It’s your birthday.”
“I’m sure,” Olivia said. “I want to cook dinner for my family.”
“Maybe you can strike a truce with our son-in-law,” Richard said.
Olivia held her hand over her heart. “I swear, I’ll try.”
As she headed into the shower, she thought of the promise of freedom, and the time she would have to garden, travel with Richard, and tackle her toppling To-Be-Read pile of books.
After Richard left, she took her time over the morning paper and was going over her calendar when the front door opened and Denny called out, “Hello? Anyone here?”
“In the kitchen,” Olivia said.
Her daughter stepped into the kitchen, a sweet smile on her face, her golden hair cascading around her shoulders, a huge bouquet of flowers in her hand.
“Happy birthday, Mom.” Denny kissed Olivia’s cheek before pouring herself a cup of coffee.
“Thanks, honey.” Olivia watched her daughter over the rim of her cup, trying to ignore the dark circles under Denny’s eyes and the tight lines around her mouth.
“How’s David?”
Denny smiled to take the edge off her words. “Come on, Mom. We both know you don’t care a bit about my husband. But he’s fine, thank you very much.”
She set her coffee cup on the table and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, a gesture that reminded Olivia of Denny when she was an outspoken, opinionated little girl. Richard and Denny would debate at the dinner table, Richard subtly teaching his daughter to argue like a pro. Olivia suspected that those arguments were Richard’s attempt to get Denny interested in the law.
Olivia loved that irreverent spark in her daughter and had been dismayed to see it diminish when David Grayson came into her life. Now Denny watched what she said, and if David was around, she would cast anxious glances his way, worried – to Olivia’s mind – that what she was doing would make David angry. Denny never argued, never expressed an opinion these days. That impulsive, no-filter child had married a man hell-bent on putting out her fire.
“Honestly, Mom, I don’t mean to sound harsh, but I wish you two could spend some time together. If you got to know David, you’d come to realize what a good man he is. You’re just not used to his traditional values. You’re a modern woman, Mom. I’m not.”
Olivia longed to ask her daughter about her marriage, to make sure she was okay, but she was afraid that her inquiry would be seen as an intrusion, which would push Denny even further away, so she let it go. For now. “Honey, I’m never going to believe that women need to be told what to do by their husbands or boyfriends. Marriage should—”
“—be a partnership.” Denny laughed as she finished the sentence. “You look nice. Court today?”
“Very tactfully done, Den. I see how you changed the subject. No court today. I’m meeting with Claire Montreaux about selling my practice.”
“Somehow I can’t see you retiring, Mom. Are you sure you’re ready?”
Was she ready? Her small practice was nothing compared to Richard’s illustrious career, but Olivia and Richard had planned it that way. Olivia’s office was close to home, so she had been able to care for Denny, freeing up Richard whose relentless litigation schedule kept him away from home. While Denny was young, Olivia had attended her plays, piano recitals, and pageants. As Denny got older and became more independent, Olivia turned her attention to the vast sloping hillside behind her house, turning the wild grassy area into a terraced garden. She did all the backbreaking work herself and soon had fruit trees, a large plot dedicated to vegetables, and a vast picking garden, which kept Olivia and her friends in fresh flowers all summer long.
Olivia had spent a lot of time alone in her marriage. Even though she kept herself busy, she missed her husband and looked forward to spending more time with him, even if that time was spent traveling for his work.
“So to answer your question, yes, I’m ready. I can travel with your father now.”
“I don’t see Dad retiring anytime soon. He likes the limelight. I honestly don’t think Dad would know what to do with himself if he retired.”
And therein lies the problem.
Richard worked long hours and each week spent a night or two in their condo in the city, with its galley kitchen and an even smaller bathroom. Nestled on the top of California Street, the condo had a beautiful view of San Francisco, and since it was the first place they had purchased – mortgaging their souls after Richard passed the bar – they kept it out of sentimentality. That was thirty-two years ago. Olivia consoled herself with the knowledge that after all these years, despite him sometimes seeming married to his career, she and Richard still loved each other. Thank goodness for that, Olivia thought.
“I’m hoping I can get him to slow down a little bit. As for me, I’m happy in the garden. Maybe I’ll take up painting or something.” Olivia sipped her coffee. “Den, tell me the truth. Did your father plan a surprise party for me?”
“Of course not,” Denny said. “You made it perfectly clear you absolutely didn’t want one.”
Olivia sighed with relief. She was looking forward to an intimate family gathering. Maybe tonight she would come to see her son-in-law in a new light. For Denny’s sake she would try.
“Are you having your birthday lunch with Lauren today?”
“I am,” Olivia said.
“Tell her I said hello. Maybe the three of us could meet for lunch sometime?”
“That would be great,” Olivia said. “I know Lauren would love to see you.” This wasn’t the first time Denny had mentioned lunch with Olivia and Lauren, but despite half a dozen invitations, Denny always had some excuse.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to bring anything besides the cake? It doesn’t seem like much of a birthday with you slaving away in the kitchen.”
“It’s not slaving when you enjoy the labor. Anyway, I’ve got it all under control. Shopping’s complete, most of the prep is already finished. I’ll come home early and get the lasagna in the oven. Want to come and keep me company while I throw things together?”
“Can’t. We’re going to struggle to get here by 7:30 as it is. David’s busy at work right now.” Denny hoisted her purse onto her shoulder and kissed Olivia’s cheek. “Love you.”
Her conversation with Denny left her troubled. Olivia had meddled in Denny’s life behind the scenes, hiring an investigator to follow Denny’s husband. The investigator had reported back, worried that David had spotted him. Of course, Olivia had terminated the relationship, but it left her unsettled. If Denny knew what she had done, she’d feel so betrayed, and David wouldn’t miss an opportunity to exploit Denny’s anger. After all, Olivia had no concrete evidence that David was having an affair, but her years as a family law attorney had honed her intuition to a sharp edge. She knew a cheater when she saw one. David Grayson was a cheater.
“Love you, honey,” Olivia said. She walked Denny to the door and stood for a moment in the cold October sun, watching
