One Good Thing

by Wendy Wax

  “You see?” Kyra said as all three of them stopped what they’d been doing to jump to do Nikki’s bidding. “I don’t see why you decided to put her bed in there.”

  “Because she would have been stuck upstairs alone. And we would have been running up and down. Plus, we can hear her from wherever we are. It’s better for her to be in the center of things,” Maddie said.

  “Better for who?” Kyra asked. “It’s only been two days and she’s lucky no one has stuffed a gag in her mouth yet. She’s exhausting.”

  “Honey, Gabriella and Sofia have been here helping. It’s not like it’s all on us.”

  “Yeah, she’s quiet as a mouse when they’re here, and then as soon as they’re gone, I feel like I’m listening to a bell choir,” Kyra complained. “We should have made Dad and Troy give her the pool house.”

  “But she would have been alone. And that’s not any larger than their cottage at the Sunshine,” Maddie said.

  “Don’t you think she’d be better off there?”

  “Stop it. When Joe gets back, she’ll go there. He only expects to be gone four or five days.” The bell rang again. “Just stir this for me, will you? Dustin can come with me. We’ll be right back.”

  Kyra stirred the soup. From the sound of things, a trip to the bathroom was in progress.

  “I get the door!” Dustin’s feet pounded on the hall floor as he raced ahead to the guest bathroom. Almost fifteen minutes had elapsed by the time her mother returned to the kitchen.

  “Is she still being nasty and grumpy?” Kyra asked.

  “You weren’t exactly Little Miss Sunshine while you were pregnant with Dustin,” Maddie pointed out. “And she’s difficult because she’s frightened. Do you remember what that feels like?”

  Kyra knew what that felt like all right. Sometimes when she let herself think about their present financial situation and all that they stood to lose if things didn’t improve, she had trouble catching her breath.

  “And Nikki’s been there for us. We need to be there for her.” Her mother set the pot of soup on another burner and lowered the vent fan.

  “That’s what you said about Bitsy. And that’s not going well, either. You know we can’t afford to give her a two-bedroom. We have to sell every one of those to recoup our money.” And they needed to do it soon.

  The bell rang again. All three of them went into the salon.

  “I wanna sleepover in saron, too,” Dustin said again, his eyes on Nikki’s tummy. “Can Geedad and Broy bring in my bed?”

  “No, little man,” Kyra said. “Nikki’s only here because she can’t climb the stairs right now like you can.”

  “Is it cuz her tummy’s so fat?”

  Nikki sighed as Dustin put his hand lightly on her stomach as Maddie had shown him.

  “She’s not fat, sweetheart,” Maddie said. “She’s pregnant. Remember I told you she’s having twins—two babies are inside her tummy.”

  “How did dose babies get in?” Dustin leaned his head sideways as if trying to gauge where the entry might be.

  “It’s magic,” Kyra said, ashamed of herself for lying. But she was fairly certain that three was too young for the birds and bees talk. “When you’re older, I’ll explain how the trick works.”

  Nikki rolled her eyes.

  “You meem when I’m four?”

  She could see Nikki trying not to laugh.

  “Mom?”

  Her mother was laughing. “I’m sorry. It reminds me of the time when Andrew had that sex ed class and came home from middle school wanting to know if he had to have sex one day.”

  “Hex!” Dustin said, trying the word on for size.

  “You asked me to explain the whole thing in the car one day while I was driving carpool to Brownies,” her mother said, laughing. “I couldn’t figure out how to explain without those little girls going home and repeating it to their parents.”

  “I think I remember that. Didn’t Tina try to argue that babies came out of cabbages?”

  “Yes,” Maddie said. “That whole cabbage patch dolls thing was very confusing.”

  “I don’t know.” Nikki shifted in an attempt to get comfortable. “At the moment I kind of wish the whole stork thing was true. That’s the sort of delivery a woman could look forward to.” Her smile was weak, but her tone had turned dry.

  They laughed and the tension was broken at least for a comforting few moments.

  • • •

  Brave people volunteered, they didn’t draw straws. It seemed they were a cowardly bunch. No one wanted to be the one to have to tell Bitsy Baynard that she could not have a two-bedroom.

  “But I already told her,” Nikki said late that afternoon when Kyra held out the straws. “And I don’t think I should have to tell her again.”

  “A tirade is not an explanation,” Maddie said in her sternest “mom” voice. One Nikki couldn’t imagine ever emulating. “I think we need to make sure she understands what’s possible, what’s not, and why.”

  “I don’t know,” Nikki said, looking at the straws. “Maybe we should ask Nonna Sofia to tell her. She doesn’t mince words.” Just yesterday she’d brought over a plate of her world-famous biscotti and then while Nikki was munching on it, she’d taken advantage of the opportunity to lecture Nikki once again on how important it was to make sure the babies were legitimate Giraldis. It was all Nikki could do not to suggest she take that up with her grandson. Instead she’d kept her mouth full of biscotti and her look as innocent as possible.

  “It needs to be one of us,” Maddie said firmly. “And we don’t want to put anyone who can bake like Sofia in harm’s way.”

  “Fine.” Nikki drew a straw. “But if I lose, I’m claiming double jeopardy.”

  Avery drew last. “Shit,” she said as they opened their hands and she held up the short straw. “I’ll bring up the conversation, but I’m not doing it alone. I expect you all to back me up.”

  “It’s not like I’m going anywhere,” Nikki said. “Although being outside for sunset is a huge improvement.”

  “I hope Joe’s going to understand that we counted the number of steps to the loggia and it was two steps less than it takes to get to the bathroom,” Maddie said.

  “And almost as important,” Nikki said. It had been a tough negotiation, but she’d promised to hold her tongue as much as humanly possible in exchange for getting to come outside for their sunset ritual. “Just be careful how much you drink first. We all know now that Bitsy can outdrink all of us combined. You need to keep your wits about you—especially you, Avery—while making sure she gets enough wine to help soften the blow.”

  Bitsy arrived about thirty minutes before sunset, carrying Sherlock in her arms. The dog perked up at the sight of Dustin and settled happily on the loggia near the playhouse, where Dustin was pretending to build an addition to his child-size Bella Flora.

  They drank wine and nibbled on focaccia and crostini courtesy of Gabriella while the sun slipped slowly toward the water. “Mmmm. God, I hope the Giraldis decide to move down here permanently,” Avery said after licking the last bits of cheese from her thumb. “These are delicious. And I saw that pan of homemade lasagna in the refrigerator. Are you sure Joe doesn’t have any brothers?”

  “We’ll be sure to let Chase know you’re ready to sell him out for someone who excels at cooking with cheese,” Nikki said drily.

  “Hey, it’s not only men whose stomachs lead to their hearts. And at the moment I’m not sure Chase would even notice if I traded him in.” She stuffed another crostini into her mouth and hoped like hell Maddie wasn’t about to pick up on her aside about Chase. She raised her wineglass, starting off the sunset ritual. “To great Italian food delivered to the door.”

  Maddie smiled and raised her glass. “My good thing is having Nikki back in the fold for a while and to having Bitsy and Sherlock visi
ting with us.” The emphasis on the word “visiting” was slight but noticeable.

  “I’m co-opting that,” Kyra said, “since there are no rules about originality. And adding ‘to girl power and friendship and beating back the dark forces that are too often aligned against us.’”

  Nikki raised her glass of juice. “To friendship. And vanquishing the dark forces.” They clinked again. “God, sunset’s just not the same with pomegranate juice.”

  When everyone else had toasted, Bitsy raised her glass and looked steadily at each of them in turn. “To all of you. With thanks for making Sherlock and me feel welcome.” She clinked glasses then downed her wine in one long gulp as if she’d somehow divined that bad news was coming. “Everyone isn’t as welcoming or as understanding as you all have been.” She pounded down another glass. Her eyes shone slightly with what Avery was afraid might be tears. “Am I allowed to have another good thing?” she asked Maddie.

  “Of course,” Maddie said.

  “To not needing men to complete us.” Another drink went down. “And to learning how to be alone.” Bitsy reached for the wine bottle. Disappointment showed plainly on her face when she realized it was empty.

  “Hold that thought.” Avery jumped up. “I’m going to grab another bottle.”

  “And I’m going to put on Thomas the Tank Engine for Dustin.” Kyra rose, scooping Dustin into her arms.

  “Bring Cherlock!” he begged.

  Sherlock was already shaking his collar on the way to his feet. He stared up at Bitsy, who nodded. Avery and Kyra raced into the house like some sort of tag team in a relay.

  “The opener’s on the bar,” Kyra directed. “Just grab it and the bottle. You can open it out there. I can’t really tell how much softening is going to be necessary. We’re just trying to make her comfortable, not knock her out.”

  Avery had the cork halfway out of the bottle by the time she sank back down at the table. She’d already begun filling Bitsy’s glass by the time Kyra slid into her seat a moment later.

  “What were we drinking to again?” Bitsy asked.

  “I think we were drinking to independence,” Maddie prompted.

  “To the sisterhood!” Avery added.

  “Because let’s face it, even the most excellent men can be disappointing on occasion,” Nikki said.

  “Yeah,” Kyra added.

  Avery raised her glass and took a healthy sip. “Sometimes they can let you down without even meaning to.”

  “And sometimes they mean every second of it,” Bitsy practically whispered.

  “Is there a good thing in there somewhere?” Maddie prodded. “Or something you’d like to add?” She looked directly at Avery.

  “Right.” Avery took a deep breath and faced Bitsy. “We think it’s great that you’ve come to stay for a while. And your friendship and support have meant a lot to us.”

  “Thank you.” The first clear tear formed in the corner of Bitsy’s eye.

  “And we’d love to be able to give you exactly what you want,” Avery continued.

  “I really appreciate that.” Another tear, then a third.

  “But.” Avery swallowed. “Well, the thing is, we can’t afford to turn over a two-bedroom to you. We absolutely have to sell every single unit and every possible beach club membership to recoup the money that went to fund the renovation and the lawyers. It took everything we had plus what Kyra borrowed from Daniel.”

  “But . . .” Bitsy’s face began to crumple. “You were on television. You had a series. I assumed . . .” What had been a trickle of tears picked up speed and intensity.

  “The best we can do is offer the use of a one-bedroom,” Kyra said. “Then pay back the remainder of your sponsorship once the units sell.”

  They all watched helplessly as the trickle became a downpour. “But the one-bedrooms are so small,” Bitsy said through her tears. “I don’t see how I can live in one of them.”

  “That’s because the Sunshine cottages aren’t designed for full-time living,” Nikki said. “They’re beach cottages. But I’m sure we could make a one-bedroom available whenever you wanted to vacation here. I mean, I’m sure you’ve got more exciting places to go?”

  Bitsy choked out a sob. “No, I don’t.” The downpour became a deluge that carved creases of misery into her face. “I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

  Avery blinked, thinking she must have misheard.

  “What happened, Bitsy?” Maddie asked quietly. “Can you tell us?”

  “Is there someone you’d like us to call?” Nikki asked.

  Bitsy shook her head as the tears continued to rain down. “I don’t have anybody. I’m completely alone. Except for Sherlock.”

  “What about Bertie?” Nikki asked.

  “He’s gone. He ran away. He left me.”

  They were all too stunned to protest when Nikki levered herself to her feet and walked the length of the table to Bitsy. “Awww, honey. What happened?”

  “I thought he loved me. I really did. But he left me. He ran away with a stripper!” Her lips quivered pitifully, her face furrowed in grief and a vain attempt to staunch the tears. “And he took everything I had with him. Everything. Including every cent my parents left me.”

  Dumbfounded, they watched Bitsy cry. “I’m not just here to visit. I’m here because I have nowhere to live, no money to even try to track him down, and no means of making any.” She cried in gasps and shudders. “And I understand what you’re saying, but I’m not leaving. I can’t. I’m going to live in whatever ridiculously tiny one-bedroom cottage you put me in. Because I don’t have any other choice.”

  Sixteen

  Nonna Sofia arrived at Bella Flora looking like an advertisement for beach retirement wearing white capris, a jaunty red and white striped T-shirt, and a pair of navy Keds. Her short dark hair with its lightning bolt white streak was held back by the I Heart Pass-a-Grille visor that Joe had picked out for her. Her time on the beach had given her already olive skin an even warmer glow. No one running into her on the beach or in the grocery store would guess that she was in her nineties, that her dark eyes were equipped with x-ray vision that allowed her to see into your innermost recesses, or that she had an encyclopedic knowledge of ancient Italian spells and curses.

  Fortunately for Nikki, the weapon Sofia was wielding at the moment was her cooking, more specifically her homemade lasagna. Which could bring you to your knees and make you promise things you might later regret.

  “Oh, God. This is so incredible.” Nikki was appalled to hear the nearly orgasmic tone in her voice.

  Sofia smiled. “Grazie. I am glad you like it. Joe told me lasagna is a favorite food of yours.” She gave Nikki a penetrating look. “He also tells me that he tried to reach you last night and the night before. I assume this is just a coincidence and that you’re not angry with him for having to be away?” The words were quietly spoken but her eyes had turned laser-like. Images of Marlon Brando as the Godfather rose in Nikki’s mind. She sincerely hoped Nonna Sofia was not about to make an offer that Nikki could not refuse. “Because that would be a shame, wouldn’t it? First you refuse to marry him. Then you insist on being up here rather than in Miami, where Joe works and lives. Then you become angry that he must travel for his job.”

  The lasagna turned leaden in her stomach. She set the plate on the TV table then took her time downing half a glass of water. In a moment she’d escape, at least temporarily, to the bathroom, her only haven now that she lived in the middle of the salon, which served as Bella Flora’s family room. “I’m not sure you’re being given the complete story.”

  “No?” Sofia countered. “Then perhaps you would like to tell it to me.”

  No, actually, Nikki wouldn’t. It was bad enough that Joe had taken her at her word and taken the whole subject of marriage off the table. Having people know it would be beyond humiliating. />
  “Gabriella tells me that I should leave you both alone. That it’s up to you and Joe to work this out. But a woman must be bold in order to get what she wants.” The look again, even more piercing. Spock’s Vulcan Mind Meld had nothing on Nonna Sofia’s x-ray eyes. “You do want my grandson, don’t you?”

  The dark eyes pinned hers and searched them, leaving nowhere to hide.

  “What exactly do you mean by ‘want’?” was the best Nikki could manage.

  “This is not about semantics,” Sofia chided. “Do you want to be his wife or not?”

  Nikki wondered for a moment what would happen if she said yes. Would Sofia call her beloved grandson and insist he do “the right thing”? If Joe refused, Nikki would be devastated. And if he agreed?

  She tore her gaze from Nonna Sofia’s. She had said no one too many times back when she’d assumed she could never give him the children he deserved. When she’d been unable to believe that he really loved her. Did she only want to marry him now because he’d stopped asking? She drew in a breath and let it out slowly. She did not want Joe to marry her because he had to and certainly not to please his grandmother. It would be agony to have to watch his face for the signs of regret or resentment that he might one day feel for being trapped by Nikki’s pregnancy and his family’s expectations.

  She’d watched Bitsy’s sunset confession with a deep-rooted horror. She’d known something was wrong between her and Bertie, but she’d never imagined the extent of the nightmare Bitsy was living. Now she couldn’t look at Bitsy without pitying her. If it came to choosing the least awful scenario, surely being unhappy trumped being pitied. Didn’t it?

  She turned her head to meet Sofia’s eye. “I’m not sure about anything at the moment.” Despite her current anger, she didn’t want Joe stuck with her when everything went south as she was still afraid it might. “And I don’t think this is the time to make important decisions.” She’d need all her brain cells back first.

  Nikki began the levering, struggling, and scooting that were now a part of sitting up. It was clear that Nonna Sofia’s laser beam eyes had noted every one of the contradictory emotions that flooded Nikki’s brain and body. That didn’t mean she could force Nikki to do anything she didn’t want to. Nikki got both feet on the floor and stood, very glad to be towering over Sofia and careful not to let on that her legs were quivering like Jell-O. “The only thing I’m absolutely certain about is that I have to go to the bathroom. And that after that, I’d love to have one of your cannolis.”