Page 46 of Natalie's Nighthawk

GoAway

Oryouwillregretit!

It seemed that whoever had written the note had listened in on her conversation with Graham in his cabin. All her insecurities typed in boldface on that unassuming piece of paper. Hands shaking, convinced that the note had also contained a thinly veiled death threat, Natalie placed a call to Deputy Ian, who agreed to meet her at the parking lot. Calling Graham, her voice trembled as she spoke. It was only in that moment that she wondered if all the incidents had been intentionally directed at her. But who would wish her harm?

The footprints outside her house. The arson, slashed tire, smashed windows, the hit and run, and now this. She was an elementary school teacher, not someone who made enemies. Ian bagged the note to take to the crime lab and was going to check security cameras in the area, but he wasn’t hopeful he’d find anything. And with the holiday weekend, answers would not be had for a while.

Meanwhile, she had the added drama of her parents’ visit to surmount. They had agreed to hold dinner at Natalie’s place since she had the larger dining table. Graham, David, and his parents were expected at any moment. Maddie was attempting to entertain their parents in the living room as Natalie put the final touches on dinner. The kitchen was overly warm since the two ovens had been working all day, so Natalie cracked the window over the sink relishing the cool air that rushed in. She leaned her elbows on the counter, letting the autumn air refresh her overheated skin and calm her nerves as thoughts of the note crowded her mind.

Her mother chose that moment to enter the kitchen. Her dark hair pinned up in a classic chignon, Debra wore an ivory cashmere sweater and black silk pencil skirt, perfectly appointed in every way, as always. No matter how Natalie dressed, she always felt frumpy next to her flawless mother.

“Since you have all the time in the world to relax, Natalie, be a dear and make me another drink.” Natalie rolled her eyes before turning to face her mother. Of course, Debra would think she wasn’t doing a single thing in here. Their meal would just magically appear; Natalie had nothing to do with it.

“Yes, mother,” Natalie, ever the dutiful daughter, took the vermouth off the shelf where she stored her alcohol. She mixed her mother’s martini as Debra poked around the kitchen, inspecting Natalie’s work. Seemingly satisfied that everything was up to her standards, she took her martini from Natalie and went back to the living room without another word.

Natalie sighed; it was nothing new where Debra was concerned. She’d never understand what made her mother so cold and distant. In twenty-nine years, she’d learned that it was useless to even try to break through to Debra.

The doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of the boisterous Whitakers. They were the polar opposites of her parents. Mrs. Whitaker was giving Maddie a warm hug as Mr. Whitaker shook hands with Natalie’s father, William. Graham joined her in the kitchen, his arms loaded with platters and bags of assorted food. Whatever Mrs. Whitaker had made in that covered platter smelled heavenly. She reached over to take a peek, but Graham slapped her hand away.

“You’ll have to wait, just like the rest of us. And believe me, that was no easy feat in the car ride here. That wonderful smell filled the whole car. David and I threatened mutiny just to get a bit of mom’s peach cobbler.”

Natalie giggled. “I can’t wait to try it. If it tastes half as good as it smells, I’d mutiny too.”

“Aww, aren’t you just the sweetest?” Graham’s mother said as she joined them in the kitchen. Natalie suddenly found herself enveloped in Mrs. Whitaker’s arms. Never had she been hugged that tightly by a mother before. Soft, that was the word to describe Graham’s mother. Her lovely gray hair lay loose on her shoulders. Her makeup understated. Even her clothes were soft, a cotton sweater in harvest orange and dark brown leggings. She looked so much more comfortable than Debra could ever be.

“Let me look at you.” She grabbed her hands and held them in her own. “Aren’t you a looker? You are even more beautiful now than you were in high school.”

This surprised Natalie. She had never considered herself beautiful. Not now and certainly not in high school. Maddie had been the beautiful one. She still was, but it didn’t intimidate Natalie as much anymore. “Thank you, Mrs. Whitaker. You are very kind.”

“Please, sweetie, call me Mary. And of course, you remember Tim,” she indicated her husband, who was still chatting with Natalie’s father. Interestingly, the contrast between the two fathers wasn’t as severe as the mothers. Both wore a button-down shirt and slacks as if they were headed for the office, and both on the verge of having a full head of gray hair. The only difference was that Natalie’s father was wearing a tie, while Tim’s neck was bare.

“All right, Mary. Welcome to my home. I’m so glad you could join us. Can I get you something to drink?”

“You just relax now. Graham will get me what I like,” she said.

“One glass of white wine coming right up, Mom.” Graham reached into the fridge and pulled out the bottle of wine Natalie had placed there earlier to chill. He also grabbed a beer, she assumed for his father.

“So, what can I do to help?” Mary asked.

Before she could answer, Graham told his mother to go sit down. “I’ll help Natalie.”

Mary patted Graham’s cheek before she left the room. “Does my heart good to see you so happy.” He grabbed her hand and gave it a quick kiss before shooing her out of the kitchen.

“I forgot how incredibly nice she was,” Natalie confessed, the sudden sting of tears tingling. “I always looked forward to spending time in her kitchen when we were young. She was just so different from my own mother. I don’t know why I’ve forgotten all that.”

“You know, I’ve never heard my mom squeal before,” Graham told her. “That is until I told her about us a few weeks ago on the phone. She was so excited she actually shrieked like a little girl. I’ve never heard anything like it. I had to hold the phone away from my ear, she was so loud.” Natalie laughed at his retelling of Mary’s reaction. It warmed her heart that he had told his mother about them.

Graham waved a hand in front of her face. “Hey, where did you go?”

“What? Oh, sorry. Just lost in thought.”

“Anything wrong?” His voice was full of concern.

“Not a thing. Just trying to think if I remembered everything.” It was a slight lie. But it wasn’t like they could have that ‘where is this going?’ conversation in front of everybody. “Would you mind carving the turkey for me?”

He grabbed the electric knife she had plugged in. “Lead me to that bird.”

The two families were enjoying the food and the company, or at least most of them were. The Ghannon parents were not really investing themselves in the conversation, which was normal for Maddie and Natalie. But for Mary, who was sitting directly across the table from Debra, it was uncomfortable. She kept trying to draw Debra into a conversation but would only get one-word answers.

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