Rebecca's Little Secret. Judy Christenberry

      “Have you had a lot of emergencies?”

      “Once, when he was eighteen months, he swallowed a penny. Another night, he ran a very high fever, and I had to take him to the emergency room because I was afraid he had some horrible disease. The waiting is painful when you’re the only adult, and you’re not sure if you’re doing the right thing.”

      “I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you.”

      “Well, we both know that’s my fault.” She moved away to stop the conversation. “I think Joey needs to go to bed, and I’ll bring him up a tray of food. Maybe a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup, Betty, if that’s possible?”

      “’Course it is. I’ll have it ready in fifteen minutes.”

      “Thank you so much. Tell everyone good-night, sweetie.”

      “But, Mommy, I think I should get to watch television,” Joey informed her.

      Rebecca didn’t get angry. She just smiled and said, “And I think you should do as I said. Up the stairs and into your jammies.”

      He gave in easily, which showed her how tired he really was. Trauma always wears out a person.

      “May I help you put on your pajamas and get ready for bed?” Jeff asked.

      “Hey, yeah, ’cause we’re both boys,” Joey agreed, intrigued with that idea. “Mommy, can he help me?”

      “Of course. That would be nice. I’ll go find your pajamas while you wash your face and hands.”

      The three of them left the family and climbed the stairs. “I can see why Joey might be spoiled a little. They’re very loving,” Jeff said.

      “I don’t think you can have too much loving. When we lived in Arkansas, there was only me and Joey, and Mrs. Button, who baby-sat him. We’ve really enjoyed having family here.”

      “I know what you mean. I haven’t had any family since my uncle died. At least none that I knew of.”

      Rebecca refused to say anything else about their situation. Joey and his dad took a long time in the bathroom. Rebecca handed in the clean pajamas. Then she told them she was going down to get Joey’s dinner.

      When she came back up with the tray, Joey was in bed and Jeff was reading him one of his favorite books. She waited until Jeff finished the book. Then she asked him to pile up the pillows so Joey could eat. They both teased him into eating most of his dinner.

      Rebecca gave him two children’s Tylenol tablets and watched his eyelids grow heavy. She kissed him good-night and encouraged him to hug his daddy’s neck. Then she told him she would leave the light on in the bathroom and he should call her if he needed her.

      “Maybe I should stay. I could sleep in the other bed in his room so he won’t bother you.”

      “He won’t bother me. I said that so he’d know he wasn’t alone, but he’s going to sleep well tonight.”

      “I feel like I’m not being very helpful.”

      “I told you I appreciated your going with us to the dentist. That helped a lot.”

      As they came down the stairs, Betty came running down the hall. “Mr. Jacobs! I forgot to tell you to call your office when you got back. Your fiancée was there waiting for you.”

      “Oh, I’m sorry, Jeff. You shouldn’t have gone with us. I didn’t know you had a date with Chelsea.” Rebecca felt terribly guilty.

      “Damn! May I use your phone?” he asked Betty.

      “Of course you can. And Miz Vivian said to ask you to stay for dinner. It will be ready in five minutes.”

      “Let me see how things stand with Chelsea. Then I’ll let you know.”

      Rebecca was going to excuse herself, but Jeff caught her hand and stopped her from leaving the library. “Chelsea? I hope Harriet told you about the emergency.” He stood listening for several minutes. Rebecca looked away. “I see. Well, then, I’ll see you Saturday morning. I’ll pick you up at nine, okay?”

      After a brief moment, he hung up the phone. “That’s interesting,” he said.

      That remark got her attention. “What was interesting?”

      “It appears Bill took Chelsea out to dinner and then took her home. Her only complaint is that he refused to kiss her good-night.”

      Chapter Four

      “Doesn’t that upset you?” Rebecca asked with concern.

      “No.” He grinned. “That’s Chelsea trying to pay me back for not keeping our date.”

      “Oh.”

      “Am I still invited to dinner?” he asked when she said nothing else.

      “Oh! Yes, of course. Let’s go find the others.”

      Rebecca thought it would be best for her to see Jeff only in the company of others. She was too drawn to him, remembering the past, wanting a future that could never be.

      Will stood up as they came into the library, and shook Jeff’s hand. Vivian made him feel welcome.

      “How are things going between you and Joey? He’s such a sweet boy!”

      “Fine, Vivian. It will just take a little time to make up for four years.” He looked at Rebecca and held up a hand in apology, like tennis players do when the ball hits the net and goes over to the other player’s side, giving his opponent a point.

      “Rebecca has done a good job of raising him,” Jeff added.

      “Yes, she has. And he’s so smart. Smart children are more difficult to raise. Vanessa could always think of a good excuse to do what she wanted,” Vivian said with a laugh.

      “I can imagine,” Jeff agreed as Vanessa protested.

      “Dinner’s ready,” Betty announced as she entered the room.

      They all went in to dinner. Jeff took the seat beside Rebecca.

      She was a nervous wreck, finding it difficult to eat with Jeff sitting beside her, making conversation with Will. It seemed Jeff had a client who could use Will’s services.

      When dinner was over, Jeff asked Rebecca if they could check on Joey one more time, to be sure he’d gotten to sleep.

      They went up the stairs and opened Joey’s door quietly. The little boy was curled up under the covers, clutching his favorite teddy bear, sound asleep.

      “Does he always sleep with his teddy bear?” Jeff asked after they’d closed the door.

      “Yes. He sometimes gets scared in the dark. The teddy bear makes him feel better.” She thought maybe he was disappointed that his son wasn’t brave. “When he gets older, he won’t need the teddy bear, I’m sure.”

      “It doesn’t matter. I just wish I’d been there those times he got scared.”

      She turned her back to him. “It always comes down to my mistake, doesn’t it?”

      “I’m sorry. But it hurts that you didn’t think I’d care.”

      “Jeff—I was in shock when I first found out. My parents’ reaction made it worse. It seemed like no one cared and it was just me and the baby, on our own. Afterward, after Joey was born, I was afraid to let go, to bring someone else in to our close-knit world. It was wrong, I know, but I told you as soon as I found you.”

      “You didn’t exactly look for me.”

      “I know. What do you want me to do to make up for my negligence?”

      Suddenly, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. The kiss went on and on. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t