She embraced Jessica again briefly. "It's you I'm concerned about. Your dad and I had forty incredible years together. We fell in love young and never fell out of it. I know that may be hard to believe, since so many couples drift apart over time." She squeezed her daughter. "We didn't. Right up until the day…." She broke away from the embrace and threw up her hands in surrender. "I just don't see you and Eric like that. I'm sorry. But your life, your business!"
A chime signaled the dishwasher cycle had ended. As Carol began putting dishes away, she changed the subject, much to Jessica's relief. "How's the new job going?"
Jessica bent down to help. How many times had they done this intricate dance in the kitchen, weaving around one another to get to the right cabinet in perfect harmony? Sometimes she wished she'd never moved out on her own. She missed this, even though she knew it had been time. "I'm still getting to know the people at the magazine, but they seem very capable, mostly friendly. There's a girl named Donna about my age, who has the cubicle next to mine. She's a bit of a character, but funny? Oh my gosh. Perky. Yes, that's the word, perky."
Carol's head disappeared beneath the island to put away a roasting pan. "But it's a change and even good changes are stressful," she said, her voice a little muffled.
"Sure, it is, but I'm coping. Yoga, music and," Jessica called pointedly down at her mother, "Eric." When Carol stood and rolled her eyes—the response she knew her daughter wanted—Jessica continued. "Maureen, the editor who hired me, has been on vacation ever since. Rumor has it she's out. Took a severance package. No one's speculating about who the new editor might be, if there even is one, but it sounds like someone from outside. There's a new owner for sure, but everything else is just gossip at this point. Should know more soon."
Carol stopped, a platter headed for the top shelf in mid-air. "Isn't it time you get ready for the party?" She laid the platter down and put her hands on her hips. "I know you're too old to ask for a photo but maybe just one on Facebook so I can see you in your costume?"
Jessica hugged her mother and groaned. "Yes, Mother." She stood and held Carol at arm's length. "Mom. I love you, you know."
"I had my suspicions."
The women laughed as Carol walked her daughter to the door and closed it behind her. She stood, leaning against the door, looking around the cozy living room. So many photographs from their high school days, their wedding, Jessica's growth over the years, her graduation. The little shrine with Greg's picture and badge, the citation for bravery he'd never see. She missed him every day, but Jessica was right. She was still relatively young; Greg wouldn't want her to be lonely.
"Maybe one day," she said aloud to his photo. "For now, let's hope Jessica finds true love. And we both know it's not Eric." She shook her head sadly. Nice guy, but he and Jessica seemed more like great friends than lovers. That had been such an important aspect of their marriage; it stood to reason that they'd passed down that bit of DNA to Jessica.
Carol felt a twinge of longing. Greg had been a passionate man, passionate about everything—his work as a firefighter, his family. "And me," she whispered before letting out a deep breath. It was Halloween, and she'd better start getting bowls of candy ready for the children in the neighborhood. November first was as good a time as any to start actively living again. No more sleeping late, she told herself. No more turning down lunch dates with friends. Time to get back to the gym. Life is short.
Chapter 2
Halloween Party
Jessica straightened her satin mask in the bathroom mirror and tucked an errant strand of hair under the elastic. Her hair was a mix of her father's and mother's, medium brown with blondish highlights. That's better, she thought. Backing up a bit, she smiled at her reflection. Wonder Woman was looking pretty spicy tonight. Cutting down on the carbs had helped. Although she didn't go to the gym like she'd done before she got this new job, she still worked in some exercise at home most mornings.
She turned from side to side, admiring herself, adjusting some side boob and making kiss lips at herself before taking another sip of wine. Absentmindedly, she gazed around the room—very plush, very expensive, very much not her style. It was much too ornate for her taste. Must be nice to be able to afford it, though, she thought with a sigh and then wrinkled her nose. She couldn't imagine living here. She certainly couldn't imagine Eric living here.
Eric hadn't wanted to come to the party, and she didn't half blame him. Parties were fun, especially at Rita and Gary's. Gary had been the one who'd told her about the opening at the magazine—he was in the advertising department—and she'd been one of Rita's bridesmaids last year. They were both doing quite well, despite buying this ridiculously huge luxury condo, but she didn't like Halloween. All the emphasis on tombstones, witches, black cats and death, was not her thing.
Death had taken her father just a year earlier, beloved grandparents before that. It was hard to conjure up a party attitude when tombstones reminded
