Part 9 (1/2)
Chapter Nine.
Anne stomped into her house and threw her bag on the nearest chair. She'd had it. Samantha Moore was impossible. She'd overlooked the young woman's contrary att.i.tude while she used every ounce of experience she had to help her, and what does Sam do? Ignores her pleas for caution and falls off a porch, wrenching her right ankle. Anne tugged at her thick braid in frustration. Then she had the audacity not only to argue with Greg as he carried her in and out of the car, but to kick Anne out after she'd settled her in bed.
How in the h.e.l.l did she think she could manage? Anne had half a mind to let her try. Call Lawrence Moore and tell him she quit. Working at a bar and handling drunks had to be easier than dealing with that woman. No, wait-the care facility over in Hankton. Sure-the salary wouldn't be as high, and the cost of driving the eighty-mile round-trip would take out a chunk, but it would be better than putting up with Samantha Moore's drama. She'd drive over there tomorrow and at least check it out.
She paced into the kitchen and yanked open the refrigerator. No, she couldn't do that. She'd never abandoned a patient before, but G.o.d, it was tempting. She'd go back to the cabin tonight, but keep the idea of resigning in mind. It wouldn't hurt to ask around. Maybe she could find another patient. Hearing the front door slam, she turned to see Caleb stride into the kitchen. He took one look at his mother's face and skidded to a halt.
”What's wrong?”
Anne blew out a long breath. ”Sam fell,” she said, shutting the door, ”and-”
”Is she okay?” Caleb's eyebrows shot up. ”Did she fall during therapy?”
”She'll be fine. It's a minor injury and should be okay in a couple of days. And no, it happened at Greg's . . . long story.”
”You know, Mom, people around the lake are talking about her.”
”Who?”
Caleb shrugged. ”Esther Dunlap-”
Anne cut him off. ”You haven't been charging at Dunlap's again, have you?”
”No. I paid cash,” he replied defensively. ”But I ran into someone down there and they were asking me all about Miss Moore. They said they'd heard stuff about her from Mrs. Dunlap and Mr. Thorpe.”
Figures, Anne thought with disgust. If Fritz mentioned his encounter with Sam to Esther, she would've pa.s.sed his tale along to everyone she knew. And once the story hit the rumor mill, the degree of Sam's antisocial behavior would've grown with each telling.
”Who wanted to know about her?”
Caleb's gaze wandered around the room as he refused to meet her eyes. ”Just someone.”
Anne knew immediately who'd been quizzing him. ”Teddy Brighton.”
”Yeah,” he said quickly, returning his attention to her, ”but I wasn't hanging out with him. I just ran into him at Dunlap's.”
She eyed him with skepticism, making him squirm.
”Honest. I only talked to him for a couple of minutes.”
”I hope that's true, Caleb,” she replied sternly. ”And I hope you didn't tell him anything I've told you about Samantha Moore.”
”Nah, he seemed more curious about where she was living. He said he'd heard something about the woman who used to live there and his grandfather. He said-”
Blanche Jones and the first Theodore Brighton. Anne held up her hand, stopping him. She'd heard those stories, too, but she didn't intend to discuss old gossip with her teenage son. She had enough to think about dealing with the present; forget about something that happened decades ago.
Anne reached up and tousled Caleb's hair. ”I have to go back and I'll probably be spending the night,” she finished, trying to keep the dread out of her voice. ”You'll be okay here alone?”
”Ah, Mom,” Caleb replied, dropping his chin. ”I'm not a little kid.”
”I know, but I don't want you doing anything stupid.”
His head lifted. ”Like what?”
”Like inviting Teddy over.”
”Mom, forget about Teddy,” he argued. ”You told me to stay away from him and I have.” He scuffed a tennis shoe across the floor. ”Besides, Teddy's too busy entertaining a bunch of his city friends.”
”Good,” she replied emphatically. ”Let them get in trouble instead of you.”
”Mom-” He cut himself off and chewed on his lip. ”Why didn't you tell me you talked to Mr. Thorpe?”
Anne looked away, missing the sudden light in Caleb's eye.
”He said you don't want me to play in the Fourth of July concert,” he continued.
She waved away his words. ”I didn't think you'd have the time to practice, what with your job and getting ready for your senior year.”
”But-”
The sudden ringing of the phone interrupted him. Happy to end the conversation, Anne grabbed it on the second ring.
”h.e.l.lo.”
”Ms. Weaver?”
”Yes.”
”I'm Joseph Marshall with Scott County Bank-”
Anne's hand on the receiver tightened.
”This is in regard to your Visa payment,” he continued.
Glancing at Caleb, now perusing the contents of the refrigerator, she walked slowly into the living room as she kept her voice low. ”I made a payment last week.”
”Yes, I see that,” the voice on the phone answered smoothly. ”But were you aware that your minimum payment has increased?”
”No,” she answered as her heart picked up its rhythm. ”How much?”
”It's now one hundred and fifty dollars and-”
”But that's doubled,” she cried.
”You were sent a notice,” he replied calmly.
”I can't afford that.”