Adam Speradakos couldn’t remember the last time he was this nervous. As he drove across I-195 to Miami Beach he tried to prepare himself. As an editor for Calliope Books he had met with many famous clients but none were quite as dazzling as Rita Lee Lorenzo. He had met her at her first book party four years ago and was immediately attracted to her but could sense she had no interest in romance. There was something hauntingly mysterious and sad about her. He watched her career blossom with interest but kept his distance. As her new books were submitted for publication he made it a point to read them, trying to find her secret within their pages. They were full of stories about a pair of cops and the crimes they solved. He was fascinated by the depth of the devotion they had for each other. He wondered if the key to Rita’s sadness could be found there. Now, as he pulled into the parking lot of Rita’s condo, he couldn’t believe he had volunteered for this assignment.
Rita came to the door wearing jeans and a faded green Champion sweatshirt. She was just as pretty as Adam remembered even though she wore no makeup and had a pair of reading glasses perched on her nose. "Hi, I’m Adam Speradakos from Calliope Books. I believe my assistant told you I was coming," he said thrusting out his hand for Rita to shake and feeling geeky. Rita shook his hand and smiled. "Yes, something about a little pep talk," she said and motioned for him to come in. She eyed him suspiciously as she showed him to a chair. He was very handsome, medium height, tan, blonde and blue-eyed. Rita was trying to size up this familiar looking man. He wore a suit and tie but looked like he would be more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt. There was a bit of a Texas twang in his voice Rita found disarming. She offered him some iced-tea and sat down to face him.
"We’ve met before, haven’t we?" Rita asked. "Yes. It was a few years ago. You came to Dallas for your book party. Rob Bradley got drunk and tried to hit on you." Rita’s face lit up. "Oh, yeah I remember. You grabbed him and threw him out. It was very chivalrous of you." "Yes and very unnecessary," he said somewhat sheepishly. "You were perfectly capable of brushing him off." They exchanged polite grins. "Um, you’re probably wondering what this is all about," he began. "Yeah, you could say that," Rita said. "It’s not often one of you guys comes all the way down here." Adam swallowed hard. "We thought, I thought we should talk about your new manuscript. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve read all of your books. I think they’re great, really…" Rita stood up. She headed for the door. Adam began to panic. She stopped and turned back to him. "Mr. Spapa…" she stuttered. "Adam, please call me Adam," he broke in. "I think we should get some air. This sounds like it will take a while, "Rita said gesturing for him to follow.
Rita lead him down to the beach. Adam loosened his tie and took off his jacket. He was beginning to think this encounter wouldn’t be so bad. "You like the beach, Adam?" Rita asked. "Very much. I used to be a surfer dude in my former life," Adam said smiling. Rita squinted over at Adam. She suddenly remembered she had forgotten her sunglasses. She excused herself and ran back to the condo to exchange her glasses for her shades. On the way out the door she caught sight of herself in the mirror. She stopped for a moment, surprised at the expression of the woman that stared back at her. This Rita hadn’t been around in quite some time. She shrugged it off and ran back to rejoin Adam.
As they strolled down the beach Adam tried to think of a way to bring up the subject. He suspected she knew what the "problem" with her new book was. He cleared his throat and began. "I’ve got to say I’ve really enjoyed all of your books so far. They’re so true-to-life. I feel like I know these two cops as people. There’s so much going on under the surface." "Well Jenny and Steve are very close to my heart," Rita said. "A little too close, maybe?" Adam blurted. "Ah, we’re getting to the heart of the matter," Rita said stopping in her tracks. "I’m sorry. Was I too blunt?" Adam asked. "No, I appreciate your candor." Rita sat down in the sand. "Tell me what the story needs," she said opening the topic for discussion. Adam sat down beside her. "I’m not sure. There’s something missing. The story of the drug dealer ends but the Steve and Jenny part just trails off. It’s unfinished. " Rita looked out at the waves. Adam waited for her response. "I wondered what I would do when I got to this part of the story, " Rita said. "I didn’t know if I would write the truth or the way I always hoped it would be." "The truth?" Adam asked. "I guess I always knew these were true stories. I suspected they were your stories." Rita nodded. "I moved away from Palm Beach so I could get away from the memories. I found a place where nobody knew my sad story. The only problem was I couldn’t leave my memories behind. I eventually found that the only way to deal with them was to remember them. So I began to write. And I found that it helped. I didn’t realize that one day I would have to go back…" Rita’s voice trailed off. Adam reached out to touch her arm. Rita checked her watch. "We’ve got to head back. My daughter gets home from school soon. I’m always there to greet her." Rita stood and hurried back to the condo. Adam sat stunned. "Jenny" was Rita. Rita had a daughter. Who was "Steve"? Had he blundered into the secret to Rita’s sadness? There was so much more to learn. He needed the chance to find out.
By the time Adam got back to the condo Christina Rose was already home and sitting on Rita’s lap. Rita had her arms around her and she was telling her mother about her day at school. Christina Rose was the most beautiful child he had ever seen. She had dark curly hair and a smile that would melt the coldest heart. She looked up at Adam with her curious blue eyes and frowned. "Who’s he?" she demanded. "Christina Rose, you be nice. This is Mr. Spapa…Adam. He came to help me with my book." Christina Rose’s frown turned to a smile. "Nice ta meetcha," she said extending her hand. Adam took her hand and shook it gingerly. Rita grinned.
"Well I guess I’d better get back to the hotel," Adam said turning to go. "Adam , please stay for dinner. We don’t have guests very often," Rita pleaded. Adam was overjoyed. He thought he had blown it with her. "That would be great," he said. "I wouldn’t say that. You haven’t tried my cooking, yet," she said smiling. Rita made a simple pasta dinner and the three of them talked and laughed until it was time for Christina Rose to go to bed. Adam listened while Rita tucked Christina Rose into bed and began to read another chapter of Suzy Pratt: Girl Detective. After awhile Rita came back out and sat beside Adam.
"She’s a sweet little kid," Adam said. "I know and you’re sweet for not asking," Rita said. "You want to know about her father." Adam’s jaw dropped. "I used to be a cop. You learn to read people." Adam’s heart began to pound. Just how much could Rita read about him? "Her father was Chris Lorenzo. He was my best friend, my husband, and my partner. He died before she was born. " The puzzle was beginning to fit together. "Steve" was Chris and he was dead. "I’m sorry. I didn’t know," Adam said, his thoughts spinning wildly. "I know. I wanted it that way," Rita said. "I’m glad I finally said it. I’m just not sure I can write about it. Chris was killed saving me and the baby. We wouldn’t have made it without him." The truth was sadder than he could ever have imagined. Rita was strangely detached now. As if she were observing herself in this situation. "I need to decide how I’m going to handle that part of the book. I need to go back to Palm Beach." Adam looked at Rita. This woman is amazing, he thought.
Adam had offered to drive Rita back to Palm Beach. She hesitated but thought it might be better to have him to talk to. It was always easier to think through situations if she could talk them out. Chris taught her that. She missed having someone to bounce her thoughts off of. It was one of a hundred things she missed about Chris. There was something about Adam that made Rita trust him. He came to pick Rita up wearing jeans and a T-shirt. He did seem much more comfortable that way. Rita also decided it was a good idea to bring Christina Rose along. They all piled into the car and headed up the coastline.
Along the drive from Miami to Palm Beach Rita played detective and asked Adam a ton of questions. Adam had been born into a wealthy Dallas family. He grew up on a gentleman farmer’s ranch where he learned to ride, rope and two-step. He really was a surfer dude during his reckless youth. He had gone to LA to attend UCLA’s screen writing program and stayed to chase the waves. He was jolted back to reality when his publishing magnate father became ill and Adam had to fill in. When his father recovered he took the executive editor’s position so that he could travel and work with exciting people.
Adam stopped his car at an ice cream place along the highway and bought Rita and Christina Rose ice-cream cones. "Did you read when you were a little kid?" Christina Rose asked Adam. Adam smiled. "Sure. My favorite was Dr. Seuss. I loved The Cat in Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. In fact I went around saying ‘Sam, I am. Sam I am.’ That’s how I got my nickname, Sam" Rita didn’t seem to notice the coincidence. "I love Suzy Pratt," Christina Rose offered. "She was a detective like my mommy." Rita’s heart filled with pride. "And my daddy," Christina Rose added. "I know," Adam said. "They were quite a team." Rita sat silently, licking her ice cream and enjoying the moment.
Adam pulled into the parking lot of the Palm Beach Police Station. Rita hesitated for a moment. She looked over at Adam and caught him looking at her with a look that conveyed both concern and affection. She smiled slightly then quickly got out of the car and helped Christina Rose out of the back seat. Taking her by the hand they walked up the steps to the station. Adam followed behind. Harry was waiting for Rita. He greeted Rita with a bear hug and then knelt down and embraced Christina Rose. Standing back up he suddenly noticed Adam. "And this would be…?" Harry asked while giving Adam a sharp glance. "Cap, this is Adam. The one who’s helping me with my book," Rita stammered. Adam felt very awkward. He extended his hand for Harry to shake. Harry took it but never changed his harsh expression.
Rita looked around the squad room. "Still the same old place. But where are Tom and Cassy? I wanted to say hello." She walked over to Chris’s old desk and touched it gently as if summoning some old ghosts. "They’re out on a case. They send their regards," Harry said. He was trying to read Rita’s face for a sign of emotion. There was a flicker of sadness but it disappeared in an instant as Rita began to show Christina Rose and Adam around the station. As they were leaving, Rita took Harry aside. "Don’t worry, Cap, I know what I’m doing," Rita said kissing him on the cheek. Harry looked over at Adam. He and Christina Rose were having an animated discussion about all the wild colors in the squad room. "I didn’t say anything," he protested. "You didn’t have to," Rita said smirking. "I’ve got to go see Chris. There’s nothing left of him here." Harry nodded. It was sad but true.
Rita stood over Chris’s grave. "Hi, Sam, she said. "I still miss you so much. I have to talk to you about something." Adam thought this was a good moment to take Christina Rose for a little stroll around the grounds. Rita sat down and removed her sunglasses. "I’ve been trying to come to terms with us. With what happened to us at the end. I don’t know if I’m ready to share it with the world. You and I were a team. I never knew where I ended and you began. Siamese twins joined at the hip. Sam and Sam forever. I’m not sure what it would be like if everyone knew how it was between us." Rita paused, trying to collect her thoughts. "I know people knew we loved each other before we even knew it. But it was still private. Tell me, Chris, is it a betrayal telling people or do I honor your memory and the legacy you gave to me and our child?" Rita’s emotions were overwhelming her. "Tell me Sam, give me a sign!" Just then Christina Rose ran up to her mother and threw her arms around her. "Mommy, tell me a story," she pleaded. Rita kissed her daughter on the forehead. "OK, you got it, kiddo," she said smiling. "Thanks, Sam," she whispered to the heavens. She stood up and took her daughter’s hand as they walked back to the car. Adam stood waiting, leaning against the car. Rita’s smile told him it was going to be all right. "Once upon a time there were two police officers who worked together on mysteries…" she began.
Several weeks had passed. During that time Rita called Adam several times just to chat. They never discussed the specifics of the book. Adam got the feeling just knowing he was on the other end of the line somehow helped her. There was nothing strange about a writer checking in with her editor, Adam thought. Adam was trying like hell to maintain a professional detachment. He was sitting at his desk in his Dallas office when a package arrived containing not one but several new chapters. The whole sad story was there from the first kiss to the last. Adam struggled to maintain an objective eye as he read. Tears welled up in his eyes as he read about Chris’s sacrifice. He was surprised to find that the story didn’t end there. Rita ended the book talking about Chris’s legacy. How "Jenny" would be able to go on and her love for "Steve" would allow her to love again. There was also a dedication. "For Sam" was all that it said. Adam had half a hope she might have meant him too. He made arrangements to fly to Miami.
Adam pulled into the parking lot of the book store. He was just as nervous as that day back at Rita’s condo. Things had been quiet between them while the book was being published. He was eager to see her again. He had a dozen roses and a stuffed elephant for Christina Rose. Rita was sitting at a table signing copies of her new book. Frannie was at her side handing her each copy and the slip with each name spelled out. Rita looked up as he came in. Frannie noticed him too. "He’s very handsome," Frannie said nudging Rita with her elbow. "Fran, stop it," Rita said through clenched teeth as she smiled at an approaching Adam. "Congratulations, Rita," Adam said handing her the flowers. "Steve & Jenny: The Love Story shipped at number one on the New York Times fiction list. I’d love to take you out to dinner to celebrate." Rita looked over at Christina Rose. She sat in a little chair reading Green Eggs and Ham. Frannie jumped in. "I can take her home and stay with her. I was planning on spending the night anyway. Harry can be without me for one night." Rita nodded. She finished signing the last book and said goodnight to her daughter. "See ya, mommy! See ya, Sam I am!" Christina Rose said with a big smile and hugging her elephant. Rita let out a small gasp. She remembered the book’s dedication and wondered if Adam had thought it was meant for him. She blushed and Adam instantly knew why. Neither of them said anything as they walked to his car.
Adam stopped the car by the beach. "Rita, would you mind if we got out and walked a bit? I could use a little air after the flight." She nodded and took off her shoes so she could walk on the beach. The sun was setting and the twilight was beautiful. They walked for a while before either could get up the courage to speak. "Adam, I really want to thank you for your help with the book and everything," Rita began. Adam’s heart sank. It was worse than he thought. It was the "let’s be friends" conversation. Rita read the look on his face. "No, I’m saying this all wrong. What I mean is…" Adam kissed her smack on the lips. "Cards on the table, Rita. That’s how I feel. If you feel anything, now is the time to tell me." Rita was shocked but not offended. "I know I’m not your Sam but…" Now it was Rita’s turn. She put two fingers to his lips. "Adam I know I’m attracted to you. You’ve been great to me and Christina Rose. It’s just that I’ve lived through the worst thing that could ever happen to me. That I might ever have to do it twice…" Adam took her hand in his. "I will always be there for you," he promised crossing his heart with his index finger. She wanted so much to believe him. "Always is a very big word," Rita said sadly. "How about now?" she offered "Now is doable," Adam said kissing her hand. "Let’s eat," he said looking into her eyes. She laughed as he began to race her back to the car.
THE END
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