The Birthday Girls

by Pauline Lawless

  “C’mon home, darling, and let me take care of you now. You need some TLC after all you’ve been dishing out.”

  Lexi smiled up at him. He was so right. She was tired of being the ‘rock’.

  As she lay wrapped in his arms that night she felt safe and cared for. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps it was time to make this permanent. She vowed to give it some serious thought.

  * * *

  Brenda had tried to keep herself as busy as possible since Bob’s defection. However, she found herself crying at the least thing – a song on the radio, a photo of them in happier times – it was a sad thing, she’d found out, ending a marriage. She still hadn’t had the courage to tell the children. She couldn’t deliver this news over the phone, she’d rather tell them face to face. She would tell the boys and Carly when they came home for the Christmas holidays, which would be in a little over two weeks, and she would Skype Alex and Megan just before that. It was not a task she was looking forward to. She knew the children would be furious with Bob and she hoped it wouldn’t cause a rift between them but he had brought it upon himself. She heard from Jean that he had moved in with the slapper and she did not think that the kids would take too kindly to his new paramour. Brenda couldn’t bring herself to say her name. She even doubted it was her real name. Who, besides Hollywood celebrities, called a child Crystal?

  Jean had been her rock and her saviour as she tried to come to terms with it.

  On the second day after Bob left, Jean rang her bubbling with excitement. Her receptionist, who was pregnant, had been rushed into hospital, and she asked Brenda if she would stand in for her in the salon.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I’m such a misery-boots at the moment that I’m liable to burst into tears at any time.”

  “Nonsense, you’ll be far too busy to have time to cry. Besides, I’m desperate. Please Brenda?”

  Brenda agreed and to her surprise, loved it. There was never a dull moment in the salon and she fell into bed every night exhausted, her feet sore and her voice almost gone from all the talking. Jean had been right, she didn’t have time to cry or feel sorry for herself. An added bonus was that she had a captive audience for her Avon products and Jean encouraged her to sell to the clients. As a result her sales soared and she was earning good money which was always welcome.

  Her family also rallied round and one or other of them invited her for dinner every evening or for Sunday lunch. They were happy to be able to repay their sister for all she’d done for them over the years. She laughed now to think how she used to envy Lexi and Angel, having no brothers and sisters. At times like this it was a blessing to be from a large family and to have their support.

  She had only seen Bob once when he had called to collect his things. He rang to tell her what time he’d be there and Jean made sure to be there too. He slunk in, avoiding Jean’s icy stare. She had wanted to bawl him out but Brenda had begged her not to say anything. He collected his clothes and his few meagre possessions and slunk out again. He was so afraid of his sister-in-law that he decided not to risk her wrath by taking anything from the house, not even his tools. He wanted out of there as quickly as possible. Jean insisted that Brenda get the locks changed the next day, which she did.

  Mel and Lexi Skyped her often, both of them very concerned about her. Angel knew nothing about her situation which was just as well. She had enough on her plate as it was.

  * * *

  Lexi regularly called Dr Kirk, the director of La Vista, who told her that Angel was having a problem settling and not adapting too well to the programme. She arranged for Lexi to call her once a week for a progress report on Angel. The woman sounded positive, however, and Lexi was happy that Angel was in the right place and in good hands. She prayed it would be a success and that Angel would get back to her old self.

  Chapter 25

  Lexi started painting again but found it difficult to work like she used to. For starters she was tired all the time. The week with the girls here in Florida, then the New York trip and not least the trip to California had all left her exhausted. It was as if they had sapped all her energy. The worry over Angel, and now Brenda, had taken their toll. No matter how much she rested or slept she couldn’t shake the bone-tiredness she was feeling.

  Marvin was worried about her, she knew, and pestered her to go to the doctor but she resisted. She disliked doctors and had little faith in them. All they did was dole out prescriptions for chemicals which couldn’t be good for your body. Lexi preferred homeopathic and natural remedies.

  The other thing that worried her was the way her latest painting was coming along. She was famous for her bright vivid colours but they had deserted her and this newest one was increasingly melancholy and dark. She wondered whether it might be her state of mind or physical tiredness that was the cause.

  The good news was that Brenda had started working and seemed to be enjoying her new job. She was lucky she had her family to support her and her kids would be home for Christmas which would be a big help. Every day Lexi thanked God for Skype. It was wonderful to be able to talk to her regularly and see her at the same time.

  Although Mel had had no catastrophe in her life – though finding and then losing Jack could probably be counted as one – she too seemed to have changed since that fateful Thanksgiving night. She was more apathetic towards her job which was most unusual and was obviously not working the long hours she had worked previously. She also complained of feeling tired, making Lexi wonder whether the whole drama had sucked all their energies. Intense relationships could do that she’d read somewhere.

  She would like to have been able to Skype Angel too but that was forbidden, of course.

  Lexi called Dr Kirk the following week only to be told that Angel was not co-operating with them.

  “I have you down as next of kin,” the director said. “But I understand now that Angel’s mother is alive and living in the South of France.”

  “Yes, but they’re estranged. They haven’t spoken in years,” Lexi explained. “She has no other relatives and when her father died she asked me if I would act as her next-of-kin. Naturally, I agreed.”

  “Ah, I see,” Dr Kirk, replied. “How unfortunate. That explains a lot of Angel’s problems, I think. Thank you, Mrs Moretti.”

  Lexi was very impressed with Dr Kirk and her team and prayed that they would get Angel back on track.

  Meanwhile, Marvin was turning into her rock and they were growing closer every day. He was staying over almost every night now and Lexi found it comforting. She was considering asking him to move in permanently in the New Year.

  Troy was spending Christmas back in New York with friends, and Lexi was looking forward to a nice quiet time with Marvin. She’d had enough drama since Thanksgiving to last her a whole year!

  * * *

  Brenda was very apprehensive in the run-up to Christmas. The kids were due home on Friday and she dreaded having to tell them about the split. She planned to Skype Alex on Thursday to break the news. She wasn’t sure when she would talk to Megan who was in Nepal last time they talked but Megan would certainly be in touch over Christmas.

  The receptionist she was replacing in the salon had been diagnosed with toxaemia and ordered bed-rest for the remaining three months of her pregnancy so Brenda had agreed to fill in for her until she’d had her baby. Secretly she was delighted as she simply loved the job and it was great to be earning her own money.

  At Jean’s insistence she had been in touch with a solicitor about filing for a legal separation and had made an appointment to see her after Christmas. When she contacted Bob to tell him, he was horrified.

  “What’s the hurry?” he asked. “You can stay in the house as long as you like and I’ll continue to support you and the kids financially.”

  “Yes, but don’t you think we should make it legal?”

  “No. Why make the lawyers rich?”

  “Well, maybe you’ll want to get married again to . . .” Brenda couldn’t bring herself
say her name and certainly couldn’t call her ‘the slapper’ . . . “to your girlfriend.”

  She heard his hesitation. “Er . . . I don’t think that’s an issue,” he said tersely.

  When Brenda recounted this conversation to Jean, her sister squealed with delight. “I told you. He’s regretting it already!”

  “Don’t be silly.”

  “Trust me. If he loved her he’d be panting for a divorce so that he could marry her.”

  “You think so?” Brenda looked dubious.

  Jean let out a whoop. “Take my word for it. Before you know it he’ll come crawling back with his tail between his legs.”

  “I doubt that very much.”

  “For sure. And he probably misses your cooking too. I can imagine he’s having to eat McDonald’s every night.”

  Brenda laughed. Jean could be so funny sometimes. She sure hoped Bob and the slapper would never cross paths with her sister. If they did, she felt sure Jean would not come out the loser.

  Brenda was delighted to have no Christmas shopping to do as she had done it all in Florida and New York. She wrapped a few of the kids’ presents each night so she wouldn’t have to do them all at the same time. Ryan and Dylan would put up the tree at the weekend and she and Carly would decorate it. She was really looking forward to having them home for Christmas although she was dreading their reaction to the news that their father had left.

  * * *

  On Friday evening Brenda waited, excitement mixed with apprehension, for the kids to arrive. Ryan and Dylan were due in first and she’d prepared their favourite dinner of shepherd’s pie for them the evening before. All she had to do was reheat it when they got in. She had told them that Bob couldn’t meet them and to get the Luas from Connolly station. They burst through the door in their usual high spirits, flinging their bags down in the hall as Ryan swung her off her feet and twirled her around.

  “Happy Christmas, Mum,” he cried. “It’s great to be home.”

  “Happy Christmas,” Dylan said, hugging her. “Gosh, Mum, you look wonderful. What did you do to your hair?”

  “Do you like it?” she laughed, pleased he’d noticed it and delighted to have them home again.

  “And you’ve lost weight. Everyone will think you’re our sister now,” Ryan cried. “Won’t they, Dyl?”

  “Get out of it!” Brenda swatted him jokingly. “You’re as full of blarney as ever.”

  Dylan smiled, seeing that Brenda was enjoying the compliments. “You are looking great, Mum, seriously.”

  “Thank you, love,” she said.

  “Where’s Dad?” Ryan asked. “Why didn’t he meet us, as usual?”

  Here came the moment she dreaded. “I just want to put the dinner in the oven. Why don’t you take off your coats and grab a beer? I have a big fire going in the living room. I guess you must be freezing.”

  Ryan threw off his coat and grabbed the beers but Dylan looked at her earnestly. He’d heard the tension in her voice. “Is everything okay, Mum?” he asked worriedly.

  “Pour me a glass of white wine, love – it’s in the fridge, and I’ll tell you everything.”

  He did as she told him and when they were seated in the comfy warm room she broke the news to them that their father had left her.

  “The bastard!” Ryan yelled, jumping up and making a fist. “I’ll fucking kill him!”

  “Calm down, Ryan. These things happen.”

  “Not to my mother, they don’t,” he shouted.

  “Sit down, Ryan,” Dylan said quietly and Ryan did as he was told. “What happened, Mum?” he asked in a gentle voice.

  Brenda took a sip of her wine and told them as honestly as she could.

  “I don’t believe it! Has he lost his senses?” Ryan cried.

  Dylan quelled him with a look. “How do you feel about it, Mum?”

  “Well, naturally I was shocked but, to be honest, things have not been good between us for some time. I was so busy with the five of you over the years that I didn’t notice how your dad and I were growing apart but once you’d all left home it became very obvious to me.”

  “What will you do now?”

  “What can I do? I love working in Jean’s salon so hopefully I can keep doing that, part-time at least, and then who knows? It’s not as if I’m over the hill.” She laughed.

  “Of course not,” Dylan squeezed her hand. “You have plenty of opportunities ahead of you. I’ll speak to Dad. I’m sure it was just a stupid mistake and he’s regretting it now.”

  “I don’t think so. He’s living with her now, isn’t he?”

  “The bastard!” Ryan yelled again, jumping up. “Where does this slapper live? I’ll make sure he comes right back here tonight!”

  Brenda couldn’t help but smile at his use of the word ‘slapper’. “Sit down, Ryan. I don’t think I could take him back after what he’s done. I’m afraid I’m no Robert Pattinson who can forgive and forget.”

  “Are you sure, Mum?”

  “Yes, I think so,” she replied, smiling at them. She hoped this was true. She wanted to move on with her life. Bob was gone. She had to accept it. “Sometimes these things are meant to happen,” she said sadly.

  “Do the girls know?” Dylan wanted to know.

  “Just Alex. We spoke on Skype yesterday. She was good about it. She wants what’s best for me.”

  “So do we, Mum, so do we,” Dylan assured her, squeezing her hand.

  “What about the others?” Ryan wanted to know.

  “Well, I’ll tell Megan when I speak to her, which will probably be Christmas Eve, and Carly should be home any minute.”

  No sooner had she spoken than they heard Carly’s key in the door. She’d got a lift from Limerick with a friend’s brother.

  “Hiyee!” Brenda’s youngest daughter erupted into the room, in her athletic exuberant way.

  “Hi, Mum, hi, guys.” She hugged Brenda and then Ryan and Dylan in turn.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked, sensing the sombre mood. “Aren’t you pleased to see me?”

  “Of course we are, chicken,” said Brenda. “Come on, take off your coat and sit down. What would you like to drink?”

  Carly saw her mother was drinking white wine. “Could I have a glass of wine?”

  “Of course. Dylan, will you get it for your sister?”

  Dylan smiled and went to pour the wine. Ryan was sitting down again, looking tense.

  “You look terrific, Mum,” said Carly. “Was America fabulous?”

  “It was simply wonderful. Honestly, it was a dream holiday. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

  “And how are things in Derry?” she asked, turning to Ryan.

  “Fine,” he answered tersely.

  “What’s wrong? There’s something wrong, isn’t there?” she asked fearfully.

  Dylan handed her the wine. “Mum has something to tell you, Carly.”

  Carly looked at her mother, panic-stricken. “You’re not sick, Mum, are you?”

  “Not at all,” Brenda laughed. “I’m as healthy as an ox.”

  “Dad has left her!” Ryan spat out bitterly.

  “What?” Carly’s eyes were like saucers. “You’re not serious?” She looked at Ryan, thinking it was a joke.

  “Deadly serious! He’s moved in with a twenty-five-year-old tart.”

  Carly saw from her mother’s face that it was true.

  She burst into tears and Brenda took her in her arms. “It’s okay, honey. Honestly, I’m fine with it now. I even think it might be for the best.”

  “How can you say that? Who is she?”

  “The slutty receptionist who works for the taxi company.”

  “Oh no, not that Crystal one?” Carly looked horrified. “That can’t be. Alex, Megan and I met her a couple of times when we were waiting for Dad to give us a lift home. She’s awful, really common.”

  “That’s her all right,” Ryan confirmed. “I told you, a tart.”

  “How could he do such a
thing?” Carly cried, a stricken look on her face.

  “These things happen, chicken,” Brenda said sadly. “Marriages sometimes fall apart and it’s no one’s fault.”

  “This was Dad’s fault,” Ryan interjected fiercely.

  “Well, there are always two sides to every story. We had grown apart. If our marriage had been strong enough then this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “Oh, Mum, I’m so sorry,” Carly sniffed.

  “Don’t be. I’ll be fine. Now, come on, you guys. Shepherd’s pie’s up.”

  Despite the bombshell she’d dropped they had a fun evening, exchanging news. Brenda told them all about her trip and kept them enthralled with the lifestyle she’d enjoyed there.

  “It sounds fabulous. There’s a summer camp for kids somewhere near Tampa that have advertised for counsellors for next summer,” Carly said. “My friend Sarah and I were thinking about applying for it. We couldn’t decide between that one and one in Colorado.”

  “No contest! Take Florida,” Ryan advised.

  “Ryan is right and you’d be close to Lexi there if anything went wrong,” Brenda added.

  “I’d like to work in New York for the summer,” Ryan said. “I was hoping Aunt Mel would be able to help me. I could do with some experience, not to mention money.” Ryan was very ambitious and keen to make money. He worked as a barman in Derry during college term and even in Dublin city during the holidays.

  “I’m sure she would. She’s very high up in the firm and has lots of contacts. I’ll certainly ask her. She gave us a wonderful time in New York. She’s a great hostess.”

  “What about you, Dyl?” Carly asked. “Where do you want to go for the summer?”

  “Haven’t really thought about it. I’ll probably stay here in Dublin.”

  “Of course you won’t. If I go to New York, you’re coming too.” Ryan said confidently.

  Dylan shrugged his shoulders. Brenda smiled, knowing that wherever Ryan went, Dylan would follow.

  * * *

  Despite the luxury Angel felt she didn’t belong in La Vista. She cried constantly and couldn’t face the other clients – she’d called them inmates the first day and been sharply reprimanded by Dr Kirk. She’d had to go cold turkey that first week and it was hell. Her craving for alcohol was eating her up and she knew she’d never stick it. She was sullen and uncommunicative when she had to go to group sessions and the other patients avoided her. People with her attitude did not help their recovery.