CHAPTER TWELVE
When I got back to the office, Rhonda was just ending a call. “I’ve got the reservation for this weekend. Will has agreed to go for the three days. Now all I need is a new swimsuit. Will you go shopping with me? You know it’s going to be a traumatic event.”
“Sure. Finding a swimsuit is as difficult as finding a comfortable bra or the right shade of lipstick. I never seem to get it just right.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve gone shopping, and I trust you to tell me what works and what doesn’t. I want something sexy. Great sex helps, and I intend to make this time away count.” Rhonda grinned and wiggled her eyebrows with exaggeration.
I laughed. She and Will had a great relationship. They were immediately smitten when they first met, and that feeling had remained even through normal family trauma.
Rhonda bit her lip. “You know, if Will is comparing himself to Arthur, there’s no way I’d do well comparing myself to Lorraine. She’s attractive and very put-together. A real lady.”
“Whoa! Where is this coming from? We’re not going to make any comparisons to anyone else. Okay?”
Rhonda sighed. “You’re right. With me, what you see is what you get. I just wish it wasn’t quite so much of me.”
“I understand. I’ve learned not to compare myself to the actresses Vaughn works with. It wouldn’t be wise.” I put my arm around Rhonda. “We all love you just the way you are.”
Rhonda was quiet, and then she slowly nodded. “Okay, let’s do it. But if I ask you to hold my hand, promise you will.”
I laughed. While it might seem silly to others, many women felt as we did, that we couldn’t measure up to the images we were constantly shown on television, in the movies, and in publications.
“C’mon, let’s go,” said Rhonda.
###
We drove to the Seashell Swim Shop in the center of town and headed inside. I was thankful it was mid-afternoon when the lunch crowd normally headed back to their lodgings for relaxation.
The young woman manning the store was helpful and politely suggested certain suits for Rhonda, who told her that she was looking for sexy, not a conservative suit for a middle-aged woman.
The store clerk hung several bathing suits in a changing room and left. “Let me know if I can bring you other sizes or colors.”
“Thanks,” said Rhonda.
I sat in a chair outside the dressing room. “I’m right here. Show me what you like.”
“Okay, here goes,” Rhonda said, closing the door behind her.
Several minutes later, Rhonda opened the door. “What do you think?”
I studied her. She’d chosen a two-piece suit in a bright blue. “How about that style in the bold print we saw?”
“I tried it on but I’m not sure. Oh, Annie, what am I doing here? I should be wearing a blanket to cover me up.”
“No, we’re not going there,” I said firmly, even as I noticed Rhonda’s lower lip trembling. “Show me the print suit.”
After a few minutes, Rhonda stepped outside the dressing room. “There. Do you like it?”
“Yes, that’s the one. It looks great on you. I think Will is going to like it.”
“Really?” Rhonda sounded excited. “Okay, then. I’ll get it.”
I laughed when Rhonda gave me a big squeeze. “You’re the best, Annie. Remember that awful black suit you wore when I first met you?”
“Yes, I do.” I’d never forget how she told me I looked as if I was going to a beach funeral.
“Your taste has gotten better,” Rhonda said. “Thanks for coming with me.”
Rhonda had helped me loosen up and discard many of the demands my grandmother had made of me to be quiet, ladylike, and not stand out but to become my own person.
###
We left the shop and I drove home to talk to my nanny, Liana Sousa, about putting in more hours while Rhonda was away. Though I’d told Rhonda not to worry, I wanted to make sure I had the flexibility I might need if any trouble came up.
Robbie and Liana were in the kitchen when I arrived. Robbie was eating an after-school snack, and Cindy was sitting on the floor next to him waiting for any crumbs to drop.
I loved seeing the three of them comfortable like this. Liana was a bright young woman who was taking courses at the local Community College and would eventually need to leave us. In the meantime, I treasured her.
I changed my clothes, eager to have time with Robbie. He was growing fast, and I sometimes felt as if I was missing out on being part of his life. Vaughn assured me that though Robbie and I didn’t chat about things like I used to do with Liz growing up, Robbie was still close to me. Just much quieter and far less talkative.
Liana and I sat in the kitchen discussing her classes and setting a schedule for the next couple of weeks. Then we said goodbye.
I went to check on Robbie. He was in his room playing video games when I went in to talk to him.
“How’s it going?” I asked. “You don’t have a swim meet for a while. What are you going to do to keep busy after your schoolwork?”
Robbie grinned and pointed to his video game.
“Are you interested in playing other sports?” I sat down on his bed.
“No, thanks. I’m happy doing just the swimming,” said Robbie. “And I want to keep sailing with Dad whenever he’s home.”
“Everything is going fine at school?” I asked.
Robbie looked at me. “I’m fine, Mom. The teacher says I’m doing a great job.”
I could see he was getting impatient, and I stood.
Robbie noticed my disappointment and said, “Love you, Mom.”
“I love you too, honey.” I leaned over and kissed him. Pretty soon, I supposed the time would come when he wouldn’t want me to do that. But I’d continue until he told me so.
In the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of lemonade and picked up my cell to call Liz.
“Hi,” she said. “How are you? I can’t wait to tell you what the T’s did today.”
I smiled and sat down to listen. I loved both my children.
###
The next morning, after dropping Robbie off at school, I headed to work. I’d tossed and turned all night missing Vaughn. Our job as parents was to give our children independence, but without Vaughn, it could feel very lonely.
I checked into my office, saw there were no emergencies, and headed out to the beach. A cold front had moved in, and it was cooler than normal as I took off my shoes and walked onto the beach. The sun had warmed the sand, but the onshore breeze held a bit of a chill. To keep myself warm, I walked at a brisk pace.
The salty air, the cries of the birds whirling in the wind above me, and the sight of people looking for seashells settled me. At times like this, I felt lucky to be here in the moment and remembered cold wintry days in Boston. Being divorced had upended my life. As painful as the process was, it was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Working with Rhonda, and loving the hotel as we did, my life was very rewarding. And then, finding Vaughn, a man I loved with all my heart, and having Robbie join our family completed me in a way I hadn’t thought possible when it was just Liz and me facing the world.
I was so lost in thought as I walked along that when I looked up, I saw Brock striding toward me.
“Good morning, Ann. I want you to know that Everly Jansen has agreed to see me. I told her I was president of the Neighborhood Association and wanted to welcome her officially. I’m having drinks with her this afternoon.”
“I’m sure she was delighted to hear from you,” I said, not holding back on the sarcasm. Thank goodness, Rhonda wasn’t here to tell him exactly what she thought. I’m sure it would have included at least one f-bomb.
“I’m just being a good neighbor and letting you know,” he said, waving to someone further down the beach.
As he left, I decided to take advantage of the time to say goodbye to Tina. Her flight to California was later today.
I started toward the houses and stopped when I saw a commotion on the beach in front of the hotel.
Everly was posing for photographers in the sand wearing a flesh-colored bikini that exposed most of her.
I wondered what was going on in that brain of hers. She was suing Darryl for more money, but she didn’t appear to be suffering any hardships. She wore huge diamond earrings and held up a pair of expensive sandals as she beamed at the photographers. But then I remembered the two declined credit cards.
I watched as Brock went right over to her and put an arm around her. “As president of the Neighborhood Association, I’m welcoming Everly to the neighborhood.” He smiled at the camera as Everly cleverly danced away from him.
Rhonda came onto the sand and stood beside me as the group moved down the beach, following every prancing step Everly made.
“What in hell is going on?” Rhonda said. “And Brock is part of it.”
“Everly is putting on a show for everyone. I’m not sure why. Brock has arranged to meet with Everly this afternoon. He claims it’s to welcome her to the neighborhood.”
“What a crock,” said Rhonda. “Are you sure you don’t mind if Will and I take a short break? We can always cancel.”
“Will’s health and your need for a break are more important than anything else,” I said. “I was about to say goodbye to Tina. Why don’t you come with me? She’ll want to see you.”
“Okay. I’m excited about our mini-vacation. I love this hotel, but sometimes it feels like it’s a crying, grumpy baby. Ya know?”
“Oh, yes. It would be easier if we didn’t have a certain person interfering all the time.”
Rhonda glared at Brock in the distance. “I’m tellin’ ya, I’m going to wring his effin’ neck one day, and it honestly won’t be my fault, if I do.”
I laughed. Rhonda and Brock would never get along.
###
While we were saying goodbye to Tina, Abbie entered the house. “I’m giving Darryl a break to deal with his agent. The man keeps calling. asking him to shut Everly up. But it’s not his job, is it? He’s been working hard to lose weight, and he’s toughening up, but the pressure for him to go back to work is also building.”
“I’m sorry,” said Tina. “But you’ll honor your contract to me and stay here while I make a quick trip home and back, won’t you?”
“Sure. I’ll continue to honor my contract with Darryl, too, though he might not be as accessible. What was all the commotion on the beach a little earlier? I couldn’t see it, but I could hear it.”
“It was Everly posing for photographs,” I said.
“And the worst person I know, Brock Goodwin, was trying to butt in,” said Rhonda. “If he ever starts to approach you, walk away. He’s nothing but trouble.”
“That’s the truth,” said Tina.
“Come back as soon as you can,” I said, giving Tina a big hug. “And please hug those boys for me. Tell them Auntie Ann misses them.”
“And Aunt Rhonda, too,” she said, hugging Tina goodbye.
###
As we walked away from the houses, Rhonda said, “If you want me to stay, please tell me. Will and I will take a vacation another time.”
I shook my head. “I meant what I said earlier. You both need some time off. Things are bound to calm down.”
She glanced at me. Neither one of us believed it.