Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 43)
Chapter 16 Part IV
Cindy Bradford
When they arrived at the apartment, Hannah was waiting. “She would not even take a nap,” the housekeeper said. “She is so excited that she is getting a ‘birfday pwesent!” Marie, who had worked for Nancy since before Hannah was born, was a short, round Puerto Rican woman about fifty years old who talked fast with a strong accent. It was obvious that she loved Hannah.
It will be a miracle if Hannah ever learns correct pronunciation, Carol thought.
Because Marie was so dependable, Nancy never worried about going places and leaving Hannah with her.
Wrinkling her nose, she said, “It sure smells good in here, Marie. What are you cooking?”
Marie answered, referring to her boss as she always did, “Ms. Nancy, it’s your favorite: Roasted New York Strip loin with adobe rub, roasted potatoes with rosemary, green beans with julienne carrots and ham. I told Mr. David what I was cooking and he said he would pick up the wine.”
“Arol, Arol, is that mine?”
“Yes, sweetie.” There was no time to wrap the stuffed animal, and Carol was not sure how she would have disguised it anyway so she was actually relieved Hannah had seen its head sticking out of the huge sack. Pushing it toward her, she said, “Happy birthday, little angel.”
“I wove it!” Hannah fell onto it on the floor and gave it a big hug.
“We’ll show her the dress and shoes later. I’m not sure she’d be impressed right now,” Nancy said, making her way over to the wet bar and asking, “How about a martini?”
“That sounds wonderful. I don’t remember the last one.”
“Straight up and dirty?”
“You have a good memory.” Carol sat on the long white tapestry couch and took off her shoes, wriggling her tired toes.
“That’s not something I could forget. Remember when we first learned to drink them?” Nancy laughed.
“Yes, but I would rather not,” Carol said. “I wasn’t a pretty sight that next day.”
“We are a little more mature now, I hope.”
“So do I. That would kill me now.”
Hannah had fallen asleep on “Mr. Wong Neck” as she had already named him, a name Nancy was sure would change at least twenty times.
“That is what I was afraid of, Ms. Nancy. I tried to get her to take a nap.”
“That’s all right Marie; we can have our drinks quietly.”
“Everything is ready and the table is set. Would you like for me to stay and serve?”
“No, no Marie. Carol is family. I will handle it from here.” Nancy knew Marie had her daughter, grandson and mother-in-law at her house, plus a less than energetic husband, so she always tried to let her leave as early as possible. Though Marie never complained except to say there were a lot of people in a small, cramped space, Nancy knew she probably had to clean and cook when she arrived home. Some days she would suggest to Marie to make extra food and take it home, especially if it were something she could carry easily on the subway. Marie, who had worked hard all her life, reminded Nancy often that no matter how difficult her life, she was glad to be in the United States. Often she would say, “My family happy here. Good people. Muy bueno, Senora.”
By the time they had their second martini, their conversation had drifted to the wedding and Patrick.
“So, tell me more about this hubby to be.”
“Oh Nancy, he’s wonderful, though I admit a little complex.”
“Explain.”
“I’m not sure I can. He’s the most thoughtful, loving man I have ever known, but sometimes he acts…I don’t know…removed, distant, and perhaps absorbed in another life that I’m not in.”
“Well, that’s not good. Have you talked about it?”
“I tried, but it just seems to make things worse. He goes further into a shell. It’s always…” She paused, a little embarrassed. “He gets that way sometimes after we have had the most passionate love making.”
“That’s strange. I didn’t think men even thought after sex!”
Carol laughed, feeling a little guilty for bringing up the subject. “Anyway, that’s one minor, tiny flaw,” she said, trying not to let her apprehension show.
“Speaking of, I think I’d better try to call him before I drink any more martinis.”
Patrick answered on the first ring, surprised to hear Carol’s voice.
“How are you dear?” Carol asked.
“I’m better. It’s good to see everyone though I dread tomorrow. I’ll be glad when the funeral is over. We are having the mass at 10:00 in the morning and a small service at the graveside. The wake is tonight. There will be a lot of people, I’m sure.”
“How is your dad?”
“He’s better, but not great. He is really taking this hard. I think it was just so quick. He knew Mom was really sick, but I just don’t think he ever dreamed that she would die this soon. My sister Margaret is having a difficult time, too. Well, everyone is, but she was probably Mom’s favorite because she was her namesake, the oldest girl, and they have always been close. There are little kids everywhere. I don’t even remember all their names. I told my brothers that these Irish Catholics need to slow down or we’re going to have another population explosion. I thought most professional people, even Catholics, used contraceptives now, but apparently not in this family.”
Carol laughed, glad that he was able to have a sense of humor during a time she knew was difficult for him.
“Carol, I hope you are having a good time.”
“Yes, Patrick, I am but I miss you. I even told Nancy that I was ready to get back to Maine. I wanted to hear your voice, but I won’t keep you on the phone.”
“I’m glad, Carol. I miss you. I’ll call you tomorrow. Bye, I love you.”
“I love you, Patrick.”
After sharing two bottles of wine over dinner, Carol yawned. “I think I’ll excuse myself.”
“I think I am ready, too. Shopping is hard on us. See you in the morning,” Nancy added.
Turning to David, Carol said, “Your wine choices were splendid.”
“Thanks. They are some of the new Super Tuscans. I think they paired well, don’t you?”
“I think they were wonderful,” Carol said sleepily. “I have not had this much to drink in awhile. Goodnight all.”
The next morning, Carol woke at 9:00 to the smell of cranberry muffins and coffee. She pulled on her robe and hastily went into the kitchen, regretting she had slept so late.
“Good Morning, Ms. Carol. You must have slept well.”
“I did, Marie,” Carol responded, “I’m usually up by 6:30. I guess the wine did the trick. Your dinner was delicious and I don’t remember sleeping as well in years.”
“Thank you. I have had a time keeping Hannah from waking you.”
About that time Hannah came bounding into the kitchen dragging the giraffe that was a foot taller than the little girl. “Hi Arol, wanna pway?”
“Sure, just let me have a little coffee, first.”
“What are your plans today?” Nancy asked, as she walked into the breakfast room dressed in a beautiful cherry silk suit, with her make-up on and every hair in place.
Carol, still in her satin robe, looked up. “I feel terrible for being so lazy.”
“I’m just glad you rested. Now quit worrying.” She reached to squeeze Carol’s hand.
Carol sighed, “I wish I had called Sergio before I came. I would love to get my hair cut, but I know he’s been booked for months. Do you think I dare call?”
“Carol, he will be so glad to see you, he’ll miss his tofu lunch for you.”
Carol laughed and reached for the phone.
Nancy grabbed the receiver, “I’ll call for you. If there is a choice, what time will be good for you?”
“It doesn’t really matter. I want to order wedding invitations at Bloomberg’s. If I could find a dress for the wedding, I would be delighted. If not, I’ll have to go to Portland soon. I’m just not sure I have enough time today to really shop since I am getting such a late start so I’ll take an appointment anytime.”
“I can’t believe you aren’t having something made at Goldstein’s.”
“I know Nance, but I really want something simple, since the wedding is going to be small and the reception will be outside. Plus, most of the people there are frugal, simple, and hardworking. I don’t want to come across as a snob from the city. And, Patrick would not be comfortable with my being too fancy.”
“Okay it’s your wedding, but I can probably get Sophia to measure you, and you could select the fabric today.”
“Thanks Nance, but I’ll find something.”
Just as Nancy had predicted, Sergio was indeed, delighted, making an appointment for Carol at noon.
“Carol, unless you need me, I think I’ll stay here. Is that okay?”
“Sure, I think I’m going to be scurrying from one place to the next. If I’m running late I’ll just go straight to Fredrico and Marc’s. Otherwise, I’ll be back to freshen up. I’ll call you. If Patrick calls, tell him I’m sorry I forgot to tell him where I was going. Ask him what time I am supposed to be in Boston, in case I miss him tonight. And don’t wait up tonight.”
Nancy smiled. She had heard that for four years at college and although they always told each other that, one waited up for the other anyway.
An hour later, Carol was on her way. The city was bustling, teeming with cars, buses and people scrambling for their place, moving at top speed in the crowded maze. It took her almost thirty minutes to get to the sprawling department store where people were lined up at every register to pay for their purchases. Carol felt oddly out of place. Feeling the pressure of the fast pace, she hurriedly narrowed her invitation selection down to two and completed the information form while the sales clerk impatiently waited.
“I want to show these samples to my fiancé, and I’ll call next week with the one we choose. Will that be okay?”
“Certainly,” the woman nodded. She appeared to be either bored or distracted, Carol wasn’t sure which, but she didn’t have time to contemplate. Placing the ivory-colored textured paper in her purse, she rushed through the crush of shoppers and headed the two blocks to Sergio’s. Whatever made me crazy enough to think I could do all this in one day, she thought.
Carol stepped into the salon and immediately felt calmer. Sergio met her with a glass of champagne and a kiss.
“I’ve missed you Darling,” he said softly.
Carol had forgotten how good she always felt when she had her hair cut. She wasn’t sure if it was the serene atmosphere of the salon, peppered with vanilla candles, a Mozart symphony playing softly and Sergio’s individual attention or the down time. Maybe it was the champagne. Whatever, it didn’t matter, she felt renewed, ready to face the ugly crowds again to look for a wedding dress.