“What?”
“This is a big meeting with our new account, and I can’t make it. So you’ll do it in my place. Sound good?”
“Do what in your place?” I say to her. “You’re the president.”
“And you’re the deal closer,” she counters me. “Perls is a huge client. You’re awesome with new customers. This should be no different. And if it works out, there’s a bonus attached, along with some great experience.”
“Oh, gosh.” I can feel the panic in my voice as I stare at her. “I don’t know, Viv. The last time I was in Manhattan, things kind of went off a cliff.”
Vivian nods sympathetically. “But this is just for one day. And it could be a great opportunity to maybe heal those memories, no?”
“Why Manhattan? Perls Retail is nearby here. Isn’t that the only reason they’re thinking of us?”
“The president of the regional offices is in New York,” Vivian explains. “And he can’t be bothered to come to little Liberty Falls. So if we want the contract, we need to go to him. I’ll give you the notes I have, and you can do the rest of the research. If you’re up for it, that is.”
I take a deep breath. I’m not sure I’m up for anything that’s happening in my life right now, but it doesn’t really feel possible to turn back. And I doubt Vivian will ever have the same respect for me as her top employee if I turn this opportunity down.
“Sure,” I say to her. “I’ll do it.”
Vivian gives me the thumbs-up. “The meeting’s the Friday after the fair. If you want, stay for the weekend. Bring a hot date. The company will only pay for your plane ticket, but if you want to bring somebody, you can drive instead of fly. Doesn’t matter to me as long as you’re at that meeting at eleven a.m. sharp.”
New York. Take two but without a cheating husband throwing off my game. Sounds like a plan.
* * *
Vivian lays a stack of folders on my desk after lunch with a, “this is just a fraction of what you’ll need to know for your meeting in Manhattan.”
I spend the afternoon poring over the documents, and by the time Mom picks me up outside the bank at six, I officially feel like I’m under water. Which turns out to be a perfect mood for tonight because Mom’s surprise for tonight’s Adult Education class is—water aerobics.
“I thought physical exercise might be better than another art class,” Mom explains as I start to protest. “We’ll pop by your house so you can grab your bathing suit.”
“Mom, I don’t even have a one-piece,” I say. “I only have a bikini, and it’s really skimpy. I’m not convinced it will stay on through a rigorous exercise class.” I sigh as she ignores me and heads the truck in the direction of my house. “The other day, you said you signed us up for oil painting.”
“Well, I did. But they called last night and said the class wasn’t full, so it was going to be cancelled. The woman on the phone was very nice, and she said water aerobics still had room. I hear it’s absolutely fabulous exercise,” Mom says as we turn onto my street. “And so gentle on your joints. I’m hoping to get Bea into a regular class if tonight goes well for her. She’s a little nervous about her suit as well,” she explains as we pull into my driveway.
She turns off the truck and follows me up the front walk, despite me telling her I’ll be right back. “But not for the same reasons you are. She’s worried her suit looks too old-fashioned, but she needs the full coverage if you know what I mean.”
I snap my head in her direction and give her a look, hoping to silence her.
But my mother has never been quick to quiet.
“She’s always been hairy in the genital area,” Mom explains as I block my ears. “What, Olivia—she has! It’s been a source of great embarrassment for her. She hates to swim because of it.”
“Mom, why doesn’t she just shave then?” I head into my walk-in closet, turn on the light, and shut the door so I can change into my suit. “Or use a hair removal product, or go get a bikini wax or something?”
“She’s thinking about it,” Mom says. “Especially the home hair removal product. She won’t do the wax because she’s afraid of the pain. I told her I get my chin waxed, and it’s not that bad, but I don’t know how I’d feel about a bikini wax myself. Have you ever tried it?”
I’ve got my suit on now and I throw a tank top and jean shorts over it before stepping out of the closet.
“Yes, I’ve tried it,” I say. “I don’t particularly like it, though. I think Bea should stick with trying a product at home.”
* * *
“I’m Angel.” The instructor with bleached blond hair and a sunburned face appears in front of us as we all stand by the pool. Her bikini’s more revealing than mine is, so I guess I needn’t have worried. “Welcome to water aerobics. You’re going to love it.”
This time, other than Angel, Iamthe only person here under the age of fifty. Mom shushes me when I whisper that to her and tells me to count my blessings I’m still young and fit.
“Bless that body of yours, Olivia,” Mom says as we step down into the pool together. “Don’t be sorry you’re here with us. Be happy your butt is so firm.”
