Good Woman Blues (13 page)

“Finding humor in having to do community
service for drunk driving is one way to cope,” Jaci said. Her tight
smile, so like their mother’s, made Erikka want to shake her.

Roz turned to Jaci. “I expect us to support
one another, young lady.”

“Of course,” Jaci replied dutifully, and
raised the mug to her lips.

“One big supportive family, that’s us.”
Erikka crossed her arms and leaned against the back of her
chair.

“Don’t be sarcastic. I’ve had enough of that
for one weekend,” Roz snapped. She took a deep breath, and then
brushed back her hair. “I think we should leave now and beat the
crowds. That designer shoe sale at Foley’s is going to be a
madhouse.”

“Right. Designer shoes should fix anything.
And matching purses no less.” Erikka sprang to her feet. “I could
use a new pair of red leather pumps.”

“Oh, honey, no. Not red.” Roz shook her head
in horror. ‘Too gaudy and obvious.”

“I’m talking a dark brick red. I saw some in
a catalogue, but that doesn’t mean they’ll have them at the store,”
Erikka said, flipping into shopping mode.

“That’s all right then. Perfect for a fall
outfit.” Roz was more comfortable on the safer subject of
fashion.

Erikka and Roz chattered on, two veterans at
dodging serious issues. Jaci trailed along, making the odd comment.
They drove to the Lakeside Mall and spent three hours wandering
from store to store. Jaci did not care for aimless activity. She
complained for thirty minutes until Roz agreed they could take a
lunch break at a nearby restaurant.

“Happy now?” Roz patted Jaci on the shoulder
as though she were three years old. The waitress left with their
drink orders.

“I don’t see the point of just drifting
around a retail store. If I need something, I go find it, pay for
it, and leave.” Jaci shook her head.

“You loved shopping when you were a kid. We’d
take you to toy stores or let you try on frilly dresses,” Erikka
said, with a grin.

“Anywhere they didn’t have clowns. Jaci was
terrified of clowns.” Roz laughed at the memory.

“Yeah, remember when Chuckles the Clown was
in the mall that time? Jaci screamed so loud the poor guy must have
wet his pants.” Erikka enjoyed watching her serious baby sister
squirm.

“Terrifying a young child, very funny.
Besides, I don’t have time between work and school.”

“What about fun?” Erikka lifted a pair of
earrings she’d bought on sale out of a small bag.

“I have fun at work. Ben and I are doing an
exciting marketing research project. Ben says I can use some of the
information for my thesis.” Jaci’s studious expression eased a
bit.

Erikka looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah, I’ll just bet you and Ben are working hard.”

Jaci blushed. “We are, so get that smirk off
your face.”

“Come on, spill the good parts. I don’t want
to hear about the buying habits of gum-chewing brats. How long have
you two been—”

“Erikka,” Roz broke in.

“Dating,” Erikka finished, and looked at Roz.
“Why, Mother, what did you think I was about to ask?”

Roz opened her mouth, and then closed it when
the waitress brought them three glasses of diet cola. She watched
the young woman leave before she spoke. “Right, dating. That’s what
I was going to say, too.”

“We’re not dating. Yet.” Jaci wore a
confident look. “He won’t know what hit him. You always get what
you go after.” Erikka shook her head slowly. Jaci had the iron
determination of her uncompromising paternal grandmother.

“You make me sound like a hunter going after
a defenseless deer or something,” Jaci said as she looked at
Erikka. A smile tugged her mouth up at one comer.

“I’ll bet you have china and crystal patterns
picked out for the bridal registry.” Erikka leaned forward.

“Who said anything about marriage? I’ve got a
career to consider first,” Jaci shot back.

“Oh my God.” Roz fanned her face with a
napkin. “Now listen, both of you, don’t be stupid behind some man.
More women have ended up miserable for that very reason. And you,
Miss Jaci, should be picking out china patterns. At least if you
get married, you’ll make him pay for screwing around with your
life. What if he dumps you for someone else?”

Jaci shot a glance at Erikka, who found the
ice cubes in her glass more interesting. “Calm down, Mama. If Ben
decides to move on, I won’t care. I’m going to be in control of my
future.”

“Famous last words,” Roz said. She pressed a
hand to her forehead and let out a laugh. “Forget about men. They
certainly don’t spend their precious hours fretting over us.”

“Right.” Erikka cleared her throat. “I say we
have a quick sandwich and go back for those DKNY T-shirts on
sale.”

Though they tried, the shopping trip did not
have the same lighthearted joy of years past. Jaci had been right
in more ways than one. They had all grown up. All three of them
seemed relieved to arrive back at Roz’s house. Craig’s hunter green
Toyota Sequoia was in the driveway. When she pulled into the
driveway Roz muttered something Erikka did not catch.

“Guess Dad’s business trip got cut short,”
Jaci said.

“Maybe he forgot something,” Erikka said as
she glared a warning at Jaci in the rearview mirror.

Roz did not answer. She got out of the car
and chattered on as they entered through the side door leading to
the kitchen. “I’m going to put my bags up. I’ll be right back.”

“See? I told you something is up. Mama almost
went off on the subject of men,” Jaci burst out, when Roz
disappeared.

“Not our business, girl.” Erikka walked ahead
of her toward the den.

“Listen, I hear voices.” Jaci paused.

Erikka grabbed her arm and pulled her along.
“They will work out their issues without us sticking our noses
in.”

Jaci brushed Erikka’s hand away though she
did follow her. She sat down on the sofa. “Don’t give me that ‘I’m
the big sister so listen to me’ act.”

“You should listen to me. I’m older and
wiser, and I’ve got the police record to prove it,” Erikka said.
She went to the bar and got a can of cream soda from the
refrigerator.

“Not a recommendation for a role model. I’m
still young and impressionable you know.” Jaci’s greenish brown
eyes danced with mischief.

Erikka fell into a large chair across from
her. “Yeah, right. And just what have you and young Benjamin been
up to lately, hmmm?”

“The usual.” Jaci wore a smug expression.

“Based on that catlike smirk I’d say you
stole him from another woman. Bingo,” Erikka said with a laugh,
when Jaci’s mouth dropped open.

“How did you—Oh, never mind. You’ve got ten
years of misbehavior on me. Anyway I rescued the poor fool from the
clutches of a blond schemer.” Jaci tossed her dark hair back.

“Work it, girl. Now how will his white
upper-class parents take this?” Erikka smelled disaster on the way.
“Those people have one of the oldest names on the New Orleans
social register.”

“So? Like I said, we’re not planning a
wedding or anything like that. I’m having fun.” Jaci shrugged.

“Okay. Take it from a former fun-ologist, be
cool.” Erikka studied her confident younger sister. Jaci looked
like a girl who would not lose her way. Still, you never knew.

“As you have so often pointed out, I’m a
control freak. I’ll handle him and his Garden District family just
fine.” Jaci crossed her shapely legs.

“All right then.”

Erikka raised her can of soda in salute to
Jaci’s youthful arrogance. She used her free hand to turn on the
sound system. The cool voice of Jill Scott scatting her way through
a tune filled the air. They listened for a few minutes, both
bobbing their heads. Erikka could tell that Jaci had more on her
mind.

Jaci frowned. “Back to Mama and Daddy—”

“They’ll be fine. All married couples go
through bumpy times. They’ve been married forever. I’m sure they do
get sick of each other now and then.” Erikka sought to reassure
herself as well as Jaci.

“Doesn’t it worry you? Seems like they’ve
been having an argument for the last year. I keep looking for signs
they’ve made up.” Jaci plucked at the fringe on a throw pillow.

“You mean the goofy secret grins they’d give
each other when they thought we weren’t looking.” Erikka smiled at
the memory.

“Yeah. Or like they’d hold hands while Daddy
drove with one hand,” Jaci replied.

“And brush up against each other a lot like
it was an accident, say ‘Oh excuse me, dear’ then giggle.” Erikka
rolled her eyes.

Jaci nodded with a somber expression. “None
of that, and I’ve been watching for it.”

Erikka knew Jaci meant she’d been hoping to
see the old signals of two people in love and in lust. “We don’t
live here anymore. They could be getting lots of play when we’re
gone,” she teased.

“I guess. Speaking of which, she has been
gone a long time. You think maybe they’re, ahem, exchanging
apologies right now?” Jaci jiggled her eyebrows.

“Good Lord, I hope they can at least wait
until we leave. Turn up the music. I don’t want to hear if they are
making up.” Erikka pressed the volume button while Jaci laughed
hysterically.

Craig walked in. He kissed Jaci and Erikka on
their foreheads in turn. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, just talking about this skit we saw
on Comic View," Erikka said smoothly. She stared at Jaci.

“Yeah, yeah.” Jaci struggled to contain her
laughter.

“I can always tell when you two have been up
to something. Erikka is the slick operator, but Jaci always gives
it away.” Craig sat next to Jaci and tickled her side.
“Confess.”

“Stop, Dad.” Jaci wiggled out of his
reach.

“All right then, keep secrets from the old
man. Y’all had a good time at the mall?” Craig looked at them in
turn.

“Of course. We spent some of your money,”
Erikka said with a grin.

“Typical. I don’t stand a chance in this
house. Well, I’m going out with a couple of my buddies. You girls
spending the night?” Craig stood.

“I’m driving back to Loreauville,” Erikka
replied.

“Not me. I’m going home later,” Jaci said.
Her apartment was a twenty-minute drive across town.

“Drive safely, sweetie.” Craig winked at
Erikka.

“Bye, Daddy,” Jaci and Erikka said together,
and watched him walk out. Moments later they heard the back door
close.

“Did you hear him? He’s not expecting to come
home.” Jaci wore a scandalized expression.

“Just stop it.” Erikka was about to say more
when Roz came in.

“Girls, I have an awful headache, so I’m
going to lie down. Hope you don’t mind if I don’t watch a movie
with you. I’m going to put that cool gel mask on my face to ward
off a migraine.” Roz rubbed the back of her neck with one hand.

“Sure, Mama. I can fix a pot of herbal tea
for you,” Jaci said.

“No, thank you, baby. I’ve got a carafe of
water in my room. The popcorn is on the counter. Have a good time.”
Roz gave them a weak smile and left.

“They are not making up, at least not
tonight.” Jaci stared down the hallway.

“Stay out of it.” Erikka got up and went to
the case of DVD disks.

“You’re as bad as Mama at avoiding reality.
Maybe if they knew we were worried, things might improve. She and
Dad might come to their senses. For once we should face something
that’s unpleasant,” Jaci said with force.

Erikka continued to flip through the discs.
“Or maybe it’s none of our business. Hey, Matrix Revolutions.
Cool.”

“Stop looking at those stupid movies and
listen.” Jaci crossed to Erikka and pulled her around until they
faced each other.

“I know you’re used to getting your way and
ruling the entire damn world, but not this time. I’m warning you to
stay out of it,” Erikka said through clenched teeth.

“Mama is running from the real problem as
usual, and my father is unhappy. I can tell,” Jaci said, as though
Erikka wasn’t glowering at her as a warning.

Erikka heard Jaci’s familiar possessive
reference to Craig loud and clear. She jerked free and turned
around again. “Since he’s your father, talk to him about it.”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Jaci protested.
When Erikka continued to look through the collection of DVDs, Jaci
touched her arm. “I’m a selfish, meddling brat who shoots off at
the mouth without thinking. How’s that for an apology?”

“It’s a start,” Erikka said, without turning
around.

“Ah, c’mon. Don’t be all pissed off at me.
I’m already feeling like an orphan.” Jaci wrapped her arms around
Erikka in a bear hug.

“All right, all right. Just don’t whine.”
Erikka melted as usual. “Brat.”

“Still love me?” Jaci squeezed tighter.

“If you let me breathe, I might be able to
tell you,” Erikka said, pretending to gasp for air.

Jaci shook her playfully before she let go.
“I get exasperated when you’re right, and I’m wrong. We can’t be
marriage counselors for our parents.”

“My therapist would say you’ve developed
emotional insight. Control is your big issue.” Erikka removed a DVD
from the stack.

“Okay, another insight. I’m sorry about
staking a claim on Daddy whenever we have an argument. I’ve been
doing that since we were kids.”

Erikka lifted a shoulder as she went to the
entertainment center. She inserted the videodisc in the player. “No
problem.”

“No, it’s wrong. He’s your father, too.” Jaci
crossed to Erikka and rubbed her arm.

“Hey, sounds like you’re the one getting her
head examined,” Erikka joked with an uncertain laugh. To her,
getting to the bone of relationships felt like playing with
fire.

“I did go for counseling five months ago.
Worrying about our parents’ marriage and pressures at school piled
up on me. I started feeling lost, you know like my whole world was
turned inside out.” Jaci dropped onto the sofa and sat on her
crossed legs.