by Judith Keim
“Sounds good to me.” Lynn closed the menu with a snap. “Don’t it smell delicious in here? I may even go for the peach pie.”
“I guess I’ll have the Caesar salad,” said Tiffany, looking unhappy.
After their orders were placed, Sukie cleared her throat. “I’ve applied for a job at the library, running the children’s department.”
“Sukie, you’d be perfect for it!” gushed Betsy, clapping her hands with delight. “You were always so good with the kids when they were little.”
“It’s only a temporary position,” Sukie explained, “but Julie Garrison thinks the board will agree to my taking it. It could be for just a few weeks, until they’re able to hire someone with a degree. There’s an outside chance it could last through the summer.”
“How do you do it, Sukie?” A slight edge appeared in Carol Ann’s voice. “New hairdo, new clothes, new job. I wish things like that would happen to me. And if I don’t find a man soon, I don’t know what I will do.”
Betsy elbowed Carol Ann in the ribs. “You know what you need to do, Carol Ann? You need to register on a dating website. Everyone is into on-line dating now. They say it’s easy.”
Carol Ann made a face. “You have to post a picture of yourself and tell them all about you. What could I say? I work at MacTel and belong to a woman’s group called Fat Fridays? I can see it now. Delete, delete, delete.”
“Don’t be such a pessimist!” said Tiffany.
Betsy began to sing softly. “You’ve got to ac-cen-tu-ate the positive, e-lim-i-nate the negative...”
Carol Ann rolled her eyes. “I’m serious about wantin’ to meet a man. What am I going to do?”
“What harm could it do to try on-line dating?” said Betsy. “You talk about finding the right man, but how’s he going to find you if you’re at home hiding with your parents?”
Carol Ann’s face turned shades of pink and slid into reds. “Gawd! That’s what I’m doing, isn’t it? Okay, y’all want me to do this? Then I’m going to need help.”
“Count me out.” Lynn crossed her arms in front of her. “You don’t need a man to make you happy. Any fool knows that.”
Carol Ann glared at Lynn. “I want somebody to hold me, to love me, to make me feel good about myself. Somebody who will rescue me from the life I have.”
Lynn shook her head stubbornly. “You’ve seen too many Cinderella movies.”
Carol Ann’s eyes filled. “You don’t understand...”
“It’s not so bad to want that, Carol Ann,” Sukie said, stepping into the verbal fray. “I think what Lynn is trying to say is that finding a man won’t be the answer to all your prayers. But it can be a wonderful thing.”
“Not always,” said Tiffany.
Sukie and the others stared at Tiffany. She sat at the end of the table, a woeful expression on her face. “I think I’m pregnant. I didn’t get my period last week. It must have happened last month when my prescription ran out and the doctor’s office was closed for the long weekend. Stupid me, I thought it would still be safe because it wasn’t a fertile time of the month for me.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Sukie said.
Betsy frowned at Sukie. “What do you mean, you’re sorry?”
Sukie held up her hands. “I know it sounds awful and I don’t mean it that way, it’s just...”
“Just that she knows I don’t want a baby,” finished Tiffany. “Don’t scold Sukie. It’s true. I don’t want this baby.”
“Oh, my!” said Betsy, not attempting humor, for once.
The color faded from Tiffany’s cheeks. “Oh, no! I’m going to be sick!” She jumped up from the table and raced to the ladies’ room.
Betsy turned to Sukie. “What’s going on? I’d think she’d be delighted.”
Sukie shrugged her shoulders. “Just like Tiffany said, she isn’t ready for a baby.” Whether it happened like this or not, Sukie had the feeling Tiffany would have ended up pregnant anyway.
“You’d think she’d know better,” groused Lynn.
“Things aren’t always what they seem,” said Betsy, casting a look of concern at the ladies room.
“I caught her crying in the bathroom this morning. I thought it was her boss. Now I know why,” said Carol Ann, looking worried.
“Poor kid,” Lynn said, much more sympathetic now.
Sukie’s gaze rested on Lynn. She was the one person in the group who remained a puzzle to her. She seemed so self-contained, so rigid. Sukie had the troubling impression Lynn was hiding something but she couldn’t figure out what or why.
Wearing a miserable expression, Tiffany returned to the table. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right, hon.” Betsy patted Tiffany’s hand. “I remember exactly what it was like, and my baby is older than you are!”
Tiffany let out a sigh. “It’s that bad?”
Sukie put an arm around Tiffany’s shoulders. “It shouldn’t last too long. Usually, just for the first trimester. Have you seen a doctor yet?”
Tiffany shook her head. “I’m going to hold off as long as I can.”
“Hey, we’d better get goin’.” Lynn pointed to her watch and rose.
As everyone prepared to depart, Sukie took Tiffany aside. “Are you all right? Really?”
Looking as if she was trying not to cry, Tiffany shrugged.
Sukie gave her a steady look. “Remember, if you need anything, anything at all, call me.”
Tiffany gave her a weak smile and nodded.
Carol Ann tapped Sukie on the shoulder. “Sukie? Can I have the phone number of your hairdresser? If I’m going to do this Internet dating thing, I want to look my best. I’ll do anything to change my life.”
Surprised by the tears that misted Carol Ann’s eyes, Sukie wrote down Henri’s number and gave it to her.
Carol Ann’s lips quivered. “I’m not sure I even know how to begin to set up my profile.”
Sukie didn’t know Carol Ann’s situation but it was obvious she needed some support. “Do you want me to help you?”
Carol Ann’s hazel eyes brightened. “Really? Do you mean it? That would be great!”
“Sure. Why not? Let’s say ten o’clock tomorrow at my house.” Sukie jotted down directions and handed them to Carol Ann.
Carol Ann all but skipped out the door of the restaurant.
Sukie couldn’t help smiling. She understood all too well someone’s desire for a different future.
###
Carol Ann arrived at Sukie’s house promptly at ten, looking as hopeful as a Girl Scout with a big box of cookies to sell.
“C’mon in,” Sukie said. “I have coffee brewing.”
Carol Ann stepped inside and turned in a slow circle. “Your house is beautiful, Sukie. Like something I’d see in a home decorating magazine. I do that, you know—study the magazines so I’ll know what to do when my time comes.”
Sukie’s heart constricted at the wistful note in Carol Ann’s voice. She hoped Carol Ann would find the happiness she sought, but she knew things didn’t always turn out the way you thought they would.
Sukie poured each of them a cup of coffee, and they settled at the kitchen table.
Carol Ann took a sip of coffee and nibbled on an English tea biscuit.
Sukie studied her. She seemed so young, so immature. “Tell me about yourself, Carol Ann. We haven’t had much of a chance to get to know each other.”
Carol Ann gave Sukie a shy smile. “It’s pretty boring. People think I’m crazy for living at home, but my mother insists that after all she’s done for me I need to help her with my father. He’s got all sorts of health problems. And staying with them allows me to save money for a place of my own.”
Sukie nodded. “It seems pretty practical, since it takes a lot of money for someone to purchase their first home.”
Carol Ann shrugged. “I guess. When I finally get to leave, I want my new place to be nice. My sister Becky is four years older than me and eloped with her boy friend right a
fter high school. He’s a teacher and doesn’t make much money. It’s been an awful struggle for them. They have a small house, a big mortgage and three wild boys. She says she’s happy, but I don’t see how she could be.” She gave Sukie a sly look. “You and Tiffany were the smart ones, marrying someone who could give you nice things.”
Sukie frowned. “There’s so much more to it than that, Carol Ann.”
Carol Ann dismissed Sukie’s concern with a wave of her hand. “All y’all tell me the same thing, but I know what I’m looking for. That’s why I’m going to do this on-line dating thing. There’s not a man in Williston I’d be interested in dating.”
“Nobody at work?”
Carol Ann shook her head. “The execs on our floor are mostly married. My boss, Ed Pritchard, isn’t. But then, he’s on the short side, balding and a little pudgy. Not exactly a stud muffin.”
“But, is he nice?” Annoyed by Carol Ann’s attitude, Sukie sat back in her chair.
Carol Ann nodded. “He’s great compared to Lynn’s boss. Tiffany’s boss, Glenn Mitchum, is the best—tall, dark, handsome.” She sighed. “Too bad he’s married with four young kids.”
“How long have you women at MacTel known each other?” Sukie asked, curious how such diverse people got along so well.
“I’ve been with the company for two years, Lynn and Tiffany about eighteen months, and Betsy a little over a year. But it seems like we’ve known each other forever.” Carol Ann smiled. “Working together, we bonded real quickly.”
Sukie rose to pour more coffee and refilled Carol Ann’s cup. “Why is Lynn so against men? What’s her story?”
Carol Ann shrugged. “I don’t know. She doesn’t talk about her past, except to say she had a real bad marriage. No kids are ever mentioned.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t care what she thinks. I’m looking for someone exactly like Tiffany’s Beau. I want out of my situation. You’ll help me fill out the forms, won’t you?”
Sukie hesitated, wondering how blunt she should be, and decided to be truthful. “It’s not going to work well if you tell people you’re looking for a handsome, rich man. Male egos aside, nobody likes to be judged that way.”
“I just want to get away from home, have a much better life.” Carol Ann’s eyes grew moist. “My parents have never been able to take real vacations, have nice things, or just plain enjoy themselves. My father is dying of emphysema and my mother still yells at him for every little thing. God! I don’t want anything like it.”
Sukie nodded. “Okay. Let’s begin. We’ll come up with something that’s both truthful and tactful.”
Carol Ann grinned. “Thanks. And, Sukie, it’ll be good practice for you.”
Sukie shook her head. She couldn’t imagine herself going through meet and greet sessions with strangers. Her mouth grew even drier at the idea of exposing her body to another man. Unless... Her thoughts flew to her new neighbor. She scolded herself for even thinking such a thing. He was taken, and there was no way she’d ever get involved with a married man.
By the time they finished working on the application for the dating site, Sukie decided Carol Ann wasn’t as shallow as she’d first believed. She had a good heart.
The phone rang as Sukie was saying goodbye to Carol Ann. She hurried back to the kitchen to answer it.
“Sukie?”
All good humor vanished. “What do you want, Ted?”
“Guess you’ve heard Emmy Lou is going to have a baby,” he began. “This is going to mean some changes in our agreement.”
Stung by the note of pride in his voice, Sukie remained quiet.
“Well, I was wondering...you know that cradle that we used for the kids? Is it still up in the attic?”
“It’s going to Madeleine and Rob,” Sukie said with a firmness she felt to her toes. “Emmy Lou is not, repeat not, going to use it.”
“Jeez, I just thought I’d ask,” Ted grumbled. “So, how are you doing?”
“Goodbye, Ted.” Sukie slammed the receiver down so hard it bounced in the cradle.
So much for thinking she was over the divorce.
CHAPTER EIGHT
BETSY
Betsy finished her coffee and put the cup in the sink, hoping the caffeine would help get her going. It was a listless day, one Saturday in which she didn’t have Caitlin and Garrett staying with her. She was glad. They were great kids and she loved ’em like crazy, but crazy tired is what she got when she spent so much time with them. Babysitting them, it didn’t help her mood to know while she was running after the children, stopping fights, and keeping them entertained, Sarah was off shopping or lounging in some expensive spa. Then again, she and the kids were exceptionally close and she wouldn’t trade that for anything.
Betsy picked up the phone. She and Sukie hadn’t had a chance to talk privately after the Fat Fridays lunch and she knew how lonely weekends could be for someone newly single.
When the call went into a phone mail, Betsy hung up despondent. Between work and the time she spent babysitting her grandchildren, she hadn’t had the energy to get back to some of her old activities or find new ones to keep her busy during down times. And she was someone who liked to stay busy.
The phone rang. She checked caller ID. Karen McAvoy. Betsy grinned. She and Karen had served on the Forsyth County jury together. It was she who gave Betsy the idea to take computer courses. After “we the jury” had found the shoplifter guilty, Betsy had signed up for the training. Over time she’d lost contact with Karen but she’d always liked her.
“Karen!” Betsy said. “I owe you big time. Guess what! I’m working at MacTel now.”
“That’s wonderful, Betsy,” said Karen. “I was thinking about you the other day and decided to give you a call. I’m going to the movies. Want to join me?”
“Would I ever!” said Betsy, finding the day a whole lot brighter.
CHAPTER NINE
SUKIE
Monday morning, cold rain slanted against the bedroom windows, tapping against the glass like Jack Frost knocking for attention. But the gray wet day failed to dampen Sukie’s excitement. The computer course was to begin that evening.
Julie called from the library as Sukie was sipping her morning coffee. “Good news, Sukie! The Library Board has agreed to let you fill the library opening on a temporary basis. You can fill out the paperwork and start anytime.”
Sukie hung up the phone and danced around the kitchen. She was living on court-ordered alimony Ted had guiltily agreed to, but she knew his cooperation wouldn’t last. He’d find ways to delay payments, offering one excuse after another, making her life unsettled. Despite his wealth, Ted was far from generous. Sukie was sure that at some point in her life, she’d be forced to move out of the house, find something smaller, make her own way with little, if any, real help from him.
She eagerly changed her clothes and hurried to the library to check the layout of the children’s section. She had a few ideas she wanted to try.
The library was a two-story, red-brick building next to the town hall, Williston’s center of activity. White shutters accented the many-paned windows. A double black door served as its main entrance.
On this rainy March morning, the parking lot was mostly empty. Sukie pulled in, parked the car next to a white SUV and hurried inside, avoiding as much of the lingering shower as she could.
Inside, Julie greeted her with a warm smile. “I’m so happy you’re going to be part of my team. I hope you understand the job involves working on some Saturday mornings and a few Sunday afternoons. I forgot to clarify that when I called.”
Sukie smiled. “No problem. I’ll welcome it.” The once-busy weekends, empty of social activity, now seemed endless.
Julie motioned for Sukie to follow her. “I have the paperwork all set for you to fill out.”
The office sat behind the circulation desk. A stack of books lay on the floor. Others lined both sides of a rolling cart.
Julie indicated the books on the cart. “These have
already been catalogued. Volunteers will shelve them. As you know, we’re a small operation here.”
Sukie nodded. She’d been an active volunteer at the circulation desk when the kids were growing up and had continued to help ever since.
She filled out the paperwork and walked over to the children’s section. Feeling like a chef surveying a well-stocked kitchen, she stood a moment, savoring the idea it was hers to oversee.
A long table surrounded by several small wooden chairs sat in the middle of an open space edged by bookcases. A desk stood off in a corner.
“What do you think?” Julie asked, coming to Sukie’s side.
“I’d like to make some changes to the layout,” Sukie said, hoping she wasn’t overstepping her new role.
Julie’s eyebrows shot up.
“I remember the joy I had reading books as a kid. I’d put pillows all around me in the corner of my room near the window and sit and read for hours. That’s what I’d like to see here—nooks and crannies where kids can escape into reading.”
A smile spread across Julie’s face. “I like it. Let me find the custodian and see if he can help us move things around.”
Julie returned, accompanied by a short stocky gray-haired man. “This is Bill Walters. Another man is on his way to help us.”
Sukie smiled at Bill, then blinked with surprise as the tall man she’d seen in her neighborhood approached. He smiled a warm hello, reminding her of his innate kindness. “You’re the welcome lady in my neighborhood.”
“You know each other?” Julie said.
“We’ve met briefly.” Sukie’s heart pumped a flushed greeting she tried to control. Feeling foolish at her reaction, she held out her hand. “Sukie Skidmore.”
“Cameron Taylor.” The touch of his hand on hers snaked a thread of heat through Sukie’s body. She quickly withdrew her fingers and steadied herself. “How’s your little girl?”
“Chloe?” A tender look softened his features. “She’s fine. At three, she’s always running so she’s pretty used to taking a tumble now and then.”