Weekend Warriors (Sisterhood #1)(16)

“It’s better if you don’t know, Nikki. Julia Webster is going to do some plastic surgery on both Marie and her husband once they’re settled in their new home. Children change on a day-to-day basis. We’ll have them home-schooled for a year or so until we feel they’ve changed enough not to warrant scrutiny. We have it under control, dear.”

“Okay, I’m off to bed.” She looked around. “I always loved this kitchen. I mean, I really loved it.”

Myra nodded. “I’ll clean up here and make some sandwiches for Charles for later. I know, Nikki, that you still have mixed feelings about what we’re doing. I’m hoping in time you will grow as comfortable with it as I have. If not, you’ll just have to suck it up,” Myra said cheerfully.

In spite of herself, Nikki burst out laughing. She hugged Myra good night before she headed up the kitchen staircase that would take her to her old room at the end of the long hall that ran the length of the house.

“Screw you, Jack,” she muttered as she pulled off her sweatpants. As she tugged at the bottom of the pant legs she saw the dark red X on the hem. Barbara always made a red X on her jeans and sweats so they wouldn’t mix them up in the laundry. Tears burned her eyes and trickled down her cheeks as her index finger traced the X. “We’re doing it for you, Barb. Wherever you are, I hope you understand. I miss you, Barb. I’d give anything if I could talk to you about Jack. Watch over us, okay.” She didn’t feel the least bit silly or self-conscious talking to someone who wasn’t there. Barbara’s spirit would always live in this room. The faint scent of her perfume still lingered in the air after all this time. She knew in her heart it would stay in the room forever, just like the furniture would stay as well as her clothes and her skis. She looked over at the rocker that was moving slowly back and forth.

Nikki walked over to the old rocker and placed her hand on the armrest to stop the chair from moving. It continued to rock.

“What’s your problem. Nik?”

Nikki yelped and ran back to the bed. “Barb?”

“Yes.”

“Is it really you?”

“In spirit. Do you want to give me a quiz?”

Nikki shook her head. Was she dreaming? “I’m glad you’re here. At least I think I’m glad you’re here. I need to talk to you about Jack. I need to talk to you about a lot of things. You know what’s going on, don’t you?”

“Every single thing. I have one kick-ass mother, don’t I? If you’re asking me if I approve, I do. Get them all, Nik. Make them pay for what they did to those women. I hope you can continue to do it forever. It’s about time someone took matters into their own hands. I wish I was there to help you. Just promise me you won’t get caught.”

Nikki laughed. I’ll do my best not to get caught. Can you just picture me in the slammer?”

“No, I can’t picture that at all. Promise me you’ll be careful. I wish I was there to help you and Mom and all those women.”

“God, I wish that so much, Barb. I miss you. It’s always worse here in this room. It’s like you’re still here. I can smell your perfume. I can see your skis leaning up in the corner and your mom gave me your sweatpants tonight. I started to cry when I saw the red X on the bottom of the pants leg. Jack had dinner with some good-looking redhead. My paralegal saw them.”

“They look good on you. Let’s get back to Jack. He’s just trying to tick you off, Nik. Guys do that, as you and I both found out along the way. He knew your paralegal would tell you she saw him with some good-looking chick. You aren’t going to fall for that, are you, Nik?”

“It doesn’t matter. It still hurts. So, how…how is it on the…other side?”

“Peaceful. Quiet. Beautiful. We were talking about Jack…”

“He’s so competitive. I can’t win the case with Marie Lewellen. We all knew that going in. You know the drill, open mouth, insert foot. He took me on. My name is going to be mud when Marie disappears. I’m not calling him, so don’t even suggest it.”

“I wasn’t going to suggest any such thing. Why don’t you call up Mike Deverone and ask him out to dinner. He always had the hots for you. And he has a brain, plus he’s an excellent lawyer as you well know.”

“That’s a thought.”

“How come I always have to do your thinking for you. Where’s Willie? Toss him over here, okay. I miss the little guy.

Nikki walked over to the twin bed Barbara had always slept in. She pulled down the spread and raised the pillow. She hugged the little bear before she tossed it in the direction of the rocking chair. She almost fainted when she saw the little bear swirl in mid-air and then stop as though someone had reached for it. She plopped down on the edge of her own bed, her emotions running wild as she stared across the room at the rocking chair.

“Listen, are you going to…you know, hang around or do you have to…go…back. I’m dead on my…sorry, I’m out on my feet and I have to get up early.”

“I thought I would sit here and rock with Willie for a while. You don’t mind, do you? I’ll watch over you while you sleep, Nik.”

“No, I don’t mind. Barb, do you come here…often? If I need you, what should I do?”

“Just call my name. Hey, isn’t there a song by that name?”