Chapter 13 #2
“I agree,” Windy chimed in. “And if anything, I’ve seen her making a comeback since moving into Riva’s house.
She’s got a new interest in life, and it hasn’t hurt her to become friends with my brother.
Amazing how the right man can bring a woman back to life.
” She glanced at Riva. “Don’t you agree? ”
“Yes, I think Laurel’s doing better than ever.”
“Someone should tell her face.” Kitty laughed.
Riva stifled the urge to punch this woman or change her name to Catty. “What would you suggest she do with her face?” she asked Kitty through gritted teeth.
“Hmm. Good question. If she came into my salon and gave me creative freedom, I’d encourage her to get a good facial with an aesthetician, for starters.
See if there’s anything she can do about those deep wrinkles.
Maybe some Botox. Although the best resort is plastic surgery.
It’s spendy, but with the right surgeon, well worth it.
” She patted a cheek. “I’ve had everything done.
” She pushed her already full lips into a pout.
“Which is one reason I ran through my divorce settlement and found myself hard up for cash.”
“What about alimony?” Riva asked.
“That sort of ended with my second marriage. What a piece of work that guy was.”
“And that marriage is over too?” Windy’s brow creased.
“It was over before it began.” She looked at Riva. “I told you I have bad luck with men.”
“Lydia in Pride and Prejudice,” Riva whispered to Windy.
Windy nodded. “Are you involved with anyone now?” she asked Kitty.
“Not to speak of. Oh, Lance still comes around.” Kitty turned to Riva. “Total deadbeat, thinks he can bully money out of me.”
“Do you have any children?” Windy asked.
“Thank God, no. Wouldn’t that be a disaster?” She stood, patting her trim waistline. “Otherwise I’d probably have a pouch. I’ve seen other women my age who were moms. Everything just sags.” She fluffed her hair.
“Well, I wouldn’t trade my children for no sags,” Windy declared.
“My children are worth it too.” Riva felt the need to count to ten before she decked her new housemate, wondering how hard it would be to break the rental contract.
“Well, I didn’t mean to put down your kiddos, but at this stage of the game, I think it’s important to look our best. Don’t you gals think so too?” She scrutinized them for a moment, then smiled. “You both look pretty good . . . considering.”
Riva wondered what Kitty would say about them if they weren’t listening but kept quiet. It was amazing how much more you could learn about people if you kept your mouth shut and observed.
“Thanks, I guess. But at this age, appearances are way less important to me than they once were.” There was a sharp edge to Windy’s tone. “I try to focus on things that matter more to me. Like living my best life, having good friends, being happy.”
“Oh, yeah, I totally agree with that,” Kitty said quickly.
“I just happen to think my chances of getting all that are better when I look my best.” She pointed at Riva.
“Yesterday you gave me that little pep talk. You told me I was attracting the wrong men. It was hard to hear, but I think you’re right.
” She turned back to Windy. “Can you believe our little house mother actually called me a jerk magnet?” She threw back her head and laughed.
Windy looked dumbfounded and Riva felt irritated. Really, did Kitty think of her as the house mother?
“Anyway, I’m taking your advice, Riva. And I must say, unless I’m wrong, your big brother won’t fall into the jerk category, Windy.”
“Marcus is definitely not a jerk,” Windy said.
“That’s exactly what I thought. He seems to be a perfectly marvelous man.” Kitty’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight. “He’s interesting and fun-loving and seems to know a little something about everything. He can even dance.” She grinned at Windy. “He is quite a find.”
Windy nodded with a dubious expression.
Kitty checked her phone. “And if I’m going to meet up with him today, I better get showered and dressed.”
“You have a date with Marcus?” Windy asked.
“Not yet.” Kitty laughed. “But hey, the day is young.”
After she left, Windy and Riva exchanged glances, but Riva felt tongue-tied and torn. Had she made a mistake in letting Kitty rent a room in her house? Or was she just being judgmental now? “I, uh, I don’t know what to say,” she finally muttered.
“You and me both.”
“I, um, sure hope Kitty fits in here.”
Windy released a loud sigh. “Me too.”
“Do you think this thing with her and Marcus will get serious?” Riva felt rising concern for Marcus now. Like they’d put him in an awkward position.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but you might want to hear what happened after you went to bed last night.”
“Something happened?”
“I suppose I was sort of on hyperalert. Kitty was obviously putting the moves on Marcus. But I know my brother. He’s used to that.
After all, he’s good-looking and genuinely nice and a bachelor.
A lot of women think he’s a good catch. Not that he ever gets caught.
To be honest, I think he kinda enjoys the attention. ”
“A confirmed bachelor?”
“I used to think so, but he’s softened up some with age. But I also know he’s got discerning taste.”
“Right.” Riva tried not to look as interested as she felt. “So, what happened last night?”
“Well, as you know, Laurel has already expressed her interest in Marcus. And Marcus has been polite and friendly to her. Just like he is with everyone. Including Kitty. Anyway, Laurel’s not dumb.
She could see Kitty moving in on her territory last night.
And believe me, there were some awkward moments after you left.
Kitty’s social skills are, at best, interesting. ”
“You can’t say she lacks confidence.”
“She does seem to love herself.” Windy’s nose wrinkled. “Well, as you just saw, she’s not very careful with her words, and she seems oblivious when she offends someone. After last night, I think we can assume Laurel will be looking for a new hairdresser.”
“Well, that’s not such a big deal.” Riva shrugged. “I thought maybe something really went awry.”
“Depends on your perspective. It bothered me to see Kitty tweaking Laurel. It made me uncomfortable. So I started to clean up, and Fiona stopped playing music to help me. I think she felt uncomfortable too. We were trying to give the gentle hint, as in the party’s over.”
“Uh-huh?”
“After Fiona and I went inside, Marcus picked up the guitar again. His adoring audience of two was watching, and I’m not sure what happened, but the next thing we knew, Laurel stormed into the kitchen, slamming the door so loud behind her, I thought it would shatter.
Then she called Kitty a bad name, not that Kitty could hear her, but I won’t repeat what she said. And then she stomped up the stairs.”
“Oh dear.” Riva didn’t like the sound of this.
“I know. Awkward. Not long after that, Marcus came in, said his goodbyes, and went home.”
“What did Kitty do?”
“She was all chipper and cheerful. Just like this morning. She happily headed off to bed.” Windy paused, glancing around.
“So Fiona gathered up her instruments, and I went upstairs. On my way up, I could hear Laurel and Kitty talking. They were sort of arguing about past bad relationships, like who had the worst of it. Kitty pointed out how Marcus was different, and Laurel started getting louder. I was about to go up and interrupt them, you know, before it got too out of control.” She paused to sip her coffee and perhaps catch her breath.
“And?” Riva waited impatiently for the rest of the story.
“It sounded like Laurel was trying to calm down and act mature, so I thought I should wait a bit and let them work things out. But then Kitty started to taunt poor Laurel. It was similar to what she just said to us, telling Laurel to get Botox or see a plastic surgeon. She told Laurel if she fixed herself up enough, she might trap a man. But not Marcus. That’s exactly what she said. ”
Riva closed her eyes, shaking her head. “You gotta be kidding.”
“I wish. About then Fiona came up the stairs. She had all her instruments, and I was trying to clue her in and lighten her load, but I dropped the drum, and they heard us upstairs. Laurel called Kitty another bad name and another door slammed. We went on up, and Kitty met us on the landing, looking like sugar wouldn’t melt in her mouth.
She gushed about the food and the music and thanked us for a wonderful evening.
She said she loved living here, then she hugged us both good night. ”
Riva’s eyes popped open. “Oh my.” She could imagine Kitty wanting to make alliances within the household for her own purposes. “This is a little unsettling.”
“Yeah. Kitty’s a smooth operator.”
“I feel sorry for Laurel.”
“Me too.” Windy shook her head. “I can sort of understand Kitty thinking the way she does. After all, she works in the beauty industry. Her whole livelihood is about appearances. So much so that she can’t see what really matters.”
“I’d hoped reading Pride and Prejudice might help.” Riva grimaced. “But she may be too far gone for that.”
“I still can’t believe Laurel was the one who wanted Kitty to live here.”
“Poor Laurel. She wanted us to be the new Golden Girls, but it looks like Kitty’s got something more like Charlie’s Angels in mind.”
“Yeah, and she’s Farrah Fawcett.”
“And she’d probably like one less angel around here.”