Page 71 of The Night the Lights Went Out
“Really?” he asked.
“Why are you so surprised?”
“I don’t know. It’s just, well, I wouldn’t think that you and Heather had a lot in common. At least the Heather she is now. I’d say you’d be more compatible with how she used to be—when she was more relaxed and natural and not always trying to be perfect.”
“Gee, thanks. I’m so glad you see that I’ve given up trying to be anything close to perfect.”
“That’s not what I’m saying...”
“I know,” Merilee said as she opened her car door and climbed behind the steering wheel. “But did you stop to think that the reason why she relates to me could be because she’s still the same person? And that too many of you are judging her because of her glamorous lifestyle and ignoring the person she is? Remember, it wasn’t me she left at the altar, so my opinions aren’t clouded by what she did years ago.”
His eyes narrowed for a moment. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said as he closed her door.
She rolled down her window. “If you need anything in the house while you’re working, the spare key is under the planter with the orange mums.”
“Well, aren’t you just the model of security. A security code that anybody with half a brain can crack, and a spare key in the most obvious place on the planet, where anybody who’s ever watched an episode ofMurder, She Wrotewould know to look.”
“Are you done? It’s a five-hour drive and I’d like to get there before it gets dark.”
“You’re driving? I’m surprised Heather would consider driving in a Honda, even as a passenger.”
“I don’t know if you realize it, but you just insulted not only Heather but also me, since I purchased this car and drive it every day. And, to answer your question, we’re driving separately. She has a lot of stuff for the house and didn’t think there’d be room for me and my suitcase in her car. And I don’t mind. I find long drives relaxing, and I’ve downloaded an audiobook to listen to on my phone.”
He held up both hands, palms out. “Sorry—really. I didn’t mean to be offensive, and I apologize. I hope you have a good and relaxing time. You deserve it.”
Mollified, Merilee thanked him, then started the car.
“Just in case I don’t see you beforehand, what time should I pick you up for the gala?”
“I don’t know—I’ll have to ask Heather since she might need me there early. I’ll text you once I speak with her.”
“Sounds good—have fun. Feel free to call me if you need anything.”
“I’ll be with Heather at her well-stocked house. I think I’ll manage.”
“Yeah, well, just in case. Heather seems to attract drama.” He held up his hands defensively. “I know—sorry. Heather’s your friend and it’s none of my business.”
“Exactly.” She said good-bye again, then drove away from the house, trying to decipher what he meant by Heather attracting drama.
Merilee headed south through and past Atlanta and had just taken the exit to I-16 east toward Savannah when her phone rang, Heather’s name displayed on the screen. She hit answer, then raised the volume so she could listen to it on speaker.
“Hi, Heather. Are you there yet? I’m making good time and should be there in about two and a half hours.”
There was a brief pause, and then: “Actually, there’s a problem. And I apologize for waiting so late to call you, but I was hoping I’d be able to still come. But it’s just impossible.”
A horn blared from behind her and Merilee realized that she’d braked suddenly. She waved an apology and returned her foot to the accelerator. “You can’t come?”
“I am so, so sorry. Brooke woke up this morning with a fever, and I kept expecting it to go away, but it hasn’t. It’s not so high that it’s worrying, and I don’t think she needs to go to the pediatrician—yet—but she’s just miserable and all she wants is her mommy. You know how that is. I’d still consider going if Dan were here—he’s so good with the girls—but he left yesterday for his fishing cabin on Lake Murray and I’d hate to make him come home. I’m sure you understand.”
Merilee was already looking ahead for the next exit, to turn around. “Of course I do. I know how helpless it feels when one of your kids is sick. Michael has the kids all weekend, so I’ll just hang around my house enjoying the peace and quiet...”
“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. You can still go—Iwantyou to go. Trust me, enjoying the peace and quiet at the beach is a lot more fun than staying at home. I’ve had my property manager stock the fridge and wine cellar—and there’s even champagne chilling in the fridge. And orange juice. I remember how much you enjoyed our mimosas.”
Merilee murmured an assent, remembering how easily the champagne had affected her judgment.
“I’ve already remotely reset the alarm code to one-one-one-one—see, I remembered!—so you won’t have to use a single brain cell when you’re there. And I had the property manager leave the front door key under the mat. I know that’s stupid, but it’s just for today, and besides, I have an alarm.”
“Oh, I do the same thing—except I put our key under the flowerpot. I think that it’s so overused and obvious that burglars today don’t bother to look there anymore.”
