Let Them Eat Fruitcake

by Melody Carlson

  “This is going to be great,” said Kendall. “I won’t even need to shop much more. At least not until I get down there. But I feel bad that I’ve made a dent in your closet. You really don’t have a lot of clothes, do you?”

  “I have enough.” Lelani frowned. “But what I really need is some ski stuff.”

  “Ski stuff?”

  So Lelani told her about Gil’s plan to take her up to Mount Hood.

  Kendall grinned. “Hey, you’re talking to the right girl. Come on up.” She took off toward the stairs with Lelani trailing her.

  Before long, Lelani was loaded down with some pretty cool ski stuff. Several items still had the tags on. “You’re sure you don’t want to return any of these new items?” asked Lelani for the second time.

  “No, I got them last year. I’m sure they wouldn’t take them back now.”

  “Maybe not. At least not without a huge markdown.”

  “So take them and have fun.” Kendall heaped a sweater on top of Lelani’s pile. “Maybe we’ll both have fun.”

  “Maybe.” But as Lelani took her pile back to her room, she wasn’t so sure. Oh, she’d probably have fun with Gil. But she wasn’t sure about Kendall. Should Lelani have been more forceful with her, more persuasive about the trouble she was getting into? But wasn’t that a bit hypocritical considering Lelani’s own past? And, as impossible as it seemed, what if Kendall was right? What if Matthew was done with his marriage? What if he and Kendall really did have a future? Why should Lelani attempt to stand in their way?

  Lelani dumped the ski clothes onto her bed, and then systematically began trying them on. Most of them not only fit but were very nice. She knew she shouldn’t be too thankful for Kendall’s shopaholic ways, but at the moment she was. Hey, maybe Kendall would marry Matthew Harmon, and maybe he’d help her to pay off her bills. It could happen.

  Although Lelani’s shift didn’t start until one, Mr. Green had planned several mandatory employee meetings throughout the day. Her plan was to attend the noon session. Who could complain about being paid for sitting and listening to someone drone on for an hour? As she went up the stairs to the employee lounge, she hoped they’d have food. Fortunately they did. She quickly filled a paper plate, then sat down at the big table with fellow employees.

  “Thank you for coming,” said Mr. Green in his usual formal voice. “You’ve probably heard by now that the purpose of this meeting is to address the increase of theft in our store. We have invited a small panel of experts to educate us.” Then he introduced a security expert who began spewing out some staggering statistics.

  “More than thirteen billion dollars’ worth of goods are stolen from retailers each year,” he said. “That’s more than thirty-five million dollars per day.” He went on to explain that most shoplifters were adults, but about a fourth were juveniles. Then he described various techniques of professional shoplifters—the ones who did it regularly—and pointed out that it took more than security cameras to catch them.

  “Your employer relies on your eyes as well,” he said as he wrapped up. “It’s up to everyone to slow this train down.”

  The next expert was a police officer. Her purpose seemed to be to put the fear of the law into the employees’ hearts. “Unfortunately, a fair amount of thefts are inside jobs.” Then she went on to describe how some employees feel that they are owed something beyond their wages, how they justify that stealing from the workplace is acceptable.

  Finally, a psychologist was introduced. He explained how many shoplifters were addicted to stealing, whether they needed the items they took or not. “They get an actual chemical high from their escapades,” he said. “Without professional help, they’re unable to resist the impulse to steal.”

  Lelani tried to appear interested in all this, but the truth was she knew it didn’t apply to her particular job. Everything she sold was kept in a glass cabinet. When she showed various items, some quite expensive, to customers, she kept a sharp eye on things. So far she didn’t think a single thing had been stolen from her counter. At least not on her watch.

  “So, as you see, it’s up to all of us to be alert,” Mr. Green was saying now. “And we’re implementing a bonus plan for employees who participate. If we can reduce the lost revenues from theft, we will reward employees who give assistance.”

  Did he expect them to act like bounty hunters now? Lelani didn’t open her mouth to ask. Finally the meeting ended and Lelani went down to work. To her surprise, between busy times, she did find herself watching customers, wondering which ones were there to shop and which ones had stealing on their minds. Really, how could a person know for sure?

  For instance, she spotted a woman whose clothing seemed a little shabby. The lady kept lurking around the accessories department, picking up scarves and examining them closely. Yet this woman looked as if she’d never worn a scarf in her life. Lelani tried not to appear to obvious as she puttered around, wiping down the glass surface of the case and straightening a display shelf, but the whole while she was watching the woman in the gray jacket. Finally the woman carried a pastel-colored scarf to the cashier and paid for it. Lelani felt foolish for being so suspicious.

  Was it possible that some individuals, like her, for instance, had a natural inability to discern between well-intentioned people and those who were not? Take Ben. Lelani had assumed that because he was a doctor, he was honest. As it turned out, he was not. Then Lelani had trusted her aunt and uncle, but they ultimately betrayed her. Maybe Lelani was just a bad judge of character. Then she thought about Gil. Everything in her said that Gil was good and sincere and honest. But then she’d been wrong before—who could say if she’d be wrong again?

  Lelani had been trying to do what Megan suggested. She had been trying to believe in God, to trust him, and even to pray. And to her surprise, this effort had been helping with some of her panic attacks. Or at least it seemed to be. But what if her judgment about that was impaired too?

  Sixteen

  Kendall

  “So you’re really going through with this?” asked Amelia.

  “Yep. I leave tomorrow.” Kendall had met Amelia for coffee again. For no explainable or rational reason, she felt the need to have someone support her decision to go to LA. As futile as it probably was, it seemed that Amelia was her best bet. Kendall wasn’t even sure why she had this strong need for affirmation. Maybe it had to do with her last counseling session.

  Her therapist, Marjorie Thorpe, had been encouraging Kendall to take advice from others, particularly from her sister Kate as well as her killjoy housemates, all of whom Kendall was avoiding. Well, other than Lelani occasionally, and even that had proven dicey. But Marjorie said that discussing her plans with others was a good way for Kendall to get a “reality check.” So maybe that’s what Kendall was attempting with Amelia now.

  “I told my parents all about it,” said Kendall, “and they’re backing me.”

  “Seriously?”

  Kendall nodded as she stirred her mocha. “They want me to be happy.”

  “Well, of course.”

  “And I can accept that you think I’m being stupid.”

  “I didn’t say stupid.”

  “Well, something to that effect.”

  “I just want you to be careful, that’s all.”

  “And it might interest you to know that I spent some time with Laura Stein.”

  “You called Laura?” Amelia looked stunned. “What did you say? ‘Hey, Laura, I’m about to have an affair with a married guy and I’d like to get your perspective?’ Did you tell her that I told you?”

  “No, of course, not. I just happened to run into her at the mall. She was getting cruise clothes and we started to chat.”

  “Cruise clothes?”

  “Yes.” Kendall nodded. “She and her lover are taking a Caribbea
n cruise. If you ask me, she seemed perfectly happy.”

  “Being the other woman?”

  “Well, I don’t know about that part.”

  “What do you mean you don’t know? That’s exactly what you’re planning on doing, aren’t you?”

  “No. It’s not like that.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “I did my research, Amelia. Matthew’s marriage is already in trouble. Otherwise I wouldn’t be going down to meet him.”

  “And he’s okay with this?”

  “What?”

  “You being down there, on his turf.”

  “Of course.” Kendall took a sip of her mocha. Okay, maybe that was a lie, but maybe it wasn’t. And why should Amelia care anyway? The point was, Kendall was in love with Matthew. And she had a feeling he was in love with her too. Or he would be.

  “Well, I still think it’s a bad idea.”

  “Fine. I just thought that since you were my best friend, or so I supposed, you might want me to be happy. Even Lelani was more supportive than you.” Kendall frowned.

  “Lelani thinks this is a good idea?”

  “She even gave me some great summer clothes to take down there.”

  “Well, then she’s not as smart as I assumed. I thought you said she’d been in med school.”

  “She is smart.” Kendall sat up straighter. “Actually she’s both smart and beautiful.”

  “Whatever.”

  Kendall could tell that she’d hit a raw spot with Amelia. But she didn’t care. Hadn’t Amelia been running roughshod over Kendall’s feelings?

  “Well, I should probably go,” Kendall said in a less-than-friendly tone. “I have a lot to get done. My flight is pretty early tomorrow, and I have an appointment for the works at Julien’s, and then I have to pack.”

  “Lucky you.” But even as Amelia said this, Kendall thought there was a trace of envy in her tone.

  “Sorry,” said Kendall. “But I thought you were my friend. And I thought friends wanted to be in on what’s going on in their friends’ lives. Guess I was wrong.” She reached for her bag now.

  “All right, Kendall.” Amelia almost sounded like she was giving in. “I hope you have a fantastic time in LA. I hope that Matthew falls head over heels for you. And I hope that his marriage is over and you guys get married and live happily ever after.”

  Kendall beamed at her. “Thanks.”

  “Happy now?”

  “A little.”

  “Keep me posted,” said Amelia as they went out to their cars.

  “It’s a deal.”

  “And if you and Matthew do get married, you better invite me down there to soak up some sunshine.” Amelia hugged her.

  “Yeah.” Kendall glanced up at the dark clouds overhead. “It looks like it’s about ready to let loose. I’m definitely not going to miss this weather.”

  “I’ve been trying to talk Arden into taking me someplace sunny after the New Year,” said Amelia sadly. “But he keeps reminding me that our honeymoon isn’t even paid for yet.”

  As they both went in their separate directions, Kendall wondered if Amelia’s whole attitude problem might simply have been jealousy. Of course, that had to be it. And why shouldn’t Amelia be pea green with envy? After all, Kendall had it all going on. And she was going down to LA to sweep Matthew Harmon right off his feet and to live happily ever after. Kendall felt nearly ecstatic as she drove to the salon. She was going to have her highlights touched up, a pedicure and manicure, and finally she was going to get a spray tan, which she’d been told was satisfaction guaranteed.

  Of course, she hadn’t been told how cold the spray was going to be, or that the smell would cause a sneezing fit. But when it was all said and done, Kendall thought she looked hot.

  It was close to five when Kendall finally got home. Before she packed, she tried on several outfits just to see how they looked with her new tan and highlights. She did her own little fashion show in her room and decided she didn’t only look hot, she looked totally hot. There was no way that Matthew would be able to resist her. Sure, his wife was cute enough, in her own drab little brunette sort of way. But she was nothing like Kendall.

  Finally Kendall put on her bikini and strutted back and forth in her room. The spray-on tan actually made her thighs look slimmer. Really, Kendall couldn’t remember any time in her life when she had looked this fantastic. She had it going on, and she knew it. Matthew would know it too, although he would not know that she’d come down there to see him. No, she had it all worked out in her head. She was simply in LA to interview for a job. And it was just a coincidence that she was house hunting in his neighborhood. Seriously, how could she have known where he lives? Don’t celebrities keep those things top secret? Kendall laughed and did another spin. And maybe she would interview for a job while she was down there. What could it hurt? Maybe someone would scout her for a role. Seriously, it could happen.

  Kendall tried on the new sundress she’d found last weekend. It was a sweet little strapless Nicole Miller number, and Kendall was tempted to trot downstairs and show off to her housemates. On second thought, she knew that would only stir up questions—questions she did not want to answer. Although she did plan to let them know where she was going and how long she’d be away, via Lelani, she did not intend to tell them why she was going. And Lelani better not either!

  Finally Kendall had everything packed and was ready to roll. She almost wished she’d booked a red-eye flight. Except the last thing she wanted was to arrive in LA looking red-eyed and worn out. No, her goal was to look fresh and pretty and hot. To that end, she’d actually avoided drinking much this week. Of course, at the moment she could think of nothing she wanted more than a cosmo or two—just to help her relax and get some rest. Instead, she took a sleeping pill and hoped that she would wake up looking refreshed and lovely.

  It seemed she’d barely fallen asleep when Lelani was tugging on her and saying it was time to get up.

  “It’s still nighttime,” said Kendall.

  “It’s almost five in the morning. You need to be at the airport in thirty minutes.”

  “Why?” asked Kendall sleepily.

  “You’re going to visit Matthew Harmon in LA, remember? Or maybe you changed your mind.” Lelani frowned at her, then started for the door. “In that case, I’ll go back to bed—”

  “No, no,” said Kendall. She jumped out of bed. “I’m still going.”

  Somehow the two of them managed to get Kendall and her stuff together, and before long they were on their way to the airport.

  “It feels like the middle of the night,” said Kendall as Lelani exited toward the terminal.

  “You’re telling me.” Lelani sighed. “At least you can sleep during your flight. And just think! When you get there, it’ll be warm.”

  “Hmm. That does sound wonderful.”

  “You’ve got everything you need, right?” asked Lelani as she pulled up in front of the terminal. “Ticket? ID?”

  “Yes, yes.” Kendall blew a kiss. “Thank you, Mother.”

  Lelani rolled her eyes. “Just be careful, Kendall. Be smart.”

  Kendall grinned. “Sure. I won’t do anything you wouldn’t do.”

  Lelani looked surprised at this, but she simply nodded. “Yeah, well, I hope it all turns out the way you want it to.”

  But Kendall could tell by Lelani’s expression that she doubted anything would turn out. Just the same, Kendall thanked her. It wouldn’t be long before Lelani and Amelia and all of them were surprised. She couldn’t wait to see their faces when she came back with an engagement ring and a wedding date. Okay, the truth was, Kendall would probably settle for a diamond pendant, the promise of a future relationship, and the breaking news of the impending divorce of Matthew Harmon and Heidi Hardwick. That would be vic
tory enough!

  Even though it seemed to take forever to get through check-in and security, Kendall still arrived at her gate forty minutes before her flight would leave. She put those forty minutes to good use in the bathroom, fixing her hair and carefully applying the makeup that she’d been too rushed to put on at home.

  “Looks like someone’s got a big date,” said a woman who washed her hands at the sink next to all of Kendall’s cosmetics.

  “Uh-huh,” said Kendall as she coated her lashes with another layer of mascara. “Very big.”

  Finally, the plane boarded, and Kendall was able to relax and close her eyes. Okay, she would’ve been a lot more relaxed in first class, but that would come another day. For now, coach would have to do. At least there were no fussing babies or fidgeting toddlers in her row. That was the absolute worst. As soon as the plane took off and the flight attendant made her way down the aisle, Kendall ordered a Bloody Mary. “Just to calm my nerves,” she told the woman as she handed Kendall the drink. “I don’t normally drink in the morning.” The flight attendant nodded and smiled like she’d heard that line a few times.

  But the drink did the trick, and Kendall woke up to the announcement about seats and tray tables needing to be restored to their upright position. Kendall turned to peer out the window but couldn’t see much. Still, her apprehension was growing. This was her big chance. She would pick up her rental car, then check into her hotel and freshen up. And by later this afternoon, she might actually run into Matthew. It could happen!

  Kendall could feel people looking at her as she strutted through LAX. She knew that she was the kind of girl who turned heads. Sometimes she was even mistaken for a celebrity—or at least that’s what she told herself. And maybe someday soon she would actually be a celebrity, or nearly, or even a face in the tabloids. That would work too.

  It was a little past two when she finally checked into her hotel. And by three forty-five, she’d showered and changed and primped and fussed until she knew that she was looking as good as it was going to get. She had on the blue and white Nicole Miller sundress, her new white D&G bag, and a sexy little pair of Marc Jacobs sandals. Perfect.