Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy (26 page)

Tony raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Barry sighed. “We never really talk about this so I’m not sure how I should approach it. I’ll just get this out of the way. Are you aware that my wife is often unfaithful? Are you aware that, as far as I know, she hasn’t been faithful to me for at least the last six years?”

Tony kept his face perfectly schooled and nodded once, holding Barry’s eyes with his own. He did not speak.

Barry seemed to relax a little bit, his enormous shoulders lowering as some tension left them. “For the longest time, I focused on the book of Hosea. I really am trying to do God’s will in my marriage, Tony. The fact is, I love my wife and I intend to keep my vows even if she doesn’t. But there is nothing worse than waking up in the morning, alone in my bed, knowing how much my wife despises me, and knowing there is absolutely nothing I can do about it because I’ve tried everything already.”

Tony closed his eyes and took a deep breath, running a finger over his forehead. When he opened them again, Barry could read love, friendship, and sadness in them. “I don’t know how you do it, Barry. But know that if there is anything at all I can do to help you, I wouldn’t hesitate.”

“I know,” Barry said impatiently. “I’ve never doubted that. I just want to make sure you don’t end up in a similar position as that in which I find myself. I thought I was marrying a princess who would be my queen. Instead I married a diva.”

“Thank you for being candid.” Tony sat forward. “Robin is coming from a background of abuse – mental, physical, and sexual – she’s a poster child. It’s incredible she survived her childhood. Her issues stem directly from that, not from – and understand I mean no disrespect to you in saying this – not from being an overindulged self-important diva.”

Barry snorted and thought that it would be wrong to laugh. But he wanted to. “Okay. I think you should know that I really like Robin. I’m sorry that I might have ever given you any other impression. It’s just that I don’t want to end up seeing you hurt.”

“Barry, thank you. For everything.”

Barry grinned and teased, “Don’t worry. I’ll bill you for the hour.”

Tony laughed. “Of that I have no doubt.”

Barry schooled his features and said, “My prayer is that the two of you will be happy for the rest of your lives.”

Tony stood and slapped his hand on Barry’s shoulder. “That is my prayer for you as well, my friend.”

ACQUELINE
Anderson took a moment to lecture, “The purpose of the trousseau is to start your marriage off with a bunch of amazing clothes that you feel absolutely beautiful wearing.”

She stood in the middle of the carpeted floor of the high end boutique on Newbury Street, just a short distance from Maxine’s new apartment. She wore a royal blue pantsuit with a yellow and blue scarf and yellow high heeled shoes. Robin felt rather underdressed beside Barry’s wife wearing her black slacks and a pink sweater with comfortable walking shoes. “If you feel beautiful in your clothes, you will naturally project beauty,” Jacqueline said.

Robin nodded, understanding what the red head said. She currently felt frumpy and unattractive next to the stylish beauty.

“So, we need to see what styles work for you, then we’ll pick out some outfits from there.”

Jacqueline lifted her hand and the sales clerk came forward. “Mrs. Anderson, are we ready?”

“We are. Miss Bartlett, who will very soon be Mrs. Viscolli, needs to get an idea of what you offer, then we’ll make some selections.”

“Wonderful!” The clerk led them to some comfortable chairs. “Please have a seat here.” She raised her voice slightly and said, “Ladies?”

From the back, a train of models walked through the small area in front of Robin and Jacqueline. Mirrors all around them showed the clothes they wore from all angles. Robin murmured to Jacqueline what she liked or didn’t like about outfits, shoes, and accessories. When the show was over, Jacqueline took the lead and let the clerk know what else they wanted to see.

Two hours later, the clerk rang up the incomprehensibly expensive bill and Robin used the credit card Tony had given her that morning to satisfy the tab. She signed the receipt, arranged for the packages to be delivered to Tony’s apartment, and assumed they were all done for the day. Until Jacqueline spoke and said, “Now, let’s go two doors down. They have a fabulous new line.”

“More?” Robin asked.

“Of course! We’re starting with nothing. You have a whole month in front of you in Italy, darling. Six outfits from one store does not a full trousseau make!”

At the next shop, Jacqueline already had an idea of what Robin liked, so they didn’t have to go through that learning experience again. Instead, they just shopped, bought, and shopped some more. Four stores and more money than Robin used to earn in a year later, they found themselves sitting across from one another in a trendy little cafe.

“That was an absolute blast,” Jacqueline said, taking a delicate sip of her tea. “I haven’t shopped on that scale in ages. Far too long, in fact.”

Robin wished she could prop her feet up somewhere. “I can’t believe we just spent that much money on clothes,” she said, picking up her coffee.

“You need a base. Your sister, what’s her name? The one that’s obviously mixed blood.”

“Maxine.” Robin tried not to feel resentment over the mixed blood remark. After all, it was true.

“Right. Maxine. She has great taste. I’m surprised she hasn’t handled this for you.”

Robin smiled. “Well, she would have loved to, but I wanted a chance to spend some time with you, too. After all, your husband and my soon-to-be husband are like brothers.”

“Indeed,” Jacqueline said, her mouth twisting in distaste.

“I assume we will spend a lot more time together.”

“Honey, something about me and Bartholomew you should know is that we spend as little time together as possible. He and Antonio do all their stuff without me.”

Robin frowned. “Why?”

“We just prefer it that way.” She waved a dismissive hand. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends, right? Mrs. Viscolli needs to know there are people she can count on to be her friends regardless of what her last name once was.”

Robin pondered whether Jacqueline Anderson would even give her the time of day if she didn’t currently sport an engagement ring from Tony Viscolli, but dismissed the negative thought. Whatever Jacqueline’s motivations, Robin wanted to stay on friendly terms with her. She would hate having any bad feelings between the two of them as often as Tony and Barry were together.

OBIN
poured herself onto the couch. “Oh my heavens, I don’t think I’ve ever felt so relaxed.”

Maxine slouched into a chair and Sarah took the big cushion on the floor. “Who knew a ninety minute massage, manicure, pedicure, and facial could just suck the life right out of you?” Sarah said.

“I think I’m going to arrange to have this done monthly,” Maxine said.

“Wouldn’t you worry your bones would turn to Jell-O?” Robin asked. A rubbery arm covered her eyes, blocking out the track lighting.

“At this point, I don’t think I’d care.” Maxine closed her eyes. “I’m hungry, but I honestly don’t want to move.”

Sarah rose on her elbow. “How are you feeling about tomorrow, Robin? We haven’t had a lot of time to talk about how you and Tony got back together.”

Robin rolled her head and looked at her youngest sister. “I am not as nervous as I was. Tony has been praying with me daily about my fears. I’ve talked to Sofia and Caroline a couple of times. Somehow, the wedding night thing doesn’t horrify me as much as it did.”

Maxine shuddered. “I don’t think I can ever get married.”

With a snort, Sarah stretched. “You fall in and out of love daily, Maxi. How could you ever commit to one man and marriage?”

Only Robin saw the hurt cross Maxine’s face before she blithely answered, “Hence my point.”

Robin sat up, slowly. “I would have said six months ago that I’d never even date, much less marry. Obviously, God’s plans for us aren’t always what we have in mind, for which I am infinitely thankful.” She groaned and pushed her loose body to her feet. “Rehearsal is at seven, dinner at Barry’s immediately after. I have some errands to run. Don’t be late.”