Pelican Island Pharmacy

By Betsy Hess Sleath

Five years after her divorce, Jessie thinks her problems with her ex-husband, Jason, are over--until the day he attacks her on the campus where she works as a pharmacy professor. Several months later, Jessie flees Connecticut with her teenage daughter, May, and heads to the small beach town of Pelican Island, North Carolina, to seek safety and a new beginning.

After she secures a job as a pharmacist to help out family friends, Jessie is soon intertwined in the lives of the members of the local Methodist church who frequent the pharmacys soda fountain, including the pastor and his wife. While a rivalry develops with Norma, the feisty southern belle who runs the soda fountain, Jessie becomes the most eligible female in Pelican Island. As she builds friendships with the town doctor and a lieutenant colonel, Jessie wonders if she will ever be able to trust a man again. But just as she settles into her new life and opens her heart to love, Jessies past rises up once again to haunt her.

In this compelling novel, a woman attempting to rebuild her life after an attack by her ex-husband discovers that her painful past may be more difficult to escape than she ever realized.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Sep 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781480821613

Betsy Hess Sleath

Betsy Hess Sleath is a pharmacist who grew up in Connecticut and studied creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has lived in North Carolina for the past twenty years and loves spending time on the coast. This is her first novel.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Jessie was heading out of her building at the university when she saw him. She gasped. He was standing near a car. A feeling of dread overcame her. She started walking briskly toward the parking garage. Jessie knew that she would be safe if she made it to her car. Jason had pulled stunts like this before.

Jessie, stop. I just want to talk to you for a couple of minutes, Jason called to her.

Sorry, Jason. I have to get somewhere, Jessie replied. She started to run. As she entered the garage, she felt an arm grab her from behind. Her heart jumped.

Let me go, Jason. Let me go! Jessie screamed.

Listen, Miss Priss. I just want to talk to you. Jason pushed her against a concrete wall.

Jason, you’re causing a scene. I’m at work. You know you’re supposed to only communicate with me through your lawyer. Jessie tried to stay calm.

Always worried about work. That’s all you ever cared about, Jason sneered. I just want to see May. She is my daughter too, you know.

Perspiration covered Jessie like a blanket. It was a gorgeous, cool spring day in Connecticut, and now she was sweating. Jason looked like a deranged animal. His salt-and-pepper hair was long and messy. His piercing black eyes were focused on her.

We’ve been divorced for five years. We shared custody of May for two years, but then the court gave me custody of her. You haven’t seen her in three years. What is this about? Money? You want money? Jessie looked around to see if anyone was nearby. There was not a soul anywhere. She had left work fifteen minutes early because she needed to run some errands. She moved her hand toward her pants pocket to get her phone. Jason grabbed her wrist.

Oh no you don’t. I just want to see my daughter. I have that right. Jason twisted her arm.

You know you can’t see her. The court ordered that because of your behavior. Jessie’s arm started to hurt.

That social worker lied to the judge! Jason shouted.

Hey, Jessie. Are you okay? Jessie heard someone ask. It was her colleague, Robin, an assistant professor.

Help, Robin. Help. Please call 911! Jessie screamed.

Robin pulled her phone out and dialed 911. When the operator answered, Robin said, There is an assault occurring at the pharmacy school garage on campus. Please get here fast. Hurry.

Don’t you dare, Jason warned.

Run! Jessie urged.

Jason surged toward Robin, who ran holding her phone. Robin ran toward a large, bulky male student who was walking toward them. He saw what was going on, blocked Jason from getting to Robin, and yelled, Stop!

You better get out of here before the cops show up, Robin shouted at Jason. Jessie heard sirens. She stood frozen near the wall of the parking garage. She had thought her problems with Jason were over. More people started walking toward them. Everyone was leaving work. Jason looked confused and dazed. He just stood there as two police cars rushed up to him. The policemen jumped out. Robin headed toward them.

That’s him. He was assaulting her when I came by. Robin pointed toward Jason as she rushed over to Jessie and put an arm around her. Jessie was standing there in shock. Two police officers grabbed Jason. He struggled to get loose.

Calm down, one of the officers said as he held Jason while another put handcuffs on him.

Oh come on, Jason pleaded. I just came to talk to my ex-wife.

One of the officers read Jason his rights. In the meantime, the other officers went over to Jessie and Robin. Robin was attempting to calm Jessie down because she was breathing funny.

You okay, ma’am? one of the policemen asked.

Yes, yes. I’m fine. People were gathering to see the commotion. Jessie saw many of her colleagues and students. Jessie’s whole body was shaking, and she was sweating profusely. She was embarrassed and dizzy.

Jessie, are you sure you’re okay? Robin said right before Jessie fainted.

CHAPTER 2

Lulu poked her nose between the seats, licking first Jessie and then her thirteen-year-old daughter, May. Jessie still could not believe she was moving from Connecticut to North Carolina. It had been six months since Jason had confronted her at the university. She feared for her and May’s safety, so she decided to make a move. She needed a change. Yet she constantly wondered if she was making a huge mistake. She and May were driving down to Pelican Island, North Carolina, with their greyhound.

I still can’t believe you’re making me move down there, away from my friends, May said angrily.

At least you can see Grandma more, Jessie replied.

I love Grandma, but moving is a bummer.

Well, your summer camps start in two weeks. We’re going to stay a few nights with Grandma and then move into our rental house. We can walk to Grandma’s house from there. The moving truck will arrive in four days.

You said my room overlooks the ocean? May asked.

Yes, and it has a balcony so you can sit outside and watch the waves, Jessie replied.

They drove on and soon were crossing the Intracoastal Waterway onto Pelican Island. It was dark when they pulled up into Grandma Sally’s driveway. Her large, single-level house was several blocks from the water. May hopped out of the car with Lulu and ran toward the door. Out came Grandma Sally, moving fast toward May. They wrapped each other in a hug.

Oh, Grandma, I missed you so much, May squealed with delight.

And I you, Grandma Sally said. Wow, you are getting tall. You head in with Lulu; there are some fresh-baked cookies in the kitchen for you. I’ll help your mom. May rushed in the house, and the door slammed shut.

Sweetheart, how are you? Sally moved toward Jessie and embraced her.

Jessie burst into tears. It’s been tough, Mom.

I know. I know. I know it’s hard. You’ll be fine, Sally said. I’m amazed what you have survived. Now wipe those tears before May comes out. We can talk about this when she’s not around.

Sally and Jessie grabbed some bags from the car and headed into the house.

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Jessie slept soundly. She awoke to laughter and the smell of bacon. She went out to the kitchen where May and her grandma were cooking and eating a hearty breakfast. Sally put a plate together for Jessie. Even Lulu had some bacon and pancakes in her dog bowl.

Mine have chocolate chips in them, May said, elated. Chocolate was smeared all over her lips. Lulu came up and nudged Jessie’s hand. Jessie patted Lulu’s head.

Alan called and wondered if you could go over to the pharmacy around twelve to meet everyone and fill out paperwork. I can take May with me to the aquarium. I have to volunteer a couple hours today.

Cool! Do you still have the octopus? May asked.

Yes we do. Sally laughed.

Sounds like a good plan, Jessie said. I haven’t seen Alan in over a year.

He and Wendy are so happy that you’re coming to help them with the pharmacy.

Alan and Wendy are the ones doing me a big favor. I need a break. Because I have brought in a lot of grant money and am a full professor, my boss, Bill, got the university to approve a one- to two-year leave without pay. Then I can decide whether to come back and return to my position. In the meantime, I am still an adjunct professor, so I can help my PhD students finish their projects and write articles using the university’s name. A junior professor named Robin is running my research lab while I’m here. I temporarily transferred my grants to her, Jessie explained as she cut up her pancakes.

I can’t believe all you have achieved in spite of everything that happened, Sally said. Come on, May. Let’s go walk Lulu. There’s a dog park right down the road.

Lulu, want to go for a walk? Want to go for a walk? May grabbed Lulu’s leash.

Lulu started prancing around. May and Sally headed out. Jessie showered and got dressed. She decided to walk down to the pharmacy. It was just a few blocks to the water, and it was a gorgeous day. The pharmacy sat on the canal where all the boats came in. It was right next to the Blue Sky restaurant.

Just as Jessie got to the canal, she saw them. It took her breath away. The pelicans were sitting on top of the poles that all the boats were tied to. They were cleaning themselves after fishing in the ocean. Jessie was fascinated by the birds, which did not live in the northeast. They were huge, with beautiful eyes and long beaks. They looked majestic and prehistoric, with different shades of brown and tan feathers.

Jessie headed to the pharmacy. She loved the front of it. It had a huge sign with a pelican on it that read Pelican Island Pharmacy. Freezers containing bags of ice sat outside of it. It was probably one of few pharmacies that sold tons of ice. There were very few independently owned pharmacies like this one left in beach communities. Some of the pharmacy’s main clientele were the fishermen and beachgoers. Jessie guessed she would be seeing lots of fishermen in addition to patients needing medications.

Jessie walked into the pharmacy. It smelled like chocolate ice cream and menthol. There was a crowd at the soda fountain and lunch counter. It was to the right in the back. A group was drinking colas and milkshakes and reading newspapers. The place looked like a senior center, which made Jessie smile. Jessie said hello to the young clerk at the front register as she walked to the back of the store.

Behind the gift section was a large area that stocked over-the-counter medicines and a huge assortment of tanning lotions. Jessie caught a whiff of coconut as she walked by. She saw Alan in the pharmacy, his head down as he filled a prescription. The pharmacy counter with prescription medicines was raised for security purposes so the pharmacists could see out over the store. Wendy was down at the back register at the prescription pick-up area waiting on a customer. Neither of them spotted Jessie. Jessie headed to the prescription drop-off window, which was empty.

Can I help you? Alan said without looking up.

You sure can. I’m here for a job, Jessie said with a laugh.

Miss Jessie. How the heck are you? Alan walked over, leaned down, and gave her a huge hug. Jessie noticed that he was graying quite a bit. He had a strong southern accent, and he wore glasses.

I’m great now that I am here. Jessie hugged him back hard.

Wendy slowly walked over to Jessie with her cane. Jessie had known Wendy had muscular sclerosis, but she had did not realized how much of a toll it was now taking on her.

Jessie, Jessie. I am so glad to see you. We can’t thank you enough for coming down here to help us out. I am just getting slower and slower.

Where is Miss May? Wendy asked.

She and Grandma headed to the dog park to walk Lulu, our greyhound. Jessie replied.

How is May handling your coming down here? Wendy asked.

She’s angry about it and doesn’t understand why we are moving. Jessie said. The only thing she is happy about so far is seeing her grandma.

She’ll come around.

I hope so. She hasn’t seen her dad now for over three years.

I was sorry to hear about what he did to you at the university a few months ago.

So was I. Alan moved next to Jessie and Wendy.

Excuse me. Can you help me figure out what to get for my son’s sunburn? A blond woman said to Wendy as she walked over from the over-the-counter medicine aisle. He’s driving me crazy complaining.

Let me see, sweetie, Wendy said as she moved toward the young boy.

Let me handle this. You can show Jessie around. Alan took the mom and son up the aisle.

Come on Jessie, let me introduce you to everyone. Wendy grabbed Jessie’s arm and walked her up front. There was a young, dark-haired girl in a smock working the front register.

Jessie, this is Peggy, one of our clerks. She just got accepted into pharmacy school, Wendy said.

Well, good for you, Peggy! Jessie said. Congratulations. You’ll love it.

Thanks. I heard you were a pharmacy professor up north. I’d love to talk to you sometime about how I can get ready for school, Peggy said as another customer walked up to her with some souvenirs.

Sure thing. That is the one thing Jessie knew she would miss: the students.

Wendy then took Jessie to the soda fountain area. Hey, everyone, this is Jessie.

Wow, she sure is a pretty one, an older gentleman said.

Come on, guys. This is Sally’s daughter. She is a pharmacist, and she’s moved here to help us out. They all said hello to Jessie except for one woman, whom Wendy walked over to.

And this is Norma. Wendy walked Jessie back behind the counter of the soda fountain. Norma has been with us for years. Norma was a woman in her late forties with bright reddish hair. She had on tons of mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow.

Hey there, sugar, Norma said. Nice to meet you. Another Yankee.

I’m actually a Red Sox fan, Jessie said. All the men laughed.

You’re all right, one of the men said. I like the Red Sox too. And most of us are Yankees too. We retired down here.

Norma moved away to wait on someone. She rolled her eyes in disgust at Jessie as she walked away, swaying her hips. Wendy looked around the pharmacy and saw that a bunch of customers had come in.

Well, Miss Jessie, you come by Monday afternoon around two o’clock, and we’ll do the paperwork then. We are pretty busy today for some reason. I need to get back to the pharmacy, Wendy said as she gave a warm smile to Jessie.

See you all Monday. Tell Alan I said good-bye. Jessie stared Norma down as she walked out the door.

CHAPTER 3

Jay and Tom cut up the fish that they had caught that morning as a large crowd watched. On the boat with them was a group of Boy Scouts and their leader, Warren, who had been out fishing with them. Jay owned Jay’s Fishing Charters. His boat was docked right next to lots of other charter fishing boats. They always drew crowds of people and pelicans when they came back with their fish.

Warren, you don’t look good, man. What’s the matter? Jay walked to the front of the boat where Warren stood.

Oh man, do I feel sick. Warren’s face was green.

How many times have I told you to send someone else out when the boys go fishing? You always say you won’t get sick this time, Jay said.

Ahhh, Warren said.

Warren, we know you want to do it for the boys, but it ain’t worth getting sick, Tom said as Warren threw up over the side of the boat.

Yuck, one of the Boy Scouts said. The crowd on the dock dispersed.

Here’s bottled water. Jay handled it to Warren. Warren sat down and drank the water. One of the boys gave him a rag to wipe the sweat off his face.

Now I feel better, Warren said, even though he still looked pale.

Boys, go get the coolers off the dock, Tom said. He then motioned the boys to come onto the boat with the coolers. The boys brought the coolers on the boat and placed them next to Tom.

Here you go, Mr. Gage.

Great. Now watch me. We need to pack the fish on the ice. Tom started placing fish in the first cooler. Once we fill this one, we’ll move onto the next.

Cool. One boy started grabbing fish.

Gosh, does it smell, another boy said.

Tom laughed. You guys got to get tougher stomachs. He went back to cutting up fish and throwing scrap fish parts to the pelicans. The pelicans were in the water surrounding the boat. Their feathers were dark, light brown, and tan. They each probably weighed about fifty pounds. Two pelicans’ beaks got stuck in each other as they fought for the fish scraps.

An attractive woman in her early to mid-forties with long, jet-black hair whom Tom had not seen before laughed on the dock. He smoothed his hair down with his hand.

Look, boys, look, Jessie said with a northern accent to the Boy Scouts as she pointed to the pelicans.

Cool! Wow! Look at the crazy pelicans! one boy said to the others.

They sure are greedy, aren’t they? Tom watched the pelicans’ beaks stick together.

Jessie, Jessie is that you? Jay said as he looked up.

Jay! How are you? Jessie said.

I’m doing well. Alan is so excited you’re here to help with the pharmacy, Jay replied.

Hi, Jessie, Warren said, his face still looking green. I’m Warren. I’m a doctor at urgent care. I’ve heard a lot about you.

Hope it’s good, Jessie said.

I’m Tom, the fish-cutter-upper, Tom said with a smile.

The pelicans are sure happy with your efforts. Good to see you all. I need to head off and find Mom and May.

See you soon, Jay said.

Nice to meet you all, Jessie said as she headed off.

Wow. Who is she? Tom asked.

Sally’s daughter. She was a pharmacy professor up in Connecticut. Developed new drugs or something like that. She went through a rough divorce several years ago. She’s taking a leave of absence from the university and coming here to work a year or so in Alan and Wendy’s pharmacy. Something happened in Connecticut, but I’m not sure what. She’s got a daughter, Jay said.

I heard she is super smart, Warren said. "It will be nice to have another intelligent woman around. I’m sick of all the older retired women who just