*“Stella, can I ask you something?” It was Tuesday, almost closing time. Hadley had cleaned and disinfected all the tables. Only a few customers remained at the bar, savoring their coffees and slices of pie.
“Always. Can’t promise an answer though.”
Hadley was grateful Stella hadn’t mentioned Jesse’s Monday visit, of which her boss had clearly disapproved. If Jesse came in again, she’d have to be careful not to linger at his table. She needed to keep this job. Perhaps even more than that, she cared about Stella’s good opinion.
“My cousin Jeff had us over for Sunday dinner last week. I’d like to return the favor. But I don’t cook. I mean I do cook. But it’s to suit a three-year-old’s taste buds.”
Stella’s eyes, framed as always with black eyeliner and thick mascara-coated lashes, were penetrating. “Your mom would be glad you’re making the effort with the Bombinis. She hated the bad blood between her and her brother.”
“Hang on. I thought Mom was the one who was mad at Uncle Anthony. For getting all of Uncle Frank’s inheritance.”
“Nope. After Frank died Anthony cut off all contact with your mother. I figure he felt too guilty to see her anymore. As for Denise she always said she never helped Frank to get his money. She just felt unappreciated when he left everything to Anthony.”
“But that was all manipulation! Uncle Anthony never came to visit Uncle Frank until near the end. He must have bad mouthed Mom or something, to convince him to change his will.”
“No one knows that for sure.”
“What other explanation could there be for Uncle Frank cutting Mom out of his will just five days before he died?”
“I hear you. But your mom never talked that way. She said Frank had the right to leave his money to whoever he wanted.”
“Come on. She must have been hurt.” Hadley had only been thirteen when her great-uncle died, but she’d heard talk from Jesse and Fallon’s parents when she was visiting her friends. She knew everyone in town felt that her mother had deserved that money. Not bloody Anthony.
Stella lifted a shoulder. “All I know for sure is that your mother would be pleased to see you making an effort with Jeff.”
If it was only up to her, Hadley wouldn’t be. But she was hardly going to admit that. “What do I make for dinner? Carly served this amazing lasagna last week. I can’t top that. Or match it, for that matter.”
“You don’t need to. The weather is great. It’s barbecue season. Talk to Moe and get some tips on grilling the perfect burger. Then take a pie out of my freezer for dessert. Dinner doesn’t have to be fancy, Hadley. Just good.”
*
Three thirty was Hadley’s favorite time of the day. She loved the way Madison would drop whatever she was playing with and come running into her arms for a big hug. She knew these precious days wouldn’t last much longer and was determined to enjoy them while she could.
Jesse, Fallon, and the twins lived in a roomy double-story house on Church Avenue, just two blocks from the elementary school. Hadley dropped her daughter off and picked her up from the entrance at the back of the house. As she opened the gate, she admired anew the generous yard which had everything a child could want. A tree house for older children, a playhouse for the younger ones. Lots of grass for running and games and a tire swing off the big maple tree in the back corner.
It was a backyard made for children and playing and fun. For a while Hadley stood on the sidelines, watching. Two little girls a bit older than Madison were dipping long, pink, plastic wands into a soapy concoction then waving them above their heads to create streams of glossy bubbles, while Madison danced with delight under the shimmering spheres.
Such total focus. Such joy. This was living in the moment, as only a three-year-old could.
“Three is such a wonderful age,” Fallon said. “The simplest things make them happy.”
She was sitting at a picnic table in the shade, helping a little boy piece together a puzzle. As usual her thick curly hair was held off her face with a colorful bandana, her curvy figure disguised by an unstructured floral dress.
“It sure is.”
Hearing her mother’s voice, Madison looked over and grinned. Hadley set down the paper bag containing Stella’s pie and a bottle of Amos’s special spice blend, so she could reciprocate the hug and it came at her hard. She buried her face into the back of her daughter’s neck, smelling the sweetness of little girl and baby shampoo.
“Ready to go home baby girl?”
Madison nodded vigorously. She obviously enjoyed being here and playing with the other children. But being with her mother at home was her favorite. Hadley knew she didn’t deserve the miraculous gift, but she cherished it.
Fallon handed a piece of the puzzle to the little boy, then got up from the table.
“As far as I’m concerned the trial period is over. If you and Madison are happy, we can make our arrangement permanent.” Fallon smiled at the little girl, placing a hand briefly on the top of her head. “I love having you here, Madison.”
Madison’s shy smile was answer enough for Hadley. “Awesome. I’ll set up a recurring payment from my bank account to yours.”
“Sounds good.”
Madison moved closer to her mother, wrapping her arms around one of Hadley’s legs and Hadley imagined herself as a goose, tucking her duckling under her wing. The closeness gave her such a primal pleasure. She must have shared this connection with her own mother once. Sad that she couldn’t remember those days. That meant Madison probably wouldn’t remember either.
Hadley was almost at the gate when she turned back, planning to give Fallon a smile. She’d thought she sensed an opening with her old friend. But the look Fallon gave her when Madison wasn’t watching was chilling. All her previous warmth and sweetness had vanished.
Did she remember the days when they had spent every weekend together? Their friendship went back to kindergarten. First playdates, then sleepovers. Birthday parties and ski lessons. They’d done all that together.
And then seventeen happened. And Luke Baron happened.
And yeah, she’d split town. But she’d tried to keep in touch with Fallon.
“You never acknowledged any of my post cards.” She’d snail mailed funny messages from some of the places she visited with the band. After a few months of this, with not as much as a text message in response, she’d given up.
“What was I supposed to say? Thanks for thinking of me? You walked out on all of us when you left Tangle Falls.”
“Maybe I did you a favor. You did end up with Jesse.” Hadley regretted the snitty comment as soon as she made it.
“What did you expect Jesse to do? Remain single all his life in homage to you?”
She had to turn this around. She could not afford to fight with Fallon. “You and Jesse have built a great life together and I’m glad. I’m sorry I was thoughtless and selfish at seventeen. But I like to think I’ve matured. And that eventually we can be friends again. Not like before, obviously.”
“Maybe,” Fallon said reluctantly. But the look in her eyes was a hard no.