by Emery, Lynn
“On a Saturday night? I have some cheap long-distance I can sell you,” Jaci retorted.
“Can’t we just have a peaceful girls’ day out? I’m driving back to Loreauville in three hours, and I don’t need my nerves jacked up.” Erikka stuffed another donut hole in her mouth.
“We’re not babies anymore. Besides, Mama is trying to cover up.” Jaci looked over her shoulder to make sure they were still alone.
“You know how she is about this tradition. She seems fine.”
“Humph. Shopping won’t fix a broken marriage.” Jaci pursed her lips.
“We’re talking about our mother, darlin’. Shopping is her answer to every crisis,” Erikka joked. Roz had created the Sunday outing when Erikka was twelve and Jaci two. She’d take them out to brunch after early Mass, and then they would shop.
“Quiet, here she comes.” Jaci sat straight and smiled.
“Like I brought it up,” Erikka mumbled around another donut hole.
“Erikka, you inhaled five of those things in the last fifteen minutes. Control yourself,” Roz said. She brushed the front of her sky-blue cotton camp shirt.
“Six.” Erikka held up another one and stuffed it in her mouth.
“I’m not paying for a health club membership, so don’t come crying to me,” Roz warned.
“Don’t sweat it. I’m going to bench-press little old ladies at the senior citizens’ center for months. That should build muscle along with building my character.” Erikka wiped her hands on a napkin. She ignored her mother’s frown of censure.
“Finding humor in having to do community service for drunk driving is one way to cope,” Jaci said. Her tight smile, so like their mother’s, made Erikka want to shake her.
Roz turned to Jaci. “I expect us to support one another, young lady.”
“Of course,” Jaci replied dutifully, and raised the mug to her lips.
“One big supportive family, that’s us.” Erikka crossed her arms and leaned against the back of her chair.
“Don’t be sarcastic. I’ve had enough of that for one weekend,” Roz snapped. She took a deep breath, and then brushed back her hair. “I think we should leave now and beat the crowds. That designer shoe sale at Foley’s is going to be a madhouse.”
“Right. Designer shoes should fix anything. And matching purses no less.” Erikka sprang to her feet. “I could use a new pair of red leather pumps.”
“Oh, honey, no. Not red.” Roz shook her head in horror. ‘Too gaudy and obvious.”
“I’m talking a dark brick red. I saw some in a catalogue, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have them at the store,” Erikka said, flipping into shopping mode.
“That’s all right then. Perfect for a fall outfit.” Roz was more comfortable on the safer subject of fashion.
Erikka and Roz chattered on, two veterans at dodging serious issues. Jaci trailed along, making the odd comment. They drove to the Lakeside Mall and spent three hours wandering from store to store. Jaci did not care for aimless activity. She complained for thirty minutes until Roz agreed they could take a lunch break at a nearby restaurant.
“Happy now?” Roz patted Jaci on the shoulder as though she were three years old. The waitress left with their drink orders.
“I don’t see the point of just drifting around a retail store. If I need something, I go find it, pay for it, and leave.” Jaci shook her head.
“You loved shopping when you were a kid. We’d take you to toy stores or let you try on frilly dresses,” Erikka said, with a grin.
“Anywhere they didn’t have clowns. Jaci was terrified of clowns.” Roz laughed at the memory.
“Yeah, remember when Chuckles the Clown was in the mall that time? Jaci screamed so loud the poor guy must have wet his pants.” Erikka enjoyed watching her serious baby sister squirm.
“Terrifying a young child, very funny. Besides, I don’t have time between work and school.”
“What about fun?” Erikka lifted a pair of earrings she’d bought on sale out of a small bag.
“I have fun at work. Ben and I are doing an exciting marketing research project. Ben says I can use some of the information for my thesis.” Jaci’s studious expression eased a bit.
Erikka looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Yeah, I’ll just bet you and Ben are working hard.”
Jaci blushed. “We are, so get that smirk off your face.”
“Come on, spill the good parts. I don’t want to hear about the buying habits of gum-chewing brats. How long have you two been—”
“Erikka,” Roz broke in.
“Dating,” Erikka finished, and looked at Roz. “Why, Mother, what did you think I was about to ask?”
Roz opened her mouth, and then closed it when the waitress brought them three glasses of diet cola. She watched the young woman leave before she spoke. “Right, dating. That’s what I was going to say, too.”
“We’re not dating. Yet.” Jaci wore a confident look. “He won’t know what hit him. You always get what you go after.” Erikka shook her head slowly. Jaci had the iron determination of her uncompromising paternal grandmother.
“You make me sound like a hunter going after a defenseless deer or something,” Jaci said as she looked at Erikka. A smile tugged her mouth up at one comer.
“I’ll bet you have china and crystal patterns picked out for the bridal registry.” Erikka leaned forward.
“Who said anything about marriage? I’ve got a career to consider first,” Jaci shot back.
“Oh my God.” Roz fanned her face with a napkin. “Now listen, both of you, don’t be stupid behind some man. More women have ended up miserable for that very reason. And you, Miss Jaci, should be picking out china patterns. At least if you get married, you’ll make him pay for screwing around with your life. What if he dumps you for someone else?”
Jaci shot a glance at Erikka, who found the ice cubes in her glass more interesting. “Calm down, Mama. If Ben decides to move on, I won’t care. I’m going to be in control of my future.”
“Famous last words,” Roz said. She pressed a hand to her forehead and let out a laugh. “Forget about men. They certainly don’t spend their precious hours fretting over us.”
“Right.” Erikka cleared her throat. “I say we have a quick sandwich and go back for those DKNY T-shirts on sale.”
Though they tried, the shopping trip did not have the same lighthearted joy of years past. Jaci had been right in more ways than one. They had all grown up. All three of them seemed relieved to arrive back at Roz’s house. Craig’s hunter green Toyota Sequoia was in the driveway. When she pulled into the driveway Roz muttered something Erikka did not catch.
“Guess Dad’s business trip got cut short,” Jaci said.
“Maybe he forgot something,” Erikka said as she glared a warning at Jaci in the rearview mirror.
Roz did not answer. She got out of the car and chattered on as they entered through the side door leading to the kitchen. “I’m going to put my bags up. I’ll be right back.”
“See? I told you something is up. Mama almost went off on the subject of men,” Jaci burst out, when Roz disappeared.
“Not our business, girl.” Erikka walked ahead of her toward the den.
“Listen, I hear voices.” Jaci paused.
Erikka grabbed her arm and pulled her along. “They will work out their issues without us sticking our noses in.”
Jaci brushed Erikka’s hand away though she did follow her. She sat down on the sofa. “Don’t give me that ‘I’m the big sister so listen to me’ act.”
“You should listen to me. I’m older and wiser, and I’ve got the police record to prove it,” Erikka said. She went to the bar and got a can of cream soda from the refrigerator.
“Not a recommendation for a role model. I’m still young and impressionable you know.” Jaci’s greenish brown eyes danced with mischief.
Erikka fell into a large chair across from her. “Yeah, right. And just what have you and young Benjamin been up to l
ately, hmmm?”
“The usual.” Jaci wore a smug expression.
“Based on that catlike smirk I’d say you stole him from another woman. Bingo,” Erikka said with a laugh, when Jaci’s mouth dropped open.
“How did you—Oh, never mind. You’ve got ten years of misbehavior on me. Anyway I rescued the poor fool from the clutches of a blond schemer.” Jaci tossed her dark hair back.
“Work it, girl. Now how will his white upper-class parents take this?” Erikka smelled disaster on the way. “Those people have one of the oldest names on the New Orleans social register.”
“So? Like I said, we’re not planning a wedding or anything like that. I’m having fun.” Jaci shrugged.
“Okay. Take it from a former fun-ologist, be cool.” Erikka studied her confident younger sister. Jaci looked like a girl who would not lose her way. Still, you never knew.
“As you have so often pointed out, I’m a control freak. I’ll handle him and his Garden District family just fine.” Jaci crossed her shapely legs.
“All right then.”
Erikka raised her can of soda in salute to Jaci’s youthful arrogance. She used her free hand to turn on the sound system. The cool voice of Jill Scott scatting her way through a tune filled the air. They listened for a few minutes, both bobbing their heads. Erikka could tell that Jaci had more on her mind.
Jaci frowned. “Back to Mama and Daddy—”
“They’ll be fine. All married couples go through bumpy times. They’ve been married forever. I’m sure they do get sick of each other now and then.” Erikka sought to reassure herself as well as Jaci.
“Doesn’t it worry you? Seems like they’ve been having an argument for the last year. I keep looking for signs they’ve made up.” Jaci plucked at the fringe on a throw pillow.
“You mean the goofy secret grins they’d give each other when they thought we weren’t looking.” Erikka smiled at the memory.
“Yeah. Or like they’d hold hands while Daddy drove with one hand,” Jaci replied.
“And brush up against each other a lot like it was an accident, say ‘Oh excuse me, dear’ then giggle.” Erikka rolled her eyes.
Jaci nodded with a somber expression. “None of that, and I’ve been watching for it.”
Erikka knew Jaci meant she’d been hoping to see the old signals of two people in love and in lust. “We don’t live here anymore. They could be getting lots of play when we’re gone,” she teased.
“I guess. Speaking of which, she has been gone a long time. You think maybe they’re, ahem, exchanging apologies right now?” Jaci jiggled her eyebrows.
“Good Lord, I hope they can at least wait until we leave. Turn up the music. I don’t want to hear if they are making up.” Erikka pressed the volume button while Jaci laughed hysterically.
Craig walked in. He kissed Jaci and Erikka on their foreheads in turn. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, just talking about this skit we saw on Comic View,” Erikka said smoothly. She stared at Jaci.
“Yeah, yeah.” Jaci struggled to contain her laughter.
“I can always tell when you two have been up to something. Erikka is the slick operator, but Jaci always gives it away.” Craig sat next to Jaci and tickled her side. “Confess.”
“Stop, Dad.” Jaci wiggled out of his reach.
“All right then, keep secrets from the old man. Y’all had a good time at the mall?” Craig looked at them in turn.
“Of course. We spent some of your money,” Erikka said with a grin.
“Typical. I don’t stand a chance in this house. Well, I’m going out with a couple of my buddies. You girls spending the night?” Craig stood.
“I’m driving back to Loreauville,” Erikka replied.
“Not me. I’m going home later,” Jaci said. Her apartment was a twenty-minute drive across town.
“Drive safely, sweetie.” Craig winked at Erikka.
“Bye, Daddy,” Jaci and Erikka said together, and watched him walk out. Moments later they heard the back door close.
“Did you hear him? He’s not expecting to come home.” Jaci wore a scandalized expression.
“Just stop it.” Erikka was about to say more when Roz came in.
“Girls, I have an awful headache, so I’m going to lie down. Hope you don’t mind if I don’t watch a movie with you. I’m going to put that cool gel mask on my face to ward off a migraine.” Roz rubbed the back of her neck with one hand.
“Sure, Mama. I can fix a pot of herbal tea for you,” Jaci said.
“No, thank you, baby. I’ve got a carafe of water in my room. The popcorn is on the counter. Have a good time.” Roz gave them a weak smile and left.
“They are not making up, at least not tonight.” Jaci stared down the hallway.
“Stay out of it.” Erikka got up and went to the case of DVD disks.
“You’re as bad as Mama at avoiding reality. Maybe if they knew we were worried, things might improve. She and Dad might come to their senses. For once we should face something that’s unpleasant,” Jaci said with force.
Erikka continued to flip through the discs. “Or maybe it’s none of our business. Hey, Matrix Revolutions. Cool.”
“Stop looking at those stupid movies and listen.” Jaci crossed to Erikka and pulled her around until they faced each other.
“I know you’re used to getting your way and ruling the entire damn world, but not this time. I’m warning you to stay out of it,” Erikka said through clenched teeth.
“Mama is running from the real problem as usual, and my father is unhappy. I can tell,” Jaci said, as though Erikka wasn’t glowering at her as a warning.
Erikka heard Jaci’s familiar possessive reference to Craig loud and clear. She jerked free and turned around again. “Since he’s your father, talk to him about it.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Jaci protested. When Erikka continued to look through the collection of DVDs, Jaci touched her arm. “I’m a selfish, meddling brat who shoots off at the mouth without thinking. How’s that for an apology?”
“It’s a start,” Erikka said, without turning around.
“Ah, c’mon. Don’t be all pissed off at me. I’m already feeling like an orphan.” Jaci wrapped her arms around Erikka in a bear hug.
“All right, all right. Just don’t whine.” Erikka melted as usual. “Brat.”
“Still love me?” Jaci squeezed tighter.
“If you let me breathe, I might be able to tell you,” Erikka said, pretending to gasp for air.
Jaci shook her playfully before she let go. “I get exasperated when you’re right, and I’m wrong. We can’t be marriage counselors for our parents.”
“My therapist would say you’ve developed emotional insight. Control is your big issue.” Erikka removed a DVD from the stack.
“Okay, another insight. I’m sorry about staking a claim on Daddy whenever we have an argument. I’ve been doing that since we were kids.”
Erikka lifted a shoulder as she went to the entertainment center. She inserted the videodisc in the player. “No problem.”
“No, it’s wrong. He’s your father, too.” Jaci crossed to Erikka and rubbed her arm.
“Hey, sounds like you’re the one getting her head examined,” Erikka joked with an uncertain laugh. To her, getting to the bone of relationships felt like playing with fire.
“I did go for counseling five months ago. Worrying about our parents’ marriage and pressures at school piled up on me. I started feeling lost, you know like my whole world was turned inside out.” Jaci dropped onto the sofa and sat on her crossed legs.
“Did it help?” Erikka looked at her in surprise. Jaci had always been so sure of herself.
“Yes. Of course, trying to rule the world is a hard habit to break,” Jaci said, with an impish grin. “I’m a work in progress.”
“Girl, you were born more grown-up than I’ll ever be.” Erikka shook her head.
“Give yourself credit, big sister. You�
��ve accomplished a lot. I always admired you. I was just good at keeping it a secret,” Jaci teased.
“You sure as hell were,” Erikka retorted. She sat next to Jaci on the sofa.
“Did your dad call you when you were in the hospital or since?” Jaci asked, her voice gentle, as though touching a wound.
“That sperm donor is not worthy of being referred to as a dad,” Erikka replied with a grimace. “Did that answer the question?”
“Yeah,” Jaci said softly. After a few moments she hopped up from the cushions and stood with both hands on her hips. “Let’s brush off all this adult drama and have fun. I’ll make the popcorn.”
Erikka stood and went to the bar. “Deal. We’ve got soda in the fridge in here. There is a big plastic tub of my gourmet Chex mix, too.”
“I don’t want to watch some icky sci-fi thing,” Jaci said quickly.
“You loved the first Matrix movie,” Erikka tossed back.
“I loved watching Laurence Fishburne. I’m so over that crush. Let’s watch Brown Sugar. Taye Diggs is supafine. I’m never going to get over him.” Jaci gave an exaggerated sigh of delight.
“Poor Ben. He doesn’t stand a chance.” Erikka laughed.
“I know reality from fantasy, dearie. How’s Vaughn by the way?” Jaci rummaged in a cabinet behind the bar and found a package. She tore open the plastic cover as she spoke.
“Please, I thought we weren’t going to discuss no-show men who can’t be counted on. Not that I miss him either.”
Erikka got out a tray. She placed two glasses and small bowls on it.
“The dog,” Jaci said. “Good riddance then.”
“We weren’t that tight anyway. Really,” Erikka added, when Jaci gave her an appraising examination.
“You’re telling the truth.” Jaci put the bag of kernels in and punched the timer on a small microwave.
“Uh-huh.” Erikka took the tray to the cocktail table.
“With all you’ve got goin’ on you will find a replacement. Once you move back home I mean. One thing about it, you won’t find anybody in Loreauville,” Jaci said with a laugh as she took out a large bowl for the popcorn and napkins.
Erikka pointed the remote and turned on the DVD player. She thought of a man with soulful eyes and a troubled past. “Maybe, but you just never know.”
