Friendly Betrayal

Kingsley was taken aback to see Rachel seated at the dining table when he came in for dinner that evening. She hadn't eaten with the family since her miscarriage. Even more shockingly, his mom was talking to her while a sullen Lucy sat between them, picking at her food.

"Hey, everyone," he greeted them and began eating.

His father entered. He, too, raised his eyebrows at seeing Rachel and his wife talking together, but said nothing as he took his seat.

Mabel and Rachel continued to make small talk.

"What do you think of dinner, dear?" Mabel asked her son.

"Great, it's delicious."

"It is delicious. Rachel is an amazing cook," Mabel said abruptly.

Her husband and son gaped.

"Rachel cooked this?" Kingsley was incredulous.

"No wonder it tastes like venom," Lucy said acidly.

"Quiet Lucy," Mabel said. "It's Rachel's recipe, and it's delicious."

"It's my mom's, actually," Rachel said, smiling at Kingsley.

Kingsley stood up abruptly. "I'm done."

"So soon?" His mother asked.

"Yeah, I have work to do." He left. Lucy stood up too.

"If anyone needs me, I'll be in my room throwing up," she said, marching out of the dining room.

"They don't mean it; they are just in a bad mood," Mabel said anxiously.

"It's okay. Let me help with the dishes." Rachel took the empty plates and headed for the kitchen.

"OK, are you going to tell me what's going on?" James demanded.

"They are just in a bad mood, like I said."

"I'm not talking about the kids. I'm talking about your new fondness for that gold digger. You were getting ready to send her packing; now you are praising her cooking? What the hell is going on?"

"Nothing. Like I told Lucy, I just feel it's time we gave her a chance, for Kingsley's sake."

"What?"

"Look, Kingsley loves her; you know that. She makes him happy. And his happiness is important."

James gaped at her. "Have you forgotten what she did? How did she deliberately cause her miscarriage?"

"We don't know that for sure; besides, it's in the past. Like I said, our son's happiness matters more."

"What are you not telling me, honey? If I didn't know better, I'd say she had something hanging over you."

Mabel's heart skipped at the accuracy of her husband's guess, but she tried to dismiss his suspicions.

"Don't be ridiculous, honey; how can you suggest such nonsense? I'm only interested in Kingsley's happiness, and so should you. Now promise you'll be kinder to her, please! For our son's sake,"

Baffled, James promised.

"Thanks, honey." She kissed him and went to join Rachel in the kitchen.

"I've talked to my husband; everything is okay in that end."

"I'm more interested in KK; talk to him."

"I will,"

"Tonight, now, please."

With an exasperated sigh, Mabel made for the library, where Kingsley sat working on his laptop.

"Have a minute, dear?" She asked him.

"Sure, mom, what's up?"

She sat beside him. "Kingsley, you need to make up with Gina; you shouldn't shut her out like that."

Kingsley stopped typing and stated this to Mabel.

"OK, mom, what's going on? Did you bump your head?"

"Be serious,"

"I am. What is happening? One minute you were demanding I divorce Gina; now you are her advocate. Why? You hate her; she killed our baby, remember?"

"We don't know that for sure."

"The doctors found the pills in her system; she hid them under our bed."

"There must be an explanation."

"Which is?"

Mabel struggled for an answer. A lot depended on getting Kingsley back with Rachel.

"It wasn't her fault; it was mine."

His eyes widened. "You gave her the pills?"

"No! Of course not. I mean my behavior. I scared her into believing you would divorce her and make her a single mother."

Kingsley frowned. "That's not true. Why would she think that?"

"She was scared, vulnerable, and wasn't thinking straight. Look at all that is in the past. She loves you, Kingsley. I know I don't like her, but I can't deny that fact. Just like I know you love her, don't you?"

"I do, but..."

"No, but that's all that matters; with love, you can get past anything."

"Not so easy, mom."

"It is. You are just afraid. Go to her. Don't let fear make you make a decision you will live to regret."

The crack in Mabel's voice made Kingsley look at her.

"Mom, what is it? What are you not telling me?"

"I'm telling you to please go to the woman you love, OK? Or would you rather divorce her and be with Franca?"

Kingsley made a face and shook his head. He finished what he was doing and got up.

"Thanks, mom; you are the best." He kissed her and headed up the stairs. Mabel fought back tears as she watched him go.

Rachel paced her bedroom in fear and excitement. She hoped Mabel could convince Kingsley to get back with her but feared she would fail. She was also worried about Richie. She hadn't shown up as he'd demanded, but he hadn't called her. Was he planning something sinister? Or perhaps Calisa had been right. He was bluffing. He didn't have any evidence, so he had decided to go back to Silvertown and leave her alone. She hoped that was the case.

She heard Kingsley come upstairs; she knew his way of walking. She sat on the bed and tried to look natural. He entered their bedroom. Her heart soared. Since the miscarriage, he'd avoided coming into their room until after midnight, when he knew she'd be asleep.

"Hey," she said with uncertainty.

"Hey," he said, smiling awkwardly. He stepped in and closed the door. "Dinner was good; your mom's recipe, huh?"

"Yeah, it was her specialty."

"Did it have a name?"

"Sophie's special pudding," she laughed. "My dad could eat it all day, every day, and never get tired. He loved it."

He smiled. "Your mom's name was Sophie?"

She nodded. "I miss her and my dad."

"They sound like great parents,"

"They were. They loved me very much. I still miss them."

"I know nothing can replace them except maybe a family of your own."

"Yes," she said eagerly. "Being with you and starting a family,"

"We almost did until..."

A silence descended on the room. He took her hand in his.

"I'm sorry if I pushed you into having a baby when you didn't want to."

"I did want the baby, I did! I wanted our baby. I would never have deliberately caused my miscarriage! I didn't take those pills; you have to believe me."

"It doesn't matter, all that's in the past. Let's try to work things out for the better, but I want you to promise that from now on there will be no more secrets, OK? If there is anything you feel you can't handle, tell me, and we'll handle it together. Promise?"

"Promise. No more secrets, only love." 

They smiled at each other.

"I remember the first day I saw you; it was like seeing an angel." Kingsley smiled.

She laughed softly. She remembered the day too, as if it had been that morning.

He got stuck in a board meeting until lunchtime was over, which annoyed him. His mood was worsened by Franca, who called and demanded he come pick her up for lunch. He'd ignored her, and knowing that, his mom called, demanding he go pick up Franca. Very annoyed, he switched off his cell and left his office, deciding to have lunch some blocks away at Fresh Foods Café, a place he'd never entered before.

A waitress came to his table. "What can I get you?" She asked him.

"Coffee," he said brusquely.

"Black?"

"Make it green if you like; just get me coffee!" He snapped, then instantly felt ashamed of himself and amended. "I'm sorry; please forgive me. I'm having a bad day. Black coffee would be fine."

The waitress smiled. "It's OK; you aren't expected to be polite all the time. Once in a while, be rude and let off steam."

He smiled. "Does being rude let off steam?"

She smiled back. "No, but it'll make you feel better."

He laughed at her and studied her. She was of average height, with a nice figure, and conservatively dressed in her uniform of a white shirt and black skirt. Her heart-shaped face was perfectly featured, with large dark eyes, a small straight nose, and full lips.

He studied her as she went to get the coffee. She had an easy, graceful walk. Her dark hair on a French plait stopped at her shoulders.

She returned with his coffee and a doughnut.

"You can have this on me," she said, handing him the doughnut. "The sugar will cheer you up."

He laughed. "Thanks; it's really kind of you. I need all the cheering I can get; my parents are driving me crazy."

She smiled sadly. "Be happy you have parents who are driving you crazy. A lot of us would give anything to be that lucky."

"You are an orphan?" He asked sympathetically.

She nodded.

"I'm sorry," he sympathized.

She shrugged, then smiled. "But remember, your kids will one day accuse you of the same thing."

He laughed. He had never met a waitress so funny and friendly.

"What's your name? I'm Kingsley."

"Gina, nice to meet you, Kingsley."

"Call me KK; everyone else does, except my mom."

"OK, nice to meet you, KK." 

"Join me; give me ideas on what else I should expect when I become a parent."

"Sorry, I'm on duty. But it was nice talking to you, KK."

"And you too, Gina."

She smiled and left. He sipped his coffee, which was now lukewarm. He's now cheered up, thanks to Gina. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He finished his coffee and signaled to her for the bill.

"Do you work every evening? He asked as he paid.

"No, mornings only. I attend classes at night, but tonight I'm standing in for a sick colleague."

"Night school?"

"I'm studying for my GED."

He was impressed by a woman who worked hard and was keen on self-improvement. He left a generous tip despite her protest and exited the café. 

"What are you thinking of?" She asked, calling his attention back.

"How I met you," he answered.

They smiled. She feared she had lost his love after the loss, but right now it seems to be back, and she hopes it lasts.

After a good night's rest, Rachel woke up full of life. Everyone had left. She ate a late breakfast and headed into town to shop. There was still no word from Richie. She concluded he'd left town. After dinner that evening, Kingsley went to the library to do some work. She went over to him.

"I bought something I know you'd like to see," she whispered in his ear. "You'll have to come to the room to see it."

He smiled mischievously and said, "Give me a minute; I'll be right there."

Smiling, she left the library and ran into Franca, standing by the entrance to the living room. She'd come under the pretext of delivering a message from her mother to Mabel. James and Lucy were in the living room, watching the evening news. Franca eyed Gina hatefully. Gina ignored her and made for the stairs, but something on the TV made her pause.

"The Silvertown Police Department," the newscaster was saying, "is reviewing the case of Ronald Blake, whose disappearance five years ago remains unresolved."

A picture of Ronald Blake appeared on the screen. Gina's heart stood still. It was the man she'd killed while defending herself!

"An anonymous caller recently revealed he has information pertaining to Mr. Blake's disappearance. The police are appealing to the caller to come forward."

Her face paled, and she broke out in a cold sweat. Unable to listen anymore, she rushed upstairs. Franca, who'd noticed her sudden change, stared after her muttering thoughtfully.

I wonder what's up with our dear Gina.