Pam stood up, brushing her pants off. In spite of it being the dead of winter, there was sand in the jute rug on the front porch. She’d ask Lisa if she wanted her cleaning people to come down and clean.
“I don’t get it,” Pam said, feeling daft. “You mean you and Valarie are in love?”
They nodded and held hands in answer.
Pam had known Valarie since Brent was born. Whenever Sandra had visited, she’d brought the nanny. Now Sandra was out of the picture, so Tim was sleeping with the nanny. Could things get any stranger?
“Congratulations,” Pam said, thinking activity at this old beach house defied logic. “It’s none of my business, but I still don’t get why you’re moving. I’m Brent’s grandmother, so I feel like I can put my two cents in.”
Tim chuckled. “Go ahead. We need the voice of experience.”
“Here, you have the support of Lisa. She might be a little preoccupied now with her new boyfriend, but if you need someone to help out with Brent so you two can do—whatever, I’m also just down the beach. You have Nelda, who’s Brent’s great-grandmother. You have never asked us to sit with him before—”
“Because Valarie was here,” Tim said.
“Yes, but you’re in love now, so don’t you want to go off together without a child occasionally?”
Valarie looked at Tim. “I signed up for classes at the community college today.”
“Okay, well, I rest my case. When you have a test or exam or whatever they call it nowadays and Tim is doing his book thing, won’t it be nice to call down to Lisa’s and say I’m sending my kid down to play?”
“Yes, I see your point.”
“No one advised me when I was a young parent. I wasn’t given options. When Jack was doing his thing and Bernice was pushing me around, if my mother had been more involved, who knows how different things would have been? I’m not blaming her for my mistakes, but that’s why extended families work so well. At least I think they do. That’s what they say. Please don’t move away.”
“We’d stay in town for the school.”
“It’s not the same as having you a few houses down from us or above Lisa. Does she know? I can’t believe she’s not upset about it.”
“I was going to talk to her today,” Tim said.
The girls and Brent were chasing each other around. “I’m sure the running must sound like thunder below,” Valarie called out.
“In other words, knock it off,” Tim yelled.
The girls, chastised but laughing, came onto the porch and sat down to play with Legos.
“Well, I’ve said enough. I’ll be upset if you move him farther away. It’s been nice seeing Brent more often. But you do what you have to do. And again, congratulations.”
She thought how odd it was that he and Sandra had only been apart for a short time and he was on his second relationship. Men were never alone.
They chatted on the way to the door, and it wasn’t until Tim went to open it that Valarie realized she had the grandmother of her lover’s son in the house and she hadn’t even offered her a glass of water.
“I’m so sorry. Don’t leave yet. I’m a terrible hostess. Sit down and have a cup of Dominican hot chocolate.”
When Pam agreed, Valarie bustled behind the counter, mixing ingredients. Tim watched her, as he always did when she cooked, intrigued. She cooked like she danced, putting her whole body into it.
“Look at Valarie, mixing her potions. She’s quite a cook. Try these pastries,” Tim said, offering her a plate. “They are so fabulous; since I’ve been eating her cooking, I’ve gained ten pounds.”
“What makes the cocoa Dominican?” Pam asked.
Tim handed her the glass jar full of cocoa beans. “She grinds the beans and makes the mix herself with sugar and spices.”
“It’s not that spicy though. Don’t freak her out, Tim,” Valarie said.
Laughing, Tim leaned over and kissed her in front of Pam and then flushed.
“Aw, don’t be embarrassed,” Pam said. “It’s nice. I’m happy for you, Tim.”
While Valarie prepared the chocolate, there was a tap at the door. Nelda had arrived. She stood with Pam, watching the process.
“Tim and Valarie are in love,” Pam explained. “They want to move away, but I’m trying to convince them to stay here on the beach. This is where they belong, close to family.”
“He lived with the wicked witch, but he’s getting his rewards now,” Nelda said. “He has the baby and the nanny.”
“Mother!”
“I only speak the truth,” she said haughtily. “Tim, am I right?”
“You’re right, Noni,” he said, sliding his arm around Valarie’s shoulders. “I’ve got the kid and the nanny.”
Chapter 18
The week flew by for Sandra. She’d never been busier. The application for the Two Bridges project was put through in record time, and the meeting scheduled by the historical district regarding the project was a success. The construction manager had a list of approved jobs. Once he completed them, the inspections could be done and the next round of work started.
The Dutch house television program would be called The Dutch House, and with the television production crew on site, was also coming along wonderfully. Sandra’s taping schedule there was accomplished in the morning between seven and ten. After that, the noise from traffic made it impossible to do much more than videotape with no audio.
On Friday the first taping of the show produced by Jeffery Goldman came off without a hitch. It was a perfect winter day, no wind, bright sun and forty-five degrees. Sandra looked stunning in a Stella McCartney oversized sweater and over-the-knee Gianvito Rossi suede boots.
“Wow,” Carolyn said, looking her up and down with wide eyes. “Just wow.”
Sandra looked down at her clothes and frowned. “He said casual.”
“When I think casual, I think Walmart,” she said.
“You look amazing,” Jeffery said, shaking his head. “I knew you’d be good for us, but I didn’t expect this.”
“Okay, knock it off.”
The shoot went wonderfully, the crew crowding around Sandra, praising her until she wanted to flag down Damon and run away.
“We’ll air at two tomorrow afternoon with a repeat before the evening national news.”
She nodded and thanked everyone and took off before they could say anything else.
“Now there’s an enigma,” Carolyn said. “A haughty bitch that’s humble. What the hell? I was going to organize a launch party for her.”
“I don’t think so,” Jeffery said. “She doesn’t look like a partier to me. At least not in a group.”
“What does that mean?” Carolyn asked.
But Jeffery decided to keep the gossip to himself. “Do a little background work on her when you get a chance. She has a history. She’s been held captive, assaulted, dated a cop who was killed, was arrested for murder, formerly married to a shooting victim who worked for presidential candidate Charles Monroe, and is now living with the CEO of Bellevue.”
“Ha! You made that up.”
“I swear it’s true.”
“Those boots she has on cost two thousand dollars. I spent that much in the last five years on my entire wardrobe.”
Jeffery looked at her and chuckled. “That, my dear, is the reason you are standing here with a clipboard and she just took off in a limo.”
“Jeff, go fuck yourself.”
He grinned and walked away.
Sandra sat back in the limo, watching the streets of New York fly by. She looked at her watch.
“Damon, swing by family court. I want to run in for a minute.”
She’d make sure that Child Protective Services were kept up to date with her latest job changes, especially the two jobs that were going to put her in the public eye. Her attorney promised her that there were only a few more days, down to the hour, until they’d reverse their decision giving Tim full custody, and revert it back to her, giving him
visiting privileges. Sandra wasn’t concerned about Brent’s refusal to leave Valarie and come to her. Valarie would return to work, and Brent’s life wouldn’t change that much.
Earlier, her divorce lawyer had bad news—Tim wanted part of the money she got for the buyout from Lang, and the judge was in agreement. She’d kill him before she gave him a dime. He’d left her. Secretly, she was refusing to sign the divorce papers now, playing hardball. He’d never be free of her if he kept playing games.
On Saturday, back at Lisa’s house, they were piled onto the couch in the living room, Nelda and Pam in recliners, Tim and Valarie on the floor, watching the end of a movie.
“That was so good!” Pam said. “We should really watch movies more often.”
When the last credit rolled by, Lisa started running the channels with the remote pointed at the TV. “I’ll see if there isn’t another good one on.”
“Wait! Go back,” Tim said, pointing. “That looked like someone I know.”
Sure enough, on a local Manhattan station stood Sandra Benson, talking to the camera like a pro, pointing out the architectural details of a historic building. With her arm stretched out, wearing a stunning sweater only someone with her figure could get away with, Sandra was in her element.
“Who’s that?” Steve asked. “She’s gorgeous.”
“Some bitch who used to come around,” Nelda whispered so Brent wouldn’t hear her.
Tim turned around and glared at her. “She’s my ex-wife, actually, my wife. She’s refusing to sign the divorce papers.”
“No way! That’s your wife?” Steve asked, putting his foot in his mouth.
“Nothing’s as easy as you think it will be,” Valarie said, shaking her head.
“Let’s hear what she has to say,” Lisa said, turning the volume up.
“The beauty of New York architecture is more than its design. The magnificence encompasses history, the ancestry of its inhabitants, and the love of its owners. Join us next week for a walk through one of the last Dutch houses in the city. Until then, I’m Sandra Benson.”
No one said anything. Lisa changed the channel before they could show any more.
“Was that Mommy?” Brent asked.
Tim looked through him, stony.
“Brent, it was!” Valarie said, pulling him on her lap. “Didn’t she look pretty?”
He nodded his head, looking at the TV. “Can I see her again?”
“Of course. The next time she’s on television you can see her.”
“Let’s go to the park and see her,” he said, remembering their unfortunate encounter where he might have hurt her feelings.
And as these things sometimes unfolded, Tim’s phone beeped.
“Honest to God. Is there a bug in this room? It’s my attorney!”
“On a Saturday?” Nelda asked.
Tim got up and walked to the back of the room. “Hey, what’s up?” he said in a low voice. “I was just watching her on TV.”
“I hate to tell you this. Last night the judge called from family court. He’s reversed all the rulings.”
“Jesus Christ, what the hell does that mean?”
“Well, it means that as soon as they call her, you have to give her the boy and set up visitation. I’ll file a grievance, but if she gets wind of it now, you have to let him go.”
“That’s fucked up,” Tim said, trying to control his anger and just about losing it. “I’m with his birth father’s family now, and they’ll be devastated.”
“Look, you have until she gets a call and contacts you. She might not hear until Monday. Just take it easy. Call me as soon as she contacts you.”
“My phone just beeped. I guess time’s up,” Tim said, seething. “I’ll call you back.”
“Hello,” Tim growled.
“I got him back, Tim. I want him now.”
“Come and get him, Sandra.” Putting his biggest smile on his face, he would do the act of his life. Valarie stood beside him, and he placed his arm around her, holding her close.
“Tell Valarie to come back to work.”
“Valarie is living with me now, Sandra. You’ll have to get a new nanny.”
“Tim, that’s not possible. She has to come back to work for me.”
“You aren’t getting it. She’s not a slave. We’re living together as lovers.”
“Ha! That’s about your goddamn speed, Tim, fucking the nanny.”
“It’s a thousand times better than your worn-out ass,” he said, sorry he was sinking to her level. He looked at Valarie and mouthed I’m sorry, but she was laughing. “Do you want me to say more? You killed my child. She wouldn’t do that.”
Sandra had the decency not to say anything.
“Valarie’s not Brent’s nanny any longer. He even calls her Mommy. Find someone new. When he comes here, Valarie and I will take care of him.”
“He’s never going there,” Sandra finally said, and Tim thought she might be crying.
“Yes, he is,” Tim said. “I didn’t screw a dead woman’s husband the minute your back was turned. I didn’t abandon him.”
“I was in jail,” she screamed. “I couldn’t help it.”
“I rest my case. When are you coming to get him?”
“Now, bastard. Where do you live?”
“I’ll meet you at the park. You’re not coming here, whore. Call me when you arrive.”
He hung up the phone and realized he was out of breath. He looked up, and everyone had gone out on the porch, and they were singing nursery rhymes at the top of their lungs.
“I’d better go apologize.”
“I was thinking that now we really need to move,” Valarie said, holding her side from laughing. She felt terrible but was sure that later he would agree, it was hysterical.
“Yes, I agree. Let’s try to get through this day.”
“Should I pack all his clothes?”
“Leave what we bought him since he’s been here. She’s not getting that.”
“I hope she gets killed coming here,” Valarie said.
“From your lips to God’s ear.” He stopped in his tracks. “Did I really just say that? Jeez.”
“Go apologize and I’ll get his clothes together,” Valarie said, pushing him through the room.
“Hey, everyone,” he said, opening the door. “The coast is clear. I guess our little guy is going to visit someone this afternoon.”
The children ran from the room after being confined.
“Is it just for the weekend?” Pam asked, the others looking on with concern.
“No, it’s until my attorney can file a reversal or whatever they call it. She’s meeting us at the park whenever she gets her skinny ass here. Pardon me, Nelda, Pam.”
He nodded at them and then burst into tears. Everyone, including Steve, gathered around Tim, comforting him.
“She’s such a bitch. The judge probably saw her on TV and, rather than have her bad-mouth him, gave in to her demands.”
“Is that really how it works?” Steve asked. “I should have gone into law.”
“We all should,” Pam said. “Should we call Dan?”
“Mother, you always ask that. Dan’s an estate lawyer.”
“But he’s vindictive. He might have an idea for revenge,” Nelda said.
“No, leave Dan out of it. He’s got his kids today, and I’m afraid he’ll bring them back if we ask him to do something. He’d probably love to get revenge on the evil stick woman.”
“Boy, I think I won the grand prize when I joined this family,” Steve said with a big smile of satisfaction on this face.
“You joined the family?” Tim asked, horrified.
“Tim, chill,” Valarie said, concerned. “It’s a figure of speech.”
“Well, that’s my goal,” Steve said, looking down at Lisa. “If she’ll have me.”
“I thought you just started dating,” Tim said.
“It’s been a week,” Steve said. “How long do I have to wait?”
&
nbsp; “Jesus, buddy, longer than a week!”
“Tim, what expression did Valarie use?” Nelda asked.
Everyone chorused, “Chill.”
“What’s it your business, Tim?” Valarie asked. “Unless you’re jealous.”
“Are you jealous?” Steve asked, stepping toward Tim with his chest out. “What’s it to you?”
“Steve, what are you doing?” Lisa cried, pulling on his arm. “Come back here!”
“Tim, what are you saying?” Valarie said, her lower lip trembling.
“Tim, Valarie, please go back upstairs,” Pam said. “Stop this right now.”
“Tim needs to stop,” Valarie said. “Evidently, he has unresolved feelings about Lisa.”
“Were you two ever involved?” Steve asked, looking down at Lisa.
“Never,” she said. “Valarie, I swear to you, there was never any attraction between us, not even a hint of it.”
Tim gave her a look of despair and left for his apartment. Everyone knew then that Lisa might not have had any attraction, but that it wasn’t the same for Tim.
“I guess I’d better get Brent ready to go. The evil stick woman, as Lisa so aptly referred to his mother, should be on her way.
Lisa reached out for her. “Valarie, are you okay?”
“I really am,” she said. “Tim’s worth my effort to work through this.”
“He is,” Lisa said, holding on to Steve.
Valarie took Brent up to the apartment to prepare to leave. Tim was back in the bedroom. She sat Brent at the kitchen table with a sandwich and a glass of milk.
“Guess what you get to do today? Valarie and Daddy are taking you to the park!”
“Can I make a snowman?”
“Sure you can. Do you know who will be there?”
He screwed his face up and looked off into space. “Mommy?”
“Yes! Your real mommy will be there, waiting for you. She’s missed you so much, Brent. She loves her little boy.”
“Is Daddy coming?”
“He’ll come to the park,” Valarie said. “You get to go into the big city with your mommy.”
“I’ll stay at the beach,” he said.
“You’ll get to come back soon,” she said. “You be a good boy, okay? Make Valarie proud of you.”
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