On the way to the cheese drop, Vanessa grew thoughtful. “Percy, which kind of dresses are you and Squeak wearing?”
“Brigit has already been planning hers, but I don’t even know where to start.”
“May I make your dress for you? I know I don’t owe you, but it would make me really happy.”
“As long as I don’t have to pick out the fabric or discuss even one detail about the bias or sequins or the cut of the bodice, that would make me very happy as well.”
“Then I will start looking around for suitable supplies.”
On Wednesday, Vanessa dropped off four packets of cheddar to Margery.
“Thank you much, honey,” Margery said hurriedly. “I can’t stop to chat because my stories are on, but it’s a commercial.”
“No problem,” Vanessa replied, “just one quick thing. The guy Milton let in the other night was my ex-boyfriend, Bradley. I just wanted to let you know that he’s not welcome any longer. My new man is named Javier.”
“You got a Latin lover?”
“Not yet.”
“Ho boy, I’ll let Milton know, and tell him this here cheese is a down payment for more sleepless nights to come.”
“Thanks, Margery.” Vanessa ran up the stairs and crocheted her way through the thought of sleepless nights with Javier.
By Thursday, Vanessa had put together an entire afghan of bright granny squares bordered in the yellow wool she had found on her last dig with Bradley. She spread it over her bed and wished she had a camera that worked properly. The last one she had purchased, in college, was an old Nikon film point and shoot that flashed an error code half the time she tried to use it. A mental image would have to do for the time being. She would ask Percy to help her look out for a better camera.
On Friday morning, Vanessa laid out the five skirts she had managed to pull together from the remains of her fabric stash and trimmings from her apron fabrics. She had not thought to primp in all her time with Bradley, since merely being female was all the encouragement he needed. It was odd to look at herself in the mirror to judge the effect of clothing. She chose a burgundy linen tank that she and Percy had found in the estate boxes to go along with the bright floral with the brown pocket she had embroidered.
“I look nice.” Vanessa ran her fingers through her hair and smiled at herself. “A little sexy, a little flirty, and a little like one lucky couple’s future daughter-in-law.” She grinned at her reflection in the manner of a vintage oven ad model. A diamond glint almost materialized on her teeth and eyes as she turned her head for the best light.
There was a knock on the door. Vanessa answered it in her new outfit and bare feet.
“Look at you!” Percy beamed, holding out a brown paper sack. “Turn around. That outfit makes you look the most ‘you’ I’ve ever seen you.”
“Thanks, Percy.” Vanessa took the heavy sack. “What’s this?”
“A token of your foraging partner’s and foraging partner’s partner’s best wishes for your big night.”
Vanessa sat the bag on the dining table and pulled out a bottle of real champagne and a wide assortment of fresh fruits. “Oh, my God, Percy. Thank you. And thank Squeak for me, too.”
“Here’s hoping you need them to celebrate this weekend.”
They hugged.
“I’ve got to run to lecture, but we’ll see you tonight.”
Vanessa thanked Percy again and shut the door. She put the champagne in the fridge and sorted the fruit on the counter. The blue bowl was already clean, so she pulled it from the cabinet. After washing the fruits, she arranged a bowlful and put the remaining fruits onto a plain plate by the sink. Even against beige ceramic, they looked like someone had rendered an old master painting into real life. Vanessa smiled as she placed the blue bowl on her newly tidied dining table. If Javier came over as she hoped, he would see it there. It would be a tradition to him, a habit of hers he would assume had always been there. Vanessa liked the thought. It erased some of the pain of the past few years of austerity and self-neglect.
When it was time to leave for the brewery, Vanessa surveyed the apartment. The bed was gloriously arrayed in the new afghan, with fresh sheets underneath. The gorgeous silk dress was hidden, safely tucked out of sight in the back of the closet. Fruit, champagne, and breakfast foods, perfect provisions for lovemaking, stocked the kitchen. The only thing missing was music. Vanessa remembered the CD that Carla had loaned her and popped it into the player. All she had to do was press “play” when they got back, and the stage would be perfectly set. She closed the door behind her and, remembering Bradley and Ally’s recent visit, made sure it was locked before she went downstairs.
An acoustic string band was playing when Vanessa arrived at the packed brewery.
“Nessa!” Jill called over the noise of music and voices. “Over here! We’re getting a quick photo before we start.” Jill pulled Vanessa into the center of a cluster of bartenders, chocolate baristas, Ruben, and Mary. A middle aged woman in a bright linen outfit pushed her glasses into her hair and squinted as she clicked the camera a couple of times.
“Thank you!” Mary gushed and moved slowly to retrieve the camera from the woman. She looked at the window on the back of the camera and shrugged. “Too bad Javier isn’t here yet. He takes great photos, even with this little old thing.” Mary smiled at Vanessa, who stepped behind the bar and started filling pitchers with beers for the other bartenders to deliver.
“I didn’t know that,” Vanessa said, surprised.
“Oh, yeah. I used to make him give me some of his photos for scrapbooks when we were down in Costa Rica together. My mom threw them out when we were doing the nursery up, though. It was Friday the Thirteenth, and she said it was bad luck to have photos of another man when I was having my husband’s babies.” Mary laughed and leaned toward Vanessa conspiratorially. “Not that Javier and I ever could have had babies, if you know what I mean. He was a saint.” Mary twisted her lips in exasperation, her face puffier than Vanessa had remembered. “And that’s not necessarily a compliment. Now, my husband, he can’t get enough.” She looked down at her huge belly and chided, “You two need to come out of there soon so Mommy can get her some.”
“Are you due soon?” Vanessa asked, trying to navigate to a safer subject.
“Any day now, or two weeks, depending on who you ask,” Mary laughed. “Listen, is sex as good as I remember? It’s all that’s keeping me focused on my goal of natural childbirth with these two. I’ll be able to heal faster.”
“Well,” Vanessa smiled, and took pity. “Not that I’ve had enough myself recently, but it’s as good as you remember, if you don’t mind waiting a bit. Of course, one night stands with men who don’t even get your name right and ex-boyfriends who left you for a girl who gets free condoms at work aren’t exactly as motivational as bearing young.”
“A man didn’t even remember your name?! My God, I don’t miss being single.” Mary patted her belly and looked toward the door. “Speak of the devil. Vanessa, allow me to introduce my husband, Brian.”
Vanessa looked up, shocked. Fortunately, Mary’s eyes were on her no-good philandering husband. Vanessa recovered quickly and extended her hand. “How do you do?” she forced a smile.
“I think we’ve met,” Brian said smoothly. “Veronica, right?”
“Vanessa. I think I’ve seen you with a group of other doctors sometimes.”
“That’s right,” Brian’s tight smile did not reach his eyes. He put his arm around Mary to steer her away from the bar. “Speaking of whom, Mary, come meet Dr. Kim. He’s the new attending I told you about.”
Mary waved her fingers at Vanessa over her shoulder and smiled as the couple moved slowly away.
Vanessa breathed deeply, glad for the close escape. At least the adulterer was discreet. There was no need to hurt his wife, especially since Mary obviously loved him and was pregnant with two of his babies. Vanessa went back to pouring beer and whiskies, which were quickly carted off by
the extended staff.
A couple of hours into the event, Vanessa looked up to see Percy and Squeak holding hands as they walked through the door. They were with a group of Squeak’s coworkers. Vanessa saw them go to a table on the left, far enough away from the band that they might have passable conversation. She was watching them and smiling when Bradley walked in front of them, drinking the last half of an abandoned pint before he set it back on the tray he was returning. She gestured him over.
“Are you drinking on the job, Bradley?”
“Naw, just a couple of halves. Lighten up, Vanessa. Most of us can handle a beer or two without losing our cookies.”
She was too busy to argue with him. “Don’t do it again, Bradley. It looks bad.”
Vanessa turned back toward the front just as Javier and his parents walked through the doors. She stood straighter and was about to wave, but Ruben approached her just then.
“Vanessa, eight whisky samplers, please. Looks as though Beans and Spice isn’t the only business attracting investors tonight.”
“Right away, boss.” Vanessa rushed to pour the whiskies, aware of Javier making his way to the bar with his parents in tow. She had finished the first tray and passed it off to the extra help before Javier reached her.
“Vanessa,” Javier smiled. “I would like you to meet my parents. This is my Mami, Rosamaria Segura Torres, and my Papi, Edgardo Torres. Mami and Papi, this is Vanessa Fanchon, the woman I love.”
Vanessa felt her insides turn to water at his voice, but she shook hands warmly. “Mrs. Torres. Mr. Torres,” she smiled. “Javier has told me a lot about you. I am very pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise,” Mr. Torres smiled. His eyes crinkled just like his son’s, but they were light brown.
“You have made my son very happy, Vanessa. I look forward to getting to know you,” Mrs. Torres said, her bright aqua eyes dancing. The woman was not very tall, maybe five foot two at most, but she emanated so much joyful quiet that Vanessa could tell her presence would fill a room.
“I see that you are busy, mi amor,” Javier gestured toward the trays lined up before her. “We’ll go get a table and wait for your break.”
“Yes, please. I think Gabi has a mostly free one over there,” Vanessa nodded to the left. “See you in half an hour.” Vanessa smiled at the family as they departed, then returned to her task.
All the extra servers were on the floor when she was finished, but she did not want to make Ruben’s important customers wait any longer. She saw Bradley in the middle of a large group of men and women, carrying on loudly. He said something about being a freegan and gestured toward her. She caught his eye and held up a tray.
“This is great, Vanessa. No wonder you work so much. These people are loads of fun.” Bradley picked up two trays.
“Yes, but it’s less fun when you actually work, Bradley. Are you sure you’ve got those? They go to Ruben.”
“Yep.” Bradley walked away, carrying the trays easily on his long arms extended above the crowd.
Mary walked up to her from the group where Bradley had been joking. “Vanessa, do y’all have ginger ale? My stomach is so upset tonight. I haven’t felt this pukey since first trimester.”
“Sure thing,” Vanessa said. She set the fizzy beverage in front of Mary and looked at her with concern. “Are you okay otherwise? You look unwell.”
“I’m okay,” Mary sighed, “just too damn pregnant. That guy over there, Brandon or whatever his name was, said you belly dance. Do you think a little belly dancing would make these babies come out?”
“Probably,” Vanessa smiled encouragingly and stepped out from behind the bar. “That’s what it was made for, well, part of why. First for making matches, then for making babies, then for having babies,” she joked. “Here, let me show you.” Vanessa demonstrated turning one foot, then the other, and showed Mary how to make the movements go all the way to her hips.
“Umm-mmm,” Mary sighed contentedly and closed her eyes as she moved. “I don’t know if this will help with the babies, but it’s sure relieving the pressure on my lower back. It’s been aching like anything all night.” Mary opened her eyes and smiled, “Thank you, Vanessa.”
“No problem,” Vanessa said. “Just take it easy at first, because it can make you sore if you do it too much at once.”
“Like all good things,” Mary grinned.
“Right,” Vanessa smiled back. “Listen, if you need anything else, just ask the beautiful lady with dred locks there,” Vanessa nodded toward Paula, who had just come on shift. “I’m going to go meet Javier’s parents.”
“Oh, they’re so sweet. You’ll love them.” Mary raised her hand and waved goodbye, then returned to rubbing her lower back.
Vanessa spotted Javier and his parents at a long table with Percy, Squeak, and Gabi. They were laughing at something Gabi was saying. From the looks of it, she was miming another encounter with concrete Jesus. Good. She would get to meet Javier’s family while they met hers. Vanessa pushed around a crowd of tipsy hipster women, one of whom almost rubbed a piece of chocolate on her shirt, and arrived at the table behind Squeak. She was about to speak when someone grabbed her hard from behind, causing her to spin around.
“You bitch!” Mary screamed. Her face was red, and she did not let go of Vanessa’s shoulder.
“Excuse me?” Vanessa said, concerned. She removed Mary’s hand with some effort. “Is everything okay? Was it the bellydanc——” She stopped speaking as she noticed a towheaded blond standing just behind Mary, her arms crossed aggressively. “Ally.”
“You bitch,” Mary muttered loudly, almost growling. “You took my scrapbooks and lied about how you knew Javier! I knew I was not that drunk that night to not remember you. And I’m not that dumb now, Veronica!”
“What?” Vanessa said stupidly, feeling her face go numb with shock and embarrassment.
“What is wrong with you?” Mary shouted. The bar went silent around her, just as the band finished the final bass notes of a set. “Can’t you find someone else to screw besides one of my men?!” Her voice echoed in the sudden quiet.
Vanessa worked her mouth, but couldn’t think of anything to say. She felt bile rising up, but swallowed it back. She wanted to look at Percy or Javier or Gabi, or anyone kind, but all she felt was shame. Suddenly people were brushing against her on the right as a man pushed through the crowd.
“Hey, Mary. That’s out of line.” It was Bradley, there when she needed him. “I have it on very good authority that I was the last person Vanessa slept with, and last I checked, you and I have not had the privilege of that particular type of acquaintance,” Bradley smiled winningly. The tension in the air broke and people went back to murmuring. “But she wouldn’t take me back when I tried to use my charms on her,” Bradley continued, “because she was in love with this gentleman,” Bradley nodded toward Javier, “which is how Ally here knows about him. I showed her a photo of my competition. I wouldn’t put too much stock in anything else she told you about Ness. Sour grapes.”
Mary shook her head, confused. Then her face contorted in pain. “Bitch!” she shouted again.
Vanessa found her voice at last. “Please don’t call me that, Mary. I didn’t mean to lie to anyone,” she glanced toward Javier, and his look knocked the breath out of her. His eyes were tight with betrayal.
“Bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch, bitch!” Mary squealed as she bent double, gasping for breath. “Oh, my Gawd, that hurt.” She straightened and leaned against Squeak, who had materialized at her side.
“May I?” Squeak asked calmly, hovering her hands out over Mary’s belly. “I’m a midwife.”
“Yes,” Mary panted and nodded.
Squeak moved her hands knowledgeably over Mary’s belly, pressing lightly as Mary bent forward and began to curse again. Squeak spoke low and calmly. “Try singing a little, on an ‘e’ sound.”
Mary moaned lightly, “EeeeeeeEEEEEEE!”
“A little softer —just let the son
g out quietly,” Squeak soothed. “Your babies are on their way. Where are you delivering? We had best get you there soon.”
Mary told Squeak the name of the hospital, then she wrapped her arms around the baby bump and moaned again. “Mrs. Torres,” she gasped. Javier’s mother rushed forward and held her hand. “Please. You’re the only one I know here, and I want a woman with me.”
“Of course, Mary. I’ll come with you.”
Brian pushed through the crowd from the direction of the band and stood at Mary’s other side. They began to guide her to the main door.
“Wait,” Vanessa stopped them. “Brian, you go get your car and pull it out back. Mary can go out this way and not have so far to walk.” Vanessa showed Mrs. Torres the direction of the back door. Brian nodded and left quickly. Vanessa held the door as Squeak and Javier’s mother helped Mary outside and into the waiting car.
Back inside, Vanessa looked around for Javier. She wanted to explain. He had to know that she was not trying to lie to him about the scrapbooks— that she was going to tell him. She hated the thought of him not trusting her. Instead of Javier, Vanessa saw only Percy at the table.
“Javier and his father went to follow his mother to the hospital. Gabi went to kick Ally’s arse, and Bradley went to stop her so she wouldn’t get arrested.”
“Oh, my God, Percy,” Vanessa covered her face with her hands, “that could not have gone worse. How did she know about Brian? I hope Javier doesn’t think…”
“Vanessa,” Percy put her hands on her friend’s shoulders. “It’s going to be okay. It was not as bad as you think.”
“Except for me being exposed as an adulterer and a liar in front of the parents of the love of my life the night of our first meeting?”
“Except for that,” Percy bit back a dark smile. “Come on. Let’s go help Bradley save Ally.”
Vanessa felt deflated. The lights in the bar were too bright, the sounds brassy, and she had a metallic tang on her tongue. She followed Percy to the door, her feet heavy and cold. Ruben was standing between Gabi and Ally as men and women held them back from each other on the blacktop outside that served as a food truck court.
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