Closing time came much too quickly. Nell had already left so she could go home and get pretty. Carol and Zing were going to Miracle’s to shower, change, and pack the picnic basket.
“This will be your first shower at your new house,” Zing said as they locked up the bakery.
“What’re you talking about?” Carol said.
“You’ll be moving in soon. You like Miracle’s house and you live in an apartment. It only makes sense.”
“Whoa, you’re getting way ahead of yourself. I’m not doing anything of the sort. I’m getting cleaned up at Miracle’s because it’s more convenient than my going home and coming all the way back into town.”
They walked to Carol’s car in silence. Carol drove a very unsafe car. It was a red Mustang Cobra with white racing strips. Zing didn’t think a car named after a deadly snake was a good idea. Nell called it a “ticket magnet.”
“Miracle bought brand new sheets and new dish towels for the kitchen,” Zing said, getting in the car.
Carol did not comment. She started the car and burned rubber out of the parking lot.
“Are you angry?” Zing asked, holding on to the dashboard.
“Nope. Why?”
“You drive like you’re angry. All black smoke, squealing tires, and going fast.”
“I drive like that all the time. What’s the use of having a fast car if it doesn’t go fast?” Carol said, careening the car around a corner on two wheels.
***
“How’d you like that new goat’s milk honey with lemongrass and cucumber poppy seed I got?” Miracle asked as she and Zing made pastrami and rye sandwiches. They had just finished making turkey and Swiss on sourdough, and ham and sharp cheddar on wheat.
“Is that a kind of sandwich?” Carol asked. She winked at Zing who noted that Miracle had failed to mention that it was soap she was talking about.
“No, silly, I meant the new soap,” Miracle said, playfully swatting Carol’s bottom.
“I’ve never smelled anything like it,” Carol said. She studied the kitchen counter. “I don’t think we’ve made enough different kinds of sandwiches.”
Zing looked up from mustard-swiping and her eyes widened. She had never seen Carol tease anyone. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Carol was on drugs.
“Wait’ll you see the salads. I got four different kinds,” Miracle said.
“Four?” Carol asked.
Miracle shrugged. “I come from a long line of big, Texas women who think every problem can be solved with food. It’s in my genes.”
Zing sneaked up behind Carol, leaned in close, and gave her a good sniff.
Carol turned and batted Zing away. “What the hell are you doing?”
“I used the lavender and rosemary soap. I wondered if you smelled as good as me,” Zing said, sniffing her own arm. “Miracle told me she sniffed large amounts of soap until she found one she thought you’d like.”
“Oh, don’t exaggerate, Zing,” Miracle said, downplaying it. “I just shopped around a bit.”
“I’m sure you needed soap anyway,” Carol replied.
“Nope. We didn’t,” Zing said. “She did it all for you.”
Carol and Miracle ignored her. “Shall I pack the cooler now?” Carol asked. She and Zing had stopped at Whole Foods and gotten sodas, water, and juice. “We are not doing alcohol,” Carol told her. “That’s asking for a disaster.”
Zing agreed. When Miracle was depressed over Rita the Meter Maid, she drank wine and got all sad. Nell was already going to be sad. She wouldn’t need additional assistance from a bottle.
“I got two bags of ice this morning,” Miracle said. She pointed at the stand-up freezer.
Carol was tentative. “Last time I looked in there I almost got buried in an avalanche. It took you three days to dig me out. It was like the Donner Party.”
Miracle laughed. “I’ve cleaned the freezer out. All you’ll find is—”
“Ice cream,” Zing interjected.
“And some frozen fruit.”
“That we put on ice cream,” Zing added.
Carol opened the freezer. It looked more well-stocked than the ice cream section in the grocery store. “This is like a wine collection.”
“No, it’s not. Ice cream tastes better,” Zing said.
Carol pulled out the two ice bags and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Cake My Day. “I think I need, I think we need, to eat this right now. For courage.”
***
Nell was already at the park. She had shown up an hour early and was now nervously pacing back and forth. She was having a conversation with Homeless Tom. Actually, Nell was doing all the talking and Tom was doing all the listening. He sat on his customary bench eating donuts as she paced back and forth along the edge of the duck pond. He didn’t know if Nell was talking to him or to herself, so he refrained from saying anything.
He looked up when Carol, Miracle, and Zing approached. They spotted Nell and watched her pace for a whole minute without her knowing.
“What the hell is she babbling about?” Carol asked.
“Methinks she is terrified. I wish I could stay for the picnic,” Tom said, staring wistfully at the picnic basket. “But, alas, duty calls.”
“We have plenty of sandwiches,” Zing said, setting the picnic basket on the bench beside him. “You should take some with you.”
“Well, if you’re sure you have enough,” Tom said. He started to stand, but Miracle laid her hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
“Oh no, honey, you’re not going nowhere,” Miracle said. “I was counting on you for backup.”
Tom nodded. “Perhaps I could reschedule.”
Nell spotted the group and headed their way.
“Good thinking on the Tom front,” Carol said out the side of her mouth to Miracle. “If David gets out of hand, Tom’s big enough to take him down.”
Tom stood. “Let me clear my schedule and I shall return shortly. It is a white knight’s duty to be available at all times to the damsels under his care.” He picked up two sandwiches, tucked them in his pockets, put the empty donut box in the trash receptacle and set off.
“Where’s Tom going?” Nell asked.
“He has a prior engagement,” Zing said.
“So, honey, tell me. . . are you nervous?” Miracle asked.
“Yes, yes, yes. I am so glad you all are here. I don’t think I could’ve handled this on my own,” Nell said. “Look at this,” she thrust out her hand. It shook—badly.
“I wouldn’t hold anything that could spill until you get that under control,” Zing said.
“It’ll all work out,” Miracle said. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll do some pressure points to help you calm down.”
“All right, that’s a good idea. I’d like to be calm when I meet Dove,” Nell said. She sat on the bench.
Miracle moved behind Nell. She pressed the pads of her thumbs into either side of the back of Nell’s neck. Nell immediately relaxed.
“And we’ll go set up the blanket and basket,” Carol said. She yanked Zing’s arm. “Come on and help me.”
Zing wanted to observe more of the pointing pressure thing, but she didn’t get a chance. Carol dragged her toward a large tree with an ample canopy of shade.
“This is a nice spot,” Zing said.
“Yeah, for a massacre,” Carol said under her breath. She plopped down on the grass and tossed the blanket at Zing. She put her head in her hands and took one long, shaky breath. “This is going to be awful. Too awful. Maybe we should call the whole thing off and let Nell have her virtual love affair.”
Zing set the blanket aside. She squatted behind Carol and pressed her thumbs into the side of Carol’s neck. Carol stiffened. Her eyes widened in pain.
Zing looked towards Miracle and Nell. Nell was so relaxed that her head was lolling forward with her chin on her chest. Zing quickly pushed Carol’s head between her knees and held it there.
“Ow! What the hell are you doing?�
�� Carol asked, her voice muffled.
“I’m relaxing you.”
“No, you’re friggin’ killing me,” Carol said. She shook Zing off and rubbed the back of her neck. “Oh god, what’re we going to do? I can’t stand hurting Nell.”
“Maybe we should eat now,” Zing said.
“Yeah, I hate throwing up on an empty stomach,” Carol muttered. “Nell’s going to hate us, you realize that?”
Zing spread out the blanket. “Only for a little while…I hope.”
“See, you have doubts too,” Carol said. She pulled up clumps of grass and tossed them aside.
Zing sat down next to Carol and took her hands in her own so she’d stop killing the grass. “We have to do this. Dove-David would have had to call the whole thing off eventually because he can’t ever meet her. Nell would’ve found out some day.”
“I know. It’s just so hard,” Carol said. “Nell’s my best friend and we’re going to be solely responsible for ripping her heart out.”
“I know,” Zing said. Now she was beginning to feel depressed. It was weird how emotions spread like a virus, Zing thought.
“At least you’ll be gone soon,” Carol said. “You won’t have to live with the consequences for the rest of your life.”
“Two weeks,” Zing said sorrowfully. “I only have two weeks left.”
Carol looked over at Zing and saw her bottom lip tremble. In a rare moment of compassion, Carol reached out and held Zing’s hand. “I’ll miss you. I never thought I’d say that, but I will miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too,” Zing replied. Carol was a good friend. Mindy was nice and she liked cookies, but she had helped David aka Dove hurt Nell. Zing knew now that cookies or no, Mindy should not have helped Dove-David deceive people, even if she thought there wasn’t any harm in it. She was an accomplice in the breaking of Nell’s heart. Beneath all her gruffness, Carol was honest, loving, and a true friend.
“They’ll be here any minute,” Carol said, standing. “Help me unpack the basket.”
Carol dug into the basket and pulled everything out, flinging it down on the blanket in a hodgepodge.
Zing tried to arrange it better, putting the sandwiches on a platter, the watermelon slices covered in Saran Wrap next to them, and a bunch of green grapes, and cheese and crackers on another plate. As a finishing touch, Zing arranged a vase of a dozen daisies in the center of the blanket. She hadn’t seen Miracle pack the flowers and was pleasantly surprised by their appearance.
Nell walked up and smiled. “This looks so pretty,” Nell said. “I’m sure Dove will love it.”
“I don’t know about that,” Carol muttered, but Nell didn’t hear her.
A car pulled up in the lot and they all stared and held their breath. After a moment, an older woman and her Scottie dog got out. They let out a collective breath.
“All righty, then,” Miracle said. “We can’t just stand here and stare at every car that drives up. We need to relax.”
“Good idea,” Carol said. “So, who brought the booze?”
Miracle swatted Carol. “Let’s all sit in a circle and hold hands.”
Carol grumbled but sat. Everyone else figured why not and followed suit. After they were circled up and hand-holding, Miracle said, “Now, close your eyes and watch your breath.”
After a long moment, Miracle continued, “Okay, now picture an ocean and the waves coming in and out. Synchronize your breathing with this image.”
Zing opened one eye and peeked. Everyone had their eyes closed and seemed to be much more relaxed.
“Well, hey there, this looks peaceful,” Mindy said.
Everyone’s eyes flew open. Mindy was leaning on her crutch staring down at them.
Nell jumped to her feet. “Dove!” She embraced Mindy tightly. “It’s so wonderful to finally hold you in my arms.”
Mindy’s face was filled with surprise. It was obvious by the way her free hand patted Nell’s back that she didn’t know what to do.
Nell stood back and held Mindy at arm’s length and gazed lovingly into her eyes. “You’re even more beautiful than in your pictures.” Her hand shot to her mouth. “Oh, my sweet, I forgot about your ankle. You really shouldn’t sky dive. I was so worried.”
“I’m fine, really.” Mindy took a deep breath and said, “And you, Nell, are more lovely than I dared imagine.” The line sounded well-rehearsed, but Nell didn’t seem to notice.
“Come, sit, and meet my friends,” Nell said.
Mindy almost blew it. “I want to thank you again, Zing…” She stopped herself. Nell hadn’t introduced anyone yet. Nell stared at her.
“How do you know Zing?” Nell asked.
“I don’t really. I mean you’ve told me about her and well, she looks like a Zing,” Mindy said. She laughed nervously. “And I know that leaves Miracle and Carol.” She nodded in their direction. They introduced themselves.
“I’ve been so nervous since you told me you were actually coming and we’d get to meet in the flesh,” Nell said, taking Mindy’s hand.
“We should all have a sandwich,” Zing suggested. She held the platter of sandwiches out to Mindy and said, “Wouldn’t you like that, Mindy?”
Miracle elbowed Zing. Zing clamped her hand over her mouth. She then unclamped it and tried to salvage what she’d done. “I mean, David. I mean Dove!”
Everyone stared at Zing, speechless.
“Zing, what are you talking about? This is Dove.” But even Nell didn’t seem certain anymore.
Mindy coughed and cleared her throat. “Actually, my name is Mindy. Dove is a…” She stopped.
“A pen name,” Miracle chimed in.
“Oh,” Nell said. “I wished you’d told me. It seems weird that I didn’t know your real name and we’ve been together for six months. You even sent roses to celebrate our anniversary. The card was signed from Dove. “
Mindy looked shamefaced. “I wanted to tell you in person so you could see me, look in my eyes when I told you.”
“There’s Homeless Tom,” Zing said. “He’s back!”
“Tom’s here, isn’t that fabulous?” Carol said. She rose to her feet. “I’ll be right back. Zing, come with me.”
“I’ll go too,” Miracle said. “Leave the lovebirds alone for minute.”
“Well, okay,” Nell said, eyeing them suspiciously. “I wonder if they’re planning a surprise for us. They’re like that, you know.” Nell beamed as she watched her friends walk away.
“Oh, I think they have a surprise all right,” Mindy mumbled.
***
“What must I do, my fair damsels?” Tom asked.
Carol pulled out a photo Mindy had given her of David. “You see this guy,” she said jabbing her finger at the photo, “If he decides to bolt, you take him down,” she said.
“This is but an easy task. He looks of diminutive stature,” Tom said.
“Yeah, like a ninety pound weakling,” Carol replied.
“But don’t hurt him,” Miracle said.
“I shall not. If need be, I shall pluck him from the air as if he were the feathered seed of a dandelion.”
“Good man,” Carol said, clapping Tom on the back. “Keep your eyes peeled.”
Zing winced. “Please tell me that’s just a weird human saying.”
They all chuckled.
Miracle said, “Yep. It’s just a saying. I won’t peel anybody’s eyeballs unless I have to.”
“Oh, good,” Zing said.
“Come on, Nell’s going to get suspicious,” Carol said.
They walked back to where Mindy was sitting quietly listening to Nell who held her hands and gazed lovingly at her. It was a heartbreaking tableau.
“I hate myself,” Carol said.
“Don’t,” Miracle said. “In the end this will be better and Nell will get over it.”
When the group reached the blanket, Mindy looked up and said, “Nell has been telling me how nervous she’s been about meeting me.”
�
��We should have a sandwich,” Zing said, taking one from the platter that sat in the center of the blanket.
“What’s with you and the damned sandwiches?” Carol said. “You’re like some kind of sandwich-pusher.”
Zing shrugged. She was about to take a bite of her sandwich when a car drove into the parking lot. All heads turned to look. The driver, who was nothing more than a dark silhouette behind the wheel, sat in the car watching them. Nell paid no attention. She couldn’t pull her gaze away from Mindy’s face.
“I know this has to be a quick lunch because you have a plane to catch to San Francisco,” Nell said. “But I hope we can get together as soon as you get back.”
“San Francisco?” Mindy asked.
“That’s what you told me yesterday,” Nell said. Her face registered confusion.
Mindy raised her chin, took a deep breath, and said, “Listen, Nell, I have something to tell you.” She looked anxiously over at the car with the waiting shadow sitting behind the wheel.
Zing set her sandwich down. This was the moment of truth.
“What?” Nell said, trying to sound bright.
“I’m not Dove Lance…” Mindy said.
“I know that now,” Nell interjected. “And it’s all right. I realize this has been hard on us both.”
“No. I mean, it’s more than that.” Mindy clumsily stood up and waved for the man in the car to join them.
Nell glanced over her shoulder. “Are you in love with someone else?” She saw the man walking toward them.
“No, no, it’s not that. You see, I’m Mindy pretending to be Dove and Dove is really,” she pointed at the short, balding man with a comb over.
“What are you saying?” Nell asked in alarm. “Who is that man? You’re in love with a man? Are you a straight woman pretending to be a lesbian just to sell books?”
“No, I’m really a lesbian. But that man,” she pointed at David, “is my brother-in-law. He’s married to my sister.”
Big Love Page 13