Kate smiled as Laura walked over and picked up a black bikini that was a lot more revealing than any of her other bathing suits.
“This is new,” Laura said, holding up the skimpy string bottom. “You didn’t tell me you were going away.”
“We talked about going away several times.” Kate sat on the bed. “I planned this trip a while ago.”
“You did? Oh. Well, the Bahamas is more my speed than an amusement park at this point.” Laura was trying so hard to be cool, it broke Kate’s heart. “But this bathing suit is a little much, isn’t it Mom?”
“No amusement parks.” Kate grabbed the suit and tossed it in the suitcase. “I’m going to the spa we talked about. You know, the one on St. Bart’s.”
There was an audible ‘whoosh’ as the air left Laura’s lungs. “The last place you mentioned was Florida, not the spa on St. Bart’s.”
“I was going to surprise you, but you were set on going with Dad and Marie, so I didn’t say anything. Dad knew.”
Laura’s eyes darted around and her face flushed. Laura was angry, but Kate found she didn’t really care. After everything she’d been through over the past week, she was in no mood for anyone’s crap, including Laura’s.
“Are you going alone?” Laura asked.
“No, Julie took your ticket.”
“I can’t believe you’re going without me.”
“I was disappointed, but I didn’t want to use a fancy trip like a bribe. I want to spend time with you, but I won’t manipulate you like that.” It was the truth, and it was time she leveled with Laura. “I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time with your dad. Where are you staying?”
“No place as nice as you.”
And isn’t that too freaking bad, Kate thought.
Laura was trying to find words to make the situation Kate’s fault, but she seemed to realize she had no argument. She was angry because she’d let herself be manipulated by her father and her future stepmother. Poor Laura was a mass of selfish confusion. She wanted all the things her mother brought to the family, but she didn’t want her mother. Was she realizing her father was only a marginally successful academic who couldn’t support them? Interesting. Being with Richard and Marie so much, Laura was absorbing their self-centered, materialistic values, and it upset Kate that her daughter was so easily manipulated by money. Kate could have called the airline and gotten Laura a ticket, upgraded their room, and never missed the money. She could have stolen Laura right out from under Richard and Marie, but she wouldn’t play those games. Laura finally seemed to understand.
After a protracted silence, and no apology from Kate, her incensed seventeen-year-old stormed out and slammed her bedroom door.
Score one for the grown-up.
*
After what felt like an endless day, Laura sat with her father and Marie in the lawyer’s office. They were leaving for the Bahamas the next day and Dad said they had to get the meeting done before they left, so she was missing three tests to sit here and feed this guy information. He was shooting questions at her about her mother and taking notes on a large yellow pad. It didn’t seem like she mattered at all, but Laura put up with it because once the hearing was over she would be with her dad full time and maybe he would stop talking to her about Mom. It was like he was obsessed that Laura like him better. Maybe if she lived with him full time, he’d believe she loved him.
The lawyer asked questions about what her mom did, who she saw, and how often she went out. The truth was, Laura didn’t know too much about her mother’s life because it was never important to her. Lately, the only thing she did know about was the trip she was taking with Julie to the Caribbean. They left this morning and were going to this awesome spa—a trip she should be on, but stupidly she blew off Mom for the Bahamas.
Mom always made dinner when she was there. She worked at night in her office. Her only friends were people from the school. That was about it.
“Oh, and there’s some guy who’s interested in her.”
That got her dad’s attention. “A man?”
“Yeah.” She looked toward her dad. “I heard her and Julie talking about him. But I don’t know if anything is going on. It may actually be over. I haven’t met him or anything.”
Marie looked at Richard and then the attorney. He nodded, knowing what they wanted him to do. “I’ll have the detective look into it.”
“Detective?” Laura asked. “You’re going to spy on Mom?”
Marie smiled and shrugged. “How do you think we know so much about her? You can only tell us so much, and we need this information to protect you, dearest.”
Her father leaned in and patted her shoulder. “I want to know who your mother is with to keep you safe. God knows who she’s cavorting with.”
Her relationship with her mom was far from perfect, but Laura doubted Mom would be with anyone dangerous. She hated all this legal shit. She just wanted a normal family, and at this point Dad and Marie were as close as she was going to get. God, that was pathetic.
Her phone buzzed and she glanced to the screen. It was a text from Jack. He wanted to see her that night, but she didn’t know if she would be able to get out. They were going to be packing and her dad would be around… it probably wouldn’t work. She really wanted to see him though. They’d been out twice and Laura really liked him. Based on the way he kissed her, she guessed he liked her, too.
“John, make sure the financials are part of the custody petition.” Laura snapped back to the conversation when she heard Marie’s voice.
“Financials?” Why were they talking about money? This was about custody.
“Sweetheart,” Marie said, “Any custody suit brings with it monetary issues. Your mother will have to pay us.”
“Whoa. You’re going to be paid to have me live with you?”
Her father was growing impatient and he shot Marie an annoyed look. “Laura, it’s money to support you. Your mother has it, so she’ll have to give it to us for you.” Her dad leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Try not to let it worry you. All you’ll have to do is tell the judge where you want to live. The rest will take care of itself.”
She slouched in her chair and kept quiet for the rest of the meeting. Even though the discussion centered around her and where she would live, Laura knew it wasn’t about her at all.
Chapter 12
‡
Kate sat at her vanity, brushed out her hair, and methodically checked for the dreaded gray. Her dark hair spilled over her shoulders and she thought maybe she should cut it. Change was good, and certainly a more stylish haircut would be a step in the right direction. She set the brush down on the table top. Pathetic, Kate, truly pathetic. Just get a grip and accept who you are. Changing your hair isn’t going to change your life.
Her makeup applied, she went to her closet to get her dress. The Literacy Foundation Holiday Party was her event. She’d founded the organization several years ago, and she was extremely proud of what she’d accomplished. But she just wasn’t looking forward to the evening. Her deadline was looming, and since she’d returned home from the Caribbean she hadn’t gotten much work done. Waves of tiredness kept hitting her at unexpected times. No matter how much sleep she’d gotten the night before, any time became a good time for a nap.
“It’s probably just old age,” she muttered.
She went to the doctor that morning, but it would be a few days before all her test results were back.
The trip to the spa had done her some good, aside from a minor meltdown the first day. Julie had been great. Instead of accepting a date from one of the many men who asked, Julie stuck to Kate, claiming a girls’ weekend—no men welcome. Along with seeing a condo she might buy, they’d been massaged, buffed, facialed, manicured, pedicured, and toned. Her skin was tanned and glowing, her muscles were relaxed.
But no matter what she did, she kept thinking about David. Kate wondered if anything was more pitiable than a woman obsessed with a younger man. She supposed part of it was the sex. It was intense, passionate, and when she was with him she’d felt desired, and that was what she kept revisiting. Of course it was a lie. He called and tried to explain about the bit in the paper, but he didn’t come after her. In fact, he’d given up pretty quickly. David didn’t need her any more than her family did. He’d forget all about her, but at least with him it was understandable. He was a complete stranger.