Chapter Thirty Three
Noticing the dark circles under Lizzy’s eyes, the women packed up the wigs as Samantha made some last-minute cuts to the wig Lizzy picked out. She selected a few different styles all in her normal black hair color, which Kassie placed on wig stands in her bathroom.
Edie handed Lizzy a smoothie, Carol demanded Catherine sit and Victoria pulled a few wigs from the pile. “I never thought of pink hair before, but I’ll admit it gives me some ideas.”
Maddie’s mouth puckered into a disapproving mother’s glare. “Victoria.”
Victoria turned to face Maddie. “What?”
“We don’t talk about such things,” Maddie insisted.
Victoria placed the pink wig on her head and adjusted the locks. The corner of her mouth curled. “The last time I checked, we’re all grown women here. It helps to share ideas occasionally. It keeps things…interesting behind closed doors.”
Maddie’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious. They’re younger than us!”
Edie coughed to hide her giggle while Kassie seemed suddenly interested in picking up wrappings off the floor. Carol leaned forward eagerly awaiting what Victoria unveiled.
“I assure you everyone in this room has done the deed, my friend. How do you think they got pregnant, by holding hands?” She strutted around the room flipping back the hair from her wig off her shoulder.
Maddie dropped the garbage bag she held in her hands. “Ladies don’t discuss such things,” she insisted.
“Lucky for you, I’m not a lady. Come on, loosen up the corset and stop clutching your pearl necklace. We’re among women and who knows, we might teach these young ones a thing or two.” Victoria chuckled as Maddie turned a shade of red.
Carol coughed and avoided Maddie’s gaze, “Does Ivan do all those things he whispers to you?” She leaned in, her eyes rounded in curiosity. “Does he really spank you?”
“Carol!” Maddie choked.
“Mom!” Catherine’s mouth fell open.
Victoria let out a hearty laugh, “Only when I’ve been naughty which happens more often than naught.”
Carol ignored her daughter’s protests and Maddie’s appalled glare and leaned forward on the back of the couch. “Then why do you continue to misbehave? Ivan’s a bit scary when he gets mad.”
Victoria rounded the couch while Carol’s eyes followed her. She plopped next to Carol and angled her body toward her. The room went silent as the women held their breath to hear Victoria. “Ivan’s one of the fiercest men I’ve ever known. He fiercely loves, protects, and honors me. He cherishes me in ways no man ever has. With him, I can be a bitch, an angel or his helpmate and he accepts every single part of me. Ivan violently protects those under his protection and the innocent. You may find my way of life strange and Ivan scary. Long ago, I felt broken inside much like you, Lizzy. Ivan loved me, even when I didn’t love myself.”
Maddie sat on the couch next to Victoria and took her hand. “I’ll admit, I didn’t like you in the beginning, but sometimes I wonder if you came here to teach us how to be fierce. I’ll admit, I’m stuck in my ways, and you think I’m a prude. Joe remains the only man I’ve ever loved.”
Victoria shot a smile in Maddie’s direction. “There’s a saying about teaching old dogs to do new tricks. Men are exactly the same, except some bite and it can be fun.”
Kassie shook her head.
Carol stood up and crossed the room to add more wigs to the donation pile. “If only it were true. Jake barely talks to me now and I live across the street. Every morning, I go for my walk, and he used to join me. Now he avoids me like the plague. I miss our talks,” she told them sadly.
“He’s an old dog in training, Carol. You must stick to your guns. Keep dating and having fun,” Victoria reminded her.
“I’m not enjoying it. These men want a wife to do household chores and warm their beds. They don’t want to share a life.” Carol turned toward Victoria.
“Isn’t that what you wanted?” she asked.
“I fell in love with Jake. We have tons of stuff in common. He isn’t like some of the old coots here. He makes the bed, cooks, washes dishes and he’s a great kisser,” Carol informed them.
“Mom, I think it’s wonderful you found someone. Jake’s a wonderful man. I’m worried Jake’s not ready to make a commitment as big as marriage. I don’t want to see you get hurt,” Catherine confessed as she headed toward the kitchen and cut a big slice of apple pie and returned to the group.
Victoria wistfully smiled. “Ahhh, but if you never take the chance, you might miss out on something even greater than you ever imagined. Love can hurt, but it can forgive, grow, evolve, and accept us when we can’t see the worth in ourselves.”
Maddie nodded her head.
Lizzy listened to the banter of the women and her mind flashed back to Michael’s statement the night before. He saw her worth, while she struggled to believe, she’d done everything correctly and still lost their son. She exercised, made healthy meals, never smoked and drank seldom. Yet here she sat with no chest, no hair, and battling breast cancer.
The doorbell rang and Kassie answered it while Michael walked in. Kassie’s gasp alerted the others to glance in her direction. The men followed him inside.
Lizzy’s hand flew to her mouth, tears pooled in her eyes as the men stood in a line. A few minutes later Jake and Joe showed up sporting bald heads as well. Making her weep harder. If the afternoon didn’t prove she inherited a family, the gesture of all of them completely undid her.
Michael strode to her side. He took her in as she bit her lip in insecurity. His forehead touched hers. “Hey.”
Lizzy hiccuped as his fingers titled her chin up. “Michael,” her voice broke as she struggled with words to express her appreciation at their gesture. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she sobbed.
“They did this for us. We belong,” her voice sounded muffled as she kept repeating the phrase into his shoulder.
The women teared up as each of them went to their partners. Victoria gave an approving nod at the men just as a bald Whiskey and Ivan walked in. Whiskey pulled Samantha close as she scanned his face for any anxiety. His beaming smile said everything she needed to know.
Victoria picked up the donation box and each of them gathered the items brought in by their women. Michael continued to hold onto Lizzy as she sobbed and hugged each man. When the door clicked shut, he picked her up and headed to their bedroom. He wiped her tears away and waited patiently until they subsided. In the safety of his arms, Lizzy realized he remained the lighthouse in her storm.