Lasting Damage (9 page)

“Oh,
nothing for me,” she said. “I was just dropping off my resume. I should
probably get going.”

“It’s
on the house.” Jane offered. “Can’t beat that with a stick.”

“Okay.
Sure.”

“So,
what’ll it be?”

“I
have no idea,” she said, her words breathy and nervous. “I just normally drink
a glass of wine.”

“Anyone
can drink wine. What you need is something spectacular.”

“Sounds
great.” Sarah shifted nervously in her chair. “You’re the boss.”

 “Did
you ever make it back to France?” Jane filled a clean shaker with ice and
grabbed a champagne glass. “That was your plan? Am I right?”

“No,
I never did.” Her eyes narrowed just a bit, it was as if she’d stepped on
something sharp and didn’t want anyone to know she was in pain. “Life just sort
of happened when I wasn’t paying attention.”

“That’s
how it usually goes,” she replied, measuring out two ounces of French vermouth
into the shaker. 

Sara
watched her for a long moment before her gaze shifted and she seemed to spark
back to life. “How was NYU?”

“It
was college,” she replied. “I probably could have gone anywhere and gotten the
same education.”

“And
you’re family?” she asked. “How are they all doing?”

“Same
as they ever were,” Jane answered and added the Kirsch and raspberry syrup. “What
about your parents? How are they holding up?”

“They
got divorced when I was in college.”

“Was
that a good thing or a bad thing?” Jane poured the drink into the glass and added
a maraschino cherry on top.

“Good
for them,” she paused. “But weird for me since I was faced with the realization
that they were only staying together because of me.”

“Doesn’t
really seem fair to dump that kind of responsibility on a kid.” Jane said,
placing the glass down in front of her.

 Sara
picked her drink, she looked like she was about to say something when they were
interrupted by Sammi as she swept up next to her.

“Jane!”
Sammi exclaimed as she sat down next to Sara. “What are you doing behind my
bar?”

“Just
serving up drinks to the pretty ladies.”  Jane gave Sara a crooked smile. “What
are you in the mood for, Sammi?”

“Something
fruity,” she laughed. “And put a pink umbrella in it.”

“You
don't work here?” Sara took a sip and let out a satisfied sigh. “This is really
good.”

“I
thought you might like it.”

“Are
you up for a second round, sweetheart ? That drink looks good on you and I’m
buying?” Sammi asked as she slid onto the barstool next to Sara. “Jane, would
you be a dear, and mix me up one of those?”

“No,
I'm good,” Sara replied politely before taking another sip. “One is more than
enough.”

“Is
Jane teasing you?” she asked with a big exaggerated pout. “She's so mean. What
are you drinking?”

“It's
um,” she stammered. “I’m not really sure what it is.”

“Rose
Cocktail.” Jane told them. “It’s a French drink from the twenties.”

Sara
sat up straighter on her stool and smiled. “It’s perfect,” she said softly.

“I
am to please,” Jane said, quickly setting up to make the next round of drinks. “I’m
just glad you like it.”

“Robin
and I are having a party on Friday night,” she paused, lingering over her last
sip as though it was the best part of her day. “It’s like a housewarming thing
and I’d be great if you could make it.”

“Do
you need a bartender?” Jane meant it to sound like a tease but she could hear
the note of some darker emotion hidden in the words.

“Of
course not,” Sara bit her lip before reaching into her pocket and taking out a
pen. “It’s nothing like that. I’d never do that to you.”

“I
was just kidding,” Jane watched as Sara wrote something out on her napkin and
wondered if she was as big of a jerk as she seemed to be or if Sara didn’t have
a sense of humor.

“I
want you to come.” She reached across the bar and set the napkin next to her
empty glass “I’m sure Robin would love to see you.”

“I’ll
try and make it.” Jane stared down at the bar and memorized what was written on
the napkin without intending to. “I’ll have to check my schedule first.”

“You
can text me either way,” Sarah said as she slid off the stool. “If Friday
doesn’t work out maybe we could meet up for coffee sometime?”

Jane
nodded silently, her eyes meeting Sarah’s for an instant before the other woman
turned around and walked away.

“Something
going on that I need to know about?” Sammi asked, she traced the scrawling
letters from Sara’s note with the tip of her index finger. “This is her address
and phone number.”

“Just
old high school people that I hoped to never have to see again.”

“And
now you have to go to their housewarming party,” Sammi said before taking a
sip. “Why didn’t you just tell her you had to work that night?”

“I
don’t know,” she lied. “I guess I choked.”

“Jane?”
Sammi set her drink down and gave her a knowing glance. “I’m not one of those
little pups you hang around with. I’ve been around for a while and I know when
something’s going on.”

Jane
looked around to see if Alice was within listening distance before answering
Sammi’s question. “She stole my girlfriend back in high school and they’re
still together.”

“And
you’re stepping foot in their house?” Her voice hinted at the myriad of
emotional entanglements that could evolve from the present situation.

“I’m
still undecided.”

“Oh,
honey, you are gonna need a new dress and some shoes. Those people have no idea
who they’re dealing with.” Sammi nodded furiously. “Take Chloe shopping with
you, that girl knows how to dress.”

“I’m
not going.” Jane set up for a rose cocktail of her own since Danny’s martinis
were undrinkable. “It’s a waste of a perfectly good Friday night. Sara and Robin
always had the snottiest friends. I probably wouldn’t even get hit on.”

“Bullshit.”
Sammi sniffed. “You’re the best looking girl in this town. I’d totally fuck you
if you were into girls like me.”

“Sammi,
if it wasn’t for the heat you’re packing between those milky white thighs I
might actually take you up on that offer.” Jane chuckled.

“You
are such a sweet talker.” Sammi smiled. “Now before I start sprouting wood why
don’t you and I talk about my new business venture?”

“Business
venture?” Jane cocked a curious eyebrow in her direction. “You’re not going to
try to get me to sell Amway are you?”

“Oh
honey, do I look like that kind of woman?” She asked with a determined shake of
her head. “No, this is huge and I think you’re going to love it.”

*****

 “This is making me ill.” Jane shoved
another dress on back onto the rack and shook her head. 

“I
like this one.” Chloe held up a flimsy little haltered number and smiled.

“Nope,”
Jane replied the instant she saw it. “I don't have the chest for that.”

“You're
not exactly flat-chested.” Chloe put it back on the rack and pressed a finger
to her lips as she examined the options in front of her. They’d been to three
different consignment stores and two vintage dress shops in less than five
hours, and had come up empty handed. Jane could feel panic setting in as they
closed in on the end of the rack with dresses her size.

“I’d
rather get something that doesn’t require having to wear a padded bra.”

“What
are you talking about? You look good in everything.” Chloe told her as she
pulled out a hanger covered with emerald green lace and sparkles.

“What
planet are you living on?” Jane shook her head.

“The
one where I'm serving drinks to straight girls who like making out with each
other to impress their boyfriends.” She set the lace monstrosity back on the
rack and selected another of equal ugliness. “I need a real-life girlfriend”

“You
sure you're ready for that kind of commitment?” Jane teased.

“Not
really. I should probably just get a ferret.” She sighed dramatically before
holding up some kind of strange garment made of bright red leather and waved it
around.  

“Not
in this lifetime,” Jane said with an exasperated laugh. “I think this place has
been picked over. We might have to head into Freeport.”

“No,
we don't.” Chloe held up one hand as she reached for the next dress. She was
smiling like a cat. “I’ve got a few prospects.”

“I’m
tired of prospects,” Jane whined like a cranky toddler. “I just want to go home
and take a bath and call the whole thing off before I make a complete ass out
of myself.”

 “Hold
up, Cinders,” Chloe interrupted her with an excited squeal as she pulled
something black from crazed sea of bright color and nauseating pattern. “I have
found the dress.”

“Do
I dare ask?” Jane groaned.

“Vintage
Vivienne Westwood.” Chloe held up a black lace mini dress with a scoop
neckline, low back and bell sleeves. It was part Daisy Duke, part Daisy Buchannan
and all kinds of awesome. “The perfect dress for a rockstar’s daughter.”

“Okay,
that might be a good one.” Jane felt her stomach do a fast drop to her feet as
she realized she had the best dress on the planet so she was going to have to
go to the fucking party whether she wanted to or not.

And
she was going to have to go dateless.

Chloe
leveled her gaze straight at Jane and watched her for a moment before handing
over the dress. “You’re gonna to leave us, aren’t you?”

“What
are you talking about?” Jane pressed the fabric to her nose and inhaled. It
smelled good. Freshly dry-cleaned and properly stored, no scent of mold or
mildew and not a fray in sight.  A very good sign for a piece of clothing that
was older than she was. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I
know things didn’t work out with you and Harper but eventually you’re going to
find someone and move away.” She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled. It
was the kind of sweet, sad smile that made people want to do whatever it took
to make her look happy again.

“That
doesn’t mean I’m leaving.” Jane assured her.

“It’s
going to happen eventually.” Chloe let out a slow breath. “It has to. The three
of us can’t live in that apartment for the rest of our lives. Eventually one of
us is going to go do something stupid like fall in love.”

Jane
folded the dress over her arm as she studied her friends face. She’d known
Chloe for nearly six years, they’d gone to college together, been dorm-mates
and then roommates but managed to never share a bed. She was as close to her as
she was to Lily and she planned on keeping it that way until the three of them
were bunking together in the nursing home. She’d never actually had any other
plans in life other than getting a bigger apartment so the three of them could
have more space for their clothes.

“Sammi’s
opening a lounge down in the Old Port and she’s looking for investors,” she
announced when she realized it was the perfect thing to say.

“I
think my waitressing days are numbered.” She tucked a stray piece of  hair
behind her ear and went back to examining the dresses on the rack.

“That’s
not what I said,” Jane corrected her. “I said she was looking for investors.
People who will help her build and run the place.”

“So,
not just a few silent partners to soften the financial risk?” Chloe asked.

“I
wouldn’t blame her for trying to protect her assets.” Jane’s eyes settled on
the big brown price tag dangling from the edge of her dream dress and
contemplated turning it but she knew it would be the quickest way to talk
herself out of buying it. She had money, her small bits of coin she earned from
a job she hated would cover the dress and a new pair of heels, so she wouldn’t
have to touch fat trust fund she’d earned by keeping her mouth shut and doing
as she was told for the first eighteen years of her life. “I just know that I’m
tired of lining other people’s pockets, and maybe it’s about time we owned
something of our own.”

8.

“
Now you just
look like a stalker.”

Harper was halfway up the stairs to Jane’s apartment when she
noticed her sitting in a chair on the porch. She had her ipad in her lap, a red
solo cup in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

“That wasn’t my intention,” Harper said as she took the last step
onto the porch.

Jane took out her earbuds and took a drink before speaking. “What were
your intentions?”

“Apologizing,” Harper replied. “Making things better.”

“You’ve been sitting in your car for twenty minutes.” Jane took a
drag off her cigarette and exhaled. “Were you rehearsing a speech?” 

Harper wanted to remark on the fact that Jane was watching her but
decided it was a bad idea. “I keep trying to pull one together but I can’t
figure out what I want to say,” she admitted. “Everything sounded wrong.”

 “Well, I appreciate your honesty.”

“That’s good to hear.” Harper pointed to the pack of cigarettes on
the table next to Jane’s chair. “This isn’t because of me, is it?”

Jane shook her head and brought the cigarette to her lips.

“What were you listening to?”

“Blonde Redhead.” She exhaled slowly, the white smoke creating a
gauzy curtain between them.  

“On Spotify?” Harper leaned asked the porch railing and attempted
to engage Jane in conversation. “I’m on there, is you’re interested. The
royalty scheme sucks but the exposure helps sell tickets.”

Jane took another long drag from her cigarette and remained
silent.

“You’re not going to talk to me, are you?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” Jane responded, she set the iPad down on
the table beside her so she could stand up. “I was leaning in the direction of
forgetting you ever existed, and then I was thinking that if you made some kind
of grand gesture I might reconsider ignoring you.”

“Grand gesture?” Harper stuffed her hands into her pockets. She
was nervous and expected the worst but seeing as how Jane hadn’t called the cops
or thrown anything sharp at her she figured things were headed in a good
direction. “What kind of grand gesture are we talking about?”

 Jane stubbed out her cigarette. “I bought a dress today.”

“And you want me to wear it?” She knew her sad attempt at being
cute had failed miserably by the irritated grimace Jane gave her.

“No.”   

“You want me to pay for it?” Harper decided to try the cute thing
one more time and was rewarded with a small smile from Jane.

“No.”

“Well,” Harper began. “Why don’t you tell me how to connect the
grand gesture to the dress so I can agree to do whatever you tell me to do?”

“I have to go to a party.” Jane picked up the pack of cigarettes,
pulled another out and promptly lit it. “It’s a housewarming party for my
ex-girlfriend from high school and the girl who stole her from me.”

“Doesn’t sound like much of a party,” Harper said.

“I was thinking about going alone, but I don’t want to go alone.” Jane
stared off into space for a second before taking a breath and snapping back to
reality. “Having people hate me is something I’m perfectly comfortable with,
it’s when they think I’m pathetic that I begin to get itchy.”

“I doubt anyone who spent ten seconds talking to you would think
you were pathetic.”

“That is very sweet of you to say.” Jane took another drink from
her red cup and let out a small, self-deprecating laugh. “But, you haven’t met
Robin and Sarah. They are practically perfect in every way.”

“Did you just throw me a Mary Poppins reference?” Harper couldn’t
help but laugh.

“I’ve had a few drinks.” Jane took another drag and exhaled. “And
a few pills. Nothing I’m saying should be taken seriously.”

“So, when is this party and what would you like me to wear?”

“Friday night,” answered Jane. “And, for the record, you’re not
allowed to be cute and flirt with me until after I grant you my forgiveness.”

 “I know you’re pissed.”

“Don’t bother trying to state the obvious,” she said, staring down
into her cup. “It’s a waste of time.”

 “What if I told you that I was an idiot?”

“It’s a start.” Jane looked up; her eyes were cool and assessing. “But
I’ll need a real explanation.”

“I don’t know that I have one.” Harper confessed.

Jane crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze.

Harper opened her mouth and closed it again without saying
anything. “I can’t figure out what I want to say,” she said, her voice shaking
with anxiety.

“If you don’t know what you want to say how can you expect me to
help you?” Jane subbed the half smoked cigarette out and took another drink. “And
when you don’t talk it forces me to make assumptions.”

 “I panicked. I knew who you were and I knew you kept as far away
from industry people as possible.” Harper let the words form without thinking. “I
didn’t want you to think I was hanging around for any other reason than liking
you. I was wrong and I’m sorry.”

“I find that to be an acceptable explanation.” She nodded
thoughtfully. “Now, you show up here on Friday night looking slick and
expensive and things will be better.”

 “You should’ve held out a few more minutes.” Harper teased. “I
make a really good macaroni and cheese. I put bacon in it and make a white
sauce with cheddar.”

Jane cracked a smile. “Are you trying to beg my forgiveness with
comfort food?”

“Bacon and cheddar cheese.” Harper reminded her. “No one can
resist it.”

“Now you’re just being a kiss-ass.” Jane gave the cup a swirl before
she downed the last of her drink. “Do you want to come in and I’ll make you a
drink? I bought a huge bottle of Russian Standard that I’m never going be able
to finish on my own.”

“I can’t,” Harper felt an immediate sting of regret at having to
turn down the invitation. She wanted to follow Jane into her house and watch
her mix a drink but she was obligated to putting the album together. “I’ve got
drive back to Riley’s. Things aren’t going very well.”

“Bummer.” Jane’s eyes shifted away from Harper and settled on the
parking spaces down below. She stood up and peered over the railing. “Getting
people drunk is my specialty.”

Harper turned to watch a black Lexus roll to a stop out in front
of the building. She was about to ask who it was when both front doors opened
and two women, a blonde and a brunette got out.

Harper couldn’t take her eyes off them. They made her think of a beautifully
mismatched set of salt and pepper shakers. The blonde was tiny, overly thin and
disheveled in a put-together kind of way. The brunette looked expensive,
stunningly beautiful, and cold. Harper realized it was the difference between
new money and old money.

“Alice and Lily.” Jane motioned with her head as the duo ambled up
the walkway and headed toward the stairs. “The walking wounded.”

 “Is my sister plying you with alcohol?” The blonde’s eyes were
big and bright and her smile seemed easy.

“You must be Alice?” Harper asked. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“I’m sure you have,” Alice laughed as she and Lily stepped up to
the porch. “Jane and Riley love bitching about me.”

“Not gonna argue with that.” Jane answered with a disinterested
shrug. “Since Harper and Alice have already done introductions, Lily Hastings,
this is Harper Merrick and Harper this is Lily. You can speak to her but do not
shake her hand. Lily likes to bite people.”

“Hmmm,” Lily sighed dramatically, her full red lips curling
deliciously. “Human’s taste good.”

“Oh, speaking of Riley,” Harper paused to take Alice’s phone out
of her pocket and handed to her.  “He said you needed this back.”

“Sweet.” Alice pressed the power button and immediately started
opening apps.

“What is that?” Lily pointed to the cup in Jane’s hand. “Don’t
tell me she talked you into buying her a keg?”

“Do not let the Solo cup fool you.” Jane scowled at her friend. “I
don’t do shitty fratboy beer.”

Lily put her bag down next to Jane’s chair and picked up the pack
of cigarettes. “Turkish Golds?”

“She’s feeling nostalgic,” Alice announced, momentarily joining
the conversation before going back to her phone.

“So, what’s in the cup?” Lily scrunched her face into a funny scowl
and gave it a curious sniff. “Am I going to hate it?”

“Only if you’re an ungrateful asshole.” Jane announced.

“When am I ever not an ungrateful asshole?” Lily’s batted her
thick eyelashes at her friend and gave her a wicked smile. “It’s sort of what I
do.”

“Ungrateful assholery?” Jane laughed. “Man, you got that right.”

Lily plucked a cigarette from Jane’s pack and produced a lighter
from her purse with expert speed. “So, you two wanna go dancing? Maybe pick up
some pretty girls and teach them how to do bad things?”

“Harper needs to get back to Riley’s.” Jane answered.

“What about you?” Lily smiled.

“I’ve got a date with Chloe’s hair.”

“That means Chloe’s out,” Alice snapped a quick picture of her
shoes and started texting again.

“That’s too bad,” Lily sighed. “It’s no fun going to a lesbian bar
with a straight girl.”

“Hey,” Alice laughed. “I am a very fun person.”

“Yes, but you not one of the ‘lesbians who lunch’.” Lily informed
her. “I’m going to spend the whole night explaining why you won’t go home with
anyone.”

Alice rolled her eyes before breaking away from their little crowd
and stomping off into the apartment. Lily made an annoyed growling sound and
followed a second later. 

“Lesbians who lunch?” Harper couldn’t help but ask.

“Alice likes to dance with girls but she doesn’t eat pussy.” Jane hooked
her thumbs into the belt loops of her cutoffs and grinned like a bad cat. “Lily
likes to remind her of that every time they go out to a bar together.”

“Because she likes her?”

“Lily? No.” Jane chuckled. “They’re good playmates but Lily likes
her girls a whole lot more pulled together than my sister is ever gonna be.”

“I’d ask about you and Lily but I’m sort of floundering around
with this misplaced sense of jealousy.”

“Jealousy is an unavoidable part of human conditions.” Jane put a
fresh cigarette to her lips and paused. “And, for the record, I don’t think
you’re floundering. I know what other people see when they look at Lily, but
when I look at her I just see family. It’s the same with Chloe.”

“The waitress who grabbed me?” Harper asked.

“Smart girl.” Jane tapped Harper’s forehead with her index finger
and smiled. “You’ve put two and two together and come up with four.”

“Doesn’t everyone?”

“Not really,” Jane replied. “And you should probably get going
before Riley calls to chew me out for distracting the talent.”

“He did tell me not to stay too long. It was something about you
stuffing Alice into the trunk of my car.” Harper pushed away from the railing
and pulled out her car keys. As much as she wanted to stand on the porch
basking in her general awesomeness she got the impression Jane wasn’t a fan of
farewells that lingered on for hours. “What time would you like to see my face
on Friday?”

Jane brought the cigarette to her lips but pulled her hand away
and said, “Seven sounds good.”

“Okay,” she said as she stepped down on the first stair. “Seven it
is.”

*****

Harper was at Riley’s kitchen table flipping through mock-ups of
potential album when Alice wandered into the room with a bottle of orange juice
in one hand, a pint of tequila in the other and her brother hot on her heels.

“You need to go back to Jane’s,” he said juice bottle. “Alice?”

“What?” She turned around, her mouth formed into a wide smirk.

“You need to-”

“Drink.” She interrupted with a high pitched laugh. “Riley, I need
to drink.”

Riley glared at the back of her head while she crossed the kitchen
and plopped herself down across the table from Harper and smiled. “Hi.”

“Hi,” Harper said with a friendly wave.

“Please don’t encourage her.” Riley made his way to the sink and
poured himself a glass of water. “And don’t make eye contact. Once you make eye
contact we’ll never get her to leave.”

“I don’t see why you’d want me to leave,” she mused as she
unscrewed the cap on the tequila bottle. “I’m the better sister.”

“Oh,” Riley laughed. “You are?”

“The two of you are aware that our sister, Jane, is using Harper
to get back at some bitches from high school?” Alice emptied the alcohol into
her orange juice bottle, screwed the cap back on and gave it a shake. “She’s on
a vengeance quest.”