Soulmates (27 page)

Lisa forgot what it was like to have an adult friend to commiserate with. They played with the children so Daniela could get a swim in. Soon, Dan Junior started rooting around Cara’s bathing suit top.

“Oh, oh, I think this little man is hungry,” Cara said, looking down at him nuzzling her breasts. “Wow, it’s a pretty incredible feeling.” Lisa watched her holding her son, bonding with him.

“Cara, you can nurse him,” Lisa said. “When he was born, we hired a lactation specialist because I didn’t know if I could nurse both boys at once. She told me even adoptive mothers could nurse if the baby latches on. The sucking stimulates the production of milk.” Cara contorted again as she fought tears.

“I have never heard of such a thing,” she said. “It almost sounds perverse.”

“You gave birth to him, it seems perfectly logical that you would be able to nurse him, even all these months later. My only concern is that he might not take to it right away. I could nurse him first and then you try.”

“Okay,” she said, sniffing. “But I’d need to do it all the time, wouldn’t I?”

“Yes, it’s a reason to allow more than just supervised visitation. We need to get some kind of documentation from his pediatrician, too.”

“Would she do that?”

“I take four kids to her,” Lisa said reaching for him. “What do you think?” Cara watched Lisa prepare to nurse once again; the first time was the when Marcus was a newborn. She pulled her breast out of her bikini top and pulled her nipple into his mouth in a smooth motion.

“That looks like it hurts,” she said, slightly uncomfortable being so close to Lisa’s bare breast.

“It’s not really. At first it smarts a little bit, but my nipples are like shoe leather now. I’ve had two kids sucking on them non-stop.”

“Thank you for doing that for me. For him,” Cara said meaningfully.

After lunch, Pam walked back over the dune to the house. She saw Lisa and Cara deep in conversation, not aware of anyone else. Shaking her head, Pam couldn’t help the comparison between her and Lisa, Cara and Sandra.
It couldn’t come to a good end, could it?
All she knew was that it wasn’t her business. Cara was an honest person except for her bout of infidelity. Was that how Sandra started? A decent person who didn’t have many dates, if her story to John about Marymount was real? Was Jack her first betrayal?

Pam’s influence over her children had ended several years earlier. Her advice about anything, even diapering, was not wanted. Content to take a back seat, she would enjoy what her daughter would offer her; short visits with the grandchildren, occasional babysitting and keeping her opinions to herself.

The veranda was dark and cool after the sunny beach, and she eyed the couch longingly. John would be there soon to wait for the appliances with her, but in the meantime, she’d put her feet up and close her eyes. She was truly becoming an older person.

Chapter 24

After Pam had left, Natalie cleaned up their lunch mess and made herself a cup of coffee. She was taking a book with her out on the terrace to read. The wind was whipping up the froth on the waves, sand blowing across the lawn. Jeff’s house was one of the few with a formal garden toward the ocean; green grass, roses, a marble sea wall complete with pillars and wrought iron gate. She sat under the canvas awning, grateful for the clear glass wall surrounding the terrace, which allowed an unobstructed view whilst providing protection from the wind.

Taking a sip of coffee, she looked up at the blue water, the distraction too much for reading. “Maybe I’ll get used to it and take it for granted some day,” she said out loud. But the reality was that she’d better not get used to it. Jeff’s ex-wife or his kids would occupy this space someday. The thought made her sad. Closing the book, she put her head back and closed her eyes, but then her phone rang. She picked it up and saw Ben’s number. Poor Ben, she’d neglected him all day.

“Where’s my lady today?” he asked. “I figured you were somewhere between the ocean and Delaware, wherever that is.” Natalie laughed.

“I’m back at the ocean,” she answered. “Mesmerized by its beauty and unable to concentrate on a book. I have straight brainwaves.”

“I thought I might come down to see you,” he asked. “It’s hot up here in Suffern, and I’m suffering for you.”

“Oh, you are a riot. I miss you, too. We have two funerals to go to here. Are you sure you want to be in the middle of it?”

“That’s a thought,” Ben replied. Leaving home to visit was difficult for him, going to a funeral next to impossible. “Can I think about it? I know that seems a tad tacky.”

“No, not at all,” she said. “It’s why I mentioned it. If I could, I wouldn’t go, but Ted and Deborah wouldn’t let me get away with it.”

“How’s Ted doing?” Ben asked. “Boy talk about bad luck.” Ben had stayed on the sidelines for Ashton’s death, too.
He couldn’t avoid this one without seeming like a schmuck, could he?

“He’s in shock, doing last will and testament stuff. I’m sure it will hit him before long.”

“I guess I need to attend Jeff’s funeral,” Ben said. “After the way I acted toward Ashton, it might help my station with Ted.”

“You’re okay, Ben. You keep me out of Ted’s hair.” Remembering her and Ted’s shared sleeping arrangements, it would have to end if Ben came down for Jeff’s funeral. “How about I call you when I know the day and time? Unless you want to come now, I’ll leave it up to you.”

“Sounds like a plan; you call me when arrangements are set.” They hung up after declaring their fondness for each other, Natalie sincere. After another attempt to read, she gave up trying to concentrate on her book. Preparing to hoist herself up from the chair, Ted walked out with a sheaf of paper in his hands.

“Stay put, mother of my child. You aren’t going to believe this,” he said, pulling a chair next to her.

“What? Don’t toy with me, man. What is it?”

“I guess I shouldn’t be smiling like this one day after the love of my life dies, but you won’t believe what he did.”

“Ted spit it out for heaven sake! What are you talking about?”

“Forget the prenup, forget the trusts. Jeff put
his house
in
my name
two months ago. His former law partner said he was going to surprise me for our anniversary.”

“Oh, Ted how fabulous! Does this mean I can move in?”

“You might have to help me pay the property taxes,” he replied. “I have to see if there are any funds allotted for it. If not, I’m in trouble.”

“Ew, not so good.”

“We might have to sell Ashton’s place. What do you think about that?”

“Ted, that’s up to you. I don’t know why you’re holding on to it, but I understand if you want to.”

“I guess I thought with Zach and Deborah both working at the staging business, they might want to be uptown someday, closer to the warehouses. And it is big enough for a family, if and when.”

“Take a hard look at your finances. Ashton left you in good shape. A place like this,” she made a sweeping motion with her arms, “is priceless. I’m sure you can scrape up what you need. You’re rich now!”

“I’m hardly rich, but I have more than I ever thought I’d have.”

“We need to talk about something else,” Natalie replied solemnly.

“I know. The funeral, correct?”

“Correct.”

“I was going to ask Marybeth if she and the girls wanted to make the arrangements.”

“Will they even talk to you when they find out about the house?”

“He left them the place in Rhinebeck and money. It will be enough.”

“You need to make your husband’s funeral arrangements right now,” Natalie stated. “Ask Pam who to call. She hated the place where Jack’s funeral was, and nothing could have helped Brent’s. That was a media circus.”

“Okay, I’ll call her. I just wanted you to know you can stay here forever, if you’d like.” Under her breath, Natalie replied, “Or when the next Mr. Dale comes along.”

***

The sun moved behind Pam’s house, casting a long shadow in the sand. “I guess it’s time to pack up and head for home,” Lisa said sadly. “I have really enjoyed this, Cara.” The women looked at each other fondly. Not only had Cara bonded with baby Dan, she and Lisa were united in the goal of getting Cara on her feet again, which meant a chance for her to regain custody of Dan Junior. Saying goodbye with promises of staying in touch, they would see each other on Thursday at the grocery store Starbucks and then Friday at the supervised visitation. In the meantime, Lisa would pester Dan into seeing what he could do about speeding up the custody process so Cara could nurse the baby.

With Lisa’s urging, she attempted nursing, but he wasn’t interested. He took a few tugs, but when nothing was forthcoming, pushed her away. “My boobs are so hard with silicone, I don’t blame him,” she cried.

“Nonsense,” Lisa replied brusquely. “He has a full stomach. Next time, we’ll let him give you a try first.”

“I do feel tingly,” Cara said hopefully.

Now back at home, Lisa didn’t even miss that Dan was late until Gladys asked about serving dinner. “Do you want to eat now or should we wait for Dan?” Lisa looked at her phone. He was forty-five minutes late.

“Let’s eat. Come on women,” she said to the girls. “Time for dinner.” Booster chairs and highchairs filled, dinner was fun without Dan yawning and looking at his phone every minute. Spooning food into Dan’s little mouth while Marcus picked it up with his fingers, Lisa enjoyed this time of day. She didn’t even miss her husband. Her phone rang and it was Dan.

“Daniela can you take over?” Lisa said pointing at the baby, and left for the den.

“Hi, sorry I’m late,” Dan said. Lisa listened for sounds and could only hear faint music and car horns. He was driving.

“Yeah, what’s up?” she asked. “We’re just eating.”

“Yes, I’m glad you went ahead without me. I probably won’t be home anytime soon. I’m on the parkway and traffic’s at a standstill.”

“Did you have to go into the city today? You didn’t mention it.”

“I did. It was the last minute. What’d you do?”

“Oh, just went to my mom’s. We spent the day on the beach. It was great.” She didn’t mention having Cara’s nipple between her fingers as she tried to jam it in Dan Junior’s mouth.

“How’s Pam doing?” Dan laughed. “Since yesterday.”

“She’s great. Kitchen is coming along, too.” Lisa couldn’t believe it. They were making small talk. She was lying and he was probably lying as well so there would be nothing else to talk about.

“I better get off. Traffic is starting to move.”

“Yep, see you when you get home.” They said goodbye and hung up. “You lying piece of shit.” Knowing in her gut that Dan was lying to her but he was such a snake he’d never admit it, she’d find out everything she needed in due time.

***

After the new appliances had been put into place, and the workmen left for the day, after Lisa and her entourage finally went home, John and Pam were alone. Earlier that afternoon, the phone ringing in the distance woke her out of a sound sleep on the veranda couch. It was Jeannie, Dave from Organic Bonanza’s wife and Pam’s friend. “Someone was just here, buying out the steak department. I shouldn’t tattle, but I think you’re having a moonlight picnic tonight.”

“Did he approach you?” Pam asked.

“He did! It was so endearing, I almost started to cry,” Jeannie admitted.

“Oh lord, what did he say?”

“He just came up to me and said, ‘I’m Pam’s new friend, John Zapelli. I want to surprise her tonight with a picnic on the beach. Can you tell me what she’d like?’” Pam was giggling.

“At least we know he was listening when I told him who my friends were,” she said. “What’d he buy to go with the steak?”

“I told him you were very particular about your side dishes, so he got all your favorites from the deli case including twice baked potatoes.”

“That sounds wonderful, Jeannie. Thank you so much. He’s sort of an Italian sausage kind of guy so when he said we’d grill I was worried he’d show up with a string of kielbasa from the butcher up the street.” They roared laughing, good friends who shared the good with the bad.

“Okay, well have a good night. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

When John arrived at the beach, several large shopping bags from Organic Bonanza gave away his intentions; they really were going to have moonlight picnic on the beach. She greeted him at the door, laughing.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?”

“Just a few things for my date. I hope you like beef.” She helped him fill the new refrigerator, making over every item she put in to cool.

“You are definitely hired to shop for me.” She turned to say something and he grabbed her and started kissing her. Pam later would tell Natalie it was very erotic. “He didn’t get fresh, but his arms wrapped around my body; I almost passed out it was so wonderful. I guess it’s been awhile since I felt real passion.”

She didn’t know what to say to him after they ended the kiss. Straightening her clothing, she smoothed back her hair, nervous hands reaching for another grocery item to put away when she decompressed and started to laugh.

“Yeah,” John said and started laughing, too. “It’s been a while.” Pam stopped fidgeting and looked into his eyes.

“Has it?”

“Yes. But I’m okay with it. No one did it for me until you. That sounds like a lyric, but it’s true.”

“Wow, I’m flattered. It was
really
wonderful.” She didn’t lie and tell him it had been a while for her too because she’d already confessed there’d been others although nothing as good as that kiss in front of the refrigerator.

They prepared the meal together, and Pam didn’t compare it what she and Jack used to do once. It was all about John, about his great sense of humor, his respect for her and the attention he gave her.

“I’m going to get our fire going before we eat. Want to join me? I mean
the fire on the beach.
You’ve already got
our
fire going.”

“I’d love to,” she said, smiling and at peace. So Pam helped him arrange scrap lumber he’d brought from a job; “Driftwood is too pretty to burn.”