Bea wagged an eyebrow and chuckled.
Roxanne continued. In my experience, the hotter the sex, the harder the fall. She tilted her head to study Ginger. And sooner or later there's going to be a fall. Trust me on this oneyou can't have great sex and a great relationship with the same man. You're going to have to settle for one or the other. It's a universal law.
Bea nodded in approval.
Ginger burst out with a laugh. Or, you can be married to Larry Garrison and have neither! Woo-hoo!
That's complete garbage! Josie's sharp reprimand was directed toward Roxanne, and the two friends stared at each other in silence. After an awkward moment, Josie turned her attention to Ginger. Listen to me when I tell you that you really
can
get it all in one place. I'm living proof. And if it could happen to me, it can happen for you or Roxie or any woman.
That's exactly what Mrs. Needleman said! Ginger sat up taller in her chair.
I've had all the Mrs. Noodle-brain I can take for one morning. Roxie rose from her chair and pulled a sleepy Lilith to her feet. I won't be able to make it FridayI have an early appointment with my Web designerso I'll see you guys at Josie's on Sunday. Want to drive up with me, Bea?
Sure.
Roxie's eyes flashed briefly at Josie and then moved on to Ginger. Just protect yourself.
Ginger nodded soberly. We're using condoms.
Roxie laughed, but a sadness crept into her eyes. I was referring to the emotional kind of protection, but condoms are always a swell idea. She fiddled with Lilith's leash, her gaze softening. The only thing worse than having a guy abandon you has got to be having a guy abandon you when you're pregnant with his kid. Nobody wants that.
Ginger gasped, suddenly panicked. I'm not going to get pregnant! That's ridiculous! She looked at Bea and Josie for confirmation. I'm in the beginning stages of menopause, you know.
Ppphhhhtttt! Bea said, dismissing Ginger with a flap of her hand. Even if you were, which you
aren't
, that doesn't mean jack. Just ask
my
mother.
What do you mean? This was new information for Ginger, and she didn't much like it.
Imogene Latimer never planned on having children, right? I'm her only spawn. She's ninety-eight years old, and I'm fifty-three. You do the math, girls.
Ginger gulped.
See you Sunday, Rox! Josie called out as Roxanne turned to go.
See you guys Sunday, Roxie said, not looking back.
CHAPTER 12
Ginger knew exactly what she was looking for. She even knew in which large green plastic storage tub it was buried and in which section of the attic. Of course she hadn't labeled and alphabetized the contents of her storage areasthat would have been neuroticbut Ginger was no slouch when it came to household organization.
That one, she said to Josh, pointing to a top shelf. Can you grab it for me?
Joshua reached high and pulled it down from a shelf against the eaves. Where's it going? he asked, carrying the container across the wood plank floor.
My room. On the floor by the bed would be great.
What's in here, anyway? Josh headed down the steep, narrow attic stairs.
Ginger followed him. Just a bunch of Grams's old clothes. Stuff from her Hollywood days.
Cool. Can I see it?
Her son's interest in fashion made her smile. She wondered if it would be possible for Josh to be both the leader of the free world as well as a personal shopper.
Sure.
Josh let the box drop to the floor of Ginger's room, then bent to pry open the lid. What are you looking for, Mom?
Well Ginger laughed a little to herself, knowing that once she told Josh what she was up to, she'd never hear the end of it from her boys. Grams's old bikini, you know, from her beach-blanket B-movie days.
Josh narrowed his eyes.
And there's a big floppy sun hat in there, and some big white sunglasses.
You going on vacation?
Ginger laughed loudly. No, sweetie. It's for my photo with HeatherLynn. Lucio and I thought it would be fun for me to pose like
Like Ginger from
Gilligan's Island
, he cut her off, smiling. That'll be awesome!
Yet again, her idea hadn't been a surprise. She was disappointed.
Mom, c'mon! It's a no-brainer, Josh said. What's HeatherLynn going to wear?
That was something Ginger hadn't yet figured out.
Wow! Josh tossed the lid aside and the clothes began flying out of the storage container, landing all over the floor. Josh threw the bikini pieces toward Ginger, then the sun hat and glasses. Eventually he pulled out what had piqued his interest. There's a cover-up! He held the blue tropical-print robe above his head. I can make HeatherLynn a little matching bikini with this!
He could?
Ginger was baffled. You can do that?
Sure.
You know how to sew?
Sure, he said, shrugging. That's what I do on the costuming crew at school, Mom. I've been doing it for two years.
Her mouth opened. You have? Ginger suddenly felt guilty. She should have known this about her own kid! Why didn't you tell me? I thought you just helped with costume rental.
That, too, but I also make stuff. It's no big deal. He folded the fabric and shoved it under his arm. I'll work on it after school tomorrow. When's Lucio taking your picture?
She smiled involuntarily. Friday night.
I can do it by then, he said, bending down to place a kiss on her cheek.
Ginger brought her hand to her face in astonishment. Once her son, the designer, had left the room, her gaze fell to the pile of clothes on the floor, and she was hit by a stroke of genius.
Lucio! C'mon in!
The fact that Jason opened the door for him with such enthusiasm was Lucio's first surprise. The second came when he nearly tripped over a large green storage container in the middle of the foyer. The third surprise was how Josh enthusiastically volunteered to load the container in the car for Lucio, while Jason invited him to have a seat in the living room and relax. Mom will be just a minute, he said.
Lucio sat awkwardly on a chair, aware that things were stranger than usual in the Garrison habitat. Just then, HeatherLynn came careening around the corner from the dining room, headed right for Lucio. She stopped at his feet, placed her cute white paws on his knees, and wagged her feather-duster tail. He picked her up and she began licking his face.
Care for a cocktail? Jason asked. Martini? Whiskey sour? Gin and tonic?
Lucio tried to pry the dog off his face while scanning the room, half expecting to find video cameras trained on his every move. You know how to prepare cocktails?
Jason laughed. Not really. That's just what people are always saying in those old movies from the sixtiesyou know, ‘Would you care for a drink?' He laughed some more.
Ah. Lucio nodded, as if he now understood everything.
Josh returned to the living room and sat next to his brother on the sofa. It was the first time Lucio had seen them at ease, relatively still, so close to each other. They were identical twins, yes, but they were not identical human beings. Jason's left eye sat just slightly lower than his right, while Josh's were more symmetrical and closer-set. When Josh smiled his lips went decidedly crooked, while Jason's were straight. Jason seemed a little more muscular than Josh, and Josh was probably about a half inch taller than his brother. They were Larry Garrison redux, only with a more delicately shaped nose that they'd inherited from their mother. They were handsome young men.
And at that particular moment, both looked as if they were ready to bust out laughing.
What's going on, gentlemen? Lucio asked. What's the big secret?
Josh punched Jason in the leg. You
told
him Mom has a secret?
No, piss-face! I didn't say anything! He punched Josh back, harder.
Lucio laughed a little, still wrangling HeatherLynn. He hadn't had the burdenor the pleasureof growing up with a sibling. He could not imagine what life was like for Genevieve's two boys, who faced the world every day as a team.
Then why did he ask what the secret was? Josh yelled.
I don't know! Jason yelled back.
The boys abruptly stopped their arguing and turned to Lucio. Hey, uh, can I start tonight? Jason asked.
For a second, Lucio had no idea what the kid was talking about, but then it dawned on him that he was referring to his duties as photographer's assistant. Yes, Lucio did look forward to introducing Jason to the world of photography and getting to know him better. But tonight? No. It would not fit in with what Lucio had planned for the boy's mother.
Doofus, Josh said to Jason, shaking his head. Tonight is more of a
date
than a photo shoot! Didn't you see how Mom's getting all dressed for He stopped himself.
I'm the doofus? Jason asked, looking to the ceiling as if asking God to give him strength.
Lucio buried his face in HeatherLynn's soft fur, hiding his smile. So that was the big secret. Genevieve was getting dressed up to come over to his place. He'd mentioned they'd be having a bite to eat before he took pictures, but he didn't expect her to go to any trouble. She'd have to change into her costume eventually, after all.
Next time, yes? Lucio nodded to Jason. Did you read the book I suggested?
Yeah, he said. I have a million questions about lenses and exposure and shutter speed, though.
I hope I have a fraction of the answers, Lucio said.
Here's a question for you, Joshua said. Are you and my mom, you know,
together
?
Lucio leaned back in surprise.
We know that has nothing to do with photography, Jason said sheepishly. But it's something we were wondering.
Lucio nodded, impressed and touched by the protective streak coming out in Genevieve's sons. It is my hope that we are, he said. I would like very much to be your mother's man. I offered to ask her father's permission to court her, but she told me he had passed away.
The boys nodded sadly. When we were in fourth grade, Josh said.
So I offered to ask her mother.
Josh and Jason looked to each other and promptly cracked up.
What is so funny?
Well, it's weird enough that you'd want to ask permission to date a grown lady, but it's even weirder that you'd want to ask Grams. She's, uh Josh paused to find the right words.
A man-eater, Jason said. She's had five husbands.
I see.
Josh nodded in Lucio's direction as if he were sharing a private joke with him. Mom's not exactly interested in her advice when it comes to men. After all, Grams absolutely
loved
Dad. She still does.
Ah, Lucio said, biting down on the inside of his cheek.
But you can ask
us
for permission! Josh suggested brightly. Yeah! Ask us!
Jason stared at his brother in horror. What are you, brain-damaged? Lucio doesn't have to ask uswe're fifteen and he's probably, like, fifty or something!
Actually, I'm quite close to your mother's age, and asking your permission is a very good idea. Lucio put HeatherLynn on the floor. You are the men of the house, yes? I would like to know your opinion.
Uh, okay, Josh said.
How do you feel about me dating your mother?
After exchanging a quick glance with his brother, Jason shrugged. Fine, I guess. You're really cool. So, you know, as long as you're good to her and everything, I don't see any problem.
I am happy to hear it.
Joshua tipped his head and studied Lucio. So what
are
your plans for Mom?
Lucio didn't bother trying to suppress his smileit would have been a losing battle. I only have the best intentions, he said. I plan to stay here in San Francisco and spend as much time with her as possible. I think your mother is a very special woman and I want to know everything about her.
Jason squinted. Seriously?
Everything?
Yes.
Like how many layers of antiwrinkle crap she puts on her face before bed? he asked.
Uh
Or how soy milk gives her hives? Josh asked.
That is all quite interesting, but
Or how she goes totally psycho if we're at a restaurant and the waiter comes over and squats by the table? Jason said, giggling.
She really, really hates that, Josh said. She made us leave an Outback Steakhouse once because the waiter got to the table and squatted to take our drink orders. And my mouth was watering for their onion rings!
So if you make her dinner or something, don't squat by the table, whatever you do, Jason added helpfully.
Lucio was thoroughly puzzled. Squatting waiters? He'd never heard of such a thing! I appreciate all this help, but I was thinking more along the lines of your mother's favorite flower, or her favorite music, or who the lucky man was who got to give your mother her very first kiss.
The boys stared at each other, their brows furrowed.
Hydrangeas, Josh said.
Nirvana, Jason said.
But you're on your own with the kissing thing, Josh added.
Thank you for your help, gentlemen. Lucio chuckled softly to himself as he checked his watch. Do you know how much longer your mother might be?
Hold on. I'll check. Jason twisted his body around and leaned over the back of the sofa.
MOM?
Lucio heard Genevieve's voice upstairs. Yes?
Lucio's waiting!
Okay! Be right down!
Jason flopped back around on the couch, smiling at Lucio. She'll be right down, he said, as if Lucio had not heard the exchangeas if anyone in the Bay Area had not heard it.
Thank you.
Wait till you see her. You're going to love it, Josh added conspiratorially.