Chapter Twenty



 

 

Blair was hobbling to the front door to answer the buzzer when Sandy entered the condo carrying a pizza.

“Hey, I was gonna pay for that.” Blair leaned on her crutches.

“Go back to your spot on the couch and keep working on that indent. I want an excuse to buy a new one. Not that I don’t love having you here because it’s been like a three-week slumber party, but now that you’re talking with your father, maybe you can do some additional bonding with him at your mom’s place.”

“Ouch, that hurts. Kicking out the wounded warrior. Seriously, am I cramping your style? I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“No, it’s not that. I just think it’s been good to see things working out with at least one person who doesn’t share every single opinion you have of the way the world should work. I thought if you could make total peace with him, then someone else might stand a chance. I know for a fact that if you didn’t want to go back and live with your mom while you’re on leave and planning your rally, someone else would jump at the chance to have you back at her place.”

“Doubtful. She hasn’t called in two weeks. Have you talked to her?” Using her crutches, Blair made her way back to the couch, pushing the throw pillow underneath her leg.

“No, no, no. I’m not letting either one of you make me the go-between. This isn’t high school. The two of you need to grow the fuck up.” Sandy tossed the pizza on the coffee table. “I’m grabbing myself a beer. Your stubbornness is driving me nuts, and I need to chill. You get water. I don’t need those pain meds mixing with alcohol and me having to drag your ass to the ED.”

Blair decided to steer Sandy in another direction. “Just for clarification, I’m not exactly at peace with the Sperm Donor, but I recognize how he could be helpful in my fight. He’s agreed to speak at the rally, and I’m not stupid enough to let our past history screw up a golden opportunity for the press to cover this. I’ve been able to take him in small doses for the greater good.”

Sandy pulled beer and water from the refrigerator, handing Blair the water before sitting on the chair. Popping the top of the beer, she took a large swig. “Someone else could also make a big impact at that rally. I don’t understand why you don’t call her and ask her to come. Jesus, Blair, if you can work with your dad, why not Maribel?”

“Because I hurt her too much. When I was still processing everything and wouldn’t take her calls…” Blair lifted the lid to the pizza and avoided Sandy’s penetrating gaze.

“I’m not gonna lie. You did hurt her. She’s in love with you.”

Blair’s head jerked up. A piece of pizza hung loosely in her hand. “What?”

“You heard me. She’s in love with you. Come on, Blair, you aren’t stupid. You had to know that Maribel doesn’t open up to anyone. She let you in her heart and her home. And you stomped all over her with barely a look back.”

“I did not. I got shot for fuck’s sake. Shot!”

“And that was her fault, how?”

“I don’t know. She has guns all over her house. She gives them out like candy on Halloween. If it were in my power, I’d take away every single person’s guns in the whole damn United States. Fuck the Second Amendment. What about the Declaration of Independence and everyone’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Shouldn’t that inalienable right trump the Second Amendment?”

“You know the constitution was written by a bunch of men. Who, by the way, did not include women in that statement about being created equal? They also weren’t referring to people of color, so all of it’s a bunch of crap if you want my opinion. That was a different time. You know I agree with you to a certain extent. I’m not sure what the Second Amendment rights were intended to protect, but I know that Maribel’s guns have kept her from the cycle of poverty. I shouldn’t get to take that away from her. Nor would I want to. We all have our special talents. Nobody is trying to take away your right to hold a rally and rile people up about gun control. Why would you want to squash her passion?”

“Not the same thing. My passion doesn’t lead to massive death.”

Sandy shrugged. “I’m just saying that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Even those most rabid about gun control aren’t suggesting we take away every single gun in the whole United States. If you lead with that at the rally, I guarantee you won’t get very far.”

“Did she tell you she was in love with me?” Blair took a large bite of the pizza flopping in her hand.

“Sort of. She said something about you being so exasperating, but she thought she was falling in love. I told you this before at the hospital. I echo the exasperating part.” Sandy grinned.

“I’m not the only person who is maddening. She’s pretty irksome, too.”

“Not disagreeing on that, but I would like the two of you to be infuriating together. You can start Irksome Island and live happily ever after annoying the hell out of each other.” Sandy laughed.

“You think you are such a comedian. Maybe I’ll call her. Just to see how she’s doing.” Blair chomped on the pizza and ventured a side glance at Sandy to determine her reaction.

Sandy grinned and took another large swallow of beer before grabbing her own piece of pizza and taking a huge bite.

 

 

Lucritia bounced on the balls of her feet while holding the small calico kitten against her neck. Maribel heard the tiny kitten purring from several feet away.

“You excited, Squirt?” Maribel asked.

Lucritia bobbed her head and grinned. “I get my own room.”

Danella had her arm around Lucritia watching as the men made quick work of placing the new home in the space marked off. Maribel had suggested the spot that was finally agreed upon because it was convenient for the necessary water and utility hook-ups but far enough away that Danella and Lucritia would feel like they weren’t living on Maribel’s land. For whatever reason, that seemed important to Danella. She’d planned out a budget that would allow her to pay off the loan within ten years. Maribel thought the plan was a bit too aggressive but had agreed to it. She had even settled on the three percent interest rate that Danella insisted was only fair if this was going to be a business transaction. Danella didn’t want this to be another gift that would make her feel like she hadn’t established the kind of independence she desired to feel like a productive member of society.

“It’s really happening,” Danella said through a happy sigh.

“I’m very proud of you,” Maribel said.

“What about me?” Lucritia asked.

“You too. I’m not sure I would have been able to get as much practice in if it weren’t for you collecting the eggs for me. And that’s a mighty nice garden you have started over there.” Maribel pointed to the patch of dirt filled with plants that would endure the colder temperatures as they eased into fall.

“Heard anything from Blair yet?” Danella asked.

“Nah. I’m giving her space. Besides, I’ve been busy lately.”

“Yeah, right,” Danella scoffed.

“Hey, you’re the one who told me to stop calling every day.”

“Isn’t that big rally of hers in a few weeks?”

“Yeah, so?”

“So, you’ve let her cool off. Maybe you should call and offer to help. Make a speech or something to show you support her, even if you don’t agree with her on everything. I know you agree on some things.”

The buzz from her phone vibrated in her back pocket. “Hang on a sec.” She held up her finger and then pulled out her phone.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Maribel, it’s Blair. I was wondering if you might want to come to town sometime and join me for coffee.”

“Really? You mean that? Sandy didn’t put you up to this or something?”

“Sandy might have been yapping at me, but she didn’t put me up to this. More like banged on my thick skull. In a good way. I miss you. I know that seems odd since we only spent a few days together, but it’s the truth.”

Maribel let out the air she was holding inside. Danella mouthed, who is it?

Maribel waved her hand, but the smile on her face must have revealed her exuberance.

Danella had an ear-splitting grin on her face as she made kissy noises.

“Are you making kissing sounds?” Blair asked.

Maribel laughed. “No, that was Danella, Sandy’s counterpart. She’s been advising me on what to do. Told me I needed to leave you be for a bit. Said I needed to stop being a creepy stalker and give ya space.”

“Well, do you want to have coffee or not?”

Maribel thought she heard a bit of hesitation behind the clipped tone and hurried to answer as honestly as she could. “More than I can express over the phone. You tell me when and I’ll be there. I assume the where is Sandy’s place.”

“How about tomorrow? Does nine sound okay? I know you have deliveries to make in the morning.”

“That sounds perfect and thank you. I am looking forward to seeing you, Blair. I’ve missed you, too.” Maribel pressed the end call symbol and couldn’t stop the giddy smile from overtaking her face.

“Awwww, see I told you giving her space would work,” Danella said.

“Okay, if you know all about how I can repair the damage, I’m all ears. Should I bring flowers like I did the first time we had coffee together?”

“Maybe, but can you come up with something less ordinary? Besides her social activism, was there anything that made her eyes light up? How’d she feel about this place? Did she like the whole country chic?”

“She liked my house, except for the trophy room. That wasn’t a big hit. She loved the kittens.”

“Perfect. Catch one of the little furballs for her. If nothing else, it would be a unique gesture.”

“Yeah, Mari. A kitten is a great present. I love Cali. Mama says she can come in the new house with me,” Lucritia offered her opinion.

“Sandy might tar and feather me if I gave her a kitten and she brought her back to Sandy’s place.”

Danella wiggled her eyebrows. “That’s even more reason to catch one for her. Then you could invite her to crash at your place again since Sandy won’t be too happy about another guest she hasn’t planned on having.”

“Devious. Maybe that works for you, but I’m more of a straight shooter.”

“You might want to keep any mention of shooting from your conversation. Besides you ain’t straight. Honest and forthright, sure, that’s you to a T. Okay, how about if you come right out and say that you wanted to bring something for her, and it had to be extra special. Plus, you miss having her around. And you thought the gift would serve another purpose. You could admit you thought the kitten would entice her to stay with you ’cause Sandy might not appreciate a kitten clawing her furniture or having to deal with a litter box.”

“The little gray one likes me. He eats out of my hand, and he’s been letting me pick him up. I could try to catch him for ya, Mari. Since Mama won’t let me have two, you should take him. He’s awful sweet.”

“If you think it’s a good idea, then it must be.” Maribel ruffled Lucritia’s hair. “Tomorrow morning after you gather the eggs, could you see if you can catch him for me?”

“I sure will.” Lucritia offered Maribel her gap-toothed grin, and the plan was settled.