The Prince Charming Hoax (33 page)

Carol nodded.
“
David and I have tried to talk to her and Ronnie. We
’
ve offered to help them pay for live-in or at least daily help, but Debbie won
’
t hear of it. And, honestly, I think it
’
s more than her taking on too much. As you can see, even with Ali here, Debbie is not herself. She
’
s gloomy and withdrawn.
”

Leah tried not to raise her voice.
“
Anyone can see Debbie has all the classic symptoms of depression. I can
’
t believe her doctor is brushing off her crying spurts as something that will pass.
”

Roxie cut in before Carol could answer.
“
You may not think I
’
m qualified to offer suggestions since I
’
ve never had children, but at least I can make an objective observation here.
”
Carol and Leah shifted in their seats, but sat back and listened.
“
My sister went through some pretty serious bouts of post-partum depression after each one of her kids—each worst than the next. And, although I
’
m not a therapist, it
’
s safe to say Debbie is depressed. The good news is that we can help her.
”

Carol brightened.
“
What can we do? What helped your sister?
”

“
The first thing is to find some support groups in the area. Debbie needs someone she can talk to who she feels won
’
t judge her—so that rules out her family.
”
Carol was about to cut in, but Roxie put up her hand.
“
I
’
m not saying you do. It
’
s what she fears, though, because she feels guilty.
”

Carol acknowledged Roxie was right with a reluctant nod.

“
And she absolutely must take at least a half hour every day to do something for herself. Somehow you all have to come up with a way to get her started in that habit, because she won
’
t do it herself.
”

Leah clapped her hands.
“
I have a wonderful idea about how to get her started. Roxie, you
’
ll love this. When Ronnie comes home tonight, let
’
s talk to him about taking Friday off. If he agrees, Roxie and I will take Debbie and Ali to New York for the weekend. The three of you should be able to handle things around here for a few days, right?
”
Leah looked expectantly at Carol.

“
Of course. But you
’
ll never convince Debbie to leave those babies for three days.
”

“
Ah, I have a secret weapon.
”

“
What?
”
Carol seemed dubious.

Leah winked at Roxie.
“
Don
’
t worry. Roxie and I will handle Debbie. Ali, of course, will be jumping for joy at the prospect of a three-day trip to the city. This is exactly what Debbie needs! So, we
’
re all in agreement?
”

They raised their iced teas and clinked glasses.
“
And I
’
ll get started tomorrow morning looking into support groups for new moms,
”
Carol said. Just as they were about to clink again, one of the babies started crying. Carol jumped up and ran out to try to rock the baby back to sleep, but to no avail. Within seconds, all three were howling again. Before Roxie and Leah could get up to help Carol, the front door opened and Debbie rushed in. She threw down the packages she was holding and rushed outside to the porch.
“
I can
’
t believe it,
”
she snapped at Leah and Roxie, who followed her out.
“
Were you going to sit there and let them cry?
”

She scooped up Ashley and pulled her out of the swing. But when she leaned over and started to do the same for Emily, she bumped Ashley
’
s head against the metal support pole. As Ashley started to howl louder, Debbie lost her grip on Emily and the baby
’
s leg got caught in the safety strap, pulling it tightly on her skin. Emily opened her mouth wide and let out a piercing scream. Debbie suddenly stood still, as if frozen.

Leah felt like she was watching the scene unfold in slow motion—until she heard Emily shriek, then she sprang into action. She took Ashley, inspected her head quickly and handed her to Ali.
“
She
’
s fine, just a little red spot. Go bring her inside and comfort a bit.
”
She loosened the strap around Emily
’
s leg and handed her to Roxie.
“
Put a cold compress and some lotion on her leg. She
’
ll be fine, too.
”

Then Leah hugged Debbie, who had covered her face with her hands and was sobbing violently.
“
Don
’
t worry, honey. They
’
re fine. It
’
s all right.
”

“
It
’
s not, Aunt Leah,
”
Debbie wailed.
“
I
’
m trying to be a good mother, but I stink at this.
”
Leah looked over Debbie
’
s head at Carol, who rushed over with Andrew to comfort her daughter. Leah took the baby and let Carol lead Debbie inside to her bedroom.

Ali came out with a bottle for Andrew.
“
Here, you feed him. Come on in and sit with me and Rox while we feed the girls.
”
They sat silently in the living room and for the next few minutes, the only sounds were the tiny slurps of three little mouths sucking hard. Andrew inhaled his bottle in about a minute and Leah lifted him up to her shoulder to burp him.
“
Don
’
t do that without—
”
Ali started to say, but not in time. Andrew burped up a big wad of cheesy spit up on Leah and the couch.
“
—a diaper on your shoulder,
”
Ali finished.

“
Ugh. I remember now,
”
Leah got up to get a washcloth to clean herself, the baby, and the couch.
“
It all comes back real fast. Ali, Uncle David took our luggage so I have nothing to change into here. Do you have a tee shirt or something I can put on? I don
’
t want to smell like baby vomit for the next few hours.
”

Ali giggled.
“
Yeah. But I wouldn
’
t rush to change. He
’
s probably not done.
”

Leah looked over at Roxie, who was shaking her head.
“
I promise our vacation will get better, Rox. You
’
ll see.
”

Roxie put on an exaggerated smile.
“
You mean you
’
re not having fun yet?
”

Leah wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out, then brightened as she remembered her plan.
“
Ali, how would you like to go to New York this weekend? Just you, me, Roxie, and Deb?
”

Ali jumped up, startling Ashley who loudly protested losing the grip on her bottle. Ali adjusted it for her, and then rushed over to kiss Leah.
“
Yes!
”
Her expression changed quickly.
“
But, you
’
ll never get Debbie to go with us.
”

“
Oh, your mom says she has a secret weapon,
”
Roxie turned expectantly to Leah.
“
So, what is it?
”

Leah smiled.
“
Roxie, who
’
s been the leading salesperson at your firm for the past five years?
”

Roxie shrugged.
“
Me.
”

“
And who was the number one salesperson for three years in a row at
Healthy & Wealthy
while I was there?
”

“
You were.
”

“
And what have I been writing for other people ever since I left there?
”

Roxie looked stumped for a second while she figured out where Leah was leading. She brightened.
“
Sales material.
”

“
So, can two women who
’
ve sold thousands—no, millions—of dollars in advertising and real estate convince one little girl to go shopping?
”
Leah grinned. She saw the look on Roxie
’
s face and knew she was already plotting the strategy.

“
Beautiful. You know, you
’
re smarter than you look,
”
Roxie said.

Leah put her arm around Ali.
“
Don
’
t let the blonde hair fool you. We
’
re very clever.
”

Roxie reached for a cloth diaper, put Emily to her shoulder, and rubbed her back gently.
“
You
’
re not only good at sales, Ms. Gold, you
’
re a good example of what not to do. See how I
’
ve learned the proper way to burp a baby?
”
As if on cue, Emily let out a delicate little burp, and Roxie smiled as if it was her own personal accomplishment. Her expression changed to horror, though, when she felt something warm on her hand under the baby
’
s bottom and discovered Emily
’
s overloaded diaper was leaking all over her.

“
That
’
s it for me—and you. Look at this, she
’
s laughing at me.
”
Roxie held the baby up so they could see Emily
’
s toothless grin. Then she strapped Emily into one of the infant seats on the floor near her chair and went to the bathroom to clean up.

Leah was laughing so hard, she had tears streaming down her face. She looked at Ali and said,
“
And you want to deprive yourself of all of this?
”

Ali shook her head.
“
Let
’
s just say I
’
m not in any rush. So, how are you going to sell Debbie on the idea of going to New York?
”
she asked Leah while placing Ashley in one of the baby seats on the floor.

“
Oh, that
’
s easy. Want to know the secret to sales success?
”

Ali nodded and picked up Emily to change her diaper.

“
Find out what people want and give it to them. Debbie lived in New York while she was at Tisch. What do you think she misses most?
”

“
Oh, definitely going to the museums and Broadway shows.
”

“
Good. Tonight when I get to Uncle David
’
s house, I
’
ll go online and find out what exhibits are going on and check out ticket availability for a show. When Roxie and I come back here tomorrow, we
’
ll have a list so long of things Debbie loves to do that she
’
ll be packing her bag before nightfall. You
’
ll see.
”

Ali took Andrew from Leah and strapped him into the last remaining infant seat. Then she plopped down on the couch next to Leah and gave her a big hug.
“
You are the best—and the smartest—mom ever.
”

Leah smiled and looked down at the three babies, all lined up in their little seats, contentedly sucking on pacifiers.
“
You know, you
’
re pretty good with babies. You are going to be a great mom—someday. I
’
m not any more ready for this on a full-time basis than you are,
”
she added seeing Ali
’
s eyes and mouth open wide.