The Girls of Mischief Bay

by Susan Mallery

  “You are a delicate flower.”

  Lulu licked her chin, then huddled next to her. Pam knew she was cold, but she hadn’t wanted to put on a T-shirt until they had the rash checked out by Dr. Ingersoll.

  “Let’s go back,” Heidi said, holding open the door to the examination rooms.

  Instead of jumping down and leading the way, Lulu stayed on Pam’s lap.

  “All right, pretty girl,” Pam murmured as she picked up her pet. “I’ll carry you.”

  They went through the usual steps of weight, temperature and heart rate before Heidi studied the rash on the dog’s side.

  “I already know the answer,” she said with a sigh. “But I have to ask. Any changes in her diet or laundry soap or bath products?”

  “No. It’s all the same.”

  Lulu tried to scramble from the table into Pam’s arms. Pam held her, trying to avoid the painful rash.

  “That dog,” Heidi murmured sympathetically. “Okay, he’ll be right in.”

  Less than a minute later, Dr. Ingersoll entered the examination room. He smiled at Pam.

  “We had a good run this time. All right. Let’s see what our girl has gotten herself into.”

  Lulu fearlessly jumped from Pam’s arms to his. For a second Pam’s hands got tangled up with the good doctor’s. Personal contact, she thought with amusement and waited for her crush quiver to activate.

  Only there was…nothing. Not a hint, not even a whisper. She glanced away so he wouldn’t see the amusement in her gaze. She was cured. Falling madly and sexually back in love with her husband had done the trick. Knowing what she knew now, she would have tried it ten years ago.

  Dr. Ingersoll examined Lulu’s rash. “That looks painful,” he said. “I want to use a cream that combines a painkiller and numbing agent. You didn’t dress her this morning?”

  “No. She whimpered when I touched her, so I didn’t want to put on clothes. It’s tough because I know she’s cold. I gave her Benadryl.”

  “Good. That should help a little. You’re not feeding her any table food, are you?”

  Pam cleared her throat. “Maybe a little.”

  “You know she’s delicate. She might be having a reaction to something she ate.”

  “It’s those big eyes. They’re tough to resist.”

  “Try harder. We’ll get her back on her steroids until this calms down.”

  He gave Lulu a couple of shots to get things started, then filled the prescriptions Pam would need for her. After he applied the cream, he got Lulu into her T-shirt.

  “Leave the same shirt after applying the cream,” he said. “She’s not in fashion. She doesn’t have to look perfect all the time.”

  Pam nodded. “We can go a couple of weeks looking casual.”

  “Good. Any other questions?”

  She looked at him and thought about how he was nice and caring and very sexy. “I have a lot of friends with age-appropriate single daughters. Are you in a relationship?”

  Dr. Ingersoll stared at her for a second. He had the most peculiar look on his face. Not surprise, exactly. Chagrin? Curiosity? Confusion? She just couldn’t tell.

  “I am in a relationship,” he told her, at last with a smile. “A committed one. And I’m gay.”

  Something she hadn’t expected him to say, she thought, careful to keep her mouth closed. “If that changes…” she said. “The committed relationship part, I mean. I like fixing up people.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He petted Lulu. “You feel better.”

  After paying the bill, Pam carried Lulu and the meds to the car. She got them both inside and settled behind the steering wheel. Only then did she allow herself to think about her mad crush on Dr. Ingersoll and the fact that the whole time she’d been wondering if he was in any way attracted to her, he’d been gay.

  Her mouth twitched. Then she started to laugh. She was still laughing and laughing as she backed out of her parking space and drove onto the street. Life, it seemed, had quite the sense of humor.

  * * *

  “Okay,” Shannon said, watching seven boys wait eagerly to have their turn on the fort-swing-jumpy thing Nicole had rented for Tyler’s birthday party. “Best entertainment ever. They love it and they’re going to be exhausted.”

  “Right?” Nicole studied the table they were setting. “It’s the perfect twofer. Because sending your kid home exhausted is kind of expected after one of these things. Okay—the food is ready. We’ll get it out in about half an hour. Then presents, then cupcakes. Does that sound right?”

  Shannon touched her arm. “Relax. You did a great job of planning. You even conquered your irrational fear of Brad the Dragon.”

  Nicole rolled her eyes. “I don’t fear him. I hate him. Well, not him, of course. His creator. If I ever meet the guy who created Brad the Dragon, I swear I’m going to back the car over him. What a money machine. He’s not in it for the stories. I’ll bet he’s making millions off the merchandising. Selfish you-know-what.”

  Shannon actually didn’t know what, but with so many kids within earshot, she also wasn’t going to ask. Nicole was certainly carrying around a lot of energy when it came to a fictional character. Only Brad wasn’t the problem. Eric was. Because while the party had started thirty minutes ago, Tyler’s father was nowhere to be seen.

  Nicole hadn’t said anything, but Shannon had watched her grow more and more tense. She had to be upset, maybe embarrassed. Shannon thought about what Adam had talked about a few days before. How he’d been more concerned about work than his family for several years. Now he regretted what he’d lost. Maybe not his marriage to Tabitha, but the time with his kids. She wondered if Eric would feel the same way when Tyler was older. If he would look back and have regrets. She hoped so. Although having him here in the first place would be a better solution all around.

  “Hey, I was here first!”

  Nicole looked over to where a couple of boys were starting to push each other. “That’s not good.”

  She hurried over. Shannon went with her. She crouched down by one of the boys.

  “I can’t remember. Did you say you did want a cupcake after lunch or you didn’t?”

  The boy, a grinning, skinny redhead, looked at her as if she was an idiot. “I want a cupcake.”

  “You’re sure.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Good to know.” She straightened and pointed to the swing. “Oh, look. There’s no line.”

  He made a beeline for the swing. Nicole moved next to her.

  “Crisis averted,” her friend said. “I’m feeling the pressure. None of the other mothers stayed. It’s up to us to keep things running smoothly.”

  “We’ll be fine. I’m not above using food as a bribe.” She held up both hands. “I know. It’s bad, but hey. They’re not my kids and it’s not like the other mothers left instructions not to.”

  Nicole laughed. “I like your style.” Then her smile faded as she glanced toward the house.

  Hurry up, Eric, Shannon thought, resisting the need to look and see if the father of the birthday boy had gotten here yet. Tyler was having too much fun to miss his dad right now, but that wasn’t the point.

  She wished Adam was here with Oliver, but they’d had a family thing they couldn’t get out of.

  The back gate opened.

  “Thank God,” Nicole said, and stared across the backyard, only to come to a stop when Pam walked in with a large, life-size Brad the Dragon b
ehind her. Or rather someone in a Brad the Dragon costume.

  “Hi,” Pam said with a wave. “I know, I should have asked, but I was afraid you’d say it was too extravagant.” She lowered her voice. “He does balloon animals. Who doesn’t love a balloon animal?”

  Tyler looked up and his mouth dropped open. “Mommy?” he asked, his voice squeaking with excitement. “Is that for me?”

  Nicole held out her hands in a gesture of surrender. “Yes, it is. You’re going to have to thank Aunt Pam, though.”

  Tyler flew across the grass and launched himself at Pam. “You’re the best.”

  Pam held onto him for a second, then pushed him toward the life-size character. “I think Brad here wants to wish you happy birthday, young man.”

  Tyler skipped over to Brad. “Hi. I’m Tyler. It’s my birthday.”

  Pam moved toward Nicole. Shannon joined them, thinking that the extravagant gesture was pure Pam.

  “I remember my boys’ fifth birthdays,” she was saying quietly. “It’s when the other mothers stopped staying. Something about the kids being old enough for school and the moms wanting some quiet time to themselves. I got the recommendation from a neighbor’s sister. Evil woman, but she gives a great kid’s party. You mad?”

  Shannon wanted to give Nicole a little shake in the hopes she wouldn’t get upset. Sure Pam hadn’t asked, but wasn’t it worth it? No way Tyler would be missing his father now.

  The sudden realization had her studying Pam more closely. Had the other woman guessed that Eric would resist giving up his writing group to attend his son’s birthday party? She’d been married for years—she probably knew all the pitfalls. Talk about a good person to have your back.

  Nicole hugged her friend. “I will owe you forever.”

  “You don’t owe me anything. I love you both. Now watch this guy make a dragon balloon animal. It’s impressive.”

  The party continued without incident. The boys loved the balloon animals and the fort. Shannon and Pam took charge of serving lunch so Nicole could supervise all seven boys and somewhere around the time they were going to put out the cupcakes, Eric showed up.

  As soon as he stepped out of the backyard, he called for Tyler and held out his arms. His son smiled and waved, but stayed with his friends. Shannon told herself it was petty to be pleased, then decided she could live with the character flaw. Pam hid a smirk.

  “Serves him right,” she murmured to Shannon. “I’m going to get the ice cream.”

  While the boys played games with Brad, Shannon cleared the tables, dumping the paper plates into the recycling bin. She did her best not to listen to the heated conversation happening by the fence.

  “Why are you pissed?” Eric demanded. “I’m here,

  aren’t I?”

  “An hour and a half late,” Nicole told him. “Never mind. I don’t want to talk about it now.”

  “Well, I’m not talking about it later.”

  Shannon stepped inside to help Pam.

  As she walked into the house, she thought about Adam. He’d already figured out what mattered to him. He was an ordinary guy with a steady job who loved his family. He wasn’t a movie star or a record producer. On the surface, he wasn’t flashy. And maybe that was the best news of all.

  * * *

  “I honestly don’t know where to put my anger,” Nicole admitted from her corner of the sofa.

  Pam, who sat at the other end of the couch, nodded. “I get that. I really do.”

  “Throw him out.”

  That last bit of advice was offered by Shannon, who sat on the floor, stretching out her hamstrings. She looked up and shrugged. “He deserves to sleep in the street.”

  “I have to admit, the idea of it makes me all tingly inside,” Nicole murmured. The picture of Eric shivering and cold was more gratifying than it should have been.

  The three of them had had dinner with Tyler, then his two favorite “aunties” had read him bedtime stories until he fell asleep. Talk about a five-year-old boy’s idea of bliss. Now Nicole and her friends were in the living room, drinking wine and talking trash.

  Pam sipped her wine. “I know it sounds good to change the locks, but it’s not that easy. You’re married.”

  Shannon straightened. “The voice of reason speaks. I get that there are complications. Yes, they’re married, but how does she get through to Eric? How does she get him to see he’s ignoring what’s most important in his life? He’s going to have regrets later. All that’s lost now can’t ever be made up.”

  “You’re assuming he is going to care someday,” Nicole said, wondering if she sounded as bitter as she felt.

  “Exactly.” Shannon reached for her wine. “And here’s another question for our longtime married friend. Why is where we are now the starting place? Why is the assumption that this is the situation we have and we’re dealing? Why can’t Nicole tell him she wants things exactly as they were and that’s the starting point for negotiations?” Shannon glanced at Nicole. “I hope it’s okay that I’m speaking for you.”

  “Please. You’re doing a great job. I should have you around when I fight with Eric. I’d do much better.”

  “You would have been an excellent lawyer,” Pam admitted.

  Shannon wrinkled her nose. “I hear what you’re thinking. But not so great at relationships.”

  “You’re wonderful at relationships,” Pam corrected. “But not so much on the yielding. There are stages of life. Sometimes we know exactly what we’re doing and sometimes we’re starting over, even in a familiar situation. Like my daughter, Jen. She and her husband have great jobs and a good marriage. Now Jen is pregnant and everything will be new again.”

  Nicole nodded slowly. “It’s like learning anything. You have to start in the beginners class.” She considered Pam’s words. “You’re saying Eric and I are in a new stage and the old rules don’t apply.”

  “You know this kind of talk makes me crazy, right?” Shannon muttered.

  Pam smiled at her. “I know. And you have an excellent point.”

  “I didn’t make one.”

  “You were about to.”

  Shannon laughed. “Okay, Miss Smarty-pants. What was it?”

  “That if Nicole accepts the premise that she’s starting over in her marriage, that doesn’t mean she should accept disrespect or allow Eric to treat her or Tyler badly.”

  Shannon sighed. “Damn, you’re good.”

  Nicole pulled her legs up and tucked her feet under her. “So I let the past go and start with where we are,” she said slowly. “But with the expectation that Eric still has to be a participating member of the family and a decent husband.”

  Was that the answer? To begin fresh?

  “I’m still mad at him,” she admitted.

  “You should be,” Pam told her. “There’s no excuse for what he did. But that’s different than dwelling on what was. You are where you are.”

  Nicole looked at Shannon. “You still think I should kick him out?”

  “I think you should do what feels right for you and Tyler. I’ll love you no matter what you decide.”

  “Me, too,” Pam agreed.

  Nicole smiled at them both. Love and support, she told herself. Always welcome and right there when she needed it.

  Her friends stayed a couple more hours. When they left, she headed for the bedroom, but when she got there, she realized she wasn’t tired. An odd restlessness filled her. She’d already cleaned up after dinner. Sh
e could watch TV or read, but she was too restless for either. She needed to be doing something, but what?

  Without thinking, she headed for Eric’s office, then pushed open the door. The futon was flat, with pillows, sheets and blankets at one end. Because this was where Eric slept now. For a while she’d worried that he wasn’t coming back to their bed. Now she was more sure than ever. How could she make love with a man she didn’t trust, didn’t know? They weren’t husband and wife anymore. They were roommates who had a kid together, and barely that.

  She crossed to his desk and turned on the floor lamp, then sat down. His laptop sat in the center. There were papers in stacks. Printouts of his screenplay with notes in the margin. Some were handwritten and some were from track changes in his word processing program.

  She looked at the desk. It had been hers before she’d married Eric. This had been her home office. But slowly, after their marriage, he’d taken it over and she’d moved her things to her small office at the studio.

  Now she opened drawers and sorted through the contents. She had no idea what she was looking for. Proof of a secret life, maybe. Receipts or phone numbers. Ridiculous. Eric would keep phone numbers on his cell. As for receipts, she paid all the bills and there hadn’t ever been anything unexpected.

  He went out for drinks a couple of times a week with his writing buddies, but his bills weren’t extravagant. He had lunches out, but they were rarely over twenty-five dollars. If he was seeing someone else, she had modest needs. With Eric not working, it wasn’t like he had extra cash to flash around. So what exactly was she looking for?

  Nicole hesitated, then pushed the power button on his laptop and waited. The machine cycled through the booting process, then the main screen appeared. Her heart sank.

  The last time she’d seen the wallpaper on Eric’s computer it had been a picture of her and Tyler. Now she stared at pictures that had been altered with Photoshop to portray Eric holding various awards. He’d dropped himself into several pictures with famous writers and actors. They flashed across the screen in a slideshow that made her desperately uncomfortable.