Fools Rush in(65)

“Did you see Pink Pants?” I hissed.

“An unfortunate choice,” Mitch replied with a grin.

“You have such nice manners, young man,” I answered. “Please excuse me, for I, I must, um…”

“Powder your nose?” Mitch suggested.

“That works! It sounds so much better than ‘evacuate my bladder.’ Thank you.” I left them and went upstairs, as the downstairs loo was occupied. Someone was in the upstairs hall bathroom as well, so I went into the master bedroom.

As I passed through, my footsteps slowed. Gone were Trish’s jewelry boxes and perfume bottles that had once adorned the dresser. There were no scarves, no slippers, no earrings on the night table. The bed was made neatly, and on Sam’s bedside table were some reading glasses, a paperback novel and a picture of Danny. My heart tugged at the lonely picture his things evoked.

And how could Trish bear it? She had lost so much…a husband, day-to-day life with her son, a beautiful home, the comfort and security of marriage…and yet she was downstairs, playing star of the Trish Show yet again. Even though she wouldn’t admit it, it must be awful, being back here, outside of the circle that had once revolved around her.

Well, nature was calling my name, loudly, so I went into the master bathroom. As I was tugging up my pants, I heard a voice.

“This room’s got an incredible view,” said a male voice. “Jesus!”

They were in the bedroom. I paused, waiting to flush, hoping they’d quickly leave, feeling slightly embarrassed about being caught in the bathroom.

“The whole house has a great view,” answered a female voice. My eyes narrowed. Trish.

“What’s the market like?” asked the man, who must be Pink Pants.

“Fantastic. The house’s value has doubled in the past four years.”

“Well, it’s ridiculous that he won’t sell it,” Avery replied.

“He says he never will,” Trish answered.

“Too bad you couldn’t get Danny to go to Larchmont. If he’d moved out, you could have had your half in a month.”

“Well, I tried, Avery!” Trish snapped. “But Danny wanted to stay. He knows Eastham, he’s doing great in school, and really, there’s no reason for him to transfer. Besides, I think he feels sorry for his father and didn’t want to leave him.” I ground my teeth at her dismissal.

“I can’t believe you have to wait five years for your piece, Trish. This house is a goddamn gold mine!”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Avery. I wanted to get divorced fast. You wanted me to get divorced fast. Once Danny doesn’t live here anymore, I’ll get my share, okay? Can you drop it now, please?”

My heart was pounding, my face hot. So that’s why Trish had wanted Danny to transfer. She and Pink Pants wanted some cold hard cash. There was no further conversation for a few minutes, and I risked a peek. They were gone. I flushed, washed my hands, then walked over to the bed and sat down. My hands were shaking. Should I tell Sam, I wondered? Should I tell him that his ex-wife had tried to use their son to get some money?

Of course I wouldn’t tell him. It would be one thing if Danny was considering it, but he wasn’t. End of story. It still left a bad taste in my mouth.

Joe was looking for me when I came downstairs. “Hey, Millie,” he said. “Your mom wants you to open presents now.”

“Oh, goodie,” I said. He smiled at me and gave me a soft kiss. My insides squirmed…not from lust this time, but because my dad was watching.

“My father…” I murmured to Joe.

“Right.” He grinned and kissed my forehead chastely, and I smiled back.

Most of the guests were waiting in the living room, where a lovely pile of gifties sat on the coffee table. I loved my birthday in general, and this one was especially great…the party, the end of my educationally focused twenties, the feeling that the next decade would bring wonderful things…a practice, financial independence, a husband, children…security. Love.

My parents gave me the first present. Dad made a big show of leaving the room and coming back with…a bike! Feeling as if I were twelve again, I jumped up and down.

“Oh, Daddy, thanks! I love it!” The Cape was famous for the Cape Cod Rail Trail, formerly a railroad line that had been paved from Harwich to Provincetown. All year round, bicyclists came to the Cape to enjoy the gorgeous views and freedom from cars, and now, so could I. “Dad, thank you so much. Mom, this is the best!”

My parents beamed. “Your mother thought you were too old for a bike,” my dad said proudly. “But I knew my baby girl would like it.”

Curtis and Mitch gave me their trademark gift—a huge basket of skin-care goodies that smelled heavenly…almost as good as the stuff they used themselves. From Katie was a matted and framed photo of the two of us at age twelve, standing triumphantly on Doane Rock. Her boys had made me treasure boxes, little white cardboard containers that they’d reinforced with yards of masking tape and then painted. “For your stuff, Aunt Millie,” Mikey instructed me seriously. “You know, sand, rocks, stuff like that.”

Next, Sam handed me Ethel’s package, a slim, rectangular box.

“It’s a carton of Camels,” he whispered. “Unfiltered. She’ll keep it if you don’t want it.” I stifled a giggle and kicked him on the shin.