But Edie was shaking her head.
“You must admit that having someone to reel in that big fish would be extremely helpful,” Joan said before Edie could find the words to express how terrible this was. “If Marcy could find out what his plans are, that would be even more helpful. And it would be a huge bonus to us if she could keep him occupied while we do the job.”
“Absolutely not,” Edie said. “She can’t navigate that.” How could they even suggest it?
“Maybe not right at this moment, but who better to train her than the best?” Frances asked. “Her own grandmother.”
“Frances,” Edie whispered. “You know what ‘keep him occupied’ means.”
“There is more than one way to skin a cat,” Frances countered. “She can do it without compromising her principles.”
“I highly doubt it.”
“I’m right here,” Marcy reminded them. “Stop talking about me like I’m a child. I’m twenty-seven years old, Nana. I’m grown.You can’t tell me what to do anymore. And frankly, I’m really looking forward to getting to know the real you for once in my life.”
Fabulous. Now she had romanticized it. Edie had a strong desire to punch someone in the face. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”
“Then show me. Do you realize you are suddenly the most interesting person in my life? I want to help, and I want to do it with you because apparently, you kick ass and take names later.”
“Marcy, please,” Edie pleaded. “What we do … well, let’s just say it can lead to significant ramifications.”
“I understand,” Marcy said.
She looked so resolute. Not the hapless, hopeless girl she’d been these last few weeks. Edie could feel defeat creeping into her bones. “This is insane. Absolutely insane.”
“Look, if things go south, Marcy is the first to walk away,” Frances said.
“Of course things are going to go south, Franny! We are too old and too slow to pull this off!”
“Hey,” Joan snapped. “No negative talk.”
“What if she asks too many questions?” Edie continued. “Or starts thinking she knows better? Because they all do, eventually.”
“Then one of us will kick her ass,” Irene said.
Marcy laughed, but Frances shook her head. “Not a joke, kiddo. Joan’s been practicing martial arts for years and could break your neck right now. And I have a gun.”
“Franny!” Joan exclaimed.
“Okay, I don’t. But I could have. The point is, we will kick her ass if we need to and, in the meantime, she will cook for us. It smells delicious. So, can we please get past the ‘Oh no, my precious granddaughter’ and get on with the meeting? Or are we going to gnash our teeth all night?”
“Soup’s on,” Marcy said defiantly, and opened a cabinet door to get some bowls.
Edie watched in disbelief as the rest of them lined up at the stove to exclaim over her dish. “Turkey and white bean soup,” Marcy said proudly. “Nana’s recipe.”
When the others had their bowls, Marcy filled one and tried to hand it to Edie.
Edie ignored it. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she said. She reached up and stroked Marcy’s hair. “Marcy, darling … you don’t understand the risks.”
“Oh, I think Frances explained them pretty well. If we don’t pull it off, it’s either jail or death.”
“Maybe notthatbad,” Joan said. “We’d bail before death. I mean, if we can. Sometimes, you get in a situation and it’s not so easy to get out of it.”
“Nana, listen,” Marcy said. “You treat me like a child. And I treat you like this …queen. I want to help. Especially because this is my problem. And … you can’t stop me this time.” She pushed the bowl into Edie’s hands and smiled. “Love you.”
Edie reluctantly took the bowl of soup. “Love you, too, darling. More than you will ever know.” She just hoped Marcy remembered that when she was sitting in cell at Sing-Sing. Or wherever they sent women.
“Well, then!” Frances said pertly. “Looks like our girl gang of four is now five!”
