Jen hoped her babble was on target.
“Maybe you’re right,” said Lisa, seemingly in control once more. “Mike says the same thing. And I still have some time. In another two months, Brianna will have figured out night from day, and we’ll all get some sleep.” She smiled a genuine smile, and Jen relaxed.
“We’ll start with the nurse, and then we’ll see,” continued Lisa. “I’m so glad you live nearby, Jen. What would I do without my backup quarterback?”
Jen forced a wide smile. For the very first time in her life, being so needed by her family left her with a sinking feeling.
##
“I would have told her about our weekend, but really, she had all she could do to keep from crying while I was there.” Jen lay back on her pillows, phone to her ear, glad to share her evening with Doug.
“Phew! I have absolutely no experience with this stuff,” he said. “I guess you just have to punt. See what I mean about our imperfect world? Always a mixed bag.”
“The good, the bad and the ugly. I suppose so.”
“Only suppose? Your promotion is fantastic, Jen. Team Leader, soon to be Branch Manager. Fantastic! Too bad you couldn’t share your good news with your family.”
“Yes, but everyone at work will know when the memo goes out tomorrow. I’m a little nervous. I hope there’s no backlash from the other consultants.”
“They’ll get over it. There’s competition in every field. Enjoy the win.”
She felt herself smile. “You’re right. And now you’re riding shotgun for me.”
“Always. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re going everywhere! At least your plays are. Six cities?” she teased.
“I’m signing a good deal with the Silverman brothers.”
“Did you ask for a share of box office? Even a small percentage?”
“Jen-ni-fer…” a slight warning note lined his voice.
“Just looking out for you,” she said, “so get used to it. I did more research, and I take care of my peeps.”
“And who takes care of you?”
That question hit with a force she couldn’t have anticipated. The Delaneys took care of each other. Always had. But the foundation was shifting. Lisa and Mike were a unit, and the go-to people for her sibs. Jennifer was on her own.
Independent, competent. Available to help when needed, but at day’s end, alone in her apartment. She scanned the room, her gaze swerving downward. Alone in her bed, too. So who did take care of her?
“To be continued at another time,” she said softly, before hanging up.
She’d considered them a team. They’d talked about a future, but had no concrete plans yet. Was it too soon?
Doubts crept into her mind. He’d never really shared his financial status with her. Those vague description of the playwrights’ ups and downs didn’t count.
Had he been able to save any money in New York? And he certainly didn’t want her input about business decisions. She didn’t like secrets, couldn’t live with them, and she’d tell him just that.
She shut the lights and closed her eyes, only to sit straight up again. Doug was not the only person keeping secrets. She hadn’t shared one financial detail of her own success with him either. The realization stunned her. She fluffed up her pillow and slowly lay down again. Maybe they’d miscommunicated and were at a stalemate. Or maybe it was a matter of trust. She sighed. It seemed always to come back to that.
Chapter 12
My dearest Doug — We enjoyed meeting Jennifer very much and would like tospend more time with you both. As you asked, I’ve enclosed Grandma’s emeraldring with the highest hopes that you and Jennifer will be as happy as yourgrandparents were. Grandma believed the ring brought her luck! I think her luckwas in meeting Grandpa. I’ll be waiting for updates on your romance. Pleasecall to let me know the ring arrived safely.
Love always,
Mom
P.S. I had it cleaned before I mailed it.
Doug smiled at his mom’s postscript and felt the warmth of her presence from miles away. He held the ring up to the light, examining it from all angles and hoping Jen would find it as beautiful as he did. He remembered his grandmother wearing it all the time and saying that someday Doug would pass it on to his bride. Evie, she’d said, would want a symbol from her own husband in that far-off future. Well, his someday had arrived, and his real future would start now, if he could figure out the right time and place to propose. She wasn’t getting away this time!
A romantic setting for sure. Maybe in Boston Gardens, or on a cruise in the harbor. Or maybe a fun day at the beach way out on Cape Cod. Behind a sand dune would provide some privacy. He wanted to come up with someplace special and memorable even when they looked back in fifty years. Nodding to himself, he placed the ring into his top drawer. A safe place until it rested on Jen’s finger.
He sat back down at his computer, reviewed the last two acts of Straight From the Heart and sent it to Steve. His only novel was now a complete play. His buddy had seen the book version, so now he’d have a chance to comment on the stage version.
He ticked off the items on his project list. Rehearsals for The Sanctuary were going well. He’d made some good additions to his new playwriting curriculum for the university, and had bought a plane ticket to New York to see the new actress in her opening night of The Broken Circle. Picking up the phone, he called his mom about receiving the jewelry. To his surprise, she promptly announced plans to visit Boston the following weekend — the Fourth of July.
“Just overnight. Eve has a rare day off before the holiday, and we thought we’d see both of you—and Jennifer, too.” His mom’s excitement seemed mixed with anxiety.
“Are you sure Eve wouldn’t rather sleep?” he teased.
“Don’t joke. I’m actually concerned that she will. Those residents have a hard life. They really do.”
“She loves it, Mom, but I’m sure she’ll look forward to a little break with you and Dad. So where are you staying?”
“Well, that might be a problem,” she said slowly. “Boston’s brimming with tourists next weekend, and we’re last minute. I’ve found nothing available yet, and I’ve made many calls. If my bad luck continues, I-I thought we could bunk in with you for one night. Eve has only a sofa.”
