Author's note
: As the wedding approaches, many threads draw together. Pardon if I miss a couple. The next installment will conclude the story.
Chapter 18β
Releasing Steam
Interlude:
25
th
Anniversary
Cindy:
Aunt Francine's famous party ended fairly early. I think it was because of the drive home. In any event, Mom went up to Dad, while Aunt Francine, Aunt Jo and Nanny CC decided to go out. I was never clear how they wound up at Walgreen's, but they picked up Maria. It was fate. Richard and Maria Foster met the next day at the yard party.
Francine:
The return trip from Manhattan was odd. Talking to Siobhan was almost like talking to Christine. Since Siobhan is very verbal, I became curious what was going on in her over educated head. It had something to do with Sheila and the party, but I couldn't tell what. By the time she shook it off, we were almost out of Town. By distance that is only half way, but at least three fourths of the time.
When we reached the garage, Sheila was setting up a slide show on her laptop. I have been around paparazzi enough to know good publicity shots when I see them. These were good, but much too personal to be publicity shots. One shot of Angela smiling at Edith captured both of them. Naturally, I stuck my foot in my mouth. Even Christine laughed aloud. In penance I offered to distribute the images to their subjects.
Sheila went to find Sean, which left the three of us standing there looking stupid. Siobhan asked if I needed anything from Walgreen's. How the hell did she know about Maria? It made no difference. I was willing to investigate.
Siobhan led us to a midnight blue BMW 507 roadster. Where the hell had this been hiding yesterday? When Siobhan took the keys from her purse, I realized that this was her personal ride. For the first time in a while I was jealous of another girl. Damn Skippy. I took one look at Siobhan and she said, "Not in a million years. Find your own. I like this one in one piece." Sometimes arguing with Siobhan is as bad as with Sheila.
In the City, Walgreen's are 24 hours. This one was 6 to 11. We pulled in about fifteen minutes before closing. As we went inside, Christine was asking nonverbal questions, while Siobhan and I declined to answer. In one of those eureka moments, I realized Christine could be a great instructor in acting classes. So much of what a performer does is nonverbal.
Maria was tending the checkout. Once inside, neither Siobhan nor I had an idea what to do next. Christine looked at both of us, then rolled her eyes. Some submissive. She went over to Maria and looked at her closely. She said something. Maria nodded. Christine said something else. Maria nodded again. Christine mimed a phone. Maria pulled out a cell phone and quick dialed a number. She talked to someone, listened, then talked some more.
Maria asked Christine something. Christine looked at us. What? Siobhan said, "Sleepover. Just girls. We can see you to the wedding and home again." Maria waved her over. Siobhan took the phone. Her, I could hear. She said, "Don't worry. It's just us girls. No men, I promise." Siobhan listened a minute. She went on, "I can do better than that. I can get pictures of Maria with the bridesmaids and the groom's sister. You know the sister will be wearing a men's suit, right?" That seemed to do the trick.
We waited for Maria to finish her shift. I was not a happy camper. Siobhan explained that Maria had called her mother to cancel a ride home. The mother was concerned. I could figure out that much. The irony was Maria's mother was reassured because there would be no men. If she had any idea...
My thoughts were cut off by Maria emerging from the store. That left us with four women in a two seat car. Actually, three in the right hand seat. Oh joy. At least it was close. By the time we arrived I was feeling surly and uncooperative. Who the hell left Siobhan in charge?
Sheila:
Hours before, I was thinking that it was one of the best days of my life. Then I found myself in a receiving line, with the cream of Manhattan's performing arts community filing past. While not fun, that was interesting. The ride home helped restore my mood. Finding the perfect image in a larger shot has always been quietly fulfilling. When I showed the work to Siobhan and Francine, their response was gratifying. I was feeling mellow and contented when I found Sean.