“Shh. Remember no more talk about Mr. Two a.m.” Nan made a motion as if locking her lips.
Out on the streets of the French Quarter that afternoon, madness reigned. Men kissing men, dressed in drag. Guys wearing feathered headdresses that were two feet tall. It was amazing they could walk and balance them without falling. She snapped a picture of two men wearing naked fake boobs and visibly tongue kissing. Everyone was drinking out on the streets. She already had a couple of beers and a shot of tequila. She wondered how Olivia ever picked this destination for her bachelorette party, when her cell phone buzzed. It was Olivia, sending a text.
We are out of here, let’s meet back at the Ritz’ courtyard and come up with Plan B. This is so disgusting. How about a late dinner at the hotel?
She showed it to Nan who was talking to a group of guys from Minnesota. Nan shook her head no. One of the Minnesotans seemed very interested in Nan, putting his hand around her waist. He was handsome, his light blond brush cut beginning to grow out and his hooded brown eyes sexy and soulful. She shut her cell phone off and whispered, “Let’s pretend I forgot to charge it.”
The guys invited them up to their hotel room for a drink. It was right on the main drag and they could watch the festivities from the wrought iron balcony. Before they went upstairs, she spotted a guy in a business suit jacket, white shirt and tie. He had no pants on but he was wearing black socks and dress shoes. She stopped him and asked if she could take his picture. He posed, one knee bent, hand on his hip, with a big smile. She sent her first message to Nick since arriving in the Big Easy.
I found your Halloween costume for this year’s party. George Bailey goes to Mardi Gras.
Nan texted Zoe, who wasn’t ready to go back to the Ritz either and when she met up with them she had Amanda in tow. They went up to the hotel room with the boys from Minnesota where they made martinis with all the fixings, including plastic martini glasses. One of the guys, whose name was Kyle, put on a pair of large orange clown pants and started filling water balloons. Sipping her vodka martini, she sat at the table, where she noticed a pair of plastic glasses with a large nose and mustache. She put them on as someone passed her a joint. Nan snapped a picture. Everyone was wasted and it all seemed sort of hazy, moving in slow motion.
One of the guys handed her something that looked like chocolate but when she took a bite it tasted like dirty grass. She spit it out and wiped her tongue with the sleeve of her shirt. “What’s that?”
“Hash.” She saw Nan take a piece too, chew it and swallow without even a grimace. Oh no. She asked Kyle for a glass of water. Someone had to keep her head and it looked like she was the most sober, which wasn’t saying much. He handed her a hotel glass wrapped in paper and told her to use the bathroom sink. “When you get back, meet me on the balcony.”
Kyle was dropping water balloons from the balcony onto the street, where hundreds of people passed by. “Do you think this is a good idea?" she asked.
“I’m giving them a warning.” He grabbed another balloon, lifted it high above his head and shouted, “Look out below” then dropped the balloon, splattering it on the sidewalk, soaking the passersby. The common reaction was to look up and swear at him. “Screw you, asshole.”
She checked back in the room, the blond with the brush cut was unbuttoning Nan’s shirt. Zoe was dancing on a chair, about to start doing a strip tease. Amanda was sitting on the floor, nodding off in the corner.
She decided it was time to be the Mom, not her usual role. She walked into the room and clapped her hands just like Olivia getting off the elevator the other day. “Ladies, if we’re going to Tipitina’s tonight, we need to sober up and get something to eat. Let’s go find some red beans and rice.”
It took a while to get everyone up and out of there. As they stumbled to the elevator and rode down to the lobby, Nan hugged her. “Thank you. I am so.... so... where am I? Who was that boy?” Amanda leaned over and barfed in the elevator.
* * *
After eating a bowl of red beans and rice in a small diner, they went back to the Ritz Carlton to shower. Olivia was sipping an Irish coffee in the lobby and glared at her when they walked in, as if she were the only one who had been missing until midnight. “Where the hell have you girls been? I’ve been worried sick.”
“I forgot to charge my cell phone. We’re going to shower then go to Tipitina’s. There’s a great line up there tonight.”
“That’s way out of town. You are doing no such thing. It’s already midnight.”
“We can take a cab. I heard the music goes ‘til four a.m.”
She held onto Nan’s arm, guiding her towards the elevators. Once in the room, Nan showered first. When it was her turn, she put the water on really hot and let it run through her long hair for quite some time. She felt filthy. She remembered sitting on a curb with broken beer bottles, cigarette butts and dirty water underneath her feet. Did Nan capture that on film too? She had been taking an awful lot of pictures.
When she got out of the shower, Nan was already snoring. It looked like she wouldn’t be seeing any decent live music this trip unless she went alone, which was probably not a good idea. Wearing a white hotel terrycloth bathrobe with a towel wrapped around her head, she dropped on to the bed and turned on the TV. Roman Holiday was playing on the classic movie channel.
Her cell phone buzzed. Wow, serendipity, she thought as she answered the call, riveted to the scene when Audrey Hepburn goes to the barbershop. Did she have the nerve to do that? She would really like to piss off Olivia.
“Hey, I was just thinking of you. I’m relaxing on my bed in a bathrobe and nothing else, watching Roman Holiday.”
“Is that supposed to mean something? What’s Roman Holiday?”
Oops, close call. It was Nick. “No, nothing. Just watching an old movie and tired after a kind of crazy day.”
“What was that picture you sent me? I hope you’re not planning on posting any pictures like that on Facebook. Which reminds me, what happened to your Facebook account? I tried to send you something the other day about some jobs in publishing here in Dallas and couldn’t find you.”
“Oh, I closed it. I wasn’t happy about the privacy issues they were having. You're calling awfully late, aren't you?”
He ignored her question. “Just as well. Stuff posted on Facebook can potentially hurt your career. You should get LinkedIn. Employers look for that, they want you to be well connected on there.”
She sighed. “Yeah.”
“I can’t get you at the airport tomorrow. I have a five o’clock meeting. Can you take a cab?”
“Sure, no problem.’
“You have the address, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll leave a key with my neighbor in 4B. She said she would be home. Just buzz her when you get there. Her name is Ashley Long.”
“Sure thing.”
“See you tomorrow.”
“See ya.” She dropped the phone on the bed. A short time later it buzzed again. This time she checked caller ID. She picked it up and made the sound of blowing a kiss. “Hey there.”
“I thought I’d be leaving a message. Why aren’t you out dancing?”
“Because everyone is either passed out or puking.”
“Which one are you?”
“I am watching Roman Holiday. They’re riding the motor scooter through Rome right now.”
“Aah, I wish I was there.”
She looked over at Nan who was passed out. Too tired to go in the bathroom, she rolled over and whispered, “Where are you?”
“Still couch surfing in Vail but then Aspen until Friday. We’re squeezing six guys in a hotel room for two nights before we head back to Denver. We’re still meeting at Logan on Sunday, right?”
“Yes, if you’re still willing to wait an hour for my flight.”
“Of course I am. You’ll be the girl in the raincoat.”
“Yes.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
&nbs
p; “Hmmm.” She sounded very sleepy and was almost nodding off.
“Hey, I’ll let you go. You sound really tired. I was just going to leave a goodnight message anyway. Go to sleep. I love you.”
THANKSGIVING
Ray and Sophie drove to Providence for Thanksgiving at Annie’s house. Jesse asked if he could bring Miranda.
They pulled up to a modest home in a suburban neighborhood not far from Narragansett Bay. Her Dad looked great and seemed to be in good spirits. Only one of Annie's daughter's was joining them. Ellie was a cute twenty one year old strawberry blonde, home from college with her boyfriend Harry, who played lacrosse and was Annie approved as a nice guy. Sophie’s older brother, Evan, was fifty, with a full head of brown tousled hair and sporting a tan in November. Their youngest sister Kristen, along with her high school age kids, Grayson and Allie and her husband Ted, a lawyer, arrived a little late, as always. Everyone hugged and talked at once.
“Annie, when did you get another dog? You have two now?”
“Don’t ask. Jack wanted Guster to have a friend to play with.” Annie laughed.
“You have an empty nest and you saddle yourself with two dogs?”
“Dad, you’re looking great. How are you feeling?” Evan asked.
“So how’s college, Ellie?”
“How about you Allie? You’re a senior now. Where are you applying to school?”
“Brown, Bates, maybe Pomona in California,” Allie replied shyly.
“Wow. Good schools. You must have great grades.” Ray sounded impressed.
Sophie looked over at her sister Annie. “I wonder where Sean and Jesse are. By the way, I forgot to tell you, Annie, Jesse is bringing a friend.”
“No problem, there’s plenty of food, as you can see.” Annie pulled a huge turkey out of the oven, letting it rest on top of the stove. “Is this a new girlfriend?”
“Umm, sort of. Sean doesn't think they're serious. Just dating.”
“Bringing a date to meet this crowd sounds pretty serious, or brave,” Annie said.
Ray walked in, rolling his eyes. “They just pulled in.” On the drive to Rhode Island, she told him about Miranda.
“It’s okay, Ray. Sean says she’s nice and very talented.”
“I’m sure. Did she do those tattoos herself?” Ray shook his head, but with a smile. “Well, we all had growing pains, right? He’s young, but those tattoos are permanent.”
Annie looked over with a sly smile. “What is this about tattoos?” Before Annie could say any more, Sean, Jesse and Miranda walked into the kitchen. Sean handed Annie a bouquet of daisies. “For the hostess,” he said, giving Annie a hug. Jesse introduced Miranda, who was smiling shyly. She was wearing a short black skirt with tulle underneath, black fishnet stockings, little black boots and heavy dark eye makeup. Apropos of nothing else, she paired this outfit with a sleeveless blouse with ruffles down the front.
Sophie noticed her Dad sitting next to Grayson and Allie, and heard him say, “Does that blouse have only one sleeve?” Grayson laughed. “I think they're tattoos, Grandpa.” Her mother chimed in, “She has tattoos. An armful, and something in her nose.”
Kristen turned to Evan and said, “Oh my.” Evan was laughing one of his silent laughs with his mouth closed, not making a sound, his whole body rocking with laughter. Sophie looked at Jesse, who was beaming, his arm around Miranda, whispering in her ear.
“Annie, where’s the wine? Ray, do you want a beer?”
“Yes, please.”
Jesse said, “Me too, Mom, and one for Miranda.”
* * *
Seated at a large dining room table, everyone passed platters of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and the rest of the Thanksgiving feast.
“Who wants to make the toast?”
“Evan can.”
Evan stood up. “To health, happiness and good hair.”
Sophie’s Dad was booing. “Evan, you can do better than that.”
Raising their glasses they all shouted, “Here, here. Cheers.”
“So, Evan, what are you doing now?”
“The sailing business is going really well. I just got back from the Bahamas. I sailed a couple around the islands for their honeymoon.”
Jesse piped in, “That is so rad. Do you ever need a chef?”
“Sometimes. I’ll call you next time I do.”
“Miranda cooks too and she’s an awesome photographer.” Miranda looked down shyly while Jesse beamed at her.
Sophie interjected, “Evan, we have to get together and discuss the islands. Ray and I are still planning to run a bed and breakfast somewhere down there. Maybe you could help us.”
“Sure thing."
“Hey Dad, remember when you and Mom first retired. You took off in that converted van and traveled cross-country for a year? That must have been so much fun.”
Her Mom wasn't paying attention to the conversations swirling around her, but she looked up and said, “Oh, I loved that. Something new every day.”
Sophie, lifting her wine glass in a toast, said, “Now that I can drink to. Here's to something new every day.”
* * *
On the drive home, Sophie reclined the passenger seat as far back as it would go. She kicked off her shoes. “That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Miranda isn’t as bad as I thought either.”
“She’s actually okay. I was talking to her about sculpting. I think underneath all that bravado and attitude, she’s a nice girl. It’s just unfortunate about that tattooed sleeve.” Ray laughed and shook his head. “Jesse is just taking a little longer to grow up than Sean. It’s not like either of us were all grown up at twenty-three. Remember?”
“Of course I do. Even though it seems so long ago. Who were those two kids? Sometimes I feel like I’m still trying to figure out how to grow up. You’re right though.”
“Of course I’m right.” He turned and gave her an impish smile.
“You’re not always right, Ray. Although you think you are. But honestly, if you think about it, it’s more of a puzzle where Sean came from.” She laughed and pulled her seat back up. “I mean really, how did we make that kid? Mr. Startup, I’m going to own my own company by thirty. And he brings flowers for Annie. That’s Sean, always so kind and polite, saying just the right thing. If he wasn’t identical to his brother, I would swear the hospital gave us one of the wrong kids.”
“He’s more like me. Jesse is you.”
“Oh really?” She raised her eyebrows, looking at him skeptically.
“Yeah, I am Mr. Mellow, putting up with all your moods and rantings and ravings. You’re the one who’s always stirring up trouble. You almost got thrown out of your book club in 2004, remember?”
“Well, that’s because they were all voting to re-elect George W. Bush.”
“Sophie, Sophie, always the troublemaker. Trying to change the world. How many times do I have to tell you? It doesn’t work that way.”
“What if Martin Luther King or Abraham Lincoln thought they couldn’t change the world, huh?”
"Now you're Abe Lincoln?" Reaching over, he put his hand behind her neck. She leaned towards him to kiss him on the cheek.
DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS
Nick’s meeting extended to dinner and drinks. Helping herself to whatever was in the fridge, she slouched on the couch eating left over pizza and watching a movie. He arrived home at ten, took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie and leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “You look beat,” he said.
“But you are looking very dapper and professional, as usual.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. You just look really tired is all I was trying to say.”
“Well, I am exhausted. It was a crazy five days. I don’t understand how your ultra chic sister picked Mardi Gras for her party. It’s really not her kind of place, although the hotel and spa were beautiful.” She sat up straighter, undoing her ponytail and fixing it into a messy topknot. She smiled at him. “That was a pretty good pi
zza. How was your meeting?”
“Things went well. The economy is doing great here, better than the rest of the country. You could definitely find a job, no problem. If you just get your act together.”
“What does that mean? Get my act together?” She shot him a look of pure disgust.
“Let’s go to bed.” He nodded towards the bedroom.
“Okay, but I have bad news. I got my period on the plane.”
“You’re kidding me.”
“I know. Bummer.”
“Are you going to have it the whole weekend?”
“Well, it usually lasts four days.”
“That only leaves Sunday, and you’re leaving at eight. We have to be out of here at six in the morning to make it to the airport.”
“Well, it’s not like I planned to have it.”
* * *
He tried for some heavy petting and a blowjob, but she pretended she had really bad cramps. She thought he would force her down into his lap as he usually did, but instead he just rolled over and went to sleep. He could have at least spooned her, stroked her hair and whispered sweet nothings such as, "I missed you so much."
That wouldn't have worked for him either because she couldn’t imagine having sex with Nick anymore. It felt completely different from the night of the reggae concert. She knew what she did that night was wrong, cheating on Nick. Their relationship had been falling apart for some time, but she should have handled it differently. This time, there was no way she was going to cheat on that sweet, sexy boy in Colorado. She absolutely could not do that to him. She hadn't told him yet, but she was falling in love too. Today she would tell Nick everything. It was over. She just needed to tell him.
At six a.m., she joined him in the kitchen for a cup of coffee, discussing her plans for the day. First, a visit to the Sixth Floor Museum, located at the building where Oswald assassinated Kennedy, followed by a cell phone tour of Dealey Square and the grassy knoll. “Gee, that sounds like a fun day,” Nick said, sarcastically.
“I think it will be fascinating.” She laughed. “For a guy who doesn’t like sarcasm, you’re pretty good at it sometimes.”
The Reverse Commute Page 16
