Unconventional Scars Read online

  “I’m gonna run to the men’s room for a minute, okay? You just look around and I’ll be right back.” Leaving the girl studying a display of candles, he pushed open the door to the restroom and pulled out his cell phone. There was a lot to be done, and much of it was out of his realm of expertise. He needed a female’s insight for this first particular hurdle.

  “Hamilton Realty, Lisa speaking.”

  “Lisa, honey,” he said into the phone, “I’m going to need your help.”

  ****

  Anna felt much more relaxed after lunch. She was less apprehensive about answering her uncle’s questions, no longer fearful that any unfavorable responses might result in her immediate discardment by the side of the road. He seemed genuinely concerned for her well-being.

  They hadn’t traveled more than twenty miles from the restaurant when she suddenly blurted, “I’m really sorry about all this.”

  Dumbfounded, Phil turned his head and gaped at her long enough to run the risk of driving his Lexus off the road and onto the median. “You’re . . . sorry for what?”

  Anna fiddled with her seat belt, embarrassed. “I’m sorry you had to come all this way to get me. And that you’re stuck being responsible for me.”

  “Anna! Sweetie. You know that none of this is your fault. You do know that, right?”

  Silence from the passenger seat. After all, what could she say to that? All her life she’d shouldered not only the blame for her mother’s actions, but the consequences.

  Phil cleared his throat. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but I had no idea where you and your mom were all these years. She never contacted me, never said a word before you left. She just disappeared one day and I had no clue where she’d gone. I would have kept in touch if I’d known where you were.

  “As for being responsible for you, I’m really happy you’re coming to live with me. Honest. It’ll be a lot of fun having you around. You were always my favorite niece, you know.”

  Anna looked up, and for the first time granted him a smile. “I’m your only niece, Uncle Phil.”

  He chuckled. “Well. I see I can’t put anything past you.”

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course! Ask me anything you like.” He seemed relieved that she was beginning to open up somewhat.

  “How come you never had any kids?”

  “How did you know that?”

  “Mrs. Patterson mentioned it.”

  “Oh. Well . . . my ex-wife Teresa was never interested in having children, which I guess was a blessing in disguise since we divorced after just one year. And . . . well, I never remarried. I’d still like to someday, if circumstances prove favorable. Lisa – my girlfriend – also wants children at some point so you never know. Someday down the road you might get to babysit a little cousin.”

  “Does Lisa live with you?”

  “No, she has her own place.”

  “Does she know about me yet?”

  “Yes, she does. She’s excited you’re coming to live with me and as a matter of fact, she’s going to take you shopping for some new clothes for school. She’s a wonderful person. You’ll love her.” Phil glanced over and grinned. “She also has amazing taste. You’ll be looking glamorous in no time.”

  Anna pushed some of the strands of long hair out of her face and contemplated this. She didn’t want to be a financial burden to Uncle Phil, but there was no doubt she really needed some new clothes. She didn’t want to be an embarrassment to him, either. Judging from the new car he drove and the way he was dressed, he obviously didn’t live his life the way his sister did.

  That brought another question to mind. “Where do you work? I mean, what do you do, exactly?”

  “I’m a business development consultant. I work from home, so a lot of the time I’ll be around. However . . . I frequently have to travel out of town to meet with clients. There are occasions when I’m gone for several days at a time. Will that bother you? Because you can always stay at Lisa’s house if you want to. She wouldn’t mind.”

  “No. I’m used to being by myself.”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “Oh. What all did Mrs. Alvarez tell you?”

  “That you were basically left to fend for yourself most of the time. Just so you know, it won’t be that way with me. You’ll be very well provided for.”

  “Are you sure you’re related to my mom?”

  Phil laughed at this. “I used to wonder sometimes. We were completely different, even as kids.”

  “Guess that’s a good thing.” Anna tried to keep the bitterness from her voice. It wasn’t easy.

  ****

  With the initial barrier broken, they discovered more about each other during the long drive home.

  He learned that she’d frequented the public library because she loved to read, and that she loved music. He suspected she had used these activities as escapes. She didn’t appear to have had any friends, other than an elderly lady who lived in her apartment complex and served as a surrogate mother.

  He learned that orange was still her favorite color, that she loved cheese pizza and anything chocolate, that history had always been her best subject in school, and that she’d never had any major illnesses. That she had taken driver’s education and had her learner’s permit, but not her license. That she’d once spent two weeks living in a public park when she and her mother were homeless. That she believed her mother loved her and was only neglectful because she didn’t know any better.

  She countered with questions of her own. Anna learned that her mother and uncle used to play practical jokes on each other when they were children and that as a result, he once washed his hair with shampoo laced with pink dye.

  She learned that he had met Lisa when she sold him the house where he now lived and that on their first date they went canoeing and it rained most of the time but they had fun anyway. That he was thirty-six years old, enjoyed his career, went skiing frequently during the winter months, and ate takeout most of the time because he was a lousy cook. That he had been miserable in his first marriage.

  They stopped around three o’clock at a rest stop to stretch their legs and use the restrooms. Phil had to admit, his niece was the perfect traveling companion. She seemed to have an infinite amount of patience, never once asking how much longer the drive would be.

  They had dinner at a steakhouse just before sundown. As the waiter showed them to their table, Phil couldn’t help noticing that the girl’s step was peppier, that her eyes were brighter. Oh, the resilience of youth. She appeared to now be enjoying this little road trip, and the mountainous landscape fascinated her. Undoubtedly she had never traveled much, aside from moving from place to place, and it occurred to him that eating in a restaurant was more than likely a rarity for her as well. Considering his cooking skills, that would soon change.

  By the time they reached the city limits of home, the sun had long since set and Anna had fallen asleep, her head resting against the car window. The lights from town woke her, however, and she lifted her head, blinking sleepily and looking around.

  “We’re here!” Phil announced. “Smoky Hollow, North Carolina. Home sweet home.” He felt a bit like a tour guide as he pointed out some of the businesses. Anna was quiet, but scrutinized the sights with interest.

  “There’s a video store right there - they have a great selection. That’s the post office over there. The library’s one street over. That Chinese restaurant is really good – I order from there all the time because they deliver. I think I personally keep them in business. And . . . there’s the high school where you’ll be going. East Emerson High.” He thought he detected trepidation in her eyes as she gazed at the school, and once again felt sadness for this kid whose social life had been so warped. He prayed silently that she would fit in here.

  Only a few blocks from downtown, Philip abruptly turned into a driveway and looked over at the familiar stranger by his side. “Well, here we are,” he said gently.
They were home.

  ****

  Anna was surprised by how chilly the March air was when she opened the car door. Even more surprising was the house itself. Still feeling a bit groggy from her nap, she couldn’t help but wonder if somehow she was still asleep and none of this was even real. Because this couldn’t possibly be her new home. No way! Oh, holy cow . . .

  Even in the dark, she could see that the house was beautiful. It was a two-story log home with a paved driveway leading up to a garage, whose open door displayed a black Suburban with a ski rack on top. In front of the house were cedar steps leading up to a porch framed with wooden rails. As she walked closer, a light tripped by a motion sensor illuminated the area and the first thing she noticed was a swing hanging on the far side of the porch. The front door was flanked on either side by two huge windows, covered from the inside by thick drapes. There was even an expensive-looking wreath on the door. It occurred to her that if anyone in her old neighborhood had ever put a wreath like that on the door, it would have been swiped by dawn the next day.

  “Here, can you grab these bags please?” Phil had the trunk open and was pulling out his suitcase and her own plastic bags. She took them from him and he grinned at her wide-eyed expression. “So what do you think of your new home?”

  “It’s . . . gorgeous!” She didn't know what else to say. This was a far cry from anyplace she'd ever lived before. No graffiti on the walls. No broken windows. No dealers hanging around the neighborhood. No reason to be afraid. Not anymore.

  Slamming the trunk, Phil jerked his head toward the house. “Come on, let’s go inside.” With the relaxed ease of a person who is in their own familiar surroundings, he jogged up the steps, quickly located the house key on his key ring and opened the front door, clicking on a light as he entered. Anna followed behind, gaping. The front door opened directly into a living room with a vaulted ceiling and hardwood floor. Against the wall on the right was a stone fireplace. On the left of that was a huge oak entertainment center holding a large flat screen television and DVD player. Beside this was a wall rack holding hundreds of DVDs and CDs, and nearby was a home audio system.

  A tan leather sofa with red pillows faced the fireplace and television. End tables with matching lamps were on either side of the couch, and situated around the cozy room was more furniture – a wine-red recliner on the far side, a rocking chair with a red cushion nearest the window. The drapes covering the windows were a deep hunter green, with lovely designs of tan and red woven into them.

  To the far left of the front door was a staircase and farther into the room was an open archway, where Phil was heading. He clicked on a light just inside and said, “Here’s the kitchen.” Anna followed and peeked inside. It was a lovely, spacious kitchen, with ceramic tiles and a large breakfast nook. Moonlight shone in through the sliding glass doors.

  After giving her a moment to take it all in, Phil clicked off the kitchen light and pointed to a hallway. “My bedroom and bathroom are down the hall on the right. The door across the hall leads to my office. The computer's in there if you ever need to use it. Actually, we might want to get you one of your own. You'll probably need it for school. Anyway, the door next to that leads to the basement. Laundry facilities are down there. You can explore all you want later, but right now I’ll show you to your room because you look exhausted. No offense.”

  Anna trailed after him up the stairs. “The room on the left is just kinda where I store all my junk. Weight bench, skis, all that crap." He turned to the right and opened a door. “This is . . . was . . . the spare bedroom. It’s yours now. I know it doesn’t exactly look like a girl’s room but you can personalize it later, however you like. Um, and it has its own bathroom too. Lisa already came over and stocked it with some stuff for you. I wouldn’t have a clue what you might need.”

  All the time he was speaking, Anna stood frozen just inside the doorway. How could he be so nonchalant about all this? She felt as if she’d stepped into the home of some flawless family sitcom. That she, Anna Moore, was to be granted the luxury of residing in this paradise after living in squalor all her life was beyond comprehension. It was overwhelming.

  Suddenly feeling cold, she began to shake. All the events of the past two weeks felt as if they were rising out of her and sticking in her throat, and without meaning to, without any warning, she began to cry. And the more she tried not to, the more futile the struggle to restrain her emotions became. The frustration of past years fought for release.

  Even through her tears, she could see that poor Uncle Phil looked horrified. He had her sit on the edge of the bed and then joined her, awkwardly patting her back while attempting to soothe her by saying things like, “If you want I’ll have an interior decorator come in and redo the room however you want it! Please don’t cry! What is it? Are you homesick? Is it the color? We can paint it! Anything you want!”

  If Anna hadn't been crying so hard, she might have laughed. Between sobs, she told him, “It’s not . . . that . . . hiccup . . . the room’s pretty . . . hiccup . . . I don’t . . . know . . . why I’m crying . . . hiccup . . . I’m sorry . . .”

  Eventually her tears subsided and she sat hunched over, sniffling and feeling foolish. Phil gave her a hug and told her that she should go to bed, that she’d feel better in the morning after a good night’s sleep. “You can take a nice hot bath if you like. There’s towels and everything you need in there.” He stood up. “I know this has all been really rough on you. But things are going to get better, I promise. You won’t believe how much better. Trust me, you’re going to be happy here. I’m just downstairs if you need me.” Then he left, closing the door softly behind him.

  Anna took a deep breath. She felt so stupid for coming apart like that. She also, oddly enough, felt a lot better. Why do girls have to be so emotional? she wondered. Uncle Phil probably thinks I’m a basket case. He’s right though, a hot bath and a good night’s sleep are just what I need right now.

  The bathroom was unbelievable. It was huge too, with a lovely garden tub, a separate shower, and plenty of counter space. A wide mirror filled the entire space above the sink. A towel rack on the wall held peach-colored towels and washcloths. And everything was so clean, it practically sparkled. Some items had already been placed on the counter and on the side of the tub. Soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving gel, a package of pink disposable razors, toothpaste, a toothbrush, mouthwash . . . anything she could have possibly needed was right at her fingertips. Lisa had even included a box of tampons, which in Anna’s opinion was a really thoughtful gesture.

  While running her bath Anna also discovered, to her delight, a bottle of scented bubble bath, and she added some to the steaming water. It smelled heavenly, sort of like honeysuckle. It felt a bit queer to undress in this strange new place, but she stripped off her clothes quickly and emerged herself in the foamy water. She felt less self-conscious underneath the bubbles.

  For a while, she just lay there with her eyes closed, inhaling the fragrance and feeling luxurious. It was hard to fathom that this was to be her very own bathroom, that every day from now on she would have this elegant room in which to bathe and get ready for school. She tried to picture herself, standing in front of the mirror on weekday mornings, brushing her teeth and preparing herself for school. It seemed weird.

  Anna thought about Uncle Phil. He seemed like an easy person to get along with. What would it be like, living here with him? So far everything seemed almost too perfect to be true. There was bound to be a flaw. No doubt that flaw would be school and trying to fit in there. Well, at least there were only two and a half more months before summer vacation. She could take solace in that.

  By the time Anna reluctantly left the bathtub, her fingers and toes were wrinkled. She wrapped herself in one of the thick peach-colored bath towels and padded across the sage-green plush carpet into her new room. As she got into her panties and nightgown, she inspected the area more thoroughly. The queen-sized bed was neatly made up with maroon-colored
sheets and a pretty, if not exactly very feminine, brown and maroon comforter. There was a dresser with an oval mirror above it, a small desk and chair, and a door that led to a large closet. On one side of the bed was a nightstand with a lamp and a clock radio on it, informing her that it was long past midnight.

  Suddenly feeling very sleepy, Anna decided any further exploration could wait. It had been such a long day. Flicking off the light switch, she crawled into the sinfully comfortable bed and fell asleep almost before her head hit the pillow.

  3

  Friday morning, Lisa Hamilton sat in the breakfast nook with Philip, lightly tapping her manicured nails on the kitchen table while he filled her in on the previous day’s events.

  “Then she just starts bawling like crazy!” he was saying. “I didn’t know what to do. She just sat there and cried and says she doesn’t know why she’s crying. I had no idea what was going on. Is that normal?”

  Lisa smiled and rolled her eyes. She loved Phil, but like any man, he could be so clueless. “Yes, it’s perfectly normal. Guys get angry when they’re confused. Girls cry. After all she’s been through, believe me, it could have been worse.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s almost eleven-thirty. Her hair appointment is at one. Do you think we should wake her up? She needs to eat something before we go.”

  “I hate to wake her. She looked worn out last night. Can you maybe change her appointment time?”

  “Well . . . we’ll give her fifteen more minutes. Maybe she’ll be up by then. What are your plans for the day?”

  “I have to take her transcript to the school and talk to the principal. Hopefully she’ll be able to start on Monday.” Philip laughed wryly. “Man, it feels strange to know I’m the guardian of a teenage girl. I never would have imagined it.”