by Louisa Neil
“Well,” Naomi said, letting out a long sigh, “if it’s all you have in the house…” She sat at the kitchen table. Apparently she was waiting for someone else to make her tea. “I’ll have to have a talk with your cook about how to run a proper kitchen.”
Jeff stopped dead in his tracks. “Naomi, this is not your house. It’s not your place to discuss anything with any of the staff.” He paused to take a controlling breath. “Your home is across the country in California with your husband, David.”
Alice walked across the room and retrieved the kettle. After filling it with water she set it to boil. Jeff gave her a sidelong glance and winked at her. He took milk from the refrigerator and grabbed a pot, filling it. He put it on a burner to warm and reached to a side cabinet, retrieving a container of powdered chocolate milk mix. As he reached to the crock holding wooden spoons, Naomi sighed behind him.
Alice gave Jeff a strange smile, one he couldn’t decipher. He watched her open the cabinet and, after pushing aside several tins of loose tea and the infuser, pull forward a box of generic tea bags and an herbal bedtime tea that promised to induce a good night’s sleep. She turned to Naomi with a box in each hand. “Which would you like?”
“Since I don’t have a choice, I guess the lesser of the evils is that generic crap.”
“Generic crap it is,” Alice said, pulling down a mug while the water came to a boil.
Jeff continued to stir the chocolate mix in the warming milk. Deep inside, he was just dumbfounded. He never considered Naomi just showing up. After cutting off her credit frenzy and not hearing a word from her, he figured she was done with him. Now he realized she was just lying low to make a new plan. Apparently, this was her next strike. He glanced behind him and noted Naomi glaring at Mason, who finally sat at the far end of the table. She was running her fingers along a string of pearls encircling her throat.
“You can stop playing with your necklace,” Alice told her. She paused to place a paper napkin and spoon before Naomi and turned away. “We can all see you’re still wearing Jeff’s engagement ring and no wedding ring.” The kettle boiled, and Alice filled the mug. She dropped the bag in it with a plop and put the mug in front of Naomi. Then she went and sat beside Mason.
“Well, I can see your cooking talents haven’t improved,” Naomi said to Alice.
Jeff was proud Alice didn’t rise to the bait and start a confrontation. He continued to stir the milk mixture and pulled down three mugs. He could feel Naomi’s eyes drilling into this back. He knew she was recalculating her options. Obviously, this wasn’t the greeting she’d imagined, and she wasn’t able to work it around to her liking. When he was satisfied the milk was warm, he poured it into the mugs. After placing the pot back on the burner, he passed out the mugs and sat on the other side of Alice. That left the three of them at one end of the table and Naomi sitting at the far end, alone.
“There may be a tin of Cook’s oatmeal cookies in the pantry.” Alice stood and walked to the pantry. Jeff knew it was to break the tension of them all staring at each other. When she came back, she opened the tin and offered them to Naomi. She shook her head no, and Alice took the tin to the far end, placing it within reach of them. She took one, broke it in half, and began eating it.
“Jeff, I can’t believe you’re drinking that stuff. You know proper hot chocolate is made with cocoa and sugar. You’re just using that to make me more upset about how this house is being run.”
“This is the kind I grew up on. I like it, and more important, it reminds me of simpler times.” He lifted his mug, blew on the top, and took a small sip. “So, why are you here?”
“Fine!” Naomi looked to each of the faces staring at her. “David is in California. I came to New York to do some early holiday shopping and didn’t want to stay in a hotel.”
“I’m not comfortable with you staying here, either. You can drive yourself back to the city or stay at one of the local B and Bs.”
“Jeff, you wouldn’t turn me out in the cold and snow.” She hesitated, and he knew she was grasping for another reason to stay. “I’m a West Coast girl. You know I don’t know how to drive in snow. Besides, my rental doesn’t have, oh, what do you call it, four wheels driving.”
“No problem. I’ll call you a cab.” He leaned back in his seat and sipped from his mug.
“My luggage won’t fit in a cab.”
“You can take a cab back in the morning to get your rental and, as you did earlier today apparently, have the rest of your luggage picked up and dropped off at your hotel.”
“I understand you’re upset about the situation, Jeff. I apologize for the way I handled things, but turning me out in the cold is below you.”
“I get that you came here with a plan, and apparently we’re not going along with it. I understand you want to have a private discussion, and it’s one we should have had before I left the West Coast.” He hesitated and smiled. “But you should know up front, I’ve never been happier in my life. The best present you ever gave me was running off with David.”
“I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. I was so lonely, and you weren’t there.”
“The telegram you sent from Las Vegas didn’t sound like you were confused. And if you remember, it was your choice to stay behind and finish up business. You could have made the move the same time I did.”
“I know the telegram was rude. David was pressuring me to close you out of my life. I’d had too much to drink and just went along with him.”
“I don’t think you’re really sorry, Naomi. I know you never apologize for anything you do, that you never take responsibility for your wrongdoings. But you are married, and I don’t have relationships with married women.”
“Jeff, after all we were to each other, how could you be so mean?”
“I’m not being mean, Naomi, I’m being honest. If you came here looking for closure, consider us closed. I hope you enjoy your new life with David.”
Naomi stood and started pacing the end of the kitchen where she had been sitting. Jeff noted for the second time how her green dress molded to her figure, showing off her breasts and ass, how every hair was in place and her makeup perfect. He knew the leather boots she was wearing cost hundreds of dollars. He was thankful it wasn’t his bank account paying for her wardrobe anymore.
When she paused to look back at him, her eyes were watery. In that second, he knew she used the pacing time to work up the tears. He would have laughed if he didn’t think she’d turn nasty on him. Instead, he decided to let her play out her fantasy, and then he’d burst her dream. Jeff knew one thing. He didn’t want to be with Naomi in any way. After spending time with Alice and Mason, he knew that was where his future lay.
“You don’t understand, Jeff. David was a mistake in all ways.” She paused and dabbed the paper napkin at the corners of her eyes. “You abandoned me, Jeff, to come here with your friends.”
“Naomi, the move was three months in the making. You could have made the move with me. You didn’t. Quite honestly, I feel like I was given a reprieve.”
“You never understood how poorly they treated me.” She used her hand with manicured nails to point to Alice and Mason. “They were always trying to undermine me in your eyes.”
Jeff noted Alice sitting forward as if she was about to respond, interjecting her opinion, but saw Mason drop his hand over hers. She glared at Mason, looked to Jeff, and settled back in her set.
“I witnessed their attempts to be friendly with you, Naomi. I witnessed your cruel words and cutting style with them. You only attempted to be polite when it was to your benefit. More importantly, you never understood that you had no say in my business, especially who I should consider as my partners. You were supposed to become my wife, not the CFO or CEO of our company.”
“Fine, if that’s what it takes, I’ll be polite to them.” She glanced around the kitchen. “From what I’ve seen today, it will take me years to get this place straightened out, to turn it into a home we’ll be
proud to live in.”
“Naomi, I can’t say this any plainer. I’m glad you’re married to David. You’ll never be my wife, girlfriend, or lover again. You’ll never have any say in this house or our company. You simply don’t belong here. Go back to California. I don’t really care if you divorce David, only that you understand you can’t run here for comfort or financial support.”
“Jeff, this is my last attempt. I’ll give you some time to think this through. I’ll be in my room.”
“I hope you’re there packing, because I’m serious. I don’t want you under this roof, even for one night. Pick a place, Naomi. Do you want a cab to a B & B or do you want to drive yourself? All I need is your destination and I’ll have your car sent there in the morning if you’re so fearful of the roads.”
“Come up to my room, Jeff. We can have a civilized conversation there, alone.”
“No more conversations. Just your destination.”
“They did this,” she said, turning to look at Mason and Alice over her shoulder. “Those supposed friends of yours turned you against me.”
“Naomi, I feel you were paid well for the time you spent with me. The diamond ring you keep flaunting in front of us cost over one hundred grand. Pawn it and take the cash. That comes out to more than fifty thousand a year for the two years you lost being my girlfriend and fiancée. Any mistress or prostitute would consider that a reasonable income.”
“Not to mention the diamond necklace from Christmas last year,” Mason whispered.
“How can you be so cruel? I thought you loved me.”
This time Jeff didn’t hold back his smile. She stomped her leather-booted foot several times, as if he’d cave to her childish display. “I loved you in my past life, Naomi. Those feelings are long gone, and I’m very thankful they are. You have no idea how I’m enjoying my new freedom.” Jeff stood, walked to the stove, and turned the flame on under the rest of the milk in the pot. He pulled his cell from his pocket. “Your destination?”
Naomi burst out in tears and ran from the kitchen. Several minutes later the slam of her door echoed throughout the house.
“What do you want me to do to help, or should I just disappear?” Alice stood and collected Naomi’s untouched tea. She dumped the water in the sink and put the mug and spoon in the dishwasher after tossing out the napkin and tea bag.
“I don’t want either of you to disappear. You’re the only ones that matter to me in this life.”
“It’s apparent to me she’s not going to leave today.” Mason stood and walked to the dishwasher. After putting his cup in it, he turned to Jeff. “Will you go to her later to have the discussion she wants to have?”
“No. She’ll come to what she thinks is my bedroom and find it locked. She’ll probably be very humble and have washed off her makeup and brushed out her hair.”
Alice interrupted Jeff. “If she shows up in jeans, we’ll know she’s desperate.”
“It doesn’t matter. I plan on spending the night in the playroom. Locked in! Either of you want to join me?”
“I’m game,” Alice said.
“So am I. After a day like this, we can all use a little tension reduction.” Mason laughed. “I bet our Alice will know just how to relax us.”
“I’m counting on it,” Jeff answered.
“I can spend the night in the playroom. No problem. Besides, I can keep an eye on the cameras from there.”
“I’m already on Naomi’s shit list. Let’s make it a party. Jeff, you pick the wine.” Mason hadn’t looked that relieved to Jeff since they came home and found Naomi waiting. “Man,” Mason said, “you shouldn’t have to give up your bed to run from your ex.”
“I know, but it’s the simplest way to handle her. If she gets me alone, she’ll want to talk. She’ll tell me it was my fault for leaving her behind and try to persuade me to take her back. She’ll reinforce that she made a mistake and that she’ll never be like that again.”
Alice laughed. “Yeah, and dogs won’t chase bones or lick their butts ever again.”
“Since you’ve brought up the subject, I was going to wait until after the holidays, but I’ve been thinking about getting a dog.” Jeff felt relieved having shared his feelings about a pet. “Not necessarily a puppy to train, but a rescue, an older dog who would be a companion to all of us.”
“I thought you hated dogs,” Mason said. “Cats, too.”
“No, I love animals. Naomi didn’t like the hair on her clothes. Claimed she was allergic, but I think she was more allergic to another being taking attention from her.”
“I love dogs and cats. I don’t have a problem if you want to get one or two.” Alice’s smile beamed with anticipation.
He’d known she loved animals, but always felt they were an added expense or that she lived in apartments too small to accommodate them. “Small steps,” Jeff said. “We’ll see about it after all this drama is over. And I should run it by Marilyn just to be polite.”
“She’ll be okay with it. First she’ll say he’ll be all your responsibility. But I bet within a week, one or two soulful looks from the dog, and she’ll love him, too.” Alice smiled. “I bet Cook will rustle up a few bones on occasion, too.”
“He’ll get exercise on all the acreage. He can run loose when Finn is out and about and the place is fenced,” Mason added.
“It sounds like you two have discussed this.” Jeff looked at them.
“Only that we both grew up with animals. When we were talking about coming here, we knew we’d never have a pet. Now that may be wrong.” Alice leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Think about it after Naomi is gone. You’ll make a clear decision then.”
“Maybe you should borrow one for the night. That will send Naomi away from here in a heartbeat.” Mason smiled. “I’m going to the lab for a while. Somebody call me when it’s time for supper.”
“I’m going with you,” Alice said, turning when Jeff called after her.
“Your cameras, Alice. Can they record outside our bedrooms?”
“I can record any movement in the whole house, except the basement and garages.”
“Would you—?” Jeff asked, but Alice nodded, cutting him off.
“That’s why I’m going to the lab. I’ll get things set up and running on motion detection. Any movement in the house will be recorded.” She hesitated and added, “Those areas are alarmed, but maybe we should consider camera coverage in the basement and garage too.”
“Whatever you think we need, but thanks for thinking ahead about the interior of the house.”
“You’re welcome. Call me when you have supper ready.” She left hurriedly, and Mason laughed. “She left you to cook tonight.”
“More like warm the soup,” he said, gathering the debris from the table. “Go ahead to the lab. I’ll be there in a few minutes. I’m going to clean up here and hide there until we get hungry.”
* * * *
Mason waited until seven o’clock to call the rest of them for supper. He made the trip upstairs and knocked on Naomi’s door. He didn’t wait for an answer, he just said, “Supper’s ready,” and walked quickly away. By the time he got downstairs, Alice had set the kitchen table, and Jeff was stirring the chicken soup.
Several minutes later, Mason heard footsteps and turned. He noted Alice had called it. Naomi stood in the kitchen doorway wearing jeans and a blue sweater without much makeup and her hair pulled back in a ponytail. He saw how the sweater fitted to her body and curves and knew it had been altered to fit. He held back a smile thinking she might have shrunk it, and then, remembering who he was dealing with, reinforced it had been tailored.
It was a very quiet meal. Jeff filled everyone’s bowls from the huge pot. Alice passed around a basket with heated rolls, and they all settled in to eat. He noted Naomi had no conversation at all. They only made small talk about the soup and Cook’s talents. When Naomi had taken a few spoonfuls, she pushed the dish to the side, sitting there, watching them eat.
“If anyone cares, I’m leaving in the morning. I’ve made arrangements to have a car pick up me and my luggage. The rental service will pick up their car sometime during the day.”
“I’m glad you’ve made plans,” Jeff said. “Anybody want more soup?”
“I’ll take more,” Mason answered, rising with his empty bowl to be refilled. He waited for someone to ask or Naomi to offer, but he never found out what her destination tomorrow would be. He didn’t care, only that for their own peace of mind, it would be better to know where she was than wonder if she was taking a fallback position to regroup.
“If you want coffee in the morning,” Alice said directly to Naomi, “Cook leaves the pot set up. All you have to do is turn it on and wait.” She stood and glanced at Naomi. “I won’t say it was good to see you again. I will say I’m glad you’re leaving.” She dropped a hand on Jeff’s shoulder. “I’m going to be working in the lab tonight. I’ll see you tomorrow for brunch.”
“I’ll go with you, Alice. I want to work out the kinks in the new program.”
Jeff added, “You guys go ahead. I’ll be down as soon as I load the dishwasher.”
“I suppose that leaves me alone and in my room for the night.” Naomi stood and left the room. While she didn’t stomp out, Mason decided this calm façade might be worse than her screaming. At least when she was yelling, he knew what he was dealing with. This way, he had to wonder what her next ploy would be.
Chapter Seventeen
Alice was huddled over her computer screens. She felt a strange pride at being able to monitor their entire home from the one work station. She had cameras set to motion sensors, but so far all was quiet. Mason and Jeff were both at their computers. She didn’t care what they were working on, only that they were locked in the lab with her.
She had another trick she hadn’t shared with them yet. It wasn’t one hundred percent, but it was up and running. Her tests were showing her the results she wanted to know.
“Guys, can you come here, please?” She pushed back from the monitor and stretched her arms above her head. Both men came to stand behind her chair. “Okay, I was going to wait until this was perfected, but it’s working enough right now to be useful.”
