I Almost Forgot About You (35 page)

“Okay,” he says. “So let's be clear about this. We're not lovestruck teenagers or twenty-somethings, we're middle-aged adults, right?”

“I suppose,” I say.

“I've been lonely a long time, if you want to know the truth,” he says.

“Well, that makes two of us.”

“We've got a chance to remedy that, you know.”

“But what if we don't like each other?”

“I already like you. And you like me, so stop pretending you don't. We've only got about twenty or thirty years left, so let's not blow it.”

“It's been two days, Stan.”

“Yeah? How long is it supposed to take?”

“Somebody sure loves them some you,” Mercury says.

“What are you talking about?”

“You must've put a spell on him or something.”

“And who might you be referring to?”

“You know who I'm talking about. Stanley, of course. He seemed very cool and was easy on the eyes for an old guy. No offense. Marina thinks he could pass for a well-preserved movie star.”

“Who told you his name?”

“He came over and sat at our table! Didn't you see him talking to me, Marina, and Dr. Lily?”

“No, I didn't. I was a little busy, Mercury.”

“Anyway, we all know what ‘old friend' means.”

“Did Marina make it off okay?”

“Afraid not. I made her cancel it and come home with me. She's not leaving. She's enrolling in the Academy of Art full-time. We're moving in together. But she can't have her old job back. So how about them apples?”

I just smile and throw my hands up in the air. I can believe almost anything about now.

“What up with that outfit? Haven't been home yet?”

I look down. Embarrassed.

“I've got a lab jacket. Tell me who's first this morning?”

“She's at the door.”

Without even turning around, I know it's Mona Kwon.

She's waving, but this morning it's in slow motion. I open the door for her.

“Good morning, Mona. What are you doing here so early?”

“I have time to kill. Dr. Young, I went out of my way to go to your party, and you ignore Mona Kwon, but very good food. Why you don't post a response to me on Facebook? Many of those comments from men. I hope you had fun at high-school reunion. Many photos posted. Very happy for you.”

“I apologize, Mona, but I've been so busy with my new grandchildren, and I don't go on Facebook as often as I probably should.”

“So true. But grandkids don't need you. See them anytime. But husband number three could be hiding in your friend requests. I'll bet free glasses you do not bother checking your personal messages either.”

“Mercury, let Mona pick out a pair. And what makes you think I want another husband, Mona?”

“You need one, but this time it will be the final one. Mona Kwon knows things. I do need new glasses. Thank you for free ones.”

“I thought you canceled your appointment?”

“True. I just came for new glasses, so mission accomplished.”

Before I reach my office, Lily comes out to greet me.

“You have a minute?” she asks.

“I do. You want me to come to you?”

“Sure. Come on in.”

Her office is identical to mine, except the only family photos on her walls are of her parents. The rest are of flowers and sunsets and the ocean. I sit across from her. Cross my legs.

“Everything went okay?” I ask.

“Yes. Dad is at peace. My mom couldn't stay. She wanted to come home. Doesn't know Dad's gone. Anyway, I want to thank you for all your blessings, and my family really appreciated the flowers.”

“You're welcome, Lily.”

She folds her hands on her desk. “The party was just wonderful. I had more fun than I've had in years. Met a very nice fellow. Grover. He said he's your new brother.”

“Was he with a woman?”

“He said she was just a good friend.”

What a whore.

“He's very good-looking. Intelligent. Professional. Witty.”

But he's also not divorced. I can't say it. I just can't.

“He asked for my card, and I gave it to him.”

“I'm sure you'll be hearing from him soon.”

“I have already.” She smiles.

I haven't seen this smile before.

“So you and Stanley go way back?”

“We do.”

“He seems very nice. And thoughtful to have come this far for your birthday.”

“And how far did he come?”

“He told us New York. Listen, Georgia. You look like you've been over the moon, and I think I have more good news.”

“I'm listening.”

“I want to keep the practice going, and I've already checked with a broker, and because of the fact that our equipment is only a couple of years old, it's highly probable that you can get your original investment back—and then there's also interest. How's that sound to you?”

I'm about ready to fall out of this chair. “It sounds like good news.”

She nods.

“But I thought you wanted out, too?”

“No. I never really said that. Or did I? It doesn't matter. Medicine is part of my family's tradition, and before my dad got really sick, we talked about my selling the practice, and he asked me if there was any way I could keep it. It would make him feel better.”

“But if you don't want to do this anymore, Lily…”

“I don't have any other skills, to be honest. This is what I do. This is who I am.”

“Do you really believe that?”

“I'm not miserable. It may be monotonous, but the patients help me get through the day.”

She leans back in her chair and breathes a long sigh, glad to finally have everything out in the open.

“Anyway, we can talk more about legal stuff and just how long this transition might take. Are you in a big hurry to do something else?”

“No. Now that I know how feasible it is.”

“So what are your plans after you leave?”

“I think I'm going to try my hand at decorating furniture.”

“To make a living?”

“I didn't say that, now, did I?”

“You don't have to. I get it. How long have you been doing this? And why haven't you ever shown me anything?”

“I haven't had much to show until lately.”

“Cool. Maybe one day, if you ever invite me over, I'll get a chance to see some. Hint, hint.”

“You just took the words out of my mouth. We're overdue, and if you like something, it'll be a parting gift.”

“I'm already excited.”

I stand up.

“Wait a sec. Tell me a little more about Stanley.”

“All I can say is he feels like a dream come true. I'm still a little afraid to put all my trust in it.”

“Well, at least he's real and not married.”

“You don't know that.”

“Oh, but I do.”

“Really, now?”

“Just so you know, Mercury's already done a background check on him. He's good to go.”

“What?”

“Apparently Marina told him to do it. She's the one who did my background checks. She's very good at it. Anyway, they both think Stanley's a keeper. I can't believe he's really been up in fucking outer space, and now he rebuilds houses in run-down neighborhoods. How fucking cool is that?”

“Very fucking cool,” I say, mimicking her. I can count on one hand how many times I've heard Lily swear, so maybe therapy has finally loosened her up.

“I think you should get on over to your office. I didn't mean to talk so much, but I thought this would make your birthday even better. Now, go!”

When I open my door, the office smells and looks like a florist's shop. I can't see my desk or the chair behind it. Mercury runs in and stares at me looking like I'm in a trance, and of course he has his iPhone in one hand videotaping for Marina, and then finally he snatches the card out of my hand and rips it open and starts reading: “ ‘Ms. Georgia Peach. I choose you. Been a long time coming. Hope to see you soon. I say yes. And I hope you will too. Love, Stan.' ”

Mercury falls backward into the door. “OMG! LHM! INNW!”

“Hold on! I know the first two, but what's this INNW?”

“ ‘If not now, when?' Enough said. Back to work. Hey, now!”

And out he goes.

And I'm drunk.

I need to do something to ground me, bring me back to reality, so I call my daughter. I don't even know which one until I hear Estelle's voice.

“That was some party, Mom,” she says.

“That it was,” I say. “But how are you doing? Seriously?”

“I'm in a daze, to be honest. If it weren't for the kids, I'd sleepwalk my way through this tunnel until I come out on the other side.”

This is hard, because I'm feeling the exact opposite, like I'm in a hot-air balloon. But my daughter's feelings and what she's dealing with are real, and I don't want her to have to go through this alone.

“I know, baby,” I say, picking up a pencil and batting it against my keyboard. “Would you bring the girls over this weekend? Or I'd be happy to drive over for a visit.”

“I'd rather come there. This place is a mess.”

“How about the three of you spend the weekend with me, then?”

“That sounds like a plan, Mom.”

I look at the clock at one. Stanley should be landing soon. At two I think I'll hear from him. At three I decide to call him, but it goes straight to voice mail. By four I wonder if this was some kind of fucking game he just played on me. Was that what this reminiscing bullshit was all about? And how about these fucking flowers? Isn't this more like overkill? It wasn't a fucking funeral. Maybe he's home and came to his senses and realized I'm not the woman he thought I was going to be. I could kick myself in the ass for getting so caught up in the moment, and maybe I just dreamed this whole fucking fantasy because I've wanted to know what it felt like to be swept off my feet and touched and kissed and made love to by a man. To hell with you, Mr. Fucking Space Man.

As I leave the office at six, my cell rings. I recognize the 212 area code. It's Mr. Swoop-Down-on-Me.

“So thanks for the flowers, Stanley.”

“Stanley? Did I miss something?”

“I'm not sure. You tell me.”

“I forgot my cell in the seat pocket, and I had to wait until everybody got off the plane, and then, after all that, the flight attendant claimed they didn't find it, so I just walked in. Are you okay?”

Okay. So I'm a cynic.

“I'm fine. Sorry to hear about your cell. I was just having doubts about all this.”

“Don't even go there.”

“Are you sure about everything?”

“I'm not even going to answer that.”

“The flowers are beautiful. As was your card.”

“I'm glad you liked them. But look, Ms. Georgia, I'm wiped out. It's been a long wonderful weekend. Dream about me. Hope to see you in Toronto, unless you change your mind. Peace out, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart?

Meet me for dinner or die,
Wanda says in a very long text.
it's been three days since anybody's heard a peep out of you, and just so you know, our friend violet, the slut, left the party with richard. they belong together. anyway, is stanley still here or something?

I call her back.

“So?”

I tell her about Lily buying me out.

“That's great. That's one down. Get to the juicy stuff, would you?”

And then I go on and tell her almost everything.

“Well, this is undoubtedly the most gratifying five-course meal I've had in years. Get on the goddamn train as soon as humanly possible. And meet that man in Toronto.”

Click.

“I've heard everything,” Ma says. It's six thirty in the morning, and I was just about to go on a walk with Naomi and Macy.

“What are you talking about?”

“Good morning to you, too, missy. Wanda told me all about Stanley.”

“Wanda talks too much.”

“That's what friends are for. To tell all your business, but at least Wanda knows who to tell it to. I'm your mother, and I'm happy for you, baby.”

“I haven't eloped!”

“That wouldn't be a bad idea, now that you mention it.”

“You looked very nice at my party, Ma.”

“I did, didn't I? Thank you.”

“Have you had your humble breakfast already?”

“You know I'm not a racist, don't you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“He was sexy.”

“What do you know about sexy?”

“My Grover is sexy. You can be sexy at any age. Heck. I'm sexy. You still have a ways to go,” she says, and cracks up.

“You know, you never did tell me how the train was, Ma.”

“Chile, Grover drove. Seven hours was too doggone long to be stuck on a train and not be able to pull into a gas station or a Burger King, you know what I mean?”

“Well, I'm still going on mine. And it's going to last a whole lot longer than seven hours.”

“You always have been different,” she says. “Is the space man going with you?”

“Who told you he was an astronaut?”

“He told Grover, who was giving him the third degree. He wanted to make sure he hadn't escaped from a planetarium, if you know what I'm getting at. But Grover liked him. How long was he up there?”

“I don't know.”

“Find out what he saw. And if he floated without holding on to anything like you see in the movies. And ask him how'd he go to the bathroom.”

“Why don't you make a list?”

“Grover's the one who wants to know. Not me.”

“You tell Grover I'm glad to hear he's so curious.”

“The next time you talk to him—what's his last name?”

“DiStasio.”

“Anyway, the next time you speak to Stanley, you tell him he can come on down to Bakersfield if he's looking for some more neighborhoods that need to be spruced up.”

“I'll tell him.”

“He seems very nice, Georgia. Well rounded. Of course, being educated is a plus. And you know, nobody minds him being white.”

“I don't either,” I hear myself say.

“Even Dolly liked him, and you know she doesn't like any white people. And her sons didn't believe he'd really been to space until Stanley showed them pictures on his iPhone of himself up there in that space outfit. They fist-bumped him. I saw it with my own eyes.”

“Well, I'm glad they came. And Dolly looked good.”

“She succeeds sometimes. Anyway, let us know when you get on that train so we know how to find you.”

“I will. Love you, Ma.”

“You, too. Now, go walk the walk.”

When my phone rings again, I answer it like a robot. “Hello, this is Dr. Young.”

“Mom, you're at home!” Frankie says.

“My bad.”

I hear knocking on the front door.

“Hold on a sec. My neighbors have been waiting for me to go on a walk, so don't go anywhere. I'll be right back!”

I drop the phone, and it falls to the floor.

“COMING!” And I fling the front door open.

“What in the hell is going on with you, Rihanna? Are you walking or are you talking?” Naomi, of course.

“I'm talking.”

“To be honest, I'm not feeling this hill either,” Macy says.

“Is it the astronaut?” Naomi asks, giving Macy a shove.

“Stop being so nosy! But no! I have to go! Sorry, I don't think I can walk with you two huzzies this morning. Maybe tomorrow.”

I close the door and hear them cackling. I run back to my office. “Okay. I'm listening.”

“So, Mom, Stelle filled me in about her bad news, but she's going to be fine, and we're going to try to spend more time together and let our kids get to know what cousins are, but she just told me the rocking news about Mr. Stanley, and I say get on that train and to hell with optometry. And just so you know, baby Levi is getting two teeth, and I'm done breast-feeding because he bit me. If I sound wired, it's because I'm so frigging happy you're finally getting the love and joy and excitement you deserve, and I also have to say you're the best mom that Stelle and I could have asked for, and what up?”

“I'm good,” is all I can say. “But can I please call you back a little later, baby?”

“Absolutely. Love you!”

I then run out the door and catch up with my neighbors. I am so overwhelmed with joy I could use the fresh air.

During this entire week, like clockwork before bedtime, Stanley (I only like calling him Stan face-to-face) calls me or I call him. We talk about everything under the sun. I know it's a cliché, but I'm so glad I have a man with a brain to talk to. I told him about my practice. That I've set a travel date. He's excited for me. Asked if I'd mind sending him my itinerary so he'll have some idea where I am. He said he'd be waiting at the station for me in Toronto, and to let him know if I change my plans, because he's making a lot of them. Ever heard of Broadway?

The twins are much taller. And they're not dressed alike. Thank the Lord.

“Hi, Granny!” they both yell right after they come inside.

Gabby's two front teeth are missing, and she has a thick ponytail that cascades from the top of her head. Scarlett has two braids that fall over her ears and looks like she has all her teeth. They are both in jeans and different-colored T-shirts.

Estelle looks like she did the last time she was here. Exhausted. She's carrying Dove in whatever those carrier things are called. I wish there was something I could do for her. Maybe I'll keep the little huzzies—I'm going to stop calling them this—Gabrielle and Scarlett for a weekend after I come back. Take them to the Oakland Zoo or the planetarium. Maybe teach them how to make some kind of cookies.

“It looks different in here, Granny,” Scarlett says.

“Because she painted. Anybody can see that.”

“Let me see Miss Dove,” I say, ignoring them but trying not to act like what they're saying isn't important.

I kiss Estelle on the cheek and take the baby out of that carrier. This little girl is cute. So are the twins, but they, like Levi, started out a bit slower on the cuteness Richter scale. Levi finally looks his age.

“So…good to see everybody. And I have a surprise for you, Estelle.”

“What?”

“I'll tell you after you get settled.”

“Granny, can we watch
Judge Judy
?”

“
Judge Judy
?” Estelle asks.

“Don't even worry about it. Give me the baby, and let's go down to the family room. Anybody hungry? I have popcorn!”

“Yeah!” they say together. “We want popcorn!”

“I bought a DVD—otherwise we'd never be able to chat—and Dove's about to fall right back asleep, I can guarantee it,” Stelle tells me.

And she's right. On both fronts.

When everybody's settled, my daughter and I sit at the table in the nook, and because she's still breast-feeding, she has a glass of lemonade. I decide to have one, too.

“So. Have you heard from or seen Justin?”

“Of course. I see him more now than when he was living at home. He's actually getting on my nerves.”

“I think he feels terrible about what this has done to you.”

“What did you just say, Mom?”

“I mean, this doesn't seem like the kind of thing you do to hurt someone deliberately.”

“Well, he can't take it back now, can he? And I'll live. My girls and I will be just fine. I made him get tested.”

“That was smart, but
he's
not stupid, is he?” My heart feels like it's going to jump out of my chest.

“No, he's not. He showed me six months' worth of tests.”

“Six months!”

“Some of these men get a little carried away and forget they have wives.”

“That just sounds so wrong.”

“Anyway, Mom, I got tested, and I'm clear.”

“Okay. So. I just wish none of this was happening.”

“Well, when Dad cheated on you, didn't you feel violated?”

“Of course. But this is a whole lot different.”

“I know that. But didn't you want to kill him?”

“Of course I did. For about ten minutes. How's Justin's head, by the way?”

“You can't even see it. I should've hit him harder.”

“I'm glad you didn't. And how are the girls handling his absence?”

“They think he's on vacation.”

“Well, on some level he is. You've let him see them, I hope.”

“Yes. He's taken them to the movies. The park. He loves all three of them. I'm not worried about them being exposed to anything weird.”

“Weird? Come on, Estelle. He's not a freak. He's just gay.”

“Okay, I get it. But I have something else to tell you.”

“I hope it's good news.”

“I want to leave Palo Alto and move over here into a good neighborhood that has a good school district full of children of different ethnicities, and Justin's all for it.”

“How? And when? What about your house?”

“I don't care about that house. In that neighborhood it'll sell before we put the sign in the grass.”

“This is good news. I'll talk to Wanda about this.”

“Why Aunt Wanda?”

“I'll tell you another time.”

“So the astronaut landed on your planet at the right time, from what I'm hearing. I think it's so cool, Mom.”

“Yep. I might maybe could actually kinda be falling in love with him.”

“I know I didn't just hear you say the word
love,
Mom.”

“Yes, she said LOVE!” Gabby screams. Children have ears in the back of their heads, which is why I never swore in front of my daughters.

Of course, I give Estelle another gift certificate for a massage and facial but tell her she'd better be back in this house in less than five hours, because chances are I'll be drunk if she's not.

Dove is a sweetheart. The girls act like she doesn't exist. When I hear the garage door open, because it makes a beeping sound, and I don't see the twins, I pick Dove up in her little carrier and beeline it out there.

And there they are. Looking more curious than busted.

“Who told you girls you could come out here?”

“No one. What's that over there?” Scarlett says, walking over to a chair with feathers on it.

“Where'd you buy all this cool stuff, Granny?” Gabby says.

“Your granny made it.”

“You did not!” she says.

“I did so.”

“It's outrageous,” Scarlett says. “Can you teach us how to make something?”

“Absolutely, but not today. Come on back inside, please.”

And they do, because I interrupted their flow and I could tell they were just about to touch everything, some of which is still drying. I have to admit, if little people like it, I'm hoping big ones will, too.

I make them lunch. Turkey sandwiches. Chips. Sliced apples. Juice for Dove.

We sit at the table in the nook. Dove's chilling in her carrier on the floor next to me.

“Guess what, Granny?” Gabby asks. She definitely lives up to her name.

“Can you give me a clue?”

“Our dad has a boyfriend because he's gay.”

I have to stop myself from choking on my saliva. “Really?”

“Yes! He loves our mom, but he likes men better,” Scarlett interjects.

Gabby: “And he can't help it.”

Scarlett: “I think I want to be gay when I grow up.”

Gabby: “Girls can be gay, too, you know, Granny.”