Life's Twists and Turns

"Oh, tell Finlay I said 'hey' back and give those sweet kids a hug for me. I almost never see them anymore," his mom said.

"Will do, Mom," he told her.

Finlay was pleasantly surprised when he knocked on the door just before one o'clock.

"Well, well. What brings you over on a Sunday afternoon?" she asked opening the door that didn't stick for him.

"Funny you should ask," he told her.

When he explained why he was there Finlay shook her head and said, "My husband, Levi Adkins, hired you to be our nanny? Am I getting that right?"

"Well, technically, I'd be your...manny...but otherwise, yes."

"Oh, my goodness! When do you start? Did he say?"

"No, but it's two days a week so I'm guessing you could have me come over whenever works best for you," he told her. "I just need to know your routine, emergency contact numbers, and what not."

"I should really talk to Levi first, but...wow. I still can't believe this. Um...did you want to come in for a while?" Finlay asked.

"Yeah. Sure. Maybe we could go over some of that stuff now," Wade suggested.

Rather than spend time talking about her daily routine, Finlay offered to type it all up and print it out for him later so they could sit and talk. She was starving for adult company and adult conversation, and she was beside herself with happiness at the prospect of being to have a day off let alone two a week.

"So where do you want to go on your first 'day off'?" Wade asked.

"Oh, I hadn't even thought of that," she said truthfully. "Gosh, I guess I really don't care as long as I can get away for a few hours."

She smiled then said, "You know what's funny? I already miss my kids! I know it's crazy, but just the thought of not having them with me is both exciting and sad at the same time."

"I get that," Wade said. "I'm not a parent, but just being around your kids makes me happy. I hope to have a couple of my own one day."

"You won't have any trouble finding a beautiful young woman to have them with. I can assure you of that," she said as she realized just how handsome he'd become.

"Since I can't marry my teenage crush, I hope so," he said with that smile of his.

"Me? Are you serious?" she said pointing to herself with a laugh.

"Um...yeah! I had THE biggest crush on you, Finlay," he admitted after all these years.

"You poor boy. You really were sheltered, huh?" she teased. "No, seriously, Wade. I'm very flattered. That's just so sweet of you to say."

"It's true, that's for sure," he told her.

He paused for a moment, looked away then said, "And when I said you're still a very beautiful woman, I meant it."

How could this...kid...make her body do what it just did by simply saying something nice? Finlay couldn't answer her own question. All she knew was it happened.

"Have you ever been in love, Wade?" she asked politely hoping she wasn't being too nosy.

"Once," he told her. "But that was a long time ago."

"You're not exactly old, so when you say a 'long time ago', it can't have been that long ago," she said sweetly.

"I suppose," he said. "I just know I've never stopped thinking about her."

"Well, they say you never forget your first love," she replied, basically agreeing with him.

"That's very true," he said not daring to tell her she was his first love.

Yes, it may have been puppy love, but to him, it was real love, just the same. It was also unrequited love, but that hadn't made it any less real in his mind. And now here he was sitting across the kitchen table with the only woman he'd ever 'been in love with' and she was just as beautiful to him as he'd always remembered. He knew from past discussions she was 12 years older than him, but it didn't make any more difference to him now than it had back then.

"So do you maybe want to watch a movie?" she asked hoping it wouldn't sound as lame to him as it did once she'd said it out loud. She also wondered why she'd said it when what she really wanted was to talk.

"Sure. I'd love to," he told her.

He smiled then said, "This is gonna be a chick flick, isn't it?"

"Wow. You really do remember, huh?" she said with another smile. "Levi has some action movies. We could watch one of them if..."

"No. Let's watch whatever you want to watch," he told her sincerely.

Finlay couldn't remember the last time her husband had watched a movie with her or just TV for that matter. And there was no way he'd have ever watched a chick flick with her except possibly when they were dating. But even then, that seemed very unlikely.

"Have you seen the Age of Adaline?" she asked with raised eyebrows almost certain he'd never even heard of it.

"What's it about?" he asked, answering her question.

Finlay read the summary off the DVD box:

"Blake Lively stars as Adaline Bowman, a lovely young woman born in 1908 and rendered ageless in a freak accident at the age of 29. While everyone around her is affected by the passage of time, Adaline remains frozen forever at the same age; her own daughter begins to look older than Adaline does, and as the story moves forward into present day, that daughter (played by Ellen Burstyn) is an old woman."

"Blake Lively? From Gossip Girl? Sign me up!" Wade said causing Finlay to shake her head.

"And I thought you were different," she said with a faux kind of disgust.

"What? She looks like you," Wade said. "That's why I watched every episode of Gossip Girl when I was in college."

"Get out of here!" Finlay said. "She's...gorgeous and I'm...36."

"And gorgeous," he said as she sat down next to him after popping in the movie.

Her body did its thing again as their arms briefly touched, and Finlay was unaware she heaved a big sigh until after it happened.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Oh, sure. Everything is just fine," she said forcing a smile and forcing her marital concerns out of her mind. "Oh. If I cry, you can't tease me."

"Um...yes, I can," he said matter of factly.

She turned toward him to protest and when their eyes met it got eerily quiet as her heart joined her tummy in whatever it was doing this time around.

"But I won't," he said so quietly he could barely be heard.

They were still looking at one another and after several more seconds, Wade leaned in toward her and when he did, he saw Finlay's eyes close in anticipation. Just before their lips met, Riley let it be known she was hungry.

"Oh. Um...sorry. I um...I need to get the baby," Finlay said now feeling embarrassed for what had almost happened.

"No. Let me," Wade said. He gently touched her hand as he stood up, and Finlay's heart felt like it might beat out of her chest when he did.

"Okay. Thank you," she said very quietly as her pinky briefly interlaced with one of his fingers as he stood up.

"I'll bring her to you then warm up a bottle," Wade told her. "Or...do you breast feed?"

"No. She eats baby food now. Well, most of the time. Once in a while she'll still take a bottle, though, so you could mix up some formula if you don't mind."

The movie played while Riley ate, and by the time the bottle was empty, she was fast asleep again. Finlay went to stand up, but Wade motioned for her to stay seated.

"What kind of manny would I be if I didn't lay her down for you?" he said reaching for the baby.

When he came back Finley looked like she was wiping something from the bridge of her nose.

"You okay?" Wade asked.

"Yeah, sure," he said. "It's this movie. That's all. It gets me every time."

"Except that this was a funny part so...what's going on?"

"It doesn't matter," she said. "Let's just watch the movie, okay?"

"No...let's talk," Wade said pausing the DVD.

"Wade, I don't feel like talking, okay?"

"Maybe not, but I think you need to. So...come on. Spill it."

"I don't know. It's just that I don't think Levi has ever done what you just did," she finally told him.

"What? Feed Riley?"

"No. Not just Riley. Any of the kids. I'm sure he's changed a diaper or two and I do know he's fed them a bottle now and then when I was sick. But I can't ever remember him doing it...like that. You know, willingly and happily."

"I like kids," he told her. "A lot. And I like giving you a break. You work very hard around here and no offense, but it seems pretty thankless. It shouldn't be, but my impression is that's how it is."

"I remember you being so sweet all those years ago, and you still are," she said after turning away from him.

"Are you and your husband...is everything okay?" he asked sensing they weren't even though it was none of his business.

"Oh, sure. He's just really busy with the new job and everything," she told him unconvincingly.

"I know RNs who work in ERs who don't put in as many hours as he does, Finlay," he said as kindly as possible.

"It won't be forever, right?" she said trying to sound positive.

"No. You're right. I'm sure it's just temporary," he said accepting her explanation for now.

He hit 'play' on the remote and they settled in to watch the rest. After the movie, Wade went home to check on his mom then came back at Finlay's request to have dinner with her. At 10pm, Levi still wasn't home and Wade knew it was well past time to leave.

"I'll check back in the morning and see when you want to take that first day off, okay?" he told her as he got ready to leave.

"Yes. Please. I'll look forward to seeing you," she said.

"Why have the boys been so quiet tonight?" he asked realizing they'd been playing in their room the entire time.

"Kenny plays video games in his room and Gabriel will sit and watch for hours. He makes as many 'pow-pow' noises as Kenny and he doesn't even get to play. He loves his big brother, and Kenny is so good to him. I swear, he's like a little man who's always there for me," Finlay said finally smiling again. "I'm sure they fell asleep. I'll go put them in bed before I do the same."

"You've done a great job with them," Wade told her. "They're very lucky to have you."

"Well, thank you for keeping me company, Wade. You don't know how much I enjoyed having another adult around to talk to," she told him sincerely.

"My pleasure," he replied. "And for the record, I enjoy spending time with you."

"Same here. Well...goodnight, Wade," she told him as he opened the door.

He opened it then turned around part way and said, "I hope you didn't think I was trying to do something totally out of line earlier today. If it came across that way, I apologize."

He couldn't tell Finlay he had every intention of kissing her at the time or that he wasn't sorry it didn't happen anymore than could she tell him she'd wanted it happen, too. Now, after some time had passed, both of them were very relieved it hadn't.

Rather than mention it, Finlay told him it was no big deal and wished him sweet dreams.

"You, too," he said before closing the door.

Wade came back by the next morning but didn't stay. He just wanted to see if Finlay had had a chance to decide when she'd like her first day off.

"Yes. As a matter of fact, I was thinking about tomorrow if that works for you," she told him through the screen door.

"Sure. Anytime works for me. And you're sure it's okay if the kids spend some time at my house?"

"Definitely. I know your mom would love to see them, but if they get too crazy, please bring them home. She needs her rest and they can get noisy pretty quickly."

"I didn't hear much noise last night," he told her politely.

"No. No, you didn't. They really are sweet children. I just wish my..."

"I'll be over at 7am tomorrow then," he said when her voice trailed off leaving the thought unspoken.

"Oh, you don't have to come that early, Wade," she told him.

"No, I'd like to make breakfast for everyone and give you an entire day off. If you don't mind, of course."

"How could I mind? And when you put it that way...yes, thank you. That sounds wonderful!"

*****

Levi had a stop to make before going to work on Monday morning. His 'contact' wanted to meet with him out near 'Big Bend' which was what the locals called a sharp curve overlooking a very steep drop off. The guardrail was scheduled to be replaced the following week, and residents had been warned the road would be closed for two days as a crew did the repairs.

Levi pulled up alongside the other man's beat-up truck and rolled down his window.

"Make it fast. I don't want anyone seeing us together."

"This is the place. I just need a time," the man, whose name was William Inslee, said.

"Tomorrow. I hired this college kid to play nanny for my wife two days a week. She has to come through here to get to town. But this has to look like an accident or you don't get paid."

"It will. Trust me. I have no desire to go back to prison. I get half upfront, and that's mine to keep no matter what," the man who'd done a five-year stretch in prison for armed robbery told him.

"Okay, fine. But you'll only get one shot at this. Don't fuck it up, Inslee, or we both go to prison."

"This truck runs great and has plenty of power, but it's beat to shit to push that little car of hers over the side. I've been up here loosening the guardrail and she'll go right through it. And no one's gonna even notice another dent. Once it's done, I'll take some pics for proof then meet you at the place we agreed."

"One quick call to the dealership when it's done. Do not ask for me by name. Just sound like a disgruntled customer who wants to talk to the service manager. Lord knows I get plenty of those."

"Okay, okay. Relax. It's a done deal already. If you got my half."

He handed the man a thick envelope, who flipped through it looking at the twenty-dollar bills. Satisfied, he nodded to Levi then said, "I'll be in touch."

No one had driven by as the heap of junk pulled away and that was a good thing as Inslee would need the road to be free and clear of anyone but their two vehicles. Levi pulled back onto the road and headed to work. All he had to do now was stay calm and wait.

*****

"Not bad, kid," Levi said after finishing the bacon and eggs Tuesday morning.

"He has a name, honey," Finlay said politely.

"It's okay," Wade said with a smile. "I'm sure Mr. Adkins still sees the teenage...kid...stopping by after school."

"I gotta run anyway," Levi said. "So uh...what've you got planned on your big day off?"

"I don't know," she said with a smile. "I'm just so happy to have a day to myself I'm not sure how to spend it. Oh, thank you so much for letting Wade do this, honey."

"Yeah, sure. I gotta take care of my girl, right?" he said with something close to a smile. "Why don't you go into town and do some shopping? Maybe have a cup of coffee at Fran's?"

"The coffee idea sounds perfect. I don't think we can afford for me to go shopping. Thank you for offering, though."

"No, you should go buy yourself something nice. Maybe get a nice dress or a new pair of shoes or whatever."

"Are you serious?" Finlay said.

"Yeah. Of course. I mean, I am the service manager now, right?"

"Well, if you're sure," she said.

"I'm sure. Go. Shop. Have fun," he said before kissing her on the top of the head.

"Okay. Um...maybe I will. Have a good day, honey!" Finlay said almost feeling hopeful again.

Levi stopped, smiled, then said with a bright, happy smile, "Goodbye, Finlay."

"See you later, Mr. Adkins," Wade said.

"Yeah, sure thing, kid. Hey, take care of my wife, would you?"

He winked when he said it, but neither Wade nor Finlay thought anything about it.

"I'm gonna go shower and get ready for my—-DAY OFF!" Finlay said almost too excited to speak.

An hour later she came back looking amazing. She was wearing a simple blue blouse and a pair of jeans, but her hair was as beautiful as her pretty face.

"And there she is! Blake Lively!" Wade said with a smile.

"Ha! We both know that's not true, but thank you for saying that. You know, I can't remember being this happy in...years!"

"You deserve it, Finlay. And you do look amazing," Wade told her. "Don't worry about a thing. I've got your number if I need it, but I can handle this for a day."

"I know. I trust you completely, Wade. And again, thank you, thank you, thank you!" she said.

Without thinking she put one arm around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

She was too excited to feel what she'd felt two nights ago, but Wade wasn't. Being so close to her again made him want to hold her so bad it hurt. Knowing he couldn't, he swallowed his heartache and wished a her a wonderful day.

"Just be careful out there. It looks like rain," he told her as she picked up her purse to head out.

"Not even the rain can put a...damper...on my happy mood!" she told him. "Okay, let me give my babies one quick hug and a kiss then I'm outta here!"

As Wade watched her drive off, he couldn't help but think about unrequited love again. He'd had numerous girlfriends and more hook ups than he could remember from high school through college, but no one had ever made him feel the way this beautiful, older...married...woman made him feel.

He knew it was none of his business, but he couldn't help but feel she was too good for the man she'd married. Just as he'd never tell her how he felt, he'd never mention what he was thinking about her husband. It just seemed so unfair that a woman that amazing and wonderful could be with a guy who clearly didn't appreciate what he had.

"Okay, enough of that," he told himself before clearing the table, loading the dishwasher, and getting the first load of laundry ready.

Finlay had the radio on in the car and was singing along to any song she recognized as she temporarily felt free from all responsibility. She knew the feeling wouldn't last as she would soon find herself wanting to see her children, but for now it felt like heaven on earth.

She had no idea how fast she was going as she sang at the top of her lungs then turned the radio up a little more as she sped along. She didn't even see the beat-up truck parked along the side of the road nor did she notice it pull onto the road behind her after she passed it.

She was about a half mile from the curve when she began to slow down. Just as she hit 35mph, she saw the truck swerve to her right in her rearview mirror and pull up alongside her on the shoulder of the road. At the same time, she heard the sound of a siren over the music as fear welled up inside her.

The truck took one swipe at her pushing her dangerously close to the guardrail as the police car gained on them. The truck abandoned its menacing actions and the police car passed her on her right in hot pursuit. She saw the police officer pointing at her and understood he meant 'pull over'. She realized now she'd been speeding and may have been doing as much as 60mph in the 45 zone.

Her heart racing and her stomach in her throat, Finlay realized she was also in the left lane and swerved back into the right just missing an approaching car. She pulled over as soon as she could and put her head on the steering wheel trying to make sense of what just happened. It was warm inside the car, but she was shaking so hard her teeth were chattering.

Another police vehicle pulled up behind her and the officer got out and stood by her window before asking for her license and registration.

"Officer? What's going on? Some man tried to push me..."

"Wait in the vehicle, please," was all he said.

Two minutes later he came back, returned her paperwork, then told her, "Ms. Adkins? I need you to follow me to the station, please."

"What did I do?" she said now more afraid of what Levi might do to her were she to get arrested for something or even a ticket for speeding than she was of the ticket itself.

"I'll explain once we get there," he said coldly.

It was nearly an hour later when Finlay, who was sitting alone in a room waiting, saw the scruffy-looking man who'd been driving the truck walk by in handcuffs escorted by the officer who'd pointed at her.