Finding Her Way (11 page)

†

Without a word, they both suddenly understood what the other one was thinking. With love in their hearts, they headed for the house.

As they stepped up onto the porch, they noticed Jaime was now sitting up and sipping coffee.

Her eyes still looked a little bleary
, Jerrica thought as she leaned against the railing.

Lauren sat down in the chair next to Jaime. “Did the little nap do you any good,” Lauren asked, putting a hand on Jaime’s leg.

“I think so. I’m still feeling a little funny, but better than when I first stopped drinking. This is helping,” she said, holding up her mug.

“You’re comical when you’re drunk. You sit like a lump in one spot, staring off into space. I wonder what you’d look like on drugs,” Jerrica said and giggled.

“Well, I wouldn’t know, I’ve never done them and don’t plan to,” Jaime said, trying to stand, still wrapped in the comforter.

“Here,” Lauren said, standing at the same time. “Give me that hot coffee before you spill it on yourself or me.”
 

“I’m good. I won’t spill it,” she promised, staggering a little.

Jerrica stepped in front of Jaime to help steady her. “Why don’t we go in and start preparing supper? There are plenty of vegetables to cut for the salad and you can sit and supervise,” said Jerrica.

“Sounds good to me,” slurred Jaime.
 

Lauren rushed around both of them to hold open the door. As they passed by her, Lauren laughed. “You two look like an old married couple.”

Jerrica deposited Jamie in the first kitchen chair she came to. “Remember, you’re older than both of us.”
 

Lauren picked up the kitchen towel off the counter, tossing it at Jerrica. She caught it in her left hand, returning it with haste.

“You throw like a girl,” Lauren said, grinning.

“I am a girl! I can prove it if you would like evidence.” She winked at her.
 

Jaime straightened herself. “Oh, please no. I’ve seen enough nakedness where you’re concerned.”

Jerrica playfully swatted at Jaime.

Lauren just started laughing as she pulled the vegetables out of the grocery bags.

“Can we stop talking about what you saw in my office? I would like to try to get past the fact that you saw us.”

Jaime sat back in her chair with a smile across her face. “Well, I don’t have much of a sex life anymore. So, we might as well talk about yours,” she said.

“Oh please, if you’ve had sex in the past two months, you’re having more than I am,” Jerrica added.

Jaime’s cheeks got red, but her facial expression seemed sad.

Lauren picked that time to jump back into the conversation. “Leave her alone, Jerrica. Her boyfriend just broke up with her.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to tease you,” replied Jerrica.

“Yes, you did.”

“Yeah, I kind of did, but I didn’t know about your recent break up. I just heard you had a meltdown, but nothing specific.”

Jaime looked to Lauren who was avoiding eye contact by bending down looking for a clean knife on the lower shelves. “Thanks, Lauren! You told her I was having a meltdown.”

“Well, I didn’t know how else to describe it,”

Lauren shot back still searching for the knife.

“Hey, no arguing, you two. We’re all friends here,” Jerrica said, acting like a referee.

Jaime slouched in her chair with her arms crossed, pouting.

“Hey, give Lauren some slack. She doesn’t understand the younger generation these days,” Jerrica teased.

“And you do?” Lauren said standing up with the clean cutting knife in her hand.

“I think so,” she answered, pretending to be afraid of the knife.

“I guess we brought the comic relief this weekend. Why don’t you stop running your mouth and help me with this salad,” Lauren ordered.

Jerrica put on her best frown, walking around the counter to wash vegetables. Once she had thoroughly washed all the vegetables, she placed them in a bowl she had lined with paper towels. She took the bowl to the counter on the island, placing it directly in front of Lauren.

“Thank you, my dear,” Lauren said with a smile.

“So, I want to hear about Jaime’s relationship problems.”

Jaime groaned loudly. The women just stared at her until she realized she had better talk or supper might be out of the question. Jaime let the blanket open around her shoulders, sliding it off to puddle on the arms of the chair. Softly clearing her throat, she began her embarrassing tale.

They had met at one of the many parties that Daniel & Daniel, Inc. had thrown. He was a dashing young executive from their company. He had the bluest eyes she had ever seen with chestnut color hair. Jaime sighed at the memories. They started sending e-mails and texting. After a week or so, he asked her out on their first date. He had made them a picnic in Boston Commons, took her to Fenway Park and the Boston Opera. Wined and dined her, but never pushed the subject about spending the night. Then about two weeks ago on what would be their last date, she took him home to spend the night.

“Spent the night? That’s all we get. How about a little more detail.”

“Lauren, leave her be. You sound like a horny teenager.”

“Maybe I am. It’s been so long since Brandon and I have had sex.”

“Umm...I don’t need to hear this,” Jerrica said, putting her hands over her ears.

Lauren laughed at how silly Jerrica looked. “Anyway, Jaime, please continue,” Lauren, said.

“That was pretty much all I’m going to tell you. I’ve called him maybe three times during the past two weeks. Then today I received a text that he doesn’t want to see me anymore.”

A thought dawned on Jerrica, “Please tell me he wasn’t your first?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, it does,” Jerrica and Lauren, said in unison.

“No. He wasn’t my first. I just can’t believe I was so stupid to fall for his fake lines. I thought if I took my time, making him wait, it would be different this time.”

“All men are scum,” Jerrica proclaimed. “Except Brandon of course.”

“Thank you for clarifying that, but at least tell us it was fun.”

“You are incorrigible, Lauren,” Jerrica rolled her eyes.

“I imagine if I don’t give her something, she will just keep hounding me.”

“You’re getting to know Lauren, pretty well.”

“Ok, fine. The sex was ordinary, I’ve definitely had better,” Jaime said, raising her pinky in the air.

Lauren started to laugh as Jerrica squeezed her eyes shut in horror.

Jaime just smiled as she wobbled to the refrigerator.

“Whoa, take it easy, speedy,” Jerrica reached for her.

“I’m ok. I’m coming out of it.”

Retrieving a bottle of lemonade from the fridge, Jaime stated, “So, when are we going to eat?”

“Oh, sure, she’s been drunk most of the afternoon and now that she sobering up, she’s hungry,” smirked Jerrica, “I’ll go outside and start the grill, your highness.”

†

“That supper was wonderful,” Jaime exclaimed plopping down on the couch and rubbing her very full tummy. “I might burst.”

“I’ll second that. Those steaks were cooked just right,” Lauren complimented Jerrica, setting down a newly opened bottle of wine on the coffee table.

“I’m not the greatest cook, but I do know how to cook a great steak,” Jerrica boasted, looking at her friends with a smile.

“It’s getting chilly in here,” Jerrica commented as she picked up a couple of small logs to place in the fireplace.

A small chuckle escaped Lauren. “I keep forgetting you stayed here for a while, so you know how to do that.”

“I’m not powerless.” Jerrica reached for a few more items to get the fire started.

Jaime watched as Jerrica lit the match, placing it under the little tee-pee of wood and paper she had made in the fireplace. To her amazement, the fire didn’t start blazing as you see in the movies or on television. The bright colorful flames slowly crept their way up the paper. As it lightly licked the logs, she was sure it would go out when the colors dimmed only briefly and then the flame expanded its brilliant colors covering the first log. Only then did the flame crawl across the other pieces of wood continuing its mesmerizing show.

“Earth to Jaime,” Jerrica said, waving a hand in front of her.

“Sorry, Jerrica. I must have zoned out.”

Jerrica just smiled, getting comfortable in the recliner. She knew what Jaime was feeling. She had felt the same thing the first time she stayed at the cottage. The cozy beach décor rooms, the soothing accents of Lauren’s impeccable taste splashed in different places and now, seeing the exceptional fireplace roar to its full potential. The experience could be overwhelming, but heartwarming at the same time.

“Well ladies, let’s toast.” Jerrica raised her glass. “To a wonderful weekend, to great friends, old and new. And to the future, may it be everything we hope it will be.”

They talked then. They shared growing up and family stories. They all learned something new about their associate, boss, and now new friend, bringing them all closer to one another. The evening hours passed by as quickly as a blink of an eye as they opened up to one another, drinking wine and laughing.

Jaime yawned and looked down at her watch. “Wow! Its eleven thirty already!”

“What, are you going to turn into a pumpkin at midnight?” Jerrica inquired.

“If I’m going to help with this house tomorrow, I need my sleep.” Jaime stood, strolling toward the stairs.

Just before she was out of sight she turned. , “I would advise you two to go to bed soon. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

Jerrica looked at Lauren. “You haven’t told her what opening up the cottage entails, have you?”

She looked up and smiled. Lauren’s idea of opening up the cottage for the season was making all the beds and placing any dirty sheets from the first weekend into a laundry bag then uncovering the rest of the furniture and leaving.

Lauren had a maintenance man, Willard who would come in and do the rest of the opening. He would take the dirty sheets home for his wife to clean and return them the next time he was at the house. Willard used to take care of the beach house when it belonged to Lauren’s grandmother. Therefore, it was natural to keep him on when Lauren took the house. Jerrica had met him when he opened up the cottage the months she went into hiding. “You can be so evil sometimes, Lauren.”

Lauren’s grin broadened as she stared at the fireplace.

Jerrica slid her hand around the stem of the glass left by Jaime and stood. After depositing the glasses in the kitchen, she wandered back to the living room. Stopping behind Lauren’s chair, she leaned forward so her chin was on the top of Lauren’s head. “I’m headed up too. Don’t stay up too long, okay?”

Lauren lifted her hand to Jerrica’s cheek, “Don’t worry, I won’t. I’m going to spread the fire out and watch it go out some more. Then I’ll be up.”

Jerrica smiled at the comforting gesture. Softly kissing her on the head, Jerrica backed away.

†

Within seconds, Lauren was alone in the living room. She loved being in this house. She loved having her friends here. When she was a child, she used to be scared of the noises the house made at night. Her grandmother used to tell her the house was like an old friend. In the silence of the night, it would share stories to those who listened. Lauren understood as she grew older what her grandmother had meant. The house had been a reliable friend for her and her family.

Leaning her head against the chair, she closed her eyes, listening. Sounds emanating from soft creaks on the ceiling, told her that someone was still awake upstairs. A light wind was blowing outside and she could hear the wind chimes on the back porch. She heard the soft sounds of the waves quietly rushing onto the beach, than retreating quickly, just to repeat the action again.

Lifting her head up, she stared at the fireplace, thinking of Brandon. She suddenly missed him. His job was very demanding and she didn’t get to see him as often as she would like. They used to spend almost every weekend at the cottage together when they were first married. Now, she was lucky if he made it down for one week in the summer. Lauren started to feel sad about the time they’d wasted being apart. She decided she would call him first thing in the morning. After separating the logs in the fireplace, Lauren decided it was time for her to retire for the evening. Standing before the staircase Lauren glanced around the first floor, speaking softly into the silence. “Goodnight, old friend.”

†

As the sun awoke above the cottage, three very unique and special women lay sleeping, unaware of its arrival. Lauren was the first one to stir. The sun was patient in its pursuit to slowly raise the other two from their slumber. One by one, they all found themselves half-awake sitting at the breakfast table. Jaime pulled her sweatshirt hood over her head and gently lowered her head to the table.

“How did everyone sleep?” Lauren asked as she poured her second cup of coffee.