Then as if fate is smiling upon me, a stagehand interrupts our conversation to hand me a box of beautiful long-stemmed roses.
What on earth?
“How sweet.” Sharon shoots me a patronizing little smile and moves away as Blythe calls for “places.”
Thank you for backing out so gracefully. I know it must have been hard to see me fall for your sister. I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for you. Come to dinner with Shelly and me at my place? 7:00 tomorrow night. RSVP
Brian
Soft spot in his heart? Oy vey.
“Nice flowers.” I look up from the card, and my stomach goes all jumpy as David’s blue eyes bore into me. I feel my face warm, and I slide the card into my pocket.
“Thanks. They’re from Brian.”
“I figured.”
He holds up the coffee decanter. “Need a refill?”
My heart is already racing—I don’t think I need any more artificial stimulants. I shake my head. “No thanks.”
“So, what’s the occasion?”
“Does there have to be an occasion for a man to send flowers?”
David purses his lips as though he’s thinking, then he shrugs. “I guess not.”
“Well, since you’re so curious.” And since I have a sudden need to prove that I’m definitely not pining away over David Gray. “He just wanted to let me know he is thinking of me and invited me to dinner tomorrow night at his place.”
“I see.” He nods and my radar picks up that he’s not buying my story.
I clear my throat. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What? I see?”
“Yeah.” I know what he’s thinking, and he’d better just watch it.
He turns to face me fully. “‘I see’ means just that. I see exactly what Brian’s doing.”
I lift my chin and give him what I hope is a really mean glare. “You do?” I mean, “No you don’t.”
Slowly, David sets his coffee cup on the table and clasps my shoulders with his strong hands, forcing me to stare up into his eyes. “Tabby, I meant Brian is doing whatever it takes to get you back. He’s obviously realized Shelly isn’t the one for him.” His hands slip down my arms and he smiles. “And I don’t blame him. You’re a great girl.”
I’m about to bite the bullet and set him straight when Blythe’s yell rocks the place.
“Quiet on the set!”
Sharon Blankenship sashays onto the living room set in her role as Felicia’s mother.
Next to me, David leans close, his lips against my ear. My heart thumps so hard, I’m afraid I won’t hear what he’s about to say. But I do. Loud and clear. “If you were mine, I wouldn’t have let you get away in the first place.”
My knees weaken. I turn to David to demand that he tell me exactly what that’s supposed to mean, especially since for all intents and purposes it appears he’s trying to build something with Rachel. Bringing her to church, going on little outings with Trey and Julie and Rachel—just the four of them like Rachel did with Seth before their breakup. It’s obvious she considers David the new fourth in their little two-by-two. But before I can ask him about his comment, Rachel tiptoes up to him and whispers something in his ear.
Figures. I focus my attention back on the scene playing out before me—the one with Sharon and the twins, not the one where Rachel is hitting on David. As soon as Blythe calls “cut,” Jenn and Jeffy run to their dad and Rachel.
“You were amazing!” Rachel gushes to the kids.
I have to wonder how the heck she knows that since she was watching David the whole time and not the scene. Whatever. Regardless, she pulls it off because her praise lights Jenn’s face like a Christmas tree and David’s expression softens as he watches the two of them.
I can no longer deny that I have a crush on David. But neither can I deny that Rachel has a way that I’ll never have with those kids of his. I head toward my dressing room, but first cast a final glance at the four of them. David, Rachel, Jennifer, and Jeffy. My heart sinks. It doesn’t take a genius to recognize that they look very much like the perfect little family.
Brian’s apartment is sparkly clean, and has no style whatsoever. He’s in desperate need of Laini’s touch. But I guess a single guy who works the hours Brian does isn’t in need of a cozy place to come home to. Secretly, I think that’s why a man decides to get married. At some point he realizes his life is empty and drab, and he wants a woman to give him a splash of color.
My stomach churns slightly as I step inside. My sister is adorable draped in an apron and looking as domesticated as one can look. Brian’s face shines as his gaze rests on my sister. Has he finally come to the place where he’s ready for some color?
“Mom and Dad aren’t here yet?” I ask as I step in and start checking out the food preparations. Personally, I don’t see how dad could be anywhere near ready to come out yet after only six weeks, but I suppose if the doctor says it’s okay . . .
“Not yet.” Shelly gives me a little happy squeeze. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Hot tea?” I ask hopefully. It’s bone-chillingly cold out there, and I could use a little warm-up.
“Sure.”
Brian moves in behind Shelly and taps her shoulder. “I’ll get the tea. You two go into the living room so you can put up your feet for a while.”
Hmm. Brian’s sort of sexy when he gets all bossy and manly and overprotective. That’s sweet, isn’t it? Shelly blushes, obviously thinking along the same lines. She turns, and he kisses her upturned lips.
Uh, hello? Remember me? I feel compelled to step in.
“Okay, cowboy. Take it easy with my little sister.”
They pull apart, without even the decency to look the least bit apologetic.
That was some quick work on Brian’s part. Shelly’s definitely carrying the glow of a woman in love. I have to say, all in all, these two are a good match. Good going, Mom. Right guy, wrong daughter. But it all worked out in the end, didn’t it?
My folks show up a few minutes later, uncharacteristically tardy. Dad actually looks better than he has in a while. He’s happy, thinner, and thoroughly enjoying the fact that Mom can’t do enough for him—and she hasn’t griped even once since she walked through the door.
“You look very nice, Tabby,” she says. And that’s it. No “You’re too thin” or “You’re too fat”? Who is this woman and what has she done with my overbearing, critical mother? Hmm. This will definitely take a little investigation. And I know just where to look.
While Mom, Shelly, and Brian (who seems to be a permanent fixture at Shelly’s ribs) set the table and whisper amongst themselves, I turn my attention to my dad.
“So, this new woman you’re married to…”
Dad tosses back his head and gives me a full laugh. A happy, satisfied, gleeful laugh that makes me so happy, I laugh right along with him and the moment takes me back to our days watching Monty Python and the Three Stooges. “You’ve noticed, have you?”
“Kind of hard not to. She hasn’t said a word about my new hairstyle.” A little pixie cut I’m wild about with some great auburn highlights. But I know how Mom is about short hair on a girl.
“All right, you didn’t hear this from me. But your mother feels responsible for this Brian upset.”
My jaw goes slack for a sec. Then I realize he’s serious. “You mean she thinks I’m heartbroken over Brian, and it’s all her fault?”
He grins. “In a nutshell.”
I give an incredulous shake of my head, my loopy earrings flowing with my movement. (And just as an aside, let me say that I’m glad big earrings are back. They make me feel powerful, yet feminine. Know what I mean?)
Okay, back to Mom and her silent guilt.
“Is it horrible that I’d like to milk this kindness from her for a while?”
“Yes. Honor your mother and father that it may be well with you.…”
Okay, father and mother.
“I’ll talk to her.�
� I give him a grin, feeling like a kid again under my father’s amused expression. “Later.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Shelly announces. “I guess Mike and Joy are going to be late.”
“Oh,” Mom says, “they’re coming?” Her face pinches into a scowl. I knew the new her was too good to last for a whole evening.
“Yes. I thought you liked Joy.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say ‘like’ exactly. But…”
Poor Mom. It’s hard to get past the tattoos, piercings, and salty flavor of her speech. But Joy is a hardworking college student and adores my brother. (They’re an unlikely pair, but who’s to say opposites don’t attract?)
The buzzer goes off, and Brian pops up from his seat to let my brother and his girl into the apartment.
We actually have a nice dinner—filet of sole, braised carrots, and Waldorf salad. I settle back in my chair and start to relax, enjoying the fact that Brian has obviously put a lot of thought into this dinner.
After a nice dessert of German chocolate cake, Shelly pours decaf coffee in honor of Dad’s no caffeine issue. She’s a little nervous, and I can tell something’s up by the way her gaze shifts to Brian as she sits and gives him a little nod.
Brian clears his throat and takes Shelly’s hand across the table.
“We, uh, have an announcement to make.”
Mom lets out a little gasp, and I think we all know what’s coming.
Brian reaches deep into his jacket (yes, he’s wearing a sports coat—who is this guy?) and produces a jewelry box. “I asked Shelly to marry me last week, and she said yes.”
He opens the box and lovingly slips a respectable-sized diamond ring on her finger.
“Well, then…” My dad stands as one would expect of the bride-to-be’s father and walks over to Shelly. He hugs her. “Congratulations, sweetie.” He reaches out and shakes Brian’s hand. “Welcome to the family.”
And that part of the ceremony is over. Suddenly I feel all eyes on me. What? Oh, I guess since I’m the so-called jilted one, I have to give a convincing performance all about how happy I am. And not that they’d ever believe me, but I am genuinely happy for my sister and Brian.
I stand and approach my sister. She’s radiant, but there’s hesitation in her eyes. I smile, a genuine smile with no hint of performance. “Shelly, you’ll make a beautiful bride, and Brian is one lucky guy.” She falls into my arms like she’s the one with dramatic flair. Hmm. Maybe I should get her an audition.
“So when is the big day?” Mike asks.
“Well, I’m looking into getting us a place to live right now. This apartment isn’t big enough for a family. I only have a pullout couch for a bed.”
“I told him I don’t mind,” Shelly pipes in.
Brian’s gaze slips over hers with all the tenderness of a man in love. “I know, honey, but I want us to start off right, and we have to think of the baby.”
My dad nods in approval, and Mom is about to cry, I can tell. It’s gratifying to see someone want to take care of Shelly after all the Mr. Wrongs that have come into her life.
“So where are you thinking about moving, Brian?” I ask.
“There’s an old building getting a face-lift on York Avenue and Eighty-second Street. I’d like to put a down payment on the place so that as soon as they’re ready, we can get married and move right in. But they’re going really fast, so I need help convincing my darling fiancée here that it’s a good idea.”
“I just don’t see how we can afford that,” Shelly says. “I’ll be going to school for the next four years and not contributing financially. We’ll have baby expenses and child care. I just don’t want us to get in over our heads.”
“You’re going to college, Shell?” My heart is so full of pride for this girl.
“Yeah. I’m going to be a teacher. Can you believe it?”
“That’s great, sis.” Mike gives her a “rock on” fist and Joy grins. “Hey, that’s my major too. Are you going to teach high school or elementary?”
Somehow her soft voice doesn’t fit the persona. Just goes to show you can’t judge a book… you know.
“Elementary,” Shelly says, her face glowing with confidence. “And I think we should live here and make do until I graduate and get a job.”
Wow, I’m looking at her, but I can’t believe this mature young woman is the same bratty little girl who used to terrorize my Barbies and tag along after my friends and me until I had to sic Mom on her.
“You let me worry about that.” Brian winks. “There are advantages to being an only child of two only children. I get a trust fund when I marry.”
Shelly’s eyes grow wide. “Why didn’t you tell me that before?”
“It was a surprise. We’re having dinner with my parents next week when my dad flies in from Boston. They’ll give me the check, and we can go put the down payment on our apartment. Unless you’d rather choose someplace else.”
Shelly shakes her head. “The Eighty-second Street apartments are perfect. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Brian runs his hand over my sister’s hair and smiles tenderly.
There’s something about watching all this play out in front of me. My sister about to be a wife and a mother, living in a home of her own. My brother in love—with a hoodlum, yes, but in love nonetheless. Mom and Dad, holding hands and content.
Ahhh, love is in the air a mere three days before Valentine’s Day. I’m so jealous.
Need I remind the Lord that we had a deal? I let Him run my life, and He makes all things beautiful in His time.
When, Lord?
17
The snow is coming down hard when we leave Brian’s, so I cave in to Mom’s request that I spend the night. It’s not far from Brian’s. I don’t see how it could hurt. Besides, I’d love to talk wedding details with Shelly.
I’m almost positive the cabbie has never driven so much as a block in snow before because after about six near-collisions he looks almost sick when he slides the cab to a stop in front of Mom and Dad’s place.
I fish around inside my purse looking for my cell phone and call my own apartment. Dancy picks up.
“I’m staying at my parents’ tonight,” I say. “The weather’s pretty bad. Mom and Dad’s was closer.”
“Okay. David’s called twice. Want me to give him your cell phone number next time?”
“David Gray?”
“How many Davids do you know?”
“Just him. What does he want?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask.” She pauses. “Maybe he wants to ask you out.”
“Fat chance.” Still, at the mere suggestion my heart does some major flip-flops.
“Okay, give him my cell phone number next time he calls.”
After I hang up, I poke my head inside Shelly’s room. “Hey, can I borrow a pair of PJs?”
“Sure,” she says, stifling a yawn. “Bottom drawer.”
“Thanks.” I pull out a heavy sweatshirt and a pair of lounge pants with a drawstring. “So…”
“Yeah.” She stares at the diamond ring on her finger. “He really wants to marry me. Baby and all.”
“I know. I’m glad.”
She pulls her gaze from the ring and meets my eyes. “You really don’t mind?” Okay, is this like the hundredth time or what? I’m starting to get annoyed at their sensitivity.
“Look, Shelly. Brian was never my type. He’s Mom’s type and apparently yours too. Be happy and don’t worry about me. I couldn’t be more pleased that the two of you found each other.”
“Thanks. Turn off my light when you leave, okay?” She gives me a sleepy smile and closes her eyes, probably drifting to sleep amid thoughts of white lace and promises.
I call Jerry Gardner in the morning to let him know I won’t be coming to work. “I got caught in the weather and ended up at my mom and dad’s last night.”
“It’s okay. The twins have the chicken pox or some such nonsense, so we’re going to shoot around F
elicia’s story line for the next few days. Why don’t you take a couple of days?”
“You mean it?”
“Sure. Just be ready to work your tail off when you get back.”
“Thanks, Jerry, I will.”
Chicken pox? Those poor kids.
Shelly comes into the living room, her tummy preceding her.
“Wow, the baby has really grown in a couple of weeks, Shell.”
“I’ve put on five pounds in fourteen days,” she grumps. “I think I’m just getting fatter. I weigh nearly one hundred twenty-five pounds.”
I oughtta slug her. I have to eat like a bird to maintain one hundred thirty. And she thinks she’s fat at five months pregnant?
“How are you feeling these days?”
She shrugs and plops onto Dad’s overstuffed recliner. “Not too bad, really.”
Mom bustles into the room a few minutes later. “Coffee will be on in a jiff,” she says. “I can’t believe I slept so late. Must be all the excitement from last night.”
Shelly and I exchange glances and follow her into the kitchen. “Anything we can do, Ma?”
“Get the bacon out of the refrigerator and mix up some pancake batter.” She’s flustered. This is something new. “I can’t believe I slept so late,” she says again.
Mom sets two cups of coffee on the table and a glass of juice for Shelly.
I pour a packet of Splenda into my cup and stir.
“Don’t sit to drink that.” Mom’s nervousness is starting to be contagious. “I need help.”
“I wasn’t going to.” I peel bacon slices and pop them onto the flatiron. They start to sizzle and smell wonderful almost immediately. Well, they smell wonderful to some of us. Shelly suddenly goes pale and makes a beeline for the door.
“I thought she wasn’t supposed to get sick after the third month or so.”
Mom gives me an indulgent smile. “I was always sick the whole nine months with you kids. Looks like Shelly takes after me.” She pauses. “I’ve been watching you.”
“Watching me?” Now I’m really nervous. Has Mom been sitting outside my apartment with binoculars or something? I can’t really see her doing it, but I wouldn’t put it past her.
Catch a Rising Star Page 17