Chapter 23
“Last time I was here, I was too freaked out to notice all the changes you’d made,” Cindy said as she followed Ava into the
large kitchen. “But you made a few. The foyer is different, and the kitchen configuration changed.”
They moved to the island where Ava had put out all the samples her decorator had left with her.
“How can you possibly remember what the house was like twenty-four years ago?” she asked with a laugh. “I don’t.”
Cindy laughed. “It’s burned into my brain. This was the nicest house I’d ever been in. I remember everything.” She sighed.
“When I spent the night, you put me in a beautiful guest room with that huge bathroom. I used to pretend I really lived here
and imagined my clothes in the closet, my things in the drawers.”
Ava had had no idea. Yes, she knew that Cindy had grown up in a fairly modest house, but she hadn’t realized her home with
Milton was so memorable. Of course Cindy had been all of seventeen, so perhaps her holding on to the memories made sense.
“Do you still have your father’s house or did you move somewhere else?” she asked as they sat at the island.
“I’m still there. Once Luis and I are married, I’ll move in with him. We’re going fix up my place and rent it out.”
“A smart investment.” The old house would be long paid for, and real estate in Los Angeles was always valuable.
Ava smiled at the other woman. “I remember your garden out back and how I killed the strawberries. I’m afraid I’ve never been much of a gardener.”
“It’s nice you have a flaw or two.”
“Or several,” Ava said. “What can I get you to drink? Iced tea? Soda?”
“Iced tea would be nice. Thank you.”
Ava collected glasses and poured tea from the pitcher. When she was seated again, she said, “Did Shannon tell you about her
cinematography adventure? Apparently that’s not her passion, but at least she made the effort.” She paused, glanced at Cindy.
“Did I overstep by getting her into the seminar?”
“What? Of course not.” Cindy hesitated. “I understand why you want to get to know her. If circumstances had been different,
she would have been your daughter.”
Ava watched her carefully. “I’m hearing hesitation in your voice.”
“Not hesitation. Apprehension, maybe.”
“Why?”
Cindy’s expression turned rueful. “Really? You have to ask? Ava, you’re amazing. You’re glamorous and successful and you have
this house. You’re a wonderful friend and so very kind. All those years ago I had a girl-crush on you, and it’s likely Shannon
will feel the same way.”
Ava appreciated the compliments, but given her last conversation with Cindy’s daughter doubted there was much crushing going
on.
“You don’t have to worry. She loves you with all her heart. No one can take her away from you.”
“I know you’d never do anything to come between us and that I have no reason to worry, but every now and then I feel inadequate.”
“Isn’t that natural for a mother to feel? I know I constantly question myself when it comes to Victoria. I’ve made so many mistakes.” She thought about the pain she’d caused her daughter. “She’s writing a screenplay.”
“She mentioned that. It’s very exciting.”
Ava ignored the twinge of pain. “I’m not to know.”
Cindy frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“She hasn’t mentioned it to me. Not once. Milton read the first draft and said it has potential. She continues to work on
it. I know she has a critique group she attends. But we don’t talk about it.” Ava reached for her glass, then put her hand
back in her lap. “She doesn’t want me to be a part of her life. It’s like there’s a wall between us.”
“She loves you. I know she does.”
“Maybe, but I doubt she likes me very much.” She forced a smile. “Unlike your daughter, who speaks of you with great affection.
I want to say you’re lucky, but I suspect it’s because you’re a much better mother than I am.”
“No. You’re being too harsh. You’re a good mom, and you have a lovely daughter. This is just a rough patch.”
“If it is, then it’s been that way since she was a child.” Ava shook off her feeling of sadness. “All right. Subject change.
You’re here to help me with my kitchen.” She motioned to the samples she’d laid out. “My designer gave me three options.”
She pointed to the renderings. “These are what the finished kitchen will look like, and you can see the various finishes.”
Cindy got up and walked around the island where she could study everything more closely. She looked up at the kitchen, then
back at the notebooks.
“Basically you’re leaving the bones of the kitchen as they are. No moving of the stove or refrigerator.”
“The flow works as it is. I like the storage and the amount of counter space. What I don’t like is how dated it is.” She touched
the cool granite. “This hasn’t been in style for nearly a decade. The cabinets are too dark, and I hate the pulls we chose.”
Cindy walked over to the wall of cabinetry and opened a door. “The wood is good quality.” She walked back to the renderings, then flipped through one of the notebooks to the list of recommended appliances.
“The Wolf range would be a great upgrade,” she murmured. “And I like the Sub Zero refrigerator.” She glanced down. “The flooring
looks good, so I wouldn’t change that.”
“I’m glad you said that. I like the flooring and want to keep it.”
Cindy looked at her. “The problem is your designer is suggesting a complete remodel when you just need an update. Why get
all new cabinets? If you like the style and the placement of what you already have, then just get them painted.” She put a
couple of the painted cabinet samples together.
“Either of these would work. You get new appliances, a bigger farm sink and new countertops. Update the lighting. It’s a whole
lot easier than gutting the room.”
Ava brightened. “I never thought of just doing a simple update. That could be done so much more quickly and without as much
construction.” She would still have to empty the kitchen, but it would only be for a few weeks rather than a couple of months.
Relief made her smile. “Yes, that’s exactly right. Let’s make some notes.”
An hour later nearly all the decisions had been made. Once they’d chosen the paint color, it was easy to coordinate the quartz.
Cindy promised to join Ava at the decorating center to help her pick out backsplash tile and the light fixtures. Cindy had
convinced her to put in a few more canned lights to eliminate shadows in the kitchen.
“This is such a relief,” Ava said as she started pulling out cheeses and meats, along with fruit for a quick charcuterie board.
“I’ve been putting off deciding anything for at least two months now. My decorator will be happy that I’ve finally made a
decision.”
Cindy washed her hands, then joined her in putting together the board.
“You’re not normally indecisive, so it must have been that the whole project was stressful,” she said as she began slicing cheese.
“I was the same way about the wedding. But once I figured out the venue, I started to get more excited about the other decisions.” She paused.
“I told you I booked the venue we saw together.”
“You did.” Ava smiled. “I booked the venue as well. For Milton’s birthday. I’m glad we ran into each other there. I’ve thought
about you and Shannon so much over the years.”
“I’ve thought about you, too.” Cindy set sliced strawberries on the board. “Shannon and I went shopping for my wedding dress
a few days ago. I’ve found the one, and it’s nothing like I envisioned.” Her smile turned dreamy. “But it’s beautiful, and
I feel so special in it.”
Ava told herself not to get involved. That whatever went on between Cindy and her daughter wasn’t her responsibility or even
her business.
“That must have been fun,” she said, hoping her voice sounded neutral rather than disapproving. “I’m glad Shannon was there
with you.”
“Me, too. Oh, she tried on a dress and looks amazing in it.” Cindy sighed. “I wish Aaron would propose. I know they’re in
love, and it’s the next logical step. I hope he doesn’t turn out to be one of those guys who makes her wait forever for him
to pop the question.”
Ava pressed her lips together as she did her best to stay quiet, but she must have made a noise because Cindy looked at her.
“What’s wrong? Are you upset?”
“No. I’m thrilled you have your dress and your wonderful location for the wedding. What’s next? The flowers?”
Cindy watched her. “There’s something. I can see. Ava, tell me what’s going on.”
Ava hesitated, not wanting to create trouble but knowing that Cindy had every right to know. Only, the telling would hurt her, although if she couldn’t think of something else quickly, she wasn’t going to have a choice about telling the truth.
Cindy went pale. “Are you sick? Is it worse than that? Please, you’re frightening me.”
Ava drew in a breath. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “It’s not my secret to share.” She paused. “It’s also not my secret to
keep.” She looked at her friend. “Shannon’s already engaged to Aaron. She has been for a while. I don’t know when he proposed,
but it was some weeks ago.”
Cindy stared at her in obvious confusion. “What are you saying? No. Engaged? She can’t be. She never said anything. She would
have . . .” Her eyes filled with tears. “She told you?”
“I’m sorry,” Ava repeated. “I don’t think she meant to blurt it out. It just happened. Then she asked me to stay quiet, and
I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“But she didn’t tell me. She never said a word. I’m her mother. We share everything. I don’t understand. It’s the biggest
thing that’s ever happened to her, and she never said a word.”
The tears fell faster. Ava moved close and hugged her.
“She said she wanted the focus to be on you and Luis. She didn’t want to distract from that with her news.”
Ava meant the words kindly but even as she spoke them she realized how useless they sounded. She also questioned the truth
of them. Did Shannon think Cindy wouldn’t be delighted for them to share the spotlight?