The Two-Family House(13)

“It was nothing. Just something about my book. I’m reading a biography of Amelia Earhart.”

“Did the ending upset you?”

“I already knew what happened to her. It’s just … my father didn’t like it.”

“A biography of Amelia Earhart? What didn’t he like?”

Judith sniffed. She was trying not to cry, and her voice was shaking. “He said something about how she had her head in the clouds and look where that got her and how I’d better get my head out of the clouds too.”

“Oh honey.” Helen squeezed Judith’s hand.

“He’s just so mean sometimes.” Judith wiped the tears from her cheeks on her sleeve.

“It’s all right. Shhh.” Helen patted her back. “We’re going to have a nice time tonight—you’ll sit next to me.” When they got back to the house Helen offered some advice. “When you get inside, take a few tea bags from the kitchen and run them under the faucet. Lie down on your bed and put them on your eyes. They’ll take the puffiness away.”

“Thanks, Aunt Helen.”

“Thank you for keeping me company and helping me with the lipstick. You made my day.”

“Really?” Judith was surprised.

“Really. It gets pretty lonely upstairs sometimes.”

“But whenever I hear you and the boys upstairs, it sounds like you’re having so much fun.”

“Well, it isn’t always a party, believe me. I don’t have anybody to talk to up there most of the time. The boys aren’t much for talking these days.”

Judith nodded as if she understood. She looked down at her candy wrapper.

“You can always talk to me. I mean, if you want.”

Helen was touched. “Thanks, sweetheart. I’m going to take you up on that.”

By the time she made it up the stairs to her own front door, Helen knew several things she hadn’t known half an hour earlier. On the way down the steps, she hadn’t realized how alone she had felt or how often that feeling of isolation crept into her days. She hadn’t recognized that the tasks that drove her routine had taken over and that the best parts of being a mother—the connection, the companionship—had been missing. As she stood before her door, she knew that she wanted a girl not only because of the clothes she could dress her in or the ribbons she could put in her hair. She wanted someone to laugh with, someone who could cry to her, someone she could comfort and understand. She yearned for a daughter for reasons she had not previously been able to explain. And now that she had the words to express her longing, she knew it would only be more difficult to ignore.





Chapter 10





HELEN


As they walked into the restaurant, Helen was still wondering how she had managed to get the boys ready on time. It was all a blur. Even now they were bickering and shoving each other on the sidewalk. It was only when they pushed through the heavy wooden door and stepped onto the plush green carpet of the restaurant foyer that they were silenced. The light was soothingly dim, and candles left gentle shadows on the mahogany wall panels. A large crystal chandelier hung directly overhead. Harry whistled softly. “Nice,” he said. “Think I could bring Susan here?”

“Absolutely not,” said Helen.

Sol was waiting for them in the foyer, looking sharp as always. Dark silk suit, hair combed back and nails buffed to a shine that left Helen mildly annoyed. He takes better care of himself than I do myself, she thought. Then again, she wasn’t the type of woman who kept up any real beauty routine.

Sol’s wife, on the other hand, was exactly that type. Despite a few extra pounds, Arlene looked as eye-catching as ever, in a copper sheath dress that matched her freshly colored hair. She insisted on kissing all of the boys, leaving traces of lipstick on each of their cheeks that closely resembled the shade Judith had warned Helen against in the drugstore.

Rose and Mort entered the restaurant a few minutes later. Mimi’s curls were intact, and Judith’s eyes had lost their puffiness. Dinah looked tired and couldn’t stop staring at the chandelier. Soon all of the girls had Arlene’s lipstick on their cheeks as well.

When the ma?tre d’ appeared, Sol walked forward and took the man’s outstretched hand in both of his own. “We’re here for Gino. Just tell him Sol is here with his family.” Gino, a short, heavy man in a shiny tuxedo, appeared almost instantly. “Welcome!” he panted, slightly out of breath. Gino gripped Sol in a tight embrace. “And this,” he said, turning to Arlene, “must be your lovely wife.”

Sol beamed. “This is my Arlene.” She gave Gino a smile and held out her hand enthusiastically. Arlene loved meeting new people, even when she had no idea what to say to them.

“Wonderful! But where is little Johnny?” asked Gino. “I told you to bring your whole family!”

“Johnny’s still too young for all this. But I brought some other special people.” He gestured, and Abe stepped forward to shake Gino’s hand. “Beautiful place you have here,” he said. Gino smiled and his eyes took a quick count of their party. He blinked for a second longer than normal. His cheeks grew red. “You have a large family.”

“Well, Gino,” said Sol, “you did say to bring the whole family. I hope it won’t be a problem.”