Gini hugged around Lisa’s waist. “Bay… bee, hah… dah.”
“He’s nice and toasty warm,” Lisa said, giving Gini a quick kiss on the forehead. “It’s really cold out there. I want him to be safe in the winter weather.”
“What brings you here?” Debbie asked. “Why get out in the cold if you don’t have to?”
“Lenny needed a plumbing part that can only be found in South End. He and his crew are up in Marblehead on a job. When he told me he couldn’t get here for a while, I said I’d be at your place.”
“Did you find the part?”
“Yep, right where he told me it would be. How come you’re all fancied up?” Lisa then suddenly remembered. “Oh, Debbie, I’m sorry!” She walked to take Timmy. “Your lunch with… what was her name? Micky, yes, Micky.”
Debbie almost had the bunting off the baby. “It’s okay; she canceled. Good you’re here. We can have a nice lunch together.”
“Canceled, why? I thought you two were going to catch up.”
“I’m not sure why. Doesn’t matter.” Debbie brushed her hand gently on the little boy’s soft head and talked baby talk to him. Gini sat down next to her and opened her eyes and her palm wide, then spread her fingers out and did as Debbie was doing.
Lisa could clearly see the disappointment in Debbie’s face, but she had to admit she was relieved that Debbie’s old lover wasn’t coming. Debbie had told her stories about how Micky had helped her come out. Debbie was grateful, but sad that their relationship had not lasted. Lisa felt Debbie was upset with herself for not going to Micky, instead choosing the job she wanted. She blamed herself for the breakup. Although Lisa had never met the woman, she didn’t like her mainly because she triggered Debbie’s self-doubt and insecurity. She’d never seen that defeated look from Debbie except when she talked about Micky.
“Lah… uff, bay… be, tim… me. Bay… be, boy, lees… see. Lah… uff, bay… be.”
Lisa fed Timmy, and then the three women started setting the table and getting ready to eat.
“Looks delish,” Lisa said.
The house phone rang, and Howard told Debbie a Michelle Lawrence was there.
Debbie took a quick breath at the announcement. She had completely relaxed, but suddenly the butterflies were fluttering furiously in her stomach again. “Please, Howard, send her up.”
If it wasn’t enough of a surprise that Micky showed up after canceling, when Debbie opened the door, there Micky stood with her arm around another woman, Reba. Debbie had met her on the cruise, one of Micky’s group, but she’d had no idea Micky and Reba were together.
A deep feeling of admiration came over Debbie each time she saw Micky’s tall, majestic stature; and to the other side, her feelings about her own inferiority screamed out. She wanted to throw her arms around Micky, but with Reba close to her side, she didn’t dare.
Reba had always been impeccably dressed on the cruise, and she was no different now, standing there looking beautiful next to Micky. How could Debbie compete?
“Hi, bunny.” Micky reached over and hugged Debbie with one arm. “You remember Reba?”
“Yes, of course, please come in.”
“We were looking at an apartment in the neighborhood and our next showing canceled, so here we are!” Micky raised her free hand up in the air—surprise.
There was that Debbie body language Lisa remembered when Micky’s name was mentioned.
When they walked in, Micky saw Timmy sleeping in his stroller. Lisa was standing next to him with her arm around Gini. Gini made her way to Debbie and hugged her. “Dee… bee, lah… uff.”
“You must be Gini,” Micky said, putting her hand under Gini’s chin. “I’ve heard so many wonderful stories about you.”
“Oh… yes!” Gini hugged closer to Debbie.
Then Micky looked at Lisa and back at Debbie. “Deb, you didn’t tell me you had a family.”
“Oh, sugar, look how cute.” Reba pulled out of Micky’s arm and squatted next to the stroller. “Boy or girl?”
“Boy,” Gini and Lisa said at the same time.
“And you are?” Micky asked.
“Lisa, Debbie’s best friend.”
Lisa’s tone was a little indignant. Timmy was obviously dressed as a boy in a blue coverall with a baseball cap patch on the front. The vibe in the room was very strange, like an unwanted invasion—Debbie was stiff and guarded.
“Micky, we need one of these,” Reba said quietly, not wanting to disturb the baby sleeping.
“He’s mine,” Lisa said. “My husband’s and my son.”
“Oh, okay.” Micky looked at Debbie. “Bunny, how did you ever afford to get such a fabulous place?” Micky rubbed her hand along the walk-in bar on her way to look out the window. “And what a great view.”
“This is Gini’s condo,” Debbie said, taking hold of Gini’s hand. “I moved in here with her when she was released from the hospital.”
“Rob… ber, be… uff, hus… band.”
“Yes, and now she lives here with her husband, Dr. Robert Young, and me.”
Micky turned to face Debbie. “Wow, all I can say is great digs.”
“Lisa came into town for lunch. You’re just in time. We were about to sit down to eat.”
Lisa quickly, with her fairy-like steps, went and set two more places at the table. Debbie took the seafood salad to the dining room, and dished the lobster bisque, starting with Micky, then placed the tureen next to herself when she was done. The five ladies all sat down. The conversation was slow at first, with many awkward silences, but once they started talking about the cruise, the chatter never stopped.
“Oh, y’all, that was a marvelous time. Micky and I fell in love on the high seas. So wonderful,” Reba
