Chapter 19
Riva was just planning another escape when Windy spotted her sitting alone and came over. “Come on, Riva.” She tugged her to her feet and out to the dance floor. “I need a partner and your dancing isn’t going to improve by sitting on your hind end all night.”
“I danced a little, but I probably need more lessons,” Riva said defensively. “Although I prefer the privacy of the kitchen.”
Windy laughed. “Just pretend you know what you’re doing and you’ll be fine.”
After a couple of songs, Riva almost felt like she’d broken through, or broken the ice, but it seemed it was possible to have a fun evening after all.
Really, why did she obsess over such tiny things?
It was good to move with the music, to follow Windy’s lead, to dance with abandon .
. . to be part of something bigger than herself.
Windy was just twirling Riva when Marcus and Laurel moved closer, and suddenly Marcus grabbed Riva’s free hand and gracefully swapped partners so that Laurel was partnered with Windy and Riva was partnered with him.
She didn’t mind the switch, but couldn’t miss the look of concern, or perhaps envy, in Laurel’s eyes.
Of course, now Riva regretted the dance floor trade-off.
At the end of the song, Riva was about to excuse herself from Marcus when Kitty stepped up and tapped her on the shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”
“Not at all.” Riva smiled in relief. Especially since they were playing a slow dance number now. Good timing to go sit down. That is, if Marcus would let go of her hand. “I, uh, I need a break anyway.”
“Of course you do.” Kitty’s tone was placating as she moved close to Marcus. “Most of you older folks just don’t have the stamina to keep up.”
Marcus, still holding Riva’s hand, nodded. “I need a break too.”
“Not until you dance with me,” Kitty insisted, tugged his hand free from Riva’s. “Remember you promised me another dance? I’m claiming it now.”
Without sticking around to hear Marcus’s response, Riva returned to the table where Laurel was glowering and Windy looked a bit flushed and tired.
“We don’t have to stay here all evening,” Riva told them. “It looks like Fiona’s band is a hit with all ages. I doubt we’d be missed.”
“But I’m still enjoying the music,” Windy told her.
“What about you?” Riva turned to Laurel. “Wanna go?”
Laurel shrugged. “I was having a good time . . . that is, until someone moved in and ruined it.”
Riva wasn’t sure if Laurel was referring to her or Kitty, but she didn’t want to find out. “Well, maybe I wanted to prove that I’m trying to escape my inhibitions.”
“You don’t have to try that hard.” Laurel’s tone was snarky.
“Did Kitty actually cut in on you?” Windy asked Riva.
“Sort of.”
“Sort of?” Laurel sniffed. “Looks to me like Marcus is enjoying himself.”
“I think he’s being polite,” Riva told her. “He wanted to take a break and Kitty wouldn’t let him.”
“Do you think Kitty could dance any closer to him?” Laurel asked. “And that outfit she’s wearing”—Laurel scoffed—“does she think she’s fifteen?”
“It’s what I was thinking too,” Windy admitted.
“I keep wondering how old that woman is,” Laurel said. “She has to be at least midfifties, and that’s if she was still a teen when she married the first time.”
“Maybe you should check her driver’s license,” Riva teased.
“Good idea.” She reached for Kitty’s oversized purse.
“I was kidding.” Riva gasped as Laurel unzipped the bag.
“Laurel.” Windy’s tone held warning.
“Lighten up, you two. She won’t see me.”
“I refuse to witness this.” Riva stood. “I’ll be in the women’s room.”
“Me too,” Windy said, following her.
As they washed their hands a moment later, Windy and Riva made eye contact in the mirror. “I admire that Laurel is a pretty gutsy lady,” Windy said, “but sometimes she worries me. I’m concerned what will happen if she pits herself against someone like Kitty.”
“I know what you mean.” Riva dried her hands. “Kinda like Wile E. Coyote about to catch the Road Runner, but there’s a keg of TNT waiting for him.”
“I never watched cartoons as a kid, but I caught up when my kids were small. I assume Laurel would be the determined but unfortunate coyote and Kitty’s the lucky Road Runner who always gets away but makes sure Wile E. gets blown up or crushed.” Windy fluffed her auburn curls.
“Yep. Road Runner always comes out on top. Of course, he’s got the legs to run.”
“So does Kitty.”
“Look, Windy, I might sneak out of here. I think I’ve had more than enough music and dancing for one night.”
Windy adjusted her beaded necklace. “I’m proud of you for doing as well as you have, Riva. I hope you don’t feel bad about when we tweaked you about inhibitions. It’s just that we both want to see you break out of your shell.”
“I’m okay. But I’m not so sure Laurel agrees with you. She might prefer I stay in my shell. At least, when it comes to Marcus. I’m afraid she might consider me competition and classify me with Kitty. But I swear, I’m not after Marcus.”
Windy turned to look directly at her. “I didn’t want to mention it, but I think Laurel’s concerns over Marcus are not too far off.
And I don’t mean with Kitty. I know my brother pretty well, and I can tell when he’s interested in someone.
” Her brows arched as she pointed to Riva.
“And if you can’t see it, you must be in denial. ”
Riva took a deep breath. “Marcus is a very nice man, and I value his friendship. But that’s all there is to it. Honestly, Laurel needs to understand I’m not out to catch him or any other man. I don’t even know why I came here tonight. It seems places like this are just a setup for romance hunters.”
“Romance hunters?” Windy chuckled. “Never heard it put like that before, but you’re probably right. Though I don’t think everyone here is on the hunt. Some came for the music. And just because you dance with someone doesn’t mean you have to go home with them.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” Riva rolled her eyes. “Anyway, if you could help Laurel to understand that my only interest in Marcus is friendship, I’d appreciate it. Because, honestly, that’s all there is to it.”
“For you, anyway.” Windy had a knowing look as she pushed the restroom door open, but Riva stopped her.
She wasn’t quite sure what Windy was hinting at, but she could guess.
And it just seemed to confirm what Riva suspected.
Now she knew what she had to do. She would call it a night before her friendship with Laurel was stretched to a breaking point.
“I’ll just walk home,” Riva told Windy. “Can you make my excuses to the others?”
“You’re really sure you want to leave?”
Riva firmly nodded. “The noise and closeness in here is getting to me, and I can tell I’m on the verge of a headache.” She hugged Windy. “You stay here and have fun.”
“All right . . . as long as you’re sure you’ll be okay walking home alone.”
“A cool stroll in the fresh evening air is just what I need. Good medicine.”
“If you say so.” But Windy didn’t look convinced as Riva made her getaway.
Out on the dusky street, Riva felt a bit guilty for faking a headache.
Though if she’d stayed inside any longer, she might’ve gotten one.
On the sidewalk she could hear the band playing a folk song on the outdoor speaker.
They really were good. As she walked away, the music growing fainter behind her, she felt a twinge of regret, or maybe it was a sense of failure.
It should’ve been a simple thing to have remained there, to be with the others as they enjoyed the evening without feeling guilty, torn, or conflicted.
It was as if something was broken inside of her, or else just stuck.
Maybe her friends were right. Maybe she truly was inhibited . . . or perhaps she was simply a wimp.
It felt strange but good to be home without anyone else there.
Riva put on some calming classical music and strolled from room to room.
After a while, she was feeling slightly bored and perhaps missing her housemates just a little.
With nothing else to do, she decided to go to bed.
After all, it was almost ten and she’d had a long day.
As she brushed her teeth, she hoped everyone was still having a good time.
She rubbed moisturizer into her face, wondering if she would ever have the social fortitude to make it through a whole evening out with friends.
“You are a wimp,” she told her reflection in the mirror.
“Okay, maybe you’re not a wimp. Maybe you just prefer a quiet evening at home.
And maybe you should quit talking to yourself.
” Well, unless she could think of something positive to say .
. . She stared at her reflection. “At least you gave it a try,” she finally said.
“Baby steps are okay.” She smiled and turned off the light.
As her grandma used to say when Riva was young and impatient, “Rome wasn’t built in a day. ”
Riva could hear voices in the house and knew her housemates were home, but the voices sounded loud .
. . and angry. She went to her bedroom door to listen.
It seemed the disagreement was between Laurel and Kitty—no big surprise—and poor Windy was trying to referee.
Riva considered going out to help Windy but remembered what Paul used to say about domestic disputes.
Best to stay away. And so she just said a silent prayer for the women, asking God to restore peace in her home.
But as loud angry footsteps stormed up the stairs, voices still raised, she suspected peace would not come easily.
She cracked open the door. It sounded like Windy was trying to calm Laurel down. Feeling guilty for being such a coward, she tiptoed out. “Everyone okay?” she asked tentatively.
“No, we are not okay,” Laurel spat back.
“I’m sorry,” Windy said. “Did we wake you?”
“I wasn’t in bed yet.” Riva looked at Laurel. “What’s wrong?”
“Kitty is wrong. All wrong. That woman is a conceited nightmare that someone should kick to the curb.”
Riva blinked. “Wow, I didn’t think you were a violent person.”
She glared at Riva. “You never should’ve let her move into the house.”
Riva wanted to point out that Kitty had come here at Laurel’s recommendation but suspected that wouldn’t help this situation. “What happened?”
“I do not care to talk about it,” Laurel growled. “I’m going to bed.” As she stormed up the stairs, Windy exchanged glances with Riva. She lowered her voice, offering to tell the whole story.
“In the library,” Riva directed.
After they closed the doors behind them and sat down, Windy began.
“It probably started shortly after you left. Kitty kept urging Marcus to dance with her and, to defer her, he danced with Laurel. And even with me. In the meantime, Kitty was consuming more mojitos. I suggested we call it a night, but Laurel was enjoying Marcus’s attention.
Consequently, Kitty was getting more jealous.
At one point we were all just sitting at the table, and Kitty started to pick on Laurel, poking at her age and appearance and whatever .
. . trying to get her goat. But Laurel was handling it like a lady. I was really proud of her.”
“What went wrong?”
“Marcus made a comment about you—how you were smart to leave when you did. He wanted to go home too. Of course, Kitty had to question him on that, saying how both you and Laurel were over the hill. Then she began to flirt with Marcus shamelessly. We could tell she’d over-imbibed, but she was literally throwing herself at my poor brother, telling him he’d have more fun with a younger woman.
And then, she took advantage of your absence by slamming you. ”
“Sounds like a good time was had by all,” Riva said sarcastically.
“Well, Marcus got fed up. He spoke up in your defense, which made Laurel madder. I think he knew it was hopeless, so he decided to leave. I followed his lead, telling Laurel if she wanted to stay, Marcus would take me home. But Laurel wanted to go with me. The three of us were in the parking lot when Kitty came running after us, saying she needed a ride. She grabbed onto Marcus.”
Riva nodded. “No surprise there.”
“Don’t be too sure. Laurel started to tell Kitty to back off.
And Kitty, probably thanks to the mojitos, came unglued.
I actually thought it was going to become a physical fight right there in the parking lot.
Kitty’s voice was so loud, people were actually watching.
” Windy frowned. “Pretty wild scene. Like a couple of adolescents in the high school parking lot. I was embarrassed for both of them. Mostly for Laurel. She wanted to keep her cool, but Kitty kept pushing her buttons.”
“Oh my. What happened then?”
“Marcus grabbed Kitty by the arm and said he’d take her home.
Of course, she liked that, but poor Laurel was fit to be tied.
She ranted all the way home. I was trying to calm her down before we got inside, but then Marcus dropped Kitty off and it started up again.
They were being so loud in the driveway, I had to get them inside.
But honestly, Riva, I’ve never seen anything like it.
Two women their age acting like juveniles. ”
Riva took in a slow breath. “If I’d known having housemates would be like this, I’m not sure I’d have gotten into this.”
“I’m so sorry.” Windy looked almost tearful. “I hate fighting and wouldn’t blame you for turning all of us out, but I’m so grateful to live here, Riva.”
“I know you are. And I’m grateful you’re here. I just don’t know what to do about Kitty and Laurel.”
“I think Marcus feels guilty too. I’d been nagging him to bring along some of his single male friends. I’ll tell him he can’t come to dinner tomorrow night unless he brings at least one other fellow with him. It’s not like this house is his personal harem.”
Riva smirked. “Is that every man’s secret dream? To have a houseful of women fawning over him. Not that we all are. But maybe it feels like that to him.”
“To be fair, I can tell he hates it as much as we do. It’s like he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
“He’s not the only one.” Riva frowned. “Well, it seems clear that Kitty is the spoiler. If she didn’t live here, I think we’d be okay. The question is, how will I get rid of her?”
“That’s a good question.” Windy let out a yawn. “Why don’t we sleep on it?”
“Good idea. And I need to pray on it.” Riva stood.
Windy got to her feet. “And don’t forget you promised to go to drumming session with me tomorrow.”
Riva cringed. “Tomorrow?”
“Think of it as therapy. It’ll help you break out of your shell and escape your inhibitions.”
Riva held back an eyeroll. If anyone else mentioned her inhibitions tonight, well, she might just let loose and deck them. And then she’d see how they felt about her being overly repressed!