| |
When the power came back on, Maureen jerked. Her eyes squinted against the harsh light of the bulb in her bedside lamp. She hated losing her intimate time with Amanda, who sprang to life with glee.
“Yay, I can charge my phone now,” Amanda said.
“Not so fast, we have to get the right kind of plug.”
“Why didn’t you bring one along?”
“I didn’t think to, darling. Sorry.”
Amanda snatched the hotel’s bedside phone from its cradle. “Hello, I need a new plug to charge my iPhone.”
“Someone will bring an adapter up—within an hour.”
“A whole hour?” Amanda paused for a moment then slammed down the phone. She turned to Maureen. “They asked me not to use my plug, so I don’t fry their electrical system. Which is a laugh since we’ve been without electricity.” Amanda expelled a chuckle.
Minutes later Maureen heard a rap-rap-rap on the door. “Who is it?” Maureen asked, hoping to instill caution in her daughter, who would open the door to any stranger.
“Expecting someone special?” Denny asked.
“It’s Aunt Denny,” Amanda said with exuberance. She vaulted out of bed and was opening the door before Maureen could say another word.
Denny enfolded Amanda in her arms and kissed the top of her head. An act Amanda would never allow Maureen to do.
“What brings you by?” Maureen could hear a snarly twang in her voice. She resented the fact that Amanda loved Denny so much. Maureen knew she was being childish. But Aunt Denny didn’t have to deal with late homework assignments or any of the few household chores that Amanda was responsible for. What was Maureen talking about? Now that Lydia lived with them Amanda didn’t have any household chores. And for all she knew, Lydia did Amanda’s homework for her.
“Good news,” Amanda said to Denny with buoyancy. “The furnace is back on.”
“That is good news.” Denny sent Maureen a wink. “And yet it’s still snowing.”
“It is?” Amanda flounced over to the window. “Mommy, can I go out now and play in it?”
Maureen cast Denny an imploring look.
Denny nodded. “Too late now, sweetie pie. First thing tomorrow we can go out and build a snowman and make snow angels.”
“Promise?”
“Well, maybe not the first thing but soon after a cup of coffee and after I show you my big surprise.”
Amanda looked up to Denny with wide eyes. “What surprise?”
“I’m getting a new puppy.”
“What?” Maureen said. “Since when?”
“It’s only a couple hours old so since it was born.”
“I wanna see it right now.” Amanda said.
“Not yet. Rosie’s mommy wouldn’t like it. She’s terribly protective, as you can imagine she would be. But she’ll get over that soon enough.”
“Where did Princess have this puppy?” Maureen asked.
“She actually had three pups.” Denny chortled. “Down in the basement, next to the room where Alec has been sleeping.”
Maureen could not contain her laughter. “Oh dear, now I’ve heard everything.”
“I guess she’s been nesting in that area for several days, but he didn’t have the heart to boot her out, so he made a whelping box.”
“How is it that you get to have one of the puppies?” Maureen asked.
“I just am.”
“How, if it was born only hours ago?”
.”I’ll figure it out.”
“But how?”
“Trying to rain on my parade?” Denny wagged her pointer finger at her sister. “You always do this when something good happens to me, and I’m supposed to go along and smile when spectacular things happen to you.”
“Since when?” Maureen was baffled, but she didn’t want to talk about her possible job loss in front of Amanda. Maureen would try to be happy for her little sister. That’s what their mother would have done.
Even when their father berated Mom in public, she would form a placid smile on her face as if she hadn’t a care in the world. As if he had said she was the most cherished and intelligent person in his life. Their mother had looked like a svelte movie star to Maureen. She’d taught Maureen everything she knew about cooking. But Denny had inherited their mother’s genes when it came to good looks, including her slim figure. Sorting through their mother’s clothes closet after her death, only Denny could fit into any of them with a little hemming.
Maureen’s thoughts turned to James, who was arrogant when it came down to it and acted much like her father had. Which she’d always thought was a good trait. But she doubted if James cared a whit if she lost her job. He’d probably laugh with his buddies at the golf and country club. Anything to prove that he was superior to Maureen.
Maureen guessed he was, so no need to compete.
It occurred to her again that he had not tried to call her once. Wasn’t he at least curious about her and their daughter? He kept a photograph of them on his mahogany desk at work. She wondered what his motives were for having it. Probably to make his clients feel at ease. She recalled the photo shoot. Everything had to be perfect. He’d even hired professionals to coif Maureen’s hair and apply makeup to make her look better than she really was. She wondered if he mentioned to his clients that she was in essence a television star. Everyone loved food and cooking programs and eating gourmet food. Everyone loved Maureen’s show, until a few days ago. Was that part of her life over? She recalled the kitchen of this hotel filled with smoke, proof that she was inadequate. She would have to reinvent herself. Maybe when they got home, she’d hire a career counselor. Or maybe be a stay-at-home mom. Be there when Amanda came home from school.
“Mommy, Mommy, are you listening?” Amanda shook Maureen’s upper arm, bringing her out of her musings. “Did you hear one word I said?” Amanda asked.
“I’m sorry, darling. I must have dozed off.”
“Well, can I? Aunt Denny says I have to get your okay.”
“All right as long as you stick close to Aunt Denny.” Maureen had no idea what her daughter wanted but didn’t wish to admit that she wasn’t listening. That her behavior was just as bad as James’s.
“But not too early, okay?” Denny yawned. “The snow won’t melt if we snooze in bed for an hour or two longer. And Lydia promised to prepare something special for breakfast tomorrow.”
“I have her breakfast every day.” Amanda folded her arms across her chest. “I will eat breakfast only if I can see the puppies first.”
“We will have to wait and see how Princess is doing,” Denny said. “She might still be protective of her pups.”
“How did you decide on the name Rosie?” Maureen asked. She bet it had something to do with Alec. She’d sensed a buzz of attraction between the two. Denny had always been boy crazy. Almost without fail, Denny had gotten a crush on Maureen’s boyfriends in high school and in then college. James was the one exception. Denny made it clear from the start she didn’t care for him and vice versa.
“I want a puppy too,” Amanda said. “Mommy, promise me when we get home we can get one. Please, please, please.”
“You know your father is allergic to dogs. Even more so to cats.”
Denny chuckled. “Likely story. Has he gone to an allergist?”
“He says they bother his asthma, and I believe him.” Maureen hated Denny demeaning James in front of Amanda.
“Humph,” Denny said. “He always looks healthy to me.”
“Please, Mommy.” Amanda’s voice grew in intensity. “I want a cairn terrier puppy the color of Rosie. I wonder what we should name her.” Amanda danced around the room, then flopped down on the bed. “I love the name Rosie.”
“Is she pink?” Maureen asked Denny, feeling snarly.
“Ha-ha, very funny.” The corners of her mouth drawn back, Denny did not appear to be amused. “She is a lovely light reddish-brown color and the sweetest of the sweet. I love the smell of puppies better than anything.”
“Better than books?” Maureen asked. “Or newborn babies?”
“Hey, why are you always trying to hurt me?” Denny moved toward the door, took the handle. “Sometimes I hate you.”
“The feeling’s mutual, dear sister.”