The First Ladies Club Box Set

by J B Hawker

  *

  Just then, on the patio adjacent to the formal dining room at the Haleby’s elegant home, the family, along with the Episcopal Bishop who had presided over Victoria’s memorial service that morning, and a few close friends were helping themselves to cocktails and trays of hors d’oeuvre from serving carts and talking quietly, as one does following a funeral.

  Mrs. Haleby and her daughters wore black, and the men were in dark suits, but most of the women were clad in day wear. Nurse Bitsy was in her usual cartoon-print scrubs. Judy was dressed in a somber gray ankle-length skirt, a lavender chiffon tunic and a multi-colored wool shawl. She trailed its long fringe across a tray of canapés in search of a vegan option.

  “Thank you for coming, Mrs. Falls,” Doctor Haleby said from behind her, making her jump and drop a whole wheat cracker.

  “Oops!” Judy said, stooping to pick it up. “It was a lovely service, Doctor. The message was very comforting.”

  “Yes. Bishop Masland is an old family friend. It was good of him to take the time,” Doctor Haleby said.

  Judy put her hand on the doctor’s arm to steady herself as he spoke.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, peering into her suddenly pale face.

  “Sorry. I’m fine, now. Just a teensy bit dizzy for a moment. I probably got up too fast when I dove after that cracker,” Judy said, with a weak smile.

  “All the same, I think you should make an appointment to stop by the office next week. It’s been a while since I’ve had a look at you, and you are entering what I like to call “the tenuous years”.

  “Tenuous?” Judy asked.

  “Those mid-life years when a woman transitions into old age and her health swings between hormonal peaks and valleys. The symptoms of perimenopause can mask or mimic other issues. We can’t afford to ignore even passing dizzy spells. They are probably nothing, but we need to be sure.”

  “Oh, yes...I see. Well, I’ll call and make an appointment soon. Thank you, Doctor.”

  Judy made her way across the patio to her hostess, who was standing beside the cocktail tray looking sadly at the empty glass in her hand.

  “Inez, thank you for your hospitality. It was a lovely service,” Judy said.

  “Thanks for coming, Judy. I never knew Cassius’s cousin, of course, but it seemed like the thing to do. Did you see? All my kids came home,” Inez said, looking around to locate each of her grown children.

  Judy followed her gaze, observing how uncomfortable the Haleby children appeared to be. They did not look as happy to be home as their mother was to have them. With a shrug, she said her good-byes.

  *

  Cassius Haleby was also contemplating his grown children standing together on the far side of the room. He was proud of his three sons and two daughters. His eldest son and younger daughter were practicing physicians in New York and Miami, respectively. His second son had become a Boston lawyer, while his other daughter was an architect and lived in Maine. His youngest was currently getting his MBA from Harvard. Four of the five were married, but none of their spouses had accompanied them for this quick visit. They had arrived only yesterday and would be leaving the next day.

  A loud clatter caught the doctor’s attention and he turned toward the sound in time to see one of the catering staff picking up the tray of canapés his inebriated wife had knocked to the floor. Cassius frowned and looked back to the more pleasing aspect of his handsome offspring. They had Inez’s good looks; he must admit. She’d been a true beauty before alcoholism had bloated and coarsened her features.

  When they married, Inez headed a thriving pediatric practice. She would have kept it up after their son, Noel, was born, but Cassius convinced her to stay home, at least until the child was old enough for school. The other children soon followed in rapid succession, just as Cassius hoped, preventing her from resuming her medical career. Of course, the woman blamed him for her descent into drunkenness as the children grew up and moved away. She claimed he’d ruined her life, but there would have been no way for her to re-enter medicine, after so many years, even if she hadn’t become an alcoholic long before their youngest went off to university. It was no wonder the children didn’t want to spend more time at home.

  He threw a look of disgust in the general direction of his wife and walked over to join his children.

  In the expansive graveled parking area beside the Haleby’s house, Judy paused next to her car while another wave of nausea washed over her. She decided, right then, to take the doctor’s advice and make an appointment, after all. She couldn’t take time from her busy schedule to deal with a stomach bug.

  “Transitioning to old age, indeed!” she snorted as she drove along the sweeping driveway.

  Judy considered the contrast between the two recent funerals. The Falls family service for Ann, in their own church with just the four of them in attendance, had been simple, but heart-felt. They spoke of their brief time with Ann, lit a candle and prayed together. Today’s elegant ceremony for the doctor’s cousin, followed by the formal gathering at the Haleby’s house, was much grander, with flowers, music, and refreshments, but it lacked emotion. Judy supposed that was to be expected under the circumstances. Still, it was sad to have so few people sincerely mourning these deaths.

  Judy could never remain somber for long and, as she drove, she was soon looking forward to getting her hands dirty planting a row of lettuce before putting the final coat of clear polyurethane on the cradle she’d almost finished.

  *

  In the Bostwich guest house, Melissa Gutermann was also making plans. She was writing up her proposed changes to the First Baptist women’s group when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  She left her laptop on the kitchen table and pulled aside the red-checked curtains covering the door’s multi-paned window. Seeing who was there, she smiled and opened the door.

  “Come in, Ariadne! What a nice surprise.”

  “I’m not interrupting anything important, am I?” Ariadne asked, hesitating on the doorstep.

  The Gutermann’s landlady was a dignified, elegantly attired elderly woman and a pillar of the First Baptist Church. Her air of correctness would have been intimidating without the genuine kindness she radiated.

  “Of course not,” Melissa said. “Nothing that can’t wait, anyway. Can I offer you something to drink? Coffee? Tea? Lemonade?”

  “I don’t want to be a bother, but I’d love some lemonade, if you already have it made. The walk down from the big house gave me a thirst. It’s turned quite warm today,” Ariadne replied.

  She took a seat at the table and hooked her ebony cane over the back of the chair.

  Melissa selected two drinking glasses from an open shelf and pulled a pitcher from the refrigerator. She smiled at Ariadne’s comment, saying, “I’ve noticed how rare these nice sunny days are here. Will it get much warmer in the summer?”

  Ariadne took a sip of her lemonade before responding.

  “Ah, that’s lovely. Thank you. We will have many delightful days this summer, of course, but have you heard about our famous ‘June Gloom’? Midsummer is often shrouded by the marine layer, I’m afraid. The most consistently pleasant month is September, actually.”

  “I will have to look forward to that,” Melissa said as she sat at the table opposite Ariadne and pushed her computer aside.

  “What were you working on when I interrupted you, dear?” Ariadne asked.

  “It’s a proposal for the women’s group to consider,” Melissa said. “I went to their planning meeting last week. There weren’t many creative ideas being offered, I’m afraid. I thought I’d submit a few more interesting activities for them to consider.”

  “That’s thoughtful of you. Does Rodonna know you are working on this? It would be a shame if they filled the calendar and made the year’s plans before having a chance to consider your ideas.”

  “Well, actually, I’m not sure she knows. I did offer some input at the meeting and told the others I t
hought we might try more relevant options. They didn’t specifically ask me to write a proposal, per se,” Melissa said.

  “They are certain to appreciate your efforts, but you might want to call Rodonna, so she is aware of your plans and can put your ideas on the agenda for the next meeting.”

  “I guess so,” Melissa said. “I’m always happy to have you drop in, Ariadne, but did you have anything special on your mind today?”

  “Oh, yes! I almost forgot. My grandson, Peri, will be home this weekend. I’m so excited. You will get to hear him play the organ for worship. He’s very talented,” Ariadne said. “I’m having a little dinner party for him on Friday evening. Of course, I want you and Pastor to come.”

  “I’ll have to check Jorge’s calendar to be sure he hasn’t scheduled anything else, but I’d love to come. What time?”

  “Sevenish, I think,” Ariadne said. “Be sure to let me know if Pastor has plans for that night, otherwise I’ll expect to see you there.”

  Ariadne thanked Melissa for the lemonade, gave her a quick hug and left. As she walked up the hill to her house, she said a prayer for Melissa and the women’s group. She feared possible contretemps ahead.

  Chapter 12

  On an ancient stone bench in Olivette Vernon’s sunny garden, Elizabeth Gilbert sat with her eyes closed, her head tilted back, and a beatific smile lifted to the sunshine.

  “Ah, this is just what I needed, Olivette,” she sighed. “Your garden is a restful arbor, indeed.”

  “Kendall and I are blessed with this lovely spot to enjoy on these sunny days,” Olivette said. “Our parsonage is a little dark and gloomy, sometimes, but it is more than offset by bright afternoons in this garden,” Olivette said. “Would you like some more iced tea?”

  “Sure, but you stay there, I’ll get it,” Elizabeth hopped up and took both their empty glasses into the house.

  Olivette was startled a few moments later to hear a sudden howl from inside. She started to get up, but before she could investigate, Elizabeth came out.

  “When I walked into the dark kitchen, I thought I’d gone blind, after this bright sunshine. I stepped on Tibby’s tail, I’m afraid,” Elizabeth said, handing Olivette her drink. “I hope she forgives me.”

  Olivette laughed. “She’s a preacher’s cat, forgiveness goes with the territory,” she quipped.

  The two friends sat quietly sipping their tea and soaking up the rare sunshine.

  After a time, Elizabeth spoke, “Judy went to the funeral this morning for Dr. Haleby’s cousin. She said she thought she should, considering she’s the one who uncovered the unfortunate girl’s body.”

  “Judy’s so thoughtful,” Olivette said.

  “Gil told me at lunch that he’s heard the Medical Examiner still can’t determine a definite cause of death.”

  “Don’t they have any idea, at all?”

  “They think the cause of death might have been blood loss, as the result of a torn uterus. That sounds like a botched abortion to me and as bad as that is, I hate to think what else could have caused it.”

  Olivette shuddered. “What a terrible thing,” she said. “Only thirteen, too, a mere child. Did you see much of that kind of thing, complications from illegal abortions, I mean, when you were still a nurse?”

  “I’m afraid so. I guess Roe V. Wade accomplished one good thing, anyway,” Elizabeth said. “At least, now, we aren’t losing all the mothers, too, when the babies are killed.”

  “Abortion’s still wrong, though. Making a sin or a crime legal, rather than fighting it, doesn’t seem like the right thing to do. However, I don’t have the answer, so I just have to keep praying.”

  “Me too, Olivette. Me too,” Elizabeth said.

  *

  The following week Judy sat in Dr. Haleby’s waiting room, flipping through the pages of a dog-eared home decorating magazine and wondering if this check-up was really necessary. She’d had no further dizzy spells since the day of the funeral and she’d much rather spend the money on prom dresses for her girls. She knew they weren’t looking forward to wearing made-over frocks.

  “Mrs. Falls?” Bitsy beckoned from the doorway and Judy reluctantly followed the nurse into the exam room.

  “Please step onto the scale so we can get your weight,” Bitsy directed.

  Judy removed her shoes and followed instructions, averting her eyes from the digital read-out. She’d been feeling fat, lately, and was afraid to see the results, but couldn’t resist a quick peek at the fateful number before stepping off the scale.

  Bitsy noted the weight in her chart and indicated for Judy to sit for a blood pressure check.

  Relieved by only a slight weight gain, Judy sat and allowed the nurse to put a pressure cuff on her upper arm.

  As Bitsy waited for the cuff to inflate, she asked Judy her reason for the visit.

  “I had a little dizzy spell the other day and Dr. Haleby said he wanted to check it out. I tried to tell him it was nothing, but he insisted,” Judy replied.

  “Oh, that’s Doctor all over. He’s so caring and conscientious,” Bitsy said. “Please take off your clothes and put on this exam gown. Doctor will be with you shortly.”

  Judy slipped her vintage ethnic tunic off over her head, getting a bangle bracelet caught in one flowing sleeve before struggling free. She peeled off her tie-dyed leggings and draped them over the back of a chair. Looking at her discarded garments while removing her underclothes, she was struck by how much they resembled the wildly colored clothes of her daughters’ friends. She had an uncharacteristic moment of doubt about her own fashion choices.

  Wrapping herself in the paper gown, Judy hopped onto the exam table, doing her best to keep all the important parts of her anatomy covered with the skimpy garment.

  Idly swinging her legs and leafing through an ancient issue of Readers Digest, Judy let her mind wander. Her encounter with Melissa Gutermann floated to the surface of her thoughts, as it frequently did. It wasn’t only Melissa’s unpleasant reaction to Judy’s innocent comment which stuck in her mind. Melissa’s youthful presence in the group made Judy feel old and had triggered a sudden need to re-evaluate her life.

  Judy grew up as a pampered youngest child with two older brothers. Her parents and brothers coddled their baby girl and Ken had continued the practice, encouraging Judy’s immature style and flighty mannerisms. Melissa, in her mid-twenties and also a pastor’s wife, had given Judy a jolt, especially when observing the younger woman’s relatively more mature style and attitude.

  Doctor Haleby’s tardiness gave Judy the opportunity to come to the conclusion that she needed to make some changes. As hard as it might be, it was time for her to grow up.

  Hearing the doctor’s light tap on the door, Judy sat up straighter, clutching the paper wrapper.

  “How are you today, Judy?” Doctor Haleby asked when he came into the room.

  “I’m fine, like I told you before. I hate to take up your time for nothing.”

  “No more lightheadedness, then?” he asked. “What about headaches, nausea or vertigo?”

  “Nothing like last time, no,” Judy said. “I’m fine. Really.”

  “Well, as long as you are here, we’ll just check you out to put my mind at ease, shall we?” Haleby said, gesturing for Judy to lie back and put her feet into the cold, metal stirrups.

  *

  Judy drove home after the exam feeling frustrated. She’d submitted to a thorough exam, including lab work, then, without any further explanation, the doctor said to return to his office the following week to get the results and discuss a plan of treatment. Doctor Haleby was treating her like a child, just as Ken did.

  When she reached home, she immediately ran up to her bedroom for a change of clothes. Rummaging in the back of her cluttered closet, she found a pair of dowdy tan slacks and a simple sleeveless shirt she sometimes wore for gardening. She was astounded to realize these were the most age-appropriate garments she owned; with the exception of the blazer she wore wh
en presiding over the Presbyterian Women’s group meetings.

  Judy seldom shopped for new clothes, preferring vintage items altered to fit her eclectic bohemian tastes. Since deciding to revamp her image, she needed a whole new wardrobe. Ken wouldn’t be pleased by the expense, she was sure.

  Ken found her in the kitchen that afternoon with her hair slicked back in a neat ponytail. She wore a cook’s apron over her slacks and shirt as she prepared dinner. There was a general aura of severity in her appearance and her movements.

  “Hey, are you okay?” Ken asked, kissing her on the top of her head. “How did the check-up go?”

  “I’m fine, just like I’ve been trying to tell you all,” Judy snapped.

  “You sure you’re okay?” Ken asked with concern, turning her around to look into her eyes. “You don’t seem like yourself.”

  “Who else would I be?” Judy asked. “I’m totally fine, but that know-it-all doctor insists I’m not fine. He thinks I’m about to become a dried-up old woman,” she said, with a catch in her throat.

  Ken lifted his wife’s chin to look into her tear-filled eyes and saw the fear behind her bluster. Taking her hand, he led her to sit with him at the kitchen table.

  “Okay, now. Tell me exactly what happened today,” he said.

  Judy sniffed and wiped her eyes with a corner of her apron before responding.

  “Doctor Haleby thinks I’m entering menopause. He made me take a bunch of tests and told me to come back next week for the results, but I know what he thinks.”

  “So? That’s not so terrible, is it? It is a natural process,” Ken said.

  “For old women. It’s natural for old women. He thinks I’m old,” Judy whimpered.

  “You aren’t old, my precious darling. These hormone things happen to women at various ages. I think the average is somewhere in the mid-fifties, but I’ve heard of women as young as thirty going through this change. Believe me, no one thinks of you as old.”

  Judy squeezed Ken’s hand, breathed deeply, and said, “They may not think I’m old, but maybe they think I’m too old to dress the way I do. And maybe some people think it is about time for me to act my age.”