“Oh, but you’re wrong, Andy. I’ve got me.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
They were all gathered, all the friends Ruby thought she didn’t have. The four-piece band stood ready to blast its way into “Happy Birthday,” the caterers stood behind their long tables filled with chafing dishes. Other waiters and waitresses circled the huge barn with trays of drinks and finger foods.
Andy felt pleased with himself as he looked around the barn, decorated by a local florist with summer flowers and colorful streamers.
A table by the door was piled high with gaily wrapped presents.
“The dogs are getting jittery. That means Ma’s close by,” Andy said to his father. “She’s going to be mad as a wet hen, you know that, don’t you?”
“Only for a second. The minute she sees everyone, it will be all over. Your mother ...”
“Is kind of special, right, Pop?”
“Yes, she is. I tell her that all the time. Lately, I think she might be starting to believe me.”
“She’s gonna be real surprised to see you. I didn’t think Marty would come, but she did. The aunts are here, too. I hope there aren’t any fireworks.”
“I won’t allow it,” Andrew said firmly. Andy believed him.
“Everyone, quiet! I think she’s here,” Andy said, running to the side door where Fred and Sam were scratching furiously. “Listen, I’ll bring her through the big doors, so get ready.” He slipped out with the dogs and Doozie.
“Yo, Ma! How’d it go?” he demanded nervously.
“They want a union. Can you believe that!” Ruby sputtered. “They wouldn’t even talk to me! They walked off and left me standing there. The place is closed!” Ruby fumed. “This is the worst birthday I’ve had in my entire life!”
“Okay, okay. Listen, I hate to ask you to do this, but could I have a minute of your time? There’s something in the barn I have to show you. I think the Semolina brothers screwed up and the roof is ... is coming down.”
“What?” Ruby squawked.
“They’re going to stop by tomorrow, so you have to see it now. You know the brothers, they arrive at the crack of dawn.”
“Andy, I’m so tired, can’t I see it in the morning?” Ruby pleaded.
“You gotta see it now, Ma. It will only take a minute.”
“Okay, but only a minute. You’ll have to deal with the brothers. I have to worry about this damn union ...”
“Happy birthday!”
It was the grandest party of her life. Ruby cried all through it. She cried while she square-danced with her husband, while she waltzed with Mick and Dick Semolina, and while she cuddled with Mikey in his new suit. She really bawled when her daughter looked her in the eye and said, “I’m so sorry, Mom.” She sniffed when Nangi wrapped her in his arms and Amber patted her head. She was dry-eyed when Opal tried to meet her gaze but failed. Ruby patted her on the shoulder before she walked over to her husband and straight into his arms.
“Happy birthday, Ruby.”
“Thanks, Andrew. Thanks for coming. It’s good to see you. I mean that. It really is good to see you.”
“Does that mean you finally got your shit together?”
“Does it ever?” Ruby gurgled. “You’re lookin’ good, Andrew. How many bimbos you dangling these days?”
“Meow,” Andrew said good-naturedly.
Ruby leaned closer, her eyes wide and guileless. In a husky voice she whispered, “Does that mean you can still get it up?”
Andrew laughed till the tears flowed. “I can still get it up. Since I’m staying at your house, I can show you later, if you want.”
“No, thanks. How old is she?”
Without hesitation Andrew replied, “Thirty-three. A willowy blonde. How about you?”
“Dead in the water, Andrew.”
“It’s a shame.” His voice grew quieter when he said, “I know a couple of guys who could really rough him up for you. He had no right to treat you like that.”
“I went into it with my eyes wide open. I deserve what I got for being so stupid. But I’m filing a suit against him for the money he owes me.”
“You mean he owes us money?” Andrew asked, outraged.
“I guess you could put it that way. Yes, he owes me a chunk of money. I’ll handle it.” Damn, he did look good with his bronze tan. He was fit, too, just as lean as he’d been when he left Rumson. His hair was attractively gray at the temples. “I’ll be dipped, you’re wearing a rug. Andrew! Are you that vain?”
“It’s not a rug. I had that hair-weave thing done. It’s my own hair. They use what they cut off the back. Costs a fortune,” he said happily. He turned serious for just a moment. “I wish you were happy, Ruby, I really do.”
“I am, Andrew. Hey, that’s my favorite song, let’s dance.”
They did, to the strains of “Blue Moon.” They smiled at one another. They were friends now, she thought, who could accept each other for what they were, not what they wanted each other to be. Neither was aware that the dance floor cleared until the end of the song and the round of applause that rang in their ears. Andrew bowed, Ruby curtsied.
“I’ll see you later,” Andrew whispered.
“No, you won’t. Those four-legged creatures let no one, and I mean no one, not even Andy, past the door in my bedroom. I will see you for breakfast, though. Thanks for the dance, Andrew.” She was halfway across the barn when she turned to shout over her shoulder, “How much did you say you get on social security?” Andrew laughed so hard, his daughter had to pound him on the back.
She was jostled then, her face mashing against someone’s fragrant-smelling chest. “Nola!” she squealed. “Is this a party or what?”
“It’s a party,” Nola laughed. “From the looks of things, it seems as if half the world is here.”
“It’s missing two people, but that’s okay. I’m living with it. What’s up with you?”
“All kinds of good things. I’m catching a midnight flight to France, so I have to leave early. I’m sorry, Ruby. I have some heavy-duty ... I’m thinking of selling out my interest in the company, and I want to see what the French will offer. These plans were made long before I knew about the party. I gotta go, Ruby. Happy birthday and all that jazz. I left your present on the table. I hope you like it.”
“I’ll like it no matter what it is,” Ruby said sincerely. “Thanks for coming, Nola.”
“Ruby, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I hope you have many happy birthdays to come. Say good-bye to Andrew for me. He told me that for an old broad, I looked pretty good. I took it as a compliment.”
Ruby hugged her friend. “Have a safe trip and call when you can.”
“Will do.”
The door had just closed behind Nola when Ruby felt someone touch her arm. “Happy birthday, Ruby.” It was Amber.
“It would be if you meant it,” Ruby said quietly.
“I remember telling you once back at the Y that you and I would never be friends. I meant it at the time, and as much as I try, I can’t really feel anything for you, Ruby. I try to do the right things because Nangi gets so disappointed in me when I don’t. He’s very fond of you. If they had shrinks in Saipan, I’d probably go to one, but I know what my problem is, and no amount of counseling is going to take away my childhood. I don’t even want to try. I don’t want to spoil your birthday, but I felt I had to say these things. Nangi says I’m jealous of you. Maybe I am. But I don’t think so.”
“I don’t think you are, either. You’re who you are, and I’m who I am. I appreciate your honesty, though. I guess we’ll both get on with our lives. We’re in the winter now, you know.”
“Ruby, that’s just rubbish.” Amber grimaced.
“That’s because you don’t want to believe it. There’s no one standing in front of us, Amber. We have to stare at our own mortality now. You do that in the winter of your life. Mom and Dad are gone. We’re next, if you’re counting.”
“Well, I’m not counting,”
Amber said tartly.
“Okay,” Ruby said lightly. “Do we kiss each other or do we shake hands?”
Amber leaned over and pecked Ruby on the cheek. “That was for Nangi. For being good to him. For giving him a chance. That I appreciate.”
“I’ll accept that, Amber,” Ruby said. And she would. “I’m glad we had this little talk.”
“Me, too. Nice party. Good food. Great music,” Amber said.
“Then go partake.” Ruby grinned.
The band was playing “Happy Birthday” again. Ruby marched over to the bandstand, where her son joined her. She stood back while Andy asked one of the musicians to make the birthday announcement. He obliged.
Ruby looked around at the smiling faces. It was all for her. They were her friends. She noticed Mikey and Biddy were standing next to Andy.
Ruby opened her presents. She cried, she smiled, she laughed as she thanked everyone. She was about to get up from the orange crate she was sitting on when Mikey approached, carrying a box. His head bobbed as he offered the huge sneaker box to Ruby.
“Ishsay.”
Ruby peered into the box. Once again Ruby’s eyes brimmed. “Stray puppy, huh?” she said, hugging the boy. “Does he have a name?” Mikey shook his head. “Okay, tomorrow we’ll come up with one.” Mikey beamed when she kissed him soundly on the cheek. She hugged Biddy.
When all her guests were gone except for her family, Ruby walked back into the barn. They were all gathered around the table with glasses of champagne in their hands. Andrew held one out to Ruby.
“It was so good of all of you to come,” Ruby said. “I’m glad we’re all here together again. The last time ... that was unfortunate. We’re all we have, one another. Except for Amber, of course, who has that wonderfully huge family.” There was a tinkle of laughter in the room. “What happened before ... that’s history, we can’t go back and make it right. If I did something wrong, I’m sorry. If it’s at all possible, I’d like us to start over.
“Hey, the band is packing up. Stop them, Andy. I want us to sing and dance, just us. Just us.”
The sun was creeping over the horizon when the family walked back to the house. Ruby’s arms were linked in her son’s and husband’s. Martha was tripping ahead, backward, giggling and laughing.
While the others trooped off to take showers, Andrew and Ruby sat at the kitchen table, waiting for the coffee to perk.
“Ruby,” Andrew said, “do you plan to live the rest of your life here in the boonies alone with your dogs and cats?”
Andrew looked as if he found it impossible to believe anyone would withdraw from life the way Ruby had. He looked tired, Ruby thought. Jet lag and alcohol, probably.
“I don’t see anything wrong with what I’m doing,” Ruby said quietly. “So what if this is the life I prefer? So what if I don’t want to go back to the rat race? So what, Andrew?”
“Nothing,” Andrew mumbled, “as long as you aren’t hiding. As long as this is what you really want. I thought I knew you. You were a mover and a shaker for so long, it’s hard for me to ... to accept this. Are you happy?”
“If you can give me a definition of happy that I’m comfortable with, I can answer you. This concern you’re showing comes a little late, don’t you think?”
“It was always there, I just never verbalized it,” Andrew said wearily. “I’m not going to ... it’s your life. Do whatever the hell makes you happy. That’s my motto.”
“Mine, too.” Ruby grinned. “I think there might be a shower available now. The pipes aren’t gurgling.”
“This is a hell of a nice place, Ruby,” Andrew said grudgingly. “Listen, do you think you could whip me up some breakfast before I leave? I hate airplane food.”
“You’re leaving?” Ruby asked, shocked.
Andrew stopped in his tracks. “Well, yeah. We’re all leaving. Martha is ... I’m going back with her, and she’s going to drop me off at Newark Airport. Your sisters ... I think Andy is driving them into Kennedy. I thought ... jeez, Ruby, did you think we were staying?”
“Well, you all came so far, I just assumed you’d stay a day or so.”
“Those beach bums I left in charge will rob me blind if I don’t get back. But if you want me to stay, Ruby, I will.”
“No, that’s okay. This was all such a surprise,” she said lamely. “Eggs and bacon okay?”
“Fifteen minutes,” Andrew called over his shoulder.
Marty was next to enter the kitchen. She hugged her mother before she bent down to scratch the dog’s ear. “I missed you, Mom.”
“I missed you, too, Marty,” Ruby said, cracking eggs in a large yellow bowl.
“Did you mean what you said in the barn, about the past being history and all that?”
“Of course. You should know I never say anything I don’t mean.”
“Then why do I feel this strain between us?”
“It’s been a long time, Marty. People change. I love you, that will never change,” Ruby said, her heart thumping in her chest.
“Have you forgiven me?” Martha asked in a shaky voice.
“Of course. I thought we weren’t going to talk about this. It serves no purpose. It’s history.”
“I want it to be like it was before. I want yesterday,” Marty sobbed.
“It’s gone,” Ruby said sadly. “We still have today, though. Maybe it can be better than yesterday.”
“I didn’t mean any of those things I said at Grandma’s house.”
“At the time you meant them. You said what you felt. I ... for a long time I thought you had betrayed me. I’m past that now. I hate to see you cry, Marty. Please don’t.” Ruby took her daughter into her arms.
“Can I come back here?”
“Anytime you want. I’m not planning on going anywhere. I’ll always be here for you.”
“Do I have to call first?”
“No, of course not. The door will always be open. You don’t even need a key. I don’t lock up,” Ruby said, her own eyes filling with tears.
Ruby knew that Marty wouldn’t pop in any old time. And she’d always call first. She thought, for just a second, that she should tell her daughter her own heart wasn’t healed yet, but she kept quiet. The day would come when her heart would heal, she was certain of that.
“I’m going to try to talk Dad into staying with me for a few days. What do you think my chances are?”
“Slim to none,” Ruby laughed. “He thinks he’s being robbed blind by staying here. He’s probably right. When you’re in a cash business, you’re at other people’s mercy. But your father is a constant surprise, so who knows? Would you like me to speak to him?”
“Would you, Mom?”
“Sure. Listen, how about taking the dogs for a walk. Are you sure you don’t want some breakfast?”
“I’m sure. Mom, was Aunt Amber telling the truth when she said she ... said she sent back the money?”
Ruby’s eyebrows shot upward. “Yes. But it’s not important anymore, Marty, so don’t worry about it.”
Marty snatched two pieces of bacon, sharing one with the dogs, before she left the kitchen.
“Right on the dot, Andrew,” Ruby said, pouring the eggs into the fry pan. “Listen, Andrew, I want to ask a favor of you. I’ve never asked you for anything really ... really important. I want a yes out of you before I ask you.”
Andrew pretended to think. “I guess you’re entitled to one favor. Okay. This better not be something like asking me to become celibate.”
“I want you to spend a few days with Marty. Will you do it?”
“If you make up whatever I lose with those bums running things back on the island.”
“Take it out of my share. You’ll do it, then?”
“Yeah, it’s not a problem. Forget making it up. She’s our kid. I’ll do it. Just don’t go making a big deal out of it, okay?”
“Okay.” She set the plate of eggs in front of her husband. “You know, Andrew, right now I’d kill for those egg
s.”
“You want half?” he asked, stuffing his mouth.
“You want to see me laid out? What color, Andrew, purple, green, what would I look best in?”
Andrew frowned. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what that means?” he said in a strangled voice.
His eyes popped, his jaw dropped as he listened to her recite her medical history.
“That’s it! I’ve had it, Ruby!” he said angrily when she had finished. “This must be a big year for assholes. I cannot believe, I will not believe that you ... why didn’t you tell me ... tell Andy ... Martha ... I would have told you.”
Ruby laughed, a genuine sound of mirth. “Then there would have been four of us worrying. I did what I thought was best. For me, Andrew. I handled it.”
Andrew attacked his eggs again. “When was the last time you had a physical? Are you okay now?” Andrew pushed the plate away. He sounded so concerned, Ruby laughed again.
“Almost. Another six months and I should be back to normal. So, you see, Andrew, this is the best place for me to do what I have to do.”
“You could have told me. What the hell do you do here to pass the time?”
“Come here, I’ll show you.” Ruby led him to one of the downstairs garden rooms and pointed to the bookshelves which lined the walls. “I read every one of those books. Come on, you’ll have to see this or you won’t believe it. Be careful, the steps aren’t all that good,” Ruby said, switching on the cellar light.
“What the hell ...”
Ruby waved her hands about. “This is what I did for the first eight or nine months. I only watch one television station, the shopper’s channel. I shopped. I bought everything,” she said expansively.
“It looks like a goddamn warehouse. They aren’t even opened.”
“I know. Every time a package came, I just booted it down the steps. I considered it therapy. I spent seventeen thousand dollars. American Express canceled my card. So did all the other companies. I didn’t open my mail for six or seven months. I now have a bad credit rating!” Ruby said proudly.
“No shit! Wow!”
“Every one of those credit card companies started law suits against me. The lawyers are handling it. Twenty lawsuits. What do you think of that, Andrew?”
Seasons of Her Life Page 65