Barbara Levenson - Mary Magruder Katz 03 - Outrageous October (3 page)

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CHAPTER

SEVEN

One year later, Miami, Florida

I fought my way through the evening rush hour on the causeway to Miami Beach. Even though it was crawling along, I still felt a sense of ease. The causeway surrounded by the aqua water of Biscayne Bay has a tranquil effect. Small pleasure boats darted by. The view of the receding Miami downtown skyline sparkled in the waning sunlight making the high-rise buildings look like so many crown jewels. The causeway ended as I inched through familiar territory. My old high school, the Katz Kosher Super Market where I stopped after school with my friends for candy treats from my grandfather. It all looked the same.

Then I turned down Fiftieth Street. The second lot from the corner is where our old house should be standing. Instead there were two townhouses squished onto the lot I slowed to view it all. The yard where my two brothers, William and Jonathan, and I played endless hours of football and soccer was filled with the faux Spanish architecture that has become the new Miami look. I stared in bewilderment as I recalled mother’s garden that decorated the front of the house. Now the front of the new buildings consisted of a brick courtyard without a bit of grass or a tree.

I sped up again still wondering why my parents had sold the old place when Dad and Uncle Max sold Katz Kosher Super Market that my grandfather started.. Now they lived seventy miles away in a gated community with a golf course and clubhouse, amid a sea of cloned houses lacking even a modicum of the character of our old place that met its demise with a few scoops of a bulldozer.

Lucy’s house is one of the old Spanish style original Miami Beach homes. It is warm and inviting, like stepping back in time; especially since Lucy has a few pieces of furniture that were her mother’s.

Lucy was waiting for her neighbor’s daughter to arrive to babysit. She had poured two glasses of wine. We sat in the family room while the two older boys watched TV and Lucy’s ten month old daughter slept in her playpen.

“Where do you want to go for dinner?” I asked. I really felt hungry.

“I made a reservation for seven-thirty at Tony’s Fish House. It’s sort of new and it has a water view. It’s in the Majestic Condo building.

“I know that building. Carlos built it right before I met him.”

We finished our wine just as the babysitter arrived. Lucy said she was fifteen, but she looked more like twenty-five, wearing a figure revealing dress that appeared to be made out of spandex.

We piled into the Explorer and pulled into the condo building in a matter of minutes. Valet parking was jammed, cars lined up two deep. I waited in line and finally inched up to the attendant. “Look at that parking attendant who just jumped into that Corvette. He’s driving off like he’s at the Homestead Speedway,” Lucy said pointing out the window.

“That’s a car just like Carlos’s. He’d kill someone that drove his car like that,” I said.

We went up the elevator to the seventh floor and made our way to the restaurant. It smelled delicious. Lucy gave the hostess her name and we waited to be seated. The hostess was dressed in a spandex dress much like the babysitter’s. I felt out of style in my staid courtroom attire.

The hostess returned to her podium after checking out the available tables. “This way, please,” she said as she led us through the aisles of tables.

“Right here please,” she said as she pointed to a small empty table adjoining several other tables.

“We’ll never be able to have a conversation here,” I said “The noise level is awful.”

I glanced around and spotted a booth across the aisle. The banquettes had high backs. Why can’t we have that booth? I’m sure it’s less noisy.”

“That booth is occupied. This is the only table available right now,” the hostess answered.

“No, it’s not occupied. I moved to the side of the booth and that’s when my heart stopped beating. I clutched Lucy’s arm to steady myself. The noisy room spun for a minute.

“What’s wrong, Mary? Are you ill?” Lucy put her hand on my shoulder. Then she saw what I saw and her only comment was, “Oh no.”

“We won’t be staying.” I said as I moved back through the maze of tables to the entrance, to the elevator, and away from the moment I felt my heart break.

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CHAPTER

EIGHT

Outside the breeze from the ocean swept away the sticky feeling from my face, but the picture of the occupants of that booth couldn’t be moved by the breeze. The picture of Carlos and his ex-wife, Margarita, half hidden in that cozy booth was indelibly painted in my brain. My eyes were filled with that image even as the first of many tears rained down from it.

I moved at a run through the front portico of the building. Lucy raced behind me trying to keep up. My car was still in front. I threw a ten dollar bill at the attendant and jumped into the driver’s seat. Lucy barely had time to close the passenger door as I hit the gas and roared away from the building and the dinner that changed my life..

I drove along the ocean instead of turning back toward Lucy’s house. I opened the windows and felt the wind filling the car, but still I couldn’t erase the picture of Carlos and Margarita.

Lucy was quiet for a while. Finally she closed her window and asked if she could drive. I pulled onto the shoulder of the road and switched places with my forever best friend who eased the car back to the traffic of Miami Beach. She stopped in her driveway and led me into her house.

After the babysitter was dispatched and the two older boys sent to their room, Lucy poured two glasses of brandy and set them on the coffee table in front of us. She sat on the sofa next to me.

“Oh, God, Lucy what am I going to do? I thought Carlos was the one right guy at the right time in my life. I thought I knew him, but I must have closed my eyes to his ability to lie so smoothly. He told me, right to my face, that he was going to a business meeting. Now I wonder how many other times he pulled this crap.”

“Mary, I am so sorry. Why did I have to pick that restaurant? I feel awful.”

“It’s not your fault. I would have found out eventually and that might have been worse. It’s just a shock. It’s better to know where I stand now. I feel like such a fool. I thought I was a better judge of people. That’s what I get for mistaking lust for love. I’ll get rid of this rock of a ring and make a clean break.”

“Maybe there’s some explanation of why he was with her. You need to give yourself some time to think, like a time-out that I make my kids take.”

“I do need some time away, but not to think. I have to break this off with Carlos. The one thing I can’t forgive is being lied to; that, and being part of a triangle. I guess that’s two things I can’t forgive.”

“Listen, you’re exhausted. You work without a break or a vacation. I’ve got a great idea. Why don’t you go up to Vermont for a couple of weeks and use my house there? I’ve been trying to get you to go ever since my grandmother left me the house. You’ll love it, especially right now with the leaves changing colors, and the crisp autumn days. We’d be up there ourselves if Steve wasn’t getting ready for a big trial.”

“Maybe it would be good to get out of here for a while. Where is it exactly?”

“It’s in the Upper Connecticut River Valley near a cute village called High Pines, and you can take Sam. I know you never go anywhere without that dog. Trust me. It’ll be totally relaxing. Absolutely nothing ever happens in High Pines.”

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CHAPTER

NINE

I tried to go to sleep but I tossed and turned, My bed felt alien with the smell of Carlos surrounding me.. Finally I got up and changed the sheets. I tried again but I was fully awake. I gave up and raided the fridge where I found a leftover slice of pizza and a half eaten, fully forgotten carton of Moo Goo Guy Pan from the Chinese carryout near the office. I nuked them both in the microwave and ate a few bites. The strange meal made me nauseous to look at it. I couldn’t remember the last time I didn’t want to eat.

I settled in the living room and tried to focus on the plan to leave for Vermont. Sam jumped up on the sofa and nestled his head in my lap. At least I still had one loyal male in my life.

I tried to count the good things in my life like Mother always told me to do when I was unhappy. I still had my family, my dog, my law practice, a few friends and then I looked down at my hand. I was still wearing my humongous emerald and diamond engagement ring. I was filled with rage as it shined in my eyes as if it were taunting me.

I had to figure out what to do. I went to the desk and pulled out a yellow pad and a pen. I would use my organization skills and make a plan.

First, I wrote: 1. call the messenger service as soon as I get to the office and ship Carlos’s ring back to him with a letter. I rewrote the letter several times and finally decided on:

Carlos,

I am returning your ring. I saw you and Margarita at the restaurant last night. You lied to me. I can forgive many things, but not total lies. Any relationship that we had is over, ended, finished. Do not phone me, e-mail me, or attempt to see me at the office or anywhere else.

Next I outlined everything I had to do to leave quickly for Vermont. I made a list of work things to do and house things to do. The clock read five-thirty a.m. when I finished the paper work. Time to shower, and feed and walk Sam, who was thrilled that he was partaking of an early breakfast, My appetite began to return. I downed toast and two cups of strong coffee.

I was seated at my desk by seven-thirty and had already called the messenger service when Catherine arrived.

“What are you doing here so early?” she asked,

“I had a bad night. What’s your excuse?”

“I had to have the boys at school early for soccer practice so I came here instead of going back home.”

Catherine had a sixth sense when it came to detecting troubles. “What’s going on? Is it Carlos?”

“Oh, yes, it’s that lying untrustworthy Carlos. I caught him having dinner with Margarita last night. His business dinner turned out to be a cozy fling with the ever-present ex. Listen, Catherine, I’ve called the messenger service. I’m sending back his ring. I’m really through with him. And do not discuss this with Marco, or you’ll be looking for a new job.”

“Mary, you know I’d never do anything you didn’t want me to do. You know I will always take your side. I understand about cheating partners. I lived it with my ex.”

“I guess you do understand after your ex, that louse, Brady, walked out on you and the two babies and ended up with some bimbo in Ft. Lauderdale.”

“Sure, I know the whole feeling; blaming yourself, blaming him, but at least you never made things permanent.”

“Lucy has offered me her house in Vermont. I need to get away, so I’m taking her up on it. I’m going to get out of here as fast as I can.”

“What can I do to help? What about the office?”

“I want you to keep it open. Get Joe Fineberg on the phone. He can take over my cases and interview any new clients for a couple of weeks. He owes me a favor now that he and Liz Maxwell have finally tied the knot. And I’ll want you to check my house from time to time. Sam and I will be out of here in a day or two.”

“Of course. Anything else?”

“Yes, do not tell Carlos where I am. I need time to let this broken heart heal.”

“Mary, I’ll miss you. Please, don’t stay away too long.”

“I can’t leave my work for too long or I’ll have no practice to return to. I just need some quiet time, and Lucy tells me nothing ever happens in High Pines.”

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CHAPTER

TEN

Two days after the disaster dinner. I had the Ford almost packed. Keys to the house were left with Catherine and my neighbor, Mrs. Armando, who didn’t believe that I was just going on vacation. She probably thought I was being run out of town because of my colorful clients.

Sam was bathed and brushed. My files were left in Joe’s capable hands and Catherine had a list of instructions for every kind of office disaster imaginable and even a few unimaginable, like a hurricane and a tsunami both aimed directly at my office.

Only one thing was left to do. I went to the phone. “Hi Mother. Would it be okay if I came up there for dinner and spent the night?” I’ll tell you why when I see you.”

“Well, of course it’s great, but your dad won’t be home until late. It’s his poker night.”

“Good. It’ll be just us girls. See you later.”

I finished loading the car with water and Sam’s food. I threw in a blanket and the few cold weather clothes I had packed away for trips up north in winter to depose witnesses. I loaded Sam’s crate in last and whistled for him to jump in. He loved riding and the crate was a sign that this was a longer ride, not just to the cleaners or grocery store.

The house was as cleaned up as it had ever been. I made one last round through the rooms checking windows and doors. The checklist for Catherine and my neighbor was pinned up on the refrigerator. All systems were go. There was nothing left to do but start the SUV and say goodbye to the Carlos era in my life.

The trip up to Boynton Beach to inform my parents of life’s turn of events was necessary to keep them from calling out the state police and the FBI to find their missing daughter. Besides it was on the way and it would be easy to start from their place in the early morning.

The usual traffic filled the turnpike even in midafternoon. The report on the radio warned of a tractor trailer rollover accident closing all but one lane. Just the usual, but the report allowed me to change routes and arrive at the gated community a little before five. And I was two hours further north.

The guard came out of his little house. He was wearing his usual uniform; a cross between a ship captain and a high school band member.

“What is your destination, please?” he asked.

“I’m here to visit my parents. I’m Mary Katz, Abe and Hope Katz’s daughter. You’ve seen me many times.”

“Your name, please?”

“I just told you. I’m Mary Magruder Katz.”

“Let me see some ID.”

“You’ve got to be kidding.”

“No, I’m serious. My job is to keep outsiders out.”

“Look, I’m in no mood to be hassled. Get on your phone and call Hope Katz and tell her Mary, her daughter is here. Do it,” I barked. That caused Sam to stand up in his crate and give out an ominous real bark.

Captain Courageous shot into his guard shack and dialed the phone. In a minute he returned, handed me my visitor’s placard and opened the gate..

I have never understood why a group of elderly retirees whose main occupations are golf and bridge need to be secured from their relatives. Maybe some of them don’t want to be disturbed by the real world of their grown children.

Mother was waiting in the doorway. She came out to the car as I drove up the red brick driveway.

“Mary, all this for an overnight?” she said as she looked inside the car.

I opened Sam’s crate and he bounded into the house. He loved visiting his “grandparents” who were good for lots of snacks from the dinner table.

“No, I’m headed on a little vacation. Let’s go inside so we can talk.”

“What’s wrong, honey? You look like you’ve been crying.” Mother put her arm around my shoulder as we walked inside.

I was trying not to turn on the waterworks again. I thought I was all cried out. When Mother put her arm around me the flood began.

Mother handed me a Kleenex from her pocket as I collapsed onto the family room sofa.

I blew my nose and a torrent of words rushed out at the same time. “I have returned Carlos’s ring. He’s a lying bastard. He lied to me that he had a business dinner he couldn’t cancel and I caught him having a cozy dinner with Margarita, his ex.”

“I can’t believe that. What do you mean you caught him? Were you following him?”

“Of course not. Lucy and I went out to dinner and he was in that same restaurant, the rat.”

“Well, what was his explanation? He’s so crazy about you, Mary. There must have been a good reason.”

“If he had a good reason, he could have told me instead of lying to me. I didn’t wait for some fairy tale explanation. I sent the ring back by messenger. He tried to call me and to get into the office to see me, but Catherine got rid of him for me, and I’m not taking his calls or text messages or e-mails. I just made the decision to take a couple of weeks of vacation. I’m burned out anyway. I just need to get away and think.”

“Well, where are you going?”

“Please, don’t be angry. I’m keeping my destination totally secret from everyone except Catherine. She’ll be speaking to me every day to keep the office going, so if you need me, let her know and I’ll call you or you can call my cell.”

“I’m not just anyone. I’m your mother.”

“If you know where I am, you’ll let Carlos wheedle it out of you. I know you really like him.”

“Correction. I did like him, but if he’s upset you this much, I have to review my opinion of him. Maybe Abe was right about him from the start; he never trusted Carlos. Do Angie and J.C. know that you’ve sent Carlos’s ring back? You know we’ve become very friendly with Carlos’s parents. I really do like them, so this is going to be awkward. They were hoping you two were going to get married.”

Angie will probably be relieved. She wanted Carlos to find a nice Hispanic girlfriend. I don’t care if you remain friends with them as long as they leave me alone.” I fought back more tears. Who was I kidding? I missed Carlos already and his big noisy family.

“Mary, you should think this through before you rush off like this. You’re not thinking clearly. Stay here for a few days.”

“No, my mind is made up. Please don’t worry about me. I’m going someplace quiet and safe and I’ll be back as soon as I get my head together”

“Well, I’ll pray for you. But for now, come in the kitchen. I’ve got your favorite, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and chocolate pudding for dessert.”

It sounded wonderful and it also felt like I was ten years old again, and had just come home from school after having a fist fight with the class bully.