The House of Roses (35 page)

“
A margarita for the blender cleaner, one for the man with the secrets, one for the new mama with the enormous .........diaper bill, and one for me,” Maria said, passing out the glasses.

They drank and talked, and laughed for an hour as the babies dozed in their stroller. It was an evening of new beginnings for two new friends, and for a mother and daughter who were learning how to be friends again.

Forty

Colin Thomas opened his eyes on Saturday morning and braced himself for the pain. When it didn't come, he sat up, stretched, and looked to make sure the leg was still there. It was. He sighed with relief. He wasn't a big fan of pain, and he was relieved that it was beginning to abate. He heard something in the kitchen, and suppressed the urge to hide with the covers pulled over his head.

“
Who's there?”

“
It's me......., Caren.”

“
Caren?” Colin asked, as though he couldn't remember who Caren was.

“
Your nanny?  You gave me a key last night. You don't remember?”

“
Of course I remember,” he said, appearing in the kitchen doorway in running shorts and a worn college sweatshirt.

“
How's your leg?”

“
Better. It hardly hurts at all.”

“
Good,” Caren said, as she began making coffee.

“
Caren, I don't mean to sound like an ass, but what are you doing here?”

“
When I stopped by last night, I think I picked up your cell phone by mistake. I assume you have mine. Some vet lady called, and said your paperwork is all approved and she wanted to drop off Faith at 10:00, which she planned to do if she didn't hear from you by 9:00. I called your house phone, but it went right to voice mail.”

“
Crap. I shut off the ringer.”

“
I figured. Did you sleep?” Caren asked, and Colin nodded and looked at the clock.

“
It's 9:45,” he groaned.

“
It is,” Caren said, as she added water to the coffeemaker.

“
When is this dog coming?”

“
In fifteen minutes, and this dog is named Faith.”

“
I know. I'm just not awake yet.”

“
Why don't you get a shower and we'll have some coffee. Maybe you can hobble down the street with me and we'll take the pup for a walk. What time are you picking up the girls?”

“
Noon.”

“
Good. We've got plenty of time. I don't have to be to work until two.”

“
I've got to swing by the hospital and pick up that wheelchair for Rosario,” Colin hollered through the bathroom door.

“
No you don't. I called hospice and they're bringing it here at 10:15.”

“
Have I told you you're amazing, Caren?” he asked, his words slightly muffled by the sound of running water.

“
Yes. Tell me again.”

“
You're amazing, Caren!”

“
Thank you, Colin!”

Colin emerged five minutes later looking refreshed and boyish. His hair was still wet, and he wore a white golf shirt, well-worn khaki shorts, and running shoes. The knee was freshly bandaged and looked only slightly swollen.

“
Coffee?” Caren asked.

“
Yeah. Thank you.”

“
You're welcome. How do you feel?” she asked.

“
Like a kid.”

“
Knee feels that much better?”

“
Yeah, it's better, but that's not why.”

“
Humor me,” she said, turning around with a steaming cup of coffee and a smile.

“
I'm getting a dog. I can't believe how excited I am. I'm getting a dog, Caren.”

“
So you said,” she replied, watching him carefully. Colin Thomas was a delightful mixture of man and boy, and he had no idea how remarkable he was, which only added to his charm.

“
You're a good guy, Colin.”

“
I'm trying.”

“
Keep up the good work,” Caren said, as they both turned at the sound of a knock on the front door.

“
I'll get it,” he exclaimed, barely containing his excitement.

“
Hi,” Colin said, as he opened the door to see Dr. Emma Larkin, high school chum, veterinarian, and dog rescuer, standing on the other side. Faith wriggled under her arm.“I'll take that.” Colin reached for the little dog who licked at his face gingerly. He laughed like a young boy.

“
He's excited,” Caren said.

“
I see that. I'm pleased,” Emma said. “Emma,” the vet said, extending her hand.

“
Caren,” Caren said, taking the hand Emma offered.

“
Mrs. Thomas?” Emma asked, as both women stood watching Colin and his new friend.

“
No. I'm Caren Wells. I'm the nanny.”

“
Nice to meet you, Caren,” Emma said, and Colin looked at Caren.

“
I never knew your last name, Caren,” Colin admitted.

“
It's Wells.”

“
Look, Caren Wells. Look at this little darling. Mia will love her,” Colin said, and Caren reached out to pet the dog's head. “Mia is the little girl I'm adopting,” he said for Emma's benefit. Emma smiled in response.

“
Mia will love her,” Caren said in total agreement. “Emma, I just made a fresh pot of coffee. Would you like to join us for a cup?  We're expecting a delivery in a few minutes, and then we'll hobble out to take this gal for our first walk.”

“
I'd like that. Speaking of hobbling, how is that leg, Colin?” Emma asked, taking a stool at the breakfast bar. “Thank you,” she said, reaching for the cup of coffee Caren offered.

“
It's good today. It needed stitches. I hate stitches.”

“
So do I,” Emma said. “Colin and I went to high school together,” Emma said to Caren, who had joined them at the breakfast bar.

“
He told me,” Caren replied.

“
Imagine running into him in Central Park,” Emma said incredulously.

“
Literally,” Colin said. Something fell in the living room and everyone turned their heads. Faith ran in circles in the next room.

“
Little shit can move,” he said in amazement.

“
Colin!” Caren exclaimed and Colin shrugged.

“
She's helping me clean up my language.”

“
You have a puppy now, Colin. You're going to be cleaning up more than language,” Emma said with a smile.

“
I know,” he said, glancing back in the living room at the puppy who was surveying her new surroundings. “I just rented a house with a huge back yard. We're actually moving tomorrow.”  Colin proceeded to further explain the story to Emma.

“
How is she doing?” Emma asked of Rosario, after Colin finished the sad story.

“
She's getting close,” he said unhappily. “We're going to keep her at home. Hospice is coming.”

“
I'm sorry she's not doing well. Faith will be good for her, too,” Emma said, standing and reaching for her coat. “It was good to see you again, Colin. Keep in touch. Nice to meet you, Caren, and thanks for the coffee. I've got to be getting back. I've got another adoptive family coming at noon to take a St. Bernard puppy.”

“
Wow, big dog,” Caren said.

“
Yes, he's a big baby. He deserves the family we found for him.”

“
You do good things, Emma,” Caren said. “I'm glad to have met you.”

“
Thank you. I'm impressed with what both of you are doing, not only for Faith, but for this little girl and her family. You grew up to be a good guy, Colin. There is a lot of ugliness in this world. I really relish moments like these when I get to come face to face with the other end of the spectrum.”

Colin smiled broadly, and he stood to see Emma to the door.

“
Thanks, Emma. Thanks for coming, for bringing Faith, and for what you said, especially about me being a good guy. Sometimes I'm not sure,” he admitted.

“
You're welcome, Colin. You are one of the good ones, so don't doubt yourself. Faith's papers are on the counter. My card is there, too. Call me if you need anything or have  questions, and I'm serious about keeping in touch.”

“
Me, too. It was really good to see you. Enjoy your weekend.”

“
You do the same,” Emma replied. Colin kissed her cheek and watched as she disappeared down the hall.

“
You look happy,” Caren said, as Colin reappeared in the kitchen.

“
I am.”

“
Good, because Faith just peed in your living room.”

Colin stepped into the next room, armed with a wad of paper towels.

“
Caren, can you hit that light switch on the wall just inside the doorway?  The pee seems to be blending. I don't see it.”

Caren hit the switch as asked, and the entire living room was immediately bathed in light. “Better?” she asked.

“
Yep. Got it. Hey, Caren, this proves what I've always said,”  he said, dropping the wad of towels onto the elusive puddle.

“
What's that, boss?”

“
Everything goes with beige!”

***

Caitlin Goodrich stood on her mother's porch, watching a fluffy white cloud that resembled a poodle. She could hear Rita in the shop preparing for the day's festival that was due to start at noon. She heard a voice behind her and turned. Maria Sands looked like, “the last rose of summer”, which seemed fitting given their proximity to the flower shop.

“
Rough night?” Caitlin asked with a smile.

“
I live to excess, what can I say,” Maria said, gripping tightly to the steaming mug of coffee she held in both hands. “What time are we going to this thing?”

“
Noon.”

“
What time is it now?”

“
Just past ten,” Caitlin said. She leaned toward the baby monitor that remained blissfully quiet.

“
How long have you been up?” Maria asked.

“
A long ass time,” Caitlin said, yawning loudly.

“
Are you okay, Cate?”

“
Just tired.”

“
It's more than that.”

“
It is,” Caitlin said, sitting in one of the many rocking chairs that adorned the porch. Maria sat beside her.

“
Talk to me, girlfriend.”

“
I don't know where to start.”

“
Just talk,” Maria said encouragingly.

“
Okay. I'm seeing Colin on Monday. I'm telling him about the twins and Ella, and I'm scared shitless.”

“
Scared to see him?”

“
I'm scared of everything.”

“
Everyone's scared, Cate.”

“
I never was. I mean, I was scared when Daddy got sick, and I was scared when Colin left, and I was terrified when I found out I was pregnant, but now I'm scared of everything.”

“
You should have called me. Hell, I should have called you.”

“
I know that now,” Caitlin said, reaching for the hand her friend extended. “I'm less scared when you're here.”

“
I'm glad. That's what best friends are for, Caitlin.”

Caitlin turned as she heard a familiar gurgling sound coming from the monitor.

“
They need me so much, Maria. What if I fail them?”

“
Why do you think you will?” Maria asked, and Caitlin shrugged.

“
I don't know. Things are such a mess, Maria. How can I spring this on Colin?”

“
Just tell him. He's a grown-up, Cate. He can handle it.”

“
I'm not sure he's good with chaos.”

“
He's a doctor, Cate. He's surrounded by chaos.”

“
I know he is, and I think that's why he's always fought so hard to keep it out of his personal life. He likes things orderly. My life isn't exactly orderly.”