The Restaurant
Page 2
“I called. Didn’t they tell you?” Mandy said as she scanned the room. It looked like they were almost done decorating. The room looked wonderful and bright, with streamers of pink and white cascading in waves from the ceiling and along the walls.
“Did you? Maybe they did mention something. I’ve just been so busy that I must have missed it.” She looked up at Mandy, waiting for a reaction to the dig. When she didn’t get one, she sighed and added, “They’re out back.”
Mandy hurried to the back of the restaurant where the other girls on the committee were addressing place cards and looking over table settings. Her close friend Barbara looked up and smiled.
“See, no worries. We’re just about done here.”
“Thanks, you guys did a great job with the decorating. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You did everything else. This event is going to be great.”
Mandy relaxed a bit and poured herself a cup of coffee, then sat down to review the agenda. As the committee chair for this event, she really had done just about everything except the decorating. She’d negotiated the contract with the club, chosen a caterer, ordered the food and the entertainment, and had carefully chosen the guest list, creating a buzz that made this a must-attend event in their social set. Hopefully the end result would be a cascade of generous checks. To help loosen the purse strings, Mandy also came up with the idea of having an informal wine tasting, with several wines available on each table so people could taste them all and relax and enjoy.
The event went off beautifully. Everyone commented on how great the food was and what a clever idea to do the wine tasting. And it did seem to put everyone into a good and generous mood. The silent auction raised a record amount and Mandy expected that for the next few weeks large checks would be trickling in. Everyone was thrilled with the results, except perhaps Daisy, who had hoped to chair the event and was clearly miffed that the committee had overwhelmingly wanted Mandy to run it.
“I still think it would have been better if we’d had this at that new restaurant downtown, Basil’s. The food there is top notch.”
Barbara shot a knowing glance at Mandy and then said, “Well, I haven’t heard any complaints. In fact, I’ve heard nothing but compliments, especially for the great job that Mandy did in putting this altogether.”
“Right. Well I’m ready for a glass of wine.” Daisy made a beeline for the bar which was nearly empty now that all the party attendees had finally left.
“Has she always been such a bitch?” Barbara asked Mandy once the rest of the group had followed Daisy to the bar. They were all ready to relax now that the event was over and everything had gone off smoothly.
“Pretty much. You’d think we’d be somewhat close, given that our husbands are always together. Sometimes I almost sense a bit of competitiveness there or envy, but then I just shake it off because there’s no reason for it. Cory’s right, I’m a little paranoid when it comes to Daisy. I just can’t figure her out.”
“I wouldn’t waste your energy trying. She’s not worth it. Come on, let’s make our way to the bar. I’ve heard raves about one of the chardonnays we were serving, Cakebread. Sounds like my kind of dessert!”
Mandy’s cellphone rang as they reached the bar. She told Barbara to order her a glass of whatever she was having. She saw her caller ID on her phone flash, and realized she’d had several missed calls, one of them a Nantucket number that she didn’t recognize. She’d turned the ringer off so she wouldn’t be disturbed. It was Jill calling, and that was odd, because she never called during the day.
“Hey, Jill, what’s up? Is everything all right?”
“It’s Grams. Nantucket Hospital just called to let me know she came into the ER from Dover Falls and is being sent to Boston, to Mass General. They suggested the family come as soon as possible.” Mandy had never heard her older sister sound so scared and realized the hospital must have tried to reach her too.
“Are you flying in tonight? I can grab a flight and meet you at Logan.” Then they could grab a cab together to Mass General.
“I’m on my way now, flight leaves in an hour. Can you call Emma?”
“I will. I’ll ask her to meet us at Mass General.”
Chapter 3
“Emma, I’ll always love you, but I’m in love with Tom.” The surreal words kept replaying over and over again in Emma’s mind as she sipped her Absolut and tonic and stared out the tiny airplane window. “… can’t help it… in love with Tom. Never meant to hurt you…” She knew that part of it was true. Peter didn’t have a mean bone in his body. They’d been married almost fifteen years and everyone including Emma thought they were a perfect couple.
Peter was a popular English teacher at Arizona State, where they’d both graduated and met as juniors. He was also a budding author, and they’d just recently celebrated the launch of his second book, a sequel to the first in a mystery series about an English professor who moonlights as an amateur detective. Emma’s photography career was going well, too. She’d recently had several national assignments that seemed to be generating some positive buzz and her first gallery show just a few weeks ago had exceeded everyone’s expectations by completely selling out.
Everything had seemed almost perfect in their lives, until a month ago when her husband told her he was in love with another man. He was in love with another man! How could she not have known? She’d asked herself that question a million times it seemed and in retrospect she supposed there were signs, she just didn’t see them for what they were.
She’d thought it was a good thing when Tom, Peter’s best friend from college, was transferred to Phoenix. She was happy that Peter had someone to go fishing with and to play racquetball with. Since he was more active and going to the gym more often, she didn’t think anything of it when he lost weight and started dressing better.
Because she knew how much Peter loved fishing, she still didn’t think anything of it when he and Tom started going away for a night or even the whole weekend. After all, it was a long drive to the mountains, and since Tom had a cabin there, it made perfect sense for them to stay over instead of making the long drive back, didn’t it? She felt foolish now, but the truth just never crossed her mind, not even once.
It was also true that their sex life had been virtually non-existent for the past few years. Now that she did think about it, they’d never really had the kind of crazy chemistry where you want to have sex all the time. They both had busy schedules and were exhausted at the end of the day and Emma realized that sex really hadn’t been a priority for either of them for a very long time.
She’d just gotten used to it because they had such a comfortable relationship, friendly and easy, and they really enjoyed spending time together. They liked the same restaurants, shared similar tastes in books and movies and overall were content relaxing together at home, watching TV and catching up on each other’s day. Sadly, she realized that they were best friends, not lovers.
Emma wondered if she would feel better or worse if it had been another woman instead of a man? She supposed it might be worse, but she wasn’t sure. She felt like a complete and total failure, like maybe she had somehow caused this, though intellectually she knew that was ridiculous. The thing was, she felt like she just didn’t know anything anymore. And she hadn’t told her sisters yet.
All that Jill and Mandy knew was that she and Peter were having some ‘issues’ and had separated. She’d told them she’d fill them in when she saw them as it would only be a few weeks. She just wasn’t ready to talk about it yet, not even to them. She knew she’d just break down and cry if she did. The hurt was too fresh and too confusing. She needed these few weeks to gather her strength and wrap her mind around what had happened, and to somehow begin to process it.
She was worried about Grams now too. Jill had sounded so anxious when she’d called earlier to see if she could change her flight to today instead of tomorrow. Grams had always been so feisty and fu
ll of health, that it was hard to imagine her being sick at all.
Wispy snowflakes started to fall as the airplane taxied across the runway to the gate. It was almost five, the very heart of rush hour in Boston.
Emma stepped off the plane and made her way through the gate where people were lined up waiting for their loved ones to arrive. Normally Emma flew into Nantucket and would be on the lookout for a familiar face. Either Mandy or Jill, sometimes both, would be there waiting for her. But not this time. Grams was at Mass General, one of the top hospitals in Boston. Mandy and Jill were with her and Emma had told them she’d just jump in a cab and meet them at the hospital. Without traffic she’d be there in less than fifteen minutes, though with rush hour it would likely take a bit longer. She didn’t have any luggage though, just a carry-on bag, so she quickly made her way outside where a line of cabs waited and got in the first one.
“Mass General please,” she said to the driver and then settled back into her seat, trying to calm her nerves. She hoped she wouldn’t be too late.
Room 215 at Mass General was small, but comfortable, and Mandy had worked her magic to give it a homey touch. Rosy candles lined the counter and a gorgeous arrangement of Winston’s finest flowers, in pretty shades of pink and peach and cream, looked elegant in a thick, square cut-glass vase. A powder blue blanket made of the softest fleece imaginable was carefully tucked around Grams to make her as comfy as possible. Grams was actually sitting up in bed now, surprisingly energetic given her condition and prognosis. Her voice was raspy and her color was pale, but she spoke clearly and with determination.
“Your sister is on her way? She’ll be here soon?”
“Emma called from the airport a little while ago. She should be here any minute,” Mandy assured her. She and Jill were sitting in chairs pulled up close to Gram’s bed. Grams had been dozing off and on since they’d arrived and had woken from her latest nap about fifteen minutes ago. She seemed to be gathering her strength as if she had something important to say. Jill held her hand and smiled, trying not to let her worry show. She wondered if her grandmother was fully aware of how sick she was.
Jill and Mandy had been at the hospital since eight a.m. They’d flown in the night before and saw Grams once she was settled into her room. She’d mostly been sleeping, but they stayed by her side for several hours before staying the night at the Wyndham, which was a short walk to the hospital. The doctor had stopped by and told them that Gram’s lungs were failing due to complications from pneumonia and he admitted her age was a factor. He thought that she might have a day or two at best.
“I know that I’m dying,” Grams said and her tone was matter of fact, serene even.
“It’s fine. Really,” Grams insisted as Jill opened her mouth to protest.
She looked at both girls and Jill saw a hint of a smile in the eyes that seemed both tired and wise. “I’ve had a wonderful life and a long one and it’s my time. I’m tired, but I have a few things to say.”
“Grams, are you thirsty? Do you want some water… or some wine?” Mandy teased gently. Grams had always loved her wine, white especially.
“A bit of water would be nice. Thanks, honey.” Mandy handed her a cup of ice water with a straw bent at an angle so it would be easier for her to reach. Grams took a sip as Emma peeked her head in the door.
Hugs and hellos were exchanged, and then Emma pulled a chair up between the others.
“Grams has something to tell us,” Jill said. Her grandmother’s eyes were strangely bright, and Emma sensed that she’d arrived with little time to spare.
“I am so proud of you girls. My three bright lights. You’ve brought me so much joy. I know your mother would be just as proud. Your father too, of course,” she added hastily.
“Grams, we love you so much!” Jill’s voice was thick with emotion and Mandy and Emma chimed in together, “We all love you Grams.”
“My three beautiful girls. I want so much for all of you. Happiness and love. I believe in you, and I have a gift for you, and a bit of a secret too.” There was a faint hint of mischief in her voice and a flit of a smile across her face. But she was clearly starting to tire again and took a moment to collect her thoughts and to summon enough energy to continue.
“So, I’ve done something….left you a gift that means the world to me. You have no idea. But you will, someday.” She paused and looked intently at each girl in turn, and none of them had any idea what she was talking about. But they all smiled back, and she continued.
“You girls used to be so close. I know you think you still are. You talk on the phone and you do the e-mail thing.” She made a face that showed what she thought about e-mail.
“But you don’t spend enough time together. It’s important to be near family, to be close to them, always.” She closed her eyes and snuggled into her pillow. It was several long moments later when she opened them again and spoke, her voice wobbly and weak, but still determined. “I want you to go to Mimi’s Place and be together. That is my gift to you. That, and my love for you always.”
Grams closed her eyes again and let out the most peaceful sigh. She drifted off to sleep and didn’t wake again. An hour later, she inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly and didn’t take another breath. Mandy nudged her arm, but she didn’t move. Emma reached out and felt for a pulse and there was nothing.
Jill was still holding her hand, and tears ran down her face.
“I think she’s gone.”
To Jill, the next five days were a blur. She felt numb as they went through the motions and did the things one did at a time like this. They met with the funeral director, a cheery woman named Charlotte who had clearly adored Grams. “She was so full of life, that one. She came in twice over the past year to update the music. Said she wanted to make sure there was no ‘cry music’ at her service. Nothing but upbeat and happy.”
That made Jill smile. It was so like Grams. She had told all three of them often that she didn’t want her funeral to be a morbid thing with music that made people sad. She wanted them to dance and to have a party to celebrate her life. Grams was so determined. She had already planned it all down to the very last detail. She’d booked the funeral service, made all the arrangements, right down to picking out the coffin and music.
“I don’t want you girls to have to worry about all that. Just remember that it’s at Cleary and Arlidge. Call and ask for Charlotte.” Grams was certainly right about that. It did make things easier. So much easier than when Grampy died ten years ago, and they went along with Grams to get everything sorted out. She was so sad and detached back then that it was difficult for her to focus on anything, especially the details for her husband’s funeral.
Grams had also left instructions for her mercy meal to be at Mimi’s Place, of course. She wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and to remember all the good times. She always did love a party.
“Eat, drink and be merry,” Jill said as she forced a smile and lifted her glass to clink it against Mandy’s and Emma’s. They were sitting at a big round table at Mimi’s Place. Just being there was a comfort. It was Gram’s favorite restaurant by far and it always reminded them of her. The room was cozy and plush with dark cherry wood and soft burgundy velvet seat cushions. What saved the room from being too dark were plenty of windows that allowed soft natural light to brighten the room.
Jill felt her muscles finally relax as she leaned back in her chair. Everything was done now—well, almost. They still had to clear out Grams’ house, but there was no rush on that and none of them had the energy to tackle it just yet. Plus, they’d talked about it a bit and decided that at least for the next year or so they’d keep it, rather than selling it. That way they’d always have a place to call home on Nantucket.
“It would be perfect for either of you if you wanted to stay for longer than a day or two,” Mandy said. “Of course you know you’re both always welcome to stay with me as long as you like, but this would give you your own space and peace and quiet.”
“Your grandmother would be so pleased to see you girls laughing. She was such a special lady.”
“Ray, thank you so much for everything. As usual, the food was amazing,” Mandy said.
“Rose was like family.” Ray’s voice cracked and his demeanor, so polished and professional at all times, slipped for just an instant, revealing a glimpse of genuine sadness. Jill and her sisters had been a little overwhelmed and so grateful for the outpouring of sympathy and support they’d received. So many people who had known Grams in some way over the years had come to pay their respects.
“How is your family, Ray?” Jill asked. She’d talked to his wife Cindy earlier, and she had mentioned that they’d just become great-grandparents for the first time and were absolutely thrilled.
“Everyone’s great, just great, thanks.” He glanced around the bustling room, full of people mingling, drinking and eating, filling their plates at the buffet table, while servers in elegant black and white uniforms stocked whatever was running low and efficiently cleared empty dishes and glasses away. “I suppose it finally is time to retire. I’ll really miss this place though.”
Emma patted his arm. “I can’t imagine how they’ll run it without you,” she said.
Ray chuckled. “Oh, they’ll be fine. It’s just time. Long overdue if you ask my wife. She’s ready to retire to Florida yesterday.” He stood up as one of the servers caught his eye. “Please excuse me, duty calls.” Some kind of crisis in the kitchen, from the looks of it. Jill suspected that he would miss this job quite a bit. Retirement wouldn’t be nearly as exciting.
“This place without Ray will just seem so odd,” Mandy said.