Crazy Little Thing (37 page)

What a moment.

What a pleasure.

What a fucking disaster.

This was absurd. This needed to end. “Richard,” I said again, but Fontaine would have none of that.

“Sadie, Sadie, let me finish introductions. Richard, this is...uh, Gerard. Gerard, this is...everybody.”

Des blinked, like an alien waking up in a laboratory on another planet. He stared down at Fontaine, bewilderment in every line of his face.

Fontaine shrugged and rolled his eyes.

Des sighed and turned his head away for the briefest moment.

This wasn’t going to work. He wouldn’t go along with it. And why should he? He’d had a taste of the carnival freak show that was my life and had decided he wanted no part of it. At the moment, I could hardly blame him. I was so not worth the bother.

Then Des looked back at me and nodded almost imperceptibly.

My heart resumed beating, but barely.

“Seems like I’ve got some catching up to do,” he said.

“Who are you?” Richard asked, as if noticing this newcomer for the first time.

Fontaine clung to his arm. “He’s my fabulous new lover.”

Des’s face went remarkably void of expression, as if struck by sudden-onset amnesia. He extended his hand to Richard, who reluctantly responded with a perfunctory, testosterone-laden, he-man one-pump.

“Dick,” Real Des said.

“Uh, it’s Richard, actually.”

Des shrugged. “And I’m Gerard. Apparently.”

“You Scottish too?” Richard asked.

Des glanced at Fontaine.

“Yes!” Fontaine answered emphatically. “What a coincidence.”

I pressed my face into Kyle’s arm, not sure whether to laugh or confess or just observe as my own horrendous judgment ran its course. Either Des was the best sport ever or he was so confused he didn’t know what else to do.

Richard sneered, “He’s a little macho for you, isn’t he, Fontaine?”

“Jealous?” Fontaine hissed.

Richard gave his most condescending smile, the one that always made me think of Hitler. “Yeah, whatever. Sadie, how much longer do I have to stick around for this gay-pride parade?”

Des slipped his arm around Fontaine. “Dude, that’s uncalled for, don’t you think?”

Richard stared as if they were cockroaches at the bottom of his drink.

“Uncalled for? Listen,
dude
. What’s uncalled for is guys like you hanging around my kids.”

“Des! You’re here!” It was Dody, trotting over from the dance floor, her full skirt swirling around her.

Des took a step, then turned and looked at Kyle.

“Oh!” Kyle gasped. He strode toward her, cutting her off at the pass. “Yes, Dody. I’m here for you.” He steered her back to the dance floor whispering into her ear while she looked over her shoulder. They began to dance, watching us all the while.

I didn’t dare look at Des, or Richard either. I stared into my drink, wondering how it had emptied so fast. Was there a hole in my glass? I held it up but could not find one.

After a long, silent moment, Des cleared his throat. “Well, I think I’ll cut in. I’d like to say hello to the birthday girl.”

He walked over, he and his proxy exchanged a few words, then Des took Dody by the hand, leading her away to sit down in some empty chairs. Kyle sauntered halfway toward us before remembering he was straight. Squaring his shoulders, he walked the rest of the way to rejoin our group.

“I need a drink,” Richard huffed. He headed toward the deck, calling over his shoulder, “Unless she can’t read, Sadie, your lawyer should be done by now.”

“Well! That went about as good as it could have, considering,” Jasper chuckled once Richard was out of earshot.

“What is Des doing here?” I asked. “He’s supposed to be on a boat race. He’s supposed to be visiting his mother or on his way to Seattle. Why is he here?”

“Maybe he stopped by to wish Dody a happy birthday,” Fontaine said. “Or, more than likely, he’s here to make up with you.”

I trembled, hoping beyond hope that my cousin was right.

Penny came up beside me and tipped her head toward the chairs near the dance floor. “Who’s that with Dody?”

“Des,” I sighed.

“The real Des? Wow.”

“Hey, I resent that,” said Kyle.

I slipped my arm around his waist and gave a squeeze. “You’re every bit as
wow
, Kyle. In fact, tonight, you are my hero.”

He hugged me back. “You’re my first girlfriend. Real or fake.”

I watched Des and Dody chatting like old friends. He laughed at something she said. She reached over and patted his knee. I considered interrupting, but honestly, if she was pleading a case on my behalf, I was OK with that. Paige and Jordan skipped over to them and climbed into Des’s lap as natural as could be. Paige kissed his cheek. It made my heart sore. They adored him. They’d be hurt too when he said his last good-bye. I guess I should have thought of that three months ago.

I heard a familiar ring tone, and Kyle pulled my phone from his pocket and handed it to me. I’d asked him to carry it since I was waiting to hear from my lawyer and had no pockets of my own.

I glanced at the screen. “It’s Jeanette. Thank God.” I walked a few yards down the beach to get away from the music.

“Hi, Jeanette.”

“Hi, Sadie. Just wanted to let you know the paperwork looks fine. I made sure it included a provision stating if he doesn’t come up with your share of the money within ninety days, possession reverts back to you. That way he can’t move in and never pay you. I also added a clause stating you can live anywhere in Michigan without him using that as foundation for future custody challenges.”

“What if I move to Seattle?”

“What?”

I shook my head. “I’m kidding. I’m not moving to anyplace but Bell Harbor.”

“OK. But you still don’t have to sign this, you know. You could keep the house. This abandonment ploy of his would never hold up in court.”

I could keep the house. I could pack up my sandals and beach towels and kids and go back to Glenville, to my big, expensive house in the ritzy neighborhood. I could lunch at restaurants with stiff cloth napkins and valet parking with so-called friends who hadn’t contacted me in months. I could drink my coffee in peace and quiet every morning, without Fontaine and Dody buzzing something ridiculous in my ear. I’d have my own bathroom.

No thanks.

“Thank you, Jeanette. He can have the house. I’m actually very excited about moving here. I think it’ll be fun.”

I hung up the phone and pressed it to my heart. Fun, yes. I could use a little fun right about now.

Everyone seemed to be on the dance floor in mixed-up couples. My mother was dancing with Jeff, Penny with Des, Fontaine with Beth, Jasper with Paige, and Kyle with Anita Parker. Even Richard and Barbie were dancing.

I went past them all and on up to the house, where the papers were sitting on the dining room table. I took a pen and scrawled my name on the dotted line, again.

I waited for a feeling of remorse to descend, for sadness to flood my heart, but it didn’t. Waves of relief washed over me instead. That house, and Glenville, were my past. My future was here. Here in Bell Harbor, where the sun rose over the lake and each day was filled with possibility.

I skipped back down the deck steps. I found Fontaine and Kyle standing with Penny and Jeff. Jasper was climbing up on the makeshift stage, in front of the band.

When the crowd quieted, Jasper said, “Thank you all for coming. We are here tonight to celebrate the most magnificent woman. A simply delightful woman.”

Faint laughter rippled through the group.

“My mom has so many wonderful qualities, I can’t list them all—although I’m sure she’d like me to try. But let me just say that every day, in a million little ways, she has taught me to live my life with honesty, with purpose, and most of all, with a sense of adventure. I love you, Mom. Happy Birthday!”

Feet stomped, hands clapped, and voices sang the birthday song while Jasper helped Dody up onto the stage next to him. She blotted at her eyes with the sleeve of her Marie Osmond dress. Des caught my eye from several feet away. The expression on his face made me tremble with hope. He made his way through the cluster of people to stand right next to me. We exchanged tentative smiles before returning our attention to the stage.

“Thank you all so very much,” Dody said. Her voice trembled with emotion. “It means the world to me that you came, especially on such short notice. You all look so lovely, just delightful, really. I’d like to thank my darling children, Jasper and Fontaine, who put so much work into this party. And my niece, Sadie, and our dear friends Kyle and Beth, and Des too. I love you all so much. You’ve all made this a very happy birthday! Now, as that great lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, let them eat cake.”

More cheering, clapping, and stomping occurred as Jasper helped her down. Then he held up his hands to quiet us again. “Beth, would you join me up here? If everyone could wait one more minute on that cake, I have something else I’d like to say.”

Beth stepped up, blushing bright pink and looking a little bewildered.

He took her hand. “Most of you have met my girlfriend, Beth. For those who haven’t, everybody, this is Beth.” She blushed even deeper. “She’s been my girlfriend for a year now. She’s also my best friend, my partner in crime, and the love of my life. I don’t want to spend a single day without her.” He dropped down on his knee and pulled a velvet box from his pocket. “Beth, I love you. Will you marry me?”

Her eyes went wide, her hands pressed against her cheeks.

A surprised hush descended over the group. You could have heard a pin drop, even in the sand.

“Holy matrimony, Batman!” Fontaine gasped in my ear. “I didn’t know he was going to do that. Did you?”

I shook my head, not wanting to look away.

Her answer came out as a tiny squeak, but was accompanied by vigorous nodding, and Jasper jumped to his feet to hug her. The family erupted with cheers and whistles. Dody sprang back on the stage like a kangaroo to kiss them both.

“Isn’t that the sweetest thing?” Richard drawled sarcastically behind me.

“They’re much too young. It will never last,” my mother said.

I hadn’t realized either one of them was behind me. Amazingly, I was feeling so good, the sound of their voices hardly made me flinch at all. I turned around to face them. “It is sweet, Richard. And it will last, Mother, because they love each other. Honestly, what’s the matter with you two? I’m tired of all your negativity. Take your doom and gloom and sell it someplace else. And, Richard, the house is yours. I signed the papers. I’m moving to Bell Harbor. So take Bambi and go away now, and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”

My mother’s brows crashed together. She tossed her shoulders and pointed at Kyle. “For him, Sadie? You’re uprooting your children and moving here for a man you hardly know?”

My smile was genuine. “No, Mother, I’m moving to Bell Harbor for me, because my children and I love it here, and it’ll be good for us.” I patted Kyle’s arm. “And anyway, this isn’t really my boyfriend. He’s sort of my boss. Although he’d make a great boyfriend. For Fontaine.”

Kyle blushed and stole a glance at my cousin.

My mother’s eyes narrowed. “Are you trying to make a fool of me?”

“No, Mother, I’m not,” I said, not sounding the least bit remorseful. Because I wasn’t. “We were playing a joke on Richard, and you sort of got caught in the middle.”

“What?” Richard spat.

I shrugged. “Yep. Sorry.”

Fontaine, Kyle, Penny, and Des leaned in close, cocooning me in safety.

My mother’s face flushed. “Sadie Turner, that is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard! Playing a trick like that. Shame on you. Why that’s...that’s the most totally Dody antic I’ve ever heard of!”

I smiled. “Yes, I guess it is. And that’s about the nicest compliment you’ve ever given me.”

Mother harrumphed like Miss Piggy with PMS and flounced away.

Richard was still glowering. He jerked a thumb toward Kyle. “That’s not Dezzzzz?”

I smirked and leaned against Des. “Nope. This is.”

Des put his arm around my waist and my heart swelled with gladness.

Richard scowled. “What the fuck, Sadie? You owe me an explanation!”

Now I laughed right out loud. “No, Richard. I don’t. I don’t owe you anything. Now please take Bambi out of here before I rip up your precious house papers.”

“It’s Bar...oh, whatever.” He spun around and stomped away.

We watched my mother and ex-husband fade away into the crowd.

“Wow, Sade. That was awesome!” Penny laughed from behind me. “You shut them both up. Good job.”

Fontaine gazed at me with the pride of a parent watching a baby’s first step. I think I may have seen a little tear in the corner of his eye.

Des’s arm tightened wonderfully around me, sending a warm, shimmery glow through to my bones. I still didn’t know what his being here meant. But I was glad for his presence, no matter how long it lasted.

The band had started up again, playing something slow and romantic.

I tugged Des by the hand. “Will you dance with me?”

He smiled. “I’m pretty good, you know.”

“So am I.”

Sliding into his arms felt like Christmas morning. We had lots of things we needed to talk about, but not just yet. I wanted to enjoy this moment without worrying what it meant. Or what it didn’t mean. Des was mine for the next few minutes, and that was good enough. We danced for a song, and then another, swaying cheek to cheek.

Dody caught my eye and gave me two thumbs up. I giggled at her, feeling precious and girly.

“What’s funny?” Des asked.

“Dody’s glad you’re here.”

Our swaying slowed. He looked into my eyes.

“And what about you? Are you glad I’m here?”

“I’m glad you’re here for the party. But I’m also kind of wondering when you’ll leave again. It was really shitty of you to run out of town without a word. I think I deserve a proper good-bye, don’t you?”

“No.”

We stopped dancing. My heart tumbled over his single word. That wasn’t true. I did deserve a proper good-bye. I deserved respect. The respect paid to a friend if nothing more.