CHAPTER THREE
At home, I found the kids playing on the back lawn with Cindy. Vaughn and Nell were sitting on the lanai.
Vaughn stood when I entered the porch. “Great! You’re home early. I haven’t grilled the steaks yet. You can join us for dinner.”
Lauren and Annette are handling the situation at the hotel and have urged me to come home. They knew how excited I was to have Nell and the kids here.”
Nell beamed at me as I took a seat on the couch next to her.
“Would you like a glass of wine before dinner?” Vaughn asked.
“I’m drinking a delicious pinot noir,” said Nell. “Join me?”
“Thanks.”
While Vaughn went to the kitchen to get a wine glass, I said to Nell. “I’ve arranged an appointment for you at the beauty salon for Monday morning. I figure we can go to lunch and shopping afterwards.”
Nell’s eyes filled. “Thanks. I’ve felt awful about myself, but was too tired to do anything about it.”
“Are you feeling depressed?” I asked. “If so, we can set up an appointment with Barbara Holmes, the family psychologist.”
“Perhaps later,” said Nell. “I think I just needed to get away from home to a safe spot where I can really think. In fact, I’ve brought enough clothes for me and the kids to stay here right through the Christmas holiday.”
“Clint called to tell me that. He seemed upset about it. He wanted me to help you understand that he has no choice but to work on the deal. I told him that I was willing to listen to both you and him, but that’s all.”
“He doesn’t understand how he’s changed,” said Nell.
“I knew he shouldn’t have taken this job.
It’s been over two years, and my feelings haven’t changed about the people he’s working with.
There’s something so artificial about them.
In a separate agreement six months ago, Clint invested money in an equity position for the special real estate deal he’s working on by taking out a second mortgage.
I reluctantly agreed to it because he was so excited.
He’s thrilled to think he might be able to do extra nice things for me and the kids if the purchase and sale of the two properties involved go through.
He's even planned a surprise trip for me.”
Vaughn returned to the lanai and poured wine into a glass for me, and handed Nell a plate of cheese and crackers.
“Liz called to see if you’ve arrived, Nell. She’ll come over after dinner to see you and the kids,” said Vaughn.
Nell’s lips curved, highlighting her beautiful features. When we first met, I was startled by how much she looked like Liz. Seeing her like this, excited, reminded me. Somehow, we’d have to keep that smile going.
###
The next afternoon, Vaughn, Nell, and I got ready for Arthur's funeral service. Lorraine was hoping it would be a celebration of a life well-lived, but I wasn’t the only one who thought he’d died much too soon after finding a new love with Lorraine.
The three of us arrived together at the church, where a large number of people had gathered. Lorraine was well-known in the community, and for the few years Arthur had lived here, he’d made friends too.
We sat with Liz and Chad. Soon after, Lorraine, Reggie, and Angela walked into the front of the church and sat down. Lorraine, who didn’t have children of her own, sat between Angela and Reggie.
The service was short and sweet, as both Lorraine and Arthur had requested. There was no casket as Arthur had chosen to be cremated. Instead, a poster-sized photo of Arthur’s smiling face was on an easel at the front of the church to remind us of the vibrant man he was.
Staring at it, I thought how fleeting life was and put my arm around Nell’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. She was in a bad place. Hopefully, being in Sabal would help her straighten out her life.
Later, I joined the others as they exited the church, and we headed to Lorraine’s home, where a reception had been arranged.
True to her calling, Lorraine made sure the gathering was as elegant as any wedding she had planned.
She offered champagne, canapés, and a variety of sandwiches and desserts, each one as appealing as the other.
The moment I found Lorraine free, I went to her and gave her a warm hug. “Again, I’m very sorry. I don’t want you to feel pressured into returning to work until you’re fully ready. Annette and Lauren have already spoken to me, and we have a plan to cover for you. We’re all here for you.”
“Thank you. This has really upended my life.” She clasped her hands together as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. “Oh, Ann, we were so happy together.”
I hugged her again.
Rhonda came over to us. “Lorraine, if you need anything, please let us know. We’ll be checking in on you.”
Lorraine wiped her tears away. “I know, and that makes me very grateful. I’m going to take your advice and give myself lots of time off. I’ll let you know when I get everything sorted out. I’m relieved you already have a plan in place.”
Lorraine left, and Rhonda turned to me. “A plan in place? We do?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Now, Vaughn is signaling to me that we need to leave. We’ve got to get home to Nell’s children and Robbie.”
Rhonda shrugged. “Okay. We’ll talk tomorrow, unless I guess what it is. Then, I’ll call you.”
I laughed. “Deal.”
###
At home, after changing out of our clothes into something more casual, I suggested to Nell that we take a leisurely walk through the neighborhood.
Vaughn and Robbie were going to take the kids out for a short sail, and I’d have a chance to talk to Nell in private. First, I wanted to be more relaxed.
“A walk sounds delightful,” said Nell.
At the mention of the word “walk”, Cindy ran to the hook where her leash was kept.
“Guess it’s going to be a walk for all of us girls,” I said, chuckling.
We said goodbye to the others and left the house.
My small, gated neighborhood, with eighteen homes clustered together in a semi-private area of Sabal, was usually peaceful. Today was no exception as we strolled along the winding street. Cindy alternately lingered and then raced ahead.
“I’m grateful we have this time together,” said Nell. “I’ve needed to talk to you. I’m very confused and upset.”
I slung my arm around her shoulder. “What is it? You can tell me anything.”
“On top of everything else, I think Clint might be having an affair. If so, I want a divorce,” said Nell. The nostrils of her nose flared with emotion. “I hate how I look, how it makes me feel.”
We stopped walking, and I faced her with a look of concern. “That’s a heavy load. Let’s take it apart piece by piece and see what it looks like.”
“That’s probably a smart idea,” she said.
“It all started with Clint’s new job.” She stopped and shook her head.
“No, it started way before then. When Clint and I first got together we were delighted to be with each other and with our lives, in general. Washington, D.C. is full of powerful people, real or imagined. We were content being ourselves, working our jobs, coming home at night. It was pretty simple. No pretense.”
“I remember,” I said. “Even after Bailey arrived in your lives, you were like that.”
“But I wanted us to move to Florida,” Nell said. “And when Ned arrived, I wanted it even more. Anyone can see how the kids seem to blossom when they’re here.”
“But your husband’s job was in D.C.,” I said.
“He promised me that at some point we’d move here,” said Nell.
“And then he was approached by this group of financial investors to join them. In order to do so, he had to agree to conform to their rules and appear as a successful member of the company. It wasn’t enough for him to drive an SUV; he had to have a flashier car.
He said it was expected of him. Then, encouraged by the people he was working with, he joined a golf club that we’d normally never be able to afford.
Now, he’s acting like someone I don’t even know anymore. ”
“It doesn’t sound like him,” I said. “But I can see how he could get caught up in the scheme.
“One of the other investors, a rich young woman, began working with him on the special project. The one he bought equity in. Pretty soon, this project required dinners and late nights. He told me they meant nothing to him except to land the big deal.”
“But?” I asked, feeling very uncomfortable and not a little frustrated with Clint.
“It feels as if he doesn’t even see me or the kids anymore, though we’re standing right in front of him.” Tears rolled down Nell’s cheeks.
I hugged her. “It sounds like you two need some quality moments together. Why don’t you suggest he stay for the entire Thanksgiving weekend? Vaughn and I will take the kids, so you can get away.”
“I already suggested it. The deal is supposed to come together that weekend.”
I sighed, wondering what to say. “Clint told me he doesn’t want you and the kids to stay in Sabal until after the Christmas holidays. That must mean something.”
“It’s all for the sake of appearing to be a perfect family for PR purposes,” said Nell. “I can’t do that. I intend to stay here. If we do divorce, I’d want to live here anyway.”
“Is a divorce what you truly want?” I asked her.
Nell shook her head. “No.”
“Okay. That’s a good place to start.”
Nell indicated herself with a scornful sweep of her hands. “Look at me. He’s working with a beautiful woman, and I’ve let myself go.”
I felt a smile cross my face. “That, my dear, is something we can take care of. Starting tomorrow, we’ll see that changes are made. Physical changes. The rest will have to come from you.”
“I’ve felt useless and unwanted,” Nell confessed, taking a deep breath to steady herself.
“I have a plan. How would you like to work at the hotel this week after your makeover, starting on Tuesday? With Lorraine off work, our hospitality department needs some help.”
“Really?” Nell clapped her hands together. “That would be wonderful! That’s another thing that’s all wrong. Clint has wanted me to stay home with the kids, and I’ve missed my old job.”
“Well, this will help us out and give you a new perspective. A win-win situation.”
“Oh, Ann. I knew it was a lucky day when Dad met you.” Nell flung her arms around me and leaned in for a cry.
My heart ached for her. She was the daughter of my heart and as beloved as my Liz.
Nell and I walked back to the house arm in arm.
“Let’s celebrate a new you. How about I serve us something? Rhonda and I had Seabreeze drinks the other day, and they were light and delicious. Mostly fruit juice with just a touch of vodka.”
“Sounds perfect,” said Nell. “I need to relax before I plan what I want to do.”
“One step at a time,” I said. “Talking about sea breezes, the wind has come up, and I’m betting Vaughn and the kids will be back soon.”
“Don’t tell Dad everything that I’ve told you,” Nell said. “You know how protective he can be. This is something Clint and I need to work out.”
“Agreed,” I said, pleased she understood that.