The Birthday Girls

by Pauline Lawless

  He looked startled. “Did she say anything else?”

  “Like what?” Brenda looked at him strangely.

  “Well, you know . . . anything else?”

  “Well, she said she invited you for dinner but you said you were busy every evening.”

  Brenda saw the way his eyes shied away from hers and knew something was up. “Bob, what’s going on? Tell me the truth.”

  He looked at her for a long moment and then his face appeared to crumple. He took a deep breath.

  “I don’t know how to tell you this, Brenda, but there’s someone else.” His voice was so low that she’d thought she’d misheard him.

  “What did you say?”

  “I said, there’s someone else,” he repeated, louder this time.

  She felt her heart stop. “What do you mean ‘there’s someone else’?”

  “Well you know, I felt abandoned when you went off to Florida and this other girl was there for me.”

  She looked at him, trying to take in what he was saying, thinking it must be a joke. “I didn’t abandon you, Bob. I was just on holiday with my friends,” she said.

  “Well, I felt abandoned,” he replied pettishly.

  “Who is this woman? Do I know her?”

  “It’s Crystal, the receptionist in the office.” He was standing now, taking a swig of beer.

  “Crystal?” Brenda repeated, shocked. Although Jean had said he’d been with the busty blonde in Ryan’s, she’d never imagined there could be anything between them. Crystal couldn’t be more than twenty-five. “But she’s not much older than Alex and, besides, she’s a tart.”

  “Don’t call her that,” Bob said spiritedly. “She’s a great girl.”

  “Isn’t she married?”

  “Her marriage has broken up and she’s upset about it. I was alone too. You know how it is.”

  “No, I don’t know how it is. I was gone less than three weeks, Bob. How could you do this?”

  She sank onto the sofa, her head in her hands. After a few moments she looked up at him. “Is it just sex or do you have feelings for her?”

  He nodded his head, looking at the ground. “I love her,” he mumbled.

  Brenda groaned. “Does she love you?”

  “Of course. That’s why she left her husband.” He sounded almost proud of this announcement.

  And then the penny dropped and Brenda understood. “How long has this been going on, Bob? Please tell me the truth.” Her voice was a whisper.

  He shifted from foot to foot as he muttered, “About six months.”

  “I should have known,” Brenda said bitterly. “My going to Florida had nothing to do with your behaviour, did it? But you let me think it did. You’re despicable.”

  “Let’s face it, Bren, our marriage wasn’t great anyway.”

  “No, it wasn’t, because you put up a huge barrier between us. You didn’t want to make love to me any more which left me frustrated and made me think I was unattractive and undesirable.”

  “You’ve changed. All this talk of studying and wanting to better yourself. I blame those la-di-dah bitches of girlfriends you have. Putting notions in your head that you can better yourself.”

  “How can you say that, Bob? That’s so unfair! They’ve been my best friends since I was four. And of course I’ve changed. You’ve changed too. We’ve been together for twenty-five years, Bob. Is our marriage not worth saving? Are you going to throw it all away on some floosie?”

  “Don’t talk about her like that!” he said indignantly. “She understands me and thinks I’m wonderful.”

  “Well, go to her then, right this minute,” Brenda cried, flinging a cushion at him. “Out, get out! This minute!”

  She advanced towards him, fists flailing. He was shocked. He’d never seen Brenda so angry. “Go to your mistress and good riddance!”

  “Hang on a minute, Bren!”

  “Get out!” she shrieked.

  Bob skedaddled out as quickly as he could, afraid of what she might do to him. He knew hell hath no fury . . . and he wasn’t about to hang around to find out.

  Brenda sat shaking for a long time afterwards, hardly able to believe what had just taken place. How had she been so blind? Six months! She couldn’t cry – she was too shocked and hurt. No doubt the tears would come soon enough. She rang Jean.

  “Well, did you have that chat with Bob?” her sister asked.

  “I sure did and I found out what’s been bugging him,” Brenda’s voice broke as she spoke.

  “What is it, Brenda? What’s wrong?”

  “He has someone else. He’s leaving me.”

  “He what?” Jean shrieked. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Where is he now?”

  “He’s gone. To his lover, I presume. I threw him out!”

  “Oh my God, Brenda, I can’t believe it. I’ll be there in five minutes.”

  * * *

  When Brenda saw Jean standing on the doorstep, she broke down. Jean hugged her and led her into the living-room as she sobbed her heart out. Pouring two glasses of whisky from the bottle she’d thought to bring with her, she handed one to Brenda. Sitting on the sofa beside her, she took Brenda’s hand and waited patiently until her sobs had subsided. Sipping the whisky slowly, Brenda told her what had transpired with Bob earlier.

  “The bastard!” Jean exclaimed indignantly. “And what an idiot falling for that Crystal one. I know her, she’s a client of mine and a right slapper. It won’t last, trust me.”

  “I don’t care whether it does or not. They’re welcome to each other.” Brenda’s voice was bitter.

  “It’s probably just sex. Wait till you see – within six months he’ll come crawling back, begging your forgiveness.”

  “Well, he’ll be wasting his time. I’m done with him. I’ll never take him back.”

  “Oh, Brenda, he’s a fool.” Jean hugged her older sister who had always been her rock. She was glad she could be here for her now. “I know you were having problems in bed but I never imagined he’d do anything like this.”

  “Me neither. Even though things have not been great, I did think we could work it out. I came home with the express intention of making him talk. And now this! I certainly never expected it to end like this.” She drained her glass and Jean got up to pour her another one.

  “What happens now?” Jean asked, handing her the tumbler.

  “I have no idea. I need time to think about it. By the way, I had bad news from Lexi today.”

  She then related what Lexi had told her about Angel.

  “Oh my God, that’s awful! You’ve certainly had a day of bad news.”

  “At least Angel has pulled through and will recover. I can’t say the same for my marriage.” She grimaced.

  “You’ll be fine. You’re strong and you’re still young. You have a whole life ahead of you.”

  Brenda sighed. Suddenly the jet-lag hit her and she was overcome with tiredness. She yawned.

  “Do you mind if I hit the sack? I’m shattered.”

  “Course not. I’ve brought you a sleeping pill. You could do with a good night’s sleep after today’s drama.” She handed Brenda the tablet.

  “Oh, I don’t think I need –”

  “Take it, it’s very mild, and I’m also staying the night with you,” Jean insisted.

  “Yes, boss,” Brenda giggled, swallowing the pill. The whisky was already taking effect.

  She made her way up to bed and decided to sleep in Carly’s room, thinking that Bob had probably had sex with the slapper in their bed. Thankfully the sleeping pill did its work and within seconds she was fast asleep.

  Chapter 24

  Angel was deemed well enough to be moved out of intensive care that evening. She was also well enough to demand that she be given an executive suite on the VIP floor.

  “Of course, Miss Flannery. That will not be a problem,” the nurse smiled sweetly.

  Angel was coming back to her old self. She ordered Consuela to take a ca
b back to the house and pack up some things she would need. She got Lexi to write the list as she dictated what she wanted. Besides all the cosmetics and clothes that she requested she also asked Consuela to bring the medication on her night table. “And maybe you could bring in a bottle of whisky. After all, if I’m going into rehab soon . . .”

  “Uh-oh, Angel, I don’t think that will be allowed,” said Lexi.

  Angel started to protest but unfortunately for her the nurse had come into her room and heard these last requests.

  “Now, now, Miss Flannery, you are not allowed to bring your own medication in here and definitely no alcohol,” she reprimanded, her voice stiff with disapproval.

  “But I won’t be able to sleep,” Angel objected, not giving up without a fight.

  “Don’t you worry about that. We’ll give you something to help you sleep.”

  Angel made a face behind her back.

  “Okay, Consuela, off you go,” Lexi said, handing over the list.

  “Is okay, Miss Angel?” Consuela appealed to her mistress.

  Angel dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “Yes, just do as they say,” she said irritably.

  When she was gone, Lexi took Angel’s hand in hers. “Angel, things have to change. You almost died, you know. Next time you might not be so lucky.”

  Angel started to cry softly. “I know but I don’t have anything to live for, do I?”

  “How can you say that?” Lexi exclaimed angrily. “Do you know how many people, right in this hospital, are fighting for their lives at this moment? People with cancer and other serious illnesses who would give anything to be in your shoes right now? How can you be so selfish?”

  Angel stopped crying, shocked and frightened by this outburst. “I’m sorry, Lexi, but life just looks so bleak. I don’t know how I can go on.”

  “You can go on, honey, I know you can. You can beat this. There are wonderful people in these rehab centres who can help you. You’ve got to get your life back on track. It’s your only hope.”

  “I don’t know if I could hack that,” Angel said, starting to cry once more.

  “If you don’t then I’m out of here and you’ll never see me again,” Lexi said resolutely, hoping to shock her into compliance.

  Angel looked at her aghast. She knew by the stubborn jut of Lexi’s chin that she meant every word she’d said. She covered her face with her hands. If Lexi left her she would be finished. Lexi was her rock.

  “Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll go into rehab if that’s what you want.”

  “It’s not just what I want, sweetie, it’s what the doctors want and what you must do if you’re to survive.”

  “All right,” Angel gulped, crying softly.

  Lexi had to steel herself to stand firm when she saw how distressed Angel was but just then the nursing aides came to move her to her new room, so the moment passed. Lexi took the opportunity to call Mel at that stage and give her an update.

  Lexi found that Angel’s new room was even nicer than her own room in the Four Seasons and when Consuela arrived back with a case full of her stuff, Angel perked up. Finally, the nurse came in to say they had to leave and, seeing Consuela into a cab, Lexi took another one back to her hotel. Utterly exhausted, she fell into bed and into a deep sleep.

  * * *

  Mel was relieved that Angel had pulled through. She would have felt personally responsible if anything had happened to her. She realised now that with all the prescription drugs Angel had been taking, coupled with the amount of alcohol she had been downing, she had probably been out of it the night of the row.

  She felt guilty at the way she’d attacked Angel. They went back a long way and Mel determined that no man would come between them in the future. She planned to fly to LA at the weekend to visit Angel.

  Lexi as always was being a rock, staying by Angel’s side throughout, at the expense of her own life. Not for the first time she wondered what any of them would do without her.

  Mel was feeling down since the girls had left. She’d enjoyed showing them her city and they’d had a lot of fun. She missed them both. She was thinking a lot about Jack too and the good times they’d had. In those few days with him he had shown her an alternative way of living that made her own life seem rather pointless. She felt that her career was of little consequence and she was finding it difficult to immerse herself in it the way she once did.

  Angel’s near-brush with death had also made her question her own raison d’être. She felt lethargic and down and hoped this ennui would leave her soon.

  * * *

  Lexi was still feeling exhausted when the alarm went off the following morning. All this drama was sapping her energy. She longed to be back at her easel, doing what she did best. She was also longing to be back in Marvin’s arms but she put that thought right out of her head. Angel needed her now, so here she would stay. She would not leave until she had Angel safely installed in a good rehabilitation facility. She dragged herself out of bed and felt a little better after her shower. She was having breakfast when Brenda rang.

  “Hi, sweetie, how’s the jet-lag?”

  “Oh Lexi, I’m afraid I’ve more than jet-lag to worry about now. Bob has left me.”

  “What?” Lexi gasped, thinking she’d misheard.

  “He says he’s met another woman – well, girl, actually – she’s not much older than Alex.”

  Lexi was speechless.

  “Are you there, Lexi?”

  “Yes, yes, I’m here. I just can hardly believe what you’re saying.”

  “I know. I’m having a problem believing it too, but it’s true. He’s been having an affair for the past six months with this twenty-five-year-old. He says he loves her and she’s left her husband for him.” Brenda attempted a laugh but it came out like a croak.

  “Oh, honey, this is terrible news. I know you told me things were not good between you but I never would have suspected this.”

  “Me neither, Lexi. I’m very hurt and shocked and I feel betrayed even though I haven’t been happy for some time now. And obviously Bob hasn’t either, at least not with me.”

  Lexi heard the anguish in her voice and her heart hurt for her friend.

  She spoke very gently, choosing her words carefully. “You know, Brenda, you got married very young and, although Bob was the right person for you back then, maybe he’s not the right person for you now. And life is too short to spend it with the wrong person.”

  “It’s funny you should say that. That’s what Troy said to me the first night I met him.”

  “Well, I think he’s right, don’t you?”

  “I don’t know,” Brenda replied, a wobble in her voice. “I feel like it’s my fault and that I’ve failed.”

  “You haven’t failed. You’ve been a great wife to Bob and a fantastic mother. Maybe it’s just time to move on.”

  “Maybe,” Brenda sighed, unconvincingly. Move on to where? “Now tell me, how is Angel?”

  “Good news. She’s been moved into a fabulous suite on the VIP floor which is more her style. We’re meeting with her doctor and therapist later this morning. They say she’s got to go into rehab and I think I’ve convinced her she has to go.”

  “Oh God! I wish I was there to help.”

  “You’ve enough on your plate and Mel is flying in on Friday. Sorry, I have to rush Brenda. You take care and I’ll keep you informed.”

  “Thanks, Lex, you’re a rock.”

  “I feel like one built on quicksand right now,” Lexi said ruefully. It was true. Everything seemed to be coming apart at the seams at the moment. She wondered what was next.

  * * *

  Things moved with lightning speed after that. Lexi sat with Angel as the doctor and therapist tried to impress on her just how close to death she had come. After copious tears, Angel finally agreed to go into rehab right away.

  “Could she check into a facility in Tampa so that I could visit her regularly?” Lexi asked.

  “I’m afraid she
won’t be allowed any visitors for at least six weeks, whatever rehab she goes into. It’s part of the programme.”

  “What?” Angel stopped her crying in order to shriek.

  “I’m afraid total immersion in the programme is essential which means isolation.”

  Lexi was afraid to look at Angel to see how she was taking this. When she did she saw the panic in her eyes. Taking her hand, Lexi said, “You must do as they say, Angel. You won’t feel six weeks pass.”

  Angel seemed to shrink into the bed. “When do I have to go?” she asked the doctor dully.

  “We can move you there this afternoon. It’s a luxury facility, the best in the area. You’ll be very happy there, I’m sure.”

  “This afternoon?” Angel sounded shocked but didn’t protest. “Can Lexi come with me?” she asked in a small voice.

  “Of course.”

  * * *

  By three o’clock they were on their way and both of them were pleasantly surprised by the opulence of the La Vista Rehabilitation Centre which was more like a luxury spa. The director welcomed them and showed them around. When Angel saw the luxurious beauty and nail salon, she became less anxious and smiled for the first time that day. Lexi breathed a sigh of relief.

  While Angel was settling in, Lexi took the opportunity to text Brenda and Mel and give them the good news. She promised to Skype them both the following day with all the details.

  When it came time to leave Angel, she did so with a lighter heart. It was still not easy leaving her there. She looked so fragile, like a little-girl-lost.

  “Oh, Lexi, I’m so scared. I don’t know if I can do this.”

  “You’ll come through this, honey. I know you will. I believe in you.”

  “I’ll try not to let you down, I promise.”

  * * *

  Lexi sank back into the first class seat on the Southwest Airways flight to Tampa. She was utterly exhausted, physically and mentally, and longed to get home. What a week it had been!

  She slept all the way and Marvin met her at the airport, enveloping her in a great bear hug. It felt good.