by Bria Marche
“Well ladies, this is it. Today is the last day as we know it. The cat will come out of the bag tomorrow and the truth will be exposed. The scary part is, we don’t have any idea what to expect. If we don’t get Sasha to join us, she’ll tell Jack, and then what the hell are you going to do, Mia? He might come home and go ape shit on you.” Vic was more than worried about her best friend.
They sat, all four of them, eating lunch at Morey’s. They tapped their feet to the classic rock out of habit, while pondering over the course of events tomorrow might bring. They ate greasy burgers and drank beer from the local microbrewery.
“Okay, tomorrow Vic and Tina will go ahead as planned with Sasha’s hair and makeup. She needs to get that much from us. Karen, you can talk her up, asking questions about her wonderful life and the men in it. Meanwhile, offer her Mimosas’ or wine to drink. We have to loosen her up a bit, but not get her drunk. She has to be coherent enough to understand what we’re going to tell her. If she asks about the photographer, just say I’m on my way. Her hair and makeup has to be done when I arrive anyway. Somebody needs to call me and tell me when it’s a good time to show up. I’ll drop off my camera equipment later today. No reason to lug it around tomorrow. Karen, do you think we should bring proof, like our marriage licenses or wedding photos to show her in case she doesn’t believe us?”
“That’s a good idea, Mia,” Karen said, biting into her cheeseburger. “You never know.”
***
Tuesday morning arrived with bright sunshine pouring through the bedroom window. It surprised Mia she slept at all, with the events looming ahead of her today. She had a tough time silencing her mind enough to drift off to sleep last night. She rolled over, knowing the other side of the bed would be empty. This will be my new normal very soon. She reached for the white chenille bathrobe lying at the foot of the bed, arranged the belt into a snug knot around her waist and headed to the kitchen to start the coffee. She heard the shower running in the master bathroom. The green numbers on the microwave clock showed six-fifteen. In forty-five minutes he’ll be gone. His life is about to change and he has no idea. Adios, Jack. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass. Mia smiled nervously, not knowing what to expect from this day forward. Jack’s promotion party was right around the corner, ten days to be exact. She had to get through today first, then make plans to blindside him at his own celebration. Getting Sasha on board was crucial, otherwise nothing would go as Mia hoped.
Jack left at seven. Mia paced anxiously. There’s too much time before this goes down. I’m going to go nuts waiting. I’ve got to do something to occupy myself. Mia grabbed Reggie’s leash. She hadn’t taken him for an actual walk in ten days. It seemed like a good idea, something to take her mind off the ticking clock.
“Let’s go, Reg. Time for some real exercise.” It was nice to just walk. Shorts and a tee shirt, sneakers and a baseball cap suited her fine for now. Mia would change clothes when she put on her worldly photographer persona for Sasha’s benefit in a few hours. Mia and Reggie walked aimlessly up and down neighboring streets. She pictured Aaron, and her future. He is the most reliable constant in my life, as far as men are concerned. I have to make things right with him. He’s too important to let this ‘whatever it is’ get between us. She decided to pay Aaron a visit right now before she changed her mind. It would be a good way to clear the air and get Sasha off her mind for a few hours. She hurried back home to drop Reggie off.
Mia didn’t care about changing clothes. It was important to see Aaron now, and she had plenty of time. The camera shop didn’t open until nine. Aaron was still at home, likely having breakfast. Mia grabbed her purse and sunglasses, revved up the Camaro and headed toward Aaron’s side of town.
Good, his car is in the driveway, she thought, as she approached his house through the shade of the tree lined street. She felt nervous. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s Aaron for Pete’s sake. There’s nothing to be nervous about. Yet she was. She pulled in the driveway behind his car and walked up the sidewalk. Mia took the door knocker in hand and gave it three thumps against the heavy oak door. She inhaled a deep breath to calm her nerves when she heard footsteps approaching the door. He looked through the glass panels with a surprised expression on his face and swung the door open.
“Mia, what on earth? It’s eight o’clock. Is everything okay?”
“No, Aaron, everything isn’t okay. We aren’t, and I need to fix that, right here, right now. What’s wrong between us anyway? It’s really bugging the hell out of me.”
“I don’t know, but I agree something is off. Come in the kitchen, sit down. Would you like some coffee?”
“Thanks, that would be great. So are we going to be open and honest with each other? It’s the only way to get rid of this damn elephant in the room. I’ll start, okay?”
“Of course, I’m listening,” Aaron said, as he poured each of them a cup of coffee. He placed the sugar bowl and cream on the table, and sat down next to her.
“First, I want to say I have no right to feel the way I do. You don’t owe me any explanations of any kind. If I overstep my bounds, tell me, please. Anyway, my weirdness began when you were watching Reggie while I was in Florida. I called you one evening to talk, and I heard a woman’s voice in the background. She called you to come back and play with Reggie. A strange woman playing with my dog, Aaron? How do you think that made me feel? You sounded like you were in a hurry to get off the phone. When I got home, I saw you with probably the same woman, going into the shop one morning. You were in the back together when I came in and surprised you.”
“I remember.”
“I don’t know why that grinds on me as much as it does. I have no right to ask questions. You can do whatever you like with your life,” Mia said, with tears pooling in her lower lids.
Aaron handed her a bright white, neatly folded handkerchief from his pants pocket.
“Aaron, you do everything right. You’re in control, even with this damn handkerchief. But me? I’m just flailing through life without a clue.”
Aaron laughed and squeezed her hand. “Sweetheart, do you have any idea how precious you are right now?”
“No,” she said, while blowing her nose into the handkerchief. She paused after the fact, realizing what she just did. “Oh God, I’m so friggin stupid.”
“Mia, you aren’t stupid. Let me explain that woman to you. I think everything is going to make sense once you hear what I say. I will admit, it is very flattering that you care so much.”
“Aaron, quit complimenting yourself at my expense,” Mia sobbed.
“Sorry, hon, everything will seem silly after I tell you the story. Anyway, since your birthday is coming up, I had something special made for you. I intended to keep it here, and someday add to it, when the time is right. I know it sounds like I’m talking in riddles. Wait here, I’ll be right back.” Aaron hugged her, then headed down the hallway toward his office. He came back a minute later carrying something large wrapped in brown kraft paper.
“What is this?”
“Open it, you’ll see it soon enough anyway. It will help explain who that woman was.”
Mia tore away the brown paper to reveal a stunning portrait of Aaron and Reggie together sitting on his beautiful front porch. The image was taken from an actual photograph, but hand painted in oil. The portrait would look wonderful on the hewn oak fireplace mantel in Aaron’s living room.
“I don’t understand. It’s beautiful, but why?”
“Mia, I’m an optimist and always will be. Having Reggie with me created the perfect opportunity to do this. You know how much I love that dog. This painting is for you, and you can take it home if you like. You can explain it to Jack however you want, or you can leave it here until you love me enough to move in. At that time, your image will be painted into the portrait with ours. The three of us will be a family, until our kids come along. We’ll place it above the mantel and every one of our children will be added to the painting as time goes on
. That woman? The one you heard over the phone and saw in my shop, was the photographer and artist that put this portrait together for me.”
Mia had no words. She burst into a sobbing, tear jerking cry. She muttered through her tears. “Aaron, I’m such a jealous idiot. I’m so sorry.”
“Here’s what I’m wondering,” he said, as he took the portrait out of her hands and set it down. “Why do you care? Why do you feel jealous? Be honest with me, and yourself.”
“Aaron,” she sniffled, “it’s because I love you. It’s true, and not as a friend. I love you as the man I want to spend my life with. I want to be with you Aaron, and I’m ready to admit it now. You’re right for me, and you always were. We were such close friends, I let that blur my true feelings.”
“Mia, you actually said it. I would have waited forever to hear those words. I’ve always loved you, but you knew that. I do have one question though. I think the air will finally be clear once I ask it.”
“Okay,” Mia said, as she composed herself and wiped her lingering tears.
“I saw your car pass by me a few weeks ago. I left my shop for lunch and saw the Camaro speed down Main Street. I was about to wave when I realized it was a man driving and you were in the passenger seat. It floored me. I was instantly jealous. Who was he?”
Just knowing he saw her and Max together broke Mia’s heart. Max was the last person she wanted to tell Aaron about. There was no way she could be honest with him about that day. “Aaron, when I sprained my foot I couldn’t drive. That man was the wilderness guide at the Boy Scout camp. He was kind enough to drive me home. He took the train back to wherever he lives after he dropped me off. It was a nice gesture on his part, that’s all.”
What Mia said to Aaron was much more than the occasional white lie she told. This was a full blown, double whammy, lie to his face.
I am so going to hell for that, but I can’t lose Aaron. I’ll make this right somehow, someway. “Aaron, you have to open the shop. I better go.”
“Mia, there’s so much to say, and you’re going to get up and leave?”
“No, I’m not just leaving, I’m being responsible. You have to open the store. I have somewhere I need to be anyway. I know we need to talk. I’ll come by in the morning for a few days, like today. That would give us some privacy. It isn’t going to be long. Jack will be history very soon, then I can move on with a clear conscience. Right now, you need to go to work. I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”
“Okay, beautiful. I’m happy to go at your pace. I believe in us, I always have. Are you sure you don’t want to go out for dinner tonight?” he asked, with that perfect smile.”
“Not yet, but soon.”
He pulled her close and looked deep into her eyes, exposing his soul. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her for what seemed like an eternity. Aaron thanked God that his lifelong dream was about to come true. She lingered in his arms with a rush of warmth filling her heart. Mia felt safe and content. She was sure, and had no more doubt. Aaron was the right man, and one day he would be her husband.
Chapter Twenty Eight
It was nine o’clock when Mia checked the time. She felt different as she drove back home. She had clarity, a new purpose. She was happy. The trees looked greener, the flowers seemed more colorful. She now felt the same optimism Aaron always displayed, and it made her smile. The nervousness she had earlier was gone. She would get through today and move on with Aaron. It was her turn to be happy and live life to the fullest. She picked up the phone to call the salon.
“Hey girl, what’s up?” Vic asked, while she was getting the makeup colors together to use on Sasha.
“I’m going to come over earlier. If Sasha recognizes me right away, oh well. It’s been a few months though. She might think I look familiar, but even if she realizes where she saw me, she still won’t know who I am until I tell her. I’ll do the photo shoot just as we planned, and after I get some great shots, we’ll tell her why she’s really at the salon.”
“Okay, hon, we’ll just go for it and see what happens. It will be what it will be, right?”
“That’s right. Let’s make today fun. No worries, okay?”
“Yep, no worries. I’ll see you soon, bye.”
“Bye, Vic, love you.” Mia hung up and took a deep breath. It will be what it will be. That’s exactly right. She smiled, picked out a fun outfit to wear, and stepped into the hot, blissful shower.
***
“You guys, there’s a cab pulling up to the salon,” Karen said, anxiously.
The three of them peered out the side window to see a beautiful, dark haired woman step out, pay the driver and come up the sidewalk.
“That’s her!” Tina squealed nervously, while chewing on her cuticles.
“Well, no duh,” Vic said, “Who else would it be? Breathe, Tina, for God’s sake. We’ll get through this just fine. Put on some music or something.”
“Yeah… good idea. Damn, she’s even more gorgeous than I thought,” Tina said, as she raced to the back room to turn on the MP3 player.
“Really? Just don’t let Mia hear you say that. She’s heard it too many times from my big mouth,” Vic reminded her.
Karen busied herself with the white tablecloth holding the appetizers and beverages, making sure it was smooth and straight.
The door opened and Sasha Renaud entered, floating in like a butterfly with a number of outfits under her arm.
They stood like zombies, brain dead for a second, until the English language came back to Vic.
She took the lead and welcomed Sasha to Hair Brained salon. “Hello, you must be Sasha Renaud. Welcome to our salon. I’m Victoria, and this is Tina and Karen. Congratulations on being a finalist for Today’s Glamour inaugural cover. Throughout the day you’ll be getting a free makeover which includes makeup, a mani-pedi and several hairstyle selections to choose from. The photographer will be here shortly for your photo shoot, lasting an hour. I’ll take those outfits for now. Please help yourself to our complimentary appetizers and beverages. Make yourself comfortable, we’ll get started shortly.”
Sasha said hello, forced a smile, and strolled over to the table. She chose a Mimosa in a beautiful crystal flute, over wine, and sipped it as she walked around the salon.
“May I call you Sasha?” Tina inquired.
“Of course, that’s my name after all,” she responded, dryly.
Tina muttered something inaudible under her breath, smiled, and asked Sasha to sit in the chair at the hair washing station. Her hair was washed, trimmed and put in rollers. Vic asked her to choose the makeup colors she preferred, and began her artistic magic, with the flair only Vic could pull off. Tina began the manicure after Sasha picked a ruby red color from an array of choices. Karen kept the drinks coming.
“Do you live in Manhattan, Sasha?” Karen asked, trying to get a conversation flowing.
Sasha wasn’t drinking enough to loosen up yet. “Of course, where else would a model live?”
“Right… We’re going to need some fun facts about you, in case you win the competition. Are you single? Is there a hunky guy in your life? Where have you traveled? How long have you been a model? These are the things we’ll need to include in your bio, if you don’t mind. Please, let me get you another Mimosa before you begin.” Karen took the half full glass from Sasha’s hand and replaced it with another.
Tina turned the music up a few clicks. The girls were doing their best to lighten the atmosphere in the salon, and it was beginning to work. By the time Sasha had downed her third Mimosa she was getting quite chatty.
“Well, I do have a man in my life,” she began, as Vic applied the false eyelashes over Sasha’s own.
“Really? Tell us about him,” Karen said, with an optimistic wink to Vic and Tina.
Just as Sasha was about to spill her life story, the front door swung open and Mia sashayed in.
“Oh, the photographer Jasmine is here. She’ll be doing your photo shoot today. Let’s get your ha
ir blown out so she can begin, shall we?”
Sasha was too preoccupied with her hair and makeup to give Mia a decent look. A halfhearted nod was her way of acknowledging Mia’s presence. By her lack of interest, it was obvious that Sasha was well on her way to becoming inebriated. Mia was instantly irritated by her, but began snapping picture after picture anyway as Sasha’s hairstyles and outfits changed. When Sasha returned to the bright aqua swivel chair for another hairstyle change, she recalled where she left off earlier. Enthusiastically, she began describing her fabulously sexy boyfriend, Jack Barnes, with a slight slur in her voice.
“We were in the Cayman Islands recently. My wonderful Jack surprised me with a week at the Ritz-Carlton on Seven Mile Beach. It was pure decadence, I mean we hardly got out of bed. Constant room service. I’ve never been so pampered,” she said, with a flamboyant laugh and a hiccup.
“That’s it,” Mia sneered, as she began crying from pent up anger. “I’ve had enough of this charade.” She flung her camera across the table where the now dried up appetizers sat, untouched.
Sasha stared at her in disbelief, wondering what in the world this crazy photographer was crying about. There was something oddly familiar about her.
“I’ve seen you before, somewhere,” Sasha said, with a suspicious tone. She rose from the styling chair, pushing Vic out of the way in the process. She teetered a bit, but marched over to where Mia was pacing like a caged tiger. “Who are you, and what’s your problem? You were crying the first time I saw you. Now I remember. You were at Grand Central in the ladies room. You were bawling your head off for some damn reason. So again, who are you?” Sasha corrected her wobble. “I’m waiting.”
“You’re waiting? You stupid bitch! I’ve been waiting more than two years for my husband to show up for our marriage. You want to know who I am? I’ll tell you who the hell I am. I’m Jack Barnes’ wife, that’s who I am. And, see Karen over there? She was Jack Barnes’ wife before me. So that’s who we are. Any more questions, you husband stealer?”
