And so, Gina says nothing.
She turns on her heel and leaves Daisy’s Market, dashing toward her car.
By the time Gina turns on Main Street, she is crying. She grips the steering wheel as she drives by the stores that have become as familiar to her as her own child’s face. Must Haves: a clothing store that specializes in vintage and other previously loved items, owned by Kailey Spence. Clive’s Cuts: the local butcher, run by Clive and Lori Hamilton. Rocky Mountain: a chocolate store that sells the best hot cocoa Gina has ever tasted, owned by Clarisse Hughes. Old Friends: a charming bookstore owned by Sarah Doherty.
Gina knows all there is to know about Alma, about Almanacs. She knows how long they’ve been in town (be it months, years, or generations) and their birthdays (seriously, she must hold a world record in birthday recollections). She knows their habits, their quirks, their dietary restrictions. She knows all this, because, while she is not from this town, it is her home. She loves Alma. She loves all Almanacs.
And they love her, too. Or at least she thought they did.
Gina drives all the way down the peaceful cul-de-sac that is Backer Street and parks in front of Tish’s house. She draws a deep breath, taking in the sprawling colonial revival construction, complete with columned porches and accented doorway. It’s the nicest house in town. Presumably, this is where she’ll live once Tish and Charles die. Gina hopes that doesn’t happen for a very long time. Her own house might not be as grand, but she loves it.
Gina rings the doorbell. A flushed Nataliya is at the door in seconds.
“Hi, Nataliya,” Gina says.
“Hello, Miss Gina,” Nataliya answers in her heavy accent. Gina had once attempted to greet Nataliya with a friendly “Nice to see you” in Ukrainian (courtesy of a Rosetta Stone free trial), but the blank look Nataliya had given her had indicated that Gina had not done a good job.
“Is Tish home?”
“Yes, she went to see Mr. Dewar, I think.”
“Oh, so she’s not home?”
“Yes.” Nataliya opens the door a little further. “You come in?”
Gina frowns. “Well, no, if she isn’t home…” She pauses to see if Nataliya will say something, but she gives Gina a blank stare. “OK, I’ll try her cell.”
Nataliya nods and says goodbye.
Back in her car, Gina rings Tish.
“Hello, my dear,” Tish’s voice is low, almost as though she has just woken up, which is impossible since Tish—like Gina—is an early riser.
“Hi, Tish. I just stopped by your house. There’s something I need to talk to you about. Nataliya said you were out?”
She hears Tish suck in the air through her teeth, a sure sign that she is annoyed. “I’m telling you, sometimes I wonder if she understands a single word I say.”
“Oh?”
“I’m home, dear,” Tish continues. “I was actually just heading out to the drugstore. Charles isn’t feeling well, I’m afraid.”
Tish emerges at the front door. She waves to Gina and motions for her to wait. Tish cuts a path through the front yard and gets in Gina’s car.
“Nataliya’s cleaning.” Tish rolls her eyes as though this is a huge inconvenience. Gina loves her mother-in-law, but she will never understand people who outsource housework. “Why don’t we go for a drive?”
“Should we go to the drugstore?” Gina asks.
Tish gives her a funny look.
“For Charles?”
“Yes, sorry, dear,” Tish says, nodding. “I didn’t get any sleep. He was up all night coughing.”
Gina studies her mother-in-law. As always, she’s impeccably dressed: wide-cut trousers, gray cashmere sweater, stylish moccasins by Alma Boots. But her skin is waxy, and she has dark circles under her eyes. She looks tired, spent.
“Has Charles been to Dr. Keeley?” Gina asks.
Tish sighs. “What do you think?”
Of course he hasn’t. All Dewar men avoid doctors like their life depends on it. But what if her father-in-law is really ill? Gina wouldn’t put it past Tish to keep it from her. Her mother-in-law likes to protect the people she loves, and Gina is already going through enough tribulations.
“Tish, if something’s going on… you can tell me. I can help.”
“Whatever do you mean, dear?” Her tone is soft.
“With Charles. If he’s really sick, you don’t have to spare me. I should know about it. I love him, and I need to know so I can be there for Calan.” And for Bobby, she thinks.
“Oh, heavens. Aren’t you sweet worrying about your father-in-law with everything that’s going on in your life? Really, my dear, he’s fine. It’s just a bug. When you’re our age, you’ll understand: our bodies take longer to heal.”
“OK, if you’re sure.” Gina feels a ping of relief.
“I am.” Tish smiles at her warmly, and Gina feels reassured. Tish is being honest.
How silly of her to worry. Of course Charles is all right. Charles is like Nick: unbreakable, charming. They love life, and life loves them. Nothing could bring him down.
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Tish asks, once they’re on their way to the drugstore.
Gina takes a deep breath and prepares to tell Tish about her encounter with Missy. Tish had been dealing with Missy’s venomous tongue long before Gina moved to Alma—and she does so masterfully. If Gina wants to stay in town and secure her place as ASC president, she’ll need to learn from the best.
Twenty-Four
Nick
Tuesday, October 1st
The text from Alice comes in as Nick is getting ready to leave the office.
#ResignRobert is trending on Twitter again.
Nick holds his breath, lightly thrumming his fingers on his keyboard. The sound resembles the ticking of a clock if the clock had gone haywire. Knowing Alice, this is likely the first of a few messages—but maybe, just maybe, she’ll drop it if he doesn’t reply. It’s possible she’ll assume he’s stuck in a meeting or that he went to Soho House to entertain a client.
A minute goes by. Maybe more. He lets out a lengthy breath. He’s turning his monitor off when his phone buzzes again.
Most comments are calling for #BoycottAlmaBoots
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