Secret Sundays

by Judith Keim

  “Mommy?”

  Sukie felt a tug on her sweater and looked down at Chloe.

  “What, sweetheart?”

  Chloe’s face scrunched into a frown. “What does sessy mean?”

  Sukie and Cam laughed together.

  “It means that Mommy and Daddy like each other. And, we love you!”

  “Love you too, Mommy,” said Chloe, wrapping her arms around Sukie’s leg.

  Sukie ruffled Chloe’s soft, blond curls, wondering how she could be so lucky.

  CHAPTER THREE

  CAROL ANN

  Monday morning came all too soon. The alarm sounded. Carol Ann groaned and groped for the clock on her bedside table. After shutting off the irritating sound, Carol Ann rose out of bed to get ready for work. She loved her job. It was because of the job, after all, that she’d met the other Fat Fridays women. Working together with Betsy, Grace, and Tiffany had opened a new world to her. And then, when Sukie joined the group, they all became even closer. And now, Lynetta had become an integral part of their sisterhood.

  After taking a shower, Carol Ann dried off her body, studying its shape in the mirror. She was barely three months pregnant, but her breasts had grown tender, and there was a slight bulge to her abdomen. She ran her hands over her stomach, grateful that the awful morning sickness that had dogged her earlier was mostly gone, although certain foods and odors made her stomach a battleground.

  Carol Ann got dressed and returned to the bathroom to put on her makeup. At one time, she’d thought to look her best was the only way to meet the man of her dreams. Now, she knew he didn’t exist.

  Determined to stick to her plan to decorate her apartment for the Christmas holidays, Carol Ann gathered her coupons along with her list of things to check out and stuffed them into her purse. After work, she’d drive to her favorite discount mall north of Atlanta to pick up a few things she’d seen advertised. Carol Ann had been too busy moving to go there sooner, but now she couldn’t wait. It would be her first holiday season in her own place, and she wanted everything to be perfect. No blinking plastic decorations like her mother chose, but timeless, tasteful things for her new home.

  Monday mornings in the office were almost always hectic, especially on the exec floor at MacTel. It was as if all the energy the executives had stored up over the weekend doing family things exploded into frantic planning for the week. Carol Ann was lucky she worked for Ed Pritchard. Though he kept her busy, he wasn’t like some of the other men on the floor, who gave their assistants projects to do at the last minute. Ed was a planner like she was.

  Carol Ann rode up to her floor on the elevator with Grace, who was unusually quiet.

  “You okay?” Carol Ann said to her.

  Grace made a face and nodded.

  Carol Ann knew her well enough not to press for the truth. Grace would talk to her when she was ready.

  Lynetta was already at her desk when Carol Ann and Grace walked into the office. Carol Ann waved to her and, checking the clock, hurried over to her desk. Ed was already in his office.

  She hung up her coat, put away her purse, and then knocked on his door.

  “Good morning, Ed. Any work you want me to get started on?”

  He smiled at her. “Not yet, but I’m giving a presentation in Boston next week, so there will be a lot more work for you than usual.”

  “Okay.” Carol Ann paused to study him. At one time, she’d wondered if there was an attraction between them, especially after a magical kiss he’d given her. But they’d both decided not to jeopardize their jobs by letting it go any further. MacTel had a strict policy against execs dating their assistants.

  In addition to the money it brought her, Carol Ann’s job kept her connected to the women in the Fat Fridays group. And now it gave her independence from her mother and father, who had all but strangled her with their demands. No, Carol Ann decided, her job was too important to lose. Besides, Ed wasn’t the drop-dead-gorgeous man she’d always pictured herself marrying.

  She quietly shut his office door behind her and headed over to the break room for a cup of decaf coffee. Now that she was feeling better, a cup of coffee, even decaf, tasted good to her.

  After grabbing her drink, she returned to her cubicle and sat in her chair, checking her work calendar to make sure she’d be ready for the many projects she knew would land on her desk. She scrolled through the calendar, counting the months until her baby would be born.

  How long before I’ll be forced to announce it to the world? And when I do, what will they say? She could hardly even describe the father, that slick guy on the cruise ship who’d not only stolen her dreams but had taken her money and her special pearl necklace.

  As she did more often now, Carol Ann slipped into the ladies’ room.

  Grace was standing at one of the sinks, dabbing at her eyes.

  Carol Ann placed an arm around Grace’s shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

  Grace shook her head. “Misty called me last night to tell me she’d changed her mind about coming for a visit over Christmas. I lost it and told her in no uncertain terms that she owed me this visit, and I expected her here in Williston on Christmas Eve. Period.”

  “Oh, my! What did she say?” Grace had always been so careful not to upset her daughter in any way.

  Tears filled Grace’s eyes. “She hung up on me.”

  Carol Ann struggled to think of something positive to say. Grace’s story was such a sad, unusual one. “Surely, she understands your need to see her, that she might not even be alive if you hadn’t protected her from your sick, abusive husband.”

  “It’s my cousin, Kate. She wants to keep Misty as her own.” Grace pounded a fist on the counter. “She knew I was sending Misty to her only until I could be sure she was safe. She knew I wanted my daughter to come back home to me.”

  Carol Ann’s lips thinned with disgust. “Once Misty gets here, we’re all going to set her straight on a few things. And she’ll see your scars and know the truth of all that happened.” She gave Grace’s shoulders a squeeze. “It’ll work out. You’ll see.”

  Grace took a deep breath. “Having children is the greatest blessing but the most difficult challenge anyone could ever have.”

  Carol Ann’s hand traveled to her abdomen. She gave it a pat. Her baby might have been created by a dubious connection, but she, Carol Ann, was going to give this baby everything she had within her to make sure he or she was happy.

  After Grace left the ladies’ room, Carol Ann’s thoughts remained on her friend. Older than she by several years, Grace’s life on the run had ended when her crazy husband was killed as he was trying to murder Grace.

  Carol Ann shook her head. It was a story made for television, but unlike fiction, the problem hadn’t been wrapped up in a pretty package with a glittery bow. People were still being hurt by it.

  Back in her chair, Carol Ann tackled the PowerPoint project Ed had placed on her desk. As it was the first of many projects expected that week, she decided to eat lunch at her desk.

  Later, Ed came out of his office and noticed what she was doing. “What? No time for lunch?”

  She smiled. “I don’t dare leave. My boss is a tough guy.”

  He laughed. “Take time for a decent lunch. You know I’m not going to let you go. You’re too valuable to me.”

  His smile warmed her insides.

  By the end of the day, she was exhausted. She pulled out the Christmas catalog from her purse and leafed through its pages, making sure she’d included everything she wanted on her shopping list.

  Ed emerged from his office and came over to her. “Thanks for all your hard work today. I know I dumped a lot on you.” He glanced down at the catalog. “Going Christmas shopping?”

  Carol Ann smiled and said proudly. “I’ve got my own place now—at the Glenview Apartments complex. And for my first Christmas there, I’m going to make it real nice. I love to decorate.”

  He nodded. “Nice. My place needs a little dressing up. I
should have you help me sometime.”

  Before she could react, he went on his way.

  ###

  Later, as she placed the last of the glass pine trees on the mantel of the fireplace, she thought of Ed’s remark. Impulsively, she picked up one of the glass pieces and set it aside. She’d surprise him with it tomorrow.

  She glanced around her apartment. In addition to the collection of glass trees, she’d purchased brightly colored glass balls she’d placed in a clear glass bowl on the coffee table. In the kitchen, a new holiday apron was displayed on a hook. A red, cinnamon-scented candle burned brightly on the kitchen table, filling the air with the aroma of holiday treats. She’d placed a decorative hand towel in the bathroom and placed a small ceramic snowman on a shelf, picking up the theme on the towel. There’d been so many other things she’d wanted to buy, but with only so much money, she’d done her best at being selective.

  After a restless night, she decided that maybe decorating houses was something she could do after the baby was born. And if she could start her business slowly now, maybe she could earn enough money to make things nice for the baby. The women in the Fat Fridays group had been generous already, but she had to be able to provide for the baby herself. God knew, her parents wouldn’t help her.

  When Carol Ann entered the office the next day, Ed wasn’t in his office. Pleased, she removed the glass pine tree from her purse and set it in the middle of Ed’s desk where he couldn’t miss it.

  As she worked at her desk, she kept checking the clock. Ed should have been out of his meeting some time ago. She could hardly wait for him to see the tree. If he liked it, she might be able to suggest helping him decorate his house for the holidays. And that might be a way to begin her business.

  Lynetta came over to her desk. “Going downstairs for lunch?”

  “Yes. Wait for me. I’ll be right back.”

  After freshening up in the ladies’ room, Carol Ann joined Lynetta at the elevator. Though they were different ages, Carol Ann felt a real kinship with her, perhaps because Lynetta had grown up with a family who wasn’t very supportive of her. Whatever the reason, Lynetta had fast become an integral part of the Fat Fridays group and had proved to be a good friend.

  ###

  With their cafeteria trays full, Carol Ann and Lynetta took seats at a table with Grace.

  “What’s new?” Carol Ann said. “I’ve been so busy on projects for Ed I haven’t had a chance to ask how things are with you today.”

  Grace’s wide smile lit her face. “Guess what? Misty sent me her flight schedule. She’ll arrive in Atlanta on Christmas Eve at one o’clock. That gives me plenty of time to pick her up and bring her to Sukie’s party.”

  “That’s wonderful, Grace!” Lynetta’s lips curved, lighting her face and bringing a sparkle to her eyes. At times like this, her magnetism was irresistible.

  “I’m so happy for you, Grace,” said Carol Ann. “And we’ll all get to meet her at Sukie’s party. Can’t wait.”

  Grace nodded, and then the smile left her face. “I don’t imagine she’s very happy about coming here, but I’m going to make it the best visit I can. I figure I have only this one chance to do it.”

  They ate quickly and returned to the exec floor, glad to give up fifteen minutes of a regular lunch hour so they could have an extra hour for their Fat Fridays luncheons.

  Carol Ann checked Ed’s office. He was there, talking on the phone. He saw her through his office window and waved her inside.

  Carol glanced at his desk. The glass pine tree wasn’t in sight. She opened the door to his office and sat in a chair while he continued talking on the phone.

  In moments, he said goodbye, hung up the phone, and turned to her.

  “Did you happen to place a certain Christmas decoration on my desk?”

  Suddenly shy, Carol Ann merely nodded. She couldn’t tell from his neutral expression whether he liked it.

  “Yes ... I ... I thought you could use it. You said your apartment needed some decoration ...” her voice drifted off in confusion. He was smiling at her.

  “Thank you, Carol Ann. I’m just a guy alone and have no idea what to do about fixing up my place. My mother died four years ago, and with no other family to speak of, Christmas can be pretty dull at home. Being fairly new in Williston, I haven’t had the time to branch out socially.”

  Carol Ann noticed a shadow of sadness cross his face, and her heart clenched with sympathy.

  “Are you going to be alone for Christmas?” she asked, unable to hide her concern.

  He nodded. “Yeah, I usually stay at home.”

  She took a deep breath and then blurted out, “Well, how about coming to my place? I’m going to be alone too.” She glanced around, but nobody seemed to be noticing them. “We’ll just keep it our secret.”

  He leaned back in his chair and studied her. “Are you sure? Holidays are special times with families.”

  Carol Ann shook her head. “Not my family. My special time will be in my own place with you.”

  Ed’s cheeks reddened in an endearing way. “All right. It’ll be a holiday secret between you and me. We’ll work out the details later. And in the meantime, do you think you could take a look at my condo? Strictly business. I’ll hire you as my decorator.”

  “I can be there anytime,” Carol Ann said, thrilled with the idea. Then she reminded herself that a true decorator would be busy at this time of year. “I mean, I’ll check my calendar and let you know.”

  Ed chuckled and smiled broadly. “Deal.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  SUKIE

  Sukie pulled up to the low-slung, white-clapboard building with eagerness. Fat Fridays luncheons were occasions she looked forward to each week. The thought of the yummy, fried-chicken special at Bea’s Kitchen made her stomach growl in anticipation, because food at Bea’s was Southern cooking at its best.

  She entered the crowded restaurant and, inhaling the delicious smells surrounding her, worked her way to the back corner of the room where Grace and Lynetta were sitting.

  “Hi! Where’s Carol Ann?”

  “She’ll be along. She had to finish up a project for her boss,” said Grace. “And Tiffany will be here shortly.”

  Smiling, Sukie took a seat. “Are you two ready for Christmas?”

  Her eyes shining with happiness, Grace grabbed hold of Sukie’s hands. “Guess what? Misty is flying in on Christmas Eve. She’ll be here in time for your party.”

  “Who’s coming to Sukie’s party?” said Tiffany as she walked in and then carefully settled Vanna in her car seat in an empty chair at the table.

  Sukie turned to her with a smile. “Grace’s daughter, Misty.”

  Tiffany gave Grace a quick hug. “Wonderful. I’m so glad it’s finally happening.” She took off Vanna’s jacket and looked around. “Where’s Carol Ann?”

  “Here I am,” came a voice behind her. “Oh, let me see Vanna.” She leaned over and smiled at the baby. “What a darling dress!”

  “Muffy sent it. Honestly, the woman drives me crazy, but she does have good taste. Wait until you see the Christmas dress she sent. Vanna will wear it to your party, Sukie.”

  “Oh, good, you’re coming. And are you bringing Kevin?” Sukie asked.

  A blush crept up Tiffany’s cheeks. “He said he wouldn’t miss it for the world. He’s such a good guy, and he thinks y’all are great. Who knew I’d end up working with him on something wonderful.”

  “So, the Wright Children’s Fund International is taking shape?” Lynetta said.

  Tiffany nodded. “Beau knew what he was doing when he paired me with Kevin to run it. Kevin’s very good at all the details, and I’m good at finding new ideas and projects.”

  “Sounds like a match made in heaven.” Giving Tiffany a wide-eyed look, Carol Ann lifted her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Tiffany,” she said. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it quite like that.”

  Tiffany waved away Carol Ann’s concern. “I know you didn�
�t. Though I must admit it almost seems like that. Beau’s dying and setting up a charitable foundation with me in charge, defying his parents on everything. Who would’ve ever guessed such a thing?” She reached over and caressed Vanna’s face. “I look at her sometimes and I see him.”

  Everyone at the table grew quiet.

  Tiffany’s story is one of death and survival, thought Sukie sadly. Glancing at the others, she realized they all were good examples of what life can bring. Thank God, they had each other. There’d been days that had tested each of them.

  The waitress came over to them. “What can I get y’all?”

  Talk switched to food. After everyone had ordered, Carol Ann turned to the group. “Wait until you see my apartment. I’ve got it all decorated for the holidays.” She clasped her hands together. “I still can’t believe I’m living there. Thanks to Tiffany and all y’all.”

  “Now the only thing you need is a man to live there with you,” teased Tiffany.

  Everyone laughed. Until she’d gotten pregnant, Carol Ann’s dream was to find a nice, rich, handsome man.

  Taking the teasing in stride, Carol Ann shook her head. “For once, I don’t care. I have a lot to handle on my own. Why would I want to bother with that now?”

  “Exactly,” said Grace, the man-hater among the group.

  “Well, I certainly wish James would bother with me right now,” said Lynetta wistfully. “He hasn’t been around much since your wedding, Sukie.”

  “Oh? I’m sorry,” Sukie said. “He’s such a nice guy.”

  “Good-looking too. What happened?” said Carol Ann.

  “Is there a reason why?” asked Grace.

  Carol Ann and the others had fallen in love with James Mason’s handsome features and the kind way he’d interacted with them. Tall, a little shy, and a teacher at the vocational school nearby, he was a perfect fit for Lynetta.

  Sukie frowned. “What’s going on with the two of you?”

  Lynetta sighed. “I’m not sure. My boys don’t make it easy for him. Now Martin has got it in his head that he wants to meet his father. At fifteen, he says he wants to find his roots.” She shook her head. “I’ve tried to tell him his father is a loser, but he won’t listen to me. And he’s been extremely rude to James.”