom, had she? But she had it now and she couldnt remember. Shed been so upset to see Sarah and Mildred.
Nat, what was Grandmother saying to you in the restaurant?
She wanted me to go to her house but I told her I couldnt. Im going horseback riding when we get to the ranch, Nat announced. Dana is taking me and the other kids. Her lower lip came out for a moment. Grandma said she was really sad I wasnt going with her.
Yes, Allie said as, with trembling fingers, she opened the van door. Tears stung her eyes. But today is a happy day so we arent going to be sad, right? There are lots of other days that you can spend with your grandmother. Nat brightened as she strapped her into her seat.
Just a few more minutes and she and Nat would be out of here. But as she started the van, she looked up to find Mother Taylor watching her from beside Sarahs pearl-white SUV. It was clear from her expression that shed witnessed the lost-key episode.
From the front steps of the restaurant, Belinda waved then made the universal sign to telephone.
Allie knew Belinda didnt mean call her. Reaching in her pocket, she half expected the psychics business card to be missing. But it was still there, she realized with sagging relief. As crazy as the idea of reaching Nick beyond the grave was, shed do anything to make this stop.