Her Mother's Daughter (13 page)

Bay was confused. “Again?”

“We met the other day when I went for gas. I was a little mouthy. You know patience isn't my strong suit. I apologize for being rude, Dermot. You have every right to be annoyed with me.”

“No worries,” he croaked.

Bay was relieved. “Oh, well. Let's put it behind us and start over. Tansy, would you like something to eat? We were about to sit down for supper.”

“I don't want to intrude.”

“Don't be silly. I'd like the two of you to get to know each other. Why don't we sit and I'll serve dinner?”

“Okay, but I have a few parcels in the car. Would you mind helping me bring them in, Dermot?”

“Sure.”

The two of them went out the back door and around the side of the house. Tansy spun around to face him. “Are you joking? This is the girl you love, the one who doesn't love you back?”

“How the hell was I supposed to know who you were?”

“This isn't good, Dermot. It's not good at all.”

“No shit. For God's sake, don't tell her. She'd be devastated.”

“Oh, I see. So we're only worried about what Bay thinks? I'll be thrown out like yesterday's trash? The first time was a one-off, Dermot. I could've handled that. But last night was something else entirely. That was beyond sex and you know it.”

“No.”

“Don't lie to me. What you and I did was—”

“Wrong. It was wrong. I was going to stop it anyway. And now, after today…”

“What about today?”

“Bay told me she wants me, and I want her. You said you gave your heart away a long time ago. I told you from the beginning that I was in love with her, so don't mess this up for me.”

“I didn't know you meant my sister!” Tansy held her head in her hands. “I can't believe this is happening. Not again.”

“What do you mean?”

“Shut up.” She got right in his face. “You're a liar, Dermot. We connected last night. You know we did. Am I really that forgettable?”

She marched to her car, got in, and started it up with a roar, peeling out of the driveway.

Dermot wiped the sweat off his face and loosened his collar. He heard Bay call from the porch. “You guys are taking your time.”

He walked around to the back of the house. “Sorry. Tansy realized she'd left a parcel at the store. She's gone back to get it and said to go ahead and eat without her.”

Bay smiled. “She said that so we could be alone. She's thoughtful when she wants to be.”

Dermot walked back into the kitchen. Bay put her arms around his neck. “Where were we?”

He didn't say anything. She waited, but he didn't move. Her arms dropped. “Have I done something wrong?”

“No, of course not. Sorry, Bay. I'm not feeling well.”

“Oh dear, can I get you anything?”

He wiped his brow. “I better get home.”

She felt his head. “You're burning up. Maybe there's a bug going around.”

“I'm sorry. I wanted this evening to be perfect.”

“There will be other evenings.”

He kissed her cheek. “Thanks for understanding. I'll call you soon.” He turned and walked out of the kitchen. Bay stood alone and looked at her nice table setting and her dinner on the counter waiting to be eaten.

What had happened?

CHAPTER SEVEN

Tansy came home around ten. Bay was at the kitchen table doing a crossword puzzle, waiting for Ashley to get back. She looked up when Tansy walked through the door.

“Are you coming down with something too? You're awfully pale.”

Tansy put down her parcels. “It's been a long day.” She sat opposite her sister. “So, how did it go with Dermot?”

“It didn't.”

“What do you mean?”

Bay shrugged. “He wasn't feeling well and had to go home, so it looks like your nice gesture was for nothing.”

“Nice gesture?”

“Making up that story about going back for a parcel so we could have some time alone. I appreciate it anyway.”

“Right. Oh well.” Tansy got up from the chair, went over to the cupboard, and took out a glass, holding it under the cold-water tap. “That was fast. Last night you didn't want to be with anyone and tonight you looked like you wanted to eat him up.”

Bay laughed. “You were right; I'm not getting any younger. Dermot's always been nice to me and he's wanted to go out with me for a long time. I decided to meet him halfway.”

“I see.” Tansy drained the water.

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Sure.” Tansy put the glass on the counter.

“We had this
moment
this afternoon. I didn't recognize myself. I was this crazy, wanton woman.”

“You were with him?”

“In his office.”

Tansy turned around and folded her arms. “Oh yeah?”

“We were interrupted, unfortunately, and that's why I was looking forward to being with him tonight.”

“A guy who thinks his office is a place to romance women doesn't sound like much of a gentleman.”

“He doesn't think that.”

“Are you sure? Because you're worth more than a quick fuck in a back room.”

Bay stood up. “Don't be crude. It wasn't like that.”

“It doesn't sound very romantic to me. You have to remember, Bay, you haven't been with a man in a long time. Maybe you forget you're supposed to be wooed.”

Bay dropped into her chair and stared at nothing. Tansy walked over and sat beside her. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be that blunt.”

“I thought it was sort of romantic.”

Tansy put her hand on Bay's arm. “It was a little rushed. When someone likes you, even if it's been for a long time, it doesn't mean you give him what he wants right away. Make him work for it.”

Bay chewed her bottom lip. “You're right. What should I do?”

“Well, I'm no expert…”

“Yes, you are.”

“Take it slow. Don't let him paw at you right away. Men like it when women make them wait.”

Bay sat back in her chair and let out a big sigh. “Thanks, Tansy. I'm glad you're here. As crazy as it sounds, I'm almost relieved. I don't have anyone I can talk to about these things. I couldn't talk to Mom, and Gertie's not exactly experienced when it comes to men.”

Tansy reached over and took her hand. “You can come to me anytime.”

Ashley arrived home and the conversation ended. When Dermot tried to call Bay the next day, she didn't pick up the phone right away. She dithered so long the ringing stopped. Her best bet was to come up with a great excuse not to see him for a while. Trouble was, she couldn't think of one.

The day of the prom, Ashley got out of bed and promptly threw up. Bay worried about her, but Tansy said it was most likely nerves and Ashley agreed. Bay took the day off work so she could accompany Ashley to the hairdresser's. Tansy tagged along and they had a great time discussing what would look best. In the end, Ashley went with something simple instead of a whole head of curls or an elaborate up-do. The front of her hair was pulled back, but the rest fell over her shoulders. Both sisters got quite teary when she got out of the hairdresser's chair.

“What are we going to be like when we see her in the dress?” Bay wondered.

Gertie had finally arrived when that happened, so of course the three women became emotional. Ashley waved her hands in front of her eyes. “Stop or my mascara will run.”

They pulled themselves together and took a lot of pictures. At one point, Ashley said, “I wish Nana was here.”

Her mother hugged her. “She is, honey. You know why?”

Ashley shook her head.

“Because you and I and Tansy are together, and when we're together we bring her back. I can feel her in this room, can't you?”

“Yes, I think so.”

Tansy turned her head away.

Matt arrived at the door a few moments later and looked handsome in his tuxedo—more a man than a kid. Matt and Ashley together were quite a sight as they posed for even more pictures. When they were ready to go, Tansy spoke up.

“Matt, why don't you take Ashley to the prom in my car?”

Matt's eyes got big. “Are you serious?”

“Sure, why not?”

Bay frowned. “Do you think that's a good idea?”

“I'm sure he'll be careful with it.” Tansy went to pass him the keys but Ashley grabbed them out of her hand. “Wait a minute. Why can't I drive it? You're my aunt, not his.”

“That'll look stupid,” Matt said. “The guy is supposed to drive.”

“Who says?”

“I say.”

“Tough bananas.”

Tansy laughed. “Shall we do rock, paper, scissors?”

Both Ashley and Matt put their hands out in front of them. Bay counted. “One, two, three.”

Matt held out a fist and Ashley had her palm flat. “I win! Paper covers rock!”

Matt made a face as Ashley shook the keys in victory.

Bay kissed them both. “Okay, you better get going. We'll see you at the grand march.”

The three women hurried out to the front step to watch Ashley and Matt run to Tansy's car, but they didn't get far; Flo and the neighbours were out on the lawn and they insisted on getting a few pictures. Matt and Ashley happily obliged.

Flo shouted, “God, girl, I can't believe it. Your nana would be so proud.”

Ashley and Matt saw their relatives in the bleachers of the County Arena as they slowly marched with their classmates, a parade of lovely young men and women showing off their finery. Every time Ashley looked up to where her mother sat, flashbulbs went off. She chuckled; Gertie was a camera freak. She'd have a hundred pictures taken by the time the march ended.

Then came the announcement Ashley had been dreading—a dance with their parents. Boys would dance with their mothers, and girls with their fathers. Obviously Matt had to go and find his mother. He gave her a quick kiss and a sympathetic look and left her standing alone. Without a father, grandfather, or uncle, she knew she'd have to step to the side until it was over. Families crowded the arena floor to take pictures. Her mother, Tansy, and Gertie descended from on high and surrounded her.

“I'll dance with you,” her mother said.

“Mom, that'll look dumb.” The look of distress on her mom's face didn't help matters, but at that moment Ashley's best friend Maribeth zoomed towards them, her father in tow. “I've danced half of my dance with Dad, and now my grandfather wants a turn.”

Mr. Munroe held out his hand. “Ashley, would you care to dance? I feel as if you're my daughter after all these years.”

Ashley smiled and took his hand. She tried not to look at her mother and aunt as he pulled her into his arms and slowly waltzed with her. More flashbulbs, more snivelling, more tissue passed around.

The music ended and Mr. Munroe gave her a kiss. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you.”

Mr. Munroe walked over to Bay. “You must be proud of her, Bay. What a wonderful girl.”

Bay took his hand. “Thank you for dancing with her. You've made her night.”

“I don't know about that. If I recall my own prom, the night didn't start until the parents left.”

They all laughed.

And so the grand march was over. Parents swarmed their children once more, warning them about being careful, no drinking and driving, don't do anything foolish, and finally, have a good time.

They promised they would and gave a big sigh of relief when the adults departed.

The prom was on.