Strong Tea

by Sheila Horgan

  It was good to be back to somewhere near playful.

  Once we got to the table, had our drink orders in, and had decided what to eat, we got down to a real discussion.

  “Do you believe him?”

  “I want to.”

  “He seemed genuine. You have to admit, if Daddy had been in a hotel with a bunch of naked people, thinking that he was making some kind of assignation with some other couple, and instead, you and I pop in, that would be enough to throw anybody off.”

  “True.”

  “Did you know they were like that?”

  “I wouldn’t put anything past Honey, but it surprised me that Mr. Fisher was. He’s always been so conservative. He wears undershirts for God’s sake.”

  “Maybe that is just a generational thing. Some men don’t want you to know they have nipples.”

  “Dingleberry, I do not want to think about Mr. Fisher’s nipples. Don’t ruin my lunch for me.”

  “Sorry. So do you think he was telling the truth, and all this is done, or are you going to keep searching?”

  “I’m going to keep an open mind. I’m going to pay very close attention to everything he says and does during our new transition period. I’m going to use my logic and not my emotions and see where it leads.”

  “That’s healthy.”

  “I’m also going to take your advice.”

  “I’m not sure which advice you’re talking about.”

  “I’m going to establish a team, and I’m going to run everything by them. The company has grown and grown over the last few years, and we’ve kept going like it was me and the original Fishers in our little office with everything on call notes.”

  “Call notes?”

  “We used to have these tablets. We actually had them specifically made. There was an area to write down important stuff. You’d rip the original out and hand it off, and the copy was always there as an archive. We ran a whole business that way.”

  “Life before computers.”

  “Good point. I gotta make a note.”

  “What was my point, exactly?”

  “Why have we had all that extra computer space all these years? It doesn’t make sense. It could be at the root of all our IRS problems, and maybe, just maybe, it has something to do with Gord.”

  “Oh, crap, I got so carried away with you and Mr. Fisher, I forgot about Gord.”

  “I have to check with the police and see what’s going on. I’ve watched too much television over the years. I expect everything to be solved by the time I need to pee.”

  “I hate that word.”

  “Sorry, dingleberry.”

  “I don’t need to know about your bodily functions. Once you go in the bathroom, don’t give me details.”

  “Fine, the police are not going to have this figured out by the time I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “I have bad news for you, Teagan.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I did some research. Turns out that the police don’t figure out a murder more often than they do figure it out. Depending on the numbers you want to believe, there’s a good chance we’re never going to know what happened. Unless someone calls in and confesses or gets all drunk and tells a bar full of people and one of them calls in. If the cops were going to figure it out any other way, they’d probably have figured it out by now.”

  “Great.”

  “I could be wrong.”

  “You usually are.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m rarely wrong.”

  “Nor are you defensive. Eat, dingleberry. I have a big meeting to prepare for.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Need help?”

  “Yes, but not the kind you can give me. Thanks.”

  By the time I got home, I was exhausted. I went in to take a shower, saw that I actually looked pretty good, and decided to surprise A.J. at the studio.

  When is the last time I did that?

  I jumped back in my car, drove to my favorite parking spot, which was free — a small miracle but a good omen — and stopped at the little shop about five doors down and got some beautiful flowers from a woman who has to be a hundred and thirty. She has such a strong accent I just point, pay, and smile.

  When I got to the studio, the door was locked.

  I was pulling out my phone to text A.J. when I noticed a commotion down the street. I wandered that way.

  I’m one of those idiot people who hear a siren and go toward it instead of away to safety.

  Down most of the block, there were police lights flashing, and cops were holding back cars. I did a quick prayer that no one was hurt. All kinds of thoughts went through my head. Another mugging? Someone hit by a car? Dear God, I hope it isn’t something terrible. A.J. and Morgan have worked so hard to get the image of Old Town to be a positive one.

  As I walked up, I saw them. A.J. and Suzi. In the middle of all of it. That was the first thing I noticed. Next was a very tall, very thin, very beautiful woman. In impossibly high heels. A stunning dress and a shiny black lead that ended around the neck of a brindle mastiff. I think I was more enamored of the dog than the model.

  They were doing some kind of shoot.

  I hadn’t heard about it.

  Maybe I’ve been so involved with all things Teagan that I just hadn’t paid attention.

  I watched for several minutes, enjoying it. Taking it all in.

  A.J. was looking around for the next image when he saw me. Our eyes locked — very Hollywood — and he smiled.

  My heart still races every time he does that.

  I love him so much.

  He stopped everything, ran over, and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Hey.”

  “She’s beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as you are. Dinner?”

  “Please.”

  “Wait for me?”

  “Definitely.”

  He saw the flowers. “For Suzi?”

  “For you.”

  “Perfect.”

  He grabbed the flowers and jogged back to the model. I thought for sure he would hand them to her. Instead, he broke the stems near to the blossoms and stuck them in the dog’s collar.

  I watched as he continued to shoot. The whole thing couldn’t have taken more than half an hour. The crowd that had gathered broke up quickly, and Suzi, A.J., and I schlepped all the equipment back to the studio.

  I helped Suzi get everything straightened up and put away while A.J. went upstairs and worked at the computer.

  “We have a really fast turnaround on this. We got the call this morning, and they want images ready for print by tomorrow noon.”

  “Thank God. I thought maybe I’d been so wrapped up in all things Teagan I’d missed something.”

  “Nope. How are things going on that front?”

  “Better. Evelyn at day care?”

  “Gran and the girls have her. They can make a very convincing argument.” Suzi laughed. “Evelyn is a very lucky baby girl. They are all so good to her.”

  We heard a whoop of excitement from upstairs and ran for the office. A.J. being that vocal is infrequent.

  Suzi made it up the stairs first. A.J. scooped her up and swung her around.

  “Sometimes things just work out!”

  On the big screen was an image. A perfect image. Suzi spoke first. “Is that the one?”

  “I’ll send more, but if they have any brains, they’ll use this one.”

  There on the screen was a mastiff, big and bold, with beautiful flowers in his spiked collar. It was such a juxtaposition of fragile and strong. It was a remarkable image.

  I could see it in so many different ways. On a billboard. On a television screen. In brochures. They could build an entire marketing scheme around it, and I didn’t even know who they were.

  “I’m gonna get this on a drive and deliver it myself. Give me twenty minutes, and we can drop it off on the way to dinner.”

  Suzi smiled. “You guys enjoy. Gran and the girls are expecting me.”

&
nbsp; “Are you sure? We’ll wait until after you pick Herself up.” I think it’s in my DNA to offer more than once. That’s why you will never see an Irish people — at least not from my family — serve themselves as much as they want for dinner. We know there will be offers of seconds and thirds, and we don’t want to offend our host.

  “Thanks, but Gran and the girls are fixing me dinner.” Suzi seemed genuinely pleased.

  Family is good.

  I sometimes forget that not everybody has family around all the time.

  For some people, the O’Flynns must seem totally alien. The answer to the question “What are people like on Mars?”

  A.J. and I took full advantage of our time alone. We drove through our favorite barbecue place. Once home, we ate out in the backyard. There was a huge group of birds — seemed like multiple flocks, but I’m not sure how many birds equals a flock — that swooped in over the backyard. They provided us with a magnificent show. They would all head one direction, and then one would turn, and they’d all go the other direction. It was virtually instantaneous. They were dark on their backs and lighter on their fronts, so it was very dramatic. Plus, we have the most beautiful sunsets at the new house. Well, actually, they’re probably just as beautiful everywhere else in Florida, but our new house seems to showcase them better. Or maybe I’m just more content, so I notice them more.

  While I was soaking in a deep bath of smelly good stuff, A.J. took a shower and then brought me a cup of tea.

  If he’d stayed in that bathroom one more second, he might have joined me in my smelly good stuff bath. It might not have been by choice.

  Have I mentioned lately how good he looks in his old jeans?

  He probably finally figured that out, and that’s why he has started wearing them around the house again.

  I sent up a little thank you prayer and toweled off.

  When I got to our room, there was a beautifully wrapped box on the bed.

  “This just came.”

  “What is it?”

  “I didn’t open it. It’s from Teagan.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Look on the box.”

  The box itself was a beautiful silver color with just a touch of shimmer. It had a really artistically knotted bow made of a deep teal color. Teagan insists that’s my best color. That it brings out the color in my eyes. She uses it for everything that she sends my way, from wrappings to clothes.

  She had written me a note by hand. “Dingleberry, thank you for all your help. We will work on the wedding plans soon. This might help you get started on your wardrobe plans.”

  I may have squealed.

  I just had a feeling.

  I untied the bow, driving A.J. slightly insane. I’m one of those people that savor the moment. Allows the anticipation to build.

  I felt the shift in the air, but I assumed it was just because I was taking too long.

  It didn’t dawn on me till later that he was standing in our room, over our bed, with me naked, wafting smelly good stuff, and bouncing around like an idiot over the gift.

  I need to work on my self-esteem in that area. Most women would have realized what was going on at the time, and the power in the moment, but I was more focused on the gift. I never think of myself as a seductress.

  When I got the box open, I about died.

  I pulled out the most beautiful peignoir I have ever seen in my life, and that is really saying something.

  I know it wouldn’t work for everybody, but for me, it was perfect.

  It has a very 1940s feel. There is no doubt in my mind that Teagan had it custom made. She’s probably had it sitting around for a while. My guess is that she was going to give it to me as a shower gift, but decided not to wait. She’s told me a hundred times she’s known forever that A.J. and I would end up getting married.

  All that went through my mind while I lifted the most luxurious fabric I’ve ever felt out of the box.

  Candlelight white. That’s the only way I can think of to describe it. Not that harsh white that people like these days. Not ecru. The most beautiful candlelight white.

  I held it out at arm’s length so I could see all the detail.

  It’s a two-piece set. The robe is much heavier. We’ll start with that, although I’m sure I can’t do it justice. The top of the robe is very structured. It has a deep-cut shawl collar that meets at the base of my boobs — if I had any — and closes with six little fabric-covered buttons that pull about six inches of fabric tight to show off my small ribcage and waist. The full sleeves bloom from slightly padded shoulders and end in fur.

  I said fur.

  I know!

  It’s amazing how beautiful the fake stuff is these days. Teagan even makes sure her makeup isn’t tested on critters, so I know it’s fake, which makes it even better.

  Like a candle-white muff on each arm.

  Okay, that sounded wrong, but you know what I mean.

  From the cinched in waist, there were yards and yards of accordion-pleated heavy chiffon that I’m pretty sure will puddle on the floor if I stand still, but since the last button is right about where my belly button will go, I’ll be stunning when I walk; it will be all dramatic flowing behind me.

  The nightgown.

  Oh. My. God.

  I shoved A.J. out of the room so I could put it on.

  He laughed but protested enough to make it fun and sexy, and I can’t tell you how happy I was.

  I slipped the nightgown on over my head.

  When I looked in the mirror, I had to stop and text Teagan. I didn’t want to talk to her, that would take too long, but I had to thank her.

  Never, have I ever, seen anything more beautiful. Never, have I ever, been so thankful.

  The nightgown is harder to explain than the robe.

  Because Teagan is tricky.

  That’s why I kicked A.J. out of the bedroom.

  If A.J. sees the nightgown for the first time under the robe, he is going to assume it is gorgeous, but a little bit on the modest side.

  When you pull on the robe, what you see of the nightgown is a beautifully embroidered V-shaped portion of the gown. Lots of swirls and pearls and even a few beads to grab the light. It is stunning.

  What you see when you pull off the robe is that from that V-shaped portion of the gown is illusion lace. I’m not even sure if that is what it is called. I, the queen of peignoirs, have never seen anything quite like this nightgown.

  You know the illusion necklines in wedding dresses? It’s kind of like that, in reverse. The V shape that shows under the robe is the starting place for the illusion lace on the nightgown. It has all the embroidery and swirls that extend out onto the bodice of the gown in a pattern that provides just a hint of modesty, but really none at all, which makes it look much more elegant than if you just had a sheer bodice.

  The nightgown basically has no back in it. There are tiny little loops with beautiful ribbon that create a corset effect from low back to the top of my bum.

  Now I know why Teagan has been after me to gain a little weight back. If I was my normal weight, the nightgown would have followed every curve — what little curve I have — perfectly.

  It might be the tiniest bit loose, but I don’t think A.J. is going to mind.

  I pulled the robe on over the nightgown, tried unsuccessfully to wipe the stupid smile off my face, and went out into the living room.

  A.J. had dimmed the lights. He’d put on my favorite romantic Irish music.

  He looked so good in his old jeans and bare feet.

  I think that just gets to me because that’s the A.J. I remember when we were first together, when I thought we would never be any more than brother-in-law and cranky sister-in-law because I had convinced myself Teagan had so much more to offer than I did.

  I was obsessed.

  Every thought that went through my mind was about how beautiful she is.

  Well, I may not have her curves and her perfect makeup, but tonight I feel
like I could give her a run for her money, and anyway A.J. picked me.

  I didn’t really mean it to come out that snotty sounding.

  A.J. and I had a night like an old married couple.

  Well, an old O’Flynn married couple.

  I’m told we are weird. My parents, right until the day my mother died, still chased each other around the kitchen table. And it was rarely with a knife. Although my mother did do that once. My brother had been a total jerk for some reason or other and made a snide comment about not needing my father, so my mother started to chase him around like she was going to kill him off for Seamus. He freaked. Had he taken one second to think about it, he would have realized my mother was just making a point.

  My father later pointed out that if my mother had fallen, it wouldn’t have been nearly so funny.

  Mom did stuff like that all the time.

  Not running with a sharp knife, but in-your-face life lessons.

  Damn, I miss her.

  I started to leak a little bit. Tears on A.J.’s shoulder.

  He was so quiet. “I miss her, too.”

  That’s why we are perfect for each other.

  Nothing could explain it better.

  Teagan called early. Considering she knew she’d sent over the perfect peignoir, that was pretty rude.

  “I followed your advice, dingleberry.”

  “Which advice?”

  “I decided to use Adeline’s people. Well, a subset of them. I hired them to look at the computer stuff. They took all of twelve seconds to see what the other guys saw.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “Yeah. But the expensive guys — and they are really expensive — laughed when I told them the other guys said it was all a major crime. They explained it almost exactly the way that Douglas did.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “Yep. And Douglas and Honey are going to be here in about half an hour to get started on a proper transition.”

  “Oh, good.”

  “So it looks like we’re smooth sailing again. I just called to say thank you and to let you know that I’m now one hundred percent available for wedding planning.”

  “I hate to shoot my own foot, but I have a question.”