Designing Hearts

  “Why do you think we need to be careful about cactus plants?” she asked.

  “Because it hurts to touch a cactus and love isn’t supposed to be about pain.” It was Shelly who spoke, but her voice was a monotone, and she didn’t smile.

  There was silence. The others glanced over in concern, but she didn’t meet their eyes as she picked at a bleeding cuticle.

  Jill exchanged looks with Pam and Trish before continuing, “Other things to avoid are board games or playing cards in that area because we don’t want game-playing in our relationships. Be careful of art that shows solitary figures. Keep the area free of trash and clutter. If you want to leave clothing lying around, make it sexy lingerie—oh, and high heels, girls.”

  “Woo hoo!” Joel and Chris made lascivious sounds and rude expressions.

  “We’d better remember to display our Valentine’s Day briefs,” Chris said, nudging Joel, who snickered.

  “Don’t forget the chocolate body paint,” Pam quipped.

  “Pam, I think you say things like that just to torment me,” Jill said with a sigh. “We’re descending quickly into the nether region. Come to think of it, we probably should have asked Pam to read from a chapter of one of her novels for this class,” Jill said. “But alas, it’s our last evening together.”

  Pam grinned wickedly. “I named the main character of my new novel after you, Jill.”

  “Oh, great,” Jill said. The others laughed. “Before we take a break, I want to make sure to say that the biggest challenges in the relationship corner are window air conditioners or refrigerators, which freeze out relationships in feng shui. If you have either of these in the relationship corner, warm things up symbolically by placing photos of people you love—and who love you—with red symbols all over it. I like red hearts, pictures of strawberries—which are heart-shaped—or red roses.”

  On break, most of the students headed to the snack area for coffee. As she left to join them, Jill noticed Shelly, the epitome of solitary pain, perched on a windowsill outside the classroom, staring out the window. Frost tipped the blades of grass on the campus quadrangle, giving the ground a ghostly glow.

  Shelly glanced up when Jill joined her, and then looked out the window again. “It’s so ethereal looking out there, like it’s not real,” she said. “Maybe everything I’m going through isn’t real, either. Maybe it’s some kind of nightmare.”

  “Shelly?”

  Shelly turned to face Jill, her eyes red-rimmed.

  “What’s the matter?” Jill was alarmed.

  “Over the weekend, I left Joe. Oh, and I’m also pregnant.”

  “What?” Jill was confused. “Why would you …? Does Joe know?”

  “About the baby? Yes, he knows.”

  “Oh, my.” Jill drew in a sharp breath and took Shelly’s arm, helping her off the window seat and aiming her down the hall. “How far along are you?”

  “Just a few weeks. Joe found a pregnancy test kit in the bathroom closet. He asked me if I was pregnant, and I said yes. Then he slapped me.”

  “Why would he do such a thing? You’re the mother of his child!” Jill remembered her earlier question to Shelly about physical abuse and Shelly’s negative response. Had Shelly been truthful? Was she the victim of spousal abuse?

  “Jill, it’s not his baby. It’s his brother’s baby.”

  “Oh, Shelly.” Jill’s stomach pitched forward.

  “Joe’s brother, Ron, was making comments about how Joe might be shooting blanks. He told me that if I ever wanted a sure thing, he’d be glad to stand in.”

  “Oh, Shelly, no, you didn’t.”

  “Jill, I thought it would be safe because his brother wouldn’t want the rest of the family to know, since he’s married with kids, too, and the baby would have a family resemblance. I thought for sure Joe wouldn’t have any way of finding out. Really, no one could know for sure it wasn’t Joe’s.”

  “Okay, but how were you planning to tell Joe you were pregnant?”

  “Well, I figured it would just happen, eventually. But when he held up the stick, I didn’t have a chance to think, so I just said, ‘You’re going to be a father.’ That was when he freaked out. He called me a whore. Jill, he said he was tested, and he’s sterile. He never told me that!”

  Jill leaned against a painted concrete block wall near the stairwell, a heavy feeling in her chest. “Did you tell him who the father really is?”

  “No. I just decided to leave. I went to my parents’ house. Like I said, his brother certainly won’t admit to what happened, and I don’t want more trouble. This baby is still mine, and I don’t want anything to do with his brother, Ron, or with Joe anymore. Jill, he never admitted the truth to me. I guess he couldn’t stand the thought that he was the reason I couldn’t get pregnant. He had to blame me rather than admit to his dad and brothers that it was his problem.”

  “Wow.” Jill shook her head. “Most families would rally around and show sympathy and support. You could’ve adopted a child!”

  “Not with Joe’s family,” Shelly insisted. “Their manhood is tied up in their ability to keep their wives pregnant and at home, preferably in the kitchen. They gave us a lot of grief, as it is, because I work outside the home. It’s all about blaming and pointing fingers, being judgmental—oh, and obviously being hypocritical, too.”

  “There is plenty of blame to go around on this one.” Jill bit her lip. “It isn’t going to be that easy, Shelly. You can’t just walk away from your husband without repercussions. Trust me on that one.”

  “Why not? I don’t want anything from him or his brother. Joe can keep his perfect house just the way he wants it. As long as I have this baby, my baby, I’ll be happy.”

  Jill sighed and brushed a hand down Shelly’s silky hair, wanting to comfort her, yet not knowing what more to say. “Whatever happens, I hope you’ll call me if there’s anything I can do to help,” she said and pulled Shelly close for a hug. “Can you get through the rest of class tonight, do you think?”

  Shelly nodded. “Getting through class is nothing compared to what I’ve been through already, or what I’m going to have to go through from now on. Just wait till my parents find out the real reason I moved back home.”

  The next morning, as she arranged carpet swatches and tile samples on a large work table in her office, her cellphone rang. “Jill Hennessy,” she answered, juggling the receiver between ear and shoulder, her arms full of heavy carpet samples.

  “Hello, Jill, this is Jessie Webster. I’m a producer with Home and Hearth Television. I’d like to talk with you about an idea we’d like to explore for a new show. We understand you’re an expert on feng shui.”

  The armful of samples fell to the floor with a deafening thud. “Oops, sorry about that,” Jill said weakly. “I’m so glad you called!”

  Monica peeked in to see what all the noise was about as Jill made frantic motions of glee. She motioned with hand signals to shut the door, take a seat, and listen. Then she sat down herself and put the phone on speaker.

  “Is this a good time to talk?” Jessie Webster asked. “You could call me back, if you like.”

  “It’s fine, really,” Jill said. “That’s what I get for answering the phone with my arms full. I’m an interior designer and a feng shui consultant. I just taught a class on feng shui this past semester.”

  “I’m not really sure I completely understand what’s involved with feng shui,” Jessie said, “but we’re intrigued with the idea of a program where you show people what changes could be made to their homes.” Jessie paused. “Sponsors will provide funds or products for you to take care of the homeowners’ problems, and then we’ll follow up and see whether anything changed for them.”

  “Well, it’s up to the homeowners to decide what they want to fix in their lives, and they do have to have some positive belief that feng shui can help.” Jill tucked her hair nervously behind her ear. “We might not have answers right away, but we could at least do an update.” She
was silent for a moment. “I have to ask, how did you hear about me?”

  “David Hennessy suggested to our producer that we call you. He said there was no one more qualified than you to be the host of a new show.”

  Jill was quiet for a few moments, trying to take it all in. “I’m obviously surprised and pleased. It was nice of David to think of me and suggest it to your producer.”

  Monica’s eyes were round as silver dollars as she silently mouthed the words, “What’s going on?”

  Jill held up her hand. “I’m really glad you called because I’ve been thinking for some time that it would be a great idea to have a show about feng shui.”

  “Well, now’s your big chance to share what you know,” Jessie said. “Can we meet next week?”

  “That sounds great. I look forward to it.” Jill pawed through her desk calendar. “When’s a good time for you?”

  They decided on the following Wednesday at three o’clock and Jill hung up the phone, a grin spreading from ear to ear. “Oh my gosh, Monica! Home and Hearth Television wants to do a show on feng shui.”

  “How cool is that! You’re going to do it, of course.”

  Jill’s stomach lurched, but this time, it felt more like excitement than fear. “Of course I am. It’s really fortunate I taught that class this semester because now it’s not quite as scary to think about being on television.”

  “Did David arrange this?”

  “Apparently so, but I can hardly believe it. Why would he do that for me? We’re in the final stages of a divorce. He’s been so angry and distant.”

  Monica raised her eyebrows. “Jill, you were married to David for a long time. Maybe he just wants to do something nice for you, to show you he’s sorry for what happened. Just tell him thank you.”

  “You’re right. I do want to thank him. This is incredible.” Jill picked up the phone. “I’ll call him right now.”

  David’s cellphone rang three times before she heard his voicemail message and hung up. She decided it was better to talk, rather than leave a rambling message for such an amazing gesture. It was hard to believe, actually.

  She thought about calling Denny, but decided to wait until that evening to share the news with him. They were planning to have dinner and look over color samples for another project. He was barely in the front door and out of his coat before Jill announced, “Today I got an offer from Home and Hearth to do a television show on feng shui!”

  “That’s fantastic!” he said, giving her a hug. “Was this something you approached them about?”

  “David made the overture on my behalf,” she said, shaking her head. “I still can’t quite believe it. How would you like to be my television sidekick, my official color consultant?”

  Denny snorted as he headed to the kitchen with a bottle of wine. “Now there’s an idea sure to create a buzz in the tabloids. Haven’t you already had enough of that kind of publicity?”

  “True.” She followed him to the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “I just want to share this experience with you.”

  “You just did, love. I’m happy for you, but this moment belongs to you. You’ve earned it.”

  David returned Jill’s second call while she and Denny were in the middle of dinner. “Sorry for not calling you back sooner,” David said. “I heard your message, but couldn’t get a break from the action. What’s up?”

  “Actually, I wanted to thank you for calling Home and Hearth on my behalf. The producer called yesterday about doing a show about feng shui, and we’re meeting next week. David, it was such a wonderful thing for you to do for me. I just wanted to say thank you.”

  “Actually, I made the call after we had dinner that evening in the city and you mentioned the idea. I wanted to do something special to show my support. I couldn’t believe you were actually talking about a television show. It was surprising enough that you were teaching a class. I was proud of you.” He paused. “I am proud of you.”

  Jill could hardly believe her ears. “That means the world to me coming from you. I just can’t thank you enough.”

  “Well, I was glad to do it,” he said.

  “David, before I forget, Finn and Missy want you to join them for dinner this weekend. I think Missy is worried that you’ll be alone on Thanksgiving.”

  “I have plans for Thanksgiving dinner, actually, but thanks. I’m also going away for the weekend,” he said quietly. “Sounds like you’ll have a house full, anyway.”

  She knew that he meant Denny. “I’m glad you won’t be alone,” she said sincerely. “And thank you again.”

  “You’re welcome,” David repeated. “Well, I need to run. Take care of yourself.” He hung up.

  Jill turned to Denny, shaking her head. “I’m just now beginning to understand that what happened in August was actually a blessing in disguise. I wish it hadn’t happened the way it did, but I’m happy to be where I am now. I can’t believe I’m saying that.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Thanksgiving morning arrived with a dusting of crystalline snow that reminded Jill of superfine sugar shaken over the grass, trees, and rooftops of the houses on Briar Lane. After feeding Denny a quick breakfast of coffee and toast, she bade him goodbye, but only after making him promise to return by five o’clock. Jill took a luxurious bath while she watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on a small television in the bathroom. Then she got busy cooking.

  She was glad that Denny didn’t seem nervous about meeting her parents. “It’s important for a man to meet a woman’s mother so he knows what his beloved will look like as an older woman,” he proclaimed as he leaned back against the kitchen counter, a grin on his face.

  “My mother is perfectly beautiful,” Jill said, slapping him lightly with a dish towel.

  “Well, I’d be surprised if your maw had whiskers sprouting from her chin or missing teeth,” he said, dodging as Jill flicked the towel at him again, laughing.

  She gave him a mock-stern look. “When my parents get here, you’d better straighten up and fly right. If my mother and dad don’t approve, I’ll have to send you packing.”

  Finn, Missy, Liam, and Brian had already made it clear they thought Denny should come up for official inspection at Thanksgiving dinner. Her mother had agreed that it was time for Denny to meet all the other major players in Jill’s life. Even her father seemed anxious to meet the man who had been such an agent of change in his only daughter’s life from devastating grief to happiness. It was clear to everyone that Denny had played a significant role in Jill’s emotional recovery following David’s betrayal.

  Overall, Thanksgiving promised to be an interesting holiday right through the weekend, with an official invitation from Joni for an “Evening of Chocolate” the Saturday after at her home. Jill and Denny planned to go together, as did Liam and Brian. Jill hoped that Joni’s plan to reunite her family would meet with success and that the party would be as fun and festive as Joni dreamed it could be.

  Jill hummed as she diced potatoes into cold salted water, prepared the traditional herb stuffing, and made a decadent sweet potato casserole with the twins’ favorite crunchy pecan topping. Of course, there also would be the traditional green bean casserole, homemade yeasty rolls, and an enormous turkey. After cleaning pots and pans for the second time, she arranged a white linen tablecloth over the dining room table and set each guest’s place with new white china—a gift to herself. For several weeks, she had felt sadness at the thought of using the wedding china she and David had received so many years ago. It hadn’t taken more than a few words of encouragement from Nancy for Jill to decide that the china she had admired for so long was the ideal way to ensure that this year’s Thanksgiving would be celebrated for what it was—a new start on holiday traditions.

  Nancy and Hal arrived at three thirty bearing Nancy’s traditional mince, pumpkin, and apple pies. She also brought roasted chestnuts and a gigantic tray of assorted holiday cookies. This signaled the official start of the holiday sea
son for Jill. From the time Jill was a toddler, Nancy had been a generous baker, providing elaborate cookie trays for family, neighbors, and friends.

  “It smells great in here,” Hal observed as he turned on the television to watch sports, snatching a handful of mixed nuts from a dish on the coffee table.

  “Hi, Dad,” she said, hugging him as he crunched in her ear. “I’ll put you in charge of making sure everyone has drinks.”

  Nancy went straight to work basting the turkey again and punching down the bread dough that rested in a huge, oiled bowl next to the stove. Missy, whose pregnancy was beginning to show under her bulky sweater, walked through the kitchen on her way to the extra refrigerator in the garage. Her pretty porcelain face beamed radiant good health these days. Missy reported feeling much better as the pregnancy progressed and claimed to have more energy than ever. She tucked a huge mixed greens salad into the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.

  Finn kissed his mother on the cheek. “Happy Thanksgiving, Momma,” he said.

  Jill placed her hands on the sides of his freshly shaved face and gave him a peck on the lips. “Same to you, baby. I’m so happy to have all my favorite people under one roof today.”

  Liam and Brian arrived at four o’clock bearing a calorie-dense dried-corn casserole that was a favorite in Brian’s family. Liam produced an assortment of dilly beans, marinated olives, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, and roasted red peppers. Wine was poured, craft beers uncapped, and the celebration officially began with Brian perched in his usual spot at the piano, playing holiday classics. By the time Denny arrived with wine and a bouquet of flowers for Jill, she knew this would be a holiday to remember.

  “Hi,” he said, giving her a chaste kiss as she greeted him at the front door. He glanced in her father’s direction. “To be continued,” he offered in a stage whisper.