“Sangria, eh?” I said as soon as we were out of earshot.
“She’s coming to terms with some things about life. It’s helping soften the blows.”
“Should I ask?”
“Seventy is on the horizon. She’s not taking it well.”
“That’s six years away,” I said, trying to keep my laughter quiet and choking on it as a result.
“Oh Lior,” he said, giving me an exasperated smile. “I am so very aware.”
“She’s still getting offers for work though, right?”
“Always. Skincare, makeup, fashion, vacation destinations… god I wish she’d take them up on those. I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise.”
“They offered her a cruise?” I asked, eyes wide. “Oh dear. Kiss of death. What were they thinking?”
“She nearly blocked her agent’s number when that offer came through.”
My mother thought cruises were filled with sweaty Americans, too-warm buffet food, and subpar entertainment. “Why don’t they just spend the money and treat themselves to the culture of Milan or Paris?” she’d said several times whenever the subject of cruises came up – which was surprisingly often. The comment always made me and Addie laugh.
“What does your mother know about the culture in those areas?” Addie had said once. “The only things she sees there are the insides of her penthouse suites, the car driving her places, and designer shops.”
It was the truth. My mother, an international phenomenon in her heyday, had traveled the world extensively and only stepped foot on a beach or historic landmark if paid. And then was whisked back to the safety of her opulent hotel room immediately to shower. It was also true that she never got sick – so maybe there was something to her methods. But I’d take a little sickness to experience the world. What was the point otherwise?
“How much longer are you in town for?” Cal asked.
“A couple days.”
“And how’s Addie?”
“Much better.”
“And you?”
I smiled. I never understood how my mother, the beautiful monster that she was, had ended up with two incredible husbands, but here we were. They were saints, clearly. Gluttons for punishment, maybe. I’d stopped questioning the sanity behind their reasons and just considered myself lucky to have them in my life, caring about me.
“I’m okay,” I said, staring out at the view, the water of the Sound sparking under the sunlight. Seattle was beautiful in the summer, a well-kept secret from the rest of the world that thought we were being constantly showered with rain.
“How’s Brooklyn looking?”
I turned and met his eyes. He was Scandinavian like my mother, but somehow his pale blue eyes always exuded warmth, unlike her icy stare.
“She’s pretty,” I said. “Lively. Entertaining.” I looked out at the water again. “But somehow she’s losing her allure.”
“And the job?”
I loved how sometimes he was a man of interesting and lengthy conversations, but could also make an impact with hardly any words at all.
“Ditto,” I said.
“You’ll figure it out kiddo.” He gave me a hug then, mussed my hair, and sent me on my way.
I returned to the colorful comfort of Addie’s house and found her sprawled on the sofa with a huge bowl of popcorn, an open Ben and Jerry’s pint, and a bottle of beer on the coffee table.
“Ummm…” I said, tilting my head as I took in the scene.
“You look like a doggy when you tilt your head like that,” she said.
