Tasha’s new acquaintance extended a hand that she happily accepted.
“Hi, Tasha.”
They sat at the table quietly exchanging pleasantries when Gail asked, “Could I get you another coffee? After all, I did gate-crash your quiet coffee.”
Tasha laughed at her summing up. “You really don’t have to.”
“But I would like to.” Gail was already on her feet and just a couple of minutes later she returned carrying two cups. She retook her seat and a little randomly asked, “Are you an actress?”
Tasha nodded, a frown creasing her brow.
“You just have the look of an actress and you’re a young, beautiful foreigner in Hollywood...”
“I see.” Tasha thought back to one of Sandra’s first references to waitresses waiting for their big break in Hollywood and as she glanced around wondered how many of the people around would declare themselves as actors. “What do you do?” Not knowing anything about this woman she felt at a disadvantage.
“I’m a beauty therapist.” Gail reached into her bag and handed Tasha a business card.
“Ah.” The perfectly presented image before her should probably have given some indication, but this was Hollywood and it was full of perfectly beautiful people.
“Are you okay? You look sad.”
She knew she was sad, not that she’d realised she looked it. “I’m fine. I just needed some space,” replied Tasha, unsure why she was being so openly honest with the woman opposite.
“Boyfriend or husband?” Gail gestured towards Tasha’s engagement ring.
“Boyfriend.”
“I miss needing to get away for some space.” Gail sounded wistful, almost speaking to herself.
“Why?” Tasha was confused by the other woman’s words and couldn’t imagine missing how she currently felt.
“My husband died six months ago.” Tears sparkled in her pale blue eyes that looked heartbroken rather than just sad.
“Sorry,” said Tasha guiltily. Jim had been dishonest, naïve, stupid even, but at least he wasn’t dead and her own heart broke a little at the notion of the other woman’s grief and loss.
“Don’t, please,” implored Gail. “He was the love of my life; we were together ten years and he drove me mad.” She laughed. “He was manipulative and bossy, but he was the kindest, gentlest, most loving man I have ever known. I feel like I died with him because I have never felt as alive as when we were together. He brought me to life like nothing and nobody ever had. I was nothing before him and I am nothing without him.”
Tasha could feel tears for the other woman springing in her eyes. Also for her husband who sounded a lot like Jim, but also for herself who Gail could have been describing.
Gail drained her coffee. “I don’t know why you needed space, Tasha, but if you love that boyfriend of yours go home and sort it out or you may end up as sad and lonely as me.” She smiled weakly and added, “And if you need a beauty therapist give me a call, I have a salon down town.”
Tasha smiled, unsure why this woman had chosen to sit with her, to share her grief and offer her some food for thought, but she had and Tasha had probably needed it. “Thanks. I’m out of town for a couple of weeks, but I haven’t found anyone to do waxing and manicures and stuff yet, so I’ll be in touch.”
“Call me when you’re back in town and come and see the salon and let me know how the need for space is going.” She got to her feet and gave Tasha a final smile then left.
Tasha pulled her phone out and started to text Jim thinking she may get some answers before she went home.
She stared down at his response and although it was short and not exactly what she was expecting she believed it was honest at least.
So she was almost incidental to his deceit, it was all about Bobby and what Jim probably saw as his betrayal for having any kind of relationship with Mickie after all the years of rebuking her advances and resisting her charms.
