Part 27 (2/2)
”I don't know. Dave was going berserk, and I looked out the window. Wayne, be a love and pick up her things. She must have dropped her purse. There are tampons and G.o.d only knows what rolling down the sidewalk.”
Rosalie tried to pretend that nothing had happened- that Nick was inside waiting, that her car was still gone, that she still had a life-anything to get a grip, but it didn't work. When she opened her eyes and saw her car, reality crashed into her again.
She tried, but she couldn't stop crying long enough to tell them what had happened. She could only point to her car and do that weird hiccup thing she did when she cried so hard, she couldn't stop to breathe. Henry tightened his hold and pulled her up with him as he stood.
”I'm taking you inside. Come on darlin', I've got you.”
They led her up the steps and into their apartment, handed her tissues, and let her cry while they commiserated the way best girlfriends would.
When she'd run out of tears, they treated her like a sick child. They plied her with tea, made her nibble on toast, and before she knew it, Henry was leading her to their guest room.
”You'll stay with us tonight. You're in no shape to be alone. Wayne, be a love and go over to Rosalie's and get her a lovely nightgown. She needs to feel pretty. Don't forget her toothbrush. Come on, darlin', let's get this suit jacket off you.”
Wayne came back a minute later with only her toothbrush. ”Henry, she didn't have one decent nightgown. Obviously, she sleeps au natural, au natural, because I don't think she would be caught dead in some of the nights.h.i.+rts I found in her bureau. Rosalie, darling, we really must do something about your lingerie. You need at least a few peignoirs. We'll do a shopping day this weekend. A little retail therapy might be just what the doctor ordered. I know when Henry and I went through a rough patch-” because I don't think she would be caught dead in some of the nights.h.i.+rts I found in her bureau. Rosalie, darling, we really must do something about your lingerie. You need at least a few peignoirs. We'll do a shopping day this weekend. A little retail therapy might be just what the doctor ordered. I know when Henry and I went through a rough patch-”
Henry groaned. ”Wayne, not now. Can't you see she's overcome with grief?” Henry left the room and returned with a T-s.h.i.+rt and sweats. ”Here darlin', try these.”
A fresh rush of tears began. She couldn't believe she was crying again, and in front of people she'd see every day for the rest of her life. Next, she'd start collecting cats-well, only after Dave pa.s.sed. He went nuts if you even mentioned the word C-A-T in his presence.
Oh, G.o.d, she was going to turn into one of those old women with sixty cats, and she'd live here until the SPCA came to take the cats and Social Services put her in a home for crazy, old people.
Henry sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ”d.a.m.n it, Wayne. See what you did. She's started the waterworks again, and I just got her calmed down.”
Wayne left the room in what looked like tears, but it was hard for Rosalie to tell, since she was crying, her eyes were puffy, and she had a tissue covering her red nose.
”I swear. Wayne is such a drama queen. Rosalie, you go ahead and change while I calm Wayne down. I'll be back in a minute to tuck you in, okay?”
Rosalie slept for the first time since Nick had walked out on her. She knew that wasn't precisely the way it had happened, but he'd been the one who'd left. He was the one who had to come back. Right?
She awoke the next morning thinking that she was cuddled up to Nick. When the fog in her head cleared, she found it wasn't Nick at all, but one of those long body pillows. She'd barely kept herself from falling apart yet again. She stretched, and when she saw the time, she screamed. A second later, Wayne knocked and poked his head in.
”Don't worry. We called Gina and told her you were sick and that we were taking care of you. She's not expecting you in the office today.”
Rosalie lay back against the pillows. ”Thanks, Wayne. For everything.”
He came in and waved away her thanks. ”Oh, stop, don't you worry about it. You just take care of yourself. When that man of yours comes back, you two will work everything out. You'll see.”
”I don't think-”
”I know. I heard it all last night. You didn't see how he picked you up and carried you in when you were sick. It was so romantic. He held you like you were the most precious thing in the world. And the way he looked at you-doll, if he looked at me that way, I'd melt, that's what I'd do. I'd melt. You listen to me; Nick will be back. It might take a while on account of all that macho mojo he's dealing with. His type needs a way to come back without looking like they're whipped. Do you know what I mean?”
”I don't know. I guess.”
”I'll be happy to have him back myself. He is a fine specimen. I swear-all the good ones are either straight or taken.”
”Wayne.” She picked up a pillow and threw it at him.
He caught it. ”I know. I'm bad. Let's pretend I was talking about Henry. He's definitely taken.”
”How do you know so much about macho mojo?”
”Ha! I have to deal with that every day. Henry might be gay, but he's definitely all man when it comes to that macho stuff. Straight guys don't have that market cornered, girlfriend. Thank G.o.d.” He stopped and sniffed the air and then checked his watch. ”I made fresh scones. They smell like they're ready to come out of the oven.
You lie back and relax. I'll bring them to you along with your coffee.”
A minute later, Wayne brought in a tray and set it on her lap. She picked at a scone. The only good thing to come out of the whole disaster was that she couldn't seem to eat. The one time she'd tried last weekend, she had to make a run for the toilet.
At least she was losing weight. Nick had always fed her; it was as if he wanted her to get fat. She'd comforted herself with the fact that s.e.x burned a lot of calories. Now she was losing weight without even trying. And sadly, without s.e.x.
After breakfast, she got up the nerve to go home. When she saw what awaited her in the apartment, she was too depressed to shower and dress.
Nick had left the keys to her car next to the keys to her apartment on the kitchen counter. No note, no nothing. He'd just packed all his things and left. The only traces that he was ever there-except for the neatness of the apartment-was his food processor, his beloved vacuum, and a dog bed and basket of dog toys he must have had at his office. When she saw those, whatever control she'd had over her emotions took ahold. Nick would make someone a great father some day. Which meant that he'd also make someone a great husband, and oh, G.o.d, she wouldn't be that someone. She didn't know why that bothered her so. She'd always sworn she'd never marry, but the thought of Nick married to someone other than her made her crazy.
Rosalie sat in front of the TV watching QVC and buying stuff she didn't need. She had ordered a pair of earrings and had just disconnected the call when the phone rang. She quickly muted the TV, praying it was Nick. ”h.e.l.lo?”
”Hey, Rosalie.” Not Nick; it was Richie. ”I called you at work. Gina said you were sick. What's the matter?”
”Hi, Richie. It's nothing, just um... cramps.” She'd learned a long time ago when something was wrong that you didn't want to talk about, all you had to do was tell the guy you had cramps. Once they found out it had to do with plumbing of the female variety, they got off the topic so fast, if they were in a car, they'd have left skid marks. It worked every time.
”I'll call Pop and ask him to pick me up at the airport. I'm coming in tonight.”
”No, don't. I'll pick you up. It'll be good for me to get out. What time are you arriving?”
Rich gave her his flight information and saved her from her shopping spree on QVC. It was just as well. She was buying things she'd never use. How much cubic zirconia could one person wear? Especially someone who didn't wear much jewelry. She'd most likely end up giving it to Mama and Annabelle next Christmas.
Rosalie was a little late picking up her brother. She would have liked to blame it on traffic, but the truth was, she'd lost track of time. He waited outside baggage claim looking p.i.s.sed. She pulled up in front of him and unlocked the door.
”Sorry I'm late.” she said as Rich opened the door.
”Christ, you look like s.h.i.+t.”
”Thanks, Richie, it's great to see you, too. Next time you need a ride, call someone else, okay?” She hit the trunk release, hoping he'd stow his bags and get off the topic of how terrible she looked, but he didn't take the hint.
”I mean it. What? Are you sick or something? Is it contagious?”
Frustrated, she got out of the car and grabbed one of his bags herself. The jerk.
”No, I'm not sick. I got dumped, okay? I really liked the guy, and well, I did something stupid, and he dumped me.”
”I'm sorry, Ro. Do you want me to go beat him up? What's his name?”
”Dominick Romeo, and no, I don't what you to beat him up. Stay out of it, and whatever you do, don't talk to Mama about this.”
”Nick Romeo? What the h.e.l.l were you doing dating Nick Romeo?” He stashed his laptop and garment bag and got into the driver's seat.
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