Let Them Eat Fruitcake Page 9
“What?”
“They are supposed to be red.”
“Red?”
“Yes!”
Megan went to look in the file, searching until she found the color sketch, which clearly depicted the drapes as green. “See?” she showed it to Mrs. Fowler.
“See what?”
“Vera’s sketch. The drapes are green.”
“I do not care about this silly drawing. The parlor drapes are meant to be red.”
Megan didn’t know what to say. And so she decided it was high time to call Vera. Let her come over and sort this out. But, naturally, Vera was not answering her phone. Megan tried Cynthia’s cell phone, and to her relief, Cynthia answered.
“Sorry to bother you,” said Megan quickly. Then she explained, with Mrs. Fowler listening, about the problem.
“Oh, dear,” said Cynthia.
“What?”
“Oh, I can’t believe that Vera sent you there by yourself.”
“You’re telling me.”
“And I really can’t help you. I’m at Serenity Spa, not getting a treatment, but I’m about to make a big presentation for redecorating the whole place.”
“What should I do?”
“Please, Megan, do what you can to handle it.”
“Right.” Megan closed her phone and looked at Mrs. Fowler and forced a smile. “I can see that you’re frustrated,” she said. “So, you don’t like the color green?”
Mrs. Fowler seemed to consider this. “No, I like green.”
“But you don’t like green drapes?”
She frowned slightly. “No, I do like green drapes.”
Okay, Megan became even more confused. “Do you mind if I ask you something, Mrs. Fowler?”
“What?”
“Well, I’ve noticed that your home is lovely. Really, really beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“And everything in it almost looks original to the house. It’s like a wonderful piece of history.”
Mrs. Fowler smiled proudly. “It is, isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s amazing. All your beautiful antique pieces and amazing rugs and lamps—it’s really incredible.”
“The house has been in my family since it was built in 1894. My parents gave it to my husband and me for a wedding present back in 1938.”
“So I’m curious as to why you decided to redecorate your parlor. It must’ve been very nice before.”
Mrs. Fowler frowned now. “Yes, it was lovely.”
“But you wanted to change it?”
“My husband died in this room.”
Megan nodded. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Yes. I am too. Harold was a dear man. He died in here about a year ago, shortly before Christmas. And I couldn’t come in here after that.”
“I understand.”
“But this is where our family always celebrated Christmas.” She pointed to one of the big bay windows. “The tree always went right there.”
“I see. And what color were the drapes before?”
“Red.”
Megan considered this. “But if you want the room to be different, why would you want the drapes to be red again?”
Mrs. Fowler began to cry. Megan stepped closer to her and put an arm around her frail shoulders. “I want it to be the same,” she sobbed, “the same as before …”
“You mean when your husband was alive?”
“Yes.”
Megan didn’t know what to say. And so she just stood with Mrs. Fowler as she cried. And finally, Mrs. Fowler stepped back, removed a lace-trimmed handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed her nose and eyes, then looked back at the drapes. “I suppose green will be fine.”
The rest of the day wasn’t without its complications, but Megan and Mrs. Fowler seemed to have made it past a crossroads of sorts. And each time Mrs. Fowler came into the parlor suggesting a lamp be changed to a different spot or the rug repositioned, Megan did not argue. After all, it was the old woman’s house. Finally, just past five, all the furnishings were in place, all the boxes had been hauled away by the movers, and it seemed Mrs. Fowler was happy. Or as happy as she was going to be.
“And do you have plans for Christmas?” asked Megan as she handed Mrs. Fowler the house key. “I mean now that your parlor is back together?”
Mrs. Fowler shook her head. “No, my children live too far away. Most of my friends are in nursing homes or dead. I will probably be alone this year.”
“My roommates and I are having a Christmas party,” said Megan. Okay, it was a crazy idea. “Would you like me to send you an invitation?”
Mrs. Fowler looked surprised, but then she smiled. “Why, yes, dear. That would be very nice.”
“Great,” said Megan. “And I already have your address.”
“Thank you for helping with my parlor,” said Mrs. Fowler as she slowly walked Megan to the front door. “I know I’m not a very pleasant person anymore, but I wasn’t always this way. It’s not easy being old and alone.”
Megan reached out and took one of Mrs. Fowler’s small, wrinkled hands. “You know, it’s not easy being young and alone either.” She told Mrs. Fowler about how her father died last summer, and how she was still getting over it.
“You are a dear child,” said Mrs. Fowler as Megan was finally saying good-bye. “I hope you will come visit me again.”
“I will,” promised Megan.
“Maybe I’ll redecorate my bedroom.”
Megan nodded and waved, but she really hoped that Mrs. Fowler wasn’t serious about any more decorating projects.
Ten
Anna
“Have you been avoiding me?” Edmond was hovering over Anna’s desk, looking down at her with a worried expression.
“Me?” She gave him her best innocent look.
“I left you a couple of messages on Sunday, but you didn’t call back.”
“Sorry. I was so exhausted after all that wedding stuff. I kind of crashed yesterday.” Okay, that was partially true. But the rest of the story was that Jake had stopped by the house and invited her to a late lunch. And, after that, she didn’t really want to talk Edmond. Not that her feelings for him had changed, but she didn’t want to have to admit that she’d been with Jake. Mostly she felt confused.
“And then all morning, I get the feeling you’re hiding from me. Are you?” He adjusted his glasses and sighed.
“No.”
“But something’s wrong, isn’t it?”
“Look,” she said. “I’ve really got to finish with this edit. It’s due to the proofer and UPS pickup is at four. Can we talk later?”
He frowned. “I guess so. But if something’s wrong, I just wish you’d tell me.”
“Nothing is wrong,” she assured him.
He brightened slightly. “So, are we still on for tomorrow then?”
“Tomorrow?”
Now he looked totally crushed. “Our dinner date?”
“Oh, yeah.” She nodded as if she hadn’t forgotten all about her promise to take him to her family’s restaurant on Tuesday. “Sorry, Edmond, I’m just distracted with this project. I really need to finish it ASAP.”
“Okay, I’ll quit bugging you.”
“Thanks.” She gave him her best smile, then turned back to her computer screen. Still, she had a hard time focusing. Really, what was she going to do?
Four o’clock came and went, and Anna realized she’d missed the UPS pickup. She finished printing out the book at a quarter to five, and she knew she could make it to the UPS store if she made a run for it. So she turned off her computer, grabbed her coat and her package and took off. “I’ve got to get this to UPS,” she told the receptionist on her way out. Of course, she realized that this als
o provided a perfect escape from having to discuss things with Edmond, but it wasn’t as if she had planned it.
After the package was safely on its way, Anna decided to do something a little out of character. She went to her mom and dad’s home. But first, she turned off her phone. She told herself she was doing this for her parents’ sakes. They always got miffed if she or Gil got calls on their cell phones while they were visiting. They thought it was rude, although Anna had noticed that both her parents seemed to be using their own cell phones more these days. Maybe things were changing.
“Mi’ja,” said her mother when she came in the door without even knocking. “What are you doing here?”
“You don’t want me to stop in and visit?” asked Anna as she peeled off her coat. “Or do I need to phone ahead and make an appointment first?”
“Of course you’re always welcome. Anytime.” Her mother frowned now. “But, tell me, is something wrong?”
“No, of course not.”
“Mi’ja?” Her mother put both hands on Anna’s cheeks and looked directly into her eyes now. “What is going on with you?”
“Nothing.”
But her mother wouldn’t let her off the hook or let go of her cheeks either. “Okay, what is going on with you and that—that—Jake Romero. I can hardly stand to speak that snake’s name.”
Anna pulled away now. “Jake is not a snake.”
Her mother’s brows shot up. “That’s not what you used to say, Anna. You used to call him Jake Snake too.”
“Fine. He hurt me, okay?”
“He broke your heart.” Her mother’s voice was dramatic now. “How can you let him back into your life, mi’ja?”
“We’re just friends, Mom.”
She waved her hand at Anna. “Friends today. What will you be tomorrow?”
“Actually, I was planning on bringing Edmond to the restaurant tomorrow,” said Anna as she followed her mother into the kitchen.
Her mother actually smiled now. “Edmond? The man who owns the publishing company?”
“His family owns it, Mom.”
“Yes, but he sounds like a good man.” She checked a pot of meat on the stove and went back to chopping an onion.
“You don’t even know him.” Anna picked up a carrot and took a bite. “You’ve never even seen him.”
“But I heard your voice when you told me about him, Anna. It sounded like he made you happy. And it doesn’t hurt if his family is wealthy.”
“You’d want me to marry someone just because his family is well off?”
“If he’s a good man.”
“But not a Mexican?”
Her mother frowned now. “I don’t know …”
“Jake is only half Latino, Mom. You used to complain about that. Now you want me to be involved with a rich gringo?” Anna tried not to laugh.
“I just want you to be happy, Anna. That’s all any mother wants.”
“Really?” Anna wasn’t so sure. This didn’t sound like her mother.
“Now tell me more about Lelani,” her mother said eagerly.
“Well, she’s obviously not Latino either.”
“She is beautiful, though.”
Anna nodded and took another bite of carrot.
“I think your brother is in love with her.”
Anna laughed. “Duh? Ya think?”
“For an editor, your speech isn’t very proper.”
“Since when did you become an English expert?”
“I try.” Her mother shook her head.
“Sorry.” Anna picked up an avocado. “Want me to peel this for you?”
“Thank you.”
“Am I invited to dinner?”
“Of course.” Her mother turned to Anna with tears running down her cheeks.
“Are you crying?”
“It’s the onions.”
But Anna wasn’t so sure. “Is something wrong, Mama?”
Her mom shook her head as she rinsed the knife. “No, mi’ja. It’s just the onions. Although I suppose I am sad to think that my children have grown up so quickly … how they have left me behind to go their own ways.”
“But that’s what we’re supposed to do, right?”
“I suppose. Yesterday your brother gave me a long speech about how I need to let go of my children. But it’s not easy. My children are my life. How do I let you go?”
“It’s not like you’re losing us,” said Anna, “and you know that we love you, Mama. We always will.”
“Yes, I know.” She smiled and nodded. “Okay, now tell me more about this beautiful Hawaiian woman that my niño has fallen for. Is she a good person?”
“Lelani is very nice,” said Anna. “She’s a hard worker. And she was going to med school to become a doctor, but she dropped out.”
“Why did she drop out?”
“I don’t know for sure. But I think it was some kind of personal tragedy. She doesn’t talk about it. She moved to Oregon last summer. And, really, she seems kind of lost sometimes. I mean, I don’t think she really likes her job, but she doesn’t complain about it. And I don’t know if she really likes living here—”
“Do you think she’ll move back to Hawaii?”
“I don’t know.” Anna considered this. “To be honest, I guess I don’t know that much about her.”
“But you share a home with her, Anna.”
“Yes. But we all have our own lives.”
“I know, I know. Gil keeps telling me the same thing.”
“If you really want to get to know her, why don’t you invite her over for dinner or something?”
“That’s a good idea, Anna. And maybe you and Edmond too?”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know?”
“It’s complicated, Mom.”
“Aha!” Her mother pointed a meat fork at her. “I knew that Jake Snake was coming back into things.”
“That’s not it. Not exactly.”
“What is it, then?”
“I don’t know. I think I’m confused. I mean, you’re right, Jake was a jerk. And I thought I was over him. But then, at Maria’s wedding, well, I could tell he was different. He’s changed, Mom.”
“Changed? A snake can’t change his stripes, Anna.”
“Why not?” Anna set down her knife and stared at her mom. “Why can’t a person change?”
Her mother made a face. “I have a bad feeling about that boy, Anna. That’s all I know. I don’t trust him.”
“You don’t trust who?” asked Gil as he came in through the garage door.
“Jake.” Mom nodded to Gil. “And I thought you felt the same.”
Gil looked uncomfortable now. “I guess we all feel protective of Anna.” He smiled at his sister. “What are you doing here?”
“Having dinner.”
He studied her as if he questioned this but didn’t say anything.
“We’ll be a family again tonight,” their mother said happily.
“Sorry, I’ve got a date.”
“With Lelani?” asked Anna.
“Yes, as a matter of fact.”
“What are you and Lelani doing?” asked their mom.
“If you must know, I’m taking her to do some Christmas shopping for her family back in Maui. She wants to get the packages all wrapped and in the mail before it’s too late.”
“Smart girl.” Mom tossed the chopped onion into the pan with the meat. “And she must be a thoughtful girl to be thinking of her family, sending them gifts.”
“She is,” said Gil quickly, making his getaway. Anna could tell he didn’t want to have this conversation with their mother.
Fortunately, Mom was talking about
Maria’s wedding now. Saying what she liked and didn’t like about it. It seemed that mostly, she didn’t like it. Or perhaps she simply felt that she could’ve done it better. “One thing is for certain,” her mom said as they were setting the table together. “Your Tia Elisa will not be coordinating your wedding, Anna.”
Anna laughed. “I think I’ll get married in Las Vegas if the opportunity ever arises.”
“Las Vegas?” said her dad as he sat down in his chair. “No daughter of mine is getting married in Sin City.”
“I’m kidding, Dad.”
“She may be kidding about Las Vegas,” said Mom, “but not about her opportunities. Our Anna has two boys after her now.”
Dad frowned. “Is one of them Jake Romero?”
Anna waved her hand. “Don’t worry about him, Dad. And you’re going to meet my friend Edmond tomorrow.” She explained her plan to bring Edmond to the restaurant, and then her mother told him about how “wealthy” Edmond was. Well, fine, let them think what they liked.
After dinner, Anna told her mother to take a break while she cleaned up the kitchen. Naturally, her mother was shocked, but she didn’t refuse. Then Anna took her time, keeping an eye on the stove’s clock as she worked. Her plan was to hang out here until eight. Then she would drive home, take a nice long shower, and go to bed. And she would “forget” to turn on her phone. She knew she was avoiding Edmond, but she didn’t know what else to do.
“There she is,” said Megan when Anna came into the house. “The woman of the hour.”
“What?”
“Your boyfriends have been calling here,” said Kendall. “On the landline, no less. Apparently you’ve lost your cell phone.”
“Oh?” Anna reached into her purse. “I guess it’s turned off. I was at my parents’ for dinner, and they’re kind of old-fashioned.”
“Whatever.” Kendall rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I told them both that you’d call them when you got home.”
“So, who is the other guy?” asked Megan quietly. Kendall was on her way upstairs, and Anna was standing with her phone in her hand, trying to decide what to do.
“The other guy?” she asked absently.
“You know,” said Megan, “the one who’s not Edmond.”
“Oh, right. The other guy is my old boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, Jake.”