Monday, Thirtieth Birthday
Caitlin talks a mile a minute. I switch my cell phone to the other ear. “Gisele’s contact, Isabel, was so fabulous. It turns out that we have a lot of the same fashion interests. Her ideas are just the expensive version of mine. Did you notice that my parents bought the Mary Quant dress I modeled? They said it was an early Christmas gift.”
The connection is breaking up as I get into my old car to head to Golden Horizons. “I did. That is so sweet. I’m glad they participated.”
“Halo told me that she bought your car. Now you can guzzle gas and break down just like old times,” Caitlin teases affectionately. “Well, happy birthday, my friend. We’ll all get together this coming weekend. Sorry that we flaked out today.”
“Quite all right,” I say. “Beau says he has a surprise for me. I’m wondering if he might come back tonight to take me out. If not, I don’t mind a night of reflection.”
“I hope Beau does surprise you. I hate for you to be alone. Let me know how work goes.”
As soon as I hang up Angelica’s name pops up on my phone’s screen.
“Happy birthday, Mari!” She singsongs to me from her cell phone. There is a lot of background noise.
“Are you at the coffee shop?”
“Sure. I’m at the coffee shop, Mari,” she says like a remedial reader in a loud voice. “Sounds like the plan for this coming weekend will work for everyone. We will celebrate really big. Maybe golf?” She laughs loudly; I hold the phone away from my ear. I can see the Golden Horizons sign up ahead and am getting excited.
“Very funny. Never again. Okay, get back to your muffin and triple espresso.”
Click.
Ring. It’s Angelica’s name again. “Did you think of another bad way to celebrate my birthday?”
“What?” Sadie’s unmistakable voice responds.
“Sadie? What are you doing calling from Angelica’s phone?”
“What?”
“Caller ID. You are on Angelica’s phone. Are you having coffee with her?” This would be a first.
“Yes. I am having coffee with Angelica and borrowed her phone.” Sadie also borrowed Angelica’s remedial reader voice. “I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday too. We hope today goes really well. Rae is crazy and in for trouble if she says no.”
“Thank you, Future Mrs. Curtis. Did you round up extra copies of the Style section?”
“Are you kidding? I bought out three different street stands of the paper and the Fast Mart by my house. Thanks for helping Carson carry out the best proposal a girl ever had. I heard that the wedding dress was purchased by an online bidder. I know you said you didn’t mind, but I was really hoping you would keep it. For someday.”
“You just have marriage on the brain now. As you should…you got yourself one great guy, Sadie.” I want to enter into the soul mate conversation, but there isn’t time. “I’ll let you know how today turns out. Bye, friend.”
I hang up with my circle of three just as I am about to arrive at Golden Horizons. I tap the gas gauge on my dash a few times to get the needle to work. It raises just a hair, but enough to get me back home tonight. My old parking place is still marked by a makeshift sign made by a resident: “Mari’s Cari.”
I smile, sip my coffee, and take in each moment of my approach. There is no sign of Lysa. I kind of thought she’d be waiting at the door for me today. But I let the building itself greet me with familiar smells, sounds, and sights. Most residents have their doors closed this morning. They’re probably too scared to come out and run into Rae.
When I turn the corner near my cubicle, Lysa is there to give me a hug. Her rushed words in my ear don’t make sense. “Sheila who?” I ask.
“No. I said ‘she left.’ Rae left. I just found out a few minutes ago. Mari, there is a new director.”
My knees buckle beneath me. “No! I had a plan. A perfect plan. What if she doesn’t accept my proposal?”
“You do come bearing cash, Mari.” Lysa reminds me of the envelope in my hand as she adjusts my shirt collar as if I am going in for school pictures.
“That’s right. And…and I’m good. I’m talented. Giving. Kind. And it’s my birthday, dang it!”
“That’s the spirit.” Now she rubs my shoulders in the manner of a prizefighter’s coach. It’s working. There is a confidence building in my gut.
We both stare at the closed door in front of us. Rae’s nameplate is gone.
“What do we know about the new director?”
“Seems okay. More professional than Rae. And a tad nicer. I did indicate that you were coming in.”
“And?”
“I didn’t explain the situation, dear. That’s up to you. I just got you in the door. Let me check and be sure now is a good time.” Lysa disappears into the office. I strain my neck to try and look beyond the potted palm just inside the door, but I can only see the top third of the barren bookshelves.
This place is dead. I check my watch. The morning newspaper club should be gathering by now.
Lysa walks quietly backward out the door, as if afraid to stir a sleeping giant. This quickens my heartbeat. The new director said no.
“Go ahead, Ms. Hamilton.” She curtseys and swipes her finger across her neck. This was our signal for Rae’s bad mood days.
“Great,” I mutter before quickly putting on a warm smile. “Knock. Knock.” I enter with a stupid line.
“I know that joke.” A familiar voice comes from the left corner of the room, behind a set of stacked file drawers.
I walk toward the voice until I stand face-to-face with Beau. I look about me, waiting for others to jump out and yell surprise or happy birthday. But it is just me and him. “What?” I say, still waiting for the farce to play out.
“Welcome, Ms. Hamilton. I was just reviewing your personnel file. Quite impressive.” He leans over and pecks me on the cheek.
Now I see that the boxes lining the wall have his name on them. This is not a surprise party…this is Beau’s surprise.
“You are the…my boss?”
“Rae’s recent bad state review was the last straw. Our shared board had been watching her for months, actually. I had already told my supervisor that I was open to a move here, to be closer to you, by the time the verdict was in about Rae’s position being open.” He watches my face for a reaction.
I try to process all that he is telling me. My emotions are trying to catch up.
“I didn’t know that you would ever want to return to Golden Horizons…or I would have asked how you felt before I accepted the transfer.” Beau is trying not to state his worry, but his rambling says it for him.
“Shhh,” I say with my finger to my lips.
“And God seemed to work out the details because that great place…Canyon Crest…they called and said they had a last-minute cancellation. I got the last condo available. Remember that place? You mentioned it once…”
“Be quiet.” I step back to put a few feet between us.
After a moment of silence Beau adds, “But then you were so uncertain about us living in the same town…and you made it clear that you hate surprises…”
I just look at him and consider all of this. The package of having my job, having him here in town, working with someone who actually cares for the residents.
“What, Mari? Say something.” Beads of sweat are forming on his forehead.
“Be quiet,” I say at barely a whisper. “I’m trying to enjoy the most incredible birthday gift I have ever received.”
When Beau realizes I have just said something positive he rushes forward and hugs me so tight that my feet are lifted off the linoleum the color of oatmeal.
While Beau still holds me above floor level, he grabs a party favor horn from his desk and blows into it. The door opens and everybody I care about floods into the office. Caitlin, Sadie, and Angelica enter with sheepish grins and are followed by droves of residents who hold “Welcome home, Mari” and “Happy Birthday” signs with letters made out of macaroni.
I realize, looking at all of their smiling faces, that my circle of three might be my core group…but they’ve never been my entire support system of love, kindness, and joy. My circle is much, much bigger.