The New Husband(20)

“Screw him,” had been Ginny’s response. “What an ass. You don’t deserve any of that.”

Of course Nina agreed; strongly, in fact. But it was one thing to agree, and quite another to believe. When Nina and Simon fell in love, those doubts she’d harbored about herself retreated like the tide, and a renewal of mind, body, and spirit came about, one that had made it possible to believe what her friends had been saying all along.

“It wasn’t you. It was him, wherever he may be. Dead or not. Lake or not.”

Screw him was right.

Now the ladies were sipping lattes and reliving a class that had had more pliés than The Nutcracker.

“The Heritage Commission had a meeting last night,” Susanna said, changing topics, and Nina caught a hint of trepidation in her voice. Susanna knew, as did Ginny, how Nina had once taken great pride in her numerous volunteer commitments, trying as they might have been. She had been “that woman”—the one who morphed from devoted mom to dedicated volunteer without missing a step. Nina pinned the Busy Badge to her chest like some medal of honor, and wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world. But Glen’s disappearance had changed everything. In the aftermath, it had become impossible to stay involved, and so she had simply jettisoned her commitments, Heritage Commission included, but took with her feelings of guilt for backing away.

“Stephanie Abel was there, talking as always.”

Nina failed to stifle a groan. She knew all about Stephanie Abel, long before Maggie had had her dealings with Stephanie’s daughter, Laura.

“Let me guess,” Nina said, stirring frothy milk with her spoon. “She’s finally realized what a terrible child she’s raised.”

Nina wanted to escalate Maggie’s bullying plight to the superintendent if need be, but had bowed to her daughter’s wishes to stay out of it.

“No, and no,” Susanna said, eyeing Ginny warily—How much to share? said the look.

“Don’t handle me with kid gloves,” said Nina. “I’m a big girl.”

“She was talking about you and Simon,” said Susanna. “How it was inappropriate for you to be living together so soon after Glen—you know.”

“Cheated on me, then vanished or drowned? We can use the words, it’s okay.”

“Yes, that,” Susanna said.

“Don’t give that bitch any brain cycles,” Ginny chimed in. “She’s not worth it.”

“No, she’s not,” Nina agreed. “But I don’t need any of that getting back to Maggie. She’s had a hard enough time with Laura Abel as it is.”

“Actually, Stephanie mentioned something about Maggie eating alone during lunch period and how your choices were going to alienate her even more.”

“My choices?” Nina said, aghast. “Does she have any clue it was her bratty kid who caused all the problems in the first place?”

“I’m sure she’s in denial,” said Ginny.

“Of course she is,” Nina said with disgust.

She contemplated ways to engage Stephanie Abel, thinking the best way to put an end to her gossiping was to plant a boot on her throat, when her cell phone rang. It wasn’t a number Nina recognized. She answered, half expecting a robocall, but in fact, the caller was a real live human being, one who worked in Human Resources at The Davis Family Center, a support services organization specializing in family matters.

Nina had interviewed there the previous week and did not think the conversation had gone particularly well. Then again, she had done several interviews, none of which had led to a second meeting. Still, the economy was doing well, and she had reason to remain optimistic. Now she was feeling downright jubilant, trying not to let her burgeoning excitement get the better of her. Nina’s girlfriends sensed something big afoot, and instinctively leaned closer to catch whatever snippets of conversation they could.

“That’s wonderful news,” Nina said, eliciting more excited glances from Ginny and Susanna. “When would you need to know? I see. Yes, yes of course. I can do that. I just need to talk this over with my…” Nina hesitated ever so briefly. My what? She hadn’t yet said yes to Simon’s marriage proposal, though she was closer every day, and “future fiancé” made her sound downright unstable—a woman with a story at least, which she was. Partner? Future husband? New husband? She went for none of those options. “Talk it over with my family. And thank you, David. Thank you so much. This is wonderful news, very exciting. I’ll be in touch soon.”

She ended the call, and her friends’ beaming expressions demanded a quick reveal.

“I got a job,” Nina said. And what followed were cheers that drew glances, hugs, and a few tears in Nina’s eyes.

“I’m so happy for you,” Ginny said, with Susanna echoing that sentiment.

“I can’t believe it,” Nina said, and then she paused as Simon’s words of concern came to her. Would it be detrimental for Maggie, as he had suggested, to have her mother preoccupied, especially when she was struggling emotionally and having difficulty at school? And what about Connor? He was going through a huge upheaval as well. How would it be for him if his mother were suddenly less available? Perhaps he might go off the rails, so to speak.

Nina had more questions than answers. It was a good thing she had a therapist appointment in the morning.