Kay emphasized her defiant declaration with a crisp bob of her head and another drink from her wine glass. Of course, Kay knew she had conveniently left out the part where Leslie had to convinced her to consult with Judith. But her heroic telling of the story was being fueled by Tina’s rapt expression, as well as, the pinot noir. If they didn’t eat soon, Kay was going to be drunk.
“So what happened?” Tina said. She was thoroughly engrossed in the story.
“Can I tell you after we order? I’m really starting to feel this wine.” Kay said.
Kay talked Tina into sharing an appetizer of feta fries. “…something to munch on ‘till they bring our food.” They also agreed to another bottle of wine. “So what if we have to take a taxi home? This reunion deserves a celebration.” Kay said.
“Tell you what. I’ll spring for your cab fare,” Tina said.
“And I’ll spring for yours.” Kay replied.
They giggled at their inebriated silliness then tried to straighten up long enough to give their order to the waiter. As soon as he walked away, they dissolved into giggles again.
“Did you see his face when we ordered the wine? I think he disapproves.” Tina said.
“Nah. He’s just worried about is his tip. Let’s make a note not to forget his tip.” Kay said.
“Duly noted,” Tina said. She pretended to write on the table with an invisible pen. “Now, if you please, continue with your story. When last we visited, you were about to take your sorry S.O.B. of an ex-husband to court.”
“You make it sound like an episode of the Lone Ranger.”
“Well, then, Hi-Oh, get on with it, Silver.” Tina commanded, setting off another round of uncontrollable giggles. Their failed efforts to gain control of themselves, naturally, irritated some of the more uptight diners in the room - which only made them laugh even more. Fortunately the feta fries were delivered to the table, providing the diversion necessary to move things in a more restrained direction. The hungry women dug in.
“As I was saying,” Kay said between bites, “We took Dave back to court for failing to report his bonus. And, as my attorney would say, we prevailed.”
“And by prevailing you mean…?”
“The judge awarded me half the value of the bonus, and Dave’s been ordered to pay all attorney fees.” Kay said.
Tina was grabbing fries and putting them in her mouth like she was eating popcorn at the suspenseful part of a movie. “How much was the bonus, if you don’t mind me asking?” Tina said.
Kay smiled. “$80,000.”
Tina’s jaw dropped to the table.
“Keep in mind I’d already been awarded $10,000 in back child support at the previous hearing. When you add everything together it’s hard to imagine how he can possibly afford this new expenditure.”
Tina shook her head in disbelief. “Well, maybe Sandy has money,” she offered.
“I don’t see how,” Kay said. “She hasn’t worked since before Little Dave was born and no one in her family has died.”
“Curiouser and curiouser,” Tina said with a bemused smile. “And then out of all the leasing agents in town she ends up calling me and I find out their plans an hour before I have a lunch date with you. I wonder if she knows you and I are friends? Do you think if she tells Dave I’m the leasing agent he might just nix the deal…you know, to keep you from finding out.” Tina said.
“Maybe. But that would be kinda dumb since the girls would be bound to tell me sooner or later. Right? Kay said.
“Oh. Right,” Tina said with an embarrassed giggle.
“Anyway, at this point I don’t think it matters how they’re doing it or whether or not I know. My business with Dave has pretty much concluded.”
Their food came and Kay dove in with abandon. The moussaka casserole was better than she’d remembered. She was about to insist Tina take a bite when she noticed she was just sitting there staring at her plate of pastichio.
“What’s the matter? Did you change your mind about what you ordered?” Kay said.
Tina picked up her fork and sighed. “I don’t know. I guess I’m a little disappointed. You’re just so blasé. I thought you’d be as weirded-out as I am.”
“Honey, I am weirded-out,” Kay said. “I even got a little dizzy when you told me. But I don’t see how this has anything to do with me. Like I told you, where Dave’s concerned, I’ve already taken care of business.”
Tina just shook her head. “I don’t know, Kay. I just can’t shake the feeling this is more than just some crazy coincidence.”
Kay tried to make her friend feel better with a reassuring smile. “Well, I DO know. It’s just left-over karma. Every time Dave has tried to get away with something, he’s always been busted. His karma’s been on such a roll, now it can’t stop.”
Kay burst out laughing at her impromptu analysis; Tina still looked downcast.
Kay couldn’t let her reunion (or her lunch) with Tina be ruined just because Dave’s escapades no longer interested her. She had to get them back to their silliness of a few minutes prior.
“Anyway, I think Elmer Fudd summed it up best when he said, “oh whadda wangled web we weave.”
Kay’s impersonation of the cartoon “wascally wabbit hunter” was so terrible, Tina could no longer hold on to her dejected mood. Much to the aggravation of their table neighbors, the two women began another round of boisterous giggling.
“C’mon. We better pull it together and eat. Our food is going to get cold,” Kay said. “Besides, I’ve got something a little more serious I want to talk to you about.”
The two happily ate and drank and Kay confided in Tina about her dilemma with Ed. Kay had hoped talking about it would reveal some deep, hidden insight she’d overlooked. But when she was finished the impasse of the situation remained.
“Well, what’s the worse that could happen?” Tina said. “You go on a date and you find out he’s as boring as a stump. Or he leaves his socks on when he’s having sex.”
“If only it was that simple. Even if he’s the most fascinating man on the planet and rocks in bed, I still have to go to work everyday with the guy. If we hook up, I worry Ruth and Leo are going to see favoritism around every corner, even if it doesn’t exist. And if we don’t, I just envision oceans of awkwardness between us every time we’re together in a room. And I haven’t even begun to consider what this would mean for the girls.”
“Whoa, girl,” Tina responded. “I think you’re borrowing trouble. From what little you’ve told me about Ed, he seems like a reasonable guy. You two are just going to have to talk this through. And as far as the girls are concerned, they’ve got you no matter what. They’ll be just fine.”
Kay sighed. “I hope you’re right…about everything.”
“You know Kay, it’s just as easy to imagine the good that could come from this as it is the bad. Have you thought about that?”
Kay allowed a wistful smile to slowly inch across her lips.
“Did I tell you he said I was beautiful? And that he was in over his head?”
“Yes, yes. You told me. You should see your face. Ed’s not the only one in over his head.” Tina said.
The waiter came by and offered dessert, but the well-fed women opted for coffee only.
“Instead of fighting over the bill, which you know we will do, why don’t we just agree to split it.” Tina said.
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Kay said. “And what do you say, just to be on the safe side, we split a cab ride home? I feel fine to drive, but I don’t want to take any chances.”
“Ok.” Tina said. “But do you mind if we have the driver run us by the post office? I have to mail the copy of the signed lease and extra keys to Sandy.” Tina said, holding up a manila envelope she’d pulled from her purse.”
“Fine by me,” Kay said.
Tina used her cell phone to call for a cab and while they waited, they took care of the bill, put a generous tip on the table, sipped their coffee and made plans to get
together again. A short time later a new, friendlier hostess came to tell them their cab had arrived.
They gathered up their things and headed for the door. “My god,” Tina said. “We’ve stayed through a shift change. I’m surprised Tim hasn’t called looking for me.”
“Yeah. I’m going to have some explaining to do myself when I get home. But I’ve decided to turn it into one of those teachable moments. You know…never drink and drive. And if all else fails, I can just say it was your fault.”
Kay and Tina laughed again and as was their habit, they locked elbows and walked to their waiting cab.
Tina lived closer to the restaurant than Kay, so she was dropped off first. Kay asked the cab driver to wait until Tina was safely in the door.
Kay smiled all the way to her house. Her lunch with Tina had been delightful. She promised herself to make these lunches a regular part of her social schedule.
The cab arrived at her driveway and Kay reached for her purse on her seat. There sat the manila envelope Tina was supposed to mail at the post office.
“We forgot to go to the Post Office,” Kay giggled. She was still feeling the effects of the wine.
“Sorry, Ma’am. I only go where I’m told,” the driver said. “I’d be happy to drive you there now if you’d like.”
Kay declined his offer. She only had enough cash for her fare and a tip.
Once in the house, she let the girls know she was home and then immediately put in a call to Tina to let her know about the forgotten envelope. Tina told Kay not to worry. She was fine with Kay putting it in the mail on Monday.
The next evening when Dave came to pick up Mariah Kay spotted the envelope sitting on the desk in the entry.
Why wait for the mail tomorrow?
Kay put the envelope in Mariah’s bag and instructed her to give it to Dave when they got home. She figured there’d likely be some backlash for getting involved in his business, insignificant as it was. Kay didn’t care. She was doing a favor for a friend.
21
Poe is Spinning in His Grave
Kay’s morning trip to OMI had been much less eventful than the last time she’d been sent to retrieve a deceased. Even though the mortuary van had all the modern automobile conveniences, it wasn’t as much fun to drive as the old Country Squire. Kay backed up to the embalming room door and Leo appeared, ready to roll the well-secured body out from the van. At moments like this, Kay and Leo still shared guilty, knowing glances, but they never discussed the night of the flying fat man.
Back at her desk, Kay started a new file and filled it with the necessary forms Ed would need when the family came in to make arrangements later in the afternoon.
So far, she and Ed were doing well at maintaining a professional working relationship. Of course, their mutual decision to try a couple of “let’s see” dates, hadn’t gone much past their initial discussion. They had been swamped with cases at the mortuary, and Ed’s outside jam-packed schedule had prevented them from making solid plans. Nevertheless, Kay was enjoying the anticipation of an evening out with the handsome man who thought she was beautiful.
A couple of loud growls from her empty stomach told Kay it was getting near lunch. But the clock didn’t agree. It would be at least an hour and a half before she could leave to go eat.
Kay went to the break room for some small edible morsel that would, hopefully tide her over. She looked at the almost-empty plastic container with the remnants of Mrs. Dash’s dehydrated chili okra and decided she’d be disloyal to Aunt Adelaide if she finished them off. Instead she chose a banana that was in desperate need of being eaten before it turned into soup.
Kay had made a good start on the obituary; all she’d need to finish it were the service times. Of course, the family would get final editorial say-so, but she seldom, if ever, had one sent back to her for a re-write. She was giving it one more read-through for typos when she was interrupted by Ruth who had rushed into her office visibly distraught.
“Oh thank god, you’re back,” Ruth said. “Mr Noland is on the phone and he’s every upset. He demanded that I put him through to you immediately. When I told him I had to check to make sure you were here, he said some very unkind things.”
Kay panicked. Maybe something has happened to one of the girls.
“I’m sorry, Ruth. That’s usually not like him. There must be something wrong.” Kay said.
With her heart in her throat, Kay picked up the receiver and pushed Line 1.
“Dave, this is Kay. Listen, I don’t think it’s necessary to badger our recep…”
“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think,” Dave said. His nose sounded plugged up, like he’d been crying. “I should have known you’d find a way to get back at me. Well, you’ve won. I just never thought you’d sink so low. You women are all alike and I just pray Cory and Mariah don’t end up like you.”
Dave slammed the phone down hard without waiting for Kay’s response. She slowly lowered the receiver and stood there holding it in both hands shocked by the level of Dave’s uncharacteristic fury.
“Is everything ok?” Ruth said. The concerned expression belonged to the old Ruth.
“Apparently not,” Kay said. “I can’t imagine he’s just now hearing about the judge’s decision. Maybe it’s beginning to sink in.”
“Well, are you ok? Did he threaten you?”
“No. No threats. Just angry bluster,” Kay said. She gently placed the receiver back on its cradle. She was ok…surprisingly so. “I’m fine.”
Ruth went back to her office and Kay returned to her obituary. It was wonderful not to be left all shook up after a conversation with Dave. A smile flashed across her face.
So this is what it feels like to know you’ve truly moved on.
Kay knew there might be a few uncomfortable moments still to come with Dave. She also knew they - she would get past them. She had taken full responsibility for her life and it was unfortunate Dave couldn’t do the same. He had gotten exactly what he wanted. His mistake was expecting Kay to pay for it.
The phone rang again, and Kay prepared herself, lest it be Dave calling to continue his tirade. The intercom buzzed and Ruth said, “Kay, Line 1. The caller said her name is Tina Chalmers.”
Kay was hoping Tina was calling to invite her for lunch. Just a quick sandwich and soda this time.
“Hey, girl. You’re timing is excellent. I’m free for lunch,” Kay said.
Tina ignored Kay’s indirect hint. “I just got a call from a hysterical Sandy,” said a breathless Tina. “She wanted to know how Mariah came to have the lease in her possession. Frankly, I’d like to know myself. I thought you were going to put it in the mail.”
Tina’s angry tone let Kay know something had gone terribly wrong with her good deed.
“I was, Kay said. “But when Dave came to pick up Mariah last night I thought it would be quicker to give it to Mariah to deliver. I didn’t think it would be a problem.”
“Well, from the way Sandy screamed at me, it’s clear there is a problem. She called me a stupid bitch and said I’d ruined her life.”
“Oh, Tina. I am so sorry. I should have checked with you first.”
“Listen. They’re telling me I have an urgent call on the other line,” Tina said. “It’s probably Sandy calling back to cancel the deal. Crap! I just hope she doesn’t complain to my boss. I’ll call you later.”
Kay had expected some repercussion to the tiny part she’d played in the handover of the lease, but not to this degree.
It was just a sealed manila envelope for god sake.
Then Kay remembered what Tina had said about Sandy’s appearance being more than just a coincidence. Kay had made up the whole thing about “left-over karma” and now was wondering if her silly interpretation might be closer to the truth.
The sound of screeching tires snapped Kay out of her musings. She thought she saw the tail end of the limousine flying past the window. She jumped up to see if she was right but the cloud of dust
raised by the speeding vehicle obscured her view.
“Did you hear that?” Ruth said, running into Kay’s office.
“I think it was the limousine.” Kay said. Ruth joined Kay at the window and arrived just in time to see an older model sedan recklessly careen into the parking lot in hot pursuit.
They both started for the door and by the time they got outside they could hear angry shouts coming from behind the garage.
“Get outta that car, Salinger,” said an enraged voice Kay didn’t recognize.
Ruth came to an abrupt halt. She grabbed Kay’s arm. “Oh, no. Owen.”
Ed had also heard the ruckus from the embalming room and came running to catch up with the women.
“What in the hell is going on?” Ed said. “It sounded like a freight train barreling through here.”
As they rounded the corner of the garage, the three gasped in unison to see Tony Burleigh, flushed with rage, beating on the driver’s side window.
“Get out motherfucker. You’re gonna be sorry if I have to pull you out.”
“Knock it off,” Ed shouted, striding up to Tony.
The sight of the tall, authoritative Ed was all it took for Tony to wither back from the car. He stood there breathing hard and pulling up his filthy blue sweat pants which had slipped down below his bloated belly. Ed yanked the limousine door open. “Get out here, now, O. I wanna know what’s going on.”
Something caught Kay’s attention out of the corner of her eye. It was the top of a head and pair of eyes inching up in the back limo door window trying to get a peek.
Tony saw it too and began to wail. “Mother, how could you? How will I ever be able to show my face in public again?”
The head quickly disappeared.
“Just stand there,” Ed ordered Owen. He walked over to the back door and pulled it open. The space appeared empty. “Come out, Mrs. Burleigh. We know you’re in there.”
From the farthest reaches of the back seat, a small voice squeaked out, “I can’t. I’m not decent.”
Same Old Truths (The Reluctant Avenger) Page 23
