by Ally Hayes
He called Ann at the office one afternoon to ensure Patty would be in that day. “Hello, Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Hamilton. Don’t you both look lovely today?”
“Thank you, Joey,” Patty said politely, though she saw right through him.
Ann was more used to her son’s best friend’s approach. “Subtle, Barone. You must need something.”
“Actually, I believe it is you who needs me.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. Go on.” Patty smiled. She liked Joey. He was a good kid who worked hard and never seemed to complain.
“Your clients, or intended target clients, I believe are mostly women of means. Shall we say they have money to spend on extravagances such as hiring someone to decorate their homes for the holidays.”
“Right, and?”
“And they are the same ladies who spend their money and time at the nail and hair salons along Main street.”
“Okay, I’m following you,” Patty said. “Continue.”
“Yes, I’m thinking they are more likely to notice a tasteful business card while sitting at the drying station or waiting area than they would be to read the local paper.”
“I like it. Great idea!” Patty exclaimed as she inspected the sample card Joey was holding out to her. It was ornate and over-the-top. It was perfect.
“And getting the salons to agree to display these?” Ann chimed in.
“Leave all the PR to me. I’ll have your name at every ‘ladies-who-lunch’ spot in town, including the viewing rooms at the ballet and karate studios where they sit to gossip and ignore their kids. I’ll send you my bill.”
Joey made a quick exit before Patty could change her mind—not that she would. The two women looked at each, raised eyebrows and shoulders and moved on to the next task of the day.
Joey would continue to work for Patty well after the holiday season, and even years after he was running his own successful business.
***
“That’s it, done. No more hanging garland until next year. We did so well, I’m going to close the office from December 21st until January 3rd. We all deserve it.”
“A real Christmas vacation,” Ann announced.
“When do I start the takedown?” Bill asked.
“I’ll call everyone the week we’re back to set up appointments. No need to think about it for now. I’ll give you a schedule soon after, but I’d expect the last weeks of January.”
“Right about the time the snow should pick up,’ Ann pointed out.
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Patty, no worries here, it will be fine. I couldn’t be happier to be helping out—feeling useful and needed again.”
“Then how would you feel about a full-time position? With the addition of holiday decorating and the landscape design, I would truly need a foreman.”
Bill beamed, and they went on discuss the plans for landscaping. Bill had ideas of his own that Patty welcomed, including commissioning Joey to make a new sign for the office façade.
On the twentieth of December, Ann and Patty spent the day cleaning out the office, but by noon they discovered they had nothing left to do. They flipped the sign to closed and taped up the placard Joey created wishing all who passed by a Merry Christmas with a reminder to stop by in the new year to see how they could help then update their home’s look both inside and out. With the locking of the deadbolt, the pair walked to the café down the block. Patty’s cards were displayed in a decorative holder at the hostess station.
“So, we’re on vacation for the rest of the year. Any big plans?”
“The usual. We’ll go to Bill’s brother’s house for Christmas Eve, and of course now, with his parents gone, we all just do Christmas day with our own immediate families. I’ll do a ham and turkey, the twins will stay over. It will be fun.”
“Matt?”
“Well, he’s working, so he only gets a few days off. I think he’s coming home the twenty-third and has to be to back in court on the twenty-seventh.”
“Real world stuff.”
“Exactly. It shouldn’t be like this for him yet.”
“Well…”
“I know, and believe me, I realize it’s so much better than it could have been. Anyway, enough about my dysfunctional family. How is yours going to deal with togetherness?”
Patty sighed. “Oh, Robert will grace us with his presence for a couple of days and then claim business, leaving abruptly but planned all along. The usual. Jackie’s driving back tonight, actually.”
“That’ll be nice.”
“Yes, in fact, the two of us are going to New York City over New Year’s. I haven’t wanted to pry, but wasn’t this the year you were going to re-instate the party?”
“It was,” Ann sighed, “but in the years since we skipped, everyone found other things to do and have just moved on I guess. Plus, I won’t let him take the blame, make Bill be the reason, but he is doing so well with sobriety, I just couldn’t bear to put him in that situation. Matt either. I assume he’ll come back as the Noland’s are leaving the day after Christmas. Matt said the judge wants to get Kristie away, that it’s been a tough year for her. Matt has to hold down the fort in his chambers while he pampers his daughter in Puerto Rico.”
“Aha, well.”
“Right. I assume this whole ordeal will be over soon, and I shouldn’t complain. It just feels like they’re punishing Matt. At least he’s not complaining. He tells me it’s all fine. He really likes the job, and my guess is he’ll eventually get his degree with all the positive influence around him.”
“He’ll persevere, I’m sure of it,” Patty said.
“I think so, too.” Ann nodded. “What are you going to do in New York?”
“Oh, typical girl stuff: shopping, dining, and maybe a show. Richard is meeting up with us on New Year’s Eve.”
“Richard?” Ann’s eyebrows shot up.
“Oops.” Patty sighed.
“Oh my gosh! Are you finally seeing someone? Patty, that’s wonderful. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I can understand why you’d keep it quiet, since you and Robert have never actually separated, which I can’t understand. But seriously, it’s time for payback and for you to have some fun. Tell me about him.”
“Ann, relax. I’m not seeing anyone, but thank you for your encouragement. Richard is Jackie’s boyfriend. The reason I haven’t said anything is that I hadn’t been told right away, and once I was informed, I got another surprise: he’s older—in his thirties. And he’s a professor. He was her professor.”
Ann’s mouth hung open. Patty continued.
“It’s a lot to absorb. I haven’t truly yet. I secretly hope it will just end when she graduates.”
“Wow. You’re right, a lot to absorb. I’m having a hard time picturing that. But don’t worry, relationships like that never last.”
“I’m pulling for her wanting to leave Yale and go elsewhere to do her graduate work. That’s not evil, is it?”’
“Of course not. That’s being a parent. Speaking of which, does Robert know?”
“That’s the funny part. Not only does he know, but he loves Richard. They met this summer, and they were like old buddies reunited. I, however, just cannot seem to get comfortable around him. It just feels wrong, bizarre.”
“Well, I still think it’s time you were getting some, too.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Everyone
Richard was getting itchy. Jackie had seen him like this before. While it still made her nervous, part of her was surprised it had taken him this long to tire of his sabbatical.
“Could you still take on a class, or co-teach with someone?”
“It’s already February; it would be too complicated. Also, it’s not what I want right now.”
“What are you thinking?” Jackie got that panicky feeling. He wasn’t telling her something.
“I’m exploring some options. I’m not sure of my next step at the moment. Actually, I’ve been thinking that I would
like to discuss some matters with your father. Would you mind if I called him?”
Relieved that whatever he was planning still involved her, Jackie encouraged Richard to call Robert. Maybe he had an important question to ask him.
While Robert was in Westhaven over Christmas, he and Patty shared a rare moment alone. It wasn’t planned but not altogether avoided either. Jackie had left for the evening to visit Briana, and the estranged husband and wife found themselves unaccompanied in the den. Robert stood up after a moment, announcing he would be right back. He returned quickly with a glass of Merlot for Patty and scotch for himself.
“So, you’ve been doing well?”
“Yes, very. And you?”
“Fine. I think we should drop the pretenses, though. Jackie is about to graduate in a few months. What do you want to do?”
“Do? Oh, about us. Yes. I suppose we should discuss it. Now is as good a time as ever,” Patty agreed. “I just never thought it would turn out like this, but somehow it did, and I don’t know about you, but I’m actually at peace with the current situation.”
Robert took a sip of his drink and took a moment longer to respond. “I appreciate you keeping up appearances for my sake, but if you’re not comfortable pretending anymore, then I would understand.”
“The way I see it, we’re not pretending. We’re married, but our careers keep us apart.”
“I’m glad you see it that way. However, if you ever feel like you need to move on, find someone…”
“Robert, stop. It’s alright. Don’t say it. I know you’re not keeping celibate, and it would ease your conscious if I wasn’t either, but we clearly have developed differing priorities over the years.”
“Patty, I never meant to hurt you.”
“Robert, you’ve always wanted it all, and now that you have it, you feel guilty. That’s what happens. I’ve simply just wanted to give my all, to live up to my full potential, and I finally feel like I am. And without any guilt.”
“You’re a good person, Patty.”
“And you’re not as horrible as you may occasionally feel. I’ll let you know if our arrangement ceases to work for me, but for now, you can count on me to play your devoted wife back home.”
Robert and Patty continued to catch up with each other’s lives and strike a level of comfort over the following days before she and Jackie were to leave for New York. Patty begged for Robert’s confidence when she informed him about Matt’s wife losing the baby.
As for Jackie, back in the summer, she had insisted on not being updated on Matt’s life and to simply not speak his name in her presence. With the new development, though, Patty desperately wanted to tell Jackie, but Robert insisted they honor her wishes by remaining silent. He reminded Patty that if Matt wanted her to know, he could pick up the phone himself. Robert did not want Jackie knowing he was off the hook and possibly available. He was relieved to hear Matt was staying on at his job and still married for the time being. Maybe he could make some calls to ensure Matt would have plenty of clerking opportunities to choose from in New Jersey. Before he got a chance, though, he received a call from Jackie’s current boyfriend.
“Robert? Richard here. Have you got a minute?”
“Of course, anytime. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve had it here with Yale. Remember the issues I was discussing with you in August? Well, they’ve only escalated. The old-boy network is truly alive and well. I’ve put out some feelers at other universities and would like to hear your thoughts.”
Richard explained the pros and cons of Georgetown versus Berkeley and Stanford. He speculated the packages they would offer and the job security of each. More importantly, the opportunities Richard was looking for creatively. Robert was surprised to hear he wished to leave Yale, but Richard seemed tired of the Ivy League network and the lack of freedom and flexibility he was allowed in determining his curriculum.
“Sounds to me like California fits your vision,” Robert offered.
“That’s where I’m leaning.”
“Honestly, it sounds to me like you’ve made up your mind but want someone to tell you it’s the right choice and say ‘go for it.’”
“I didn’t realize I was so transparent, but yes, I suppose I want an endorsement.”
“Go for it!”
Richard finally convinced Jackie to go on spring break with her friends, arguing that it was her last chance to experience Cancun with the girls and that it was her senior year, not his. She had suggested the two of them go away alone and was hurt at first when he declined but saw that he was being rationale and looking out for her. It wasn’t like he was going on a separate vacation with the boys and she’d have to worry, like some of her friends undoubtedly would.
“What will you do?”
“Work, don’t worry,” he assured her.
Flying out to Stanford could be considered working.
Richard and Jackie had not discussed plans for after her graduation, but soon they would have to make a very big decision.
***
“Hi, stranger,” Kristie greeted Matt upon his answering the phone.
“Hey, how’s it going?” He sat up straighter in the Lazy-boy.
“Good. Really good, actually. I’m getting caught up and starting to feel like myself again. How about you?"
“The same. Work is work, but I like it. I’m learning a lot,” Matt replied flatly. It was all of a sudden difficult to think she was back at college living the life he had loved.
“That’s good.”
“So,” Matt began.
“Yeah, well, the reason I’m calling. Uh, wow, this is hard. I’ve met someone.”
“Oh.”
“Right,” Kristie agreed with his tone.
“Well, I guess we should, um…”
“We tried, Matt. We did the right thing, but it isn’t fair to either of us to continue with this marriage. We both need to move on.”
“So, a divorce then?”
“It should be pretty simple. I’ll have my father start the paperwork, and when I come home for the summer, I can help you pack up or whatever you need.”
“Okay,” was the only response Matt could come up with as he was startled with this turn of events.
“Matt, I’m sorry. I really am—about everything.”
“I know that now, and well, me, too.”
Matt had arranged with his father-in-law to stay on until May. The judge had a nephew of a colleague coming to take Matt’s spot, as soon as he finished his final exams at Virginia Law.
With Mrs. Noland’s help, they had put the house on the market and got a great offer in April. The closing date was scheduled for May tenth, and it was decided that would also be Matt’s last day of work. The house had made a healthy profit which the judge split with Matt, acknowledging his hard work in fixing and updating the house making it so marketable. Matt would be leaving his marriage in New Jersey with a respectable bank account—a better finish than start, at least financially. Still, it felt sad to leave; it felt like he had failed.
“Sir, I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me, especially here.” Matt gestured around Judge Noland’s chambers.
“Matthew, it was a pleasure to have you as a law clerk.” The judge clapped Matt on the back and appeared sincere. “It was a rocky start, but you hung in there for a year and gave it one hundred percent. You should be proud of a job well done.”
“Thank you, I enjoyed it.”
Farewells were exchanged in chambers. The judge would not be accompanying Matt back to the house after his last day on the job.
“Well, now I think you should finish your undergrad degree, and if you ever think about law school, I would be happy to write you a letter of recommendation. Keep in touch, son.” The judge stood up to shake Matt’s hand and send him on his way. Matt simply nodded as he was too choked up to speak.
Bill took a day off from leading his crew to drive to pick up Matt and his few belongings. Ann decided to le
t it be a guys’ day. She was thrilled he was coming home but overcome with emotion over the enormity of the situation. She would be better suited to see him on her own turf, not New Jersey.
Ann hosted a big dinner with Meredith and Melissa to welcome the prodigal son. At first, they were all hesitant to bring it up, each waiting for the other to get the nerve. Meredith couldn’t take the silence anymore and stated the obvious.
“It’s good to have you home.”
“Thanks, it’s good to be home,” Matt began, “but I always thought I would be moving back in after graduation, not divorce.”
Matt began to look for summer work and fall classes immediately. He had no doubt he would be able to do both with a little effort. Repairing his friendship with Joey was going to require more energy. He was living at home to save for his upcoming wedding, working crazy hours but making necessary connections. Matt knocked on the back door on his second night back.
“Wanna hang out?”
“Can you shoot hoops?” Joey asked.
“Kinda. No lay-ups, just free throws,” Matt replied as he limped out to the driveway.
As they shot, the silence began to fade away. Joey talked about school and work, wedding plans, and his car. Matt chimed in with responses but had yet to offer up any information.
“So, you gonna call her?” Joey asked.
“Kristie?”
“No, you moron. Jackie.”
“I don’t know. I’ve thought about it but can’t decide if it’s a good or bad idea.”
“Theresa is inviting her to the wedding.”
Matt stewed about it for a week. He knew when she came home, even drove by and saw her car once. He called when he couldn’t think of any more excuses not to, and when he had the perfect excuse to make the call.
“Happy Birthday.”
“Oh, Matt, same to you.”
“And congrats on your graduation, too. That’s really great.”
“Thanks, that’s nice of you. I’m glad you called.”
“Good, I almost lost the nerve. I’m home, here in Westhaven, that is. I didn’t know if you knew.”