“Wow,” I say out loud.
“Wow, what?” Georgie says from my bedroom door.
“Ahhhh!” I scream as she scares me to death.
“What are you doing?” She’s staring at me as if I’ve lost it.
“Nothing. Just talking to myself as always.” I slide the journal under my pillow.
“Okay,” she says not even questioning me. “Get dressed because we’re going out tonight.” She raises her eyebrows and hurries to her room.
I yell out to her that I’m tired, but I’m too late because I already hear the shower running. I guess I’m going out.
~*~*~
Kyle was as understanding as ever when I called and told him that Georgie wanted a girls’ night out. All I know is we’re going to some upscale restaurant opening with a few of her nurse friends/doctors’ girlfriends. This new relationship of hers is definitely putting us on the social scene. I feel like I’ve become a VIP overnight.
“So, remember when we went to that amazing rooftop party?” she says excitedly. “You know the one where you spilled the champagne on that hot guy that you hate.”
I give her a dirty look. She knows damn well that I remember that party.
“Of course I do.”
“Well, I heard that Liv will be joining us tonight, so I thought it would give you more time to chat with her,” she says proudly.
I love Georgie! She’s that friend who always has your back.
“Really?” I ask. “Don’t take this wrong but what’s Liv doing hanging with a bunch of nurses?” I say as I wink at her. I didn’t mean it as bad as it sounds but I know she won’t be upset.
“Yes, well, she probably wouldn’t normally hang out with us, but you forget that we’re dating the men that her husband is friends with, so I guess that automatically makes us cool.” She laughs. “And she seemed really nice, so I guess that’s a good sign.
According to Georgie, her good friend Hayley from work also happens to be friends with Liv and was invited to this restaurant opening. When she invited Georgie, Georgie asked if I could join them. I guess it really does pay to have friends in high places.
When we arrive, our names are already on the VIP list, how cool is that? Hayley is waiting for us and leads us to a table with six chairs. We stand around talking while we wait for the others to arrive. I don’t know why I didn’t think about it before but when Liv arrives my heart sinks. There in all her supermodel glory is the one and only Giselle. Liv is talking really fast trying to introduce everyone, and I can see why everyone is drawn to her. It could be because she’s really friendly but most likely it’s because she’s totally VIP. I admire her for the fact that she’s a musician, not because she’s wealthy or whom she knows, and no matter what, I’ve never been one to kiss anyone’s ass because they’re considered important.
“Maris! It’s good to see you. I’ve been expecting a call from you.” She air kisses both my cheeks. Was I supposed to contact her? I don’t even remember anymore.
“I mentioned you to my friend Miranda, she says she will keep an eye out for your students at the performance.”
Miranda, Miranda, Miranda. I need to remember that name.
“That’s so nice of you. Thank you.” I gush. Hopefully I’m not being over-the-top. I don’t want to come across as a phony or a kiss up.
When introductions are made, I still can’t understand how Liv could be friends with Giselle. The other girl that has joined us is Candace. She’s obviously good friends with Liv also, and maybe it’s just me, but Giselle just doesn’t fit in with them.
When we finally sit down, I don’t say much at first, as I’m too busy observing. Georgie is to the right of me, then Hayley, Candace, Giselle, and Liv on my left.
“So, how did you all meet?” I ask cheerfully. I’m dying to hear the who’s who biography of this crowd. With the exception of Giselle, they all seem very friendly and I feel very comfortable.
Candace is the first to speak up. “My fiancé, Will, Tom, and Sean are good friends. Sean is Hayley’s boyfriend,” she says, pointing to Hayley. ”Sean and Dr. Scott work together at the hospital. And Tom and Trevor went to college together.” I can feel my blood pressure rise at the mention of Trevor’s name but try not to show any reaction. I can see Georgie glance at me and raise her eyebrows.
“So, when the men started spending long Saturdays playing golf, us girls met up and started having our own fun,” Liv adds.
“And now Maris’s boyfriend, Kyle, is joining the party,” Georgie says as she puts her hand on my shoulder. “Dr. Scott is taking him out to golf with the boys, so he’s officially joining their clique.”
I glance at Giselle who hasn’t really looked up from her phone to join in the conversation. Georgie and Hayley start telling some great stories from the hospital and have us all on the edge of our seats.
As soon as I think Giselle will be silent the entire evening, she finally looks up from her phone and speaks—to me. “So, Maris, I hear that you’ve become best friends with my boyfriend’s grandmother.” I look around me as if she’s talking to someone else.
“Um, what?” I reply. I sound like an idiot, but in my defense I’m shocked that she spoke to me and I don’t know how to respond to her. I can’t get a read on her, especially because I don’t know if she was being sarcastic. Maybe she’s bothered by the fact that Beatrice and I have spent time together? I figure that she’s smart enough to figure out that Beatrice doesn’t think very highly of her . . . or maybe not?
“I wouldn’t say we’re best friends, but we do have a connection being that she and my grandmother were very close friends.”
“Well, this sounds intriguing,” Liv interrupts. “I would love to hear this story.”
I decide to tell them about how I wanted to find out more about Grandma and learned about Beatrice. I’m careful to leave out details in the journal about Charles and a possible falling out. I’m even more careful to leave out anything that has to do with Trevor. I don’t need anyone to think that my relationship with Beatrice has anything to do with Trevor. I already suspect that Giselle resents me because of the night that we all met at Liv’s party.
“So, the night we met at the benefit you didn’t know that Trevor’s grandmother was your grandmother’s friend? Wow,” Liv exclaims.
“No. I actually didn’t find out until I was having lunch at her home. Beatrice is awesome though. You would never suspect that she’s turning ninety.” Giselle looks up from her phone again. I must say something to spark her interest because all of a sudden she’s ready to talk.
“Beatrice is fabulous. We’ve been very busy planning her birthday party. You should try to stop by for a few minutes, I’m sure she’d love it,” she says smugly.
Oh how I wish I could blow her out of the water by telling her how Beatrice really can’t stand her, but it would probably be better if I just minded my own business.
“Yes, she told me about it. I’m going to try my best to attend.” I smile.
“I would like to make a toast,” Liv interrupts, holding up her wine glass. “To new friends and old friends.”
“Cheers!” everyone says in unison.
I glance at Georgie who raises her eyebrows at me again. I can read her like a book and I know she’s going to have something to say about our conversation. I guess it did sound a little bit like we were fighting over Beatrice, which was definitely not my intention. However, I did need to clear up the connection before anyone got any wild ideas. It just takes one false rumor to cause a huge disaster.
I’m so relieved when Liv starts asking me about the recital. Finally, a conversation I feel like I can enjoy.
The night actually turned out to be very enjoyable other than the brief awkwardness with Giselle. Sure enough, I knew what was coming when Georgie brings up our conversation on the way home.
“That Giselle is a piece of work,” she says. “Did you catch on to what she was doing? I mean, the comment about you and her boyfriend’s
grandma being best friends. She’s so jealous she can’t see straight.” She gives a wicked laugh.
“I guess?” I shrug my shoulders. “Apparently she’s been trying to take Beatrice shopping and to get her hair done. I think that Beatrice has used every excuse in the book to get out of going places with her.”
“See, it’s jealousy for sure,” she exclaims. “She can’t stand that you spend time with her.”
I shake my head. I’m starting to feel a little guilty because I’m not purposely trying to make her jealous. I sincerely like Beatrice and it’s just another way to feel closer to Grandma.
“Oh well. It’s not like I have plans to see Beatrice on a regular basis, and I’m not even sure I’m going to her birthday party.”
“Why? You should go. I mean, the woman’s turning ninety. Who knows . . .” She stops before she says something about her dying. “Anyway, I’m just saying that you should go.”
Sometimes I hate it when she’s right.
Chapter 10
I’m dying to find out if the Charles from the journal is the same Charles that’s Beatrice’s husband. I have tried to figure out every possible way to approach the subject with Beatrice. I even called my mom and asked her if she has any knowledge about Grandma’s boyfriend, and of course she has no idea. I make the mistake of asking her if she knew anything about her mother, and she got mad and hung up on me. I guess I offended her.
I called her back to apologize but it was too little too late. I’m sure the silent treatment will last several weeks, you never know with her. Unfortunately, I’ve been down this rode before. I’m expecting a phone call from Cassie at anytime to try to encourage us to make up.
“Hellooo, Miss Maris?” Sadie sings, waving her hand in front of my face. We’re finishing her lesson, and once again I’m daydreaming.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention. Great job today!” I hold my hand up to give her a high five. “Are you getting excited for the recital?”
Sadie nods her head quickly. She starts talking so fast about the recital that she doesn’t realize what she’s saying.
“I’m just sad about Mimi. I don’t know why she doesn’t want to sing with us.”
I try to make her feel better, but I’m just as disappointed as she is. “It’s not that she doesn’t want to sing with you . . . she’s just really busy.” I don’t know what else to say.
“Yeah. She’s too busy with all her new songs. She says Miss Ash makes her practice extra long.” I stand there in shock as I wonder if I heard her correctly.
“What did Mimi say about Miss Ash?” I try to be careful when I ask her because I don’t want her to feel like she’s in trouble or that I’m fishing for information but of course I totally am.
“She said Miss Ash makes her practice even more than you. That’s a lot.”
I don’t believe this. She’s been rehearsing with Ash on the side. I try not to show my anger, especially in front of Sadie. Thankfully her mom arrives just in time before I lose my temper. I quickly rush them out and run to Ash’s closet-office, but of course she’s not there. I can feel my blood pressure rising by the second. I can’t believe that she would actually have the nerve to go behind my back and recruit one of my students. Not to mention that Lucy has strict rules about this kind of thing. It’s kind of an unspoken courtesy. She gives all students and their families a choice of which instructor they want to work with. Mimi’s family had originally picked me. I have no idea what’s happening right now.
I knock on Lucy’s door. She’s on the phone, so she waves me in to sit down. I practically run in and sit on the edge of the chair. My knees are bouncing up and down so fast I can’t make them stop. Lucy must not notice because she continues her conversation. I’m so fired up I contemplate grabbing the phone out of her hand but that probably won’t help my case at all.
“What’s happening?” she asks when she finally hangs up. I take a deep breath and tell her everything that Sadie told me about Mimi and Ash. Her expression changes but she doesn’t seem as angry as I expected she would be. I get the impression that she’s not surprised. I’m trying to keep my cool because I have a feeling that I’m not going to be happy about what she’s about to tell me.
“Maris, just hear me out before you get upset,” she asks calmly. It’s a little too late for that.
“Okay,” I say through my gritted teeth.
“Mimi and her mother came to me about the group performance. While we were talking, Mimi mentioned that Ash had approached her.” She shifts around in her seat. “Let me just say that they love you and she still wants to work with you, she just wants to work with Ash, too.”
I look down at my hands. What am I supposed to say now? I would sound like the biggest spoiled brat if I complain about not getting my way but that’s too bad. I’ve never been known to not speak my mind, especially when I feel strongly about something.
“Well, I respect their decision but I hope you understand how I feel about this. I feel blindsided. I just wish I was told.” I look out the window as I wait for her response. “Did you know about this when we talked about Mimi?”
“No. I promise that I didn’t. I completely understand how you feel and you’re right. I was actually planning to pull both you and Ash in to discuss it, I just haven’t had a chance,” she says softly. “Mimi and Ash had a brief meeting and I can promise you they haven’t officially begun their lessons. At least, I don’t think they have. We talked about meeting with you first.”
Ha! I can guarantee that Ash has started her lessons on the sly. She’s a master manipulator and she will spin it anyway she can to come out on top. There’s nothing else to say, so I thank Lucy for her time and quickly leave the studio for the day. I’m so frustrated that I hardly remember driving home. That really freaks me out, but despite my frustration I’m hoping that packing for my New York trip will make me feel better and take my mind off all this.
I start to think about my last visit to New York. Georgie and I spent a long weekend there right before Christmas three years ago. We did the typical touristy stuff and of course we caught a few shows. I have to admit there’s nothing more magical than New York City at Christmas. Anyway, we had a great time and I can’t wait to experience it all with my man.
My mood has improved immensely, and when I get a call from Cassie I don’t even hesitate to answer it. I knew it wouldn’t be long before I heard from her.
“First of all, you and Mom are being silly,” she says firmly. “You two just need to make up.” Really? I guess Cassie has taken on the mother role here.
“This is ridiculous; I’m not mad at Mom. She’s the one who hung up on me.”
“Enough about that. Tell me about this Beatrice lady. So, she was Grandma’s best friend? Why is it that we never heard about her?”
I explain everything that I’ve learned about Grandma and Beatrice so far. I wasn’t sure if I should let her in on the mystery of a possible love triangle between Beatrice, Charles, and Grandma. Although I should probably tell her because Cassie is so in tune with everything that she will know what to do and how to find out more. I tell her all about Beatrice but I carefully leave out anything and everything about Trevor. He has nothing to do with this anyway.
“I did learn something really interesting though,” I say. “I have a feeling that Grandma and Beatrice had some kind of falling out. Grandma wrote about dating a man named Charles, then she mentioned something about friends letting her down.” I stop because I just remembered that Cassie might not know I still have the journal. I hope she doesn’t ask for it.
“And what else?” she asks eagerly. Okay, so maybe she doesn’t care about the journal after all.
“Well, when I was talking to Beatrice, she started talking about her husband, Charles, and then she got really quiet. It was almost as if she was hiding something.”
Cassie doesn’t say anything. “Cass, you there?”
“Okay, so it sounds like Beatrice ended up marrying Grandm
a’s boyfriend. That would make sense as to why Grandma never mentioned her that much.”
“Maybe, or it could be a coincidence that their names were both Charles.”
I already know what Cassie thinks, the same thing that I do. Beatrice and Charles ended up together which caused a rift in their friendship. Maybe I should just mind my own business and stay out of it. I don’t even know if it’s worth bringing up something that happened more than sixty years ago.
“It was absolutely NOT a coincidence. Why else would she act so strange?” she replies. “It all makes complete sense. Maris, do you see what’s happening here?” Here comes guru Cassie with some kind of deep message.
See You Soon Broadway (Broadway Series Book 1) Page 8