Spring Fever

by Barbara Winkes

  “Thanks.” Sara gave her a wry grin. “At the moment, she’s mostly looking forward to seeing the guy from Spain.”

  “Italy,” Rebecca said from the doorway. “Callie’s right, though. Drop by whenever you like.”

  “Thank you. It was great hanging out with you guys.”

  “Anytime.” Rebecca hugged her quickly when Sara didn’t make a move.

  “Okay. I have to run now. I know the way out. See you.”

  “She’s not a hugger, is she?”

  “I guess not.” Rebecca wiped a hand over her eyes. “Okay. I’m sure that’s hay fever. By the way, did you mean what you said last night? To go ahead and book?”

  Callie glanced at the letter lying open on her desk. It wasn’t like she’d try to find Toni and talk to her. She didn’t even know where exactly she was now, or if she was still alive. This trip mattered for each of them, for different reasons. They’d have to work a little more in the fall afterward.

  “Yes, let’s do that,” she said. “I’ll cook tonight. Some pasta and wine should get us in the right mood, even if it’s a little crazy on the budget. Asha says as long as I write that sixth book, we’ll be okay.”

  “Until she asks for the seventh.”

  “Yeah.” Callie laughed. “I guess I’ll be writing them for a while to come, but that’s fine. I’ve got everything I want.”

  Rebecca’s eyes were still a little shiny. “Me too,” she said.

  It might be the confrontation with Sara’s and Valerie’s trials, knowing Rebecca still hesitated to open up to her own parents, or the fact she was supposed to write a wedding proposal for her longtime imaginary friends.

  Whatever the reason, Callie felt an overwhelming longing to talk to her mother.

  * * * *

  Asha was friends with her brother Sean, which meant Fiona O’Brien was most likely up to date with most of the latest developments in Callie’s life. For once, Callie appreciated the fact that she wouldn’t have to give a lengthy explanation to the question, “How are you?”

  Her mother wouldn’t judge, even though updates from Callie herself were few and far between. She liked to seek conversation after she had figured things out by herself, and this time was no exception.

  “I’m fine, Mom. I was wondering how you’d feel about a trip to Autumn Leaves, see what we’ve done with the house and…I want you to meet Rebecca.”

  “I’d love to,” Fiona said without hesitation. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  “Mom, of course.” She might have some of the same hay fever as Rebecca, because her eyes were stinging.

  “Don’t worry. From what I’ve heard, it wasn’t easy on you, but I’m glad you worked it all out. When do you expect me?”

  This was why Callie hadn’t called earlier.

  “How about the weekend after next? Mom, did you know Valerie had a girlfriend?”

  “She was my sister. What do you think?”

  “Why did she give the house to me and not you?”

  “Kellie, I didn’t want it.” It always made Callie flinch a little when someone used her real name, even if it was her mother. She could tell, however, that she was about to hear something relevant to this puzzling story. “Valerie made that decision very early, and we talked about it before,” Fiona explained. “Those were different times, you know. She always said people like you—you know how I mean that, honey—need some sort of safety…like a home. Little did we know you would become famous!”

  “Mom,” Callie protested. “I’m hardly famous.”

  “A little, then. I’m so proud of you, and so was Valerie. I’m so happy you found someone who has the guts to be with you. I’m looking forward to meeting Rebecca…finally.”

  “You’ll like her.”

  “I’m sure I will,” Fiona assured her. “Now, you have to let me go, because I have to get tickets, and think of something nice to get you, and…are you two planning to marry? It will soon be legal where you are too, or at least valid if you wanted to go to New York.”

  “Not yet, Mom…relax. I’m looking forward to seeing you too.”

  * * * *

  Asha called later that day to confirm she had set a date for Callie’s appearance in Maggie’s school.

  “That’s…nice of you to let me know. I thought the program wasn’t all set in stone yet?”

  “We might be a little sketchy on the details as to funding, but your reading can be unrelated to that. Have one for the adults in that hip cupcake place another time. Come on, Callie. It’s for a good cause.”

  “I know. Speaking of which, I wanted to do something for the women’s shelter here. Auction off a few books or maybe a reading too. I’m sure Roz would be interested in helping with that.” It could probably do a lot more good than her rather desperate attempts to make peace with Beth, and their shared history.

  “Of course. We could also auction off a dinner with you…no, Rebecca wouldn’t like that,” Asha concluded, chuckling.

  “I’m not so sure I would like that,” Callie told her. “Okay, then. What kind of friend are you anyway, not telling me about your girlfriend in town?”

  “This is very complicated,” Asha said. “You of all people should know.”

  “You’re serious about her? She’s an elementary school teacher in a town where people talk…”

  “Well, she’s not married with children, for starters. I love you, Callie, but this is not at all something I want to discuss with you.”

  “Okay. You talk to Sean lately?”

  “We have drinks when he’s in town,” Asha said carefully. “Why?”

  “I got that feeling when I talked to my mom earlier. I…asked her to come.”

  Of all the people in Callie’s life, Asha was the friend who’d been around for the longest. She knew what that meant.

  “Wow. Talk about serious. Meet the parents time—you’re sure there are no wedding bells in the near future?”

  “First of all, no bells. Not in this town, anyway. I told you. It’s much too early to think about any of this…”

  “…but you’d like to.”

  “I marked my calendar for the reading. I’ll talk to you later, Asha.”

  One step at a time. Over dinner and wine—dinner Callie had yet to make, she remembered—they’d plan the summer vacation. Once that was done, who knew what was possible?

  * * * *

  “We’re really going to do this,” Rebecca said with regard to the table set with pasta dishes and wine glasses, the bottle of deep red wine sitting in the middle next to a tall candle. Finally, she could allow herself to be excited. Maggie was too. She looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

  “It looks that way. If anything, that’s something I should learn from Valerie’s story. At some point, you have to stop dreaming and make it happen.”

  Rebecca remembered the first time Callie had cooked for her, on their first weekend together—a time filled with promise and wonder, but also guilt. There was no more guilt.

  “That’s why,” Callie concluded, “after dinner, I’ll get the laptop and credit card, and we go ahead with this. Wait…where exactly does Tomaso’s family live?”

  “Outside a city named Siena. Dina said the family moved there from Florence recently,” Rebecca remembered. “You know what’s also close? Chianti.”

  “I like the sound of that. Let’s skip dinner and get right to it.”

  “There’s a thought, but this is too delicious.” It was incredible to think they would do this. Dina had shown them lots of pictures from her boyfriend’s home. It was truly beautiful, and his family appeared to be welcoming.

  Rebecca realized that, for the first time in a while, she wasn’t worried about the future. Maggie was doing much better. Dina was thriving on studies and love.

  Callie had stayed, through all the troubles and challenges.

  “I need to talk to David, just to let him know it’s going to happen.”

  “I understand.” Call
ie’s expression was a bit guarded as she remembered the last, and less pleasant, conversation she had walked into.

  “He’s not going to have anything against it. Dina has been on our case about this since we came back from New York. He’ll be okay.” It might not be right away, but she believed they’d seen their worst times. From there, they’d try harder, for the sake of their children. “I also meant to tell you that Betty invited us over to dinner.”

  “Wow. It’s really Springtime in Autumn Leaves.”

  “More like Betty is bored and annoyed with Charles’s parties. Make no mistake. Andy and Eric will be there too…and David. Much as this could be awkward, I’m kind of curious about Andy’s husband.”

  “I don’t know. Things have started to calm down around here. I’m not sure I’m in that much of a provocative mood.”

  “We live here. Friends invite us to dinner. There’s nothing provocative about that. David will decide for himself if he prefers to stay away. If it takes a turn for the worse, let’s remember…Chianti…soon.”

  Callie laughed, raising her glass. “Let’s drink to that. I’m freaking out, but you’re right. This is some kind of new normal. We’ll show them what’s to be jealous of. By which I mean Andy.”

  “So much for not being in a provocative mood. I can’t wait.”

  * * * *

  Dina was exhilarated about the news when Rebecca told her on the phone. “Wow, for real? I wasn’t sure you’d ever go through with that! This summer! That’s so great, Mom! Here’s Dad.”

  “This can only mean one thing,” David said dryly.

  “It will serve Dina well. I’ll make sure she’s more committed to her studies than Tomaso. I haven’t forgotten the scare she gave us last year.” In fact, Dina’s friend Anna had the pregnancy scare, but the test Dina had hidden for her had been reason to worry.

  “Good luck with that. Let me know what you paid for the ticket, okay?”

  “David,” Rebecca said, feeling uncomfortable with the course of the conversation. “I’m not asking for money. I just didn’t want to go ahead without telling you first. It concerns your summer plans too.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound like that. How’s Maggie doing?”

  “Much better, now she could finally talk about everything. Did Dina tell you? Andy pretty much admitted she was the culprit. Of course, she didn’t think she did anything wrong.”

  “Poor Betty—that’s going to be a pleasant party.” A few moments ticked by in silence. “I know Betty invited you and Callie. That’s okay. Being polite with Andy and Eric after what she put Maggie through will be harder. I must admit, I don’t understand the first thing about why she did this. What’s it to her?”

  “They are part of a group trying to pressure the school to abandon an anti-bullying program.”

  “What?”

  Rebecca couldn’t blame him for his obvious confusion. There was no logic or reason to Andy’s behavior. “Long story, but I think Miss Romano will have that covered. We’ll go ahead with booking, then.”

  “You do that. I’ll see you at Betty’s?”

  “I think so. Good night.”

  Rebecca returned to the table where she picked up her glass. “Okay, that’s done. Fortunately, it was a lot less awkward than it could have been.”

  “Good.” Callie set up the laptop and opened a site that offered flights to Europe. “Before we do this, I should also tell you that, this morning, I invited my mother to come here for a few days.”

  “You did? I mean, of course you can. It’s your house.” She sat down, trying to imagine what this would mean for her.

  “It’s our house,” Callie corrected. “I haven’t seen her in a while, and I want you to meet.”

  “Exactly how old is she?” Rebecca blurted out, as if that was really the most important question. Callie chuckled. “Old enough to be your mom too, if that’s what you were worried about. Actually, you don’t have anything to be worried about. She knows about you, and she knows I’m happy.”

  “Okay, that’s a relief.” The news also put a laser sharp focus on the one issue Rebecca hadn’t been able to tackle yet. Now that Maggie wasn’t as troubled anymore, and there wasn’t much she could do about Andy, Rebecca was running out of excuses.

  “She’s coming the weekend after—wait, when did you say Betty’s dinner party was? Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Mom won’t mind spending an evening by herself. In fact, she’ll be thrilled to look after Maggie.”

  From what little Rebecca knew about Callie’s mom, she was sure they’d be okay. Still, she was beginning to feel like Dina.

  The summer couldn’t come soon enough.

  * * * *

  The following week came with a substantial increase in temperature, even longer, sunnier days, an explosion of green leaves, and white and pink flowers in the parks and gardens.

  It was as if the whole town had come alive after the long winter. Roz’s Cupcake Delights was open late into the evening, customers sitting at the small tables outside, the scene reminiscent of a European café. She was doing well, all bubbly and happy at the brunch they’d had at Delia’s this week, in the backyard.

  Delia and her husband had made changes—a bigger swing and an outdoor set with a huge parasol.

  Betty was about to finish the last preparations for her dinner party, but she’d still made some time to come to brunch. Callie and Rebecca had, aside from work, spent time to get the house ready for their guest. Fiona had booked a flight for early Sunday, so Delia had offered that Maggie could spend the evening.

  It took Callie a long time to feel welcome in this circle, even with Rebecca around, but as she sat listening to the women’s conversations, she felt like that had changed. Over time, she’d begun to understand what these weekly get-togethers meant to each of them. It was also important for Rebecca to realize that she still fit into her circle of friends, no matter how her life changed.

  All too soon, it was time to get ready for the party.

  Callie stood in front of the mirror, nervously tugging at her dress. She knew David wouldn’t say anything to her, especially now that he seemed to have come to terms with the separation from Rebecca. There’d be looks though. At least she knew Roz and Jamie, but most of the party guests would be Charles LaRue’s colleagues and business contacts, and their wives or husbands respectively.

  Critically, she took in her hairstyle—a neat bun that took a chunk out of preparation time—and wondered if she was over-or under-dressed. It was hard to tell with the people in Autumn Leaves. Rebecca had no such worries. She knew the same people well enough and looked splendid in the simple black dress.

  “Don’t worry,” she said. “You’re beautiful. Besides, I think it’s an advantage that there’ll be many people. It will make me less likely to get into a fight with Andy, because I’m afraid I’m still a little tempted.”

  “I’ll distract you,” Callie promised. In the mirror, Rebecca gave her a long look, smiling slyly.

  “Yes, I think that will work.”

  * * * *

  “Rebecca, Callie. I’m glad you could come!” If Charles LaRue thought there was anything awkward about his wife’s choice of guests, he didn’t let on. Rebecca had been to Betty and Charles’s house many times, but it was easy to tell his business had grown in the past years. There were many people she didn’t know. From out of town, she assumed. He and Betty had hired a catering service for the evening, serving a hot and cold buffet.

  “Well, Betty told me what was on the menu. I didn’t want to miss that. Thanks for having us.”

  “My pleasure,” he said cheerily. “Roz and Jamie are over there, and have a glass of champagne. I hope this is not awkward for anyone, but you and David have been friends for so long. No offense, Callie. I should be looking after my other guests now. Have fun. Betty will find you in a few minutes.”

  Rebecca laughed at Callie’s questioning look. “Don’t ask me. Maybe they won the lottery or something.
I haven’t seen him like this in forever.”

  They couldn’t continue the subject as Betty had discovered them, waving.

  “I’m so glad you didn’t change your mind,” she said as she joined them. “I can’t eat or drink too much, and I have to smile a lot. By the way, Andy called to say she wasn’t feeling well and might not come. If you’re lucky, you can avoid her tonight.”

  “I wouldn’t mind.” The number of people attending tonight had Rebecca more relaxed. There’d be nothing but a polite exchange of words with David, and probably no exchange of words with Andy at all. True, Betty had something to make up for, but Rebecca was grateful for the invitation, and both Betty and Charles acted like it was no big deal.

  Maybe they had both needed some time to sort out everything that had happened since the last fall, just like all of her friends, and Rebecca herself. Taking the first step out of the shell of her old life, and into the unknown, had been surprisingly easy. She’d been too miserable every moment she had not been with Callie after the events of Halloween, unable to let her go.

  What followed was a time of confusion, trying to make herself at home in a world she knew nothing about, with Callie’s friends, or confronted with prejudice by neighbors. She made it through, and somehow, that seemed to make it easier on people around her too—the majority of them at least.

  Tomorrow, she’d meet Callie’s mother, and if Fiona O’Brien had some hard questions for her, so be it.

  Rebecca still couldn’t imagine being without Callie, but she was no longer miserable.

  When she saw David in the small crowd, about half an hour later, she realized he hadn’t come alone. He and Susan had to have done a lot of talking.

  Everything would be all right—now, in a few months and even years from now—except Andy hadn’t gotten the memo. Obviously, she felt better, aside from a mild case of amnesia from their last conversation.

  “Rebecca,” she said, smiling brightly as she took Rebecca’s hands in hers. “I’m so glad we’ll get another chance to talk.”

  Betty hid her reaction behind her glass, but it sounded suspiciously like suppressed laughter.

  Chapter Nine