“Wait, maybe that isn’t such a good idea. It might hurt more if you have to give his ring back before he takes off for college.”
“It sounds awful,” Tina said. “I think we should leave things as they are.”
A close call narrowly averted, Harley was thrilled her daughter had made the decision herself. “Thank heaven you didn’t take my advice,” she said.
Tina giggled. “That’s okay Mom. I know what you’re up to. I’d better call Albie now and let him know.” She leaned in to kiss Harley. “Thanks for listening.”
“I’ll be right in to see the dress,” she said.
“It’s still pretty much in pieces,” Tina said.
Relieved that the pressure of being a girlfriend had been lifted, Tina sighed, happy her mother was willing to listen and offer choices; she was going to be sorrowfully missed.
By four that afternoon, the house was full of Jason and Harley’s extended family and friends, with Melissa and Kelly and their husbands, Maryanne, Fran and Joe, Dave and Bea and the kids and Anna and her family.
Her arrival was anticlimactic, coming in between groups of the girls’ friends, including Albie, who was in agreement that Tina had made a wise choice. “I’m not going to change when I go to college,” he said. “And unless you find someone else, we can see each other when I come home.”
Fran and Bea took over the kitchen, putting food out buffet style. For a change everyone ate sitting around the dining room table. “I’m so glad to be using this room,” Harley exclaimed. “I always loved this room. What was I saving it for?”
“For today,” Jason said, leaning in to kiss her.
Anna watched from afar. The pictures of Jason she saw on Harley’s phone didn’t prepare her for Jason in the flesh. Pulling up in her battered car with the kids fighting in the backseat, Anna’s heart sank when the pretentiousness of the house came into view. A huge, gabled monstrosity with wooden carriage-house doors on the garage, lighted brick pillars at the entrance to the circular drive, professional landscaping. Recalling what Jason did for a living, nurse anesthetists must make more money than she’d realized. But then she remembered that Harley had always worked, too. The couple worked as a team, building an impressive life. Could she and Brian have done the same thing if he’d lived?
Harley set the table for their late lunch, pulling fine china out of the hutch in the dining room along with silver flatware service for sixteen.
“We never bother to use it. It’s so silly; I guess I was saving it for a special occasion. Well today is as special as it gets. This is my wedding china,” she announced.
The girls circled their mother as she passed around a tea cup with a hand painted motif of birds inside the cup.
“I don’t get it,” Bennie said. “Why decorate the inside of the cup? Who sees it?”
“You get the surprise when the tea is gone,” Angie said, guessing. Of all the girls, Anna thought Angie looked most like Jason, with curly black hair and alabaster skin, dark blue eyes with long lashes. She was dressed in athletic wear and it seemed to Anna she was doing everything in her power to look less like a woman, even down to wearing a tight sports bra that flattened out her breasts.
Observing the children, she carefully watched Bea’s daughter Amanda taking charge of Ainsley and Chris, providing activities for them so they didn’t feel left out.
The daughter, Tina, was the oddest of the four Jones children. There was no denying she was beautiful, but her hair and clothing were so bizarre. Anna wasn’t sure why the parents allowed her to dress the way she did. Her hair was in a bird’s nest of rats, tied up on top of her head with a bandana. Anna supposed in honor of the holidays, she had rhinestone Christmas tree earrings with a matching broach which adorned a navy blue cardigan and a plaid straight skirt right out of a 1970’s Pendleton catalog.
“Is your outfit vintage?” Anne asked, noting the contradictions in style.
“Yes, it is,” Tina replied. “My shoes are Capezios from 1965. My grandmother, Maryanne found several pair for me in a thrift shop, never been worn.” She pointed to a middle aged woman who was mixing lemonade in a big, clear glass pitcher. “That’s my mom’s mom. Would you like to meet her?”
Anna supposed getting to know all the players in advance could only be to her advantage if anything did come of Harley’s plan. Leading the way into the kitchen, she introduced Anna to Maryanne. Immediately, Anna felt the despair of a mother about to lose a child, and she thought at that moment that possibly this idea was more than she bargained for. Yes, maybe the deathwatch was too much for her. How long could she hang on? As Harley had warned he might, the husband barely looked in her direction after a friendly hello, but the chemistry she felt was immediate. As far as her children’s comfort was concerned, they were playing so nicely, a rare occurrence, she didn’t want to disturb them. It appeared the only one who was uncomfortable was her.
The meal was about to be served. She could eat and run if the discomfort of being there continued to taunt her. Harley looked good, Anna thought. At their meeting early in the week, Harley’s discomfort was palpable. At first, Anne thought she might be having regrets, and Harley as much admitted it. But her physical discomfort worsened as the morning progressed. Today Harley’s color was better, she was moving around the house like a healthy woman might, taking charge of the get-together. Anna even noticed she seemed to have two breasts, at their first meeting it was obvious she wasn’t wearing a prosthesis, if that was what it was called. She had on a cute crocheted cap that was reminiscent of a flapper hat; the odd daughter Tina remarked that she’d made it for her mother. Tight jeans and a stylish sweater, Harley was decked out.
“You look really nice,” Anna told her.
“Thank you, Anna,” she replied. “I felt like I needed to make the effort today because…” After she said it, she made a motion with her hand which started at Anna’s head and swooped down to her feet.
Anna didn’t know what the gesture was for at first but when she got it, it embarrassed her. She’d made a point of dressing simply just so Harley would be okay. “I dressed down,” she said.
“Sorry, but you could wear sackcloth and a bag on your head and you’d still be a knock out.”
Anna burst out laughing, Harley’s eyebrows raised to make a point. “Trust me, it’s a good thing you do for women, making them want to take better care of themselves.”
“If you say so,” Anna replied, self-conscious.
“I do. My husband has always liked me to dress a certain way and most of the time; if he’s going to be around I try to make sure I’m accommodating.”
“Well you look like you feel better than you did on Monday, too,” Anna said.
“I do thanks. It appears my liver is failing, so Jason gave me an IV med this morning before everyone arrived and I felt better immediately. The only problem is I have to pee constantly, but other than that, it’s much better.”
“I’m so glad,” Anna said sincerely, that wave of discomfort about the situation cresting again, but she ignored it, determined to stick it out for a while longer.
The meal was delicious, a typical family meal with women hovering over the backs of chairs encouraging more food intake. Jason’s mother seemed to take an interest in Anna, making sure she was included in conversations, inquiring about her wellbeing from time to time. “Our family can be pretty obnoxious,” she said.
“Mom, that’s real nice,” brother Dave replied, looking at Anna with curiosity.
Growing concern that he might know the real reason she was there added to her anxiety. The art teacher, Bea, Dave’s wife and Harley’s sister-in-law was supposed to be the reason Harley had invited Anna to the house, but she couldn’t be bothered, almost hostile. Harley didn’t hold back, telling Anna what she suspected.
“I think my sister-in-law is feeling jealous,” Harley said honestly. “I’m going to ignore it and I hope you can, too. I’m just sorry because I need her.”
“You were hop
ing we’d be allies?”
“Yes,” Harley said. “Allies. She has her own issues right now so maybe I was expecting too much.”
If speaking frankly about Bea was a betrayal, Harley would suffer the consequences later. The tension between Bea and Dave was palpable and it made Harley angry that they couldn’t cooperate for one afternoon.
“What’s wrong with your brother?” she asked Jason.
“Got me. He asked me about Anna, believe it or not. ‘Who’s the babe?’”
“He used the word babe?” she asked, incredulous, smacking her thigh with a dish towel. “Now I cannot believe it.”
“Yep, babe.” He rubbed his jaw and looked at Harley from the corners of his eyes; an expression that he used to use that tickled her, causing laughing hysterics. “Who is she, by the way? And why is she here?”
Studying Harley’s face intently, Dave had made a comment about Anna that had roused Jason’s curiosity.
“She’s just a friend. An art teacher. I thought Bea would hit it off with her but obviously I was as wrong as I could be.”
They looked into the dining room at the family, Melissa engaging Anna, Bea’s smoldering look evident across the room.
“No, that ain’t gonna work,” Jason said nodding toward the dining room. “You mean, like a new friend for Bea? Because she’s not biting. What exactly was your motivation?”
Harley turned to the counter and fussed over an imaginary spill, wiping it with her dishcloth, ignoring him. If he discovered what she was up to, it couldn’t be good.
“I just thought she might like a new friend with common interests since I won’t be around.”
Quickly turning to Jason, she couldn’t help it, but burst out laughing. “Oh my God! I can’t believe I just used that as an excuse.”
“Come here,” he said, pulling her over. “Dave told me what you were planning last summer but that was all, just that you were planning. Is Anna part of the plan?”
“Sort of,” Harley whispered. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“I understand. I’m sorry about Tiffany and all of that rigmarole. I can see why you’d want a say in who might come around. But you have to admit that’s pretty wild.”
“I’m not admitting anything. Let’s talk about it later, okay? Little ears and all that. Plus it will embarrass Anna if you let on you know.”
“Thank you dear, but she’s really not my type,” Jason replied.
“That’s not what LoveMatch.com said.”
“She looks like my twin, for god’s sake,” he whispered. “We even have the same build.”
Harley giggled, but shushed him. “I don’t want her to be any more uncomfortable than she already is.”
Entering the dining room again with Jason following Harley, the guests looked up and smiled, having heard the laughter. As long as Harley was laughing, all would be well. The rest of the meal was a fun and relaxed adventure now that Jason was aware of her plan. But Bea was still miserable, and would soon let Harley know she was to blame.
Chapter 20
After the meal mess was cleared, Harley insisted everyone stay in the dining room for games.
“This is a perfect table for our shenanigans,” she shouted. “You can stay here.” In the past, games would be set up in the kitchen with people sitting behind each other, having to stand up to make their moves. In the dining room, they might have to stretch to move their game pieces, but everyone would have a seat. The younger children could have the kitchen table for their version of game night.
At the kitchen sink rinsing dishes off, Harley avoided Bea, hoping she’d relax enough to enjoy herself. But Bea had other ideas. “We need to talk,” Bea said, venom in her voice.
Harley whipped around, facing Bea. “You scared me,” she said, hand to her heart.
“I’m sorry,” Bea said, her face etched with anger.
“Do you want to go into my bedroom?” Glancing in the dining room again, she could see Anna was sitting next to Maryanne, and they were strategizing together, sitting across from Harley’s sisters and father-in-law. The other men were in the den, watching a Red Skins game.
“Yes, your bedroom is fine,” Bea said. “Joe makes me sick. What’s the sudden interest in games? It’s Anne, of course.”
Harley waved her along, walking down the hall to her bedroom. “I know you’re upset about something,” she said.
“You’re damn right I’m mad.”
Harley closed the door when they were inside, worried the younger kids would hear the altercation. She sat on the edge of her bed, suddenly tired, looking up at Bea. In thirty years of friendship, she’d never talked to Harley like she just had.
“I’m so sorry,” Harley said. “What did I do?”
“This ridiculous idea of hooking women up with Jason, and then inviting her, that’s what you did.”
“You mean Anne?” Harley asked, mystified. “You choose Anne, if I remember correctly. We’ll have so much in common. Do you remember saying that? As a matter of fact, the online dating thing was your idea originally.”
“That was before I realized she was a Playboy model,” Bea said, plopping down on the bed next to Harley. “I’m too jealous of her to ever be friends with her.”
Harley could feel Bea’s hatred deflating like an old balloon, and within seconds, she was just Bea, sad and lonely because her husband was unhappy. She’d look for any scapegoat to unload her anger on, including her best friend, whether she was dying or not.
“Well, you don’t need to worry about it because Jason knows everything, thanks to Dave, and he just told me Anne isn’t his type. He said she looks too much like him.”
Bea put her hand over her mouth and laughed. “Oh no,” she said. “I’m so sorry. Dave is an asshole.”
“No worries,” Harley replied, sighing. “I can’t believe you got mad at me because Anne is beautiful.”
Bea grabbed her and hugged her. “Please forgive me, Harl. I’ve been miserable and you’re the only person strong enough to handle it I guess. I can’t level with Dave because he’s about ready to bolt. Who else do I have?”
“What will you do when I die?” she asked.
“I can’t even think of that,” Bea said. “Now I can feel guilty about acting like a jerk, too.”
“I guess we’re all on edge,” Harley said, annoyed. “I’d better get back out there.”
Her turn to feel irrational, Bea’s outburst was the last straw for Harley. She wanted everyone gone so she could get into bed and read. But a house full of guests precluded that. Glancing into the kitchen, the children playing Scrabble, Harley’s favorite.
“Can I play?” she asked.
“Of course, Aunt Harley,” Sally said, pulling out a chair for her.
Devon cuddled up next to her, pulling her rack of tiles closer. “I’ll share with you, Mommy,” she said.
Anne’s daughter Ainsley was teamed up with Albie and Tina, her son Chris with Angie. “Thank you girls, for helping out tonight. I really appreciate it.”
Playing energized her, focusing on simple words and easy childish conversation made the evening enjoyable for Harley, the laughter and chatter memory making for. But by eight, she was beat.
“Are you tired, honey?” Maryanne asked. Harley nodded.
Fran, unloading the dishwasher, saw her. “I’ll finish this up and then we’ll get out of your hair.”
“Everyone can finish their games,” Harley said. “I don’t want to be mean old Aunt Harley.”
The children laughed, sing-songing mean old Aunt Harley. One by one, the family left, her sisters first, hugging her with promises of visits throughout the week. Bea and Dave left, Bea mouthing I’m sorry and Dave avoiding eye contact, although he had a big hug for Anne with exclamations that he hoped they’d see her again soon.
By nine, the only person left was Anne “Thank you so much,” she said. “I was so worried at first, but everyone was so nice to me. It was a pleasant evening.”
Harley debated telling Anne that Jason knew, but decided she was too tired to broach the subject. It could wait for another day. “Thank you for coming,” she said. “I think the kids had a good time.”
Tina and Albie offered to walk the family out to Anne’s car, so Harley lingered by the door, waiting for them to come back inside. Waving as the car pulled away from the house, Harley had a sense of relief. Hopefully, Anne wouldn’t stalk Jason after she died. Why’d I think of that horrible possibility?
“Mom, is it okay if Albie hangs out for a while?”
“Of course. You’re always welcome, Albie,” Harley said. “I, for one am going to bed.”
She went into the den and kissed her children goodnight. “I’ll tuck you in,” Jason said. He’d stay up as long as Albie was hanging around, which made Harley happy.
Thanks to Fran and Harley’s sisters and mother, all evidence of the gathering was cleaned up. “I wish I would have had a chance to talk to my sisters and mother tonight,” she said.
“I figured you’d feel guilty so I asked them to come back tomorrow,” Jason said.
“Oh, honey, no. You didn’t have to do that. Sunday’s our family day.”
“They’re family, and Maryanne has to work on Monday so they won’t stay long,” he explained.
When they reached the bedroom, Jason closed the door, holding on to Harley. “Let me get my pj’s on,” she said.
“You can wait for one more minute,” he said. “I need to hear about your plan. What led up to it? Who else passed through our doors that might be a potential wife for me?”
“Jay, I’m so tired, can’t this wait?”
“Just tell me. Was Kathy from last week at the shore also meant for me?”
“Yes she was, but no worries because you’re not her type.”
“No way! I thought all women loved me,” he said, teasing.
“Well, not this time. Why? I suppose she was your type.”
“I thought she was cute in her cowboy boots,” he said. “Wasn’t that what you wanted?”
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