About Time Already

Acknowledgements

Without the support of family and friends, I never would have found the strength and patience to begin and to finally conclude this, my first novel. I give special thanks to my mother who encouraged me to write. Of course, she really only expected that I would write a few poems. I thank my daughter for pushing me along, every step of the way. And, my son I thank for keeping me sane and grounded as I wrote, rewrote, and wrote some more. Then there were my wonderful friends who waded through my first rough draft and did not hold back. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate their honest, candid reactions. I truly believe that stories are to be written for and shaped by those closest to us.

Chapter 1

Monday, August 20, 2001

Elizabeth Warner rushed into Dr. Samuel’s office first thing that morning waving her home pregnancy test kit. She was beaming and pregnant.

Dr. Samuel had absolutely no interest in becoming a father. In fact, he had very little interest in Elizabeth. She was nearly sixteen, and he preferred only very attractive fourteen and fifteen year old girlfriends. Knowing he needed time to think, he told Elizabeth to come to their usual meeting place that night at midnight.

As soon as Elizabeth left his office, Dr. Samuel raced upstairs to find his mother, Sarah Roberts. She was always there to enable him, and he was sure she would know what to do. Together they worked out a plan.

That night at midnight when Elizabeth came to the Roberts’ basement, to the large well-insulated storage room with the red door and the deadbolt lock, Dr. Samuel was waiting for her. He told her he would need to take some blood so he could medically verify her pregnancy and run some tests.

Elizabeth had trusted and adored Dr. Samuel. She hadn’t asked why he was giving her an injection. Her final expression was one of confusion.

Dr. Samuel had been hovering nearby—looking cold and detached—as he watched Elizabeth quietly slip away. When he was sure she had taken her last breath, he began talking to her in his most solemn, comforting bedside voice.

I want you to know this wasn’t my idea. My mother made me do it. She can be pretty crazy. You know how she is, but you can relax now. I’m going to wrap you in some soft warm sheets. There is a nice old shed out back. You know the one. I’m going to take you out there. Everything will be fine. It won’t hurt a bit, really. You can trust me.

Sarah was waiting in the shed. She’d decided that Elizabeth would be buried in the old gardeners’ shed under the ancient wooden tool chest that hadn’t been touched for years. The shed had a dirt floor, and it was surrounded by overgrown bushes in a dark corner of the Roberts’ backyard. Sarah had supervised while Dr. Samuel dug the hole earlier that night.

Sadly, Elizabeth Warner’s final resting place was only ten feet from her own backyard. She had lived with her parents and sister next door to the Roberts in New Attica, a very small, safe town in Central Illinois.

Sarah knew the Warner family well. She sent an anonymous note to them the next day. The note said that Elizabeth had gone to stay with a friend and wouldn’t be coming back. As far as anyone would ever know, Elizabeth had run away from home.

Neither Sarah nor Dr. Samuel went back to the room with the red door that night. If they had, they would have noticed Elizabeth’s bag and a few other things they should have cleaned up.

Three days later, Dr. Samuel received a letter asking for money for college and living expenses. $2,500 per month—in the form of a cashier’s check—was to be sent to Ms. Elizabeth Warner at a post office box in Blessington, Illinois. The letter explained that the checks should continue to arrive for ten years. Failure to receive a check would result in certain evidence being brought to the attention of the New Attica sheriff and the Warner family. The letter hadn’t been signed, but Dr. Samuel knew that Jenny Masters had very recently left New Attica to attend college in Blessington.

Jenny had been Dr. Samuel’s girlfriend just prior to Elizabeth. Dr. Samuel was convinced that Jenny was feeling vindictive and must have been there that night to witness Elizabeth’s burial. He spoke to his mother, and they both agreed that Sarah would pay the blackmail. However, if Jenny came back to New Attica, they would encourage her to leave. And, if she became difficult or demanding, they were prepared to bury her in the shed next to Elizabeth.

Chapter 2

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Mrs. Masters? Mrs. Masters, can you hear me? You’re in the hospital. You’ve been in a car accident. The New Attica Hospital’s emergency room doctor was trying to get Mary Masters to focus and respond.

Mary squinted at the doctor. I’m in a hospital? Jenny? Where’s my daughter, Jenny Masters?

The ER doctor looked to the nurses for help. They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and shook their heads.

Mrs. Masters, it looks like you are going to be with us for a couple days. We have you tentatively scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning to set your broken leg. You also have a broken arm. Otherwise, you were lucky. Just a few bruises and scrapes.

Mary sighed. Please find Jenny. Tell her I’m here.

In New Attica everyone knew that Mary lived alone but also knew she had been Doc Roberts’ office receptionist for the past twenty years. He had been called as soon as Mary arrived at the hospital.

After being assured that she was going to be fine, Doc methodically took care of the patients waiting in his office before he made the short trip to the hospital. By the time he arrived, Mary had been moved to a room in the north wing and fallen asleep.

A nurse saw Doc and stopped to talk to him. Mary was awake when they brought her to her room, but she seemed confused.

About?

She kept asking for Jenny, kept saying that Jenny works here. She put up quite a fuss when we told her that we don’t have a Jenny here.

Mary has a daughter named Jenny.

Right. Jenny Masters. I haven’t seen her in New Attica for quite a few years.

Nine years.

She didn’t ever work here, as far as I know.

She didn’t.

I wonder why Mary thought Jenny was here.

Jenny works at the hospital in Blessington.

I’m from Blessington. Nice town. A whole lot bigger than tiny New Attica. Mary must be really confused if she thinks she’s at Blessington’s hospital. Blessington’s over an hour from here.

Has Jenny been called?

No, Doctor, we haven’t made any calls.

I’ll take care of it. Doc looked and sounded more grim than usual. He knew that his wife, Sarah, would be very unhappy if Jenny returned to New Attica. He also knew that Jenny had been very angry when she left New Attica, and he didn’t blame her.

When Doc got back to his office, he went to Mary’s desk and found Jenny’s phone numbers. He wasn’t looking forward to speaking with her, but Mary was asking for her daughter, and he would make the call. He picked up Mary’s phone, dialed Jenny’s cell phone number, and hoped to get her voice mail. He was disappointed when Jenny picked up before the second ring.

With a cheeriness that caught Doc off guard, Jenny said, Hi, Mom.

Doc took a deep, slow breath as he settled himself at Mary’s desk. Jenny, this is Doc Roberts.

Oh…

After a long uncomfortable silence, Doc said, Jenny, your mother has been in a car accident.

Jenny made a quick little gasp.

She’s going to be fine. She has a broken leg, a broken arm, and a few cuts and bruises. She’ll be fine.

Jenny didn’t comment.

Jenny, your mother has been asking for you. Can you come?

***

Without hesitation Jenny said, Yes and hung up her phone. For a few minutes she felt numb. Hearing Doc’s voice and hearing him say that her mother had been injured had initially been too much to process. She had been too stunned to ask for details. She just wanted to see her mother as soon as possible.

Jenny had been sitting in her cubicle at work when she answered Doc’s call. After a half-hearted attempt to straighten her desk, she sent an email to her manager, shut down her computer, and left the hospital. As she drove away, she was thinking about how she envied people with big, happy families. It had always been just her and her mother. She had never known her father and didn’t have any brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, or grandparents. All too often Jenny felt very alone.

When she noticed she was breezing past Michelle Bradbury’s garden shop, she quickly hit the brakes, pulled in and parked. Michelle was the only person in Blessington she had really talked to. She made a beeline to the office where she could see Max Lawson standing at Michelle’s desk, and she thought it looked like they were flirting with each other. Jenny felt a twinge of jealousy. She hadn’t felt that comfortable with a man for a long time.

***

Michelle had called Max—her old friend and computer expert—to ask for his help with her budget software, but also because she thought he might welcome an excuse to stop by. As she had hoped, he arrived quickly and tracked down the problem. And now she was very much enjoying his attention as he playfully leaned over her shoulder to set up a new spreadsheet on her computer. He had just started to nuzzle in close to her neck when he spotted Jenny at the door. Michelle, look who’s here.

Michelle quickly composed herself. Jenny, it’s good to see you. Come in. Have a seat. What brings you to my office this morning?

While Jenny slid into a chair, Max gave Michelle’s shoulders a quick squeeze. I know you girls want to talk, and I need to get to my next appointment. Michelle, I’ll call you later. He left them, closing the door on his way out.

***

Jenny had excelled in her college computer science program, and she had been able to find a good IT job at Blessington’s hospital. At that time, both Max and Michelle were senior members of the hospital’s IT department, and Michelle had become her mentor. Since Michelle was almost twenty-five years older, it had been easy for Jenny to let Michelle take her under her wing and treat her like one of her own kids. Jenny had quickly begun to trust Michelle. It hadn’t been long before she’d started confiding in Michelle and asking for her advice.

Deep in thought, Jenny had been staring out Michelle’s window. Soon she abruptly turned to Michelle and blurted, I have to go home. I mean I have to go back to New Attica. My mother needs me. She was in a car accident this morning.

I don’t know, Jenny. The Roberts family nearly destroyed your life. Are you sure you’re ready to see Dr. Samuel again?

For most of Jenny’s life, her mother had been the receptionist for the medical offices located on the first floor of Doc and Sarah Roberts’ home. Dr. Samuel had joined the practice and opened his office in the Roberts’ home when Jenny was twelve. He had noticed her immediately, but he waited until she was fourteen to make his move. It seemed innocent at first. He simply started complimenting her every time he saw her. Then he made a point of seeing her several times each day. She was always there, always right there at his office. After a few weeks, he asked her if she would like to see some of the antique examination tables that were being stored in one of the rooms in the basement.

Jenny hadn’t hesitated. She followed Dr. Samuel down the stairs and through the basement to the room with the red door. He asked if she would like to see how doctors examined women. She said, Sure, of course. He asked if she would promise to keep it a secret. She said she would.

After he closed and locked the door, Dr. Samuel told her she would need to remove all of her clothes. He had said, This will be a very complete examination, but you can relax. I promise you will enjoy this.

Jenny hadn’t questioned him and eagerly and quickly undressed. He had positioned her on the examination table on her back and put her feet in the stirrups. The exam had been very thorough, and she enjoyed every minute of it. When Dr. Samuel finished he’d said, We can do this again, but only if you promise to keep this a secret. She had agreed, and she kept the secret. Jenny loved the attention. This was something new and exciting and precious to her.

She had never felt like Dr. Samuel was trying to hurt her in any way. In fact, she had fond memories of the hours she spent with him during those two years. She did, however, later understand that his attention was actually abuse, and it had destroyed her ability to connect with people in healthy ways.

Jenny forced her memories aside, sat up straight, looked Michelle in the eye, and said, I can do this. The Roberts can’t control my life forever. I have a plan. I always have a plan. My job requires top-notch planning, and I do my job well.

Jenny, this isn’t your job. This is your life. This is different. These are people, not computer systems. Computer systems have documentation—people don’t. Computer systems are logical and predictable—people aren’t. You may not be able to do this according to your plan.

Jenny sighed, leaned back in her chair, and stared at the ceiling. She looked deflated. Her confidence had disappeared. When she looked at Michelle again, she said, You’re right. I’ve been pretty successful with computers. On the other hand, people have always been a challenge. They never cease to surprise and confuse me.

Chapter 3

Michael, this is your father.

Michael Roberts sounded alarmed. Dad, you never call my cell phone. Is everything all right?

Doc mumbled quietly, Yes, yes, fine. Mary Masters has been in a car accident. She’s in the hospital.

After a long silence, Michael said, I’m sorry to hear that. What can I do to help?

Doc said, still in his usual quiet monotone, I’ve got everything under control.

Following a longer silence, Michael said, Dad, are you okay?

After Doc cleared his throat, in an unusually clear, strong voice he said, Michael, I thought you would like to know that Jenny Masters will be back in town very soon.

***

Jenny made the drive from Blessington to New Attica in a record hour and twenty minutes. She drove directly to the New Attica hospital, nearly jogged up the walkway, pushed through the front entrance, and headed straight down the hall to the patient rooms. She finally had to slow down and turn around when she realized she needed her mother’s room number. That was when she recognized an attractive young doctor who was very noticeably watching her.

Jenny felt as though she had been hit with an electrical jolt. Her mouth went dry, her knees started to buckle, and she needed a few seconds to steady herself.

Michael Roberts’ calm voice quietly said, Jenny, your mother is in room 312. North wing. His look was very intense. He seemed to want to say more, much more.

Jenny didn’t want to hear more. Michael had been her best friend until she was sixteen and found that she was pregnant—and scared to death. She didn’t think it was her place to name the father, so she didn’t and everyone incorrectly assumed it was Michael. First he seemed jealous but then he got so mad that he terminated their friendship.

A long look passed between them before Michael said, I’ve finished medical school. I’m interning here now.

Congratulations. Jenny said the word but couldn’t force herself to smile or feel happy for him. Michelle was right. She wasn’t ready. Seeing Michael again brought back all of the pain she’d tried so hard to leave behind. Distance. If she was going to survive this day, she was going to need to distance herself from the Roberts family.

Quickly, without another word, she turned and walked down the hall to her mother’s room. Mary was sleeping, so Jenny closed the door, perched in the chair by her bed, and fidgeted as quietly as she could.

After a few minutes, Mary woke up and reached for Jenny with her good hand. Jenny, I’m so glad you’re here. I was in a car accident this morning. It was so awful. I was driving to work, just like usual, when another car ran right into the side of my car. For a while I was stuck in the car. I don’t remember very much after that.

Mom, I’m here now. How do you feel? Do you know where you are?

Mary looked confused and then drifted off to sleep again.

A nurse had joined them. She said, Doc should be back soon. He will be able to answer your questions.

I’ve left my dog in the car, and I need to go let him out for a while. If Mom wakes up, tell her I’ll be right back. Jenny didn’t wait for a response. She was determined to escape before Doc arrived.

With a broken heart, Jenny had let Doc and her mother convince her to give up her baby. Doc arranged the adoption, and that was an extremely difficult time, but the worst day of her life had come exactly three months later. Doc had asked Mary to bring Jenny to his office. When they arrived, he closed the door and asked them to sit down. Jenny desperately hoped for good news. There was, however, only horrible news. Doc quietly told them that Jenny’s baby had died of SIDS. Jenny burst out of his office and out of the Roberts’ home, slamming every door she touched. Since then she hadn’t spoken to any of the Roberts—until today.

When Jenny left the north wing of the hospital, she turned towards the side door to avoid the front desk and Michael. She was almost to the exit when a boy ran past her and out the door ahead of her. Jenny wanted to be sure that the boy’s parents saw him leave the hospital. She stopped, turned around, and again found herself face to face with Michael. This time he sidestepped her and hurried after the boy.

Jenny watched Michael and the boy just for a second before she followed them out the door. She quickly headed towards her car where her dog, Frank, was waiting. He was a gorgeous husky/lab mix with blue eyes and thick, soft fur. He had been her best friend and companion for the past few years.

When Frank saw Jenny heading his way, his head popped out the back window, and he greeted her with a few friendly barks. Jenny let him out so he could take care of business. He was running from tree to tree and bush to bush sniffing and marking while she poured some water into his bowl. She looked up in time to see the boy running over. Frank saw the boy too and trotted over to greet him. They looked like long lost friends. Jenny walked over and introduced Frank.

The boy looked up at her for the first time.

Jenny froze.

Michael said, Jenny, this is Alex.

Jenny was staring at Alex. He looked a lot like Michael. She was thinking that he must be Michael’s son. That would make sense. She had asked that her mom not talk to her about the Roberts. Maybe Michael had married right after high school and had a son.

Michael said, Alex, maybe Jenny would let you take her dog for a short walk.

It took Jenny a few seconds to respond. She was fascinated by this boy. I’ll clip his leash on him, and you can take him on a walk around the hospital grounds. Don’t be too long. I need to be going in a few minutes.

Alex was almost jumping up and down while Jenny was attaching the leash. After she handed Frank over to him, they took off running across the grass. Jenny couldn’t help but watch after them. It was such a perfect picture, this boy and her dog.

Michael quietly broke into her thoughts. Jenny, do you want to talk?

Jenny glared at him for a few long seconds. Why now, Michael? Why would I want to talk to you now? I needed you ten years ago. She crossed her arms and turned away from him.

When Jenny saw Alex and Frank running around the side of the hospital, though, she couldn’t help but smile. He’s adorable, Michael.

He is.

You’re so lucky to have such a wonderful son in your life. Jenny’s bitterness was palpable.

He’s not my son, Jenny. Alex is staying with us this summer. He’s my mom’s second cousin’s son.

Really?

Yes, really. Long story.

Alex ran back to them with Frank. He said to Jenny, Can I see Frank tomorrow? Can I? To Michael he said, Is it okay, Uncle Michael? Is it?

It was clear that Frank liked Alex. Jenny liked Alex too. Sure. I’ll be staying at Mary’s house with Frank. Come on over. We’d be glad to have you. I’ll bet I can even find some ice cream for you.

Frank started nudging Michael and didn’t stop until Michael reached down to pet him. Soon Frank’s tail, as well as most of his eighty-five-pound body, was wagging almost uncontrollably.

Jenny led Frank away and said