Plan Bea

by Hilary Grossman

  Cole nodded his head.

  I continued speaking, “I’ve got to be honest, I still don’t fully understand what he saw in her, but I am glad he is part of her life.”

  Cole chucked. “I know what you mean. I guess there are just some things we will never understand.”

  “True. You know what else? I’m happy. I feel like I am finally getting to know her. It sucks that it has taken so long for us to get to this point, but I am glad I’m finally starting to have a relationship with her again. I just hope it isn’t too late for the kids.”

  “I know. But I think you should be hopeful. Did you see your son with her tonight? He didn’t leave her alone for a moment after she gave him his birthday present. Beatrice really outdid herself with the train set. Harley was in heaven.”

  I smiled as I remembered how happy my son was all night long. “Very true. But Cole, don’t forget your mom was there as well. I bet she was entertaining the kids.”

  “I don’t think so,” Cole said as he put the last pot away in the cabinet. He walked over to the kitchen table and poured himself a glass of wine before he sat down next to me. “I was in the den with them. My mom was definitely taking a back seat in the entertainment department. In fact, she spent most of the time talking to my dad, Walter, and me. It was all your mother doing the playing.”

  “Really? I find it hard to imagine, but I am happy it happened. What about Violet?” I asked before I took another sip of wine.

  “First off, she was madly in love with the Alex and Ani bracelets your mom brought her. I bet you didn’t think Bea would pick up something for her too.”

  I didn’t answer.

  “She was playing with your mom and Harley too. It was actually really wonderful to watch.”

  “You know what shocked me the most?”

  “Harley eating all of his broccoli?” Cole joked.

  “No, although that was odd. What I found so interesting was how our mothers hit it off. They seemed to have so much to talk about. Didn’t you find it strange?”

  “I don’t know. I didn’t give it any thought,” Cole said as he rubbed his head. “But now since you mention it, it was pretty peculiar. But then again, my mom can talk to anyone about anything.”

  “Yeah, I know. I have gone shopping with her remember? She stands in line for five minutes and manages to find out the entire life story of everyone near her. It’s crazy!”

  Cole chuckled. “Yeah, I know. But she has never gotten your mother to warm up around her. No matter how hard she or Dad tried. Beatrice has always been so cold and distant around my parents. I don’t think they ever spoke more than five words to each other before. And tonight, they were pretty chummy.”

  “Bizarre,” I said again as I tried to stifle a yawn. Man, I longed for the days when I was able to stay up all night long.

  “Speaking of strange, how weird was it Beatrice agreed to go with my mom to help out at Harley’s school on Friday?”

  “She did what?” I almost spit out my wine. “Where have I been all night? I missed everything.”

  “Well, when you cook up a feast like you did tonight you are bound to miss out on a few things,” Cole joked. “But seriously, you heard me, Beatrice is going to Harley’s school on Friday with my mom.”

  “I don’t believe it, especially since her wedding is the following week. I would think she’d be petrified of catching a sniffle. After all could you imagine how catastrophic it would be if she had an irritated nose on her big day?”

  “Her coming down with something she picked up at our kid’s school would be a calamity of ginormous proportions!” Cole said as he laughed. “But seriously, in less than two weeks your mom’s going to be married again.” Cole reached across the table and squeezed my hand. “Now since you aren’t going to be swamped with wedding preparations, what are you going to do with all your free time?”

  Free time? The thought sounded heavenly. These past few months had been a whirlwind. I had no clue how I had been able to handle it all. But rather than say any of this I gave my husband a salacious smile and said, “I’m sure I can think of something else to do with my time.”

  “That’s what I was hoping for. But seriously, you’ve spent a lot of time with your mother planning this wedding. Between selecting flowers, cake, invitations, photographers, caterers, and bands you have been busy at least one day a weekend for almost three months. I bet it will be strange for you when the wedding is over.”

  “Yeah. It will be odd. I’ve got to admit, I really had fun being involved in all the plans. Although for the life of me I have no idea why my mother had me tag along. It wasn’t like she ever listened to my opinion. Whatever I suggested, she picked out the opposite. I’m still shocked Violet and I were allowed to select our own dresses.”

  “Well, the wedding isn’t here yet. Beatrice still has time to change her mind doesn’t she?” Cole asked.

  I laughed.

  Cole reached for the bottle of wine and topped off our glasses. “Something has been bothering me. Since you are so involved with planning this event, do you ever regret our decision?”

  I took a sip of wine. “You mean us eloping?”

  “Yeah,” Cole answered softly as he nodded his head.

  I looked up to the ceiling before I answered. “Kind of. I don’t know. I’ve got mixed feelings. I loved our wedding don’t get me wrong. It was so romantic and intimate on the beach. But it definitely wasn’t the wedding I dreamt of. I remember when I was a little girl every game of house I played included me walking down the aisle. I was a bride for three Halloweens. For as far back as I could remember I always dreamt about having a huge wedding. But I realized long before we eloped a wedding doesn’t make a marriage. I wanted a marriage. I wanted to share every day and night of my life with my best friend, the man who even after all these years continues to make me weak in the knees with just one look, the guy who knows how to make me laugh even when I want to cry, and whose kisses feel like home. And that’s what I was lucky enough to get.” A tear fell down my cheek.

  Cole reached across the table and gently wiped the tear away. “We still would have had all of that if we had a big wedding with all our friends and family, Anna.”

  “I know. But the time wasn’t right. I wasn’t in the right emotional place. Fantasies change. Dreams change. And people change too. But one thing I wouldn’t change is my life with you.” I got up from my chair and sat down on my husband’s lap. I let my kiss tell him just how much I loved him.

  CHAPTER 21

  I SWEAR IT WAS intimidation by dehydration!

  The weather was unseasonably warm for June. It was the perfect day to hang out on a beach with a good book. Unfortunately, I had to travel from Long Island to Manhattan with four of my co-workers. Once we reached the city we then had to hop on the subway and head all the way uptown. By the time we reached John McGrevor’s office we were all sweltering and in desperate need of a shower.

  It was no surprise he had us waiting for him in his conference room for forty-five minutes. Once he finally graced us with his presence he began to berate us, and he hasn’t let up one bit since he walked into the room. His verbal attack would have been less painful if he had offered us a glass of water, like the one he kept sipping from. But he hadn’t. It was crystal clear his lack of manners was intentional.

  I often wondered what made people tick. How could someone so successful be so clueless as to how to treat people? Didn’t he realize you got more out of people by being fair and kind than being heartless and cruel?

  It was Cecelia’s, turn on the hot seat. As she defended her team’s actions and decisions, in an attempt to stay calm, I jotted down some items I needed to pick up later today at the grocery store. I had to give Cecelia credit. She wasn’t letting him fluster her. I could only hope when it was my turn to face his wrath I would be able to handle it just as well as she seemed to be doing.

  While I was great at coming up with witty retorts way after the fact, usually w
hen I was in the shower the next morning, I was never quick on my feet. I was petrified that McGrevor was going to rip me to shreds. My one saving grace was I knew Cecelia would have my back if things got really bad. Cee was the opposite of me. I like to avoid conflict at all costs. Cecelia, on the other hand, met challenges head on. She never held back her opinions despite how uncomfortable they may be to express. I often wished I were more like her. She had been encouraging me to speak up more often, and when I reluctantly listen to her, I feel great. Unfortunately, I don’t follow her advice anywhere nearly as much as I should. I really don’t know why I always let my insecurities get the better of me.

  Even though my iPhone was on silent, the sound of the vibration was loud enough to divert everyone’s attention to me. I glanced down and muttered, “crap,” under my breath. Out loud I said, “Excuse me.” I got up and walked over to the doorway.

  “You’re not seriously interrupting a meeting with me, your client, to go and answer your mobile phone, are you?” McGrevor asked in an indignant tone.

  I flashed him an ice-cold stare. “I’m sorry, but yes, I am.”

  I walked out of the room and closed the conference door behind me before pressing the answer button.

  “Hello, Mrs. O’Conner. This is Kathy, the nurse at Violet’s school. I’m sorry to have to call you, but I wasn’t able to reach your mother-in-law. Violet had an accident today.”

  My stomach flipped and bile filled my throat “What happened? Is she okay?” I asked as I hoped for the best and braced myself for the worst.

  “During lunch she and her friends were goofing around on the monkey bars. Jamie dared Violet to do a flip. Unfortunately, when she tried she slipped and landed on her arm. I’m not a doctor but I think it may be broken.”

  I rubbed my hand across my face. “Oh no! Is she in pain?”

  “Yes, she is. Can you or someone come pick her up?”

  Crap! Connie and Patrick were in Atlantic City. They went yesterday and were going to be staying there until tomorrow afternoon. They went every spring to celebrate their anniversary. Of all the days for me to be in the city! I hardly ever have to go to my client’s offices. Usually our clients came to us. I sighed deeply. “I’m actually in Manhattan,” I replied. “It may take me a while to get there.”

  “Okay. Come when you can. She will be fine. She’s calming down and I’ll keep her with me until you get here.” Despite the nurses attempt to comfort me I felt terrible.

  As soon as I disconnected the call with the nurse I dialed Cole’s number and filled him in on the situation. I glanced at my watch as I spoke to him. “If I leave now, and I have no idea how I’m going to be able to get out of here easily mind you, it will take me at least two hours to reach the school, assuming I don’t have to wait for any trains. God, I hate for her to be sitting there in pain for such a long amount of time. I also feel terrible I have to bail on this meeting. It’s actually going worse than I expected. My team needs me for support.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth I wanted to kick myself. I ran my fingers through my hair. “What’s wrong with me? What am I saying? I’m such a terrible mother, aren’t I?”

  “No. You are being honest, Anna,” Cole tried to comfort me. “You take your job seriously, and there is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s the very reason why you are so good at it. I know how hard you, and everyone else, have been working on this account.” He paused and sighed. “Do you want me to go?”

  I opened my mouth to say yes out of reflex. But I didn’t dare utter the words.

  “No. You can’t go. There’s too much going on at your firm right now. You can’t be running out. Yesterday you found out that you were selected to head up the new shopping center. You need to stay I’ll go. After all, we don’t have any other choice. Your mom’s away.”

  Cole was quiet for a moment, and then he said, “But your mom isn’t.”

  “What? You want me to call my mother and ask her to go and get Violet? Have you lost your mind?”

  “She is Violet's grandmother, isn’t she?” he replied, sarcastically.

  “Yes, but she is far from grandmotherly,” I spat back.

  “Anna, you really aren’t being fair. Believe me, I’m far from the president of the Beatrice Buchanan fan club, but your mother has really been trying to make an attempt to repair your relationship. She’s been working on getting to know the kids better too. My mom kept on raving about how wonderful she was at Harley’s school last Friday. You need to cut her some slack. I bet she’ll help you out. She may even appreciate the opportunity.”

  “Yeah right,” I snarled as I started to pace. John McGrevor’s employees stared at me but I didn’t care. “I’m sure that won’t be the case.” A huge part of me wanted to punch my husband in the throat.

  “There’s only one way to find out,” he snickered.

  In a small voice I asked, “What happens if she won’t go?” I sighed deeply. “I’d hate to ask for help only to have her to turn me down. I don’t think I could forgive her if she didn’t go and get Violet. If I don’t ask her I’ll never know what she’d do.” Sheepishly I continued, “And if I don’t know then I won’t have to be disappointed or angry.” Suddenly I remembered my conversation with Connie.

  “Anna, you know I love you, but you are being ridiculous. Grow up and stop walking on eggshells around your mother. She’s not perfect, but neither are you. Relationships are a two way street, and I’m sure some of her actions were reactions to yours.”

  I didn’t answer. I bit my lip. The truth hurt.

  When I didn’t respond Cole continued, “You need to stop living your life in fear of angering other people. Really, what is the worst thing that will happen if you ask? Come on, even if Beatrice doesn’t go, I bet Walter would go in a second. Call her, and then call me back.”

  He didn’t wait for me to reply. He hung up the phone. I hated to admit it but he had a point. I glanced back at the conference room. Even though the door was closed I could hear the voices inside were growing louder. I had no doubts; the conversation clearly was becoming more heated with every passing second.

  I didn’t think. I just dialed. My mother answered her cell phone on the second ring. “Hello, darling! I am surprised you called, but I am thrilled. I have the best news!” She gushed. “I just got off the phone with the banquet manager at the club. Remember I was worried they wouldn’t be able to order enough lobsters in time for the wedding. I don’t know why I didn’t think to have them on the menu sooner, but—”

  “Mom, I am sorry to cut you off but I have a problem.”

  With a tone that signified she was upset with the interruption she asked, “What is it?” Then in a muffled tone she said, “Honey, be a plum and go see if they have these in an eight and a half?”

  When I thought her attention was focused a bit more on me than designer pumps she was lusting after I stated, “I’m in the city at a meeting with an impossible client. Cole’s at work too. Connie and Patrick are out of town and the school nurse just called. She thinks Violet broke her arm.”

  “Oh no! That’s terrible.”

  I paused for a second. “If I leave now, which will be quite difficult, it’ll take me about two hours to get to the school. Is there any way you can go get her and stay with her until Cole or I can get home and arrange to take her to the doctor?”

  Very calmly my mother replied, “No.”

  I felt like someone sucker punched me. My worst fear was confirmed. My heart pounded in my chest and I felt my face flush. “What do you mean no? What are you doing that’s so important you can’t put on hold for a couple of hours to help your granddaughter and me out? Is Nordstrom’s having their semi-annual sale? Do you really need another pair of shoes so badly? Never mind. Don’t answer. It doesn’t matter. I never ask you for anything, ever. And the one time I’m desperate enough to put my fears aside and work up the courage to ask you for help you say no?” Tears streamed down my face as I spoke. “I’m guessing Walter is with
you and it was him you asked to fetch your shoes. Can you put him on the phone, please? I need to speak to him. Maybe he won’t be too self-centered to help me.”

  “Well, that was quite harsh, Annabel, don’t you think? But it wasn’t completely unwarranted,” my mother scolded. “I really wish you would’ve let me finish speaking before you assumed the worst of me and jumped down my throat. I don’t want to get into a fight with you, so I’m going to forget you said what you did. I can tell you are stressed and under pressure. But to clarify, what I was going to say, if you had only given me the chance to speak, was no I won’t just get her and wait. I am not going to pick Violet up and sit around with her at your house or mine until you or Cole got home from work. That would be insane. There is no need for the child to wait around for you two, especially if she is in pain. I’m going to call my friend Miriam. Her son is a very successful orthopedist, you know. She owes me a lot of favors. I’ll have her call her son and arrange for him to squeeze us in. In fact, I will make sure he takes us as quickly as possible. Then I will pick up Violet at school and take her to his office.”

  “You... are?” I asked, dumfounded, as I wiped a tear from my face.

  “Yes, I am. And while I hate Violet is hurt, I’m very happy you reached out to me for help. It’s nice to know I can be there for you. Listen, I’ve no idea how long Walter and I will be at the doctor’s office so there is no reason why you or Cole have to kill yourselves to get home quickly. Finish up your meeting. Don’t worry about Violet, she’ll be in good hands.”

  For the first time in more years than I could remember I said, “I love you, Mommy,” before hanging up the phone.

  I then called the nurse to let her know my mother was coming. Violet was supposed to go to her friend’s house after school for a play date. I texted the mother to let her know the plan had changed. And then to Cole I sent: