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“Not if the kids are going to be living with you,” he said. “I don’t want to raise another family, and Alphé is too involved with his kids.”
“That might change soon,” Lola said. “What then?”
“Well, if you don’t come as a package, you can move in tonight.”
***
Follow the music and the parade ends up at the Cajun barn, a magnificent sight, not only festive, butbacchanal. By nine, Justin and Maggie had won a dance contest and were ready to call it a night.
“You can’t leave already,” Annie begged. Her wedding gown turned into ball gown was perfect for theirInterview with the Vampiretheme, Steve in a ruffly shirt and britches as Lestat de Lioncourt and Annie as Claudia, with Beverly as Jesse Reeves. “The night has just started.”
“I’m so over this,” Maggie whispered. “What’s with your father-in-law prancing around with Lola? It frankly makes me sick.”
“She makes a perfect courtesan, you have to admit.”
“Because she is one.” Maggie snickered. “I’ll have to drive if I don’t get Justin out of here. He’s having too much fun.”
“Look at my mother-in-law! She’s having so much fun, she doesn’t even care about Alfonso. And not a drop of alcohol.”
“I’m really impressed,” Maggie agreed. “But who’s the guy she’s with?”
“That’s the principal of the school where Steve’s former girlfriend is a student teacher,” Annie whispered. “He’s actually her father. His wife died a few years ago, and when he saw us tonight, he came right up to us and said Lisa, that’s the girl’s name, told him what had happened, that she saw our wedding pictures and fled. Then I guess Steve saw the album, and that’s what made him come to his senses. At least that’s what his story is.”
Maggie hugged her. “It’s a lovely story. I’m learning to take things at face value. As long as something is working for you, go for it.”
“But that’s not what happened for you, is it? I’m so sorry.”
“You mean with my marriage with Russ? No, but look what I got in return. I’m wealthy. Ha! Talk about being mercenary. But I never asked that jerk for a dime. It’s guilt money.”
“But guilt money is paying for my health insurance,” Annie said, hugging Maggie back. “Thank you again for that.”
“You’re welcome. And it paid for the rescue. So all is well. I only lost a year and got my heart broken, but the reward was so much greater.”
Holding on to each other, they hooted, laughing.
“I wondered where all the noise was coming from,” Katrina said, looking properly shrewish as Blanche DuBois.
“I’m just gloating in the knowledge of my divorce money.”
“As you should,” Katrina said. “Where are all of our men?”
Annie pointed to the other side of the barn. Justin had put his shirt on after the tatt contest, which he’d won.
“We’re going home with two prizes tonight, best dance and tatts,” Maggie said.
“Listen! They’re announcing the best costumes,” Annie cried. “Where’s Steve? Just in case.”
Alphonso stood up on the stage at the microphone. “The last contest of the night is the best costume.” He opened the envelope and pulled out a card. “My son and his wife! Steve and Annie Casson as Lestat and Claudia!”
“Who’s that?” Katrina asked. “Just kidding.”
“Look, do you think anyone knows who Blanche DuBois and Stanley Kowalski are?” Maggie asked, elbowing Katrina.
“Probably not anyone under sixty years of age. Oh god, look at Alphé.”
In the crowd of the men, Alphé shouted, his ripped-up wifebeater T-shirt stretched over his muscles, “Stella! Stella! I could have been a contender!”
“He’s got his Marlon Brando stories mixed up,” Maggie said, laughing. “Maybe you should tell him.”
