by Mara Jacobs
That she hoped to one day be a part of that family, she kept to herself.
The Friday golf outing and picnic had a huge turnout. Stevie’s pals manned the holes and caddied for the celebrity golfers. Stevie and Lizzie drove around the course in a cart during the tournament checking on things. Stevie was in heaven. He’d given the girl from the Strawberry Festival - again dressed in purple, Lizzie noticed - the coveted last hole to work, where the golfers tended to hang out and wait around after they finished playing. Stevie introduced the purple clad girl named Heather to Lizzie.
Lizzie had Finn bring Annie to the course just as the tournament was ending so she could meet the athletes that had come to her benefit, and so that they could meet her. Petey, of course, acted like they were old buddies in front of the other jocks, flirting and teasing with Annie, much to the little girl’s delight.
Finn seemed slightly dazed at all the events and attention given to the cause, basically trying to stay out of Lizzie’s way.
The Stanley Cup arrived on Saturday morning and was taken to the rec center where a line of people that swept around the entire building gathered to have their picture taken with the hallowed trophy and the hockey players of their choice.
Though he posed with the trophy when asked, Petey was careful not to touch it, bowing to the superstition that all pro players had. Never touch the Stanley Cup unless you’ve won it. He hoped to lift the trophy over his head in victory himself someday, so he wasn’t about to tempt the hockey gods.
Petey rubbed the Colorado Avalanche players’ noses in the fact that most people requested the hometown hero pose with him and the cup even though he’d never won the trophy. The Avs retaliated by flashing their championship rings in Petey’s face.
Lizzie soothed egos and gave Petey a warning and the afternoon progressed smoothly. Just another day of dealing with petulant men that made a living playing boys’ games.
Later that night, Finn, Lizzie and Alison all pulled into the parking lot of the rec center at the same time in their respective vehicles. Clea would bring Annie and Stevie later in the minivan. Lizzie and Finn had driven separately, figuring she may need to stay later than everyone else to see that her clients all had a good evening. The three each rounded their vehicles and smiled at each other.
“Lizard, you look great,” Alison told her friend.
Lizzie loved the dress she’d chosen for this special night. A periwinkle blue sundress with wide straps that crisscrossed her tan back. She’d worn her hair up to show off the back of the dress.
“She’s right, babe, you look terrific. Great dress,” was all Finn said, but his eyes told her more. She could see the hunger in his blue gaze. It made her shiver in the warm August night.
She waved the compliments away and turned to Alison. “No Brandt tonight?”
“He’s coming later. I came early to see if you needed any help.”
Lizzie squeezed her friend’s arm. “Thanks, Al. And yes, I need help. There’s a pile of boxes in the back of the truck that need to be brought in.”
Finn reached the back of her vehicle before she could. “I’ll get them, you two look too pretty to be hauling boxes.”
Alison smiled at the compliment. “Thanks, but you look pretty spiffy yourself, so don’t you get all dirty, either.”
“Thanks. New shirt,” he said, sharing a look with Lizzie. They both knew that it had been a major turning point for them when she’d bought him the shirt for the dance. “The color will bring out the blue in your eyes,” was all she’d said when she’d handed it to him, preparing herself for the inevitable blow up. None came. Only a soft, “Thanks, Liz.” She’d raised her brows in disbelief and he’d only laughed and walked away, murmuring something about old dogs and new tricks.
The trio’s attention was diverted from the boxes in Lizzie’s Navigator when a school-bus-yellow Hummer turned the corner and began heading through the parking lot toward them.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Alison said.
“I can’t believe someone up here actually bought one of those things,” Lizzie added. “I didn’t think they were even still making them.”
“They’re not. But this one looks pretty new.”
Finn shrugged. “What? I think they’re kind of cool.”
Lizzie and Alison rolled their eyes at each other. “Please. Those things are so obnoxious. Why not come just come out and say ‘I have a small penis, therefore I’ll drive a huge vehicle to make up for it’,” Alison said.
Amidst laughter from all three, Lizzie added, “Besides, those things are really expensive. Most of the houses around here cost less than what you pay for those. Who up here has that kind of money to throw away on transportation?”
After only a second, Alison and Lizzie simultaneously barked, “Petey.” They both giggled. “I am going to give him such shit over this,” Alison laughed and Lizzie nodded her head in agreement, already thinking of taunting things to say to her friend about his new choice in vehicles.
But it wasn’t Petey who got out of the vehicle when it came to a stop, it was Ron and Katie. Alison and Lizzie only stood staring as the couple approached them. Ron and Finn shook hands, sharing the requisite “Hey, man,” greetings. Finn led Ron to Lizzie’s vehicle and each took a heavy box and headed inside.
After the men had gone, Katie turned to her friends. “Don’t. Don’t say a word.”
Alison and Lizzie looked at each other, helplessly, then both broke out laughing which caused Katie to groan. “I know, I know. I can’t believe he bought it, either. I can’t believe he’d even want one of those things. Or how he even found one. Do you know how much that thing’s going to stick out around here? I’m so embarrassed.”
“Why’d you let him buy it then?” Alison asked and Lizzie looked at Katie questioningly as well.
Katie let out a sigh of exasperation. “I didn’t let him buy it. He just bought it.”
“You didn’t know he was going to buy it?” Lizzie asked.
“No.”
Lizzie and Alison looked at each other, thinking that maybe such things happened in marriages. What did they know?
Katie continued, “The worst part is, he used the money we’d set aside to use for in-vitro.”
Lizzie’s gasp of disbelief covered up Alison’s “Fucking asshole,” that was whispered only for Lizzie’s ears, not wanting Katie to overhear neither the sentiment nor the language.
Katie’s beautiful blue eyes teared up and Lizzie noticed that her friend looked older than she’d ever seen her. Tired. Listless. It was startling a change.
“Oh, KitKat,” Lizzie said. She and Alison automatically moved to comfort Katie, but were interrupted by Ron and Finn who took the rest of the boxes from Lizzie’s vehicle. Both Lizzie and Alison noticed the warning look that Ron shot his wife as the men walked by.
Lizzie and Alison moved to their friend. As they patted her back and gave sounds of encouragement, Katie whispered, “Fucking asshole.” Alison and Lizzie both jumped back from the embrace as if bitten by a snake. They stared, amazed at Katie, not able to comprehend that the foul epithet had come from their friend.
Katie shrugged her shoulders, and seemed to emotionally gather herself. “Okay. Enough. So I have a huge yellow monstrosity instead of a baby, big deal.” The three women stood awkwardly, such an unusual feeling for them, until Alison broke the silence.
“At least you won’t have two o’clock feedings with that thing,” she quipped. The lame joke was enough to get them moving, and they headed toward the building.
“Where’s Brandt, Al?” Katie asked.
“Coming later.”
“You guys sleep together yet?” Katie asked, knowing no subject was off limits between the women. Especially after what she’d just disclosed to them.
“No. I don’t know if he’s not interested or what? I’ve given him plenty of opportunities, but so far he hasn’t taken the bait,” she said.
“And yet he’s the one who’s c
alling you, right?” Lizzie asked, trying to get a handle on the situation.
“Yeah, he’s all over me, except he’s, you know, not... all over me,” she said.
The three laughed. “Maybe he’s just a gentleman,” Katie offered.
Alison sighed. “I suppose. And I suppose I should be glad, but I’m going out of my friggin’ mind. My sexual frustration level is at defcon four.”
Again the women all laughed. “I see you’re not suffering from the same condition, though, Lizard,” Alison said.
Lizzie almost played dumb, but realized that tactic was useless with these two. “That obvious, eh?” she said with a smile on her face.
“Oh please. Here I am not getting laid and Katie has to be seen in that…that…” Having lost all words for the vehicle, she merely pointed at it. “And you’re positively glowing. At least have the decency to be embarrassed.”
They entered the building while Lizzie made a conscious effort to turn down the wattage on her happiness for an effort of solidarity with her friends. As they came into the lobby, Finn turned, met her eyes and flashed a huge, dirty-minded grin. Lizzie lost all previous thoughts and returned the smile as her friends only chuckled and rolled their eyes.
The dance that ended Annie Aid was well attended and by all accounts, a huge success. Finn knew that his kids were having the time of their lives. Annie was never off the dance floor, and most of her dance card was filled with hockey and football players who moved around her chair with the agility that comes from evading defenders on the field or ice.
He hadn’t seen much of Liz tonight. She’d warned him that she’d have to spend most of the evening schmoozing with the athletes. Making sure the ones that were her clients were being well taken care of, and dazzling the ones that currently weren’t her clients with the hope of changing that status.
He also sensed something flaky was going on with Katie and Ron so he steered clear of them. Brandt had shown up and was very attentive to Alison, but Finn didn’t spend much time with them, either. He mostly held down the fort at a table with Gran, keeping an eye on Annie on the dance floor and watching Stevie make a play for some girl dressed in purple. After the fourth celebrity athlete came up to Stevie and greeted him, the girl in purple sidled up to him, figuring that’s where the action was.
Careful, boy, watch out for her motives. Finn shook the cynical thought from his head. Not all women were like that. Not all women had hidden agendas. His eyes swung to Liz on the other side of the hall, talking with a group of women who looked to be about her age.
Case in point.
Was there ever a more open, more honest woman alive than Liz Hampton? The idea that this incredible woman belonged to him made the blood rush to his head and he found he needed to get some air. He told his grandmother he was going to step outside. She nodded and added that she’d be taking the kids home soon.
Pete Ryan intercepted him as he made his was out a side door. “Hey, man, I was hoping I could catch you alone. Can I talk to you for a sec?”
Curious, Finn nodded and moved outside, the hulking hockey player following. When he turned around, Pete handed him a business size envelope. “What’s this?” Finn asked, not moving to open the envelope.
“It’s my contribution to the Hannah Robbins Foundation,” he said.
Finn handed the envelope back. “No, man. Thanks, but your contribution was your time and effort at this event. Liz told me about the calls you made to get a lot of these guys up here. And you alone were the draw that got so many people to come. No, that’s more than enough. But thanks.”
Petey pushed the envelope back to Finn. “Take it. It’s done.”
Puzzled by the man’s words, Finn opened the envelope to find legal papers from the bank. After quickly perusing the documents he realized that it was the mortgage for the farm, paid in full. He stared up at Pete, an incredulous look on his face.
“Margo, from the bank?” at the light of recognition on Finn’s dazed face, Petey went on, “She and I were in the same class in high school. I’ve known her forever. And I do mean ‘known’ her...as in the Biblical sense.” He raised his eyebrows in a roguish way. “Anyway, I asked her what would be the best way to help, to ensure Annie’s future. She said that it looked like the fundraiser would cover the operation and upcoming medical expenses. She said that what would really help out was to get the farm out of debt. She mentioned some business plans you’d taken her awhile back about how to modernize the farm and a possible business with horses?” He waited for Finn to catch up.
Finn nodded, saying, “A boarding and training set up. Possibly breeding down the road.” It was said more to himself than to Pete, but he nodded.
“Right. That’s what she said. That it would be doable if the farm were out of debt. So, there you go,” he said, matter of fact, like he paid off people’s mortgages every day.
“I can’t accept this,” Finn handed the note back to Petey.
“Sure you can,” Petey nudged the paper back at Finn.
“No, I really can’t. I can’t accept your charity.” The pride in his voice was evident.
Pete studied his feet for a while. “Listen,” he finally said, looking at Finn. “You aren’t accepting charity. This is a donation to the Hannah Robbins foundation, a charitable organization. I know, because I’m on the fucking Board of Directors. I could just give money, but I thought this would give everyone involved a little more peace of mind.”
“Why are you doing this?” Finn asked.
Pete seemed uncomfortable, looking away, but finally said, “Listen, I adore Lizzie. She’ll tell you that I did her the favor by being her first client and getting some of my buddies to join on, but the truth is, I’d have hung up my skates a long time ago if she hadn’t been there, pushing me, egging me on, being my sounding board. Being my best friend.”
Finn should have felt a pang of jealousy, but he didn’t. He knew exactly what Pete meant. And that was the reason he loved Liz, that she was so giving, so able to take on the problems of the people she loved. He only nodded his understanding to the hockey player. “So why this? This helps me and my kids, not Liz.”
Pete looked at Finn. “She’s in love with you, you know,” he said quietly.
“I know,” Finn responded, just as quietly. He looked down at the paid bank note in his hand, knowing that it was Liz, as much as Pete, he owed for it. “I don’t deserve her.”
Pete laughed. “Of course you don’t.” He only held a hand up as Finn’s head shot up at the rebuke. “But then, nobody deserves her. Nobody’s fucking good enough for Lizzie.”
He waited until Finn digested that, seemed to agree and nodded his head.
“Besides, it’s a good write-off,” Pete said, obviously wanting to lighten the moment.
Not any better with this giving and receiving stuff, Finn smiled and thanked Pete again then started to turn.
“Just don’t hurt her,” Pete called after him. “She’s...she’s fragile. I know she acts all business and totally in charge of everything, but she’s not used to mushy love stuff. Just...just don’t break her heart.”
Finn turned to face Pete. “I did once and it was the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. I won’t let her get away again.”
Happy with that, Pete shook Finn’s hand and both men went in opposite directions. Pete toward the lobby where two of his teammates were having a chew, and Finn to find Liz to tell her what’d just happened. He was uncomfortable with the whole thing and he knew Liz would be able to put it all in perspective for him. She had that effect on him.
Before he could track down Liz, Gran and the kids found him.
“I’m going to take the kids home now. It’s been a long day for everyone.”
Annie could barely keep her eyes open, but her angelic face was flushed with the excitement of the weekend. Finn walked them out to the minivan, waiting discreetly as Stevie said goodbye to the purple girl. Heather, he thought Liz had said the girl’s name was. When he swung hi
s exhausted daughter into his arms she whispered in his ear, “Wasn’t it just the best day ever, Daddy?”
He settled her into her seat, buckling her in and ruffling her hair. “It sure was, sweetheart. The best day ever.”
Annie seemed to remember something and looked around the parking lot. “Where’s Lizzie?”
“She’s still inside, honey. She has to stick around until the end. Why?”
His daughter relaxed once again. “Oh. I just wanted to say thank you. But I’ll tell her tomorrow.”
A lump grew in Finn’s throat as he watched the minivan drive away. Tomorrow. They would now have a lifetime of tomorrows to say thank you. And please. And I love you. And pass the bread and every other mundane thing that members of a family said to each other.
Passing his Jeep on his way back, he decided to put the bank note Pete Ryan have given him into the glove box. It stuck in his craw, to accept the gift. It reminded him once again of all that Liz had brought to his life, all she had done for him and his children. All the things he had not been able to do himself.
The prickling feeling he now knew was his stubborn pride began to burn at the back of his neck. Seeing Liz would ease it. He went inside through a side door that the minivan had parked near for easier access to look for her. Not seeing her in the main room, he headed toward the lobby, but saw the back of Katie and Alison’s heads in a side foyer. Figuring Liz was probably with them, he headed in that direction. Liz wasn’t with them, but before he could ask the women where she was, the words coming from Katie stopped him and he stood quietly to listen, the women unaware of him at their backs.
“I mean the woman is beaming, just beaming,” Katie was saying.
“Yeah, I guess this plan of hers was a good thing after all,” Alison said.