Page 46 of No One's Like You
"What a moment," she says.
"You can say that again," Ruby seconds. "I had thought about telling her some afternoon after she finished work at Odette's house, but the first few days Ellie and I barely left my place, so I decided I'd visit her at some point and tell her. One night we ordered dinner, we were starving, and when the doorbell rang, I was convinced it was the delivery guy."
Jerome's face is quite the spectacle. Expectant.
"Ellie was on the couch, we were... you know... so I put on a long shirt and went to get the order. My mother burst in like a hurricane, worried about my supposed disappearance."
Jerome opens his eyes and mouth simultaneously. Ellie closes her eyes as if that could erase the horrified face of her now mother-in-law when she saw her completely naked and sweaty on her daughter's couch.
"I can't believe it," the man covers his mouth and nearly chokes when he starts laughing.
"The poor woman turned around and left as quickly as she came in," Ruby continues. "I called her shortly after and we arranged to have dinner the next day. We went together and there wasn't much to explain."
"Certainly not," Jerome replies. "What an entrance, Ellie, fortunately you've known Adele your whole life."
"I don't know what's worse," she answers. "Although I must say she made it really easy for me, she made no mention of the moment and was very happy that we were finally together."
"A true lady," Jerome assures, nodding his head. He's always liked Adele very much.
The trio says goodbye; they've just arranged to meet Adele at the Early Bayou for coffee with Odette, and Ruby couldn't refuse because that woman who started out as a grump has become her mother's salvation. Adele now shines again; being with the other woman is more than a job, it's meeting daily with a friend to have a good time. They still take long walks, eat ice cream—Odettehas discovered that her favorite is mint. An abomination—and solve crossword puzzles. Now they've included visits to some landmark parks and meals at Odette's favorite restaurants.
"You look beautiful today," Ellie suddenly says as they drive to the bar. Ruby still isn't used to it.
"Just today?" she asks to tease her and also to try to break the nervousness caused by hearing her best friend—and her girl, Ruby repeats a thousand times a day that she's also her girl—say these things.
Ellie smiles and takes advantage of the car stopping at a red light to kiss those gummy lips that have become a pleasure without guilt.
"I'd say every day, but today, more," Ellie whispers against her mouth. "I love how that shirt looks on you."
Ruby smiles because, although Ellie still doesn't have the exact calculation of how long she's been attracted to her best friend, Ruby is clear that it's been many years. That shirt she's wearing was bought while with Ellie, the typical impulse when you see a garment displayed in a store window and go in to try it on. Ellie's eyes shone intensely, and she can even swear that she moistened her lips. She bought it because Ellie insisted it was perfect and looked incredible on her.
They park on the street behind the Early Bayou, and maybe Ellie is exaggerating, but when they get out of the car and Ruby puts her arm around her shoulders to walk together, Ellie sees the French Quarter completely differently. The wrought iron balconies seem to stand out,covered, as always, with extraordinarily green plants and brightly colored flowers. The air that flows between them smells like a mixture of jasmine, freshly made beignets, and even the Mississippi River seems completely different to her. With Ruby, life is enjoyed in another way.
"You're here already," Ruby greets when they enter the bar and observes Adele and Odette at the front table.
"Traffic was merciful today," Odette points out, wearing an immaculate two-piece suit in light green.
"Plus we left early; Ms. Bergeron here thinks we're going to a wedding every day, so she spends hours getting ready. Today she started very early."
Odette gives her a fiery look, but everyone present knows it's fake. Between the two older women, a friendship has developed that has saved both their lives. Without knowing it, not even imagining it, Adele has been able to penetrate that diamond and graphene shell that Odette had created around herself and, in response, has received understanding from a woman who seemed to have a stick up her behind. Adele has gradually begun to emerge from the sadness that consumed her after losing her husband, and today, though she still has a long way to go, she can say that her life is beginning to be what it once was.
"Would you like anything else?" Ellie asks out of courtesy. The table is full of coffee, glazed donuts, and two cheesecakes. "I'm going to the kitchen."
The two women shake their heads. Ruby looks at her; she doesn't need to tell her that she wants a beer.
When Ellie returns and sits at the table, they maintain a lively chat about everything and nothing. They talk about Jerome and the wonders he does with his hands. About Mardi Gras just around the corner and even the most important news of the week. They omit talking about their budding relationship and appreciate it; it's not that they want to hide it, but it's a very Ellie and Ruby moment and they want to enjoy it for themselves, without giving too many details. They'll have time to discuss it later.
"Well," Odette suddenly says, smoothing the pants she's wearing, "we've come here because I want to tell you something."
The table falls silent. Adele knows because she can't hide the smile that forms. Ellie and Ruby have no idea.
"I know you don't know this, even Adele didn't know until a couple of weeks ago," Odette continues, "but the family business has always been jewelry stores, and until I had the accident, I was the one who ran them. My father was a highly reputed jeweler and I learned the trade from him, only I had more creativity," she moves her head coquettishly, flaunting her achievements, "and the business rebounded. But that's not really the point," Odette moves a hand forward in a gesture that downplays what she's said, "the point is that the jewelry stores have allowed me to make certain investments, and some of them are in real estate."
Odette pauses, waiting for the women's reaction. None of them moves, and she rolls her eyes.
"I have to explain everything," she grumbles. "I've decided to buy this place. It wasn't in my plans, but when I heard about your problem, I did an analysis with my son. It's a good investment; even though that fossil Albert Fox is a miser, buying it is good business. You pay me rent and we all win. Darwin assured me that the place is well worth it, and there's no one smarter than him, so I trust his judgment."
The first thing that amazes Ruby is the fact that Odette Bergeron speaks with such pride about her son, which confirms once more that this stern-faced woman has a soul that shines and a heart as big as her bad temper because yes, buying the old Fox's place where the Early operates might be good business, but Ruby is very sure that she's also done it to help them and, above all, she's done it for her new friend, Adele. And a good friend is for life, becomes your family, and her mother is one of those—good, loyal, and forever.
