by Maria Geraci
Pop took his customary seat at the head of the table, opposite Mami. Grace sat next to Abuela, and Charlie sat across from them, in between Sarah and Phoebe.
Mami passed around the arroz con pollo while Phoebe entertained them with a story that involved Charlie and a client from the firm. The way Phoebe told it made Charlie sound like the Clarence Darrow of tax attorneys. Mami and Pop listened proudly, while Sarah pretended to be impressed (Grace knew that was an act). Grace didn’t think she’d ever seen Charlie look so miserable.
“These are the best tostones I’ve ever had!” Phoebe said, “Thank you, Mrs. O’Bryan, for having me over today.”
“You’re very welcome,” Mami said, catching Grace’s eye. Grace tried not to laugh.
Mami was a fabulous cook, but Abuela, who was fabulous herself (just not in the kitchen) had made the tostones. As usual they were dry as a rock, but no one in the family would ever think of saying anything to Abuela about it. The fact that Phoebe had singled out the tostones to compliment either meant that Phoebe didn’t know much about Cuban food or she was just really brown nosing. Grace would guess it was a solid combination of both.
Abuela leaned over and whispered, “What do you think of her?”
“She seems nice.”
“She’s not the one,” Abuela whispered back. “I had hoped . . . maybe there was something. But no.”
Grace just nodded, because there wasn’t anything else to say really. She wondered how long it had taken Abuela to figure it out. Probably less time than it had taken Grace. Abuela might be eighty-two but she didn’t miss anything.
“What about you, Gracielita? When are you going to bring someone home to Sunday dinner?” Abuela asked, her eyes bright.
“When I find someone as terrific as Pop.”
Mami, overhearing this, smiled at Grace.
Abuela reached for Grace’s hand and covered it with her own. “You’ve already met him.”
“What? No, Abuela, I’m not dating anyone right now.”
Grace tried to lift her hand to resume eating, but Abuela tightened her grip. “You’ve already met him, mi amor, trust me. I’ve seen it.”
A shiver ran down Grace’s spine. Abuela had never talked like this before. Grace had told Brandon’s obnoxious friend Doug that her grandmother dabbled in brujería, but it was a lie, of course. Abuela herself scoffed at all that Latin mumbo jumbo. Occasionally, Abuela would do something crazy, like throw buckets of water out the front door at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s (to toss out evil spirits), but that was done in the spirit of fun. The only exception to this was Abuela’s belief in the well-placed curse. Abuela wore a black onyx around her neck—an azabache—to ward off the mal ojo, or evil eye. But deep down, Grace suspected the only reason Abuela wore the azabache was because her own mother had given it to her, not because she attributed any special powers to it. But gazing at her clear brown eyes right now, Grace could tell Abuela was one hundred percent, drop-dead serious about what she’d just said.
“I had a dream,” Abuela said stubbornly. “You’ve met him, Gracielita, you just wait and see.”
Grace laughed nervously.
Mami set her fork down. “What’s wrong with your mouth?” she asked, frowning.
Crap. Grace shrugged like she didn’t understand what Mami was getting at.
“You don’t normally laugh with your mouth closed,” Mami continued. “Is there something wrong with your teeth? Do you have a toothache?”
“Tomato takes after me. Never had a cavity in her life,” Pop said. “She has a beautiful set of teeth. Cost me five grand.”
Sarah smiled impishly from across the table.
Later, after dinner, she and Sarah were alone in the kitchen, drying dishes.
“Why didn’t you just show everyone your chipped tooth? You have to admit, the whole thing is kind of funny.” Sarah automatically placed the large salad bowl in the top cabinet above the dishwasher. Sarah had been eating meals at Grace’s house since first grade and was probably as familiar with the kitchen as anyone in the O’Bryan family.
“Funny to you maybe.”
“Show me again,” Sarah prompted.
Grace smiled widely.
“It’s hardly noticeable, unless you know exactly where to look for it.”
“Know where to look for what?” Charlie asked, sauntering into the kitchen. He reached inside the refrigerator, pulled out a couple of beers, and automatically offered one to Sarah.
Sarah pulled off the tab and took a sip. “Grace chipped her bottom tooth the other night. But don’t tell your parents, on account of all the money they spent on braces.”
“What am I, chopped liver?” Grace asked, motioning to the beer in Sarah’s hand.
Charlie pulled another beer from the fridge and gave it to Grace. “Let me see your chipped tooth,” he urged.
She opened her mouth. “So where’s Phoebe? Trying on Mami’s wedding dress?”
“What did you do to the tooth? Nibble on a rock? And I already told you, Phoebe’s not my girlfriend.” He took a sip of his beer. “She left five minutes ago,” he added.
“Grace chipped her tooth trying to open a shrink-wrapped tampon,” Sarah said.
Charlie made a man face. “Too much information.”
“You’re the one who wanted to know.”
“I’m sorry,” Grace said. “I shouldn’t have egged Phoebe on. It’s just . . . guys like you, Charlie . . . Well, you’re my brother and I love you, but sometimes you can be a big shit.”
“I’m going to have a talk with her tomorrow after work and straighten things out. Okay?”
Grace supposed he looked sincere enough. “Okay.”
Sarah took a few more sips of her beer, then poured the rest in the sink. “Speaking of work, I need to go. I’m meeting the Dragon first thing in the morning and I still haven’t found the right swatch for her living room couch. She’s into pastel florals.” Sarah shuddered. The Dragon was Sarah’s newest client.
“What’s wrong with florals?” Grace asked.
“The house is a Mediterranean Revival,” she said, as if that explained it. She gave Grace a peck on the cheek. “Call me tomorrow after you leave the dentist’s office. I want to know what Dr. Fred says when he hears how you chipped your tooth.”
Charlie waited till Sarah left before he said, “Personally, if it were me, I wouldn’t be telling Dr. Fred how you chipped your tooth. I’d make something up.”
“Charlie, can we talk?” At the look on his face, she added, “It’s not about Phoebe.”
“Outside,” he said, motioning to the back door.
It was late afternoon, almost evening, and the weather had cooled off significantly. It was finally beginning to feel like November. Grace grabbed a light cotton blanket from the wicker basket her mother kept by the door and draped it around her shoulders, then followed her brother to the wooden deck overlooking the backyard. She picked the Adirondack chair closest to the pool and settled in for a not-so-cozy brother-sister chat.
“I want you to convince Pop to let me open the store on Sundays.”
“That’s what you brought me out here to talk about?” Grace couldn’t tell whether Charlie looked disappointed or relieved.
“I told you, I’m not going to harp on you about Phoebe anymore.”
“Pop isn’t going to open the store on Sundays.”
“He will if you tell him the store is in trouble.”
Charlie’s gaze shot to her face. “Is it?”
“The economy is in a slump. People who are lucky enough to go on vacation aren’t interested in stopping to see the world’s largest alligator tooth. If you took the time to look at the books like you used to, you’d know that revenues have been steadily dropping for a long time now.”
“What’s Pop’s take on that?”
“He’s got his head buried in the sand. And now he and Mami are planning their big trip to Europe and I don’t want to be the one to rain on their parade. Whic
h reminds me, you are going to help me with Abuela, aren’t you? We’re going to have to take turns spending the night here. She can’t stay alone.” Abuela was hardly fragile, but Grace didn’t think anyone would rest easy worrying about Abuela accidentally falling at night on her way to the bathroom or something.
Charlie looked insulted. “Of course I’m going to help.” He took a sip of his beer. “I want to talk to you about something too. I’m thinking about moving.”
Grace stilled. “But I thought you’re about to make partner.”
“The firm is opening a branch in Miami and they want me to head it. It won’t happen for another six months, so I’ll be here to help with Abuela.”
“It doesn’t sound like you’re thinking about it. It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t actively seek it. But it’s a good opportunity. I’d be an idiot to turn it down. And there’s nothing keeping me here in Daytona. Besides the family, of course. With the hours I’ve been keeping at the firm, you’ll probably see me just as much as you do now. I’ll come up on weekends some, and holidays too.”
The only time they consistently saw each other anymore was on Sundays. And that was only because Mami and Pop insisted they keep the family Mass and supper tradition. But Charlie was fooling himself if he thought he’d be able to make the nearly five-hour drive from Miami to Daytona Beach more than a few times a year. Not with the kind of hours he kept.
“Do Mami and Pop know?”
“You’re the first person I’ve told. Outside the firm.”
“What does Phoebe think about it?”
“I told you, she’s not a factor.” He shifted around in his chair. “Look, even though it’s none of your beeswax, I’m going to tell you what went down because you’re my sister and I don’t want you to think I’m an asshole. Phoebe and I went out for drinks a couple of times. Everyone in the office does. One time I got a little drunk and yeah, we kissed. End of story. It was stupid, I know. But she’s a junior associate; I’m not about to get involved with her. Obviously, she thinks it’s more than it was, but I swear, I never led her on. She has a boyfriend, for God’s sake.”
“And you kissed her anyway?”
“He’s an out-of-town boyfriend.”
“Are all men as delusional as you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Grace thought about the boyfriend club and shook her head. “Nothing.”
“Look, I’m sorry the store has fallen on your shoulders. I’ll take a look at the finances and see if there’s anything I can suggest.”
“Thanks.” She leaned over and kissed her brother on the cheek. “Since you’re in such a generous mood, how about you do me another favor?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Like what?”
“It’s Sarah. She’s been so down lately.”
“Like you said before, that’s natural. She’s going through a divorce.”
“Isn’t there some nice guy you can fix her up with? Just for dinner or something? I’d do it, but unfortunately my nice-guy list is severely limited. Like zero.”
“Sorry, but so is mine.”
“I’m just afraid she might get back with Craig. And it would be for all the wrong reasons.”
“Not gonna happen. Sarah’s stubborn. And unforgiving. She won’t take him back. Not ever.”
“How do you know?”
“She’s been your best friend for, what? Twenty-five years? I might be delusional but every once in a while I pay attention. No worries. She’s not getting back with Craig. Sarah’s not the forgive-and-forget type.”
It was true. For as long as Grace had known her, Sarah had never taken shit from anyone. Except Grace. Sarah wasn’t stubborn and unforgiving with Grace. In the twenty-five years she and Sarah had been best friends, they’d gone through plenty of rough times. Yet they’d always forgiven each other the transgressions that went along with the territory. Although . . . there was one thing that Sarah might not forgive. But Grace didn’t want to think about that, because . . . what was the point? It was over. Sarah was getting a divorce from Craig and that’s what mattered. Soon, Sarah would be free to find someone else. Someone who loved her the way she deserved to be loved.
“You’re right. I’m feeling much better now.” She stood and followed Charlie back into the kitchen.
Grace watched as her brother opened the fridge and began to attack the leftovers they’d put away only an hour ago. Charlie might be insensitive on occasion, but he was her brother, and deep down he was a good guy. Six months from now he might be in Miami and their Sunday family get-togethers would be a thing of the past. And no matter what Penny said about not quitting her job, if Butch were to play his cards right, Grace could see Penny sitting behind Butch on the backseat of his bike with a big grin on her face as the two of them rode off into the sunset.
She’d still have Sarah, of course. And Ellen, and Mami, and Pop, and Abuela. But life wouldn’t be the same without Charlie and Penny around.
5
Dr. Joe
Monday morning, exactly one minute after eight, Grace was on the phone with her dentist. A pert, female voice that Grace didn’t recognize answered. “Sunshine Smiles, how may I help you?”
“Is Tanya there?”
“Tanya no longer works at the front desk. I’m Melanie, the new receptionist.”
Tanya didn’t work at Sunshine Smiles anymore? Tanya had worked for Dr. Fred ever since Grace could remember. “What happened to Tanya?”
“Ma’am, I have two other calls on hold. How can I help you?”
“Oh, well . . . the strangest thing happened to me the other night.” Grace couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Ma’am, do you need to make an appointment?”
“Um, yes. Preferably today. Maybe even this morning if you could work me in. I’m Grace O’Bryan. I’ve been a patient at Sunshine Smiles forever.”
“I’m afraid we only see dental emergencies on a same-day basis. What sort of problem are you having?”
“I chipped my tooth.”
“Are you in pain?”
“Does emotional pain count?” Grace laughed, fully expecting Melanie to laugh along with her. “You’ll never believe—”
“No, ma’am, I’m afraid emotional pain doesn’t count.”
Grace instantly sobered. Okay, so Melanie wasn’t interested in her funny story. Point taken. Melanie at Sunshine Smiles was a very busy person. Grace suddenly felt like one of those clueless women who went on and on without ever getting to the point.
“Are you having any trouble eating or swallowing? Any active bleeding?”
“Bleeding? No, of course not.”
“We can see you a week from tomorrow. How about ten a.m.?”
“Don’t you have anything sooner?”
“I’m sorry, but we’re totally booked. If the chipped tooth isn’t causing you any pain or difficulty, then it’s more of a cosmetic problem.”
Cosmetic problem? Was Melanie insinuating that Grace was vain?
“Now that you mention it, I have had some pain. Yes, it’s causing me terrible pain. Horrible, horrible pain. I’m in agony,” Grace said.
There was a pause. “I see. Can you hold please?”
“Sure.”
Grace tried not to feel guilty. It was just a teeny weeny itsy bitsy lie. In fact, it was so insignificant that if she still went to Confession, she would never dream of wasting Father Donnelly’s time on it. Maybe a chipped tooth wasn’t a life-or-death issue, but she hadn’t lied when she said it was causing her emotional pain. She hadn’t fully smiled since Saturday night. Didn’t Melanie realize how hard it was to laugh with your mouth closed? So maybe it was more of a cosmetic issue than a true dental emergency, but Tanya would have understood and gotten her in right away. Tanya would have laughed at Grace’s little joke. Apparently this Melanie was humorless. How could Dr. Fred have hired her?
Melanie came back on the line. “We can
work you in with the rest of the emergencies after three. Do you think you can stand the agony until then?”
“I guess I’ll have to. Thanks!” Then, remembering that she was supposed to be in terrible pain, Grace added with a slight moan, “Thank you, I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome,” Melanie said curtly before hanging up.
The rest of the day passed quickly. Mondays were usually slow at the store, but there was inventory to do and it was Penny’s day off. Grace worked through lunch, then handed the reins off to Marty. Marty Kovak was nineteen and had worked at the store since his sophomore year in high school. Besides being a senior cashier, he also did most of the stocking. Marty had an undisguised crush on Grace, which amused Penny to no end. Grace had never encouraged the crush, but it was hard not to be sweet to Marty when he stared back at her with his big brown puppy-dog eyes. Grace showed Marty her tooth and told him the story of how she chipped it (it just didn’t seem indelicate telling Marty about the tampon) and Marty had laughed appropriately, confirming what Grace already knew. Melanie the Nazi receptionist had zip sense of humor.
Dr. Fred’s office was near the beach, so Grace had to cross the bridge, and because it was midafternoon, traffic was steady. She rolled into the parking lot to Sunshine Smiles at exactly ten minutes past three. Melanie, had said after three, so it wasn’t like Grace was late. Not technically.
Melanie was startlingly attractive. With a full set of pouty lips and a body that looked good even in scrubs. “Any change in insurance or medical information since you were here last?” she asked Grace.
Grace shook her head.
“How about change in address?”
“Nope.”
“Have a seat and we’ll call you as soon as Dr. Joe can see you,” Melanie said.
