Rachel's Folly (3 page)

“I know, but now that’s all she thinks about. She really believes it’s gonna happen. She started going to gun shows.” Ben’s eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly. Rachel nodded. “She actually bought a handgun, to protect herself from looters when doomsday comes.”

“The thought of Mother with a firearm is truly frightening.” He shook his head with disapproval. “But, on the other hand, if the end really is near, we best start living it up. Maybe I should go back to Marco’s house and see if he’s up for some nude skydiving? I know I just met him last night, but I can assure you, he’s definitely adventurous.” Ben grinned and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Speaking of, I assume you’re not dating anyone right now?” she asked, thankful the topic had moved away from Jack.

“Um, no, not really. I mean, I have friends, but nothing serious. Just keeping busy with work and my writing.” Ben began to smooth out a napkin he’d crumbled. “I guess I’m still licking my wounds from Paul.”

“Wow, how long has it been? Three years? It’s a shame things didn’t work out for you guys. I really liked him,” she said.

“Three and a half years
,
but who’s counting? Truth is I’m just not ready to do it all over again. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready, but like Winston Churchill once said, ‘Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong.’” He put down his coffee cup and brought his fists to his eyes, moving them back and forth, and pouted as if he were crying. Then he stopped and smiled broadly. “Ah, I jest. Don’t worry about me. I’m a big boy. Time really does heal all things, and no matter what, I’ll always have my Homer.” The dog perked up his head when he heard his name. Ben patted his thigh, and Homer jumped into his lap.

“Well, you guys were together for so long. I guess it does take time,” she said.

Ben’s face suddenly fell. “I don’t know, maybe I could have handled things differently. I probably should’ve been more appreciative.” He pulled on his chin. “But, once you’ve been burned the way I was … I mean, once someone completely betrays you, well, it’s hard to trust anyone else. I really thought he was the one.” Homer jumped down and began sniffing around the floor.

“Right,” she said and fell quiet. She wondered if Ben could tell she was holding something back. The only sound in the room was the clicking clatter of Homer’s nails hitting the hardwood as he roamed around under the table.

“But hey, let’s not think of unpleasant things. I’m only here for a few days.” He pounced his hands lightly on Rachel’s knees. “Let’s think about the fun we’re going to have tomorrow. If I know Dr. Wilkinson at all, I know he’s going to throw his little girl quite a shindig. The man has one of the most impressive wine cellars I’ve ever seen.” Ben smiled and ate his last bite of bagel. “I’m sure it’s going to be fabulous.”

“I’m really glad you’re here,” Rachel said, her heavy eyes softening. “I’ve missed you.” She held herself back from asking him for a hug. He was a good big brother and had always looked after her, much better than their mother ever did. She wished she could tell him what happened last night and ask for his advice, but the truth was so unbelievably ugly, she didn’t dare mention it. She brought her hand to her brow and began massaging her temple. Her headache was still bothering her, and she felt like crying, but she held everything inside and grinned at Ben as he petted Homer’s head.

That evening as Rachel was getting ready for the rehearsal dinner, she stopped to look at herself in the mirror. She touched the fine lines around her eyes. She couldn’t help but notice how her face was changing. It wasn’t as round and full as it used to be. The wrinkles around her eyes were becoming more apparent, even when she wasn’t squinting or smiling. She let out a defeated sigh and thought about Elena and how beautiful she was. The entire day she had felt like Hester Prynne in
The Scarlet Letter
. But her letter “A” wasn’t on her clothing. It was imprinted on her face, like a large birthmark. The letter’s peak was at the top of her forehead; its legs reached down either cheek; its middle line ran across the bridge of her nose. The letter’s hue would change throughout the day. It was sometimes a faint pink when she could focus on other things, like deciding what she should make for lunch or wondering what Jacob had eaten for breakfast or whether she had picked up the dry cleaning. But for most of the day, it was bright red, and intensified in color the more she thought about Jack. Whether barely visible or screaming for attention, it was always there, just under the surface. She was amazed that no one else could see it. It was so apparent to her. Throughout the day she was sure that Edward, or Ben, or her elderly, nosey neighbor
could
see it and were about to confront her, but then they’d open their mouths to say something completely unrelated and she’d breathe a guilty sigh of relief.

She was dreading having to go to the rehearsal dinner that night with Elena’s family and friends, and especially Jack. She didn’t know how she was going to pull it off. She went through the motions of putting on her makeup and getting dressed. When she was ready to go, she went into the kitchen and started to polish the countertops. They weren’t dirty by anyone’s standards, but she had a nervous energy and needed to do
something
.

“Why are you cleaning?” Ben asked. He and Jacob were coming down the stairs, both wearing makeshift capes made from old bed sheets. “We’re just going to get everything dirty again.”

“My little superhero,” she said, smiling at Jacob as he walked into the kitchen. Then she smiled at Ben, pretending everything was fine, but inside she knew she was terrified of facing Jack.

“Are you sure you guys will be okay while we’re out? There’s leftover meatloaf in the fridge. Don’t let Jacob stay up too late, and don’t let him go to bed without brushing his teeth.”

“Relax, we’ll be fine. We’re going to order pizza. What are you so nervous about?”

“I’m not nervous,” she said defensively. Jacob went over to stand by her side.

“You look pretty, Mommy,” he said, looking up at her with his big, brown eyes. She picked him up, closed her eyes and held him tightly. She breathed him in. He smelled so good. He smelled like home. He was the first person she had embraced all day. An enormous sense of shame washed over her and she felt an urge to ask Jacob for his forgiveness. He held on to her as forcefully as she was holding on to him. Then she released him, fearing that if she didn’t, she would break down.

Edward walked into the living room fastening a button on his cuff and carrying his sports jacket folded over his arm. They all turned to look at him. Ben whistled an exaggerated catcall.

“Eat ya heart out, big boy,” Edward said without looking up, still struggling with his button.

“Mr. Twinkle Toes! Are you planning on busting a move tonight?” Ben asked, biting his lower lip and bobbing his head.

Edward smirked. “Not tonight. I wouldn’t want Dr. Wilkinson to get the wrong idea.”

Ben gasped loudly, threw his head back and put the back of his hand over his forehead. “Imagine the scandal if anyone found out you’re actually a fun guy under that stuffy facade?” Ben turned to look at Jacob. “Did you know your daddy can dance?”

Jacob smiled and shook his head. He hugged Rachel’s legs, knowing she was going to leave soon.

Edward went to stand in front of Rachel and Jacob. He held his jacket over his pants. “Does this go?” he asked her.

“Yes, honey,” she said without really looking.

“All your clothes are the same color, Ed. Everything you have
goes
. You really need to spice things up. You need some flair,” Ben said.

“Oh, I got flair,” Edward said, and then walked over to Ben. “I just hide my superpowers
inside
.” Edward tapped his chest, and then tugged at Ben’s bed sheet. “I don’t need no stinkin’ cape.”

Ben gave him a pained look. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Edward grinned and grabbed his keys and beeper from the counter. He glanced over his shoulder at Rachel. “Ready?”

Rachel sighed deeply, bent down and kissed Jacob on his cheek.

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

* * *

The dinner was at a majestic Victorian estate that had been remodeled and transformed into a grand Southern home-style restaurant. It was tucked away on a residential street in South Austin. It had old, dark wood floors and cozy dining rooms filled with antiques and fine mismatched china, huge picture windows overlooking wraparound porches and manicured lawns with peacocks strolling around under grand live oaks.

Along with Rachel and Edward, the guests consisted of the groom- and bride-to-be, Elena’s father, a couple of his colleagues, two of Elena’s aunts, her Uncle Harry, three of her cousins and Dr. Raul Ramirez and his wife. Rachel didn’t know all of the guests personally, but she did know that Dr. Ramirez was Elena’s partner from the clinic and had met him once before. She had also met Uncle Harry when she was a teenager and had seen him a handful of times over the years.

“Is this Jack’s first marriage?” Edward whispered to Rachel as they sat down at the large, rectangular table.

“I think so. Elena didn’t say he had been married before. Why do you ask?”

“Nobody from his family came, none of his friends. That’s kind of weird, don’t you think?” He smiled and nodded to one of Elena’s aunts sitting across the table.

“Not really,” Rachel whispered. “Elena said they wanted to keep it small and simple. That’s why they’re getting married at her parents’ home tomorrow. That’s why we’re not really rehearsing for the wedding. Dr. Wilkinson is treating them to a European trip for their honeymoon. He’s also giving them the condo downtown as a wedding present.”

“Must be nice.” Edward looked down to check his pager. Then he adjusted his seat so he could rest his arm on the back of Rachel’s chair. He flashed two fingers to the waiter, signaling he wanted him to bring over two glasses of water. After looking around the room and fidgeting with his shirt, he glanced at Rachel and frowned. “You feeling okay, honey? You look kind of pale.”

“I’ll be alright. I’m probably still just hung over from last night.”

“Can’t hang like you used to,” he joked as he patted her shoulder.

“Rachel, you’re here!” Elena approached them smiling widely with her arms outstretched. Rachel looked up and held her breath. She smiled at Elena, admiring her elegance. When she was young, her mother would always tell her how she could learn a thing or two from Elena’s graceful elegance.

Elena wore a mid-length, mint green, single shoulder, A-line dress. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail and she wore simple gold and pearl earrings that Rachel knew had once belonged to her mother. She was glowing with happiness. Jack followed close behind. Rachel and Edward stood up to greet them. Rachel hugged Elena and closed her eyes to avoid looking at Jack. After they embraced, Elena went to greet Edward, and Rachel forced herself to give Jack a quick hug while keeping her eyes focused on the wall in front of her. She couldn’t help but smell him and his sensual cologne. His scent that still lingered in her car and in her DNA. He cleared his throat and she thought he was about to ask her something, but just then, to her relief, Elena grabbed her arm and guided her away from the men.

“Come meet my cousin from Guadalajara. She’s dying to meet you. I’ve told her so much about you. She wants to know why I chose you to be my maid of honor and not her.” Elena giggled and led Rachel through the room, introducing her to guests as her closest, dearest, childhood friend. Rachel was pretty sure she was going to be sick.

Throughout the evening Rachel avoided making eye contact with Jack. She had no desire to look at him, much less speak to him. She wasn’t a good liar and she already felt like people were beginning to suspect something had happened between them. Jack, on the other hand, was a gregarious social butterfly. He greeted the guests graciously with big hugs and smiles. He laughed with Edward about his dancing the night before. He glided around the room from person to person making small talk and thanking everyone for coming. Rachel felt uncomfortable and unnerved. Not only did Jack not seem to be bothered by what had happened, he didn’t seem to notice Rachel was there at all.

The dinner had been preordered and handpicked by Dr. Wilkinson himself. There was bacon-wrapped, jalapeno-stuffed Texas quail and spiced spring rack of lamb. The dessert was a chocolate habanero crème brûlée. The entire menu was delectable, but Rachel barely touched her food. She wanted to leave as soon as possible and was about to excuse herself by saying she didn’t feel well. At that moment, Dr. Wilkinson stood up with his wine glass to offer a toast. He was a stout but distinguished man who usually held a cigar or pipe in his mouth. Rachel often marveled at how little he had changed over the years. With the exception of a little less hair, he looked exactly as she remembered him when she was eight years old. He was dressed in a classic black suit, had trim, silver hair and a matching silver mustache, and wore thick, black-rimmed glasses. He smiled and tapped his wine glass with a spoon until he had everyone’s attention.

“I’d like to thank you for being here this evening. As you all know, Elena is our only child and we have been very blessed. My late wife Aurora and I always tried to provide the best for her. Whether it was her education or introducing her to diverse cultures or the arts, we felt it was important for her to understand how privileged we are and how we should always give back. Those who know me know I’ve always believed that those who are fortunate in this world have a responsibility to give to those who are not. Philanthropy has been part of my essence since I first began to make a decent living. And I’m so proud Elena has not only become a doctor, by her own merit, but has also chosen to use her vocation to help those who are in the most need.”

As Dr. Wilkinson continued his speech, Rachel looked around the table, observing the guests. Everyone was looking admirably at Elena’s father as he spoke. Some would occasionally look over to Elena and Jack and smile. They sat close together and their hands were intertwined on the table. Elena leaned her back against him and, every now and then, he would give her gentle kisses on the side of her head as she kept her eyes focused on her father. For a brief moment, Rachel actually wondered if she had dreamed the whole incident with Jack. She couldn’t understand how this could be the same man she was with last night.