Seeing Roberto and Lorenzo finishing up the lawn, she realized she needed to get the design for the patio pavers laid out. So while the guys trimmed the edges of the lawn and set up the sprinkler, Abby marked out the plan for the pavers.
The harder Abby worked, the more she thought about Caroline and the challenges she faced, and the more she hoped that Caroline would be encouraged by their efforts. The yard seemed to be coming together quickly now. With the lawn in place and the pavers going down, it was taking a nice shape. As Abby finished painting the various “art pieces” around the yard, she began to get some more ideas. She remembered seeing some brightly colored outdoor dishes and patio things on the clearance rack of a discount store. Wouldn’t it be fun to really set this place up?
Abby walked over to a corner of the yard and called Janie, quietly explaining her plan. “I know the whole yard won’t be completely finished,” she said, “but it seems Caroline was feeling pretty bummed this morning, and I thought a little unveiling party might cheer her up.” Abby looked around the yard. “The guys have the sod laid, and the pavers are going down fast. It’s really looking good, Janie.”
“Mario is helping me with the potted plants, so that’s going well. He’ll deliver them this afternoon. And he might as well bring over the outdoor furniture and other things.” Janie sounded excited.
So it was agreed: They would finish it up and have a surprise party for Caroline. Abby knew it wouldn’t make up for all the hardships in Caroline’s life, but it might lighten her load a bit. Wasn’t that what friends were for, to lend a hand and lift someone’s spirits? Abby wondered how she’d gotten along all these years without her friends. Of course, she’d had her girls, but more often than not it seemed that Abby was the one who did all the lifting and lending. Then her girls had grown up and left her behind. Oh, she still had Paul. But in some ways her relationship with him wasn’t much different than it had been with the girls. Abby did most of the maintenance. If Paul was down, Abby did her best to lift him. If he needed help, she was the one who was right there, rolling up her sleeves. But when the tables were turned, did Paul come running? Abby sighed as she tossed an empty spray can into the trash. No, if Abby needed help, she could probably count on her friends more than she could count on her own husband.
Chapter 20
Marley
“That’s okay.” Marley dropped her paintbrush into the water jar and switched the phone to her other ear. “I think I’m due for a break anyway.”
“I know you need to stay on task for next week’s art walk,” Janie said in an apologetic tone, “and I really want to respect your time, but Caroline’s been so down, and Abby and I thought it would boost her spirits to see the backyard all finished and—”
“And I think it sounds like a hoot. Really, Janie, I’m practically out the door.”
“I appreciate this so much.”
“Hey, I appreciate that you’re doing this for Caroline. It’s really sweet of you. I’m glad you’re letting me help out.”
“You can park your car at my house and help me finish up some of the stuff here. Then we’ll head back over there after Caroline gets home from her support group.”
“So you really think Caroline doesn’t know what you’re up to?”
“She promised not to peek. And she thinks the guys are just removing the junk—she was pretty skeptical about that happening.”
“Is there anything I can bring?”
“You might want to bring some paints. We’re trying to do some yard art. Abby spray-painted some old pieces of junk, but you might have some ideas for how we could liven it up even more.”
“I’m on it.” Marley started tossing some tubes of acrylics into a basket.
“The color palette is bright and bold.”
“This is sounding like way too much fun.”
“Abby’s going to fix us a little something for the unveiling party.”
“Great. I haven’t had lunch yet.”
“See you soon. Just come around to the backyard. That’s where I’m working.”
Marley gathered up some old brushes and a few more tubes of brightly colored paint. Then, as she tossed her camera into her bag, she remembered the cheerful Mexican blankets she’d purchased from a street vendor a while back, far more than she could use in her little bungalow. She grabbed up the extra ones and threw them into her car as well.
On her way to Janie’s, she thought about Caroline’s life. Despite her surprisingly sunny disposition, Caroline had experienced more heartache and hardships than any of the other Lindas. She had her heart broken early on, then was unable to have children as the result of that abortion. She never really succeeded at her career choice of acting. She’d been diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and chemo. Now she was caring for her ailing and slightly wacko mother, living in that horrible pack-rat house, financially strapped until her condo sold. No wonder Caroline was feeling bummed. It made perfect sense that her friends should roll up their sleeves and help brighten her world. Marley was more than happy to help.
She parked in front of Janie’s house, then gathered up her paints and blankets and went around back to find Janie bent over a wheelbarrow and up to her elbows in mud. A dark brown smudge crossed one cheek, and her white T-shirt was probably never going to be white again. Marley grinned. It was the first time she’d seen Janie looking less than elegant since their school days. Realizing the photo op in front of her, she reached for her camera and snapped a couple of shots.
“What’s that for?” Janie made a face as Marley stuck her camera back in her bag.
“Just for fun.”
“Because blackmail is illegal, you know.”
Marley laughed. “Are you making mud pies or getting ready for a facial?”
“I think I lost my ring in here.”
Marley blinked. “Your wedding ring?”
Janie nodded sadly. “I should’ve taken it off, but I hadn’t planned to get my hands dirty.”
Marley grimaced. “Looks like you were wrong.”
“You see, I dumped this potting soil in here for Mario. Then I’d dampened it with some water, and that’s when I noticed my ring was missing.” Janie looked up with worried eyes. “I feel like such a fool for leaving it on. What was I thinking?”
“You weren’t. But you really can’t find it?”
Janie looked close to tears. “If the soil had been dry, I might’ve been able to sift through it. But it was already wet.” Janie wrinkled up her nose. “For some dumb reason I thought if I added more water, the ring might sink to the bottom and I could feel my way to it.”
Marley couldn’t help but laugh. “Which explains the mud bath.”
“What should I do?” Janie, the one who always seemed so together and in control, looked completely helpless.
Marley thought about this. “Actually, the water idea does make sense.”
“Except that it hasn’t worked.”
Marley went over and picked up a five-gallon bucket as well as a smaller pail. “Maybe you should add more water and then dip out one pailful at a time, going through it to be sure the ring’s not there.”
Janie nodded as she reached for the hose. “Good idea.”
“You go through the pail and then I’ll slowly pour it out over here, just to make sure you didn’t miss it.”
“I hate wasting this time,” Janie said as she stirred the brown soupy mess with her hands. “But I hate even more to lose my ring.”
Marley wanted to ask Janie why she continued wearing the wedding ring, especially when it seemed that Victor and Janie were getting more serious, but she couldn’t think of a way to put the question without sounding pushy. Marley had to admit that the big solitaire was a beautiful piece of jewelry. Why shouldn’t Janie keep wearing it? After abou
t ten minutes of dipping pail after pail of mucky mud, Janie let out a happy shriek.
“Eureka!” she yelled. “I found it.” She victoriously held up what looked like a small brown mud ball and actually started to cry as she pushed it onto her finger. Then, with the hose on low, she washed her arms and her hands and finally the muddy ring until the diamond shone brightly in the sun.
“You found it?” Mario came over to see.
She held up her hand. “Yes.”
“That is good.” Mario looked at the wheelbarrow full of muddy water. “Now I will take care of this for you.” Then he carefully wheeled the sloshing mess away.
“What’s that?” Janie pointed over to the Mexican blankets that Marley had set on a lawn chair.
Marley explained. “I thought they might be fun to use in the backyard. You know, for an accent of color, like a tablecloth or on a bench or even as a wall hanging.” She shrugged. “Unless you would rather go a different direction.”
Janie nodded eagerly. “No. I like that direction. Those are all great ideas.”
Marley held up her basket of painting supplies. “I thought maybe I could decorate some of the pots, too. You know, make them look festive and fun.”
“More good ideas.” Janie smiled. “See, that’s why I needed you and Abby to help. You’re the ones with all the imagination.” Janie waved to the pots sitting around her yard. Some were already planted with small shrubs and flowers, and some were still empty. “I leave you to it, Marley. Work your magic. Meanwhile, I’ll focus on the less creative tasks like planting flowers and mixing dirt.”
“Uh, Janie.” Marley pointed to her ring. “Don’t you think you should take that off and put it in a safe place?”
Janie stared at the ring with a sad expression. “You know, I never really took it off before.”
“Never?”
“Not really. Oh, to be cleaned and have the setting checked periodically.” She held it up to the light again. “I had the wedding band and engagement ring soldered together about ten years ago. But other than that, I’ve always worn it. Even to bed.”
“Oh.”
“But I think you’re right.”
“Well, you don’t want to lose it.”
“No. Besides, maybe it’s just time for it … you know?”
“Time for what?” Marley studied her.
“To … to put the ring away.” Janie looked close to tears. “I should probably save it for Matthew, in case he ever gets married.”
Marley went over and placed a hand on Janie’s shoulder. “I’m sure Matthew would be honored to have it.”
Janie nodded. “Phil would understand.”
“Of course he would, Janie.” Marley was fairly certain that Janie was referring to Victor. “It’s obvious that Phil loved you very much, and that makes me think he would want you to be happy.”
Janie looked at Marley with tear-filled eyes. “It’s hard, you know? Phil truly was the love of my life. I never expected to care for anyone again.”
“I doubt that Phil would’ve wanted you to spend the rest of your life being lonely. You have to know that, don’t you?”
“Yes, but still … it’s hard.” Janie slipped off the ring and made an uneasy smile. “Maybe losing it today was like a sign … like it’s time.”
Marley nodded. “I think so.”
Janie went into the house, and Marley focused her attention onto a big black pot, making a plan for stripes, dots, and zigzags to brighten it up. By the time Janie returned with a clean face and fresh T-shirt, minus one very large diamond ring, Marley was halfway finished painting the pot.
“That looks fantastic,” Janie said.
For the next couple of hours Marley decorated pots, planted flowers, and even helped Janie and Mario to assemble the patio furniture. She and Janie helped Mario load his pickup, then followed him over to Caroline’s house, where the other workers quietly unloaded the goods and began placing them throughout the backyard. Before long, it looked like the heavy work was done.
Janie paid her workers, thanking them for all their help and telling them she’d be in touch in regard to building the fence next week.
“This is turning out to be a lovely little oasis,” Marley told Janie as they plugged in the water feature and waited for it to start gurgling.
Abby had gone for food, but she returned in time to help them decide where to place the furniture to its best advantage. Then the three of them went around and tweaked the decor, placing the junk art here and there, the planted pots in just the right places. Then they hung the colorful patio lights and set out brightly colored plates and glasses and draped the Mexican blankets various places. The finished effect was absolutely delightful.
“I love this,” Marley quietly told Janie as she admired the cheerful colors. “I could totally live here.”
“At least if you lived outside.” Janie tipped her head toward the house. “If you had to live in there, you’d be singing a different tune.”
Marley nodded. “Yes. I’m sure you’re right.”
“The food is in the cooler,” Abby told them. “And I made an arrangement to have Darlene come back here at five. She can only stay an hour, but that should be long enough to have a little party. And I asked Darlene to swing by McDonald’s for Mrs. McCann.” She chuckled. “Trying to cover all the bases.”
“That’s perfect,” Janie said. “Good thinking.”
“I want to get some photos.” Marley grabbed her camera and started shooting. “Abby, these junk-art pieces are so fun,” she said as she snapped the hot-pink bicycle with petunias growing in the basket. “Caroline’s old bike is my favorite.”
“I love the Tonka truck,” Abby said as Marley snapped a shot of the tangerine-colored dump truck with a load of happy purple violas planted in back.
“And I like the lime green wheelbarrow.” Janie pointed to the planter full of daisies.
With about ten minutes until five, the three of them sat down at the table. “I’m so excited about this, I feel like I’m about seven years old,” Janie said with sparkling eyes.
“I know,” Marley agreed. “This was so much more fun than painting at home.”
“How’s it coming?” Abby asked her.
“I think I’ll have three new pieces for Jack’s show.” Marley winked at Janie. “Two of them will hopefully end up on Victor’s boat.”
“Really?” Janie looked surprised.
“If you and Victor approve.”
“You’ll mark them sold?”
“Of course.”
“Are you nervous?” Abby asked Marley. “You know, since this is your first real art show?”
Marley nodded. “But I try not to think about it.”
“People are going to love your work,” Janie assured her.
“Not everyone,” Marley said. “I worked in a gallery long enough to know that’s not possible.”
“Well, you know what they say about pleasing all the people all of the time,” Abby pointed out. “Why even try?”
“Don’t worry, I’m not. But I am bracing myself for rejection and critiques.”
Abby looked at her watch. “Speaking of bracing yourself, I guess we won’t be hearing from the bank today, Janie.”
“The bank?” Marley looked curiously at them.
“We made an offer this morning,” Janie explained.
“Congratulations,” Marley told Abby. “You must be excited.”
“Excited and worried and trying not to obsess,” Abby admitted. “Working on Caroline’s backyard was a great distraction, but now I’m going to have the whole weekend to turn into a nervous wreck.”
“Maybe you should do another yard project,” Janie teased. “I know mine could use some work.”
Abby laughed qui
etly. “Well, it’s occurred to me that if our offer is rejected, a good backup plan might be for me to go into landscaping.” She pointed at the nearby pair of spray-painted turquoise chairs with flowerpots sitting in them. “Recycled junk art could be my signature.”
“If my art flops or I run out of inspiration, maybe I’ll go into business with you,” Marley said, only half joking. “Because this was fun.”
“It’s nearly five o’clock,” Abby whispered. “I wonder if Darlene is here yet.”
“Should we jump up and say ‘Surprise!’ when Caroline comes out?” asked Marley.
“We don’t want to freak out Caroline’s mom,” Janie reminded her. “We better just keep it quiet.”
“What about the blackout stuff over the windows?” Marley realized that the plastic trash bags covering the windows took away from the overall pleasing effect. “Should we take them down now?”
“Yes.” Janie stood. “Hurry and be quiet about it.”
So they quickly scrambled from window to window, quietly peeling off the ugly black coverings and stuffing them into the trash can. Though it was an improvement, Marley realized that the house, badly in need of paint, was still a bit of an eyesore. On second thought, who would be looking at the house when the yard looked so fantastic?
Chapter 21
Caroline
All Caroline wanted this afternoon was a nap—a nice long nap. She would’ve settled for a short one, not that she was going to get any rest. Her mother had snoozed during Caroline’s respite time, and she was wide-awake now. Wide-awake and cranky. As Caroline attempted to fix a second food tray—this one with applesauce and Vienna sausages, per her mother’s request—she replayed her two hour “break” from earlier today.
She had actually been looking forward to the support group. In all honesty, it was probably because she wanted to chat with Brent again. They’d been emailing, and she was interested to hear more about his work as a screenwriter. To her disappointment, Brent was not there, and a woman named Moira seemed to have the need to express herself—or else she just liked the sound of her own voice. Whatever the case, she had monopolized the group’s time with her hard-luck, poor-little-me stories. Caroline left feeling even more depressed than when she’d arrived.
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