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“You do realize,” Dru-Ann says, “that those are romantic achievements most of us only dream about.”
“Also,” Caroline says, “I really miss my dad.”
“Oh, sugar,” Dru-Ann says. She takes Caroline in her arms, where, finally, Caroline starts to cry. “That just means you’re human.”
Brooke is in the Board Room suite changing into her Nantucket Reds miniskirt and new boatneck sweater that she bought at Murray’s. Before she heads to the kitchen, she pulls out her laptop and logs on to Facebook. She considers posting her news, because coming out to everyone individually seems daunting. She types,Hey, everyone, big news: I’m gay!
People will leave supportive messages likeI’m an ally!And hopefully those who “don’t get it” will keep scrolling. Her mother will call in tears, not because Brooke is gay but because she had to hear about it on Facebook.
No, Brooke can’t post about it on Facebook, or at least not yet. She has to talk to Charlie, the twins, and her mother. She knows what Whitney will say:One drunken kiss doesn’t necessarily mean you’re gay, Mom. Maybe take the time to figure that out.
She sends a text to Will and Whitney:Can we have dinner tomorrow night at Juniper? I have something exciting to share!
Will says that he’ll be at the gym until eight but could meet after that. Whitney asks,Is it exciting-exciting or just Mom-exciting?
Brooke thinks it’s best to keep expectations low, so she says:Mom-exciting. But definitely worth postponing a Bumble date for.
After Brooke divorces Charlie, will she create a profile on Bumble—or is there some other dating app for women looking for women? Is there one for bi people and a different one for queer people? She has some research to do.
Brooke hears the faint strains of music playing in the kitchen. It’s “Stacy’s Mom,” by Fountains of Wayne. Brooke loves this song! This must be, finally, the playlist that Hollis made for her. Brooke can’t wait to pour a glass of rosé, help Hollis make the pizzas, and dance around the kitchen.
But first, Brooke goes back into Facebook and unfriends Electra.
Tatum hears the music start as she’s shedding her Lilly dress. Tonight is pizza, ice cream truck, and fireworks, and Tatum wants to be comfortable. She reaches into her suitcase for her cutoffs—and screams!
The damn snake is curled up inside it.
Tatum laughs. Ha-ha-ha, Dru-Ann got her back, oh, did she—Tatum nearly peed herself. She throws the snake across the room as her phone dings. It’s Kyle.
What would you say if Jack and I snuck over to watch the fireworks tonight?
Tatum can’t believe it, but her first thought isNo. This is their last night. It should be only girls.
Tatum has been completely brainwashed.
Just girls tonight,Tatum says.Tell Jack to stay an extra day and he can see Holly tomorrow after everyone leaves.
Kyle says,He’s talking about coming back in the fall and staying an entire week! We’ll never get rid of him.
Oh, baby,Tatum writes, adding the winking emoji,he might not be staying at our house.
“Since You’ve Been Gone” is playing when Caroline walks into the kitchen. Definitely Brooke’s playlist (even Caroline remembers Brooke’s obsession withAmerican Idol).
Hollis is at the marble-topped pastry station rolling out perfect disks of pizza dough.
Caroline gives her a hug. “Was everything okay with Gigi?” she asks. “She didn’t know Dad, did she?”
“Of course not,” Hollis says. She pats Caroline on the back to seem extra-reassuring. She made the right decision with Gigi, she thinks, if only for her daughter’s sake. Caroline doesn’t need to lose her father a second time. “Electra was just doing what Electra does. Gigi is in her bedroom getting changed.”
“Okay,” Caroline says. She pulls away and studies her mother. Hollis doesn’t meet her eye but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s lying; she has pizzas to make. What if, Caroline thinks, Gigi had appeared out of the blue and befriended her mother through the website because she was sleeping with Matthew? Then after Matthew died, the two women became even closer and Hollis invited Gigi to her Five-Star Weekend as her “best friend from midlife,” never knowing Gigi’s true identity?
That, Caroline thinks, would be someseriouspodcast material.
As she films, Caroline feels a surprising melancholy. The weekend is drawing to a close. The ladies pour drinks and dive into the chips and guacamole. Dru-Ann regales them all with the tale of her reversal of fortune—the internet loves her again.
Gigi is the last to appear, and she’s as captivating as ever in a pale yellow patio dress. Hollis ushers everyone out to the back deck. The sun is glazing the surface of the pond a fiery pink, and clouds glow on the horizon. There will be a cotton-candy sky tonight.
Brooke’s playlist is Caroline’s favorite; these are the songs she remembers her parents playing when she was growing up—“Umbrella” by Rihanna, “Need You Now” by Lady A, “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers.
