Reckless Kiss

“Sounds like we’re both keeping secrets.”

“Fuck that. I hate secrets.” He’s growly, and I laugh. “Noel had this old letter… it was from my grandmother to her best friend who lived here a long time ago.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“I need to find out more.” His voice grows quietly serious. “It might be the reason your brother is so angry at my family.”

“Oh, Deacon…” My stomach tightens. “Is that good or bad?”

“Too soon to tell.” He exhales heavily. “Either way, we’ve got to know what happened. I feel like I’m getting close to answers.”

Nodding, I look up at my brother’s house, rising tall in the twilight. “I wish you were here.”

“I’ll be there soon, Angel. Trust me.”

“I do.”

13

Deacon

“Is there anyone alive who might’ve worked at the hospital back then?” I’m back at Pine Hills in the activity room with Miss Jessica and Ms. Irene.

They were both surprised to see me again, and when I explained the situation, they apparently already knew most of the story. My grandmother came here pregnant, and she left without a baby. The second part is the mystery. Neither woman knows, but neither one acts surprised either.

Mindy is at the front desk, and we’ve been ordered not to say anything interesting until she gets back. I’m not waiting.

“Is there a nurse or administrator who might have helped her?” I’m hoping against hope.

Miss Jessica presses her lips into a straight line before shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I wish I could be more help.”

“Martha Landry.” Ms. Irene nods knowingly. “She was a candy striper, and she had the biggest mouth in our senior class.”

“Martha Landry? I don’t remember her ever working at the hospital.” Miss Jessica looks at her friend confused.

“She got kicked out after a year.” Ms. Irene flares her eyes. “She thought she was so cute in that uniform. From what I heard, the boys did, too.”

“No!” Miss Jessica hisses.

“Yes.” Ms. Irene raises her eyebrows and does a little sniff. “Now she was a ho.”

Looking back and forth between them, I can’t help it. “Why did I think ladies were more… ladylike back then?”

“Because you’re an idiot.” Miss Jessica snips.

“Please don’t spare my feelings.”

Ms. Irene starts laughing, and Mindy jogs into the room. “What’d I miss?”

I look up at her. “Any idea where I might find Martha Landry?” The ho.

“Well, yeah. She’s over in the east wing.”

“Are you serious?” Standing fast, I catch her arm. “Can I see her now?”

“Probably.”

We take off in the opposite direction. Ms. Irene calls something after us, but I assume it’s another little dig, either about us dating or me knowing nothing about old ladies.