Promises in Paradise

“When I met her she was very pregnant. I only wanted to know if everything is okay. I have a professional interest,” she quickly tacked on.

“Jenna is fine. The baby was born about a week ago. Twenty-four hours before her due date.”

Diane felt a little strange just then. Something had been irrevocably set in time. Hale’s future seemed fixed and tied to two other people in his life.

“That’s…” She stopped and forced a smile. “That’s great. Boy or girl?”

“A boy,” Hale responded, relaxing only a bit. “They’re both good. It was an easy delivery.”

“She’s lucky.”

“Right.” He nodded, was momentarily distracted. Abruptly he again started to get into his car.

“Any name yet?”

Patiently, Hale stood and turned to her. “Quinn. Elliott is the middle name. It’s a family name.”

“Quinn. I like that.”

“Are you done?” he asked softly.

“I was only trying—”

“Yeah, I got that,” he interrupted, arching a brow.

“Yes, I’m done. I wish you, Jenna and the baby all the best. Your wife is very lovely. What a great—”

“What did you say?” He frowned deeply.

Diane stared at him. “I was talking about your wife. Okay, I’m sorry. Girlfriend. Significant other. Baby Mama. Whatever.” She was feeling defensive again.

His mouth and jaw clinched tightly. His eyes were dark with a dangerous glint barely visible under the visor of his cap. She suddenly couldn’t take her gaze from Hale’s face. It was transforming, going through several different emotions but settling on something akin to resignation. Or defeat. Or even disappointment.

What did he have to be disappointed about?

She didn’t want to know.

“Sorry I bothered you. Good night, Hale. Congratulations,” Diane muttered, through with pleasantries. She turned to head back to her own car.

“Do you have to be someplace right now?”

She slowed and glanced back at him, puzzled. “Excuse me? No. I don’t have any plans. Why?”

“I need you to come with me. It won’t take long. Thirty minutes, tops. Get in.”

Diane’s mouth dropped open at this blunt delivery. Clearly Hale didn’t expect her to say no. He was already in the driver’s seat and had turned on the ignition. The motor idled. He waited.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Diane walked around to the passenger side and climbed in. She’d barely closed her door before Hale was on the accelerator, driving out of the lot.

“Where are you taking me?”

“If you were really concerned you wouldn’t have gotten in. Put on your seat belt and enjoy the ride.”

He said not another word. And although she was completely mystified as to where Hale was going, she felt no fear. Several times Diane cast long searching looks at his profile. The clenching of his jaw had not let up. He was upset about something but she couldn’t even guess at what.

Ten minutes later Hale’s car turned down a residential street of row houses. They were beautiful in architectural design but many were in need of repair and restoration. A few were being worked on. One was boarded up. The car slowed in front of a limestone, the entrance door light a welcome beacon on the otherwise dark street. He parallel parked and got out. Then he stood on the sidewalk silently waiting for her to join him.

“Is this where you live?” she asked.

Hale continued to ignore her question. He started up the stairs to the entrance and rang the bell twice. He waited about fifteen seconds before using a set of keys to unlock the door and slowly open it.

“Jenna?” he called in. “Are you home?” He stood waiting just inside a small mudroom space.

Diane, standing just behind Hale, was suddenly sorry she’d agreed to accompany him. From somewhere inside, a small voice called out. Diane could hear no more than, “I’m in the back.’”

“It’s me,” Hale shouted back.

He stepped inside and Diane followed. The first thing she saw was a brand-new baby stroller. Hale stood in the center of the foyer, a staircase to his right and an open room to the left, like a parlor or front salon room. Diane noticed there wasn’t a lot of furniture. No hung pictures although some were framed and leaning against the walls. There was a rolled-up area rug and packed boxes. It was hard to tell if someone was moving in or moving out.

A small figure appeared at the end of the hallway from the back of the house.

“I’m glad you’re here. Who’s that with you?”

“I brought someone who wants to see the baby.”

Hale gave Diane only a cursory glance and he didn’t see the surprised widening of her eyes. That hadn’t been her wish at all.

“You’ve met her before,” Hale said, beckoning to the petite woman, who now joined them near the front door.

Jenna appeared, small and lithe, dressed in jeans and a black sweater. Her hair looked like it hadn’t been combed, but was gathered haphazardly, twisted and secured with a clip. She was completely fresh faced and without makeup and looked incredibly young, sweet and pretty. She had on slippers…and was holding a very small bundle up to one shoulder, her new baby, gently petting him on the back. Jenna greeted them with a pleased smile but immediately reached up to Hale, who had to bend quite a way to accommodate her as they hugged.

Diane averted her gaze, pretending an interest in the pattern on the wood parquet floors.

“We met in Baltimore,” Jenna said to Diane.

“Yes. Yes.” Diane nodded foolishly. Hale then suddenly, carefully, took the baby out of Jenna’s arms.

“Diane was at the shelter tonight,” Hale said as he gazed upon the tiny baby in the crook of his arm.

Jenna laughed. “I bet he looked like something else in that Santa suit. When he told me what he was doing I had to laugh. I wish I could have seen that.”

Diane smiled slightly. “He did a good job. You would have been proud of him.”

Jenna looked vaguely puzzled.

The baby squirmed and fussed and fell silent again.

“Can I see?”