“What’s going on? Everything all right with you and Jack?”


“Of course everything’s fine with us. We’ve been happily married for thirteen years,” Susan replied.


“So what’s the problem?” Ronnie decided it was best not to mention the affairs she knew about, including the current one.


“You know that diamond broach that Daddy gave Mother on their twenty-fifth anniversary?” The oldest Cartwright nodded. Her father had spent an extravagant amount, even for a family as rich as they were. It was one of Beatrice’s most prized possessions. Susan looked down at the lace tablecloth. “It’s gone.”


“Gone? What do you mean gone?” Ronnie’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “She keeps it in her safe when she’s not wearing it, doesn’t she?”


“She said she put it in there. Only four people know the combination. Mother, you, me…” The sisters looked at each other, then slowly nodded in agreement.


“Tommy.” Ronnie’s hands bunched into fists. Rose had never heard a name said with so much loathing, as if it were a curse. Without thinking, she reached over and placed her hand over the larger one. She realized her mistake immediately when she felt the flinch and withdrew. They exchanged looks before Ronnie spoke again. “When did she discover this?”


“Yesterday. You won’t like this,” Susan began. “She said she had gone to her friend’s house for bridge Tuesday night and when she got back she noticed the picture frame was not flush against the wall but she didn’t think anything of it.”


“Is the safe behind the picture?” Rose asked.


“When was the last time Tommy was there?” Ronnie asked, nodding at the same time to reply to her beloved’s question.


“Saturday night.” The redhead sighed. “I think he took it and I told Mother that too.”


“You told her?” The eldest Cartwright did not bother hiding her surprise. “You told her that her precious Tommy might have stolen from her? What did she say?”


“Just what you would think she’d say,” Susan replied. “She accused me of teaming up with you against him. She said that we didn’t understand how difficult things were for him. But I think she believes me.” She turned to Rose. “Our mother doesn’t always see things as clearly as she should.”


“That’s one way to look at it,” Ronnie said, secretly pleased that her sister had invited Rose in on what was obviously a family discussion. “More accurately, she sees only what she wants to see and anything that disturbs her vision is wrong.” She sighed and scratched her head in frustration.

“Nothing we can do about what she thinks. What about the broach?”


“We’ll pay on the claim, of course. That’s not the problem.”


“No, the problem is a boy who thinks that drugs make him a man. Why didn’t you call me about this?”


“I only found out about it yesterday and I didn’t want to disturb your weekend.” She looked at Rose pointedly. “Besides, I knew I’d see you today.”


Ronnie ignored her sister’s blatant implication. “So what are we going to do about him? Now he’s stealing from his own mother.”


“I had the locksmith come by and change the combination on her safe. Cartwright Insurance will pay the claim. There really isn’t anything else we can do.”


“Is that all he took, just her broach?”


“Yes,” Susan nodded. “All the other jewelry was still there. But only we would know that the broach was the most expensive piece in there. She’s got that necklace that looks like it’s worth more than it is and it was untouched.”


“Tommy knows what everything is worth. Mother only takes it out on special occasions. He probably figured she wouldn’t notice right away.” Ronnie looked over at Rose, silently wishing they were alone. A deep anger welled within her and only the young woman’s embrace could ease it.She took a deep breath, reached out, and wrapped her hand around Rose’s smaller one. Susan gave what was clearly an uncomfortable smile.Ronnie squeezed her friend’s hand once, then withdrew. She glanced sideways to see Rose’s surprised and questioning look. She smiled and hoped the blonde woman would understand.


“So…um…let’s talk about other things.” Susan said. “Did you get the recipe from Maria for the stuffed chicken?”


“I did, but I’m not in the mood to fuss around with that tonight. You’ll have to come over during the week and have her make it.”


“Do you mean that one with the broccoli and that sauce?” Rose asked. “That’s delicious. Maria said you always liked that.”


“Well, Ronnie liked it too.” The young woman’s disarming smile caused Susan to return one in kind. “Maria makes absolutely the best stuffing.”


“Yes she does,” the eldest Cartwright agreed. Rose smiled to herself remembering the red box that said ‘Stove Top’ sitting on the counter one evening. She decided to keep the housekeeper’s secret. Besides, she had tried making Stove Top before, when she lived alone, and it never turned out as well as Maria’s.


With the subject off the physical gesture and on to a more familiar topic, Susan visibly relaxed.

“That’s why Ronnie got to keep Maria. She cooks so well, if she worked for me I’d be as big as a house.”


“Sometimes I feel that way too,” Rose said, patting her stomach. Just then John came scampering out into the kitchen.


“Mommy, I want some soda.”


“You need to say please and you have to ask your Aunt Ronnie,” his mother said. He looked over at his tall aunt and repeated his question properly.


“Of course.”


“Aunt Rose, can I sit on your lap?” Startled eyes met his innocent question. “Please?” he added, thinking that was the problem.


“Um well…”


“If Aunt Rose wants to let you sit on her lap, that’s up to her,” Susan said. She looked at Ronnie and nodded.


“Sure, if you want to, that’s fine.” Rose pushed her chair back a bit to give him some room. He quickly climbed up and pulled her arm around his middle to keep from sliding off. “Are your brothers letting you play with them?” she asked in his ear.


“No, they’re no fun to play with,” John pouted.


“Jack’s no better,” Susan said. “I swear the instant that controller gets in his hand his age drops thirty years.” The sounds of boys arguing drew their attention. “I’d better go see what they’re up to before one of them kills the other.” She stood up and held her hand out to her youngest son.

“Come on, John.”


“We’ll be there in a minute,” Ronnie said, standing close to Rose’s chair. Once they were alone, she leaned down for a kiss. “I think Susan’s warming up to you.”


“I don’t know. When you touched me, she looked like she swallowed a bug.”


“But even after that she let John sit on your lap and call you Aunt Rose.”


“Mmm, that’s true.” She allowed Ronnie one more kiss before reaching for her crutches. “Did you call for the pizzas yet?”


“Damn, I knew I forgot something. What did everyone want?”


“Two large mushroom, two supreme, and you wanted your pepperoni and mushroom,” Rose said. Susan’s shrill voice came from the living room. Apparently there was a battle of wills going on between her and her twelve-year-old son, Ricky.


Ronnie shook her head. “I had better get out there Can you call it in for me? It’s three on the speed dial.”


“Sure.” Rose picked up the phone and pressed the button while Ronnie went to prevent World War Three. She got through on the first try and placed the order. She hung up and had just positioned her crutches under her arms when the phone rang. Thinking it was the pizza place calling back, Rose picked it up. “Hello?”


“R-Ronnie?” She did not recognize the voice but she certainly understood the tone. The woman on the other end of the phone was crying.


“No, this is Rose.”


“Would you please tell Ronnie that her mother is on the phone? I-it’s very important,” Beatrice sniffed.


“Hold on just a second.” Realizing she couldn’t hold the phone in one hand and use her crutches, Rose set it down on the counter and worked her way into the living room.



Susan had hold of Timmy and Jack was holding Ricky as the two boys hurled insults at each other. “You cheated.”


“Did not!”


“Did so!”


“Did not!”


“Enough!” Ronnie’s voice boomed over the squawking. “I don’t care who cheated or who’s turn it was. If you two can’t play nice I’m going to shut it off.” The threat had not stopped the two brothers from bickering again and again.


“But he started it.”


“Timothy!” Both his parents yelled.


“Ronnie.” Rose leaned on her crutches. “Your mother is on the phone.” As the tall woman passed her, she spoke in a lower voice. “She sounds like she’s been crying.” That caused the dark-haired woman to hesitate for a second before picking up the phone. A crying parent never meant anything good.


“Mother? Mo-…Mother…Mother, stop crying. I can’t understand you.” She silently motioned for Rose to get Susan. “Okay, tell me again, slowly.” The redhead entered the kitchen just as Ronnie was piecing together what her hysterical mother was trying to tell her. “Are they sure? Okay, okay Mother, slow down…what did he say?” She turned her back to the other woman and leaned against the island. “Mother, listen carefully to me. Did he say for sure that it was Tommy?” At the mention of her brother’s name, Susan’s hand went to her mouth.


“Did something happen?”


“Who called you?” Ronnie asked as she waved her sister away. She had enough to do trying to understand what Beatrice was telling her. “No, Susan’s here. We’ll stop by and pick you up. Yes Mother, we’ll be there in fifteen minutes. No. Don’t call anyone else. If they need to be called, I’ll do it later. No, don’t call a cab. We’ll be right there. Yes, I promise…bye.” She pressed the off button and set the phone down on the counter.


“Ronnie?” Susan took a step forward. “Did something happen to Tommy?” There was no response. “Ronnie?”


“Tommy…” Her back to them, she gripped the edge of the island. “He was going eastbound in the westbound lane of the Thruway.”


“Oh my God,” Rose whispered. Ronnie pushed herself to a standing position and faced them.


“Rose, I need you to watch the boys until we get back. I’m sure they’ll just eat pizza and play video games.”


“Of course,” the young woman replied. “Anything. You know that.”


“I’ll get Jack and our coats,” Susan said, her voice shaky. She left the room to get her husband. Rose hobbled over to her tall companion. For several seconds, neither spoke. Finally Ronnie broke the silence.


“I don’t know how late we’ll be. Try to put them to bed by ten. There are plenty of rooms for them to choose from.”


“I’ll take care of it,” Rose promised. She reached up and cupped the older woman’s cheek. “I love you.”


Ronnie gave a shiny-eyed smile. “How do you know just what to say?” She pulled her love close and kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, Rose. Don’t kill the kids or play any game that involves tying you up, okay?”


“I think I can handle them. You have more important things to worry about.” She felt Ronnie step back and realized Jack and Susan had entered the room.


“I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”


“They can’t have any caffeine or sugar after seven. John has to be in bed by eight and the other boys can stay up until ten.” Susan said as she rifled through her pocketbook. “I can’t find the keys. Jack, where are the keys?” Her lower lip quivered and her hands began to shake.


“I’m driving,” Ronnie said firmly, snatching the keys from her sister. The change in her tone caused Rose to look at her. Where soft curves accented the strong jaw, taut muscles clenched just beneath the surface. Ronnie’s back was straight, her stance commanding. Gone was the soft, sensitive woman Rose was privy to. In her stead was the executive, the leader of a multi-million dollar company and head of a powerful family. Although she understood the need for the two identities, Rose still wished desperately that Ronnie did not have to be the caretaker all the time. She hated the way the pressure and strain drained the energy out of her beloved. Watching them leave, Rose could only pray that everything would be all right.