Tangled Up in Daydreams (27 page)

Molly got out of the bath twenty minutes later, her whole body a giant prune. That was one way to tone down the fleshiness she had felt when she woke up. Suck all moisture from her skin. Nice illusion. Molly threw on some black yoga pants and a blue ­T-shirt. She sat down on the floor and folded her legs under her. She reached for the phone and dialed Jay's number.

“Did I wake you?”

“Sort of.” Her voice rolling with sleep. “Hungover and in serious pain.”

“What did you do last night?”

“Went out with Elliot and Maggie to some new club in Hollywood. Kind of fun, until Tom came in and started the whiskey train.”

“You hate whiskey.”

“Yes, but I love Tom.”

Tom was a short, built guy with a shaved head and a tribal tattoo on his bicep. He and Jaycee had a yearlong flirtation going that went in circles.

“And?”

“And obviously nothing happened because I am talking to you, but somewhere last night I think I rolled my ankle.”

“Oh, Jay. Do you think you fucked it up again?” Molly, worried.

“I don't know. I'm more into complaining about Tom.”

“Jay.”

“I'll go to the doctor tomorrow if it still hurts.”

About six months earlier, Jay had microscopic surgery on her ankle. Something to do with decaying bones. They pulled some out, put in some tiny pins, and sent her home with crutches and a cast. Molly drove her home from the hospital, trying to avoid any jarring potholes. She half carried Jay into her apartment and settled her on the couch. Molly went to the kitchen to fetch some water.

“I still don't quite get why you planned this surgery when your parents were out of town,” Molly called from the kitchen.

“I didn't. There was some emergency business thing they had to go to.” Adjusting the pillows. “My mom was going to stay, but I told her I had you.”

“Thanks.” Handing Jay the glass and opening the bottle of pain pills. “I love playing nursemaid.”

“I know. Plus, you know how my mom can cluck and I didn't want her to make a big deal out of this.” Downing a few pills.

“Jay, it is a big deal. You can barely walk and you won't be able to drive for a few weeks.” Molly groaned. “I can't believe I have to deal.”

“You don't have to.”

“Who else will? Such a pain. I'm going to have to change my whole schedule.” Complaining.

“Look, I'm sorry to put you out!” Whining. “Just leave and I'll manage. Fuck!”

“Sure you will.” Molly headed for the door.

“Where are you going?!” Jay cried. “You can't leave me alone! You wouldn't! Please!”

“You told me you would manage.” Molly eyed her friend and knew she had taken her little joke too far. There was terror all over Jay's face.

“Relax, Jay.” Kissing her friend on the head. “I'm just going to get my stuff.” Starting to smile.

“What?”

“My stuff to stay here.” Grinning. “You just have no humor today!”

“Must be the anesthesia.”

“Had you going there for a minute.”

“Kind of.” Smiling. “You were being such a bitch.”

“I would never leave you here all alone. Think of the guilt I would have to endure when they found you, prone on the floor with a head wound, and your nightgown bunched around your waist exposing your Hello Kitty panties.”

“I don't own Hello Kitty panties.”

“Liar!” Molly squealed. “I saw them in your panty drawer.”

“Stop saying ‘panty,' I hate that word. And when were you snooping in my drawers?!” Laughing harder.

“Panty, panty, panty!”

“Stop!” Jay yelled.

“Panty, I got your panties!” Molly, singing.

“Seriously, it hurts to jiggle.”

“I'm sorry.” Catching her breath. “I feel like I took some of your Vicodin. I'll be right back.” Molly ran out of the house.

Molly stayed at Jay's for a few weeks, constantly shuffling clothes and beads between her and Liam's pad and Jay's while tending to her friend. Jay knew it was an inconvenience, but Molly never once complained and indulged in Jay's every whim. Pizza fests, ice cream for dinner, eighties bad movie marathons, and their very own version of
American Idol
. But Jay also knew that a repeat performance of Molly as perfect nurse was not going to happen if Jay drank too much whiskey and fell over in stilettos she wasn't supposed to be wearing. Molly would kill her if she reinjured her ankle.

“I promise I will go to the doctor. I'm sure it's fine.”

“Okay, but you can't mess around with your foot,” Molly scolded.

“I know, Mol. Can we change the subject?”

“Sure. How about this? I had a shit day yesterday.”

“What happened?” Lighting a cigarette.

“I thought you quit.”

“How did you even know?” Jay, wondering.

“Psychic.”

“I have allowed myself one a day.”

“Anyway, I sliced my hand open again and had to get stitches.”

“Are you okay?” Her voice rising slightly with concern.

“Yeah, I'm just a big klutz.”

“Yup. Cute doctor at least?”

“Yeah, right. That only happens on
Friends
.”

“I know.” Sitting up and ashing. “Does it hurt?”

“A little. I'll survive.” Molly, picking at the polish on her toes. “I got your package.”

“And?”

“Fuck it. Let's do it.”

“Really?” Jay chirped.

“Yeah. My dad thinks it looks great and convinced me to give it a go.”

“YES!” Jay screamed. “I'm so psyched! This is going to be so cool!”

“Easy, I think you just blew out my ear.” Laughing. “I'll be back next week and we can get started.”

“You are coming home?”

“It's where I live.”

“Good. I'll call the peeps right now, get the lease going, and tell my parents you are in. Molly, you won't regret this. It's going to be awesome.”

“I know, partner.”

“I like how that sounds.” Getting even more excited. “I'll start on our business plan.”

“What do you think for a name?”

“I think we should keep Annabelle. It's cute and already has an identity.”

“Are you sure that you don't want something of you in it?” Molly asked.

“Definitely. When we open our second store for men we can use my middle name.”

“Francesca?”

“Frankie.”

“I like it. You're always three steps ahead.”

“That's my job. Okay, I'm so excited and I have to pee.”

“Go, we'll talk later. And take care of your foot.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Back at you.” Hanging up.

Molly stood up and stretched. A smile formed across her face. It was the first in a while that seemed to have a mind of its own. Everything that had been burning before now just glowed and her color had mellowed to a dusty pearl. Today was a day of new beginnings. Today she would start afresh.

H
elen was sitting at the kitchen table reading the paper. Her glasses perched on the end of her slightly crooked nose.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Honey, how is the hand?”

“Feels a little tight and sore, but not so bad.”

“You were out cold when we got back last night.” Getting up. “Breakfast?”

“Eggs would be cool.”

Helen got up and began busying herself.

“Is everything ready for tonight?” Sitting down.

“Yeah, Dad was there so late and he left early this morning. I just need to go in and finish setting the tables. The flowers should be getting in about now.”

“It's going to be great.”

“It better. It needs to be perfect. Besides it being a bunch of bigwigs from the Allen Conference,
Food & Wine
is covering it for the magazine.”

“Cool.”

“It's great for Dad and the restaurant. They are doing photos and the menu for the October issue. Should get us on the map as more of a foodie destination restaurant.”

“It will. Can I come help? I'm a bit of a gimp, but I can still set silverware and smile.”

“Of course. We'll go as soon as you eat. Dad told me Jay sent some pictures of a space. I love that she is so driven.”

“Yeah, I called her and told her that I'm in. It seems a little insane and fast, but why not, right?”

“Exactly. I'm proud of you. It's going to be terrific.” Coming over and kissing Molly's cheek. “It's time to start something new.”

Helen placed some scrambled eggs in front of Molly and she gobbled them down at warp speed.

“Let me run up and put some real shoes on and then we can go.” Rushing out of the room.

“Grab something nice for the party. And make sure you're wearing one of your necklaces,” Helen called. “I forgot to tell you that the hospital called and they'll have all the tests back tomorrow. What tests?”

“The stomach thing.” Yelling over her shoulder. “They think it may be a parasite or something.” Lying.

Molly had one more day to live in blissful ignorance, believing that the thing growing inside her was parasitic, and she was not going to waste one minute of it.

When Helen and Molly arrived, the restaurant was buzzing like a hive. Waiters and cooks, aromas and noises, were swirling around creating a mixture of sound, sight, and smell. Photographers were setting up in one corner and a journalist sat writing down a copy of the menu Henry had planned. Helen walked right into the center of the whirl, introduced herself to the people from
Food & Wine
, and went directly behind the bar to fetch the vases for the tables. Helen was all business and could switch hats at the drop of one. Molly set her bag behind the reservation desk and disappeared into the kitchen.

It was even more insane inside. Alex and Henry worked at the stove, stirring their sauces while the other staff prepared their stations, covering vegetables with olive oil and garlic and tossing them into roasting pans. In the oven went one tray, out came another: beets, potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus, mushrooms. She walked farther back and Vanessa, Ashley, and Renee were busy making all the various garnishes for the desserts. Peanut brittle was being broken into bite-sized pieces, strawberries were being chopped and fanned, mint was being sectioned and set in ice water, and lemon bars were being arranged on platters. Renee had decided to do one plated dessert, a chocolate-banana cream pie with the brittle and fresh whip cream, and trays of smaller petits fours like the lemon bars along with truffles, small cherry tarts, mini peach cobblers, and pineapple upside-down cakes. She also had made a fresh mango sorbet for a palate cleanser in the middle of the meal.

“Hey, Renee.” Molly, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “How's it going?”

“Fine, actually. Vanessa and Ash rocked last night and really got most everything done. We are all squared away.” Brushing a hair from her eye. “Though this is definitely my last big event before the big event. How's the hand?”

“Okay, a little sore. I feel pretty useless.”

“Don't worry. Yours were extra hands anyway.”

“I'm going to go back out front.”

Molly wandered back through the kitchen feeling a little like a fish out of water. She returned to the front of the restaurant and her mother had already set out all the vases, filled them with water, and was wrestling with the buckets of flowers that had just been dropped off. She pulled both buckets behind the bar and wiped her hands on her jeans.

“Molly, grab the scissors from that drawer over there and go get a garbage bag from the back.”

Molly returned with the items and while her mother cut and directed, Molly placed the flowers in the containers. They were all yellow tulips. Helen was a purist. She liked tightly arranged bouquets with a single type of flower. Simple and elegant without the fuss of competing petals. While they were arranging, photos were taken, smiles interjected, and banter bandied about. The task was finished rather quickly and the two of them next set out to create the tables. All the tables had been lined up in the middle of the restaurant, creating a long one for the thirty guests. Helen placed white tablecloths down and then on top laid out patchwork quilts she had brought from home. Each quilt was different, but all of them had squares of pastel fabrics that contrasted with the intense yellow of the tulips. It was homey and modern at the same time. The napkins were all white and held firm with a collection of mismatched vintage napkin rings. The end result was fresh and accessible without being too quaint. Molly loved how her mother could pull things from different eras or genres and create a new whole. It was something Molly was lucky to inherit, and a source of Molly's inspiration when it came to her jewelry. After they placed a smattering of votives along the table, they were done and set about cleaning everything up so it looked perfect. They only had an hour before the guests would arrive.