One Woman’s Treasure

by Jean Copeland

  “Bottoms up,” Daphne said. The second she took a sip, her eyes and mouth puckered in unison.

  “It grows on you,” Nina said with a reassuring squeeze of her arm. “Especially by the second one.”

  “I bet you’ll like the mango,” Lacey said. “If you’re still standing after this one.”

  “She’ll do just fine.” Nina admonished with her eyes again, then led Daphne to the dining-room table. “Here. Have some chips and dip with that.”

  Noah joined them at the table and started riffling through the chip bowls.

  “Oh,” Nina said, playful but firm. “Are those hands clean? And secondly, put the chips on your plate. We’re trying to have a civilized taco night here.”

  “Yes. I washed my hands,” he said. “When are we eating? I’m starving.”

  “Have some salsa. There’s bean dip, too. The meat will be cooked in no time.”

  “Can I help with anything?” Daphne licked her lips. “Hmm. Salty.”

  “My mom gets salty sometimes, too.”

  “Ah-ha-ha. I get it,” Daphne said too loudly for the room, and when she clapped him on the back, he smiled brightly.

  “Very funny.” Nina smirked at Noah, then smiled at Daphne for encouraging him.

  “So much for a civilized taco night,” Lacey mumbled, but Nina caught the remark.

  “We’re using actual silverware and dishes. That’s about as classy as taco night gets around here.” Nina directed the comment solely at Lacey.

  She pulled out a chair for Daphne to join Noah at the table as Lacey prepared the taco meats on a stovetop grill. Remorseful for feeling temperamental toward Lacey, she pressed herself against her back and whispered, “Can I help you with anything?”

  Lacey whispered over her shoulder, “Not here in front of everyone.”

  She exhaled. Apparently, Lacey hadn’t even noticed. Nina gave her a playful pat on her behind and joined the others at the table.

  While Noah breathlessly regaled them with his latest adventures at school, Nina thought she’d noticed Daphne stealing glances in Lacey’s direction. At one point, Daphne caught Nina catching her, so she forced her concentration back to the table conversation.

  “I’m so proud of Noah,” Nina said. “It’s only been a couple of months, and already he’s made some new friends and joined the STEM club.”

  “That’s cool,” Daphne said. “Girls are in that club, too?”

  Noah rolled his eyes. “More girls than boys are in it. So annoying.”

  “Excellent,” Nina said. “Boys and girls should be working together as equals in all settings.”

  “Sports, too?” Daphne asked.

  “Of course,” Nina said. “I heard that our town’s high school football team has a female wide receiver. I’m planning to take Noah to a game some Friday night.”

  “That sounds like a lot of fun,” Lacey said as she carried a plate of grilled chicken and shrimp to the table. “But now we eat.” She grabbed the pitcher of mango margaritas from the fridge and refilled their glasses.

  Nina smiled a thank-you to Lacey and again thought she’d caught Daphne flashing a little judgmental side-eye in Lacey’s direction. She had to be misinterpreting it. Daphne hadn’t a catty bone in her body and certainly didn’t judge anyone unless a person gave her just cause. And even then she probably wouldn’t have expressed herself.

  Maybe it was just Lacey. She often assumed control in a way that made others sit back and yield to her confidence. Once Nina had grown used to it, she looked forward to the occasional reprieve.

  After they’d ravaged their Mexican feast, leaving no tortilla chip behind, Nina brought out a tray of desserts. “Ladies and gentleman, I present desserts de los Noah, a new recipe inspired by the one and only.” She nodded toward Noah, and after the proper amount of oohs and ahhs, they dug into an amalgamation of flan, ice cream, and Noah’s favorite, churros.

  As her eyes rounded the table to see who was ready for coffee, she noticed Daphne nodding off. Noah giggled when he noticed it, too.

  Lacey shook her head, clearly amused. “The mango ones. They’ll get ya every time.”

  “Daphne, you okay?” Nina gently shook her arm. “Wanna go lie down for a bit?”

  Daphne’s eyes sprang open. “No, no. I’m fine. I should get going.” When she got up from the table, she tilted to the side and grabbed the back of her chair.

  “Mom, she can’t drive home,” Noah said loudly.

  “I know, honey. Why don’t you go up and get ready for bed now.”

  “I’m not done with my dessert.”

  “Take it into the family room then,” she growled and gently pulled him up by his shirt.

  It felt a bit like herding cats as Nina tried to corral an unsteady Daphne who was already digging in her pants for her car keys, as well as encouraging Noah, who was clearly enjoying the scene, to go in the other room.

  When he finally obeyed, she turned to find Daphne heading toward the front door. She looked at Lacey and snarled, “Why aren’t you helping with any of this?”

  “I’ve had a few too many myself,” Lacey replied, not looking so good. “And I think dessert sent me over the edge.” She pushed back from the table and sprinted to the bathroom.

  “For fuck’s sake,” she whispered to herself and intercepted Daphne as she reached for the door handle. “Daph, give me your keys. You cannot drive home like this.”

  Her response slurred out. “But I have to go to work tomorrow.”

  “I’ll make sure you’re awake early enough to get to work on time.”

  “Okay.” Daphne headed toward the couch.

  “Not there.” Nina grabbed her and herded her toward the stairs. “I have a guest room with a comfortable bed.”

  Daphne stopped when they reached the bottom step. “Up there?” She rested her weight against Nina as she squinted toward the top of the staircase.

  “Yes. We can do it,” Nina said, wanting to check on Lacey but afraid Daphne would escape if left unattended. She held onto to her as they ascended the stairs.

  She dropped Daphne off at the bed in the guest room, then went to get her a T-shirt to sleep in. When she returned a moment later, Daphne had keeled over on the pillow. She smiled at the partial grin still on Daphne’s face. She probably should’ve stopped her after her second margarita, but she seemed to be having such a good time, Nina wanted her to let loose. Then they just lost count.

  “Daphne.” She gently shook her shoulder. “Do you want to change out of your clothes? I have a T-shirt for you.”

  Daphne nodded and bolted upright, her eyes slits. “Yes, yes. I need a T-shirt.” She tried to remove her shirt over her head but got stuck inside it.

  “Let me help you.” Nina raised Daphne’s arms over her head and pulled the shirt off in one motion. “Want to leave your bra on?”

  “No,” Daphne said, her phrases sliding out like one long word. “It’s like a straightjacket. I want it off.” Her arms flailed as she attempted to unclasp her bra from behind.

  “Okay. Here. Stand up.” Nina lifted her to her feet, put the night shirt over her head, and reached around to unclasp the bra. She then helped Daphne fully into the T-shirt, at which time Daphne threw her arms around Nina’s neck.

  She pressed her lips to Nina’s ear, dampening it with her warm breath. “Thank you so much for helping me, Nina. Bras are the worst.”

  “That they are.” Nina tried not to laugh, but Daphne was an adorable drunk. She was still clinging to Nina, her arms wound around her neck like a boa constrictor and squeezing her almost as tight. “Are you ready to go to sleep now?”

  “Nina?” Still clinging.

  “Yes?” Still holding.

  Daphne looked at her, clearly struggling to focus. “Nina? You’re such an amazing friend. I love you so much.”

  Now Nina couldn’t help but giggle. “I love you, too, Daph. How about we go to sleep now? It’s getting late.” She tried to lower her onto the bed, but Daphne resist
ed.

  She squeezed her tighter and whispered, “I’m in love with you, Nina,” in her ear.

  Nina wasn’t laughing anymore. She nudged Daphne back enough to study her. “What did you say?”

  “I said I love you,” Daphne replied, her voice louder.

  “No. That’s not what you just said.”

  “God, I’m so tired.” She went limp in Nina’s arms.

  “Daphne, what did you…”

  It was no use. Nina laid her down and dragged the covers over her, lingering in the room to make sure she was falling into a deep-enough sleep.

  Nina was not imagining things. She’d heard Daphne say she was in love with her, not just that she loved her. They were definitely not the same thing. Maybe she was just babbling because she was so drunk. But what was that expression? Drunk words were sober thoughts?

  Whatever the truth was, she certainly wouldn’t get it out of Daphne that night, nor was she sure she even wanted to. Anyway she had another disaster to attend to downstairs.

  She walked into the kitchen expecting to find Lacey facedown at the kitchen table but instead found her loading the dishwasher.

  “Only a woman with her shit as together as yours could rally from a Mexican and tequila puke fest enough to finish cleaning up.”

  Lacey shrugged casually. “I feel much better now. Did you get Mary Queen of Shots off to bed okay?”

  Nina laughed lightly, still a little stirred up from Daphne’s confession. “Yeah, finally. I don’t think I’ve been a very responsible hostess, letting a newbie drink three or more margaritas on her maiden voyage.”

  “She’s a big girl,” Lacey said. “She loosened up and was having fun. Besides, we didn’t let her drive anywhere.”

  “She’ll be hurting in the morning.”

  “The price we pay for our indulgences.” Lacey smoothed out the dishtowel over the rack and turned to Nina. “Guess I’ll be heading out now.”

  Nina studied her, appreciating how much Lacey seemed to love her. She’d held on as long as her sanity would’ve allowed when they’d first fallen in love, and now she was back going after what she wanted. And what she wanted was Nina. The validation was hard to resist. “Would you like to stay over? I’d feel better if you didn’t drive home either.”

  “I’m fine now. Really.”

  “Daphne’s given us the perfect opportunity to introduce Noah to the idea of sleepovers.”

  Lacey’s eyes shone with delight as she swept Nina up in her arms. “I’d love to.” She kissed her sweetly on the lips. “And remind me to thank your friend in the morning for being such a lightweight.”

  They walked upstairs together, and after getting ready for bed, Nina peeked in on Daphne, dying to know if her drunk words were indeed sober thoughts.

  Chapter Sixteen

  As they walked down the hall to Sophie’s room, Daphne was glad Nina had wanted to come with her. She’d hoped and believed that Sophie would be finishing her recuperation at home, but that wasn’t the case. As they approached the room, she sighed.

  “Are you okay?” Nina said.

  Daphne nodded. “It’s just that she’s been here for nearly two months. It’s almost Christmas.”

  “You mentioned she’s been slowly but steadily improving. Maybe she’ll be going home soon, if not in time for Christmas.”

  “I hope so.” Daphne shrugged, struggling to convince herself it was possible.

  “She’s going to love the present you got her.” Nina pointed to the Christmas gift bag that contained a blown-up photo of Sophie and her late husband at Christmas when they were first married.

  “Thanks,” Daphne said.

  They went in, and Sophie looked up with a half-smile of recognition. She’d regained some use of her affected side but was still partially paralyzed.

  “I brought you a present, Soph.” Daphne bent and gave her a kiss.

  “Present? For me?” she said slowly.

  “Yes. An early Christmas present. Hope you don’t mind. I couldn’t wait to give it to you.” Daphne placed the bag in her lap and helped her remove the gorgeous antique frame containing the photo.

  “William. My Willie.” She hugged the frame to her chest with one arm. She then looked up with glassy eyes. “Thank you.”

  Daphne noticed, through her own cloudy eyes, that Nina’s were pooling as well.

  “That’s a beautiful photo of you and your husband,” Nina said.

  Sophie smiled and gently stroked the glass over his face.

  Sophie’s son walked into the room with a tray of two coffees from a local coffee shop. “Hi, Daph. I wish I’d known you were coming.” He indicated the coffee as he handed his mother hers.

  “No problem,” she replied. “We can’t stay long. We have some antiquing to do today.”

  “Actually, I’m glad you’re here. Can I talk to you privately for a second?”

  “Sure.” She followed him into the hall. “Is everything okay?”

  He nodded. “As okay as it’s ever going to be, I’m afraid. Even though she’s made great progress, the doctors and therapists don’t believe she’ll improve much more, certainly not to her pre-stroke ability.”

  “How can they be so sure? At first they weren’t even sure if she’d wake up, but now look at her.”

  “I know, but whatever additional progress she may make won’t be enough for her to be on her own again. I’m putting her house on the market, and I just wanted to let you know before you see the sign on her lawn.”

  The news hit Daphne like a kid learning that Santa Claus was really just her parents. She knew Will was expecting a response of some kind, but she couldn’t find words to convey her feelings.

  “I’m sure it’s a shock,” he said. “Especially since you guys have been neighbors for so long. It’s just time. She’s going to be eighty-three soon, and my wife and I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of her living alone again.”

  “Is she moving in with you?”

  Daphne realized how rude the question sounded the minute it came out, not that his face wasn’t a clear-enough indication.

  “She’s going to a facility that specializes in stroke aftercare.”

  “Oh. Oh, that’s awesome.” Daphne stammered, trying to correct herself. “I mean not that it’s awesome she’s going to a home, but…”

  “I know what you mean. It’s not that much farther than this place, so I hope you’ll still feel free to visit her.”

  “Yes, of course, I’ll visit. If you or she needs any help with anything in the meantime, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “Thanks. I’ll take her house keys back if you have them.”

  “Oh, yeah. They’re in the car. I’ll run and get them.”

  “No. That’s okay. I’ll get them next time I go over to the house.” He paused. “She’d set aside a couple of antique pieces she wanted you to have some day, so…”

  “That’s so sweet.” Daphne smiled against her overwhelming urge to burst into tears in front of him. “My friend and I have to get going now.”

  She walked back into the room and saw Nina sitting beside Sophie’s bed reading a magazine article to her. When she looked up, the touching scene and her beautiful eyes and warm smile didn’t help her effort to maintain her composure in front of everyone.

  “We should go now.”

  “Already?” Nina got up with a look of concern. “Anything wrong?”

  Daphne shook her head and gave Sophie a hug and kiss good- bye. Something about the situation made it impossible for her to sit and talk and smile with Sophie, who knew nothing about her fate.

  * * *

  Out in the parking lot, Nina waited to unlock the car. “What happened in there?”

  “Her son is moving her to a convalescent home. Permanently.”

  “Oh, no,” Nina said and unlocked the doors. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I understand it’s what’s best for her, but it just sucks,” Daphne said as she got in the car. “I mean one minut
e she’s living her best old-lady life, and the next, bam! She gets a massive stroke and barely knows her own name. Ugh. I hate life sometimes.”

  Her heart aching for Daphne, Nina gave her thigh a comforting squeeze. What else could she do for her? She knew Daphne cherished their friendship, but in many ways, Sophie was like her family, too. “Do you still feel like antiquing today?”

  Daphne nodded. “If I don’t, I’ll just go home and be miserable.”

  “Good,” Nina said as she started the car. “I’d much rather you be miserable with me than alone. Dinner’s on me today.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m not even hungry.”

  “Well, you’re not not going to eat on my watch.” Nina grabbed her hand and weaved her fingers between Daphne’s. She actually wanted to scoop her up and pull her into the tightest embrace ever, but that usually resulted in people who were teetering on the edge of a breakdown having one then and there. Instead, she drove toward their first destination.

  They’d fallen into a silence as they drove, until Daphne said, “Can you show me that retail space you mentioned?”

  “Which one?” Nina said, playfully. “I’ve mentioned about a half dozen over the last few months.”

  “Whatever one’s still available.” Daphne looked at her with determination.

  “I’ll text my realtor friend to see if that last one is still available.” Nina couldn’t contain her smile. “This one’s a tiny space, but it’s cute, the location’s great, and the rent is reasonable.”

  “I’m not sure what reasonable is to someone with no money, but okay. Let’s go check it out.”

  It didn’t take long for Nina’s friend Rikki, a slender statue of a woman in a sharp suit, to arrive with folders, iPad, and keys.

  “Nina’s told me all about your business plan. I’m so excited you’re finally ready to go. You have eight hundred square feet of floor space and another two-fifty in inventory storage. I’m assuming only you will be working in the space?”

  Daphne nodded.

  “Good.” Rikki waved her arm as she guided them around the room. “As you can see, there’s no break room unless you want to plop a table in the middle of your storeroom. But then that eats up space for your merchandise. Given that you’re a collector, I’ll assume you’ll need all the space available.”