Chapter 7
7
A fter a big breakfast that April prepared, Tabitha went to Deb’s to have her roots touched up before her party. Deb always had great advice, and it was so good that it seemed like she was a trained therapist. Did they teach hair stylists how to solve the problems of their clients at beauty schools?
“Tabitha, let me look at you. Oh, those roots are horrendous. You should never wait so long to come in. I’m going to have to make two trips to Maine this summer. We’ll have you looking like new for your party tonight.”
“Did you come in just for me?” Tabitha asked.
“Honey, you know I own a majority stake in this place. I can do whatever I want,” Deb said.
“I got a huge surprise yesterday,” Tabitha said as Deb washed her hair.
“Was it a happy surprise or not?"
“It was a shock, and I wouldn’t say it was happy, although it won’t throw me off track. Deenie got a call from her father who arrived in town a day early. He wasn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow,” Tabitha started to explain.
“Ew, did he ask if he could be your house guest? The answer to that had better have been a hard no," Deb said as she led Tabitha to the chair.
“Not exactly, because he’s staying with Herman from his old department at the Cape.”
Before Tabitha could continue, Deb had something to say about Herman. “Back in the day, I was set up with Herman. To this day, I’ve never had a worse blind date, and that’s saying a lot. Did Greg ask for money?”
“He did not, but Deenie invited him to the party tonight, and he accepted.”
“No way. Does he know how your friends feel about him?” Deb asked.
“I’m sure he does. Greg is a lot of things, but he’s not stupid,” Tabitha said.
“He married the woman who he had an affair with. I know Julia, and she went from driving a ten-year-old Toyota to a Mercedes convertible. He lost his shirt in that divorce, and he has to pay child support for a daughter he never sees. He walked into a trap with that one.”
“True, it was the wrong way to handle a mid-life crisis, and he’ll be paying for that for a long time. Deenie wants him there to meet her friends, so I had to act cool with it. Greg and I agreed to be supportive co-parents and always put Deenie first. It’s a done deal. He’s coming, and he’s going to meet Maxim. It’ll be fine, just weird,” Tabitha said.
“You know what?” Deb asked. “That will be entertaining to watch. The last time I saw Greg, he was sporting a dad-bod. His red hair is almost all grey, and then we have Maxim, an Adonis. I think, for once, Greg will see how far he’s fallen. Perk up because I am, and the pros outweigh the cons.”
“I don’t want to rub Maxim in Greg’s face since I’ve stopped playing divorce games. If there are some jealous feelings, then it’s not my doing,” Tabitha said. “I’m not responsible for how either of them feel. It’s time they put their big boy pants on, especially Greg. I only have one child. That said, I don’t want Greg walking away hurt. No one deserves to be hit while they’re already down.”
"You're a better woman than I am. I’d make a terrible ex-wife because I’d never let him forget how stupid he was to leave me. One more reason I’ll never get married. I know how to hold a grudge better than most. Will you allow me to turn the knife a little and do your makeup for tonight? Greg will regret ever meeting Julia."
“Go for it, but it’s only because I’m too lazy. I don’t want to hurt Greg. According to Deenie, he’s depressed as it is,” Tabitha said.
Tabitha opted for a light spray tan as well. It was something she had done before, giving her an extra boost of confidence. She did not intend to be a skin cancer victim if she could help it, so she treated the sun with care. Tabitha always applied sunblock and owned a wardrobe of cute hats.
"I should be there at around seven if that works," Deb said.
“Sounds good. I plan to be in bed by midnight, but everyone is welcome to stay as late as they like. Deenie is leaving the next day, and then I’m in power-cleaning mode. I want it nice when I return.”
“I’ll give the house a shine before you come home. The fridge should be stocked with some essentials when you get home, and I’ll take care of that,” Deb said.
“You’re a doll.”
“You look beautiful, and like always, you make it easy on me. One last question before I let you go. Are there going to be any single men at your party? Besides Greg, of course,” Deb said.
“I invited some of the men from my department. A couple of them are single and nice. I’ve worked with some of them for over a decade, so I should know. Let me know if you want an introduction.”
Deb laughed. “Okay, Jane Austen. If I require an introduction, I’ll let you know.”
They both laughed as Deb walked Tabitha to her car. Deb was the last person on earth who would need an introduction.
Tabitha ran to the door. She expected it to be April, Kylen, and Deenie. They went to the store to get ice, and she must have locked the door. It wasn’t April but Greg, whom Tabitha hadn't seen since spring break.
“Come in, hi,” Tabitha gave him the quickest of hugs. There was no sentimental lingering. “Deenie went with April and Kylen to get ice. It’s not a job for three people, but our daughter wanted to show off.”
Tabitha remembered to mention the one good thing they had in common as often as possible. She read that in one of the many self-help books she looked at. If the conversation veered into territory she wasn’t comfortable with, mention Deenie again. If that wasn’t possible, end it. After all Greg had put her through, it didn’t matter if he thought she was rude.
“That sounds about right for our daughter. I wasn’t going to come by, but Deenie insisted. She wants me to meet some of her friends that I haven’t met yet. Kudos for convincing her to come this summer. I figured that at sixteen, she must have her eye on some guy.”
“You’re right,” Tabitha said. “It’s a young man on the swim team, and he won’t even be in high school next year. He’s going to FAU and I won’t be surprised if that’s one of the schools on her list. Did you hear about her college plans?” Tabitha asked.
"No, but tell me. I'll pretend I don't know because she’ll enjoy telling me on the long ride,” Greg said.
Tabitha was sure Greg read the same book about retaining your friendship with an ex. They both followed the rules, and there was no awkwardness. She actually enjoyed the conversation with Greg and that helped ease her fears about the night ahead. The best part was that he didn’t bring up April, and she didn’t care. It was their squabble to deal with.
She told Greg about Deenie’s plans and brought him a beer. “I’m going up to finish getting ready. I expect Deenie home any minute, and she will be thrilled to see you. Since you have her all summer, expect intense pleas for a car of her own."
“I thought about that. You timed her driving test perfectly, and I’m pretty sure that was no accident. Am I right?”
"You got me. See you in a bit." Tabitha ran up the steps, slipped into a black linen dress, and opted to go barefoot. Her hair was swingy like it always was after a visit to Deb, and her makeup was better than she could have ever done. Greg didn't comment that she looked good, and hopefully, he felt that she did, but he left the comment out. It was another rule from the book.