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“I apologized, and we’re going to stay together. We have that beautiful wedding album you made to thank for saving our marriage.”
“Aw, well, that certainly makes me happy.”
“You gotta go to the masked ball, Mom.”
“Oh, no. Alfonso will be there. He’s a city father with the hardware and all that rigmarole. He’ll probably be there with Lola.”
“Mom, what do you care? You saw them together. It’s a joke. And everyone who doesn’t know will think it’s a joke. You should go and let people see that you’re a new woman. You can come with me and Annie.”
“I should babysit for Kelly so she can go.”
“Mom, bullshit. Kelly’s boyfriend is a wealthy vet. They can afford to hire a babysitter.”
He looked up just as beautiful Katrina Blanchard came in.
“Yikes, it’s a reunion,” he said. “Mom, do you remember Annie’s friend Katrina from our wedding?”
Beverly smiled at her and shook her head. “Gosh, I’m sorry, I don’t. I was probably drunk.”
Sputtering, Steve slid over farther. “Thanks, Mom. Keep it real, why don’t you? Katrina, have breakfast with us.”
“Thank you so much, but I have to go to work. I just rented the apartment upstairs.”
“So you’re staying a while?”
“I guess forever,” she said, smiling.
“Alphé Beaumont is one lucky guy,” he said sincerely. “You three women—you, Annie and Maggie—must have made quite the trio when you were growing up.”
“Ask Annie to show you pictures sometime. We did turn a few heads,” Katrina said, grinning.
“I’m sorry I was a dick at Maggie’s party.”
“Steve, no way,” Beverly said, grimacing while Katrina barked out a laugh.
“Steve, I’m sure she’ll understand,” Katrina said. “Call her and tell her. Does this mean all is well?”
“Well, it means I’m going to work on it. I love Annie. I’m sorry that it looked like I didn’t.”
“There she is,” Katrina said, pointing. “Walking to the dock.”
“Mom, excuse me,” he said, pushing past Katrina. He ran out to see his wife.
“You’re dating Lola’s ex,” Beverly said after he left. “I confronted my husband at their house last night.”
“You did? Wow, you’re amazing, Mrs. Casson.” Katrina decided she could stick around for a while. It seemed like there was something interesting going on.
“No, I’m really not, but thank you. Steve made me do it. It was incongruous, seeing Alfonso there with that lowlife. I’m so sorry, it sounds like I’m a bitter woman, but I really am not. I wish them well. I just don’t get it. Lola Beaumont is definitely a piece of work.”
“He’s probably having a midlife crisis,” Katrina said, sitting in the booth across from Beverly. “Seeing them together is almost a joke.”
“He’s too old for midlife. It’s so cliché, I was embarrassed for him.”
“He’ll probably regret it and ask to come back.”
“Well, guess what, too damn bad. I’m going to try to get my life back, at least today. Somehow, I have to stay sober until my AA meeting tomorrow morning. Now if I could just find something to do.”
Kelly Casson was having coffee with Ted LeBlanc in their kitchen when her phone beeped.
