Big Love (14 page)

“Oh no, honey, you’re not going nowhere,” Miracle said. “I was counting on you for backup.”

Tom nodded. “Perhaps I could reschedule.”

Nell spotted the group and headed their way.

“Good thinking on the Tom front,” Carol said out the side of her mouth to Miracle. “If David gets out of hand, Tom’s big enough to take him down.”

Tom stood. “Let me clear my schedule and I shall return shortly. It is a white knight’s duty to be available at all times to the damsels under his care.” He picked up two sandwiches, tucked them in his pockets, put the empty donut box in the trash receptacle and set off.

“Where’s Tom going?” Nell asked.

“He has a prior engagement,” Zing said.

“So, honey, tell me. . . are you nervous?” Miracle asked.

“Yes, yes, yes. I am so glad you all are here. I don’t think I could’ve handled this on my own,” Nell said. “Look at this,” she thrust out her hand. It shook—badly.

“I wouldn’t hold anything that could spill until you get that under control,” Zing said.

“It’ll all work out,” Miracle said. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll do some pressure points to help you calm down.”

“All right, that’s a good idea. I’d like to be calm when I meet Dove,” Nell said. She sat on the bench.

Miracle moved behind Nell. She pressed the pads of her thumbs into either side of the back of Nell’s neck. Nell immediately relaxed.

“And we’ll go set up the blanket and basket,” Carol said. She yanked Zing’s arm. “Come on and help me.”

Zing wanted to observe more of the pointing pressure thing, but she didn’t get a chance. Carol dragged her toward a large tree with an ample canopy of shade.

“This is a nice spot,” Zing said.

“Yeah, for a massacre,” Carol said under her breath. She plopped down on the grass and tossed the blanket at Zing. She put her head in her hands and took one long, shaky breath. “This is going to be awful. Too awful. Maybe we should call the whole thing off and let Nell have her virtual love affair.”

Zing set the blanket aside. She squatted behind Carol and pressed her thumbs into the side of Carol’s neck. Carol stiffened. Her eyes widened in pain.

Zing looked towards Miracle and Nell. Nell was so relaxed that her head was lolling forward with her chin on her chest. Zing quickly pushed Carol’s head between her knees and held it there.

“Ow! What the hell are you doing?” Carol asked, her voice muffled.

“I’m relaxing you.”

“No, you’re friggin’ killing me,” Carol said. She shook Zing off and rubbed the back of her neck. “Oh god, what’re we going to do? I can’t stand hurting Nell.”

“Maybe we should eat now,” Zing said.

“Yeah, I hate throwing up on an empty stomach,” Carol muttered. “Nell’s going to hate us, you realize that?”

Zing spread out the blanket. “Only for a little while…I hope.”

“See, you have doubts too,” Carol said. She pulled up clumps of grass and tossed them aside.

Zing sat down next to Carol and took her hands in her own so she’d stop killing the grass. “We have to do this. Dove-David would have had to call the whole thing off eventually because he can’t ever meet her. Nell would’ve found out some day.”

“I know. It’s just so hard,” Carol said. “Nell’s my best friend and we’re going to be solely responsible for ripping her heart out.”

“I know,” Zing said. Now she was beginning to feel depressed. It was weird how emotions spread like a virus, Zing thought.

“At least you’ll be gone soon,” Carol said. “You won’t have to live with the consequences for the rest of your life.”

“Two weeks,” Zing said sorrowfully. “I only have two weeks left.”

Carol looked over at Zing and saw her bottom lip tremble. In a rare moment of compassion, Carol reached out and held Zing’s hand. “I’ll miss you. I never thought I’d say that, but I will miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too,” Zing replied. Carol was a good friend. Mindy was nice and she liked cookies, but she had helped David aka Dove hurt Nell. Zing knew now that cookies or no, Mindy should not have helped Dove-David deceive people, even if she thought there wasn’t any harm in it. She was an accomplice in the breaking of Nell’s heart. Beneath all her gruffness, Carol was honest, loving, and a true friend.

“They’ll be here any minute,” Carol said, standing. “Help me unpack the basket.”

Carol dug into the basket and pulled everything out, flinging it down on the blanket in a hodgepodge.

Zing tried to arrange it better, putting the sandwiches on a platter, the watermelon slices covered in Saran Wrap next to them, and a bunch of green grapes, and cheese and crackers on another plate. As a finishing touch, Zing arranged a vase of a dozen daisies in the center of the blanket. She hadn’t seen Miracle pack the flowers and was pleasantly surprised by their appearance.

Nell walked up and smiled. “This looks so pretty,” Nell said. “I’m sure Dove will love it.”

“I don’t know about that,” Carol muttered, but Nell didn’t hear her.

A car pulled up in the lot and they all stared and held their breath. After a moment, an older woman and her Scottie dog got out. They let out a collective breath.

“All righty, then,” Miracle said. “We can’t just stand here and stare at every car that drives up. We need to relax.”

“Good idea,” Carol said. “So, who brought the booze?”

Miracle swatted Carol. “Let’s all sit in a circle and hold hands.”

Carol grumbled but sat. Everyone else figured why not and followed suit. After they were circled up and hand-holding, Miracle said, “Now, close your eyes and watch your breath.”

After a long moment, Miracle continued, “Okay, now picture an ocean and the waves coming in and out. Synchronize your breathing with this image.”

Zing opened one eye and peeked. Everyone had their eyes closed and seemed to be much more relaxed.

“Well, hey there, this looks peaceful,” Mindy said.

Everyone’s eyes flew open. Mindy was leaning on her crutch staring down at them.

Nell jumped to her feet. “Dove!” She embraced Mindy tightly. “It’s so wonderful to finally hold you in my arms.”

Mindy’s face was filled with surprise. It was obvious by the way her free hand patted Nell’s back that she didn’t know what to do.

Nell stood back and held Mindy at arm’s length and gazed lovingly into her eyes. “You’re even more beautiful than in your pictures.” Her hand shot to her mouth. “Oh, my sweet, I forgot about your ankle. You really shouldn’t sky dive. I was so worried.”

“I’m fine, really.” Mindy took a deep breath and said, “And you, Nell, are more lovely than I dared imagine.” The line sounded well-rehearsed, but Nell didn’t seem to notice.

“Come, sit, and meet my friends,” Nell said.

Mindy almost blew it. “I want to thank you again, Zing…” She stopped herself. Nell hadn’t introduced anyone yet. Nell stared at her.

“How do you know Zing?” Nell asked.

“I don’t really. I mean you’ve told me about her and well, she looks like a Zing,” Mindy said. She laughed nervously. “And I know that leaves Miracle and Carol.” She nodded in their direction. They introduced themselves.

“I’ve been so nervous since you told me you were actually coming and we’d get to meet in the flesh,” Nell said, taking Mindy’s hand.

“We should all have a sandwich,” Zing suggested. She held the platter of sandwiches out to Mindy and said, “Wouldn’t you like that, Mindy?”

Miracle elbowed Zing. Zing clamped her hand over her mouth. She then unclamped it and tried to salvage what she’d done. “I mean, David. I mean Dove!”

Everyone stared at Zing, speechless.

“Zing, what are you talking about? This is Dove.” But even Nell didn’t seem certain anymore.

Mindy coughed and cleared her throat. “Actually, my name is Mindy. Dove is a…” She stopped.

“A pen name,” Miracle chimed in.

“Oh,” Nell said. “I wished you’d told me. It seems weird that I didn’t know your real name and we’ve been together for six months. You even sent roses to celebrate our anniversary. The card was signed from Dove. “

Mindy looked shamefaced. “I wanted to tell you in person so you could see me, look in my eyes when I told you.”

“There’s Homeless Tom,” Zing said. “He’s back!”

“Tom’s here, isn’t that fabulous?” Carol said. She rose to her feet. “I’ll be right back. Zing, come with me.”

“I’ll go too,” Miracle said. “Leave the lovebirds alone for minute.”

“Well, okay,” Nell said, eyeing them suspiciously. “I wonder if they’re planning a surprise for us. They’re like that, you know.” Nell beamed as she watched her friends walk away.

“Oh, I think they have a surprise all right,” Mindy mumbled.

***

“What must I do, my fair damsels?” Tom asked.

Carol pulled out
a photo Mindy had given her of David. “You see this guy,” she said jabbing her finger at the photo, “If he decides to bolt, you take him down,” she said.

“This is but an easy task. He looks of diminutive stature,” Tom said.

“Yeah, like a ninety pound weakling,” Carol replied.

“But don’t hurt him,” Miracle said.

“I shall not. If need be, I shall pluck him from the air as if he were the feathered seed of a dandelion.”

“Good man,” Carol said, clapping Tom on the back. “Keep your eyes peeled.”

Zing winced. “Please tell me that’s just a weird human saying.”

They all chuckled.

Miracle said, “Yep. It’s just a saying. I won’t peel anybody’s eyeballs unless I have to.”

“Oh, good,” Zing said.

“Come on, Nell’s going to get suspicious,” Carol said.

They walked back to where Mindy was sitting quietly listening to Nell who held her hands and gazed lovingly at her. It was a heartbreaking tableau.

“I hate myself,” Carol said.

“Don’t,” Miracle said. “In the end this will be better and Nell will get over it.”

When the group reached the blanket, Mindy looked up and said, “Nell has been telling me how nervous she’s been about meeting me.”

“We should have a sandwich,” Zing said, taking one from the platter that sat in the center of the blanket.

“What’s with you and the damned sandwiches?” Carol said. “You’re like some kind of sandwich-pusher.”

Zing shrugged. She was about to take a bite of her sandwich when a car drove into the parking lot. All heads turned to look. The driver, who was nothing more than a dark silhouette behind the wheel, sat in the car watching them. Nell paid no attention. She couldn’t pull her gaze away from Mindy’s face.

“I know this has to be a quick lunch because you have a plane to catch to San Francisco,” Nell said. “But I hope we can get together as soon as you get back.”

“San Francisco?” Mindy asked.

“That’s what you told me yesterday,” Nell said. Her face registered confusion.

Mindy raised her chin, took a deep breath, and said, “Listen, Nell, I have something to tell you.” She looked anxiously over at the car with the waiting shadow sitting behind the wheel.

Zing set her sandwich down. This was the moment of truth.

“What?” Nell said, trying to sound bright.

“I’m not Dove Lance…” Mindy said.

“I know that now,” Nell interjected. “And it’s all right. I realize this has been hard on us both.”

“No. I mean, it’s more than that.” Mindy clumsily stood up and waved for the man in the car to join them.

Nell glanced over her shoulder. “Are you in love with someone else?” She saw the man walking toward them.

“No, no, it’s not that. You see, I’m Mindy pretending to be Dove and Dove is really,” she pointed at the short, balding man with a comb over.

“What are you saying?” Nell asked in alarm. “Who is that man? You’re in love with a man? Are you a straight woman pretending to be a lesbian just to sell books?”

“No, I’m really a lesbian. But that man,” she pointed at David, “is my brother-in-law. He’s married to my sister.”

“Oh my, you really had me going there,” Nell said. She chuckled.

Mindy looked helplessly around at the others. “Can one of you help me out here?”

Carol stepped in. David was twenty feet away and he looked more distraught and scared than they did. “That man…” she said pointing, “is responsible for this. He’s the real Dove Lance.”

Nell turned her unbelieving gaze to the man. “He’s Dove? He’s who I’ve been texting?”

Carol nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

“Omigod. I told that man all my. . . thoughts. Feelings?” She choked back a sob and whispered, “We had sext.”

David turned and ran. He almost made it back to his car before Tom stood up, raising himself to his full height of six foot five and plucked David up by his collar and flung him over his shoulder. Tom brought him over to them.

“Let me go!” David said, slapping Tom’s back.

Carol shook her head with disgust. “He would be a pansy.”