Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
P aige drove Althea to the hospital. After eating a bit of Essie’s delicious casserole, Althea decided she’d had enough rest. She wanted to be back at Lester’s side as soon as possible. Paige had texted Cece and Essie that they wouldn’t be needed today.
She could see that Althea was touched by all that had been done for her. That pleased Paige. It was nice to be useful this way, and it was a great path to a new friendship that she hoped would last.
“You’re sure about this?” Althea asked for the second time, her bag on her lap. She had a tote bag by her feet, too. A magazine stuck out, as well as what looked like a knitting or crochet project.
“Yes, I’m positive.” Paige took the turn toward the hospital. It was good that it was close. It meant they could get to Althea quickly if necessary. “If you need anything, just call. My phone will be with me all day and tonight, it’ll be on the nightstand next to the bed and the ringer will be on.”
“I won’t call if it’s too late.”
“I said any time, I meant any time.” Paige smiled at the older woman. “It’s not like I have anything better to do.”
“I could call my sons.”
For some reason, that statement felt like a test to Paige. “Whatever you’d rather do.”
Althea stared straight ahead, her mouth set in a hard line. “My sons are very busy.”
Which explained why they never seemed to be around.
Paige understood. Althea was undoubtedly proud of all they’d accomplished but shamed by the fact that after setting her up here, they’d disappeared from her life.
“I can imagine. It’s all right. You don’t need to bother them if you don’t want. We’re here for you.”
Althea glanced over, eyes slightly narrowed as Paige pulled into the hospital parking lot. “Why are you doing all of this?”
Paige knew Althea must suspect they had some ulterior motive. She decided to tell Althea the truth. “Because you’re a fascinating woman and we want to be friends with you. And it’s also what neighbors should do for each other.”
A hint of a smile lifted one corner of Althea’s mouth. “You think I’m fascinating? Who told you that?”
“You’ve been married four times and raised three sons who’ve become titans in the Florida real estate business. That alone makes you fascinating.”
Althea snorted. “People like to talk, don’t they?”
“They do.” Something Paige knew all too well. “I apologize if I got something wrong. Only going by what I’ve heard.”
“No, you got it right.”
“Can I ask you something?” Paige hoped she was mistaken, but she needed to know.
“What’s that?”
“If you’re not interested in new friends, why did you say you’d come to the book club?”
“Never said I wasn’t interested.” After a brief pause. “I guess I was curious about a group bold enough to invite me. Most people think I’m too busy. Or won’t come because of some other reason. Or they’re just plain intimidated.”
Paige nodded. “I can see that.”
Althea shrugged. “Lester has his VFW friends and his card group. I tried playing bridge, but those women are not my people.” Still frowning, she said, “They expected me to make it possible for them to reserve the entire community center for their game.” Another snort followed.
“Like they should be able to inconvenience the rest of the community. Too uppity for my tastes.”
“That does seem like a pretty self-important take.”
“I’ll say.” Althea made a noise of disgust. “They only wanted me to play with them for what they thought I could do for them.”
“I promise we don’t want anything from you,” Paige said.
“Except your presence and your input on the book.” She found a good spot and parked, then turned off the engine and looked at Althea.
“I get people like that, too, who want to be friends because of what they think I can do for them. Not to the extent you do, I’m sure.
But in a smaller way, I understand it. Maybe that’s part of why I reached out to you. I felt a kinship.”
Althea smiled. “I bet that model woman knows, too.”
“Blaise. Yes, I’m sure she does. We have a good group. I know you’ve only met Essie so far, but you’ll like them all, I think.”
“Essie is nice. And a good cook. But she strikes me as a bit of a pushover.”
“I think that’s just a…a way of softening herself. She was the principal of a middle school for a long time.”
Althea’s brows rose. “That so? You might be right then. Probably tougher than she looks.” She reached for the door handle but didn’t open the door. “Are you coming in?”
“I was planning on it. I want to say hi to Lester and talk to Maude before she heads out.”
“Good.” Althea still didn’t make a move to get out.
“My sons don’t like Lester. They don’t think I should have married him.
That he’s out for my money.” She laughed bitterly.
“My sons are the ones with the money. I just live on their good graces. They’re fools.
Lester’s a good man. He’s good company and we have fun together. ”
“You and Essie have more in common than you think. Her stepdaughter has the same opinion of her. And I have no doubt about Lester.” Paige smiled.
Althea nodded. “Come on, then. I need to see that husband of mine.”
They went in together, moving at Althea’s pace, which wasn’t that slow but it was slower than Paige usually went. She liked to walk fast. It kept a lot of men from joining her when she didn’t want them to.
They went through hospital security and straight to Lester’s room.
Maude was sitting next to his bed, her iPad in her hands. She looked up when they came in. “Lester, you have visitors.”
“Maude,” Paige began. “This is Althea, Lester’s wife.”
“Nice to meet you,” Maude said, getting to her feet.
“You, too. Thank you for sitting with him.” Althea went directly to Lester’s side. “How are you?”
“Good. Did you get some rest?” he asked.
“I did. Has the doctor been by?”
“He was,” Lester said. “Said I need a valve replaced. And they want to give me a pacemaker.”
Maude gathered her things and joined Paige, giving Althea and Lester some privacy. “Are you taking over?”
Paige shook her head. “Althea’s going to stay now.”
“Okay.” Maude glanced back at them. “He’s a seriously cool guy. I could hang out with him all day.”
“You kind of did.”
Maude laughed. “I don’t mind. He sort of reminds me of my grandpa, if he were still alive. It was nice.”
Paige wanted to hug Maude. She’d underestimated the younger woman. “Thank you for doing this.”
“Anytime. I mean that.” She adjusted the strap of her tote. “I’ll say goodbye to Lester, then head out. What time tomorrow?”
Paige shook her head. “If he’s having a valve replacement and a pacemaker, I’m guessing he’ll be in ICU for a bit. No visitors there. Althea might need us, though. I’ll send out a text later.”
“Sounds good. I might hit the beach for a bit, but I’ll be around if anything comes up.”
Althea was sitting in the chair beside the bed. Maude went over and touched Lester’s arm. “Thanks for letting me hang out with you today, Lester. Now that your beautiful wife is here, I’m going to let you guys visit. I’ll see you soon, though, okay?”
He was all smiles. “I’m counting on it, Maude.”
She smiled at Althea. “You need anything, I’m a text away.”
“Thank you,” Althea said, eyes filled with genuine gratitude.
Paige said goodbye to Maude, then approached the bed as she left. “Can I get either of you anything? I’d be happy to make a run down to the cafeteria or the gift shop.”
“I wouldn’t mind a milkshake,” Lester said.
Althea frowned. “Are you allowed to have that?”
“I’m having open heart surgery tomorrow,” he said. “I think I should be allowed to have whatever I want.”
She smiled, a very different, very indulgent smile than what Paige had seen before. “That’s a good point.” She looked at Paige.
“Just tell me what kind and I’m on my way.”
“Black and white,” Lester said. “Like the old days.”
Paige shook her head. “I don’t know what that is.”
Althea answered. “Vanilla milkshake with chocolate syrup.”
“Got it,” Paige said. “I’ll be right back. Althea, you want anything? A magazine? A drink?”
Althea took Lester’s hand. “I’ve got everything I need.”
Paige’s heart swelled. Althea’s sons were idiots if they couldn’t see the happiness Lester brought her. “I won’t be long. Text me if you think of anything.”
She left them alone and went down to the cafeteria. If she could find a man who made her as happy as Lester made Althea, she might think about getting married again.
Maybe. And that was a big maybe.
Being single after what she’d endured, after the betrayal and humiliation, was so much better than risking her heart again.
She stepped off the elevator and followed the signs to the cafeteria. She didn’t like being alone all the time, but with these women from the book club now in her life, she had a feeling those days were behind her.