The Birthday Girls

by Pauline Lawless

  “Oh no!” Mel groaned.

  “Do we have to?” Angel asked.

  “What’s Black Friday?” Brenda asked mystified.

  “It’s the day after Thanksgiving when America goes crazy shopping,” Mel explained. “It’s nuts. Prices are slashed everywhere and the shops open at midnight and you wouldn’t believe the pandemonium.”

  “At midnight?” Brenda exclaimed, finding it hard to believe.

  “Yes, and you should see the crowds. Every shop is packed with huge queues at the cash desks all night long,” Angel added.

  “You can’t find a parking space – at 3 o’clock in the morning – can you believe that?” Mel asked.

  “You’re not serious!” Brenda cried open-eyed. “That is something to write home about. Shopping has become the leisure pursuit in Ireland now but I don’t think even we would do that,” she chuckled. “And you want us to go out shopping at midnight, Lexi?”

  “Well, maybe not at midnight, especially not after Thanksgiving dinner, but the sales go on the whole weekend.”

  “That I can take,” Brenda told her enthusiastically.

  “Count me out,” Mel said.

  “Me too,” Angel concurred.

  “You’re both chicken!” Lexi laughed. “Don’t worry, Brenda, I’ll take you shopping.”

  * * *

  They had a great night and Lexi observed that she hadn’t laughed so much since the last time they’d all been together. She’d been worried initially that Brenda would be lost between the two strong personalities of Mel and Angel so she was pleased when, after a couple of margaritas, Brenda had held her own and hadn’t let them intimidate her. Sometimes it was hard to get a word in edgeways with that pair around. The evening had been great fun and she hoped that the rest of the week would go as smoothly.

  * * *

  The following morning when Lexi came down for her swim she was surprised to find Mel sitting on the terrace with a cup of coffee and a cigarette. She was on her laptop.

  “Good morning and happy birthday!” Today was Mel’s birthday. “Did you not sleep well?”

  “I never sleep well.” Mel grimaced.

  “Oh Mel, you’re going to kill yourself if you go on like this. I’m really worried about you, you know. You work far too hard. You really have to rethink your lifestyle. I’m concerned for you.”

  “I know and I appreciate that but it’s so difficult to switch off. I’m just so stressed out all the time. It’s a rat race out there, you know.”

  “Well, this is your chance to get away from it all. Why don’t you put that laptop away and come for a swim with me?”

  “I’ll probably drown! I haven’t been swimming for yonks.”

  “Well, come on, put that away and go get changed and join me in the pool.”

  “Okay, okay, I surrender,” Mel laughed, closing the computer and stubbing out her cigarette. She went upstairs to change and fifteen minutes later came down. She smoked another cigarette before finally joining Lexi who was busy doing laps in the pool.

  Mel was still in the pool when Lexi got out and as she towelled herself dry Lexi admired Mel’s sure strokes as she cut through the water. She had always been the most athletic of the four of them. Lexi showered and dressed and when she came back down was surprised to see Mel still in the pool, floating lazily on her back. She finally joined Lexi on the terrace, shaking the water from her dark hair.

  “I’ve forgotten how good it is to swim,” she observed as she towelled herself dry and slipped on her bathrobe. They moved up to the upper terrace where Maria had set out a delicious breakfast buffet of cold meats, cheese, fruit and yogurts and brought them a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee.

  “What! No Irish breakfast?” Mel asked, pretending surprise. “I’m hungry after that swim.”

  “I only make that on special occasions. We’ll have one on Thanksgiving, if you stay for it that is.”

  “I’m only kidding. I never eat breakfast. I just have coffee.”

  “You really must take care of yourself, Mel. Your health is the most important thing you have. You should look after it.”

  Mel sighed. “I know, I know. You’re right as always, Lexi.”

  Knocking back her juice she leaned back in her chair and turned her face up to the sun. “Oh, this is bliss. I’m beginning to think you have the right idea, Lexi. This is the life. Maybe I should leave New York and move to Florida. I’d have no problem getting a job here. The sunshine is so relaxing that it’s hard to be stressed out for long.”

  “I’d love it if you were here.”

  “If only!”

  “Then I could keep an eye on you and make sure you take care of yourself.”

  “Yes, Mama,” Mel replied and they both burst out laughing, remembering how they all used to say that to her whenever she doled out advice to them at school.

  “You’re still a mother-hen, you know that?” Mel smiled as they got up to help themselves to breakfast.

  Lexi was pleased to see Mel filling her plate.

  When they were sitting down eating Lexi leaned forward and looked at Mel intently. “What is it you want from life, Mel?”

  “I don’t know. I was just thinking this morning, when I couldn’t sleep, that even though I’ve achieved everything I ever wanted, I’ve really got nothing at the end of the day.”

  “You certainly have proved yourself but you’re not happy, are you?”

  “No, I’m not. When I hear about Brenda’s kids, I realise that she’s achieved something far better than I ever have.”

  “Would you have wanted children?”

  “I didn’t think I did but the old biological clock is ticking away and knowing I’ll probably never be a mother makes me sad.”

  “You could always adopt a baby.”

  Mel laughed harshly. “What agency would consider giving me a baby, working the hours I do?”

  “You could always change that. I guess you’ve made enough money to retire by now. It’s a thought.”

  “Yes, money wouldn’t be an object but I’d be terrified that I’d be a bad mother. Mmmm . . . this ham is delicious, I think I’ll have some more.” She got up and helped herself again.

  When she sat down Lexi continued.

  “All pregnant first-time mothers worry about that, I guess. I know I did, though I never got the chance to find out.” Her voice was sad.

  Mel reached for her hand across the table. “Oh, Lexi, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t go on about babies when you lost yours so tragically.”

  “It’s okay. It’s good sometimes to talk about Alessandro. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him and wonder what he would be like if he’d lived. He’d be eight years old now.”

  Mel squeezed Lexi’s hand and searched for words of comfort but there were no words for something so devastating. Brenda appeared just then, breaking the sombre mood.

  “Good morning, you energetic people. I saw you swimming earlier from my bedroom window. Gosh, but you’re both very fit,” she observed admiringly.

  “Don’t believe it. Appearances are deceptive. I’m as unfit as a couch potato,” Mel said, making a face.

  “Well, you looked pretty good to me. You were always very sporty. Happy birthday, Mel!” She kissed her friend.

  “God, don’t remind me. Thirty-nine today!”

  “What’s another year?” Lexi and Brenda chorused together. They all laughed.

  “Mmmm . . . that breakfast looks delicious,” Brenda observed.

  “It is. I’m stuffed.” Mel patted her tummy.

  “Help yourself,” said Lexi, pulling out a chair for her.

  “This is the life, isn’t it, Mel?” Brenda commented as she went to the buffet with her plate.

  “It sure is,” Mel agreed. “I was just saying to Lexi that maybe I should relocate here.”

  “Could you?”

  “I could if I wanted to, I suppose. It would be a demotion from where I’m at now but I’d certainly have no p
roblem getting a job.”

  Brenda sighed. “You’re so lucky. I’d live here at the drop of a hat, if I didn’t have Bob at home, I mean.”

  “If you leave him and move here then I’ll move here too,” Mel proposed.

  Brenda laughed. “Not a chance but it’s a nice dream all the same.”

  “Oh go on, the two of you,” Lexi cried, shaking her head. “You’re just tantalising me.”

  “Any sign of Angel?” Brenda asked.

  “You must be joking! She’s not exactly an early bird. I reckon we’ll be lucky to see her before noon,” Mel laughed.

  “Plus ça change . . .!” said Lexi, shaking her head.

  After a leisurely breakfast Lexi told them that she had some shopping to do. They both offered to go and help her but she shooed them off to the beach where Pablo set them up with lounge beds and parasols. Still no sign of Angel.

  Chapter 10

  Lexi arrived back home just before noon and was helping Maria put things away when Angel surfaced. Her face was make-up free with her hair tied up in a ponytail. She was wearing a long T-shirt and flip-flops and without her heels and other accoutrements she looked extremely young and vulnerable.

  “Good morning, am I late for breakfast?”

  “A little,” Lexi responded, thinking that Mel would probably have replied, ‘Only three or four hours.’ “What would you like?”

  “Oh, just coffee would be great. I never eat breakfast anyway.”

  “Oh my God, you girls!” Lexi exclaimed, switching on the coffee machine. “Mel said the same thing but she ate a great breakfast this morning. Are you sure you won’t eat anything?”

  “No, I’m sure. Where is she by the way, and Brenda?” Angel asked, looking out at the pool.

  “They’re on the beach. Do you want to join them?”

  “God no, I hate the beach! All that bloody sand, not to mention baking in the sun which is sooo ageing.” She wrinkled her pert little nose.

  “But you have a great tan,” Lexi observed.

  “That’s fake, Lexi. Nobody has a real tan these days. It’s bloody suicide for your skin.”

  “Oh, I see. Well then, if you don’t want to take the sun you can give me a hand making some cheese straws for the party tomorrow.”

  “Sure, no problem. I just need to go online first.” She hoisted herself up on the kitchen stool as Maria poured her coffee. She looked no older than she had done fifteen years before. Lexi couldn’t understand her fixation with staying young. She was still stunningly beautiful and as irresistible as ever.

  * * *

  Lexi was left to make the cheese straws on her own. Three batches had been removed from the oven and two loaves of brown soda bread were baking away and still Angel was playing away on her computer thingy – an iPad, she’d called it. Lexi shook her head in disbelief and wondered what on earth she could be doing on it. To Lexi’s horror she had also consumed eight cups of coffee in that time.

  “Angel, have you any idea how much caffeine you’re pumping into your system? It’s no wonder you’re on a high all the time.”

  “I know,” Angel replied sheepishly. “I run on coffee.”

  “It’s not good for you, you know. Why don’t you drink decaf?”

  “Yeuch! Can’t stand the stuff! I’ll cut back, I promise.”

  Lexi sighed. She didn’t believe a word of it.

  Angel was relieved to see Mel and Brenda come into the kitchen and distract Lexi. They were both pink and glowing from the sun and they had wet hair.

  “Have you been swimming in the sea?” Lexi asked.

  “Yes, it was wonderful, wasn’t it, Mel?”

  “Simply divine,” Mel agreed.

  “God, how can you bear the beach? All that sand getting into all those private places?” Angel cried, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

  “Don’t be such a sugar-baby. You’re far too pampered,” Mel retorted.

  “And I aim to stay that way, thank you very much.”

  “Girls, girls!” Lexi reprimanded them fearing another sparring session.

  “So what have you been doing with yourselves?” Brenda asked.

  “Well, I’ve been baking while Her Ladyship has been tapping on that yoke for almost two hours.”

  “I’ve been reading emails and on Facebook and Twitter,” Angel said, pretending to look aggrieved.

  “Oh, I wanted to ask you,” said Brenda. “Could I Skype Alex at some stage? I promised her I would. She wants to wish us all a happy birthday.”

  “Of course, honey.”

  “It’s better if she does it from my laptop,” Mel suggested. “The picture will be bigger. I’ll go and get it.”

  “Can it wait till after lunch? Maria has it set out for us on the terrace,” Lexi pointed out.

  “Oh no, not in the sun!” Angel wailed.

  “Don’t worry, baby, the awning is up. No sun will touch your delicate face,” Mel teased her in a babyish voice.

  “Okay,” Angel said hopping down off the stool. Still, she went to get a big sunhat and huge sunglasses just in case.

  * * *

  After an extended lunch Mel went up to her room to get her laptop as Brenda texted Alex on her mobile telling her to log on to Skype. Eventually they were all set and Brenda was delighted to see Alex’s face, smiling and happy on the screen.

  “Hi, Mum, how are you? Did you arrive safely? How is it and how are Aunt Lexi and the girls?”

  “Fantastic, darling! It’s beautiful here and Lexi and the girls are all here with me and in great form.”

  “Hey, you’ve got a tan already.”

  “Yes, I’ve been lolling about in the sun since I came.”

  Lexi couldn’t believe her eyes. To think that Brenda could see her daughter who was on the other side of the world. It was quite amazing.

  Brenda moved over on the chair and beckoned Lexi to sit down beside her.

  “Hi, Aunt Lexi, how are you?” Alex said.

  “I can’t believe this. This is incredible. How is it possible to be able to talk to you like this?”

  “That’s modern technology for you.”

  “It must be very expensive.”

  “No, it’s free. That’s the great thing about it.”

  “Well, I never!” Brenda and the others smiled at Lexi’s wonder.

  “How are you, darling? Are you happy out there?” Lexi asked.

  They chatted for a few minutes as Alex told her all about her life in Sudan.

  “Hi, Angel and Mel,” said Alex as she spotted them bend down over Lexi’s head, waving and blowing kisses. “You look like you’re all having a great time.”

  “Oh, we are, honey. It’s great to be here together. We’re having fun.”

  “And lots more to come,” Mel added.

  “Well, I hope you have a fabulous birthday. It’s so good of you, Aunt Lexi, to have invited Mum over. I know how much it means to her.”

  “It’s lovely to have her here.” Lexi was getting quite emotional. It was wonderful to be able to talk to her goddaughter who was so far away in Sudan. She said goodbye and handed over to Brenda once more.

  When the call was over Lexi bombarded them with questions as to how this Skyping worked. They explained it to her and she was mesmerised by the whole thing.

  “Maybe there’s something to be said for modern technology after all,” she admitted.

  “Just think, if you had a computer you could Skype us all,” Brenda pointed out.

  “Yeeesss, it’s a thought. Maybe I’ll look into it but I’m afraid I’m not very good at technical things.”

  “I’m sure Marvin would help you,” Brenda suggested.

  “Sure. He’s pretty good at that kind of thing. I’ll talk to him about it.”

  After lunch Lexi went up for a lie-down and the three girls got their heads together.

  “Angel and I have been racking our brains trying to think what we should get Lexi for her birthday,” Mel said to Brenda. “I think we’ve just f
ound the perfect gift for her. A laptop! What do you think?”

  “Brilliant idea!” Angel agreed enthusiastically. “But why not the latest iPad 5?”

  “Those things are much too complicated. I think a laptop would be better.”

  “Mel is right. The simpler, the better,” Brenda agreed.

  “Okay. I suppose it would put her off if it was too high-tech,” Angel conceded.

  “Are they very expensive?” Brenda asked. She had brought Lexi a book on Irish Art but wanted to contribute to the laptop as well, if it was not too pricey.

  “No, we should get a good one in Walmart for about $300.”

  “You’re not serious!” Brenda exclaimed. “I was checking prices out at home in the summer sales because we could really do with a new one. Our computer is very slow – it was a hand-me-down from my sister – and a decent laptop would have cost at least €500. I needn’t tell you I gave up the idea pretty quickly.”

  “Everything is ridiculously expensive in Ireland,” Mel observed, winking at Angel.

  Angel copped on immediately. They had also been trying to decide what birthday present to get for Brenda but had no idea what she might like. They didn’t think Brenda was a designer-bag-type and had more or less decided to get her a gift voucher for Macy’s. A laptop was a much better idea, especially if she needed a new one.

  “I’d like to share in Lexi’s present if that’s okay with you two,” Brenda said.

  “Of course. It can be from the three of us. Won’t she be surprised! We’ll need to get to Walmart before the party so that we can present it to her then.”

  “How will we manage that?” Angel asked.

  “I’ll say I want to go buy something for my PA tomorrow morning,” Mel proposed, “and you guys offer to come too.”

  “Great idea! That’s agreed then. Good work, girls!” Angel cried, high-fiving them.

  “One for all and all for one!” Mel exclaimed, pleased with what they’d decided.

  * * *

  Brenda had still had no word from Bob and was damned if she was going to call him and risk the reception she’d received the last time they’d spoken. She guessed he was sulking but was determined not to let him spoil this time with her friends. She was disappointed in him. If the shoe had been on the other foot she would have been happy for him to be with his friends. She put him out of her mind.