Sue and Tom (9 page)

Chapter 16

Sue

Gina’s living room was a sea of sleeping bags. We moved the furniture to the sides and crammed into the space just like we did when we were kids. We even ended the night with a pillow fight. I had forgotten how much fun they were. When we woke up the next morning, we looked like we were extras for
The Walking Dead
. Except Gina.

Maggie yawned and pointed at Gina. “You have no right to look that good.”

Cookie laughed. “That reminds me of the time I thought I was pregnant and wasn’t.”

“Was this before or after the girls?” I asked.

“After. In fact, it was last year.”

I coughed. “What? But I thought Harry had a vasectomy?”

“He did. About ten years ago!”

Everyone stopped getting breakfast to listen to Cookie’s story.

“So, I’m gaining weight, you know,” said Cookie, talking with her hands. “And I’m thinking my tits feel tender. And I can’t remember when I had my period last. Since Harry had a vasectomy, I don’t keep track of it and my periods never were real regular anyhow. And I know people who have gotten pregnant after the old snip-snip.”

“Yeah, like within a year,” Lynn laughed. “Not a decade.”

“Well, you never know,” Cookie continued. “Could be that old snake had some venom left in him. God knows it doesn’t seem to have a whole hell of a lot of life left in it these days, but, well, if I can get the damn thing up it does okay.”

Everyone laughed.

“Anyway,” Cookie continued. “The more I thought about the possibility of being pregnant, the more convinced I became that I actually was. So I buy not one home pregnancy test but two. You know, just to make sure. And I sneak into the bathroom when everyone else is downstairs and do the test. Not once, but twice. And…”

Cookie pauses and looks at each of us. “Turns out I was just getting fat. Damn pregnancy test. Those things suck!”

“You didn’t want to be pregnant, did you?” Gina asked.

“Not really,” Cookie said. “But it would have been nice to have been able to blame my belly fat on something other than cakes and cookies.”

Everyone laughed so hard we looked like we were having a group seizure.

Cookie pinched her belly fat. “I could be a model for those belly fat ads online. Christ, every time I turn around another one pops up on my computer screen. I swear those ads have eyeballs and when they see someone fat sit down in front of the screen, they pop up. They’re evil.”

Cookie was a character—always was and always would be.

***

Tom

I filled a huge cardboard box with empty beer bottles. We definitely went through the brew. It was already mid-morning and most of the guys had gone home, taking their hangovers with them. Mike stayed to help clean up. The kitchen looked like it had been hit by a hurricane. Guys could be real slobs.

Mike tossed the empty pizza boxes and chip and pretzel bags into a large trash bag. “I had a great time. Thanks for having us all over. It was a lot of fun.”

I nodded. “Yeah, it was. We’ll have to do it again. Felt like it did when we were in high school.”

Mike laughed. “The joking and messing around did; my body did not. Definitely can’t drink like I used to.”

“Mike,” I said. “You know Sue pretty well, right?”

“I guess so. I mean, I knew her better in high school, but yeah, I guess I know her better than most of the guys who were here. Why? What’s up?”

“I’m worried that if her memory of finding Rachel in my house returns, she’ll be pissed off again. I don’t want to lose her.”

“But if she remembers that, won’t she also remember she was on her way to talk it out with you, to make up?”

I shrugged. “That’s what I hope will happen. That’s what I want to happen. But who knows.”

Mike shook his head. “I know you’re in a tough place. I think you’re just going to have to ride this out. See what happens and hope for the best.”

I poured myself another cup of coffee. “What about you and Gina? How’s that going?”

Mike got another cup, too, and sat down at the table. “Absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait to call her my wife. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

I sipped my coffee. “And it took damn near twenty years.”

“About that,” Mike said.

Sooner or later I knew Mike would want to talk. I knew he would have questions about the night Gina was raped, the night I punched Coach Smith in the face when I learned what he had done. And I knew that he would go off on me for not telling.

Mike ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t blame you. I don’t. But damn, I wish you would have said something back then.”

“I wish I would have, too. You don’t know how many hours I’ve spent beating myself up over the decision I made that day. I thought Gina should be the one to tell. I still think it should have come from her, but I wish I would have confronted her about it, told her that I knew. Maybe then she wouldn’t have felt so all alone. Maybe then she would have gone to the police, knowing she had me as a witness. Not to the rape, of course. But to Smith’s confession afterward.”

Mike let out a heavy sigh. “I just wonder how my life, our life, would have turned out. Maybe we would have stayed together.”

“And maybe not,” I said. “Sometimes I think that you and Gina splitting up was for the best. She had a lot of demons to deal with. I’m not sure she could have dealt with them like she needed to and worry about you at the same time. So she did what she had to do. And she got well and she became a killer prosecutor who puts bastards like Smith in jail. I know that it’s not the life you would have wanted for her, but she’s helped a lot of people and, besides, you’re together now.”

Mike smiled. “Yeah. Crazy how it all happened so fast and yet it seems so right.”

“I think that’s called love, man.”

“I think you’re right.”

***

Sue

“What’s all the laughing about?” said Mia, walking into the kitchen dressed like she was headed down the runway at a New York fashion show. She wore a black sleeveless split-neck jacquard dress with a pleated skirt.
The woman was drop-dead gorgeous.

Cookie whistled. “Man
, oh man, Karen. If I were gay, I’d be fighting you for some of that skin.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing you’re not,” said Karen, kissing Mia on the cheek.

Everyone laughed.

Mia had showered and dressed because she had to leave to show a
n out of town client some properties.

“And look at those heels,” Cookie said. “They must be eight inches. I sprain my ankle just looking at those suckers.”

I looked at the strappy heels. They looked familiar. I had seen them before. I put my hand to my head and a memory flashed before my eyes.

“You all right, Sue?” asked Gina, grabbing my arm to steady me.

I shook my head. “It’s a memory. A flash. Those heels. I’ve seen them before.”

Mia held out her leg so everyone could see the black strappy heels that had triggered my memory.

“Do you want to sit down?” Gina asked.

“Yeah. That might be good.”

Gina walked with me into the living room, navigating us through a sea of goodbyes and hugs.

“You guys don’t have to leave,” I said.

But no one listened. I think they wanted to give me some space and give me time alone with Gina. I was actually grateful, because I became a wet rag of tears that felt as heavy as cement blocks.

***

Tom

I was glad Mike and I talked about the rape. It was unfinished business. It was important to me that he understood why I didn’t do anything twenty years ago. Doesn’t make it right, but at least he knows where I was coming from. I think he needed to clear the air, say some things that were on his mind. I got that and I wasn’t mad. But I was glad he was moving on, trying to put it behind him.

I wasn’t lying when I told Mike that I thought it was better he and Gina didn’t stay together. I don’t think it would have worked. There was too much trauma that Gina had to work through, and she needed to do that alone.

But I had to smile. Who would have thought twenty years later that they’d be back together
—and be having a baby! And who would have thought I’d be dating the girl I’ve had a crush on since junior high earth science class.

I grabbed Klondike’s leash. “Come on, boy. Let’s go for that walk.”

It was a beautiful Saturday and the park was full of people. There were a lot of Little League baseball games going on. Seeing those little kids in their baseball shirts and hats always made me smile. Reminded me of when I was a kid. I loved baseball. Was never any good at it, but that didn’t stop me from trying.

I figured by the time Klondike and I got back from our walk, Sue would be home from Gina’s. She was expecting me and Klondike around 3. I told her I
’d make my killer lasagna for her and Chloe and then maybe we’d go for a drive afterward.

She was getting stronger and I knew by the way she kissed me that she wanted more. I was the one holding back. I just didn’t feel right making love to her knowing our relationship had been strained prior to the accident. I kept thinking that when she remembered the Rachel fiasco, she might think I had taken advantage of her memory loss by having sex with her while knowing that we were no longer at the having sex stage.

Chapter 17

Sue

I sat down on the couch and sobbed so hard my chest hurt. Finally, the dryer door was opened and I was free, gasping for air, clawing to make sense of what I had remembered.

Gina brushed back my hair. “So, did you remember, Sues?”

I nodded. “Rachel. She was at Tom’s house when I took Klondike home. He was coming home from a conference and I had this great evening planned. Even bought some sexy lingerie. But when I got there, I found Rachel, wearing a lacy thong and heart-shaped nipple covers with tassels.”

I sniffed and Gina handed me some more tissues.

“And I couldn’t believe it was happening to me all over again. It was worse than when I found Steve screwing Little Miss Pierced Nipples. By the time he and Pierced Nipples had their mid-day fuck, I had already suspected the creep was cheating. But Tom, no way would I ever have imagined Tom would do such a thing. I was crushed and left.”

Gina bit her lower lip. “Do you remember what happened after that?”

“A little. I know I was pissed at Tom because Rachel had the key. But I don’t remember the accident or being in the coma.”

“Yes,” Gina said. “You were pissed at Tom because he hadn’t taken his key back from Rachel. But you were getting beyond it
, and in fact, you were on your way to see him when the accident happened.”

“I was?”

“Yes. You had gone to Tom’s house to talk things out. He had gone to your house. When you both realized that you were at each other’s houses, you told Tom to wait at yours and you would be right over. But you never got there—obviously.”

“So we never did get to talk things out?” I asked.

“No,” Gina said. “But Tom is the best thing that’s ever happened to you, Sues. Don’t let that man walk out of your life. He was by your side every day. He talked to you. Read to you for hours. Ask Chloe. She’ll tell you. The man is head over heels in love with you, and I think if you’re honest, you’ll admit that you love him, too.”

***

Tom

I was shopping in the pasta aisle, trying to decide between two brands of lasagna noodles when I heard Cookie’s booming voice coming from the next aisle.

“Why does it have to be Heinz? Ketchup is ketchup. It’s all alike. Just like men. You all drive me nuts.”

I turned the corner to find Cookie staring at the rows of ketchup, talking on her cellphone.

“O
kay. I’ll buy the damn Heinz.” She grabbed the bottle off the shelf and saw me when she turned.

“Hey, Tom. Have a good time last night with the guys?”

I smiled. It was great. “How’d the girls make out?”

“Had a blast. I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard since high school. Have you talked to Sue yet today?”

I shook my head. “No, why?”

“Just wondered.”

“Oh, no, Cookie. I can tell by the way your eye twitched you asked for a reason. Did something happen last night?”

“Not last night; this morning. But I don’t want to be the one to say anything. I think you should talk to Sue or Gina. When I left, they were sitting on the sofa talking.”

“Can you tell me anything?”

“I’m really not sure what happened. Mia, you know, Karen’s partner, came down the stairs dressed for work. She was meeting a client from out of town. Anyway, she had on these strappy spike heels and Sue said something about them looking familiar. After that, it got a little chaotic. I’m pretty sure Mia’s whore heels must have triggered some sort of memory in Sue.”

“Ah, fuck.”

“Yeah, you probably would have wanted to fuck Mia. I told Karen that if I were gay I’d be giving her some stiff competition. That Mia is built, baby.”

“No, I didn’t mean that.”

Cookie looked puzzled.

“How long ago was this?” I asked.

“Not that long ago. I stopped to get gas and came here after I left there, so maybe a half hour. Why?”

“I gotta go. I’m supposed to make dinner for Sue tonight, and I gotta make sure it’s still on.”

***

Sue

I hugged one of Gina’s throw pillows. “I guess Tom and I have some talking to do, huh?”

Gina nodded. “Tom was furious when he learned what Rachel had done, Sues. By the following morning, he had changed all of the locks.”

“It’s just that it took me so long to allow myself to love again, you know? And when I finally decide to open my heart so honestly and completely it gets squashed.”

“But Tom wasn’t the one who squashed it,” Gina said. “Rachel was. And Rachel only succeeds if you allow her to succeed. Don’t. Don’t walk away from this guy who has adored you forever, who loves you and wants to spend the rest of his life with you
.”

I sniffed. “Did he say that?”

“He didn’t have to, Sues. We all can see it. The way his face brightens when you walk into a room. The way his eyes follow you. The guy has it bad.”

“I think I have it bad, too.”

Gina smiled. “Then tell him. Tell him how you feel.”

I looked down at the couch.

“Look at me,” Gina said. “I never thought I’d get a second chance with Mike. And here we are, going to get married and have a baby. Yes, I’m giving up a lot. I’m taking a chance. But I’d rather take the chance than spend any more of my life wondering what might have been.

“I think you’re ready to take a chance, too. It just had to be the right person and the right time in your life. Chloe’s getting older. She doesn’t need you as much as she once did. You spent your whole life taking care of her. Now you need to take care of yourself. You might not get another chance.”

I knew Gina was right. But I was still scared. Scared of where loving and taking chances would lead me. At the same time, I knew where I was headed if I didn’t, and it was a lonely place to be.

***

Tom

Fuck! There never seems to be enough check-out lines at the grocery store. Even the express wasn’t express. I got in the shortest line, behind a woman in spandex that had no business being in spandex, holding a wad of coupons that would make any serious coupon clipper salivate.

The wors
t part? She was uber organized. Normally, I’d be amused watching someone group items together—cold with cold, boxes with boxes, cans with cans. But Spandex Mama took it a step further and had to make sure all of the barcodes were facing the cashier. No shit! While this lady was a wet dream for cashiers, she was pissing me off. The shortest line ended up being the longest line and by the time I got out of the store, I couldn’t get to Gina’s fast enough.

Good thing I remembered my recent traffic ticket, though, because a cop was hiding around a curve, trying to catch speeders, and I didn’t see him until it was too late.

I had thought about calling or texting Gina to make sure she kept Sue at her house. I didn’t want to get there and not find Sue. But I didn’t.

My heart raced and my palms felt sweaty. Funny how sometimes things pop into your head that you haven’t thought about in years. For some reason I remember
ed a bunch of us going skiing. It was cold as hell and we took a break inside the lodge in front of this big stone fireplace. Gina, Sue, Cookie, and Lynn were there. And most of the guys who were at my house last night. It was our senior year and Sue was seeing some guy from St. Francis Catholic High. He wasn’t there.

Anyway, the fire was roaring and it felt so good to be next to it. I remember looking over at Sue and thinking how beautiful she looked. Her cheeks and the tip of her nose were red and she wore a striped beanie. Her blonde hair fanned out across the back of her blue ski jacket. She rubbed her hands together in front of the fire. I remember thinking how I wanted to warm her up. How I’d give anything for her to like me and not that guy from St. Francis.