CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Saturday morning dawned with a twangy rendition of “Oh, Lord! It’s Hard to Be Humble When You’re Perfect in Every Way.” Maisie, stretched out full-length against the hollow of Didi’s back, rolled to the floor with a startled squeak and ran from the room. By the time her cat reached the kitchen, she’d be hankering for breakfast if she weren’t already. Miss Maisie had the attention span of a grasshopper and the appetite of a field hand.

Even though it was earlier than Didi liked to get up on a Saturday, she had a lot to do. Party night had come quickly, and she needed to get moving if she was going to get everything done. She was glad she’d taken the time to scour the apartment on Monday so today, she only needed to give it a once-over. After that, there were last-minute groceries to buy, brownies to bake, salad to prepare, and, if there was time, a trek to the dry cleaners.

As she traipsed to the kitchen, she spotted the bouquet of flowers on her coffee table. Her stomach still fluttered as she recalled last night. Never had she enjoyed a first date more. She breathed in the scent of the artful arrangement and carried the flowers to her dining room table. The colorful blooms would make the ideal centerpiece for tonight’s gathering.

Didi bounced down in the wing chair and called her mom. She wanted to share the moment with someone who would appreciate it.

“Floral Creations. This is Ellen. How can I help you?”

“Hey, Mom, it’s me. How’s your day going?”

“Hi, honey. It’s a beautiful day to smell the roses. By the way, weren’t you planning a party? Who’s coming? Anybody I know?”

“Uh-huh. Suzy will be there. Her husband, Michel, is out of town visiting his mother, and he took the kids. And you know Carol Ann, of course.”

“Carol Ann’s a trip. Wasn’t she dating some guy named Spike?”

“That was a year ago, Mom. She’s had two or three boyfriends since then.” Didi bent down and lifted Maisie onto her lap. “She says she’s taking a sabbatical from men.”

“Probably a good idea. Did you invite your friend Maria?”

“Yep. Since her kids are grown, it’s much easier for her to get out.” Didi stroked the cat and rested her feet on the footstool. “I also invited Fanny and Samantha from Bible study and Kristin from work.”

“I’m surprised so many women can get away on a Saturday night.”

“You’d be amazed how many good women languish at home. Kristin’s rather shy, and it’s been a while since she had a date. Fanny’s husband passed away two years ago, so she’s usually free. Speaking of single ladies, I also invited Kelly. You might not remember her, but I introduced you to her at the church Christmas party last year.”

“The one who bears a striking resemblance to Marilyn Monroe? She’s so pretty. I’m shocked she hasn’t been snapped up.”

“I think she intimidates men.” Didi laughed and crossed her ankles. “It must be hard being so beautiful. And speaking of beautiful, I don’t think you’ve ever met Samantha, but she led the women’s group I used to attend. She’s coming because her husband owes her a night out.”

“Owes her?”

“He deserted her for a week in February to go deer hunting. Samantha says he’s in her debt big time since he left her alone with five kids all under twelve. I think she deserves a medal. So with me, that makes eight.”

“All right, Fern, I’m coming!” Ellen yelled. “Sorry to run, honey, but Saturdays are hopping, so I should get back to work. I want you to tell me everything when I see you next week, okay?”

“Sure. Have a good day, Mom. I’ll call you soon.”

“Have fun with the girls tonight, dear.”

* * *

That evening before the ladies arrived, Didi continued with her image upgrade. Normally for a night out with girlfriends, she’d throw on jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers, but tonight she rooted through her closet to find a black denim skirt and a camel-colored sweater. A cute pair of tan flats finished the outfit. For good measure, Didi rummaged through her jewelry box for her tiger-eye necklace and matching earrings. It was her party, and she wanted to be a proper hostess.

The doorbell rang as Didi slipped on the pair of earrings. Suzy was due to arrive fifteen minutes early to help her with last-minute preparations, but it was only five thirty, and the party didn’t start until six.

Didi opened the door to find Maria standing there with a vegetable tray and a stricken expression on her face.

“Hi. Everything okay?”

“I know I’m early, but I really needed to talk to you before everyone else gets here.” Maria’s voice quavered.

Had something terrible happened? “What’s wrong?” Didi motioned her in.

They sat on the couch, and before they’d had a chance to take a breath, Maria blurted out, “I’m so sorry to have to tell you this, Didi, but last night I saw Kevin out with another woman. Rob and I were out at the Australian Steak House, and Kevin had his arm around some cheap blonde. I followed them outside, and he was kissing her right there in the parking lot of the restaurant—and I don’t mean on the cheek.” Maria’s lower lip trembled. “I saw it with my own eyes.”

To Didi’s complete and utter astonishment, her blood boiled. She didn’t want Kevin back, so why was she fuming? So what if he was out with Mindy again? What did she expect? He clearly wasn’t pining over his ex-fiancée.

Didi hugged her friend and patted her on the shoulder. It wasn’t easy to deliver bad news. “It’s okay. I already know. But I’ll admit it makes me mad to think of Kevin with another woman so soon.”

“Well, of course it does. I know you said you and Kevin might be breaking up, but I had no idea he was seeing someone else. Aren’t you devastated?”

“I was at first, but I’m doing better. We’re over for good, and if Kevin wants to date a hundred fitness instructors, that’s his choice.”

“Y-yess,” Maria stuttered. “I didn’t want to hurt you, but I thought you should know. Her name was Tiffany, if you didn’t already know.”

Tiffany? Tiffany? She was Kevin’s secretary. Didi’s mouth went dry. Not only was he cheating on her with Mindy, but now there were two women? Had she meant so little to him? Lightheaded, she squeezed her eyes shut to stop the room from spinning. She’d been such a fool.

“Didi? Are you okay?”

She opened her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “I’m glad you told me. You know, I’ve been wondering something. Last week when you mentioned he’d never seemed right for me, what did you mean?”

Maria squinted, uncertainty filling her eyes.

Didi leaned forward. “Please be honest with me.”

“There was something about the way he treated you. Even in church, he was too smooth with the ladies, and his glances at other girls lingered too long. Often when he talked to you, he was rude, and I could tell that some of the things he said embarrassed you. It…it made me cringe when he treated you like a child.”

“Hmmm.” When Kevin had treated her like a child. Maria was right. That was it exactly. “You cringed? Why didn’t you ever tell me?”

Maria’s face colored, and the corners of her mouth turned down. “I guess I didn’t want to interfere. I was hoping you’d see what kind of man he was and send him packing. Then when you announced your engagement, it didn’t seem right to blab. It was your business, and I was always taught to butt out of things that didn’t concern me.”

“But they did concern you, because you’re my friend. Why don’t we make a pact? If you ever see me making a big mistake again, please tell me. And if I see you doing something foolish, I’ll let you know. How’s that?”

Maria smiled, but then her gaze hit the floor. “But what are you going to do now? You were going to get married, and buy a house, and get another cat…and…and…”

“I know. Everything’s changed, but I’m dealing with it. Thanks for caring so much, Maria. You’re a good friend.” The doorbell rang, and Didi touched Maria’s shoulder on her way to answer the door.

Suzy stood in the doorway, arms filled with two kinds of tortilla chips, Mexican seven-layer dip, and extra sour cream.

“Welcome to girls’ night.” Didi grinned and rescued the baked chips before they fell to the floor.

Maria leapt off the sofa, grabbed the other bag of chips, and gave Suzy a one-armed hug. The three strolled into the kitchen as Maisie rounded the corner, sniffing for food.

“Hi, little girl.” Suzy swept up the purring cat and petted her sleek head. “No taco dip for you, but I’m sure Didi has a yummy dinner planned for you later.” Placing Maisie on a barstool, Suzy rolled up her sleeves. “So what can I do to help?”

“The brownies should be cool enough to frost, if you want to do that. I have ready-made milk chocolate frosting and multicolored sprinkles in the pantry. Maria, would you mind setting the table? The plates and glasses are in the breakfront, and the flatware is in the drawer to the left of the dishwasher. Napkins, name cards, and menus are already on the table.”

Maria and Suzy got busy, and Didi set out the taco dip, chips, and salsa on the breakfast bar. As she headed toward the bedroom to slip on her shoes, the doorbell rang again.

Samantha and Fanny came in together, bearing asparagus lasagna and broccoli cheddar soup. Didi threw her arms around their necks and hugged them tight. Why had she neglected these two faithful friends? They’d been an important part of her life until Kevin had come along.

“It’s been months since we’ve seen you. We miss you at ladies’ Bible study.” Petite, pixie-haired Fanny lugged in a heavy Crock-Pot. “Where can I plug this in? The soup’s already steamy hot, but if we don’t eat for a while, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it on low.”

“Maria and Suzy are in the kitchen. We can set the soup on the counter.” Didi peeped under the foil-covered dish in Samantha’s hand. “My, that smells good. Nice and cheesy, and healthy too, with all that green stuff. Does it need to be warmed up?”

“I don’t think so. It’s straight out of the oven.” Samantha’s hands were swathed in oven mitts, but Didi was sure that underneath the mitts were perfectly polished and manicured fingernails. With all those kids to raise, she was as busy as the Good Humor Man on a hot August day, but she always looked as if she’d just stepped off the page of Vogue. “How long until we eat?”

“As soon as everyone gets here, but while we’re waiting, you can start on the appetizers. Maria brought the veggie tray that’s on the coffee table. On the bar is Suzy’s seven-layer taco dip and chips. We’re still waiting on drinks, but please help yourselves, and I’ll be right back.”

Didi almost made it to the bedroom before the doorbell rang again. This time, she went the extra twenty feet, found her shoes, and slipped them on. Good thing she’d started dressing early.

As she opened the door, Carol Ann enfolded her in a big hug and squeezed her tight. “I haven’t seen you in ages. The lemon chicken’s in the car, and if I may say so myself, it smells divine. I was drooling all the way from Baltimore. Can you help me, please?”

They each carried a huge tray of chicken from the car into the front hall and made their way into the crowded kitchen. The luscious aroma of lemony poultry filled the house, and to Didi’s horror, Maisie sprang to the counter to investigate.

Everyone chuckled as Didi toted the struggling miscreant back to the bedroom and closed the door. Thank goodness, the unrepentant cat hadn’t landed smack-dab in someone’s dish. When she got back to the kitchen, animal lover Carol Ann handed her a small plate of juicy, chopped chicken and scooted her back toward a soon-to-be grateful cat. Her kitty scarfed down the treat. Didi hurried back to her guests, promising to let the captive out after dinner.

As Didi rounded the corner of the kitchen, Kristin stopped stirring her shrimp fried rice and greeted her with a wraparound hug. The table had been set, and the brownies were iced and sprinkled. Didi was pleased to see Suzy was busy chatting it up with Carol Ann, and Samantha and Fanny were in the living room drawing Kristin into the conversation. It was a good bunch.

At a quarter after six, there was still no sign of the perpetually late Kelly. With no drinks to serve, Didi filled crystal glasses with spring water and crushed ice. Since everyone seemed content to mingle and the appetizers were holding out nicely, Didi elected to wait until six thirty to serve dinner.

As she handed Maria a glass, she whispered, “Thanks again for the heads-up on Kevin. You’re a good friend.”

Maria nodded as she stuffed another dip-filled chip in her mouth. “You’re welcome. Those flowers on the table are stunning.”

Didi picked up a plate and filled it with carrots and celery. As she sat on the wing chair in the living room, she raised her eyebrows. “Now, that’s an interesting story.”

Conversation stopped, and everyone stared at Didi. Carol Ann walked out of the powder room and into the silence. “What? Did I miss something important?”

“Didi’s going to tell us where the gorgeous flowers came from.” Samantha pointed to the bouquet on the table, and all eyes circled back to Didi.

“Well, since you ladies are so nosy, I’ll let you in on a secret. They’re from my date last night, and I don’t mean Kevin.”

Before Didi could say anything more, there was a frantic pounding on the door. Didi raced to open it.

“Help!” Kelly staggered in with arms full of paraphernalia, a quart of lemonade dangling from her fingertips.

“Good heavens. How did you manage to carry all that?” Didi scooped up what she could while Fanny and Kristin rushed to help. The three whisked an assortment of bags, bottles, and containers to the kitchen, and Didi organized the bounty and asked for drink orders.

“Hey, wait just a doggone minute here.” Carol Ann stood in the dining room with arms crossed, foot tapping a beat on the carpet. There’s an unanswered question on the table. Give it up, Didi. Who’s the man with the good taste in flowers?”

Didi opened her mouth to speak when the phone rang. She shrugged. “What can I say? Saved by the bell.”