Marta handed over Dexter’s leash to Bea. “Guess you’ll be skipping JoJo’s.”
“I called her this afternoon. She said it was fine to bring him as long as we stayed out on the patio.”
Bea loosened her kneepads so they dropped to her ankles and slid a Seattle Storm hoodie over her head. As teams for the second game took the court and squeezed them out, she looked around for Allyn and was surprised to see her talking to Jillian. On the off-chance she’d been cornered against her will, Bea made her way over just in time to see Jillian hand her an envelope and walk away.
“Everything okay?” she asked.
“Hmm…that was weird. She just gave me a note from Melody.”
Weird wasn’t the word Bea would have chosen. Ballsy…obnoxious. “What does it say?”
“I have no idea,” Allyn answered, shoving it into her small backpack.
“Aren’t you going to read it?” She wanted it read right there so she would know what it said, but then realized how invasive and untrusting that sounded. “I’ll take Dexter on out and meet you at the car.”
Two or three tense minutes passed as she imagined Melody’s self-serving pitch for friendship, no doubt an effort to win her absolution from her sins. Though Allyn had deleted her first message, it was obvious that had been difficult, and her resolve probably would wither under a persistent campaign.
“It’s just her new phone number,” Allyn said as she tossed her bag into the car. Her tone was flat—not even a hint of how she felt about it. “I guess that means she expects me to call.”
“I hope you told Jillian you weren’t interested.”
“I didn’t tell her anything. It’s none of her business.”
“An even better answer.”
“What do you want to bet Naomi doesn’t know about her new cell phone? That’s how it started when she was with me.”
Bea bit her lip to keep from saying more, remembering her promise not to always put in her two cents. She wanted Allyn to ignore Melody forever.
“Do you think I should call her and get this over with?”
“Hell, no.” She finished strapping Dexter into his harness and started the car, feeling guilty for her outburst. “Let me have another crack at that. You should do whatever your head tells you to do. I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her, but I understand how you might feel like you have unfinished business. It’s got to be really tempting to try one more time to leave things in a better place.”
The operative word being leave .
“I don’t really trust her either, but it might not be such a bad thing to talk to her. If she’s up to something I’ll know it and I can tell her to fuck off.”
“How come she hasn’t called you?”
“She doesn’t have my number. We used to have the same cell phone plan but I had to get my own because the old one was in her name. I don’t list it on my website, or all those people I work with who are desperate for a job would be calling me all hours of the night.” She put her hand on Bea’s leg as they pulled out of the lot. “Don’t worry about this, Bea. Whatever she’s selling, I’m not buying it.”
*
Allyn slogged into the kitchen and poked at the start button on her coffeemaker. Sandwiches and beer at JoJo’s had gone on longer than usual the night before, with everyone reliving the glory of their surprisingly easy victory. According to Kit, the Pak & Ship girls got their share of victories but had never contended for a championship—until now. Bea was already looking ahead to displaying the trophy in her shop.
Fortunately for Allyn, she had nothing scheduled until a call with Roy in Dallas at eight thirty Pacific Time. Until then she’d do what she did every single morning—scour her list of three hundred plus company websites and message boards for news of job openings in the tech industry. To compete in this business, she also had to stay on top of promotions and retirements that might trigger the need for replacements, and business news about contracts and grants that might result in hiring. Even if she had no calls or résumés to sort, her methodical inventory could keep her busy all day.
She’d placed enough successful hires over the last ten years that she could count on most of her HR contacts to send her job announcements as they became available, and that typically meant finding a handful in her inbox every morning. Along with the usual spate of notices was a second message from Melody, one that came via the contact page on her employment services website.
This one began Dear Allyn. More direct than the previous Hey stranger .
I sent you a note last week, but I wasn’t sure if you still used that email address, so I hope it’s okay to contact you through your website. I’ve been thinking a lot about everything that happened last year. I really wish we could talk because I have so many things to tell you. Will you call me?
“Everything that happened?” Allyn said aloud. Leave it to Melody to call her deliberate betrayal something that merely “happened,” as though she hadn’t meticulously planned it down to the last detail.
And now she wanted to talk about it, which raised the question of why, and to what end. She wanted something. Even if it were only forgiveness, there had to be a burning reason for the urgent flurry of emails and the phone number she’d passed through Jillian. Perhaps Naomi’s religious upbringing had them contemplating all the commandments they’d broken.
It didn’t matter what Melody wanted, because Allyn knew what she wanted. She was finally feeling good about herself again—thanks to Bea—and she didn’t need Melody back in her life to mess that up.
Melody, I received your note but I decided not to respond. It’s best for me if we just let it go. I’ve gotten on with my life and I’m happy again.
She studied the last sentence, reveling proudly in its truth before deciding she didn’t want to share anything with Melody about her new life. She struck it, finishing her note with best for me if we go our separate ways , and sent it without even a cursory sign-off.
Chapter Nineteen
“Tell me again not to be nervous,” Allyn said.
“No need.” Bea had noticed an uptick in her fidgeting since they entered the outskirts of Vancouver. “Wendy doesn’t bite, not even metaphorically.”
“And she definitely knows I’m coming, right?”
“She not only knows, she’s excited about it. But it may not totally seem that way because she’s upset about Dexter.”
“You told her already? I thought you wanted to do that in person.”
“I did at first but I changed my mind, so we Skyped about it the other night. We always Skype on Thursday and she could tell there was something wrong. I didn’t want us to walk in and have her be all happy and excited about meeting you and then hit her with the bad news. I know she’s going to cry.” Her voice cracked as she thought about it, but she took a deep breath and continued. “It’s good you’re going to be there because that’ll make all of us feel better.”
“Just don’t let me do something stupid, like sit on her oxygen line.”
As nervous as Allyn was, Bea had the feeling she wasn’t being entirely facetious. “You’ll be fine.”
“Seriously, what’s the protocol? I can’t shake her hand or pat her on the arm because she won’t feel it.”
“No, but she can see you do it, so it has the same effect of making her feel good. I do that kind of stuff all the time. Probably the hardest thing for people to wrap their heads around is that Wendy is just like everyone else except for the obvious. She has friends, spends a lot of time on her computer, laughs at all the same crazy shit as the rest of us. It’s only her physical challenges that set her apart, and she understands better than anyone how uncomfortable people can be about that. Just be honest about it.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means don’t try to pretend you don’t notice any of it because that’ll come off as fake.” If Allyn’s growing restlessness was any indication, Bea was only making it worse. “Look, here’s what to expect. Sh
e’ll probably be in the sunroom in her chair. Most of her catheters and tubes are hidden except for the ventilator hose. She needs that to talk, so be sure you give her enough time to finish what she’s saying. Whatever you do, don’t try to finish her sentences. I learned that the hard way.”
“Now you’re scaring me.”
“Relax and be yourself. You’re adorable, and Wendy knows how I feel about you. You already have a head start. She’s primed to like you.”
As they pulled into the circular driveway, Bea was disappointed to see the Huang’s Lexus SUV parked alongside the van they used to transport Wendy. Today would have been a good day for them to take a drive somewhere.
After walking Dexter out by the curb and wiping his feet, they rang the doorbell.
Krystal barely acknowledged Bea’s introduction of Allyn, overcoming her usual fear to cautiously greet Dexter with a scratch of his head. Apparently she’d gotten the sad news.
“Is everything okay?” Bea asked, gesturing toward the family car. “I was hoping they’d be gone.”
“They came home right after church and went upstairs.” Krystal cupped a hand by her mouth and snickered. “I think they wanted a peek at your friend. Wendy’s in the sunroom.”
Dexter tugged at his leash as they ambled through to the back of the house.
“Look who it is, Dexxie,” Bea said, dropping his leash so he could hurry closer. “Hi, sweetie.”
With her hand on the small of Allyn’s back, she watched with delight as Wendy showered him with more than her usual sweet-talking affection. Losing Dexter would hit all of them hard.
Wendy’s normal attire was a comfortable tank top with a long-sleeved flannel shirt on top, but today she wore a pale yellow cashmere pullover with a collar that nearly covered her ventilator tube. Her long dark hair had been styled in buoyant curls, and she wore a hint of eye shadow.
It was only then Bea realized with amusement that Allyn too had taken extra care to look nice for today’s visit, wearing slacks instead of jeans with an expensive-looking cable-knit sweater. The two women were preening for one another.
She made the introductions and listened as they made small talk. Over the course of a couple of minutes, Allyn visibly relaxed and seated herself in a high-backed wicker chair directly across from Wendy.
“There are things you need to know about Bea,” Wendy rasped. “Her dirty tricks.”
“Do tell. Wait, let me get a pen. I don’t want to miss any.”
“Oh, no,” Bea said, holding her head for dramatic effect. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming.”
“I’ll email you all of them…she always hides the last piece of chocolate.”
“Oh, that’s mean,” Allyn said, sneering in Bea’s direction. “I already noticed her knack for leaving two sheets on the toilet paper roll so she won’t have to change it. What else?”
The list grew as Wendy and Allyn bonded over her imperfections, and before long they were talking like the best of pals.
“…but I never expected to find myself playing softball or volleyball again. Bea can be very persuasive.”
“Tell me about it,” Wendy replied, smiling as she turned her head toward Bea. “Just don’t ever let her…talk you into going rock climbing.”
“What a horrible thing to say!” Bea made a show of raising Wendy’s hand so she could see her smack it. “Just for that, I’m going to take my dog and go home.”
“Take your dog and go outside.”
Not very subtle. Wendy obviously wanted her to get lost so she and Allyn could talk alone. They seemed to be hitting it off, and Allyn showed no signs of alarm.
She took a tennis ball from her bag and started toward the back door. “You heard the lady, Dexxie. Time for us to put on a show.”
Even though he didn’t have his usual energy, she could build in some rest periods that would let them stay outside a while. What she wouldn’t give to hear every word inside.
*
At Wendy’s urging, Allyn dragged the wicker chair alongside the wheelchair so they could watch Dexter chase the ball. In only a few short minutes, Wendy’s personable charm had dispelled her worries about making a good impression. Allyn’s initial reaction to seeing her motionless in her elaborate chair was sorrow, but it very soon gave way to profound respect.
It was easy to see why Bea had been drawn to her. In the first place, she was pretty—head-turning pretty—with dark hair and eyes and delicate facial features. But Allyn suspected their connection had begun with Wendy’s wicked sense of humor, which seemed a perfect match for Bea’s. From the way they played off one another, it was an essential element of their relationship.
Wendy started, “They’re cute together…I love to watch them play.”
“Dexter’s a sweetheart. I remember the first time I saw him at the Pak & Ship. I expected him to be ferocious but he came up to me wanting his chin scratched.” She was touched to see Wendy blinking back tears. “It’ll be hard on Bea to lose him.”
“You need to make sure she gets another dog. She…”
This was one of those times Bea was talking about, where Wendy had more to say but had to gather her breath.
“She’ll say she doesn’t want one…she’ll think it’s disloyal.” Short, halting sentences. “But you have to convince her.”
Allyn suddenly understood they weren’t talking only about Dexter. “We have to give her a little time. Everybody needs to grieve before they’re ready for the next step. Otherwise they’ll always be looking backward.”
“I know, but she’s got so much to give…just don’t let her waste it.”
“I don’t intend to.”
Wendy’s misty eyes were now a steady stream of tears, and Allyn wiped them away with a tissue.
“Thanks. If Bea catches me crying…I’ll tell her you hurt my feelings. You called me lazy.”
“Wow, that’s low. Have you always had this evil streak, or is it a wheelchair thing?”
“Got to keep my sense of humor.”
Allyn choked back an unexpected sob and walked swiftly to the window as she regained her composure. Such an awful tragedy.
“You’ll get used to it,” Wendy said softly.
“I just can’t fathom how you and Bea got through the past few years. She loves you so much.”
“I love her too…but I need for you to love her now…because I can’t…not the way she deserves.”
She turned back and took Wendy’s hand, holding it to her chest the way Bea had done. “I do love her, even more now that I understand what you’ve both been through. I thought it would be really weird to come here and meet you. I was nervous as hell. All I could think about was how I’d measure up to you in Bea’s eyes…and whether she’d be disappointed once she saw us both together.”
“I was nervous too. I wanted you to like me…so Bea could still come see me.”
Still holding her hand, Allyn looked toward the door where Bea was wiping Dexter’s feet so they could come back in. She turned back to find Wendy’s eyes shining with fresh tears. “I think you’re an amazing woman, and I want us all to be friends.”
Dexter clicked across the hardwood floor and collapsed on the rug by the wicker chair.
“We’re both worn out,” Bea said. Frowning as she came closer and noticed their faces, she added her hand to Allyn’s, the one that held Wendy’s. “Is everything all right?”
“Allyn said I was lazy.”
*
Bea cocked her ear at the sound of footsteps on the stairs, followed by the voices of the Huangs as they walked through the foyer to the kitchen. She checked her watch and grimaced. “It’s four o’clock already. Guess we ought to hit the road.”
Allyn stood and stretched. “I probably should stop by the little girls’ room. Bea would pull over if Dexter needed to go, but not for me.”
When she left the room, Bea stepped closer to Wendy and gave her a questioning look. “Well?”
“She gets my vote.”
“How’s that for surreal? My ex-wife is voting on who might be my next one.”
“Someone has to watch out for you.”
“You’ve never stopped doing that, Wendy. All this time I thought we were divorced. Turns out you’ve still got your hooks in me.”
“So you finally figured that out.” Wendy closed her eyes and smiled. “I want to see lots of Dexter. Come as often as you can.”
“I’m sure The Doctors will love that.”
“Isn’t that half the fun?”
The Huangs had grown more accommodating of late, so it would be interesting to see how they reacted to Bea having a new girlfriend. Perhaps it would bolster their hopes that their daughter’s lesbian phase was over. “This isn’t a done deal, you know. Her ex-wife has started coming back around. If she wants to kiss and make up, I have no idea what Allyn will do.”
“She loves you. Can’t imagine why.”
“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” Bea rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I have to admit this feels pretty good. We like the same things. More important, we respect the same things, and that’s a better place to start. But first we need to get past that rebound window and make sure we’re not just a couple of desperate rejects.”
“Desperate rejects need love too.”
“There’s another test she’ll have to pass though.” Bea glanced up when they heard the bathroom door open, and she lowered her head to whisper, “She has to vote on you too, and if she says no…then I guess I can’t come visit anymore.”
“But you’ll still send her and Dexter. Right?”
It was impossible to out-wisecrack someone as whip-smart as Wendy.
Outside after they’d said their goodbyes, Allyn took the lead in getting Dexter strapped into the backseat, and kicked off the ride home with an extended silence that had Bea ready to burst.
“So?” Bea demanded.
“So?”
She pounded the steering wheel with frustration. “You’re killing me. What did you think? Did you like Wendy? What did you talk about when I was outside with Dexter? Are you freaking out?”
“Maybe that last part a little.”
Life After Love Page 17