pan for the next order.
“So, fire me. Just as I was leaving, Dog ragged up his breakfast all over the kitchen floor. Bruce was an angel to offer to clean things up, but I didn’t want him to be late for his appointment at the hospital.” Caroline said.
“When does Bruce leave for Medical School?” Mertle asked.
“At the end of the month. I’m going to miss him, but I’m really glad for him. It was a dream he couldn’t pursue long ago. Now, he has a second chance.”
Caroline patted her hands dry on paper toweling, and returned to the dining room to make sure the Chandlers were enjoying their wine.
Then she greeted Sam and Gayle Turner, asking them how their home’s remodeling projects were coming along. Kitchen, bathroom, doubling the size of their bedroom; she couldn’t imagine such an overwhelming endeavor. The couple had been in twice this week since they didn’t have a working kitchen in which to prepare meals.
She continued making her rounds, and introduced herself to the tourists at table number six, a young couple visiting from Victoria, British Columbia, she learned. Then she poured coffee at table numbers eight and three.
* * *
Tilly Jacobs and Molly Bradford were the first in their Tuesday luncheon group to arrive at Annie Rose’s. Marcia seated them at their usual table by the window and offered each a menu, placing two more at the empty place settings for the other expected women. It was only minutes later when Elizabeth Windsor and Iris Grayson joined them, and Marcia returned to announce the daily luncheon specials: lobster and shrimp caesar salad and tenderloin of pork sandwich with caramelized onions and slaw.
“What’s wrong, my dear? You look flushed.” Iris questioned Elizabeth as she settled herself in the chair beside the younger woman.
“I’m fine.” Elizabeth said, placing her starched white napkin on her lap. She took a sip from her glass of cold water. Elizabeth still felt a bit flushed since observing the naked young man outside her window this morning. But, goodness, that was hours ago. Did it still show in her face?
“I’m fine,” Elizabeth repeated, and took another sip of water. She secretly hoped she would see the young man again this afternoon.
Turning her attention to the ladies at the table, Elizabeth focused on the thought of how odd their friendship was. Friendship, if you could call it that. Even after months of meeting each Tuesday, the women had no idea who she was or that she was slowly dying. Elizabeth didn’t trust anyone enough to say a word about her health, and she knew she was deliberately keeping them at a distance.
The women ordered a round of the daily salad specials, Molly’s without salad dressing, as she was starting yet another diet, and Iris’ with double the dressing, and flutes of white wine all around.
Tilly sat quietly. She felt deceitful. As though she were lying. She wished she could open her heart to these women. Tell them the truth about her life. She hadn’t been able to tell the marriage counselor the truth, nor could she tell her friends. The very thought terrified her.
Molly took an envelope from her straw purse and proudly showed the women the latest snapshots of Hope Amelia. The three ladies ooed and ahhed as they passed the pictures of the infant between them. She was certainly a beautiful baby.
“Have you heard anything at all from your husband?” Iris asked as she reached for her glass of wine.
Molly shook her head, concentrating on her salad. If she could open up to anyone, it would be to these women. She felt a connection to them. She believed they cared, but she couldn’t share the truth of what Augie had done.
“Do you think he’d want to know about his daughter?” Iris asked. “I just wonder how a man can walk out on his wife with no explanation. Just disappear. It’s just not right.”
Molly remained silent.
“Well, you’re doing so well without him. You’re strong, my dear. Maybe you don’t need him in your life.”
What would they think if they knew Augie was in prison? Molly wanted to believe these women cared about her, and if she could, she’d pour her heart out to them, but she wasn’t ready.
It wasn’t easy for her to trust another person — she was afraid she’d be judged. She just couldn’t. The embarrassment.
What brought her back here each Tuesday, if she wasn’t going to confide in Elizabeth, Iris, or Tilly? The answer was simple. Molly liked the women. There was something about each one that she admired. Iris’ gentleness. Elizabeth’s talent. Tilly’s solid marriage. She needed these women.
“Are your parents planning to come and see the baby anytime soon?” Elizabeth asked, spearing a piece of poached salmon and taking a bite.
“I’m not sure. They’re going to Denver next week. Dad has a business meeting, and mother is meeting with her agent.”
“It must be exciting having a famous author for a mother,” Iris stated.
Molly smiled. She guessed so. Her mother had written romance novels ever since she could remember. It was all Molly had ever known.
For a few minutes the women ate in silence.
“When is your next art show, Elizabeth?” Iris asked.
“I just received a phone call this morning from Valerie Meyers. She’s the owner of the Seaside Gallery. She’s hoping I will have enough paintings completed for the show on Labor Day weekend.”
Elizabeth popped another bite of salmon into her mouth. “I started on another piece this morning,” she added. The mention of this morning brought a renewed flush to Elizabeth’s pale cheeks.
“How’s Sammy doing?” Molly asked.
“Who’s Sammy?” Tilly put her fork down.
“Sammy is Elizabeth’s dog.”
“I didn’t know Elizabeth had a dog.” She sighed. Tilly preferred not to talk about Molly’s husband or Elizabeth’s dog or Iris’ whatever. She didn’t have the patience. Her life was too distressed for such trivial banter. “Does anyone know of a handyman in the area? Our windows in the bedroom seem to be stuck,” Tilly asked the group.
“Have you heard about Brad Bailey?” Iris Grayson was asking. “There isn’t anything he can’t do. Electrical. Plumbing. Sheet rock. My neighbor, Sophie Craft, had him replace her front porch railing and move some furniture. He also put new siding on Alice Peters’ house.”
“He sounds wonderful,” Tilly agreed, taking a sip from her glass of white wine.
“Is he married?” Molly inquired.
The women laughed.
“Remind me to give you his number before we leave, Tilly.” Iris said eagerly. “I think you’ll find him quite satisfactory.”
Caroline stopped by to make sure everything was all right with the ladies’ lunches. She stayed for a bit of chitchat and then asked if they wished to see the dessert tray. The women all ordered, except Elizabeth. She didn’t feel well
