It's Only Make Believe (7 page)

“Well don’t you look like the Cheshire cat?” Sarah looked up from her desk and straightened the papers she held. “Is Brad home? You look absolutely glowing.”

Michele stopped at the doorway to her office, looked at her attractive secretary with her long blond hair. Pretty, petite Sarah, Michele thought, she deserves to be as happy as me. “No, Brad isn’t home, but he called this morning.” Michele hugged herself. The sound of Brad’s voice lingered in her mind, warmed her. She sat down behind her desk, opened the O’Neil file and wondered what was wrong with Mr. O’Neil.

She hoped Sarah was right, that he was having a bad day. Three weeks ago, he’d been as excited as his wife about the renovation. He‘d been so anxious to get started that Jane had to talk him into waiting until Michele returned from her honeymoon. Michele felt grateful for the Waite’s recommendation. Cheryl Waite’s dining room must have impressed Jane O’Neil, because she insisted on waiting. Patrick agreed reluctantly. She thought he’d be happy that she could get started early. She shrugged and began work designing the kitchen. Most of it was standard procedure, but Jane wanted an island and a different set up than she had now. Michele began with the commercial size stove and placed it in a strategic location on the mock up, then the refrigerator, dishwasher and wine cooler. Playing with different arrangements, she finally came up with one that satisfied her.

Work and choosing colors for the other rooms in her own home took up most of Michele’s time. Brad came home and left again the same day for another two weeks. Much to her chagrin he had been delayed another week. He had now spent more time away from her than they had together. Married almost two months and they only had a four day honeymoon. If this was his idea of marriage, he was sadly mistaken. He had told her marriage for a year wouldn’t be difficult, that the year would pass quickly. Maybe for him it would. And his phone calls came less frequent, and they seemed to have less to say to each other. Her husband became a stranger. But then she hardly knew him when she agreed to the marriage. How could someone be so attentive and caring on their honeymoon and then ignore her? Probably just the setting.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Michele hired Jason to paint the rest of the house and came home one evening to find the living and dining room finished. The soft beige of the living room soothed her while the deep brick red in the dining room gave a sedate elegant feel to the room. The crystal chandelier shimmered in the room, and the contrast of the white woodwork added to the warmth, just as she hoped it would. Unfortunately, the heavy oak furniture looked out of place. She wanted something delicate against the dark walls and a wood floor with an area rug rather than the white carpeting. Michele hated white carpeting. Although elegant with the right mix of textures, she preferred color. Bold color, rich, soft subdued color. Not just a hint of color. Depending on the room as to the tone and boldness. Mostly she liked subdued color, burgundies and forest greens as opposed to Christmas reds and greens. She liked the primary colors – they had their place - but she liked the subdued variations – dusty blue instead of royal blue. White worked for other people just not her. She found it lacking warmth and excitement. Variations of white, cream, ivory, and off white weren’t bad. Done properly they often soothed and relaxed. Pure white on the other hand, well Michele found it dull, sterile, and cold. It did nothing for her. Reminded her of snow, and she had enough of that outside in the winter. Didn’t need it inside. White didn’t invite people to relax. She remembered being afraid to walk on it in her mother’s home.

Making a mental note to discuss furniture with Brad, she went in search of dinner. Lately she’d become so hungry. Must be the good food Anna tempted her with. Not that Anna minded. Michele swore the bigger the meals the more it delighted the cook. The delicious aroma of Italian spices and garlic invited her into the kitchen. Anna stood at the stove stirring a large pot.

“Are you cooking for an army?” Michele pulled a spoon from the drawer and dipped into the large pot to sample the sauce. “Hmm,” she licked her lips and savored the spicy sauce. “Anna, you should have opened a restaurant. This is divine.”

Anna’s face glowed and her grin threatened to explode her puffy cheeks. “I’m happy to see you eating for a change. You young women think it’s so important to stay thin, you look, what’s the word ano...? It’s about time you put some meat on your bones.”

“Anorexic?” Michele looked down at her thin frame and noticed she had put on a little weight. Her skirts and slacks had become a little snug. All the fattening food Anna tempted her with had increased her appetite. Vowing to begin a diet tomorrow, she dug into the large plate of pasta Anna set before her. “Anna this is scrumptious. She bit into a piece of homemade garlic bread. Anna topped the meal off with an amaretto cheesecake for dessert. Michele sat back and patted her stomach. Stuffed from the large meal, she couldn’t remember ever having eaten so much. Hopefully, she wasn’t becoming one of those stress eaters. The fact she and Brad had become so distant scared her. Strange, just a few months ago, she hadn’t even wanted this marriage. Had only agreed when Brad suggested they only stay married to satisfy their parents.

The phone rang. “I’ll get it, Michele yelled, hoping it was Brad. She hoped the disappointment didn’t show, when she heard her mother’s voice. “Michele, why are you answering the phone?” Her mother started on her as soon as she answered. “Why do you have a maid, if you continue to do her job?”

Michele had avoided her mother after their last meeting. Her comments about not understanding why Brad spent so much time in San Francisco irritated Michele. She’d even hinted that maybe there was more going on than Michele realized. Not something she wanted to hear. Michele had enough doubts of her own without her mother adding to them.

Michele walked around the newly painted room, trying to draw calmness from the warm color, while her mother ranted and raved about Michele not spending any time with her.

“Really, Michele, I don’t understand why you can’t set aside one afternoon a week for lunch at the club with Myra and me.”

Michele made excuses that she was busy with work. “I’m usually free on Thursday, Mother.” Knowing full well, her mother had meetings on Thursdays. She recalled the disaster last time she had lunch with her mother and Myra. Myra had insisted Michele call her Mother Lawson. Michele almost gagged at the thought. She had always called her Aunt Myra. So now she made it a point to look at Brad’s mother when she spoke, thereby avoiding the necessity of using the awful phrase. Mrs. Lawson and her mother had questioned her all through lunch about Brad’s lengthy business trips. They even hinted it was Michele’s fault. Both women had tried to give her advice to help her marriage succeed.

“You must put him first, dear,” her mother said. “Your job isn’t top priority. I don’t understand why you insist on working anyway. Brad’s income should amply support you.”

“I work because it’s my business and I enjoy it, Mother.” Michele tried to explain. “Besides, with Brad gone so much it fills my time.”

“You should do more volunteering to fill your time. There’s always the charity at the club, Michele,” Myra added. “It would show Brad he’s first in your life.”

Michele couldn’t believe it. Both women were so involved in their so-called charities and the club they hardly had any time for their family, let alone their husbands. She didn’t need their advice and certainly didn’t care to listen to them suggest she was the reason for Brad’s absence. Brad’s work demanded a lot of his time, and he had to travel, but before they were married, he was never gone this long at one time. She feared the worst, of course, and worried about him being with Ruby. Ruby’s words continued to haunt her, a constant reminder that her marriage wasn’t real.

She hung up, disheartened. Brad’s phone calls had become less frequent, shorter, and strained. Her hand had hardly set down the receiver and the phone rang again. Still upset with her mother, she answered in a nasty tone.

“Michele, are you okay?” Her mood lightened at the sound of Brad’s voice.

“Brad, hi, yes I’m okay, sorry just hung up with my mother.”

“Oh, okay. Listen, I only have a minute, but I called to let you know it’s going to be a couple more days.”

What else was new? It was becoming an ongoing pattern. Tears welled in her eyes.

“We have few more things to iron out.”

“Okay.” What else could she say? Her heart fell to her feet. Maybe her mother was right. Maybe she was the reason Brad stayed away. Visions of Ruby flashed in her mind. Michele was sure she heard her voice in the background.

“Okay, gotta run. Later.” Brad broke the connection.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Brad hung up and threw Ruby a dirty look for interrupting. Did he hear Michele sigh? Was she disappointed? Maybe he should have told her about the honeymoon he planned. He sat on the bed, disappointed. Michele’s simple okay sounded like it was fine with her if he stayed in San Francisco forever. Sure, why not, she was footloose and fancy free. She could come and go as she pleased and didn’t have to answer to any one, leading the single life. His jaw tightened. She’d better not be leading the single life. They had a deal, and she better be sticking to it. He had promised to remain faithful; she’d better do the same. She thought their marriage was a sham, he’d even thought so himself, so why did it bother him that she was okay with him being gone. Maybe because she acted like she cared on their honeymoon, as if she enjoyed his company.

“Brad, let’s go, Edgehurst is expecting us.” Ruby’s voice brought him back to the present.

This is it, Brad decided. “This is our last meeting with Edgehurst. I don’t care what he says I’ve had enough.” He followed Ruby. Edgehurst could pound salt for all he cared. He had a wife he hadn’t seen in over a month, had spent less than a week with. “It’s time to go home.” He caught Ruby’s disappointed look.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Michele went to the O’Neil’s. Work had begun on the kitchen, and Patrick still hadn’t put in an appearance. Despondent over Brad’s last phone call, she found it difficult to concentrate. She threw herself into her work. Jane had chosen pewter blue for the walls. Michele had suggested a stainless steel sink and counters of natural concrete, with slate tile behind the sink and range. The natural gray complemented the stainless steel appliances and created a rich, elegant feel to the kitchen. Jane seemed pleased with the choices and samples. The light fixtures arrived, and she scheduled the electricians for next week. She arranged to return the next day.

Michele went home tired and still out of sorts from Brad’s phone call. She picked up the mail off the hall table. “Anna, I’m starved, what’s that delicious aroma? Can it be turkey and biscuits?” She went toward the kitchen and caught something in the living room out of the corner of her eye. She backed up and went in. Brad stood in the middle of the room.

“Brad!” Her heart raced, her stomach flip-flopped, and her pulse quickened at the sight of him. She hadn’t seen his car in the drive. “I didn’t expect you.” What a surprise. She wondered if her face betrayed the delight at his unexpected arrival.

“Looks like you’ve been busy.” He waved his hand around the room. “I like it.”

She stood in the doorway, wanting to run to him, but restrained herself. “I’m glad you like it. Now if we can get rid of this white carpeting and overstuffed, over-sized furniture...” Her voice dropped to a whisper as he came toward her, reached his hand up, and ran his finger across her lips. She shivered from his touch. Catching a movement out of the corner of her eye, she saw Louise watching them. Before Michele had a chance to speak, the girl disappeared. She turned away from Brad. What was Louise up to? Was she sneaking around and spying on them. Her stomach growled, and she remembered how hungry she was. Brad stiffened at her resistance. “Whatever Anna is cooking smells delicious. I’m starved, let’s eat.” She turned toward the kitchen.

“Michele...”

She stopped, turned, and looked into his eyes. “What?”

“Never mind, let’s eat.” He dropped his hand to his side and followed her.

He stopped at the entrance to the dining room. “Wow!”

She smiled, appreciating his approval. She loved the color and once she replaced the furniture, she’d love to eat in here. “I’d like to take up the carpet and replace it with a hard wood floor and area rug.” May as well broach the subject now. Get it over with. “I hate white carpeting, and I’d like to get some new furniture. This set is too heavy and overbearing for this room.” Darn it, she hated that she talked too much and too fast, almost to the point of babbling.

He pulled her chair out for her and looked around the room. “You’re right this furniture is too heavy. I don’t know why our parents didn’t consult us. Do whatever you want. I trust your judgment.”

Disappointment washed over her. She had wanted to pick out the furniture with Brad, not by herself. Not sure how to broach the subject, she let it pass.

Anna fussed like an old mother hen. “Here, Mr. Brad, mashed potatoes, gravy.” She brought the food to the table and set it in front of him.

Michele laughed, watching the attentiveness. “Careful, Brad, she’ll be feeding it to you next.”