Time Trials

by Lee, Terry

  Allison thought back to the day Lily was born. Propping Michelle up by her shoulders minutes before the baby’s head crowned, she was pretty damn sure she’d felt Denise’s hands on her shoulders.

  Mother and baby re-entered the kitchen. The smell of Johnson’s baby lotion scented the air. “She kept showing me this really strange-looking rug. Something I haven’t seen before.”

  “Like the magic carpet in the movie?”

  Michelle tilted her head. “No…it’s hard to explain. It had all these colored threads…and there was some kind of design.”

  “Was she sitting on it like before?”

  “Nope. She was holding it up, like she wanted me to see it.” Michelle laid Lily in the fancy pack n’ play the BAGs had collectively purchased as their shower gift.

  “Hmm.” Allison stacked the folded baby items on the bottom shelf of the changing table set up in the family room, which now more resembled a nursery. All was quiet in the house. The calm would last only until the boys got off the bus in a couple of hours. Luckily, baby Lily had already adjusted to the sounds of a five and seven year old who were not really interested in using their inside voices. Boys….

  “Someday I want to hear more about all of you.”

  “You’ll have time for that in maybe…eighteen years.” All the BAGs had been part of Michelle and Michael’s life since Denise’s died, but Allison was the main Bonus Mom. In fact, she seemed to be the bonus go-to BAG, in general.

  ~~~

  After life at the Bradshaw house settled into somewhat of a routine, Allison began her quest for the BAGs destination weekend in Galveston. They had been lucky all those years having Janie’s bay house in North Padre for their soirees, even if it was a four hour drive.

  After an extensive online search for rentals in the Jamaica Beach area, she sent emails to the BAGs with links to several houses she thought might work. Nothing decent was cheap these days in Galveston, but splitting the cost seemed doable. Since everyone except Piper lived in Houston, only an hour’s drive to the beach, Allison suggested Piper get a free pass on the split of the rental since she’d have to travel from Fort Worth. The BAGs agreed and Piper was thrilled. Her income had never allowed many luxuries.

  With the email sent out to the BAGs, Allison phoned Frannie. They were collaborating on a $.99 “How-To” e-book on being a caregiver to someone with Alzheimer’s. Frannie had agreed to the project with only one stipulation. First, she had to finish her third book.

  Third book completed, up on Amazon, and two book signings under her belt, Frannie was ready to tackle the project. Allison had taken copious notes during her mother’s illness, and always felt there had to be a way to help others going through the same painfully sad demise of a loved one. She had the information; Frannie knew how to bring it together.

  The subject changed to the choice of beach rentals when Allison had a beep, indicating an incoming call. She checked her iPhone.

  “Hey, our beautiful trash mouth friend is on the other line. I’d better take this.” Allison ended the call. “Hola, Senora Dena. Did you get my email?”

  “Call off the dogs,” Dena barked, no pun intended. “I’m gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

  “Do you have a Corleone relative I don’t know about?” The mention of anything from The Godfather zapped Allison back to the thunder bolt experience with Kevin so many years ago. What once was a feeling as real as sticking a finger in a light socket now seemed more like a distant remembrance that no longer caused her pain. For that she was grateful.

  “Do you want to hear my brilliant offer or what? I can call back later if you’re too busy.” Dena loved to spar.

  How could anyone not like Dena? Allison shook her head and smiled. “No, no, I’ll push everything aside. Go on.”

  “I have connections. Rich ones.”

  “You do have a Corleone relative!” Allison pulled up the Mahjong tile game on her computer. She figured this conversation might take a while.

  “If you were here I’d punch you.”

  “And I’d have a permanent brand with one of those rocks on your hand.”

  “Oh, how I love a good fucking chit-chat, but I’ve got something good here.”

  “O-kay, I’m listening.”

  “I got us a house. Jamaica Beach. I’m sending you the link now. One of my old clients has been offering me the use of their house for ages.”

  Dena and Jim had sold The Main Event not long ago. Jim had never completely regained his strength after the heart attack, and the right offer to sell came at just the right time. They had made a small fortune.

  Allison had just finished her first Mahjong game when a bing indicated Dena’s email had hit her inbox. She closed the game screen and opened her Gmail.

  “Holy shit!” The house on the screen was e-nor-mous. Allison flipped through the virtual tour. Three stories, slept ten people…way fancier than she was used to. Regina and Suzanne should feel right at home, though.

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “A-nd…it comes with one of those four-seater golf carts. Plus a pool. And private beach access. We can use that golf cart to go to the little grocery store on the main road if we run out of boxed wine.”

  “But we’ll have our cars….”

  “Ah yeah, about that….” Dena paused. “As soon as we nail the weekend, I’m gonna get us a limo. We can all go down together.”

  “Are you nuts?” Allison’s eyebrows shot up close to her hairline.

  “Yep. So what?”

  Chapter 35

  Piper - 2012

  “We’ve had a slight change of plans.” Dena sat forward on the bench seat of the limo in order to reach the bar. “We’re picking up Piper at Hobby, but she isn’t coming to the beach with us.”

  “What?” Janie accepted the flute of champagne Dena handed her. “Why? What happened?”

  “She said she’d explain when she got here. Said she had a couple of hours until her next flight.” Dena continued to hand out champagne.

  “Her next flight? Where the hell’s she going?” Janie chose the wafers lined in a silver tray over the bowl of fresh strawberries next to the champagne bucket on the miniature bar.

  Dena shrugged. “We’ll see. It’ll be time for lunch when her flight arrives. I’ve made us reservations.”

  “Should we wait?” Suzanne asked before taking a sip of her bubbly. “You know, till we see Piper?”

  “I sincerely doubt Piper would care.” Allison held up her glass. “To another weekend with the BAGs. And going in style.” She shot Dena a wink.

  Allison noticed Regina held up her glass for the toast, but had remained unusually quiet. Back in college she used to call Regina out constantly about that smug I’ve-got-a-secret look, although Allison knew she used it just to mask her insecurities. She had that same gleam in her eye now, but something looked different. The false bravado smile had been replaced with one of almost…humility? Was that the word? The last time they’d actually talked was the day she bolted out of the Cheesecake Factory because Michelle had gone into labor. Self-confidence? Peaceful? Whatever it was, the look was very un-Regina.

  By the time the limousine pulled up to the arrival area of Hobby Airport, Piper stood perched on the curb, yellow-tinted Aviator sunglasses in place. She wore skinny jeans, no holes this time, a tank top, corked-wedged heels, and a short black leather jacket…no tattoos visible. Before the driver could round the front of the limo to open the door, Piper had jumped in and slammed it behind her.

  “Hey BAGs! How’s it going?” Her smile covered her face. She tried to give everyone a hug until she realized the impossible feat considering the inside space of the limo. “I’ll just wait till we get to the restaurant.”

  “Here, take this.” Dena waited until Piper found a seat before handing her a filled champagne flute.

  Piper glowed, almost to the point of looking flushed. None of the “h-ey m-an” sluggish dialogue or demeanor she’d carried for all those
years.

  After being seated at the restaurant, Piper ordered a round of White Russians.

  “I’ll tell you my news when we get our drinks.” Piper looked around the table, her eyes bright and appearing larger than usual.

  “You’re being awful secretive about this,” Allison said.

  “I know, I know.” Piper giggled and ran her fingers through her hair, fluffing out her curls. “I’m nervous. I’ve just never had news like this before.”

  Excitement and anticipation easily circled the table. Finally, the drinks arrived. Piper waited until the last White Russian was served. She sat on the edge of her chair.

  “I found my daughter…well, actually, she found me. Isn’t that great?”

  “You have a daughter?” Janie asked, eyebrows raised.

  “Oh, c’mon. I know you all know. I told Allison and Regina at the bonfire for Denise way back when. You all know, right?”

  “Well, yeah…we’ve always been interested in your past, so I shared the news of your daughter with everyone.” Allison looked around the table and then back at Piper. “Was that okay?”

  “Hell yeah.” Piper clasped her hands together. “Jess found me…my daughter found me! Plus, I’m a grandma. She has a little girl. Her name is Rose. Jess wants us to meet. I’m so excited I can’t stand it!”

  Every one of the BAGs were on their feet, each giving Piper huge hugs.

  Lunch was a boisterous occasion filled with many raised glasses and, as usual, their banter zig-zagging across the table. Never let it be said the BAGs were dull.

  From what Piper had learned, Jess wanted to find her biological mother, as did many people who were adopted. After some persuasion on Jess’s part, her adopted mother told her about a woman at a daycare in Tyler, TX who had made all the arrangements. Turned out the woman was Piper’s step-monster, who obviously had mellowed in her old age.

  “And after all these years, she and I now kinda have a relationship.” Piper brushed a curly bang away from her face. “My dad died a long time ago, and that evil son of hers has been in and out of prison. Turns out I’m the only family she has. She’s in an assisted living place. And after Jess told me how she found me, I went to see her. Isn’t that weird?”

  “Wow.” Frannie dropped her hands to her lap. “Sounds like great material for a story.” She smiled. “Just kidding, I think that’s wonderful.”

  “Hey, my whole life has been a disaster. But after all these years, I have a happy ending.” Piper took a sip of her White Russian. “Write away!”

  Allison placed her order with the waiter. “So where are you flying off to?”

  “Richmond, Virginia.” Piper’s whole body seemed to glow. “Can you believe it? I’ve never even been out of Texas! Jess sent me pictures. They live in this beautiful colonial home.”

  “Did she…send you the ticket?” Allison asked.

  Piper’s eyes circled the table. She smiled. “Nope. I got a generous offer for the plane ticket.” She used her index finger and tapped it in the air toward Regina. Naturally, all eyes swirled in that direction.

  Regina examined an imaginary piece of lint on her blouse. The look of pride had switched to one of total unease. She raised her eyes. “It’s not that big of a deal.” She waved away the gawking looks around the table. “Oh, come on. So, I did something nice. Big deal.”

  “It is a big deal!”

  “Wow. I’m really impressed.”

  “Good job, Regina.”

  “I didn’t know you and Piper even talked!”

  “That’s the cool part,” Piper said. “About a month ago, out of the clear blue, I get this call from Regina. We’ve been talking ever since. Isn’t that wild?”

  Sitting back in her chair, listening to all the kudos coming Regina’s way, Allison quickly did the math. It had been about five weeks since she and Regina met at the Cheesecake Factory. And the reason she knew this was because Lily was now five weeks old. She waited until Regina’s eyes found hers, nodded ever so slightly, and smiled. Damn, Regina had finally let her arms down.

  The limo pulled into the departure zone at Hobby Airport. Piper waited this time for the driver to open her door. Dena asked the driver to wait as long as airport security would allow before moving on. The BAGs had a communal sense Piper was indeed getting ready to embark on the best part of her life. Allison rolled the window down.

  Piper started off with that sassy hip-swaying runway walk only she could pull off at her age. She stopped, swung her head around, and lowered the yellow sunglasses to the tip of her nose. “I’m gonna be a groovy grandma.” She winked and disappeared inside the terminal.

  Chapter 36

  Jamaica Beach - 2012

  The drive from Hobby to Jamaica Beach flew by, especially with a designated driver and a fancy-shmancy limousine. The conversation was constant, but the tone was genuinely congenial. They all seemed to feel they had witnessed one of those rare moments in life. One that reminded them of the sweetness of Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. Piper deserved some happiness in her life. And Regina seemed to have turned a corner of sorts on learning how to be a friend, and letting go of her dysfunctional past. Both events called for a celebration. Lucky for them, the celebration awaited.

  There had been some concern about food for the trip, especially from Janie. But then again, food was always her main concern. Every time the subject was broached, Dena’s response remained the same.

  “I’ve got it under control.”

  “But, what does that mean?” Janie’s worry level obviously heightened after passing one of the major grocery stores on the island. Once they turned off 61st Street and headed west toward Jamaica Beach, grocery store options greatly diminished.

  “Do you fucking trust me or not?” Dena’s voice, of course, blared like a Bose stereo system throughout the limousine.

  The driver slightly turned his head and caught Allison’s eye. She shrugged and did a swirling motion with her finger near the side of her head. Poor guy, Allison thought.

  “Okay, ya big babies,” Dena huffed. “I was going to wait till we got there, but I see food seems to be a major issue for some of us.” She narrowed one eye at Janie. Dena paused for an over-dramatic moment. “The house comes with its own chef. His name is Joseph. ”

  “What?” Janie jumped up and hit her head on the roof. Everyone else moved to the edge of their seats to hear the details.

  “Yes, and from what I heard, he’s fabulous. Used to work for Emeril.”

  For the second time today the majority of the BAGs had gawking open mouths.

  “I filled out the menu, ordered the food, and made sure we had plen-ty to drink; and believe me, we’re going to live like kings…I mean queens.” Dena sat back, obviously pleased with the shock factor she’d created.

  The limousine pulled around the circle driveway of the mammoth beach house. As the driver removed luggage from the trunk, the BAGs did a quick once-over of their vacation home for the next few days. A man, a very nice looking man, probably in his forties, came from around the side of the house and introduced himself.

  “I’m Joseph, the chef,” he said, “but I also carry luggage.”

  “Wow,” Suzanne whispered as they climbed the stoop to the landing on the front of the house.

  “The elevator is around the back,” Joseph offered. “It’s just a nice introduction to the house to enter this way.” He swung open the leaded crystal double doors for the BAGs to enter.

  Allison looked down the long marbled foyer. She’d seen shorter airport runways. Entering the open-air great room and kitchen, she was not shocked to see the entire back of the house was floor-to-ceiling windows.

  Dena, still wearing her Cheshire cat grin, leaned toward Allison. “This is gonna be good.”

  “You’re lovin’ this, aren’t you?”

  “You bet your ass I am.”

  ~~~

  When Joseph wasn’t preparing a meal, he discreetly disappeared. A catwalk from the main house led
to his adjacent living quarters. When the house was not occupied, the BAGs learned Joseph was the overseer of the property, making sure the house remained in pristine condition, as well as the pool and landscaping.

  Turned out having a chef wasn’t such a bad idea. The BAGs were served appetizers and drinks on the covered screened porch for happy hour. Then they made their way down to the ground floor—using the elevator, of course—crossed the little picket fenced walkway over the dunes to the beach, and watched the sun set. Most of the BAGs wore some sort of hat and covering over their arms. In their younger days most of them had been sun-worshipers. However, the years of overexposure had required more protection for their skin these days. Luckily, no melanomas, the serious form of skin cancer, but enough of a reason to take a few more precautions when out in the sun. After witnessing a breathtaking sunset, they crossed back over their private walkway. Taking the elevator up to the main floor, the BAGs found the bar had been set up inside, and dinner would be served at their convenience.

  “Can you believe it’s been forty years?” Frannie sat on one of the oversized couches after their gourmet meal. “God, we were so young.”

  “Remember those popcorn poppers we used to heat tomato soup?” Janie settled herself in next to Frannie. “I think they’re probably illegal by now. Great fire hazard with that hot oil.”

  “You were the only one I knew who ever ate tomato soup out of a can. That and cream of mushroom.” Dena’s face looked like dinner might back up on her. “You didn’t add oil to the soup, did you?”

  Janie, more than okay with her body image at this stage in her life, seemed to find Dena’s statement funny. “Noooo…only for the popcorn. What can I say? I’m a glutton. My love affair with food has lasted longer than my marriage.”

  Allison’s lips pressed together in a slight grimace. “Glutton seems a bit harsh. What about…?” She cocked her head and studied Janie. “Miss Piggy. Everyone loves Miss Piggy.”