“So how’s Roger?”
“Way to change the subject,” Shonna said. “Roger’s Roger. I think the therapist agrees with me about a lot of things.”
“Is it getting any better in the bedroom?”
“When he manages to get it up and keep it up it’s okay. I told him a lot of guys his age have to take the little blue pill. He doesn’t feel he should have to. And I’m like, ‘Well, yeah, you do cause it’s not working like it used to.’”
I laughed. “Tell him it would be like needing reading glasses when he gets older and refusing to get them because he didn’t think he should need them.”
“Oh, dear God,” Shonna said. “He just picked up a pair of over-the-counter glasses. I am so going to use that comparison.”
James was out of town so work was a little slow. I searched for condos for sale in the Naples area. I was curious about prices. I really didn’t need to live in a bundled golf community, but I liked a lot of the condos I saw when looking at these. The prices were more than I’d paid for any home I’d ever lived in, but not quite as high as I’d expected.
I tried to imagine myself living in southwest Florida. I loved the beach and living close to it definitely appealed to me. Still…
I was walking on the treadmill when I saw Peter walk my way. I waved and he walked over.
“Missed you in cycle class this past week.”
“Trying to take it easy until my tattoo heals.”
“Were you happy with it?”
“Extremely.”
“I’m still on the fence about getting one.”
I wanted to ask more, but figured if he wanted to share he would.
“Well, come back when you can.”
Peter walked away and I felt that same little tingle I’d felt the first time he talked to me after cycle class. I’d ignored it then, but I wondered what his story was. I hated that I was attracted to someone else’s husband. That usually didn’t happen to me. But here I was, walking on the treadmill, thinking about Peter and the fact that, if I moved, I wouldn’t be able to take his cycle class anymore.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
I hadn’t seen Renee sneak up behind me. “Oh, hi. Getting ready for cycle class?”
Renee nodded. “Peter was looking for you the other night.”
I smiled. “Yeah, he just came over to ask where I’ve been.”
“I think he likes you.” Renee winked.
“But he’s married. There’s no way I’d be interested in a married man.”
“Was married, you mean.”
“What?”
“You didn’t know?”
“Know what?”
“His wife passed away two years ago. Poor guy. Took it really hard. Had uterine cancer and died after fighting it for five years.”
I slowed the treadmill down. “Oh, man. I had no idea. I saw him at the tattoo parlor when I went to get mine. He was looking at memorial tattoos, but I had no idea why, and of course I wasn’t about to ask him.”
“She was super-nice,” Renee said. “She used to work out with him until she got sick. Then neither of them came. After she died, he came back and it was like he took all of his frustration and anger out on the equipment. He lost so much weight we were all worried about him. He’s been better these last six months. He finally seems to be moving on with his life.”
I listened, soaking up every word of what Renee was saying. Finally I spoke. “Looks like he’s starting over, too.”
Renee smiled. “Maybe you can start over together.”
I figured my face was probably as red as a college girl returning from spring break in Jamaica. I felt the warmth spread from my chest to my face and ears. I reached up and pressed the stop button, wiped down the machine and hit the shower.
Mike had ordered Chinese and, when I came home, had the table set and was waiting for me.
“What’s this?”
“It’s Thursday night.”
“Oh,” I nodded, realizing Mike had remembered Thursday night was Chinese night. I could’ve said something snarky about the fact that, when we were married, he was rarely home on Thursday nights. Supposedly that was his poker night, his chance to blow off some steam. Only later did I learn it was their night, the night he rented a hotel room and spent the evening in bed with Lisa.
I really wasn’t hungry for Chinese, but Mike was at least trying, so I decided I would, too.
I’d debated whether to tell the kids or my parents about the job offer. But I’d decided against it. My parents would be excited about the possibility of my moving nearer them, and if I decided against it, they’d be disappointed.
“Do you like the chicken and broccoli?” Mike asked.
“Yes, it’s delicious. Thanks. You haven’t touched much of your pork fried rice.”
I’d noticed Mike had spent most of the time spreading food around his plate to make it look as if he’d eaten something. I’d also noticed he seemed to be getting thinner by the day.
“Mike, I noticed when I emptied the kitchen trash can there was food in there you told me you’d eaten.”
I wasn’t going to bring it up, but I hated being lied to, even about something like food. Each day I’d come home to check if he’d eaten the food I’d prepared and left in the refrigerator for him to heat up, and it was always gone. I thought he was eating it, until I emptied the trash and found the food stuffed inside.
“I didn’t want to disappoint you, Scarlett. You’d gone to all that trouble to make me something to eat. But I just haven’t been hungry.”
“I understand, but don’t lie to me. You can live here as long as you need to. I’ll help you as much as I can. But don’t lie to me. We’ve been down that road before and it’s not anywhere I care to go again.”
We finished eating and I cleaned up the dishes while Mike went to the living room to watch a movie. I joined him a little while later, thinking I’d keep him company for a bit. But when I walked in, he was sound asleep on the couch. I picked up the throw on the chair and covered him up. I’d gotten used to his routine by now. He usually fell asleep on the couch, woke up sometime around midnight and went to bed. Sometimes, though, I’d find him on the couch in the morning.
Muffin had become his new best friend and it seemed, lately, she wanted him more than me. She’d snuggle with him wherever he was. Mike had never cared much for dogs, but, if truth be told, I think he enjoyed having Muffin. She was company during the day and an ear to listen that wouldn’t talk back.
The week had flown by and suddenly it was Friday and I had to give James my decision. I took the painted rock magnet off the refrigerator and held it in my hand. What to do?
I think it was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make. Did I follow my heart and take a chance? Or take the safe route and know I’d be content?
James took me to the country club for lunch and we talked for a couple of hours.
“You know I’ll never find an executive assistant better than you.”
“Thanks. And I’ll probably never work for another boss who’ll treat me as well as you have. But I sort of feel like I’m in the middle of writing a great story and I have to finish it to see how it ends. If I abandon it now, I’ll never know.”
James sipped his coffee. “And you don’t see any way to finish that story in Florida?”
“I could, but it wouldn’t be the same story I started.”
“But it might be a better story,” he said.
“True. Or it might not.”
The waitress approached the table. “Would either of you like to see the dessert menu?”
I shook my head. “No, thank you.”
“None for me.” James held up his hand.
I sighed. “The scariest part will be trying to find a new job.”
James looked puzzled. “Why leave? You can work for whoever replaces me.”
“So, your Dad is going to hire for your po
sition?”
James nodded. “He’ll have to. I won’t be able to do my current job and focus on establishing the new company.” James sipped his coffee. “You like what you did, right?”
“Yes, but I liked what I did because of you. I’m not sure I’d like it nearly as much doing it for someone else. I just have to think on it.”
James gave me the rest of the day off, knowing that Tory was coming home. Mike wasn’t expecting me to come home mid-afternoon and didn’t hear me walk in the back door. He was in the living room talking to someone on the phone. I only heard his side of the conversation, but he was obviously talking to Angela. I stood in the hallway and listened.
“Look, Angela, I’m sorry. But it’s over.”
“I know you care about me and I appreciate that. I care about you, too. Just not in the way you need or want me to.”
“No, there is no one else. For Christ’s sake, Angela. I’m sick.”
“No, don’t come over. I’m not at home.”
“At Scarlett’s.”
“It’s not what you think. She’s letting me stay here.”
“Yes, I know you said I could live with you, but I think this is for the best.”
“Sorry. We’re done.”
I could tell Mike had ended the conversation when he stopped talking. I walked back to the door and opened and closed it loudly so he would hear. Then I walked into the living room.
“Hi, Mike. How was your day?”
“Better. I like these no-chemo days. Isn’t it a little early for you to be home?”
“Yes, James gave me the afternoon off. He knew Tory was coming home.”
“You like working for James a lot, don’t you?”
I sat down on the chair. “He’s the best boss I’ve ever had.”
Mike rubbed the stubble on his chin. “I wonder if my secretary feels that way about me?”
I wanted to say the one he’d screwed obviously did, but I didn’t. I restrained myself from lobbing that fireball. Besides, I wasn’t into kicking a dog when it was down.
“Tory texted and said she should be here around six. She got to leave work a little early.”
Mike nodded. “Yes, she texted me, too. Said Ben is picking her up at the train station. Do you like Ben?”
“Well, of course I like Ben,” I said. “They’ve been together since high school.”
“But doesn’t it bother you Tory has never dated anyone else?”
“Neither has Ben.”
“Precisely. They’ve always been together.”
“And what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing’s wrong with it, but I wonder, if they do stay together, whether they’ll ever wonder what it would be like being with someone else.”
“What are you saying? That there’s a greater chance one of them will cheat because their curiosity will get the best of them?”
“Maybe.”
“You’re stupid.”
“Hey, thanks.”
I could feel the anger rising in my chest. “Not every guy needs to dip his dick into a harem of women to know when it’s right.”
Mike clenched his teeth. “That hurt.”
I stood up. “Yeah, the truth often does.”
Chapter 27
I knew I’d let my anger get the best of me and I felt guilty for how I’d acted, especially as Mike was so sick. Sometimes his words irritated me like a sesame seed embedded between my tooth and gum that I couldn’t get out.
I changed out of my work clothes and walked back into the living room. I took a deep breath. “Mike, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“I’m sorry, too. Look, I don’t want to fight. Let’s just forget about it, okay?”
I nodded. “I’m going to take Muffin for a walk. Is there anything you need before I go?”
“No. But did you by any chance stop by my apartment to pick up my mail?”
“Oh, yes. I’d forgotten about that.” I went to the kitchen to get the bag of mail I’d laid on the table when I came home. “Here you go.” I handed Mike the bag and picked up Muffin.
“See you in about a half hour.”
I took my cell phone so I could talk to Mom and Dad while walking. I wanted to check to see how they’d made out at their doctor appointments. Mom had mentioned they’d both had check-ups.
“I’m as fit as a fiddle,” Mom said.
Dad was on the other line. “Me, too. Doc said he’d never seen a seventy-three-year-old so fit.”
I laughed.
“Only thing that’s wrong with me is my ingrown toenail,” Dad said. “He took some kind of knife and cut the side of it off.”
“Now, Howard,” Mom said. “I’m sure Scarlett doesn’t want to hear about your ingrown toenail.”
Mom was right. I thought I was going to vomit when Dad when into graphic details about what it looked like post-surgery.
“Tory said she’s coming home to visit,” Mom said.
“Oh, you talked to her?”
“Yes, she called last weekend to ask how to make macaroni and cheese.”
I smiled. “Well, you do make the best.”
“That’s because mine doesn’t come in a box.”
I hadn’t told Mom and Dad about Mike staying with me. I wasn’t sure how they’d take it. And I figured Tory hadn’t either when she called because Mom didn’t bring it up. And if Mom knew, she’d say something.
“How’s Mike doing?” Mom asked.
“Okay, I guess.”
“Don’t you guys ever talk?”
“Yes, some. I guess he’s okay. I mean, he’s tired a lot. The chemo takes a lot out of him.”
“Is he eating?”
“I guess.”
“What do you mean you guess?” Mom persisted. “Don’t you know?”
“How would I know?”
“Because he’s staying with you,” Mom said.
There it was. The whole time I thought she didn’t know, she knew.
“Yes, Tory told us. We weren’t sure how we felt about it at first, but you’re a big girl. He never did deserve you, but the man did give us two beautiful grandchildren.”
“I didn’t say anything because I didn’t know what you’d think. To be honest, I offered him a place to stay while he’s getting chemo because I promised the kids I’d look after their dad. And he wasn’t doing such a great job on his own.”
We talked some more about Mike and then Mom told me she’d started teaching piano lessons.
“Really? That’s great, Mom. I know how much you missed that. How did this come about?”
“I met a bunch of women at the pool and we were talking. Some of them played bridge and I asked if they would teach me. That turned into a discussion about talents we had and what we could teach each other. One lady, Marge, said she knew how to knit and another woman, Bobbi, said she could teach us how to take plastic grocery bags and weave them into a rug. I mentioned playing the piano and several women wanted to learn.”
“So, you women set up a sort of skills-swap class. How very cool.”
“Your mother gives lessons almost every morning,” Dad said.
“And what do you do, Dad, when Mom’s giving lessons?”
“Golf. And, if the weather’s bad, hang out at the coffee shop.”
I laughed. I remembered the conversation I’d had with Mom weeks ago when she shared her dream of playing in the symphony orchestra and teaching lessons. I was happy one of her dreams had finally come true.
I got off the phone with my parents and finished walking Muffin. When we turned the corner to walk to our house, I saw Ben parking across the street. I started running down the sidewalk with Muffin. Tory heard Muffin bark and waved.
I hugged Tory. “Boy, am I glad to see you! Your dad’s been counting down the days until your visit.”
“How is he, Mom? I mean, really.”
“Tired. He doesn’t eat much and has
lost a lot of weight, so prepare yourself. But he just finished his first cycle of chemo and now gets a break.” I nodded to the house. “Go ahead. We’ll catch up later.”
Tory took off for the house and Ben got her things out of the trunk of his car. “Are you staying for dinner?” I asked.
“I told Tory I’d give her some time alone with you guys. I’ll come over later.”
“Thanks, Ben, for picking her up.”
“She would’ve killed me if I hadn’t been the one to do that.”
I laughed. “True.”
I waved goodbye to Ben and walked inside the house with Muffin, who scampered to the living room as soon as I took off his leash.
I stopped in the hallway to listen to Tory and Mike talk.
“You have to eat, Dad.”
“I know, I know. Your mom has me on some kind of protein shake. It’s supposed to give me all of the nutrients I need to stay healthy.”
“Well, make sure you drink it and listen to Mom. She knows her stuff. She got me and David through a lot growing up.”
I smiled to myself.
Mike’s voice cracked. “I wasn’t there too much for you and David, was I?”
Tory didn’t answer right away. “I wouldn’t say that. You worked.”
“That’s just it,” Mike said. “I always worked. Your mom was the one who took you to the dentist and doctor’s. She was the one who stayed up all night with you when you were ill and took care of you. She was the one who helped you with your school projects and attended every event you and David were ever in, even when I was too busy.”
“Look, Dad,” Tory said. “Yes. Mom is the best mom ever. But don’t beat yourself up. You did the best you could.”
I cleared my throat so they knew I was about ready to walk into the room. “How are you guys making out?”
Tory looked up. “Great. Dad and I were just talking about old times.”
Tory didn’t say anything more and I didn’t push for more. Instead, I waved the pizza delivery menu. “Anyone hungry for pizza?”
“I’m starved,” Tory said. “I’ve been thinking about Gino’s Pizza all week. I haven’t found any pizza place in New York that makes pizza as good as Gino.”
“You’ll have to tell him that,” Mike said. “I’m sure he’d appreciate it.”
A Year of Second Chances Page 18
