Cracks in the Sidewalk(31)

“Then it’s time for some new clothes,” Claire said, ignoring the look of protest on Liz’s face. “Every woman needs clothes that fit, clothes she feels comfortable in. If you feel up to it, we’ll go shopping tomorrow. Tuesday’s a good day. The mall is never crowded on Tuesdays. I’ll put your wheelchair in the car, and when we’re finished shopping we can have lunch at that cute little—”

Liz closed her eyes and leaned back into the pillow.

“What’s wrong?” Claire asked.

“Nothing,” Elizabeth answered. But tears rimmed her eyes. “What about my wedding ring? Did JT send my wedding ring? Or my engagement ring? The Rolex he gave me for our first anniversary? Did he send any of my jewelry? My picture albums? Did he say when he’d bring the kids over?”

“Not yet,” Claire answered. “But he’ll most likely—”

“No, he won’t,” Liz said in a brittle voice. “He’ll never bring the children to visit. And he won’t send any of those things. You know it, and I know it. We’re only fooling ourselves.”

“Not necessarily,” Claire replied. “We don’t know—”

“I know.” Liz opened her eyes, and the truth hidden behind them became painfully obvious. Somehow she’d known all along. “He sold everything I owned and is keeping me from ever seeing my kids again as payback for what I’ve put him through.”

“But how do you know that? What did you put him through?”

“JT claims it’s my fault Daddy has refused to lend him any more money. He’s convinced it’s on account of the hospital bills. You know, Mom, JT actually hates our whole family. He said we’re to blame for all his problems and we’re gonna pay.”

“What did he mean?” Claire asked. “Pay how?”

“JT came back to the hospital that night last November. At first I figured he came back to apologize. But he just stood there for a while. Finally he slammed some papers from the bank down on my tray and said he was gonna lose the store if I didn’t sign for a second mortgage on the house.”

“Did you?”

“No,” Elizabeth answered wistfully. “I started to. I had the pen in my hand, but in the end, I didn’t. I thought if I helped JT get the money he needed, he’d love me again. I picked up the pen and was ready to start signing when I suddenly remembered the house wasn’t really mine to give. It belongs to our family, our children. Deep down, I knew it was foolhardy to let JT take chances with it. As soon as those loan payments became problematic, he’d dump the house just like he’s dumped everything else, including me.”

“What did he say when you wouldn’t sign?”

“He was really mad, the maddest I think I’ve ever seen him. He said if I wasn’t willing to help him get the money, he’d figure a way to get it, and it was gonna be a way I wasn’t any too fond of. And I know that meant he would keep the kids from visiting. He knows that’s one way to get back at all of us.”

“He can’t prevent you from seeing those kids. You’re their mother.”

“But what can I do, fight Jeffrey?”

“That’s exactly what you can do! If you really want to see your kids, you’ve got to be willing to fight for them.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I can’t even get out of bed by myself. How am I supposed to take on someone determined as Jeffrey?”

“Be more determined than he is,” Claire answered. “If you love those kids, demand to see them! Take Jeffrey to court and force him to bring them over here.”

“Do you think I could?”

“Yes, I do. Daddy and I will help. You’re not in this alone.”

They talked for a long while afterward. They shared secrets they’d kept, secrets that had been too painful to reveal.

“I wanted to spare you the heartache,” Claire said.

Liz laughed. “And I didn’t want to worry you.”

They both agreed if Liz would ever see the kids, something had to be done and right away.

“If we take Jeffrey to court, he’ll be very hostile. Can you deal with that?”

“I’ll do what I have to do,” Elizabeth answered. “Not because I’ve come to hate Jeffrey, but because I love my children more.”

Without thinking she smoothed the hem of the sheet with the pinkie finger of her left hand.





Claire McDermott


Jeffrey Caruthers is the most contemptible person I’ve ever come across. It may seem strange that I’d say that about someone I once considered a son, but there’s no other way to describe a man who takes such obvious pleasure in doing hateful things. For him to send Liz’s clothes stuffed into garbage bags as he did was downright despicable. I know he was getting back at me. You say something Jeffrey doesn’t like, and he’ll look daggers through you. Once you cross him, you can be sure he’ll get even.

I know Jeffrey has a grudge against Charlie because of the money. That is what it is, but he has no reason to act hateful with me and Liz. Okay, me maybe, because of my taking a sledgehammer to his door, but Liz? Most men pray for a wife like her. She’s smart, beautiful, and devoted. Jeffrey’s none of those things. I never even understood what Liz saw in him, but after all that’s happened she still loves him.