Page 70 of Entranced
Before the class was half-over, she developed a deep loathing for the bouncy instructor, with her pert ponytail and cheerful voice.
“One more leg lift, and I’m jumping her,” Mel muttered. Although she hadn’t meant to speak aloud, it was apparently the perfect move. Linda flashed her a grim smile.
“I’m right behind you.” She panted as she executed what the instructor gleefully called hitch kicks. “She can’t be over twenty. She deserves to die.”
Mel chuckled and puffed. When the music stopped, the women sagged together in a sweaty heap.
After pulse checks and cool-downs, Mel dropped down next to Linda and buried her face in a towel. “That’s what I get for taking ten days off.” With a weary sigh, Mel lowered the towel. “I can’t believe I scheduled myself for an entire day.”
“I know what you mean. I’ve got weight training next.”
“Really?” Mel offered her a surprised smile. “So do I.”
“No kidding?” Linda blotted her neck, then rose. “I guess we might as well go suffer through it together.”
They moved from weights to stationary bikes, from bikes to treadmills. The more they sweated, the friendlier they became. Conversation roamed from exercise to men, from men to backgrounds.
They shared a sauna and a whirlpool, and ended the session with a massage.
“I can’t believe you gave up your career to keep a house.” Stretched on the padded table, Linda folded her arms under her chin. “I can’t imagine it.”
“I’m not used to it myself.” Mel sighed as the masseuse worked her way down her spine. “To tell you the truth, I haven’t quite figured out what to do with myself yet. But it’s a kind of experiment.”
“Oh?”
She hesitated, just enough to let Linda know it was a sensitive subject. “You see, my husband and I have been trying to start a family. No luck. Since we’ve gone through the whole route of tests and procedures without results, I had this idea that if I quit for a while, maybe shucked off some of the career tension … well, something might happen.”
“It must be difficult.”
“It is. We both— I suppose since we’re only children ourselves and don’t have anyone but each other, wereally want a large family. It seems so unjust, really. Here we have this wonderful house, we’re solid financially, and our marriage is good. But we just can’t seem to have children.”
If the wheels were clicking in Linda’s head, she masked it with sympathy. “I guess you’ve been trying for a while now.”
“Years. It’s really my fault. The doctors have told us there’s a very slim chance that I’d be able to conceive.”
“I don’t mean to offend you, but have you ever thought of adoption?”
“Thought about it?” Mel managed a sad smile. “I can’t tell you how many lists we’re on. Both of us agree that we could love a child that wasn’t biologically ours. We feel we have so much to give, but …” She sighed again. “I suppose it’s selfish, but we really want a baby. It might be a little easier to adopt an older child, but we’re holding out. We’ve been told it could take years. I don’t know how we’ll handle all those empty rooms.” She made her eyes fill, then blinked away the tears. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t go on about it. I get maudlin.”
“That’s all right.” Linda stretched her arm between the tables to squeeze Mel’s hand. “I guess no one can really understand like another woman.”
They shared an iced juice and a spinach salad for lunch. Mel allowed Linda to guide the conversation gently back to her personal life. As the naive and deeply emotional Mary Ellen Ryan, she poured out information about her marriage, her hopes, her fears. She sprinkled in a few tears for good measure, and bravely wiped them away.
“You aren’t thinking marriage yourself?” Mel asked.
“Me? Oh, no.” Linda laughed. “I tried it once, a long time ago. It’s too confining for me. Jasper and I have a very nice arrangement. We’re fond of each other, but we don’t let it interfere with business. I like being able to come and go as I please.”
“I admire you.”You coldhearted floozy. “Before I met Donovan, I had the idea that I’d go it alone through life, carving out my niche. Not that I regret falling in love and getting married, but I guess we all envy the woman who makes her own.”
“It suits me. But you’re doing all right. You’ve got a guy who’s crazy about you, and he’s done well enough that you’ve got a nice home. Just about perfect.”
Mel looked down at her empty glass. “Just about.”
“Once you have that baby, it’ll be perfect.” Linda patted her hand. “Take my word for it.”
***
Mel dragged herself home, tossing her gym bag one way and kicking her shoes the other.
