by Vicky Jones
A look of pure joy crossed Dorothy’s aged face. “Shona, that would truly be the greatest honor of my life. I accept.”
Shona grinned and sat back in her chair. “I am the luckiest person on this earth right now. What more could I ask for?”
“Another slice of pie?” Dorothy ventured, to which Shona laughed, nodded and held out her plate.
Chapter 19
Chloe was in the bedroom going through her wardrobe. She pulled out top after top, skirt after skirt and sighed as she held each up against her much more rounded body. She picked up her favorite red skirt and red and white polka dot blouse. It had always been Shona’s favorite outfit of hers too, accentuating her perfect curves. Curves that had turned to lumps though, even three weeks after having the baby.
“Goddamn it,” she grimaced as she pulled the two sides of the blouse together. Her chest was far too swollen for the buttons to meet the holes. Giving up, Chloe then swept it off in a huff.
“Probably no damn point trying you on either,” she scolded the skirt before throwing on a loose undershirt and elasticated shorts. She stood in front of the mirror and closely inspected her face. She was still undeniably beautiful, but her eyes had dark circles beneath them, her hair lank and outgrown. Her skin looked paler, even though the Californian sun was getting hotter with every day that passed closer to summer.
“No wonder Shona doesn’t want to come near me lately,” she whispered to the mirror.
“You OK in there?” Dorothy’s voice sounded from outside the bedroom.
“Yeah, just doing a little bit of spring cleaning of my closet,” Chloe replied.
Dorothy pushed the door open and saw Chloe standing in front of the mirror, lost in her thoughts. She looked over to the bed and saw a huge pile of clothes, some of Chloe’s best ones. “They might not fit now, honey, but it won’t be long before the baby weight drops off. You’ll see,” the old lady said, still standing in the doorway.
“I know. I just never thought I’d change so much. Physically. I doubt Shona will ever come near me again, judging by the whale looking back at me in that mirror.” She sat back on the bed and placed her face in her hands.
A loud bark of laughter rang out from Dorothy, making Chloe jump a little.
“Are you serious? Shona is more in love with you now than she ever was. And as for whether she still finds you attractive? Well, you could be dressed in a sack cloth and she’d still be making eyes at you. Anyone can see that.” The old lady shuffled over to the bed and sat down next to Chloe.
“Then, why haven’t we?” She paused. “You know…” Chloe’s face reddened.
“Listen, honey, that baby in there is younger than some of the food we got in that pantry. You are both so exhausted, and Shona working long hours at the garage is just what has to happen right now.” Dorothy clasped her wrinkly hand over Chloe’s. “You both need to forget that happening in here for a little while yet.” She chuckled. “No, the only thing you two should be doing in here is getting some shut-eye.”
“Yeah, I know. I’m just a mess of emotions right now. One minute I feel on top of the world, the next I feel like jumping off it. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going, Dorothy,” Chloe said, rubbing her palm over her face.
“I tell you what, why don’t you put David’s crib in my room for a bit? I sleep like the dead anyway, so I’m sure he won’t be any trouble. It’ll give you and Shona some space to reacquaint.” Dorothy flashed a little smile.
“Really? You wouldn’t mind?”
“Of course not. Now, you go take Junior out for a bit of fresh air. Do you both the world of good. We’ll sort everything out later when Shona gets home.”
Chloe looked at Dorothy and smiled. “You know what, I might just do that.” She leaned over to kiss Dorothy on the cheek, then rose up off the bed.
Chloe wheeled David’s buggy along the sidewalk, stopping for a moment at the news stand. She picked up a copy of Vogue and began flicking through, frowning when she saw models in their elegant poses wearing the latest Dior fashions and Chanel suits. Pastel pink high waisted dresses reminded her of the old days working at her father’s factory, but even though she’d hated being ogled by the less-than-polite workers there, she still couldn’t help but think of how good she’d looked back then. After putting the magazine back down, now feeling a little downcast, Chloe carried on walking. Up ahead of her was a store that sold the sort of clothes she was much more used to wearing these days—patterned summer dresses, halter neck tops, white shorts with an elasticated waistband and pleated floaty skirts. They were comfortable, but no matter what color combination she tried on, they just weren’t flattering. Sighing, Chloe took to the counter two tops that looked exactly like the two she’d bought the previous week. Afterwards, she headed over to the grocery store with a list Dorothy had handed to her just as she was leaving. There wasn’t much to get, but it would save Shona doing yet another chore on her way home. Inside the store, Edie sat behind her register talking to Nurse Marion. They hushed their conversation at Chloe’s entrance.
“Why, Mrs. Clark, how are you and baby doing?” Marion began, rushing over as Chloe struggled through the doorway with the stroller.
“I’m fine, thank you for asking. We’re both doing well.” Chloe nodded her thanks, then set about browsing the aisles. Cocking an eyebrow, Marion returned to the register to resume her conversation with Edie. About five minutes later, Chloe appeared at the register with a small basket hooked over one arm, her other hand pushing the stroller.
“How’re you getting on with motherhood, Chloe?” Edie broached, her keen eyes watching Chloe’s reactions.
“Fine, but thank you for asking,” Chloe replied, feeling as if she were beginning to sound like a broken record.
“Well, if you ask me, a woman like you shouldn’t be doing this on her own. When’s your husband home?” Marion chipped in. “You got your folks close by?”
“My father is away on long-term business and my mother is at home in Alabama. I live with my sister and a family friend now. How much, Edie?”
Edie flashed a sympathetic smile. “That’ll be three dollars forty-five,” she replied holding her hand out for the bills Chloe was offering her.
“Thank you. Have a nice day,” Chloe said after taking her change.
“Look at them,” Lula said, nodding her head in the direction of Shona and Chloe, the former picking David out of his stroller and cradling him. “The way Shona looks at that Chloe. Makes you jealous, don’t it?” She clenched her teeth together in frustration, after finally having seen her competition.
“You’re just gonna have to try a little harder then, ain’t you. Because after that Chloe’s lost her baby weight she’s gonna be the town’s Hot Mama. And you won’t have a cat in hell’s chance of prizing them two apart,” Dee teased.
“Well, we’ll just see about that,” Lula replied.
“How’s my little monster been today?” Shona asked as she lifted David up in the air, then held him close to her. David gurgled and grabbed her blonde locks in his pudgy fists as he wriggled in her grasp.
“He’s been fine, slept most of the day. I got your lunch here,” Chloe replied, handing her a small brown paper bag containing a bologna sandwich and an apple.
“Thank you,” Shona replied, taking the bag from her. Unable to resist, Chloe left her fingers on the bag a second longer than she’d intended to, feeling her heart flutter as they came into contact with Shona’s. “Baby, no, we gotta be careful. People might see that,” Shona warned, but her own heart raced too. “Why don’t we have an early night tonight, huh?”
“Yeah, OK. I hate it that we can’t just be open about how much we love each other. I mean, with all the hate and the killing that’s gone on in the world these last few decades, would it really be so bad for folks to see two people madly in love, just holding each other’s hand?”
“Maybe one day it’ll be OK? But for now, we just gotta deal with it. I hate it as much a
s you do. God, I just wanna throw my arms around you both and shout it from the rooftops, ‘I’m in love with the most beautiful girl on the planet, and have the most perfect life with her and our boy,’ but I know I can’t. The worst thing is there are people in this town in normal relationships that aren’t happy. Some of the things I hear the guys saying about their wives? I could never think that about you.” Shona’s words were loaded with emotion.
“I know. It’s just not fair. Listen, I gotta go. But come home soon, yeah? I’m holding you to that early night idea.” She bit on her bottom lip, feeling butterflies in her stomach.
“As soon as I get this truck fixed, I’m coming home. You can bet your bottom dollar on that,” Shona replied, aching to kiss Chloe right there and then.
Chloe pushed the stroller away, looking back over her shoulder to Shona, who grinned and skipped back over to the truck.
Marion had stopped at the corner of the garage, just out of sight, seconds after Chloe had arrived. Four minutes later, she was striding away in the other direction after hearing every word of her conversation with Shona.
“Sisters, my ass,” she muttered to herself. “That poor baby.” Her face like stone, she headed straight over to the police station.
Shona had fixed the truck in record time and in less than twenty minutes she had cleared her tools away, locked up for the night and was skidding into the driveway and jumping out of the truck.
“I’m home. Chloe?” she called out after slamming the front door shut. Within seconds a screeching cry rang out from the bedroom. Chloe appeared and was standing in the hallway in front of Shona holding David. He’d been sick on her shoulder and was red-faced and screaming through the second wave of vomit.
“Shhh…it’s OK, sweetie,” Chloe soothed, rocking David from side to side. “I can’t seem to settle him. I fed him earlier but he seems a little grouchy tonight.”
“Here, let me try,” she whispered, reaching out to take the baby from an exhausted looking Chloe. Gently, she began singing in David’s tiny ear. “I need you so, that I could die, I love you so, and that is why, whenever I want you all I have to do is dream.”
Within seconds, David was settling, gazing up at Shona with his large eyes, which slowly began to close. After cleaning his face with a towel Chloe handed her, Shona looked lovingly down at him as he snuffled softly and thrust a fist into his wet mouth. Several gurgles and sneezes later, David was lying contented in Shona’s arms.
“Oh my, how d’you do that?”
“Not sure. I guess he’s just worn himself out. I used to listen to that song all the time when I first fell in love with you.” Shona blushed, as did Chloe. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
“Liar,” Chloe joked, but smiled back. “I smell. I haven’t showered or changed yet. I’m such a letdown. I wanted tonight to be special for us.”
Shona leaned into Chloe, David nestled between them. “I don’t care, you’re still the most beautiful girl I ever saw.” Wrinkling her nose, she added, “But maybe a quick shower wouldn’t hurt.”
Chloe reached out to swat Shona but she deftly swerved away and reminded Chloe with her eyes that she was holding their most precious possession.
“OK, I’ll go clean up. I felt Marion’s prying eyes on me again today. Anyone’d think she was writing a book on us,” Chloe said. “You OK to keep watch?”
But Chloe didn’t need to bother asking. Shona, completely in her own world, gazed down in awe at the miracle lying peacefully in her arms.
“Shona’ll have a heart attack when she sees you,” Dorothy said, appearing at the bedroom doorway the following morning. “You look a peach, kid.”
“Oh Dorothy, you really think?” Chloe replied, smoothing down the six-inch border hem of her new skirt.
Dorothy gave a knowing smile. “David’s all ready in his stroller. I just need you to pick up a few things while you’re out if that’s OK?”
Chloe took the small note off the old lady and waved goodbye.
An hour later, after running all of her errands, Chloe pushed the stroller into the park in the town square. Seating herself on a bench, she fanned herself, eyes closed. The heat of June was increasing as the days went by.
“Excuse me, ma’am, do you mind if I sit here?”
Opening her eyes, Chloe looked up to see a man, around thirty years old, wearing a smart gray flannel suit and fedora hat, motioning his hand towards the empty far end of the bench.
“Of course,” Chloe replied, shielding the morning sun out of her eyes with her hand as she looked up at his handsome face.
The man sat down and took out the newspaper he was holding underneath his arm. He grunted as he read over the front page headlines. “I still can’t believe that,” the man muttered, shaking his head.
Curious, Chloe looked over. “What?”
The man smiled. “Oh, just Patterson getting himself knocked out in three. Lost the title. There’ll be a rematch, though, no doubt.” He caught Chloe’s glazed look and laughed. “Not a boxing fan, huh?” he said, half-embarrassed that she’d heard his mutterings. “I’m Robert, by the way.” He held his hand out for Chloe to shake, which she did, accidentally knocking the stroller with her arm. David woke and began to cry.
“Oh, my. I’m sorry about this.” Chloe reached into the stroller and picked David up, bobbing him up and down to quiet him. Her haste to do so only made David’s cries worse.
Robert watched, not sure whether to help or to leave Chloe to it. After a few minutes he reached out his hands. “Here, may I try? I got a little trick I saw once.”
Chloe held him out to Robert, who stood up next to her. Holding David close to his smart pressed button-down white shirt, he swayed from side to side, all while rubbing David’s back gently. As if by magic, David’s cries turned to snuffles, then soft breathing.
Chloe stared up at Robert open-mouthed. “How on Earth did you do that?”
Robert smiled. “I’ve had a lot of practice,” he said, laying David back down in his stroller.
“How many do you have?”
Robert looked at Chloe and blushed. “Oh, no. I’m not married. I meant I got a lot of nieces and nephews. I’ve acquired quite the knack.” He sat back down on the bench looking nervous all of a sudden. “I hope you don’t mind me asking but, um…would you care to have coffee with me? I mean, if you’re not busy?”
It was Chloe’s turn to blush. “Oh, I’m sorry. I am married and, well, my husband’s away on business at the moment.” The lies came a little too easily for her. So much so that she gave a completely different line to the one she and Shona usually used.
Robert’s face flushed. “Gee, it’s me who should be sorry. I just assumed that… Well, you don’t have a ring on there.” He nodded down at her left hand. “So I just assumed… Damn, I’m such a heel.” He rose to his feet. “It sure was nice meeting you, ma’am. I hope I didn’t cause too much offence?”
Chloe shook her head. He tipped his hat in farewell and strode off, kicking out at a piece of grit on the sidewalk as he passed it.
Before Chloe had chance to process what had just happened, an old couple shuffled up to her. The lady, after looking down at David sleeping in his stroller, looked at Chloe and smiled. “I hope you don’t mind us saying, dear, but you and your gentleman make such a lovely couple.”
It was past midnight when Chloe woke and squinted at the bedside clock. Unable to get back to sleep, she quietly rose, so as not to disturb Shona who’d flopped into bed hours before, exhausted after her long day at work. Padding barefoot onto the veranda, she stared out to the ocean which was just about visible under the milky-white moonlight glow. “You make such a wonderful couple.” The old lady’s words pounded her brain, repeating over and over again and no matter how much she loved Shona, no matter how good she was with David, Chloe knew that they could never be open to the town, to any town, about who they were to each other. Never be a “wonderful couple”’ in the eyes of society.
But it was the dream Chloe had had before she’d woken that stirred her the most. One of an alternative, normal life. With Robert.
Part 2: April 1960
Chapter 20
They had decided to celebrate David’s first birthday with a picnic on the beach. Cooper, their new golden retriever puppy Shona had bought for David as his present, was splashing about on the shoreline with David scrabbling in the sand. Chloe looked on with a huge grin on her face, Dorothy shaking her head and laughing at the scene in front of her as she sipped at her tea glass.
“Sorry I’m late. I had to pick up those parts from out of town,” Shona greeted, sitting cross-legged on the sand next to Chloe’s deck chair.
“I didn’t hear you leave this morning. Or come to bed last night. Everything OK?” Chloe asked, not looking at her.
“Yeah, I stopped off at Bertie’s for a few drinks, and to catch up with everyone. I didn’t wanna disturb you so I slept on the couch.” Shona paused. “That OK?”
Chloe remained silent and stony-faced. Dorothy looked between them and rolled her eyes. “You two stop whatever it is that’s going on here. Today’s about that little ankle biter over there.” She nodded her head towards David who was trying, unsuccessfully, to ride Cooper like a horse.
Chloe and Shona looked at each other, an apologetic smile on both their faces. Chloe looked over to David and Cooper fooling around. “I don’t know which one is more a bad influence on the other,” she said, watching Cooper dig a huge hole in the sand. She covered her face with her palms as David started to mirror him, getting sand all over his head and face. “I think they both take after you, Shona,” Dorothy replied with a smile.
“Yeah, they sure do. I taught ‘em well. I guess some part of me has definitely rubbed off on Davey, even if he ain’t my biological kid.” Shona dug into the sand with a small piece of driftwood she’d found.
