Page 8 of The Beachside Cafe 2
Cameron laughed, standing up. “Yeah, well, I suppose she’s right, though. I don’t really do that right. I’ve been told that for years, starting with my dear mother.”
Jaymee gathered the dishes together, wondering what kind of woman Cameron’s mother was. She wondered if she would ever be able to meet her. She didn’t know if Cameron’s parents were still alive. She never liked to assume anything like that after her fortieth birthday. All of her friends parents were in their 60’s or 70’s. Sometimes more. That usually meant they had a better chance to have passed and Jaymee never liked to risk asking questions like that. It was something someone had to offer.
Cameron’s voice faded as he and Alex walked away from the dining room.
“I know what you did, Mom,” Cheyenne said, coming over to the sink where Jaymee was filling one side with hot water and soapy bubbles.
Jaymee looked over at her. “Whatever do you mean, my dear?” She gave Cheyenne an innocent look but she knew what her daughter was talking about.
“You asked Alex here so you could set me up with him, didn’t you?”
Jaymee smiled, lovingly, dipping the first plate in the water and washing it off. She handed it to Cheyenne who placed it in the dishwasher. As she continued rinsing the rest of the dishes, Jaymee said, “I didn’t invite him here to set you up with him. I invited him here because he has become a friend of mine and is a long time friend of Cameron’s. Yes, I did think you’d like him. I thought so before. But you should always expand your horizons if you can. You would like him if you spent more time with him. I know you would.”
“Well, I appreciate the effort, Mom.” Cheyenne leaned over and kissed her mother on the cheek. “I actually will consider it this time. I don’t know how he feels but I think Alex is… rather attractive, really.”
Jaymee’s grin widened. She pictured Alex with his mop of brown hair, his sparkling eyes, his exciting demeanor. “You’ll have a good time with him, I’m sure. He seems so…”
“Intelligent?” Cheyenne supplied. “I know you were always attracted to brains, Mom.”
Jaymee laughed. “I suppose I am. Aren’t you?”
“I am,” Cheyenne nodded. “And I think what you really like about him is that he’s energetic. He does have a positive vibe about him. If you want to invite him to dinner again, just let me know and I’ll make sure I’m here for it.”
“That’s wonderful, Cheyenne. Just wonderful.”
Her daughter smiled, taking the last plate from her and putting it in a slot in the rack.
“I have to be at the office at 6am to prepare for a deposition with Mr. Stanfield,” she said. “Would you mind telling them that and excusing me?”
“I will. Are you all right?”
Cheyenne nodded. “I’m okay. I… I miss dad. I know you do, too, but… well, you seem like you’re not as affected as I am. I don’t want to offend you or anything, I’m just saying… It seems like you’re not real concentrated on bringing him home. You have gotten pretty close to Cameron, though.”
Jaymee felt regret slip through her. “I’m sorry, Cheyenne. I… I have my reasons. I promise. I am trying to find him, I really am. But… well, the police haven’t found him. I don’t know why I’d be any better at it.”
“Youknowhim,” Cheyenne stressed. “You and I, we both know him. We should be able to find him when other people can’t. They’ve looked everywhere even for his SUV and it’s just nowhere.” She sounded like she was going to cry. It pulled on Jaymee’s heartstrings. She put her arms around her daughter and pulled her into a hug. She was gripping a towel to dry her hands and using it to keep Cheyenne’s shirt from getting wet while they hugged.
“Oh, baby,” she said. “We’re going to find him, don’t worry. We will.”
Cheyenne nodded, pulled away and left the room with tears in her eyes.
“See you in the morning, dear,” she called out after her.
“Okay, Mom. Goodnight.” She heard from the hallway.
Jaymee finished loading the dishwasher quickly and took the towel and a bottle of Coke out on the porch to sit in the damp evening light with Cameron and Alex.
They weren’t speaking when she came out and she didn’t get the feeling they’d stopped because they heard her coming. They were both just gazing out over the land, taking in the dark sky with the stars scattered across it like diamonds on black felt.
“Nice out here tonight, isn’t it?” she asked, settling in a deck chair next to Cameron. Alex was on his other side.
“It sure is. Cheyenne asked me to tell you she has an early meeting she has to get to so she’s gone to bed.”
“I don’t blame her,” Alex said. “I probably should be heading out, too.”
“Not yet, Alex, please.” Cameron leaned forward, resting his arms on his legs. “If you’ll stay and talk to us about this case for just a while.”
“I’d be glad to.”
