20. Jo
TWENTY
jo
The curtain falls for the last time on Frankie as she sits in the center of the stage, her white dress billowing around her like a cloud, hands over her mouth as she smiles with tears in her eyes.
Jo jumps to her feet immediately, clapping and cheering along with everyone else. It was stunning to see her friend up there, moving her body in ways that Jo has never seen her move. There is such a grace, such a sense of self-possession, when Frankie dances, and Jo is completely stunned by the artistry of the performance, not to mention the content.
Bill, who is on Jo's right side, leans over to speak directly into her ear as they stand there giving Frankie the ovation she deserves. "Was that...was she...?" He can't even finish the sentence before tears of pride spring to Jo's eyes. She nods, glancing at their children in the seats next to Bill. They clearly have no idea what the message of Frankie's show is, and she's grateful for that. If anything, her girls look starry-eyed over seeing their mother's friend up on stage in costume, and that's about all they need to know at their age.
"Yes," Jo says with a single nod. "I think she was." And this floods her entire body with awe and wonder, this notion of her strong, talented friend being hurt by a man this way. There was no real indication in the performance of who hurt her, but knowing the details won't make it any more vivid than watching Frankie on stage had.
Jo looks around at the faces that fill the auditorium. She'd worked her tail off, advertising the performance on the bulletin boards at the hospital, enlisting the help of their friends to get the word out, and making sure that the director of public relations at Cape Kennedy had known about Frankie giving a one-night, one-woman show. It's gratifying to see so many new and also so many familiar faces as Jo looks around, and she's happy for Frankie. The night feels like an all-around success.
The curtain opens again and this time Frankie is standing there, ready to take a deep bow. She smiles as the volume of the audience's cheering skyrockets, and then she takes a final bow as the lights come up.
"I'm going to go and congratulate her," Jo says, scooting past Bill and her children as she makes her way to the aisle. "I'll meet you in the lobby, okay?"
Bill takes Jo's lightweight shrug and she keeps her purse. He nods and gives her a small salute as she goes.
It's easy to get backstage, and Jo realizes immediately that all of their friends have had the very same idea. She walks through the double doors and into the cement hallway only to find Barbie, Jude, and Carrie all there, waiting at the door of Frankie's small dressing room. She throws it open and emerges as the four women start to cheer.
"Bravo!" Carrie says, hugging Frankie tightly. The other women come in close and pile on Frankie, wrapping their arms around one another in a giant group hug.
"You were fabulous," Barbie says. "I had no idea you could dance like that."
"You know," Frankie says, catching her breath as the women release her. Barbie hands her a bouquet of flowers, which she takes in her arms gratefully. "I had kind of forgotten that I could dance like that myself."
"Well, it was a triumph," Carrie says. "A raging success. You'll get a million students signing up for classes after this, and I just want to say...I'm sorry you went through all of that."
Frankie presses her lips together and gives a quiet, sad nod. "I think I'm finally able to take everything that happened and channel it into something--maybe not something positive, but life-affirming. I feel like it all happened to make me stronger, not weaker, and it's thanks to all of you girls that I'm getting back on the horse."
The four women look at her with total admiration. They're standing in a semi-circle around Frankie, and Jo reaches over and takes her hand, holding it tightly.
"We're so proud of you," Jo says. "You've held onto a lot of secrets, and even though you just gave people enough of an idea of what you're living with, we all know you well enough to understand the bigger picture. You're so strong, Frankie."
Frankie's smile spreads across her face and she smiles at them. "Thank you. I finally feel strong. I think having my parents here for a month really helped me to pull myself together, and having all of you as friends has given me something indescribable. And, of course, being lucky enough to find a patient, kind man like Ed has made everything so much better. I'm a lucky lady."
"You're a stunning and talented lady," Ed says, his voice booming as he enters the back hallway. He's carrying more flowers, despite having given Frankie a pre-performance bouquet. This bunch is even bigger, and is full of tropical blooms. He leans in close to his wife, wrapping an arm around her waist and putting his lips to her cheek. "I'm so proud of you."
"We should let you two lovebirds have a moment to yourself," Barbie says, putting her fingers to her lips and blowing Frankie a kiss.
"Will you all come over to our house for drinks?" Frankie asks as she leans into her husband, resting her head on his strong shoulder. "We've got some snacks and Ed is mixing martinis. Your kids are welcome to come as well."
"Wouldn't miss it," Jude says, and Jo's eyes jump over to her. She's always hyper-aware of Jude and worried about her drinking, and she'd even wondered at one of the Spring Fling meetings whether Jude had driven there drunk, she was that woozy on her feet.
By the time everyone is gathered at the Maxwells' house, the kids are all hungry and wild from too much time spent sitting in an auditorium, and Ed moves around the backyard, offering them all hot dogs and bottles of Pepsi. Most of the parents in attendance would normally curb this type of dinner fare, but the mood is festive, and every adult in attendance has a cocktail in hand as they mingle around the pool by the light of the torches that Ed has lit.
"If I could get your attention," Frankie says, tapping a fork against her martini glass. "I'd like to thank you all for coming tonight. You have no idea how much it means to me that you were all in attendance, and I'm thrilled that you would even consider enrolling your kids in my dance classes or recommending my business to your friends. I can't thank you enough." She looks around at the men and women who are standing near the pool or sitting on chairs, and her eyes dance in the light of the torch flames. "Tonight was an important night for me. I didn't go into this hoping to sell tickets or make money, but the fact that so many people turned up has given me the opportunity to do something good with the proceeds."
Jo is standing at one end of the pool, holding her martini glass with both hands as she keeps an eye on her youngest daughter, Kate, and another little girl who are attempting to climb a palm tree in their fancy dresses. She'd like to put a stop to it, but she won't make a move and interrupt Frankie's speech.
"The Cocoa Beach Performing Arts Center has very generously waived their take from tonight's sales and have in fact offered to match what we made in ticket sales so that I can make an even bigger donation to something that is very close to my heart." Frankie locks eyes with Ed, who is standing just a few feet away. "There is a brand new organization in California called Haven House, and its goal is to help and serve battered women who have experienced any form of abuse." Frankie pauses and holds up a hand; she's clearly trying to gather herself enough to go on. "I'm sure you've gathered that, in my past, I have been through some things myself that have been incredibly hurtful. And through the love of my endlessly devoted husband, Ed, and through the gift of the friendships I've gained here in Stardust Beach, I'm finding my footing again. Not all women are so lucky. So it will be my honor to send a donation of five hundred dollars to Haven House as they get their program off the ground."
Everyone applauds at this, and many of the women look at one another knowingly. While it's not a common topic of discussion, it's nearly impossible to find a group of women who don't know someone who has suffered at the hands of an abuser, and many of them have gone through it themselves. Jo herself knows of two different women with whom she'd grown up in Minnesota who have survived terrible situations, one at the hands of an overly domineering boyfriend, and the other because her stepfather would show up in her bedroom late at night. She shudders at the memory of those stories, feeling grateful that Frankie has identified a need out there in the world and is working to help in some way.
"So again, thank you, and I am so looking forward to teaching my first dance class next week." Frankie holds her martini in the air as she makes a toast. "Here's to love, friendship, community, and the joy of dancing."
"Hear, hear!" Todd Roman says. He's got one arm around his wife Barbie's shoulders, and Barbie is holding their youngest son, ten-month-old Huck, on one hip as she cheers for Frankie.
Ophelia, the young lady who Frankie had asked to help her at the performance, is there with a woman who appears to be her mother, and she’s holding a bottle of Coke and smiling at the children as they run past. Carrie and Jude are there with their husbands and children, and the women all catch one another’s eye as they drink their toast to Frankie’s triumphant event. Jo is so happy for her—so pleased—and she can’t even put into words what it means to her to see the way Frankie’s entire demeanor has changed. She looks like she’s finally been able to let something go that she’s been hanging on to for far too long.
“Hi,” Bill says, moving closer to Jo and pulling her from her reverie. For a moment, Jo thinks he’s saying hi to her, but when she glances at her husband’s face, he’s looking at a woman to his right. “Didn’t expect to see you here this evening.”
The woman smiles up at Bill; she’s petite and young. “And you as well,” she says, shifting her martini from one hand to the other. “But this event has been advertised all over the office, so I thought I’d buy a ticket and get out for a night of entertainment.” Her eyes move to Jo’s face and she looks at her expectantly as Bill rocks back on his heels.
He says nothing, and Jo realizes that it’s going to be on her to introduce herself. “Hello,” she says, extending a hand. “I’m Josephine Booker, Bill’s wife.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” the woman says, taking Jo’s hand in hers. “I’m Jeanie Florence.”
“I’m sorry,” Bill says with a laugh. “That was rude of me. Jeanie, this is my wife.” The women have already shaken hands by this point, and they both glance at Bill. “Let me refill your drinks,” he offers.
“One more for me, please,” Jo says, handing him her glass.
Jeanie holds up a hand. “No thank you—I need to be up early tomorrow—one is good for me.”
Bill wanders off with his and Jo’s martini glasses, leaving the women alone. In a flash, it hits Jo: Jeanie Florence is Jeanette Florence!
“Tell me about what you do at NASA,” Jo says, looking Jeanie in the face. She’s assessing the younger woman without visibly looking her up and down, and what she sees is someone with the glow of youth about her. A hint of innocence that leaves her cheeks pink, and lends a glittery excitement to her eyes.
“I’m an engineer,” Jeanie says. She tucks her long, straight hair behind one ear, and Jo notices that she’s wearing a very simple, bias-cut orange dress that highlights her tan. Jeanie has a smattering of freckles across her cute nose, and she doesn’t appear to be wearing even a swipe of makeup, which is entirely disarming. For as cute as Jeanie Florence is, she’s entirely natural. Every bit of her wholesome attractiveness radiates from within. “I work with the team to assess the dangers of space travel, to plan the trajectory to the moon, and to implement new technologies.”
There is no way that this straightforward explanation is going to be anything but totally intimidating; Jo is standing before a woman who is her junior in years, but whose successes and achievements already far surpass hers.
“That’s amazing,” Jo says, and she means it. “Did you always know you wanted to be an engineer?”
From across the pool, Frankie shoots Jo a look, but she ignores it for the moment. Several of the kids have started a rousing game of tag in the grass, and the lights from inside the house are helping the torches to illuminate the yard. A sliver of moon looks down on the backyard party as several of the families say their goodbyes and leave through the side gate—this is a Sunday evening, after all.
“Always?” Jeanie asks. Her smile widens. “Well, I don’t think I always wanted to be an engineer, necessarily, but I did always want to go to space. Will that ever happen?” she asks wistfully, “That, I don’t know.”
Jo is already fascinated—and charmed—by Jeanie. She’s so unassuming. And sweet. “An astronette!” Jo says with interest.
“I love that.” Jeanie laughs and lays a hand on Jo’s bare arm. “If—no, when —I make it to space, I will insist on being called Astronette Florence.”
The women are still giggling over this when Bill returns with a fresh drink for himself and one for Jo. “What did I miss?” he asks, given a slightly nervous look between at the women.
“Oh, nothing,” the say in unison.
“Hey.” Jo turns to Jeanie. “We’d love to have you over for dinner some evening. Do you think that would work for you and your…” Jo trails off, hoping that Jeanie will fill in the blank for her. When she doesn’t, Jo finishes. “Your husband? Boyfriend?”
Jeanie shakes her head with an easy smile. “I’m single. I have a roommate and a cat.” She laughs easily. “And I don’t think you’d want me to bring either of them. Vicki always sits in strange places, and Miranda has no manners around new people.”
“Which one is the cat?” Bill asks with one hand in the pocket of his pants as he sips his martini.
“Miranda,” Jeanie says. “Vicki moved in right after Christmas and she’s a lovely woman, but we don’t have a lot in common. She’s a friend of my aunt’s.”
“Ah,” Jo says with a nod. She’s imagining a much older woman who perhaps likes to sit on the floor to watch the television. Maybe the poor old dear has bad eyes. “Well, you’re invited, and if you need to bring Vicki along so that she can get out and mingle, then she’s invited too.”
“That’s so kind of you,” Jeanie says. She tilts her head to the side as she looks at Jo. “I would love to come over and meet your children. Bill talks about all of you so fondly.”
Bill’s head turns to Jeanie and he looks surprised. “Yes,” he says as he swallows a sip of his martini. “We’d love to have you. Definitely.”
“Great,” Jo says. “Then it’s settled. I’ll find a few dates and give them to Bill, and you can let us know what works for you. This is so exciting.” She looks back and forth between her husband and Jeanie, and for a beat, Jo can sense a frisson of…something. She can’t even put her finger on it, but she feels that the moment is right for her to make her escape. “If you’ll excuse me, I want to go and congratulate the woman of the hour, and I’m sure you two have important work things to discuss.” Jo touches Jeanie lightly on the shoulder as she passes by her, and shoots one last look at Bill, who is suddenly light years more mysterious to her than he’d been just five minutes ago. Who is Bill Booker when he isn’t with her? Is he someone entirely different? Does he really talk about her and the children at work? She has so many questions, and as she sidles up to Frankie and waits for her to finish talking to Ophelia and her mother, she glances surreptitiously at Bill, who is gazing down at Jeanie as they talk.
“Ow!” Frankie says when Jo grabs her elbow urgently. Ophelia and her mother have just said goodbye and are leaving the backyard along with several other guests. “What was that for?”
“That’s her,” Jo hisses, tipping her head almost imperceptibly in Bill’s direction. “Jeanette. But she goes by Jeanie.”
Frankie exhales and casually glances around the pool area; she’s got the tactic of casting an unobtrusive glance at a person of interest down pat, as so many women do. “Orange dress? Shiny hair? Cute face?”
Jo gives a curt nod as she looks into her martini glass. “Is he still smiling at her like a teenage boy talking to the prom queen?”
“Ummmm,” Frankie says in a diplomatic tone, “more like he’s smiling at the cute younger sister of his best friend.”
“That’s not helping,” Jo says with a frown.
“Okay, you’re right.” Frankie smiles and waves at Carrie and Jay as they leave with their son and daughter. “I think it’s good we’ve seen her, and it’s better that we didn’t do it by sneaking into NASA.”
“Right,” Jo says dryly. “Now we don’t have to put on janitor disguises and mop the hallways to get a glimpse of her.”
“Would I be Lucy or Ethel in this scenario?”
Jo whacks Frankie’s arm lightly. “I’m serious. This is me at my worst, and you’re seeing it.”
“You know,” Frankie says, shaking her head. “I never pictured Josephine Booker as the jealous type.”
“Have you ever had any women friends?” Jo asks her with an intentional smirk. “Our jealous streak can be activated by the most innocuous things.”
“That’s true—I’ve felt that way. One time a woman came up and asked Ed for the time at a restaurant and I almost lost it.”
This makes Jo laugh. “She asked him for the time?”
Frankie shrugs. “It wasn’t that she asked for the time, it was that she said it with sex in her eyes.”
This makes Jo laugh openly, and Frankie taps her arm. “Hey, hey—incoming.”
Jo glances up to see Bill coming their way.
“He’s probably ready to go. The crowd is thinning out here.” Jo drains the rest of her second martini, which isn’t really like her. But she feels that the extra booze is necessary this evening, so she does it with relish.
“So what’s your next move?” Frankie asks furtively.
Jo smiles at Bill and nods that she’s ready. “I invited her over for dinner.”
“What?” Frankie nearly spits her own drink. “You invited her into your home?”
“She’s actually really sweet. And very interesting,” Jo allows. “And you know what they say…”
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?”
Jo’s smile spreads across her face until she’s grinning. “Not exactly,” she says, handing her empty glass to Ed as he passes by with a tray of them on his way into the house. “But if we get to know one another, then she’s not really some mysterious woman who spends the whole day at work with my husband while I’m at home washing his underwear, is she?”
“I guess not,” Frankie admits. “But I was hoping for something a little more exciting.”
Jo waves for her children and they come running over. “Maybe next time, Ethel,” she says with a wink in Frankie’s direction as she takes Kate’s hand.
“I’m the Lucy!” Frankie shouts as Jo and Bill and the kids wave at her from the gate. Jo blows her a kiss. “Josephine Booker,” she calls again, laughing this time, “don’t you ever forget that I’m the Lucy here!”
Jo smiles to herself as they walk through the neighborhood to the Booker house in the dark, the kids skipping and chattering just a few feet ahead of them. Bill stays silent, though he reaches over and takes Jo’s hand.
She lets him, but her mind is already somewhere else.