Annie's Rainbow (26 page)
Authors: Fern Michaels
“I thought you said you didn't have any guts.” Annie smiled.
“Only when you're around. Let's finish up, so I can call the utility companies. Bob hates it when there's no air conditioning.”
“Do you know what he does or where he goes?”
“There's been a string of women. This last one is the daughter of his boss. It's not a large company that he works for, but it is successful. If Bob had been a good husband, we could have had a good life. Daisy's future would be secure, and I wouldn't have to worry about paying bills and dodging creditors.”
“What did he do with the money, Jane?”
“He likes expensive suits and custom-made shoes. He leases a Porsche. He has a boat. He has two Rolex watches. He goes on trips. He has a passion for Las Vegas. I couldn't go along because Daisy was in school. He never asked me, though. I think he married me because he believed I was going to be a famous artist someday. I sell, but I'm not famous. You should have seen his face when he found out about the Daisy Shop. It's called high living. I really did love him, Annie, but that love died a long time ago. I wasn't smart enough to get out. I guess part of me kept hoping it would get better. Instead, it got worse. Daisy is going to need some counseling.”
“We'll take care of all that. I guess this is the last of it. Anything else you want to take?”
“That's it. I'll call the utility companies and tell them to turn everything off by five.”
“Sounds good to me. Let's have something cold to drink and make a plan for Daisy. How about a good summer camp? Tom's daughter is a camp counselor summers at a really good one. It will give you time to get on your feet. She'll be happy with other kids; and in the fall, when it's time for school, you can be all settled in.”
“No stress, no strain. It sounds like heaven.”
Annie forced a laugh she didn't feel. “No, the stress is going to come when it's time to go shopping. Charleston has some beautiful stores, or we could spin up to Atlanta and shop there. We're going to start you off right.”
“How can I thank you, Annie?”
“Thank you is good enough. You're my friend, Jane. We always said we'd be friends forever and ever. I meant it when I made the promise. I thought you did, too.”
“Annie, I wanted to call you so many times. They say pride is the deadliest sin of all.”
“That's in the past. This is a new day. Make your calls, and I'll fix us some ice tea if you tell me where everything is.”
Jane pointed
-
as she dialed.
-
as she dialed.
At three-thirty, Bob Granger roared up the driveway and parked his silver Porsche under the carport. His roar was as loud as his sports car when he stormed into the kitchen. “What the hell is going on?” he demanded.
“I just wanted to get your attention,” Jane said in a trembling voice.
“Well, you got it. What's going on? I was in a meeting with a client, Jane. I told you not to call me at work.”
“I guess that's because you don't want me to know you're never there. I don't care, Bob. I'm leaving.”
“You called me home to tell me you're leaving. Where are you going? I hope you're taking the kid with you. I'm not doing that baby-sitter shit. When will you be back?”
“Daisy is going with me. I'm not coming back. I'm leaving you. I'm filing for divorce.”
“What the hell's gotten into you?”
“What part of what I just said don't you understand, Bob?”
“The part about why your friend is here and all of a sudden you're getting a divorce. I always thought there was something fishy about the relationship between the two of you.”
Annie's insides turned to Jell-O. She saw Jane raise her arm, heard the slap she rendered high on her husband's cheek and the tirade that followed. Her stomach started to quiver at the ugly words being uttered.
“Stupid, ugly bitch! Who the hell would want you? Look at you. You're nothing but skin and bones. I can see through you, for Christ's sake. That hair of yours is like a wild mop and your face is. bony and long and those freckles are not the least bit attractive. You sound like a horse when you laugh, and I'm ashamed to be seen with you. The kid looks just like you. Go. Who gives a shit. We'll divide everything evenly.”
Annie was off the chair like a bullet. She pushed Jane out of the way. She jabbed her index finger in the middle of Bob's neck. “You miserable, stinking bastard! You say one more word about my friend, and I'll lay you out cold right here in this kitchen. You get nothing but this house and whatever bills you've run up. Jane signed over the Daisy Shop to me, so you can forget that. It's time now for your wife to live like the queen she is, and your daughterâmy godchildâwill be a princess. You, you son of a bitch, are the ugly frog in your custom-made Armani suit. Read my lips, Mr. Granger. You fuck with me, and it will be the last thing you ever do. Don't sneer, don't snarl, don't try to bluff me with indignation because I'm capable of wiping up the floor with you. Oh, by the way, you can have this house and that car in the driveway, you know the one, the junk pile Jane drives. She'll be driving a Mercedes from now on. You can keep your leased vehicle. Jane doesn't want it. We will be asking for those two Rolex watches for Daisy. Child support is going to come high.”
“Get the hell out of my house,” Granger sneered.
“It will be my pleasure to leave this house,” Annie snarled in return.
Annie had to prod Jane to get her to move. “They were just ugly words, Jane. That's all they were. Ugly people say ugly things. It's behind you now. Don't let what he said blind you. .You are just the opposite of everything he said. Except for that wild bush of hair. Come hell or high water, you're getting it cut. That's my only stipulation to this whole deal.”
Jane smiled. “I never, in all the years I've known you, heard you talk like that. He was afraid of you. I didn't think he was afraid of anything. I usually tie it back. You're right, it needs to be cut. I'm okay. Thanks for standing up for me back there. I just froze. Bob never talked to me like that before. I guess that's how he felt all along. God, how could I have been so blind?”
“Your eyes are wide-open now. Let's get this show on the road. We have to pick up Daisy Jane Granger. I'd give some thought to taking back my maiden name if I were you. I like the way Daisy Jane Abbott sounds.”
“I do, too. Thanks for being my friend, Annie.”
“Thank you for being mine, too, Jane.”
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Annie walked through the big house, aware of the silence. She looked down at Rosie and Harry, who were always at her side. “We have a child in the house. I would think there would be noise. Maybe Daisy and her mother went out.” Harry stopped in his tracks and whimpered as he nudged his mistresses's leg, inching her toward the kitchen and the door that led to the garden: “Okay, you want out. Let's go.”
She saw her then, a bundle of arms and legs curled up in the wooden chair under the umbrella tree. She'd been crying, but her eyes were dry now. Clutched in her hands was a tired and worn stuffed dog that had seen far too many washings. A plate of cookies and a glass of milk stood untouched on the table next to her.
“Hi, kiddo. Where's your mom?” Annie asked cheerfully.
“She's taking a shower. She wants us to look nice when we go shopping.”
“Are you excited about going shopping? I know this great store that has the prettiest bicycles and the fastest scooters. They have a magnificent Barbie house in the window. Did I tell you Rosie knows how to play checkers? Harry is learning to play, too.”
The little girl with the big brown eyes looked skeptical. “Really and truly, Aunt Annie?”
“Really and truly, Daisy. I taught Rosie, and Harry watched. You see, before you and your mom came here to live, I was all alone. Sometimes I wanted to play checkers, and the dogs were the only ones around, so Uncle Elmo and I taught them how to play. Rosie cheats.”
Daisy smiled, then she giggled. It was a delightful sound to Annie's ears.
“Does your dog have a name?”
“Elizabeth. Will they let me take Elizabeth to camp? Can I come home if I don't like it?”
“Of course you can take Elizabeth with you. I can see she's your loyal and trusted friend. You can come home if you don't like camp. I think you're going to love it. You'll make all kinds of new friends. You'll get to meet my niece Mandy. She's going to look out for you. You get your own pony to ride every day. You'll learn how to play tennis. Mandy is going to give you swimming lessons. The campfires are wonderful. You'll toast marshmallows, roast weenies, and tell ghost stories. You have to promise to write at least once a week.”
“Is my daddy going to come here?”
“No, Daisy, he isn't going to come here.”
“Truly truly?”
“I'm sorry, Daisy.”
“I don't want him to come here. I don't like it when he makes Mommy cry. Elizabeth doesn't like it either.”
“You don't have to worry about that anymore. You and your mommy are going to live here from now on. Your daddy is going to live in California. That's three thousand miles away. You can bring all your friends here to play in the garden. I called a friend of mine who said he can build you a playhouse in the garden. You are going to have so much fun you won't want to go to sleep at night. I saw your mommy laughing last night. She's happy to be here. I hope you're happy, too. I think I hear her now. Guess that means we better get moving. I have to warn you, I love to shop!”
“Oh, Aunt Annie, you are so funny.” The little girl giggled.
“I don't think anyone ever called me funny before.”
“You girls ready?” Jane called from the kitchen doorway.
“We're ready, aren't we, Daisy?”
Both women watched as Daisy handed her worn, stuffed animal to Rosie. “Watch Elizabeth for me till I get back.” Harry woofed softly.
“I think Elizabeth is in safe hands, Daisy. Rosie will guard Elizabeth, and Harry will guard them both. Are we ready, ladies?”
“We're ready, Aunt Annie.” Daisy giggled.
“Just five days, Annie, and I can see a difference in my child. I'm so grateful to you,” Jane whispered.
It was four o'clock when the weary shoppers returned home. Annie made ice tea while Daisy demonstrated all her new toys and clothes to her captive audience of three: Elizabeth, Rosie, and Harry. She generously handed out treats to the panting dogs, whose tails swished furiously in delight.
“I think we had a good day, Jane. Daisy seems happy. You look great with your new haircut. I'm off tomorrow for New Jersey, so you guys are going to have the house to yourself. Elmo will be here with the dogs, but I'd appreciate it if you kind of watch over Elmo without him knowing you're watching.”
“For you, Annie, anything. Is there anything you want me to tell your niece when she arrives to pick up Daisy?”
“Nope. Tell her I love her and to take good care of my godchild. Are you going to be okay alone?”
“Annie, I've been alone so much these past years it doesn't matter. I'm comfortable with my own company. This will give me some quality time with Elmo.”
“Then I think we're all set. Since you agreed to cook dinner, I think I'll go upstairs and call Parker. I want to change my shoes and clothes.”
“Take all the time you want. Thanks, Annie.”
“Pooh. It was nothing.”
Annie looked at her watch as she settled herself in a comfortable chair that allowed for a view of the water. It was nine-thirty in Hawaii. She dialed and waited.
“It's Annie, Parker. I've been thinking of you all day. I have so much to tell you. Oh, I'm sorry. Go ahead, talk to your nephew. Call me back later. I'll be here all evening.”
It was nice that Parker's nephew called from college. She knew Parker liked to be asked for his advice and always went out of his way for his nieces and nephews. Maybe it was better that Parker would be calling later.
With nothing better to do with her time, Annie called Kiki Aellia's private number. She smiled at the upbeat tone when her soon-to-be-sister-in-law answered.
“It's Annie, Kiki. I just called to say hello. How's everything?”
“At this point in time, things couldn't be better. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. How are things with you?”
“Pretty good, all things considered. My friend Jane and her little girl, who is my godchild, are staying with me. Parker is going to call later tonight. He was on the phone with one of his nephews when I called. Tomorrow I go to New Jersey. By the time I get back, Parker will be here. I think we might be moving up our wedding date to September.”
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