Trouble at Home Read online

  "That's hard," Todd commiserated softly. "But at least you know you're doing everything you possibly can to help them both."

  Elizabeth nodded. She did know that. She just hoped it was going to make a difference.

  When Elizabeth got home with the groceries, she was surprised to see her mother's car parked in the driveway. It was the first day in weeks Mrs. Wakefield had been home before dark.

  "Mom?" she called as she came into the kitchen carrying two bags of groceries.

  "In here, Liz. I'm on the phone," her mother called from the den.

  Elizabeth started slowly unpacking the food. Her mother's voice drifted out from the den, and Elizabeth could hear her discussing the plans for the mall's new wing. Her mother sounded different—so authoritative, so sure of herself! Like an executive, Elizabeth thought.

  Then Mrs. Wakefield hung up the phone and came into the kitchen. "Liz! I was going to go to the store tomorrow," she exclaimed, looking guiltily at the bags of food on the counter that Elizabeth was unpacking. "How did you pay for all this?"

  "I used our charge at the store," Elizabeth said. "I didn't know you were planning to go later," she added slowly. "Maybe I should've just waited. . . ."

  "No, no. Thanks, dear. You're a wonderful help," Mrs. Wakefield said, helping her daughter unpack the second bag. "I've really appreciated everything you've been doing around the house lately, Liz. I can't tell you how important this project is to me and how much it means to me that I know I have my children's support."

  She gave Elizabeth a big smile. What could Elizabeth say after that? She could hardly complain that they had barely seen her in the past couple of weeks.

  "Listen," Elizabeth said, "it'll be worth it if this all comes through and you become a famous designer." She gave her mother a smile. "Then we can get back to normal again around here," she added pointedly.

  Mrs. Wakefield didn't answer. She just continued unpacking groceries, a distracted expression on her face, as if she hadn't even heard what Elizabeth had said.

  Five

  For the rest of that week, Elizabeth felt that the situation was improving. Both her parents were just as absorbed as they had been in what they were doing, but Elizabeth noticed that there was a feeling of shared hard work between them. In fact, Mr. Wakefield gave her mother a hug on Friday night. "Let's make sure we go out tomorrow night—just the two of us—and catch a movie." It made Elizabeth feel great when she heard her mother agree.

  On Saturday afternoon Mr. Wakefield left the house around one o'clock to run some errands. For several hours Mrs. Wakefield worked on the project, until a phone call came that seemed to cause her some frustration. After she hung up, she gathered some papers together and reached for her briefcase. It was almost four o'clock, and Mr. Wakefield still wasn't back.

  "Darn," Mrs. Wakefield said, glancing at her watch and then turning to her daughters. "Your father and I had talked about going to see a movie tonight, but it doesn't look like it's going to work out. When he gets home, tell him I had to go back to the office. OK?"

  Don't go, Elizabeth pleaded silently. Or at least write him a note yourself. Please Mom. But she didn't dare say anything. Her mother was already slipping into her jacket and scooping up her briefcase, her expression distracted.

  "See?" Elizabeth said, giving her sister a look when their mother had gone outside. "I told you, Jess. It's getting worse."

  Jessica opened the refrigerator and took out an apple. "Oh, Liz, don't be such a worrywart. Mom and Dad can go to the movies together anytime. It's no big deal." She took a bite of apple. "Hey, by the way, did I tell you Steve called this afternoon? He's coming home tomorrow to cover the rest of Dad's trial for his ethics project."

  Elizabeth felt her mood lighten. "He is? That's wonderful!" she exclaimed, having Steven around for the next few days might improve the mood around the house.

  "Liz," Jessica continued, "what do you think of my voice? Do you think I sound kind of sexy or more on the coy, flirtatious side?"

  Elizabeth stared at her sister. "Hey, forgive me for not seeing the connection, but what does that have to do with anything, Jessica? Your voice sounds exactly the way it always does."

  Jessica gave her an insulted look. "Come on, Liz. Just answer me."

  Elizabeth continued to scrutinize her. "Does this have anything to do with this telephone party line you've been talking on?" she asked.

  "Maybe," Jessica said. "Come on, Liz, tell me the truth. I'm trying to find out how you think I'd sound to a total stranger. Do I sound sixteen, or older? Do you think I sound like someone you'd want to get to know better?" she added anxiously.

  "Jessica," Elizabeth said sternly, crossing her arms, "have you met someone on this phone line? Because I should tell you right now I don't think it's a very good idea for people to meet that way. Absolutely anyone could call in, just from seeing the ad on TV. You have no idea what kind of creeps could be using the telephone as a chance to meet girls." She frowned at her sister. "Promise me you won't agree to meet anyone from the phone line."

  Jessica's eyes flashed. "Who do you think you are, my mother?" she snapped. "The fact is, I have met someone nice on the phone line. And he isn't a creep or a weirdo or anything else. He's a perfectly nice guy, and I have every intention of meeting him in person."

  Elizabeth frowned. "Well, I still don't think it's a very good idea. I may not be your mother, but I am your sister. And even if you don't care what happens to you, I do. I don't think you're being very smart, Jess." She shook her head. "And you're probably running up the biggest phone bill we've ever had."

  "OK, Miss Wakefield," Todd said in a teasing voice, "are you going to come down to Planet Earth and let me treat you to the best dinner a guy on a strict budget can afford?"

  Elizabeth laughed. She and Todd were having Chinese food on Sunday evening, a special treat—and all the more special since the situation at home was still chaotic. Steven was helping Mr. Wakefield get some briefs ready for the trial the next day, and Mrs. Wakefield was at a meeting. "Do you know how wonderful it is to see you?" Elizabeth asked Todd wistfully, her eyes fixed on his.

  It was amazing to her how supportive he'd been over the past few weeks. Elizabeth could tell Todd anything, and he would understand. If it hadn't been for him, and her best friend, Enid Rollins, Elizabeth really thought she might have fallen apart.

  Now Elizabeth told Todd how upset her father had been the night before when Mrs. Wakefield canceled their movie date. "It was terrible," she confided. "Todd, he got so mad when I told him! At first I thought he was mad at me, then he apologized later. He was just so disappointed."

  Todd covered her hand with his. "That's rough," he said softly.

  Elizabeth nodded. "I wish you and I could have gotten together last night," she added. Todd had gone to a basketball game with his father, and she had missed him.

  "Well, let's make up for it tonight," Todd said softly, leaning closer to her.

  Despite the cheerful buzz around them in the restaurant, Elizabeth felt as if she and Todd were completely alone. Gradually she felt herself relaxing, enjoying her meal, settling into the private world she and Todd had built around them. She really hated for the evening to end.

  "Let me walk you to the door," Todd said when he drove her home later.

  "You should get going," Elizabeth demurred. "I know you have a lot of homework to do tonight. I can make it up the front walk myself."

  "No way. I want to be gallant," Todd insisted, turning off the engine, getting out of the car, and opening her door for her. Elizabeth wrapped her arm tightly around Todd's waist as they sauntered up the front walk. Todd gave her a lingering kiss at the door.

  "You're amazing," she whispered, tightening her arms around his neck and gazing up into his eyes. "Do you know how much I love you?"

  "I love you, too," Todd whispered, bending over to press one tiny fluttering kiss on each of her cheeks. "Now, promise me you won't worry about a thing. Go straight upstairs, hop into bed, and have sweet dreams till I see you again in the morning."

  Elizabeth laughed. "I promise," she said softly.

  She opened the door and stepped into the foyer. Immediately she heard angry voices coming from the den.

  "I'm sick and tired of this, Alice. We haven't had dinner together as a family in ages. You're never home, and when you are home, you're working. What kind of life is this?"

  Her father sounded furious. And Mrs. Wakefield's retorts were just as sharp, just as angry.

  Elizabeth felt all the joy from her evening with Todd rush out of her. Her eyes filled with tears. It was such a rude shock, coming home from a wonderful time . . . to this.

  She didn't even bother telling her parents she was home. She just ran straight upstairs to her bedroom. Closing her door behind her, she burst into tears.

  For a moment tonight, she had believed that everything was going to be fine again. But that belief had been shattered. The only solid thing she had to hang on to was Todd.

  What was happening to her family?

  "Jessica," Amy Sutton said, "have you ever thought that it might be time for you to settle down and get yourself a boyfriend? I just read an article in the latest Ingenue that claims that playing the field is passé. It's time for commitment, they said."

  The girls were lounging upstairs in Jessica's room on Sunday evening. In the old days, Jessica thought with satisfaction, she wouldn't have been allowed to have a friend over this late on a school night. But her parents had been so absorbed in work this afternoon and evening that no one had objected when she'd asked if she could have Amy over. Steven was over at Cara's house, and she had no idea where Elizabeth was. Probably doing all the household chores for the next week.

  "I have met a guy, for your inform
ation," Jessica said coolly. "I don't know if he's commitment material, but he's pretty great."

  "Where's he from? How come I haven't seen him?" Amy demanded.

  Jessica shrugged. "Well, because he's—hidden," she concluded with a mysterious smile.

  "What do you mean, 'hidden'? Is he for real or isn't he?" Amy looked doubtful. "I don't believe you've really met someone," she said at last. "Hidden or otherwise. I think you've just run out of guys at school, and now you're stuck having to invent them."

  Jessica was indignant. "You want to bet? I have met a guy—a great guy. His name is Charlie," she added.

  Amy still looked unsure, and Jessica decided this was the time to let out her secret. "I'll tell you what. Go down to the kitchen and pick up the extension so you can listen in. I'm calling Charlie right now."

  Amy gave her a strange look. "OK," she said, still dubious.

  Jessica dialed the teen party line number. A minute later she heard the click as the operator put her through, and Amy picked up the phone in the kitchen.

  "Hi, guys. It's Jessica," she announced.

  "What took you so long to call? I've been dying to talk to you," Charlie said.

  "Oh, I was kind of held up here. I have a friend over. In fact, she's on the line now. Ame? You can talk," Jessica said.

  "Uh . . . hi, Charlie."

  "Another person!" Sara cried.

  Amy cleared her throat. "How many people are on this line, anyway?"

  "Listen, any friend of Jessica's is a friend of mine," Charlie said warmly. "Did Jessica mention to you that I happen to be nuts about her, or did she leave that part out?"

  This was perfect! Jessica thought. Amy would have to crawl on her hands and knees, apologizing, for not having believed her!

  They didn't stay on the phone for long, but Jessica promised Charlie she would call back the next night. "Don't wait so long tomorrow night," he begged her. "I was really afraid I'd miss you tonight."

  "Wow, Jess," Amy said, wide-eyed, coming back into her friend's bedroom after they had hung up the phones. "How did you get in on this thing? Do you know who these people are?"

  "Not really. I mean, I know who Charlie is. At least, I know I like him," Jessica said. She shivered. "Isn't it romantic? It's like having a secret admirer or something."

  "You mean you two haven't met yet? And he's saying that he's crazy about you?" Amy shook her head. "That seems a little weird to me. How do you know he isn't a maniac?"

  "Why would he be a maniac?" Jessica asked crossly. "Listen, Amy, can't you be a little happier for me? I happen to be really nuts about this guy. He's fantastic. Can't you hear it in his voice? He's funny, he's warm, he's sweet . . ." Her voice trailed off. "And I can just tell how sexy he is, too."

  Amy shrugged. "Well, I don't know how you can tell that just from the telephone. Aren't you planning on ever meeting?"

  Jessica thought about that for a moment. "Yeah," she said at last. "We're going to meet. In fact, I'm going to suggest to him that we meet soon, like this coming week." She looked dreamily at her friend. "Aren't you jealous, Ame? By this weekend I'll be out strolling along the beach with Charlie . . . driving up to Miller's Point. . . ."

  "I don't know, Jess. I wouldn't get my hopes up if I were you. All you've heard is a voice. There's no telling what this guy Charlie is really like."

  Jessica moaned. "You're hopeless," she cried. "Absolutely hopeless. You don't have an ounce of romance in your soul. And another thing, don't tell Lila about this," she commanded. "I want to be the one to surprise her once Charlie and I are the hottest new couple around!"

  Six

  "It isn't like you to be so down, Liz," Enid said at lunch on Monday. Enid had been Elizabeth's closest friend for years, and she knew Elizabeth well enough to be able to say what she thought. "I know how hard it must be for you at home. But I think Todd's right. I think couples go through lots of ups and downs, and your parents are probably just going through some turbulence right now." She shook her head. "You know how sympathetic I am to this stuff," she added. Enid's parents had separated years ago, and she knew better than most people what it felt like to watch a family come apart. "But don't start thinking your parents are doomed to split up just because things have been a little tense!"

  Elizabeth sighed. "Maybe you're right, Enid. Anyway, a lot of this stuff is bound to get better soon. My mother's supposed to find out today or tomorrow whether or not her firm's been chosen to design the mall. Once we know for sure, some of the tension will go away."

  "Of course it will," Enid said reassuringly. "And I'm sure your father's trial won't go on forever, either."

  Elizabeth nodded. "That's true," she said softly. "You know, maybe I have been too down lately. Maybe all my parents need is some humor and comfort when they get home." Her eyes brightened. "I know. I'll make spaghetti and meatballs with a special sauce for them tonight as a surprise! And I can make garlic bread and a big salad, too."

  "That's the spirit," Enid said warmly. "They probably do need a little extra warmth and support. And I bet a big family dinner is exactly the right thing to plan!"

  Elizabeth felt much better for the rest of the day. During an after-school meeting of the newspaper staff, she scribbled down a list of things she would need, and Todd agreed to help her do the shopping after school.

  By five-thirty, they had finished shopping, and Todd dropped Elizabeth off at home, giving her a warm hug first. Elizabeth tried to keep her spirits up when she unlocked the front door. The house was empty, and Prince Albert was jumping up and down, wildly excited to see her.

  "Poor little Prince," Elizabeth murmured affectionately, snapping the leash onto the dog's collar and taking him outside for a walk.

  An hour later a wonderful tomato-and-mushroom sauce was bubbling away on the stove. Elizabeth set the dining room table with her favorite tablecloth, even putting out candles for a festive touch. It looked perfect!

  "What's this?" Jessica demanded when she got home. She wandered into the kitchen and jabbed one finger into the tomato sauce bubbling on the stove. "This is yummy. Liz, I have to say one thing. Since Mom's been so obsessed with this mall project, your cooking skills have improved!"

  "Thanks," Elizabeth said dryly. "Look," she added, "I really want to make this a family meal tonight, Jess. Can you try and stick around for the whole meal and not disappear on me? I want Mom and Dad to feel like we're all . . . you know . . ."

  "One big happy family?" Jessica asked innocently.

  Elizabeth laughed. "Mind reader."

  Just then the back door opened, and Mr. Wakefield and Steven came in. They both looked utterly exhausted. Mr. Wakefield loosened his tie, not even noticing that Elizabeth had prepared dinner. "Hi, girls," he said in a tired voice. "I'm going upstairs to wash up. I'll be down in a minute."

  "What's wrong with him?" Jessica demanded, turning to her brother after Mr. Wakefield had left the room.

  Elizabeth felt herself getting anxious. "Is it the trial? Did something go wrong?"

  "The judge suspended the case," Steven explained. "Basically he decided that there wasn't enough evidence one way or the other—just what Dad thought might happen. He's crushed, though," Steven said sadly, running one hand through his hair. "He feels it's his fault. He's blaming himself for throwing Mr. Santelli's career away."

  "That's ridiculous!" Elizabeth said. "For one thing, Mr. Santelli hasn't lost his chance of being mayor yet. He's still in the running. And for another—"

  "Shhh," Jessica whispered, putting a finger to her lips. "He's coming back downstairs."

  Elizabeth poked unhappily at her spaghetti sauce. Why was it she had a feeling that her wonderful family dinner wasn't going to be enough to lift her father's spirits?

  "I suppose Steve's told you the bad news," he said quietly as Elizabeth placed the spaghetti into boiling water.

  Both girls nodded. "Dad, I think it's awful. I don't understand how the case can just be thrown out," Elizabeth said.