Chapter Six
“Hello,” I say, answering the door. It’s Bill’s mother.
“I was hoping I could see the girls today.” She doesn’t find the need to greet me back. “I haven’t seen them in weeks.”
“Come in.” I motion her inside. It’s ten o’clock on Saturday morning. I would have enjoyed a little heads-up that she was stopping by.
Judy Banks walks past me. Her perfume is so strong that it fills the air all the way down the hall as she walks to the living room. I’ve always hated that smell. So did Annie. It’s overpowering. It’s like she’s trying to make a statement by marking her territory.
“Gigi!” Maisie runs over to give her a hug.
“Don’t wrinkle my pants, dear. Gigi has a luncheon at the country club.
” She pats the top of Maisie’s head like she’s a pet.
Maisie releases her grip on her waist. “I was wondering if the girls would like to join me. They can swim and have lunch.” Judy doesn’t look my way. “Would you like that, Maisie?”
Maisie looks at me. “Can we?”
“May I?” Judy corrects her.
“Huh?” Maisie says.
“It’s excuse me, Maisie. Not huh.”
I really want to roll my eyes. “Maisie, go ask Kara if she wants to go, and if so, you both need to get your swimsuits together with a towel.”
“And she needs something different to wear.” Judy looks Maisie up and down. “Do you have a sundress?”
I release a breath of frustration. “Maisie, run along and first see if Kara wants to go. I’m surprised you didn’t call, Judy. Not like you to just show up.” I can’t stop the sarcastic remark.
“It seems you don’t like to return my calls.” Judy’s voice is high-pitched with irritation. “They’re my grandchildren. I should get to see them more than this.”
“Not when you bring them back home and Maisie’s upset because you were on her all day about her manners and grammar. She’s only seven years old and has just lost both her parents. Give her a break.”
“It’s never too early to learn what’s proper.”
I shake my head as I walk away. “Let me check on the girls.” When I reach the top of the stairs Maisie’s standing outside Kara’s bedroom door.
“She won’t answer me.” Maisie frowns.
“Kara.” I knock. “Gigi’s here and wants to spend time with you.” No answer. I twist the doorknob to find it locked. “Kara.” I knock again.
“Hold on!” she finally says.
I look down at Maisie. “Promise me when you become a teenager that you won’t be this grumpy.” She giggles.
“What’s so important?” Kara says as she opens the door. She’s still in her pajamas.
“You need to start getting up earlier,” I say, a little aggravated with her snarky personality. Kara rolls her eyes.
“Gigi’s here,” Maisie says. “Want to go swimming?” Her little hands clasp together like she’s praying in hopes that Kara will say yes.
Kara sighs. “At the country club I bet.”
“Yeah. Are you up for it?” I ask.
Kara looks at Maisie still holding her prayer position, eyes glued to her sister. “Sure. Let me get dressed.”
“Yay!” Maisie runs off toward her room. “I’ve got to get a dress and swimsuit.” Maisie’s a pleaser. That’s just who she is. It saddens me that Judy can’t just be satisfied with who she is. It bothered Annie and it sure as hell bothers me.
“Thank you, Kara. Help Maisie gather her stuff please.” I go back down the stairs to let Cruella know.
As I enter the living room, she isn’t there.
I look in the kitchen and at the patio, but she’s nowhere to be seen.
When I get back to the living room, she’s coming out of my bedroom.
“What are you doing in there?” I’m irritated by her obtrusiveness.
“I was looking for the bathroom,” Judy says, acting like she’d done nothing wrong.
“You know where the bathroom is and that’s not it.” I’m pissed. She’s snooping and that’s not okay.
“Sorry.” Judy smirks. “Are the girls ready?”
“Not yet.” I walk past her and into my room to see if anything’s out of place.
“I’ll go check on Maisie,” Judy says.
“Whatever,” I mumble under my breath. Not that I care if she hears me.
She’s been a thorn in my side since the day she found out the girls were left in my care and not hers.
Neither Bill nor Annie had wanted Judy to raise them.
It’s been easy to see why. Judy thinks she’s entitled and can do whatever she wants.
I quickly scan my bedroom, and it seems untouched. There’s no telling what she was trying to find. I pull the door closed behind me.
Maisie comes hopping down the stairs in a yellow sundress. Her hair is brushed neatly with part of it pulled back with a yellow bow. She’s all dressed up just to change and go swimming.
“Don’t run, Maisie. You have a dress on.” Judy descends the stairs behind her.
“Yes, ma’am.” Maisie slows to a walk, her smile fading.
“Well, look at you, my beautiful girl.” I wink at her, bringing that perfect smile back.
“Kara, dear,” Judy calls out. “Are you ready? We need to get going.”
“Coming!” Kara’s voice faintly reaches us at the bottom of the stairs.
Judy stands closer to the front door. Her handbag’s hanging from her forearm, eyes focused on the stairs. Maisie’s standing by me. I squat down next to her.
“You have fun today, okay?” I take her little hands in mine.
“Okay.” She nods.
“If you need me for any reason at all, you call me, and I’ll be there in a flash.”
“I will,” Maisie says.
“Ready,” Kara announces as she makes her way down the stairs.
“You look absolutely beautiful, my dear.” Judy keeps her focus on Kara until she’s standing in front of her. She’s wearing a skirt, sleeveless top, and open-toed wedges. Her hair is straight and flat-ironed. “Pay attention to your sister, Maisie. This is how you should dress and carry yourself.”
I bite my lip to stop the words from leaving my mouth as I watch Maisie’s disappointment on not being good enough.
Besides the age difference, which puts Maisie at a disadvantage already, Judy has always favored Kara over the two.
She looks just like Bill, who looks just like Judy.
Maisie looks like my sister. I’m sure that plays a huge role in her attitude.
“You girls have fun and stay safe.” I follow them out the front door.
“Of course, they’ll be safe,” Judy retorts. “They’re with me.”
Maisie stops midway down the stairs and runs back to me for a hug. I squat down to wrap her up in my arms. “You have the best time today, sweetheart. I’m just a phone call away.”
“Come along now.” Judy ushers her toward the car. Maisie starts to skip toward her before realizing that she’s in a dress and should walk. All Judy’s doing.
I stand on the porch and watch until they drive out of sight. My stomach tightens at the thought of them being out with Judy. I know she loves them. She’s just too damn snobby for my liking. Those girls need affection and comfort from her, not constant criticism and correction.
I walk back in with that last thought weighing heavily. I’ve got to find a way to get Kara back to being her old self.
* * *
“I’m so excited to grocery shop with you on a Saturday night.” Steven’s sarcastic tone echoes down aisle nine of the store.
“Like you had better plans.” I walk ahead of him as he pushes the cart, scanning the shelves for the bread that Maisie likes.
“Don’t act like I couldn’t have been at the bar tonight stylin’ and profilin’.” Steven throws his signature look over his shoulder.
“Okay, Ric Flair.” I laugh. Steven cuts his eyes toward me in that quirky way he does with his lips pursed together.
“I’m getting stuff for kabobs—steak and chicken, onions, pepper, zucchini, the usual, and you’re grilling.” It wasn’t a request but an order. He knows that I’d say yes anyhow.
“Fine, with a salad and what else?” I immediately fixate on what sides to have. Food is my favorite. I used to love to go to different fancy restaurants to try out new foods. My life has changed so much. I never imagined I’d be a parent living in the suburbs.
“Hey, you two!” Sam stops her cart in front of us. “I’m so glad you’re here. I needed someone to pick up my bill.”
“Oh, honey,” Steven says. “Anything for you.”
Sam smiles broadly. And it’s a really great smile. She looks at me with that gorgeous face, and I can’t help but smile back.
“I’ve decided that Allie is grilling kabobs tonight. Please join us.” Steven doesn’t hesitate to invite his new friend.
“Maybe I should do the grilling.” Sam looks at me. “Allie did warn me that she isn’t a good cook.”
“Oh, I’ve experienced it firsthand. But beggars can’t be choosers.” Steven shrugs.
“Hey, now!” I throw my hands up. “I can grill.”
“Okay,” Steven says, holding up one hand. “She’s right. She can grill and make fantastic cocktails. It’s everything else we should worry about.”
“Noted.” I shake my head and start to walk away, but Sam stops me, her hand warm on my forearm. Her smile is beautiful.
“The food was delicious last night,” Sam says sincerely.
“Oh lord,” Steven exaggerates. “We need our boots on. It’s getting deep in here.”
“I would love to join you both, but I told my brother we’d have dinner together tonight. He’s newly single.”
“Is he cute?” Steven chimes in.
Sam grins. “Um…well he’s my brother, so, no.”
“Okay, bring him anyway.” Steven winks. “It’ll be a good time as long as you help me with the sides.”
I shake my head at Steven. “Sam, you’re both welcome to join us. The girls decided to stay over with their grandmother. It’s just us two tonight. As you can see, he’s a handful.”
“That’s what he said,” Steven says playfully.
Sam shakes her head, though her eyes light up. “I think Luke would have a great time. Count us in.”
“Good,” I say. “Just please prepare Luke for all of this.” I gesture toward Steven.
“Moi?” He scoffs. “He’ll have the time of his life.”
“What time?” Sam looks between us.
“We’ll start cooking around six but show up anytime and we can have cocktails.” I hold her gaze, not expecting the connection I feel.
“See you soon!” Sam radiates as she pushes her cart down the aisle and out of sight.
“I hope Luke is cute,” Steven says, after Sam is out of earshot.
I look up at the ceiling. “Lord please help me with this one.”
“Puh-lease.” Steven rolls his eyes. “You know you love me.”
“Well…” I shrug. Steven shoves my shoulder. “Okay. Maybe a little tiny bit.” I hold up two fingers to show about an inch. “You behave tonight. Luke doesn’t want you flirting with him.”
“To be determined.” Steven flashes a smile as he pushes the cart.
We finish our shopping and head back to the house. I try not to get too caught up in thoughts of Sam. It’s not a road I should go down right now, no matter how tempting.