Fat Fridays

by Judith Keim

Sukie ushered them into the living room.

  Carol Ann gave her a puzzled look. “What’s going on? You’re so serious, Sukie.”

  “She wouldn’t tell me a thing,” Betsy pouted.

  Tiffany took a seat on the couch, eying Sukie curiously.

  “Someone is leaving ugly messages in my mailbox. A couple of months ago, I received a note that just said HELLO. Nothing harmful, just weird. In the past several weeks I’ve received two more. The first one just said BITCH. The note today says CUNT.” Sukie clutched her hands together, feeling as if someone had rubbed dirty hands all over her body. “I need your help in figuring this out.” She held up the notes and handed them over to Tiffany. “Ted was furious when I suggested he sent the first one, and I can’t think who else it might be.”

  Tiffany studied the papers and passed them on to Carol Ann. “Omigod! Who would do this? It’s so freaky.”

  Lynn cleared her throat. “I have something to say.” Her face turned white. “Sukie, I don’t think those notes are for you. I think they’re for me, from my ex. Buck has probably seen us together. It’s his way of letting me know he’s here, just waiting for the moment when he can get to me. Like I told ya, he’s a sick, evil man.”

  Sukie heard the quiver in Lynn’s deep breath and a shudder went through her. She couldn’t stop herself from looking outside. The idea of Lynn’s ex being on her property made her queasy.

  Lynn shook her head. “I knew I should’ve left here, but when you all offered to band together to keep an eye on me, I thought I could stay for a while longer. Now, I have no choice. I’ll leave. It’s become a sick mission of his to find me. I can’t let anything bad happen to you.”

  Sukie’s heart twisted. It was such an awful scenario. She put a hand on Lynn’s shoulder, keeping her in the chair. “No, don’t go, Lynn. If we don’t face him down together, you’ll never be able to stay anywhere. We’ll go to the sheriff and tell him he’s on your trail, have him help us.”

  Lynn let out a derisive snort. “The thing is, unless Buck actually attacks or threatens me personally, what can the sheriff do? Buck knows that, which is why the notes went to you, someone he knew I was in contact with. Women are threatened in little ways every day, but can’t do anything about it. Believe me, I know.”

  They sat in the living room, silent, bonded together by all they’d shared in the past several months.

  Sukie stood, filled with resolve. The women of Fat Fridays would stick together, now and always. “The rest of you take notes. I’m going to put together a little dinner. Let’s get a basic description of Lynn’s ex. I’m sure he’s changed a great deal since she’s seen him, but it’s a start. Write down any other data that would be helpful to the sheriff. I’m going to his office first thing tomorrow morning.”

  “Lynn can move in with me,” Betsy said. “She shouldn’t be alone.”

  Her eyes welling, Lynn shook her head. “Thanks, but no thanks. That’s exactly why I can’t stay here. If you help me, you’re in danger too. He thinks anyone who is a friend of mine is in on the betrayal. Look what’s happened to Sukie. I’m tellin’ ya, he’s really screwed up.”

  It frightened Sukie that Lynn’s ex had pulled her into the dangerous battle for Lynn’s safety. But unless this monster was stopped, none of the women in Fat Fridays was safe.

  It was growing dark by the time they reviewed the notes they’d made on Lynn’s ex. As they stood to leave, the women formed a circle around Lynn for a group hug.

  “We’re not going to give in to this maniac, Lynn,” said Sukie, doing her best to hide her fear.

  Tears filled Lynn’s eyes. She thrust her chin out. “You’re right, Sukie. I’m not leaving. I’m going to fight the bastard once and for all and then I’m going to find my daughter.”

  The next morning, Sukie stopped by the sheriff’s office. Bill Michaels listened to the whole story and accepted the papers she handed him, including the two latest notes.

  “I’ll see what I can do, but without direct threats, as Lynn told you, nothing much can be done. His anger seems to be focused on all you women and you, in particular, Sukie. He’s a man used to being able to intimidate. Maybe that’s all it is. But as a personal favor, I’ll have my men drive through your neighborhood on a regular basis, check up on your house and the apartment where Lynn is staying. Let me know immediately if you have anything else for me to go on.” The sheriff’s expression was grim. “I’ll put a few feelers out, but from what you tell me, he’s well acquainted with the system and doesn’t want to get caught, which is why his threats to her are coming through you. He’s a real slime ball.”

  “Thanks, Bill. I appreciate it. We’re all pretty scared.” Sukie had been haunted by nightmares all night. Her new life with Cam was just starting to come together; she had no wish to end it.

  Even after visiting the sheriff, Sukie had trouble feeling safe. Her small town seemed even smaller and she much more vulnerable in it with danger stalking her and the other women. At the hint of any shadow behind her, she caught herself looking over her shoulder. Her heart pounded at the sight of any male stranger coming toward her. She and Cam made a practice of setting their home security systems on whether they were in the house or not. They made sure Chloe was with one of them at all times. Patrol cars glided through her neighborhood, cruising by at odd hours of the day and night, giving her some comfort. But Sukie knew she wouldn’t rest until the man who’d penned the notes was in custody. Even then, they’d all have to make sure he wasn’t dismissed as merely an unhappy ex or a disgruntled neighbor.

  The days continued in a tense pattern. When Cam and Chloe weren’t at Sukie’s house for the evening, she was with them at Cam’s house. The one good thing that came from their vigil was the amount of time Sukie and Cam had to discuss the day’s happenings or life in general, adding substance to their relationship. Contentment with Cam wrapped itself around Sukie, silky and warm, even as she continued to worry about Lynn and the other women.

  ###

  Sukie arrived early for lunch at Anthony’s. Betsy waved at her listlessly from a corner booth.

  “What’s the matter?”Sukie asked her, sliding into the booth opposite her.

  Betsy sat slumped in her seat, looking lost. Her eyes filled. “It’s Sarah. I called to speak to her about summer plans. Caitlin answered the phone. When she heard it was me, Caitlin said, ‘I’m not supposed to talk to you. Mommy says you’re bad.’ Then she slammed the phone in my ear.” Betsy reached across the table and gripped Sukie’s hands. “What am I going to do? Those children mean the world to me.”

  Sukie’s heart ached for her. “Have you talked to Richie about it?”

  Betsy shook her head. “I left a message at his office, but he hasn’t returned my call. I know he’s busy and he’s trying to save his marriage, but it isn’t fair!”

  Sukie didn’t know what to say. After meeting Sarah at some club events, Sukie had thought her quick to find fault, to gossip, to hurt others.

  “You know what Karen says?” Betsy wrung her hands. “She says we ought to get even with the bitch.”

  “Karen said that?” Sukie’s eyebrows rose with surprise. She couldn’t imagine Karen using language like that. She’d always struck Sukie as being very lady-like.

  “Karen feels guilty over what’s happened between me and my family. I’ve told her it’s not her fault, but now she’s sure she’s ruined my life. It’s all such a mess!”

  “Hey, everyone! Good news!” Carol Ann waved and slid into the booth next to Sukie, all smiles, oblivious to the anxiety that poured out of Betsy in waves of despair. “Lynn and Tiffany are in the parking lot. I’ll wait to spill the news until they get here.”

  Carol Ann smiled at Sukie. “You look terrific, Sukie. Did you do something to your hair? Change your makeup?”

  “Tell you later,” Sukie said happily.

  Tiffany and Lynn arrived and slid in on either side of the long booth.

  “Where’d all these kids come from?�
�� grumped Lynn. “I had to circle the parking lot twice to find a space.”

  “Like John says, Williston is growing by leaps and bounds,” said Carol Ann. “I’ve heard they’re putting up a new restaurant over on Columbia Street. A steak house, I think.”

  Betsy straightened in her seat, giving them a weak smile. “Yay! A new place for Fat Fridays.”

  They ordered quickly—pizza, salad and diet sodas—and chatted about the unusually hot weather.

  “Okay,” said Sukie, finishing off a slice of vegetarian pizza. “Anyone have any calls or see anything strange that we can report to the sheriff?”

  At the shake of heads, Sukie relaxed. Another Fat Friday had gone by without any sightings, calls or notes from Lynn’s ex.

  Carol Ann beamed at the members of the group. “Now that we’re all together, I am pleased to announce that John and I are dating exclusively. He asked me last night, and I accepted. No more on-line dating, just him.” She twisted a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. “We’re going furniture shopping this weekend in North Carolina. He says we can get good buys there on furniture direct from the manufacturers. I can hardly wait! It’s like we’re engaged or something.”

  Sukie couldn’t hide her alarm. Things were moving too rapidly, though Sukie had to admit she shouldn’t be the one to find fault. Look what’d happened so quickly between her and Cam. Still, she couldn’t hold back. “Hold on! Has there been any mention of a wedding?”

  “Carol Ann, I’m not sure...” Betsy began.

  “There’s something about this whole setup...” Lynn said at the same time.

  The sound of Carol Ann’s wail stopped them. “Why can’t you just be happy for me?” She lowered her voice. “It’s the first time in my life I have a boyfriend who’s really, really serious. God knows it’s hard to meet anybody decent in this town. Want to know something weird? My boss posted information about himself online with the same dating service I used. What a joke!”

  Tiffany frowned. “Ed Pritchard is very nice. I like him.”

  “For a man, he’s not bad,” Lynn added, surprising them.

  “Well, he’s losing his hair and he’s boring. I want somebody younger and handsome. Not somebody like him.” Carol Ann lifted her shoulders in an exaggerated shudder.

  Sukie’s fingers tightened. She wanted to shake Carol Ann for being so shallow. The expressions on the other women’s faces told her she wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

  “You’ve got to be sensible, Carol Ann.” Betsy’s outrage spoke for them all. “Listen to us. Go slowly and, for heaven’s sake, don’t spend the money you’ve been saving for a house on furniture for this guy.”

  “Maybe I should ask my mother-in-law who she uses for private investigations,” joked Tiffany. “We could have John investigated.”

  “Don’t you dare!” Carol Ann’s loud protest worried Sukie. No matter what they said, Carol Ann wasn’t about to listen to any of them.

  The waitress appeared with their food, and talk quieted as she passed around the plates. They were almost finished eating when Carol Ann broke through the small talk.

  “So, Sukie, what’s going on?”

  Sukie hesitated. After warning Carol Ann about going too fast, she wasn’t sure she wanted to get into her relationship with Cam.

  “I bet I know what it is.” A devilish grin spread across Betsy’s face. “I’ve seen a certain white SUV at your house the last couple of weeks.”

  “You’re back with Cam?” Tiffany’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful, Sukie!”

  Sukie couldn’t hide her delight. “We’re taking it nice and slow, learning more about each other, testing to see how daily routines work for us. I haven’t discussed it with my family. I’ve waited to tell you until I felt comfortable with how things are developing.”

  “And?” Betsy arched her eyebrows.

  “And it’s wonderful. Each day is so much better with Cam a part of it. For once, I don’t care what anybody else thinks. As Rhett Butler would say, ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.’”

  “And like Scarlett, you can worry about any of that tomorrow,” added Betsy, and they all laughed.

  “Seriously, though,” Betsy continued. “Don’t you think it’s time you talked to your family?”

  Sukie’s stomach knotted at the thought, but she knew Betsy was right.

  When she got home from work, Sukie phoned Madeleine.

  After saying hello, Madeleine happily announced, “The baby has dropped. The doctor said it could be any time now. I’ll continue to work until I absolutely have to stop but, believe me, I’m more than ready to have this baby.”

  Madeleine’s enthusiasm was contagious. Sukie could already envision a sweet little face and imagine holding the baby in her arms. “That’s wonderful! I can’t wait!” She drew a deep breath. “I called to ask you and Rob to dinner tomorrow. There are a couple of people I want you to meet. One, in particular.”

  “Is it who I think it is?”

  Sukie heard the smile in Madeleine’s voice and the tension in her shoulders loosened. “Cam and Chloe are with me every day now. We’re trying to see if we really have a compatible future together.”

  “Oh, I’m so excited! Has he...?”

  “I’m taking it one day at a time.” Sukie couldn’t think too far ahead or she might be disappointed all over again.

  “Good luck, Sukie! I think it’s wonderful. Of course, we’ll come for dinner. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

  Sukie could have hugged Madeleine for her support. They chatted for a few minutes longer and Sukie hung up the phone tingling with excitement. Her grandbaby was about to make an appearance!

  As Sukie finished putting together a macaroni and cheese casserole for Rob and Madeleine, Cam walked through the door with Chloe.

  “That for dinner?” Cam asked, before leaning over and giving her a kiss.

  “Not this time. We’re ordering in.” Sukie told him about her conversation with Madeleine.

  Cam put his arm around Sukie and drew her to him. “Will I have to start calling you MeeMaw?” he teased.

  Sukie laughed. “Not if you want to keep living!”

  “Look what I got!” Chloe handed Sukie a small paper kite she’d colored at daycare.

  Sukie gave Chloe a hug. “Good job. Let’s hang it up for everyone to see.”

  Chloe watched as Sukie taped it to the front of the refrigerator. Then she patted it proudly. “Mine.”

  Cam and Sukie smiled at each other. It seemed so right to have it hanging there. Sukie gave Chloe another little hug. The sweet little girl had become hers in so many ways. How would her children feel about that?

  CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE

  SUKIE

  Sukie waited anxiously for Rob and Madeleine to arrive for dinner. Betsy’s family had been torn apart by her decision to partner with Karen. Sukie didn’t want that to happen to her family.

  Chloe in tow, Cam arrived early. When Chloe saw Sukie standing on the front porch, she shouted Sukie’s name and came running toward her, arms outstretched.

  Cam looked on, smiling, as Sukie swept the little girl up in her arms. Observing Chloe in a new pink sundress, with a pretty matching bow in her hair, Sukie’s eyes misted. She kissed Cam hello. “She looks darling. Thank you.”

  Cam caressed Sukie’s cheek affectionately. “I know how important this dinner thing is for you. Don’t worry. We’ll all get along. If Rob is anything like his mother, he’ll understand about us.” He put his arms around Sukie and gave her a comforting squeeze. She hoped he was right.

  They walked out to the patio. Chloe ran ahead, onto the grass, chasing a ball. Cam and Sukie took seats at the table. Though he acted nonchalant about the evening, Sukie sensed he was nervous too. He’d slicked his blond hair back in a style that made him appear older, though his healthy trim physique indicated a young man in his prime.

  At the sound of a car pulling into the driveway, Sukie rose and glanced at Cam. He gav
e her a thumbs-up sign, and she went out front to greet her guests.

  Sukie’s heart squeezed with affection when Madeleine got out of their Jeep looking as if she’d swallowed a good-size watermelon. Madeleine waved and moved toward Sukie in a rolling gait. Rob rushed to her side and held onto her elbow.

  “Looks like we have a baby on the way,” he joked.

  Madeleine gave him a jab in the side. “You try this, Mister, and we’ll see how you do.”

  They all laughed, and Sukie gave each of them a hug. “C’mon in. We’re going to have appetizers on the patio. Cam and Chloe are waiting there.”

  They were stopped by the sight of Chloe coming around the side of the house.

  “Sukie! Wait for me!” Chloe sprinted toward Sukie, her blond curls bouncing, her pink dress puffed out like a balloon. Her eyes glowing, Chloe ran into Sukie’s embrace, wrapped her arms around Sukie’s neck and stared wide-eyed at Rob and Madeleine.

  “I guess she couldn’t wait to meet you. This is Chloe.” Sukie turned to her. “Can you say hi to Mr. Rob and Miss Madeleine?”

  Chloe buried her face in Sukie’s shoulder and peeked at them coyly.

  Sukie smiled. “Oh, here’s Cam now.”

  Cam strode toward them. His long legs stretched easily to cover ground in a hurry. Sukie walked over to meet him and they approached Rob and Madeleine together.

  Her face alight with pleasure, Madeleine smiled and shook Cam’s hand. “I’m very glad to meet you.”

  Cam put a protective arm around Sukie and shook hands with Rob. Chatting about the weather, the four of them moved with Chloe into the house and headed out to the patio.

  In the kitchen, Madeleine caught Sukie’s arm and held her back. “He’s gorgeous, Sukie!” she whispered. “No wonder Ted is in such a stew about it. Have they met yet?”

  Sukie shook her head. That was one meeting she wanted to avoid.

  She and Madeleine went outside, where the two men stood facing each other, looking as if they were prepared to choose swords for a duel.

  “So, how long are you planning to stay in town?” Rob asked Cam, sounding like a sheriff talking to an outlaw in an old western movie. Definitely not one of Rob’s friendlier moments.